Time passed quickly. It always seems to, when you're happy. I'd grown even closer to Lily and life seemed. . . well, life seemed nice. It hadn't seemed like that, for a long time.
It was a Hogsmeade weekend and so, the castle had been emptied, with the unfortunate exception of the first and second years. And, of course, us: Me, and Lily. I don't know why, but I liked the sound of it. Us.
We had wandered somewhere beyond the Forbidden Forest, before setting up our little 'picnic' (presumably a muggle term, as I have never heard of it). My invisibility cloak was being used as the 'picnic blanket' since the ground was already coated with a bit of frost.
We were certainly the odd couple, with her dressed head to toe in scarlet and gold, and I, in my green and silver Slytherin attire. She must have noticed me, looking at her like that, because she turned around and asked, "What's wrong?" I laughed, and stood up.
"Your clothes, that's what's wrong." As I said this, I toyed with her little Gryffindor jumper and tie.
"My clothes?"
"They're too. . . Gryffindor." I began pacing around her, much like a teacher would to an ill-disciplined student.
"Oh, really, how revolting." Her sarcasm was all but lost on me.
"Exactly! And I've the perfect solution for this horrifying dilemma." I was behind her now, whispering into her ear.
"You do now, do you?" Her voice broke a little as I nuzzled her neck, enjoying the smell of her. Her scent today was a blend of flowers and fruits and soap, a mixture more intoxicating than any perfume could ever be.
"I do. Something for you." She turned around, her mask of suspicion on her face, before it softened and she smiled.
"For me?" I was still marveling at how she could remain so beautiful with that scrunched up expression when anyone else would have looked like a pug. "No hexed flowers?" I shook my head, seemingly appalled at such a suggestion. The bundle levitated in front of her.
"Open it." I urged gently. Another smile, before she removed the wrappings and ribbons, revealing a striped, green and silver scarf.
"Your house colors? Lucius I'm a Gryffindor--"
"The sorting hat must have made a horrible mistake then. The green in that scarf brings out your eyes." I was trying desperately to keep my head clear; her smile alone was enough to cloud my thoughts.
She tried the scarf on, suddenly aware of the bright silver stitching glowing conspicuously at the front. "Property of Lucius Malfoy?" She read out loud. "You're giving me your old scarf?"
"It's brand new. Straight from Hogsmeade." Understanding dawned on her face, along with mock anger and outrage.
"Lucius Malfoy, you're almost unbearable!" She hit my arm with the scarf. "You don't own me--" Before she could continue her little tirade against me and my arrogance, I leaned over, and gave her a deep kiss.
What could have been a nice little snogging session was interrupted, however, by a loud bump. I wouldn't have minded, after all, there were enough magical creatures wandering about to cause loud thumps. Lily, however, pulled away, her eyes wide with fear.
"Annoying pests, Lily, nothing more." She shook her head, and put a finger to her lips as a sign of silence.
"It could be someone. We weren't the only ones who stayed behind at the castle, Lucius." Ah, she was concerned with the secrecy of our. . . relationship. Well, so was I. Concerned enough, in fact, to cast a Borderline Spell. That spell was sufficient to assure our privacy, and I told her so. She relaxed visibly. "What kind of creatures were you talking about?" I shouldn't have said anything about magical creatures; now she was too curious to return to our earlier. . .er. . . activities.
"The occasional on-the-run house elf, pixies, nymphs—" I leaned back on the cloak, outwardly bored. Inwardly was a different matter. A plot worthy of a Malfoy was forming in my head.
"Nymphs? I read somewhere that you can see a few wood nymphs here, if you're lucky," She was saying, whilst scouting around the perimeter of our little enclosure for the fabled creature.
"I see one!" I shouted, most enthusiastically for a Slytherin. You see, I was being enthusiastic for a reason. A reason which shall be revealed to you soon enough.
"Really? Where?" She started turned around to look at me, lost in her excitement. I pointed at some distant spot in the forest. "Where? I didn't see it, how does it look like?"
She was tiptoeing and peering into the forest, squinting and trying to see what I'd been talking about.
Bwahaha. The perfectly unsuspecting target. Good people were too easily fooled. Struggling to keep my laughter in, I crept slowly towards her.
"Honestly, I can't see a thing, do you think it's---" She turned around just in time to let out a shriek as I pounced on her and attacked her sides, tickling with no mercy. Her laughter was like a drug, and I, the unfortunate addict.
"Stop, I can't--" another burst of laughter, before she continued, "Please--" When I said I tickled with no mercy, I meant it.
