Chapter 5

Rising Damp

Lucius couldn't deny he was disappointed that his owl returned without a letter. He briefly considered that he might have gone a little too far with his declarations about her breasts, but he reasoned that she wouldn't have responded to him mentioning their growing intimacy if she found it too much to deal with.

Logically, he knew that they couldn't keep writing to each other throughout the night. The last thing he wanted to do was disrupt her school schedule and her sleep pattern. He did hope she would come to him for help if she needed it and he would stress the importance to Severus of his extra classes when he next came for dinner, which he would most certainly be arranging for the coming Friday. There was still much to plan, and although the ceremony itself would be at the Ministry, he wanted new robes for the occasion. He also needed to talk to Matilda about what she wanted to wear. He knew muggle custom was to wear white and many wizarding families with muggle ancestry had adopted the tradition. He wasn't sure how Matilda would feel about it. She'd looked beautiful in his house colour, though perhaps her house colour might be more appropriate.

He'd be contacting Minerva in the morning if he still hadn't had confirmation that he could take Matilda to Diagon Alley by the time his post arrived for the day. He was sure she'd have issues with it, but given that she couldn't actually do anything to stop him spending time with his future wife, she couldn't really have too much of an issue.

Tuesday passed as any other. Matilda didn't have to many distracted moments and thankfully didn't have any in her Advanced Potions class, which was fortunate as they were working on the Mandrake Restoration Draught. It wasn't a potion that had to many applications outside of someone being petrified, but it was complicated to make, utilising numerous ingredients that needed special handling, and extremely specific timings for boiling, simmering, stirring, and cooling.

Snape tested every single potion brewed that lesson, with varying degrees of success for a small handful of students. Matilda's was thankfully near perfect, though she was still assigned an essay to write detailing what she could improve on to make it absolutely flawless. It was times like these that she hated making near-perfect potions. She always struggled to work out what she'd been slightly lax on. Perhaps Lucius would know? He wasn't a Potions Master, but he had received excellent grades and was friends with Snape. Would that be considered inside information? It was a rather Slytherin thing to do. Would he be disappointed? Or impressed?

When she finally got back to her dorm, Lucius' owl was waiting for her, as patiently as an owl could. He stuck his leg out the instant he saw her and hooted when she didn't instantly take it. He flew out of the open window the second she took the letter from him and she grumbled. If she wanted to respond, she'd have to go to the Owlery to send it, and she wouldn't have long before curfew.

She sat down at the desk under the window and opened the familiar Malfoy seal, unfolding the thick parchment and beginning to read.

Dearest Matilda,

I can only hope that the Gods have been smiling upon us, as Headmistress McGonagall has agreed to my request to take you to Diagon Alley this coming Saturday and has not made any mention of needing parental approval, so we shouldn't need to postpone it for a week as we feared we might need to.

Now, the bigger question is, would you prefer a show somewhere, or live music at The Leaky Cauldron? I am perfectly content with whichever situation you would prefer, as long as we are spending time together.

I do hope my last letter didn't wake you when it arrived, I truly appreciate that you might have opted for a reasonably early night.

In light of your upcoming exams, I do hope you don't plan to study right through your birthday weekend next week? I would like to continue our Saturday meetings, and thought you might like to choose an activity to do? It can be whatever you wish to do, it could even be a muggle activity, though I will certainly defer to your expertise in such things. I am moderately more informed on the muggle world these days, but I did not spend my formative years there, so I would certainly trust your judgement with picking something we could do for your birthday.

Take your time thinking about what you'd prefer, I will look forward to your choices.

Yours,

Lucius.

Matilda couldn't decide if she was glad he hadn't delved into more intimate topics, or disappointed. She was definitely glad that they could go out freely to Diagon Alley without her parents having to get involved. She couldn't wait to finally be considered an adult by muggle standards and so no longer have to fear her parents suddenly deciding that they wanted to pull her from school and send her to some religious camp to try to reform her satanic ways, as they saw it. It was a fear she'd lived with since she'd first set foot inside Hogwarts. Every time she received a letter, she worried it was from her parents. Thankfully, the only letters she received were from her brother, and now Lucius.

The question was; what did she want to do for her birthday? She honestly hadn't thought about it. She rarely did anything for her birthday. Her brother would get her a gift and get a cake, but he was limited in what he could do as he was supporting them on a single income. The money he earned wasn't bad, but he hadn't expected to be responsible for his younger sister when he was still trying to sort his own life out.

