The Female of the Species

Chapter 8

Cho had finished her breakfast, and was at a loss as to what to do next. She wondered, should she offer to leave Glen Moy Castle now? Lucius had come round, his life was no longer in danger, she was no longer needed. Half of her wanted to rush away before she had to face a furious Lucius who would demand to know why she was here, when he had expressly told her he no longer wanted her; half of her wanted desperately to remain by his side until he was whole again, and to discover what had happened to him in the dungeons. Should she go to Lucius' room now? Would Narcissa want to remain undisturbed so that she could talk to her husband in confidence? But it was Narcissa herself who had invited Cho to the castle.

She waited in the dining room for a while, trying to read Narcissa's Witch Weekly, but she found it impossible to concentrate. After a while, a house elf came to clear the table. Just as the elf was about to magically transfer the dirty dishes to the scullery, Cho asked her where the Mistress was. "She's in Master's room," replied the elf, and continued with her task. Cho decided to go and ask Narcissa directly if her presence was still required. She would rather ask the Mistress of the house than the Master, and she hoped Lucius would not dare to be angry with her in his wife's presence. Cho climbed the wide staircase, and trod the now familiar route to Lucius' room. She was surprised to find the door closed, but she turned the handle quietly lest Lucius was asleep, and pushed it open gently.

Cho entered the bedroom, blinking a little at the shafts of sunlight shining through the window. It took her eyes a while to become accustomed to the brightness, but when she finally saw the bed, she took an involuntary step backwards. Narcissa Malfoy lay across the unclothed body of Lucius, the naked white peach of her perfect behind accentuated by a pair of gartered silk stockings, her head resting on his chest, his arms encircling her. They were both asleep, but from the tumbled bedclothes, their discarded clothing, and the position of their bodies, it was not difficult to deduce that they were enjoying a post-coital nap.

Her eyes filling with tears, Cho backed slowly and silently out of the room. She had always known Lucius Malfoy was married to a beautiful woman, but he had led her to believe that he and his wife now sought their carnal pleasures elsewhere. She wondered what other lies he had told her, and her mind returned to Lucius' business dealings with her grandfather Chang. She became even more convinced that she had been a mere plaything as a means to an end. Cho stumbled unseeing along the landing to her guest room, where she threw herself onto the pristine bed, and bitter tears soon decorated the pale counterpane with grey puddles of dissolving black mascara.

Narcissa awoke, and for a moment she wondered where she was, and why she felt so chilly and uncomfortable. Then, as she remembered what had happened, a small smile played around her lips, and the cold and discomfort were forgotten. Narcissa disengaged herself carefully from Lucius' arms and stood up. She regarded her sleeping husband for a while, reliving the feeling of Lucius inside her, of his hands on her body, knowing just where to touch her to drive her frantic with desperation. She realised her nipples were taut, and was unsure if it was the erotic memory or her lack of clothes that was the cause; but she knew that the dampness between her legs was evidence of her recent activity. Normally, Narcissa was fastidious, and would have cleaned herself immediately, but now she felt the remnants of Lucius' essence sliding down her inner thighs, and was reluctant to wipe away this proof of their union. It had been so, so long since the last time – but they were still so, so good together, and Lucius still desired her, he had initiated it all.

But he had called out Cho Chang's name when he was semi-conscious. While he was unable to pretend, he had not responded to his wife's voice in the same way as Cho's. Narcissa sighed deeply, and pulled the dishevelled bedclothes over Lucius.

Reluctantly she gathered up her discarded clothes, donned Lucius' dressing gown, and headed towards the bathroom along the landing. She walked along deep in thought, and it was not until she was nearly there that she realised that a noise was coming from the guest room. Narcissa stopped and listened, and recognised the sound of heartrending sobs. Cho was crying, but why?

Narcissa's mind went back to that morning, when she had found Cho Chang in bed asleep in Lucius' arms, and she knew: Cho had walked into Lucius' room while she and he were asleep following their moment of passion, and found them naked together. Narcissa felt a glow of satisfaction, and mentally chalked up a small victory to herself. At the same time, she felt a small twinge of sympathy for the younger woman, brought here reluctantly for Lucius' sake.

Narcissa continued on her way. She washed herself in the bathroom, and put on her gown, lacing the bodice tightly across her bosom. As she smoothed out the creases in the fabric over her breasts, she closed her eyes and imagined Lucius running his hands over her once more. Stop it, she told herself, there's work to do. She went to her bedroom and put on clean underwear, and arranged a favourite shawl around her shoulders and across her breast, tucking the ends into a leather belt around her waist. She then made her way back the way she had come. She must make Lucius tell her what was going on. She knew he had remembered something significant before he had made love to her, and sent the thought temporarily out of her head.

