"This one?" Narcissa asked, holding up a sparkly silver silk gown. "Or this one, Rosie?" She put the gown down and held up a dark green one.
She'd spent the past week mulling over her mystery man's identity. She figured that the man was either a Slytherin or a high-ranking government official. Only that type of man would ask her in such a sneaky and clever way. And, he'd definitely want to keep his identity hidden. The press would definitely have a field day if they dined in London.
Maybe it's Kingsley, she thought with a small smile. She'd always found him attractive, even more so now that he'd been appointed Minister of Magic. She briefly fancied him during her school days before Lucius entered her life. Plus, Kingsley held a lot of influence and power over their community. She certainly wouldn't mind trying to push some of her agendas on him.
Or, perhaps it's Potter, she thought, her smile widening. They always ran into each other at the yearly events celebrating the fall of The Dark Lord. Her face flushed, recalling how Potter's emerald eyes raked over her toned body, admiring her curves. He always looked like he had something to say to her, but could never find the courage. They'd never formally thanked each other for saving each other during the war. Maybe he wanted to thank her now. She wouldn't mind a little one-on-one time with the infamous Boy Who Lived.
"The dark green one," Narcissa's favourite house-elf replied, interrupting Narcissa's musings. "Looks better with your skin tone."
"Excellent choice!" replied Narcissa, flashing Rosie a smile. Rosie's face shone brightly, thrilled to have received approval from her mistress. "Please draw me a bath, and don't forget to add the rosewater," she instructed.
"Yes, Mistress," Rosie dutifully responded before setting off for the bathroom.
Narcissa took a seat in front of her vanity and surveyed her reflection in the mirror. It wasn't enchanted, which was a relief. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear what it'd have to say. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and she felt a wave of nausea run through her. For some reason, this date made her more nervous than the last two. Perhaps it was because she wasn't aware of his identity. Then again, she hadn't been aware of the other two suitors either. But, Draco had vetted them, so she trusted him not to set her up with anyone too strange. Then again, he basically set you up with the two strangest wizards possible!
"Ready, Mistress!" Rosie called.
"Thank you," Narcissa replied. "I'll call you once I'm finished. You can help me get ready."
"Yes, Mistress! Rosie would love to help!" the elf squeaked, her big eyes widening with excitement.
Narcissa stripped off her robe and slid into the tub. The warm water and sensual smell of the rosewater took over, allowing her to relax and push her worries aside.
Thirty minutes later, Narcissa called Rosie to help her prepare for her date. Her nerves had subsided for the most part. She figured she could always make up an excuse and leave if it wasn't going well.
"How shall we do your hair?" Rosie inquired, leading Narcissa to the chair in front of her vanity. The elf's thin fingers ran through her mistress's soft silky hair. She massaged her mistress's scalp to relieve some of her tension.
"Up?" Rosie pulled some of Narcissa's hair behind her head and twisted it into a bun. "Or down with some curls?" Rosie dropped Narcissa's hair and curled a lock around her fingers.
"Up," Narcissa decided after Rosie gave her a few more style suggestions. The tiny elf nodded and set to work on her mistress's hair, determined to make it perfect.
"This good?" asked Rosie several minutes later. Narcissa glanced at her hair in the mirror that Rosie held up behind her head. Rosie had curled pieces of it and wrapped it around a low bun at the base of Narcissa's neck.
"It's perfect!" Narcissa exclaimed. She turned around and flung her arms around the tiny elf, catching Rosie off guard. She yelped before hugging Narcissa back.
Rosie sat on Narcissa's bed and watched Narcissa put on her makeup and jewelry. Narcissa kept her makeup simple and natural. She'd let the gown do all the work. She never needed to wear much makeup thanks to her Black genes.
Rosie held up the dress, and Narcissa stepped into it. Rosie zipped it up and the two stared at Narcissa's reflection in a floor length mirror. The bodice evening gown clung to Narcissa's curves, and the dark green colour complemented her pale skin tone perfectly. A pair of silver open toe stilettos and a pair of knotted silver earrings completed her look.
