Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Written for Hogwarts Assignment 10. Muggle Music, task 2. Write about someone running into an ex.
Word Count - 688
Beta'd by Amber and Sam
Warning for mentions of Adultery
Longing For You
She held onto Cygnus' arm, her hand wrapped delicately around his elbow as he led her from shop to shop. She'd been surprised when he'd agreed to accompany her on her shopping trip. Usually, he had more important things to do than 'entertain' his wife.
She stayed by his side, waiting patiently when he ran into acquaintances that drew him into conversations better suited to an office or private study.
Shivering, Druella pulled her cloak tighter around herself. She barely managed to stop herself from tapping her foot impatiently when Cygnus launched into another conversation.
Finally, he said goodbye and they continued on their way through the alley.
Druella listened to Cygnus' words of self importance as he boasted about the people he spoke to after they walked away, telling her all about how he had done them favours, about how they owed him.
She supposed he thought it would impress her.
He was wrong.
A flash of blond across the way caught her attention, and she looked up, freezing in place when she met the ashy grey eyes of Abraxas Malfoy.
Cygnus looked down at her to see why she'd stopped and then followed her gaze. He stiffened beneath her arm, and she looked away from Abraxas quickly.
She knew that Cygnus knew of her prior relationship with the other man, and she knew he wasn't happy about it. Cygnus Black was possessive beyond reason at times.
"Look, honey, wouldn't Narcissa just love that dress?" She asked, pointing to a dress in the shop window on the opposite side of the Alley to where Abraxas stood.
Cygnus barely glanced at it before he was approaching Abraxas instead. Druella was tugged along, stumbling slightly on the way.
Abraxas' eyes narrowed and she glared at him.
"Cygnus," Abraxas greeted, when they arrived in front of him. "Dru."
Cygnus' eyes flashed a warning at the nickname.
"Mr Malfoy," Druella returned stiffly, turning her head away.
"Abraxas," Cygnus murmured, offering his hand in greeting. Druella didn't need to watch to know that Abraxas' hand would be white with the pressure of Cygnus' grip. "What brings you out to Diagon today?"
Abraxas smirked. "Christmas shopping, of course," he replied, his eyes on Druella. "Isn't that why we're all out today?"
Cygnus nodded thoughtfully. "How old is your boy now?"
"Seven," Abraxas replied, swallowing hard. "How are your girls?"
"They are lovely young ladies," Cygnus replied smugly. "Narcissa in particular is blooming into a beautiful child."
Abraxas nodded. "And you, Druella?"
"I'm well," she replied, almost choking on the words. Cygnus looked at her sharply, and she continued, "Cygnus makes sure we are all happy."
Before anyone could say anything else, Acanthia, Abraxas' wife, exited the shop Abraxas had been standing outside of. Greetings were exchanged, and Druella didn't miss the possessive grip she took of her husband's hand, nor did she miss the cold look in her eyes when she greeted Druella.
"We should catch up properly," Cygnus said, when Acanthia prompted Abraxas to accompany her to her next destination. "I'd rather like to speak with you regarding a betrothal. Narcissa deserves the best, after all."
Druella couldn't contain her flinch and she looked at Abraxas with wide eyes, begging him silently to refuse.
He didn't.
Five minutes later, Cygnus lead Druella into the shop with the dress she'd tried to use as a distraction.
"Something you'd like to tell me, Dear?" he asked her, a calculating look in his eyes. "You don't seem to be too enthused at the idea of Narcissa being betrothed to the young Malfoy."
He knew. Druella knew he did.
She swallowed hard and shook her head. "Of course not, Cygnus. You know I'm happy to follow your lead on these things."
He nodded. "Just so."
…
Druella stared at the canopy of their bed that night. Cygnus snored beside her, but she found sleep unattainable.
Memories of Abraxas assaulted her mind, leaving her with an ache in her heart and a vague feeling of longing when she thought about the last time she'd seen him.
Three weeks before she'd found herself pregnant for the third time.
