Chapter 26 - Parties, Rumours and Letters
Narcissa watched as her son ran playfully with his friends, miming firing spells at each other with invisible wands. His friend Pansy Parkinson, a pretty four year old with dark bobbed hair and a fringe, decorated with a large pink bow, cheered Draco on and jumped up and down as Draco "fired" his wand at Blaise. Blaise fell over; Narcissa winced and looked over at Blaise to make sure he was alright. The little boy just jumped on to his feet again and continued playing. Narcissa glanced over at Francesca who was chatting animatedly to Myra Parkinson, she seemed unfazed by her son falling over; Narcissa doubted that she had even noticed.
"Narcissa, this is a charming party" said Mrs Flint coming towards her. Lucius was distantly related to the Flints, so although their son Marcus was older than Draco, they had always been friends. Mrs Flint was a plain woman, not ugly, but nothing special. Her eyes were slightly close together and she had a wide shapeless mouth. Her light brown hair had been pulled tightly back in a bun, probably in a vain attempt to look more glamorous.
"Thank you Alexia…would you like some tea?"
"I was rather hoping I might have a sample of Francesca's drink" Alexia Flint laughed
Narcissa's brow furrowed and looked over at Francesca Zabini, she had glass of champagne held in her immaculate hands. Narcissa had not served any champagne. Not yet anyway
"Merlin knows how she got hold of that" Narcissa shook her head "I can find some if you'd like"
"Don't be silly Cissy, just my little joke, tea would be lovely"
Narcissa grinned and poured some tea into a bone china tea cup.
"Thank you dear, well how have you been managing through it all?"
"Managing through what Alexia?"
"I mean through the scandal of course. Witch weekly gave it all a little article the other day, and of course there have been hints all through the magazines and newspapers"
Narcissa's face fell.
"I'm sorry you've lost me…what scandal?"
"Well you know…the rumours. The magazines have been saying things about you running away from home of all the ridiculous things. Why should they wish to destroy your name? What have you ever done to them?" she laughed. Narcissa's eyes widened
"Excuse me Alexia, I need to speak with Lucius about something" Narcissa said hollowly
"Narcissa? I hope I haven't upset you dear, you seem awfully flushed, what's the matter?"
"Nothing I'm perfectly well" Narcissa marched past the woman and over to where Lucius was discussing something with Mr Flint and Mr Crabbe.
"Hello Mrs Malfoy"
"'Mrs Malfoy" they said gruffly. Narcissa gave a quick smile
"Hello gentlemen, Lucius…can I speak with you a moment?"
"Of course, I'll be right back" he said to his friends and followed Narcissa to a space free of people.
"Is something the matter Narcissa?"
"Yes Lucius…Alexia said the magazines have found out about…about me going away"
"Indeed…and?"
"How did they get wind of it Lucius?"
"Narcissa the magazines find out everything that isn't carefully hidden up in politics. Besides, do you really care what some petty magazines write about you? It isn't as if it has made front page headlines"
"I know but…I was just a little shocked"
"Don't worry about it, if it gets worse I will sort something out at the press, and believe me they'll do as I say"
"Of course…now go and enjoy yourself. I have business to discuss"
"Thank you Lucius" she nodded and walked off.
--
"Draco can I have the bit at the top!" squealed Pansy pointing at the marzipan star at the top as Narcissa began to cut the chocolate birthday cake.
"Okay Pansy" Draco smiled. Narcissa could not help smiling slightly. She new Draco loved the marzipan piece at the top best of all. For some reason though, whenever Pansy had wanted something Draco let her have it. Perhaps this was a sign of premature puppy love.
"I want a big bit" Blaise stated holding his arms out wide
"Blaise" came Francesca's warning voice "Don't be greedy!"
"Oh leave him be Frankie" Narcissa laughed
"Yes, you can have a big piece"
All the women and children were gathering over the cake table. The men were still discussing business. The idea of the men mixing with the women and children at a party was near absurd in pureblood society.
--
"Cissy, I wanted to tell you something" said Francesca
"What is it?"
"I've been asked to do modelling, for witch fashion magazines"
"Really? That's brilliant! Wow what a compliment"
"What an opportunity, you mean, there's lots of money in modelling" she said raising an eyebrow.
"Oh Frankie…you're not going to do it are you? Modelling just isn't seemly. They make you strip half naked for these magazines" said Narcissa
"Cissy its art…besides I've got nothing to hide, its not as if I have a horrible figure is it?"
"No but Franks…what will your family say?"
"I don't give a shit about my family Narcissa, they could never disown me…they're too afraid" she laughed "By the way…I couldn't ask with Lucius around but…how was Italy?"
she leered
"Lovely, it was very pretty…"
"-No no no, you misunderstand me darling…how was Italy as in, how were the Italian males. They're rather famous for their looks"
"Oh" Narcissa grinned catching on "Very pretty" she repeated. Francesca laughed heartily.
