[What Lies Behind Iron Gates]

[grandpalovegood]

A story co=written by:
Duddah the Great Barn Owl
Miss Charlotte

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What Lies Behind Iron Gates

Chapter 1

With the Strike of a Match.



It is very COLD outside, d.amn near a blizzard in fact. The albino peacocks having been brought inside the aviary to keep them from freezing to death on such an ungodly and unforgiving night. The snow has already amassed a sickening depth while drifts and banks have created blockages to all the entrances and first floor windows.

The blowing winters wind creates it's own language as it creeps between the doors, windows and any openings in the ancient manor house. Howls not unlike the wails of a wounded animal funnels down the chimneys and into the massive fireplaces of the old mansion. The whispers of the wind are spine chilling, the sounds are as if the angels and demons alike were come to visit this place. To take what is rightfully theirs. To leave nothing but cold and silence in its wake once all was said and done.

Up the stairs the wind crept and out onto the second floor landing. An open paneled wooden door comes into sight. Just barely open with a streak of weak light escaping the gap between the door and the frame casting a ghostly shadow upon the oriental carpet covered polished wood floor.

A small house elf very gently reaches his trembling hand up and pushes the door open just enough for himself and a tray laden with a white porcelain basin and towels to fit by. A tall decanter of dark red liquid and two glasses also sit upon the tray of shiny silver, reflecting the image of the house elf from a vantage point that makes him appear to be a monstrous giant.

The house elf walks into the room and upon his very large and glassy eyes are reflected the images of a massive heavily carved four poster bed laden with piles of the finest silken bed linens. Pillows with gold threaded dangling trim of silk and satin roping and tassels..

A frail frame of a man who's pallor of a sickening green, his cheeks sunken into the frame of his skull confirm that death himself is nearby. The linens which are neatly tucked in around the old man, barely moving up and down to reveal a still breathing form underneath their massive weight..

A sudden flash of White shoulder length hair and a brilliantly handsome face comes into focus as the house elf blinks, and blinks again.. Tears filling his eyes, the platinum locks hang to one side.... A small sneer twists upon the face, the eyes fixed upon the gravely pale face of the prostrate elder.

The younger man oh so very gently takes the hand of the now slightly gasping and apparently distressed figure... Both of the young hands clasp one of the wrinkled hands of the dying figure. The long fingernails barely protruding out from between the smooth and strong grip of the younger male...

"Father, father, if you can still hear me, you must still hear me.... I have always wanted to know... I HAVE to know... Did you...(a slight choke in the young but firm voice), did you ever really love us.. Mother, myself? Anyone.. ANYONE? Not all of this, all of these things.. These dusty old relics of ancestor who have passed... But US... the US who have worshiped every step you took. Every single breath that you take.. d.amn IT OLD MAN, TELL ME,,, TELL ME NOW before you breath your last breath.... Tell me or damned be you and your soul!"

The Dragon Pox had taken its vicious toll upon the elderly man. Abraxas Malfoy, once a great general, one of the greatest generals ever to have served in both the service to the King of England and the Ministry of Magics Defense Guard... Now he lay here before his only son... Lucius Malfoy barely a man himself. Still appearing to be but a child in the dim light of the Death Room.

His breaths were becoming more labored, the wheezing more pronounced.. The moans a bit more exaggerated.

Beads of sweat appeared with regularity upon the brow of the forehead of Abraxas... Running in single streaks down the side of his temple... Running into his ears and past the silvered side burns which once stood out so proud.. So very strong... But now his hair lay matted upon the side of his head. Dampened by his own body fluids. The life escaping him with the passing of each and every second.

There standing alongside the bed his ears barely protruding above the edge of the green and silver satin bed linens was a very young house elf. He himself, just beginning his tenure as the newly installed Head House Elf in charge of Malfoy Manor... His own father, the previous Head House Elf, having passed on just a day earlier after having contracted the very same Dragon Pox, the very same disease that now was claiming the very life force of the patriarch of Malfoy Manor...

Dobby's eyes still filled with tears as he felt the sudden blow against the side of his head... The silver tray which he had carried falling to the floor with a loud shattering of porcelain and clang of the heavy silver tray bouncing upon the ancient wooden floor below him....

Bright white hot light shot out in front of his eyes and all was what Dobby could see.. Nothing came into focus, his hearing was obscured by a loud ringing... And then a loud scream...

"NNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! YOU OLD FOOL, NOOOOOO!!!!!!! ANSWER ME! DO YOU HEAR ME??? YOU CAN'T DIE!!!! YOU HAVE TO TELL ME FIRST!!!!!!! and then I care not what happens to you, you, you,,, MY FATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!MY,,,,, d.amn You! d.amn your SOUL FOREVER!"

The sound of sobbing was now penetrating the ringing in the house elf's head and ears. His vision coming back into focus....
A chill is in the air... All is quiet except for the howl of the wind.

A lovely young woman with a pale face, peers outside through the white lace curtains. She shivers watching falling snow... Thinking to herself, if only this chill she is feeling was caused from the weather.

She smirks, wondering where is that elf?

"Kokay!" she shouts.

Suddenly the tiny form with with large bat-like ears and enormous eyes appears. She is dressed in an old pillowcase all tattered and torn. The elf holding her head low, yet still looks up to her mistress.

"Yes ma'am," she squeaked, "You called for Kokay?"

"Stoke the fire! It's getting cold in here."

"Yes ma'am," she said in her squeaky voice... busying herself with the task she had been set.

The tall, slim woman, wearing midnight blue silk robes, can't be bothered with thoughts of the servants.... She returns her gaze out to the snow once more. If only the chill she felt could be quenched by the demand she gave her servant.

The fire had begun to crackle loudly...

She looks around, seeing herself to be alone once more.

"How can she....?" She thinks to herself, as she shakes her head.

With a sigh, she pushes back her long blond hair behind her shoulders. "How can she just sleep at a time like this? If this was my own beloved lying up there, breathing what may be his last breath, I could not simply retire for the night."

From where she stands, she can see through the doorway. Another house elf is seen heading upstairs, holding a tray.

She steps away from the window with it's heavy gold curtains, which are being held back by long braided ropes, ending in tassels that match. She turns her gaze across the the wide proportions of the room. The fire from the ornate marble fireplace, flickers casting sparkles of light across the room... It's cause, a reflection from a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

She casts her blue eyes up to the portraits as they hang upon the dark purple walls, they are all soundly sleeping at this late hour. Setting her eyes upon one in particular, she smirks and then turns away.

Suddenly, she hears a crash and shouting from a distant room. As she walks over to the doorway, she recognizes the voice. The voice of her own newly wedded husband.

"Lucius!" she breathes out loudly.

Rushing to the Great Hall, she quickly climbs the stone steps which are carpeted in red... Finally reaching the second floor, she pauses at the opened door.

Taking a deep breath, she closes her eyes but only for one second, then she enters.

From across the room, her eyes are cast immediately to her husband, who is kneeling beside the bed, holding his father's hand.

She notices the older gentleman laying there oh so still. Hearing her husband sobs, is more than she can stand.. Pushing the house elf out of the way, she hurries over by Lucius' side. She takes him into her arms, trying to console him, holding his head to her heart. She pushes back his white blond hair with her soft hands as she attempts to wipe away the tears from his face.

Choking back her own tears, she whispers, barely loud enough for him to hear...

"Is he..... has he gone?"

The words do not register at first. They seems to float in the air around Lucius head.. He raises his head for a moment, stares into the large limpid blue eyes of Narcissa Black Malfoy...

"GET OUT! Do you hear me? GET OUT! ALL OF YOU!" came the breaking voice of Lucius Malfoy.

"POP"

Narcissa turns her head toward the sound that breaks through the echoing shouts of her husband. She see's the shadow of Dobby evaporate into thin air.

Narcissa, not sure exactly what to say, what to do at this moment merely kneels on the edge of the satin covered bed. Not realizing the risk that she was taking, she reached out her elegant long hand and barely touched that of Lucius.

"HOW DARE YOU? How dare you not obey a direct command?" Lucius sat there trembling with a mixture of anger and fear..

His brow, smooth but now showing signs of reddening. Blood obviously rushing to his head as his hand becomes cool to the touch and is suddenly snatched way from the touch of his wife and the feeling death enclosed in his own grip.

He rises to his feet. His full 6 feet two inch frame becoming a mighty and imposing site to behold. He turns sharply and reaches out to grab hold of a wand which lay upon one of the bed side tables..

The wand is embellished with a brilliant and highly polished silver serpents head as the handle. The Eyes of the Serpent are of the deepest cut green Emerald. The handle of a dark wood, clean and straight in its lines swishes through the air with the greatest of ease as the words are uttered with might.

"Finite Emballmeros Cadavrous".

The body of Abraxas Malfoy, former patriarch of the Malfoy family and head of Malfoy Manor is suddenly glowing in a brilliant silver light as military dress ware appears upon his lifeless form... The body, no longer under the heavy bed linens floats gently a few inches above the bedding upon which it lay, gasping its final moments of life upon this earth.

Narcissa stunned by the sudden mannerism of her newly wed husband was taken such aback that she had to turn her head. Tears streaking down her porcelain face and running down her long neck.

She did not wish for Lucius to see her tears, to see that she was possibly weak.. She was not weak, she was after all Narcissa Black. Of THE BLACK family dynasty. One of the few all wizarding families that could rival that of the Malfoy houses.

No, Narcissa would not let Lucius know that she was not perfect... Her heart breaking into a million tiny pieces within her own perfect form. Her nerves torn from within herself, every single nerve ending exposed to the chilly air that made its way through the ancient windows of the Manor.

A tiny figure appears at the doorway. A huge set of brown eyes, widened to obscene proportions gazing into the semi darkened room.

Kokay, going about her work, strikes a match, setting yet another fire in the fireplace on the first floor. Feeling the warmth, she smiles, hoping this will please her Mistress.

"Mistress Cissa will be happy now." She walks up the stone staircase to begin lighting the fires of the upstairs bedrooms before they are needed.

Suddenly a POP is heard.

Dobby appears, stumbling and dazed on the steps near the bottom.

Kokay, walks back down toward him.

"Why is Dobby back so soon? Master Lucius called Dobby to him.." squeaked Kokay.

Dobby, suddenly trembling all over, squeaks, "Dobby in so much trouble. Dobby has left the broken glasses and silver tray in master's room! Master Lucius is angry!"

Kokay, notices the blood which is already running down the side of Dobby's head. She watches as the elf begins to repeatedly bang his head upon the table at the end of the stairway. "Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!" he shouts.

Kokay reaches out her tiny hand to Dobby's shoulder, trying to make sense of what has happened.

"Dobby, why did the glass break? Why did Dobby leave it there?" squeaked the tiny little elf. Her brown globe-like eyes becoming more round with worry.

Shaking his head so hard his ears flapped, Dobby's eyes suddenly shone with tears. "Master Abraxas is gone, gone like Dobby's....." Dobby choked and could not finish his sentence.

Kokay wanting to take Dobby back to the kitchens, back to his cubby under the sink, where he can cry. Yet, she knows she has more work to do for the Masters.

"Master won't like broken glass in Master Abraxas' room. Dobby, go back to the kitchen. Kokay will get the glass and silver from Master's room."

Dobby did not hear Kokay's words, but continued to cry loudly. He rocked himself back and forth while sitting at the foot of the staircase.

She climbs the staircase and peers into the room...

The feeling of emptyness mixed with anger... An anger that he will never know how is father really felt about them. Did he ever really love those who loved him? With a clinched jaw, he glares at the body of the once great man, hovering there before him.

Narcissa quickly wipes away the tears from her own face, blinking, trying to regain composure. All the while thinking to herself, he needs for her to be strong. She slowly backs off of the edge of the bed. Once again attempting to reach out to him, placing her slim fingers softly upon his wand arm.

"Lucius," she whispers. "It's alright. Please... let him go."

He barely registers his wife is still there, until her words break the silence in the room. Her touch slightly begins to bring feeling back into his limbs. Her voice... calms him but for one second. He slowly lowers the body of his father back onto the bed. Lucius stares at the figure of this man lying there so still, almost daring him to move, to speak. Nothing happens. There is a coldness there hidden in his gray eyes, as he turns his gaze toward Narcissa.

She moves in closer, now placing her hands to both sides of his face, as she looks up into his eyes. Knowing she can't leave him there, she slides her hands down his arms. Taking each of his hands into hers, she slowly backs away from the bed, leading him with her. He follows her out of the room.

Kokay comes out from behind the door, watches silently as they leave. The elf's eyes filled with tears for the saddness that has overcome this house. Wiping her eyes, she scurries over to the fireplace and throws on another log. Quickly she tends to the broken items scattered across the floor. With one last check, the fire burns brightly, she too exits the room.

[grandpalovegood]

What Lies Behind Iron Gates

Chapter 2

The Forks on the Left the Knife on the Right

The morning sun shone through the Solarium window panes and spread a warmth across the frond of the potted palm trees, the highly polished table surfaces and warmed the oriental carpets that covered the ancient wooden floors beneath them..

That beautiful sunlight belied the fact that it was severely frigid outside. The snow piled hip high to any Witch or Wizard but to the House elves that were outside in the blustery weather, their ear tips barely showed above the surface of the white landscape..

All too often a sudden gust of wind would blow and a drift of snow would be instantly created, sometimes burying an elf so that the others would have to come to their rescue.

The image of a House Elf in such distress almost made the stoic face she wore like a mask at a New Years Eve Party break into a bit of a panic.

She stood there, tall, graceful, elegant, dressed in a long day gown of Silver woven thread. The sleeves hanging down past her slender wrists and stopping just above the Massive Diamond ring on her left hand.

Casting ones eyes up to toward the haughty and forcefully proud postured head, the buttoned up collar of the gown is covered in Emeralds, Diamonds and Platinum so fierce that they created their own fire. The stunning light cast as a reflection from the Sun's competing light were not to be outdone.

The Emeralds caused a soft green glow to surround the figure as she stood there. So quiet, so serene, so elegantly beautiful. She had clearly been the Wife of privilege. The years had been kind to her face. Almost as smooth upon ones eyes as her beauty was to ones soul.

A small house elf dressed in a starkly white pillow case draped across its body as if an Ancient Greek Toga. This little elf was obviously very old and clearly very female. Its eyes wide, but its hands wrinkled and fingers bent from years of service and arthritis alike.

The house elf bends low beside the Elegant lady who's form seems to have become the very center of the room which she stands in.

"May I please poor Madame Celeste a cup of Breakfast Tea, may I please?" Came the low voice of the House Elf.

With a silent but very gentle waive of her Diamond adorned hand, the gentle touch of fingertips to the back of the house elf's shoulder nudged it toward the table, which was suddenly set with a shining Sheffield Silver Tea Service. Bowls of Scones and clotted cream, jellies and soft silken linens were all adorned by a lovely and ornately Brilliant Cut Glass vase. Filled with Calla Lilies. All with the softest hint of mint green to the flowers.

Celeste Peverell Malfoy steps gracefully toward the sun lit table. She moved as if floating upon a cloud of the softest spring lambs wool. Her Chinese Silk woven slippers not making the slightest bit of noise. Her shadow being cast long across the glass enclosed room. Her silhouette against the windows and the surrounding Waxen leafed plants made for such a striking sight that even her own house elf was brought to a small gasp as it in took a bit of the flower perfumed air that filled this room.

Outside, in the bright sunlight, the wind still blows so cold. The house elves are busy at work clearing the entryway to the great manor.

"Shovel the snow.. Shovel the snow.. Oh how the wind blows..." says one of the house elves with a sing song sort of squeaky voice.

Dobby looks up at him and makes a face, squinting his bulbous round eyes at him.

"Dobby is hurrying so Dobby can go inside where it is warm. Merry, why not sing about the fire?"

Dobby pauses only long enough to wrap a couple of torn pieces of cloth around his hands, trying to keep himself warm, as he holds the shovel.

Merry digs along side of him.... Suddenly, he stops.

"Look Dobby! Look up there in the solarium window."

Merry wears a huge happy smile, eyes twinkling, "Isn't Madame Celeste so beautiful?" Just as sudden as he stopped digging, he quickly picks up speed in his work.

"Merry is going to make Madame Celeste very happy and clear all of this snow away from the steps."

In the distance, one can see a figure approaching the rot iron gates, though not there yet.

Dobby, who had never stopped digging, decides HE will be the one to make his mistress happy, so together they work harder, faster, to impress her as she watches over them.

They complete the main part of the great doorway then begin to work their way clearing the snow from the steps down toward the driveway below.

Suddenly a strong gust of wind blows a drift, freeing it from where it was piled up.

"EEP!," squeaked Merry loudly. "Dobby!"

With the help of another house elf, who just stepped outside to join them, they work together to uncover Dobby. Dobby, who was covered all the way up to his large pointed ears with snow.

Dobby, who was dripping wet, shivered terribly as Merry helped him inside the front door of the manor house. Standing there, Merry calls out loudly.. "Kokay!"

Down the front hallway appears the tiny elf, hurrying toward the two of them.

"Merry what happened?" she said with a higher pitched squeak than the other elves had. They filled her in about the events that happened. Bidding Merry goodbye as he went back to his work, she escorted Dobby to the kitchens.

Dobby's golf ball sized eyes so wide, and teeth chattering so loudly, she places him on a small elf-sized stool, near the huge fireplace. She points a finger at him and magically dries the cold wet snow from the grubby pillowcase he was wearing. Quietly, she wraps a small heated blanket around him. He watches as she tends to him.

Shaking a tiny little bony finger, "Dobby races to clear away steps. Dobby plays games when Dobby should be working. Good house elves always works hard to please masters." Kokay says scoldingly to him. "At Master Black's house, house elves NEVER play. House elves do what they is told."

Kokay reaches into a nearby cupboard to retrieve a mug. Quietly, Dobby watches her intently. Soon she hands him a steaming mug of hot chocolate, only to look up at his face to see his huge toothy grin. Suddenly, she stops her chastisement, trying to suppress a grin of her own.

The knock from the front door echoed throughout Malfoy Manor.. It has been a very solemn morning. One of loss, one of anger, one of relief all rolled up into one excruciating silence.

"BANG, BANG, BANG" again rang the sound of the heavy Serpent shaped door knocker bashing against the hard wooden entrance door.

"Dobby must go, Dobby must not be late to answer the door or Master Malfoy will surely have Dobby's head cut off and placed upon a stick outside in the snow."

Kokay, moved away from Dobby, just in time as he overturned the small stool upon which he had been sitting. She too grabbed her hands and ran after Dobby, sure that who ever was at the doorway, that they would be in need of a great deal of care from the Winter Storms effects.

"POP" Dobby's figure appears at the entrance way, just as another series of loud knocks rang out into the Manors silence.

In the Solarium, Celeste Malfoy sat still as if frozen in place. Only her eyes moved giving away that she was not made of Ice set against the backdrop of the brilliant sunlight that flooded the room, and the windows all crusted with crystals of frost and snow.

Her eyes moved ever so slightly to gaze upon her wand which lay beside her teaspoon as it rested in a small silver dish.

The sound of silence was again broken but this time not by the knocking of the door but by the figure of Lucius Malfoy and the smack of his walking stick upon the top landing of the staircase.

"Dobby, our guest must be allowed to enter, open that door you filthy little creature or it will be the last thing you ever do, alive that is."

With this Dobby let out a small quivering ohhhhh as he reached up to the large metal handle of the heavy wooden entrance door. He pulled with all his might and the door made way as a figure cloaked from head to toe revealed itself... But who?

Just as the open doorway revealed the cloaked figure, Narcissa Malfoy walked out of a bedroom behind her husband. She strode the few steps with the grace of a butterfly. She stood behind her husband. Silent, motionless, expressionless. She gazed toward who ever had come to their home on this day of Mourning.

The figure in the doorway began to move into the manor. It stopped just after it had ventured a few feet inside..

The wooden door was suddenly closed behind the figure and Dobby turned to assist the removal of the cloak it was garbed in.

Just as Dobby had reached up to take the sleeve of the cloak, the hand within the sleeve forcefully brushed hard against the side of Dobbys head. The voice, high pitched and disgustingly dripping in venom finally made itself heard.

"Get your filthy hands off of my person you disgusting creature. If I were in need of your assistance, I would be less than what I am and more like those filthy Muggles walking about in the Snow, singing their sickened songs of cheer when they know not that their own ends are near."

Although, Celeste is sitting in the warmth of the brilliant sunlight, her limbs feel almost numb. A sudden chill, not the kind that comes with the wintry weather, but of a warning of things to come.

The old house elf returns from the kitchens, having retrieved a forgotten silk napkin. She proceeds to pour the tea.

"Biddy, By chance do you know who is calling at this early morning hour?"

"Oh yes, ma'am," squeaked the elderly elf. She holds her head down as she twists one corner of the pillowcase she is wearing.

"Biddy just now saw Kokay in the kitchens. Kokay said that... that..." Biddy pauses to swallow, "That Master Abraxas' Master had just now arrived!" She folds the silk napkin and places it beneath the polished silverware.

With this news, Celeste does not flinch. Keeping her poise, she closes her eyes, and ever so quietly whispers, "Noooo."
She then reaches up with a soft slender finger, tracing her wand as it lay in it's silver tray.

"DOBBY!" shouts Lucius. "How dare you! LEAVE now before I roast you alive for insulting our guest!"

Dobby shivers and disparates immediately with a loud POP!

Narcissa, reaches up and places her hand through her husbands arm. So proudly, he holds his head up, as together they descend the staircase.

With the slow drawling voice, "I am Lucius Malfoy," he gestures toward his wife, "and this is my wife Narcissa. It is a pleasure to have your company, my Lord," he says with a slight nod of his head.

Without a word he appraises the young man who now stands before him. The guest steps forward a few more feet into the great hallway, looking around expecting to find something.. or someone. Turning a piercing set of red eyes back upon the young couple, "Where is your father, Abraxas? I am to meet with him," he said with a hiss in his voice.

Lucius sneers as he holds his head up. "He has passed away during the night. How may I serve thee?" Lucius extends his arm and bids him entrance into the Morning Room.

Hesitating there for a moment, the Dark Lord smiles.

[grandpalovegood]

Forged In The Fires of Hates

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"Absolutely NOT! I refuse to allow that filthy traitor to attend my wedding! I would blast her off the face of the earth if she even tries to crash my wedding! It is MY DAY do you hear me? There is no way that you are going to get either of us to agree to being polluted by their presence."

Her voice came as a shrill scream. Her hair flying in all direction as the house elf approaches her with a large silver tray laden with elegant parchments and envelopes.

"You know that we all understand your concerns. That is why the suggestion was made to have just your sister attend the wedding. In no way is anyone condoning or even willing to accept the suggestion of HIS attending the wedding. As you are all aware, I have personally blasted her from our families memories. She is no longer blood to me, yet the blood that flows through her veins is kin to the blood which flows through her sisters as well," the low and calm voice of Walburga Black stated.

