Alrighty then! Had to break this one up a bit. Originally, this whole sequence was going to take one chapter. Instead, it's being broken up into two or three. Narcissa was giving me hell and I was sucked into a bunch of story updates (I'm a reader, as well).
A bit of warning, getting a little religious this chapter, for reasons. I want to make it clear that these are the character's views and not my own. For this, we will see how someone from the Wizarding world, quasi-disgraced pureblood, views and interprets muggle faith and how that interplays with the situation. I didn't use a specific religion or sect of Christianity, it sort of a general message. No disrespect is intended. I was Methodist as a child before my mum converted us to Roman Catholic when I was in high school, but I myself am more of a universally spiritual Pagan.
Thank you for all the support!
UPDATE 6/27/2018: Guess who got a laptop and doesn't have to type on her phone anymore? My thumbs are now reserved for pointing to myself when asking rhetorical questions, woo! So you might be asking, Forsakenkalika, why are you uploading this chapter again? Simple, dear readers. I had a horrible issue with plotholes, so I went back and updated/edited a few things. This chapter is really the only one with a whole section added to it. I AM working on this, and now that I've fixed some errors and can use more than my poor arthritic thumbs to type, thing should go more smoothly. I have the next chapter halfway done, and a few later ones. Now I just gotta get from Point A to Point B.
Standard disclaimers apply, warnings in chapter one.
Two Weeks Before Dinner
Weekly Sunday Brunch - Château de Rois
"I particularly enjoy how you've opened this space up, Cissy. One would never know Grand-père Archenhaud had ever lived here. Remember how arrière grand-mère used to insist-" Lucius cut off at Narcissa's laughter behind her teacup.
"'Zee ambiance eet eez how you say plein de merde.'" Narcissa chuckled out in an eerily similar affectation of the former Madame Malfoi, who, like her, disliked intensely the manner in which later generations of children and grandchildren had employed in order to amass wealth and decorate the estate. The late Noémie Malfoi had a distinct distaste for nefarious dealings and bloodied hands, both in which the aforementioned Archenhaud had excelled. If only he had been as equally matched in discretion or common sense, then the French branch of Malfoi may have ownership. Instead, Noémie had willed it to Abraxas, of the British side, who then willed it to Lucius. Now, it was Narcissa's to do with as she pleased, and she couldn't help but think arrière grand-mère Noémie might have almost planned for it. She always had possessed a soft spot for the Black witch even before Narcissa and Lucius' nuptials.
Wandering through the salon and finally to the smaller dining room intended for small family meals, she showed Lucius the rest of the renovations. Hopefully Noémie approved wherever she was in the afterlife, Heaven or otherwise. They settled down to a light spread set out by one of the serving staff, making small talk, but she knew her ex-husband had something on his mind. He had that vaguely pinched look and she knew it wasn't indigestion as they hadn't even eaten yet.
"Are you unwell, Lu?" the former Mrs. Malfoy asked concerned. "You look a bit… ill." She sipped her tea only to choke a moment later.
"Just wondering what your Mr. Boulanger thinks of your hard work here and for the… société pour la préservation de la magie - did I get that right?" He watched her with steel grey eyes carefully, noting the slight flush working up from her neck and the dotting of perspiration at her hairline. Nary a moment later, she waved a hand through the air as though banishing a foul odor or idea and smiled as winningly as she could. 'She's still a horrible liar,' he thought, and she hadn't even said a word yet.
"Henri? Oh, you know how busy someone of his station is. He rather enjoyed the updated observatory in the South Wing, and the - oh! You recall those horrendous mistress quarters in the West Wing guest quarters? I finally had the Brown Room redone." He could see she was trying to distract him, which only served to worry him more. He had seen Cissy at her best and he had caused her to be at her worst. The evasive, falsely happy person who sat before him, though, he didn't recognize. What was she hiding and what did it have to do with Henri Boulanger?
One Week Before Dinner
Weekly Sunday Brunch - Malfoy Manor
With a barely audible creak, the massive gates opened, permitting her into what used to be her home. Narcissa stepped through purposefully, idly watching the gates close behind her, hating the sound they made as they closed. She turned decisively and began her hike, her heels clicked up the long walk toward the massive front entrance of the manor. The day was balmy and full of sun, a slight refreshing breeze working the air just so. It the type of Sunday some of her muggle friends enjoyed as perfect church days, the witch assuming the conditions carried their praises as the moon cycles affected aconite. She'd had to agree that morning, if out of curiosity and the tiny thread of need for whatever absolution she could find, and had joined them at service. Narcissa figured, if anyone was sure forgive her for what she was going to do, it was likely to be a God she didn't know.
