ANOTHER WARNING: This fic is R for a reason. We venture into the R-ish-ness again in this chapter. I tried not to make it /too/ bad, but bare-breasted-ness follows, so please be advised. There are MUCH better things to lose your innocence for than my fics.
Chapter 7
Lucius hadn't been asked to stay, and he thought it was unwise in light of Mr. Black's unexpected arrival. He didn't bother to ask one of the house elves to retrieve his things. He'd have to trust Narcissa to take care of that. Instead, he Apparated immediately home to contemplate what he should be doing next.
Mr. Black's arrival was a definite problem. Lucius was an old family friend, but that didn't put him above suspicion. His access to Narcissa was going to be extremely curtailed. Rookwood, on the other hand, would have the perfect excuse to call on her every day if he so chose. Lucius's tactics would have to change.
The usual strategy wouldn't work. Narcissa might look like the other girls he dated. No, he mentally corrected, none of them were quite so radiantly beautiful. All the artifice involved to effect Miss Black's transformation, worked to enhance, rather than hide, what was underneath. It was polish, rather than a mask.
Flowers and expensive presents were the wrong tactic to take. If Narcissa cared about things, she would have surrounded herself with them long before. No, she required something of more substance.
Lucius was still mulling the question when he Apparated back to the Manor in Wiltshire. He had hoped to simply shuffle off to his room to mope and consider, but it was not meant to be.
"Lucius!"
He winced as his mother's voice chimed through the hall, followed by the clatter of her heels clattering across the front hall. He didn't know how she had learned of his arrival. It was either a sixth sense or, more likely, she had been informed by one of the elves. He shot one of them, a snivelling little creature in a tea towel, a dangerous look before he fixed his expression and turned to greet his mother.
"Darling! You're home!" She gushed, sweeping across the hall and throwing her arms around his neck. He patiently accepted the embrace, "I thought you were going to be at the Blacks?"
"My plans changed." He said blankly, hoping that she would take a hint and return to…whatever it was that his mother did all day.
"Oh, dear." Evelyn sighed, "You look rather grim. You haven't quarrelled with Narcissa, have you?"
"Narcissa?" His eyes widened, "How do you…?" He started, but let his voice trail off before he revealed too much. Although, judging from the smile that had erupted on his mother's face, it was too late. She'd already anticipated what he'd been about to say.
"Mother's intuition." She said with a shrug. Much to his dismay, she had hooked her arm through his and was leading him toward the conservatory. "You have been spending an awful lot of time over there dearest…" It had to be more than that. He gave her a shrewd look, and was somewhat gratified when she folded under pressure, "And I may have had a chat with Miss Slater."
"Ah." Kitty. He mentally cursed his friend, but was helpless to do more than smile tightly at this point. "In any event, I haven't quarrelled with anyone. Mr. Black came home and I thought he'd like some time alone with his family."
"Or rather, that you'd like to be as far away as possible when he learnt that you'd been staying there unchaperoned."
"Nothing happened!" Lucius retorted hotly.
His temper was stoked even hotter by his mother's dismissive: "How disappointing. How terribly unlike your father you are."
"Mother!" His voice tightened. She was supposed to be the one who was scandalized. "If you're finished traumatizing me, I'll go to my room."
"But you only just got here!"
"I have…some…correspondence to take care of." He spoke without thinking. He felt a pang as his mother's face fell. "I'll come back downstairs later."
"You're staying the night?" Evelyn's smile rebounded.
"Yes." Lucius nodded, and then hurried away before she was able to corner him again.
Alone in his room, he began to pace, still considering the problem at hand. He thought that Narcissa would like flowers, but that was overdone. What else did she enjoy? He knew she liked potions, and books…
His gaze caught on the neat stack of stationary on his desk. He had told his mother that he was going to write some letters. Well, why not? Orion Black could hardly have any objection to his sending Narcissa a note, and he would have her complete attention while she read. Better still, he could hear in her own words what his rival was up to…if she bothered to reply.
Lucius frowned as a strange sensation shivered down his spine. Was he actually nervous? He had almost forgotten how that felt.
