A / N : Drabble, 500 words, for the Quotes Challenge on xoxLewrahxox's Forum. Thanks to Caitlin for the quote!
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind, and won't change the subject." - Winston Churchill.
Enjoy - and if you like it, please review.
On Monday, at dinner, a young man from the Daily Prophet takes the seat opposite her husband and asks him some decidedly awkward questions.
Lucius' lip curls within ten minutes, and his fingers twitch towards his wand.
Narcissa sighs, toys with her spoon . . . . and flirts shamelessly with the young man, until he turns pink and drops his roll in his soup, making quite a mess of his robes. Eventually he excuses himself and hurries home.
(On his way out, he mumbles something about writing an article on illegal dragon-breeding instead.)
Lucius strokes the back of her neck absent-mindedly, and Cissy smiles.
oooooooOOOOOOooooooo
On Tuesday, Narcissa and Rodolphus conspire, and convince Bella that she has to be seen in public more than twice a year, or people will start to think they keep her locked in the attic.
Amelia Bones gives a speech on tolerance.
When Bellatrix breaks into racuous laughter and people turn to stare, Narcissa slops a glass of red wine over herself. It is the only distraction she can think of, and as she is wearing white, it works rather well. Bella looks quite cruel, but Amelia continues her speech, unsuspecting.
When Rodolphus tries to dry his sister-in-law off (muttering apologies), Bellatrix steps somewhat jealously on his foot and takes over the task.
Bella puts her cloak around her sister's shoulders – thoughtlessly, impatiently – and it is almost (almost) like an embrace.
Cissy smiles.
oooooooOOOOOOoooooooo
On Wednesday, Narcissa spots the tell-tale signs of boredom in their dinner guest, the newest member of the Wizengamot. She pours the man another glass of wine, and steps ever so gently on her husband's toes.
Lucius steers the conversation swiftly in another direction, and strokes the inside of her wrist. He nods at the house-elf - who turns around abruptly, and doesn't bring the cheeseboard in after all.
Cissy smiles.
ooooooooOOOOOOoooooooo
On Thursday, Narcissa turns nineteen.
Lucius invites no-one she likes to her party, and spends the evening hinting that she ought to befriend a squat, square-featured young witch with terrible taste in shoes, who is married to . . . oh, someone political.
Bellatrix turns up at midnight, not even bearing a little present. She is bruised at the temple and rather dishevelled-looking.
When Cissy offers her cake, Bella simply stares blankly at her and snaps "Not now, Cissy!" Then she orders her to fetch Lucius.
She spends ten minutes shouting at him.
Rodolphus appears.
Everybody shouts some more.
And then Lucius tells her – wincing at the burn on his arm – that it's highly unlikely he'll return tonight.
Cissy seethes.
oooooooooOOOOOOoooooooo
On Friday, Bellatrix smashes a glass over the shoes of a man proposing to amend the Muggle Protection Act, and Lucius forgets not to smirk when recounting the tragic death of a Squib child.
Rodolphus drags Bella off the dancefloor - surrounded by stares - and a visibly uncomfortable and rather irate Lucius attempts to rectify his own mistake.
Narcissa sips her wine, and smiles.
Later on, Cecelia Fawcett tells Lucius his wife is "just darling".
He hastens to agree.