A/N: I want to thank you guys for preassuring me into writting again XD. Also, it seems something is off in my counting the chapters; this should be Chapter 15 and in it's 11. I'll check that and probably make some changes. For now enjoy the chapter ;)

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Thank you to my beta, Haphne24.

(Haphne wrote that disclaimer :P)

PART 2:

SPIES

Malfoy Manor

Narcissa arrived after dropping Draco at the station. Lucius had gone to the ministry to play at politics and now that it was her son's time to go to Hogwarts, she felt the emptiness of their house all too well.

'If only it was really empty.' One of her deepest desires to escape from the monster that lived under her roof, but she didn't dare even think about it since she had heard that he was a natural Legilimens. Punishment for deserters was normally torture and death, but for women it included rape.

Narcissa shivered. She had agreed to marry Malfoy because he was a powerful wizard with an impeccable reputation, a man who could protect her from her family; it was only after their wedding that she learned that it was all a façade. Lucius was a man full of hate and resentment and expressed it violently, especially against her. Fortunately, it lasted until she became pregnant with his heir. She was spared his love for the duration of the pregnancy and while she had to breast-feed Draco; by the time her son began eating by himself she had enough presence of mind to not provoke her husband. In the coming years, she proved such an upstanding model wife that Lucius began looking her way less and less, and when he took a lover she was positively relieved. Let anyone else suffer his interests.

By the time Draco was 9, Lucius did the worst thing she could think possible. He had invited -no, summoned the purest evil to their home and he still lived there. On the outside, the monster was good-looking amiable man, but his red, snake-like eyes gave up his real identity.

Lady Malfoy shivered involuntarily. She hated her life, the man she had to call husband, his master and most of all, she hated living in fear for her life and his son's. If only she had been as strong as her sister Andromeda and left her family to live her life away.

Today, she had seen something interesting. She had seen a man, a powerful man with guards around him, a man who lived outside Britain. Someone like that could be her way out. She would have to entice him somehow… although he already had a beautiful woman at his side…

"There must be a way." As her luck would have it, Lucius had been planning a ball to raise funds for his upcoming political campaign, running against Fudge for Minister of Magic. While in other circumstances she would be elated to be married to the minister, she also knew that it was all a farce to subversively ingrate his master's beliefs to the government. Fortunately for her, the ball also created the opportunity to meet the gentleman that had caught her attention. However, it wasn't enough, one time didn't make a relationship. She had to find a way to meet with him again, preferably alone.

Narcissa walked directly to her closet to change clothes. That evening she would visit with Margareth Goyle, Minnie Parkinson and Bertha Bulstrode, and would not be seen in a dress she had already used. As she undressed, she walked to the full-length mirror and stared at her figure. She retained her hourglass figure even after giving birth, she had full breasts and what she deemed an 'alright' derrière. It was only her face that worried her; she wasn't even 40 yet but life with Lucius had left its mark in the bags under her eyes and haggard visage. The mirror kept telling her how beautiful she was, but she could scarcely believe it. The mirror didn't know about the mess of nerves she became whenever she was in Lucius company for more than twenty minutes, it couldn't possibly know how defeated she felt every morning waking up in an empty and cold bed. She longed to feel the warmth of the sun on her skin as she had when her family visited their plantations in the north of Africa. She wanted to feel a pair of powerful arms surrounding her form; and let a pair of strong, calloused hands caress her skin, while a real man filled her with himself and his seed. That was one of her fantasies since she discovered the sex-ed book in the Black library. She had spirited it away to read on her own and more than once she had felt her cheeks warm picturing a man doing to her what the book described in florid words. A fantasy she had never seen come true, and never would if she stayed where she was.

For a moment, her mind betrayed her desires and, closing her eyes, she pictured again what little she had seen of the man her husband was so interested in. The short cut of his hair and well-trimmed beard, his rod-straight back and the muscles that his vest couldn't hide gave him a martial bearing; his bronze-colored skin spoke of adventures and danger and his voice… it had been fetching while at the station, but now in her head, it was beyond attractive. It was plain sensual… no, sexual. She savored the moment until the charmed mirror interrupted her thoughts with an immaterial comment.

Opening her eyes, she couldn't help but notice the immediate change in her factions. Her drawn face had brightened up by a blush, her lips were swollen, her breath hitched and uneven, and she could already feel the wetness between her legs.

A man like that… an – dare she say it? – adventure was what she needed.

As she changed into a dress more proper for visiting with her so-called friends – in high society the concept of friends was reduced to 'contacts' and 'acquaintances' –, she couldn't take her mind from the man she desired without even knowing him.

