Sorry it took a while! I had to get a new computer and then I was sick for a bit! Leave me some reviews! It really helps motivate me!
Over the next few days Aria and Lucius had their guards up after Draco's visit. Although not scared by Draco's warning about Narcissa's imminent revenge upon Aria, Lucius and Aria left nothing up to chance. The wards and spells that surrounding their house were heightened, literally making it near impossible for anyone to penetrate the Malfoy Manor grounds. Of course the only people that would be able to break such spells were very skilled Ministry workers and Aurors. It gave Aria a slight sense of isolation, as her and Lucius hunkered down over the next few days, but Lucius was adamant. He would literally do anything for his Aria, and his fierce protection of her was intense, but very romantic and old fashioned. He rarely let her out of his sight, and the magnet that seemed to always bind the two together was as strong as ever.
"I'll be okay Lucius. I am ready for whatever comes. With you training me in wandless magic I feel more powerful than ever. I am not scared of her," Aria had said one peaceful yet snowy afternoon, as the two walked hand in hand around their sprawling gardens, admiring the snow dusted plants and the beautiful swans in their epic fountain.
"I know. You are my brave and beautiful goddess," said Lucius, as he squeezed her hand tightly. "But I just can never let something like the poisoning you suffered happen again. That nearly broke me…almost losing you…Please, just let me protect you in my own ways. It settles my nerves and makes me feel better about this situation," he sighed out as they continued walking through the soft snow.
Aria squeezed Lucius' hand back in acknowledgement of his feelings. The fierce side of him needed to protect her, for his own sense of sanity and she understood. "You're my hero," she said as she stopped in her tracks and turned him to look at her as she reached her hand up and rubbed his cheek softly with her fingertips.
Lucius closed his eyes in pleasure at her touch and drew her in closer so that their hips were connected and they were flush against each other. He then opened his eyes and Aria could see so much emotion going on behind the grey depths.
"I can feel my dark side rearing up its ugly head….I so badly want to hunt down Narcissa and end that woman for threatening you…" his voice shuddered as he admitted his truth to Aria. "I want to…kill her…"
Aria shuddered slightly at his words, but continued stroking his cheek in comfort as he closed his eyes again as if trying to hide his darkness. Aria knew that Lucius had changed…so incredibly much from his darker past, but she knew in many situations he could become that fierce and feared man he had been, back when he had been a Death Eater…back when doing bad things had come as second nature. When it came to his love for her especially, Lucius was extremely protective and loyal and if that meant utilizing his darker side to protect her, she knew in an instant he would do so.
"You can't," said Aria quietly, almost in a whisper. "I can never have you get taken away from me ever again. Please," she pleaded with pain in her eyes as she thought of the last time Lucius had done something illegal, almost costing him his life and freedoms by almost getting sent back to Azkaban for that whole fiasco with Paolo when Aria had first arrived in England.
Lucius sighed out his emotions. He wanted so badly to kill Narcissa for what she was doing, but Aria was right. Any slip up and he would have a one way ticket back to Azkaban and murder was one rather large slip-up that he couldn't risk.
"I know," he whispered in a husky voice as he leaned his head down to her and kissed her on the lips with an urgent passion. His lips moved against hers sensually, the softness and warmth of his lips causing her to moan a bit in delight as his mouth parted hers as he caressed her lips with his tongue. His hands traveling up to her neck and then to grab her hair lightly as he pressed her head in closer to his. Aria had been a bit chilly before as they had walked in the snow, but now her body was warm and full of love as Lucius kissed her into a dizzying bliss.
As they parted, both of their cheeks flushed from the feeling of love they felt, they walked a bit further, back towards the Manor, towards the main parterre that led into the grand ballroom to step inside, when Aria noticed a pile of what appeared to be letters scatted about; luckily the pile of letters had landed under one of the marble columns of the Manor so the snow wasn't able to get the paper wet.
"What are all of these?" Aria said as she gathered the letters in her hands, instantly noticing they were tied with the tell-tale blue ribbon from the Ministry.
Lucius looked up into the sky as he thought. "Well, the Ministry owls probably couldn't penetrate the wards and protective charms we have…most likely got sent back and then the Ministry resent them back this way. They are after all the only ones who can really penetrate our barriers….even if this was rather messy…" he said indicating to the spot the letters had been scattered about.
"Do you think they will be suspicious of us and why we have so many protection spells?" Asked Aria.
