Title: Black and Deep Desires
By: Dr. Kim-chan
Me: (holding the silver remote) Once again I hold the Mighty Silver Remote, this time because of two reasons. First because we celebrate every tenth chapter, and it's the 20th chapter. Secondly, this is the official six-month anniversary of "Black and Deep Desires" ever since its premiere in March! I am very happy! Well, a little sad, too. Besides wanting to go to Japan, I also made it one of my life goals to visit New Orleans for the sheer fact that Anne Rice set up her vampire empire there. Now Katrina's made a mess of everything! Damn you, F5 hurricane! (shakes fist)
Lucius: How are you shaking a fist at a powerful low-pressure tropical system?
Harry: (gives her a rubber stress ball) It's okay. Squeeze this…we're getting closer to the 50th chapter…you're well on your way to setting up your own Lucius/Ron shipping empire…
Plushie: "There's so many sex jokes I can make right now it's ridiculous."
Me: (calmed down, but still squeezing) Oh, that's right. So sorry the 19th chapter was 'blah', but I had to write something to fill in the void. Besides, it's my little retreat from the horrors of the 6th book (not that I'm trying to outdo Rowling. (hides plans of world domination involving archiving this fic)) Little do you know, but almost everything that happened in there will become real important later on. I'm also making the Draco Plushie Deputy Muse.
Ron: THAT potty-mouth?
Plushie: "You're just jealous because you want some Potter booty too. You're already knockin' boots with Father, you nymphomaniac."
Me: At least, I'm considering it. Anyway, this chapter is about Narcissa, and she will in some way speed up the process of the H/D…invariably. This chapter is more or less in the same format as Sixteen. (And P.S. to you-know-who, yes, Harry's a flaming hypocrite, and the flame will only grow bigger.) Also, this chapter answers a question I think everyone's been dying to know since the beginning: why in hell did the Death Eaters storm Diagon Alley in broad daylight? There's only one way to find out! Rolling Chapter 20! (clicks silver remote)
(Begin Chap. 20)
…Meanwhile, the night turned foggy and dismal in the cliff-side valley where the le Fay Chateau was located. Nestled just south of the Scotland/Britain border and protected from Muggle visitation by powerful magic, this was where generations of Morgan le Fay's descendants had lived and prospered. The current family consisted of two children who both attended Beauxbatons, a father who was often kept busy between his job in the Ministry and his duties as a Death Eater, and a mother who was simply well-kept. Meredith le Fay and Narcissa Malfoy had been friends ever since their years together at Beauxbatons. Was the same also true of the relation between Meredith and Bellatrix? Bellatrix had attended Hogwarts, so they never really had a proper chance to meet. When they did, though, there was something about her that made Bellatrix keep a distance, only proving further that more than looks made the two sisters completely different.
Tonight the two childhood friends were sitting in Meredith's lavish parlor and staring intently at the roaring fireplace, as if they were waiting for something to spring forth from it. They were. For over a month, Bellatrix had been coming in by Floo Powder to inform the two (mainly Narcissa) of the latest news among Voldemort's followers. The first night she came, they had heard some peculiar things about Lucius and a man named Callisto Zabini, a man they thought had slipped into retirement forever.
(Flashback No. 1)
…A storm had been howling around the chateau at 9:42 p.m., the minute Bellatrix stepped from the bright green flames into the parlor. She promptly dusted herself off and sat beside Narcissa on an upholstered sofa, with Meredith sitting across from them in a plush loveseat.
"Dreadful night," Bellatrix had muttered quietly, "but I am almost sure Voldemort is initiating his next move. He called Zabini to the house in Little Hangleton to discuss something. I do not know the details, but if Zabini is involved, then whatever he's planning will be unprecedented."
"Zabini? One of the famed alchemists of wizarding Britain?" Meredith repeated in surprise as she sent a house elf to fetch a bottle of brandy and some glasses. "I thought—"
"I thought so, too. The Ministry raid two years ago devastated him. The project he was working on must have meant a lot to him; he announced retirement soon after."
