Lucius scanned the Daily Prophet with withdrawn anger. 'Malfoy's back to Black' the heading was typed in bold in the Gossip Column and the most profound subject in the whole blasted paper! It read:
'It was the most enchanting day at Ravensden Hall where the Malfoy heir and Miss Andromeda Black was to be engaged. They were to form the most anticipated alliance of the month. The engagement was a dazzling glamour but the wrap up was shocking. With Miss Narcissa Black's invitation the Daily Prophet reporters whom were to report on the engagement party soon discovered the Malfoy heir, secretly kissing Miss Andromeda Black's youngest sister, Miss Narcissa Black. From the facts it is evident that Lucius Malfoy and Miss Narcissa Black may have had a secret love affair even before the prior engagement -"
Lucius grimaced at the photo when he saw himself; kissing Narcissa passionately whilst she whimpered… but then allowed himself to be more composed when he saw the Lucius in the photo, bite her lower lip fiercely. Her crimson blood (although the colour not shown in the papers) was hurriedly hidden as Narcissa stared up at him from the Daily Prophet.
His thoughts were interrupted as the familiar 'pop' of a house elf resounded near his side. As soon as it saw Lucius, the wretched being of an elf dropped until its face was flat on the marble tiled floor and croaked, "Master Beautropeus wants Master Lucius in the eastern study."
Lucius sighed in resign and folded up the Daily Prophet neatly on the ancient handcrafted mahogany dining table. Another disturbing thing, he forgot to kick the house elf and make a tart remark about its greasy nose making the floor dirty like he usually did. The miserable wretch took the opportunity to disappear before Lucius was to remember and give him a smart thrashing. Lucius started to make his way out of the family dining room and into the entrance hall before moving up the staircase.
However, instead of advancing through the next flight of corridors, he abruptly halted in front of an exquisite portrait of his former grandmother, Evangeline Malfoy. Without any hesitation he twisted the gold latch that supported the portrait and waited as it launched itself into a dull grinding process; the portrait sliding efficiently to one side. Lucius pulled out his wand and tapped the luxurious wallpaper zooming around lazily that bore the intricate silver patterns of the Malfoy Crest.
He muttered softly 'Portalus.' The surface grew transparent as the small section of the vast wall wavered. Not wasting any time, Lucius entered through the section and when, safely in the passageway, twisted a lever in the inside, causing the portrait to swing back to its usual place and look undisturbed to ignorant visitors of Wiltshire mansion. The spell will wear off in due time and even though somebody might discover that the portrait was mobile, all they would find would be a blank wall. Maybe not 'blank' since the mansion was elaborately decorated every inch. Lucius was grateful that any outsider could not possibly discover the traditional Malfoy shortcut through the mansion. He enjoyed the privileges of being a Malfoy even though there were sacrifices attached.
He walked stealthily through the dusty, old passage with satisfaction. At least he wouldn't be late for his father's summons and unless the portrait blabbed on otherwise, Beautropeus might actually find no fault of Lucius when he arrived at the eastern study.
However Lucius doubted the portrait would willingly tell Beautropeus that her grandson had used a shortcut to get a compliment out of him. She had sworn to secrecy centuries ago and Lucius knew that his grandmother, Evangeline Malfoy was too proud to wag her tongue. Quite reassured and strangely weary and thoroughly glad that his ancestors had made shortcuts in the immense mansion, Lucius travelled through the gloom, his keen eyes adjusting to the darkness.
Narcissa was in sheer delight as she heard her father's sad preposition. However as a good daughter she put on the same sad face and put in sighs and melancholy shakes of her head to convince him that she was as innocent as he thought and when he left her in peace, she flopped on her bed in victory. As she had predicted, things had turned her way…now instead of Andromeda she would be the one having the most handsome husband, unimaginable wealth and the best reputation.
Well…in due time of course but she just couldn't wait. Her face alight with happiness however clouded over a fraction. She was quite aware that Lucius was not pleased with her for setting him up in public. A devious grin, now so familiar flittered across her face, she could make him forgive her…. oh yes, she could do just that.
However Lucius did not quite take it as easily as Narcissa… he had guessed that much but the impact was shocking. "Affianced with Narcissa?" he asked, a flicker of disbelief edged in his very handsome face. "Why, you should be grateful!" Beautropeus exclaimed, his pale eyebrows so high up that it shot up into his hairline. "After all the disgrace you have caused, the Blacks were very obstinate to ever make another alliance since you absolutely abominated the last." Suddenly Beautropeus sneered, "Although Orion possibly could not decline my generous offer." Lucius rolled his eyes, "Father…this really can't be right…"
"Lucius! You have no right to argue about this!" The older Malfoy roared his annoyance; always uncontrolled. Probably that was why Lucius was so good at controlling his anger, he must have detested his father's many sudden outbursts. "Yes Father." He muttered through clenched teeth. "Good." Beautropeus answered, nodding his head. "You are dismissed." Lucius sighed inwardly as he lowered his head in a respectful position then briskly strode out of the room. Great he thought sarcastically, I've stooped to that LITTLE girl's level. Even with her lovely looks and strong character, he could possibly not forgive her for setting him up like this!
He was halfway down the corridor, his feet sinking in the plush carpet when he realised with the second horrified shock of that day that there was the Parkinson's Anniversary Ball held at the Eldora ballroom. He groaned out loud as he realised that the Black family would be without a doubt present at the ball just like the Malfoys. How would he endure every curious face that stared at him after what the Daily Prophet had to say? How would he enjoy the scathing look of Andromeda and the divine face of little Narcissa, all pretty on the outside but quite sly and menacing in the inside.
More faces swirled around Lucius as he made his way to his room. Mr Orion Black's strained face; Mrs Black's sugary but glowering smile, Lestrange's flaky grin… Lucius sighed wearily as he finally entered his bedchamber. Over all, how would he control the anger for the little girl when the hurt was still quite fresh and the news that they would be engaged without a delay was still ringing conspicuously in his head?
He definitely had to restrain himself tonight and to make a fool out of himself again was definitely out of question. He would never be able to hold his head high, even as the Malfoy heir in respectable society again! With the air of forbidding enveloping him, Lucius laid down for some exhausted but a brief sleep before the nightmare began…
He had expected as much as he entered the famous Eldora Ballroom, hired by the Parkinsons since they could not afford to own one as vast and luxurious. All the pureblood families swarmed in, pair by pair; each dressed in exquisite gowns and robes of the best silks and furs. It was formal for his father to enter with his mother so he had wondered who would be his partner when he entered the ball in grand style. He wished that he had not wondered so…
Narcissa held his arm as they treaded softly through the entrance of boldly carved marble. The anger burning fiercely inside him did not dim as he drank in her most attractive figure that burned passionately and divine in the crystal light of the chandelier.
