Chapter Nineteen

A/N: No reviewers.

Ever since the summer solstice, and the masquerade ball that they had held to celebrate it, Narcissa had been far more joyful than she had ever been in their marriage. True, Lucius had not been at home as much as he could have been, considering that he had arrived home far later than he finished work, but other than that, she had been extremely happy.

However, one night arrived that was more special than all the rest. She was certain that her husband knew what the occasion would be on the third day of November, and so she had planned for the two of them to have a night in together, provided that his work did not get in the way of this plan, as it so often seemed to do.

She was immensely relieved to find that, though she had risen alone on the morn of her birthday, there was a note sat on her bedside table, which had expelled all fears of loneliness from her mind, in regards to that evening at least.

My darling Narcissa,
I am truly sorry that I cannot be here to wish you a happy birthday this morning in person, but I will do so now by use of this small message, which will act as a stop gap until I can see you myself, so as to tell you properly.
I am glad to say that I will, however, be able to join you this evening for dinner, when I will reveal to you my surprise. You will find a box at the foot of the wardrobe which should help you prepare, but I doubt that you would need it in any case, as you are beautiful, no matter what you wear.
I will see you at six o'clock this evening,
All my love,
Lucius.

With a smile on her face, Narcissa rose for the day, dizzy with the anticipation of the evening to come, if only for the chance to have her husband all to herself just for once. She did not know, of course, what precisely her husband had planned, as he had always been a spontaneous person, but she had been told that it would have something to do with dinner. She was glad for this, as dinner always brought out the extravagant romance in Lucius, a side to him that she always loved to see, as it was the very representation of the arrogant chauvinism that he showed to the world, accompanied by the tender hearted man that she saw within him every day.

Though she did not have much to do in the manor, her thoughts straying too much for her to keep her place in a book, Narcissa found that the hours passed with an abnormal speed, and before she knew it, the clock had struck six. She had dressed herself in the beautiful gown that had been in the box beneath the wardrobe, and her hair had been styled to perfection by Brighty, who had been thrilled at being given such a responsibility by her mistress. All that remained was for Lucius to arrive, and so she waited, and waited, and waited.

One minute passed, then two, then five. Before she knew it, thirty minutes had gone by, and still there was not the faintest sign of her husband. Disheartened, the young woman seated herself down on the settee, blinking back the tears back from her eyes. After all the hopes that she had put in her husband over the years, she was not going to allow herself to become weak. If Lucius did return home, after all, she did not wish for him to see her so broken. Not again.

She had been concentrating to such an extent on attempting not to cry that she had not noticed the figure stood in the doorway until that moment. For a moment, Narcissa thought that he was an intruder, but that all changed when she recognised that the tired figure slumped against the doorframe was her husband. His silver hair was a little ruffled, his formal robes that he wore to work were creased all over and his face was visibly flushed, his laboured breathing adding to her theory that he had been running to reach the house from the gate. Suddenly, all of the pain disappeared, as she saw the look of utter regret in the grey storm of his eyes.

"Cissa, I am so sorry." he sighed, crossing the room in four long strides so that he stood just a few inches from his wife, before he paused for a second, his expression questioning, as if seeking her permission for something. When she realised what he was asking, Narcissa inclined her head in permission, a small smile spreading to her lips as her husband's arms wrapped tightly around her, though she was unsure how genuine it truly was. "I did not forget, I promise you, but you see… I was called away, by… Him. I wanted to come to you, of course I did, but you know as well as I that the Dark Lord cannot be refused."

"It's alright, I understand." the young woman told him, but she was surprised at the flat note in her tone. She had not meant to speak in that way, but she had been looking forward to their evening together, and it had been spoiled somewhat, once again by their Lord. She agreed with the cause for which Lucius fought, as she had always been taught to do so, but she did not like that the man, though even that term was used loosely, was slowly taking her husband away from her.

"Cissa, you know that you shall always come first, don't you?" the blonde man questioned, as he stroked the edge of his wife's cheek with his fingertips. She knew that she should have been surprised at his perceptiveness, but she was not in the least. Lucius knew her better than she knew herself, of that much she was certain. Though she gave no vocal response, Narcissa nodded her head, leaning into his touch and pressing a light kiss to his fingers.

Suddenly, the man drew away from her, muttering a spell under his breath and waving his wand over himself. Immediately, his hair flattened down, and the creases in his robes seemed to iron themselves out. Once the spell was completed, he reached out his hand to his wife, who accepted it gladly, a genuine smile illuminating her features for the first time that evening. As they moved in the direction of the door, heading on their way to the exclusive restaurant where he had made a reservation for the occasion, Lucius turned to Narcissa, speaking only four words before he placed a passionate kiss on her lips.

"Happy birthday, Mrs. Malfoy."

A/N: Just so you know, the filler chapters are in the works, so if anyone has any requests for thing in Narcissa's life they would like to see, let me know in a review! Even if you don't, please review anyway!