"Thank you so, so much Lucius. That promised to be the worst afternoon of my entire life," she sighed as they arrived at the Manor. Draco had not woken from his nap, and she headed upstairs to put him back to bed. Lucius followed, silent but seeming as cheerful as she to be out of there.

"Honestly, those girls were just dreadful- spiteful and catty. I suppose I'll still go to see Lysandra again though; maybe she's better away from the others. After all, Rabastan married her, and he's such a darling. So you know Britt Parkinson? I met his wife, Ari, and she seems really wonderful, if a bit crude. And young. Ten years I suppose isn't such an age gap in the long run, but Merlin, when she said they first met when they were eight and eighteen! Well, never mind that. I-"

"Narcissa," Lucius cut her off softly, lounging carelessly against the doorframe as she turned from Draco's crib.

"Yes?"

"Come here." He held out his hand and she crossed the room to take it, allowing herself to be gently led into the corridor.

"Is something wrong?"

Lucius closed the door to the nursery behind her. "No. I was just wondering, since we are both free this evening, if you would care to accompany me to supper in London."

"That'd be fun! Let's see, which of the nice ones are child-friendly? Not Somteaux, not-"

"Narcissa. I meant without Draco. Just the two of us."

"I..." she floundered, momentarily at a loss for words. "Lucius, are you asking me out on a date?"

He chuckled softly at her surprised expression. "Why, yes, Mrs. Malfoy, I suppose I am."

For some inexplicable reason, Narcissa found herself blushing. "That would be lovely. Should I floo Severus?"

"Perhaps we should look into a different venue of care in the future, but tonight, perhaps we can ask him again. My parents and sisters are all attending the opera, and will be there until quite late."

"I'll go now," Narcissa said, turning to head off towards her fireplace, but paused. "Won't it be difficult to get a reservation at this late hour?"

Lucius smirked slightly, amused condescension leaking into his tone. "Darling, that won't be an issue. Was there anywhere in particular that you wanted to dine?"

"Surprise me," she called nonchalantly over her shoulder as she moved in the direction of her study. However, once she'd rounded the corner, she broke into a very unladylike dash, and tumbled into her study, flung a handful of floo powder into the fireplace and shouted not for Severus, but her sister.

"Bella!" she hollered, looking around her sister's parlor. "Bella, Bell-luh!"

"Merlin Cissy, what do you want?" Bellatrix strode into view, scowling and pulling a house robe around her shoulders.

"Bella, I-" she stopped. "Why aren't you dressed?"

"I was dressed," Bellatrix replied evasively. "Anyway, what is it?"

"Lucius and I are going on a date! Our first date!"

"The honeymoon didn't count?"

"The honeymoon... didn't exactly work out. But we're going out tonight!"

"You've got the most backwards relationship, Cissy. First you married, then you fucked, then you dated. It's supposed to go the other way around, you know."

"You slept with Rodolphus before he asked you on a date, so clearly the order's not that important!"

"I suppose you're right." Bellatrix was clearly getting bored with the conversation.

"Alright, I'll just leave you to your husband, then," Narcissa huffed.

"Roddy's not here right now," Bellatrix replied vaguely, obviously not having fully listened to Narcissa's comment. "Did you want to leave a message?"

Narcissa frowned. "If Rodolphus isn't there... why aren't you dressed? In the middle of the afternoon?"

"Hush, Cissy, and go get ready for your date!" Bella snapped, turning on her heel and striding from the room.

Shaking her head, Narcissa withdrew to call on Severus.

"I know I promised never to ask another favor, but..."

"The Halcyon? Oh, I've never been here. It takes month for reservations; exactly how long have you been planning this?" Narcissa accused playfully.

"Since about three thirty this afternoon. Darling, you seem to forget that you're a Malfoy."

"And so? I was a Black before that and still couldn't get reservations to the nicest restaurant in all of the United Kingdom five hours ahead of time."

