Chapter 12

Mixed Signals.

"See! I told you! What did I tell you! See, Lucius! I was right." Narcissa exclaimed triumphantly as soon as the Gryffindors disappeared. She was getting slightly overexcited. Her companion was lightly smiling, while still managing to sport a confused expression on his normally cold face.

"Hmm. That is very odd indeed. I never would have thought that was true…"

"My cousin is sleeping with Lily Evans, and she feels so guilty for doing it that she can't stop chasing after Potter just to prove to herself that she is still good and respectable, and not a lying, immoral wench."

"Yes, but why are YOU chasing after Potter, my dear, darling, Narcissa? I don't particularly care what or whom that peacock-brained Gryffindor dates or does, as long as it's not you. You cannot seriously be telling me that you are genuinely interested in him?"

Narcissa bit her lip and looked away from him for the first time in nearly ten minutes. Lucius and Narcissa have been having the conversation that the two of them have never dreamed of having. They were finally being honest, they were finally being friendly, responsive… understanding.

He was showing her a side of him that she has never cared to see before, a side which was now causing her to spill the beans to him as if they've been best friends for years.

"I don't know, Lucius. Honestly, I don't know anymore. I like him. Liked him." Her face lit up unconsciously, a vibrant smile appeared on her lips and her eyes took on a dreamy state.

"He's exciting and he is handsome… Every time I look at him, I just want - " She trailed off, quickly coming to her senses and suddenly remembering that the boy she was talking to was in love with her. All at once, she got a funny feeling in her throat and realized that she didn't want to hurt him. It was Lucius Malfoy she was talking to and yet for once, she didn't want to cause him pain. Out of the blue, she felt herself trying to soften the blow – she didn't want to tell Lucius about her love life, if he would never be a part of it.

" I mean, umm…umm… He's, he's…" - but she couldn't find the right words to cover up what had already escaped her lips and was rather obvious.

Somehow she just couldn't stop herself from telling the truth once she had started, so with a sigh, she finished what she was saying - "He is just everything that a seventeen year old boy ought to be."

Narcissa blurted it out and looked up with difficulty into his pain-filled eyes. She didn't mean to say it, she didn't want to say it, but she had to.

Lucius didn't respond right away. He wasn't moving. He was just staring at her- his face was calm, his mouth was not frowning. Narcissa didn't know what to do – before she could say anything else, she first needed to see what kind of a reaction her words had elicited, yet he wasn't betraying any reactions. Finally after two minutes of silence, he spoke-

"I understand."

That's all he told her. That's all that she needed to hear right then. She didn't need to say anything else to him - he knew exactly what she meant; and he didn't owe her any other response than the one he just gave her and the one she was about to contest.

"You understand? What do you mean, Lucius?"

"I get it, Cissa. It's okay. I can wait." He was determined to be brief about it. He didn't doubt that Narcissa knew what he meant. She was a clever girl, - he would never have gone after her if she weren't. But she was finally playing her part – the feminine part - the sort of role she only played with suitors. 'Playing dumb' was the ultimate card that a girl who wished to keep flirting would use. It cheered him up slightly, but he knew she wasn't ready. She didn't mean to do it, she just said it on a reflex – she didn't really wish to flirt with him just then. He would have to wait.

Lucius released her arm and smiled sadly at the girl beside him. Turning around, he began to walk away.

"Wha-.. Wait, Lucius!" She called after him. She didn't want him to leave. Against her plan and against her better judgment, she wanted him to stay. She didn't know why, she couldn't really tell for sure what had prompted her to "feel for" Lucius Malfoy, but she was feeling guilty, sympathetic and for some reason - jittery.

He stopped at the sound of her soft little voice and turned around one more time. Narcissa was standing with her mouth slightly opened, her big blue eyes were very wide, and for the first time in the eight years he had known her, she looked weak and vulnerable… and completely irresistible…

With a decisive stride, he sharply swung himself around, took the three required steps straight back to her and scooping Narcissa up into his big strong arms - he kissed her. The action took her by surprise, despite the fact that deep inside she's been expecting it. She closed her eyes and for a second lost herself inside his soft but urgent lips.

His embrace was full of force and his hands shook her roughly as their balance was lost, but his lips remained quite tender. After finding his footing again, Lucius lifted her up with his left arm and tilted her head back with the right one. Her own arms went limp as she silently succumbed to his strength and his passion. Narcissa was lost in hisworld.

The kiss lasted no more than thirty seconds. Yet it felt like forever. When Lucius finally released her, Narcissa was breathless. All she could do was pant slightly for a minute or two before gaining composure again. She pulled herself up to full height and adjusted the robes, which were now crumpled in places.

Taking a step closer to him, she paused to consider her options for a moment. Narrowing her eyes, Narcissa took a deep breath and slapped him.

"Goodbye, Lucius," she said and ran as fast as she could up the steps to the exit. He watched her go in silence.

"Be careful, Cissa," Lucius whispered almost inaudibly, as she disappeared behind the tapestry.