As Narcissa passed the guest room, she saw that the door now stood open, and Miss Chang was busy, determinedly packing the small bag she had brought with her. Narcissa halted and looked at Cho, who immediately stopped what she was doing, straightened up, and said, "Mrs Malfoy, I presume I am no longer needed here? Lucius is conscious again, he should recover well enough. I must go back to London. I do have a business to run." She sounded very matter-of-fact, but Narcissa thought she could discern a slight tremble in her voice.

"Miss Chang, I would ask you to stay just a short while longer, if your business can manage without you."

"Why? Lucius has you. He doesn't need me, as he once told me quite definitely." This time Cho's tone was that of a woman in pain.

Narcissa went into the guest room, and addressed Cho seriously. "Miss Chang, I still have to find out what is in the dungeons. I think Lucius has remembered, I just have to get him to tell me. Once I know, I will have to confront it, probably alone. The house elves are too scared to go down there, and Lucius is in no fit state to face his attacker again. It's obvious that whatever it is, it's very dangerous. It's therefore even possible that it might kill me. There are two consequences to that eventuality: someone else needs to know about the creature, and arrange to destroy it if I am unsuccessful. Also, Lucius will then be a free man. I know you care for him, although you try to hide it from me, and I know he cares for you. So perhaps it will be in your interest to remain here a while?"

Cho stared at Narcissa in disbelief. Lucius' wife had just effectively given Cho permission to take her place at Lucius' side in the event of her death. Cho had always been easily prone to tears, she remembered how awkward Harry Potter had been when she had cried about Cedric. She tried to stop them this time, but her eyes filled up, and she tasted salt as they overflowed down her cheeks. "I don't know what to say, Mrs Malfoy," she whispered, her throat constricting with the effort of trying not to cry, "You're very kind to me. I'm not sure that I could be so nice to you if Lucius was my husband."

"Believe me, Miss Chang, if Lucius ever becomes your husband, you will have to learn to share him, just as I do. He has never been, and never will be, a one-woman man. I've lost count of the number of women he's had over the years. There may even have been a few men as well. I hope you realise that while he was seeing you, he still had at least four other women he saw regularly." Narcissa knew that she imparted this information with a dual motive: if Cho Chang really wanted to continue a relationship with Lucius, she needed to know his true character for her own sake; but Narcissa knew that she herself was also enjoying revealing the truth about her husband, for Cho had probably assumed that he limited himself to one mistress at a time; whereas in reality, his cousin Lucinda was always ready to accommodate Lucius whenever any of his other paramours was unavailable. Sometimes, Narcissa thought Lucinda stayed in bed permanently just in case Lucius called.

Now she listened as Cho agreed to stay, at least until Narcissa had questioned Lucius once more. Satisfied, she left her, and continued towards her husband's bedroom. Meanwhile, Cho sat down suddenly on the bed, and thought about what Mrs Malfoy had said. She supposed in reality she had always known what she had just been told, but after having had it spelled out for her in that frank manner, she could no longer pretend that Lucius had been faithful to her in any way at all. She now knew he had lied both about Narcissa's feelings, and also when he implied that they rarely had sex anymore. As for the other women - well, Cho had never asked, so Lucius had said nothing. Cho remembered that first day Lucius had called unexpectedly, and not seemed at all troubled when she had told him the time was inconvenient. At the time, she had assumed he was being considerate. Now, she realised, he had probably visited another of his lovers: while one mistress was measuring his wife for a ball gown, he had been pleasuring a third woman. This, added together with Cho's doubts relating to Lucius' business with her grandfather, led her to rethink her interpretation of everything she had experienced with him. Lucius Malfoy was definitely not a good bet for a long term relationship. The sooner she left Glen Moy Castle the better.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Lucius Malfoy lay thinking, and trying to ignore his pain. He had woken as his wife closed the bedroom door. He remembered clearly what had just happened. He could hardly believe it: it had been months since he and Narcissa had made love. He was surprised by his own actions. His wife's breasts had been very distracting, but usually he had no problem ignoring her attractions. She did not look any more beautiful than usual today, and although she was wearing a fairly low cut gown, it was not as revealing as the blue dress. He smiled to himself at the thought of his wife trying to seduce Alan Forbes: he knew he would have more success there himself, he had seen the way Alan had first looked at him when he thought he was unobserved.

