Chapter 1: Narcissa Plots
Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England
December 6, 1985
Narcissa nearly snarled as she threw the letter from her childhood best friend down upon her escritoire. Had Narcissa not been raised to be a proper lady then she was sure she would have been calling for and ordering her list of associates to track down the exact whereabouts of her cousin, one Madame Claire Zabini nee Rosier. Then Narcissa would go straight to the woman and beat some sense into her. Perhaps the Muggle way. It would be ever so satisfying. Yes, she would start the Muggle way and then follow it up with a few incredibly terrible hexes.
This was the third Yule that Claire had chosen to spend in Europe partying with her lovers instead of taking care of her son. Blaise rarely heard from his mother. On his last birthday Narcissa had bought him a gift that she claimed had come from Claire and had made excuses as to why his mother could not be there with him. The boy had enjoyed his gift but he had been so very sad that his mother could not come. Blaise was such a sweet boy. How could Claire do this to him? Why could she not at the least make it to the important events such as his birthday and one or two of the other holidays?
When they were children, Sirius had told her that Claire, her favorite cousin, was a selfish and flighty sort who would only ever see to herself. He had even said that Claire's closeness to her was because Narcissa was a daughter of House Black. She had not believed him, did not want to believe him. Now she knew he was right. Claire had not been the great friend that she had thought she had been. The woman would always look out for number one and that was always going to be Claire. She wondered if Blaise even made it onto her list of important people? Was there any room on such a list for anyone but Claire?
Her widowed cousin had just come out of her year of mourning when she had brought Blaise to her and asked her if she could please watch over the boy for a few weeks while she attended to a few business affairs in Italy. Narcissa had willingly agreed for Blaise was both her God-son and her cousin. He was family. Claire had left him with the promise that she would be back in two weeks. It had been three years now and Claire had never once returned. That first year she had not even sent word on Blaise's birthday nor was there a present for the child from Claire. Narcissa had to order a House-Elf to rush to the shops to pick up a toy for the boy to claim it had come from Claire.
Narcissa had suffered years of this, but more to the point so had Blaise. The child had no sense of stability, or rather his own sense of stability had come from living with Narcissa. He loved Draco and Theo and he was quite attached to them. He was attached to her as well and she was equally as attached. The very idea of Claire waltzing in and taking the boy from her made her despair. She had nightmares of Claire suddenly showing up, married to her third husband and deciding that at long last she wanted to play at being Blaise's mother. Narcissa had spent nights after such nightmares watching over Blaise and making sure he was sleeping peacefully.
No. Claire had been given enough chances to come back into his life to be his mother. He needed the stability of a caring parent and to know that he would not be suddenly removed from his home. Claire's chances were now finished as far as Narcissa was concerned.
She frowned in thought and then she slowly took out parchment and began a letter to her Solicitor. She wrote to him about the situation with Blaise and how due to his mother's abandonment of him she wished to push her rights as his Godmother and kinswoman to gain full custody of him. Claire had not actually laid eyes on Blaise nor been in his presence in three years. In becoming his Guardian Narcissa would gain regency over the Zabini estate. She was sure that Julien Zabini had left everything to his son with a small stipend left to his widow. If that was the case then Claire would have been unable to access the greater wealth of the estate, which was a relief to Narcissa. Julien Zabini had built a great financial empire before his death. He was one of the wealthiest men in Europe when he died. He had left Blaise quite well off and well provisioned for in his will.
She was a little bit more concerned about the Rosier Estate. Her maternal uncle, Lord Hector Rosier, was in poor health. Her mother, Druella, had told her that Hector had never truly gotten over the murder of his only son and heir, Evan Rosier. Hector was also neglected by his only remaining child, Claire. Blaise was the heir of the Rosier title and estates. With Hector so ill and neglected by his daughter, Narcissa wondered as to just what state she might find the Rosier finances in.
She was sure she would gain custody of Blaise swiftly. Blaise's paternal uncle, Ramiro Zabini, had already made it plain to Narcissa that he did not wish to take Blaise into his home and would never war with her for custody of the boy should she wish to relieve Claire of the burden. Ramiro's side of the family had their own small fortune and they were happy to leave Blaise alone. That they did not want the boy angered Narcissa every bit as much as Claire's abandonment of him. Well fine! They did not have to want him because Narcissa did. He was such a sweet dear boy who just wanted to be loved. He was always polite and kind and despite three years in the Malfoy Household she knew he was afraid that it was a temporary haven. She would change that.
She pushed in her letter for her solicitor to please handle things as swiftly and decisively as possible. If it could be done, then she wished for full custody of Blaise Zabini to belong to her by the height of Yule. She took great pleasure in sealing the letter and then setting it aside. Then she took up another piece of parchment and wrote a swift letter to her mother detailing her decision to seek custody of Blaise and to request that Druella please advise her in how best to approach Uncle Hector with the news since she did not wish to be indelicate and aggravate the already very ill man. Once she had sealed the letter and put it aside to be sent she turned her attention to her other correspondence.
