A/N: First off I'm really really sorry that this took so long for me to put up. My muse has been on extended vacation as of late but my inspiration has finally returned. Second, I want to say how thankful I am to all the people who have read/faved/added/reviewed this story. Particularly ,I would like to thank BelhavenOnTap for being the very first to review and who has reviewed every chapter since. Also major kudos to MalfoyFanatic who made a banner for the fic on . Now, I realize that this is not one of the more popular fics here on the site but that won't stop me from writing. If at least one person enjoys the story, that inspires me to keep on writing as far as my imagination will allow. I even appreciate the lurkers out there who I know are reading but aren't reviewing...I have the all seeing power of reader traffic! I know people are reading...they're just not reviewing. Anyway, blabbing as usual...Here it is...
Chapter Six
Lucius walked the halls of Malfoy Manor, taking long strides along the stone floors adorned with elaborate emerald green carpet. Enchanted moving portraits and elaborate tapestries adorned the walls and exquisitely beautiful sculptures could be found down every corridor. The manor was in every way possible, a shrine to everything pureblood and Slytherin. It showcased the wealth and power of the illustrious and feared Malfoy name.
Tonight was New Year's Eve and all the servants were scurrying about having everything prepared for the ball that evening. Not desiring to be any part of his wife, Narcissa's painstaking plans, he eluded himself to walking the halls aimlessly. Well, not aimlessly. Lucius Malfoy never did anything aimlessly. There was always a purpose to his actions, an end to his means. In this particular case, he had set aside this time to simply think.
Think.
He did so much of it these days.
His mind wandered to thoughts of what had transpired the other night, of what he had done for the Dark Lord. He tried to push the memories away, disgusted that he had been forced to touch a halfblood…
Disgusted? That's a bit of an exaggeration…
Although he pushed himself to forget, he could not. He saw her face everywhere he went. Knowing for certain that it wasn't guilt or remorse, he thought himself incapable of that, he tried to figure it all out. But the answers continued to elude him.
He made his way down the corridor of the east wing, the heels of his black boots clicking on the stone floor. His posture was stiff, his back perfectly straight. He stopped for a moment to look out one of the many windows that lined the hall. The weather outside was gloomy, with drizzles of icy rain pouring from the clouded sky. He stared out at the large expanse of his property and at the moors that loomed in the distance.
It was a strange feeling that he was experiencing. How could it be remorse when he barely even knew the girl? When he hated her and couldn't stomach the very essence of her being. Her insolence, her defiant obstruction of everything the wizarding world should be, but clearly wasn't because of people like her. It sent such boiling anger through his body just thinking of her and what he had been forced to do.
One thing was certain. The embarrassment was unbelievable. He knew that whisperings of that night would go through every rank of the Death Eaters. After a few moments, he decided to go to the library. Some sort of book, any book, would be a good way to get his mind off of the recent events.
He turned the brass knob and the dark mahogany door creaked as he went inside. The library was massive, with shelves upon shelves of books of every subject lining all four walls from the ground up to about a foot from the ceiling. To his left was a fireplace with a roaring fire. The marble of the mantle shone brightly as the flames danced and crackled leaving faded reflections on the shiny black exterior.
He made his way across the white marble floor to the far side of the room and poured himself a glass of fire whiskey. After a very brief moment of contemplation, he came to the conclusion that the fire whiskey would be more soothing than all the books in the library combined.
The ember liquid soothed the outline of his parched mouth and he licked his lips slightly, savoring the taste. After gulping down the rest of the glass, he lifted the glass bottle to pour himself a second.
"You know you shouldn't drink too much of that, it tends to creep up on you."
Lucius didn't bother to turn, nor did he stop pouring his drink, for he already knew whose voice had spoken.
"You make yourself too much at home in my manor, Severus. I was unaware my alcohol consumption was of any concern of yours."
Severus Snape rose from a green armchair near the fireplace. His face was worn ragged and pieces of his shoulder length black hair hung in front of his eyes. There was an unnatural smile on his face that he always put on when trying to appear friendly. It did not suit him well to say the least. Severus Snape was by no means a friendly person.
"Well we cannot have the master of Malfoy Manor dru…ehm not functioning at his very best on the night of the New Year's Ball, now can we?" said Snape sarcastically.
Lucius glanced at him as though quite bored and sat down at his desk, drink still in hand.
"So…"said Lucius smugly.
"…What do you want?"
Snape looked at him with mocked surprise.
"Must someone want something besides simple conversation with a dear old friend?"
