Chapter 19 - Drip

Take-Takeoff

Came through drippin' (drippin')

I ain't never slippin', I'm a pimp (pimp)

Fuckin' with a quarter million, nigga, what a feelin' (feelin')

Cardi B - Drip

Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip.

Narcissa knew she must be somewhere there was water in the near vicinity. She knew she was underground, dungeons tended to be located there in her extensive experience. Often anything above ground was a cell. So this was certainly a dungeon.

Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip.

She hadn't moved for two days. Her head lolled against the filthy stone wall beside her bunker, her knees drawn to her chin, she cradled herself, wrapping her chains closer to her like an iron blanket.

Drip. Drip. Drip. Drop.

Always the same, one drip out of all the others disappeared. But what did that mean, where the hell was she?

She knew that bastard had been sadistic. She had been married to him for long enough. Such bonds never broke, much to the chagrin of wedded couples from so-called superior bloodlines. She wondered, if this ever happened to Arthur, would Molly feel it too as keenly. She did not miss her husband. Even this dungeon had more appeal than the gilded cage she had left burning behind her. She would never succumb to such torture again. After this time, at least. But how could she escape?

She had always known Lucius was cruel, and in his cruelty lay his dangerous streak. When he had first beat her with his cane for smiling at another man at a social function, 3 days after their wedding day, she had simply corrected her posture, straightened her features, cast a disillusionment charm and carried on. This would be the price. This would be the only way for her bloodline to atone for her wayward siblings. She needed the notoriety. She needed the exposure. She needed Lucius.

Then, Draco was born. She no longer needed Lucius as she had been the resolution to any entitlement issues in her first - or at least to the public her first - showing. She did not need to show the public the cuts, burns and bruises from stinging hexes. Lucius had always been successful in perfecting the right amount of torture without ever damaging his things. She had honestly thought, for one moment, that he would soften with becoming a father to what he most craved. But, after insisting on Narcissa wean his son for less time than appropriate for a new born due to due his own "needs", Draco had been a sickly, colicky infant who would scream uncontrollably until either Narcissa or, to the surprise of many, Severus would take him in hand. He would screech the loudest when touched by his father, and this infantile innocence built within Lucius the deep resentment that would manifest in the treatment of his son. Narcissa could never truly shield her own son from such heinous behaviour, but she took the blows on many occasions, by some point barely flinching when the cane struck against her battle scarred flesh. She wouldn't even bat an eye when such horrendous torture seemed to turn the mood of her husband. Treating her like a Knockturn Whore, he would leave after the largest attacks, sometimes for blissful months. But, until Moldy returned the second time, the moments spent with Lucius in utter fear for his wretched life were fleeting at best. She loved that he was going out to the revels again, as he would return home too tired and drunk to even contemplating doing anything. She would say a silent prayer to Nimue for the poor souls he had preyed upon, but always felt relief when it was not her.

Then, "The Dark Lord" moved into their home. Her home. The home she had built, sweated and bled for. Lucius had just let him wander in and take residence with his court of depravity in hot pursuit. Suddenly, she was the Russian Doll being pulled apart piece by piece. It did not take long for her spineless husband to feed her, literally at some points, to the wolves. All this, years of this, and she was in the worst position of her life. So, she made a decision one night on her knees that she would save the one, slim chance she had of saving herself, her son and her sanity. Shaking her head, she confirmed the death of Harry Potter, whilst holding his slow pulse in her hands, gently massaging into him a magic so deep, it could only come from one mother to a child. She poured her hope and belief into the plucky teenager on the ground before her, and she had for once in her life followed her gut. As always, she had been right with her gut instincts, but this time she was on the winning side. She had slowly reinstated herself into society, she had overcome so much, and had moved on to being in the arms of one of the three Ministers for Magic. Having a job share role meant she had more time to discover herself and her new partner, there was no rush.

Narcissa allowed herself to smile as thoughts of her and Kingsley flowed through her mind. The only thing keeping her going. That and what of Draco? He and Ron were a perfect - if unexpected - twist.

The same thoughts ran through her head over and over again. Flashes of memories dancing before her unseeing eyes. She had once swore to herself she would never be trapped again. This prison was pissing her off. And, more importantly, where had the drip gone?

_-o0o-_

Lafayette lay in the plush sheets of the warm bedroom he had been allocated somewhere in the immense castle. She was a force to be reckoned with, that Hermione Granger. He wondered how much she really knew about herself. She was a witch, a real one. She had a wand. They ALL had wands. Lafayette could not believe how accurate the books and movies he had had to endure at Sookie's had been. Although they got one thing wrong, Severus Snape was certainly NOT some old man. No offence to Alan Rickman Daddy, but Lafayette was more intrigued by the tall, willowy professor with the dirty smirk. Sam had muttered something about him scowling, but Lafayette could see a twinkle at the corner of his eyes that was almost a poker tell. He had been caught staring a few times, and when the two other men - Sirius and Remus - who seemed to be flanking him would lean in and smirk conspiratorially, Severus was blush a crimson that only reach the base of his head, but could be seen in the small slithers of skin wrapped in all that darkness. Lafayette licked his lips, he was going to enjoy it here.

The other two hadn't been sore on the eyes either. That Sirius, though, he knew he too cute. Lafayette clocked it straight away, in the swish of the shoulder length mane of salt and pepper hair and the slightly overzealous teasing, Lafayette knew straight away that that man knew he cute. The other, more reserved man, reminded Lafayette of a sexy librarian, and the thought of what he could find lurking between THAT man's shelves made Lafayette want to cackle. The two teasing Severus were clearly a couple though, or really old friends, as they seemed to be so natural with one another. It was cute to see. It wasn't all that progressive in Bon Temps, still to many old people with old ideals that can't see the new. Some of those old people were even Lafayette's friends - god love Arlene - but they were nowhere near as progressive. Times were changing, but not nearly fast enough. But here, there seemed to be a perfect acceptance of homosexuality. There was even a lesbian teaching sports - how cliche! Lafayette was falling in love with this place.

