Third Year Part I: A New Developed Narcissa and Burlesque
Fatima sprinted into the girls dormitory, holding a large black box under her arm. She shoved past the other seventh year girls and jumped on Narcissa's bed. Narcissa barely heard her friend enter the room. Narcissa was once again immersed in another interesting book from her eldest sisters collection. Ever since she left the Malfoy Manor she remained in her own fantasy land of adventure. It became a world of her own, absent of Druella and pure blooded mannerism. If Andromeda left her one token of her presence it was the books she loved so dearly. Each one different than the other, but it was the love of the tragedy, comedy and romance keeping the young girl from losing her sense of mind.
"CISSA!" Fatima cried grabbing her attention. Narcissa immediately looked up and smiled at her best friend, dropping the book and wrapping her arms around her. Fatima kissed Narcissa on the cheek and Narcissa returned the affection.
"Guess what?" Fatima said with a large grin on her face. Fatima's bright green eyes, looked brighter with thin, black curved lines under her eye, dark eye shadow on the top of her lids and her lips shined a bright red.
"What?" Narcissa asked her eyes widened.
"I missed you." Her best friend said hugging her once again even tighter than the first hug. Narcissa smiled, feeling the warmth in her heart that had been missed by her only real friend. "Awe I missed you too." She said, leaning on Fatima's shoulder. "Now guess again?"
Narcissa rolled her eyes playfully and belted a girly chuckle. "What is it?" she asked.
"I bought you a present." Fatima replied, revealing the box she had carefully concealed behind her back. Narcissa reached toward the floor and gathered her book. She turned her attention toward her present and opened the box. Inside was pink silk lining and on golden containment shelves lined in single file laid all sorts of make up utensils, eye shadows, eye liner, lip sticks, nail poilish and so on of all shapes, sizes and colors.
"Oh my!" Narcissa said, one of her hands covering her mouth in surprise. She picked up a black eye liner stick and a container of foundation into her hands. "Thank you so very much, Fatima. I love it but, you shouldn't have."
"But you're beautiful." Fatima replied with a frown. "You should enhance your beauty."
"I will. Thank you again." Narcissa said. She hugged Fatima close and couldn't control the width of her smile. "Now, shall we try some?" Fatima encouraged grabbing brushes and colors. Narcissa's smiled dimmed and her eyes casted into her lap. "Oh… I'm not sure. Perhaps we can try later?"
"Nonsense." Fatima said dismissing her excuse. "We have so much time to pass by now."
"But I…" Narcissa hesitated and looked up at her friend. "I don't know how to put on make-up."
"Ah," Fatima nodded. She shrugged and said in an optimistic voice. "Well, I'll teach you. It's easy once you maintain a steady hand."
Druella was very strict about make up. Her daughters couldn't wear a drop of make-up till they were sixteen. However while her two older sisters were in Hogwarts they wore make up frequently.
"Fine." Narcissa said with a nod. "I'm ready."
Fatima nodded and took a couple minutes to pick and choose which color suited Narcissa's skin tone, eye color and eye shape. The thought of so many options made Narcissa's head spin. She felt overwhelmed of the amounts of possibilities and results she could get, but she was ready to learn.
"Let's start with foundation." Fatima replied taking out a bigger brush and a powder that looked close enough to her pale complexion.
Lucius and his usual large group of Slytherin friends lounged idly in the hallways of Hogwarts. They threw insults and taunts at the 1st year Hufflepuffs who happened to be walking past them. Very few Hufflepuffs or even younger students as a whole, dared to quarrel with the Slytherins so instead they made their pace quicker in order to avoid any trouble that might happen to come their way. MacNair laughed at his especially witty insult long after the group had found the insult amusing, he repeated the insult once again to revive the laughter, but instead recieved a irritated look from the group. "Alright, we get it." Rodolphus said rolling his eyes, but MacNair bent over laughing at his own joke. He only stopped when something caught his eye well into the distance. It came as a relief to the other Slytherins until they heard him utter a soft; "Whoah…Is that Narcissa Black?" he asked.
Crabbe and Goyle turned their heads towards MacNair's direction. "The brunette?" Crabbe asked.
"No you idiot!" MacNair said. "The blonde."