Composing himself, he sat down at the desk and selected a piece of parchment and a quill. He tapped the pale green feather against his mouth for a moment as he decided what to say, and ultimately began:Dear Narcissa:
Permit me to congratulate you again on your sister's engagement. I know that this news was anticipated, but it is no doubt still a joy to find things finally settled. I am sure that you are pleased that your father is home as well. I hope you will excuse my abrupt departure. I was not certain whether Mr. Black was aware that I had been to visit Rodolphus, and I did not wish to cause disharmony should my presence displease him.
He reread the letter. It was acceptable, but a bit stiff. It didn't seem to capture any of the pleasant ease that had developed between them over the preceding weeks. He kept what he had written, but continued:
I was disappointed, however, that I won't be seeing you. I had grown to rather enjoy our little lessons, and I dare to hope that you did as well.
Will you miss me, Cissa?
He scratched the last line out, and then muttered a little charm that made it melt into the page. It was too much, too soon. He needed to make things playful, but not give too much of his feelings away.
I wonder how you are managing without me? There were, I believe, some finer points to kissing that we neglected, but I fear that I shall not see you again before the ball. Are you agreeable to continuing our lessons by correspondence?
I shall give you homework- one roll of parchment on the following topic:
What I would do if I had three wishes.
I look forward to your reply.
Love,
He frowned at the word, crossed it through and replaced it with:
Regards,
Lucius
He read over the letter a few more times. Satisfied, he tied it to the foot of his owl and set it off into the sky, wondering when he could expect a reply.
He did not have to wait long. It was just after lunch when the owl returned. A new piece of parchment was tied to its leg, this time with a pink silk ribbon. He smiled when he saw the crest on the seal, a dark red "B". He carried it to his desk and opened it. A small vial fell onto the rug, which he examined curiously, but then set aside as he read:
Dear Lucius (Professor Malfoy?):
Thank you for your letter. I will pass along your congratulations to my sister and her fiancé, though I am sure that you will do so as well at the ball on Friday night.
I was very sorry to see you leave, but it was probably a correct decision. Papa can be rather old fashioned about things, especially since Andromeda went away, and it was better not to test him. He was upset enough about Rodolphus staying over but now that he and Bellatrix are engaged, I don't think father minds as much. He is still being sent home for tonight though.
I was enjoying our lessons too, though I can't really say that I have improved. You have been a very patient teacher…but I suppose you have perfected your technique over the years. Speaking of which, how do you propose to continue? It would seem that our topic of study would not lend itself to distance learning? But, perhaps I am wrong. I have concocted the enclosed. Perhaps it is a start? You will have to let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you again.
Yours,
Narcissa
He frowned when he got to the end of the page. She had not answered his question, and there was no explanation for the tube that had been enclosed in the letter. He saw that there was a second page, however, and went on to read:
P.S. I have neglected my homework! I do hope that you shan't deduct any points!
She had continued with her answer. He was amused to see that she had, indeed, written her reply in essay form.
What I would do if I had three wishesBy Narcissa A. Black, Slytherin Kissing I Prof. Malfoy
Wizarding history is replete with genies, cursed objects and magical creatures who offer the unsuspecting witch or wizard three wishes. These wishes are not without limit, however. Typically, the whisher cannot request additional wishes, not can wishes be reserved or modified after they have been made. Even if the wishes are unlimited, one must be careful to anticipate negative consequences which may arise from overly broad or unspecific requests. For example, Ourang Tang, a wizard in 15th Czechoslovakia came into possession of a Monkey's Paw. This cursed object offered three wishes. Mr. Tang used the paw to wish for his dead son to come back to life. The wish was granted. However, the wizard had failed to specify the terms of this resurrection, and the boy was returned to life as a hideous zombie who had to be killed again with the other wishes. Similarly in 1745, Gladys Hopskotch, an Irish witch, once caught a leprechaun and used her wish to request that every day would be Sunday (Sunday being the morning when Muggles were busy with church, permitting her time to exercise her pet Dragon). It took the Wizarding Spells Reversals Brigade (predecessor to the modern Ministry Accidental Magic Reversal Squad) two months to catch another leprechaun and reverse the spell (primarily because no one could get the team members to report to work on Sunday). Considering the foregoing, it is obvious that wishes must be made only after careful circumspection.
My first wish would be for mother never to have died after all (NOTE: This is not a wish for her to come back from the dead, see above). I think that Andromeda wouldn't have gotten in trouble if that was the case, and I know that Papa would be happier. I know that, if mother were still alive, I might see things differently, but I wouldn't have been so lonely if she'd been around.