He also was feeling strangely more magically grounded. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the raging fire within him seemed to flicker like a candle. It seemed more pleasant, like it wanted to help him rather than rip him apart. Maybe it was the openness of the place, he had after all seen ghosts simply wandering around the main dining hall when they arrived. He could almost feel the castle's intentions, its want to teach and to support, and it shook him. He didn't know that it could be this...easy. Losing the stress of everyday life, the power he had unwittingly been cultivating was nothing in comparison to what surrounded him, but did that mean it would never be close? Maybe, when he was less frazzled, he could try to contact Jesus again, see if somehow he could reconnect with his guide to get some clarity - not that there was ever clarity, just more riddles and bullshit that Lafayette just did not want to try to decipher.

And what was all that between Sookie and Hermione?

Lafayette noticed the pair instantly connected through an impromptu laughing fit. They seemed to have some odd similarities, although they were completely different women. He really was stumped with this one. It was almost like they were distant cousins. The moment the thought hit his mind, he wished he hadn't had it at all. Would this be another twist in the tale? Maybe he was just overthinking everything. He needed to calm his mind, to focus. He needed a walk. But, with the thought of potentially getting lost in this huge place, he settled for the next best thing. Flinging the large windows that opened onto the castle grounds wide, he pulled the joint from under his scarf he had kept close by for emergencies, and lit the end, taking a deep inhale and slowly letting the warm vapor cascade from his lips. He didn't need to find the answers on the first day, he didn't need to dive too deeply just because of how many times he had previously watched himself and others get burned. He would go with the flow, maybe he would have a little more understanding of his true potential by the time he left this place. Or maybe he would be dead. He wasn't sure what the odds were after their "introductory meeting" that night. They had mainly discussed each other in the most basic of terms, everyone still wary of the true intentions of everyone present. They had been updated on what was known so far, why Eric had recommended them as a team who knew about the supernatural world who would be able to help. They even learned that there was something going on between Hermione and Eric, although they both seemed to keep distance throughout the evening. Lafayette, ever observant, saw the touches, the brushing of arms, the long looks. He felt queasy, but fair enough. Maybe the Viking deserved some happiness too. Maybe.

Lafayette was pulled from his musings by a soft, almost inaudible, knock on his door. It was late, he had assumed everyone had gone to their bedrooms and were out for the count. Hell, the darkest hour was creeping by, who was at his door. Quickly stubbing out his smoke and waving in a desperate attempt to cover his deed, he padded across the warm rugs, pulling his kimono around him as he went, and hesitated at the handle. The door knocked again, a little louder this time, and he opened it to find Remus and Sirius, one with a naughty grin on his face Lafayette knew meant trouble in some form. Remus actually looked like he had been wrenched from his sleep, his eyes still slightly misty from being rudely awoken. Sirius was nearly bouncing as he flashed another dashing grin and began in hushed, velvety tones.

"I - erm - well I just so happened to be making rounds tonight and there was a - very distinct - smell that came from the direction of your room...I was wondering if you would be so kind as to clarify for me, and for my partner, if you have weed in your room?"

Lafayette had no idea how to respond. He wasn't sure of the angle, but he knew his answer was part of a larger game. Sirius had both hands behind his back, and Remus had a look of annoyance that seemed solely for Sirius's benefit.

"I'm sorry, Lafayette was it? I know its late but he was sure he smelled weed, and I said it was none of our business, then next thing I know I'm bring dragged out of bed by an impatient puppy too old to be playing such games!"

Lafayette liked the odd couple, and couldn't help but laugh at their antics. Although he had no problems doing his own thing, he had to admit the interruption to his thought trains was a welcome reprieve.

"Well, cher, maybe I was and maybe I wasn't, you gonna put me in detention?" Lafayette winked at Remus, who blushed the sweetest shade of pink. But it was Sirius who answered.

"We ARE professors, perhaps naughty guests fall within our remit. I'm sure we could whip up the perfect detention for those who have not learned how to share."

Remus looked shocked and a little embarrassed, but didn't seem averse to Sirius's suggestive comment. Lafayette cocked his head to the side and looked both men up and down. To match the gaze, Sirius produced what he had been hiding, a very suggestive looking bong and an old wooden box, with the engraving of Marauder's Horde still visible, though very weathered. Remus begrudgingly pulled out his wand and made three glasses, a bottle of a strange, effervescent amber liquid, and a tray appear before them, floating in midair.

"Perhaps we should show our new guest some hospitality, Sirius, rather than trying to get into his pants before you even know him? Hmm? How about a nightcap, seeing as we are all awake?"

Remus smiled, a genuine warm smile that made Lafayette join in in earnest. Sirius stuck out his lower lip in a childish pout, turning the face to Lafayette with widened, sad puppy eyes.

"You know, you know you cute. It ain't cute…"

Lafayette moved aside to allow the two entry to his quarters - oh how he loved saying that - but suddenly Sirius turned and walked out again, barely setting foot inside. Lafayette furrowed his brow, as did Remus, as Sirius proceeded to hold up his hand in a style reminiscent of a founding father as he briskly walked down the corridor.

"Now what would a nightcap be without Sevvie? I'll get him!"

The chuckling of the two men left standing in the doorway followed the fading footsteps of Sirius Black on a mission of friendship.