Chapter 4 - A Way Out
TWO YEARS LATER
Narcissa slicked back her three-year-old sons hair with gel and did up his little black tie. She then dusted off the bits of dirt on his white shirt with her fingers, in a motherly kind of way. Draco was babbling away about many different things, as a child does. He was very excited for tonight; they were having a party. Many wealthy influential pureblood families came for this annual get together, ever since Lucius had been cleared of all Death Eater charges he had bought his way through the Ministry to high position. Through both money, networking and black mail. Lucius organised this annual party (as well as several others through out the year) to entertain and schmooze with important people. Thankfully they brought their children along too. At least they kept Draco company.
"And Mummy, is Blaise coming and and and I'm going to show him my new toys and and…" Draco was positively jumping up and down with excitement
"Shh calm down Draco" said Narcissa laughing; she stroked his cheek "you look very handsome she said hugging him
"Narcissa" came a cold voice from behind her, Narcissa took a deep breath and stood up straight turning around and facing her husband. Lucius was as formidable and cold as he had always been, except now he was a respected person and not despised by society. For some reason Narcissa found this even worse than his Death Eater days. "I have something for you my dear" he said tantalizingly
Narcissa raised her eyes questioningly
"What is it?" she asked
"Come" he said holding his arm out to lead her out of the room. Narcissa walked forward towards her husband, but she turned her head back to her son when near the door.
"Play with your toys for a while Draco, just don't get too messy" she said and left the room.
Lucius led her across the hall way and into her bedroom.
"Sit down in front of your mirror and close your eyes" he whispered
Narcissa looked bemusedly at him but knew better than to answer back. She walked forward, her long dark violet, taffeta, dress rustled around her as she sat at the stool in front of her mirror. She then closed her eyes and waited apprehensively for Lucius to make his surprise known.
She felt something cold and heavy touch her chest and then clasp around her neck. Narcissa shivered from the weight and the cold.
"Open your eyes"
Narcissa opened her eyes and looked into the mirror ahead of her. She gasped. Lying across the top of her chest and around her neck was the largest and most glittery diamond necklace she had ever laid eyes on. She sat watching it sparkle hypnotically over her bare pale skin, the ornate patterns the diamonds were in reminded Narcissa of the rose garden during winter.
"Well then?" asked Lucius. Narcissa looked up at him her eyebrows raised, the only thing she could think of to say, was;
"Why?"
The smirk dropped from Lucius' face.
"Why what Narcissa?" he said even more frigid than before
"Why did you get me this?" she asked, the moment the words left her mouth she regretted saying it.
"I thought it would suit you tonight…the finest diamonds on that elegant neck" he brushed his hand against her face. Narcissa closed her eyes and awaited a blow.
The bell of the house chimed. Lucius let his hand drop from her skin "The guests have arrived, get down stairs immediately." He turned from the room and shut the door behind him.
Narcissa took another look at herself in the mirror. She certainly did look elegant tonight. Her looks had never been that of a rare exotic flower but they were amiable enough tonight. Her eyes were a light sky blue, which contrasted heavenly against her soft pale ivory skin, although she often found the paleness sickly and pallid looking. She had styled her white blonde hair up into a Grecian bun with small curls framing her oval face. Her lips were stained with the usual crimson lipstick, which she relied on always. Narcissa sighed as she looked at the necklace again. She touched the heavy diamonds with the tips of her long thin fingers. She decided to go down stairs to greet the guests.
"Mr Malfoy, Mrs Malfoy, such a pleasure" chimed the large Ministry official "You know I always look forward to your parties, I was telling Veronica the other day how wonderful the Malfoy Manor is, didn't I Veronica?" he burbled to a large witch, who was his wife, next to him. She nodded her round chubby head
"You look charming today Mrs Malfoy, that necklace is out of this world, where did you get it?" She asked her beady little eyes fixed on the diamonds
"Oh it was a gift from Lucius, I received it just before the party"
"Oh you lucky thing, I can't remember the last time Fredrick got me a present like that" the couple laughed "Now where's little Draco I've got him a present" said Veronica looking over the crowds of people who were gossiping and laughing over wine through the large hall. The two people disappeared amongst the crowd. Narcissa turned to the next guest and was filled with a very pleasant surprise
"FRANKIE!" she exclaimed. In front of Narcissa stood a beautiful witch. She had light brown skin, turquoise blue eyes and long black curly hair that was piled up and held with gold wires. Her high cheekbones emphasised her smiling poutey lips. She wore a tight body hugging gold dress, which framed her glamorous, elegant figure. Next to her stood her three-year-old son, his looks were similar to hers…in a child like way.