"How do I look?"
"Beautiful, Mistress!" Rosie gushed, clapping her hands in approval.
XXX
Narcissa called up the image of the restaurant in her mind, thankful that she'd visited it before. She arrived with a few minutes to spare. The mystery man hadn't left her any instructions on how they'd meet. She minced through the crowd that had gathered by the door, careful to keep her dress and toes out of harm's way.
"Good evening, Mrs Malfoy!" exclaimed the host. "Pleasure to have you back!"
"Good evening, Jacques," Narcissa responded, giving him a small smile. "Your English has improved."
"Why, thank you, Mrs Malfoy. Please follow me."
Narcissa nodded and followed Jacques to a tiny table tucked into a semi-private alcove. He pulled out her chair and spread her serviette across her lap after she sat down.
"May I offer you a complimentary glass of wine while you wait?"
"Yes, please." Jacques poured some red wine into her glass. "Thank you, it's delicious," she complimented after taking a sip.
"You're welcome. Enjoy your meal, and don't hesitate to ask for me if you need anything."
Narcissa grew more nervous as each minute passed. She fingered the edge of the white tablecloth covering the dark wood tabletop. She arranged and rearranged the candles on the table to make sure the light framed her face in the most attractive way. She eyed the vase, which contained a single red rose. She contemplated whether to change its colour as so her date wouldn't get the wrong impression.
Please don't tell me I've wasted my time! Twenty minutes had passed with no sign of her date. Jacques returned to check on her a few times and offered her more wine since her glass was just about empty. She declined his offers, refusing to let herself get pissed. Ten more minutes and I'll leave. Perhaps the man had gotten held up due to inclement weather wherever he lived. Or, maybe he had a family emergency. Narcissa refused to believe she'd been stood up.
One more minute to go, Narcissa thought eyeing, the clock. I'll go home, drink a big glass or two of wine and forget this ever happened.
XXX
"Good evening, Narcissa."
Narcissa stiffened, her eyes widening as the man's deep, husky voice filled her ears. She grew a bit woozy after inhaling his cologne. His warm breath tickled her, and goosebumps appeared on the exposed flesh of her upper back. She knew she had to turn around and address him, but she couldn't think or move.
Eventually, her curiosity got the best of her. She cast a glance over her shoulder and almost fell out of her seat upon seeing the man seated behind her.
"Lucius?" she exclaimed, her voice higher than she intended. She frowned, noticing the empty chair across from him. "What are you doing here?" she asked, lowering her voice as not to attract attention to them.
She held her breath, hoping that he wasn't with a woman. She really didn't have it in her to meet his latest conquest. She didn't fancy another meeting with Miss Greengrass either.
"I had a date," he began. "But, that was half an hour ago, and she never showed," he added, shrugging his shoulders. "Quite a shame really… I was growing quite fond of her."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Narcissa bit her lip to prevent a smug smile from forming on her face. "Maybe she's just running late?"
"No… I don't think so," Lucius replied with a soft sigh. He picked up his wine glass, swirled the red liquid around and took a sip. "It's all right. Her loss, really."
"Yes, indeed," Narcissa agreed, her mouth moving a hare faster than her brain. Her face flushed, and she cast her eyes at the dark hardwood floor. She missed the huge smirk that formed on Lucius' face.
"What are you doing here?"
"I also had a date, but it doesn't look like he's showing up either," Narcissa answered, still refusing to look at him.
"May I sit with you?" Lucius inquired. "You shouldn't dine alone."
"I don't know…" Narcissa began. "He may just be running a little late."
"Why don't I keep you company for now? I'll leave if he shows up," suggested Lucius.
"All right," Narcissa acquiesced softly. She turned around before she could catch Lucius' eye. She reached for her wine glass and tipped the rest of its contents into her mouth. She heard a rustle of fabric, and seconds later, Lucius appeared before her. He sat down and spread his serviette across his lap.
