Freedom

Disclaimer: I, thankfully, own none of the characters in this story.


Chapter One

A tall and elegant woman was standing at a large bay window of the manor, overlooking the extensive grounds. She traced a raindrop on its path down the pane. She looked out. It was grey and wet outside, but she could still make out ahead of her,the wood where she and her sisters had walked as little girls visiting the manor with their parents. That was a world away now. She rarely saw Bellatrix now. Andromeda never. To the west was the lake where she had had that first captivating walk with Lucius. Those bushes there were where she had tried to hide. Never then did she think she would end up mistress of this house… not then, the innocent girl she was. Over to the East lay the hills where she had watched the sunrise with Lucius, before they were married. Happier times.

Narcissa had been stood at a window of the Malfoy Manor for a long while, staring at everything, staring at nothing. Lonely. Sad. Lost in her memories. Time ceased to exist for her when alone, able to disappear in her own thoughts, no longer acting her part.

The door to the parlour where Narcissa was standing opened and a tall man with long fair hair entered. He coughed slightly and Narcissa turned around. It was her husband. Narcissa hardly blinked. She had not heard him arrive, but concealed with practiced perfection any surprise she might have felt at his sudden arrival after so long an absence.

"Lucius." She murmured, inclining her head slightly.

"Good afternoon, Narcissa." Lucius Malfoy replied with what seemed to be perfect indifference. He pulled out his wand and waved it at a silver bell standing on a table in the corner. The bell rang, and seconds later an elderly looking house elf appeared at the door, wheezing slightly.

He looked surprised at the sight of the man. "Dosky is sorry… Dosky did not know that Master had returned!" he said, bowing very low. His voice was croaky, and wispy white hair was growing out of his ears.

"Get me a large fire whisky, elf." He glanced at the elegant Narcissa who was staring back at him unblinkingly. "Narcissa will have one too."

Narcissa made a slight movement as if to protest, but she made no noise, and her husband ignored her. The elf departed, stepping out of the room backwards before closing the door.

"I am home a little earlier than I expected," said Lucius, sitting down in a large winged arm chair and gesturing for Narcissa to sit as well. "My master wishes for me to be in England at the present time, he no longer needs me in Bulgaria."

Narcissa said nothing, and Lucius looked at her.

"Well?" he said, angrily. "Are you not even pleased to see me? Will you make no comment on the return of your husband who you have not seen for three whole months?" His cold eyes bore into her. She smoothed her robes and turned her eyes to his face once more.

"Of course I am glad you are home, my darling." Narcissa replied, inwardly cursing herself for angering him so quickly after his return.

"Come and kiss me then." Ordered Lucius.

Narcissa obediently got up and went over to him. Leaning forward she placed a kiss lightly on his cheek. She made to move away, but he seized her around the waist, pulling her onto his lap and roughly pressed his mouth onto hers. Narcissa gasped, her eyes wide and scared. She struggled free, pulling her robes tighter around her as she did so.

"No, Lucius." She gasped. She was not ready for this yet. She had been expecting another month of freedom. She was not ready to have to please him again. He stood up too, towering over her, his face angry.

"You will deny me nothing." He growled.

"Your drinks, master," came the wheeze of Dosky from the door. Narcissa let out a barely concealed sigh of relief. Lucius strode over to the elf, seized the tray, and kicked him from the room. Narcissa heard something crack as Dosky hit the stone floor, and she flinched. Lucius saw.

"Just be glad I'm taking my anger out on him, not on you." he warned, before drinking his fire whisky in one go. Then he walked over to his wife, holding out the second glass. "Drink, Narcissa. To my happy return, we shall say, though you could show signs of being happier about it."

Narcissa made no move, and his eyes narrowed. He stepped right up to her, and pressed the glass to her mouth.

"Drink." He repeated, a threatening hint to his voice.

Narcissa took the glass and stepped back from him. She drank the fire whisky and stared coldly at Lucius. He smirked.