"Cissy darling" she grinned and embraced her friend. Francesca Zabini and Narcissa Malfoy were the best of friends; they had been ever since their first day at Hogwarts.
"Hello Francesca" Lucius chanted taking her elegant hand and kissing it
"Yes hello Lucius" Francesca flicked her hand away from him and turned back to Narcissa. Lucius sneered and turned back to other entering guests. Narcissa never knew how Francesca had always behaved so bravely in front of Lucius, when others would cower before his feet.
"How have you been?" asked Francesca
Narcissa sighed, last time she spoke to Francesca; Lucius had hit her in front of Draco for answering back to him.
"Better…I've been much better"
"And how is Draco?" she grinned revealing very even white teeth
"Oh very excited, he's been looking forward to this all week, and you Blaise…Draco has been looking forward to seeing you…oh look here he comes" Narcissa saw her tiny blonde son running through the room in between the finely dressed guests towards Francesca, Blaise and herself.
"Hello Draco" Francesca said and kneeling down and hugging her Godson.
"Hello Auntie Francesca" he grinned, "Can I play with Blaise?"
Francesca nodded Draco immediately grabbed Blaise's hand and ran with him through the room.
"Its so good that they get along, come on lets get some Elf made Champagne" said Francesca
"Frankie! I can't" Narcissa said inclining her head toward Lucius who was eying her angrily "I've got to continue greeting the guests"
"Oh blow it Lucius can do it by him self," she then tugged at Narcissa's hand and pulled her through the room. How Narcissa wished she had Frankie's bravery. Francesca took hold of a Champagne glass that Dobby the house elf was carrying through the hall. Narcissa followed suit. They continued to walk to the end of the room; Frankie sat down on the window seat and patted next to her for Narcissa to sit down too.
"Oh Frankie, how is your husband?" she said remembering Frankie's recent third marriage. Frankie sipped her Champagne slowly as if trying to think of an answer
"He kicked the bucket" she said inconsequently. Frankie and Narcissa's eyes met and both women snorted with laughter
"Not again, the third husband dead"
"Yes and a third pot of gold for me in the will" she sighed "Now Narcissa that is what you need to do"
"Do what?" asked Narcissa sipping her champagne
"Follow my example" she lit herself a cigarette held in a long gold cigarette holder. She inhaled deeply and lowered her voice "Quite frankly I don't know how you put up with him, he beats you and by the looks of it starves you…I swear you weren't this skinny at Hogwarts. It doesn't take much you know. A few drops of poison in his drink and blame it on a house elf, no one will suspect-"
"He doesn't starve me Frankie…I just don't have a big appetite and don't eat for the sake of it…Frankie…are you implying that I murder Lucius?" She said disbelievingly, suddenly realising exactly what Frankie was saying.
"Look I did it to my husbands, may they rest in peace, and I'm in a far better position than you are, I have more freedom, I have more of my own money, I'm famous"
"Famous? Try infamous…everyone knows you did it"
"Yes well, money talks…and perhaps good looks to"
"Well there you go. I'm not beautiful, I'm skinny and pale…I heard a remark, behind my back, the other day that I looked like a drowned rat"
Frankie suppressed a grin
"Oh surely not so bad…well alright in that case…I could-"
"No Frankie you will not murder my husband!"
"Well I think you're being foolish. Very foolish. Not only to your self, but to Draco too. How long do you think it will be until Lucius hits him? When he doesn't exceed his peers in school exams? When he is disobedient? Lucius won't lay off him because he is his own flesh and blood you know. It will be sooner than you think…mark my-"
"I am not continuing this discussion!" Narcissa said hurriedly
"Fine…but don't expect me to pick up the broken pieces when Lucius has his way."
An awkward silence was held between the two friends
"You're a coward… that's what you are!" said Frankie suddenly. Narcissa blushed
"Yes I know I am…I am the dumb blonde, walk over, ugly, skinny and naïve but I don't care. There are a lot worse I could be…I could be a murderer like you!" She snapped
Frankie stared at Narcissa in such a way she had never done before. It was pure maliciousness and hurt. Francesca got up and left Narcissa sitting alone at the window seat. She felt both young and foolish.