All mistakes are my own. Have a Happy New Year another chapter will be coming soon! Oh and yeah, sexual things are to come...but I figured you knew that already! ;)
Sunlight peeked through the curtains painting the room in soft hues of yellow and orange. The couple lay exhausted, throughout the night they had joined each time had been slow and sensual not frantic and needy like that night's first encounter.
He had eagerly burrowed his head between her thighs lapping at her core as if starved. She could not remember the last time Lucius had pleased her with his mouth. He could be quite the prude. But she did know for a fact that she had never given herself to her husband with such reckless abandonment.
Now, they lay staring at one another unsure of what to say; unsure if there is anything to say at all.
Severus rose and headed for the bathroom to shower. He was surprised to find Narcissa still there in bed her eyes closed and arm thrown across the space he had vacated. A small smile pulled at his corners and he stared at her.
"You should smile more," she said her eyes stilled closed. He grunted and headed for the small closet on the opposite side of the room.
She sat up not bothering to cover her exposed breasts, "you don't agree?" He remained silent and she watched him dress taking note of the faded scars on his lower back. He finished dressing and turned to face her.
"Where are you going?" she asked softly.
"I have to go to work we are not all pampered housewives," he stated smirking.
She laughed but Severus did not miss the shadow that passed over her face, "being a pampered housewife is not all it's cracked up to be." She moved to rise from the bed, "it won't take me long to get dressed."
"No," he approached the bed and stroked her face, "you are welcome to stay, Narcissa. I'll adjust the wards." She responded by lying down and Severus pulled up the sheets covering her. He turned, heading for the bedroom door. He heard a soft 'thank you Severus' before closing the door.
Narcissa didn't rise before noon although she had lain awake since Severus left. She dressed in the shirt he had discarded the night before. His scent was still fresh. She wondered around his bedroom taking in the little odd trickets that where scattered about the room. She continued around the room and noticed a small picture on the dresser. It was of a woman roughly in her early twenties. The woman had dark burnette hair not nearly as dark as Severus but she had the same dark eyes and milky white skin. She figured the woman was Severus mother and she picked up the picture and ran her fingers lightly over the frame. This was the only picture she had seen in the entire house. She carefully placed the picture back onto the dresser.
She looked in his small closet and chuckled when she realized that he truly only wore black. She shut the door to the closet and made her way through the upper floor of the house. She finally made her way into the small kitchen; she checked the cabinets they weren't well stocked but they were not bare either. The stove looked as if it hadn't been used in a while. She continued on into the small dining room. The table was covered in books. She made her way back upstairs.
Narcissa parted Spinner's End on foot heading in the direction of muggle London. It had been a while since she ventured out into London and in particular the non-magical parts. She needed to be out; being away from the manor afforded her the luxury of pretending that things were normal that she was normal and her life was shrouded in shopping trips, brunches and vacations out of the country like it had been before Lucius had sold their souls to the devil.
Her stomach growled; she spotted a little cafe on the corner and made her way to an outdoor table. The waiter swiftly approached and the young blond man handed her a menu before departing with a smile. He reminded her of Draco. A dark haired teen walked by his hair stringy his clothes solid black. She sighed; she wanted Severus.
Severus walked around his classroom at Hogwarts. He had felt an emptiness soon after he had left home. He wished they could have stayed in the moment longer but as always duty called. He knew she was unhappy given her husband's current situation it was well understood. But something about her statement earlier made him believe she hadn't been happy for a while and the Dark Lord wasn't to blame. Lucius came to mind and anger washed over him. Only men like Lucius and James got women like Narcissa and Lily. Hatred rose up in his chest and he picked up a chair and flung it against the wall. He took out his wand and vanished the debris. He ground his teeth before storming into his office and slamming the door. One of his students would have to stand.
Narcissa apparated in the rose garden of the manor. She felt unsteady and quickly sat on the edge of the marble fountain. She sat for moment staring into the water as tears rolled down her cheeks. Confused and tired she wiped her cheeks with the back of her sleeve and made her way into her home. Her prison. She entered her bedroom to find Lucius on the floor propped against the bed. He looked disheveled as if he hadn't slept.
"I'm moving to one of the guest bedrooms," she held her breath waiting for some form of protest. It didn't come.
He humphed letting his head fall back against the bed, "I figured as much." She cast a quick glance around the room mentally taking note of the things she would take with her. She gave him another once over before proceeding to the closet. She came out holding a few items in her hand that Lucius figured were undergarments and a dress.