"And out of nowhere he goes back into his old ways just because Voldemort asks him to?"
"He doesn't have to ask; he tells," Bellatrix stated matter-of-factly.
"But what does Voldemort need from an alchemist?"
"I believe it has something to do with the same project the Ministry stopped back then. The last time he spoke to us, he himself admitted that for the next step of his plan to come to fruition, it would take quite a bit of persuasion on his part. However, now…"
Bellatrix trailed off, and her face looked as if she was struggling.
"Something wrong, Bella?" Narcissa asked worriedly.
"It's a personal grievance. The Dark Lord…he is not trusting this plan to anyone, not even myself. Oh yes, he continues to be our guide to victory in this war, he continues to give us instructions and demonstrate his power when necessary. And yet I fear this isn't the same Voldemort I've supported all these years. I fear he doesn't trust us anymore. Is it because of what happened down in the Department of Mysteries? It was not our fault we failed!"
"Please calm down, Bellatrix," Meredith said impassively as the house elf came in with a tray, set it down on the low cherry wood table and scurried off again. With inhuman grace she poured three glasses and offered two of them to the sisters. But Bellatrix didn't take it right away.
"Perhaps it is because he has the wrongful impression that your efforts were hampered by a group of children. I hesitate to go against Voldemort's judgment, but I disagree. The Order and Dumbledore soon came to their assistance, did they not, followed minutes later by the Ministry?"
Bellatrix nodded miserably, a little grateful for Meredith's sympathy in spite of herself.
"I heard tell from my husband—who heard from Peter Pettigrew—that it had been his intention all along."
At this, both Narcissa and Bellatrix shot her astonished looks. Meredith frowned as she became deep in thought, sipping from her glass.
"The peculiarities of all this were unclear. Nevertheless I can't help but feel that there was more to the plan than he let on."
"Don't tell me he distrusted us from the start!"
"I know we should never speak ill of the Dark Lord or what he does, and I don't intend to start now. It's merely my opinion that the Dark Lord is beginning to move with more haste and more secrecy, and in the process he may be directing his eye at only a chosen few to carry out the finer details. I don't know how much in regard he holds the rest of the Death Eaters, but I do not believe he is truly angry with anyone. The first time he vanished, many disbanded and forsook him, and yet those same people are still in his service."
"I looked for him," Bellatrix muttered sullenly. "I am loyal beyond measure. I should've long since earned his trust."
"Certainly no argument. Octavius was also searching for him sixteen years ago. But you should also know better than anyone that Lord Voldemort works in mysterious ways."
"What about my husband?" Narcissa asked.
"Still in service, and I'm surprised."
Narcissa raised her head. "Why should you be? Lucius is just as devoted as you!"
"And yet he failed to recover the prophecy. He was the interim leader who led us to the Hall of Prophecy. Oh, yes, Voldemort may forgive, but this was different. On top of that he was caught!"
"Are you blaming Lucius for Voldemort's loss of faith in the Death Eaters?" Narcissa demanded. "And it isn't as if you didn't spend time in Azkaban as well. Who's to say none of this is just all in your head? It's as Meredith said, Voldemort can't be too upset if he allowed him to return!"
"Indeed. A fine Death Eater, but Lucius Malfoy's a poor excuse of a wizard when it comes to marriage. I told you when you were nineteen he'd be a spot of trouble! And look now; you were the one who had to break him out of Azkaban!" Bellatrix scoffed. "Or have you forgotten why you've fled here?"
"Which reminds me, Cissy," Meredith interceded, "are you returning any time soon?"
"No," the blonde woman replied simply, more or less ignoring Bellatrix. "We're both unyielding, although I am concerned about my son. I know I complained about how much it cost to release him, but there was more to the dispute than the money. I'm not quite sure what happened myself."
Then Bellatrix remembered why she came here in the first place.
"Speaking of your husband—and returning to the matter of Callisto—he's made another blunder. However, this time he was able to turn it into one of our greatest strengths. That much you both can be thankful for. I told you of the attack we made upon Diagon Alley?"