"NO, NO, NO, NO!"

Suddenly a shot of bright yellow light erupted from the end of Bellatrix Blacks wand. It hit the stack of Wedding Invitations that Kreacher was carrying. The curse barely misses the House Elf as he ducks sideways, loosing his footing and just as the large Sheffield Silver tray is seen floating up into the air just before it came crashing down upon his head with a sickening "THUD"

Bellatrix grabbed a bottle of Elf Made Wine and storms out of the kitchen of Number 12 Grimmauld Place.. The pounding of her heavily healed shoes are heard echoing throughout the House... A SLAM of a second floor door and the group of elegantly dressed Witches seated at the long scrubbed wooden table in the brilliantly sparkling clean kitchen of the Ancient House of Black once again begin to speak amongst each other.

"You know Walla, she does have a point... If it were my Wedding, you could not for the life of me force me to allow such a traitor to come and pollute MY DAY!" spat Lucretia Prewett.

"You know that I detest the very idea of any filthy Muggle to enter the family or to even have any kind of contact with any of our kind... But after all, She is a Pureblood and she is her sister... I am asking this only as a favor to my Sister-In-Law Druella.. As you all know, she also has disavowed the marriage of this Tonks Muggle and our own misguided Andromda. It is not too late to put an end to that filthy Union since no offspring have occurred. It is all together possible that they are not physically compatible, that his Muggle disease will not allow him to stain the name of BLACK!"

Walburga sat now silent, having made her point and plead the case of her Sister-In-Law. Her head held slightly too high, her nose pointing upward and he hands clasped just a bit too tightly in front of her motionless posture.

From upstairs a scream of "NO, NO, NO!" was once again heard echoing throughout the house..

"That blasted portrait.... Why does it not mind it's own business. Since when do we no longer have the right to discuss the comings and goings on of this family without worry of being spied upon by PORTRAITS?" asked yet another haughty figure further down the wooden table...

A glass is suddenly knocked over and the red liquid contents that it once held was heading toward the edge of the table...

Kreacher sprang to his feet and in a split second had the mess cleaned to a spotless shine.... The glass restored to its vertical position and the contents replaced by yet a bit more than what had just been so unceremoniously dumped out.

"Thank you Kreacher, that will be all," spoke the stilled figure of Walburga Black.

Kreacher bowed to his Mistress and backed away from the grouping of almost a dozen Witches.... He headed toward a small gap that was not immediately obvious to the others along side the stove... Behind this stove was an opening, home and nest to the House Elf Kreacher... He squeezed himself along side the hot stove, hearing his own hands slightly sizzle as the skin upon them burned at the touch to the Iron Monster in front of his own place of rest.

Broken glass from silver picture frames, a vase, a once delicate crystal figurine all in pieces on the floor.. Scattered across the room is debris from broken items from the tantrum which took place a half hour earlier.

A young woman with thick, shining dark hair and heavily hooded eyes, sits on her bed, glaring at the wall across the room. The feeling of anger still pulsing through her veins. She takes another swig from the bottle of wine.

"How dare she!" she mutters under her breath.

"I WON'T HAVE IT!.... I won't."

She slides herself off of the side of her silver satin bed comforter. Feet finding the floor, she stumbles a little as she walks over to the window. Peeking through the heavy dark curtains, she continues to glare at the world outside. The sun has now set. The bright moon is low and rising in the night sky. She drinks more from her bottle spilling some down her chin. Taking the long sleeve of her black dress, she wipes her mouth.

"No Muggle lover will set foot...." she trails off... Her eye catches something moving outside, down by the street.

"SHE'S NOT my sister anymore! NO sister of mine..." her voice trailing off once again.

Leaning forward she takes a closer look outside... A couple are walking hand in hand. She sneers.

"Muggles! FILTH!"

She takes another swig of the bottle this time emptying it's contents.

"One day we will RID THE WORLD OF THEM!" She takes the bottle and smashes it on the wall, across the room, nearly hitting an ornate picture frame.

Phineas Nigellus Black, smiles slyly. "That's right. What are you going to do?"

Bella ignores him.

"KREACHER!"

*POP* He stands there bowing so low his nose nearly touches the floor.

"Kreacher hears Mistress calling," he said with a voice so low it sounds like a bullfrog.

"CLEAN UP THIS MESS!... NOW!" she shouts so loud her voice carries down the stairs.

Kreacher quietly, retrieves the broken pieces of glass, and other items, placing them in a trash bin. All the while, she returns her attention to the couple outside. Watching them so intently.

The man below, turns and kisses the woman goodbye. The woman stands there waving as the city bus turns the corner. Bellatrix raises an eyebrow. A smile slowly begins to cross her face, a smile with cruel intentions.

"Get rid of them aaaaall," she whispers.

Suddenly, with a breath of fresh energy, she leaves her room, taking with her her wand which was laying on her bedside table.

Soon screams are heard, followed by a witches cackle in the night.

"Bella NO! Get back in here! You are not to be seen. Don't you realize that the streets are filled with those filthy Muggles?" came the voice of Walburga Black.

The other Witches gathered around the table could not keep to themselves and began to scream at the top of their lungs for the impulsive young Witch to stop from exposing their world to those outside of Number 12 Grimmauld Place.

"Bella, This has been the family home of the Black family for many more years than you can imagine.. Upon this very site were the ruins of previous Black Residences. We Blacks have NEVER allowed the outside world to know we are here. We have NEVER and will NEVER tolerate the knowledge of our whereabouts to be exposed to those filthy, creatures. Personally, I understand your frustrations with them. They do make my skin crawl as well but this is after all still MY Home and even though you are family, you are still a guest in this house.. I will not have you putting my son's in jeopardy for even one minute just because you find it difficult to keep yourself under control.. This my dear Missy is going to be your ultimate undoing if you are not careful. Mark my words!."

Walburga cast several spells and quickly yelled "Impedimenta" at the front of the House of Black.. An impenetrable force was placed between the rushing, cackling Bellatrix Black and the threshold which separated the two worlds.

A scream so loud, pierced the hallway leading from the stairway to the entrance. The sound of a large Troll Foot Umbrella Stand being kicked across the hallway. The sound of tearing and ripping fabric then came from the adjoining parlor.

"Let her be, she can not do anything that can not be repaired. I am sure it is nothing more than Pre Wedding jitters." Lucretia Prewett stated with an air of all knowing.

Kreacher was present in the kitchen in a "Pop"....

"Does Madame wish for Kreacher to bring Mistress Black to the Kitchen? came the aging voice of the tiny house elf..

"No Kreacher, we must allow this storm to blow over. Sometimes if one tries to bottle up the force of a storm, they too become involved in it. Some Hot Tea though and another bottle of the Elf Made Red. Not the good though, it will only go to waste at this point, and most likely find itself decorating the walls and floors of our home."

Walburga gently tapped Kreacher upon the head and off he went with a "POP"

Back in the Parlor, Bellatrix stood with the remains of the Heavy Drapes in shreds at her feet.. She was seething, fuming, her anger overflowing. She removed her wand from her inside pocket and promptly blasted away at the fireplace..

A roaring fire erupted inside it cast light upon all of the fine furnishings and glinted off the Silver and Gold treasures encased in the many display cabinets. The flames were so fierce that they actually licked the underside of the sculpted Limestone Mantle surround of the bricked hearth...

Bellatrix strode over to the fireplace, plunged her hand into a small silver cup which hung along side the frame of the Mantle... She retrieved a large amount of sparkling Grey Powder and it was promptly hurled into the blaze before her...

The flames roared to a bright lime green. She turned her head towards the voices that drifted into the parlor from the kitchen... Her cackle could barely be heard this time..

"Show them I will.. Who do they think they are dealing with? I will show those foolish Old Hags who is in contro herel. They will come to understand who is the true Mistress of the Family Black.. They will all come crawling to me one day like the filthy dogs they are.. Each and every one of those loathsome creatures.... "

Kreacher appeared along side Bellatrix just as she was to step into the Green Flames...

"No, Mistress Bella, you must not! Madame Walla has directed me to bring you this to help with your nerves... Please Mistress Bella, trust Old Kreacher, he will take good care of you.. He understands your anger and will do everything in his power to help you keep those blood traitors and filth away from you."

Kreacher pleaded with the Black draped form before him.. His small arm stretched out with a full bottle of Elf Made Red and a Glass being pressed against her leg.

A swift kick came to the side of Kreacher's head... Bright lights, some white, some green were all he could see.. He was knocked silly.. Slamming against the wall which was covered with a large and ancient tapestry.. He slid to the floor, the glass held in his right hand crashing into a thousand tiny shards, but the bottle of wine had apparently been snatched from his hand just as Bellatrix had stepped into the Hearth with a screeching cackle...

The echo of her last words still lingered in the air... The almost unnatural sing song voice of Bellatrix Black was the last thing heard before the room went silent.

"Malfoy Manor!"

[grandpalovegood]

Best Laid Plans

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's ten o'clock in the morning. Nearly all are awake and moving about the manor house. It has been made spotless during the night by the house elves who do their masters bidding. Yet, this morning they have not finished their set tasks, and are still cooking in the kitchen. The most wonderful aroma filters through to rooms nearby.

As she walks over the threshold, she pushes the house elf.

"Get out of my way, you stupid elf."

She removes the hood of her black cloak which reveals long sleek black hair, and a sneer upon her face. She looks around at the vastness of the entryway of a great hall. Dropping her cloak upon the elf, nearly covering him entirely.

"Here?" she asks', speaking to the woman who comes in behind her.

"Yes. We agreed that this would be the better location to serve our needs."

The house elf, receives the cloaks of the ladies who have arrived.

"Well, what are you standing there for? Go tell your masters that we have arrived!" spoke the elder woman.

"Yes Ma'am," Dobby says as he bows low.
"Dobby goes now. Dobby goes to tell Madam that you are here." He says as he disappears down the hall.

Quietly, she watches her husband lay there, sleeping peacefully in his bed. Reaching up, she brushes a lock of white blond hair away from his pale face. A feeling of worry is felt at the pit of her stomach. Tucking a strand of her long blond hair back behind her ear, she leans in and lightly and brushes her lips upon his cheek. He does not wake.

Dobby appears at the door, a knock so quiet that only Narcissa was aware he was there. Sitting up straight, she addresses the elf with a whisper.

"Come."

Speaking quietly, "Dobby has been sent to tell Mistress that her guests have arrived." Again he bows low, waiting for further instruction.

With a nod, she dismisses the elf. He bows again and leaves the room.

Sitting by the window on a cream colored chase lounge, she reaches up with soft and elegant fingers, to pull back the white lace curtains.

The day is bright and sunny. The snow is beginning to melt, yet the air is still quite cold outside. Her head held high and her posture erect, she shows the poise and elegance that so few can compare with.

The clanking of silver tea cups and spoons from a tea service break the silence of the room.

She turns her head to peer back over her shoulder as she hears voices and the foot falls of ladies high healed boots coming near.

"Please do come in... Dobby, that will be all. Biddy show our guests in."

Celeste Malfoy sat framed by the glorious sunlight that streamed into the Solarium. Her gentle motioning of her hand as she reached for her Silver Walking stick with the massive cabochon Emerald mounted atop the hand grip.

She stood as if a flower growing in the springs sunlight and soft gentle breeze.

"Welcome to my home Walburga, Bellatrix.. What brings this honor of your company to Malfoy Manor?" Came her soft voice.

"Yes, yes Celeste, thank you very much for allowing us to visit your beautiful home.. We come to." as Walburga was suddenly interrupted.

"Enough, I did not come here to speak with you Old Woman, I am here to speak with your husband. We have some unfinished business that must be finalized. Now, enough of your ever so genteel chit chat, Where is he?" The screeching voice of Bellatrix Black rang out.

Celeste walked ever so elegantly but a few steps toward the two visitors.

"POP" a very small house elf appears beside her.. Celeste reaches her left hand down and gently pets the top of the old house elf's head.. Brushing the flopping pointed ears out of the elf's face.

"Biddy, thank you very much for coming. I must ask of you to stay here by my side.. I do believe that we have visitors who may not be aware of the events that have been bestowed upon us the past fortnight.

Biddy looked up to her Mistress with huge soulful eyes.. Tears welling up at and a sudden slight sniffle was heard. She stood still, pushing slightly against Celeste's leg. She could feel her Mistress hand in her inner gown pocket clutching her wand tightly. A tiny shake to Celeste's hand gave away to the house elf the fear that her Mistress so carefully and masterfully hid from the two woman before her.

Walburga broke the tension between the woman who now had clearly created a stand off.

"Dear Celeste, I must apologize for our petulant and impulsive charges actions. You must understand it is just the stress of her upcoming nuptials that have caused her to have spoken in such sharp and excessive tones to one of the greatest Ladies of all Witch-hood." Walburga begged as gently as she could.

Bellatrix turned toward Walburga Black, hate dripping from her stare and her own right hand trembling slightly as it clutched her wand. Not another word escaped the Dark form of the Junior Black though.

Walburga moved toward Bellatrix for a moment and in an almost imperceptibly low voice spoke to her niece.

"Never again, never will you speak to your Superior in my presence in the manner you have just exhibited. Do you understand me?" whispered Walburga

Without answering, Bellatrix turned upon her heals and stormed out of the Solarium. Out into the Grand Entrance Hallway one could hear the clip clopping of her healed boots upon the hard wood floors.

"I beg your forgiveness Celeste, and I wish to extend to you and your family the sincere condolences at your loss. At the loss to the Malfoy family and the entire Wizarding World.. The loss of a truly GREAT Wizard."

Walburga Black bowed mid waste. Her head lowered as her gaze took to the shoes of the Grand Dame of Malfoy Manor before her.

As she exits the Solarium, her temper fuming, she finds herself back in the Grand Entrance Hallway. Using her wand, she takes her temper out on one of the two palm trees that were stood sentinel on each side of the red carpeted staircase. Now only one is left standing.

The crash is heard echoing throughout the rooms. Instantly a House Elf appears. He begins to clean up the broken pieces of the pot and the dirt scattered around it.

She finally begins to calm herself. As she walks on, she looks around at the vast room. The sun's rays peek through heavy red curtains only to reflect off of the two large crystal and gold chandeliers. This causes the illusion of tiny rainbows sparkling around the vast hallway.

From The view below, one could see the upper floor. A wrought iron railing with a mahogany banister, wraps its way around two sides of the floor above her. Marble pillars rising from floor to ceiling are adorned at their upper most section with ornate carvings of snakes and gargoyles.

In the middle of the room one is greeted by an oriental carpet were an oak table that stands upon it. In it's center is a large, antique ceramic flower vase filled with flowers of yellow, white and orange.

"Bella!" called out the figure of yet another young Witch.

Walking down the stairs is a young woman dressed in a long black dress. Her blond hair is neatly placed on top of her head. A wisp of hair still hanging freely, frames her face. She guides it behind one ear.

"It's so good to see you here," she says with a smile.

She holds out her arms and gestures a welcome, and the sisters embrace.

Suddenly, Narcissa notices a bit of movement from just outside her line of sight.

"Dobby, replace the pot at once. I want things back in order before Madam Celeste walks into this hallway," Narcissa Malfoy spat at the House Elf.

"Yes, Ma'am Dobby does as is told." He bows and hurries back to his work.

"Come, let us walk." Narcissa motioned as she hooks her arm inside that of her darker sisters. She leads her off through an arched hallway door.

"I hear congratulations is in order?"

With a sneer, and a shrug of her shoulder, Bellatrix sticks her nose up sharply into the air, indicating toward the Solarium.

"That old bat is making the arrangements."

"Now, now Bella. I'm sure there is nothing to worry about. After all, my wedding to Lucius turned out to be quite the event according to the Daily Prophet." Narcissa said with an air of pride. "Our aunt after all does know how to organize these things extremely well."

Bella rolls her eyes.

"She's not even listening to my wishes. Do you know what she's proposing?" Her voice was loud and quick.

Walking through two highly polished wooden doors, the two young Witches enter the Morning Room. Graced with high ceilings and walls of a the lightest pale green. Carvings of a draped design repeats all across the top of the walls. Sunlight peers through curtains of white lace, while a set of heavier pale peach ones are held back by tasseled ropes. Intricate sconces are placed along the walls throughout the room.

Above the ornately carved fireplace hangs a large gold mirror. A circle of chairs and ottomans with material that match that of the curtains are located at the end of the room near the fireplace.

Bellatrix walks over and plops herself down lazily upon one of the chairs.

"It can't be that bad," says Narcissa as she walks over to stand near a large rectangular shaped gold-toned table. On top, is another vase filled with flowers of white and light yellow.

"What's she proposing?" she asks, while she rearranges the flowers as she leans forward to lightly breathe in their fragrance.

"That blood traitor of a sister of ours is to attend." Bella sneers and spits onto the floor.

"I won't have it I tell you!" she shouts.

"I dare her to show her face or I'll"... she is broken off, mid sentence.

"Calm down Bella. I doubt Andromeda would except the invitation knowing full well how we feel about her. She may be a fool but she's not about to walk into the snakes den."

"By the way, what does Rodolphus think about this?" she asked while watching out of the corner of her eye to see her sisters reaction.

Bella rolls her eyes again,"He's a pure blood. He thinks the same as we all do."

"Speaking of men," she says with a sly smile, "Where is your Lucius?"

Narcissa stands tall, with a more stiffened posture.

"He, is resting."

Bella snorts.

Suddenly, there are cries heard coming nearer to the room. Dobby was getting whacked upon the head with a walking stick.

"Get out of my way you filthy elf. How many times do I have to tell you, this is now MY Manor and you shall treat me as your Lord and Master from this day forward. Do I make myself clear?" came a slow and methodical deep male voice.

It drifted into the Morning Room were the sisters were to be found.

The outline of the stately Lucius Malfoy took up almost the entire back lit entrance to the room which Belltrix and Narcissa were so heatedly discussing the goings on of their other sister.

"Ladies, what am I to think of this site? Two of the finest Witches in all the world battling like a couple of alley cat's?" came Lucius's dry witted humor.

Narcissa and Bellatrix turned their attentions away from their own discussion and gazed upon the handsome figure that Lucius Malfoy cut.

Dressed in a satin Grey Day Coat with tails, pressed black trousers and shiny patent dragon leather shoes which came to an accentuated long tip.

In his left hand was a dark wood walking stick with a shining Silver serpent head as the figural handle. In the place of its eyes gleamed two brilliant cut Emeralds.

"Tap, tap, tap." came the sound of the walking stick being struck upon the floor beneath it.

Ladies, ladies, might I suggest a more amicable solution to this argument would be to allow those who are better equipped to deal with these kinds of things to do so. Bellatrix, please do allow Walburga to arrange the ceremonies as she see's fit. She is after-all apt to become more of a bother should you not allow her to become consumed in the nit picking details of such an absurd ritual as a Wedding."

Narcissa was taken aback by the sudden change in tone that came from her husband.. "Who is this man that stands here before me?" she thought to herself. Her face staying as calm as a summer breeze. Never once showing the contempt that built but for a moment deep within her being.

"Ah, I see you have taken the old mans weapon as your own!" spat out Bellatrix.

"I have not taken what is mine, after-all Bella, everything, this house, the House Elves, the vases, rugs the doors, the women who reside here in Malfoy Manor are now my personal possessions," drawled on Lucius in a very monotone way.

He stands tall, holding himself in a proud manner.

Narcissa's tilts her head, holding her chin down. With eyes narrow she looks at her husband out of the corner of her eye. Attempting to suppress a grin, she addresses her sister.

"Men." She gives a slight nearly silent chuckle... "Here they think they rule the world."

She walks over to face him. She gently laces one of her hands around his upper arm, with the other, she reaches up and ever so lightly places her index finger to touch his lips just once.

She whispers, "You have much to learn my dear." Then quickly kisses his cheek.

"I'll say he does!" Bellatrix cackles loudly, breaking the nearly quiet scene between the married pair.

"Good morning dear. I see that you have been eavesdropping on our conversation."

"I need not eavesdrop on a conversation spoken so loudly that your voices carry beyond this room."

Bellatrix's stops laughing.

"You think I should allow my aunt to do as she pleases with MY day?"

She moves quickly across the room toward him. The couch being in her way, so she kneels upon it. Leaning close enough to whisper in his other ear, she gazes at his white-blond locks flowing just over his shoulder.

With an amused smile, she said, "You mean to tell me that you would allow a blood traitor to attend your wedding just to keep the old bat out of your hair?"

Lucius felt the gentle stroke of his wife's loving fingers. The tussling of his platinum locks. He turned to her, his eyes locked upon hers. He moved his lips to her forehead and the most gentle of kisses, just barely brushed her flawless skin.

Lucius had obviously ignored the taunt by Bellatrix. His mind was in yet another place at this moment. His body language relaxed a bit. He relinquished much of the bluster that he brought into the room upon his arrival.

Narcissa bowed her head and buried it into the strong should of her husband. All worries were gone. Her world once again had been made perfect and the sails of the ship of love that she was floating steadied itself.

"Disgusting! Do you two need to display that sickening goody, goody mush in public all of the time?" Bella spat.

"My Dear Sister-In-Law, must I remind you that we are neither in public nor are we at the command to your vile temper." Lucius responded.

With a sudden sweep of black, the ruffling of her long garb, the hack of Bella clearing her voice, she storms out of the Morning Room and re-enters the Hallway.

The click, click, click of the heavily healed boots echoed throughout the Grand Hallway as Walburga and Celeste were in deep discussion in the Drawing room off the entrance way.

Walburga turned her head towards the opened doorway even before Bellatrix appeared within it.

"Elf, at once, Tea, Scones, must I do everything myself? What kind of servants do you have in this Mausoleum?" Demanded Walburga.

"Now, now, you know that my servants are the most efficient and courteous in all the Wizarding World. I have never once found myself wanting for anything nor has anyone who has ever lived beneath this Manors roof." Celeste assured her cousin.

The black that filled the doorway entrance was moving and writing as if a nest of black snakes and smoke had just been disturbed. The appearance of Bellatrix once again caused nothing less than a heightened sense of anxiety.

"All right, get on with it, tell me what I MUST do to get this thing over with. Honestly if it were up to me, I would never have any of these hand wringing, pocket picking, family and false friends anywhere near me. All they want is to be part of something that none of them has. Each and everyone of them is here just to get into your good graces. To see what they can get out of you and your estates once you are long gone and buried, six feet under."

Bellatrix walks into the lavishly decorated Drawing room. The paintings that hung upon the walls of family members who have come and gone all winced at the words and bile that Bellatrix flooded the room with. Her words causing even the beautiful flowers in the Crystal Vase which to turn ever so slightly toward the stream of light that struggled to come through the curtained windows.

"Must you always blow into a room as if you were an unbridled horse? You do need to use some restraint if you are to become a wife and hopefully a pillar of our community." Celeste urged her niece.

