AN: I post this story with the express permission by the_rosenthaleffect.
A shy knock came from the door. With his dismissive gesture it sprang open. With his back facing the door, he could not see the slender feminine form clad in a fur-trimmed coat and matching boots. Neither did he see the expression of hurt on her face nor the duffel bag on her arm.
"What do you want Narcissa?", he drawled.
"Nothing", she huffed, "Of you I neither want nor expect anything. You are so full of yourself; it sickens me. May you experience that same sickness one day."
When it became apparent that he would not response, a single tear snaked its way down her elegant cheekbones.
"I am leaving, Lucius. And I will take Draco with me."
She hesitated a second. Maybe this was finally enough to get through to him. To get the old Lucius back.
"Fine. Now get out of my house. And you better stay true to your word and take that monster with you."
When he finally turned, she was already gone. A pang of guilt nibbled on his stomach. Mechanically his hands found their way into the hidden drawer of his desk and pulled out the Firewhiskey. A healthy swig calmed the strange feeling quickly. A grim smile played upon his lips.
All good things come to an end, he thought bitterly, but at least the bad things as well. I am free again. I should feel elated. The purity of the House of Malfoy can be re-established. A new beginning.
I have suspected it long enough; she must have been cheating on me. The war sure has changed her. And apparently her love for me as well. But how she ended up in someone else´s arms, when naturally I had to have been her first option, eludes me. Regardless, it will be her downfall, not mine. Actually I can kill two birds with a stone; no more tip toeing around me, evading me and no more dealing with that wretched monster.
Another long chug at the bottle. The reminder of the werewolf in the farthest corner of the estate made him shiver. Another lonely tear made its way down the cheek of a Malfoy that day. And as the first one, it went unacknowledged.
They wont be able to cause me any more trouble; the marriage contract will make sure that she wont get a knut of my fortune; the unbreakable vows will forbid them to reveal the werewolfs former identity – not that anyone would recognize or believe that after all the amazing potions Severus has left me with.
No, no more parasites. Now it is time for me to take what I want.
"Ha!", he rose from the leather armchair, "this is worth a celebration!"
An icy wind chased through Wizarding London, hurling thick snowflakes into the faces of whoever dared to step outside in this dark November night. Despite the hostile weather Copper Alley was full of people. Small bars and restaurants shed their golden lights onto the name-giving red cobblestones, still warm enough to melt the snowflakes into a glittering sheen of water. Light strings twinkled merrily above the heads of young witches and wizards untouched by the forces of nature. It was a lovely place to be. And yet, the crowds only knew one direction: towards the back of the alley, where roman pillars built the frame for a grand theatre.
The Mirage was the most popular nightclub to the British wizard with standards. The structure of the former theatre had been kept, with a stage, a dozen pulpits and several terraces, naturally dividing the partygoers into their respective social groups. However, the architect had magically expanded the building to create several dancefloors and clubrooms. Whichever music you liked, if you did not find a dancefloor in the Mirage dedicated to it, the music simply did not exist.
Within the foyer a considerable crowd had gathered, kept in check by broad shouldered security personnel. Witches and wizards of all ages, sizes, social tiers and varying degrees of attractiveness had gathered to demand entrance to the priced night club. Among this culmination of diversity Lucius parted the crowd like sunlight the devilssnare. And truly, with his milky skin, silvery blonde hair and the white shirt nobody would have batted an eye, had he stepped right out of the moon. But alas, he was Lucius Malfoy and that amounted to the same thing. Especially since it was his club.
"Boss", one of security personnel nodded, "This way, Mr. Malfoy".
The red cords, a laughable division, if not magically enhanced, were opened for him and Lucius Malfoy stepped into the less crowded part of the foyer.
At the sound of his name, he saw several witches and wizards, whose eyes weren´t trained on him already, turn. He had no eyes for the plebs, as he liked to call the "ordinary" people. His measured stride led him straight to the more elite floors. Nevertheless, the general attention for his person pleased him. Shoulders squared and head held high, he basked in the countless stares full of envy and admiration on his way up the stairs.
When he reached his favorite pulpit, his generous smile turned into a cold sneer, when he found it pre-occupied.