"Very risky, but clever on Voldemort's part. Wasn't it merely a distraction?"
"Yes. Everyone at the Ministry cleared out as planned. As for us, it was luck that Potter and the Weasleys so happened to choose that day to be in the Leaky Cauldron. We were prepared to extend the mission, but the Order and the Ministry swarmed in and we had to fall back. Even then, our men in the Ministry retrieved what they were there for: the confiscated research from Zabini's mansion."
"What did my husband do, pray tell?" asked Narcissa, long past irritated at Bellatrix for badmouthing Lucius. Separated they were, but she knew he was nowhere near incompetent.
"The orders were to not take hostages. In the Leaky Cauldron, Lucius was cornered by both Potter and Remus Lupin, so he had no choice but to use Weasley as a shield and take him with us to ensure our leave."
"Weasley?"
"The youngest son." Bellatrix smiled and swirled around the dark-colored liquid in her glass. "Potter's friend. Yes he disobeyed Voldemort, but we couldn't have asked for a better advantage. In fact, I just came from the Riddle mansion where they were discussing what to do with him. He's been relocated to the Malfoy Manor."
"But why keep him?" inquired Meredith.
"Right after Narcissa went into their account to get the 5,000 for Lucius's release, the Ministry put a restriction on it. Also keep in mind that Callisto never works for free," Bellatrix informed, her voice turning spiteful at the last sentence (she thought it disrespectful for Zabini to ask payment from Voldemort). "It's a classic maneuver. Lucius will hold Weasley until the Order meets our monetary demands. Going straight to the Order of the Phoenix was Lucius's idea, and for once I strongly agreed. Negotiating with the Ministry would've only ended in disaster, especially if we've just finished taking back something from them. Besides, we want to keep those busybodies in line before we topple them in order to get to the Ministry. Right now them and Dumbledore are the only obstacles in our way."
"We must be saving the easiest for last, then. Fudge was never much of a wizard," Narcissa sniffed. "There's strong protest against him. Since the incident in June people have clambered for him to be sacked. With all this fighting among themselves, the Ministry might as well hand over Britain to us now."
"I wouldn't be so self-assured. They could replace Fudge with someone even more spineless, but they could also replace him with someone who could very well turn the tables on us…no, I'm not arguing against the Dark Lord's power," Meredith snapped, already expecting a rebuttal from Narcissa's sister. "We have to be cautious, not overconfident. We never thought a one-year-old boy would reduce Voldemort to almost nothing about sixteen years ago, now did we?"
"In any case," Bellatrix piped up, changing the subject, "I advise you to stay put for the moment, Cissy. I don't know what Lucius plans to do with the boy yet. I'll keep you informed of it, and of Callisto, too. Octavius sends his regards, Meredith, and thanks for the wine."
"Always," Meredith replied. Taking out and undoing the string on a pouch, Bellatrix slipped the cloak's hood back on her dark hair and threw a fistful of powder into the fire. As the flames turned green again, she stepped in and disappeared as quickly as she came.
(End Flashback No. 1)
"There's nothing more to do now than to sit and wait, is there? I swear, the Death Eaters have become too irrational."
Narcissa turned to look at Meredith, who looked rather imposing in her burgundy dressing down despite her younger age and light voice. Meredith folded her arms and kept staring into the fire. "It's a simple task, really. Nothing life-threatening, but still important all the more."
The blonde shook her head, trying not to think of the announcement a grim-faced Bellatrix delivered just two nights before…
(Flashback No. 2)
…"Before I say anything more, you won't like what you hear. In fact, I don't know if I should mention it at all."
"For goodness sakes, Bella, what is it?"
Bellatrix sat down in her usual place and looked Narcissa straight in the eye. "It's about Draco…and Lucius…and you. There's been a lot rumors flying about, all concerning the Malfoy family. Which would you prefer to hear first?"
"Draco," Narcissa answered immediately. "What's wrong with my son?"