"Bah! Pillar, what do you take me for? I am not here to hold some idiots notion of what should be. No, I am myself. I am here and everyone is going to have to get use to it. It is what I see and what I believe that will become the way of the future, and I have no need for those filthy blood traitors and muggles. If it were up to me right now, I would blast each and every one of them off this planet for good. Fill the holes in the earths surface with their stinking carcass until not one of them were left to leave their stink in their wake."

"BELLATRIX! SILENCIO!" and a shot of red was cast from the extended wand of Lucius Malfoy.

A shush filled the Drawing Room and the two elder Witches sat as if stunned themselves. No, they had not been affected by the spell but by the sudden and powerful way in which it had been cast.

Narcissa hooked her arm a little more forcefully into that of her husbands. Lucius then lowered his wand, place it back into the opening in the end of the walking stick which he carried. Once again it was complete, the walking stick intact, its Silver Serpent handle with its open mouth and Emerald eyes firmly held in the palm of its master.

"Thank you Lucius. I do believe it was time that our impetuous charge here were calmed down a bit.." came Walburga's forceful tone.

"Tea?" came Celeste's voice as she reached for a fresh scone brought to her by a small staff of elves all holding silver platters above their heads. All manners of quartered sandwiches, cucumber and butter, Watercress and Salmon.

"Oh is it High Tea already? How time flies when one is having fun." Lucius joked.

[grandpalovegood]

Making of the Mask

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Kneel." said the drawling voice from beneath the hood.

The man didn't understand what was happening to him. He was standing there, listening to the words of a cloaked figure. The next thing he knows, without ever consciously doing so, he finds himself upon his knees in the mud.

Sounds of laughter were heard coming from within the darkness. Hidden voices of encouragement are aimed not to him but his tormentor.

"Why? Why is this happening?" he shouted.

The man looked up only to find his girlfriend's terrified face looking upon him from above. There she was hanging upside down by an unknown source. She longed to scream but her voice was no where to be found.

This was not possible. How could this be happening? thought the man.

"Petrificus Totalus!" came the voice once again from the cloaked man standing in front of him.

" SILENCE You Muggle filth!" was shouted at him.

A pale but strong hand reached up and the man pushed back his black hood. Platinum blond hair spilled just over the young mans shoulders. A sneer of contemptment was seen upon his face. Suddenly he spat upon the frozen man.

Slowly, the man in the cloak stepped forward, stooping to whisper in his ear.

"You shall see who will rule this world."

Swiftly, turning away solely concentrating all of his attention toward the woman suspended in mid air. He raises his wand arm toward her.

Blood curdling screams fill the air. Paralyzed, the man is forced to witness a sight no one should have to see.

What seemed like a life time of never ending torment, the woman's agonizing screams finally halted when she splashes to the ground. Her body as still as the man of whom she came to this place with, though hers, lifeless before him.

A single tear escapes from a corner of his eye and falls down his face.

"Excellent!" came a soft hissing voice from the crowd. "You have done well. You have done well."

"Lord, I am at your service and disposal. Your wishes are my wishes. Your commands are mine to obey."

What was presumed to have been a man by the innocent couple whom had just happened to be walking their little Pug Dog. It had seemed like every other evening after dinner when they would have shared the chore of cleaning the dinner dishes, and then leashed up Allister their 2 year old black and brown Pug. He was a lively sort of pup and would rush to the back door or the couples modest brick and mortar row house in anticipation of his evening walk.

The air was calm, the sky was bright, the moon shone full and the stars around it filled the sky as if a million tiny diamonds had been cast into the air and reflected the glow from the streetlamps below.

No, this was not to be like every other evening. There would be no more walks for Robert and Jane Wood. The only survivor of this constitutional was poor Allister. He knew not what had occurred as he sat next to the lifeless body of Robert Wood, licking his cheek. Hoping that he would rise once again and continue their evening walk. For you see, poor Allister had not finished with his duties of this nightly journey.

A shrill laugh of hideous magnitude filled the calm air. From the black cloaked figure with his arm raised and a odd looking stick being pointed directly at those twinkling stars in the night sky came a shot of Green Light which led to an image that suddenly had appeared in the sky. It blocked out the Moon and the lights of the distant stars in an instant.

A gasp was heard, from where it was not obvious at first. But there, imprinted upon the sky itself was a hideous Green Skull with a moving form of a Snake protruding from the skulls mouth as if a tongue.

The word "Morsmordre" still echoing in the silence.. The gasp now only a memory as the image was burned into the memory of every one standing there.

[grandpalovegood]

Winds of Change
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sitting there upon her chaise lounge, she is poised with all of her elegance. Her face and skin so flawless. Her dark hair pulled back in a fashionable style. This reveals a string of white pearls draped along the outer curve of her slender neck. She wears a long, light, flowing lace dress. Still, with the threat of winter not so far behind, to keep the chill of the morning away, she has her mink stole draped over her lap.

She raises her hand. Biddy, her house elf, is suddenly by her side. Already knowing her mistress' wishes, she retrieves the fur which is handed to her. Quietly, she bows low as she backs away from view.

Celeste stands and returns to the oak desk which sits by the glass French doors leading to the back of the Manor. She has a look of concern, concentration across her face. She replaces her quill to the bottle of ink once more. Folding the letter, she stamps it with a seal of the Malfoy's family crest. Over in one corner of the room there is an eagle owl sitting upon it's stand, she walks over to him. With a gentle hand she strokes the top of it's head, and smiles. He fluffs his feathers with one quick movement. Reaching down, she attaches the letter to it's leg, which he's holding out, expecting to be sent on an errand. Gracefully, she walks over and opens the French doors wide. There is a sudden strong flap of large brown wings, and the owl is off on it's task.

As she watches, she follows him out onto the back terrace. The air is warm and inviting. This spring breeze brings a feeling of renewal, a birth of sorts. Of what, she does not know. In the distance, she sees her owl growing smaller with each passing moment. She turns her gaze toward the blue horizon. The sound of the ocean waves crashing below, just beyond the cliffs. The scent of salt is in the air.

There, below her, the fresh green lawn is neatly manicured. The gardens are being tended to by her house elves. They look up from their duties and see her.

"Ouch!" said Dobby, while he stood there being hit by a clump of dirt.

Kokay, frowned at him. "Stop staring Dobby. Mistress Celeste will want for us to have the garden finished soon."

Together the elves are weeding out the red flowers making them look fresh, removing the dead blossoms and foliage.

"Look! There goes another garden gnome." She points to a spot near Dobby.

Dobby is quick and grabs the gnome, slinging it all around. Finally he flings it far off away from the garden. He grins a toothy grin, toward Kokay. He's so proud that he's good at this.

Kokay rolls her large brown eyes at him, as she continues her work.

"Kokay may not have done this garden work before, House of Black had no garden, but Dobby we's all knows about garden gnomes. It's no big deal."

Dobby looks sad and his long pointed ears begin to droop, as he continues watering the flowers.

"Dobby wonders where Mistress Celeste keeps sending owl to. It's the third one this week?" he said as he turns to water in a different spot.

"Biddy knows," she said with confidence. "But it must not be far since owl returns same night. Besides we's good house elves, it does not matter where owl goes as long as Mistress Celeste is happy."

Out pops a rock into a bucket to be toted off later.

The sleek and graceful flighted bird soars over a lake. His reflection is cast in the rippled surface. The suns light is brilliant and the warmth of the breeze on this glorious Spring afternoon belies the turmoil and the clouds that are far off on the horizon.

For the moment, all is peaceful and the rebirth of hillsides is taking place as it does ever year since the beginning of Wizarding time.

A tiny white dot is off in the distance almost obscured by the beginning greenery that has sprouted almost overnight. The dot became a little larger and then larger yet. It was no longer a dot amongst the landscape. A house appears in its place, and the rhythmic flapping of Eagle Owls wings beat upon the flows of the breeze.

An open window on the side of the house becomes the obvious place for the his landing. A wire shelf sits on the ledge of the window as steam rises into the spring air, it is still a little more chilly than one might initially realize but because it has been so cold and damp for so long. There a freshly baked, right out of the oven overstuffed Apple Pie sits. It proudly displays its ruffled crust edge and bulging domed top crust lid. The steam still rises above it as the wonderful smell of home cooked love invites all that may be nearby.

A figure walks past the window inside the house. Proudly wearing a long apron and oven mitts covering the hands. The Nexus the Eagle Owl gently flaps his wings a little harder, his talons extended, his prized cargo still secured to his scaly leg, he maneuvers in for a gently yet elegant landing.

The figure in the now obvious farm kitchen turns with a sudden snap as it becomes apparent to her that she is no longer alone in the house. A look of complete surprise crosses her face. She is almost in a state of shock. She turns ever so cautiously toward the open window, the thought of her second Apple Pie, still in the hot cast iron gas oven is forgotten.

"Nexus, what are you doing here?"

"Easy does it... Easy.. There you go," The man pockets his wand, then wipes the sweat from his brow. Being satisfied with his work, he steps back to survey that the wooden gate is now back in it's proper place. The sound of hooves rushes towards him from behind.

"Hey! Now there will be no more of that." He laughs as he herd's Nessie out into yard. "Go on." Nessie runs out just beyond him, followed by her two small kids, who are bleating.

Feeling parched, he decides to take a break from his morning chores. Through the open window, he hears his wife humming a tune. The smell of the freshly baked apple pie becomes more pronounced, as he draws closer to the house.

She, being deep in thought, was unaware for the moment that he was there. Her long dark hair pulled up loosely in back, has a lock in front which hangs free.The floor creaks as he leans against the doorway. With a twinkle in his eye he grins, and quietly watches her move about the kitchen, drying and putting away dishes.

"Lemonade dear?"

"Yes please."

Taking out a tall glass, she proceeds to pour.

"Have you finished tilling the garden?"

"Not yet. The goats are keeping me busy this morning. I don't think Nessie will be able to get back into the garden for a while, I just placed a charm upon the gate to ensure it holds this time."

There is a sound of a crash, and a cry from the other room.

"Oh dear," she says as she quickly unfastens her apron.

He notices the rolled up parchment sitting there on the kitchen table.

"'Dromeda, What's this?"

She pauses only for a second and with a concerned look upon her face.

"Bella is getting married."

"Well, that is wonderful! Don't you think?" Ted chirped.

Andromeda stood silent for a moment. She dug her hands down into the front pocket of her apron. Her head raised in a very proud manner, one which Ted always understood to mean that his wife was seriously worried about something.

In times of upset, turmoil or upheaval in the lives of Andromeda and Ted Tonks, Andromeda would sometimes revert back to the strict haughty training of her youth. She would try desperately to bury the loving and caring side of herself. She knew all too well that such damage could be inflicted upon her by others and she really did not wish for this to happen yet again. She knew deep down that she was one of them but to be true to herself, she was not one of them.

"Dromeda, it is all right. I am here for you. There is nothing that is going to come and hurt you now that we are here together. This is our home, OUR HOME, remember that. This is where you belong now so I am ready to be your knight in shining armor if that is what you ask of me." Ted stated with a most reassuring voice.

He moved closer to his wife, placed a very gently hand upon her waist and pulled her tightly to himself. He took his left hand and raised it between them. There on his left ring finger was a simple band of gold. Simple in sight but ever so bold in its statement. He then took his hand and cupped Andromeda's chin, brought it close to him and just as her nose nearly touched his, he raised his head a little higher, giving her the most gently and loving kiss upon the bridge of her nose, just between her now closed eyes.

A smile broke across Andromeda's face as Ted lingered just a little bit longer and then moved his lips toward her left ear. Her pulled back hair felt like corn silk as his own slightly beard stubble cheek smoothed on its path.

"I love you, you know that Mrs. Tonks? With all that I am, with every fiber of my soul. I am yours and you are mine. I am your Lancelot, your Knight in Shining Armor." Ted whispered into Andromda's ear.

"Yes, Teddy, I can see it now."

This being slightly amusing to Ted Tonks as his wife's eyes were shut tight still from the kiss that lingered so long upon her.

"You are my Knight in Shining Armor.. I can clearly see you now. The Spring awakening the hillside in the background, the sheep bleating in the meadow as you approach the house. Your posture as erect as an Egyptian Obelisk. Proud, yes, proud and brave is my Sir Tonks as he rides in on his Goat with a rake firmly raised in his hand. Ready to defend his own with honor and grace."

Ted broke into a fit of laughter as did Andromeda at the very thought and the image conjured of the great Goat Rider!

The hug lasted for some time. The two wavered back and forth just a bit as Ted began to hum a little song that was played at their wedding years before. To Ted, it was as if yesterday had been that special day for Andromeda had not only not changed one bit, she may well have become even more beautiful than she was on that special day.

As the two slow danced to the soft tones of the hummed song, their minds drifted away from any thoughts of pain or anguish or family for that matter. That was until Ted noticed a Stunningly beautiful Eagle Owl sitting high above them. It was perched on a high cross rafter in the Country styled kitchen that Ted Tonks had lovingly built with his own two hands for his wife. This was his wedding gift to her, to the both of them..

Again, Ted's attentions were drawn slightly away from his bride and back onto the Owl who sat stock still on the rafter. Its eyes widened ever so greatly, as if to take in every single movement, every moment that was playing out before it.

What could be on that birds mind, Ted Tonks thought to himself as he ever so gently broke his hold upon Andromeda and allowed her to release him as well. She brushed the newly created wrinkles in her apron down with the palms of both her hands.. A few stray dark strands of long hair that had worked themselves free, dangled mindlessly before her eyes as she looked down upon herself to insure she was once again, back in order.

Andromeda looked up at Ted's face and noticed that he was watching something up near the ceiling line. Her eyes followed his stare and then rest solely upon Nexus.

"Oh, Ted, I am so sorry I forgot to tell you that Nexus will be here with us for dinner. He needs a bit of a rest before his long flight back home." Andromeda stated but her voice was restrained, almost choked back a little.

"Back Home? Where is Home for this most Elegant creature?" Ted asked.

"MY PIE!," Yelped Andromeda, as she rushed to the Antique Enamel and Cast Iron Oven. She yanked the door open just in time to display a slightly dark golden brown crust of a monstrous overstuffed Apple Pie..

"Thank Goodness, it is not ruined." as she quickly grabbed her oven mitts and ever so carefully removed the pie from the oven. She placed it on the cast iron burners of the stove above the oven. The fantastic smell that filled the kitchen was enough to cause the strongest of men to swoon and Ted was no stranger to his wife's excellent cooking and baking skills. This to Ted Tonks was just the bonus, the Icing on the Cake one may say.

Ted then turned his attention to the package that sat on the table before him..

"What is this Dromeda," Ted asked with a sound of fun and curiosity.

Being brought back to reality by his query, her body stiffens once more. Quietly, she turns her back towards the table to gaze out of the window. For a moment, she turned her head, only to glance back out of the corner of her eye to the package .

Ted noticed her concerned expression and knew this was not her normal demeanor.

"What's wrong dear?" he said and looked a little worried as well.

He walked over to the table only to see that the package, a long, flat, rectangular shaped box, is still unopened. Lying there beside the package is an opened letter.

He once again looked over to his wife with a questioning expression upon his face.

She clears her throat before she began to speak.

"I have an idea, but I don't really want to know if I'm right. It means they are serious."

Again there is another crash heard in the distance, along with a cry.

"Dora? She's up from her nap early."

Taking off her apron, she places it upon the table. She then quickly exits the kitchen, making her way into the bedroom. Immediately her eyes move to the lower level of the trundle bed, only to find it was empty. There beside it on the floor, clumped in a heap, she notices the pile of blankets is moving. A muffled cry again is heard.

"Oh Dora." Andromeda says with a slight giggle as she kneels down beside her. With a gentle hand she reaches to pull the blanket off the crying child. This reveals bright red hair all a mess.

Ted appears in the doorway, holding the letter.

"Oh. There, there. It's alright mommy's here." She takes her little girl into her arms and holds her tightly to her. Standing and walking, she paces the room.

Ted watches them quietly.

"Shh." The loving mother says soothingly as she rubs her child's back. Dora finally begins to settle down as she nestles her cheek against her mother's shoulder. She feels her mother's heart beat against her own, this has a very calming effect on both of them. Andromeda tilts her head to gaze at Dora's face, and smoothes down her child's now blond hair. Andromeda makes her way to the other side of her bed and sits down upon the upper level. She rocks her babe gently back to sleep.

Ted walks over and sits down upon the bed next to them. He places his arms around the two, holding them tight. His happy little family. This is his whole world. Everything else can just go away and this would be just fine for him. Andromeda closes her eyes not wanting this moment to end. She places her cheek down upon the top of her sleeping child's head. Ted reaches down, using his finger he gently guides his wife's chin, tilting her face upward toward his. He lightly places his lips to hers.

"I read the letter," he said quietly. "Are you going to go? You don't have to. They have treated you so badly, how can they expect you to show up?"

"As much as I don't want to go, I have to. They sent the dress. I don't know why or what they are up to, but I believe I owe it to myself to find out."

[grandpalovegood]

And the Meek Shall Inherit
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Lucius, why, oh why on earth did you do that?" Narcissa pleaded with her young husband.

The swagger of the strapping young man was evident. He raised his left hand, placed it between his shoulder and his long platinum locks of hair. The toss of his hair followed by an upper thrust of his chin toward the air made him appear to be a preening Peacock. So arrogant, so self absorbed, so excessively self confidant.

"You shall one day understand my dear. And if not then you too will surely be one of those left to grovel at our feet. How long have we awaited our time? Our destiny? To no longer live in the shadow and shame to those MUGGLES!" Growled Lucius Malfoy.

"But Lucius, this is just wrong. No matter how one looks at it, it is just wrong. They did nothing to you. You and that Friend as you call him baited them, stalked them, KILLED THEM!"

Narcissa placed her hands over her eyes, hiding her weeping. Not caring about how Lucius felt that it was beneath the name of Malfoy to cry. To show emotion, to show elements that are considered to be Human or more so considered to be Muggle Flaws of the Human kind.

She turns and runs out of the study. Running out into the highly polished hallways of Malfoy Manor. She ran with a reckless abandon, falling first into a Louis IX chair and then stumbling into a Pembroke Table, causing a magnificent Antique Royal Worcester Vase to crash to the floor, cascading it's bounty of Yellow and White spider mums all across the Persian Hall Runner.

"POP" a small house elf with a filthy toga like tea towel wrapped around her darkened and wrinkled skin appeared. Dust bin and broom in hand and promptly began to sweep up the remnants of what was once a fine piece of porcelain. One that had been presented to an ancestor of the present Master of Malfoy Manor by then Queen of England Victoria and her new husband Prince Albert.

Crawling upon her knees and hands toward an open door, Narcissa regained some of her composure, just long enough to stand and run at full tilt toward the Four Poster Queen sized bed with its Emerald Green and Silver threaded quilt and many overstuffed pillows in matching shams.

She did not take even a moment to look back at the house elf who was feverishly working to clean up the spilled water and strewn flowers. Her attempts to make things right were met promptly by a swift kick to her side as Lucius Malfoy burst into the hallway.

"Out of my way you filthy vermin. Why must we put up with your inept attempts to keep this place clean? You disgust me to my core," as yet another swing of his booted foot barely missed the little creatures bandanna covered head. She winced her eyes and just waited for the blow to come, which for her shear luck never connected.

"Narcissa, you have to understand, it is our time. I, I mean WE have waited our entire lives to live free of this oppressive control. Of the Muggle world, of the Ministry of Magic, of the Treaty's written by the weakest of the weak amongst our kind. And for what? To keep us in hiding? To keep us from ever being seen? Why is it that they are allowed to walk freely amongst each other while WE are forced to hide who and what we really are? WE, WE have the ability to wipe them out of existence, so why should we not do so?"

A call of his name catches his attention at once and he stops his rant mid thought.

"Lucius, son, I must speak with you. Will you please come to the Solarium for a moment? It is of the utmost importance." came the gentle yet firm voice of Celeste Malfoy.

Holding up a silver teapot, filled with fresh hot tea..

"More tea, Ma'am?" squeaked the house elf.

Celeste gracefully holds up her long elegant fingers , indicating for her to halt.

"That will be enough for now, Biddy. Thank you," she says as she tilts her head slightly with a single nod.

The House elf steps back from the table, bowing quietly as she retreats to a corner of the room.

With her right hand, she uses a silver teaspoon to stir her tea. The brew is still hot. She then places the spoon upon the table, right next to a folded copy of the Daily Prophet.

She glances up only to see her son, Lucius standing there within the doorway.

Neither, says a word. With a single wave of her hand, Celeste gestures to the seat at the table, for him to join her.

Quickly, Biddy quietly steps into action. She prepares a fresh cup for him, then begins to step away.

"I didn't ask for any tea you stupid..."

Suddenly, as he raises his hand to back hand the elf, until his mother's expression caught his eye. She looked over the paper she was reading, only to raise her eyebrow to him. He decided it was better not to proceed, so lowers his hand. He scowls at the elf, as she retreats again to the corner she occupied once before.

Other than the sound of birds singing just outside of the window, there is near silence in the room. He takes his seat, waiting, anticipating his mother's words.

She takes a sip of her tea, then folds the newspaper.

"I see you have been busy, son." She said softly, but without any contempt or accusation within her voice.

She intentionally places this newspaper upon the table between them. As he looks down, he notices it's photos show no movement. This brings a sneer to his face. Just as quickly, he changes his expression. Holding his head up high, he begins to smile with pride. A gleam is in his eyes. This speaks volumes to his mother... a validation that her answer is yes.

"It seems as though you are your father's son," she said calmly.

He had a look of complacency upon his face, still saying nothing. He looks down, with two fingers, he removes a stray unattached strand of hair off of his chest.

She is not pleased, then clears her throat.

"I suggest a meeting. I have a friend who works at the Ministry, who has been telling me that Saint Mungo's is in need of donations. Charity never faileth son. If you wish to boost your support for the Wizarding world, this is an excellent way of doing so. It is always wise to give back to the community from which you are apart of."

Contemplating her words, he lifts an eyebrow, then nods in agreement.

Lucius was very quick to work on the very meaning of his mothers suggestion. He walked ever so calmly to the Library at end of the Great Hallway with its highly polished floor and massive mirrors reflecting the candlelight from a serpent shaped stick and a long white taper.

The pocket doors were fully opened upon his entering the room but they were very quickly shut tight with a loud bang.

Lucius strolled across the room to stand behind the massive carved wooden desk which was kept in such immaculate order. The feather quill lay upon a fresh piece of parchment. A large Eagle Owl stood upon a stand in the corner. His eyes intent on every movement made by the Master of the Manor.

Lucius slid the button tufted leather chair out from beneath the desk, he took a seat upon its slightly year worn surface and slid his legs beneath the mammoth desk.