"Yes, because you weren't a Malfoy then."

They'd taken one of the finest carriages that evening; it wouldn't do to simply appear in the middle of Ambrosi Alley with a crude 'pop' at eight thirty on a Friday night. Lucius waved the coachman off after helping Narcissa down the glittering stairs that unfurled for her convenience and promptly folded themselves up once her heels met the cobblestone. Narcissa readjusted her ermine capelet before taking Lucius's arm and flashing him a quick grin. "Thank you for the diamonds- they're not too ostentatious, are they?" She turned her head coquettishly, so the large earbobs caught the light and dazzled.

"Darling," Lucius drawled lazily, "Ostentation is done in poor taste. My taste, fortunately, is flawless. There is nothing wrong with reminding the arrivistes that they still have something to aspire to- something they will never achieve." As he spoke, his eyes slid along the line of her neck to her throat and the diamonds settled there. Her gown was an elegant black sheath, flattering in its simplicity. "Money," Lucius continued softly, "Cannot purchase bloodlines..." For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, gazing ponderously at the jewellery she wore. "But," he continued with sudden briskness, "It does help to find timely reservations. This way, my dear."

Two immaculately dressed doormen opened the crystal-paned French doors. "Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy, a pleasure," the maître d' greeted them with a small bow and motioned that they should follow. "Your table, as requested, Mr. Malfoy. I will be personally overseeing your service this evening."

Lucius did not thank the man as they were seated, although undoubtedly another slightly-less affluent coulple was dining elsewhere this evening. Servers began to flutter about, filling glasses and spreading napkins.

"A bottle of the '62 Haut Brion, and have your sommelier send out appetizers to complement it," Lucius drawled, hardly glancing at the wine list. "That will be all for the moment, Alexandre."

"Of course." Dismissed, they quickly stepped aside to grant privacy.

"Come here often?" Narcissa teased.

"Enough. The food is unsurpassable. Unfortunately, the chef has an unbreakable lifetime contract; I've tried to hire him for the Manor in the past. Although I understand why such a contract would be necessary. Ah, look- here he is now."

"Monsieur Malfoy!" A beaming man, rotund and tall, was approaching their table. "Bonsoir- and is this your lovely wife I meet at last?"

"Indeed. Narcissa, this is Bayard Dureau. You won't find a finer chef in all of Great Britain."

"Great Britain? I daresay you insult me, Monsieur! In all of Europe, you mean," he blustered.

Lucius chuckled. "I'm not so sure, Bayard; I've been to France and Italy, you know, and some of the finest food-"

"Bah! Nonsense! I'll show you, Monsieur Malfoy! Do not dare insult me by ordering from the menu this evening- I will show you the 'finest food!'"

Narcissa laughed and Lucius was shaking his head in amusement as the large man strode off. Almost immediately, Alexandre was by their table once more.

"Mr. Malfoy, I hope that Chef Dureau was not disturbing-"

"Not at all. You needn't be concerned, Alexandre," he replied dismissively. As soon as he'd left, Lucius leaned forward conspiratorially. "Little trick I learned- Bayard keeps his best recipes away from the owners of this place, but needs relatively little coaxing to serve them... If you know how to ask, that is." He sat back with a wink, and Narcissa giggled before she realized that this was not the proper place to do so.

"Well," she said, quelling her laughter, "I look forward to whatever he might concoct." Smiling, she took a sip of wine, but when she set it down, she allowed her hand to remain next to the glass, midway across the table. She was more than a little thrilled that Lucius reached out to take her hand as though it was the most natural thing in the world- perhaps a bit more thrilled than entirely normal when a husband and wife held hands. But then, Narcissa reasoned, they weren't an average couple by any means. When she looked up to meet Lucius's eye, however, she noticed he was frowning slightly.

"Is there a problem?"

"You don't have an engagement ring." His thumb was stroking over her wedding band thoughtfully.