Lucius couldn't help but suppress a snort at that comment, however uncharacteristic of him it might have been.
"I would prefer that you give me the message you have been sent here with and be on your way…"
The thin fake smile on the face of Snape quickly melted.
"You would do well to remember, Malfoy, that I am no longer a measly foot soldier. I have been of considerable assistance to the Dark Lord, as of late."
His words were controlled and said with great emphasis as he spoke.
Lucius' lip curled as he sat back in his chair.
"So you have...so you have…Now again I ask. What do you want from me?" he drawled.
Snape smoothed back his greasy black hair then stepped over towards the desk.
"I think it is time that I am shown the respect I deserve. You have great influence in the Ministry and a few whispers in the minister's ear would go a long way on my behalf."
Lucius finished gulping down the rest of his whiskey and set the glass back on the desk. He then stood up and began to pace.
"Oh sudden political ambitions have we now? Do tell me why on Earth I would want to help you." he said, his eyebrow rose mockingly.
"Because I have earned it!" Snape said impatiently.
"Oh really? And what have you done? Betrayed all of us to your beloved Dumbledore? I must say Severus; you do like to play both sides of the fence…"
"I have given consistent and valuable information where all the others have failed by penetrating the Order of the Phoenix. No Death Eater has gone as far as I have into their ranks."
"Yes, but one must also wonder what exactly you have done to convince them of your loyalty…"
His stormy grey eyes flashed as he spoke.
"After all you do have a rather dodgy background…"
Snape's eyes looked as though they would pop out. He walked over and stood threateningly close to Lucius.
"You will show me the respect I deserve. If not now, then verysoon…"
Lucius, clearly not the type easily intimidated, did not back down in the least.
"Well no matter how much respect you think you deserve, you will still be the same halfblood traitor you have always been…" he said through clenched teeth.
Snape was beginning to fume as he stormed off heading for the door. It was when he reached it that he turned to speak.
"Funny…She's a halfblood too…. Isn't she?"
Lucius' eyes widened a little, not noticeably enough to really catch it, but he was rather taken aback for a moment. Memories of that night filled his mind, of when he had held her down and…
He caught himself almost instantaneously and replied in his always calmed demeanor.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."
A joyless smile crept across the face of Snape.
"Oh I think you do…"
Lucius glared, his icy eyes not moving from Snape for even a moment, as though daring him to say anything further.
"You know it's funny what life can throw at us…. Especially to people like you, Lucius."
With that he turned and opened the door.
Lucius eyes were wider now, filled with icy fury.
"Oh Severus, you're here!" said Narcissa Malfoy as she walked into the massive library.
The mistress of Malfoy Manor, much like her husband, exuded an elegant yet arrogant air about her. She was rather tall in stature, with long silky blonde hair and soft ivory skin. The dress robes that she wore reflected the wealth that she took pleasure in flaunting. Her dress was emerald green and formed around her slender frame. Complete with silver jewelry, she was the epitome of what a wife of a proud Slytherin Pureblood should be.
Snape smiled and lowered his head.
"Ah Narcissa. It has been too long."
"Yes, it really has. What have you two been up to?"
"Just chatting." Said Snape, not removing his fake smile. He stole a quick glance at Lucius who was now standing next to his wife.
"Well I do hope you enjoy the ball, Severus. Lucius, we should probably go down to the entrance hall. The guests should be arriving soon…"
"Yes we should." He replied as he wrapped his arm around his wife's waist.
"After you, Severus."
He lowered his head in a way that would seem polite, were it not for the conversation the two men had engaged in only moments before.
Lucius walked onto the terrace leading to the gardens. The sound of music and laughter could still be heard but he was undisturbed by it. A soft breeze filled the wintry air and blew gently upon his skin. He made no attempt to warm himself, despite the fact he had no cloak of any kind. Taking in a deep breath, inhaling the clean and fresh scent of the midnight air, he let the winter's icy sensation consume him.
His gaze surveyed the vast gardens of the Malfoy Estate. The pale moonlight and the lights from the house illuminated its expanse slightly but for the most part, the garden was engulfed in shadow. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a figure moving near the trees. He reared his head slightly trying to get a closer look.
For a brief moment the figure appeared in the moonlight. It was a woman. She wore a long white dress that hung carelessly around her frame and had long dark hair. He felt a jolt and his head began throbbing.
That's impossible! She couldn't have…
He pulled out his wand quickly.
"Lumos Maxima"
The spell illuminated the garden but the woman was no where in sight. He started down the stairs and made his way across the lawn. He searched through the trees ever so carefully but stopped, deciding not to go any further.