He gently took the quill in hand dipped it into a now uncovered bronze inkwell and began to put quill to page. His writing filled the page very quickly indeed. He then took a bit of magic powder, shook it over the drying ink to insure no smudges. He then rolled the parchment into a tight scroll. He took candle from the desk upon which he sat and dripped its blood red colored wax onto the scroll. He then placed a stunning crested ring top side down and pressed firmly into the still soft ink.

Lucius raised his hand, scroll held aloft within it as the beautiful Eagle Owl took flight from his perch to land on the edge of the desk.

"Fudge, Ministry of Magic" came the soft but ever so clear voice of Lucius Malfoy.

The Eagle Owl now firmly holding the scroll in its beak, once again took flight. He soared out of an opened window that was located on the far end of the library. The window then promptly closed itself, clicking its lock along the way.

Lucius once again turned his attention to another fresh piece of parchment before him. He took quill in hand, dipped it in the indigo ink and began to write in his ever so fluid and structured script. He then released the quill and it stood upon its own and continued to pen the thoughts of its owner. No verbal language was exchanged between Lucius and the quill but the thoughts were transferred all the same from mind to quill to page.

A tiny House Elf walked back and forth across the highly polished Granite flooring of the upstairs hallway. She was so saddened and tears ran down her face in torrents. She approached the door that hid Narcissa Malfoy who could still be heard weeping in the room which the door hid.

"Missy Sissy, may I please bring you a cup of tea? Please?" squeaked the strangulated voice of the house elf.

A soft clicking sound was barely evident as the door slowly opened up just a bit. Still it was more than enough for the tiny house elf to realize that her presence was not only being requested but also needed.

The little house elf walked ever so gingerly as to not make a sound of footfall. She walked into the room where brilliant light flooded its interior. The light reflected off of ever surface creating the vision of almost a completely white scene.

The house elves eyes now being lightly rubbed with the Tea Towel which covered its body. Its tears now being dried and her vision more acute.

Still the sight before the house elf was striking. There in a sea of flooded white light and the equally white reflected light from the highly polished surfaces of the furniture was the stunningly beautiful vision of Narciassa Malfoy. Her long blond hair cascading over her shoulders and laying softly upon her Periwinkle Blue Day Dress. Her voice broke the tension in the air as if whispered by an angel.

"Kokay, oh my dear Kokay, how could I have ever have brought you here? To this place? What was I thinking? Why was it that I followed my heart and not my own instincts. I knew it could not have been a perfect as it all seemed at first. Oh Kokay, what am I to do? Please will you ask your father to come here. I need his assistance. He alone may have some of the answers that I seek. Please Kokay, will you try to convince Kreacher to come here but explain to him that he is not to tell anyone, no one! You must!"

Kokay bowed so low that her nose did in fact touch her own right foot. Her ears flopping over her large tennis ball shaped eyes. With a "POP" she was gone.

Narcissa walked over to a cushion covered window seat. She settled herself down upon it and pulled her knees up to her chest. She gazed out the window and mindlessly watched the Gardening House Elves as they toiled away in the rows of Rose Beds. The blooms had already begun to burst with their prizes. The scent had already begun to drift upon the sun warmed spring air and it caught her senses off guard.

Narcissa's mind continued to wander, now being led by the her sub conscious as it was led by the perfume of the Rose's along memories that had been long since buried deep within her mind, the past, her past.

Her mind wandered though misty visions of things of the past. Faces, smells, almost the very feeling of touch itself. Almost. She could barely taste what she saw in her minds eye. She could associate the smell with a time when life was simpler, when fear did not hide around every corner. When force was a thing to be laugh at and never believed to truly exist.

There in her misty memories the perfume created a scene. She saw herself, a smaller, younger version of herself but it was her. Sitting in her Sundays best. She was dressed in a Silk and Lace White short dress. Billowing in the spring breeze as she pressed it down against her legs with her silk gloved hands. Her White shiny leather shoes reflecting the sunlight, almost blinding her.

Then another form appeared to be created of smoke at first then it became more and more recognizable. The lovely vision of another young lady, maybe several years older than she, with her hair pulled back into a French twist. Her Yellow Sun Dress also reflecting the suns light but no gloves were worn upon her outstretch hands and forearms. There stretched out before her was a hand, the young girls left hand, upon its ring finger was displayed a small but brilliantly shiny ring.

As Narcissa looked from the ring upon the left hand up to the glowing face of her sister, all she could do was rush to her and throw herself and her arms around her.

"Oh Andromeda! Oh my! You must be so very happy! You look so beautiful today! Who is he? Where does he live, have you told Momma yet?"

With this sudden recollection of a time so long ago, Narcissa found herself being suddenly snapped back to the present.

"Mistress has requested Kreachers presence? Kreacher is at the service of the Mistress of the House of Malfoy. What may Kreacher do for the Mistress?" came the gnarled voice of Kreacher the Black Family House Elf.


With the sound of Kreachers arrival, Narcissa's eyes dart quickly towards the door, then back to the elf once more.

"Oh Kreacher, thank you for coming," she said with relief.

She reaches her hand up and places it near her throat. Her voice begins to fail her, as she tries to choke back the tears. Attempting to compose herself, so she may speak, clears her throat.

"Kreacher. I will have to make this clear, you are not to tell anyone about this visit," she pauses to swallow, "or any part of this conversation. Is that understood?"

"Yes Mistress. Yes, Kreacher will never tell anyone. Kreacher is a good elf," he croaked.

She walks over to sit down upon her bed. Now, she sits facing the window with all of the radiant light shining through. Reaching up, she wipes her eyes once more with a single finger, before attempting to speak again.

"Yes. Yes you are a good elf," she said with a weak smile.

"You have always served the house of my fathers well." she said with a sigh.

She looks into his leathery wrinkled face, with his drooping pointed ears.

"But for now, it is I who in need of your help."

She hesitated and looked down but for just a moment.

"I happen to know my aunt set a specific task for you to do. Is this true?"

Kreacher's answers, "Yes, Mistress. But Kreacher is only to tell Madam Walburga... "

Suddenly, his eyes became worried and grew more round than normal. Holding his arms back behind him, and his head low, he backs up until he stumbles upon the dresser stationed along the opposite wall near the window.

"Don't worry Kreacher, I'm not going to ask you to betray my Aunt's confidence. I have another question for you."

Kreacher still stands there, only now he has begun to tremble.

Confused at Kreachers behavior, she shakes her head.

"I only need to know, if she was there last night. Was she? Was SHE there Kreacher? Not my aunt. You know of whom I speak."

The door creaked open the rest of the way, alerting Narcissa that they are not alone. She closes her eyes, then stiffens her back, as she takes in a long slow breath.

"Narcissa Malfoy, What is this?" spoken by a drawling voice.

Holding her head up, without a word, she turns to face him.

"Do we not have enough servants here to satisfy your every need? Now here I find you calling upon this.. this vermin from your childhood?" Lucius sneers.

"Kreacher away with you!" he shouts.

With a tiny pop the house elf has gone.

Lucius turns to face his wife. Taking a few steps closer he reaches up, resting his left hand upon one of the wooden posts on her bed. He squints his eyes as he looks her over, trying to access the scene.

He raises an eyebrow, then places a knee on the bed next to her. As he moves closer, she crawls back a bit. She looks at him with narrowed eyes, and a face so stern.

"Don't..... Interfere..... Do you understand me?" he said with a slow, cold voice.

She says nothing.

Suddenly he lifts his wand and the door to her room slams shut.

[grandpalovegood]

One Step Forward, Two Steps Black

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Druella Rosier Black, how dare you invite that blood traitor to my home? You know full well my position regarding that filth that you and my Wizard-in-Law spawned don't you? Must I drive it into your brain by use of the Imperious Curse?" Shouted Walburga Black.

The heavy drapes had been just opened to their full extent, allowing the suns light to flood the heavily carpeted and overly adorned Parlor of the number 12 Grimmauld Place.

A "POP" in the kitchens below this room went completely unnoticed by the two woman who stood face to face and appeared to be at a stand off.

The figure of Kreacher walked past the open door that led from the very same Parlor and out into the hallway. The hallway that led up to the bedrooms and guest rooms of the Black Family homestead.

The large silver chargers and goblets all exhibiting the family crest of black were forcefully stored in the built in cabinets to the rear of this room. A massive tapestry hung from corner to corner and then around to another wall of this room. Slightly faded branches with images of men and woman moving ever so slightly adorned the tapestry.

Ones eye was caught by the sudden interruption of the view of the beautiful imagery when a black hole would be encountered. There was one here, one there, three there. Entire branches appeared sometimes to have been burned from the tapestry revealing the charred remains of the wooden wall beneath the hanging.

"You know full well that she is a Black, just as much if not more than you are Walburga!" Druella spat back with so much venom that a little dribble of spittle slipped out and over her lip, landing squarely upon the long heavy crushed velvet robe of Walburga. There it lay, unnoticed by its wearer.

Druella began to giggle to herself, just a bit, her attempt to cover up the fact that she was amused by something that Walburga knew was unaware of only added to her infuriating mood.

"How dare you? You bring this vermin into my home, the home of my family, your family, our family or have you forgotten exactly WHO YOU ARE?" Walburga demanded.

"I have not forgotten who I am. I just realize that you are not who I have always thought you were. I come to find that I do not know who this WITCH is that stands before me." Druella retorted.

A bell rang a floor below the two angry witches. One could hear the black lacquered front door of Number 12 Grimmauld Place being unlocked and opened to invite the visitor inside.

There, standing on the front stoop was a lovely if not slightly disheveled young lady. She held in her arms something, swaddled in a pink blanket. It wiggled a bit, made a gurgling sound and then a slight Achoo! It sneezed.

Andromeda Black Tonks lowered her head and kissed the forehead of the young child. No longer a true baby, she was actually a toddler. Still small for her age and beholden a head of Bright Bubble Gum Pink hair. Her stunning brown eyes looking up into the face of her smiling mother. A coo and a gurgle escaped the little packaged child.

"Will Mistress require any special services for the Thing?" asked Kreacher.

"Thing? You'll never change will you Kreacher.. A product of that crazy old bat you are. Where is Kokay?" Andromeda queried.

"The flesh of my loins no longer is servant to this house. The offspring has gone to serve at the house of Malfoy, having been a gift of My Mistress to Miss Narcissa." he croaked.

"Well then, where is she? My mother, where is she hiding. Around some corner waiting to jump out and to scare the life out of her own grandchild I bet."

With this, bell rang in an upper room and Kreacher grabbed the free hand of Andromeda Tonks, pulling her up the flight of stairs before them. Her right foot hit something very hard and it toppled over and rolled toward the kitchens below. The front door closed itself tightly and the locks all went into action, clicking and ticking and snapping tightly.

The troll leg umbrella stand had tipped over and spilled its contents all over the hallway floor but Kreacher was not to be swayed from his orders. To bring this young lady up to meet with his Mistress. The Mistress of the House of Black and her Witch-in-Law, Druella Black.

"Here she is Mistress Walburga. Kreacher fetched Miss Andromeda like Kreacher was told," he said as he stumbled into the room and dropped the young woman's hand.

"Kreacher! It was NOT I, who told you to let her in."snapped Walburga quickly.

The woman sneered towards the new arrivals.

"Kreacher's sorry Kreacher..." he was cut off mid sentence.

"Away!" shouted Walburga.

Druella was standing facing the sun which was shining through window. Once her daughter arrived, she glanced sideways towards the doorway, then quickly back out of the window again.

As Kreacher bowed low, then backs out of the room, Andromeda stepped into the room. Not really knowing what to expect, she looked over the expressions of the two ladies attempting to access them. The baby broke the silence with another tiny sneeze.

"Vile creature." sneered Walburga, "How dare you girl? Bringing diseases into this house."

"Enough!" Druella shouted as she shot her sister a look of contempt.

Andromeda spoke, "This was not my idea. I was invited to your home. If not by you, then who?"

Her arms folded, Druella's back stiffened. As she held her head up, making herself appear to be taller, with an air that gave her away.

"Mother? Surely not..." she hesitated, "You sent the invite for me to come here? For the two us to be here?"

She couldn't understand, nor expect this of all things. For the last time she saw her mother, it was the night she ran off with her new husband. Druella's last words still ring in her daughter's ears.

"You betrayed us. Get out! Never let me see you again, you filthy Blood traitor! You are no daughter of mine!"

With the memory of words that sting to this day, Andromeda swallowed hard. For out of all of the daughters, Andromeda was the one Druella was once closest to. They both knew it. Now estranged, they stand in the same room, breathing the same air. The silence is still hard to take. She knew how her mother felt about Muggleborns, still you can't help whom you fall in love with. Andromeda does not regret her choice in the slightest. She now holds her own daughter closer, as the baby lays her head upon her shoulder and yawns.

With a sneer, Druella watches the scene, watches being torn almost not knowing what to say next. She clears her throat. She does wish to see her first grandchild, but she can't give in. Not now. Her daughter betrayed her, betrayed and disgraced the whole family. She can't forgive, but she couldn't stand not seeing her own grandchild.

"This is the child?" she spat as she wore a stern expression upon her face.

Andromeda took a few more steps into the room, towards her mother.

"Her name is Nymphadora."

"Nymphadora?" Walburga laughed loudly. "Look at it. Something's wrong with it. See this is what happens when you mix with dirty blood..." she laughs again finding amusement of a small child with bubblegum pink hair.

"See, I was right about staying true to pure-blood. Surely nothing like this would be produced had you wedded a proper wizard."

Again, Druella shouted for her sister to be quiet.

Walburga had enough. Disgusted with the whole thought of this child being in her house, she decides to leave the room.

As she passes by, she whispers loudly, "Don't stay long." Then shoots a look of contempt towards Druella.

Once she exits the parlor, she shouts, "Traitor!"

There is a crash just outside in the hallway. She intentionally knocked over a small table, causing a Crystal vase to shatter. Kreacher who was already closeby, suddenly appeared and began to clean up the glass.

"What is wrong with her?" Druella asked calmly, not taking any steps or attempts to draw closer to her daughter or the child.

"Nothing's wrong with her at all, mother. She's a Metamorphmagus. We've seen her hair change color depending upon her mood. She began to do this before she was even a day old. We believe once she's older, she may be able to do this at will. We've been told she may in time show more abilities, for instance....."

She stopped talking once she saw the expression upon her mother's face. She knew this was not the same woman who threw her out a few years earlier.

"Mother, why did you call us here?"

Druella could not face her. She turned again to stare out of the sunlit window, all the while a tear streaked down her cheek. Her expression she could no longer hide, was not one of an angry mother. Still she could not speak.

Andromeda, stepped closer. Once she was standing beside her mother, Druella turned to look directly into the baby's face. She smiled, as she quickly swiped away the tear that had fallen. Although, Dora was tired, she was still awake. With her head still laying upon her mother's shoulder, she looked up with bright green eyes at her grandmother then smiled. Seeing the little round cheeks with dimples, caused Druella to soften. She reached up to stroke the baby's hair, when suddenly they realized they were not alone.

"How DARE YOU come here!" shrieked Bellatrix

Andromeda turned with such a snap that she almost knocked herself over. Now holding Dora even more closely than she had before, she instinctively reached into her dress pocket and withdrew her wand. She held it before herself as if it had not been almost 3 years since she had last used it. Bellatrix was as quick and sharp as ever.

"Expelliarmus!" she shouted

"Protego" another voice screamed at the very same moment.

It was not the voice of Andromeda nor was it the voice of Druella, the voice had come from directly behind Bellatrix, who found that her spell had rebounded and actually struck back at herself propelling her own wand to fly high into the air and then fall to the floor with a clatter. The group of women all stood stock still staring in disbelief at what had transpired within the past few seconds.

Bellatrix turned her head the second she realized that yet another form was standing in the doorways frame, just inches from herself.

There stood the haughty and elegant form of Celeste Malfoy. A firmly defiant and stern look on her face. The beauty that she wore like a badge of honor was now fighting with the burning spirit that bubbled up from inside her being.

"You, girl sit down, SHUT UP and do not DARE say one more word until I have given you permission to speak." Celeste spoke with measured tone and forceful determination.

Bellatrixs' eyes grew wide and just when you thought that they would pop out of her head, they found a way of expanding even more. Her eyes were now bulging from their sockets, blood shot veins popping from all corners of where the white met flesh. Her nostrils flared like a bull just about to charge and her hair began to stand on its curly ends creating a crown of frizzy black around her now beet red face.

She opened her mouth to speak, when Celeste narrowed her own eyes, daring the young witch to attempt to violate her order.

For once, the very first time in many years, Bellatrix Black was forced into submission. To obey orders as if a child under the thumb of an overbearing yet protective parent, though this was not her parent. This was not even an Aunt of any other close family member. No, Bellatrix realized that she was clearly out witched here. Celeste Malfoy was very well know to have been one of the most powerful witches in all the world.

She possessed powers that had not been seen in nearly a century before her coming of age. When Celeste had graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, most people had expected her to follow in the same pattern as her close mentor, one Albus Dumbledore. But Celeste had other plans. She gently slipped into a lifestyle of a house witch, the Mistress of Malfoy Manor and the Wife of the famous War Hero Abraxas Malfoy. Yes and also she became known as the ever lovely mother of Lucius Malfoy. An eager young man, who wished to prove himself and find himself in the light of fame after having lived his youth in the shadow of such a famous Father.

Bellatrix faltered for a moment, caught herself as her body began to trip by grabbing the arm of a near by chair. She seated herself half on half off, with her legs somewhat askew as if she were to take to run at any moment.

Druella, now faced by her dearest friend in the world, broke into a broad smile. Here she was, her most cherished daughter and grandchild by her side and her friend, the one person to whom she could confide and be herself with. Druella walked forward and brought her arms about Celeste and pulled her into a tight embrace.

It was obvious the love that these two woman shared. The respect that had built over the years was second nature to them. A quick peck on each of Celeste's cheeks by Druella and then she spoke to her friend for the first time.

"Celeste Malfoy, may I present to you, MY Granddaughter Nymphadora.", as Druella first looked into the eyes of Celeste and then turned toward Andromeda and the young Nymphadora.

She cast her arm out in front of her in a sweeping motion as if she were presenting to Celeste the most magnificent present possible. Her smile becoming so natural that once again, tears took to her lower lids. Filled her eyes until all that she saw was a blur before her. Then the tears ran freely out over the lower lid and dripped off her lashes only to run in a single streak on each cheek down, down, down until they then dropped to the shoulder of her cloak.

This love fest was suddenly broken up by the hacking clearing of the throat of Walburga who had once again returned to the Parlor.

"What is going on here? What do you think this is, some sort of meeting house or local social affair? I want some explanations and I want them right now! Who gives you, no, all of you any thought that my home could be used as some sort of meeting of the lowest forms of life? Good Merlin, I would not even let my house elf Kreacher filthy himself by taking any of your cloaks, for get this, none of you have been invited and none of you are welcome, do you hear me?" spat out Walburga.

"Oh give it a rest will you Burgy, when I wish for your opinion, I will scrape it from the bottom of my boot." came the taught of Druella Black.

"Good, now that we have that cleared up." Celeste added, "Narcissa will be here in but a moment. I do not wish for this to be any more difficult than it must be. So please by all means, keep yourselves under control. Must I remind you that the Wizarding World is looking to us to show them how to act, how to act responsibly that is." Celeste stated with cool ease and a tone of utmost authority.

Bellatrix once again stood up, rising as if ready to strike at the very next person to say anything. Like a Cobra rising from a basket, her wild hair flaring out and framing her head. Yes, she did in fact remind each and every one of the ladies in that parlor of a Cobra. How vicious, how dangerous the bite. The urge to force her back into the basket and close its lid upon her as quickly as possible.

She laughs, "I can't believe the scene I am witnessing!"

Her eyes still wild, "Aunt Walburga, once I'm married there will be no person who will EVER set foot in MY house and talk to me the way you allow these.... this.." she sneers, "... filth talk to you in yours."

Suddenly, Kreacher once again appears at the door, introducing the impending arrival.

Quickly, Bellatrix snatches up her wand from the floor, and points it at everyone. She is wearing an expression of incredulity.

"What is going on here?" asks Narcissa.

"They are all blood traitors Cissy, that's what! If you are smart, you'll leave before they suck you up in all of their Mudblood ways."

Bella backs towards the fireplace, then grabs a handful of Floo powder, throws it in, and shouts,"Lestrange Chateau!" With a flash of green flames, she is gone.
...

Sitting in an arm chair, before a fireplace is a well dressed man. Dinner has already been served. He had eaten alone once again. He now sits and watches as the sun sets so low in the sky. It's rays of bright light are beginning to fade into the darkness.

A house elf steps foreward and pulls the heavy maroon drapes.
The evening is chilly for it is still early spring. He sets about the task of lighting the fire before his master.

"Another glass of red wine," states the master.

The elf bows low and attends to the command.

The man quietly sips from his Crystal glass. He is a rather handsome man of medium build. He has somewhat pointy nose. Straight brown hair, trimmed a little on the long side, but not so long that it touches the collar of his crisp white shirt. He is wearing a velvet embroidered vest of deep forest green, fastened with gold buttons. He also has on dark brown pants with black leather boots that come up to his knees.

The night seems like it's going to be another long one. He sighs, and runs his long fingers through his hair.

Suddenly, a bright green light flashes before him in the fireplace. Bellatrix steps forward.

"Hello my dear." He states as he grins widely.

"How is my blushing bride to be, this evening?" He does not move a muscle in greeting, but stays comfortably seated.

Yes, her face was red, yet it did not take long before he realized she was not blushing.

"How dare they?!" she shouts. Her anger pulsing through her veins.

She points her wand at the first thing she sees, and it explodes instantly. The elf steps forward and begins to clean up the pieces of broken glass.

"Hey that was my mother's favorite mirror. Seven years bad luck you know." he says with amusement.

Her hands are now balled up into fists, as she paces back and forth across the oriental rug.

"My whole family has lost it! They've all turned traitor to our family name!" she is breathing heavily. Her eyes narrowed.

He takes another sip from his glass as he watches her with interest.

"Come. Tell me. What has happened?"

She stops her pacing and faces him directly.

"A little family get together." she said sarcastically.

"My aunt has lost control of her house! I try to help get rid of the thing I saw in my... my... HER arms. She's bred with that Muggle! She's crossed the line! Dirtied our family's blood!"

"Cast her out I would, but she stopped me. How dare she?!"

He was impressed.

"Who stopped you?" he said with great interest.

"Mrs. Malfoy of course." she said in a matter of fact way.

"Narcissa?" he said unbelieving.

"No!' Lucius' mother.' again said with sarcasm, and a look on her face to match.

"Why was she...?" he was about to finish but suddenly he saw the look Bella was giving him, so decided to hold off.

She begins to step forward, eying him intently. Suspiciously.

"You don't have any family secrets do you?"

He begins to laugh, as he strokes his short trimmed beard.

