Thank you for the reviews and everyone who is reading! I hope you are enjoying the story so far 3
Lucius pulled on his black dress robes as he adjusted his light blue tie. Narcissa slipped on her two tones dress. From the bodice down to her hips and her feet to just below her knees, the dress was a beautiful deep blue. In between the two, the dress faded in a light blue to match Lucius' tie. The entire dress was covered in small stones that sparkled as light refracted on them. The straps were about an inch and below the thin straps, another strap connected to them with deep blue stones hanging off like water droplets. The bodic was cinched and had a deep v neck line that accentuated her small form. Due to the colors chosen, her skin appeared to glow pale. She had whipped her hair up with a silver clip, allowing her dark bangs to hang styles in the front. Around her neck, a diamond choker was wrapped and on her ears, a matching set of earrings hung. On her fingers she wore a plain, silve band, and the moonstone ring Lucius had given her earlier that year. She sat on the bed, watching as Lucius slicked his hair to tie back with a black ribbon. It was one of her favorite hairstyles of his. As he shifted, he spotted Narcissa on the bed. Pulling her up by her hand, he spun her around.
"Darling, you look divine."
"As do you. But we are going to be late if you do not hurry," she laughed, shoving him to his wardrobe to grab his traveling robe.
"Would that be the end of the world?"
"No, but I don't appreciate arriving late."
"I know. I will hurry up." He undid his ribbon and retied it. Once satisfied, he located his black traveling robes, slip them on, and took Narcissa's arm. As they were walking down the steps to their floo network, he leaned over to her.
"How long were we planning on staying? Is this a 'show our faces so we can say we were there' event or do you genuinely want to be there?"
"Normally I would say the first option, but I have something I need to do, so it will most likely be the second."
"Sounds good. I am preparing myself for a long night of dreadfully boring talks."
"Avoid Fudge and you won't have to worry."
"Darling," he said appalled, but ultimately laughed as her eyes glinted with playfulness. They exited through the fireplace and arrived in the atrium of the Ministry of Magic that was decorated from floor to ceiling like a winter wonderland. A light snow was falling from the roof, but as it landed against Narcissa's skin, it disappeared without a cool feeling. Devious fairies had been placed in jars bewitched to hover in the air, giving off a dull blue white light. Snow covered trees where situated between each of the floo fireplaces with icicles drooping down like the trees were crying. Everything else had been bewitched to give off the appearance of ice. The walls, the floors, the rafters. Narcissa had to admit that whoever had been in charge of decorating had done a phenomenal job. She gripped onto Lucius' arm as they manurvered their way amongst the crowd, finding a good spot to stand and calculate who they wanted to speak to first. Lucius immediately located Fudge and tried to duck behind Narcissa, but Fudge had already begun walking towards them.
"Narcissa. And Lucius. What a joy it is to see you two here!" He held out his hand for Lucius to shake, and took Narcissa's hand and kissed it. She shoved the feeling to tear her hand from his into the back of her mind not wishing to appear rude.
"I am glad you remembered my invitation, Lucius. I could not recall if I had sent you one or not."
"Actually, minister, you did not. Narcissa works here and received one."
"Oh! A thousand apologies, Lucius. I meant no ill intent."
"None were taken," Lucius replied, cooly.
"So Narcissa, who's secretary are you? Anyone would be lucky to have you, surely, but if your looking for more flexible hours, I'm in search of a new one. Mine clearly is lacking." Narcissa cocked her eyebrow as she gripped Lucis' hand in a deadlock, signaling for him to just stand there.
"While I'm flattered at the offer, minister, I work in the Department of Mysteries as an Unspeakable."
"That is certainly a creative way to turn down my offer," Fudge chuckled.
"I am serious," Narcissa replied, narrowing her eyes as she continued to give her soft smile.
"You..oh…I'm terribly…I'm sorry. Um, congratulations on the…um..new employment," he sputtered while frantically looking for anyone he knew, "Oh Kingsley," he waved, "I am terribly sorry, but I need to speak with Kingsley." With that, he sprinted off.
"How embarrassing," Lucius smirked, gazing on as Fudge bumped into two people who were waltzing about, "As though you would entertain the idea even if that was the kind of work you were doing."
"I could probably snatch some interesting information," Narcissa said, glaring where Fudge had disappeared and crossing her arms.
"Would you care to dance?"
"Okay," Narcissa said, taking his hand and leading them to the dance floor. As she spun about, her eyes trailed over each person, searching for two people. Not finding them, she returned her attention to Lucius.
