Misery
Challenge Thirteen: Marauder's Map
Title: Misery
Author: seaislewitch
Wizard/Witch: Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Malfoy
Rating/Warnings: PG-13/R for sensitive topic
Genre: Romance/Despair
Word count: 500
Prompt: inheritance
Summary: After Narcissa's miscarriage, Lucius has difficultly keeping his mind focused on anything else.
1976, Hogs Head
What am I doing in this filthy pub? I should be home. No, I can't take the silence any longer. Maybe a few doubles will take the edge off, but the best they have here is Ogden's. Lucius sighed. I'll just have to make do.
Here come the school boys. Regulus, little prat, in the lead. He must be fuming! Imagine your blood-traitor brother usurping part of your inheritance! Ogden's might help him too. Rabastan is acting ridiculously suspicious; I'll talk to him about it. There's Severus -- observing and lurking, as usual. That must be Barty Crouch, Jr.
Why must I recruit this pillock? I'd rather curse a few Muggles today. Lucius flicked a bit of fluff from his sleeve. Well, subtle persuasion is one of my many talents, he thought, sneering. Someday, I'll show my son how to be as astute, if I ever have an heir…
"Black, Lestrange, Snape. You must be Crouch." Lucius shook their hands and then sent Regulus to the bar for a round of drinks.
"As a pure-blood, Crouch, you undoubtedly recognise the urgency to act -- before it's too late. Noble wizards must stand together…" Lucius launched into his monologue. By the end, Crouch was eager to serve, as expected, but not even the thrill of manipulation cheered Lucius today.
I'll finish my drink and then go to the sweetshop, Lucius thought, while Regulus spun a drunken tale of his recent sexual escapades. Narcissa always liked those Chocoballs with strawberry mousse inside.
As Regulus vaunted, Lucius' mind slipped to the misery at home.
I cannot keep reliving that night… Narcissa was on the floor…shaking, crying, bleeding, dying… That blasted house-elf was nowhere to be found! If I hadn't arrived just then, Narcissa would have been lost too…
Now, she won't talk about it or even let me hold her. I'm tired of dining alone every night. I don't want any more solitary evenings in my study, emptying bottles of cognac, while she embraces Sleeping Draughts in our bedchamber. I'd much rather pleasure my beautiful, sexy wife and then feel her softness against me as she sleeps.
"Lucius… Lucius..." Severus was whispering insistently.
Startled, Lucius blinked. "What is it?" he snapped, cursing himself for his preoccupation.
"The wizard behind Rabastan is listening, possibly with a spell. Perhaps we should have cast Muffliato earlier."
Lucius glanced at the wizard and then threw his glass down, causing it to shatter. When the wizard jerked his head around to gawk, Lucius inconspicuously cast, "Obliviate."
Taking his leave before he faltered again, Lucius warned the younger wizards. "Be cautious. Use your spell, Snape."
Brooding, Lucius strode down High Street. His ruminations were a dangerous distraction, and he knew something had to be done. After Honeydukes, I'll stop at the jewellers for something expensive -- and meaningful -- to remember the baby we lost. Perhaps a special bracelet… Then she'll realise how much I still treasure her.
I'm a Malfoy, and I shall have my life -- my Narcissa -- back.
Author's Notes: Many thanks to redvelvetcanopy for her splendid beta commentary, which is always helpful. Thanks to gelsey for providing her magical Proof Witchery. *hugs both*
The inheritance Lucius refers to is the gold Alphard Black (died c.1976-77) gave to his runaway nephew (Sirius). (Source: HP-Lexicon) Yes, the house-elf was Dobby. So now you know why he was treated like vermin.
Proof-reader: gelsey