"ME? Family secrets? Of what kind would you be referring to?" he said with a sneaky smile and a little chuckle.

"BLOOD! Is your family's blood PURE?!"

His eyes grow more round as she approaches closer and closer to him.

"I FAIL to see what is so amusing! Rodolphus answer me!"

As she was about to raise her wand hand again, he drops his glass of wine, and instinctly takes hold of her forearm. A move so quick that she was caught off guard and drops her wand once again. He reaches up and takes hold of her other forearm with his free hand. Her eyes are so narrow with anger as she looks him deep within his dark brown eyes.

"Answer me." she says in a low voice.

Holding her arms securely, he pulls her onto his lap. He looks up into her dark eyes.

"I must know. I will NOT marry filth!"

"My family's pureblood. Has been for several centuries."

He releases her arms causing him to bear the weight of her small frame upon his chest. He holds her firmly around her waist, and kisses her hard upon the mouth.

After a moment, she pulls back and whispers.

"Prove it."
....

The room full of women watch as Bella leaves.

Narcissa once again asks, "What has happened?"

[grandpalovegood]

You Must Pay to Play

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The room full of women watch as Bella leaves.

Narcissa once again asks, "What has happened?"

"Oh, it's just your sister throwing yet again one of her temper tantrums. This is all your fathers fault you know. Always filling her head with the nonsense that she is the most important person in the world. That she and people who think as they do are, what did he call them? Oh yes, PURE BLOODS!"

Druella stifles her own laugh at her own observations only to be cut short by Walburga.

"And what is so wrong with PURE BLOODS? If it were not for Pure Bloods you would not be standing here breathing the air in MY HOME" spat Walburga.

"Oh Tut, Tut, Walburga, there is not a Witch or Wizard on this planet that does not have at least one eighth direct Muggle Blood running through their veins. I do not know who you are kidding but you are sorely misleading not only yourself but little Miss Get a Grip! You have done some job helping with here you have." Celeste stated as she gracefully took to a chair sitting in the brightest corner of the heavily over decorated Drawing Room.

"I would hold my tongue if I were you Celeste. Your own Husband would have had you hauled out to the caretakers shed and whipped for speaking in such blasphemous ways." Walburga shouted in disgust.

Celeste just laughed. It was obvious that Walburga and possibly not even the Wizarding World at large actually realized that it was she, Celeste Malfoy who ran Malfoy Manor, not her late husband.

"You have no right to speak to any of us the way you do you know." interjected Andromeda as she now was busily placing the toddling Nymphadora upon the carpet.

The little tyke suddenly took to full run, crossing the room in a split second and before anyone could stop her, she had run bubble gum pink headed into a small spindly legged table. Upon that table a grouping of silver and monogrammed objects were sent flying through the air as the child reached up and grabbed hold of the lace doily that hung over the edge.

Silver boxes, picture frames, goblets and cups of all sizes and shapes were now scattered across the Drawing room. With a gentle waive of Celeste's wand and the word "Scougify" was uttered, all of the objects once again took flight. This time headed back to the table which had been magically righted and placed securely back upon its feet.

"Oh you sweetheart, did you bump your little head?" came Druella's words as both she and Andromeda reached for the child. Druella coming away with the little prize. Her eyes widening, as she cooed into the soft curls that surrounded the child's face.

"Enough! ENOUGH, we are here to get back to the topic at hand." Celeste firmly taking the situation into her control.

"First off, Andromeda, Please will you formally introduce your child to everyone present?"

With this, Andromeda turned to her mother and reached her hands forth, suggesting that Druella pass the child to her.

Druella looked at the child as if she wished nothing more at that moment than to hold her forever, to never let her go, to make the many years that have separated those who she so desperately missed to be once again by her side as if nothing had ever come between them.

Andromeda noticing the bonding that was transpiring chose instead to stand firm and turned toward the other elder Witches in the room.

"Aunt Walburga, Madam Celeste, Mother, I so proudly introduce all of you to Nymphadora Tonks." the words coming with a forcefulness and pride.

"ACK" spat out Walburga.

"Swallow something bitter have you my dear?" asked Druella, still clutching the child just a firmly as she had before.

Celeste now broke in, "Thank you my dear, she is absolutely lovely. She has your eyes you know. How long have you known of her talents? I do not remember one ever having been in the family for the past Century!" Celeste stated with a bit of a jovial tone to her voice.

There was a sudden blaze of brilliant Green Fire in the hearth of the Drawing room as a young handsome and somewhat aristocratic man walked out of the flames followed very closely by the disheveled and somewhat wild appearing form of Bellatrix Black.

"Tell her, tell her. If you love me, prove it! Put this right!" growled Bellatrix as bits of ash flew from her mouth landing on the young mans three quarter coat.

He turned his head to view the bits of flotsam that had landed upon his garment, took his hand and with a single movement, brushed off the back shoulder of the debris.

He walked to the center of the room, turning his head in an effortless manner. Looking into each of the woman's faces. Assessing the potential situation that he had just been thrust into. He did not say a word, instead he turned toward Walburga, walked directly to her.

He took his Grey silk gloved hands and placed one on each of Walburga's shoulders and gave her the most gentle kiss first upon her left cheek, and then yet another upon her right cheek.

He then walked back a step or two and proceeded to draw his gloves from his hands. He then placed one of the Grey kid leather gloves upon the other and then removed his day coat. He placed the gloves into an inner pocket and then placed the coat upon the back of an overstuffed chair that sat beside Mrs. Black.

In the kitchens, he stirs a pot. He adds in a few more ingredients, then stirs it once again. A wonderful aroma begins to fill the room. He scurries quickly over to one of the cupboards to retrieve the dinnerware for the guests. The table is nearly all set. Originally preparing for just the family, and now prepares for more just in case they decide to stay.

"A good house elf is always a step ahead," he thinks to himself.

Suddenly he hears a crash, from the other room.

"Ah, Duty calls." As a good house elf Kreacher is, he immediately apparates into the hallway just outside of the family filled room.

All of the guests are chatting, some with raised voices. Yet, before he enters the room, he notices one of the guests is in the process of cleaning up the mess. He decides to hang back a moment. His eyes become very round with fear. He is too late.

"Mistress will not be happy. Oh bad, bad Kreacher," he says to himself in his hoarse deep voice.

Backing away from the doorway, he gazes around the hallway for something he could punish himself with, for not being quick enough to do his duty.

Then he hears new voices. Someone has used the fireplace to floo into the room. Again another person has arrived. So he stops his search and quietly returns to the doorway. He peers inside the room once again. So not to disrupt the gathering, he decides to see if there are ashes tracked from the hearth onto the carpeted floor. Ah, yes indeed.

With a tiny little point of his index finger, he uses magic to clean the mess without anyone's notice.

In the room, the voices become quiet as a man walks around.

"Well? What have you got to say Rodolphus?" said Bellatrix impatiently.

She stood there folding her arms in front of her.

Druella speaks up. "What is going on?"

Addressing Walburga, "I do believe the gift I have offered you was received, was it not?"

"It was indeed. It arrived just yesterday. Still, I fail to see the meaning of this... " she trails off when she notices the peculiar grin upon his face.

"May I please see it?"

The room filled with the ladies who stand curiously by, waiting to see what he is up to.

Walburga walks over to one of the glass fronted cabinets standing on either side of the mantelpiece. Opens up one of the doors, then pulls out a rather large heavy old book. She places it upon a nearby table.

Druella, takes a seat in one of the high backed leather chairs. She still holds the child, who is now sleeping with her head lying upon her shoulder.

"I don't understand." Andromeda speaks up.

Celeste watches, from her niece's side.

"Natures Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy.' I know this book anywhere. My father has a copy he kept in our house." Celeste says with confidence.

"Then you should know that WE have been as careful as any family in the the wizarding world to purge the filthy muddied blood of Muggles from our veins. How can all of you sit here with that THING stinking right under your very noses?" growled Bellatrix to the occupants of the room.

Andromeda and Bellatrix were nose to nose within seconds. Neither had even had enough time to pull out their wands in defence.

A handfull of dark brown hair filled Andromeda's clenched fist while a large section of her own blouse was now being ripped off of her form by Bellatrix.

The two fell to the floor, rolling and screaming foul words in unknown tongues. The sound of glass shattering upon the wooden floor filled the room as the now violently intertwined sisters rolled from side to side.

"Enough! ENOUGH! I will not have common cats ruining my home!" screamed Walburga

It was no use though, the two continued to wrestle amongst themselves, curses being thrown here and there, missing a table, hitting a wall and even setting the heavy drapes upon fire.

Kreacher materialized a bucked and promptly threw its liquid contents upon the flames. The drapes hung limp and smoldering now.

Kreacher then rushed up to the two tousling figures and grabbed hold of a foot and bit down upon it as hard as he could.

"Get off me you bag of bones," Bellatrix screamed.

Kreacher now realizing that he had attacked the wrong foot of the wrong witch. He suddenly "POPPED" and vanished into thin air. Loud noises could be heard a short time later coming from the attic and it was the opinion that Kreacher was assaulting himself for his misdeed.

A huge flash of bright yellow light shot out of the tip of Walburga's wand and the sisters were momentarily stunned and then sent sliding to opposite sides of the room. Each hitting the wall with a mighty thud and dazed looks crossing their oh so similar looking faces.

"When I said enough, I meant ENOUGH! I will not, I repeat, I WILL NOT BE DISRESPECTED in my own home!" Demanded Walburga as she walked toward the large tapestry covered wall opposite the fireplace.

There the Witch stood. Her eyes beginning to squint, her face beginning to twist. She looked down upon the book that now lay upon the floor. Cast away in the fight.

Then without another word, Walburga blasted away at a spot on the wall, a short curse barely heard crossing her lips.. Then another blast, another and yet another and the words became louder and louder until they were themselves strangulated screams.

After just a few moments time, everyone in the room was staring directly at the tapestry covered wall. There were blackened and smoking holes randomly burning into the hard Mahogany wooden wall upon which the tapestry hangs.

Rodolphus got up from his chair, ever so cautiously. He walked over to the tapestry wall and gazed upon one particular grouping of images. There he saw the moving face of his future wife. Her hair as wild as her temper. The image of the beautiful Narcissa turning its head to the side, gazing with amazement at a large and blackened hole that had just been blasted along side it.

He raised his hand, placed his fingertips upon the edges of the smoldering wound in the tapestry. He circled his fingers around the perimeter of the mark. He then removed his hand from the blast spot, placed his hand beneath his own nose and breathed in deeply. Taking in the scent of brimstone and fury.

He then walked over to Bellatrix who by now had begun to pull herself together and stand upon her bandy legs. Slightly wobbly from the spell which had been cast upon her. She ran her hands through her hair, causing it to stand up into the air and stay as if suspended in time.

Rodolphus presented his soot covered hand to Bellatrix. She grabbed at his wrist in an angry gesture and proceeded to sniff his palm.. She looked up into his face, her huge dark eyes reflecting the light from the candlestick on the mantle of the fireplace. A smile began to infiltrate the forced stonework of her facial features. It was a smile, not a happy smile, a vicious kind of smile. One that would make a baby cry just from witnessing it.

Her tongue darted out of her mouth so very snake like as she licked the soot from the tips of her betrothed fingertips. A deep cackle released from somewhere deep down inside her chest.

Celeste turned her head away from the site. Not wishing to witness this disgusting display.

[grandpalovegood]

Love and Lies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Arriving home, the two are very quiet. The evenings events were enough to occupy their thoughts for a while.

He walked into the drawing room, his posture straight and his eyes narrowed as he notices the lack of speech. How odd it was to find the two women in his life so quiet.

"I take it your evening went well," he inquired, breaking the silence.

Still, there was a pause before anyone responded.

Narcissa walked over to the window, pulling back the heavy curtain to peer out into the darkness. The call of the peacock was heard in the distance.

"I wouldn't go so far as to say our evening went well," said Celeste as she took a seat.

He raised an eyebrow, as he turned to join her. He chose the sofa sitting opposite his mother.

With a slight grin, "So, all is not well in the ancient and most noble house of Black?"

Narcissa rolls her eyes and sighs.

"Walburga will never change. I doubt there is any hope for that woman. Bellatrix is so over dramatic. She's following in her aunt's footsteps. Their views overshadow all that is good." Celeste had to stop speaking. She swallowed hard, as she closed her eyes, placing her fingertips to her forehead. Suddenly, she looks up and glances over to her son.

"If you don't take a look around you son, notice all that is good. I fear you will follow close behind them." she said with a pleading tone in her voice.

Lucius does what he normally does, smirks.

Standing, she walks over toward him. She pauses before leaving the room, placing a gentle hand upon his shoulder. She whispers to him.

"Always, love your family unconditionally, for they are what truly matters most in life. They are so precious." she pauses and looks over to Narcissa.

"Goodnight son." She lightly kisses his cheek.

He does not turn to watch her leave, instead watches his wife, across the room, as she still stares out of the window.

"Are we expecting someone?"

"No."

Finally turning her gaze back inside the room, she decides to join her husband. She sits down beside him on the couch. Without a word, she reaches over and takes his hand in hers, entwining her fingers between his. With a serious expression upon her face, she turns and looks deep into his gray eyes, then looks away once again. Her thoughts are still her own. She swallows hard, then relates the details of her evening.

"She burned the tapestry again. It's not like she didn't already disown Andromeda, striking her from the family tree. We all were there when she did it the first time." she said with a sigh. Her eyes still staring straight ahead not really looking at anything.

"She bred with that filth. What did she expect would happen to arrive at your family's home with that," he paused to sneer once again, "...creature none the less."

"Lucius, that's my sister no matter what my aunt says. No burnt piece of cloth will ever change that." She gently, but firmly squeezes his hand.

He turns his head to look directly at his wife. A cold inquiring look is in his eyes.

"You don't welcome this, Mud-blood and their..."

She broke in, "No. I may still love my sister, but I don't approve of her choices. She should not have married him."

She shakes her head thinking of the child with the pink hair. It was crying in her mothers arms as they left her family's home quickly.

"That child was not natural," she whispers.

She looks up once again into her husbands eyes and smiles a weak smile. After hearing her response, Lucius relaxes once again. Her reassurances calms him and he puts his arm around her shoulder. She leans in placing her head against him.

Suddenly, Dobby appears at the doorway. He carries a silver tray with a rolled up piece of parchment laying upon it. Dobby, quietly enters the room, walking slowly towards his master.

"How many times must I tell you not to interrupt us when we are alone?" Lucius said with a glare so cold, Dobby begins to shiver.

"Master, an owl arrived just now for you sir." squeaked the elf.

"Don't just stand there. Give it to me!"

He steps forward, holding out the platter above his head, presenting the letter.

Taking it, Lucius turns to look at the seal. Then suddenly baring his teeth at the elf.

"You are dismissed. GO!" he shouts.

"Yes sir, Dobby leaves now sir." bowing several times, Dobby backs out of the room quickly.

Narcissa still, snuggled upon her husband's shoulder, her eyes are shut. She's determined to gain solace in the calm peace between them. He again turns his attention to the delivery. He turns it over and sees a stamp. In the blood red wax was the symbol of the dark mark.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The door opens gently as a little bell is tapped. The tinkling of the bell welcomes a lovely and elegantly dressed figure as it walks into the establishment.

There, before her, empty tables with seats for two arranged so perfectly as to allow one to walk between each without bumping into the next. Each table is covered in brilliant White Belgian Lace. Fine White porcelain cups and saucers with Gold bands at the rim. A simple crystal vase sits in the center of each table with one Rose. Each rose on each table is of a different color. No two alike.

Brilliantly, highly polished silver flatware reflected that early mornings sunshine that streamed inside the spotlessly clean windows of Madame Puddifoots Cafe.

In the corner a fireplace was ablaze but it did not give off heat, it gave off a soft waft of slightly perfumed air. Comfortable, not overpowering but obviously very feminine.

Druella Black closed the door behind herself. Once again the tinkling of the entrance bell giving away her very presence to anyone who might be inside.

From a door at the rear of the room filled with Doily and lace covered tables walked the Madam Puddifoot.

She was a stout little woman, her hair pulled up very tightly at the back of her head. A perfect little black bun looked like a button atop her rounded features.

She wore a bright Yellow dress of satin and a Lace Apron covered her front, right down to the tips of her pointed Emerald Green shoes which barely showed from beneath the mounds of Yellow silk that puddle up upon the floor where she stood.

"Druella, my Dear, Dear Friend. How have you been? It has been far too long since you have stopped by! Oh Dear, me, where are my manners? Come in, come in of course, please sit. Sit, tell me everything." Madam Puddifoot ran on as she waived her wand, causing a single chair to remove itself from beneath the table located closest to the front windows.

Two cups and saucers burst into action. A tea pot was magically being levitated from a Credenza at the rear of the cafe' and it streaked across the room and began to pour its contents into the now aware cups.

"One lump, two, oh dear me, who am I kidding, I will have 4 lumps myself... And you dear?" Puddifoot aksed of her guest.

"One Please. I do watch my figure." stated the elegant Druella Black.

"Oh, yes, yes of course. And what a lovely figure you have.. For me, well, I have little time to worry about my, well what would one call it, my waisted line." as Madam Puddifoot giggled like a school girl.

This brought a smile to Druellas face. She gently sat in the chair at the table by the window. She gazed outside for a moment, watching the hustle and bustle of the shoppers of Hogsmeade as they went from shop to shop, in search of treasures and daily needs alike.

"My Dear Puddifoot, your establishment is as lovely as it has ever been. And you are as lovely as ever as well." Druella stated.

Madam Puddifoot blushed, she walked to the table at which Druella sat as the chair on the opposite side of the table from her guest removed itself and invited the Cafe' owner to sit upon it.

As she sat, Madam Puddifoot once again raised her wand and pointed it toward the credenza yet again.

A Tazza laden with all sorts of small quartered sandwiches and sweats and small cakes and pastry's zoomed across the room and centered itself between the two woman.

"Ah, yes, the little ones here, they are Watercress and Salmon, these here are Butter and Sliced Cucumber, my personal favorites dear. These here are Jam and Clotted Cream upon Pumpernickel. The pastries are all hand made by my own House Elves here on the premises, as are all of my breads and the Cucumbers and Watercress are grown at Hogwarts by Pomona Sprout herself.. You remember Pomona of course. Dumpy little mess of a Witch but with the greenest thumb in all the Wizarding world!" giggled again Puddifoot.

"Yes, I am aware of our dear classmate. She was in, where was it, she was I believe in Hufflepuff.. Yes, I do believe she was one of THEM!" Druella spat out with a slight bit of vinegar in her tone.

"So, my Dear Druella, what brings you all the way out here to Hogsmeade when you are so much closer to Diagon Alley?" queried Madam Puddifoot.

"A Wedding my dear. THE WEDDING of the DECADE and I would like to inquire of you the week long acquisition of your premises and services to our needs. As a matter of fact, we are at the moment securing every single establishment, here in Hogsmeade for the entire week of July 1 through July 8th." Druella matter of factually stated.

"The entire Village for an entire WEEK?" Puddifoot swallowed and spoke at the same time, causing herself to gag just a bit upon both the words that she spoke and the little bit of Butter and Cucumber Tea Sandwich she had just taken a bite of.

"Yes, you see my daughter Bellatrix is to be married to Rodolphus Lestrange. The union of two of the oldest and most prestigious Wizarding Families must be seen as the height of celebration. And what a lovelier place than Hogsmeade to hold this most festive of occasions." Druella coaxed.

Madam Puddifoot sat there, a slightly stunned expression crossed her face. Her eyes appeared to be glazed over with the reflection of the spring morning light that streamed into her cafe' through the impeccably spotless front window.

[grandpalovegood]

Where There's Smoke...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bell rings. Someone has entered the room. A dark dingy sort of place. It's windows so cloudy that it holds back the cheerful brightness of the suns rays from entering. A strong smell of goats and burning socks is distinctly present.

A man, wearing long purple robes, steps up to the long bar and takes a seat. He waits for the barman to step from the room behind, so he could place his order. While he waits, he looks around the room.

There were few patrons present. A man passed out, sits at a table to one side. Faced down, he drools and snores as he holds onto and empty mug.

At the back of the room, there is a tall figure of a man sitting quietly. His hood from his long black cloak is drawn so low it obscures his facial features from sight. He folds his hands in front of him as he watches the others in the room.

Loud laughter pierces the silence. The man in purple turns his gaze towards it's origins. Three men drinking, spilling Meade down the front of their robes. One with a round belly laugh's long and hard. The other a man tall with no hair. He shakes his head while wearing a smile. The shortest man at the table, has ginger hair, is puffing on his pipe as he speaks.

"What's huge, leafy and rather pathetic?" one says.

"I dunno."

"The whimpering willow."

The laughter stops.

"Uh, thas bad. I ga a one better. Where's the best place ta drink polyjuice potion?"

The round man belches as he slams down his empty mug. "Where?"

"The Changing room."

Laughter is heard once again.

A voice from behind the bar speaks up. "What'll it be Albus?"

"The usual."

The barman reaches below the counter and pulls up a rather dirty glass, then turns to fetch the bottle of Oak matured Meade. While his back is turned, Albus points his wand towards the glass, making it clean. Aberforth proceeds to pour the liquid into the glass before pushing it to his brother. He then wipes the counter top with his dirty rag.

The laughter suddenly takes a turn for the worst.

"Your cheatin!" the man shouted as he stood up quickly.

"Am not!" The smoking man uses his foot to move a covered cage, which was sitting on the floor beside him. He slides it safely behind him.

"You ain't gettin nothin from me!" Shouts the one standing, his footing a bit wobbly. He charges the smoking man, grabbing the front of his robes. This causes cards to spill out of his sleeve.

"Thas proof! Yer the cheat!" He stands knocking his own chair over. The cage behind them is disturbed in the process.

As the two men have their scuffle, they hear not the melodious roar within the room.

"You gimme what you owe me, ya hear?"

"Ain't doin it!"

Suddenly there is a blaze that has been started. Chairs are burning. The tiny roar continues as fire is issued in thin jets about the room.

"Hold on you two!" shouts Aberforth as he breaks up the fight. The men become quiet though they are breathing hard shooting hard looks at each other.

Suddenly the ginger haired wizard notices the fire and quickly begins to look for his cage and it's charge.

Albus stands there with his wand pointing at the tiny Welsh Green dragon, subduing it in place in the corner of the room.

Mundungus quickly grabs the cage and secures the now sleeping dragon back into it's confinement.

"Thank you Dumbledore. I am most gracious ter ya fer this."

Albus says nothing but turns his wand towards the burning furnature, putting out the blaze that ensued.

Aberforth grabbed the man by the scuff of his robes.

"That's it! OUT!" He drags the man towards the door.

"Sorry Abe? I can fix it, promise I can! I'm really sorry!"

"How dare you bring a dragon into me pub!" He shouts as he pushes the man out into the street.