The estranged couple sat in silence for a few moments, simply eyeing each other. The last four years had been good to Lucius, and her azure irises roamed over his muscular body, taking in every inch of him. He was clad in perfectly tailored black dress robes. A simple black ribbon held his hair, his strong jawline had a sprinkle of scruff and his grey eyes sparkled in the candlelight.
Lucius' eyes moved up and down her body, taking in her lovely figure. She felt a full-body blush forming and couldn't stop it. It was as if he was undressing her with his eyes. Her stomach tightened, and her heart thumped faster against her chest.
"Excuse me." Narcissa fled to the loo, not bothering to wait for Lucius' response. She considered going home and leaving him behind. Unfortunately, her purse, which contained her wand, remained on the table. She splashed some cold water on her neck, hoping to tame her nerves and cool down. She surveyed her reflection in the mirror, making sure no hair was out-of-place. You can do this.
"Sorry," she apologised when she returned to her seat.
"Are you all right?" Lucius asked, the concern clear in his tone.
"Yes, I'm fine," Narcissa quickly answered, hoping he wouldn't push the issue. He nodded and turned his attention back to his wine glass.
XXX
Another awkward silence filled the space between them. Narcissa occasionally glanced at the clock, hoping her date would show. That was 45 minutes ago. He's not showing up! Tell Lucius you're not feeling well and go home. Yet, she couldn't move. She stole glances at him when he wasn't looking her way. She had so many questions to ask him, but the words remained trapped in her throat.
"May I get you anything?" Jacque asked, breaking the stuffy silence. "More wine?"
"Yes, please!" Narcissa and Lucius answered at the same time. Jacques chuckled and refilled their glasses. Narcissa resisted the temptation to ask him to leave the bottle.
"Ready to order?" Jacques placed a small French baguette and a dish with a small square of butter on the table. "Perhaps an appetizer to start?"
"We'll start with the oysters and steak tartare," Lucius requested without bothering to look at the menu. Narcissa made a small noise of displeasure and stepped on Lucius' foot to get his attention. He briefly looked at her, clearly unbothered by the look on her face. "For our mains, I'll have the boeuf bourguignon and she'll have the trout."
"Anything to drink?"
"Whatever wines work best with the dishes will do."
"Sounds good, Mr Malfoy. I'll put your order in."
"Thank you, Jacques."
Narcissa pressed her lips into a thin line and glared at Lucius. Who does he think he is? "What are you doing?" she hissed.
"Ordering food," Lucius responded with a smirk. "That's what one normally does when at a restaurant, isn't it?"
"You didn't have to order for me."
"There's no need to get your knickers in a bunch over it…" Lucius drawled. "That is… if you're even wearing any. And, if that's the case, we can skip the meal and go straight to dessert."
Narcissa let out a tiny yelp, which didn't go unnoticed by Lucius. He threw a lascivious glance her way to add insult to injury. As predicted, her cheeks reddened, and he bit his lip to prevent from laughing.
Narcissa glared back at him, hoping to covey with a look what words couldn't express. She fisted her serviette and tried to control her sudden urge to slap him.
"All I'm saying is that we both know that you were going to order the trout. You always do. Jacques even knows. I simply saved you the trouble of having to ask for it."
Narcissa opened her mouth to reply, but was unable to due to the arrival of Jacques. He set down their appetizers along with their wine pairings and left after asking whether they needed anything else. Too bad you can't give me a new husband, Narcissa thought as she watched Jacques' retreating figure.
Narcissa pulled the food toward her, placed large amounts on her plate and stuffed it into her mouth as quickly as possible.
"Wow, someone's hungry!" Lucius commented. "I honestly don't understand why you won't even have a simple conversation with me, Narcissa. What have I done to you?"
"You were planning a third coming, and you wanted to use my money to do it. That's what you did," she spat.
"Darling, there's a difference between planning to do something and actually doing it," Lucius explained. "Have you heard anything about another Dark Lord since we separated?"