"Merlins Beard…" Goyle said. The Lestrange brothers turned their heads to see what the fuss was about and their mouths agaped into a round 'O'.
"Bloody hell." Rodolphus uttered and Rabastan whistled.
"Are you sure you don't care about her?" MacNair asked, turning toward Lucius. Narcissa's intended was too staring at her, except he was speechless. He saw her only a couple months ago, but she hadn't taken on such a radiant beauty. The red lipstick she wore made her lips fuller and the black eye make-up brought out her sea blue eyes that were strangely calming to him.
The girls weren't blissfully unaware as the boys would've thought. Fatima knocked Narcissa on the arm and said in a murmur. "Don't look now, but the older Slytherin boys are staring." Fatima giggled.
"Really? Whose staring?" Narcissa asked doing her best to contain her excitement through a smirk.
"Lucius, and company of course." She said. "Just act calm. Pretend like you haven't noticed."
"Right." Narcissa nodded. She straightened her back and walked with her head up and a small smile on her face. She tried to remember the way her mother walked, but Narcissa rationalized it would kill the appeal. "Hello boys." She said waving slightly.
"Hi, Narcissa." They all said in unison, and their gaze followed her as she left. The Slytherin boys waited till the two girls were far enough ahead to make their comments. "Damn," Rodolphus said. "It's a shame I'm marrying Bellatrix. I wouldn't mind a spin or two with that." He nodded his head toward the two girls backsides.
"I'd hate to watch her go, but I love to watch her leave." Crabbe replied. Rabastan whistled once again. "Her friend isn't half bad either. How much firewhiskey do you think it would take to get them both in my bed chamber?" he asked with a lustful grin on his face. Rodolphus shoved an elbow into his chest, but laughed at his crude remark.
"Are you sure you don't want her?" MacNair asked again, hitting Lucius on the arm. "I'll take her if you don't want her." Lucius rolled his eyes and collected his books. "Shut up MacNair!" he said, getting up from his spot and following Narcissa and Fatima. "Hey Narcissa." He called finally catching up to her. "Where are you heading off to?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts." Narcissa said, with an exasperated shrug. She didn't mind the class so much as the thought of actually having no choice in going. "What about you?" she asked, cocking her head to the side. Lucius couldn't help but be delighted by the cute smile on her face.
"I have Care of Magical Creatures today." He said with a shrug. "Not exciting, but I'll live."
"That's too bad." Narcissa said. "But I think you're going the wrong way to Care of Magical Creatures."
Lucius shrugged lazily. "Yes, I know I just have to ask you something. Would you like to join me after Quidditch practice? The team was going to Hogsmeade. I was wondering if you wanted to join us."
"Sure." Narcissa said. "Can Fatima come too?"
Lucius took one look at her. Fatima flashed him one of her famous 'you-better-not-leave-me-to wander around-the-dormitory-alone' looks. The boy grinned and said; "Sure."
"See you then, Malfoy." Narcissa smiled.
Fatima stared at him as he walked back to the group of guys. "Introduce me!" Fatima exclaimed. "I want to get to know him."
"Who?" Narcissa asked, praying silently she didn't mean her intended.
"Who else? The gorgeous blonde. Look at all that hair…simply wonderful." Fatima cooed. Narcissa couldn't help, but feel jealous. Another woman was in awe over her reluctant fiancé. Narcissa denied feeling an attraction toward Lucius, but that didn't mean she wanted other girls especially her own best friend to dote and fawn over him. Narcissa turned to her friend and crossed her arms over her chest. "You are aware I'm engaged to him, right?" Narcissa asked.
Fatima's eyes widened in disbelief, her look grew more intense when her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink. "Sorry… I forgot…"
"Yeah." Narcissa scoffed walking faster to her class leaving Fatima behind, to catch up with her.
Fatima and Narcissa watched the Slytherin team practice in silence. Lucius was busy showing off his skills as a cunning Beater, but Narcissa was paying extremely close attention to Benjamin. She hadn't talked with him in months and all her mind could think of was the conversations they would soon have. She wondered if she had a nice vacation and if he didn't why not. Narcissa's once every several minutes managed to make eye contact with Lucius. She would smile at him and he'd smile back then as soon as the friendly glance exchange had passed, she returned back to Benjamin.