My second wish would be to own a library with every wizarding book every written.
She had wedged into the margin: Except for really dangerous ones that could hurt me. Those would all be safely locked away.
I have tried to think how this wish might go awry, but to no avail. It seems to me that this is akin to a wish for wisdom, which is what fables are always recommending, so I must be safe with that one.
My third wish would be to marry someone that I love, and to have him love me back.
Lucius frowned when he saw that this had been marked through, but understood as he continued reading.
My third wish would be to remain happily married with no tragedies or health problems befalling us until we are both 150 years old and die, at the same instant, of natural causes, in our sleep, to a man that I am desperately in love with and who loves me back just as much.
Perhaps it is selfish of me not to wish for world peace, or an end to Dragon Pox, but from my reading, it appears that small, focused wishes are more likely to be successful.
THE END
P.P.S. What are your answers, Professor Malfoy?
Lucius read and reread Narcissa's third wish, rather surprised that she hadn't asked for Rookwood by name. Did it mean that she was undecided? Lucius already knew that Augustus was her object, there was no reason to hide who she was speaking about. He felt a surge of hope.
He reached for another piece of parchment, but stopped when he remembered the vial. He picked it up and saw that it had writing in its label. "Kissing Potion" it read. "Spread on lips. Wait five seconds."
Malfoy eyes the tube warily, but ultimately decided to try it. Narcissa wouldn't have sent him anything intentionally harmful, and she was very skilled at potions. He opened the contained and spread a little of the clear gel inside onto his lips.
Lucius slowly counted to five. Nothing happened immediately. Then, the gel began to warm, and there was a subtle tingling on his lips. He smiled, thinking that this was the entire effect- but then everything changed.
He knew that it was Narcissa's lips. He couldn't describe how he knew, but the sudden pressure on his mouth, the shallow ridges of skin brushing against his, unmistakably belonged to Miss Black. Lapping at the phantom lips, he tasted mint. When he inhaled the air: the jasmine and soap aroma was Narcissa's perfume as well. He sat very still as the pressure moved from the corner of his mouth to the centre. A velvety tongue flicked against his lips, and he parted them. It slid into his mouth, lapping gently, but the illusion was starting to fade. Like an apparition dissolving into mist, the touch became lighter and lighter until it was gone, and the tingling heat left his skin.
That was certainly a useful little recipe, he thought. Wickedly, his mind raced forward to imagine what variations on this theme Miss Black might be able to concoct, but he was interrupted by a knock on his door.
"Lucius, dearest." Evelyn Malfoy's voice drifted through the door. "Are you coming down to dinner? Your father's home."
He frowned, wanting to be alone to finish his letter, but he realized that he had promised his mother to lodge an appearance hours ago.
"Very well." He sighed. Tucking the letter and the potion in his drawer, he followed his mother downstairs.
Marius Malfoy was waiting for them in the front hall when they alighted the steps. He gave his son a nod of greeting, and then took Evelyn's arm to lead her to the dining hall. Lucius lingered behind his parents, watching them together.
Lucius supposed that his mother and Mrs. Black had been friends because they were both so similarly situated in life. Impeccably pureblood, pretty, and rich, they both also had the good fortune of settling into marriages for love, merely than family alliance. It wasn't that Marius and Evelyn never quarrelled- quite the contrary! When Lucius was younger they had rows that ended with wands drawn- but they were very close. Even after 25 years of marriage, Marius kept his wife's hand tucked snugly into his elbow until he helped her to his seat. Lucius couldn't help imagining himself in his parents' place: guiding Narcissa through this same hallway, pulling out her chair…
"Well, you're certainly distracted today." Marius's voice interrupted Lucius's daydream. "Your mother told me that you were home, but I didn't know if it was true or not. What have you been doing up there all day?"
Lucius didn't dare to hesitate long. His father was staring at him sternly, and his mother seemed worried. If he didn't answer soon, they'd imagine him upstairs injecting himself with potion, so he finally admitted the half-truth, "I was catching up on some reading."
"Really?" Marius looked unconvinced.
"Yes. There was…er…something I started at the Black's house that I…got caught up in."
"I see."
"Orion is back from South America, dear." Evelyn explained to her husband, "Isn't that lovely."
