I'm really sorry that I took sooooo long to post it. Hope you enjoy.
The preparation for Lucius' birthday was hectic on Malfoy Manor. Narcissa had planned a huge ball before the Lestranges' arrival and it was nearly impossible to cancel the party without causing suspicions. The best course of action was to keep with the original plans and make sure that Bellatrix and Rodolphus were going stay out of sight on the day of the event.
"Lucius, dearest, did you get the robes I ordered for you on Twilift & Tattings?" A troubled Narcissa, surrounded by piles of parchments and samples of fabric and flowers, called from their bed.
From the closet, Lucius shivered. "Damn it! How did I forget about the clothes?" Not wanting to infuriate his wife, he tried to make his omission less reprehensible: "I'm going there this morning, dearest, because yesterday I had too much work and couldn't get to the store before it was closed."
"I won't even feign that I believed this nonsense. You forgot, Lucius, and I know this pretty well, don't try to make it sound better." She made a stern face that only lasted for a few seconds. because Narcissa collapsed into a loud laugh when Lucius came out of the closet, his grey eyes narrowed and full of sorrow. "Oh, honey, you're so cute! You should see your desperate face, expecting me to throw a tantrum… So adorable" – she managed to say between giggles.
"That's not funny, Cissa. You always give me a lecture about how I'm a nothing in this whole scheme of planning parties and helping with the house duties. I just thought that this time it would be the same."
"Yeah, I admit I'm awfully boring sometimes... But don't worry, Mr. Malfoy, I'll compensate you from this little bully." She took hold of his tie and pushed him towards her, their lips meeting with passion. The couple didn't break the kiss when the back of Narcissa's legs touched the bed and both of them fell on the mattress, making a mess of the parchments.
"Oops, Cissa, I think we may have ripped some of these documents."
"And who cares, love?" She winked and enlaced her arms around his torso. Lucius lips were working on Narcissa's neck and, distracted, they didn't notice the click of the bedroom doors.
"GET A HOLD OF YOURSELVES; IT'S EIGHT IN THE MORNING!" Bellatrix shouted, causing Lucius to jump and Narcissa to blush to a deep shade of red.
"Get a hold of yourself, Bellatrix! What are you doing in our bedroom at this time in the morning? Alas, what are you doing out of the secret chambers to start with?" Lucius growled.
"I just came here to ask Cissy a favor; I didn't imagine that you two were having a snogging session at eight o'clock in the morning!"
"It's none of your business what we do and when we do it! But you clearly have no respect for other's intimacy, Bellatrix, so, please, get out of my bedroom!"
"CAN'T YOU TWO JUST BE QUIET? My goodness, Lucius, you're being so vulgar! And you, Bella, is indiscreet beyond measurement! Why didn't you wait for me to come downstairs?"
"I… I, come on, Cissy! It's not my fault!" Bella impatiently retorted, refusing to leave the room.
"Narcissa, just ask her to leave…"
Narcissa rose from the bed, adjusting the knot on her night cloth. "Lucius and Bellatrix, I want you both out of here. I'm tired of your childish behavior, plus, I still need to dress up for the day, so if you excuse me…"
Lucius approached her, a hurt look on his eyes. "Love, don't do this, it was all too well before the lunatic came in…"
"Lucius, just leave, okay?" He left the room with Bellatrix just behind him, the argument between them echoing through the corridors of the manor. In her room, Narcissa sat in front of her vanity and sighed. It was really hard to do the liaison between her husband and her sister; and for the first time, she felt a pang of regret about letting Bella stay at her house.
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Meanwhile, at the Slytherin common room, Lucius' birthday party was also a major topic of conversation. Since Mr. Malfoy had good relations with Dolores Umbridge, who was now who really commanded Hogwarts, he managed to get the permission to leave the castle (in order to attend the party) not only for Draco, but also for his friends whose families were invited.
"Hey, Malf! My mother just sent me a letter… I'm going to your father's birthday too. It will be the event of the year, everyone is attending!" Blaise said while taking a seat on an armchair in front of the one Draco was sat.
Draco smirked, his Malfoy pride on its highest levels, since he knew the ball would be a success, like the others his mother had already planned. Besides, Blaise Zabini, Crabbe, Goyle, Millcent Bulstrode and Theodore Nott were all going to be present, so he would have lots of fun, for sure. Just one thing was tormenting the boy… Pansy's parents weren't invited, since Narcissa despised Mrs. Parkinson with all her forces and Lucius didn't give a damn about them and would never interfere in his wife's decision of a guest list just to suggest an invitation to the Parkinson family.
