Six months passed, and today, Narcissa knew she had to get free. She had to get to Mandy's, where the extra potions ingredients were stored and where there was workspace. She had been kept busy for the past few days by the planning of a dinner party to be held at the Manor tonight for some of Lucius's colleagues (not that Narcissa had any idea exactly what Lucius's occupation was).
Narcissa had been supervising the cooking for over an hour now. She wiped a non-existent drop of sweat from her brow as she ascended the stairs from the basement kitchens and entered Lucius's study. He was scribbling feverishly, but on what, Narcissa had no idea. She straightened her over robe and approached his desk cautiously.
"Lucius." She felt like a schoolgirl again as she stood in front of his desk. He looked up and stopped scribbling.
"Narcissa, what is it?" he asked.
"I need to visit Mandy Parkinson. It's rather urgent."
"But you'll speak to her tonight, surely. She and Greg are coming, aren't they?"
"Yes, but it's rather crucial that I see her privately."
"If it's help with planning that you need, I'm sure that Bella wouldn't mind coming slightly early. I must speak with Rodolphus anyway."
"I'm perfectly capable of planning a dinner myself," Narcissa snapped.
"What has gotten into you today?" Lucius looked at her curiously, then stood and rounded the desk. He placed a hand on her face. "Your face is rather flushed. Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, thank you, Lucius. It must be the heat of the kitchens." Stupid! If he thinks you're ill, you'll never get to Mandy's, and you need to tonight! She broke away and paced. "I just… just…" she fumbled for an excuse. "I just need… an opinion… on my robes for tonight." She added the last part in a rush.
"Calm yourself, Narcissa, they'll be fine. You needn't worry about anything." She heaved a sigh of frustration, which Lucius mistook for relief.
"Yes, that's right. Now, why on earth would you need to go to the Parkinson's? The robes are fine, and there's plenty to be done here."
Narcissa realized that there was no way she could escape today. "You're absolutely right, Lucius," she said, shaking slightly with fear, but keeping her voice level. "I'll simply speak to Mandy quietly tonight."
Narcissa left the room quickly. She found an empty room and slumped into a chair, panicking. What am I going to do? She wondered as horrible scenarios ran through her head.
Narcissa, wearing a fake smile and light lilac dress robes inappropriate for early December, made her way through Lucius's dinner guests. When she greeted her sister, her eyes gave an icy flash before they returned to her perfectly glazed, polite look. Lucius made it no secret that he believed Bellatrix to be "a real woman." All that really meant was that Bella accepted and practiced the Dark Arts, while she did not.
When she reached Mandy, the guest that she had actually been making for, she leaned close to whisper in her ear. "I need to talk to you," Narcissa told her, her voice barely audible. Guessing the nature of the coming conversation and realizing that her husband, who she was standing with, should not know about this, Mandy gave a fake-sounding, misleading laugh. "I'll be right along, Narcissa, dear," she said, loud enough for her husband to hear.
A few moments later, Mandy untangled herself from the group and followed Narcissa to the library, where they sat on a large leather couch before the fireplace, the fire providing the only light in the room and throwing their faces into sharp relief.
"Won't your guests wonder where you've gone?" Mandy asked, teasing Narcissa lightly.
"They won't care. They're here to see Lucius and his wealth," she said, throwing a glance out the window as an albino peacock strutted past. "I am here to play the part I have played all along – that of a pretty trophy." Mandy nodded sympathetically.
"What's the urgency?" Mandy asked, cutting to the chase.
"I don't have any more potion left. The dinner party's kept me busy all week, and Lucius saw no reason for me to visit you this morning. There's nothing protecting me tonight," Narcissa replied.
"I can get you some tomorrow night. Here, I'll leave my bag so I can call for it tomorrow," Mandy said. But as an afterthought, she added, "If something does happen, it won't be safe to take the potion any more. Don't compromise your health, Narcissa. Or anyone else's. I should fix a potion for you to check it the other one's safe."
"It might look suspicious if I were to suddenly whip up a potion to check on that," Narcissa agreed. She rose from the couch gracefully. "Until tomorrow, when my situation will hopefully be unchanged," she said. The women walked back to the drawing room, unspeaking.