It was only a trick of the light, or lack of light for that matter. He came to the conclusion that the fire whiskey wasn't helping his nerves either.
But what if it was her? She could have apparated. No, no. That's impossible…
The sound of the massive clock in the ball room tolled loudly signaling that it was half an hour to midnight. He figured he should return inside before anyone realized him missing. Walking back up the stairs, he turned his head one last time. There was nothing…
He shivered slightly but it was not from the cold. Lucius Malfoy was never bothered by the cold.
"I must say Lucius, you and Narcissa really out did yourselves this year!" boomed the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
Lucius nodded his head in that aristocratic way he had about him.
"I'm glad you are enjoying yourself, Minister." He drawled.
He was quite irritated by the short stubby man, but he tried his best to appear polite, polite for a Malfoy that is. It was a matter of great importance that the Minister of Magic stayed wrapped around his finger. It was one of the few advantages he had left among the Death Eaters.
His eyes wandered around the room taking in all the guests dressed in their finest. He saw his wife on the other side of the room, a glass of champagne in hand, the center of conversation. She was always so elegant and graceful with not a hair out of place. He smiled to himself, pleasured by the fact that so many men envied him for his wife.
Standing there as the Minster babbled on, he was then distracted by the ghostly music that began to play. Lucius recognized it to be the Devil's Waltz. The violin played gently then changed gradually to a fast paced delirium then back to its slow seductive pace.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the tail end of a flowing white garment hurry past him. He turned his head abruptly, unknown to the Minister who continued his blabbing to another man. Now he knew he wasn't seeing things.
How the hell did she do it?
His eyes widened and he followed the woman across the room, not even bothering to excuse himself from the Minister. He didn't stalk after her of course; he was a Malfoy after all. Instead, he weaved his way through the crowd stealth fully, still keeping his eyes on the raven haired woman as she headed for the corridor.
The corridor was quite dark except for the lightened torches that lined the walls. There were faint echoes as the Devil's Waltz continued to play, it's infectious rhythm not ceasing to seep through all who heard it. He stayed a good distance behind as she hurried through the house. His breath grew heavier as he tried to suppress the anxiousness that was building in his chest. Suddenly she stopped and went through a doorway. The library…
She had left the doorway cracked slightly making it easier for him to enter unaware to her. He followed closely behind, wondering why on Earth she would come here. He wondered just what exactly she was looking for.
What is she looking for?! How the hell did she escape is what you should be asking!
Her footsteps were quiet, almost silent as she slowly walked around the room. She seemed almost like a ghost exploring a world she had once been apart of. The moonlight shone through the tall windows on the other side of the room, giving her an almost other worldly glow as her white dress flowed ever so softly in her wake.
A sudden wave of emotion came over him as he watched her from the shadows. Rage filled his insides for; she had dared to enter his house, the lowly halfblooded creature that she was. Standing in the way of his cause, practically destroying his standing as a Death Eater….He hatedher. No, he despised her with every fiber of his being. He imagined having his hands wrapping around her neck and squeezing until she couldn't breath. Magic just wouldn't suffice in this instance…He wanted to crush her with his bare hands.
She was near his desk now with her back still turned. The room was very dark and it was likely that she wouldn't be able to see him at all even if she had been facing him. But he could see her perfectly. The moonlight saw to that…
He was right behind her. There was nothing she could do now. His hands reached out, one of course holding his wand. It really wasn't needed, given his physical advantage over her but he never took any chances.
"Find what you're looking for?" he whispered in her ear.
She jumped at the sudden feeling of his warm breath on her neck. Her body shot around in an instant to face him. A rapid rush of pain went up the side of her arm as he gripped it with such powerful strength. She squirmed trying to release herself with her other free arm. It was then that he pointed his wand directly at her head.
"You know it's quite rude roaming freely in a home of which you haven't received an invitation to. Quite rude indeed…" He drawled.
Her dark eyes gleamed with revulsion and a slight flickering of fear.
"And what of killing and torturing? Is that rude as well?"
Her voice was firm and devoid of the fear that he knew lay behind her cinnamon eyes.
The grip that held his wand tightened and he put more pressure as he pushed it to her skull.
Her lower chin quivered slightly at his touch.
"Well, you have really found yourself in a sticky situation." He said with a cold joyless smile.
She did not reply but only pierced him with her fiery gaze.
Hindered by her sudden confidence and attempt at showing fearlessness, he grabbed her chin and pushed her towards the hardwood desk.
