"You go For Draco and come back with a Veela?" an amused voice chuckled as Narcissa stood talking to Bella in the parlor where the floo spat Fleur out. Fleur looked about, never really taking in the Malfoy Manor settings and she felt decidedly under dressed. She looked down to her black slacks, and blouse beneath her healer's robes. She reached for her wand and transfigured her clothes into a tasteful set of light blue robes. Not too heavy, but just right in this crisp night air. She could feel it in her bones, a cold snap would be coming, but for tonight it was mild.
"You didn't have to do that, Dear," Narcissa said.
"It is nothing more than a set of robes. If I wanted to dress up, I would have, but this seemed appropriate for dinner at a manor," Fleur smiled easing Narcissa's tension as she reached out for Narcissa and brushed bit of ash from the floo from her shoulder.
"Oh god, DIO!" Bella hollered out and the little elf appeared next to her narrowing his eyes never quite trusting her. She treated his kind horribly for decades, then her gaze softened, "May I please take my dinner in the office? I still have correspondence to reply to," she smiled at her sister and Fleur. Then she chuckled when she saw Narcissa's mouth slip into an open 'O'.
"Bella you don't…" Narcissa said as she stepped forward.
"Have to take dinner in the office so you and your lover can chat away from prying ears or eyes? Aw Cissy I knew you loved me and thought about the fact that amount of gushy emotion would turn my intestines inside out," Bella laughed and waved throwing over her shoulder, "Do anything I would want to do," then Bella deeply laughed and hoped Narcissa would jump for the unknown instead of plant her feet in the sand for once.
Narcissa watched her sister. She held herself with poise and grace, and tried not to let Bella's Antics, and words reach her, illicit a response, so she threw her shoulders back, and clenched her jaw. Then there was a soft tinkle of a chuckle behind her. Fleur looked to Narcissa, and her blue eyes flew open as she lifted her hands up in surrender. Narcissa turned around and looked Fleur level into her blue eyes. She stepped closer and Fleur immediately stopped laughing. Narcissa slipped her fingers up Fleur's hands then to her wrist, and then down to her fingers and clasped her hand. Fleur's breath caught, and her blue irises deepened.
"That's what I thought," Narcissa grinned devilishly. Narcissa clenched her hand lightly then threaded their fingers and pulled her to the dining room. By the time they arrived in the dining room Fleur was back to her faculties, and Narcissa felt like she was a teen again. Narcissa looked at the setting and then she lifted her wand and transfigured the table to nothing more than a small square slightly askew to the chandelier, and under the soft lights of the candles on the table. Fleur looked up looking around.
"After a very unfortunate visit by one of your wonderful friends I have a hard time sitting under chandeliers," Narcissa said lightly taking a sip of her wine. Fleur tilted her head and Narcissa groaned, rolled her eyes, and placed a hand over her eyes.
"Hermione and I have a horrible past," Narcissa choked on her last words. Fleur's hand flew to her lap. Narcissa looked to the woman. Narcissa watched Fleur's posture tense, and then a wall rise between them.
"If you could have saved her, would you?" Fleur asked.
"Yes, a thousand times yes, but I needed to protect Draco," Narcissa swallowed, "He was there. I cast immobilus on him lest he be tortured or worse, killed. After that, Bella or rather Bellatrix, took our pound of flesh when Hermione escaped with her friends," Narcissa explained. Fleur watched.
"Draco watched," Fleur swallowed, "Everything," Fleur whispered under her breath and Narcissa nodded having heard her. Fleur looked to Narcissa. She felt her chest clench, she felt it turn and bottom out only to lift again into her throat. What was happening to her?
"I… I need a moment," Fleur said as she stood from the chair and walked from the dining room. Narcissa reached out as she stood, but the tips of her fingers only brushed the fabric of her robes. Narcissa flopped unceremoniously in her chair and she took the bottle of red and filled it almost to overflowing. She sighed.
Gods damn, Bella, Narcissa thought the herself.
Fleur walked and walked and walked even more until she came to the office. She didn't know it was the office, but she felt magic and she opened the door. Bella looked up from her parchment and quill in her hand. Fleur looked around and found balls of parchment crumpled up. Fleur walked in and picked one up, then accioed the rest one at a time. All addressed to Hermione.
"Do you go through this type of revision when writing back to her all the time?" Fleur asked as she let the paper fall to the floor where they originally where. Bella leaned back in her chair.
"Only to her," Bella said, "I thought you and my sister would be wondering where the nearest bedroom would be by now. What happened?" Bella asked quirking a smile.