"Dung, don't ever come back, you hear? Not one step or I'll... I'll... Set you ablaze!" He shouts as he slams the door.

He turns to survey the damage which was done to his pub. Albus had pretty much cleaned up the rest of the water he produced from putting out the fire. All is now quiet until the tinkle of the bell rings once more.

Aberforth shouts once again, "I said GET OUT!" then he turns to face those who entered noticing the well dressed ladies who are now standing near the entrance.

"OH." He said with a perplexed look upon his face.

Aberforth Dumbledore bowed as low as his aging back would allow. He had to place one hand upon his right knee while his other hand assisted his creaky old back as he raised his head from this prone position to continue to address his unexpected guests.

There, standing in the filthy doorway was Walburga Black and Bellatrix Lestrange. Bundled in their finest furs and dripping gem stones that caused the Bar Owner to squint to keep from being blinded by their blazing fire filled reflections. Even though the light in the room was filtered through decades of filth and dirt, those stones blazed with such arrogant glory that they were all one could find their eyes staring at.

Mundungus Fletcher made to sneak back into the Tavern to see what he could possibly get for free from the two wealthy appearing Witches. He barely opened the door as his filthy form wormed its way through the small space between the Tavern door and its frame.

He made sure to clear his throat. Wishing to be noticed for once. He moved ever so gently toward the ladies as their noses both were thrust high into the air as if a dead rodent had been laid in their path.

"Get that filth away from me!" Demanded Walburga Black.

Just as quickly as her Aunt had shouted, Bellatrix had her wand out and was pointing it at the now quaking and twisted form of Mundungus Fletcher.

"How DARE YOU, you FILTHY. How Dare you approach us as if you were our equal? You shall pay for this indiscretion!"

With this a sudden blast of Red Light crossed the room and hit Dung squarely in the forehead. Boils began to develop on the spot which he had been struck but they continued to grow and spread across his face, then down his arms and obviously over his entire body.

Fletcher stood there itching and scratching as if a Dog with Fleas.

"Now, now Bella, there is no need to bring out ones wand at the slightest bit of scum that comes across our path. That is what this, what shall I say, Bar Master is here for. Now, YOU, remove this filth from our presence and make it snappy."

Walburga stood firm in her place, looking around the dingy dump of a tavern. Her disgust was obvious. She raised her wand hand and with a sudden rumbling of overturning furniture, the two associates of Mundungus Fletcher were out the back door of the Tavern in a flash..

Only the heavily cloaked figure in the rear of the inn stayed in place. Unaffected by the comings and goings on around him. His long fingered hand grasping his pint as if he were in fear of it floating away.

"SCOURGIFY!" Shouted Walburga Black.

The room suddenly was awash in a blaze of brilliant hot white light. Objects flew too and fro. Glasses, tinkled and buckets went into action with their accompanying mops.

In but a few minutes the Tavern was clean as a whistle. As a matter of fact, even the goat that walked out of the back door seemed to have had a bath and a brush for good measure.

The head of Mundungus Fletcher was the last thing seen as he disappeared into the fireplace. A flash of green flames, his frightened look lingering upon everyone's retina, and then he was gone.

Walburga moved toward the now straightening Aberforth. His eyes sparkled a stunning sky blue. Deep and soulful and appearing to be old as the hills. Aberforth waived his hand toward a now sparkling clean table. The chairs withdrew themselves and Walburga walked to the table and with the greatest of care, too a seat.

While Aberforth was so involved with the grand force that Walburga Black gave off, neither had noticed that Bellatrix was walking toward the cloaked stranger in the back of the room.

She hummed ever so imperceptibly and her head moved slightly off kilter to one side. Her dark drapes of hair dropping down over one eye making her strikingly beautiful face to appear much more like that of a Muggle movie actress than that of a young Witch.

The cloaked figure did not move but an inch as Bella approached him. She moved her hand and the chair opposite the stranger withdrew. She sat down, bold as brass and promptly propped her head up upon her upturned hands as her elbows were placed in front of her.

She leaned forward and in a very low almost unheard voice one which no one would believe Bellatrix could even possess, asked the stranger a question, a very simple question.

"I know you, don't I?" she whispered to him.

The cloaked head moved very slowly up and down and affirmed her suspicions.

Walburga and Aberforth were now in a relatively loud bargaining over the Blacks rental of the entire Inn and the needs that must be met to accommodate the superior level of clientele that would be using the facility.

"You ask and expect too much Madame, I am not to be one to be pushed around in my own establishment!" Snorted Aberforth.

"You will and you will do it with a smile on your face. Do you understand me? I will not be denied what I have come here for and you WILL abide by our needs and the needs of our very special guests. Have I made myself perfectly crystal clear?" Walburga spat out with such disguised venom that one would have thought her to be a snake hissing at its prey.

A discussion had clearly developed between Bellatrix and the Cloaked Gentleman. Bellatrix was smiling from ear to ear. Her interest had been peeked and she was more excited than she had been in years. It was obvious that there was a bond of sorts going on in the back corner of the bar. Arms reached out toward each other, hands grasping and a shaking of hands had clearly struck a bargain.

A cackle escaped Bellatrix which brought the attention of Walburga from her negotiations to her niece.

We must be on our way. We have come to a satisfactory common ground understanding, this Bar Man and I" as Walburga stood up and turned her back to Aberforth and progressed to the now streak free glass door of the Hogs Head Tavern.

"Rotten ole bi......" barely escaping from Aberforth's pursed lips as he picked up his shockingly white bar towel and headed off to the back room behind the bar.

Albus Dumbledore, clearly forgotten and left unnoticed during this entire proceeding looked first from the table which Bellatrix was extracting herself from and the doorway from which Walburga had just walked through.

His blue eyes, much like those of his younger brother sparkled as he gazed over his gold half moon glasses. He reached his hand up, running it through his snow white beard. Perplexed by what had just transpired but obviously his interests had been brought to the surface.

[grandpalovegood]

Pins and Needles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun shines brightly through the large front window. The bell tinkles as the door opens to the shop.

"I'll be with you in a moment," said the witch from the back of the store.

Another woman moves gracefully into view.

"Augusta Longbottom, How do you do?" she extends her hands in greeting. They they lean forward and press cheeks but for a moment.

"Celeste Malfoy? It's been ages. The ball the Prewetts threw last year."

"Yes, yes it was," she said with a smile.

"I am doing well, now that Frank is home from St. Mungo's."

"What happened? I read in the Prophet about the attack."

"Cursed. You know he's an Auror now. He passed Auror training with flying colors only to be cursed his first day on the job. Lost his memory. He can't remember a thing that happened that day."

"Oh that's a shame. He's doing well now though?"

"Yes, we are putting that all behind us. He's looking forward to the big day."

"Big day?"

"Yes he and Alice are getting married. She's such a dear. She stayed with him during the attack."

In walked Madam Malkin, a squat witch dressed in mauve, from the back of the shop. "What can I do for you ma'am?"

Pointing to a long, green lace-trimmed dress in the window, "I have a fox-fur scarf that would go perfect with that dress. I must have it. It's simply divine."

"Alright Ma'am, I must schedule you for a fitting. I'm rather busy at the moment."

She opens up her appointment book which is lying upon the counter... Running her index finger down the page she suddenly stops.

"How about Next Saturday morning at ten? Would that be alright or would you like to come in sooner?"

"Oh that's fine. Ten it is."

After they watch Madam Malkin return to the back of the store, Celeste turns towards Augusta.

Suddenly another voice is heard. "Frank is getting married? How wonderful."

Celeste introduces, "Augusta, I'm not sure if you have had the chance to meet my daughter in-law Narcissa. Narcissa, this is Augusta Longbottom."

Augusta eyes the beautiful blond witch who steps out from the back of the store.

"Ah, pleased to meet you Narcissa."

They both nod their head toward each other.

"Yes Frank's getting married. Do you know him?"

"I do. Hogwarts of course. It's been a while." she says with a slight grin upon her face.

"Speaking of weddings, my sister Bellatrix Black is getting married soon." Narcissa gestures towards the back of the store.

"You and your husband must come to the wedding. It will be an event to remember. Bring Frank and his bride to be as well," she said with a smile.

"Will, do. Sounds like something I would not want to miss," she says with hesitation.

With all excitement, "I need to go. I did come to Diagon Alley to purchase a hat that I saw advertised in the paper."

Turning towards Celeste, they clasp hands once again. "It was so good to see you again."

With another quick nod towards Narcissa.. "Good to meet you too."

As the bell tinkles, once Mrs. Longbottom had left, a loud cackle bursts out from the back of the store.

"Oh YES Please DO COME.. Bring your little boy with you. What an event this will be?!" She dies with laughter nearly falling off the stool.

"Miss Bellatrix, please, do hold still, this lace sleeve is very delicate material. It needs to be pinned to the bodice precisely."

After the fitting appointment was finally made, the woman all filed out of the shop with a quick wave of their hands a few blown kisses and then the tinkling of the shop doors bell and they were outside once more in the wonderful sunlight.

"It's not like I really want to come back you know. If it were not for you old brooms in the mud I could whip something up myself and just be on with it," Bellatrix complained loudly.

"Tut, tut," responded Narcissa. "What one must do to be the most beautiful Witch in all the world is well worth the memories that will be impressed upon each and every guest my dear."

"What do I care what they remember, it is MY DAY remember, not theirs," Bella quickly retorted.

The ladies now met up with others of their party. Now a rather larger gathering of some of the most prominent Witches of their day were walking down the center of Diagon Alley.

Every shop along the way was in full business and their windows were suddenly filled with onlookers who had never seen this many of the Grand Dames of the Wizarding World out and about by day.. Surely some had seen them all out together at functions and other weddings but strolling down the somewhat crooked Diagon Alley? Never!

Celeste would point to one shop, then another while Walburga the same at yet other shops, Bellatrix, clearly not been interested in the chatter between these woman found herself being constantly pulled back into the fold by one of her elders.. She had the attention span of Fruit Fly.

Her nose was suddenly plastered to the window of the The Leaky Cauldron.. There she let out a loud cry!

"I want a Butterbeer and I want it NOW!"

The other witches who had passed by the establishment with just taking note of it being enrolled in the duties of the wedding plans, all stopped dead in their tracks.

"Bellatrix, you are after all a BLACK and as such, you will act as one in public, do you hear me?" came the softened but exceptionally firm hissings of Walburga Black.

"But I want a Butterbeer NOW! I will not take one more step. That is it. I have done as all of you have demanded of me today. I have been poked, prodded, been forced to enter filthy establishments that I would not let my Dog sleep in. Spoken with filth and riffraff. NOW it is MY TURN and I will not accept NO as an answer. After all, I am an adult and I do have my own money. So come with me or not, it is up to you but I am not going to leave this place without my fill."

The elder witches all looked from one to the other. In silent acknowledgment they proceeded to turn on their heals and head toward the closed door of the Inn and Pub...

Bellatrix was exuberant. The grasped the well worn handle of entrance door and forcefully pushed it in...

Two shrunken heads which hung from a nail and string just inside the door both whistled a quick cat call as Bellatrix strode into the establishment.

She turned her head quickly but with an evil little grin upon her face, she hiked up her skirt just enough to show her raised right shoe... One of the Shrunken heads whistled again.

The sound of the whistling was suddenly broken in by the sound of a loud pounding as a bolt of white light struck it from one of the witches that was entering the Inn behind Bellatrix.

"That will be enough.. If you wish to continue to hang by that thread and not be drowned in a large vat of Acid, might I suggest you keep your whistles to yourself. " came the firm voice of Lucritia Prewett.

Bellatrix threw herself into a booth at the back of the large room that they had entered. Her body lay askew in the corner and leaned heavily against the wooden wall.

"Ah ladies, welcome, welcome to my humble establishment," came Tom the Barkeeps welcoming voice..

The three ladies standing just inside the door, turn their gaze about the room. Celeste smiles and gracefully gives a slight nod in acknowledgment to their greeting.

"Where did that girl get off to?" speaks Walburga.

"Perhaps we should get a table? My feet are killing me, besides I too would like something to drink," said Narcissa.

"Yes please do, come in. Come in. I have a perfect table I believe would be suitable to your liking right over here," said Tom as he holds out his arm, a gesture to show them the way.

The ladies followed him to a table in the center of the room. Each took their seat once he held one out for them.

May I get you something?

"Nothing for me," said Walburga.

Celeste and Narcissa both ordered ice water.

Tom bows and grins his toothless grin.

"I shall return."

Walburga begins to speak when suddenly a loud POP is heard, causing the three to jump in their seats.

"Kreacher, I thought I told you to remain invisible during our outing today," said an annoyed Walburga.

The old house elf bowed low.

"So sorry Ma'am. So sorry..." his apology was interrupted.

"Did you take the packages home as instructed?" she quickly shot out at him?

"Yes Ma'am..." again he was interrupted.

"Well? Do as I told you, make yourself not seen!" she said quickly.

"Why is it that we could never find good help anymore? These elves seem to become more and more lazy as time goes by."

The ladies turn in their seats to see where the familiar voice came from.

Narcissa's smiles, "Aunt Lucretia! How are you? Please come join us."

Lucretia Prewett walks over to the ladies. She takes out her wand and conjures up another chair for her to sit upon.

"I see Bellatrix wastes no time making friends," Lucretia gestures over to the booth where Bellatrix is sitting. Now, two more people have joined her. Both wearing long, dark, hooded cloaks. They appear to be quietly speaking to her. Bella sits slumped in her seat, wearing a conniving smile. She is taking in every word they have to say.

"I doubt Lestrange knows what he's getting himself into with that girl."

"That's my sister you are talking about Aunt Lucretia, and I think they are very happy together." said Narcissa with a matter of fact tone in her voice.

Tom returns with a tray. He silently places the glasses upon the table in front of those who ordered.

"Would you like another of what you were having Ma'am?" he asked Lucretia.

"No. I"m fine," she said as she watched him intently.

He bows once again then returns to the bar.

Celeste finally speaks, "I hope you are right dear." She glances over toward the booth in back.

"At least the dress is set. Only the delivery is to be made." With her words there was an awkward silent pause.

"Did you find the gift you were looking for Walburga?" she quickly added.

"Yes, I ordered it weeks ago. Kreacher has taken it home only now," she said with an air of superiority.

"It's simply divine. A perfect wedding present for a woman in the House of Black!"

Suddenly, there was a loud crash and raised voices coming from the back of the room.

[grandpalovegood]

Clouds on the Horizon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lucius Malfoy was pacing the Solarium where his mother was normally to be found.

His long Platinum Blond Hair in a constant flow behind him as if a Unicorn's Mane in full gallop. His arms swung form side to side and his wand, had been withdrawn from the walking stick that had once been his fathers. It was clutched tightly in his right hand.

Behind him, little Kokay tried to keep up with her master. She had no idea of why he had summoned her and why she was told to be there but it was not her place to ask why but to obey.

Lucius stopped dead in his tracks and Kokay was taken by surprise and walked directly into the back of his boots.

"Watch were you are going you filthy little creature," spat out Lucius as his booted foot swiftly kicked back into the side of poor little Kokay. She took a mighty blow and was thrown through the air, landing some four feet from where she had walked into her master... Stars rose before her eyes as she shook her head to clear the cobwebs of a minor concussion.

"Where is she? Where in Merlin's name did she go, leaving this mess on my hands?" growled Lucius.

No, he was not happy, not at all. Both Celeste and Narcissa were obviously away attending to the Wedding needs of Bellatrix Black. Lucius had no care for the matters of planning the wedding which was going to be encompass all of the most healed and wealthy of the Wizarding World. He cared not one second for anyone outside of himself. He was beginning to act more and more like his own now deceased father than even he could have anticipated.

The Daily Prophet opened up and spread across the table which Celeste frequently dined alone. There on the front page a moving image of Aberforth Dumbledore giving testimony to Rita Skeeter as to how the Witches and Wizards of the Grandest and most respected Wizarding families had blown into Hogsmeade and forcefully commandeered each and every establishment that stands taller than a pile of wands.

The very idea that the name of Malfoy would be placed in any kind of article deriding the manner in which the Wedding was to take place was unacceptable to Lucius and it was something that he believed he needed his mothers assistance to salve in the press. She had the soothing touch that he did not possess. She could calm those who were angry, persuade those who did not understand.

He once again looked down at his Gold and Diamond encrusted pocket watch.. Time was not in his favor at this moment. It seemed to move so slowly that had he not believed it was not stopped, he would have believed as in such a foolish thought.

Two nearly silent pops were heard from the front hall, near the entrance to the Manor. The two ladies arrived home in high spirits.

"Dobby, take these to my room. I'll tend to them later," stated Celeste.

"Yes Ma'am, Dobby will do this right away," he squeaked as he bows low.

He bustles about, picking up every single paper covered box, stacking them on top of his head, then threads his scrawny arms through the handles of festive looking bags with labels from several shops of Diagon Alley. Now laden down heavily, he carefully walks to the long staircase, never missing a step.

"Do you really think she likes it?" Narcissa asked with a concerned tone to her voice.

The two ladies walk toward the front sitting room.

"I could not tell if she did or not. She seems so..... distracted lately. I don't know what to make of it."

Celeste places her arm around her.

"I believe we know Bellatrix well enough to know, had she not liked it, she would make it known. That sister of yours does not hold anything back." She tilts her head as she looks Narcissa straight in the face. A slight and delicate grin begins to form.

Together they begin to laugh as they choose a seat upon the couch. Narcissa reaches down to remove her shoes.

"You are right. That is my sister's way of things."

"Where have you two been?!" came a demanding voice from behind them. The ladies both jumped from being startled.

Kokay quietly follows him into the room, but huddles just inside of the doorway, not making a sound. She keeps blinking her large round eyes, still realing from the blow she was dealt a couple of minutes ago.

"Oh Lucius you should have seen the dress.." she was cut off mid sentence. He throws the copy of the Daily Prophet upon the end table.

"Explain this!" Narcissa reaches over to take the paper into her hands. It's folded to where she can see the large front cover story. She reads a little piece of it then hands it to Celeste. Narcissa sits back and crosses her legs.

"Sounds like how my aunt would take care of things. Seems like my family are all predictable. Why do I need to explain this story?"

Celeste sits quietly reading the paper, while Lucius paces back and forth in front of them. He stops then looks incredulously at his wife.

"Explain how the two of you could drag our family's name into such a shameful display such as this."

"Calm down. Although, I do see the Black family's name mentioned, I do not see our name in here anywhere, son." She folds the paper gingerly and gracefully places it upon the table in front of them.

Holding his chin up, he addresses his mother.

"Are we NOT known as the grandest and most respected of ALL the Wizarding families?" he said with his eyebrows raised.

"We were at Diagon Alley, purchasing my sisters wedding present. We were not at Hogsmeade." Narcissa said, ignoring his question. She reaches up to take his arm.

"Come. Have a seat." He snaps his arm back away from her.

Dobby suddenly arrives just inside the doorway. He gives a little cough to get the attention of his master.

With a sneer upon his face and a sharp tone, Lucius snaps at him. "What is it Dobby!"

Dobby bows very low and begins to tremble. He looks upward from this position then addresses the question.

"Dobby has answered the door Sir. Master has company waiting inside the front Hall, Sir."

Lucius stares at the house elf for a moment and then a look of anxiety crosses his face.

Becoming suddenly flushed, Lucius begins to fiddle with his wand and promptly places it back into its walking stick sheath. He tries to regain his composure and places his long fingered hand into his hair.

He rakes his hair back very slowly as he raises his chin just a bit arrogantly toward his mother.

"Yes, yes, I see. Maybe I did react a bit rash. But let it be known that I do not wish for this ridiculous wedding of that absurd little brat to drag our family into their dirty wash water... "

"One would think that they did not have a single drop of True Wizarding Blood running in their veins the way they allow themselves to be seen in public. Just look at that Row House that they call a family home.. No truly self respecting Wizarding Family would be seen in such a run down dump!"

Lucius bows ever so slightly and excuses himself from his mothers presence. This being one of the very few times in his now adult life that Lucius still acknowledges the power and position his mother still retains as the Grand Dame of the Malfoy family. Now the Dowager, she still commands not only respect from the entire Wizarding World but the creatures that serve it as well. None of this is lost on her brilliant son. He just loathes her sometimes for her seemingly effortless way of bringing about what she wishes to occur with so much fuss or muss.

As Lucius moves into the entrance hallway of Malfoy Manor, he notices the cloaked figure which stands at the end of the hallway. The large potted plant that flanks the entrance door is almost obscured by his seemingly light depleting shadow.

How could a single Wizard seemingly nothing physically more or less than any other wizard affect his surroundings in such a manner. How is it that all light around him seems to be dimmed and actually being engulfed as if a black hole where directly behind him.

Lucius walked forward, his nattily polished shoes clicking their heals along the hard floor of the entrance hall. As he approaches the figure, Lucius stretches out his own hand and arm in a welcoming gesture.

The figure does not return the nicety. There is an obvious cold feeling now at this end of the hallway. How, but truly how is this to be? It is brilliantly sunny and warm outside. There is no wind to cause a draft and the door beside the figure appears to be closed tightly.

"Yes, well, may I suggest that we retire to the Library then?" Lucius suggested to the figure.

Without a single word, the figure turns and follows Malfoy into the Library room which is located just to the left of its present position.

Its cloak sweeping in large drapes of black fabric behind him. The billows suggesting that a gust of wind had blown them in such manner but no such wind had ever occurred.

At the top of the stairway at the end of the Hallway stood Narcissa Malfoy having left the room very quietly after her husband had retreated their presence. Her hand held over he trembling lips. Kokay at her heals with several Hat Boxes balancing oh so precariously atop her knobby head.

"Go on ahead, you know the way. I'll be there momentarily," she said to the elf.

"Yes ma'am. Kokay goes ahead." She bobbles on with her load, stopping only to turn the door knob to Narcissa's rooms, then disappearing within.

Still, Narcissa does not notice, her mind is clearly distracted with the scene she had just witnessed. She wonders, should she say something or if she should pretend not to have seen the guest arrive. The feel of coldness, the air was stilled within the rest of the house. A feeling of heaviness. This is not good.

She folds her arms, rubbing her hands over the tops of her arms as a chill begins rise within her. She begins to pace back and forth in the hallway. Wondering, what to make of this. Finally something caught her attention, the elf again poking her little head out into the hallway, taking a peek at her. She knew from the long pointed ears, that seemed to stick out further than the eyes, of the one they belonged to, were still visible from where she stood.

Narcissa sighs. With worry aching at the pit of her stomach, she decided to go on.

As she enters her own rooms, she notices how Kokay had placed each box all in a neat little pile at the edge of her bed. There next to them were paper sacks labeled from shops found at Diagon Alley.

"You know where they go, so get to it," she said calmly nearly inaudible due to the lump that seemed to appear within her throat.

