Chapter 31 - Jumping to Conclusions
Lucius had advised Narcissa not to stay for Draco and Susan's first session, much to her displeasure, what hurt her most was the fact that Draco did not really mind, he did not pine for her, no moan about her not being there. Apparently he and Susan Shard got on so well when they met, that Draco was most comfortable about spending the afternoon with her.
Lucius told Narcissa to look at the positive side of this, it will make things much easier and now he can get on with his studies without crying for him mother. Narcissa agreed with Lucius but deep down it still hurt.
Narcissa decided to go to Diagon Alley; she said she would meet Francesca, Myra and Alexia there a little later. Narcissa had begun to spend a lot more time with the other two women now. Francesca was fun to spend time with and Narcissa had never had a closer friend, but sometimes Narcissa needed someone who could talk seriously about marriage issues and children etc. Francesca would slip in and out of these conversations but Narcissa knew she did not really like them.
Narcissa wandered absent mindedly in to Flourish and Blotts, she had a while before she had to go meet her friends and she was always so fond of books. Now there was no Draco tug on her skirt asking to go to the Quidditch shop, or to buy her toys. She had always just got on with it before, now however, she rather missed it.
Narcissa explored the romance section of the little book shop, searching for a suitable novel that would keep her going for a while; she had a lot of time on her hands now without being able to care for Draco 24/7.
However, as she skimmed through a book something in the corner of her eye grabbed her, something pink and garish…something very familiar. Narcissa whipped her head round, she saw a young thirteen or fourteen year old girl running through the shop.
"Nymphadora?" Narcissa spoke aloud, the girl looked around her blue eyes landing on Narcissa, and she scowled and walked off. Narcissa stuffed the book back into the shelf any old how.
"Nymphadora…don't you remember me?" Narcissa said following with her arms out stretched for a hug.
Nymphadora stopped and turned around
"Of course I remember you; you're the woman who came to our house about a year or so ago"
"I'm your Aunt" Narcissa said in disbelief
"You're no Aunt of mine. And I am not your niece. You're a liar…and you broke my Mum's heart!" she said in a burning tone "You said you needed help, and you promised my Dad you would keep in contact with Mum. You're a liar, that's what you are"
"Nymphadora, it had no intention of hurting your mother…and I would have stayed in contact…but its complicated"
"Don't talk to me!" Nymphadora scowled and left the shop.
What had happened? She had not seen Andromeda since that day she left for Italy. They had not even bumped into each other by chance. Narcissa had not been able thank her again; she could not have visited her, not with Lucius being so suspicious of that escape.
So Annie had been brewing these feelings all this time. Creating horrible conspiracies and bad judgment…poor poor Andromeda. Narcissa shook her head.
--
Alexia, the eldest of the four friends, was motherly, mature, intellectual and down-to-earth, she liked everything to be exact and as they should be. She was softly spoken and shy, just as a good pureblood wife should act, like Narcissa, Alexia had an arranged marriage. However, Narcissa knew of no marital problems between Alexia and her husband, but if there were Narcissa doubted Alexia would speak of it. Myra, the second eldest, was rather different to Alexia; she was all bundles of warmth and laughter. She was plump and rosy; her black hair was always styled the same way, crimped down just past her ears. She was loving, smiley, she enjoyed making jokes and laughing at what people had to say. Despite being slightly overweight everyone agreed that Myra was rather pretty, but many say that it was her sparkling personality that attracted Eric Parkinson to her in the first place. Myra also was in arranged marriage, however Eric Parkinson and her had always shared a secret romance during Hogwarts. Francesca stood out from Narcissa, Alexia and Myra. There was something about her so head-turning, it was not that she was just beautiful and glamorous but there was a raw sexuality that emanated from her. There was also a strange wisdom in her turquoise eyes; to say that she had seen things that her friends had not, well there was no doubt about it that Francesca was the least innocent out of them. It was peculiar, as Francesca, was the youngest out of all of them as well.
Narcissa met Francesca, Myra and Alexia in a tea room that the four women were rather fond of. It was rather lavishly decorated with fine white table cloths had large French windows with long hanging, cream curtains. Narcissa could not tell them about the run-in with her niece. Francesca was the only one who knew the details of the trip to Italy, and even she did not know about Andromeda's input.
"Hello Cissy, you're late….that's unlike you" Alexia smiled as Narcissa greeted each friend with a kiss on each cheek.
"Oh…am I? Sorry I had to sort out the tutor" Narcissa rolled her eyes
"Oh the demon tutor! Tell us all" Alexia sniggered
"Can we sit down first" Myra whined "I'm absolutely starving"
"Of course" Narcissa grinned. She watched as Francesca sat her self by the window and interested herself with the contents of her handbag.
