"Pardon?" Andromeda asked sweetly, giving him a look of renewed infatuation. Lucius pushed her mildly away, "I said, no." he said tersely. Andromeda's face screwed up in disappointment, "Why not?" she asked again, Lucius took a step back, increasing the distance between them. "I need to help my father up in the study." Andromeda took a step forwards, "Now?" she questioned, "Now." He set firmly, "Why?" Lucius sighed, "It's paperwork for our engagement… it's to make it legal." He lied smoothly, "Oh…" came her hollow response as she gave him a weak smile, "Then I'll see you at tonight's formal dinner." She promised, turning away, bewildered. Taking the chance, Lucius dashed out of the eastern gardens, avoiding the conspicuous questions screaming in his head.
Why did it disturb Narcissa so much? The hungry look in Andromeda's eyes and whether it was imagination or not, the uneasiness shifting in Lucius's silver eyes. She was an arm's length from the air-buffet but she didn't take anything to eat, she found to her surprise that she wasn't hungry, which was funny because she remembered her stomach rumbling just before she had her palm pierced by that tiresome splinter. Why did her hand travel restlessly to the silk ribbon in her hair? Why was it that all she could remember was how protectively Lucius had tied the white fabric tightly around the small but pestering wound?
Another wave of burning desire to use her subtle talent of manipulation seized control as Narcissa decided to make her way to the mahogany tree where she had first seen Lucius. Swaying gently between the gentle shoots of green grass, she came by to the familiar shady space, lowering herself gently, she leaned on the broad, comforting trunk and waited, a sly grin toying at the corners of her mouth.
She did not have to wait long before she was aware of his presence, lingering solidly at the edge of the shadow. "Mr. Malfoy?" she asked, Lucius revealed himself, nodded his head, "Miss Narcissa Black." She leaned on a vaguely familiar mahogany tree wearily. "Can I help you?" she continued expressionlessly. "Yes…" drawled Lucius, his eyes penetrating her skin as if seeing her every intention. "You have something of mine…" Narcissa considered these words, "Oh, and what, can I ask is that?" she queried, expectation flowing unnervingly through her bloodstream.
Lucius's shapely hand moved to her hair in which Narcissa thought her heart would stop with anticipation. Swiftly, he untied the silk ribbon and slipped it out of her hair efficiently. He held it in front of her face as the radiant rays of golden sunshine tumbled annoyingly out of its formation, curling gently at the small of her back again. "Ah…here it is." He said lazily, carefully watching Narcissa's reaction. Narcissa swept back her hair, which had now fallen in her eyes. "I believe it is mine." She declared softly, Lucius gazed at her with mock confusion alight in those silver orbs. "If I recall correctly, I had leant you this ribbon for the sake of your hand, now I wish to have it back now, if you do not mind." He added sincerely.
Narcissa reached for the ribbon, "Yes, I totally agree with you." Narcissa added business-like, "However, if I recall correctly, that would be mine," she pointed to the cerise stained blood, embodied in the silk. It glowed menacingly as the bloodied flower on snow stared at Lucius who hid the look of mingled surprise and amazement into a cool demeanor. "Well, do you have any suggestions how we'll be able to settle this matter?" he asked her, handing over the ribbon.
The query had been joking, playful…Lucius had never intended any attention to thoughtless and petty things but Narcissa seemed to consider it for quite a length of time before pouting her most ravishing rosebud mouth and advancing closer towards him. Lucius stiffened inwardly as she glanced at him through her thin, perfect eyelashes. "I haven't been kissed before…" she purred richly, observing Lucius's reaction… receiving none she advanced so close that her body was pressed against his most solid and muscular form. "My sisters say that it is the most wonderful sensation…" she continued, her lithe frame sending Lucius's body mercilessly on fire.
"I would like to judge that for myself." She murmured; a childish smile pasted on her celestially glowing face. "It's hard to imagine that nobody had kissed you before." Lucius replied neutrally, making sure that his mask did not betray any signs of uncontrollable desire. "Oh, father never let's anyone touch me." She explained sweetly, her eyes still fixed on his regal face. "Do you think he would let me?" he said loftily as his instincts suggested a trap. "Oh yes!" she grinned cunningly, "father talks about you most highly." Lucius sneered, "Well then, let's not ruin that image." Knowing that she was losing her prey, Narcissa looped her arms around his neck, keeping him firmly in her hold.
"Nobody needn't know…" she said, Lucius still showed signs of restraint. "How can I trust you Miss Narcissa Black?" Narcissa smiled deviously, "You'll have to judge that for yourself." Lucius knew what he wanted, he sure did want to spoil her, to make her cringe and beg for mercy before him. She had been too cheeky, underestimating him for all the other idiots of her age. His passion for her burned fiercely in the deepest part of his heart but he knew that he did not want to ruin her as he taught her a lesson, he did not wish for the fire that attracted him to Narcissa extinguished. However, the rogue had asked for it and he was about to give it to her and whether she was being truthful or not, he would soon find out, like she said. There was no trap that Lucius could not escape.
