Title: Marriage Binds

Author: Blemery

Rating: PG-13

Pairing(s): Arthur/Lucius, Lucius/Narcissa, Arthur/Molly, Bellatrix/Rodolphus, hintings at Sirius/James, late Draco/Harry etc.

Beta: none would really like one anyone interested?

Spoilers: None

Warnings: AU, Male/Male

Summary: Ever wonder why the Malfoys and Weasleys hate each other or why there is a gap between Charlie and Percy. The answer is rather simple as most families of pureblood descend both Weasley and Malfoy practiced arranged marriages. However, arranged marriages go slightly array when one of the pair falls in love with someone else, before the arrangement is made official.

January 21st 1973

Arthur sat at his office checking away at the mindless paperwork. It allowed him to not think about anything. He could escape in to the constant pain that clenched at his heart. It wasn't easier for him people said it would get easier. Arthur wasn't sure if he believed them anymore. If it wasn't for his sons Arthur was sure that he would've taken up residence at St. Mungos by now.

He didn't look up when his door opened and someone came in. It was probably the head of the department. Arthur had recently stepped down from his role of head of the department. He couldn't justify the hours now that Lucius couldn't be home to watch the boys. The new head of the department was a young kid fresh out of school maybe a year or less. He was constantly seeking out Arthur's advice and knowledge. He felt the prickle of the hairs on the back of his neck and knew that he was being watched by whoever entered. It wasn't his boss then, he would have spoken up by now.

"What do you do with the boys when you're working?" A dry drawl filled the silence of the room. There was coldness to the voice that Arthur had never heard before but he knew the voice anywhere in any language.

Arthur dropped his quill and his gaze raced up his lover's form. He recognized all of it. He could see tautness in Lucius's chest and stomach that wasn't before. His face was discolored but disguised under a foundation. Other then those minor difference there was nothing different about the man that stood in front of Arthur's desk. Arthur scrambled over the top of the desk afraid that if took the time to go around Lucius might disappear.

"Arthur," Lucius held a hand between them. It forced Arthur to stop. Arthur's insides churned. Lucius had never put distanced between them. He was different now. Arthur could see it. After only six months Lucius was not the same.

Arthur took a step closer to the blond. When Lucius didn't move Arthur took another step closing the distance between them. He held his strong warm hands just over Lucius's shoulders. After so long waiting and wanting Arthur stood in front of Lucius and he hesitated. He knew what it felt like to have Lucius in his arms but he stood frozen. "Luke, I just want to…so bad…to touch you."

Lucius tilted his head up slightly and closed his eyes but he did not deny Arthur the touch. He hoped that the simple act might heal him. Arthur let his hands find the soft flesh between the man's neck and shoulders.

Arthur stared at his hands. They slowly slipped off their resting place. "I can't, not anymore." He had trouble breathing. His mind was trying to settle on that fact. Lucius's gaze remained on the ceiling and Arthur's fell to the floor. "Oh gods Luke, oh." Arthur dropped to his knees. "I hate this so much." He grasped the hem of Lucius's robe and used it to push the tears away. "I love you so much."

Lucius didn't lower his eyes but a hesitant hand found Arthur's head, his fingers curled in the red locks. It was with that gesture that Arthur knew that his Lucius was still there. No matter how different he was how different they were Lucius was still his. Lucius wasn't showing it but Arthur knew that he needed Arthur just as much as Arthur need him that he was suffering just as much.

"Arthur we have to talk." Lucius whispered after minutes.

Arthur nodded. He stood up from the floor. He leaned back against the desk. "Charlie and Bill need to see you again. I have to convince Charlie every night that you are still alive and Bill, he's worse if you can imagine."

"And that will be arranged, of course. I love my sons more than anything. I will not have them taken from me." Lucius's narrowed his eyes. Arthur could see the hurt and betrayal that those eyes hid. Arthur knew he could blame Bellatrix for all of those emotions.

"Is there something else you want to discuss?"

"The first thing I wanted to do when they finally left me alone was to go back to you." Lucius explained softly.

"And you can Lucius. I know that—"

"There is a reason why I can no longer come to you." Lucius looked at the door. He closed it. "Arthur please you can never tell anyone what I'm going to say."

"Of course not, Lucius. I would never betray you." Arthur swore. "Use a charm on me if you must but you'll see that it's not necessary."

"No, no you're right. It's not necessary. I trust you more than anyone." Lucius cast a heavy silencing charm on the room. He moved to push his sleeve up. "I-I didn't want to. They had known I didn't want to all along. But they took me to him anyway. He almost didn't want to. He knew that I didn't like him, but he also know I am extremely loyal. With that and my connections to the ministry he couldn't kill me."

Arthur felt the seemingly blank skin on his arm. Lucius shivered at the touch. "He branded you? So everyone can see that you're his?" Arthur glared at the unseen mark.

"Yes, I knew you would understand. I belong to him now." Lucius stated.

"Well can't you fight it? Isn't there some way. I know you can fight I'm certain of it." Arthur was begging. He didn't care though. He didn't want to believe that one mark stood between him and Lucius.

Lucius shook his head. "It's not what I wanted but it seems Fate never wants me to have anything of value."

"He might have branded you Lucius but so did I! You belong to me! I claimed you deeper and harder then anyone could. Written on your hear is my name." Arthur snapped. He folded his arms over his chest. He was more broken, more hurt then angry. He let the anger cover up the anguish however.

"Man cannot serve two masters, Arthur. I will love one and hate the other."

"He's a crazy man! He'll get you killed, Luke! I don't want you to die. It's bad enough having to live without you, but – I don't want to have to be the one to tell your sons about your death. I don't want to lose you like this. What's the matter if you hate him and love me anyway?"

"It's a miserable way to live being consumed by evil and surrounded by hope and love. Never being able to find them. And…I might love him, what then, I could never forgive myself if I hated you."

Arthur frowned glancing to the floor. He did not say anything as he pulled off the silver band from his ring finger. Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Our marriage is ruined. He put the ring softly in his pocket. "But our love is still there, its everlasting."

Lucius stared for a few minutes. He removed his own ring and put it away. "We kind of knew something like this was going to happen."

"Yea, but gods it was worth every moment of it." Arthur breathed heavily.

Lucius nodded and turned to leave. He paused in the door when he heard Arthur say. "Molly watches them, the boys." Lucius half turned to stare, his mouth wide open in shock and his heart shattered.