'I will not allow tears to fall over this. I won't!' she thought to herself. She closed her eyes as she sat down on the edge of her bed. With a deep breath and a sigh, she shakes her head. She turns her face upward causing her silky long blond hair to flow freely down her back. Trying to fight off her dark thoughts, she swallows once again.

Kokay, is unseen as she bustles about within the large wardrobe. She has placed the hats, still within their boxes, on a top shelf. The new dress now hangs in it's proper spot within the color coded dresses already there.

Narcissa still so quiet and deep in thought, pays no mind what the elf is doing. She stands and walks over to small wooden writing table. Opening a drawer, she removes a few sheets of parchment paper. Quickly, she dips her eagle feather quill into a bottle of ink. Jotting down her thoughts silently, then finishes her task by sealing the envelope.

"I mean what I said. I don't want that sister of yours dragging our name in the mud," came the drawling voice as he entered the room. This startled her to the point she jumped where she stood.

"Lucius! Dear! You startled me." she paused in her speech. She holds the letter behind her back, then allows it to fall quietly upon the table. Her activity was unnoticed by all in the room.

His cold gray eyes follow her movement as she quickly walks forward toward him. She places both of her palms flat upon his chest. Slowly, gently she moves them upward until she has him in a loose embrace. She looks deep within his eyes, trying to read what expression he might have. Any hint of what might have gone on downstairs. She convincingly pulls off a slight smile.

"Your guest?" she calmly asks, "Have they gone already?" Her eyes narrowed as she continues to watch for a flicker within his eyes.

Lucius stood rigid.. His eyes widening and his jaw clenched as if he were attempting to grind his own teeth to the bone of his jaws.

"This is not for you to ask, this is none of your business." spat out Lucius.

His sudden explosion of anger took Narcissa well off guard. She stumbled backward a few steps, catching her the heal of her Black Dragon Hide high healed shoe on the edge of the hall oriental carpet.

Narcissa found herself falling backward and without a single word, felt the blow that rang through her head like a thousand church bells.

The brilliant white light that flashed before her eyes and then nothingness.

The crumpled form of Narcissa Black Malfoy lay in a heap just below where she had violently hit her head upon the corner of a Hall Pembroke table.

The table itself had been overturned in the mayhem. A Brilliant Cut Glass Vase filled with the most glorious White and Yellow flowers was now strewn all over the floor and a few had landed upon the body of Narcissa as well.

"Missy Sissy, Missy Sissy, NO, NO, NO!" screamed Kokay..

Obviously in a panic. Kokay took the hem of her pillow sham of a dress and began to mop up water from the spilled and splintered crystal vase in an attempt to make a softened wet towel to place upon Narcissa's bleeding head.

For a moment, just a moment, Lucius stood stalwart. His gaze down upon his young wife was arrogant, almost taunting her seemingly lifeless form. Daring her to question his right, his choices, his RIGHT to be THE MALFOY! the Leader of the Wizarding World to be....

Then it broke, the steel behind the grey eyes broke as a single tear came to the corner of his eye.. It hung there for but the briefest of moments and then ran as quickly down his cheek and then dropped down off his own chin landing upon the upturned hand of his wife.

Lucius dropped to his knees but was instantly thrust back away from his wife.

Kokay had used her magic against her master. Without thinking of the ramifications she had defended her Mistress against her own husband.

A loud "POP" caused both Lucius and Kokay to snap their heads in the very same direction.

With a mighty grasp of an outreached hand, the young house elf Dobby had grabbed Kokay by the wrist and again with a loud "POP" both of the house elves had Disapparated.

Lucius, still kneeling down beside his wifes barely breathing body screamed out into the open air of the gallery of Malfoy Manor.

"DOBBY!"

[grandpalovegood]

Consequences

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~POP~ ~POP~

The two elves appear up at the tip top room of the manor house. The attic is filled with old trunks, covered in dust. Over in one corner of the large room is an old dress form, wearing a set of wizard's robes that date back at least one hundred years. A large full sized mirror stands tilted upward, just so one who is short in stature could look down to see themself appear to be tall in stature. Old bookshelves filled with old leather bound books. Many so faded no one could discern the color they once were. Statues and old portraits are scattered amongst the clutter. A broken leather chair. A marble top accent table with ornate carvings of serpents along the mahogany edge is left abandoned to this room. An Armoire with it's doors closed is positioned against the far wall. The windows were covered with heavy curtains which prevents any of the moon's light to show through. Oil lamps placed periodically along the walls, suddenly pop on.

"Kokay! What is it that you is doing? Never NEVER use elf-magic on masters!" came the high pitched voice of the elf.

Dobby begins to pace back and forth, his bare feet disturb the dust upon the wooden floor. Kokay is sitting upon the broken leather chair, sobbing loudly.

"What to do? What to do? Master is so ANGRY!" he balls his fists, raising them both, shaking them in the air above his head.

Dobby stops suddenly, and grabs Kokay by both shoulders. Her head wobbles a bit causing her ears to flap back and forth. Tears streak down Kokay's face. She blows her nose into her old silk pillowcase she is wearing. Wailing loudly! Frantic, she stands breaking free of his grasp.

"Dobby why did you take me from my Mistress? Mistress NEEDS me! Kokay must return! My Mistress, you left her there alone with him!"

Tears continue to streak down her face. Dobby's eyes become round knowing what she was about to do. Before he could say anything, he begins to take a step then... ~POP!~ Kokay was gone, back to her Mistress.

"Noooooooo!"

Kokay was suddenly back by the side of her Mistress... Wiping her head with a soft towel once more..

Lucius hovered over the House Elf... Fury was blazing from his shallow grey/blue eyes. They bulged almost out of his head. The veins in his forehead and neck were at bursting points.

Lucius raised his right hand, his wand glittering in the light of the hallway.

"Avada Ked......"

"Expelliarmus" came the a loud female voice.

The clicking of Lucius' wand as it tumbled down the staircase from the second floor hallway all the way down to the hard wooden polished floors of the Grand Entrance Hall.

There standing at the base of the stairs was Celeste Malfoy.. Her own wand held firmly aloft her elegant head.

She stood still for a moment and then bent low to pick up her son's wand. Her graceful motion made her appear to be in a curtsy, but there was no nicety behind this event. There was nothing more than a woman who felt she had not only the need to but the right to admonish her adult son.

Lucius stood at once, turned toward his mother and once again, stared with all the hatred and might that he could muster.

"You, YOU! How dare you come between me and my rights to punish this filthy elf.... " spat out Lucius..

So angered a bit of spittle ran down from the corners of his clenched lips. His forehead had broken out into a patch of sweat droplets that began to now run down his temples and over his high cheeks and across his jaw line before dripping off onto the carpeted floor upon which he stood.

"Who do you think you are WOMAN?" continued Lucius..

He had obviously gone too far.. much too far this time... Celeste not only had suddenly lost her composure, something that no one, not even her own son had ever witnessed.

"Crucio" escaped her lips before she even had the chance to realize what she was saying..

A burst of light shot from the tip end of her wand and her Lucius Malfoy was now curled up in a fetal position on the second floor landing. His screams echoed throughout the Manor with such vibrancy that each and every House Elf came to the Grand Hall Entrance in a cacophony of PoPs as they all stood along side of their Mistress..

To her defense came each and every house elf of Malfoy Manor.. Those from the outdoors came in with soil still sticking to the tops of their heads. Leaves skewered upon their pointy ears...

The Kitchen Elves were covered in all sorts of sauces and two even carried their hot skillet pans as if to use as weapons in a pinch.

Before Celeste stood Dobby the House Elf. Defiant to a fault, his arms stretched out and his legs akimbo.

"No one shall harm Madam Celeste, Madam Celeste is beloved by we house elves and we would lay down our lives for her... " came Dobby's defiant words.

Lucius now had been released from his pain and was sitting with his back against the satin covered wall.

The look of abject fear that had now taken over his face, the trembling of his hands, his knees pulled up tightly to his chest and the fact that he had not yet even taken a breath yet... This all made him look like a little frightened child.

Narcissa began to moan as she started to come to consciousness once more... Kokay by her side still mopping the dampened cloth upon her forehead. A little trickle of red fluid dropped from her beautiful hair. It made a small stain upon the white lace doily that had fallen from the overturned Pembroke table.

"Madam Celeste, Kokay wants to get Missy Sissy up to her bed," she said in desperation. Tears running down her face. Her sobs come with each breath she makes.

Rounding the top of the stairs, Celeste gracefully steps forward to access the scene more fully. Spotting her son in the pitiful state that he is in, a shadow of contempt crosses her face, followed by that famous sneer that only a Malfoy can do with such perfection.

Finally turning her attention to her daughter in-law, she kneels down beside her. Placing her fingertips ever so gently along the side of her face, she pushes back the long strands of blood tinged blond hair. Narcissa tries to move once again.

"Shh. Cissa. You will be alright," she said softly. She motions for her to stay still.

"Kokay, you may assist her to her bed. I will be there momentarily."

Although, the bed is just a few short paces from the door where she lay, Kokay disapperates with her patient to the bed inside the room. Narcissa rests but for a second...

Celeste stands once again, holding both wands in one hand, she crosses the hallway toward her son. The full staff of house elves all stand at the top of the stairway, ready at a moment's notice. They watch for a sign their beloved might be in danger. The tension is thick and the air is still. Celeste stops, standing tall, looking down upon the crumpled heap she caused her son to be. She closes her eyes and swallows, choking back tears of her own pain.

"Son, never loose control." Her words were barely spoken but were clearly heard. With her free hand, she touches her mouth, and swallows. Once again she kneels down, this time extending a gentle hand to her Lucius. As he cowers away from her touch, the tears fell quickly down her face. She bows her head then stands once again. Taking a deep breath, she motions for Dobby to come forward.

Dobby quickly makes his way by her side. She holds out her hand to prevent him to step to closely toward her son. Being so short in stature, he looks directly in front of him into Lucius' grey eyes.

The man shivers once more. The pain he endured still runs like an electric current surging through his body.

'This was so unexpected,' he thought. 'My mother?' He takes in a deep breath as he looks at them standing there before him. Finally gathering as much strength that he could muster, he brings himself to a full stand.

'This cannot be. Traitor! In my own house? NOT for long.' he contemplates his options as he glares back at them silently. Still breathing heavily, he turns to walk away.

"SON," she speaks once again. Lucius hesitates without turning to face her.

"You will not harm ANY of the elves... Ever. I don't want a repeat of tonight's events to happen again." This time her voice was strong and clear. He understood what she meant. Without a word, resumed his pace.

Lucius walked as calmly as he could down the stairs to the Great Entrance Hall. The Silver serpent handled walking stick firmly grasped in his hand. He raises his unoccupied hand to the side of his head and with a flick, his long locks are thrown into the air.

With his head held high, his right foot touches the hallway flooring.. The click of his heel upon the ancient hard surface echoes throughout the hall.

The candles in the serpent shaped candelabra in front of the tall pier mirror comes to life. The light showing his way further down the hall towards the front door.

Lucius froze for a moment, thinking to himself if he should or should not storm out of the house in protest to his treatment. After-all this is HIS manor now and his mother is but a guest, a whim to which he allows her to continue her lifestyle in the manner to which she had become accustomed to.

"No, this is MY HOUSE NOW! This is MY FAMILY and they will do as I say." ran through his head.

At the end of the hallway, instead of opening the massive front doors and stepping out into the daylight, Lucius turned to the right and walked back into the Library.. He slammed the sliding wooden pocket doors closed with such ferocity that they almost came loose from their tracks.

There he stood in the somber wood lined, bookcase filled room. The fireplace with the portrait of Abraxas Malfoy hanging ominously above it. The sitter for the portrait was wearing his military garb, he had more medals hanging from his chest that one could barely see where one ended and the next began.

Lucius threw himself into the heavily tufted Chesterfield Leather desk chair.. His head was now banging furiously upon the blotter that covered the desks surface.

Hands on each side of his head, his fists clenched in rage. Tears ran freely from his eyes and stained the green leather blotter. A small round glass paperweight rolled off the desk from the vibrations and crashed to the floor below... It rolled toward the fireplace and came to an abrupt halt when it hit the huge fire irons inside the hearth...

There in that round piece of crystal began to appear an image... At first cloudy, then swirling like smoke from a pipe in a room without light.

Nothing could be made out and Lucius, still with his head down on the desk raised his eyes to see what was transpiring just a few feet from where he sat.

The image caught his eye. His mind being as adventurous and curious as it had ever been before, even after the traumatic situation that he had just undergone won out..

Lucius got to his feet and crossed the few feet in a matter of second. He threw himself upon the floor and peered into the globe of crystal with the interest of a Cat in pursuit of a mouse.

The the figure in the paperweight became clear... But why? How was it that the visitor whom had just recently left the manor was here surrounded by a handful of people.. People all of which Lucius was familiar with... Why was he seeing this? Why here? Why now?

[grandpalovegood]

New Horizons
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Standing near the window, she reaches up, parting the lace curtains so to peer outside. Closing her eyes she welcomes the feel of the suns warm rays upon her face. The pain is nearly gone, still the ringing within her ears is so loud. Letting out a long slow breath, she had not even realized she was holding onto, when a slight noise catches her attention. Beside her Kokay bustles about, dusting off the nearby table for the millionth time. She looks down at the elf and shakes her head slowly.

"Kokay, I'm alright. You don't have to stay with me every second of the day." She motions to the door a silent dismissal.

Ears drooping, Kokay holds her head down. She turns and then bows to her mistress. She does not wish to leave, but must do as she is told like a good house elf should. Just outside in the hall there is a faint POP, and she is gone to tend to other duties.

Narcissa returns her attention outside. She pulls her white silk robe around her tighter. A faint chill is carried on the slight breeze. She reaches up to shut the window. The flowers in the gardens catch her eye, causing a smile to cross her face. Spring is always so lovely, she thinks to herself.

He raises an eyebrow as he watches his wife. It's been days since the events took place, still she has no memory of it... Or so she says. Could he believe her? Should he? He wonders in silence. She should remember NEVER to question him on anything. No lesson learned. His eyes narrow as he continues to watch her. Now the elf passes him near the doorway. A hard cold stare he gives it. She WILL learn her lesson too.. and soon. They all will. But for now, he must remain calm and in control. He knows losing his temper will not always get him his way. He must be cunning, calm, cool. They will know his sting when he intends for them to feel it. He IS lord here.

With his hands held behind his back, he walks up quietly behind his wife. He puts on an air of complacency, smugness, as he holds his head up high. Once he is standing so near to her that he could peer over her shoulder, not touching but close enough, he speaks.

"Whatever are you looking at?" She jumps and catches her breath.

"Lucius! You have got to stop doing that." Her eyebrows narrow. Some vague memory flits across her mind. She shrugs it off. Suddenly she catches the scent of his cologne. Turning her head, she takes in the vision she now sees. The square line of his jaw. The smooth paleness of his face. Down his back, his blond hair held back with a silk black ribbon. His eyes... the grey so cold but still mesmerizing. His eyes? She furrows her brow once again. After a long moment of nonrecollection, she returns her gaze back to the gardens outside.

"I don't know why my sister's wedding must be held in Hogsmeade. This place could full well accommodate all of the guests." She gestures with her hand to the garden.

"I could see that to be a perfect place for the archway. Oh and over there, tables filled with the most beautiful ice sculptures. The house elves could....."

[Duddahs]

New Horizons
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Standing near the window, she reaches up, parting the lace curtains so to peer outside. Closing her eyes she welcomes the feel of the suns warm rays upon her face. The pain is nearly gone, still the ringing within her ears is so loud. Letting out a long slow breath, she had not even realized she was holding onto, when a slight noise catches her attention. Beside her Kokay bustles about, dusting off the nearby table for the millionth time. She looks down at the elf and shakes her head slowly.

"Kokay, I'm alright. You don't have to stay with me every second of the day." She motions to the door a silent dismissal.

Ears drooping, Kokay holds her head down. She turns and then bows to her mistress. She does not wish to leave, but must do as she is told like a good house elf should. Just outside in the hall there is a faint POP, and she is gone to tend to other duties.

Narcissa returns her attention outside. She pulls her white silk robe around her tighter. A faint chill is carried on the slight breeze. She reaches up to shut the window. The flowers in the gardens catch her eye, causing a smile to cross her face. Spring is always so lovely, she thinks to herself.

He raises an eyebrow as he watches his wife. It's been days since the events took place, still she has no memory of it... Or so she says. Could he believe her? Should he? He wonders in silence. She should remember NEVER to question him on anything. No lesson learned. His eyes narrow as he continues to watch her. Now the elf passes him near the doorway. A hard cold stare he gives it. She WILL learn her lesson too.. and soon. They all will. But for now, he must remain calm and in control. He knows losing his temper will not always get him his way. He must be cunning, calm, cool. They will know his sting when he intends for them to feel it. He IS lord here.

With his hands held behind his back, he walks up quietly behind his wife. He puts on an air of complacency, smugness, as he holds his head up high. Once he is standing so near to her that he could peer over her shoulder, not touching but close enough, he speaks.

"Whatever are you looking at?" She jumps and catches her breath.

"Lucius! You have got to stop doing that." Her eyebrows narrow. Some vague memory flits across her mind. She shrugs it off. Suddenly she catches the scent of his cologne. Turning her head, she takes in the vision she now sees. The square line of his jaw. The smooth paleness of his face. Down his back, his blond hair held back with a silk black ribbon. His eyes... the Grey so cold but still mesmerizing. His eyes? She furrows her brow once again. After a long moment of non-recollection, she returns her gaze back to the gardens outside.

"I don't know why my sister's wedding must be held in Hogsmeade. This place could full well accommodate all of the guests." She gestures with her hand to the garden.

"I could see that to be a perfect place for the archway. Oh and over there, tables filled with the most beautiful ice sculptures. The house elves could....."

"I forbid it, do you hear me? I forbid that circus from soiling my home.. This is my sanctuary. The manor of my father and his father and his fathers father. It is not your decision to make and it not an assumption for you to allow your empty yet pretty little head to day dream upon." Lucius scolded.

His voice was all too strong, Mean. It shook Narcissa to her core. She trembled a bit inside and bits and pieces of memory flashed before her eyes as if on a screen before her.

"I, I, I did not mean that it WOULD be there, just that it would be nice to be there. It could bring life into this Mausoleum you call a Manor House." came back Narcissa's gentle tone.

"Why can we not get away, go away, just you and me? Get away from this place, these people, this whole family thing? Please my love, we seem to need the time to ourselves. Things just seem to have begun to spiral out of control ever since you father,,,,,"

"ENOUGH!" Yelped her fair hair husband with the furry of a Hag!

The word echoed through the room and a sudden "PoP" and another "PoP" was heard..

There standing between Narcissa and Lucius were several of the House Elves. Once again brought to the possible rescue of their new Manor Mistress.

A knock upon the door, at first soft and then a bit more impatient. "Knock, Knock, Knock".

"Is everything OK Dear? Is there anything that I can do for you Cissa? came a very concerned voice of Celeste.

"N-N-N-N-N-N-NO, everything is fine... I just tripped and Lucius was scolding me to be more careful in the future... I must be more careful t-t-t-t-tooo."

"Well, if you need me for anything, just have Kokay come and alert me...And Lucius, I would like to speak with you when you have a moment please."

And the soft footsteps of Celeste faded away from the other side of the door. Until silence once again returned.

"Away, get out, I will deal with all of you later!" and with a fast swipe at the spot where the house elves once stood, the walking stick swiped through the air at the moment after several loud "PoPs" broke the silence.

Standing there with his walking stick held firmly in his right hand, the silver serpent head shaped handle with its emerald eyes glittered in the spring sunlight that streaked in through the opened curtain where Narcissa had stood.

She had crossed the room, sat down upon the silken down filled quilt that covered their massive bed.

She turned her head toward her night stand and slowly opened up the drawer with its octagon shaped cut glass knob. Inside were a few small items and a small book. The book had not been there before. She had never seen it...

Though her husband stood just feet away from her, she reached into the drawer and touched the surface of the book.. It was rough to her touch. The gold letters T.M.R were cheaply engraved into the upper corner of its less than noteworthy leather cover.

"What is this?" asked Narcissa of her husband as her head turned slowly towards him once more.

"Nothing, it was a gift. I am actually holding it for a someone who does not wish to loose it." Stammered Lucius.. Clearly taken aback. His face flushed. White and clammy, and a rosy tipping to his cheeks and ears flashed prominently.

"Fine, but will you please keep it on your side of the bed dear. I was looking for my own Diary and I would hate to intrude into your "FRIENDS" privacy." Narcissa stated with the emotion of a glass of cold water.

[grandpalovegood]

Solarium Sunrises

Outside, the sun shines once again through the glass window panes of the Solarium. The morning dew on the outside flora adds a happy glisten to her morning. Biddy clambers around, setting the table for the early morning's ritual. The old house elf, all wrinkled and worn from years of service, wears a smile. A tired twinkle resides within her eyes as she goes about her task. She does not pause but the view around her is such a routine with her, that she automatically feels the peace and joy of serving her Mistress.

"Good morning Biddy. It seems to be a beautiful day today," Celeste says as she takes her usual seat at the table. She moves with a grace that is so calming, one that comes so natural to this woman, it seems to have a type of magical power of it's own, an aura which surrounds her very being.

Biddy bows as she was being addressed.

"Yes. Yes it is." She notices something was not right. Quickly she straightens up the fork that was just a bit off center from the silk napkin. which was folded and placed beside the small china plate before her mistress. Taking a teapot, she pours a cup of hot tea, then smiles as she replaces the pot on the table. As she watches her mistress open up and begin to read the Morning Prophet, suddenly another voice is heard. They both look up toward the door.

"Good morning." Narcissa steps into the room. "May I join you?"

"Why yes, please do." She gestures for Narcissa to take the seat across from her. Then with a nod to Biddy, her silent request was already known to the servant. Biddy quietly snapped her fingers. Another table setting appeared upon the small breakfast table. She quickly holds out a chair awaiting for Narcissa.

Narcissa, wearing a spring dress of blue, smiles as she enters. A smile that may be upon her lips, but is not found in her eyes. Her long blond hair, flowing over her shoulders, shines in the sun as she takes her seat. Saying nothing, she watches as the elf butters some hot toast and places it on the plate before her.

Celeste watches her out of the corner of her eye, then places the Prophet down upon the table.

"What has you up so early this morning?" she says before taking a sip of tea.

"Was it like this for you and Abraxas in the early days?" She looks down before continuing on...

"Was he so.. so cold all of the time?" Before Celeste could answer she quickly added more to her inquiry.. The words flowing out of her, that she had balled up inside.

"I mean, I know Lucius always wondered if his father truly loved him.. If he truly loved you. I know he was a powerful man within the world..." She trailed off for a second as if searching to find the words she really wanted to say. Next thing she knows a silent tear falls quickly down her porcelain face. Then she looses her voice and swallows.

Celeste sits quietly, and listens.

