Disclaimer: This AU idea came to me as I sat there watching Cruel Intentions and playing Clue. I have nothing to offer you so don't sue me please.
Sweet like candy to my soulSweet you rock,
And sweet you roll
It was undeniable. In his own shallow, masochistic and expensive way, Maxwell loved Narcissa. Although there was no doubt that she was charmed by this third husband, Narcissa did not necessarily seem as enamored with him. She was, however, completely in love with me.
Or rather, the idea of me.
"Scarlet, I shall finally have a daughter! And without the ever so tiresome side effects of actually birthing a child. I've never quite forgiven Draco for adding the poundage to my hips, but Maxwell says it makes me womanly." She chattered, laughing a bit to throw off the scent of conceit, but there was no concealing it.
She was taking me shopping. How she hated robes, and was indeed very pleased that she didn't have to wear them in the privacy of her own home. And the robes she wore were not in the least traditional; she picked them up at Victoria's Secret and Fredrick's of Hollywood, the lace and silk items adding an air of mystery to her collagen-filled face. She meant for me to be the same way, and all of my clothes were from their collections as well, slinky, tight and sexy in a simple sort of way. Even the casual wear was intended to be enticing.
She was insisting I wear a low-cut lace halter dress in a dark tan color, with almost transparent lining, to our first dinner as a 'family', as she had my hair twisted up seductively, letting a few tendrils fall. Over French manicures, she commented how although the Grimaldi Manor was rather gloomy, she had my suite made up in the airiest room in the house, to indulge my crisp, fresh personality.
"Although I don't think you'll be using your room very much." She admitted, winking at me and my cleavage. "Tell me, darling, how is Draco?"
I tried not to scowl. Draco, of course, had managed to get his second girlfriend, a Hester Barry, a Ravenclaw girl in my year. She was rather pretty, but fairly unsophisticated.
"Gallivanting after his beloved Hester, of course." I snarled.
She sat up, pleased at my reaction. "Don't you like Hester?"
"Oh, she's intellectual, of course." I said with a nauseated smile, and together, as if there was something inane between us, we threw back our heads and laughed a laugh of ridicule.
"What bothers you about her, my dear?" Narcissa asked in all seriousness after a moment.
"She's pretty, but she's so plain. She seems like a country bumpkin compared to his options. I'm only thinking of his potential, Narcissa." I said airily, looking at a portrait of Madame Barnhart distractedly.
Narcissa smirked at me. "Of course. Only of his potential."
The family supper was a very public affair indeed. It was at the classy Finch's Place, and it included Aunt Tamaris and her daughter Mignonette, who turned out quite as plain as Hester, 'Uncle' Terrance, Ernie, Draco and I. Aunt Tamaris had Mignonette to her left and 'Uncle' Terrance to her right, and she sat straight across from Draco and I, unfortunately, across from 'Uncle' Terrance. Mignonette was flirting across the table with Ernie, which is almost incestuous when you think about it. And of course, at the head of our table, Maxwell and Narcissa, and at the foot of it, a photographer.
"Well, mother, how was your outing with Scarlet?" Draco asked as we began our salad. Narcissa and I shared a private smile.
"It was a learning experience indeed." Narcissa answered. "I must speak to you in my boudoir when we return to the manor."
"Of course, mother, of course." Draco replied, glancing at me. "And what did you think of your outing this afternoon?"
I smiled, glancing at the ceiling innocently. "Oh, well, I hope I helped your mother a bit."
He scowled a bit. "Don't you mean, you're glad mother helped you?"
"Don't ask silly questions, darling." Narcissa answered for me. It seemed as if some sort of partnership had formed between us.
"Lovely dress, Scarlet, dear." Maxwell complimented. "I only hope your debut dress will be just as lovely."
"She will be debuting soon, shan't she?" Narcissa asked with a sudden rejuvenation. I'm quite sure she always wanted a daughter. Especially one trained, ready and developed just in time to mold before her debut into society.
"Mignonette has already debuted." Aunt Tamaris added sweetly.
"Tamaris, you had an opportunity to make Mignonette my ward long ago." Maxwell said firmly. "It is to your advantage to find her a husband rather than someone to foot the bills."
I hid a giggle behind a sweet smile. "Ernest, how is your Advanced Herbology class?" I kicked 'Uncle' Terrance under the table, as I felt his clumsy boots trying to snake up my leg. "Uncle Terrance, did you know that Ernest, although he is only a fifth year, needs only to finish his Herbology credit before he can graduate? Isn't it simply splendid?"
"Marvelous, my dear." He answered glumly. Ernie, sadly, didn't get a word in edgewise before a photographer had taken a nice photo of us eating.
After dessert, we were encouraged to join those on the dance floor. Draco invited me out and was quite surprised at my ability to tango. A slow and sultry song allowed us conversation in husky whispers.
"What is it my mother wishes to discuss with me?" He asked as we both looked on either side of the dance floor.
"Why on earth would I know?" I lied, snapping my leg out.
