Chapter One: His Rose Without A Thorn
*.*.*.*.*
2 Months Later
"Lucius, can you come here for one moment?" Virginia poked her head around the side of the open door into his office and his blue eyes darted up from the papers scattered across the large black desk shining with varnish. His eyes, however, did not stay in contact with hers for long and soon languidly admired her outfit and her body underneath as they raked down the well-fitted, drop-waist periwinkle dress, lingered on her legs, and then wrinkles up in a smirk when he finally ended on her not-so modest black heels.
"Lucius?" she pressed for his attention again, but the pleasant tingle up her spine that his look incited was well worth the wait. She couldn't believe it felt stronger every day.
"What is it, my dear?"
"I just wanted you to see how it looks…" she finished and with an affected sigh, he stood up from his desk and in a few short strides, was next to her at the door, leading her down the hall with his hand on her lower back.
"Well?" the grey-eyed beauty looked up at him, almost hoping for approval as he surveyed the room in question.
"Will your mother like it?" he looked down at her with a smile hiding definite laughter. In the time they had been together, he had ascertained that Virginia's mother seemed to hate everything she liked.
"Most likely," Virginia said, but still looked pleased with her handiwork. The room was much more airy than before, the walls now a soft blue, a few shades lighter than her dress, and the furniture was cream and feminine. To the left was a nice sitting area not dissimilar to the ones in Virginia's family home, and then the bathroom and large walk in closet, filled with Virginia's things. There were French doors leading out to a balcony and a large canopy bed. All around the room were charmed ever-booming wildflowers in clear vases. It was wholly unlike the stuffy, macabre room it used to be.
"It's beautiful, Virginia, but you won't be spending much time in here…" Lucius complimented her, but his eyes lit again on the bed and suddenly the hand on the small of her back dipped a bit lower, "Except, I can actually think of a few uses for it right now."
An involuntary, anticipatory noise squeaked out of Virginia and with a low chuckle, Lucius bent his head even lower and captured her lips in a kiss that made his less-than-innocent intentions very clear. Virginia moved her body to press against his and opened her legs a bit to wrap one around his own, pressing her calf against the back of his knee and causing his pelvis to move exactly where she needed it. Lucius could feel the spike of her very expensive heel against his leg and it turned him on, even more so when she started eliciting sweet, slightly hesitant little moans. He loved that even though they had been sleeping together since the night they met, he still made her nervous. With exacting clarity, Lucius still remembered their first night together and how she had come to him as she promised, even though it seemed to go against every straight-laced, proper fiber of her person. He remembered her rosebud lips opening in pain and pleasure the first time he entered her and stole the virginity he was sure was previously well guarded by her parents and Beauxbatons. The memory of her writhing below him as he brought her to orgasm was seared so perfectly across his mind he knew he never could forget it. Nor did he want to. But she was young still, newly eighteen and although eager to please him and had come a long way since their first coupling (although in Lucius' eyes, she had been plenty graced with skill at it) she was still soft in her touches, and reserved at making the first moves.
With her body locked against his, Lucius easily moved her to the edge of the bed and pressed her against it as he moved his kisses from her lips to the shell of her ear and down her neck, his hot breathes making the baby hairs there stand on end. Although he was too busy nipping softly at her delicate collar bone to see it, he could feel Virginia let her head drop back in pleasure. He took her submission to his advantage and slowly slid his body on top of her, making sure to press the erection in his trousers flush to her stomach as he positioned them so they were both on top of the plush bed.
He parted from her, briefly looking over her flushed face and her gorgeous chocolate hair spread out around her, falling over her shoulders, before placing his hands on her lower thigh and with one quick movement, had her dress up around her hips. She wriggled slightly under him, protesting his absence from her mouth, "Lucius, come here," she breathed in desperation. Having only his hands on her legs was not enough and everything about him was driving her mad: the dark look in his eye, the way he unashamedly grasped himself from outside of his trousers and groaned before unbuttoning them, and the dominant and slightly presumptuous way he pushed her legs further apart with his knees.
"No, I need you now," he said, already pushing her girlish swiss dot panties to the side and holding himself right at her entrance. He didn't know if it was the excitement of having her live with him as his mistress, not having to sneak around her parents, or just how perfectly doll-like and beautiful she looked below him, but he couldn't hold out. Virginia was so ready from anticipation that he slipped inside of her easily, finally leaning back over her and capturing her lips once again.
Lucius Malfoy wasn't a man that wanted for anything. Once he had set his sights on Virginia Renwick, he knew he would possess her, and so he did. When she awoke in his arms after their first night together, he made it very clear to her that if she so wanted, she would be his mistress. Although she blushed at the thought, in a school-girl way he found both erotic and endearing, she agreed instantly.