"But any way back to the subject…you should consider doing modelling too. You've got the body…and the face"
Narcissa grinned
"I'm nothing to you…you're a stunner. Besides, I am the little wife and mother and that's what I'll always be"
"As you wish…but face modelling may a possibility…I could give your name to a few people?" she asked
"No, I mean it sounds wonderful but Lucius wouldn't like it one bit…I'd better stay out of it"
Francesca nodded
"Very well" she sipped on her champagne
"By the way Frankie, where did you get that?" Narcissa pointed out
Frankie shrugged
"You know here and there"
The two women laughed as though they had never had an argument in their lives.
--
"Mummy that was the best birthday party ever!" Draco said as Narcissa pulled the bed covers up over him.
"I know darling. Now lie down" she said stroking his head. Draco lay his head back on the pillow as Narcissa began pulling the bed curtains around him. He immediately sat up again. "Mummy can I have a party for my next birthday?"
"Of course you can Dragon, and the one after that, and the one after that" she said smiling "But for now its bed time…go to sleep"
"Will you tell me a story?"
"Its too late sweetie"
"Can I have a glass of water?"
"Dobby will bring it up?"
"Can I have a goodnight hug?"
Narcissa smiled and sat on Draco's bed and gave him a hug. She kissed his forehead
"Now, its time to sleep, alright?"
"Why do I have to go to bed so early? I'm four now! When can I start going to be later?"
"Well we'll talk about that when your five shall we?"
Draco yawned. Narcissa laughed
"Nightie nightie Dragon" she whispered getting up and pulling the bed curtains shut.
--
"Cissa you have an owl" said Lucius pouring himself and Narcissa a glass of wine.
"Oh," Narcissa went over to the owl stand, a sinisterly black owl with golden eyes squawked at her and ruffled its feathers as she tried to remove the letter "She's my mother's owl. What in Merlin's name would she want?"
It had been a while since Narcissa had heard from her mother. They were never particularly close, and the last time they had met, Draco had been two and her mother was even more of an alcoholic than she was when Andromeda left.
Druella Amelia Bellatrix Rosier Black
Of the Noble and Most Ancient house of Black
Of the Noble and Most Ancient house of Rosier
Dearest Narcissa
My dear, it has been very long since I last heard from you. And I was curious to know what was keeping you so busy in Wiltshire that you could not visit your own mother. I am only floo away after all.
How is Lucius? From what I heard his job at the ministry only gets better and better.
And how is Draco? I believe his birthday is coming up…or has it past? You know what I am like remembering dates.
The main reason of writing to you my dear is to inform you of my health. I am very poorly indeed Narcissa and I am sure that a visit from you would do wonders. So would a glass of sherry, Narcissa thought bitterly) The healers have told me that my condition is most serious. Please reply to this letter darling, and fix a date when you could visit.
Yours affectionately
Mother
Narcissa raised her eyebrows and folded the letter up.
"Anything interesting?" asked Lucius passing her a glass of wine
"No not really. She's just faking sick for me to come visit her again. Probably means that the neighbours are sick to death from listening to her complain. So I'm the next best thing" Narcissa sat down in an arm chair
"You do not think it may be a good idea to pay her a visit?" asked Lucius sitting opposite her.
Narcissa sighed
"Perhaps, then she won't bother me for another two years"
Lucius laughed
"Why don't you like your mother?" asked Lucius. Narcissa shrugged in response
"She was never particularly maternal" Narcissa complained dryly.
"I know the feeling" Lucius replied sourly
"But people often ask me why I am so motherly to Draco…I just don't want to be like my mother." There was a silent pause "By the way she mentioned in the letter that she had heard you were doing well in work?"
"Oh yes, I forgot to tell you" said Lucius brightening up "I've had another promotion. I have my own office now"
"Really?" Narcissa smiled
"My own office, my own secretary…practically a whole floor working for me" he boasted
"Oh Lucius I'm pleased" Narcissa gushed.
"Well it certainly appears that my name has been cleared" said Lucius
"I'll say" said Narcissa.
There was another pause
"Did you hear about Frankie? Apparently she's doing modelling"
"Yes I heard" he said coldly. Narcissa noticed that Lucius had always tensed slightly whenever Francesca's name was brought up. She could not understand why though.
Narcissa laughed
"She told me I should do some modelling"
Lucius looked at Narcissa, his lips thinned
"Don't!" he said "I don't want you to do that"
"No I knew you wouldn't" Narcissa smirked "I told her that"
"Good!" said Lucius strongly.
Narcissa sighed, it was not as if she wanted to be a model…but having the choice to decide might have been nice. Still Lucius was a husband, and she doubted that most husbands enjoyed having their wife's body displayed on a magazine for everyone to see.