She arrived home almost at sun-down, after talking about the upcoming ball and little else.

She was currently working on the guest list: everyone in high echelons of Magical Britain had been invited, as had been a couple of dignitaries her husband had met during his many travels abroad; even the bumbling fool of Fudge appeared on the list, more as an insult than an act of good faith since he didn't even know Lucius would be running against him. When she was about to finish, Mindy, her private house-elf – she wanted nothing to do with Lord Malfoy's servants – knocked on the door and popped her head in as soon as she received permission.

"Your ladyship, the Lord's be wanting to see you in his study."

"Tell him I shall meet with him in a moment."

"Yes, mistress."

More than a little wary, Narcissa took up the parchment with the list and walked the whole way to her husband's study trying to convince herself that she wasn't in danger.

She knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in," Lucius tone was a tiny bit less cold than usual, which made her even warier.

"You wished to see me, husband?"

"Yes Narcissa; I'm in need of you."

Making use of her acting lessons, she smiled at him "But of course, how may I be of assistance?" Her words would be much more fit for a slave, but it had to be so to avoid physical injury.

"Have you finished the guest list?" Without waiting for response or looking up from his desk, Lord Malfoy extended his hand and Narcissa placed the list on it. He read it attentively, then took a pen, scratched a couple of names and added a couple more. He handed it back to her. The minister and his undersecretary's names had been scratched while two more had been added at the end. "I need you to deliver the invitation to the last two in person. I need them on my side, am I understood?"

"Certainly, husband; I will do so first thing in the morning."

"Do so."

When he didn't say anything else, Narcissa turned to leave.

"Oh, and Narcissa."

She turned quickly, her façade slipping a little "yes?".

"You must, by any means necessary, convince them to assist the ball."

"Yes, husband."

She bowed gracefully and left.

Once in the sanctum of her room, she glanced at the names added at the bottom of the list.

'His excellencies, Count Drake Firefang and wife.'

She smiled to herself, the bastard of her husband had inventively gifted her something she truly wanted.

Lady Malfoy browsed her wardrobe for a dress appropriate for a social visit. However, it was proving to be a rather difficult decision. She had never had the need of entice nor seduce a man, her body and last name were more than enough to bring possible candidates to her doorstep. Now, she found someone she wanted, she was at a loss and worse she didn't even have a friend she could call on for advice.

"It must be something formal yet alluring and not too shameless. Something that will make him want to see more, but not so much that his wife might notice… Argh! Where is Bella when I need her!" Her sister Bellatrix had always known how to dress to attract attention. She wasn't as beautiful as Narcissa, but the way she acted and dressed always made men turn her way.

Most of the robes she had bought since she married Malfoy were too conservative and plain to tempt even the most lecherous, sex-deprived man on earth... for the sake of survival in a household where a man's favorite sport was to hit his wife.

She shook her head despondently and decided to buy a new robe. She had more than enough money to pay for the best and for an express delivery. If Lucius wanted her to attract the Count by any means necessary, she'd make sure he wouldn't be able to take his eyes form her. While her husband's willingness for her to prostitute herself so he could get a new acquaintance was revolting, she was also ecstatic that she was now free to pursue the man she wanted and needed to get out of her current prison.

She dressed quickly and left, apparating directly to Diagon Alley, a few steps away from Madam Malkin's. She strode in pompously and immediately asked for the owner.

"Ah! Lady Malfoy, how may I be of assistance today? Have you come to find a new dress for the upcoming ball?"

"That and something else, Madam." She looked around herself, "could we speak in private?"

More than a little surprised, Madam Malkin led her to one of the private changing rooms.

Narcissa casted a privacy charm around them "Aurora, I am in need of a less… conservative dress."

Aurora Malkin and Narcissa had once been friends during their Hogwarts years but fell out of contact after the second got married; now they only shared a commercial relationship. Narcissa calling her as she did all those years ago, made Madam Malkin suddenly realize that whatever was happening was important.

"Cissy, why do you-?"

Narcissa shushed her even though they were inside the privacy bubble. "I- I have to see someone... and I just realize that every dress I have makes me look like a nun."

It took Aurora a few moments to realize what her old friend was implying. "Are you sure? What if your husband finds out?"

With an impossibly sad face, Narcissa replied meekly "He's making me-" her act was so convincing that she saw the flames of indignation nearly explode through Aurora's eyes.

"The bastard! He dares!?" Yet, despite her anger, Malkin smiled, "well, at least something good will come of all this?"