With discretion on both of their parts coming from growing up pureblood and being well-versed in how to behave in society, Lucius and Virginia continued the more 'adult' aspects of their relationship in secret when they could manage, and Lucius began to openly court Virginia in front of her parents, much to the joy of Antoinette. Charles Renwick, on the other hand, was a bit concerned that his daughter seemed so infatuated with a man his own age, and especially because that man was just coming off a society-wide scandal in England. But he loved his daughter dearly, and so, welcomed Lucius into their home at least on a bi-weekly basis, and sometimes Lucius had the Renwicks over to his own estate not far off.
To Virginia's parents, and French Wizarding Society, everything seemed proper and innocent between Lucius and Virginia. He always acted the gentleman towards her, and she always presented herself as a well-bred lady. But behind their smiles at the dinner table, they spoke with their eyes. Virginia learned how to give her own version of seductive looks to Lucius, turning his very first tactic back on himself. Thus, the pair spent many an evening in the darkest corners of the gardens, or tucked away with plenty of precautionary spells in one or the other's bedrooms.
Over the course of the budding relationship, Lucius gained one of the other things he was after, albeit it had become of secondary importance. He had hoped during his stay in France that he would make a business partner out of Charles Renwick, and one month into his retreat from England, he did. Mr Renwick, one of the leading suppliers of Sal Ammoniac, was all too eager to start a joint-venture with Lucius to try and gain a monopoly on some of the rarest potions ingredients in the world. It brought Charles deep into his confidence and when, a month later still, when he was planning a return to England and invited Virginia along indefinitely, it helped her father to agree.
Lucius knew he couldn't stay away from England forever, and if he was honest with himself, missed Wiltshire and seeing his son, albeit that was a rare occasion in itself. When he proposed the idea to Virginia while languorously lying in bed one morning with her, she couldn't have been happier.
Arrangements were made and for the few days before departing, Virginia packed with her mother (who now suddenly was not calling her Poussin at all waking moments because she was under the impression her daughter might be wed to the gorgeous and utterly wealthy man at any given time) and beamed constantly.
When the day finally came, Charles had a long talk with Lucius over expensive brandy about how much his daughter meant to him, and how much trust he was putting in his friend, and now business-partner, in letting her go with him until they themselves were back in England. Lucius, with his unmatched charm and smoothness of voice that could talk away any worry, promised he knew the importance of Virginia's virtue with a seamless lie. The Renwicks were also assured by him of the seriousness of his courtship with her, as neither of her parents had any desire for their lovely daughter to receive a black mark in society by being the mistress of a recently divorced man. Intention of marriage was the only way he could convince them to let her leave France.
Little did they know, his mistress was exactly what she was, and rather content in being.
Although Malfoy Manor was a bit intimidating for Virginia at first, she soon grew exceedingly fond of it-loving the mystery and grandeur that it was steeped in, just like Lucius himself. He had allowed her to re-decorate some of the rooms (like the one they were currently in) because he knew that was what girls of her background liked to do now and again, and he needed a clean slate from some of Narcissa's tastes. Virginia was happy with the tasks, as they made her feel a bit more than a mere mistress, and the pretense of them sleeping in separate rooms needed to be kept up, for when her parents inevitably visited. However, Lucius knew though that there would not be a night when he wouldn't want Virginia by his side.
It had been a relatively short time since they had returned, but he was happy with Virginia in his home. It felt comfortable and even a bit domestic, but without the real ties of marriage and the banality of it all. Virginia began to go out and do things she liked and he was kept busy with his many business undertakings, but the absences, even if short, made the sex that much better each night.
Lucius was handsome, charming, wealthy, funny in a dry way, an amazing lover, and in unexpected moments-surprisingly tender. It was not hard for Virginia to fall for him. She found that sitting across from him during breakfast made her feel important, that his frequent, lavish gifts made her feel cherished, and the way his body moved with her made her feel womanly and desired. She lived her new life in Wilshire in a very happy daze, hoping for it to stay that way, and happy with the arrangement because even though the term 'mistress' had been slightly demeaning at first, she enjoyed having a place in his life.
There was not a happier man that could be found in England since Lucius had returned with Virginia. Curt, brisk, and intimidating were still words that described him in his business dealings, but he smiled more-a small smile-but it graced his chiseled face more often. Virginia Renwick was everything Lucius needed in a mistress. She was beautiful, there was no doubt about that, and very sweet and willing. She was clearly well-educated and even for being so young, was able to converse with him easily about any number of things. She was also well-liked, and many a man seemed to be upset that she was his. This was something that Lucius liked particularly. She was the jewel of her Beauxbaton's graduating class and a darling of pureblood society and Lucius greatly enjoyed knowing he had the best, as he had never had anything less.
*.*.*.*.*
"And there goes Jenkins! Straight through the middle hoop and that's 50-40 Cannons!" the Quidditch announcer, Filbus Gadwin shouted with his magically magnified voice to the crowd at the Yorkshire Moors stadium. The match had already gone on for two hours and was terribly slow and brutal, as the competition was fiercely matched and the snitch seemed to have disappeared altogether.