He was risking nothing…
He cupped her chin in his hands and lifted her fair face to his. One of his hands slipped down to the small of back where it rubbed and pressed her body closer to his. He swooped down to plant his lips onto hers, those warm and chaste or maybe not so innocent mouth enveloped by his own. His tongue burst through, twisting itself like a swift snake, exploring the coves of the beauty before him as she responded delightfully, her arms wrapped around his neck and unconsciously grinded her light body against Lucius. His hand that had cupped her chin trailed down to her waist where he gripped her firmly, void of any escape… she had received what she had asked for, now she was to face the consequences.
A flash exploded in the newly planted bushes.
Lucius insides seem to freeze with agony but he forced himself to remain calm as more flashes burst in a rally. Using the time when Narcissa closed her eyes in bliss, he spotted many journalists and reporters of the Daily Prophet, all of whom (he narrowed his eyes) he recognized as the reporters and photographers to announce the formal engagement of Andromeda and himself. Unable to contain their excitement, their heads were appearing from the bush… then they all emerged from it, busily snapping away, now and then; there were squeals of delight at what a good gossip it would make.
Lucius composedly searched Narcissa's face as she opened her eyes but as he searched for the tiniest sign of surprise in her eyes…he found none.
He was outraged. The chit had arranged it all! Usually he would have thought Narcissa was good at hiding emotions but his conspicuous and always correct instincts told him differently. That was why she was so desperate for him to kiss her…to put it in the papers… but why? What can come out of this? An immediate answer followed relentlessly, the engagement would be cancelled at such disgrace. What would Narcissa certainly benefit from the cancellation of the engagement? Puzzled, he landed on an awkward conclusion, but then he remembered Narcissa's reputation of being the most vain, self-absorbed girl in fifth grade. He smirked; she probably did not like her sister getting all the attention.
One half of Lucius was absolutely furious but one part of him admired her twisted scheme and how she conducted him. Lucius frowned; the girl had manipulated him. Suddenly recalling that he had not yet taught her a lesson, he withdrew his tongue and bit her lower lip painfully. A gasp escaped the luscious depth as he pulled away, leaving blood trailing down her chin. Narcissa sucked the blood frantically, not willing the glitch to be in the Daily Prophet. Lucius sneered as questions bombarded in his face. "Mr. Malfoy? How can you explain your behavior?" and there were also "Was this affair generated even before the engagement?" as a stout, stocky reporter asked, "Miss Narcissa Black, what was your purpose in asking us to come? Was it to confess your affair with Mr. Malfoy or was there a deeper meaning?"
A look of panic and guilt flickered across her pale face before it vanquished, Lucius turned to her, his face consorted in disgust and disdain as his conclusion was confirmed. "Had your kiss Miss Narcissa?" he sneered. Narcissa glared at him, "Yes, it was very satisfactory, I am quite sure you had a lot of practice." Ignoring the ring the reporters were making around them he snarled, "It is none of your business whether I had experience or not." Narcissa fought the colour rising to her cheeks, "It is my business to know whether others had been victims of your savage bitings." She exclaimed, gesturing to the deep cut in her lip. Lucius smirked, "No, they were usually all trustworthy women." He replied tartly before turning on his heels. He brushed past the many reporters roughly as he disappeared, only a trace of his black silk cloak, flickering past Narcissa's ever icy face.
Nobody seemed to care as Narcissa felt her heart being torn into two. She shooed all the reporters away with such deadly malice in her glittering aquamarine eyes that they left, quite disgruntled but altogether satisfied. She brooded as these constant thoughts plagued her mind. She had manipulated many before but their reaction to her traps had never affected her…until now. Hearing Lucius describe other lowly women more trustworthy than the pure-blooded aristocrat was moreover insulting yet…hurting. Narcissa shook her head indignantly, she knew nothing of the pain and did not wish to encounter it now. A world full of emotions was much too complicated yet unsophisticated which was exactly what Narcissa thrived on.
Banishing all signs of her earlier debate she congratulated herself on the victory of her plan. She had not really expected Lucius to give in although she knew men found her irresistible. However, a moral part of her treasured the moment she had had her first kiss. She had been telling the truth enough on that part, she had never been kissed before and when being taught by a master, the sensation was full of ecstasy. So even though she blamed him completely of giving her these muddled emotions and for making her quite upset, she did reserve some respect for him as the giver of her first kiss, thus successfully pulling her across the first stage and helping her developing into a beautiful but dangerous woman.
Despite her vain and spiteful nature or preferably as Narcissa called it 'quick in wit' Narcissa knew that she wanted Lucius and from the moment of opening her eyes from the world, Narcissa got everything she wanted. Somehow…somewhere…someday and would not rest until so. She knew he was a big challenge, a well-guarded composed youth of great potential and self-restraint however she was willing to push the limit. She grinned deviously to herself, who would have ever guessed such young, lovely, silent girl whom they were foolish enough to call timid had such plans in mind. Who would have ever known, especially her dear, moulded father that all the disasters one by one was caused by her…purposely and for her own needs and greed. Narcissa mused silently as she gazed at the exhilarating sky; today indeed was a most perfect day.