"Well, no. We didn't exactly have a... well, it wasn't the typical engagement, was it?"

"No," he replied slowly. "I suppose it was not." He continued to brush his thumb across her knuckles, but looked up at her with a small smile. "So, tell me, are you looking forward to spending time with Lysandra this Sunday? She's seems determined that you two be friends."

"She does, doesn't she? Well, I suppose that's nice of her. I... Well, I've spent the most time around Bella growing up, she's the only other girl I've ever been close to. I would never expect anyone else to be like her- wouldn't want them to, honestly-"

Lucius made a sound of agreement. "Your sister is insane," he told her flatly.

"She's not! She's... eccentric. Passionate."

Lucius chuckled but did not press his point, so Narcissa continued.

"Anyway, she's not like Bella, but she's not like I imagined a close female friend is supposed to be. But what would I know? Ari did seem nice, though."

"Britt Parkinson's wife?"

"Yes... The other women didn't like her at all, and while she's a bit brash, I thought she seemed far more genuine than the others... But then, I've only just met the all of them, haven't I?"

"I think it would do you well to have friends other than Bellatrix."

Narcissa laughed. "You really don't like her, do you?"

"No." He did not hesitate in his reply. "I tolerate her for your sake, of course, and I wouldn't wish to become estranged from Rodolphus for her sake- although I dare say he himself hates her often enough."

"She's difficult," Narcissa conceded. "But she's family."

Lucius shook his head wryly. "Family is a sad circumstance, is it not?"

"Not our family," Narcissa asserted. "We'll never embarrass Draco, and he won't resent us."

"Oh, we will, and he shall, but hopefully no more than the average teenager. I can only hope that it won't start until then, and will not last into his adult years."

"That's a bit pessimistic."

"Merely realistic, darling, and we cannot hope for anything better than that."

"Tell me about your work at the ministry," Narcissa suggested, changing the topic before it could turn melancholy.

"It's dreadfully boring but rather useful; the Minister is, of course, in a panic over the current political climate- as well she should be," he added with a glimmer in his eye, "and she feels the need to call on every resource in the country to help straighten things out. She won't last another term, though. If Dumbledore continues to refuse the position, is will go to the bumbling fool, Fudge, but I suppose that would be ideal in any matter. Fudge will beg for help from all those around him, and my influence will remain. All they really want is my gold, but I'm afraid I simply can't just hand over galleons to fund a government whose policies I don't agree with..." he sighed, but was smirking as he continued. "They give me an office and a secretary so I can write out my own version of bills, with generous offers to fund the entire legislative movement- provided, of course, that certain clauses receive special consideration."

Narcissa considered his words for a moment, before asking, "This secretary... Is she pretty?"

Lucius stared back, nonplussed, before realization dawn and he gave an amused, delighted chuckle. "She's ninety four. Her name is Bertha Hopkirk, and she's been working different secretarial posts at the ministry since the late eighteen hundreds. I think you'd find her just lovely."

"Is she by any chance related to Mafalda Hopkirk? Mafalda was a Ravenclaw, the year below me."

"Her grandmother, I believe. Or great grandmother, I'm not sure. She's interning in the Ministry."

"Are you not enjoying the wine?" Narcissa asked, noticing that he'd only taken a single sip since they were served, whereas she was nearly finished her first glass.

"It's perfect; why?"

"Well, you've hardly touched it."

"Narcissa," he shook his head ruefully. "You don't want me to drink any more than this."

"Rodolphus once said you were a funny drunk," she teased, swirling the dregs of her own glass and finishing it off.

"Darling, I tend to be somewhat unpredictable and... er, overtly emotional when I am inebriated."

"I want to see," Narcissa giggled, leaning forward and playfully sliding the toe for her shoe against the side of his leg. He blinked, startled, and politely moved his leg to allow her more room beneath the table. Narcissa rolled her eyes and tried again; this time slipping her shoe off entirely and running the arch of her foot from his ankle to knee. His eyebrows skidded up in surprise and Narcissa laughed outright.