Lucius had to smile that the "hrmph" sound that his father made. Marius liked to pretend that he and Orion disagreed on politics, but Lucius happened to know that their animosity stemmed from the fact that Orion Black had given his mother her very first kiss.
"He's come home for the Rhys-Boomslang ball." Evelyn chattered on, either oblivious to or uncaring of her husband's annoyance, "His daughter Bellatrix is going to announce her engagement to Rodolphus Lestrange."
"I thought they were already engaged." Marius said in a bored tone, meant to indicate he preferred another topic. Lucius smirked. Both of the Malfoy men were well aware of how unlikely it was for his mother to abandon any topic so promising as a wedding.
"I think that it is lovely. It's about time something happy happened to the Blacks. Poor Orion…poor, dear Lucretia- and then Andromeda. His daughter married a …" Here, she mouthed the word 'muggleborn', and then continued, "I heard she had that baby, but of course, he's never seen it. She isn't the only Black to go bad. I hear that the Black heir- Agrippina's son…What his name? Saurus? Silius? Oh…something to do with stars."
"Sirius." Lucius provided dryly.
"Yes! Sirius! Thank you dear. At any rate, Sirius has apparently left home to live with James Potter and his Mudblood girlfriend. What is that family coming to? Well, not Bellatrix, of course- or your Narcissa."
"Your Narcissa?" Marius returned his gaze to his son. Lucius could practically feel pressure on his skin from the scrutiny.
"She's…er…not my Narcissa." Lucius corrected. His mother rolled her eyes.
"Don't you think it would be lovely if we had them for dinner?" She chattered. Predictably, Marius groaned, but she was not dissuaded, "Oh, I think we must. It can be in honour of Bellatrix's engagement. Wouldn't that be lovely? I'll ask them for tomorrow night. They can't have plans- Orion wasn't even meant to be home."
Lucius didn't listen as his mother continued chattering on, speaking animatedly of her anticipated dinner party. Like his father, he was less than enamoured with the idea of having the whole Black family over. On the other hand, it meant that he would see Narcissa again. He lingered on this pleasant thought throughout the meal, then made his excuses to his parents.
"Are you sure that you won't stay downstairs for a while?" Evelyn asked, "We're going to decorate the Christmas tree."
"I want to finish my reading." He answered dismissively.
"But, you could bring your book downstairs."
"For Circe's sake, Evelyn. Leave the boy alone." Marius interrupted at last. Chastened, Evelyn let Lucius go.
Trying not to think about the disappointment on his mother's face, Lucius sprinted up the stairs. He had left his window open, but he was pleased to see that his owl had not taken this as an opportunity to go and hunt. He was still perched beside the bed.
Lucius raced to his desk and started writing:
Dear Narcissa:
Thank you for your prompt reply. Unfortunately, I was forced to dock five points from Slytherin for your initial forgetfulness. Happily, you receive full marks for your essay and get your five points returned for the effort.
I am glad to know that you have enjoyed your lessons. You are a very attentive pupil. I agree that it will be difficult to resume our course by post. However, perhaps we will not have to do so for long? My mother has announced her intention to have you all over for dinner. Perhaps we will have an opportunity to slip away and brush up on the basics. I would hate for your skills to grow rusty, when the ball is so close.
Speaking of lessons, I was most impressed by your enclosure. Did you do the potion yourself? You are certainly full of surprises. Alas, I am unable to reciprocate. Accordingly, you will simply have to imagine my response, and accept yet another award of full marks.
You certainly must have been busy today. Or, do you keep a stock of potion on hand?
Lucius paused and stared jealously at the parchment. Did he really want to hear that she had concocted the batch for Rookwood and sent the sample to him? No. He didn't. Scowling, Lucius crumpled the parchment and started over, ending with "I would hate for your skills to grow rusty when the ball is so close" and leaving off the rest. If she wanted to know about the potion, she could ask.
I don't know what sort of plans that you have with your father this week. As I mentioned, I believe my mother is going to ask you to visit tomorrow night. On Thursday, I am going to Hogsmeade to shop. I have ordered several presents that I need to pick up before the holidays. Do you think that you would be permitted to join me?
If you aren't busy with Rookwood, Lucius thought but didn't write.