"Most likely," Lucius admitted as he rolled his eyes. The Ministry of course only expected the very worst from him…even after everything he and Aria had been through with them. "Here let's step inside and give these a read shall we?" Lucius said as he put his hand on the small of her back and gently led her back inside to the warmth of their home.
When they were back inside up in the library, Lucius went over to pour himself a dram of whisky. It was rather early, but Aria knew it was his stress and his pent up anger at the whole situation of waiting for Narcissa to strike.
Aria gently tore open the first letter from the Ministry, a bit of anxiety creeping through her bones. However, the letter was actually rather good news and Aria couldn't help but breath out a sigh of relief and smile. The first project she had ever done for the Ministry, her work on Midhope Castle in Scotland, was almost done being restored to its former glory. The letter stated that the grand staircase of the Castle was finally repaired and deemed safe for use and that the final touches on the restoration of the historic ceiling were close to being done as well.
Thanks to your determination, passion and skill set, the restoration of this Castle will be complete on February 14th of next year. The Ministry and the British Historical Society invite you to a grand reveal and gala dinner on the date listed above to celebrate this historical triumph of Wizarding History preservation. Please RSVP via the included card no later than January 31st.
"Lucius, look at this!" She said as she handed him the letter.
Lucius read it over quickly and smiled. "This is amazing my love. You should be incredibly proud….and of course we will go to celebrate your great accomplishment."
"I am so excited to go back to Scotland to see all of the work that's been done on the Castle. It was so beautiful, even when derelict, I can only imagine how stunning it is now. Oh Lucius it'll be so amazing to be back in Scotland with you, and to be open about our relationship this time," she smirked, remembering their last trip. Their relationship had been very new and very secret.
Lucius smirked as well and raised his brow at her seductively. "Well, I must say I would like to make use of that tent again…as well as head back to the Callanish Stones for another night of mind-blowing carnal passion."
Aria's stomach fluttered in delight at his mention of their time in his magical tent and at the Callanish Stones in Scotland. That magical night under the stars, when the two lovers had experienced the true beginnings of their powerful soul mate connection had been one of the most significant nights of her life. And she knew it was one of his most important nights as well.
"I can't wait," she said as she sauntered closer to him and reached up to put her hands around his neck. She stood on her tiptoes to reach up to plant her lips against his in a seductive kiss that left them both breathless. Aria sighed as she unclasped her hands from around his neck and went back over to reach the next two letters. "Stop distracting me," she said jokingly as she looked over at Lucius with a lingering smirk. He too was still smiling as he took a sip from his dram of whisky.
The next letter was another one from her old Ambassador's department at the Ministry, this time with a job offer for her. Aria felt odd about the situation; on one hand it was slightly weird that her ex-employer was still asking her to take on projects. On the other hand it was really flattering that the Ministry had sent this job her way, instead of just finding someone else in the department to do it. It made her feel good that the quality of her work was so well recognized that even her old employer still thought she was the best one for the job.
The letter read:
Miss De La Cour,
The Ministry would like to extend this project to you, since we feel as if your skills and expertise are quite fitting for this request that has just come in. The College of Oxford has requested that one of the Ministry's best historians and archivists come and help them with the desperately needed reorganization and archiving of their precious ancient texts, predominantly their alchemical volumes and rare Wizarding texts at the world famous Bodlian Library.
We realize that you are no longer in our employ, however we couldn't think of anyone more suited for the post and we have assured Oxford College that we would get the best and most passionate person for the job, whom we trust wholeheartedly to do a thorough job. If you wish to take this position, starting the 1st of March, we will put you in touch with the contact over at the College. Please respond at your earliest convenience.
Aria was holding her breath the entire time she read the letter. What an amazing and exciting opportunity. The history at Oxford was legendary. The library itself, the amazing Bodlian Library, was one of the largest and most historically significant in the world. Although Muggles were the ones mainly known to attend Oxford College, Aria knew the College often accepted many witches and wizards and that the library had a whole magical wing that witches and wizards could use that was kept secret from the Muggles. The library was thought to be even grander than Hogwarts' and Lucius' combined. If it wasn't for the Ministry program she had initially joined when she first moved to Britain, Oxford College had always been on her list of experiences she would have loved to pursue. Of course she didn't have any regrets of her choice of path, since the Ministry Program is what had led her to Lucius. However, there was no way she would turn down this opportunity now that it presented itself. It was too perfect for her, and the Ministry was right….she was the perfect person for this job!