She soon took up a letter of correspondence with the seal of Avice Parkinson. She smiled as she read through an account by Avice regarding a playdate between young Pansy Parkinson and her betrothed, young Ronald Weasley.
Lucius had been very cross with her for not agreeing to allow Draco to marry Pansy Parkinson. The absorption of the Parkinson estates would have enhanced the Malfoy's. It would have been a good financial alliance. He was even more angry when he learned that Pansy would instead be betrothed to one of the sons of Arthur Weasley. While Narcissa was not enthralled with the idea of little Pansy being Arthur Weasley's daughter-in-law, she did consider Arthur an anomaly. He was the son of her kinswoman Cedrella and so Narcissa was choosing to believe that Arthur's children could perhaps be salvageable. Cedrella would not like for her grandchildren to grow up having no influence in their world and suffering as they struggled to make ends-meet. In that regard Cedrella was joined by her daughter-in-law. Molly Prewett had married Arthur Weasley out of great love, but she was ambitious for her children. She wanted for her children to rise up and take a place among the wizarding elite. She had groomed them on proper manners, of which the oldest three at least showed promise. It was as of yet too soon to tell for the younger children, or so Cedrella's last letter revealed.
It had been an easy choice for Narcissa to make in regards to Draco and Pansy. The two children's magic's were not harmonious. There would have only been acrimony between them should they have had to marry. Narcissa wanted better for her son. She wanted him to have a partner one day that he could at least like and respect if not actually love. She preferred for him to love though. She wanted him to love his Lady wife the way that Narcissa loved her dear Lucius. She had explained those things to Lucius and he had muttered about her foolish romanticism. Yet he had done as she had wished and not betrothed Draco to Pansy Parkinson or to any of the other young ladies whose families had sent them offers.
According to Avice's letter, Pansy and Ronald were somewhat getting along. Of course this somewhat entailed fights between the two children. In their last fight the children were playing outside and Pansy shoved Ron into the mud. Not to be outdone by his future bride, the red-haired scion of House Weasley had tackled Pansy and rubbed mud in the girl's blond hair and onto her face. It had become a strange sort of mud war after that with the children wrestling in the grime. Avice had found it delightfully wicked of them though she admitted that such behavior would be inappropriate in a few years' time.
The smile faded from Narcissa's lips and she slowly set the letter from Avice down on her desk when she heard the caustic tones of her sister-in-law. "The receiving lounge looks hideous. Who decided to change it from the mauve tones that grandmother had it decorated in?"
Narcissa allowed herself a moment to close her eyes and find a calm center before she arose from her seat and walked to the middle of her small lounge. A moment later, her sister-in-law, Syndra Spungen nee Malfoy, entered the room. Narcissa allowed herself a moment to take a good look at the other woman. Syndra was a beauty, but then the Malfoy's seemed to breed for beauty. The woman had the same silvery blond locks that Lucius was graced with. Today Syndra's locks were curled and held up in some sort of twist that allowed the curls to spring from the twist in a teasing sort of fall. She wore a dress of dark blue velvet with a diamond and sapphire necklace that dominated her throat. Her diamond wedding ring adorned her left hand while her right hand was adorned with a large sapphire and diamond ring.
"Syndra, it is a pleasure to see you," Narcissa lied through her teeth. She despised this particular sister-in-law, the youngest of Lucius' sisters, and the feeling was mutual. Syndra was four years younger than her and like Narcissa, Syndra was also a mother. Syndra had given birth to her first child in 1979 and for a time that little boy was Lucius's heir. She gave birth to her second boy on the first of June in 1980 while Narcissa's beloved Draco was born a month later on July the fifth. Due to this Syndra often acted as though her oldest child were somehow more worthy to be the Heir Malfoy than Draco.
"I'm sure," Syndra said in a caustic tone, able to see through the polite lie. "I have come with Royce and Dane and their Elves. Royce should spend more time with father anyway. I told Royce that he'll be staying here at Malfoy Manor and that he should be happy to spend time here where he belongs."
Narcissa frowned. "Where he belongs? Are you forgetting that he is not the Malfoy Heir?" That Syndra often acted as though her favorite son were a far worthier heir than her own child was one of the greatest reasons as to why she despised her Sister-in-Law. The other reason was the way in which Syndra completely disregarded her other son, Dane.
The younger son, Dane, was treated as though he were a mere accessory to Syndra. The way she spoke to the boy was similar to how Syndra spoke to her House-Elves, which was just one more in the long list of problems that Narcissa had with the younger woman.
