Chapter 20 - Tango
AN: I would like to tell you now that Maria and the bed and breakfast is not a figment of my imagination but based on true life, however Silvio and Clara are my own imagination.
This chapter was inspired by my trip to Sorrento last summer, while having dinner outside a restaurant I began thinking about writing Gilded Cage and I thought about this section of the story.( the whole trip to Sorrento to escape Lucius and all). I was contemplating whether or not to include it in my story when across the road I saw pretty young woman with platinum blonde hair sitting on the steps of a shop with her was a three year old boy who was obviously her son. He too had platinum blonde hair. It was Narcissa and Draco in the flesh. I knew then that I had to include this section
Flashback
"Lucius Abraxas Octavias Malfoy, only son of Abraxas Lucian Malfoy and Claudia Marianne Llewellyn Malfoy. Do you take thee Narcissa Amelia Elizabeth Black youngest daughter of Cygnus Theseus Black and Druella Amelia Bellatrix Rosier Black, to be your wife?" asked the minister.
"I shall" said Lucius nodding solemnly. The young seventeen year old bride looked up from under the heavy and ornate veil to take a glimpse at her soon to be husband. He did not seem particularly pleased about marrying Narcissa, but nor did he seem upset. He actually appeared bored as if this was a normal procedure.
"Narcissa Amelia Elizabeth Black, daughter of Orion Theseus Black and Druella Amelia Bellatrix Rosier Black. Do you take thee Lucius Abraxas Octavias Malfoy, only son of Abraxas Lucian Malfoy and Claudia Marianne Llewellyn Malfoy, to be your husband?"
Narcissa took a deep breath and answered
"I sh-shall" came her strangled sob. In pureblood tradition if the bride stuttered with her answers it was an omen for a bad marriage. Several members of the congregation gasped. Through the heavy veil Narcissa could see her parents looking shocked and Lucius' parents looking furious. Lucius did nothing, he stood perfectly still staring directly ahead.
The minister paused and continued
"In this magical binding each of you are required to love and honour each other, to have and raise children in the magical contract of marriage Lucius Malfoy take Narcissa Black's hand."
Lucius raised his hand out slightly in front but diagonal to her direction. Narcissa placed her own trembling gloved hand over on to his. She took a glance under her veil at him. There was no emotion in his eyes. Narcissa blinked back her tears and looked ahead.
"Would the maid of honour please step forward?" Francesca Vayéinne stepped forward, the silver tiara twinkled amongst her glossy black curls. Her cherry coloured maid of honour's dress made her seem more beautiful than even the bride. Francesca did not look seventeen like Narcissa. She did not need a dress and make up that made her look older so that the wedding was looked upon as taboo. Francesca was holding her wand delicately. She began to make patterns which lead into a long silver and emerald cloth whipped out from it majestically. Unsmiling Francesca led the cloth with her wand over Narcissa and Lucius' hands. The cloth bound their hands tight together.
Narcissa gasped. The cloth melted into air
"I now present the Man and his Wife"
Lucius turned to Narcissa and lifted her veil. She could now see him clearly. He cocked his head to one side as if examining her. He smirked and leaned forward and kissed her chastely on the lips.
End of Flashback
Narcissa had been combing her blonde hair for almost half an hour; she had almost gone into a daze. Narcissa looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She had worn no make up today. Not even her red lipstick. All she wore was a simple summer evening dress, a string of pearls around her neck and two pinned on her ears. Even her hair was loose.
"Mummy" came a voice Narcissa turned looked down; Draco was standing next to her clinging to her dress "Where are you going?"
"Mummy's going out to dinner; Silvio wants to show me Italy at night time"
"Why can't I come?" Draco whined
"Because darling its too late for little boys, don't worry Maria and Clara will look after you"
"I'm not little! I want to go out at night" he whined louder
"Now Draco don't start that, one day when you're older perhaps but I'm going to be out way past your bed time"
"I HATE BED TIME!" he yelled
Narcissa winced
"Draco don't shout at me it's not polite!"
"Daddy shouts at you"
Narcissa threw her self down to Draco height and looked at him almost murderously
"Draco! Never ever speak like that! Yes Daddy shouts and me, and do I like it, no I cry. I cry when I'm upset! Just like you do! You cry when Daddy or I shout at you, I cry when you or Daddy shout at me! Do you want me to cry Draco? I sincerely hope not!"
Draco looked close to tears
"I'm sorry Mummy" he whispered
Narcissa bit her lip
"I know you are, now are you going to be a good boy for Maria and Clara?" Draco nodded "Good" she kissed his head softly.
--
Narcissa sat at the table opposite Silvio, the town centre was very pretty indeed. There were little shops everywhere selling all kinds of trinkets, jewellery, candles, scarves, hats, ornaments. Little restaurants surrounded by tiny lights which reminded Narcissa of the fairies that covered the Christmas tree at the Manor. Narcissa looked over at Silvio, his eyes were fixed on Narcissa and he was smiling slightly. Narcissa blushed and leaned forward slightly.
"You're staring again" she said well naturedly.
Silvio looked at away and grinned
"I can't help looking at you, you're so beautiful"
"And married and unavailable Silvio" her smile dropped from her face and she glared at him.
