Disclamier: Not JK…

A/n: Written for the Death Eaters Competition. The character was Lucius Malfoy and the prompt was nail polish.

This is my first attempt at a Lucius/Narcissa. Tell me if I did okay?

Chapter 1: Cat out of the bag

Lucius Malfoy entered the Black Manor only to be struck with a sharp scent of something that was sweet and fruity. Absently, he crossed the drawing room and placed his hand on the knob of the door he knew would lead him to the magnificent living room of the Black Manor. The Blacks were as infamous for their luxurious mansions as they were for their involvement with Dark Magic. Lucius' mouth curved into a smile as he thought of them. He visited the Blacks frequently. It was one of his most preferred time killing activities. And one that gave him a chance to meet the one person that was as arrogant and contemptuous as he was.

There was a tinkling sound of laughter from the other side of the door that made him hesitate. His pureblood manners kicked in and he knocked. "Come on in Lucius. It's just Cissy and me" the slightly piercing voice of Bellatrix invited him. He entered the door and found the source of the scent that now surrounded him like an invisible mist.

Shrugging off the slight dizziness it gave him, he concentrated on the woman in front of him, steadfastly ignoring the most beautiful and enchanting of the Black sisters. Neither did Narcissa give any indication that she felt his presence as she painted her fingers. Her expression was nonchalant and bored, as if she was being forced to watch her least favorite movie for the hundredth time. To her, Lucius was no more interesting than the wallpaper behind him. Just another Death Eater that had better sense than to endanger his life by trying to woo her.

"Good that you are here. Rodolfus would be here soon too" Bellatrix continued, looking at her sister's face for any change. It was no secret in the Snakes' lair that the youngest Black sister and the Malfoy heir did not get along well at all. Bellatrix was neither subtle nor successful in her attempts to get the two together. Dark Magic and Unforgivables were more her forte.

"Good. Getting caught between her and you would probably be every guy's worst nightmare" Lucius smirked as he purposefully sat on the armchair which was closest to Narcissa. His eyes concentrated on Bellatrix outwardly but he was actually trying in as many ways to get Narcissa to speak up as he could, without directly addressing her. So far he had had no success in it.

The doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of Rodolfus. Bellatrix stood to get the door. Narcissa shifted her position on the couch as if she was going to say something but sat back, deciding against it. Lucius didn't need Legilimency to know that she had thought of objecting to being left alone with him. It pleased him that he was atleast getting an indirect reaction from her. Being ignored got really tiresome sometimes. Smirking, he turned to her as soon as Bellatrix's head had disappeared. Narcissa was still intently painting her nails, but her irritation was coming off her in waves that gave Lucius the impression that she was pretty ticked off. He couldn't help but wonder what had caused this. She was never this annoyed and usually reserved it until he had goaded her for a good fifteen minutes.

"Something the matter with you, Cissy?" he asked in a whisper, which would have sounded suave save for the blatant amusement in them. She turned her head slowly in his direction, and it was apparent that she'd much rather watch the dark night outside the window than the face beside her. When she spoke, her voice dripped with unconcealed boredom.

"Nothing of your concern. And its Black to you Malfoy" she turned back to her task, concentrating on it just a bit more than necessary. She would have appeared the picture of languor except that she was gripping the bottle too tight and her hand shook slightly when she painted her nails. And of course, nothing escaped Lucius Malfoy's eyes.

"It's confusing when there are two of you" he said explanatorily as he sat back on the armchair. It was clear he wasn't leaving anytime soon.

"I don't see the difficulty. You call my sister Bella. Call me Black"

"But it would be in bad humor if I call your sister by her given name and not you. Afterall, it was you who was my classmate"

"You mean it wouldn't be as interesting, as irritating to me"

"Either way. So, you never got around to telling me what was bothering you?"

"I thought I had given you a subtle enough reminder not to bring it up?"

"Must have missed it"

"Can't blame you. With the intelligence level of a street cat, I should be surprised you understand what I speak at all"

"Narcissa…" Lucius' tone was threatening. But they had not even the smallest effect on her. She appeared a bit calmer, if anything. Lucius stared at her keenly, wondering what could have upset her this bad. That had been way below what she normally shot out.