"He will forgive, as John has affirmed when he said, 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'" The holy man met Narcissa's stunned wet eyes. "He will forgive."
Physically waving a hand in front of her to banish the thoughts of God and man and the sins of the father (or in her case, the mother). Especially here, on this land, where Dark magic still lingered and had a tendency to attach itself to negativity, such thoughts were dangerous. She slapped her cheeks lightly, painting a smile on before once again beginning her determined walk to the door. Another perfect breeze kicked up around her, cooling her thoughts with scent and sensation.
'That's new,' she noted distractedly, stopping a half step later to regard what had gotten her attention in the first place. Where before, the front lawn of the estate had been a sprawling section of grass and small bits of shrubbery, there were gardens. The shrubbery remained, but little slate footpaths wove between them leading into a veritable utopia of botanical varietals. 'What in the world…?'
Narcissa turned around, remembering the peacocks which had typically roamed freely on this side of the walk. Those blasted beasts still waddled, the phantom pain of one too many nips to the backside making her left buttock twitch, but there were trees. Actual trees! She had been trying for years to get Lucius to agree to more beautification regarding the grounds.
Her gut fluttered and dropped. She could only hope he hadn't done this for her. A part of her knew that they would always have love for one another, but sometimes, she worried he actually loved her. Lucius had always been difficult to read, especially when emotions were involved. If that was the case, however, she didn't know if she had the courage to carry out her task.
She took a breath to steady herself, inhaling the sweet scent of wisteria.
'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.'
She would not be afraid. Turning her gaze back to the door only yards away, Narcissa felt her troubled heart ease a bit. Indeed, while the visage of the muggle God seemed a bit like Merlin, the wisdom and message brought her peace. More relaxed now, surrounded by beauty and the warmth of the sun, she resumed her walk to the door, slower now to enjoy the alterations around her.
No sooner than her heel had hit the stone of the top step, the door opened and a voice rang out. "Miss Cissa is arrived! Come in, Miss Cissa, come in!" A genial young house elf stood holding the door for her, the elf's uniform pressed and clean. "I am being called Mathilda."
She bowed then, offering to take Narcissa's cloak. "Thank you, Mathilda. If I may be so bold, how long have been employed here?" Narcissa was under the impression Lucius had freed all the Malfoy elves.
"It is being fine, Miss Cissa. Mathilda was being hired by Mister Draco to work for Master Lucius," the elf thought for a moment, hanging Narcissa's cloak carefully in the foyer alcove, smiling lightly to herself. "Four moons now, Mathilda believes. It is being good so far. Mathilda is happy. Though..." She grinned at Narcissa then, the conspiratorial grin of girlish delight. "Master Lucius is wanting Mathilda to be taking days off. Mathilda is being sneaky and works anyway."
The witch laughed, her loose brunette hair bouncing around her shoulders. "And why is that, Mathilda, if I may ask?" Mathilda laughed back and nodded.
"When witches and wizards are having days off, they is being free to do anything, yes?" Narcissa nodded in reply, the corner of her lip starting to turn upward. "Mathilda is thinking it is being the same for free elves. We is being able to do anything, and we is enjoying working. So, Mathilda is doing little workings." She ushered Narcissa to what used to be a den of sorts, very manly and austere, now converted into an open and airy tea room.
The walls had been converted from the dark stained wood and marble floors to cream paint and natural redwood. French doors in the middle of the far wall were anchored on each side by two curved nooks, glass extending from the original exterior wall to the floor showing the original gardens of the manor in all their splendor. One was nearly overrun with flowers dotting around a garden settee, the other contained her ex-husband standing by a matching table and chairs.
"Master Lucius, Miss Cissa for you." The elf announced to the wizard who was just setting out finger foods from a small serving table nearby. To Narcissa's eyes, he looked better than he had in years, his face finally having filled in from the stresses of the w- 'Last few years,' she amended to herself. He was dressed casually yet fashionably in relaxed trousers and a modern button-down, his robes lain over the back of one cushioned chair.
"Thank you, Mathilda. Are you enjoying your day off?" This wizard inquired of the elf, the only emotion on his face a barely visible crease on one side of his mouth where he hid a smirk. His eyes glinted at Narcissa, and she raised a fist to her mouth, stifling a laugh.
Mathilda nodded emphatically, the tips of her ears flopping to and fro. "Mathilda is being relaxed with knitting, Master Lucius. A very nice day off. Is Master Lucius needing anything of Mathilda?" The little elf winked plain as day to Narcissa, who had to feign a cough to contain herself.