As Lucius finished his dram of whisky he came up behind Aria to read the letter she was holding which had captivated her so. As he read over her shoulder he almost laughed out in disbelief. How had the Ministry ever let her quit her position there? They were fools for letting someone as smart and amazing as her get away without so much as a fight to keep her in their employ. Of course she was the absolute best person for this position and it made Lucius roll his eyes that the Ministry had to practically crawl back to her begging for her to do the job.
"Well of course you should take the job," said Lucius. "However- don't let them take one ounce of credit after the job is finished. Yes, they may be the ones who let you know of this position, but without your talent and skills, which I am sure will be most impressive to Oxford, they wouldn't have anyone to send. You must take all of the credit," he concluded firmly.
"Oh yes I quite agree," Aria said as she folded up the letter with a smile and laid it on her favorite desk in the library. She would respond immediately later that afternoon. "However it does make me wonder if I made a mistake in quitting…" she said as she bit her lip with concern.
"Not at all," Lucius said with reassurance. "You are free to do what you want to do…and that is everything…trust me."
Aria nodded her head in agreement. Lucius knew what the cost of not having freedom was, and so he really did know what he was talking about.
Aria reached for the last letter that had come for them. This time both of their names were on the envelope. She gently pulled apart the fancy wax seal on the back and revealed a rather beautiful letter that was intricately designed.
Aria De La Cour & Lucius Malfoy
You are cordially invited to the Minister for Magic's annual New Year's Eve Ball in celebration of the past year and the upcoming New Year.
Please arrive in proper, formal attire and send your attendance responses within two days of receiving this invitation.
We look forward to seeing you to ring in the New Year.
"A New Year's Eve Balls sounds lovely!" Enthused Aria. She always loved dressing up in fine clothing and dancing the night away with her love. Every time there was a Ball, Lucius and Aria always seemed to have the most magical nights with each other.
"No," Lucius said firmly, with a darkness in his eyes.
"Wh…what?" Asked Aria confused. She would have thought that Lucius might be happy that he wasn't being shunned from Wizarding Society like he usually had been. That maybe the Minister finally saw that he was a changed man.
"But we should feel happy we were invited. I know you had had your strong quarrels with the Minister, but I think this invitation to the New Year's Ball is also an invitation to move past your differences," said Aria as she walked towards Lucius and grabbed his hand.
"It isn't that my love…I would gladly take you to the Ball…Merlin knows we could use some drinking and dancing…but it's not safe," he said stoically, the dark look deepening in his silver eyes.
"What do you mean?" Asked Aria.
"It is the perfect opportunity for Narcissa to attack…" he said angrily, almost through gritted teeth.
Aria furrowed her brow. Narcissa had been on her mind earlier, but when she had read the invitation for the Ball, Narcissa had been the last thing on her mind. "At a Ball? Won't there be many Aurors in attendance? Doesn't it take place at the Ministry?"
"It does not take place at the Ministry…it is held every year at the Minister's Mansion…it is always something the Wizarding society looks forward to. There could be a chance Narcissa could have been invited as well…or if not…she could definitely sneak in. Aurors or not…it wouldn't be hard to do if she really wanted to get to you."
Aria swallowed back her emotions. She didn't want this woman and the threat of her to ruin her life. "I just don't see her trying to attack at a Ball in front of so many people."
"No Aria…please," Lucius pleaded with her to see reason as he squeezed her hands which held his.
Aria looked down, still not willing to give up. "But all of my friends will be there…Pepper, Hermione…all of my Ministry coworkers I haven't seen in ages…"
"Aria I am trying to protect you!"
"I know Lucius, I know! But we can't stay locked in the Manor forever, scared to go out for fear of that woman!"
"I possess no fear of her!" Lucius began to yell out into the room. "I fear myself! Do you not realize it is literally taking all of my power and my strength and my focus to not go out and murder the woman! Fuck!" He said as he began pacing around in front of the raging fireplace as he ran his fingers through his silky, platinum hair. The blazing fire reflecting the emotions that he was feeling inside of his soul. His dark side was bubbling up to the surface and he could barely contain it any longer.