Narcissa shook her head and stared at her plate, unwilling to see the smug reaction on his face.
"That's because I didn't do it. I could have, but it wasn't worth the trouble," he admitted, hanging his head. "I don't know of anyone else attempting to start another coming either," he added.
"I told you so," Narcissa gloated.
"Yes, you did. Your money remains untouched in your account."
"Good."
XXX
Narcissa immediately relaxed after Lucius' admission. She couldn't detect any dishonesty in him either, which pleased her.
"So, how have you been?"
Lucius launched into a summary about his life without her. She commented on a few things, asking him more questions to keep him talking. He started discussing his latest business ventures, which always bored her. She rested her chin in her palm, taking in his undeniable beauty, which always mesmerised her. He was like a fine wine that only got better with time and age.
"… Business ventures are improving… people are beginning to trust the name Malfoy again…"
"That's nice," she responded airily. She imagined wrapping his flaxen locks around her fingertips and stroking his bare chest, which looked more muscular. Who's he trying to impress?
"Anyway, you do agree that Draco has made a better match, correct?"
What the hell is he talking about? Narcissa made a note to scold her son the next time she saw him. It shocked her that Draco withheld this news from her. She opened her mouth to reply. Luckily, their main courses arrived, saving her the trouble.
"The Parkinsons were quite upset that a proposal wasn't forthcoming," Lucius explained, digging into his dish. "It wasn't as if we'd entered into a contact with their family. Evidently, Miss Parkinson has fancied Draco since their fourth year. But, his heart's set on Astoria Greengrass," he finished, popping a piece of beef into his mouth. He moaned appreciatively and took a small sip of his red wine.
"Well…" Narcissa started, pretending to ponder over Lucius' words for a moment. She cut a piece of trout and popped it into her mouth, effectively buying herself more time to think. "A more neutral match is better for him," she agreed.
"Yes," Lucius affirmed. "I couldn't force Parkinson on him after everything he's experienced. He deserves to be happy. The Parkinsons will get over it. Rumor has it that Flint's boy has his eye on Parkinson's daughter anyway."
"Astoria's older sister is also a lovely girl, isn't she?" Narcissa asked without thought. She cringed, hoping he hadn't heard her.
Lucius shrugged and cocked an eyebrow up at her. His face remained impassive, unwilling to give anything away. Narcissa almost resorted to reading his mind to extract the information she desired. However, she thought better of it for fear she'd see more than she wanted.
"You'll have to meet Astoria. She's a lovely girl, and I'm sure you'll like her. We'll all go out to dinner. The Greengrass sisters adore that French place in Diagon Alley. We can meet there."
Narcissa nodded and turned her attention back to her delicious trout. They continued to discuss Draco, which helped their conversation flow smoothly.
"He's turning into a great man, you know," Lucius opined. "I'm sure it was due to your upbringing. Merlin only knows I did more harm than good."
Narcissa flushed and didn't bother responding to his comments. Deep down, she knew he was right, and he certainly wouldn't have become one of them if she could have prevented it.
"Anyway, you look lovely," Lucius complimented as they finished their main courses. "That dress suits you quite well."
"Thank you." Narcissa positively beamed at his compliments.
"So, how have you been?"
Narcissa told him about her life outside the Wizarding World. To her surprise, he didn't pass judgement over how she'd chosen to live her life for the last four years. He simply asked questions about certain things, mainly Muggle in nature, which confused him. He seemed pleased that she'd reunited with her sister and made close friends.
"Well… whatever you're doing… keep it up." Lucius reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. Narcissa flinched at the sudden contact, but didn't pull her hand away. "You still wear this?" Lucius asked incredulously, fingering her wedding ring.
"It keeps away the unwanted men," she confessed. "Though, for some, it only seems to further entice them."
"I see," Lucius said in a tone she couldn't quite place.
Eventually, they finished their main courses and moved to the dessert course. They split a decadent chocolate mousse topped with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
"Oooh…" Narcissa moaned, pulling her spoon out of her mouth. "Delicious!"