"Who are you looking for?" he asked, glancing down at her.
"Some colleagues. I don't think they are here yet." Lucius mimicked her motion, locating a fire amongst the ice.
"You cannot be serious," he muttered, glaring straight ahead.
"What?" Narcissa asked as Lucius switched their position. She caught the vibrant red hair of the two Weasleys. Molly was dressed in a plain, dark blue dress with pleat and crumbled fabric, which Narcissa assumed were suppose to be flowers. Arthur was wearing matching blue dress robes with slight ruffles along the wrist area and neck. They appeared a size to big.
"Don't start," Narcissa hissed at Lucius, reclaiming her position with her back to them.
"Start what?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"They are the epitome of everything wrong with wizarding world. I would like to simply engage in some banter."
"Your banter usually escalates. Neither of you are changing your views, so what's the point?"
"The point is that they're walking around spreading inclusion and equality of people that should not be considered…"
Narcissa cut him off, "That's the great thing about free will, Lucius, you don't have to listen. Ignore them." Locating the electric blue braids and curly black hair of her collegues, she whipsered to Lucius that she would be back. Upon seeing her, Altair and Hydeia waved excitedly.
"Narcissa, we didn't think you would be here. You don't strike us as the type to go to a work event," Hydeia grinned.
"I don't know whether to take offense to that or not," Narcissa smiled.
"Always take what she says as an insult," Altair commented, "because it always is!"
"Where's you husband?"
"Over there," she pointed to Lucius who had initiated a conversation with Pius Thicknesse.
"How cute. You both match perfectly!" Hydeia clapped excitedly as Altair rolled his eyes, "have any plans for the Chirstmas holidays?"
"My son is coming home from school, but after that, I'm not sure. How about you?"
"Working. We like having the labs to ourselves. Honestly, our team is extremely annoying. They use up our lab supplies and don't replace them and constantly want to talk about their lives outside of work. I don't show up to socialize, you know what I mean. And now, there's a social event where I wouldn't mind listening to their stories, and they aren't here."
"Someone snapped my scales, and I'm still trying to narrow down who it was," Altair inputted indignantly.
"We are almost certain we know who it was, but can't confirm yet."
"Oh my gosh, is that Azrael?"
"Dear merlin," Altair said, adjusting his glasses, "he looks awful!" Narcissa slowly looked over her shoulder to see who they were talking about. A short man with thinning white hair was selecting a drink from the table along the far wall. He had massive bags under his sunken eyes, and his body was shaking as though he had caffeine running through his veins.
"Who is he?" Narcissa asked without removing her eyes from him.
"Lead for the Death sect. No one knows how old he is. Hydeia and I reckon at least 3 centuries. I wonder where the rest of his team is?"
"No way the rest of them are coming! I'm surprised he's even here. He's been abusing an energy potion for the last week and a half," Hydeia leaned down to Narcissa's ear, "something's had him hot and bothered for the past couple of months. We tried to befriend someone in the death sect, but they didn't take to kindly to us. Pity because we really wanted to know."
"He's coming over," Altair said, fanning himself.
"We're probably the only people he recognizes," Hydeia held in a laugh.
"Hydeia. Altair," Azrael greeted the pair, nodding his head in reverence, "and who are you?"
"Narcissa Malfoy," she responded, extending her hand to which he took and gave a small shake.
"She's the newest victim to the Love sect."
"Ah, and how are you enjoying it?"
"Quite well. I haven't had the opportunity to do much research, but the history is fascinating."
"Indeed. There is so much to learn about because it seems no matter how much time has passed, everyone shares their obsession with love."
"I think that obsession might be fading," Hydeia chimed in.
"Nonsense, it just manifests itself in a different form. Love doesn't have to be between two people, but two things. A love for power. A love for wealthy."
"Would that be classified as love?" Altair asked.
"What would you classify it as?" Azrael said, calmly.
"Obession. You don't love those things the same way you love a person."
"You have not lived long enough to see that some people love others that way."
"Really?!" Altair expressed, genuinely shocked.
"Really. Narcissa, have you gotten the chance to look at the wall of memories, also know as the wall of discarded research?"
"Not yet. I have been busy writing curriculums for different schools."
"You're in for a ride when you review them," Azrael's eyes widened, "Robertstein's research is there. He was studying the effects of love potion on already obsessive love. Completely unethical in my opinion."