"I'm not your puppy, Malfoy. These threatening pitches don't work with me, if you hadn't realized it before" Oh, he had realized all right! Nothing and noone got under the stone thick wall that was Narcissa Black's composure.

Suddenly incensed, Lucius felt like plucking the dratted bottle of nail polish away from her pristine hands and throwing them at the immaculate wall just to see if she'd be ruffled by that. Not many dared to ignite Lucius Malfoy's perilous temper. Not even Bellatrix Black who claimed to be as fearless as the Dark Lord. But this woman before him, she was going way past the limit. Never mind that he could never hurt her. But of course, he had his reasons for not doing so. He had no wish to anger the Blacks, who were his family's closest friends and partners in crime.

He never did understand why that never applied to Bellatrix, though. Probably because he had seen her battle. Seen her kill people without breaking a sweat. Narcissa triggered in him an insane urge to protect underneath all those layers of animosity he felt for her. If it was between Bella and Narcissa, Lucius was sure it would be Narcissa he would jump in front of. And that thought only served to increase his already mounting ire.

"Of course! The high and mighty Narcissa Black answers to nobody" he muttered under his breath, knowing she'd hear. He was rewarded with a sharp intake of breath before being faced with the furious face of the only Black who wasn't a Death Eater.

"I make my choices Malfoy and I see no reason why you consider yourself eligible to comment on them" she said scathingly. Lucius knew his comment had been out of line but getting a rise out of her finally outrode any guilt he might have felt.

"Since I have made the right choice, I think it my responsibility to tell you"

"I'd appreciate it if you would keep your opinions to yourself. And keep out of my business"

"Ah! But who wouldn't be interested in your business? You won't join the Dark Lord. You won't marry either. You don't date, even. Really, is sitting around doing nothing your sole aim in life?"

"Keep out of my life, Malfoy" she said, and her voice shook with the effort it took her not to snap at him.

"When I'm finally getting under your skin? Not a chance"

"If you value your life, Lucius…"

"I value it enough to know you're no danger to me, Cissy" he replied and smiled so cheekily at her that she couldn't help shrieking at him and pouncing on him.

She did not know what she had thought she could do. Exactly. She hadn't thought. Why else would she have gone against all that she had been taught and react so violently? It certainly did not help that Lucius' face was fixed in a wide smile without even the slightest hint of fear. He had got the reaction he had wanted. His hands were tightly around her waist, and it certainly wasn't comfortable. His eyes, so pleased, so close to her face, didn't help either. She tried to release herself, without much success.

"Let go, Malfoy" she said, trying to remove his hands from around her. They only tightened in response.

"Malfoy. I have priorities in life"

"Is tackling unsuspecting people one of them?"

"No. Neither is getting myself locked up in Azkaban. Let. Go. I swear I won't stop with a threat the next time" He did release her this time, and she got up quickly, dusting herself off. That was why, when he stood up, she did not immediately notice the mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Have I ever told you that feisty women who give out death threats with no intention of following through oddly attract me?" he smirked widely this time and Narcissa had barely any time before he pecked her on the lips. It would have been nothing if they hadn't immediately jumped apart. Neither of them had anticipated that spark. Not with each other. Not even in their worst nightmares. It took Lucius a second more then Narcissa to compose himself. She was back to her impassive self by then.

"If you were trying to intimidate me by that stunt, Malfoy, I must tell you that you were worse at it than I'd have thought. Rabastan would probably give you a run for your money" Narcissa noted with satisfaction, the confusion and displeasure this caused him. Lucius opened his mouth to say something when the door opened and Bella entered with her fiancé.

Seeing her chance, Narcissa said, "I should be leaving. A Death Eater soirée is no place for me" before she crossed the room to the door. Before leaving, she looked back at Lucius' face one last time. She knew he was imagining things and was glad that he had enough creativity to come up with the worst of conclusions.

She did not need Lucius Malfoy in her life. Letting him in would mean involving her emotions and that was the very thing Narcissa wanted to avoid. But of course, she knew it would take a bit more than a few suggestive comments to keep him away if he set his mind on chasing her. She wasn't entirely confident of herself either.

Neither of them had won the fight that day but both had learnt a lesson. There was no use trying to ignore things. It just meant that the effect would be that much more worse when they came out.

A/n: Review!