Home is pleasant, but very boring. I love my mother dearly, and I know that I am very lucky to have her, but she is exhaustingly busy and wants me to join her every second of the day. I can't be alone in my room for more than half an hour without having a tea tray sent up, or being accused of "brooding". I miss how peaceful Ravensden was.
My father has been at his office most of today, but I think that mother has convinced him to stay here for the rest of the week. No doubt this means I will be subjected to even more Christmas joy. I pity my father at times. Right now, mother has him downstairs stringing up fairies to hang on the tree. She's dreadfully squeamish about handling them herself, even when she puts the muting charm on them.
Well, I won't bore you with tales of family life. I suppose I ought to close. Your new homework: If you had a house all to yourself, what would it be like?
His quill hung over the parchment for a long time as he debated his closing. Narcissa had said "Yours" which, frankly, could mean any number of things. He chewed his lip, finally settled on "Love". It could be explained away, after all. It wasn't "much love" or "all my love" or "Your Loving"…just a single word. With any luck, she wouldn't know how true it was.
Hurrying before he could change his mind, Lucius went to the window and sent the message on its way. He slept dreamlessly, and was awoken the next morning by tapping on the glass.
The letter that his owl delivered was depressingly brief:
Dear Lucius:
I am very pleased that my efforts met with your approval, though disappointed that you chose not to reciprocate. It isn't very fair to tell secrets and receive none in return!
Father received your mother's invitation. He didn't want to go, but Bella sulked through breakfast until he agreed. No doubt she thinks that she and Rodolphus will be able to slink away while father is distracted by your parents- and of course, she is delighted with the prospect of someone else to admire her ring. We should arrive until seven. That should give you plenty of time to prepare your assignment- and I do think, in light of your shameful tardiness, you ought to write a half-roll of lesson for me as well. After all, that is the point of these letters- isn't it?
Love,
Narcissa
Lucius read and reread the lines, scrolling through a range of emotions. He was excited that the dinner invitation had been accepted, amused at her (probably very accurate) suspicions regarding her sister, faintly worried about the "homework assignment" and utterly abashed at her closing sentence "after all, that is the point of these letters- isn't it?"-that point being to prepare her for Rookwood! He growled in frustration, but softened slightly as he reread the end, "Love, Narcissa". Perhaps she hadn't meant it, but surely it was a start. He ran his finger lightly over the dried ink, imaging where her own hands had been a few hours before. She must have answered his letter as soon as she climbed out of bed…or maybe while she was still sitting in it. He closed his eyes, and pictured her in his mind: her newly blonde hair tousled from sleep, her eyes wide and luminous, skin flushed.
He could almost imagine her next to him. He hadn't noticed it before, but the stationary she had used was scented with her perfume. The light, soapy fragrance smelled just as it did when he leaned in for a kiss. He could picture it so clearly- the smooth expanse of her neck exposed, skimming his thumb up its tendon to her jaw, and then cupping her chin to pull her into a kiss…
What's the matter with me? Lucius thought, vaguely disgusted with his actions. He could have any woman that he wanted. Why was he wasting so much time on a fantasy of Narcissa Black? What makes her so different? He demanded, then sighed as his brain swiftly provided the answer: everything. Narcissa only looked like the women he usually dated, but she was something else.
The hours from morning until dinner passed at a snail-like pace. Even when the appointed hour arrived, Lucius was acutely aware that he couldn't simply descend to the front hall and wait. It would never do to appear so eager. His father would be disgusted, and his mother's suspicions about Narcissa would be confirmed. He forced himself to wait in his room as the doorbell chimed and he listened to his mother's greeting drift up the stairs.
"Orion Black!" She gushed. He could see her clearly in his mind: his tiny blonde mother standing on the tips of her toes to drag the Black patriarch into an uncomfortable hug. Lucius could almost picture his mother's bright, perhaps overly effusive greeting. He had seen her in action plenty of times to know how her face would be, teeth flashing in the perfect society-matron smile that somehow managed to be both brilliant and bland. "Marius, darling," She turned to her husband, "I don't think that we've had Orion here since…well." Her voice lowered as she treaded near the mention of Mr. Black's deceased wife, "Well- not in far too long! And these must be your daughter?"
He braced himself for a mention of Andromeda. Of course his family knew what had become of the eldest Black girl. He couldn't think of any pureblood family that didn't- but he wouldn't put it past his mother- or his father- to make a passing, pitying reference. They were on their best behaviour, however, or were at least distracted.