He pulled her face close to his and whispered in her ear as though he were some sort of sinister fiend.
"I am going to kill you. No one will even remember your name. It will be as though you never existed…."
Then she did something he didn't expect. She leaned in and whispered in his ear.
"Only you, Lucius…You will remember. I will haunt you and you will never forget…"
Never forget.
Her words echoed through his mind as he stared into her eyes. The feelings of hate and yearning to cause her pain did not subside but were joined by more emotion. His senses were stirring. A few curls of her hair brushed against his nose as she slowly began to slip out of his hands.
Rain and lavender…
The scent of wild lavender and freshly fallen rain filled his nostrils as she brushed against him ever so slightly. He had lowered his wand but still grasped onto her arm. The soft touch of her skin against his felt smooth and supple. He sneered and stepped away from her, raising his wand yet again.
All that he could hear was her breathing. Not even the far of echoes of the music which echoed throughout the manor, just her faint continuous breaths as her eyes followed him cautiously.
The moonlight grew brighter as the hazy clouds that had partially hidden it away slowly faded. It was a complete full moon that now cast its rays through the glass, lightening the room with its almost bluish hue.
His eyes suddenly grew wider in the moon's light, as though he had witnessed a revelation. He stepped forward, almost dazed looking, his stormy grey eyes looking at her as though seeing her for the first time. Treading forward, with a strange sort of caution he came slowly closer.
The smell of rain and lavender, the touch of soft skin, the sound of breathing, the woman that stood before his eyes…His senses were awakened, all except for taste.
Taste…
He wondered what her lips tasted like…the lips of which came such treachery and insolence…Where they sweet and beguiling or filled with fiery excitement? Or perhaps dripping with poison?
They were close now. Very close. As he approached she did not pull away out of sheer curiosity in his sudden change in behavior. He stood there hesitantly for a moment and she watched not knowing what to expect. They surveyed one another until their eyes finally met. Hers of fire, his of ice…
He leaned in suddenly and pressed his lips aggressively against hers. She did not resist but was not passive either, returning his kiss with a matched sense of urgency. His left arm curved around her shapely waste and his right entangled itself in her dark hair. A wave of scorching heat set over him. She felt unlike any other woman he had experienced. Her kiss so dissimilar to anything he had ever felt.
Consumed by such strange and twisted emotions. Filled with an undeniable feeling of pain……
Pain!!
Pain.
He pulled away from her, aghast at a sharp intense pain at the side of his ribs. She pulled away, far from his reach. There was a hot wetness that seemed to be bubbling out of him. It was when he finally turned his head down that he saw the blood. A massive crimson stain seeped through his robes. He lifted his gaze to her once more.
Her eyes were still filled with fiery passion as she held the blade of the knife to her side, stained with his blood.
The burnished sheen of his blood on the knife, the look in her eyes, and the sensation that lead to this agonized pain….He was consumed by them as his cold grey eyes began to close and his body began to fall.
His head throbbed, his eyes itched and his vision was blurry. Lucius raised his head from the dark hard wood desk and tried to take it all in. He was in the library. It was still dark but there was a fire in the fireplace and he was…..alone.
A dream?
It was then that he caught sight of the nearly empty bottle of fire whiskey that lay sprawled across the desk, leaving ember stains on various different papers. He rubbed his eyes and couldn't help but think of what Snape had said…
You know you shouldn't drink too much of that, it tends to creep up on you…
He grumbled at the pain in his neck.
Everything seems to creep up these days. Including things that I should have or rather do have control over…
And her…How could he have dreamed of her? He rubbed the side of his rib to make sure the stab wound wasn't still there. There was nothing.
He pondered why he would ever dream of something like that with her. Of touching her, of kissing her…
And of being filled with a wanting desire…
That feeling of that scorching heat was something he could not forget. It would remain forever edged in his mind. She was something he could never forget.
Her words echoed in his thoughts.
Only you, Lucius…You will remember. I will haunt you and you will never forget…
He scourged himself for ever thinking such thoughts, of ever dreaming of touching someone so darkened and impure.
But cannot the darker chocolate also be the sweetest?
A/N: Yes, I stole the title of the chapter from the infamous Snape quote "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can teach you to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death..."
So what some of you may be wondering is will minds be bewitched? Fame bottled? Glory brewed? A stopper put in death? Well dear readers, you'll just have to read and see...smiles knowingly
What I will say, however, is that the next chapter will contain more action. I don't mean sex, (hmmm...maybe...) I mean along the lines of plot movement and character development...
Reviews are always appreciated!