"You," Fleur said, and her one-word response cut through the air. Bella's hands froze as she went to continue her letter to Hermione.
"Narcissa watched…" Fleur's voice cracked, "Everything, immobilized her son so he wouldn't be tortured or killed. Then you punished them. Gods, Bella how does one cope being a part of this family?" Fleur asked as she sat in Narcissa's chair across from Bella.
"You don't little Veela," Bella said and then looked out of the window, "You suppress, you compartmentalize, you learn some fucked up way to deal, but coping... in this family, you don't," Bella looked over to Fleur, "For no matter how far you think you are from the darkness, you are pulled back in. It may not be the actions or inactions what happened, but the memories. Memories can save or kill a person Fleur," Bella said, and Fleur listened intently, "Give her good memories. Give her love, and laughter, and a place in your heart. She is the best thing in my life, she is the most sacrificial bint also. When it comes to Draco she would die for that twit," Bella looked Fleur over and then deep into her eyes, "Maybe someday soon, she would do the same for someone else," Bella said and then she looked out of her window.
"Fleur, don't judge her, don't hold her accountable," Bella looked back into those blue eyes, "It was all my fault. I would have torn them both apart with my wand and then my bare hands if they betrayed me and the cause. She did everything out of survival and fear," Bella said and then Fleur heard the broken voice of the beast from Hermione's dreams let loose a half confession.
"Yes, but Hermione, and that entire group, they fell into my lap," Fleur said as Bella looked over to Fleur, Fleur nodded, "Yes, you fucked up witch. I nursed her back to health when you brutalized her," Fleur gasped the last of that sentence.
Bella threw her wand on the desk and then looked at Fleur.
"Take me away from this Fleur. Take your shot. Everything could be drawn in a straight line back to me. ME! Hell, the Ministry would give you an Order of Merlin for your initiative!" Bella yelled and then settled into her chair, "End this agony, this feeling of wondering if I will never be able to escape her eyes. Her cries," Bella lurched forward clasping her hand to her mouth as she cried into her palm. Fleur stood. Bella only heard the close of a door.
Fleur walked back to the dining room, straight up to Narcissa who looked as if she was nursing almost 3/4 the bottle of red Fleur left her with and another sitting in a bucket of ice chilling. Fleur reached for the glass. Narcissa looked up.
"Come," Fleur said in a finite tone as she placed the glass on the table. Narcissa swallowed and looked over their meal, and her almost buzz. Fleur only stepped away and then held out her hand, palm up. Blue caught blue.
"Trust me?" Fleur said and Narcissa reached out and placed her hand into Narcissa's, and then Fleur grasped her hand.
"I have you now Lady Malfoy. One more moment to back out. Do you trust me?" Fleur said and then Narcissa's eyes lost within Fleur's. She eased her grasp and then shifted her palm then held Fleur's palm tightly. Fleur whipped out her wand. Casting a Patronus.
I will not be able to make it back until very late tomorrow, please have Hermione back up in the infirmary. She is capable. When she has an issue with her classes I am sure Mr. Malfoy would be a decent student teacher for her class. Thank you, Minerva.
Narcissa and Fleur watched, and the eagle shot off and Narcissa looked to Fleur.
"What have you done?" Narcissa asked softly not willing to hope. Fleur smiled and then pulled Narcissa to her, body to body. Fleur slipped her lips from Narcissa's cheek skimming to her ear lobe.
"I am taking you away from your pain, and for one might, I will heal you, if you let me," Fleur said in Narcissa's ear.
"Oh yes," Narcissa closed her eyes and wrapped her other arm around Fleur, but her other hand still clasped Fleur.
"Dio," Fleur called, and the little elf came with a brow high on his brow, "If anything happens with Bella, come to me," Fleur bit her lip, made a small blood bubble and then swiped it with her finger. Dio reached out and swiped his palm along Fleur's finger. He paused, closed his eyes, and then nodded. Fleur closed her eyes and then she visited a cottage she had not been to in months. She let go of Narcissa and sighed, as did Narcissa.
"I will tidy up the inside," Fleur said and was thankful she put impermeable sheets over everything. All she had to do was gently take the sheets from the beds, from the furniture, and tables, and then set them to wash. She cast a quick cleansing spell for dust and then opened the doors. Fleur opened her eyes and breathed in the sea. Then she walked to the woman she spirited away to her small little haven.
"It is so beautiful," Narcissa said as she watched the moon on the water.
"You should see it at sunrise," Fleur spoke with a small smile causing Narcissa to turn.
"I know I ..." Narcissa began but Fleur held up a hand shaking her hand.