She went to the vanity and grabbed a small bag.
"Where did you go?" his sudden question startled her. She looked up and saw his reflection in the mirror he was standing a few feet away from her. She grew nervous. But her nerves calmed slightly when she saw the soft expression on his face. His question was more out of curiosity than an accusation. She didn't answer but continued to watch his reflection.
"I asked Bellatrix and she said you weren't there," he paused as if waiting for her to elaborate on her whereabouts, "so, where were you? I was worried."
She dropped her eyes and sighed she had no carefully crafted lie to tell and decided to brush past him. He made to effort to stop her. He took in a deep breath that scent. It was so familiar a little too familiar.
For Severus the day had been strained. Between dodging traps setup by the very students he sought to protect and managing the Carrows he was near his wits end. He made his way to the dundgeons with hast. He refused to stay and sleep where the old man once had. He couldn't bear it. The heaviness in his chest hadn't waned since he carried out his task that night. No matter how planned it may have been is still weighed heavily on him. Dumbledore had been his anchor, his tether to sanity, a beacon in his self-imposed darkness. Now there was no light only the darkness.
Narcissa came to mind. Maybe she could led him from the darkness. Severus squashed the notion before it fully developed and took on a life of its own. This was an arrangement. Nothing more. Severus held onto those two words to no avail. There was something more he became hostile to the possibility of letting his mind wonder at what could be. He had made that mistake before with Lily. It was a mistake he would not repeat with Narcissa.
He entered his quarters and headed directly for the small bathroom. He kicked his dragon hide boots off they landed with a thud onto the tile. He removed his outer robes letting them fall onto the floor. Soon a pile of black was at his feet, he snatched up the clothing and threw them with force toward the back corner of the room. He didn't bother aiming for the laundry hamper.
He stood under the shower head; he turned the water to the hottest setting and let it cascade over his pale flesh. He hissed when the scalding water made contact with the scratches on his upper back. He closed his eyes bowing his head. Visions of the previous night came to him and he could feel the creaminess of her skin. His cock sprang up, he grunted before firmly wrapping his hand around the shaft.
He stroked lightly at first mimicking the way she had caressed him. No woman had taken their time with him. He could feel her pussy around him squeezing him. He shuddered and tightened his grip and pumped harder. He continued pumping harder and faster until he released his seed. He sighed, "three days."
Narcissa had Dinky move most of her belongings into the guest room. She didn't want to be around him. It was not out of guilt but something else entirely. She didn't feel like lying. She was not in the head space to tell a convincing lie. Lucius was a smart man and would have been able to see through anything she would have told him. She stood staring out the window. His rough hands could still be felt over her body. Lucius hands were smooth and refined the hands of someone whom was not accustomed to manual labor.
Throughout their marriage Lucius would make love to her as if she would break. Like she was made of glass; as a matter of fact everyone including her parents treated her as if she were fine china and had to be kept on a shelf. Only for decoration; only to be seen and admired for its rarity but quickly forgotten about once the dinner guests had left. Severus didn't treat her like china. He was rough and hard. He took her roughly and in positions Lucius said were only reserved for whores.
She mentally shook herself 'don't compare' she said to herself. She sat on the window seat, but she couldn't help but compare the two wizards were night and day. She leaned forward gripping her thighs her whole body was on fire. She felt alive. She needed Severus and soon.
Lucius went to his study on the first floor. He was unsettled his mind raced and worked frantically. However faint the scent it was so known to him. Years of sniffing potions ingredients and discerning between similar herbs solely based on aroma one developed a keen sense of smell. A person came to mind but he wouldn't dwell on the thought too long. Lucius paced the study. He needed to know where she had gone. Was it another death eater? Was she making a power play and cozing up to another to ensure her safety if things should sour further with the Dark Lord?
He stood still; the mark on his arm began to burn and he clutched his arm in pain. His master was calling and he needed to go Narcissa's previous whereabouts would have to be placed on hold for now.
He dressed quickly barely taking time to fasten his shirt properly. He touched his wand to his mark letting the dark magic pull him to his master's location. He apparated to a dense wooded areaa. There were several death eaters already gathered many of them were huddled together no doubt coming up with plausible theories as to why they were summoned in the middle of the day. He noticed Severus off alone and he decided to approach the man.