"Not until you say: 'Lucius is the most scrumptious looking man I've ever seen, and I desperately need to snog him'."
"I'm not going to--" a squeal of laughter "say that, I--" I tickled relentlessly. Her cheeks had turned a lovely shade of pink. I would have to stop eventually, but she would give in soon, I could tell-- "Lucius is the most scrumptious looking man I've ever seen and I desperately need to snog him!" I stopped, and smirked triumphantly.
"Not hard at all, hmm? So, how about that snog?" The suggestive tone of my voice could not be missed.
"Malfoy" She warned, saying my last name for the first time and still gasping for breath (somehow, this reminded me of hearing a priest swear. . . it just didn't sound right).. "You are going to PAY FOR THIS!" With that, she lunged towards me, ready to kill (or so it seemed). What happened next was a long and arduous chase, which involved quite a bit of running and cursing (all in good fun, of course) from both sides, and ended in a tangle of limbs at the bottom of a hill. Both Lily and I were exhausted, and, for a while, we were content to just lie down there and breathe.
If you were to ask me today what was the most perfect moment of my entire life, I would say it was that particular instant. My mind had been pleasantly empty of any disturbing thoughts. I still remember the feel of her beside me, even though we hadn't been touching. Her presence was calming, and I can quite honestly say I miss it. I miss her. But I mustn't dwell on such incongruities. Life can be harsh and cruel.
And so can I.
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A/N: Chapter 21's going to take a bit longer, since it's still in the making :D the fluffy chapters are all separated though, so don't expect the next one to be all fluffy :D it's a bit. . . well, it's got something to do with the 'dark side'. . . ooh. . .
And all of you, THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING!! I know I can't stop saying this, but it's true ;D I was breathless and speechless for a while when that little thing on MSN said I had 16 new messages. . . :D
Dwen—thanks for reviewing! *sigh* I understand, everyone keeps coming up to me, and they say 'wanna know who died?' and I usually run away screaming with my hands over my ears. Evil people!!! I don't know *how* long I'll be waiting until I get to read the fifth book. . . not *too* long, I hope : ( Believe it or not, Lucius is even *more* human here :D well, the mischief stays, as usual. . . a bit more fluff to come, but the next chapters will be a little. . . sadder, I think :D Bwahahaha, I know, I absolutely ruined this chapter's fluffiness with that last paragraph. . . Poor Lucius :D
Diabla666—Trust me, that Malfoy charm gets everyone :D Thanks for reviewing! :D
Sarah—thanks for reviewing! I heard Lucius is even *more* devilishly evil (but handsome, always handsome, hehehe) in OotP. . . I can't wait to read it! :D
Lovely Lily—well, you know Lucius :D I should scold him for being so. . . *evil* the next time he decides to pay me a visit. But then he's so *wonderfully* evil! Like Lily (the one in the story :D) I can't help but love him. :D Thanks for reviewing!
Ecilla—thank you thank you thank you!! :D Hope I didn't make you wait too long, I was 'proofing' this chapter, and you know how school is :D Thanks for reviewing!
Addy—This is the fluffiest Lucius chapter I have, unless I decide to write that muggles day out--- *gasp* I've said too much. :D I read a part in the earlier portions of the story, and he put her needs before his too! :D But I don't think he noticed, at the time, you know how Lucius is, with all his self denial :D
Neni Potter—yes, circumstances *definitely* changed Lucius. And of *course* he's full of himself! :D he wouldn't be lucius if he wasn't. :D Hmm, I'll think about he Draco/Ginny thing :D I just read a fic on fiction alley about them, and it was really sweet :D
Abigail Nicole— thank you for your help with the italicized words! :D Hehehe, I'd almost given up all hope for that :D And yes, you're right, Lucius is *incredibly* self-conscious about his evilness. He's quite proud of it, actually (*whisper* he told me :D) I know this chapter took a while, but that was because internet was *soooo* horribly slow. Hmph, I hate dial-up. :D Your rather urgent e-mail message prompted me to post this chapter now (7:00 AM) :D
Naeginnie6— thank you! :D And thanks for reviewing too :D Lucius really just writes himself, it's a proven fact J I was rereading some chapters earlier, and I was shocked, because I hardly remembered typing those things down! Must be the Imperius. . . hehehe, not that I mind! :D I'll be sure to submit this story in your site :D Thanks for the help with the italicized words too! :D
Erenriel the Elven Canuck—Go Canucks!!! *cough cough* It's the Canadian coming out in me ;D Thanks for reviewing! :D I know what you mean, Lucius *does* have this freaky way of commanding people to do things (like write his life story, for example, hehehe)