"This is Bellatrix." Orion said calmly, "And I'm sure you know her fiancé, Rodolphus."
"Yes, of course. Congratulations on your engagement."
There followed a mumbled conversation that Lucius couldn't make out, except for occasional bits like "ring" and "dress" and "really must have gardenias."
There was no mention of Narcissa. He wondered if she had even come until, almost as an afterthought, Orion added, "And this is Narcissa."
There was a beat of silence, and then Evelyn Malfoy started again, "Oh, my dear- of course I've heard all about you from my son…and no wonder! I had not idea…well, I suppose that's why they send girls to Beauxbatons…"
Lucius winced at his own mention, and then again when his mother said, "My wand! You're so pretty now dear. What happened?"
He couldn't hear Narcissa's reply. No doubt she had mumbled something soft and polite and self-effacing, but he could barely stand the thought of how the remark had made her feel. Kindly intended, she had no doubt taken it to mean that she had looked wretched before.
He was of half a mind to barge downstairs, appearances be damned, but then a house elf knocked on the door, "Mistress Malfoy has sent Dobby for fetching you sir." It said, prostrating itself on the floor and knocking its temple against a table corner as it fell. "The guests have arrived, sir."
Lucius nodded curtly at the vile creature and inspected himself in the mirror a final time. He looked impeccable- every inch the Malfoy heir. He was wearing a burgundy tunic and black trousers underneath sleek black dress robes and his pale blonde hair was tied at the nape of his neck.
With an approving smile, he walked downstairs to dinner. The Blacks and Malfoy were assembled just outside the dining room, engaging in typical idle chatter that seemed to focus mainly on Rodolphus and Bellatrix's wedding plans.
Lucius loved how Narcissa's face seemed to light up the minute he walked into the room. He wanted to go to her instantly, but of course he couldn't. He didn't want to give his mother more fodder for speculation, and besides, it wasn't polite. He walked to his father and accepted a renewed introduction to Orion Black.
"Of course. I saw Lucius earlier this week at my house."
"Really?" Marius lifted a brow. He hadn't known. Obviously, Mrs. Malfoy had more discretion than her son gave her credit for.
"I was visiting Rodolphus." Lucius explained quickly, well aware that his father and Mr. Black did not see eye to eye. He accepted the "we'll talk about this later" look and then seized the opportunity to excuse himself. "In fact, there was something I forgot to ask him…" and slipped away.
Marius's eyes were still following him, so he had to go to his friend. Rodolphus was standing at the fringe of the ring of ladies. Bellatrix was, of course, at its centre, along with Mrs. Malfoy. Narcissa was looking on with a detached expression, but her eyes flickered toward Lucius, and he felt a charge as she did.
Rodolphus cleared his throat, reminding Lucius that he was staring, and he dragged his attention away.
"Hello Rodolphus." He said, trying to think of something to say. A mere month before, he would have been able to chatter for hours with his friend, now it was nearly impossible to think of anything to say. It was as if his brain refused to work in Narcissa's presence.
"Hello Malfoy." Rodolphus answered and, blessedly, began to chatter on about some pixies that he and Mr. Black had shot that morning. Lucius only had to bob his head and make agreeing noises in order to appear as if he was following along.
Dinner was announced, and they went inside. Lucius was amused to find that Narcissa was seated directly across from him at the long table. He knew that this must have been his mother's doing- he didn't need an excuse to look at her now.
Neither Lucius nor Narcissa managed to get more than a handful of words in during the meal. Bellatrix made a passing reference that she was going to invite the Goyles to her wedding and Mr. Blacks's temper flared. "You'll do nothing of the sort." He snapped, "The Goyles are Death Eaters."
Lucius tensed. To his knowledge, his father had not joined the ranks of the charismatic Pureblood leader known as Lord Voldemort, but he heartily supported his cause. Mr. Black undoubtedly didn't know it, but knew Bellatrix and Rodolphus had both been to meetings. Mr. Lestrange, senior, and Rodolphus's brother were already declared.
"And what do you mean by that?" Marius Malfoy snapped.
"I mean that the Death Eaters are nothing more than petty criminals being led blindly by an egomaniacal lunatic."
"You think supporting the Pureblood cause is lunacy? That's something that I never though I'd hear from a Black."