"No, thank you, Mathilda. Enjoy your day. Perhaps we could dine in the kitchens tonight?" He smiled at the elf, who was nearly vibrating with joy.
"Mathilda will be seeing Master promptly at seven, then. Good day, Master Lucius. Miss Cissa," she nodded to the former Malfoy witch and was gone in an instant. Narcissa turned back to Lucius. A beat passed and she could no longer hold back the laughter, snorting loudly. Lucius followed suit and within moments, both had nearly doubled over, Narcissa holding her side as it had gained a stitch and Lucius clutching his middle in one hand, the other white knuckled on the table.
When they had finally calmed some, having dissolved yet again into giggles once before, she walked to the table to greet him. "She's fantastic, Lucius." The kissed each other's cheeks, grasping hands, and Narcissa's mind went back to the gardens outside. He didn't seem like he had some deep, unfettered love for her, his greeting no more or less respectful of their relationship. After his line of questioning the week before, she had almost been convinced he was still - No. Lucius was simply being friendly and asking after her welfare.
The divorce had gone well the year before, she thought. He had still been upset that she refused to take more from him, but he always did have issues with his worth, as though the depth of his apology could only be solidified with the vast amount of stuff he could foist upon her. Narcissa hadn't wanted the lodge in Eastern Canada, nor had she wanted the Mediterranean villa. She had settled for accepting a sum of galleons which was rather large even by her standards, a monthly stipend, and two homes; one in France and the other in England, a townhome on a side street in Diagon Alley where she was living currently while the more intensive renovations at the château were underway. All Narcissa really wanted was the divorce itself and something no paperwork could provide. She wanted Lucius to be happy, to be his own man, to love and be loved. She wanted her best friend back, not the shell of a husband he had become.
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."
Everyone deserved second chances. She "tuned" back into what Lucius was saying, as her muggle friends would say.
"- a blessing in disguise, really. Draco hired her just before the renovations began." He pulled her chair out for her, tucking her slightly but comfortably under the table. Narcissa nodded back, uttering a noncommittal noise and looking around once again.
"Wasn't this-"
"Grandfather's hunting room, yes. I remember it always being so dark and drab, and decided, what could be more opposing than a floral-themed receiving room?" Seeing Lucius' face crinkle in amusement unrestrained was something Narcissa wasn't certain she had experienced since Draco was a young boy, even if it was just for a moment before it melted back into his usual blank façade. She had missed it, she realised, seeing him happy. It stung a bit to know she wasn't the reason, regardless of her lack of romantic feelings for her former spouse.
"So you decided to keep the manor," she declared, rather than asked. It had been tentatively on the market since their separation period before the divorce. No one had wanted the property, or the land, after it had been made public knowledge the deceased Dark Lord had taken residence there during the war. "You never mentioned last week."
"Mm, yes," Lucius replied, rubbing his lip in thought. He was perplexed by something, only ever running his knuckle over his bottom lip when he was trying to put together pieces of a very intriguing puzzle. "Draco, truth be told, is the reason for that. He advertised some of the rear acreage to the local muggle village as farmland. I suspect it was that Granger girl, really."
Narcissa's reply was cut off by a particularly well-timed owl fluttering through the open window bearing a familiar invitation. Hermione's familiar tawny owl had delivered her own invitation the night before.
"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me."
'Mysterious ways, indeed,' thought Narcissa, carefully watching Lucius for his reaction to the dinner invitation. As expected, the line between his brows showed itself. Oddly, though, there was a slight smile playing at his lips, his eyes roving over the thick parchment once more before setting it aside. If she didn't know better, he seemed amused.
This time it was Lucius who was interrupted, as Mathilda popped into the room to inform him of a Floo call. When he excused himself, Narcissa seized her chance. While she had initially only intended to ask him to attend using the excuse of lending their son support, preparing to fight him on the subject, his reaction to the feminine handwriting inside the parchment changed her mind.
'Forgive me, Lucius. This is for your own good,' she thought, taking a quill in hand.
"Love comes in many forms, not simply romantic," the man in the pulpit reiterated. He cast his eye over the many people contained in the church, smiling at some, nodding at others. Families clutched each other a little tighter, friends patted backs, and one muggle even smiled and nodded in her direction. Narcissa grinned back, nodding. "In every form, we should seek to love honestly and perfectly, with a humble heart and understanding mind. We should be proactive in our love, supportive yet sound. Now, my friends, perfect love is not always easy, even brothers disagree, but the best relationships with others are forged from how we overcome together. Today, John taught us about courage, forgiveness, repentance, humility, and awareness, all of which culminate into the scripture with which I will leave you to enjoy your day. 'There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.' Peace be with all of you."