"You and I will never find a way to make a start under the roof of your home," Fleur looked to the home, "They were brought here to be healed," Fleur looked back to Narcissa, "Let me heal you too," Fleur said as she held out her hand. Narcissa smiled and clenched Fleur's hand. Her stomach was in riotous butterflies threatening to explode. The ache she refused to set simmer between her thighs slowly made its way south.
"Sit," Fleur said as she took and armchair across from Narcissa and her expression blinked rapidly. Her lungs breathed out. She looked at the chair Fleur indicated and the one the woman sat in and she was at a loss.
"My Love, my dearest Dark Witch, we have things to get over. That won't happen unless we talk about them. Share our feelings," then Fleur's face turned dark and closed off, "Unless you just want a friend and I will be more than happy to give you that as well.
"NO!" Narcissa blinked in shock. It was reflexive she didn't want to be friends.
"No, Fleur, I think, we are both beyond that," Narcissa as she found her voice and her own decorum then she looked up. She looked into the most vibrant blue eyes she had ever seen before. "Oh, dear gods," Narcissa whispered and then in a flash Fleur was beside her taking her to the chair as her knees gave out.
"Not a god love, but a Veela, and I have wanted a great deal of things from you for some time," Fleur said in a voice that drew Narcissa in. Narcissa tried to straighten herself, her posture, her shoulders, and her jaw, then she saw Fleur sitting from her.
"My god you are sex on legs," Narcissa said and then clapped her hand to her mouth blushing like a 3rd year at Hogwarts, "I didn't, no you are... it's just…" Narcissa took a deep breath.
"Is that all you feel?" Fleur asked eyes sparkling.
"Oh my god woman. You draw me from my business, you invade my dreams, and you are the one person I want to curl up into when I know I can't want that of the world anymore," Narcissa said.
"How about sexually?" Fleur asked and the Narcissa's eyes flew open. She looked over to Fleur. She sat there in her chair. Narcissa never knew she changed into a pair of short legged pants, and a flowing tunic, tucked into her pants. She looked like a pirate on a deck of a ship.
"Oh yes. OH yes, my little creature, I want you sexually," Narcissa said and then turned away. That was Fleur's queue. She would not have been able to pull away if she was caught by the allure. The implications were… Massive. Fleur walked to the chair and then stroked Narcissa's hair.
"If I said I was falling in love with you what would you say?" Fleur asked against Narcissa's ear and the woman jerked away straight out of her chair.
"You can't," Narcissa said placing a hand before her.
"Why?" Fleur asked as she watched Narcissa freak out.
"Because of your friend," Narcissa said squeezing her eyes shut.
"That is her journey to recovery. Now, Why?" Fleur asked again
"I am older," Narcissa said weakly.
"Last time I checked we are witches, so, who gives a shit? Whether you are 22, 42, or 62, what does it matter?" Fleur asked and Narcissa's eyes softened, and then then they grew hard.
"I am a dark witch," Narcissa said and then Fleur sighed as she stepped to Narcissa.
"Will you attack some one?" Fleur asked and Narcissa shook her head then Fleur the chuckled, "I am one of creature blood. Who cares?" Fleur asked and then Fleur slipped her hand over Narcissa's bicep and then lay her hand on her shoulder.
"You are the only person I have wanted in decades. Why?" Narcissa asked and Fleur smiled and gestured to the chair once more, but this time Fleur elongated the chair into a double. Fleur pulled Narcissa down close to her.
"Kindness, in anyway shape of form, has its own magic. I am looking for that kindness, Narcissa, for I give it in spades until I am proven wrong," Fleur said and rest her head on Narcissa's clothed shoulder.
"What about Veela and their mates? I am too old to have another child," Narcissa said and Fleur's eyes flashed.
"You are not too old, love, seasoned, yes, but never too old. As for mates," Fleur had to pause and felt Narcissa clasp her hand. Fleur sighed as she felt the death like grip Narcissa had on her hand, "We will have to see," Fleur lied. She bloody knew Narcissa was hers and hers alone, but she will analyze that later.
"Slow and steady, well sort of," Narcissa said with a light contained chuckled. Fleur smiled and nodded.
"We are close Narcissa, what do you want?" Fleur asked as the Veela shifted and slipped her arms behind Narcissa and drew her to her, held the witch in her arms.
"Everything," Narcissa said and then Fleur's entire body seized. Narcissa looked over to Fleur and the woman never moved. Narcissa made to move from Fleur's embrace, but Fleur held her firm. Narcissa paused and then she moved slipping from Fleur's arms, but Fleur's fingers seized Narcissa's wrist and didn't let it go.