"I think that the way that the Death Eaters are going about it is wrong. It's terrorism. Wizarding society has enough sense to…"
"Terrorism is the only thing that works." Mr. Malfoy defended. "The mutton headed fools in our government are in bed with the Muggles…"
Mrs. Malfoy made a valiant attempt to guide the conversation back to the wedding, but to no avail. She sighed apologetically to the rest of her guests as the battle escalated over roast beef and finally a fruit sorbet.
"Perhaps the young people would like to see the garden." She said as they rose from coffee, Mr. Black and Mr. Malfoy still trading muttered barbs about "the sad state of the Wizengamut" and "blood traitors."
"I had the elves refresh the warming charm just before dinner. It should be nice and toasty near the house. Rodolphus, you know the way…and Lucius…would you mind terribly to show Narcissa?"
"Of course not." He said, already on his feet. He caught Narcissa under the arm without speaking and led her toward the door.
As he suspected, Bellatrix and Rodolphus scurried off toward the potting shed almost as soon as they were outside. He led Narcissa for a little ways off in the opposite direction, before they settled down onto a bench and finally spoke.
"Well now, that's better." Lucius said in an apologetic tone, "I'm sorry about that."
"Don't be." Narcissa's lips curled, "Believe me, I'm used to it. He has the same argument with my aunt and uncle whenever we go into town. My aunt is absolutely scandalized. She thinks that Muggles should be kept on a leash."
"What do you think?" Lucius held his breath. It was an important question, far deeper than they conversations usually went.
"I think…I think that I'm glad that I don't have to worry about it." Narcissa said, "I mean, as long as I don't have to deal with them, I don't really care one way or another."
"But you don't think that Muggles deserve the same rights as wizards!" Lucius said, anxiously.
"Of course not." She laughed and socked him playfully on the arm. He was grateful that she had lightened the mood, but surprised when she followed the remark by saying, "Although its not the punishment of Muggles that concerns me."
"Oh?" He arched a brow, confused by her emphasis.
"Yes. Certain former Slytherin Prefects have failed yet again to submit their homework."
She smirked at him haughtily; so amusingly smug that he didn't have a choice.
He kissed her.
He had stopped being surprised that he still saw fireworks behind his eyes whenever his lips touched hers. He was used to the perfection by now, though he still felt butterflies in his stomach, and more telling responses in other places when she nudged her tongue into his mouth. He stayed like that, faces flush until they parted to draw breath.
"Am I still punished?" Lucius asked.
"Perhaps." Narcissa answered evasively.
"Then I'll have to work harder." He grinned. He knew that he was acting like a fool, but he was starting to care less and less. He didn't feel the need to pretend around Narcissa. It was that, more than anything, which made her company so desirable. It was exciting, but easy too.
"You're awful, Lucius Malfoy." She said, then turned on her heel and disappeared further into the gardens.
He followed, he knew that she wasn't really angry, and found her attempts at playing games endearing.
He followed her to a bench set into the garden wall and settled beside her.
"I've missed you." He said.
Her eyes flashed with surprise, but they quickly settled. "You are good at this, aren't you?"
He didn't understand the question. "What do you mean."
"At making me believe it."
"Believe what?"
"Nevermind."
He wanted to protest. Obviously, she had meant something by the remark. Her pale eyes were shaded with concern, but she ended the conversation in the nicest way possible- by claiming his lips again.
Lucius thought that he could go on kissing her forever. He fought down every spectre of Rookwood as he simply enjoyed the weight of her in his arms, and the sweet puffs of her breath against his cheek and into his mouth.
She finally tried to pull away and he broke the kiss, but he didn't release her completely. He kept his mouth against her skin, trailing over her neck, and then across the décolletage of her gown.
She exhaled sharply as his feathery touch traversed the patch of skin just above her breast. Something wicked flared in him, and he reached to cup the heavy curve. Narcissa gasped again, but melted into the caress, mewling little sounds of approval as he continued to massage her chest.
"Lucius?" She said dreamily, letting her own hands skim the plane of his back. "Lucius, we shouldn't be doing this?"
Was she asking him or telling him. "Yes we should." He answered in either case. He slipped his tongue under her collar, giving her just enough time to squirm before he moved back up again.
"This is part of the lesson?"