"What would you know about unethical?" Hydeia jested, "Azrael, I need to know, what's been up with you these past months?"
"What do you mean?"
"You lashing out at your entire team. Submitting complaints. At this point, how many days straight have you been awake?" Altair listed.
"How much time do you have?"
"Does it look like we're interacting with anyone else?" Hydeia said, opening her arm to indicate the rest of the guests.
"Okay, for starters, you've all heard about the Gringotts break in?" All three nodded as they leaned in closer, so the other guests couldn't hear. "Do you know what was inside that vault?" Altair and Hydeia shook their heads, but Narcissa responded in an airy whisper, "The philosopher's stone."
"How'd you know that?" Azrael questioned with a certain accusatory tone.
"I have my connections," Narcissa said, refusing to elaborate.
"Anyways, the philosopher's stone was in the vault."
"I thought that stone was a legend," Hydeia said with anticipation, "I read about many scientists trying to create it."
"Will you let me finish?" Azrael replied, annoyed.
"Yes, yes," Hydeia motioned.
"That…give me a moment. This makes me furious to think about," he rubbed his eyes and took several deep breathes as Narcissa stole a glance at Lucius to confirm he was remaining away from the Weasleys. Seeing he was wrapped up in a conversation with Fudge, she smirked to herself.
"So the history books are completely wrong about the stone."
"It's not the elixir of life? I didn't think that was possible," Altair offered, rubbing his chin.
"What? No. Will you quit interrupting? Nicolas Flamel is credited for the creation of the stone in the 14th century. If you got ahold of that stone and ran an analysis, you would find it wasn't created until the middle of the 18th century."
"You would know as I'm sure you were alive back then," Hydeia giggled.
"I'm not over 300 years old, you prat! This is why I'm fuming," he took a few more deep breathes. "My great grandfather was one of the first Unspeakables in the Department of Mysteries when in was first formed officially back in 1707. Back then, the department wasn't divided into sects. Everyone was kind of working on their own projects and collaborating when necessary. Well my grandfather and his lab partner had read the Tales of Beedle the Bard and taken particular interest in the resurrection stone, which launched their reading about muggle elixirs of life such as the fountain of youth, the holy grail, and the philosopher's stone. They realized that the philosopher's stone was exactly what they wanted to create."
"You're telling me that your great grnandfather created the one and only philosopher's stone?" Altair asked with skepticism.
"Listen. They created it all right. They even went as far to create an ethical code manual and in their paper, they claim that only hospitals should be allowed to have possession of the stone."
"Why is that?" Hydeia asked.
"Because they believed that is who truly deserved it. However, another researcher by the name of Nicolas Flamel sees what they have created and instead of asking for their paper, so he can try to recreate it, he steals the stone and brews elixir for both him and his wife. My great grandfather didn't know who stole it at the time and the department didn't take protection of research seriously, so the stone remained stolen until wizards started publishing history. I saw that prick's name in the book and knew. My great grandfather should be alive instead of him, but instead he's dead and uncredited."
"Why did Flamel steal the stone but not the research papers?" Narcissa chimed in after sitting in silence and observing Azrael to detect whether he was lying or not.
"Grandfather places a curse on the papers, so they appeared blank to anyone else, but if him or his lab partner ran their wand horizontally about the surface, the words would appear."
"So you have the papers?" Hydeia said.
"Course I have the papers, and I have grandfather's wand, so I know that's what happened."
"Why don't you go to the Daily Prophet?" Narcissa suggested.
"Because then I'd die, wouldn't I? Claiming the philosopher's stone was a mystery created by the department would be releasing the secrets of the department."
"Couldn't you send the papers to someone else who could then send them?"
"I like the way you think, but I also have a moral responsibility. Suppose you were a dark wizard. Wouldn't you start hunting down the stone if you knew without a shred of doubt that the stone was real? Right now, it is not known that it exists. Sure, Flamel claims to have made it, but no history book claims it is fully real. None the less, Flamel doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as the stone."
"So you know how to make the stone?"
"I have the ingredients and instructions. Before you say anything, yes, I have already attempted to make one. I think they are missing some line of instruction because my attempts usually end in an explosion."
"Would you mind if I had a look?" Narcissa asked in a nervous voice.
"Are you after immortality, Narcissa?"
"Of course not. I am merely interested in what goes in to making one."
"They are in my laboratory. If you don't mind slipping away for a few minutes, you can have them."
"I am fine to do that."