Narcissa walked around their chair mindful of Fleur's grasp. Narcissa then held Fleur from around her back in the chair, she cuddled their heads together.
"It's too soon, my love, give it time," Narcissa whispered and then Fleur's grasp loosened and Narcissa shook out her now free wrist. Fleur flew to her feet. Her eyes almost navy and her magic fluctuating.
"I am so sorry," Fleur gushed as she watched Narcissa shake out the wrist she held in a vice like grip.
"Fleur, its fine," Narcissa smiled to her, but Fleur watched Narcissa's wrist slowly become redder.
"No," Fleur then looked to Narcissa, "It is not. I am sorry," Fleur didn't apparate, as much as she shimmered into nothingness.
Narcissa lunged out for the woman, wanting to keep her close, tell her everything was fine, but she slipped through her fingers.
"Dio!" Narcissa yelled and there was a small tiny almost silent pop.
"Mistress?" he asked.
"Seal off the house. No one in and no one out just as Miss Fleur's prerequisite, but I want a way to come back from time to time," Narcissa looked around, "I think I am going to need it. Now please take me to the where Fleur …. appeared last, please," Narcissa rattled off her instructions. Dio closed his eyes, and then he held out her hand.
In an Office
"How in Merlin did you … shimmer in here, lass?" Minerva asked as she sat before her fire with a tumbler of whiskey in her hands as Fleur stood out of nowhere, looking around as if lost.
"Oh my god it worked," Fleur said and then looked to the Headmistress, and then remembered why she was back the way she had come.
"I hurt her," Fleur said, and Minerva stood and placed the tumbler into Fleur's hands. Fleur took it and downed it in three massive gulps, and then winced.
"That was a lot of whiskey, Minerva," Fleur wheezed as the burn made it down her throat and into her belly.
"Aye well survive three wars, and see how you will take your nightcaps," Minerva said as she turned one of her chairs as Fleur's knees wobbled and Fleur dumped into the chair.
"What in ze world waz in zat glass?" Fleur asked as her French accent came to the surface.
"Oh dear, are you drunk?" Minerva asked shocked and amused.
"She is not aware of the McGonagall Label's potency, Minerva."
"Aye lass, I'll take her to her quarters," Minerva said as she eyed Fleur, but Narcissa's hand landed on Minerva's shoulder with a soft clap.
"I'll take her," Narcissa said looking down on Fleur who looked straight into Narcissa's blue eyes.
"She said she hurt you," Minerva said and Narcissa shook her head.
"She held my wrist too tightly while her Veela was too close to the surface," Narcissa said.
"And prey tell why was her Veela close to the surface?" Minerva growled. Sometimes these Black sisters were the most glorious people, and then the most malicious.
"I told her I wanted everything, and then went to slip from her when her body tensed," Narcissa said truthfully in a soft tone, as she still looked into Fleur's softer blue, "Dearest I believe you are drunk after what you just drank," Narcissa said as she stepped to Fleur as she held out her hand.
Minerva sighed thankful and then rolled her eyes. She accioed a plain quill and wove her wand over it.
"That will admit you entrance if she is enable of getting you through the portals. Now, off with you," Minerva shooed.
Narcissa looked to the headmistress with a soft smile and then held out her hand once more.
"Come Dear, lets get you to bed," Narcissa smiled as Fleur practically threw her hand in Narcissa's. Narcissa pulled the Veela up and slipped under her shoulder supporting Fleur.
"Thank Merlin you are not heavy," Narcissa chuckled and Fleur smiled.
"I am pretty sure I am the appropriate weight when it matters, Cheri," Fleur bantered causing Narcissa to lift her brow, but shake her head with a smile.
She never had a suitor quite like Fleur before. On their long walk back to Fleur's chambers, which she was essentially following Fleur, she had the scoff at herself. She didn't have suitors. Lucius was it for her. She didn't date, she didn't have liaisons, she kept to the code of a pureblood wife so stringently, she realized she never really lived. She quested a look to her right into Fleur's smiling face.
Gods, she hoped this wasn't one of those midlife crises where you look for a younger lover, just because. Then Fleur's fingers ghosted over Narcissa's shoulders, then to her neck sending shivers up and down her spine. Narcissa realized Fleur was walking well on her own, and Narcissa shifted and wrapped her arms tenderly around Fleur's waist, as Fleur's finger's quested through her hair, and along her shoulder to her bicep.
"You aren't drunk, are you?" Narcissa smiled.