When he'd first taken her in, he'd not long left home and come out to their parents. They'd disowned him and refused to speak to him, but on the odd occasion he'd gotten their attention, he made it clear that he would report them for child neglect of Matilda if thy didn't at least contribute funds for her. As a result, they agreed to pay £200 a month for her until she turned 18. She knew her parents wouldn't forget. The money would stop instantly, and she'd be relying on her brother to give her any money she needed until she could get herself a job, hopefully by being accepted onto the St. Mungo's Apprentice Healer Program.

Could she tell Lucius that she was about to have even less money than she usually had? So far, he'd paid for everything, but she never wanted to expect him to continue to do so. Perhaps she needed to be quiet about it. She'd just focus on her exams and then getting paid work, along with adjusting to married life. It was a lot to deal with in such a short period of time.

Dear Lucius,

I didn't realise that The Leaky Cauldron had live music! That could be fun, unless you have any ideas on any shows? I don't really keep up to date with shows in our world. I spent my younger years occasionally seeing Shakespeare plays thanks to my brother, and occasionally watching films at the cinema. Honestly, I'm just grateful I don't have to wait for parental permission that will never come.

I do intend to get some studying done, at the very least to make sure I'm perfectly prepared for Potions. I fear if I let my mind wander again and drop my books, Professor Snape might give me a month's worth of detentions including Saturdays.

I never properly thanked you for the extra dresses you sent me. You really didn't have to. I would like to ask which one you'd like me to wear? The black, the blue, or the deep red? I haven't tried either of them on yet, though they look similar in style to the green you bought me.

I'm not sure what else to suggest that we could do. Recreation wasn't something I was raised with, outside of reading, and since living with my brother, we're limited in what we have money to do. Most of my recreation has come thanks to Hogwarts. Until I came here, weekends were never mine to spend as I liked. What do you spend your weekends doing?

Matilda

She folded the letter and sealed it with a Ravenclaw seal before quickly hurrying to the Owlery to send it off before she went for dinner. She fully intended to study for the evening, even planning an hour or two for the library, something 7th years were permitted to do later than any other students.

She had contemplated waiting in her dorm for a response to her letter, but she decided not to sit around anxiously waiting like a lovestruck teenager. She didn't love him. Would she ever love him? Honestly, she hadn't really thought about love. Everything she'd felt so far had been physical. She was perfectly aware that there was mutual attraction between them, but whether that would develop into love she had no idea… Would a man like Lucius Malfoy ever love a muggleborn? The Marriage Law didn't care about love. It cared about procreation. Was it foolish to hope that things would be companionable between them? He had assured her that he wanted her to be happy and content, and had even been supportive of her ambition to become a Healer. She still had no idea how she would manage that when she was meant to have their first child by the time they had been married for two years.

None of her questions would be answered right away, so she sent the letter and went to the library to study, setting a timer so she wouldn't miss curfew.

As Wednesday morning rolled around, an owl was waiting for her at the window, annoyed at having been made to wait until she woke up. She took the letter when the haughty owl stuck its leg out and tried to offer it some biscuit, only for it to fly away.

She read it before even bothering to dress for the day.

Dearest Matilda,

I am pleased to have been able to give you the good news regarding our outing this coming Saturday. We could certainly see what music The Leaky Cauldron has on, perhaps something to do after another meal? I don't often keep up to date with shows either, though I could certainly see what The Daily Prophet recommends, if such an activity interests you?

Dropping your books during Potions? I wonder what could possibly be making your mind wander? I can't imagine such an innocent act of letting my tongue caress your nipple into the most delectable peak could cause such a distraction. I do hope you've not been so distracted as to leave a little damp patch on one of dear Severus' classroom chairs. I shall need to test that theory…

As for my preference for which dress you should wear, I am more than certain that you will look ravishing in anything. I would however, rather enjoy seeing you in the deep red dress. I believe it would offset that beautiful creamy skin of yours perfectly.

Perhaps we can decide what we would like to do on the day? I am permitted to pick you up at midday and deliver you back to the school by 9pm. Perhaps we could begin with a spot of afternoon tea, take a walk and see what inspires our interest, find a nice restaurant to have dinner, and then finish the evening with some music at The Leaky Cauldron? The weather is forecast to be rather pleasant, so we shouldn't need to shelter from any rain.