"Rabastan", his drawl more of a deep growl, "how… charming to meet you, here of all places".
The younger wizard startled and instinctively pushed the petite redhead away from him. Still straightening out his robes when he turned, a rueful smile on his lips, he could not help the cheek in his voice,
"Lucius! It has been a long time! Hasn´t it? I would introduce Kelly to you, but I am afraid she has to return to her shift now".
He threw the redhead an urgent look and gathering the shreds of her dignity as well as the pieces of her uniform she scurried off under Lucius burning gaze.
"A long time indeed. And I imagined all the work you were caught up in, preventing you from your usual reports. I did not imagine the `work´ quite as redheaded", he sneered.
He saw Rabastan work his throat.
"About that… you know, there has not been much to do as of lately… with all your monopolies there is little to be managed-"
"Cut the crap, Rabastan. I did not buy you out of Azkaban to fuck around with my staff. The status of Malfoy Enterprises has been earned over decades, the backing wealth accumulated and cultivated over centuries. To imagine that I entrusted you with all that… You will show me the due respect!"
Or… the unvoiced threat hung between them.
Properly chastised, the curly head hung lower.
"Please forgive me, Master Malfoy. I have forgotten my place", Rabastans voice was a dead whisper.
After a long stare down his perfectly straight nose, Lucius nodded, appeased for now.
"Go, fetch a drink for us. I have news", Lucius ordered.
With a curt nod, Rabastan went off.
Just like the dog you had trained him to be. However, this one surely needs a tighter leash in the future. One would think a life debt was enough motivation to guarantee life-long obedience and gratitude. Well then, I guess I will have to review his contracts. Make sure they are waterproof. And most of all, make sure that my commands will be followed to the letter in the future.
Sighing he leant onto the railing, skimming the crowd on the main stage dancing to the unheard music. The mood seemed ecstatic down there, bodies agitatedly moving against one another. He could tell by the steam above the ground that it had to warm and above all sweaty in the mass of moving bodies. Mentally he singled out the more attractive individuals of the female sex from distance, ruling out the curvier or too skinny women first. Next followed the blondes. No need to remind him of that for today. Short or curly haired witches were banned from his mental list. Then those taller or of equal height to him. This still left him with a dozen of choices. To narrow down his choice further he cast a magnifying spell to get a look at their faces. Appalled by the first glances, he ruled out five more. Another four were just average looking. Not enough by his standards. The last three however… As they say, three is a charm.
With a flick of his wrist three origami birds formed and flew down to his choices, carrying his invitation. He did not even wait to watch the reception of his message. They would be up in the Lounge soon enough. Just as he was making himself comfortable on the chaise longue, Rabastan returned with two tumblers of Whiskey. On ice. Lucius noted with distaste.
"So, Mr. Malfoy, you said something about news?", Rabastan slipped back to a less formal tone.
"Indeed, I did", Lucius mood brightened up once again, "In the near future, the position of Lady Malfoy will be vacant again".
Rabastan stared at him with a stony expression, before forcing a smile.
"You will divorce Narcissa? I thought that would ensure her half of Malfoy Enterprises? What has changed?"
"Well, nothing changed about the marriage contract. But it was Narcissa proposing the divorce. And I will accept it. Alas, being the one at fault, the magic will recognize her as the instigating party and as the contract clearly states, should she leave for another man, she is entitled to exactly nothing."
A thoughtful expression crossed Rabastans prematurely aged features and the shadow of doubt clouded his green eyes. Whatever flaw he saw in Lucius logic, he did not dare to voice his thoughts.
"And now, Rabastan, I will have a taste of my newfound freedom", Lucius eyed the doe-eyed witch peering out from behind the curtain to his pulpit. Greedy eyes hefted onto a well-proportioned body, a wave of his hand dismissed his right hand. With a last glance at the unfolding scene, Rabastan left, almost stumbling into another stunningly beautiful witch. Conflicted, he hesitated behind the heavy drapes but upon the first muffled noises, shook his head and hurriedly made his exit.
What had Narcissa unleashed upon the wizarding world now? He thought exasperatedly, knowing full well, that no one could rule a Lucius Malfoy in.