But why had he just seduced Narcissa? Lucius tried to be honest with himself. Two reasons, he decided: I was randy as hell, and she was there. But I was randy because I'd been dreaming about Cho Chang. And she started to ask me about the dungeons, and I remembered Voldemort. I didn't want to answer her questions just then, I have to plan how to tell her. It was a very good way to distract her temporarily. Aaah, Lucius, what have you done, you devious bastard? But Narcissa enjoyed it didn't she? So did you, if you're honest. It's a real turn on to watch her when she's on top, especially when her breasts bounce like that. You'd almost forgotten that mewing noise she makes when she comes, and how long her orgasms last, and how that always makes you last longer too. We're good together, we always were. I just hope you haven't given her any ideas. There's been too much water under the bridge, it's far too late for us to pretend we're still love's young dream.

What am I going to tell her? And Cho…? Is she really here? Did I dream that? She must go home! How can I persuade Narcissa to send her home? Would she do it if I pretended I want to be alone with her?

As he mused to himself, Lucius heard the bedroom door opening. He peered through his barely open eyelids, and saw his wife enter. She came forward, stood awhile regarding him, then stepped resolutely towards him and took her accustomed seat. Lucius was mildly amused to see how she was dressed. Unless she was feeling exceptionally cold, Narcissa almost always wore gowns that displayed her magnificent bosom to best advantage, with at least a little cleavage on view. Now she was wearing a shawl across her breast: a subtle signal that she required Lucius to concentrate on the events in the dungeons, and not be distracted by staring at her chest. Mentally, he sighed to himself: Narcissa when determined would brook no denial. Lucius opened his eyes and looked into his wife's bluebell gaze, noting that her face wore an unaccustomed soft expression, a smile hovering around her sensuous mouth. Oh, Lucius, what have you done? Do you want a wife who thinks you've rediscovered your old feelings for her? Well, use it man! Use it to get Cho out of the castle!

Lucius deliberately smiled back at his wife, knowing the effect this always had on women. His normal expression was stern arrogance, enhanced by the severity of his usual black garments. When he smiled at a woman, it was as if the sun shone from behind a thundercloud especially for her alone, and few females failed to respond, some against their better judgement. Lucius knew his own power, and that even after all these years, it would still work on Narcissa in her present mood. In reply, she took his long fingers in her own hand, and squeezed them.

"Lucius, you've remembered what happened, haven't you?" By Merlin's staff, she was determined! But Lucius could be equally determined, and maintained a blank expression. When he did reply, he ignored her question: "Narcissa, my dear, why is Cho Chang still here at Glen Moy Castle? You said you invited her here when I was still only partly conscious, but I'm not in a coma anymore. I'm sure her presence must be an irritation to you. I know I've never been a faithful husband, but I don't expect you to entertain my mistress. She told you herself I ended the relationship. It's all over between us. Haven't I just shown you who is the most important woman in my life? Send her home, for all our sakes."

Narcissa watched Lucius' face. He could tell she was suspicious. He knew his wife was no fool. How far could he go down this track? He would try once more. He stroked her hand gently. "I nearly died, my dear. The prospect of death concentrates the mind wonderfully. Look into your heart. You know I would never leave you. Remember how it used to be when we were young? I never loved anyone like I loved you. Send her away, and let's have more mornings like this morning."

Was it enough? Narcissa wanted to believe him, he could tell: her experience was fighting with her need for him. Lucius realised that he had always known what he had so long chosen to ignore: she still loved him. That was why she would fight like a tigress for him. That was why he could choose to exploit her this way. He wondered if he felt guilty for playing with her emotions, but decided it was far too late for such considerations. He had balanced Cho's mental torment against his wife's, and Cho had won: his wife was tough, she would survive. Cho was far more fragile, and still had her whole life ahead. Lucius could not be responsible for turning her into a woman who feared the natural consequences of love. But he had not been able to make himself tell Narcissa he still loved her. He wondered if she had noticed his careful use of grammar.

Narcissa's face changed. As Lucius watched, he saw the soft expression replaced by suspicion, then a for a brief moment, a deep hurt flickered across her eyes, to be replaced almost instantaneously by the ice blue gaze of the beautiful Ice Queen with whom he had now shared his life for so many years. He knew his gamble had failed: Narcissa Malfoy knew him far too well to believe his lies, she saw straight through him. Lucius sighed inwardly, but he could not bring himself to feel ashamed. According to his own scruples, he had been acting with an uncharacteristically selfless motive. He felt that his wife also recognised this fact, and it had cut her to the quick. He admired her self possession, the way she never, ever made a scene, the way she maintained her iron will.

Lucius took his wife's unresisting hand, lifted it to his mouth, and gently kissed her fingers. This time he meant it. It was the closest he would ever get to saying sorry.