"Lucius…" Aria began as she stepped towards her lover, her hand outstretched as if to place it tenderly on his arm, however he was pacing too quickly and Aria knew that he was so close to exploding. Tenderness is not what he needed right now. All of the days of worry, of anxiety, and of anger about Narcissa was putting him over the edge. His dark energy reminded her of that one time down in the dungeon when he had been so consumed by his dark side that he had taken her body roughly, in the most dangerously seductive way she had ever known. It had been slightly terrifying, yet oddly one of the most arousing ways he had ever had her body. Butterflies formed in her stomach thinking about that day and she felt herself getting wet as she thought about it. She knew then he needed to release all of that rage, to let his dark side reign free for a brief moment; and she would let him….oh she would definitely let him.
With hooded green eyes full of understanding of what he needed, Aria stepped in front of his path as he made his way to pace back towards her and looked up at him. Lucius saw the meaning behind her eyes, and his own dark, fiery gaze pierced hers, his mouth set into a straight line, almost a grimace, as he held in all of his emotions.
In one step he was pressed up against her body, he was so incredibly tall compared to her when he stood that close and she had to crane her neck a bit to fully look up at him, as he consumed her with his gaze, claiming her as his to protect, and his alone. He was breathing heavily, his warm breath tickling her ear as he leaned down and in to whisper to her. "You are mine…" he practically growled as his hand reached up to her delicate neck as he wrapped his large fingers firmly around it. It wasn't to choke her of course, but it was enough to let her know that she was his, especially in this moment, to do with her what he will.
With her breath caught in her throat, Aria shuddered at his words and his warm breath tickled her ear. Lucius began walking them back so that the back of her legs were pressed up against the arm of the nearest couch to the fireplace.
Without removing his hand from her throat he looked down at her again with the same fire and passion and Aria knew he was in a way, asking her permission to release some of his anger into her; to use her as a means to absorb some of his darkness.
"Take me Lucius," she said huskily.
Without any further talking he quickly removed his hand from her throat and grabbed her firmly by her hips and turned her around so that she was now facing the couch. She felt him grab her sweater she was wearing in his hand and heard him deeply say under his breath "dismoveo." In an instant all of her clothes disappeared off of her body and she stood there, completely naked, feeling Lucius then trail his hands up and down her bare back and then down to her ass as he squeezed it hard causing her to gasp out at the intensity of his touch.
Since he had used wandless magic as he had touched her, he had opened up their mental connection, which happened whenever they used such magic while touching, and she felt all of his emotions; she felt his dark side like she never had before. It felt like her insides were as wild as the flames in the fireplace and like a dark snake was trying to make its way up and out of her body as if controlling her. She understood this side of Lucius now more than ever before and it was all-consuming.
As Aria moaned out again into the room, her mind cloudy with Lucius' rage, power and arousal, she heard him quickly removing his belt and heard his pants fall to the floor as he roughly bent her over so that her upper half was over the arm of the couch and her backside was in full view for him to admire. With a growl of manly need, she felt his large cock enter her roughly causing the both of them to practically scream out into the room with pure ecstasy.
There was nothing gentle about the way he plowed into her over and over again letting all of his rage flow out of him. Every single movement in and out of her was unbridled and she felt his strong hands gripping her hips and then her ass for leverage as he continued to fuck her like he never had before. The slapping of his heated body against hers sounded so naughty and their mental connection was still open, so all that the two felt was one wavelength of primal need for the other; pure sex.
"Yes Lucius! Fuck me harder" screamed Aria as she felt the magnificent man behind her plunge even harder into her body. His cock was so hard and huge that it felt like the tip of it was pressing up into her stomach with each thrust. It felt so deep and so good and Aria literally had to brace her hands on the cushion of the couch to keep herself firmly in place. The man moved as fast as a machine and his grip on her ass was getting tighter and tighter, surely leaving bruises.
"YOU. ARE. MINE!" He groaned out as he slapped her ass with a numbing strength.
Aria screamed out and moaned at the same time as his slap stung incredibly, but felt so oddly good at the same time.
"Yes I am yours. All yours Lucius!" Aria screamed out.
Lucius' thrusts became more and more erratic and intense and Aria knew he was close to coming in that moment. She could mentally feel it as well as her brain became even more hazy and it felt like she had static electricity flowing through her brain. She was practically seeing stars.