"You've got a little something here." Lucius reached across the table and wiped some chocolate from her bottom lip. Narcissa's eyes widened as Lucius' thumb traced her bottom lip making sure he'd removed it all. His forefinger caressed the soft skin under her chin.
"Thank you," she breathed, trying not to voice her growing desire.
XXX
"Let's take a walk," Lucius suggested once they'd finished dessert and stepped outside.
"Oh, I don't know… it's getting late," Narcissa refused, trying to let Lucius down gently.
"Please, Cissa. One walk won't kill you. And, it isn't safe to Apparate home with a full stomach." He extended his hand to her. Narcissa stared at it for a moment before placing her hand in his.
The strolled down to the riverbank hand in hand, admiring the beautiful sight of the Seine at dark. The dimmed streetlights cast a romantic glow about them. Narcissa's mind wandered to happier times with Lucius, and her chest tightened upon realising that she'd missed him, despite how hard she tried to hide it.
"Cissa, stop." Narcissa obeyed and came to a halt. Lucius stepped behind her, removed his outer robes covered her bare shoulders.
"Thank you." Narcissa put her arms through the sleeves and tugged it around her waist.
"You're welcome." Lucius took her hand and continued to guide them down the riverwalk. In the distance, Narcissa could hear the melodic sounds of a tango. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed couples dancing by the river's edge.
"Dance with me?"
"No," Narcissa replied, wringing her hands at her sides. "I can't."
Lucius pulled her into an empty alleyway. He pulled out his wand and transformed her dress into one fit for dancing. "Please, Narcissa. Just one dance."
Narcissa hesitated before granting Lucius' request. She let him lead her to the river's edge where they took their places among the other couples. Her resolve melted as she stepped into his arms. They fit perfectly together. He confidently guided her through the dance, their movements in perfect harmony despite not having danced together in forever.
Eventually, Narcissa's feet began to ache. She asked Lucius to take a break and he complied, taking her back to the empty alleyway. She flicked her wand over her dress, changing it back to the original one. She conjured herself a shawl and returned Lucius' outer robes.
"It's getting late. I should go," Narcissa said, focusing on the tile wall behind his shoulder. She couldn't bring herself to look at him.
"Will you be able to Apparate home safely?"
"Yes."
"So, I guess this is goodbye then."
"I guess it is."
Narcissa meant to turn away from him, but her body forced her in the opposite direction, moving closer and closer to him. Lucius wasted no time wrapping an arm across her waist, pulling her flush against his body. She tensed and tried to break free of his hold.
"Don't even think about it," he rasped, cupping her chin and bringing her face up to his. His cool grey eyes shone with unbridled desire. "We both know you want this."
Her eyelids fluttered, and she tilted her chin up, silently asking him to continue. Lucius dropped his head, slowly closing the distance between them. His lips gently brushed against hers. His tenderness took her breath away, and she moaned into his mouth. Pleased that she'd welcomed his advances, Lucius gently nudged her mouth open, deepening the kiss.
Throwing all caution to the wind, Narcissa pulled him closer, running her hands all over his body. He walked her back and pressed her against a tiled wall. He removed his mouth from hers and began kissing her neck. He wrapped one of her legs around his waist and pushed her dress up. His fingertips caressed her calf, and she moaned as they stroked her upper thigh.
"No, not here." Narcissa pushed his hand away and dropped her leg to the ground. "Come with me."
XXX
Seconds later, Narcissa Apparated them to her front doorstep. She struggled to steady her hands while she fished around her purse for her wand. Lucius pressed her into the door, allowing her to feel his growing arousal pressed against her backside. He started to plant kisses on the back of her neck.
Once inside, they engaged in another passionate kissing session. They made their way up the marble staircase, leaving behind a trail of shoes, clothing and accessories.
"Do you want this?" Lucius asked, momentarily pulling away from her.
"Yes, Lucius," Narcissa purred, dragging him into her bedroom.