"Lucius, will you walk me out to Care of Magical Creatures? You have a free period now."
"And I have no better way to spend my time than walking across the grounds for no reason. Don't you know your way by now?"
Francesca scowled. "You wouldn't be going for no reason, you'd be going to walk with me. I haven't seen you much over the past few days, and you've been acting funny lately," she accused.
"Help her out, Malfoy," Rodolphus called with a wink. "All the fifth years are coming back, and you know how scared she gets of O.W.L kids."
"Shut up, Rodolphus!" Francesca laughed, not realizing the smirk he threw in their direction was meant for Lucius. "If you come with me, I promise I won't make you protect me from any kiddies or beasties. We're studying Demiguises, and apparently a live one was even brought in-"
"Fine," he interrupted, with a swift glare at Rodolphus. "I'll go with you."
She smiled warmly at him, and for the first time, Lucius felt a moment of guilt for how unconcerned he was being in regards to her feelings. She had, after all, been his faithful companion since the end of their fourth year, she'd been home to meet his parents (and they adored her), and, despite the inexplicable draw he felt towards Narcissa Black, it was Francesca who he planned to give his grandmother's ring to sometime in the next year or two. He might find her tiresome on occasion, but she was really the type of woman he needed to spend the rest of his life with: beautiful, loyal, clever enough to recognize boundaries and when not to cross them.
He allowed her to take his hand as they headed across the grounds and she chattered brightly, cheerfully filling him in on Merlin-knew-what social scandal.
"...so she said she had had enough and didn't want... oh, here come the fifth years!" Francesca grabbed his arm in mock fear, then laughed.
Lucius, of course, had already noticed. All of them were moving across the lawn in the opposite direction, past the castle, shouting and chatting amongst one another, and she was there, too; he didn't think he could have missed her if he tried.
Sunshine suits her, he thought vaguely, his eyes following every flick of her long, shining gold hair as she talked with a friend. Her bag was slung carelessly over one shoulder and her hands moved as she spoke, graceful and animated as she emphasized her words with little flicks of those delicate wrists and ambiguous waves of her fingers. And then she laughed, and Lucius forgot to breathe. Her whole elegant face lit up and her eyes, so often cold and aloof, shone with mirth. He could pick the sound out from the indistinct muttering if her peers- it was high and lilting, and he was positive he'd never heard anything so sweet and joyful in his entire life. It was musical and pure, and he never wanted it to end.
Suddenly, her friend nudged her, and her laughter stopped. He was briefly irritated as the other girl whispered something, but then, he found that her bright blue eyes, with their unusually long lashes, were staring back at him, alive with curiosity and a touch of surprise. He held her gaze for only a moment before wrenching away- it simply wouldn't do to have her (or her nosy friend) notice his fascination.
"Lucius? Lucius Malfoy? Lucius!" Francesca finally yanked his arm hard enough to make him take a balancing step. "What the hell, why did you just stop?" she hissed, looking irritated. "I don't know what's with you, but you've just been so out of it lately!"
Lucius was tempted to tell her to fuck off and walk herself to class, but that would necessitate following the fifth years in close proximity back to the castles, and he wasn't entirely sure he trusted himself to do that.
Ignoring the accusation, he grabbed her hand and half-dragged her over to the grassy knoll where Care of Magical Creatures was held, gave her a perfunctory kiss, and stormed back to the Slytherin common room.
"Hey, Lucius," Rodolphus swung into a nearby chair, grinning. It was past dinner, and the students of Slytherin House were scattered about talking and doing homework. The nefarious gleam in his dark brown eyes instantly set Lucius on edge.
"What is it?" What did you do?"
"Do?" he echoed, putting on an expression of mock offense. "What would I have done?"
"Fine," Lucius snarled, "what do you want?"
"You must think me an awful friend, Lucius. I simply come over here to say hello, and you hurl accusations at me."
Lucius did not feel like playing his games tonight. "Alright, hello." He went back to reading. Rodolphus shifted in his seat.
"Well, since you asked, I wouldn't mind a small favor."
"I imagined as much," Lucius snapped his book shut.
"It's quiet in here, Lucius." Coming from anyone else, the statement would have sounded like a mere observation, but there were few things in the world the Rodolphus hated more than quiet and calm, and Lucius knew it.
"Yes, and?" he prompted.
"It's been far too long since we've had a real party down in these dungeons. So here's the deal: Bella and Yaxley are already on the way to Hogsmeade as we speak, to get the alcohol. I asked Snape to make and put a Sleeping Draught in Slughorn's evening drink, so he should be out cold by now. Corvus Selwyn has that record player and Lacerta has the new Hobgoblins album and you know how Pavo can always be counted on for good music too... The only thing is, it's after ten, and we're going to need a lot of food."
Lucius sighed. "And let me guess: as Head Boy, you desperately need me to sneak to the kitchens because nobody else can."
"Not quite." By now, the wicked glint had spread to his whole face, and he looked too pleased with himself and too sinister to be trusted. "See, the thing is, Lucius, we're going to need a lot of food. More than you can carry by yourself, I reckon. It would look just too suspicious for the Head Boy to be out and about with his girlfriend this late, but another Slytherin prefect- well, that's another story."
He realized what Rodolphus was about to do a heartbeat too late; before Lucius could stop him, he called in a far too innocent voice, "Oh, Narcissa!"
"Shut the fuck up, Rodolphus! I'm serious! I don't want-" he broke off his furious whisper when Narcissa appeared beside them.
"Yes?"
"Cissy, I like to think we've always gotten along, haven't we?"
"I suppose..." she began warily.
"You know, what with my relationship to Bella, you're practically a little sister to me!"