"Nothing's wrong. In all truth it's rather good news, and I'm satisfied with myself for finally getting some answers. Remind me to thank your husband, Meredith, whenever I see him again. Are either of your familiar with something called the Malefecium Elixir?"
"No."
"Peculiar. Some of the Death Eaters are heavily involved in the Dark Arts—a few unhealthily so—and not one has heard of this potion. It must be a forbidden subject. I couldn't get everything out of Octavius, but so far I can assume that learning of it, much less trying to make it, is a dangerous task to undertake even for experienced wizards and witches, and only Zabini, out of all the alchemists of our time, have bothered with it. Now he can say he's also the first to finish it."
"Does anyone other than Zabini and Voldemort know what it does?"
"Lucius. He was putting up Zabini for room and board until the project was done, and of course they've been good friends. Speaking of which, we should return to Draco. This Octavius didn't know—I had to force it out of your husband. All the Dark Lord's plan needs to be complete is for the Elixir to be delivered. The target, whomever they may be, is expected to be in Hogwarts soon. Your son's been chosen personally to be the messenger."
Then it was as if Meredith and Bellatrix were watching a horrific car crash in slow motion. The youth which had been ever so slowly fading from Narcissa's face drained away in a mere two seconds. Her jaw literally dropped, an expression of pure fright overtaking her face.
"Why Draco?" she shrieked, her head tumbling into her hands.
"Why are you worrying?" Bellatrix scoffed. "It isn't as if he were initiated, and even if he were, you should be proud! Besides, he seemed excited when he accepted the mission. If Draco succeeds, Voldemort will finally have what he wants, and your son—your family—will be admired above all others!"
"I agree with Bella. It doesn't sound like such a dangerous task," murmured Meredith.
"You both don't understand. It's not the mission itself that concerns me. None of you have children—or children who're becoming adults soon," he added when she remembered Meredith's family. "And Draco tends to spend more time with his father. I've seen how strict Lucius can be; he's been trying to goad Draco into becoming a Death Eater since he was eight! I already despise how Lucius risks life, limb, and Galleon to stay in Voldemort's service. I refuse to let my son be the same way!"
"Are you insane?" Bellatrix bellowed, but Meredith's melodious tone interrupted again.
"Please don't tell us, Cissy, that you'd rather keep your family in disgrace or that you'd rather die than give your son to our master…a wizard who currently has the advantage and who can rid us of the Muggle-borns. He is returning the lineage of the wizarding world to what it once was, which is what we've longed for. No more contradictions. No more weaklings weakened by faulty Muggle blood. Your son holds the key…and you really want him to give up the honor?"
"I would guess so," Bellatrix answered for her. "We haven't gotten to the rumors about her and Lucius. I had word Cissy would try and stop him…by herself if she had to. They're practically accusing you of treachery! I wasn't going to stand for it, so I came here straightaway. Now I see it might as well be true."
"If you had a son who's coming of age and involved in a murder scheme which could very well land him in Azkaban for life I think you'd be upset too!" Narcissa snapped harshly, putting both the other women in their place. "Of course I believe in Voldemort. It's just that I know how disposable Death Eaters can be."
"Well, between the scandal of your treachery and the talk of your son, you may not even want to know about your husband. Zabini had a meeting with Voldemort a while after these rumors began, and as it so happens something fell out the pocket that explains the whole thing."
That was when she pulled out a wrinkled letter. "I gave it back to Zabini…the original, anyway. I used a spell to copy the letter onto another piece of parchment. Here—read it for yourself."
(End Flashback No. 2)
She couldn't believe what she read that night, after Bellatrix departed. The letter was too unreal…
And if it was true, the Malfoys were indeed in more trouble than they imagined…
(End Chap. 20)
Draco: We're in some deep doo-doo.
Lucius: (nods solemnly)
Me: And for our part in the recovery effort, we dedicate this and the next chapter to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. (Plushie salutes)
Ron: Can't wait 'til the next chapter!