"Well, when I asked her about your outing, she almost immediately requested I discuss something with her in her boudoir. Just seemed a little…" The song slowly changed into a fast waltz during which conversation was not allowed. I giggled at his pace.
"Do keep up!" I shouted over the cheery quartet.
As the song crept into a slower song, not quite as tantalizing as the beginning of the set, he jerked me up almost forcefully. "Suspicious. It just seems a bit suspicious." He smiled at me almost apologetically, loosening his grip on my arms and placing his hands where they ought to be. "You being mum's new best friend, I assumed you'd know."
"When you assume, Draco, you make an ass out of you and me." I answered almost childishly, hoping he wouldn't call me on said childishness.
He didn't. He only frowned and kept a stone cold face as we continued through the evening.
Late that night, Mrs. White knocked on my boudoir door as I was brushing my hair.
"Madame Rockford wishes to see you in her boudoir. She says there is still a purchase of yours amongst her things."
I nodded and slipped out of my room in my dressing gown and slippers.
As I meekly entered Narcissa's boudoir through a backdoor, Draco was staring at her, displeased and on the verge of a tantrum.
"Mother, I am not going to stop seeing Hester merely because you tell me to do so!"
"Draco, she is as plain as a schoolbook! I am not going to let your good looks and money go to waste on some gold-digging Miss Smarty-Pants!" Narcissa said firmly, and I knocked on the wall, hoping to let Draco calm down before he snapped at his mother.
"Oh, Scarlet!" She exclaimed happily, reaching for a red velvet box, opening it for me to reveal diamond and platinum dangling earrings wading in white silk. "For your debut."
I could feel his eyes flick up and down, appraising me. I rushed up happily to Narcissa, hugging her around her middle, sitting on my knees. She put them on for me, my dark red waves pulled back just a bit to show Draco.
"Aren't they just perfect for her, Draco?"
He almost seemed pleased with my obviously new nocturnal attire, but his eyes met my shining ones, the ones that reflected the diamond's sparkle and glee. His face twisted into a dark scowl.
"YOU!" He bellowed, pointing at me and I stood up, frightened. The lavender chiffon slipped brushed against my upper thighs as I stepped back. Narcissa clutched my hand protectively. "You caused this! I know you did!"
Now I had a real reason to be scared. Earlier, I suppose it was just a part of my image. The timid and friendly wealthy girl. But now, I had indeed undermined Hester, a girl who had done me no wrong. "What are you talking about?" I exclaimed breathily.
"You made mother hate Hester!" Draco accused, rushing up to me. "Don't deny it."
"Draco, you are perfectly aware that Scarlet can't make me hate anyone I don't know." Narcissa offered softly, as if talking to a child.
"Besides," I began, almost snarling in what must have seemed like mustered courage, "I have nothing but nice things to say about Hester. She's a sweet, intelligent girl."
I was almost shaking in fear, but to Draco it must have looked like some sort of inner bravery. The diamond crescents and beads dangled magnificently as I played the part of the heroine. His look softened as he stepped back and clutched my forearms gently.
"I'm so sorry, Virginia." He murmured, bringing me into a close embrace which lingered a little too long for an apologetic hug. I could feel Narcissa's smirk although I could not see it. He stepped back and Narcissa's smirk disappeared into a soft look of approval. "I'm sorry for my outburst, mother."
Narcissa nodded to me, and I removed my new earrings quickly, placing them tenderly back in their bed of silk, and backing out of the room.
"Scarlet!" I heard Parvati call as I exited the train with Draco. He rolled his eyes, murmuring something about girl talk. He kissed me swiftly on the cheek, departing to join his boys. Parvati rushed up to me, complimenting my chenille dress. Her volume dropped considerably, and she leaned in. "What do you know of Draco and Hester's tragic ending?"
She giggled, having agreed with me that Hester's minimalist beauty did not add up well with Draco's regal good looks.
"She's been crying up in her dorm since Saturday, when she received a late owl from Draco, according to my sister. And she was just so nauseatingly excited about his picture being in the paper the next day. She was going to cut it out and put it under her pillow." Parvati made a face. "So what happened?" She asked ever so excitedly, slipping her arm into the loop of mine.
I smiled innocently. "Well, his mother heard through a little bird that Hester's beauty wasn't quite up to par with her standards. And thus, severed. He does try to please his mother so."
Parvati gasped happily. "You didn't, you naughty girl!"
I looked around in a counterfeit astonishment. "What?"
We both shared a laugh, and a gust of wind pushed my hair back. We headed toward Three Broomsticks, and I looked back at Draco.
He seemed so innocent in his misery. I almost wanted to hug him.
But tough love would keep me from doing so.
"Why, Virginia, I do believe you get lovelier every time I see you." A voice complimented me from behind. I turned with a bright smirk.
"George, all you need to do is ask."
"But that way makes me seem like a mooch; I much prefer sucking up to you first." He said as I handed him five sparkling new Galleons.