"Okay," Azrael replied, walking animatedly among the crowd as Narcissa followed close behind. Altair and Hydeia remained in the corner, returning to talking to each other. As Narcissa passed Arthur, she saw him turn to Molly and whisper something while staring her down. Azrael and Narcissa climbs into the lift and went down to level 9. They made their way down the long corridor reaching a door off to the slide. Sliding his ID across the brick, the door opened, revealing the large veil Narcissa remember from her training. As she moved by it, a feeling of dread swept over her.
"Nothing to be afraid of. We like to call that 'Death's Escalator'. It's a portal to the afterlife, connecting the world of the living to the world beyond. Once you fall behind it, you're gone or so we've found."
"Who created that?"
"Dunno. It's been here since I started working, and no one wants to take credit for it. Here they are," he held up a stack of folded papers with a black wand tied securely with rope. He placed it in her hands before yanking it back, "why do you really want this, Narcissa? What do you hope to gain?"
"I truly just want to see how difficult it is to make and, like you, attempt to create one."
"What would you do with it once it is created? Would you give your family immortality?"
"If that is what they wanted." Azrael squinted his eyes and cocked his head.
"But that's not what you want?"
"Not particularly."
"You just want confirmation to yourself that you are powerful enough to make one."
"Essentially."
"Then I wish you the best of luck," he said, handing her the papers, "we should get back to the party before people start to wonder where you went." Nodding, she transformed the papers into a diamond and attached it to her necklace. They headed back towards the commotion as Lucius stomped over to her, gripping her upper arm and steering her away from Azrael.
"How dare you leave me, vulnerable. I just had the most abysmal conversation about vineyards."
"Spare me," Narcissa whined, her eyes catching sight of Arthur once again. This time, he was speaking with a tall, brown haired, plain looking auror, whom Narcissa recognized immediately as Dawlish. She had been meaning to speak with Dawlish about Azkaban as she knew he was one of the only aurors who was cleared to visit.
"I will be right back," Narcissa said as Lucius groaned.
"Did you hear what I said?"
"I'll be right back," she said again, untwining her fingers from his and becoming selectively hearing. She approached Dawlish and Arthur as she said in a clear voice, "John, may I have a word with you?"
"Really, Mrs. Malfoy, do you want to bring up work during a celebration?" Arthur questioned in a mocking voice.
"It's Narcissa, and I don't remember stating it was work related."
"Oh so you just happen to be fascinated with the life outside of being an auror?"
"Arthur, it's quite alright," Dawlish chuckled, "Of course, Narcissa." As they stepped to the side, he caught her eye.
"So, what did you need to talk about?"
"How would I go about getting visitation rights to a prisoner in Azkaban?"
"Are you mad?! It took me ages to get clearance. There is no way they are clearing a civilian."
"What if I also worked for the ministry?"
"You're not an auror. I doubt they would fully trust you. Nothing against you personally, but they don't take to kindly to anyone who is not an auror."
"Why is that?"
"I bet you could guess why. They don't want people breaking their relatives or friends out. Wouldn't be too hard to do considering dementors are brainless and the guards might as well be."
"Is there any way to send letters?"
"No. For the same reason. People are incredibly intelligent. When we did allow letters, one was a transformed portkey. That was one of the more creative ways. I really am sorry, but the safety measures are in place because of past events. I reckon only the primer minister could change the rules, but the other aurors might raise hell. Was there anything else?"
"No, that was it," Narcissa said, offering a half smile which Dawlish returned before reinitiating the conversation with Arthur. Wiping under her eyes to confirm that no tears had escaped, she reunited with Lucius, who had taken a seat on the base of the frozen fountain.
"I am ready to leave," she stated plainly.
"So soon?" Lucius mocked as she rolled her eyes. She took his arm, and the pair took the floo network home.
"Did you hear what I said before?"
"When?"
"About the time you walked over to Dawlish."
"No, why?"
"Fudge accepted a 10,000 galleon donation and in return, promised to spare Bellatrix, Rodopholus, and Rabastan from the dementor's kiss."
"Of course he did," Narcissa removing her earring and flinging it on her vanity.
"I have upset you?" Lucius asked, sitting on the bed as he watched her bustle about, reorganizing her jewelry and clothes that had been perfectly tidy before.
"Not you…the dementor's kiss is such a cruel punishment. There is no reaason that should still be implemented. Killing the person, I understand, but forcing them to live without memories, without thoughts, without a sense of self is completely barbaric." She yanked her ring off and tossed it, like she did her earring, where it clanked against the marble countertop as she paced back and forth across the room.