If you have any thoughts, or if there is anything you would like to explore in Diagon Alley, please do tell me.

Yours,

Lucius.

She bit her lip as she refolded the letter. He seemed to have become rather obsessed with her breasts. She grinned to herself behind her curtains, looking down at her vest, her nipples already hardened at the thought that she might have his mouth on her again. His tongue had felt incredible. It had opened up a new sensation to her. Her fingers simply couldn't replicate what his mouth had been capable of, and she knew exactly why she'd been so distracted.

She'd been tempted to save the letter until later, but she wanted to send a short reply before she had to attend her first lesson.

She grabbed a piece of parchment and a book to write on, keeping her curtains closed as she began, slipping her left hand into her knickers as she did so, circling her clit and adding fuel to her words.

Dear Lucius,

I am happy for us to decide what we want to do on Saturday when the day comes. I think the most important thing is to spend time together.

In truth, I utterly blame you for my distractions. I've replayed how your mouth felt on my breast over and over, and the images have floated across my mind, completed unbidden, at the most inopportune moments. I've fortunately not left behind any damp patches, but I have had to relieve myself of my… frustrations, more than once since our last meeting…

I confess, I have been doing so whilst writing this… I'm sure I left a damp patch on my bed…

Matilda.

Matilda's letter had arrived at his study window after breakfast, delivered by one of the school owls. Given that he'd sent his owl only a few hours earlier, he hadn't expected a response until after her school day had ended.

To say he was surprised by the contents was an understatement. He'd reread the letter numerous times, shifting in his leather chair more than once as his mind pictured her sat on her bed, one hand in her knickers as her other scribbled on the parchment he was now clutching.

He brought the letter up to his nose, wondering if he'd be able to smell her at all, but was disappointed that it simply smelled like parchment.

He grinned and let his head fall back at the thought that she'd been thinking about him during her lessons. If such things continued, he was sure Severus would quickly realise what was so distracting and no doubt bring it up at their next Friday evening dinner.

He pressed his palm into his groin, semi-hard and beginning to throb slightly. He was tempted to give himself some relief, but decided to let it fuel another letter.

Dearest Matilda,

I would agree that time spent together is far more important than where we spend it. I'm sure we'll enjoy the day no matter where we end up.

I would gladly take the blame for such distractions, and I fully intend to be the cause of future wanderings of the mind. I would be remiss if I didn't admit that I too have been thinking about how succulently divine your breast was filling my mouth. I may no longer be able to partake in group wanks, but I can certainly use the memory of you to satisfy my morning erections.

I do believe you might give poor Severus a heart attack if he had to witness a slick stain on one of his chairs from your nethers. I must admit, I'm not sure I would feel bad about that, knowing I could be the cause.

Whilst I am not currently stroking my eager cock, the urge to do so has been present for a good long while now. Who knows how long I will be able to contain myself…

Yours,

Lucius.

His reply came during lunch. Ava had been curious about all the letters Matilda had been receiving and wondered what they could possibly be talking about.

Matilda had felt a little guilty for not sharing the more intimate details, especially as Ava had still heard nothing from her intended husband.

"But, what could you possibly be talking about?" Ava asked as they took a walk around the courtyard.

"Mostly my studies and my wish to be a Healer," Matilda replied. It wasn't exactly a lie as they had spoken about such things.

"But, surely none of that will matter once you've married him?"

"Why won't it?"

"Because he'll want you at his beck and call, getting pregnant," Ava stated.

"Actually, that's not what he wants at all. He's supportive of me taking the Apprentice position at St. Mungo's. The Ministry stated that we're to have a child born before the 2nd anniversary, so we have time."

"He's going to let you work?"

"Why wouldn't he?" Matilda asked.

"Because he's a Malfoy! He's all old fashioned and stuff!"

"Well, he's not been like that so far. I can't really judge him by things he hasn't done, can I?"

"I suppose not. I suppose it's good he's at least taking an interest."

"Have you still heard nothing from your match?" Matilda asked.

"No, nothing. At first, I thought it was a good thing, but now, I'm wishing I'd at least had a letter. I have no idea who he is really, other than what I can find in the papers and old school records. "

"I have a feeling it's the same for most people. I honestly wasn't expecting it to be any different for me. I'm glad it is, but it's still a surprise," Matilda explained.

