Chapter 7- Lucius' Letter
A/N- My Maths test sucked bad, but I can't say I care :P
Here it is! The next chapter!
I loved it that so many of you have added the story to your lists, but it would hardly take a minute to tap the review button over there. Reviews encourage me to give faster and better chapters :)
Anyhoo, here we go!
Narcissa Malfoy stood in the garden, looking over at the tranquil surroundings, with a serene smile gracing her beautiful, aristocratic face. The Malfoy estate consisted of three gorgeous gardens, and it was here that she had spent most her time in Draco's absence, finding solace.
The sky was clear, and a ray of sun poked through a thin blanket of clouds.
The grass sparkled after being watered by the resident gardener and the flowers were in full bloom- posies, rhododendrons, calla lilies, delphiniums.
A broomstick whistled by, and Narcissa's beam got even more pronounced as she found herself, yet again, admiring Draco's Quidditch prowess.
His blue shirt clung to him due to perspiration, but he was numb to everything other than the Snitch substitute (a golf ball), and eyed it with an eagle's eye.
She watched as he frowned with concentration, and caught the golf ball with a graceful swipe of his arm. His arm was alabaster, and was bereft of the formidable Dark Mark.
He raised it in triumph, and Narcissa cheered. It had been caught in seven minutes, a record.
Lucius Malfoy walked in just then, and gave his wife a small peck on the cheek. He smiled proudly at his son, and Narcissa walked him through the mahogany doors and led him to the high-ceilinged dining room, in which was set an expensive Italian rosewood dining table with eight seating. A magnificent chandelier hung above, bathing the room in gold.
The tabletop was set with an ornate fruit bowl, filled with exotic mangosteen, sapodilla, loganberries, cranberries, prunes and others, picked from the orchards in the manor. A few platters surrounded it, containing snacks which Narcissa had set out for Lucius, along with goblets of pumpkin juice.
Lucius smiled genuinely, and popped in a piece of a rich chocolate cake from the plate.
Draco swung in then, his face glowing, and his clothes shrouded in mud, results of practising for hours, and dropped on the chair near Lucius'.
Narcissa looked on fondly as her husband and son discussed Quidditch tactics, with Lucius promising Draco to practice with him the next day.
Lucius Malfoy had been a superb Quidditch player in his heydays, serving as the Slytherin team captain for two consecutive years.
Draco was grinning from ear to ear for no apparent reason and Lucius wrapped his arm around Narcissa.
It was a perfect family.
HGDM HGDM HGDM HGDM
Narcissa sighed. She had been so oblivious to Lucius' tenacity.
"Lucius don't do it! He'll worry, and it'll affect him in every way imaginable, and you know that!" Narcissa pleaded.
"Narcissa, he's got to know it one way or the other!" he demurred, gnawing his lip in worry, as they stood in the manor's parlour.
The parlour was a private, opulent room, quite secluded from the rest of the house. A massive bookshelf covered one wall entirely, and held tottering piles of books on a plethora of subjects- history, poetry (John Keats was Draco's favourite, in spite of being a Muggle poet), arts and music, and various fictions. This was Draco's ideal area to lounge about, read or just sit and gaze out of the graceful French windows, which were swathed with heavy brocade curtains. The windows overlooked the breathtaking artificial lake-that Narcissa had insisted on having- on one side of the house, with geese and ducks frolicking around.
The other side of the room had a ravishing view of the hills, and the valleys nestled in their midst. It was absolutely blissful.
An exquisite Persian carpet lay on the marbled floor, and cushy, velvet armchairs were scattered around the room. Narcissa was quite the interior designer, and loved designing the rooms, and modifying them whenever she thought things were getting too monotonous.
"Let the matter rest, Lucius. We'll tell him when he's home for Christmas!"
"What? And ruin the holidays for him? I think not! I'll send the letter to him, and he'll have a good month-and-a-half to ponder over the matter. Besides, Vincent or Greg would be sure to open their mouths to him." He said, referring to Draco's classmates, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle.
Narcissa watched concernedly as her husband tied the dreadful letter to their family owl, Aquila, who soared out of the high windows, taking with it her unattainable image of the perfect Malfoy family.
HGDM HGDM HGDM HGDM
"Damn it, Parkinson!" Draco yelled.
"What happened, Drake?" Pansy simpered.
"Whoa! You know etiquettes, Parkinson? Ever heard of them?"
Pansy was trying to find out the cause of Draco's causticity, and he wasn't giving in; this she didn't understand.
"For the last time, get the heck away!"
She didn't understand this, either.
"Isn't there a disease named after you? A brain disease? I think I might be affected." Draco snarled, while Blaise choked with derisive laughter.
She wasn't moving, or reacting in any way. She only stared with what could be described as disconcertion.
Draco was only aware of what seemed an innocuous rustle of paper in his trouser pocket.
HGDM HGDM HGDM HGDM
Narcissa's unbridled fantasies of utopia continued, the harsh, callous reality showing no signs of reconciliation.
Voldemort gone, vanquished, the Death Eaters let off without incarceration, and peace being restored...
Narcissa was wise enough to know it wasn't happening soon.
She wished for the hundredth time that she had somehow stopped Lucius from sending the letter.
Had he received it yet? Was he worried? Did he hate Lucius and Narcissa for keeping it away from him for so long?
He would be crazy if he didn't.
HGDM HGDM HGDM HGDM
Dear son,
I wouldn't be writing to you if it weren't absolutely necessary. I'm writing to tell you news which could possibly change the course of your life. The Dark Lord, as you're aware, is recruiting new followers to work for him, and assist him in his noble deeds; I suggested he enlist you for this, and he thinks it's a very good idea.
Son, I hope you understand the honour of you joining the Dark Lord's services. It's a privilege bestowed to very few, and you'll be maintaining the prestigious name of the Malfoy's.
Your Initiation Ceremony will take place shortly after the annual New Year's Party at the Manor.
I shall personally escort you to the venue of your Ceremony.
- Lucius
A/N: Wahey! There we are! Oh, and if you wish, I got 15 out of 30 in me math test. -.-
Another chapter, and it was pretty fast, wasn't it? :D
Chapter 8 I have already begun writing =)
I'm unbelievably proud of this chapter, and tell me how much you like it, won't you? :D
Throw in a little review; it doesn't hurt!
Hehe. Love you all ;D