"There, that's better. I like having a little drink with my wife." He drawled, setting the glass down on a table. Narcissa said nothing, trying to ignore the burning in her throat.

"Now, Narcissa, come here."

'No, Lucius. Not now.' Narcissa hardly dared raise her voice above a whisper. Lucius ignored her, pulling off his traveling cloak and throwing it on the chair behind him. He stepped towards her, his eyes hungry.

'Lucius!' she said, louder this time. 'There are friends coming over tonight.'

'Ah, lovely. A welcome home party for me. In that case we'd better make it quick, hadn't we. I've missed my pretty little wife.'

Desperately, Narcissa backed away, but Lucius stepped after her. She took another step, but found she had hit the wall. Lucius' eyes glinted, and his hands reached out to her waist, pulling her to him, pressing himself against her, his hot breath on her cheek.

'You would not deny me the pleasure of my lovely wife now, would you, Narcissa?' he said, loosening her robes and kissing her neck and breasts. She struggled against his grip.

'Yes, I would!' she gasped, unable to pull away, but struggling with all her might.

Lucius paused. 'You would? Dear me, that will never do. What would people say if they heard that Mrs Malfoy was refusing her husband? Well, I suppose it would explain why you still have not produced me an heir, even after three years of marriage.'

Lucius' eyes were angry again, and he pushed Narcissa up against the wall, his arms baring her escape.

'Or perhaps,' he continued, 'it is that you simply don't desire me as a husband? Perhaps your eyes have turned elsewhere while I have been away? I hope this is not so, Narcissa. You know I can find out.'

Narcissa stopped struggling in shock.

'How could you accuse me of such a thing! I could never - '

Lucius laughed coldly.

'That does not mean it has never crossed your mind, my pretty little wife. I shall have to question the elves very closely about your visitors. Now, kiss me Narcissa, I like you so much more when you're in a temper like this, I expect you're wonderful in bed if you're in a rage.'

He smirked, and Narcissa, without thinking of the consequences, drew back her hand and slapped him, hard, on the face.

Lucius reacted before she realized what she'd done. He seized her hair, pulling her head backwards until she gasped in pain.

'You shall never do that again, Narcissa. And you know what I shall do to you if you disobey me.'

Narcissa whimpered, and fell limp. He caught her around the waist.

'Don't be so weak.' He snapped. She moaned, and he shook her, but she did not stand up. He threw her down in disgust. She hit the floor hard, and cried out. Lucius walked over to his chair again, and sat down.

'Very well, Narcissa, you may leave. I am far from satisfied, however. I am not pleased with you.'

He rang the bell again, ignoring his wife's sobs. Dosky appeared, limping slightly from his earlier injury.

'Oh, you're no good!' exclaimed Lucius. 'Tell your son to help Mrs Malfoy up to her room. And bring me another drink.' he added.

If Dosky showed any surprise at seeing his mistress, usually so elegant and poised, sobbing on the floor, her robes open at the neck, her hair loose, he didn't show it. He clicked his fingers and his son Dobby appeared a second later. The two of them helped Narcissa to her feet. She waved them away.

'I'm alright,' she said, making her way unsteadily to the door, not looking back at her husband, who was sitting moodily in his winged armchair.

'Dobby will help you to your room, Mistress.' said Dosky, before hurrying back to get Lucius a drink.

Dobby followed Narcissa up to her room, and opened the door for her.

'Dobby wants to know, is there anything Mistress desires?' Dobby looked very anxious. Narcissa collapsed onto her bed.

'There are a great many things I desire, Dobby,' she said thickly, her eyes red. 'And not one of those things is my husband.'

'Mistress must not say such things, Master would be angry.' Dobby said sadly.

'I know, Dobby.' Narcissa replied. 'I know that well enough.'


Coming soon: Narcissa's guests arrive, along with some more unexpected arrivals.

Please review and let me know what you think.