"And I have to wonder sometimes if preventing it is doing more harm than good. Bella is tormented. I know that for a fact, so would allowing her to leave herself bring her peace? I don't think I could do that to her because it's just such an enormous risk, and she's my sister. I doubt she would ever do that to me." By now, Narcissa was talking more to herself as her pacing speed increased.
"If our places were traded, she would have already figured a way to get me out." At this, Narcissa tangled her hands in her hair and yanked at the strands, her feet never ceasing their movements. "I don't know what to do. I don't know…she probably despises me. I'm attempting to see her when she most likely doesn't want to see me. A sister who cannot even save her." Tears were already slipping down her cheeks as she continued to yank her hair. Unable to see her like this, Lucius stood up and grabbed her wrists, pinning them against his chest and pulling her towards him.
"You are doing everything you can," Lucius said, removing one of his hands to stroke her back.
"But it's not enough!" shrieked Narcissa, causing Lucius to jump a little.
"Where is this coming from? Did someone say something to you? Was it that red headed simplton?"
"No one said anything," she fumed, "I simply feel responsible, at the very least partially responsible, for Bella's imprisonment."
"And why would you feel that way?" Lucius asked, softly, leading them to the edge of the bed where he pushed Narcissa back a bit, so that he could see her face. "You didn't force her to join the death eaters. You certainly didn't force her to torture muggles. And you didn't force her to murder. Why exactly are you blaming yourself?"
"I don't…I don't…" Narcissa huffed, struggling to breathe through her sobs.
"You don't have to answer," Lucius said after a moment of watching her fight to regain her oxygen. He relinquished his grasp on her wrists and waited for her to move.
"I didn't mean to yell," Narcissa said quietly, her sobs diminishing into nothingness and averting her eyes from Lucius'.
"I have to admit, it did startle me," Lucius smiled, "but it was understandable."
"It wasn't," Narcissa argued before covering her eyes with both of her hands and slamming her head into Lucius' shoulder.
"Do you want to continue the conversation or do you want to go to sleep?"
"Neither. I think I'm going to go do some potion work," she responded, sitting up and removing her hands.
"It's nearly two in the morning!"
"I know, love, but I know I won't be able to sleep." She stood up, still in her ball gown and wandered out of the room, making her way down the steps and into her study and potions area. Hearing footsteps, Dobby apparated in and bowed.
"Can Dobby get Mistress anything?"
"Nothing at the moment, Dobby."
"Okay. Dobby bids Mistress good night and call Dobby should she need anything." With that, he disappeared with a crack. Flicking her wand, a single diamond floated from her necklace and landed on the wooden table. Transforming back into the papers and wand Azrael had provided her with, she untied the rope. Once free, she picked up the wand and ran it horizontally along the papers as Azrael had explained. Black ink appeared on the previously white surface. On the first page, only a couple works appeared.
How to properly engineer the philosopher's stone and the ethical codes surrounding it
By: Merripen Boyle & Nirnasha Locke
Narcissa flipped the page over to find that it was an introduction. Skipping, she flipped to the next page, which happened to be a materials and methods section.
One does not simply combine ingredients to form the stone. The stone has many properties. No single potion ingredient or ingredients possess the entirety of these properties. Combined, however, it is possible. To start, begin with the curing of illnesses. This is a simple part to engineer. Acquire about 5 mililiters of phoenix tears. What causes a challenge is the preservation of said phoenix tears. Their half life is about 2-4 days. There are two ways to preserve these tears. The first is to trap a phoenix and shrink it down. Phoneixes are social creatures, so when isolated, they will have plentiful tears. However, both the ethics and morality of this are deeply questionable and are address in our code of ethics manual found attached to this manuscript. The second way to preserve phoenix tears is to place a powerful curse on the tears immediately after acquiring them known as the Gemino curse. This infinitely doubles the object that is the subject of the curse. There is much controversy about whether or not the Gemino curse produces something of similar value and properties or if it produces a cheaper copy. Concluded by this research, the curse produces an item of equivalent quality and the most likely reason for contradicting claims is to prevent the over use of this curse. Phoneix tears were used because previous studies has concluded that they are the only antidote for basilisk venom, capable of healing all injuries, and even saving people on the brink of death.
The second property….
But Narcissa couldn't keep her eyes opened. She rested her head on her arm and before she knew it, she was fast asleep.