"So what were you saying?" she inquired innocently, and tiny smirk on her lips.

"Something infinitely unimportant, I'm sure-" he took a quick gulp of wine, clearly without noticing.

"Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, your appetizers. We have here a-"

"Yes, yes, Alexandre, very good, we can see the food," Lucius interrupted dismissively. The other man bowed and quickly backed away, waving off the other servers.

"Do you know what I was just thinking about?"

"Hm?"

"Our bedroom. Specifically our bed."

"Were you?" He cleared his throat, the only indication that he has noticed that her toes had slid beneath the hem of his trousers to tickle the skin of his ankle.

"Yes... I think we could use a new decor in there. You know, it's rather dreary. I want silk sheets. Something soft, smooth..." she let her fingers drift over her arm as she spoke, fluttering her lashes. Lucius shifted, looking uncomfortable.

"Of course, darling, anything you.. er..." he cleared his throat again, apparently unsure of how to react to her toe brushing his knee.

"Are you alright?" Narcissa asked innocently. "You look a bit warm. Maybe have a sip of wine?"

Lucius did not point out that this would be futile, and that alcohol actually increased body temperature; instead, he drained his glass and set it down quickly.

"Anyway," she continued, as her foot began to rub against his thigh. "I think we could do with a new rug, too."

"You don't like the hardwood floors?"

"There just so cold, and hard..." her gaze sparkled mischievously. "Not that hard is a problem, but if I ever had the urge to... oh, I don't know, lie down on the floor... or for some reason, had to be on my knees in there... well, don't you think a rug would make that a bit nicer?"

The waiter returned to fill Lucius's glass, and he took a deep gulp before asking, "And what would you be doing on you knees?"

"Oh, you know..." she drifted off, lightly stroking his fingers. "I could be doing anything. Picking something up that I dropped... What would you want me to be doing on my knees?"

"Er..." his gaze shifted and he took another nervous swallow of alcohol. Narcissa noted the second glass was going much more quickly than the first. "I..." he gave a small cough, tugging at his collar. "Is it warm in here?"

"Feels fine to me," she replied sweetly, resting her foot lightly on the bulge in his trousers. He nodded and finished the glass in his hand, which was quickly refilled for a third time.

"Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, Chef Dureau has prepared for you, specially, a lovely-"

"Please just put the food down and go," Lucius snapped. Alexandre paled and backed off quickly, leaving them in privacy.

"You'd better leave a big tip," Narcissa said, pivoting her ankle and pressing down. Lucius made an odd, jerky movement and began to choke on his wine.

"Don't worry," he coughed, "I always do."

"Well, we should eat," Narcissa suggested, letting her foot return to the floor and slip back in to its shoe. Lucius glanced up confused, and she shot him a suductive smirk. "And continue the conversation after the meal. This looks like ambrosia." She cut off a tiny piece of scallop and took a bite, moaning softly. "Oh, it is."

Lucius's table manners were impeccable, but he did not waste a moment savoring his food. His bites were noticeably larger than normal, although not at all obscene, and he quickly washed everything down with wine. Narcissa, on the other hand, took the tiniest nibbles she could manage, and when Lucius cleared his plate when she was still on her third scallop, she smiled patiently and carefully took a sip of wine, running her tongue over her lip as she placed it back on the linen tablecloth.

"Darling... You look uncomfortable. Are you ill?" Narcissa shifted her chair around the small table, maneuvering to sit beside him. "Are you feverish?" A modicum of concern, she laid her hand against his forehead. At the same moment, he slid his hand between her legs, causing her to gasp.

"Narcissa, darling," he echoed her term of endearment, "I think it's time we leave."

She giggled, stifling the overwhelming urge to kiss him. Much to her surprise, he chuckled as well, but quickly fought to straighten his features.