"Does that stop me looking at you?" he asked viciously. Narcissa raised an eyebrow "I'm sorry" he finished "I didn't mean to snap at you…but you're like a white witch enchanting me your looks"
"I'm sorry Silvio. I've just been thinking about my husband today and…well I suppose I feel guilty"
"Narcissa, what have you got to feel guilty about?" he asked
"Well all of this, dinner, wine, you saying sweet nothings it does sound a little bit like a date doesn't it"
"Have you been thinking of it like that?" he asked. Narcissa was take aback.
"I suppose…I suppose I have" she said
"Then I suppose that does make it a 'date'…at least in your eyes…and mine"
Narcissa blushed and a tear ran down her face.
"Narcissa, why are you crying? I'll take you back to my Mother's house if you want"
Narcissa sniffed
"Don't be silly, you've got to show me Sorrento at night" she said putting on a wide smile.
Silvio grinned and looked around, there was a little band playing tango music on the side of the road. A wooden floor had been set up and a few people were dancing.
"Would you like to dance Narcissa?"
"Will the table be kept free?" she asked
"Of course" he said holding out his hand as he got up. Narcissa stood up and took his hand as he led her to the dance floor "You know tango?" he asked as he placed one hand on her waist and the other with her hand.
"I learnt it in my youth" she said
"No, this tango, we have to be a little bit close, like this" his hand on her waist pulled her right forward so that their faces were almost touching. Silvio led her as gracefully as any trained dancer could; Narcissa's heart was pounding with their proximity. The feeling of his hands around her waist made her fingers tingle, the feeling of his breath near her neck made her want collapse on the floor with passion.
Silvio span Narcissa away from him and dragged her back spinning so that her dress whipped around her legs like waves on the sea. Their knees swept past each other, sending little tremor's up Narcissa's spine.
The music ended but Narcissa and Silvio did not part, their faces were still incredibly close to each other's. Before either of them could protest a force pulled their lips together into a perfect kiss.
--
"So she's been living with muggles?" asked Lucius shocked. The tall black woman nodded and looked out the window.
"It's not so bad" she mused "This will make it much easier to find her"
"I still can't believe she went to that sister of hers. Narcissa's never been one to rule out family tradition" Lucius shook his head. Francesca smirked and sipped her wine.
"Well, she's always been sentimental hasn't she, Cissy probably thought it would be some grand adventure if was reunited with her" Francesca explained, she picked up a piece on the wizard's chess board. The little figurine struggled in her strong grip until it began to chop itself up with its own sword. Francesca laughed cruelly and dropped it back onto the board while it nursed its limbs.
"I suppose I don't know Cissy all that well" said Lucius tiredly. He had had quite enough of Francesca being around for the past few days. Lucius was unsure how his wife could stand the woman, they were so different. After Francesca's little stunt, Lucius knew that he had to find Narcissa, Merlin knew what she would do next…the famous honey trap of Francesca Zabini? He could find himself dead if he did not keep on the right side of her.
Francesca placed her cigarette holder in her mouth, inhaled and exhaled so that the smoke swept gently out of her mouth.
"Well when you get her back, things will go back to the way they were. You have your heir, I have my best friend, you have your wife, we're all happy" And I have my revenge, thought Francesca. The moment Cissy comes back to the Manor, Lucius will go back to the way he was, then Narcissa will have no choice but to kill him. Then I would have one that ridiculous argument we had. Francesca Zabini always wins.
"Francesca don't be an idiot, things won't ever be the same"
Francesca almost choked on her cigarette smoke.
"Pardon Lucius? What won't be the same?"
Lucius got up and poured some more wine into his glass.
"I've been reviewing the situation for the past couple of days. I've treated her badly, I've treated her like a mudblood and a woman like Narcissa doesn't deserve that"
Francesca was furious, now her plan was going her way. She needed to hit him where it hurt
"Are you going soft on me? Who'd have thought that Lucius the death eater would have feelings? Why don't you by her some roses while you're at it and a new broomstick for Draco too?" she taunted
Lucius glared at Francesca with his cold grey eyes, even she felt slightly uneasy, although she would never show it.
"I thought you wanted your friend to be happy?" said Lucius raising an eyebrow.
Francesca chewed her bottom lip slightly; it was very uncharacteristic of her
"I do Lucius" she said turning her face to its usual haughty expression "I just never thought you'd be so…loving" she smirked
Lucius rolled his eyes
"Very well Francesca, you've given me the information, you can leave now" he said marching over to the door and opening it for her.
Francesca looked Lucius incredulously
"Who do you think I am? A bloody spy?" she asked. "Who are you to throw me out of your house?"
"Well that's just it Frankie, it's my house, and you're no longer welcome. Narcissa can invite you as much as she likes…but for me…you've outstayed your welcome. Not once since Cissy has gone have you behaved civilly in my house. Please leave!"
Francesca walked up to Lucius so they were almost touching. She said very clearly, enunciating each word "Well I supposed that's why you married a push over Lucius…and not me" she stubbed out her cigarette in his wine glass and left the room. Not once did they take their hate filled eyes off each other until the door was closed behind her.