With one final roar of dominance, Lucius came deep inside Aria, his thrusts immediately stopping as he stood there as his orgasm and his darkness flowed out of him. He was breathing heavily as the upper half of his body practically collapsed over Aria's. So different from his dominance and his near violence from before, he began peppering gentle kisses along her smooth shoulders and then back. He then pulled out of her, his seed erotically dripping out of her center and down the side of her legs. Her ass had turned rather bright red at his treatment of it and he bent his head down so that he peppered gentle kisses on the tender part of her bum as well. Aria hummed out in relief and pleasure at the feeling of his kisses on her, but she still couldn't summon the strength to get up off of the couch yet.
Instead of making her get up, Lucius walked around to the couch and sprawled out on it and opened up his arms for Aria to fall into. With a sigh of happiness Aria immediately crawled forward so that her body lay in Lucius' strong arms, both of them lying naked and warm and drunk with love.
"Thank you," Lucius said huskily as he held her in his arms. "That helped immensely."
"I understand my love. I know how sometimes that side of you can build up…especially in situations where my safety and my well being is concerned. I am glad I can be…an outlet for you…during those times," she smiled into his chest.
Lucius chuckled at her statement. Yes she was indeed a rather perfect outlet for him to release his dark side into. She absorbed that side of him up like a sponge and intern gave him back nothing but pleasure and love. It did help that he knew she also enjoyed that side of him sometimes as well; the dominant, darker side which aroused him to realize that.
The two lay on the couch, practically dozing off into sleep for some time. Now that his head was cleared though and free of his worried haze for a bit, Lucius had began thinking about the New Year's Ball as he twirled a piece of Aria's hair in his fingers. Perhaps she was right….there were sure to be numerous Aurors there…it was a very high profile event. Narcissa wouldn't dare try to do anything….would she? He couldn't be sure. She had been bold enough to send a poison letter to Aria straight to the Ministry and got away with it. Lucius was still worried, but he knew how much Aria loved going out to Balls with him and all of her Ministry friends would be there and he wanted her to be happy. Lucius kissed the top of her head, his decision made. She stirred lightly, awakening from her groggy state of post-sex bliss.
"My love…"Lucius began as he ran his fingers through her hair comfortingly.
"Mhmmm?"
"I shall indeed take you to the Ball," he said gently.
Aria smiled and cuddled up even tighter against him; clearly happy with what he just said. "You sound like Prince Charming," she laughed.
Lucius chuckled as well but simply said, "I want you to be happy. At the end of the day, that is all I will ever want."
"I love you Lucius," Aria said as she kissed his smooth chest from where she lay on him.
"And I you."
December 31st arrived; the day of New Year's Eve. Although Lucius had ended up being agreeable to them going to the Ball, he still told Aria that he wanted them both to be on their highest guards. In the middle of the day he even made her practice a bit of her wandless magic, just incase. They didn't open up their mental connection via the wandless magic; Lucius wanted no distractions. And so, Aria worked on her magic by herself until she felt almost too exhausted to go to the Ball. At around 5 o'clock she made her way upstairs to get ready. Lucius had bought her a beyond gorgeous deep-green velvet dress with seductive black lace detailing and she couldn't wait to wear it. She would also be wearing his mother's stunning emerald necklace she had worn that night to the Samhain Ball at Hogwarts.
Lucius had already been ready and was waiting for her in the grand entry way of the Manor. As Aria walked down the large staircase towards him, he looked at her up and down, his eyes widening and his mouth slightly hanging open. She looked absolutely stunning; like the perfect embodiment of a gorgeous Slytherin woman. It took his breath completely away. Her blond hair was pulled back elegantly and the dress he had gotten for her, fit her body like a glove. His mother's priceless necklace adorned her neck and glinted in the light of the chandelier above them. She was stunning and all he could say was "Dear Gods…"
Aria flushed slightly as she made her way down the last step and towards him. She eyed him equally as mesmerized as well. He wore a perfectly fitted charcoal grey suit with a matching waist coat and a deep black and silver brocaded cloak that draped over his shoulders, like he was the King of some beautiful, mystical land. His platinum hair shining down his back. "You are stunning," Aria said as she looked up at her fiancé, causing him to smile slightly.
With one last sigh, as if he wasn't sure this was the best idea, Lucius grabbed her hand bringing it up to his mouth and kissing it gentlemanly. "Are you ready?" He asked
"Yes," she smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist, breathing him in, his delicious smell.
He held her back and in an instant apparated them to the Minister's mansion.