Severus had to suppress the urge to draw his wand. He hated this man with every fiber of his being. He nodded his head at Lucius acknowledging the blond's presence.
"Severus."
"Lucius."
Lucius stood silent debating whether this was the time to ask his question or wait. He decided the latter.
"Severus after we are done here will you come to my home for a brief moment. I would like a word with you."
Severus let his annoyance show, "you know I do have a school to run, Lucius. Not all of us have as much time on our hands as you do I am afraid." Lucius felt the sting but decided to let it go for now.
"I am well aware of your current status as headmaster but it will be short."
Severus sighed, "I can spare but only a moment." Lucius nodded. The Dark Lord arrived Bellatrix on his heels. Everyone took a knee their eyes downcast and heads bowed. The Dark Lord began to speak notifying everyone that Malfoy Manor would be his home and the base of operations from now on. Severus figured this must have been the reason Narcissa was so upset. Lucius, the fool, didn't know that having the Dark Lord so close was not an honor. Having the Dark Lord that nearby meant he had questions of the Malfoy family's loyalty. This was merely another test that Lucius had already failed although he was unaware of it.
The Dark Lord disapparated without a word. The death eaters soon followed many peeved at having been disturbed in the first place to hear such trivial news.
Severus and Lucius were the only two to remain in the thicket.
"I just remembered Lucius, I have a prior engagement I will have to pass..."
Lucius cut him, "did Narcissa come to you last night?" Severus was taken aback by the question but due to his years of being a double spy his body language and features gave nothing away.
"I have no idea what you are referring to Lucius. Come to me for what?"
Lucius smirked so he was going to play dumb. "Playing the naive maiden is beneath you Severus. She has come to you before for Draco." He watched the raven haired man searching for any give away in his features. There were none.
Severus pretended confusion he doubted that Narcissa had told Lucius about the vow. He would see her seeking his help as an affront to the Malfoy name and his pride. That could only mean Bellatrix had been the one and no doubt she had told the Dark Lord as well.
"Why would she come to me concerning your son Lucius?" he asked bringing his hands to his side just in case he needed to draw his wand.
"Don't insult me by playing dumb Severus. She came to you for Draco. That is the reason why you killed Dumbledore and not Draco." Lucius looked enraged, "you stole the glory from me once again Severus," he hissed.
Severus once again schooled his features. Lucius had lost it. It wasn't as bad as his sister-in-laws but it wasn't good neither. "Whatever ramblings you heard from your deranged sister-in-law I suggest you dismiss them. Bellatrix has only one thing in mind and that is to maintain her position within the ranks at all costs. Even if that means pitting you against me. I am not after you Lucius. I took no one's 'glory' as you say. I merely carried out a mission."
"That wasn't yours."
"Do you actually have a point Lucius, I do have somewhere to be," Severus said with a little edge to his voice.
"Did Narcissa come to you last night? It is a simply yes or no Severus," his voice sounded strained as if he was trying to keep his emotions at bay.
"Why would..." Lucius cut him off. "Okay, let me be frank. Are you fucking my wife Severus?"
Severus' face was stone and his voice even, "oh I see what this is about," Severus slowly approached the man now less than three feet away from him, "you are afraid that you have lost control of the pureblood princess. Whatever issues that are going on with YOUR WIFE don't drag me in the middle. I have no interest in her, Draco or you for that matter Lucius. Had I not killed Dumbledore on behalf of YOUR SON you would not have had a family to come back to. I doubt your little informant Bellatrix would have put her neck on the line for her sister and nephew." He paused letting his previous statement and its implications sink in. He continued, "furthermore, you should be thanking me not accusing me of screwing your wife."
Severus feigned disgust at having been accused of such.
Lucius took a step forward, "I hope you are being honest with me," he hissed, "because if I find out that you are lying and you touched her," he paused, "I will kill you Severus."
"I do believe at some point you will stop allowing paranoia to cloud your judgement Lucius," Severus drawled, "Your days in Azkaban, however few, are starting to show." He turned on his heels putting distance between him and Lucius before apparating.
Lucius stood staring at the spot the other man had vacated. He was seething, He knew his one time best friend was a master liar. Despite all that was said Severus really said nothing at all. He needed proof. He knew he needed to speak with Narcissa and keep tabs on her whereabouts. He apparated to Malfoy Manor but first he wanted to have a word with Dinky.