Truly surprised, Narcissa stared wide-eyed at her accomplice, "what could it possibly be?"

"That you will finally dress more like yourself. I hate seeing you in those opaque, lifeless robes more fit for a funeral than a party." She smiled "It's due time Lucius remembers what a beautiful wife he has".

Lady Malfoy stared slack-jawed while Aurora hummed, summoning her measuring tape.

The process took longer than expected because Malkin insisted in doing it herself, rather than trust a magical measuring tape. She brought some of her best dresses, but most of them were too conservative or too flashy, for her friend's current mission. Narcissa tried a little over a dozen robes carefully selected by the seamstress, of which none was selected, but it gave them a better idea of what she needed and wanted. Then came different fabrics and between them selected the best; it had to caress her skin lightly, but wouldn't be so light that it would lift by itself. A couple of hours later, they began choosing colors, which was easier.

By the time they finished it was already late – too late for a social visit, at least – the preparations. They had been so immersed in their task that they even forgot tea time, lunch and their afternoon meals.

Narcissa felt a little frantic at not getting to see the man that day, but she knew that one had to play the waiting game with the most important things. Since she had to get this man wrapped around her finger for her husband's and her own agenda, she had to pay special attention to details. Having the right dress was crucial.

"It's good to see you again like this Cissy." Malkin commented over the dinner they shared at her apartment, which was directly on top of her store. "I think I haven't seen you this lively since you got married."

Narcissa smiled politely "I feel more like myself too". Suddenly curious, she asked "What of you, friend? I haven't seen much of you other than for work."

"There isn't much to say. I got engaged once, but it didn't work out and we broke the engagement. Now, I'm married to my work." There was no resignation nor sadness in her voice, only serene happiness.

"Do you not desire a man to accompany you at night?"

Aurora outright laughed "Oh! I have plenty of those, but it has always been for a few nights… you know, to ease the itch."

Narcissa laughed. She hadn't had man since her husband got her pregnant over 11 years ago. So yes, she knew what that itch was, pity there wasn't a way for her to get rid of it without risking life and limb with a husband for whom hitting women was as his way of 'loving' her.

After dinner, Narcissa went straight home, her mission might have been delayed, but now she was even more determined. She would soon have a dress to tempt and another to seduce her Count.

Three days later, she was finally on the steps of the address she had been given. The invitation had been carefully prepared, her hair made up to show the delicate nape of her neck – the hairdresser had assured that men loved it – and her middle cut dress, over which she wore a thick shawl that both protected her from the cold, and from other's eyes. Even her ride was sure to attract looks. A small chariot pulled by two white fire-mares, the rare breed of Clydesdale mares whose hooves lit on fire, allowing them to soar.

To her surprise, she had been received not by a house-elf as was accustomed, but by a human butler. He led her into a sitting room where she waited no more than a minute until the door opened.

Narcissa was greeted by the serene, yet exuberant beauty that was the count's wife; unlike her, she wore a sun dress that fell loosely to her knees. She had only seen her in passing at the station, but now that they were face-to-face her beauty was all too painful to see. How could she ever compare herself to a woman like the one that stood smiling before her?

But she had to, she had to seduce her man. Or at the very least bed him and bear his child. If she could manage that, she would be saved.

"Lady Malfoy! We did not expect you. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Narcissa smiled even though all she wanted was to strangle the blonde woman in front of her "I wanted to make sure you received the invitation for the upcoming ball. As I understand it, you husband has a deep dislike of house elves?"

No soon had Lady Firefang asked her to sit, a good-looking girl in a maid costume walked through the door with a tray with a teapot, a set of porcelain cups with modest gold adornments, and biscuits.

"Tea?"

"Cream, no sugar, please."

The maid served her and her mistress before moving to the back of the room as silently as she had come.

After taking a sip to wet her lips, Narcissa continued, "as I was saying, it would be a shame for you and your husband to miss the event because of a logistics problem."

"So very nice of you. And you are right, my husband has no love for house-elves. He considers little more than beasts." She shook her head in a resigned gesture.

Narcissa took a biscuit and bit delicately on it, "my husband wanted to come himself but has been tied in the ministry because of the coming elections."

"Elections? I was under the impression that Minister Fudge's term wouldn't finish for a couple of years yet."

"Normally, yes. However, the House of Lords issued a vote of no confidence against him a few weeks prior; it was in the papers."

Silvia frowned, "we did not arrive to the British Isles until the day we met at King's Cross, Drake wanted to enjoy the last few days we had with our children in Japan."