Fact was that Pansy was very aware of the whole situation and, for her look since Blaise announced his presence at the ball, she was going to bother her "boyfriend" about the matter sooner or later. The girl didn't even give time for Draco to digest the idea, because five minutes after Zabini's entrance, she came to where Draco was and held his hand. "Draco, dear, can we speak for a minute?"
"Ooooh, couple bonding, so sweet, Malf!" – joked Crabbe.
"Shut up, idiot." Draco growled to Vincent before giving Pansy a despondent look and exiting the Common room with her.
"So, Pansy, what is so urgent?"
She crossed her arms and pouted. "Oh, Draco, I'm really upset with you and you know why!"
"Because of my father's party…" He said in a bored tone.
"Of course it is the party! I am your girlfriend, how come I'm not attending my father-in-law birthday party?"
Draco rubbed his temple. "Look, I didn't invite any of our friends, Pansy… My parents invited their parents, and that's why they are going to the ball. It's my mother who does the guest list and deals with all the invitations and I have nothing to do with it."
"I knew it! I don't know what I did to your mother, but this woman clearly hates me, Draco! Actually, my mom told me she has always been like that; she said your mum has the awful habit of thinking she's above everyone else." His face turned cold instantly.
"You watch how you speak of my mother, Pansy, unless you want me to break up our relationship right here, right now."
"I'm sorry, dear, I am really sorry, I never meant to offend your mother." She encircled her arms around his neck and gave him a peck on the lips. "I think I'm just too upset, I want to be there, I need a chance to prove to your parents that I'm a good girl and that I really love you, Draco. Please, let me go with you?"
He closed his eyes and sighed. "Fine, you won. I'll talk to my father and see what he can do, but don't expect him to force my mother to invite your parents if she doesn't want to, because he will never do it. I think that the invitation will be only for you... Is that a problem?"
"Not problem at all, dear!" She kissed him once more. "You're the best boyfriend I could ever wish, Draco Malfoy!"
He smiled at her. Pansy thought it was a loving smile but, truly, it had nothing to do with affection, since her boyfriend was only thinking that the poor girl would never convince his mother of anything… Narcissa didn't like Pansy, and no matter what the girl did, that wouldn't change.
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"Bella, I hope you did understand that it's extremely important that you and Rod stay at the secret chambers in the utmost silence during the party."
"I'm not deaf, Cissy! We'll stay there as you coldheartedly demanded."
"Don't be so dramatic! You couldn't really expect me to let two Azkaban fugitives waltz around my ballroom while Cornelius Fudge is right there enjoying a drink!"
"And what about my nephew? I know he came home for the party, why can't I meet him?"
"You'll meet him, Bella, but tomorrow! Today you're going to stay here in the chambers and that's my final word". Rolling her eyes, Narcissa exited the secret chambers to check once more the party organization before allowing herself to get a bath and start to put on her make-up and clothes. She had opted for a black strapless dress which fitted her upper body perfectly and had a voluminous skirt, made of tulle. Narcissa had it tailored by a French witch designer, one of the best known. She would never allow herself to be less than perfect for her husband's birthday ball.
A beautiful – and rather expensive – emerald necklace, matching more discreet earrings of the same gem, completed the look and her blond hair was pulled up on a meticulously disheveled bun. She was so absorbed with the last details of her make-up that she didn't noticed Lucius entering their bedroom, already dressed in his black and green robes (which made them quite the pair), his hair tied back in a low ponytail.
"Why always so stunning, dearest? You don't give the other women a chance."
She smiled tenderly. "Always the charmer… But you don't have to pretend, I'm not quite this beauty anymore, Lucius." He embraced her from behind, while she was still sat on the bench of her vanity.
"And who told you this nonsense, Cissa? You're still the most dazzling woman I ever saw." After kissing the top of her head, he left their bedroom to check if Draco was already dressed for the party. Knocking slightly on the door, he called:
"May I come in?"
"Yes, father."
"This robes really suited you, son. I must say your mother has a wonderful taste on clothes…"
"Is she ready?" The boy inquired.
"Almost…Just finishing the last details to assure she gets even more perfect than she already is".
"Come on, father! I don't need to hear you say these things about my own mother! You two are so mellow." Draco made a disgusted face but, for true, he was a little envy of his parents' love. He didn't have for Pansy the last bit of devotion that his father had for his mother. Lucius clearly adored his wife and Draco feared that he would never find a real love of his own, and that he would end on a pureblood loveless marriage.
"What is wrong, Draco?" Lucius inquired after seeing the frown on his son's face. "Is there something disturbing you?"
"Nothing, father, never mind!" He said it halfheartedly, wishing to have courage to discuss such matters with his old dad. Startling, he heard the voice of his mother magnified, echoing through the house. "Lucius, Draco, let's go downstairs… There are guests arriving."
