Alembic: Anything that transforms, purifies, or refines
March 1, 1975
His family always liked class. They only took the best silver goblets, the finest robes, the most expensive wines, and the most refined guests into their home. And they owned so much of the world. Why should it be any different?
Narcissa watched him slip on the black cloak. He could see her in the mirror, elegant form leaning against the post of his lavish bedframe. She was truly as lovely and pure as the flower she is named for, he thought. Her expression was calm and cool as ever it was supposed to be. But he saw the corners of her mouth pulling upward as he pulled the hood over his white-blonde hair, and it made him proud to call her his fiancé.
He turned to her, and in the privacy of his chamber, with the rashness that belongs to youth, she kissed him hard. A few dizzying moments later, they broke apart. He tugged the hood straighter so that his face fell in shadow, and she stepped back with a nod.
As he swept down the wide, stone staircase, Lucius Malfoy's determination solidified. He knew she understood what he was doing – that it even impressed her. It would be natural instinct to step back from this bloody affair. But he was no coward. He would show her he was a husband to be proud of, too.
His family only took the best. And he would give her a world of only the best, the purest of blood. It would be messy – it had to be. But someone must act as the filter, the purifiers. She had already chosen him, of course, but the beautiful Narcissa Black caught the eye of many men. How could any other suitor ever compare to him after this?
A/N: Yup, shorter. But there you have it! I don't buy into the whole 'arranged marriage' thing. It seems pretty obvious from Narcissa's actions (especially in book 6) that she genuinely loved her husband and son, and I think Lucius really did love his family, even if he was twisted. Now, I don't exactly like the Malfoys, but I find them extremely intriguing and I don't hate them either. I've never tried writing Lucius before and I can't say that I really want to do it very often, but I hope I pulled it off okay. I figure trying to show off for his girlfriend was a compelling reason for Lucius to join the Death Eaters, among other things like self-preservation, thirst for power, extreme prejudice (to the point of being deranged) etc.
Anyway, as always, hope you like it and please let me know one way or the other! :D