With the two boys on the team Lucius and Benjamin, Slytherin was definitely going to win for sure. Lucius was confident in his team but he debated whether Benjamin was useful at all to the team and if he could take a club to the skull, but much to his disappointment the team needed Benjamin. He was more than aware of his inappropriate glances at his fiancé and they surely wouldn't go unpunished.
At the end of the practice, Narcissa and Fatima waited for the team outside of the stadium, passing time by talking amongst themselves quietly. From the corner of Narcissa's eye was Benjamin making his way out of the changing rooms.
Just as Lucius feared Benjamin walked out first and Lucius wasn't at all ready. For once he cursed his vanity and was tempted to walk out with his hair frayed and his face disheveled but he only hoped Narcissa hadn't left yet.
"Hello, hello Narcissa." Benjamin said walking coolly over to her and wrapped her in his arms in a hug. Narcissa, taken aback by the close contact with a boy turned a bright shade of red. She hid her mouth in her hand in a failed attempt to keep him from letting him see her in a moment of weakness. "Hello, Benjamin." She drooled.
"How was your summer?" he asked.
"A little boring," she replied. "However it was a nice break from Hogwarts. How about yours?" she asked folding her hands gracefully into the other and placing them in her front. Benjamin looked her up and down and smirked. "Just wonderful." He said placing his index finger to his chin. "It was spent mostly with the family, right Fatima."
"Yes." Fatima said rolling her eyes at the thought of any more quality time with her rather close family.
"So, are you ready to leave for the Three Broomsticks?" Benjamin asked.
"Of course, but we're waiting for Lucius." Narcissa replied. Benjamin shrugged and wrapped an arm around her. Narcissa's once red cheeks had turned even redder than before.
"Lucius said the rest of the team will catch up to us later. Follow me. We'll save them a seat." Benjamin led them out near the stadium. Narcissa wanted to protest, but his stunning good looks kept her silent and her feet following him and Fatima.
"Burlesque is quite the fine art." Benjamin said, holding his butter beer mug in his hand, an inch from his lips. He took a sip from the cool beverage, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and continued. "From what I have heard, Muggles seem to have taken it and made it their own, but I will always enjoy seeing a Veela dance over a Muggle wench." Benjamin finished the last of his butter beer and placed it on the table.
Narcissa and Fatima chuckled and nodded. "Psh." Narcissa replied, using her spoon to stir her tea once more. "I'd rather not even think of a muggle dancing. It's probably horrendous."
"Agreed." Fatima replied with a look on her face like she smelled something disgusting.
"Well, now that we're on the topic of beauty, I'm enjoying the new look, Cissa." Benjamin said to Narcissa, placing his hand on top of hers. "It only adds to your distinct beauty." Narcissa looked into his beautiful eyes and couldn't help, but grin. The world only revolved around the two of them minus the tons of other students crammed into the Three Broomsticks. Fatima, already sick of the tension between the two, rolled her eyes and sipped her butterbeer. She placed the empty mug back on the table and stared outside the stained glass window, searching for anything interesting.
She saw a silvery blonde streak amongst several brown, and black blurs. She focused on the blurs and the streaks and started to make out faces. The silvery blonde streak was leading the pack of brown and black blurs into the Three Broomsticks, the only the comprehendible was their robes. "Lucius is here." Fatima said casually. "And he doesn't look happy at all." Narcissa barely heard Fatima, but when Lucius burst through the door her attention immediately turned to the direction of the loud sound and took back her hand from under Benjamin's.
Lucius knocked several students out of his way, until his gray eyes stared down at his intended. The snarl on his face, harshened his handsome features and made him appear to be a completely different person. For a moment Narcissa was startled, but reminded herself it was the same old Lucius she beat up as a child. "Where the hell have you been?" he demanded at Narcissa. Taken off guard by his abrupt entrance, she over looked his foul language and tone. She frowned at him, turned to Benjamin and back to a furious Lucius. "Benjamin said you knew where we were and you would join us later. Right, Benjamin?" Narcissa asked and Benjamin nodded with concern.
"Have you forgotten, Lucius?" Benjamin asked cocking his head to the side. His voice was high pitched in an exaggerated attempt to sound concerned over Lucius's plight. "I remembered telling you and the boys before I left. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding."