The women ordered tea and some cucumber sandwiches.
"So how was she…the Tutor?" Myra asked
"Fine I suppose, she came loaded with books and things. Very enthusiastic…Oh well as long as Draco's happy" Narcissa shrugged
"That's the way to think Narcissa" Alexia sympathised "My husband and me don't always see eye to eye…we put Marcus' best interests at heart and it makes it much simpler"
"Same with Eric and myself" Myra smiled "No wonder people think Pansy is spoilt" she laughed.
"Cissy-" said a voice. Narcissa looked over at Francesca. She was holding the curtain away from the window to see outside "Is Lucius supposed to be at work today?"
"Yes" Narcissa frowned "Why?"
"Because he's outside right now…he's just come out of a shop" Francesca watched out of the window. Narcissa's frown did not slide off. She stood up and looked out of the window with Francesca. There sure enough was Lucius, walking down Diagon Alley, Dobby at his heels holding a parcel.
"What in Merlin's name is he doing here in Diagon Alley?" Narcissa questioned "He left for work today before Draco and I had even eaten breakfast"
The waiter suddenly appeared at the table
"Is there something wrong ladies?" he asked kindly
"No…it's quite alright" said Alexia "But perhaps another pot of tea please"
Narcissa sat down in her chair looking confused. Lucius left for work especially early today. He was a busy man…so why was he now wandering around Diagon Alley as freely as can be, as if he had all the time in the world.
"I don't understand" Narcissa shook her head
"Why are you so worried?" Myra asked "Maybe he's on a break. Whats wrong with him going to Diagon Alley?"
"I know…I just have a funny feeling. Besides, he doesn't have breaks at works. He works right through lunch time and sometimes doesn't come home for dinner because he's working" Narcissa quickly added.
"Ah…I see what this feeling is" Francesca said nodding
"What?"
"You have suspicions about this tutor right?"
"Yes but what's she got to do with it?" Narcissa almost laughed.
"You have a funny feeling about her. Lucius wants to employ her, when from what we hear she is hardly the tutor image Lucius would have in mind"
"Frankie…you don't think-"
"Francesca stop putting stupid ideas into poor Cissy's head" Alexia said scandalised by such an impossible idea. "Lucius loves Cissy very much"
"Does he now?" Frankie raised her eyebrows
"Frankie things are different now to how they were" Myra whispered putting a comforting arm around Narcissa. Her friends had seen the forlorn looks that Narcissa used to wear when seeing them after an argument with Lucius. Such things were not uncommon in the Pureblood world. But Lucius had changed now, he was still rather intimidating and by all means stern. But he had not hit her…not at all…not once!
Alexia coughed
"I hardly think we should discuss this in a public place"
"Right-o" Myra nodded, "lets pay and get to my house…no no no, let me pay Alexia"
--
"Now look at this logically Cissy…Lucius is not going to be interested in a nineteen year old student, teacher, thing is he?" Myra said seriously. Narcissa was still rather in shock. What if Francesca was right. What if Lucius was only interested in employing this girl because she had got on the right side of Lucius. Narcissa remembered what he said last year; about never having affair with another woman. Was he lying. Or had the truth just changed?
"You're right Myra" Narcissa sighed, although she was not really paying attention.
"Well he is rather controlling" said Francesca looking at her nails "Perhaps he wanted a young girl to boss around, now Cissy has developed a backbone!"
"Francesca why did you go and say such a stupid thing to Cissy…she's in a real state now" Alexia scolded. Francesca stood up menacingly
"I'm only trying to help her! If Lucius is having affair I think she should have the right to know"
Alexia blushed. Francesca pushed past her and lean over the chair so that her eyes were at a parallel height with Narcissa's.
"Cissy…you know I'm telling you this for your benefit. The moment you told me about this tutor that Lucius selected I was suspicious. Now he's lied to you about going to work, and we see him carrying some kind of present along Diagon Alley! Put two and two together!"
Narcissa sighed, her eyes fell on the clock on the wall
"Oh no look at the time!" he stood up knocking Francesca out of the way. Draco's lessons finished half an hour ago!"
Narcissa grabbed her cloak from a scurrying house elf (who had brought it after hearing all the commotion)
"Cissy" said Alexia "Don't jump to conclusions" she said wisely
Narcissa nodded sadly.
Well is Lucius having an affair with the strange tutor…or is everyone jumping to conclusions….however…do we really trust Frankie?
MWOOHAHAHA
Am evil aren't I…sorry Narcissa you're life is so much fun to muck up!
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