"Oh, I would say its in its later stages. Alcohol runs through creatures much faster than humans, and even faster through a powerful Veela," Fleur said nonchalantly waving her hand in the air. Narcissa chuckled. She could easily imagine them on a midnight stroll through the halls as a couple, leaning into the other enjoying the rays of moonlight that seemed to illuminate their way.
"So, you are a powerful Veela. How powerful?" Narcissa asked smiling with a teasing air. Fleur spun the woman and suddenly they were facing the other. Fleur's eyes have cleared mostly, but there was a still traces of Minerva's whisky in her system.
"Never tempt the Heir to the most powerful Veela clan in the eastern Hemisphere, my…" Fleur kissed Narcissa's hands, and then the wrist she seemingly hurt. Narcissa gasped as Fleur's lips pressed to her flesh and left an iridescent blue glow about her skin and then the forming bruise and pain vanished.
"Dearest Dark Witch," Fleur finished her statement but Narcissa was blinking, armor up, steal walls erect. She clamped her jaw for she realized, Fleur had already climbed them. She smiled softly.
"I'll keep that in mine, Dear," Narcissa said carefully. Fleur nodded and then threw her arm over Narcissa's shoulder. Narcissa let a small smile linger on her lips. This was so comfortable. They came to their portrait, and Fleur admitted them. Once into the common area, Narcissa walked to a table and placed the quill on the table. Fleur looked to the door and shook her head with a smile and a sigh.
"It is closed," Fleur said and then Narcissa stood next to her looking at the door.
"Aren't doors supposed to keep people out?" Narcissa asked. Fleur smiled impishly.
"Hermione never closed her door, which means she and another blonde beauty are probably …" Fleur looked for a word.
"Getting deeply acquainted," Narcissa supplied. Fleur looked to her.
"I like that," Fleur said and then pulled Narcissa with her to her room. Part of Narcissa wasn't ready for this, wasn't wanting this, and then a pair of baggy pajamas hit her in the chest.
"Pajama's, Cheri," Fleur said as she kicked off her shoes.
"Why?" Narcissa said but Fleur looked up with those eyes. Sometimes they were lusty, sometimes they were gentle, and sometimes they were loving. In that moment that were none of the above. They were reassuring, yet needy.
"I refuse to let you go, now that I have you here," Fleur said and then turned around and Narcissa's breath caught as she saw her shirt lift over Fleur's head, and then the expanse of Fleur's unblemished back except for a scar over her left shoulder. Narcissa blinked and dropped her clothes and banished them the to corner in a neat pile and then quickly magicked them onto her body. Narcissa stood there in a t-shirt, and a pair of extremely soft sleep pants. None of it matched, but it felt good. They felt good. She lifted the shirt to her nose. She inhaled, then closed her eyes. The smell of sunshine, ancient magic, and mint hit her senses.
"You are beautiful," Fleur said and Narcissa's eyes shot open and they looked at each other, "I just so happened to be pen pals with one of the more beautiful in the world, and she is smart and charming to boot," Fleur shook her head and then walked to the opposite side of the bed and slipped under the sheets. Fleur faced away towards the wall.
Narcissa took a chance. She lifted her feet from the sand and as she lifted the covers she paused then practically jumped onto the bed between the bed. Jumping into the unknown. She lay there and then she looked over to Fleur. She saw her back, her neck, and her head, and then Narcissa took a deep breath and then eased to the middle of the bed and reached out for Fleur. She slipped her right arm under her pillow, and then slipped her left hand slowly over Fleur's hip, and then waist. Fleur's breathing hitched, just as hers did, and then Fleur eased back the remaining inches, and then crooked her knees. Narcissa's followed right behind hers as if the two were bonded at the seams.
"Narcissa?" Fleur asked towards the wall.
"Yes, Dear," Narcissa responded into her shoulder blades where she contoured to Fleur's back. Fleur was a few inches taller than she was.
"I want to kiss you," Fleur whispered. Narcissa's eyes, though already closed seemed to blink and then blink open.
"I want that too," Narcissa whispered after a very long pause. Narcissa watched the woman in front of her and then Fleur seemed to settle completely. She moved into Narcissa, and Narcissa closed her eyes as she wrapped completely around Fleur, her chest to Fleur's back, hips to hips. Narcissa sighed deeply and pulled Fleur tighter to her and slipped her hand around her as far as she could to pull Fleur tightly to her, but it was stopped as Fleur captured her hand and then held to her chest, cuddled like some stuffed animal. Narcissa smiled as it brought her slower to her back, cuddled about her frame, hand nestled near her heart.
It wasn't more than a few minuscule moments when they both inhaled, and then sleep took them wrapped up into each other.