Syndra glared at Narcissa. "Of course, not, but Royce is in line after Draco and so he should learn as much as possible about the Manor, the Estate, and his duties," Syndra insisted. Then she sighed in frustration. "I do wish you would cease being difficult about such things when I bring Royce over."
She scoffed at Syndra. "Your precious Royce will become the heir of House Malfoy over my dead body," Narcissa informed her with eyes of steel.
Syndra's ice-blue eyes narrowed in rage. "Oh Narcissa, I would be all too happy to oblige you," she practically purred with menace.
Narcissa easily flicked her wand from the sleeve of her gown and took aim at Syndra,"Petrificus Totalus," she commanded, just as the woman began to cast.
Syndra fell back frozen. Rage burned in the woman's ice-blue eyes as Narcissa came to stand over her. Narcissa smirked at her most hated of sisters-in-law. "You are far too slow Syndra dear," her voice held a purr of disdain. "I was trained by some of the finest witches and wizards to duel. My grandfather, Pollux Black, is a champion on the Dueling Circuits, and if that is not enough then remember this you horrid cow, my sister is Bellatrix Lestrange. There is no other woman more feared in all of Wizarding England than she, and Bella taught me everything that she knew. You think about that the next time you enter my house spewing your usual disdain. I can crush you with a few well-spoken words."
"I see that you really are the apple of your grandfather's eye," came the voice from the doorway.
Narcissa turned her body slightly so that she could keep the door and the immobile Syndra in her sights. "Father," she said in greeting to Abraxas Malfoy, her father-in-law and the Lord of House Malfoy.
Abraxas let his eyes flicker down to where his youngest child remained immobile and he chuckled as he noticed the murderous glint in Syndra's eyes. "I thought I heard Syndra's voice and came to investigate. I must say that was impressive Narcissa. I think that Lucius and I often underestimate your skills. Pollux must be quite proud of you," he had the satisfaction of watching his daughter-in-law blush due to the praise.
"Thank you Lord Malfoy," Narcissa said. "It pleases me to hear you say so."
"Could you perhaps release Syndra from the spell now, 'Cissa. I am sure that she shall hold her tongue now. However, do feel free to correct her behavior when the needs must, that is what big sisters are for are they not?" he asked of her with a wry tone.
Narcissa smiled. "Yes, they are. Although, some little sisters take correction far better than others," she said easily. Then she released Syndra from the spell.
Syndra swiftly, and awkwardly gained her feet. "Father, you saw what she did to me," Syndra pouted.
Abraxas nodded his head. "Yes, a pity you did not take your studies more seriously when you were a child, or Narcissa would have been the one on the floor instead of you," he said dismissing Syndra's outrage. "What brings you to the Manor child?"
Syndra pouted for a moment and Narcissa wondered if Syndra would continue to talk of how Narcissa had slighted her. Instead Syndra wisely gave up on that and instead told him her reason for coming to Malfoy Manor. "I brought Royce and Dane," she explained. "They have missed you."
Narcissa watched as Abraxas's eyes lit up at the news that his grandsons were in residence. She watched as Syndra gave her a smug look and Narcissa smirked. Syndra was a fool to not realize that Abraxas had become happy at the thought of Dane being in residence. Though it pained Narcissa to admit it, Dane was Abraxas's favorite grandchild. She would have preferred that he favor Draco more than Dane, but she could not fault him for loving Dane so well. The poor boy was terribly neglected by his mother and father. Syndra and Marcus spent too much of their time doting on Royce to pay any attention to Dane. The little boy was timid, shy, and sweet. He was a far cry from Syndra's favorite child. Royce was pompous, mean, and cruel.
"Where is Dane?" Abraxas asked of Syndra much to Narcissa's amusement.
Syndra frowned at the question. "He is with Royce. They are in the nursery with Draco and Narcissa's little charity cases."
Abraxas snarled at her. "Theodore Nott is no charity case, you bite your tongue," his eyes were cold as he stared at his youngest daughter. "Blaise Zabini is the Heir Rosier, we are honored to have him in our care," he added as an afterthought but Narcissa appreciated it nonetheless.
Syndra lowered her eyes as though contrite but Narcissa had caught the look of hatred on the woman's face before she lowered her gaze. She narrowed her eyes as she watched the other woman. She didn't know when the enmity between herself and Syndra had begun. She knew that it was sometime before her marriage to Lucius. Narcissa had hoped to make all of her new siblings-in-law like her. She had succeeded well enough with Callista and Selene but not with Syndra.
"Narcissa, my dear, would you please go check upon the children and collect Dane for me?" Abraxas asked politely. It was on the tip of her tongue to demand a House-Elf do it but then he caught and held her eyes for a moment.