This Narcissa did not agree with, but merely waited.
"Do you remember that time I persuaded Bellatrix not to kill you?"
For some reason, this caused Narcissa to blush, and when she nodded, she didn't quite meet his eye.
"I say that was very kind of me, wouldn't you?"
"You could have just locked the door!" she hissed. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"I need a favor in return."
"Fine, whatever you want. Just stop bringing that up, alright?"
Rodolphus gave a feral grin. "Absolutely. Do you know my friend Lucius?" He waved a hand in his direction. Narcissa nodded tightly, but did not look over. "Lucius needs a hand with something."
Lucius forced the images that evoked from his mind and tried to listen to the rest of the conversation.
"He's in a bit of a difficult position, you see..."
Hang on a second.
"And obviously it's very hard for him to admit he needs help with anything-"
"Rodolphus!" he interrupted sharply.
Rodolphus smirked and finally said, "Can you go down to the kitchens and get some food with him?"
"Yes, fine!" She was obviously eager to get away. "Let's go." She turned and headed for the common room entrance. Lucius rose, but leaned over to hiss in Rodolphus' ear.
"I'm going to kill you. I'm going to fucking kill you."
Rodolphus laughed, shoving him away. "Go down to the kitchens."
He had to hurry to catch up to Narcissa, and when he drew beside her, she announced, without prelude, "I really hate him."
"Who?" he asked blankly, his mind momentarily wiped clean due to standing so near her.
"Rodolphus," she replied, shooting him a look that made him feel immensely stupid.
Who was she to make him feel stupid?
"Why did he have to keep Bella from attacking you?" he asked snidely.
"I walked in on the two of them... you know." She flushed.
"No," he replied, deliberately obtuse, "I don't."
She did not respond, and kept walking at a quick pace towards the kitchen. He kept up easily, each of his long, lazy strides matching three of her neat, lady-like steps. They reached the painting of the fruits, and Narcissa stepped forward.
Lifting one finger, she began to daintily tickle the pear. Lucius stared, finding that he was captivated by the way she flicked her finger up... and down... he imagined the faint scratch of her neatly manicured nail against the canvas... against his skin...
"Are you coming?" she asked impatiently.
"Absolutely." He cleared his throat, tugging at his collar as he climbed in after her.
"What can we be helping you with, Miss? Sir?"
They were swamped with eager elves, and Lucius felt his lip curl. He hated the filthy creatures, and waved a hand, indicating that they should back away. They did so, looking about uncertainly.
"Alright," Lucius drawled, "let's see. We're having a party, so we'll need... ah, roast chicken, I think, sandwiches, Yorkshire pudding, fried sausages, chips... crisps, too, and then... some éclairs, chocolate gateau, mint humbugs are always popular... treacle tart and custard tart. Yes, that should be everything. Hurry up now."
Instantly, the elves began to scurry about. Narcissa stared at him in shock.
"There's no way we can eat all that! It's just for our House and most of the younger students are asleep anyway!"
Lucius shrugged, leaning back against the counter and crossing his arms. "It'll be gone by the time the party is over."
"Sir? Miss? Would you be liking anything while you is waiting?" an elf squeaked.
"Yes, please," Narcissa said. "Strawberries, if you have any. And..."
Lucius could have sworn her eyes flicked to him for a moment, before continuing, "And cream. I haven't had dessert yet."
The elves were more than happy to bring her a polished silver bowl of strawberries, and a smaller one of cream. Narcissa thanked the elf and lifted the fruit. She dipped it slowly, and gave a tiny sigh of pleasure as she nibbled at it. "These are my favorite," she explained with a little smile. "Want one?"
Lucius barely heard her. His attention was entirely snared by the way she slowly consumed the berry. Without thinking, he took as step nearer.
And he kissed her. Her lips tasted like sugar and she melted against him, pulling desperately at his robes. Within seconds the heavy cloth was pooled at their feet, and he lifted her easily onto the counter. She pushed her hands through his hair but he captured her wrists, smiling in a way that suggested immoral delights.
"Lie down, darling," he crooned in her ear, holding her knees as she reclined slowly, letting her arms fall above her head as she watched him eagerly. He let one hand slide up and down her thigh beneath her skirt, and the other began to slowly undo the buttons of her blouse. She arched her back, rising off the surface and folding her legs around him to keep their bodies in constant contact at a point that made Lucius's head spin. He finished with her shirt and pushed the fabric away, thrilled to find she wore nothing beneath. He took several long moments to admire the swells and dips of her body, but she moaned impatiently and twisted mercilessly against him.
Lucius leaned over to kiss her, and reached over to dip his finger in the bowl of cream as he looked up. Smirking, he drew a line from the hollow of her throat to the band of her skirt, and lowered his head to slowly lap the sweet slowly from her warm, silky skin. He showered kisses along her navel, holding her hips-
"Lucius?" Her voice was soft and tentative, and I brought him uncomfortably back to the real kitchen.
"Yes?" His voice was hoarse; he blamed the temperature.
"D-did you want one?" She sounded nervous as she lifted the bowl of strawberries, holding it between their bodies. Lucius realized he was standing much closer than propriety allowed.
"No," he replied roughly, but didn't move back.
"You... are you alright?" She was definitely nervous as she set the dish down.
"I'm fine. Why?"
"Your eyes- they're..."
Dark? His pupil has probably consumed the entire iris by now. Glazed with lust? He didn't doubt it.
"Am I making you uncomfortable?" he asked, resting one hand on the counter by her hip. She swallowed.
"I... I'm not sure. I feel-"
"Sir? Miss? Your food is ready!"
Narcissa shook her head abruptly, slipping away from him. "It's probably just the heat in here. Let's go."