The family got together before descending the stairs. Lucius offered his right arm to Narcissa and Draco followed his parents. When a house elf opened the door, they got sight of a brunet short haired girl with a pink dress (a little too garish, and tacky, on Narcissa's opinion).
"Oh, hello, Pansy!" said Draco Malfoy.
"Hello, sweetie." The girl placed a butterfly kiss on Draco's cheek before directing herself to his parents. "It's a pleasure to be at your house, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy".
"The pleasure is all ours, Miss Parkinson." Lucius answered before Narcissa could say something unpleasant to the girl. He remembered how frantic she got when he said that Draco asked permission to bring his "girlfriend" to the party; his wife mumbled comments the whole day about how the little social climber was trying to dig her claws on her son.
"Happy birthday, Mr. Malfoy! Before I forget to say it, my mother asked me to send you her best wishes!"
"Did she, dear?" Narcissa retorted coldly. "Violet is always so polite, please send her all my best wishes too." She linked her hand with her husband's. "Lucius, let's go get a drink."
"Of course, Narcissa…Draco, why don't you show Pansy the ice sculptures? I am sure she will be thrilled." Gladly for his mother, Draco escorted the girl away and Narcissa didn't even have time to complain because their "real" guests were starting to arrive. In half an hour the Greengrasses, the Goyles, the Crabbes and the Carrows were already there. Soon other pureblood families were also at the Manor, including the Minister of Magic and his wife. Lucius and Narcissa were the perfect hosts, always keeping little conversations here and there to entertain the guests and offering the best food and drinks that money could buy.
The party was a total success and they managed to gather together almost all of their friends, including Severus, who did went out of his enclosure in Hogwarts to greet Lucius on his birthday. When the band started playing, Lucius guided his wife and with his hand firm on her waist, they beautifully waltzed, swirling around the ball room.
After the first song, other couples joined the dance and Pansy got really mad at Draco who, with a poor excuse of a sore foot, refused to dance, leaving her alone with Astoria, Daphne and Millcent while he showed the boys his collection of brooms.
"Oh, look at Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, they are so sweet!" Astoria Greengrass, a 3rd year in Slytherin, daughter of Narcissas's best friend, Alicia, was directly fixing the Malfoy couple.
"How did you get that, Tori? They act so formal towards each other!" Pansy rolled her eyes.
"Well, yes, they're formal, but you have to focus on the small actions. I've been watching them this night and every time some man approaches Mrs. Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy takes a bee line towards them and places his arm around her, so protectively… I just wish I get a husband like him!"
All the other girls laughed and Pansy couldn't avoid spitting some venom: "Uh, looks like little Tori wants to marry Lucius Malfoy! Poor you, dear, his dearly wife will eat you alive!"
"I didn't say that I want to marry Mr. Malfoy, Pansy, don't be mean!" Astoria got so nervous that she almost trapped when running away from the girls. She did not want to marry Lucius Malfoy, but if she stood a chance with his son, she certainly would be more than pleased.
At nine o'clock, dinner was served. Lucius sat at the head of the huge table, Narcissa on his left side and Draco on his right. He lightly tapped his flute to get everybody's attention. "My dear family, friends, I would like to thank your presence here today. It's very rewarding for a man to be surrounded by the people he esteems; also, I'd like to thank my wife, who really endeavored to plan this ball." She smiled discreetly at him and nodded. When Lucius was about to continue his speech, a loud noise echoed from under the floor.
The couple looked at each other with meaningful glances. Lucius felt his mark burning some minutes ago, and knew the source of the noise could only be Bellatrix struggling to get out of the chambers to meet their Lord, even if the burn he felt didn't have the force of a call, meaning only a warning. Noticing the guests were starting to gossip about the noises, Lucius spoke: "There's no need to worry, my friends. It's only the vampire that lives in the manor. We had to remove him from the attic and place him at the basement but the creature is not quite overwhelmed with the new environment."
"I'll deal with it, Lucius. Have dinner with your guests". Severus Snape, who was well aware that the noise didn't come from any vampire, excused himself and, knowing the passage under the kitchen's floor to get to the Malfoy's secret chambers, was on his way to keep Bellatrix' mouth shut. When Lucius announced that his maniac sister-in-law was going to live under his roof, Severus almost felt pity for him. The eldest Black sister was a rebellious woman and he knew it would be really hard for Lucius and Narcissa to keep her under control.
"Now, now, Bellatrix. Why so noisy?"
"What are you doing here, half blood?" Her eyes were flaming and her hair, a mess. There were evidences of walls and furniture hit by missing curses, suggesting that a struggle was taking place between her and Rodolphus.