She smiled in understanding once she realized that he wanted to be alone with Syndra so that he did not have to hold back in scolding her. She nodded her head in agreement. "Of course, Father," she said and she moved away from them leaving the room. She closed the doors behind her and heard "Syndra must you always act the spoilt brat?" from Abraxas and an outraged sound came from Syndra in reply.
Narcissa smiled as she made her way up the stairs to the children's nursery. She had hoped to hear the sounds of happy, playful children. Instead she heard arguing. Draco's voice was raised in challenge and the other voice she heard made her groan. Royce Spungen was yelling at Draco and insisting that Draco would never be Lord Malfoy.
"You think you'd make a good Lord?" Draco scoffed at Royce. His gray eyes glared hard into the crystal blue eyes of his least liked cousin. "You know it's about more than getting your way, right? Being Lord means you take care of those beholden to you. Your family and other allies."
Narcissa felt pride flood her at Draco's words. She had been working hard on teaching Draco how to be a good Lord. He spent a great deal of time with Lord Black as well and she knew that Arcturus was a good example for Draco. Abraxas had also begun to spend time teaching Draco about the History of House Malfoy.
"I take great care of my family and allies," Royce sneered at Draco.
"Oh yeah, that's why I see fresh bruises all over Dane," Draco sneered back. "Because you are taking such good care of your brother."
Royce stood before Draco with his hands balled into fists. "He deserved it. Dane is stupid. He needs to be disciplined. Needs to know his place."
She heard the whimper and knew instantly that it came from Dane. She turned the corner then and silently stood in the doorway the better to witness the scene. Her brave little Draco stood in front of Royce keeping his body between Royce and the window seat behind him. Dane was seated on the window seat, his arms curved around himself in an unconscious need for comfort. Blaise sat beside him with an arm curved around him in support. Theodore stood to the side, watching the scene, but by his posture Narcissa was sure that Theodore would be coming in on the side of her son and not that of her nephew.
"Dane needs love and care from his family!" Draco snarled at him.
"Don't you tell me what Dane needs. He's my brother, not yours!" Royce yelled.
"Boys!" Narcissa chose to intervene. "I heard you yelling from down the hall," she said mildly. "What is this all about?"
Royce glared at the floor but said nothing. She looked then to Draco. He shook his head in the negative and said only "I apologize mother. We were quite," he paused as though searching for a good word to use. "passionate in our differences of opinion."
Narcissa giggled then. "Passionate in your differences of opinion? My how your vocabulary is growing. I cannot decide if it is the books you read or the time you spend with Severus," she said breezily.
Draco smirked. "Uncle Severus is very verbal," he said simply.
Narcissa laughed then and nodded her agreement. "Yes, he is," she agreed. "I shall not interrupt you boys for too long. I have been sent to fetch Dane."
"Me?" Dane's voice wavered slightly.
She smiled gently at the boy. "Yes darling. Your grandfather wants your attention."
This seemed to make the boy very happy. His countenance brightened and he smiled gently at Blaise and then got up from the window seat. He waved at the other boys and then proceeded to follow Narcissa from the room.
Once they were near the stairs Dane offered his hand to Narcissa and he blushed. "I… the last time I tried to walk down the stairs at home on my own, I fell," he said softly. His voice was colored with embarrassment but something more. This was not the shame of a boy who disliked being clumsy.
Narcissa paused and then she took his hand and knelt down to better look at his face. "Darling, did you fall or were you pushed?"
His beautiful blue eyes went wide with fear and he trembled slightly. "No, Auntie Narcissa, I wasn't pushed. I just fell. I wasn't paying enough attention. I am clumsy. Honest," he declared.
Narcissa felt her heart break at the little boy's insistence. She would speak with Abraxas about this later. Dane was his favorite. He would surely do something to protect Dane if he learned that the boy was being mistreated.
She kissed his forehead. "Alright, little love," she said soothingly. "But Dane, it is not to your shame if others are hurting you. You must tell your Grandfather, Your Uncle Lucius, or myself if anyone is hurting you. We would do what we could to stop it."
Dane looked away with tear bright eyes but to his credit he didn't let a single tear fall. He stared at the floor until he had regained his composure and then he looked back at Narcissa and nodded his head. "Thank you, Auntie, 'Cissa."
Narcissa then led him down the stairs toward her parlor where she had last seen Abraxas. If she ever discovered that Syndra had raised a hand to the boy she would destroy the other woman. It was bad enough that the boy was most likely being terrorized by his older brother. Someone needed to get Dane to talk about his home life and she hoped that Abraxas could get the little boy to tell all.
I enjoyed writing Narcissa in this chapter. I think she is very protective of the children, so naturally the way Blaise is just ignored by his mother and the way that Dane is treated by Syndra deeply effect Narcissa. She wants to do something to protect both children.