"Does Bella know yet?" I asked in genuine concern.
"I think she will. Sirius can never keep a secret during their post-coital chats." He leered, rolling his eyes.
"Then why tell him?" I asked, scowling. "Isn't this whole joke shop a secret?"
"Of course! Of the uppermost kind! Naturally, everybody but Bella knows about it." George said, flinging an arm around my shoulder. "Besides, Sirius is the expert."
I nodded. "But isn't it so much easier to get Bella to back you emotionally and financially than it is to hit up your wealthy sister for the money and a guilt trip about deceiving your beloved second mum?"
"Yeah, well, some things in life you got to do the hard way, sis. And some things you just hit up your wealthy sister for the money and a guilt trip about deceiving your beloved second mum." George kissed me on the cheek and darted off to join Fred and Lee, who were looking like little kids in Honeyduke's at the sight of gold.
I suppose it should have hit me harder. I mean, he was the man who saved me from poverty and, in giving me this large family of the upper class, loneliness as well. However, I having not really known Maxwell, I cannot say that it was easy making the tears for the headlines.
He died at the end of my fourth year, in his study. We 'went on' and 'stayed strong' by debuting me early, having my most distinguished brother, William, hand me over to my escort, Draco.
Life moved on as it always had.
The only truly significant thing that Maxwell's death caused me, and I'm not talking about the legal trouble about whose care I was to be under, that is so trivial and so unimportant, was probably the night after the will had been read, I laid there in my bed, my covers over me, completely expecting to go to sleep.
And I found I could not.
Why, you may ask? I had just told you that Maxwell's death had nothing but a vapid impact upon me.
That's what I told myself.
And that was when I realized I was nothing but a vapid, shallow and insignificant character in a series of novels about something great. Someone great. I was insignificant for a reason.
I had average marks for a girl of my station, meaning they were excellent as expected. I attended every Quidditch game and organized a few parties for them and next year I would be a prefect. I had lots of friends in other houses, but my closest ones were in my own, but I had no significant character points, nothing special about me.
All I am is just a pretty little rich girl.
And that…none of that was my own. Lilly had made me beautiful, Lilly had gone to Azkaban to make me beautiful, to make me credible in her mind, to ensure her place in Maxwell's life. And even she had been dismissed.
And I was wealthy by some pure twist of fate and Lilly's twisted mind ensuring my adoption.
I was nothing.
And that was all I could continue being.
I scoured Maxwell's diaries and memoirs, which he had intended to be published after I had made something of myself. They were very self-involved, but they made him seem like such an excellent father figure. Although, from my point of view, I could see through his sugar-coating. I could tell he was lying.
And I realized I would be just like him. Leading a meaningless life of wealth, and unlike him, I wouldn't have the benefit of having some business to succeed at to keep me occupied.
I realized that evening that I was more like my father than I ever knew.
I'd have to say that after Hester there was a remarkable change in Draco. He had been rather spoiled when I first met him, treating me like a pet. During Hester's reign of his world, he had become a slightly detached personage, someone that I treated more or less like a social acquaintance. Shortly afterward, he was a miserable sop I tried to cheer up, completely out of guilt of having caused his misery. After Hester, my cunning days were over. It made me tired and sick of the person I became.
Although Narcissa and I remained friends, the death had pushed her from me, and I understood that she had to play the role of the grieving widow for the last time. She did not want to remarry. Her official statement on me was that she had grown fond of me during the course of her friendship and relationship with Maxwell Rockford and she would allow me to live free of charge in her house with room and board included for as long as I wished, she was in no way my stepmother, mother or guardian. Charles, my elder brother that traveled with dragons, became my guardian and allowed me to live with Narcissa in the Grimaldi manor.
After I had cheered up Draco, he became a charming young man at parties, but only to a point of social politeness. No girl ever so much as thought he was keen on her, only that he was a really nice young man, an excellent conversationalist, a fine athlete, an intelligent prefect. Nothing more.
He had, however, taken a keen interest in my love life. I had a few beaus before, but after I debuted, there seemed to be a 'process' in selecting my dates. Narcissa had named herself my unofficial fairy princess godmother, and she decided which men I was allowed to see. Although some were just older than my twin brothers, and some were as young as I was, none of them seemed to satisfy her or I.
Draco often teased me of being the object of Harry Potter's affections, to which I rolled my eyes. If that poor daft bloke failed to understand that I was simply not interested in him by now, he never would. And then there was always 'Uncle' Terrance, a man who caused me to hide in Narcissa's boudoir in fright. And although Ernie had gone to New Salem School of Sorcery in Massachusetts, the United States, we still had a smart family member living under our roof. Terrance's ex-fiancée's cousin had a fellowship at a small conservatory of Defense Against the Dark Arts near the Grimaldi manor, and although he was a rather handsome and younger chap than some of my beaus, he was so timid.
It was during the winter of my fifth year that my life changed to become a pattern first shown in the very beginning of my story.
To be continued…