"Lucius..." she whispered, grinning widely, "why do we have to go? I haven't finished my supper." To emphasize her point, she reached over and speared a bit of scallop.

"We can have dessert at home," he promised. Narcissa leaned on his heavily, lips brushing against his ear as she asked,

"And what are we having for dessert?"

"Something I can lick off of you. Alexandre," he called, smirking at her shocked expression, "we're ready to go."

"Mr. Malfoy," he looked highly distressed. "Was something not to your liking? Is there anything I could-"

"The evening was fine. Add the meal to my tab and, your tip..." he reached into his pocket and Narcissa heard the soft clink of gold, but he withdrew a cheque book and quill, scrawling an amount and his signature. "Have an excellent evening."

Narcissa saw the amount and opened her mouth to ask if he meant to add that many zeroes, but Lucius took her arm and steered her out of the restaurant, carefully keeping her in front of him. Alexandre joyfully called "Au revior! We hope to see you in the near future!" as Lucius guided her into their waiting carriage.

"That was rather devious of you," he purred, pushing her back and covering her body with his own as soon as the door closed behind them.

"What are you going to do? Punish me?" Narcissa challenged, eyes sparkling.

"No, but I'm going to have to insist that you relieve me of my physical suffering," he drawled, ducking his head to kiss her. The carriage jolted and Lucius gave a grunt of discomfort as his forehead bumped against the wrought gold armrest. "Ouch..."

Narcissa dissolved into giggles once more and he began to laugh as well, between eager kisses. The wine was making Narcissa giddy, and for a moment she felt like she was sixteen again, secretly snogging in a broom closet as she skipped class. She tried to flip him over, but when he obliging rolled on to his back, they both tumbled onto the floor in a flurry of limb and helpless laughter. Lucius pulled himself into an sitting position against the wall of the carriage, and Narcissa pulled up her long skirt so she could easily straddle him.

"You smell good," she whispered against his throat as she struggled with the buttons of his shirt. He chuckled.

"That's seductive dirty talk if I've ever heard it," he teased, hands running over her bare thighs. She tried to look offended, but laughter bubbled its was to the surface.

"Alright then, Mr. Suave, you say something naughty," she challenged, freeing her careful coif so her hair cascaded freely around her shoulders and back.

He considered the challenge for a moment, before placing his lips at the hollow beneath her ear and breathing silkily, "Mrs. Malfoy, when we arrive at the Manor, I desire nothing more than to sweep you off your feet and thoroughly ravish you."

Narcissa couldn't help another giggle. "That's a bit formal, isn't it? How about this." She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. "Oh, Lucius," she moaned, hands running her fingers through his hair as he kissed her throat. "I want you inside of me now."

Lucius pulled away, grinning. "That sounds fantastic."

Narcissa finished pushing his dress robes off and went to work on his belt, just tipsy enough that it was a struggle. Lucius tried to help, but looked down just as she was looking up, whacking his nose painfully on her forehead. They dissolved into laughter once again, and Lucius pressed his lips to hers as the carriage shuddered to a halt.

"That was quick!" Narcissa chirped, grabbing Lucius's hands as she hopped to her feet. "C'mon, hurry!"

They stumbled to the front door, stopping every few feet to steal a kiss, and they finally spilled into the foyer. Severus appeared, looking surprised.

"I didn't think you'd be back until much late-"

"Severus, you have to go so Lucius and I can have sex!" Narcissa giggled. Immediately, her hand flew to her mouth in mortification. "Oh! I mean..."

"Why don't you join us for dinner tomorrow next Friday?" Lucius offered instead.

"I don't think I'll be up to it," he replied drily.

"Oh," Narcissa made a sympathetic face. "Are you feeling ill?"

"No. Good evening." He swept from the Manor and Disapparated with a crack.

"Do you think we've upset him?"

"He'll get over it," Lucius assured her, finally managing to unfasten the back of her gown and grinning in triumph. "Time for bed, wife."