Lucius Malfoy was sitting in the top box at the stadium, bored out of his skull, having only been convinced to go by the man next to him as a 'thank you'. The man, Hector Fitzhaggus, the current Supreme Mugwump, had found the vacation property of his dreams in France thanks to Lucius, who had also successfully dabbled in the market while there and was now selling off ridiculously massive properties to the Wizarding World's who's-who. Fitzhaggus has insisted Lucius join him to watch the match and of course, he had graciously accepted.
Lucius liked Quidditch, but he didn't actively follow it and had no favorite team. All he hoped was that the Holyhead Harpies would crush the Cannons, as he found their orange robes garish and irritating and their playing decidedly lacking. Today, however, they were on a miracle streak of luck that seemed to be driving the Harpies mad.
"Oh! But look there! Delaney grabs the quaffle, doubles back and-Oh-there's her signature move right there, backwards loop hanging off the broom by her ankles and score! Left hoop. She tied it up!" the announcer once again shouted, interrupting Lucius's conversation. When the girl scored four more times in succession, he finally looked up to see her intercept a quaffle thrown between two of the Cannon's players and dodge what would have been a disastrous bludger.
"And Weasley caught the snitch! That's the game!"
The roar was deafening and Lucius honestly couldn't believe the amount of uncivilized fans covered in body-paint, whooping for the girls on the Harpies. He was eager to leave and get home to Virginia but Fitzhaggus insisted that he stayed a bit longer to meet the team.
They watched, along with the other elite in the top box, as the Harpies did a victory lap around the stadium and Lucius recognized the flaming hair of the youngest Weasley, holding the snitch triumphantly in her hand.
*.*.*.*.*
"Nice game, Gin!" Lacey said, patting her best friend on the back before stripping off her robes once the team entered the locker room in the stadium. She walked over to her locker, emblazoned with her name and number 17, and shrugged off the sweaty garment before taking off the rest of her clothes and throwing her long hair quickly up into a messy bun. A few friendly slaps on the arse came her way by the Harpies twin beaters, Leanne and Lita, and everyone was proud of the win. Lacey jumped into the showers, freshened up, and changed into a form fitting navy blue dress for the press interviews they had to attend in the top box. The jersey knit clung to her curves but fell just above her knee and was more modest than things that she usually wore and she quickly dried her hair with her wand and slicked on some lipstick before joining the rest of her team members and heading out to the pitch.
Lacey Delaney was still in shock that this was her life. Playing professional Quidditch was something she had wanted to do all throughout Hogwarts, and she had gotten her chance merely a year and a half after graduating. She was still, along with Ginny Weasley, the rookie on the team, but her performance that season was gaining her plenty of press and recognition. She was always surprised at the number of young girls that showed up to the matches with their parents, wanting her autograph, or the number of people who cheered when she scored. She was always the one lagging behind in times like this because she wanted to sign every last bit of Harpies merchandise thrown at her, but soon she was dragged up the many flights of stairs to the top box to greet the flash of Daily Prophet cameras.
"And here you have them, ladies and gentleman, the Holyhead Harpies!" the announcer had been relocated to the top box, but thankfully without his amplified voice, and the team of girls soon began taking pictures and shaking hands with the wealthy and powerful. Lacey made her way down the line of a dozen or so fancily dressed wizards and witches, slightly dazed and smiling as much as she could, until she was shocked out of the routine by a very firm grasp on her hand, prompting her to really look at the man before her.
"You did quite an impressive job today," his voice was cool and the way his eyebrows raised made Lacey unsure if he was mocking her in some slight way.
"Thanks, I just go out there and play my best…" she smiled at him, trying to take her hand away but he wouldn't let go.
"Lacey Delaney, I'm Lucius Malfoy," he said simply and the funny feeling that she recognized him finally made sense. She should have realized that his perfectly straight, long blonde hair was a dead giveaway and had a fleeting thought back to his son at Hogwarts.
"You probably already know that your reputation precedes you, but it's nice to meet you all the same," she told him, now forcefully wrenching her hand away from him and with a tilt of her head to the side and a smirky smile, she was off to mingle somewhere else in the room.
Fitzhaggus remarked passingly about the teams' stats, but Lucius was not listening. His light blue eyes were watching the way Lacey Delaney flitted about the room exuberantly. He took in her thick, messy, wavy dark brown hair, her very tall frame-slim and fit from her profession with dangerously long legs, but curves that made her dress hug her body enticingly, and the large smile that filled nearly half of her oval face. She seemed the centerpiece of the room, but the feature that Lucius had found most fascinating about her was that her eyes were nearly the exact same shade of light, crystalline blue as his-and it was intriguing.
He found he couldn't stop staring at the star Chaser, and soon after quickly took his leave from the Supreme Mugwump and apparated back to his Wiltshire Manor, feeling very odd.
A/N: Thank you for reading, please leave us a review!