They walked to their double Potions lesson together, still discussing the merits and pitfalls of married life with an old pureblood, Lucius' letter still unread in Matilda's bag.

Fortunately for Matilda, she wasn't distracted at all during Potions, and as usual, completed all assigned work without so much as a stray puff of smoke escaping at the wrong moment. Ava never faired quite as well, despite her aptitude. She could be a little discordant in her approach, and now that they were in their final year, they were expected to work completely alone, rather than in pairs as was sometimes permitted before their OWLs.

Matilda was busy packing away her things and clearing away her desk when Professor Snape asked her to remain behind. She inwardly cursed, expecting him to chastise her for her distraction earlier in the week. She'd been dreading something happening.

"Miss Rowan, I would like to speak to you about a… delicate matter," he explained.

Matilda flushed. Had she left a damp patch? "I'm sorry I was distracted the other day, sir. I promise it won't happen again."

"That's not really what I wanted to discuss, though I suppose it is possible it is related. No, it is my understanding that you are victim to the new Marriage Law and you are matched with Lucius Malfoy?"

"Oh. Yes, sir. I was matched with him."

"He's been a good friend for many years and I asked that I might… discuss the upcoming wedding with you. He fears that because he only gets to see you once a week that he might not be best placed to understand your needs."

Matilda blinked. Lucius had asked her Potions Professor to speak to her about their marriage?

"Oh, I see. We haven't really discussed the wedding at all. We've been more focused on… getting to know one another," she explained, feeling a little odd talking to him about this. She had no intention of telling him just how well they were getting to know one another.

"Well, I suppose he'd like to know if you have any preferences for the wedding itself? I realise that a Ministry wedding is hardly traditional. It would be akin to a Muggle Registry Office wedding, but I don't see why you can't have things that might make the day a little more personal and special? Have you given any thought to it?"

"Um, I hadn't really. I don't know anything about Wizarding customs for marriage. I only really know Muggle ones," she said.

"I don't think he would be opposed to you bringing some Muggle themes into the day."

Matilda hadn't really thought about what she might want at the wedding. She hadn't really thought about the importance of the day, just that it had to happen as a formality.

"I think I'll need to give it some thought. I've been too preoccupied with NEWTs and knowing who I was marrying. You've really known him for years?"

"Yes, we were at school together briefly. He wouldn't dream of harming you in any way, if that's a concern of yours. I believe he fully intends to make the best of what has been done to you both. It would be very much in his nature to do all he can to ensure you're content with him," he explained.

Matilda smiled. "It's reassuring, sir. Thank you. I'll be sure to think about the wedding."

Snape nodded and stepped back to let her leave. He wasn't naïve enough to not understand why she'd felt the need to apologise for being distracted. If Lucius' comments about kissing her had been any indication of exactly how his friend intended to get to know her, he was sure that Lucius was slowly progressing things beyond kissing.

Matilda had dinner and returned to her dorm, only remembering the letter Lucius had sent her when she dumped out the books from her bag.

She fought back a gasp when she read his description of how aroused he had been when he was writing the letter, and how he intended to hold back from touching himself, despite also mentioning thinking about her when he masturbated in the morning.

She changed quickly into her night clothes and dumped a few books and parchment onto her bed, closing the curtains and silencing them so she could begin another letter.

Dear Lucius,

I would apologise for not writing sooner, but I had double Potions this afternoon, and given my issues in my last lesson, it was probably for the best I hadn't read it. I think I most certainly would have left a wet mess on Professor Snape's chair.

I hadn't thought to have had such an effect on you to need to masturbate every morning, though I do favour doing the same in the morning, and sometimes before bed. I wouldn't mind one of those vibrators, but even with a silencing spell, I worry someone would hear…

I hope I didn't make you wait too long before you needed to relieve yourself… I'm currently in the process of doing the same…

Matilda.

She had been about to slip her fingers into her knickers when she heard a scratching on the window by her desk. She slipped out of bed and pulled back the curtains to see Lucius' owl waiting for her. He didn't have a letter for her, so Lucius must have sent the owl expecting her letter in return.

It felt a little presumptive, but she was also grateful she wouldn't have to slip her cloak on and make a trip to the owlery. She tied her letter to the owl's leg and watched him fly off, closing the window and slipping back into bed so she could go back to what she had intended to do.