Lucius grinned darkly. Hooking his fingers under the shoulder of her dress, he worked it down her arm so that one of her breasts was exposed. "Extra credit."
"Oooooh." Whatever Narcissa had meant to say next was lost as he clamped his teeth around her puckered nipple and then began to kiss and suck until she was practically writhing on the bench. Her fingers had abandoned his back, and were now curled into his hair. He could only imagine its disarray, but he didn't care. He was too intent on pleasing Narcissa to think of anything else…until he heart Orion's voice.
"Narcissa, we're leaving." His voice carried around the corner of the hedge, a half-second before he rounded it himself- and a half-second was simply not enough time.
Lucius jerked his head away, but there was no hiding what they had been up to. Narcissa's dress was still half-undone, a little ring of moisture gleaming in the moonlight around its rosy peak. Her skin was flushed and her hair was tousled- and Lucius imagined that his own condition was not vastly different.
"NARCISSA AVALON BLACK!"
Lucius wished he could dissolve into the pavement. It wasn't for his own sake that he worried- he didn't fear Orion Black or anyone else, but he could already sense the mortification to Narcissa. He could feel it rolling off her in waves as she clawed her gown back into place and stood.
"Daddy, we were….he was….I…" she stumbled for words, and Lucius felt obliged to help her.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Black." He said as evenly as he could manage, "I got carried away. I meant no disrespect to your daughter I was…"
"Get out of the way." Orion gave Lucius no consideration whatsoever as he barrelled past him and pinched Narcissa's arm between his finger and thumb. Narcissa made a little yelp of pain, but didn't resist as he began to physically drag her out of the gardens. "Just like your sister. I ought to have known."
"Daddy, no…"
"Is this what all those dress shop bills were for? So that you could tart yourself up and scurry off into the gardens with the first boy who smiles at you."
"Lucius isn't the first boy w-"
Malfoy winced, even though he knew what Narcissa was meaning to say, he knew that this had been the wrong way to begin the sentence. Orion Black was clearly overcome. He seemed to surprise even himself when his hand went flying through the air, connecting sharply with his daughter's cheek.
She yelped in pain, and then stared at him in shock. Lucius's hands clenched. He hated feeling helpless. He loathed that this was his fault- but what could he do that wouldn't make the situation worse?
"Go and put your cloak on." Orion said in a voice like steel. "Meet your sister in the front hall. We're leaving."
Narcissa swallowed and nodded her head; unshed tears gleaming at the rims of her eyes. She didn't have to be told to leave twice, and quickly scampered away, leaving the two men alone.
Lucius steeled himself for Mr. Black's wrath, but was unprepared for what he actually said.
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry, sir?" He said warily. Wasn't Narcissa's father going to hex him for catching his hands down his daughter's shirt.
"Yes. For Narcissa's behaviour. She isn't used to male attention, and she obviously has no idea how to conduct herself in mixed company. If I'd had any idea that she was turning out just like Andromeda…"
"She's not like Andromeda!" Lucius interrupted hotly.
Mr. Black's sneer returned. "and I suppose you know that first hand, do you?"
Lucius didn't quite know what to say. In fairness, back before she started polluting herself with Muggles, he might have snogged Andromeda at a party- but that was true for virtually every Slytherin boy. He hated that Narcissa would be wrongfully branded her type.
Orion didn't wait for an answer, "I had hoped she would turn out like Bellatrix."
"Why can't she turn out like herself?"
Lucius wasn't fully aware that he had spoken aloud until he noticed Mr. Black giving him a quizzical look. "I think…" He started, amazed, "I think you care for the girl."
Lucius swallowed. This wasn't how he meant for the news to come out. Nevertheless, it was as good a time as any. "Yes." He confirmed.
Instantly Orion's face was transformed. Once again, he did not have the reaction that Lucius expected. His face darkened and he lashed out at the young Malfoy, "Then leave her alone. Narcissa has finally gotten what she always wanted- Augustus Rookwood, and I won't have you interfering over some silly, misguided notion that you're in love with her. I know about boys like you. I used to be a boy like you, and I don't want your sort anywhere around my daughter- especially not a Malfoy!"
Before Lucius could compose a reply, he had stalked away.
NOTE: Slightly racier version is on my Livejournal, but I didn't want to risk putting it here. Hope you enjoy. Keep up the comments- I love hearing what works and what doesn't.