Chapter 6

The Making of a Peacock

1973 Year 5

One evening at dinner, Gilderoy noticed Professor Slughorn go over to the Slytherin table. He walked up to Lucius who had been laughing with his friends. Slughorn spoke briefly, and Gilderoy saw how Lucius' face fell. He immediately stood and followed Slughorn out of the Great Hall.

Gilderoy wondered what had happened. He didn't see Lucius the next day either, or the next. He found Narcissa in the corridor after dinner, and even though their relationship had been strained, his curiosity got the best of him.

"What happened to Lucius?" Gilderoy asked her.

"Oh Gilderoy," she said, her eyes shining, "his father died." She threw herself into his arms and began sobbing. He patted her back awkwardly. He felt bad for Lucius, but he was glad that Narcissa didn't hate him anymore.

After what seemed like ages, she finally pulled back and wiped her eyes. "Oh, I'm all puffy!" she wailed. Gilderoy thought she had never been more beautiful.

"Come with me," he said getting up and offering his hand to her.

"Where are we going?" she asked as she hesitantly placed her hand in his.

"Outside the castle," he said as he pulled her along.

"We'll get in trouble!" she said, but followed along anyway.

Once outside, she had to run hard to keep up with him. The thrill of risk flushed her with energy. The night air was cold, and it pierced their lungs with each breath. He led her to the top of a large hill and then stopped.

"There," he pointed toward the sky. The moon was full and bright against a backdrop of velvet and diamonds.

"It's beautiful," Narcissa breathed.

They lay on the soft grass looking up to the stars. She reached out her hand to his. He hoped she didn't notice how sweaty his palm was.

She was silent for a long time.

"I wish Lucius was more like you," she said.

"What do you mean?" asked Gilderoy.

"I mean… I feel like I can be myself when I'm around you. With him, I'm always waiting for criticism." She paused, then added, "I wish he cared more about his appearance. I mean, he has nice clothes and all, but have you seen his skin lately? He won't even take the time to use a simple blemish control charm in the mornings."

"I understand," said Gilderoy. It was beyond him how some people wouldn't make the effort to look their best every day.

After a time, they stole back to the castle. Narcissa squeezed his hand before turning toward the Slytherin common room. He floated up the steps to the Ravenclaw tower, never feeling his feet touch the floor.

"You really shoot for the moon, don't you?" said Quirinus in their room. "I mean, come on, it's Narcissa Black! She's a seventh year, comes from a prestigious pure-blood family, and is pretty much engaged to Lucius Malfoy - who, might I add, ALSO comes from one of the most powerful pure-blood families in England. You're really setting yourself up for disappointment."

"You don't know that," said Gilderoy as he pulled his covers over his head then smiled at the image of Narcissa's face behind his closed eyes.

Lucius returned to school the next week. He had dark circles under his eyes and was in a constant surly disposition. Narcissa fell back into her role as dutiful girlfriend, and did not have time for Gilderoy anymore.

After a few weeks of no contact at all with Narcissa, Gilderoy couldn't stand it anymore. He couldn't just let her go - and to Lucius no less. He had to try.

At afternoon break, he saw her in the courtyard and strode over in earnest. Narcissa saw him coming and locked eyes with him. They were filled with worry, and just before he reached her, Lucius seemingly came out of nowhere and placed his arm possessively around her shoulders. She shook her head almost imperceptibly at Gilderoy - willing him to turn around and walk the other way. He couldn't do it. He had to try.

"What do you want, Curler-Boy?" Lucius sneered in irritated derision.

"I want to speak with Narcissa, if you don't mind," Gilderoy held his ground.

"Well, she doesn't want to speak to you, now off you go," Lucius dismissed him.

He turned to Narcissa. "Narcissa please…"

"Gilderoy stop," she breathed darting her eyes warily toward Lucius.

Gilderoy continued on, "Don't let him decide who you can and can't talk to. We used to be friends." He became more desperate, "I miss our time together… I lov-.."

Lucius stepped in between them and shoved Gilderoy back hard. "Shut up, Mudblood! Don't you dare try to present yourself as equal to my girlfriend!" He shoved him back again even harder, and Gilderoy stumbled backward and fell down. "You're filthy!" He kicked him in the stomach. "You're unclean!" Kick. "How dare you try to tarnish the Black family name…" Kick. "And by proximity, the Malfoy family name!" Kick, kick, kick.

Gilderoy had stopped moving.

Narcissa began sobbing, but would not come to his aid. When Lucius had finished, he grabbed her arm and stormed off.

Quirinus ran forward and knelt by Gilderoy, "Someone get help!"

The next day, Gilderoy woke up in the hospital wing. Thanks to the excellent care of the nurse, his body was nearly mended, although his heart still ached.

"You're free to go," said the nurse sweetly. "Try to stay out of trouble, dear."

He trudged back toward his common room. As he passed an empty classroom, he heard Narcissa's voice call out to him softly. His spirits lifted and he quickly slipped inside the room. Narcissa closed the door behind them and warded the door.

"I can't see you anymore."

"What? What do you mean?"

"I'm to be married, Gilderoy," she said turning away from him.

His face fell. He knew it was coming. Knew that her marriage had been arranged for many years. But it still hurt. He stepped up close behind her, so close that his chest touched her back. He felt her body start to relax as she leaned into him. She felt like comfort and home and warm sunshine.

"Narcissa…" he started, brushing his hand against her arm. She immediately stiffened again.

"I can't," she strangled out as she rushed out of the room.

Diane

The money stopped coming. At first she thought it was a simple banking error. But then the next month's deposit never came either. After 3 months of no income, she realized it couldn't have been an error. She had no way to get in touch with Gilderoy's father either. She went to the bank to inquire and was told that the contributing account had been closed due to the account holder being deceased. She covered her mouth in horror.

For the first time in 15 years she didn't know what to do. She didn't know how she was going to support herself and her son. She had no marketable skills being a socialite.

I will not let my son suffer, she thought to herself. And with fierce determination, she went to her vanity and began packing what remained of her beauty products to send to Hogwarts. A mother's sacrifice.