"We didn't misunderstand anything, Marstellar!" MacNair exclaimed pointing an accusing finger at him for dramatics. He turned to Rodolphus for approval, but he shook his head. Lucius glared at MacNair, and slapped his extended arm down. "Enough MacNair, I work alone." He replied turning back to Benjamin. "We didn't misunderstand anything, Marstellar. You walked out of the locker room and took my fiancé with you."
"Stop it!" Narcissa exclaimed, becoming annoyed at the word fiancé. "You're making a scene."
"I'm telling you Narcissa, he never said a word to us he just walked off."
"Are you calling my cousin a liar?" Fatima asked crossing her arms over her chest defending her cousin. "If he said it was a misunderstanding, I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding."
"Why don't you just mind your own business?" Lucius snapped at Fatima. Before Fatima could respond back Narcissa slammed her fist on the table a few times to shut them up and to grasp their attention.
"Enough!" Narcissa said, standing up in between them. "I've had enough of the fighting! Somewhere there was a miscommunication. It happens all the time. Benjamin wouldn't do anything intentional to hurt you Lucius. Benjamin didn't want us to sit around waiting for you to separate yourself from your precious mirror." Lucius snarled at Narcissa for the snide comment and then turned back at Marstellar. Benjamin greeted his gray eyed glare with a sneer. He had enough right to smack Benjamin for so much as glancing at him in the eye.
"You're right Narcissa." Benjamin replied smiling at Lucius. "Why don't we all sit down, have some butter beer and forget this ever happened, shall we?"
"Yes," Narcissa nodded, taking her seat next to Benjamin. "But first I want you two to shake hands."
"No!" Lucius spat. "I will not apologize for what he did."
"What did I do?" Benjamin asked with a confused tone his voice. He looked between Lucius and Narcissa. "All I said was meet us at the Three Broomsticks when you're ready."
"He's lying!" Lucius accused pointing a finger at him. "Look at him, Cissa. He's obviously lying. He's…" Lucius replied looking at Benjamin up and down trying to find any sort of flaw to discredit him. "He's…blinking."
MacNair nodded his head. "He's right Narcissa." He replied. "He is blinking."
"That's enough both of you." Narcissa replied, starting to appreciate her parents for handling similar fights between herself and Bellatrix so gracefully. Narcissa was losing her patience and felt her hands pulling at strands of her hair. "Now apologize and stop acting like children or else."
"I'm sorry Lucius." Benjamin said, standing up and extending his hand toward Lucius. "I'll be the bigger man. I'm sorry I didn't make my words clearer."
"That would be relevant if you said anything at all." Lucius replied crossing his arms and staring at Benjamin's open hand.
"I give up!" Narcissa cried, throwing her hands up in the air and storming out of The Three Broomsticks. Fatima sighed and exclaimed. "Look what you've done!" Fatima said rushing after her.
"It's all your fault, Marstellar." Lucius said shoving Benjamin. Benjamin didn't respond to the shove, instead only chuckled. "It's a shame that she doesn't believe you." He remarked, crossing his arms. "Those acting lessons have come in handy."
Lucius was about to reach into his robes for his wand when Benjamin pulled his out first. "Ah Malfoy, lets not blow this out of proportion." He warned in a silky voice.
"Do you really think you can just do whatever you want Marstellar?" he asked with one eyebrow raised.
"Yes." He said honestly, his eyes not leaving Lucius. "Although I would be careful what you do. Wouldn't want dear old daddy to know you were kicked off the Slytherin team for turning your wand on the Captain of the team, correct?" Benjamin smirked. Lucius clenched his jaw tight, but didn't say a word. Benjamin snickered and put his wand back into his robes. "Go on… chase after her and tell her you're sorry excuse for a story my dear Lucius. I hope your acting skills are better than mine though." Benjamin said.
"Let just get him…" MacNair whispered to Lucius.
"We will… just not now." Lucius said turning his back to Benjamin. His better instinct was telling him to turn around and bewitch his rival, but now wasn't the time. He knew he would have his chance.
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much to my reviewers. I don't say it enough but you guys are the ones that keep me writing. Thank you again. If any of you have any stories I'll do my best to review them myself. I enjoy returning the favor. I love hearing your thoughts and it's only fair if I do the same for others. =)
-Val