"Japan?" Narcissa was surprised. She had expected the Count to come from the island she had heard was north of the continent, not from the other side of the world.

"Yes, he is very fond of their culture and their magical community has some very special customs that he wanted the children to see."

"I see."

Their talk continued for a couple more minutes, until it was clear that the Count was not going to make an appearance. After finishing her tea, Narcissa rose to her feet, closely followed by her host.

"I shouldn't take up more of your time; I'm sure you are a very busy person."

"Not at all, lady Malfoy. It was a pleasure to receive you. Unfortunately, due to my husband's agenda, I find myself with little opportunities to socialize."

For a moment, Narcissa's heart went to her, but then she remembered they were rivals and it passed. "I know exactly what you mean." Her marriage had been just like that at the beginning, until the other women of her generation got married and were then in the possibility of asking them out for tea parties. A light went on in her little mind. "Perhaps, I can be of aid."

Lady Firefang tilted her head in askance.

"I have ties of friendship with the most prominent ladies of our small society. If you would like, I can introduce you to them. At the very least, you could visit with them while you remain in the Isles."

Silvia's face brightened immensely "You would do that for me?"

Narcissa smiled and nodded, "certainly, we women must remain united in this world of men."

"Thank you oh, so much!" Despite her decision to be rivals, Narcissa couldn't help but smile at the hope in the eyes of the woman before her.

"Now, then," she produced the envelope form her bag and handed it carefully, almost reverently to the countess "I present to you the invitation to the first ball of the season; it will be at Malfoy manor in two weeks' time."

Silvia took the invitation with just as much care and brought it to her chest, "Do not worry, I will not have him miss the ball for anything."

They walked together to the door, where Narcissa assured the countess that it would be a pleasure to receive her at her house in the coming days so she could introduce her to other high-born ladies.

As she crossed the threshold, Narcissa finally let herself feel the ache of disappointment. All her preparations to see the Count had been in vain. "At least now I have a way to entertain his wife while I-"

"Lady Malfoy?"

Her ponderings were suddenly interrupted by a warm, masculine voice that made the hair on her neck raise. When she turned, she met face to face with the man she had been day-dreaming about.

At the station, she had seen only his profile and barely heard his voice since her attention had been on her son. Now, with no distractions and him only a few feet away, Narcissa couldn't help but stare. He was handsome, but she had seen men with better looks; he could pass up for a normal man if not for the way he carried himself. He was a man that turned heads, one could not be in the same room and not notice him. That was the kind of presence he commanded. Even at arm's length and no connection between them, Narcissa felt the touch of butterflies in her stomach and her palms sweat under the gloves. 'Merlin! I've only seen him once and I'm already like this!'

"Your excellency! What a pleasant surprise!" Her smile was sincere and absolutely radiant.

"Likewise, milady" He smiled as his eyes took in her appearance "I must say that you look absolutely beautiful, milady."

Narcissa looked down at herself and found that her shawl had slipped, giving him a good view of her cleavage. However, instead of covering herself as her old self would have done, she simply looked up and smiled prettily at him.

He cleared his throat then looked up to her eyes with a disarming smile. "Will we have the pleasure of breaking bread with you, milady?"

She opened her mouth to reply when Silvia's dulcet voice came from the doorstep. "Lady Malfoy was only just leaving, dear. She came to hand us the invitation to the upcoming ball."

Narcissa wanted to glare at the woman at the doorstep but refrained, reminding herself that there would be a better place and time to get rid of her.

"I see," he exchanged a quick glance with his wife but then returned his attention to Cissy "I am most grateful for this gesture, milady. Rest assured, we will be present at your party. At what time?"

"Nine in the evening, your excellency."

He took out a tiny notepad from an inside pocket of his jacket, along with a modern-looking fountain pen, and jotted down the date, "very well, nine o'clock in the evening; we shall be there at that exact time." Drake stored notebook and pen inside his breast pocket and offered Narcissa his arm, and when she took it, he led her to her carriage. The Count helped her up, and kissed her gloved hand in goodbye.

They said their last farewells and she parted on her magical carriage, and to keep her man in sight, turned to watch him enter the house while his disgruntled wife glared in her direction.

"Yes! I can do this!"

A/N2: Before I receive any more "Lucius would never do that!" commentaries I have to say that THIS is a fanfiction that doesn't follow cannon. In so much that I included one of my OCs from another book. In this story Lucius is just like a man of noble birth would be during the late 1700s, when women were still possessions fit for little more than bearing and teaching children. Also, for the high-born having lovers was as common as breathing. N'uff said.