"I came here to remind you: there's a party going on upstairs and you're supposed to remain quiet so no one will think the owners of the house are hiding something, or someone."
"My Lord called me, Snape and I have to get out of here, because this basement is anti-apparition… I don't care if there are guests up there, I have to fulfill my duties!"
"Honey" Rodolphus embraced her from behind, which caused Bellatrix to slap his arms. "We both know that the burn was merely an alert. He's not calling us right now, he just wanted to warn that something is about to come. Please, keep quiet; don't ruin your sister's party! Narcissa and Lucius are being merciful to us and I think we own them that."
"You should listen more to him, Bellatrix." Snape disdainfully commented. "And what burn of the Mark are you talking about? I felt nothing."
"That was a special alert, Snape, for a special mission. Don't blame me if the Dark Lord does not trust you enough to let you be a part of it." She sneered, feeling more proud of herself than ever. She was going to the mission on the Ministry of Magic, Snape was out of it: obviously Lord Voldemort's preferences were becoming clearer each day.
"I think everything is settled down here, right Rodolphus? I'm returning to the party, we don't want to create more suspicions." Roddy nodded and sighed, while watching his fellow Death Eater going away.
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When the last guest left the house, Lucius descended the stairs that led to the secret chambers and asked Bellatrix and Rodolphus to join him and Cissa on his study. He was sure that the burn he felt earlier was an alert to finish planning the Department of Mysteries mission as soon as possible. Most probably, he would have to discuss it with his Master the next day.
Arriving on the study, Rodolphus threw himself on a couch and Bellatrix seated far from him, on the other edge; meanwhile, Lucius and Narcissa made their way to a loveseat: she sat first, and he adjusted himself beside her, using a hand to caress her leg. Little details like that one showed the difference between the couples: the affection the Malfoys felt for each other was never a trace of the Lestrange's relationship (at least on Bellatrix' part).
"Now, now, Lucy? How was your party?"
"It could've been better if you didn't try to destroy my chambers. Every guest on this house noticed that something was happening underneath the floor." "I was merely trying to get out and meet my Master."
"It was not a calling, Bella." – Her husband objected.
"Oh, shut up, Rudolphus, I wasn't talking to you." The man's face went red like a tomato. At this point, Narcissa decided it was too much for her. She was tired of the Dark Lord being a constant in her life and in her house, and felt this little gathering at the study would be long, really long. It was when she got up, making Lucius' hand fall limp on the loveseat.
"Darling?"
"If you feel that you really need to discuss this mission tonight, I have nothing left to do, that's why I'm going to sleep. Good night Bella, Rod." Lucius got up in an instant and, excusing himself, went after her.
"Hmmm, seems like the perfect couple is having some trouble" Bella sneered.
"Leave them in peace, Bellatrix."
Lucius grabbed his wife hand only when she was about to ascend the stairs. Turning her to face him, he could see she was crying, the tears running freely down her face and destroying her once impeccable make-up.
"Darling, what happened this time? Why are you crying?"
She wiped some tears before starting to answer his questions."I made plans for us, it was supposed to be a romantic night, but you chose to discuss His orders, His wishes!" Sobbing, she fought to continue: "You promised me that He wouldn't stand between us anymore! I am so tired of this, I am so frustrated with this damned cause, with this damned man, I'm so disappointed with you, Lucius!"
"Cissa, don't be like this! Tomorrow…Tomorrow we can be together; we'll celebrate my birthday after I discuss this plan with Him, after everything is settled."
"I am tired of being no priority in your life, Lucius! I am so tired to act like everything is perfect when it's not! We barely talk anymore, because you're always in a hurry and, and…" She started blushing. "You know, this week, on that day when Bellatrix entered our room in the morning, I thought I would finally get a… a time alone with you! Lucius, didn't you notice there's almost two months that we don't make love?" This time she flushed completely, totally ashamed and surprised by her lack of discretion. "My goodness, I drank too much, why am I talking like this?"
There was pure silence between them for several minutes, until he broke it. "Narcissa, I'm sorry. I love you, and it kills me to know that I'm not being the husband you deserve."
"Look Lucius, I never doubt your love and I know you are sorry, but sometimes being sorry is not enough. I'm tired of hearing empty words, I just wish you could fulfill a half of the promises you've already made."
Please let me know what you think of this chapter. After I wrote it I felt that it was -again- a filler, but in some way it was good, since I wrote a lot on Lucius' POV and it will not be a constant in the next chapters (Azkaban is coming soon, xD).
Thanks to my lovely reviewers: Clareabell7, NimbusCentuar, XToxicLullabyX, Lilya27, Nadieska, PrincessDaydream77, EleKat, Woemcat ... You always make it worthy!