Cissa holds up her head, then takes a deep breath. Her blue eyes sparkle in the sun, with tears that has yet to fall.

"Lucius. When we were in school things were so good. I knew from the moment I first saw him that we were meant to be together." A quick smile broadened across her face as she peers upward searching her memories.

"We were always good together. Even when things had been rough, I felt that we could conquer anything as long as we had each other.. He always was strong and that was a quality that I loved about him... his strength. His sense of self. His confidence. His grace." she pauses and quickly glances toward Celeste, then down to the plate of toast before her.

"He's not himself lately. In all of the years I've known him, he's never treated me with such disrespect... " she pauses once again before continuing on. "... such anger. He jumps to conclusions over everything I say. It's as though he thinks I'm the enemy." her voice raises a bit. "I LOVE HIM!" She swallows once again.

Celeste takes another sip of tea as she decides to allow her daughter in law to let it all out. She glances over to Biddy, who silently stands by against the wall... waiting for her services to be needed, to be called for at a moment's notice.

Narcissa stands and walks over to face the windows. She crosses her arms and shrugs a little. A quick laugh escapes her throat as she shakes her head in disbelief. Still, with her back toward the table, she continues on.

"I can deal with anything that he dishes out to me. You see the family I come from. You know their usual demeanor. I can hold my own without problems. I"m just not used to this sort of reaction from HIM. Something is wrong. Something has happened to make him behave like this."

She wipes away another tear, then with a sudden change of emotion...

"You don't think he could be under.... "

Off in the distance, within the walls of the manor... a woman's cackle is heard.

"Out of my way you filthy beast and I demand you tell me where Cissy is!!!"

[Duddahs]

Solarium Sunrises

Outside, the sun shines once again through the glass window panes of the Solarium. The morning dew on the outside flora adds a happy glisten to her morning. Biddy clambers around, setting the table for the early morning's ritual. The old house elf, all wrinkled and worn from years of service, wears a smile. A tired twinkle resides within her eyes as she goes about her task. She does not pause but the view around her is such a routine with her, that she automatically feels the peace and joy of serving her Mistress.

"Good morning Biddy. It seems to be a beautiful day today," Celeste says as she takes her usual seat at the table. She moves with a grace that is so calming, one that comes so natural to this woman, it seems to have a type of magical power of it's own, an aura which surrounds her very being.

Biddy bows as she was being addressed.

"Yes. Yes it is." She notices something was not right. Quickly she straightens up the fork that was just a bit off center from the silk napkin. which was folded and placed beside the small china plate before her mistress. Taking a teapot, she pours a cup of hot tea, then smiles as she replaces the pot on the table. As she watches her mistress open up and begin to read the Morning Prophet, suddenly another voice is heard. They both look up toward the door.

"Good morning." Narcissa steps into the room. "May I join you?"

"Why yes, please do." She gestures for Narcissa to take the seat across from her. Then with a nod to Biddy, her silent request was already known to the servant. Biddy quietly snapped her fingers. Another table setting appeared upon the small breakfast table. She quickly holds out a chair awaiting for Narcissa.

Narcissa, wearing a spring dress of blue, smiles as she enters. A smile that may be upon her lips, but is not found in her eyes. Her long blond hair, flowing over her shoulders, shines in the sun as she takes her seat. Saying nothing, she watches as the elf butters some hot toast and places it on the plate before her.

Celeste watches her out of the corner of her eye, then places the Prophet down upon the table.

"What has you up so early this morning?" she says before taking a sip of tea.

"Was it like this for you and Abraxas in the early days?" She looks down before continuing on...

"Was he so.. so cold all of the time?" Before Celeste could answer she quickly added more to her inquiry.. The words flowing out of her, that she had balled up inside.

"I mean, I know Lucius always wondered if his father truly loved him.. If he truly loved you. I know he was a powerful man within the world..." She trailed off for a second as if searching to find the words she really wanted to say. Next thing she knows a silent tear falls quickly down her porcelain face. Then she looses her voice and swallows.

Celeste sits quietly, and listens.

Cissa holds up her head, then takes a deep breath. Her blue eyes sparkle in the sun, with tears that has yet to fall.

"Lucius. When we were in school things were so good. I knew from the moment I first saw him that we were meant to be together." A quick smile broadened across her face as she peers upward searching her memories.

"We were always good together. Even when things had been rough, I felt that we could conquer anything as long as we had each other.. He always was strong and that was a quality that I loved about him... his strength. His sense of self. His confidence. His grace." she pauses and quickly glances toward Celeste, then down to the plate of toast before her.

"He's not himself lately. In all of the years I've known him, he's never treated me with such disrespect... " she pauses once again before continuing on. "... such anger. He jumps to conclusions over everything I say. It's as though he thinks I'm the enemy." her voice raises a bit. "I LOVE HIM!" She swallows once again.

Celeste takes another sip of tea as she decides to allow her daughter in law to let it all out. She glances over to Biddy, who silently stands by against the wall... waiting for her services to be needed, to be called for at a moment's notice.

Narcissa stands and walks over to face the windows. She crosses her arms and shrugs a little. A quick laugh escapes her throat as she shakes her head in disbelief. Still, with her back toward the table, she continues on.

"I can deal with anything that he dishes out to me. You see the family I come from. You know their usual demeanor. I can hold my own without problems. I"m just not used to this sort of reaction from HIM. Something is wrong. Something has happened to make him behave like this."

She wipes away another tear, then with a sudden change of emotion...

"You don't think he could be under.... "

Off in the distance, within the walls of the manor... a woman's cackle is heard.

"Out of my way you filthy beast and I demand you tell me where Cissy is!!!"

Bellatrix Black burst into the sun washed Solarium and promptly raises her arm to shield her eyes and face from the Sunlight. Almost phantom like, she walks into the room with the less than elegant gate of her sisters.

Her almost mannish mannerisms could not be mistaken. She was rough and she was not apologetic about this fact.

Kokay was to follow Bellatrix, bowing her head low to the floor as her ears dragged in the wake of the darkly dressed witch. Kokay obviously felt that she had done something wrong.. She feared that she would be punished but was bent low and prone to show complete a subservient demeanor.

"That will be enough Kokay," came Narcissa's somewhat surprised tone.

"Bella, what brings you here on this lovely day?" asked Narcissa

Celeste remained unfazed, unruffled as if nothing had occurred out of the ordinary.

"Have you seen this mornings Prophet Sissy?" demanded Bellatrix.

With the smallest of a motion, Celeste handed her edition of the Morning Prophet to Biddy who in turn ran forward to receive it and then hand it to the open palm of Nacissa, who sat just across the breakfast table from the elder Madam Malfoy.

Narcissa opened the paper with a flourish of her wand as it now lay upon the table before her. Covering her breakfast setting in the doing. Narcissa waved her wand once and a page turned. Faces moved, most smiling, one showing a large goat like creature being forced into a box by a disgruntled looking Wizard.

Once again, with a waive of her wand the paper slowly folded another page to the left.

Now revealed to her own astonished eyes was the moving image of the Three Black Sisters... Bellatrix, Narcissa and Andromeda.... The photo was to her eye one that was somewhat older and one that she fondly remembered from the Graduation of Narcissa Black from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Yes, much happier days when the three could be found together, sharing their joys.

Narcissa's mind wandered back to a time when things were to her, so much easier, so much more pleasant, so much more joyful and the anticipation of what tomorrow might bring was enough to fill her head with thoughts and dreams for a brilliant future with her recently announced engagement to Lucius Malfoy.

A smile crept it's way across her face and with the most gentle touch possible, Celeste reached her own Emerald bejeweled hand to lay it upon the hand of her Daughter-in-Law.

Celeste tipped her head just a bit to one side while looking at Narcissa. The love that flowed from her was obvious. The caring and understanding that generated from one witch to the other was palpable.

Narcissa returned the glance that Celeste had bestowed upon her. She turned her hand underneath that of Celeste's and gently closed her fingers around the hand of the elder Witch.

"All right, all ready.. Do not make me throw up right here and before I have had breakfast too!" hacked out Bellatrix.

"What have you two to say about that filthy, disgusting image and it being released to the public?"

Narcissa, now again taken aback by her own sisters rude and rough shod demeanor, gently answered her.

"But of course you do not believe that I, oh I mean WE would ever have let that personal image out to the Paparazzi, now do you?"

"Well, then who the heck did?" screamed Bellatrix.

Celeste responded very calm and matter of fact, "I am sure we have no idea of who or why, Bellatrix."

"Now, will you join us for a lovely breakfast? Biddy another setting please."

"PLEASE, PLEASE? You ASK PLEASE of these filthy creatures? As IF?"

Bellatrix threw her darkly fabric clad form onto the divan that was centered between two large and leafy palm tree's. She cared not that her shoes may have anything on them, she just forced her boot clad feet upon the silken fabric of the divan.

Celeste returned her eyes toward Narcissa who was now staring intently upon the image of the three sisters.. A small tear reflected in the inner corner of her right eye.

The tear grew in size in but a moment and dropped from her long lashed lid and landed onto the page of the Morning Prophet. It spread just a bit, causing a dark spot to develop over the moving and smiling faces of the Black sisters before her..

It was but one tear. One tear alone but the smile seemed to have receded a little. Only one corner of her lovely mouth continued to reach upward. The massive and soulful eyes of Narcissa Black moved upward from the page. They locked onto those sparkling and most love giving eyes of Celeste Malfoy..

A tiny squeeze of the hands said everything to both of them that neither would have to put into words...

"Oh, I am going to just BARF!" came the crackling voice of Bellatrix.

[grandpalovegood]

Solarium Sunrises

Outside, the sun shines once again through the glass window panes of the Solarium. The morning dew on the outside flora adds a happy glisten to her morning. Biddy clambers around, setting the table for the early morning's ritual. The old house elf, all wrinkled and worn from years of service, wears a smile. A tired twinkle resides within her eyes as she goes about her task. She does not pause but the view around her is such a routine with her, that she automatically feels the peace and joy of serving her Mistress.

"Good morning Biddy. It seems to be a beautiful day today," Celeste says as she takes her usual seat at the table. She moves with a grace that is so calming, one that comes so natural to this woman, it seems to have a type of magical power of it's own, an aura which surrounds her very being.

Biddy bows as she was being addressed.

"Yes. Yes it is." She notices something was not right. Quickly she straightens up the fork that was just a bit off center from the silk napkin. which was folded and placed beside the small china plate before her mistress. Taking a teapot, she pours a cup of hot tea, then smiles as she replaces the pot on the table. As she watches her mistress open up and begin to read the Morning Prophet, suddenly another voice is heard. They both look up toward the door.

"Good morning." Narcissa steps into the room. "May I join you?"

"Why yes, please do." She gestures for Narcissa to take the seat across from her. Then with a nod to Biddy, her silent request was already known to the servant. Biddy quietly snapped her fingers. Another table setting appeared upon the small breakfast table. She quickly holds out a chair awaiting for Narcissa.

Narcissa, wearing a spring dress of blue, smiles as she enters. A smile that may be upon her lips, but is not found in her eyes. Her long blond hair, flowing over her shoulders, shines in the sun as she takes her seat. Saying nothing, she watches as the elf butters some hot toast and places it on the plate before her.

Celeste watches her out of the corner of her eye, then places the Prophet down upon the table.

"What has you up so early this morning?" she says before taking a sip of tea.

"Was it like this for you and Abraxas in the early days?" She looks down before continuing on...

"Was he so.. so cold all of the time?" Before Celeste could answer she quickly added more to her inquiry.. The words flowing out of her, that she had balled up inside.

"I mean, I know Lucius always wondered if his father truly loved him.. If he truly loved you. I know he was a powerful man within the world..." She trailed off for a second as if searching to find the words she really wanted to say. Next thing she knows a silent tear falls quickly down her porcelain face. Then she looses her voice and swallows.

Celeste sits quietly, and listens.

Cissa holds up her head, then takes a deep breath. Her blue eyes sparkle in the sun, with tears that has yet to fall.

"Lucius. When we were in school things were so good. I knew from the moment I first saw him that we were meant to be together." A quick smile broadened across her face as she peers upward searching her memories.

"We were always good together. Even when things had been rough, I felt that we could conquer anything as long as we had each other.. He always was strong and that was a quality that I loved about him... his strength. His sense of self. His confidence. His grace." she pauses and quickly glances toward Celeste, then down to the plate of toast before her.

"He's not himself lately. In all of the years I've known him, he's never treated me with such disrespect... " she pauses once again before continuing on. "... such anger. He jumps to conclusions over everything I say. It's as though he thinks I'm the enemy." her voice raises a bit. "I LOVE HIM!" She swallows once again.

Celeste takes another sip of tea as she decides to allow her daughter in law to let it all out. She glances over to Biddy, who silently stands by against the wall... waiting for her services to be needed, to be called for at a moment's notice.

Narcissa stands and walks over to face the windows. She crosses her arms and shrugs a little. A quick laugh escapes her throat as she shakes her head in disbelief. Still, with her back toward the table, she continues on.

"I can deal with anything that he dishes out to me. You see the family I come from. You know their usual demeanor. I can hold my own without problems. I"m just not used to this sort of reaction from HIM. Something is wrong. Something has happened to make him behave like this."

She wipes away another tear, then with a sudden change of emotion...

"You don't think he could be under.... "

Off in the distance, within the walls of the manor... a woman's cackle is heard.

"Out of my way you filthy beast and I demand you tell me where Cissy is!!!"

Bellatrix Black burst into the sun washed Solarium and promptly raises her arm to shield her eyes and face from the Sunlight. Almost phantom like, she walks into the room with the less than elegant gate of her sisters.

Her almost mannish mannerisms could not be mistaken. She was rough and she was not apologetic about this fact.

Kokay was to follow Bellatrix, bowing her head low to the floor as her ears dragged in the wake of the darkly dressed witch. Kokay obviously felt that she had done something wrong.. She feared that she would be punished but was bent low and prone to show complete a subservient demeanor.

"That will be enough Kokay," came Narcissa's somewhat surprised tone.

"Bella, what brings you here on this lovely day?" asked Narcissa

Celeste remained unfazed, unruffled as if nothing had occurred out of the ordinary.

"Have you seen this mornings Prophet Sissy?" demanded Bellatrix.

With the smallest of a motion, Celeste handed her edition of the Morning Prophet to Biddy who in turn ran forward to receive it and then hand it to the open palm of Nacissa, who sat just across the breakfast table from the elder Madam Malfoy.

Narcissa opened the paper with a flourish of her wand as it now lay upon the table before her. Covering her breakfast setting in the doing. Narcissa waved her wand once and a page turned. Faces moved, most smiling, one showing a large goat like creature being forced into a box by a disgruntled looking Wizard.

Once again, with a waive of her wand the paper slowly folded another page to the left.

Now revealed to her own astonished eyes was the moving image of the Three Black Sisters... Bellatrix, Narcissa and Andromeda.... The photo was to her eye one that was somewhat older and one that she fondly remembered from the Graduation of Narcissa Black from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Yes, much happier days when the three could be found together, sharing their joys.

Narcissa's mind wandered back to a time when things were to her, so much easier, so much more pleasant, so much more joyful and the anticipation of what tomorrow might bring was enough to fill her head with thoughts and dreams for a brilliant future with her recently announced engagement to Lucius Malfoy.

A smile crept it's way across her face and with the most gentle touch possible, Celeste reached her own Emerald bejeweled hand to lay it upon the hand of her Daughter-in-Law.

Celeste tipped her head just a bit to one side while looking at Narcissa. The love that flowed from her was obvious. The caring and understanding that generated from one witch to the other was palpable.

Narcissa returned the glance that Celeste had bestowed upon her. She turned her hand underneath that of Celeste's and gently closed her fingers around the hand of the elder Witch.

"All right, all ready.. Do not make me throw up right here and before I have had breakfast too!" hacked out Bellatrix.

"What have you two to say about that filthy, disgusting image and it being released to the public?"

Narcissa, now again taken aback by her own sisters rude and rough shod demeanor, gently answered her.

"But of course you do not believe that I, oh I mean WE would ever have let that personal image out to the Paparazzi, now do you?"

"Well, then who the heck did?" screamed Bellatrix.

Celeste responded very calm and matter of fact, "I am sure we have no idea of who or why, Bellatrix."

"Now, will you join us for a lovely breakfast? Biddy another setting please."

"PLEASE, PLEASE? You ASK PLEASE of these filthy creatures? As IF?"

Bellatrix threw her darkly fabric clad form onto the divan that was centered between two large and leafy palm tree's. She cared not that her shoes may have anything on them, she just forced her boot clad feet upon the silken fabric of the divan.

Celeste returned her eyes toward Narcissa who was now staring intently upon the image of the three sisters.. A small tear reflected in the inner corner of her right eye.

The tear grew in size in but a moment and dropped from her long lashed lid and landed onto the page of the Morning Prophet. It spread just a bit, causing a dark spot to develop over the moving and smiling faces of the Black sisters before her..

It was but one tear. One tear alone but the smile seemed to have receded a little. Only one corner of her lovely mouth continued to reach upward. The massive and soulful eyes of Narcissa Black moved upward from the page. They locked onto those sparkling and most love giving eyes of Celeste Malfoy..

A tiny squeeze of the hands said everything to both of them that neither would have to put into words...

"Oh, I am going to just BARF!" came the crackling voice of Bellatrix.

When the scene she was witnessing did not end, Bellatrix swung her feet back to the floor and stood up. She had her hands upon her hips and rolled her eyes in disgust.

"I need some fresh air, this in here is polluted." She walked in a manner which was not graceful, over toward the center window. Peeking through the sheer lace curtain, she intended on opening a window when she noticed a doorknob. Turning it she roughly pushed open a set of French doors. The sky beyond is a cornflower blue. A breeze so slight, but steady it was one that not even one such as Bella could not appreciate. She walked out onto the stone terrace and breathed in deeply the scent of salty air. In the distance, one could make out the sound of ocean waves hitting a shore.

She glances back over her shoulder, only to noticed that she did not seem to make any difference to the two women still sitting inside. She blinked her eyes and shook her head with disbelief that people could actually be that way. She comes to the conclusion that her sister is getting soft.

She takes a few steps forward, her boots clicking upon the granite until she reaches the edge of the terrace. She takes a seat throwing her legs over a low stone wall, causing her feet to dangle on the other side.

The warmth of the air did have a calming affect upon her, which was a rarity. She closes her eyes and begins to smile. With a tilt of her head a memory forms. A low giggle escapes her throat. What a memory... one with screams, laughter and a voice.

"Muggle filth. We WILL wipe you off the face of this earth OR ..." he pauses for a moment, then with is deep drawling voice he slowly says... "You will serve US..... as it should be."

Her own voice in her memory is heard backing that comment up.

"Like an elf!" Then her own laughter rings out within her mind.

"Go ahead, KILL HER!" Her voice rings out, eagerly urging him on. The memory of more screams of pain are heard, as a flash of long blond hair is seen beneath her closed heavy lidded eyes.

Suddenly a drawling voice brings her back to the present time.

"What are YOU doing here at my house?"

Her eyes pop open with surprise.

"Aren't WE up early this morning?" Wearing a huge grin as she begins to speak more.. only a slight pause to notice behind him is Dobby, a filthy elf. Then with a tilt of her head her eyes followed down the stone steps to the gardens beyond.

"OH what? Burying the body are we?" She cackles loudly.

[Duddahs]

Solarium Sunrises

Outside, the sun shines once again through the glass window panes of the Solarium. The morning dew on the outside flora adds a happy glisten to her morning. Biddy clambers around, setting the table for the early morning's ritual. The old house elf, all wrinkled and worn from years of service, wears a smile. A tired twinkle resides within her eyes as she goes about her task. She does not pause but the view around her is such a routine with her, that she automatically feels the peace and joy of serving her Mistress.

"Good morning Biddy. It seems to be a beautiful day today," Celeste says as she takes her usual seat at the table. She moves with a grace that is so calming, one that comes so natural to this woman, it seems to have a type of magical power of it's own, an aura which surrounds her very being.

Biddy bows as she was being addressed.

"Yes. Yes it is." She notices something was not right. Quickly she straightens up the fork that was just a bit off center from the silk napkin. which was folded and placed beside the small china plate before her mistress. Taking a teapot, she pours a cup of hot tea, then smiles as she replaces the pot on the table. As she watches her mistress open up and begin to read the Morning Prophet, suddenly another voice is heard. They both look up toward the door.

"Good morning." Narcissa steps into the room. "May I join you?"

"Why yes, please do." She gestures for Narcissa to take the seat across from her. Then with a nod to Biddy, her silent request was already known to the servant. Biddy quietly snapped her fingers. Another table setting appeared upon the small breakfast table. She quickly holds out a chair awaiting for Narcissa.

Narcissa, wearing a spring dress of blue, smiles as she enters. A smile that may be upon her lips, but is not found in her eyes. Her long blond hair, flowing over her shoulders, shines in the sun as she takes her seat. Saying nothing, she watches as the elf butters some hot toast and places it on the plate before her.

Celeste watches her out of the corner of her eye, then places the Prophet down upon the table.

"What has you up so early this morning?" she says before taking a sip of tea.

"Was it like this for you and Abraxas in the early days?" She looks down before continuing on...

"Was he so.. so cold all of the time?" Before Celeste could answer she quickly added more to her inquiry.. The words flowing out of her, that she had balled up inside.

"I mean, I know Lucius always wondered if his father truly loved him.. If he truly loved you. I know he was a powerful man within the world..." She trailed off for a second as if searching to find the words she really wanted to say. Next thing she knows a silent tear falls quickly down her porcelain face. Then she looses her voice and swallows.

Celeste sits quietly, and listens.

Cissa holds up her head, then takes a deep breath. Her blue eyes sparkle in the sun, with tears that has yet to fall.

"Lucius. When we were in school things were so good. I knew from the moment I first saw him that we were meant to be together." A quick smile broadened across her face as she peers upward searching her memories.

"We were always good together. Even when things had been rough, I felt that we could conquer anything as long as we had each other.. He always was strong and that was a quality that I loved about him... his strength. His sense of self. His confidence. His grace." she pauses and quickly glances toward Celeste, then down to the plate of toast before her.

"He's not himself lately. In all of the years I've known him, he's never treated me with such disrespect... " she pauses once again before continuing on. "... such anger. He jumps to conclusions over everything I say. It's as though he thinks I'm the enemy." her voice raises a bit. "I LOVE HIM!" She swallows once again.

Celeste takes another sip of tea as she decides to allow her daughter in law to let it all out. She glances over to Biddy, who silently stands by against the wall... waiting for her services to be needed, to be called for at a moment's notice.

Narcissa stands and walks over to face the windows. She crosses her arms and shrugs a little. A quick laugh escapes her throat as she shakes her head in disbelief. Still, with her back toward the table, she continues on.

"I can deal with anything that he dishes out to me. You see the family I come from. You know their usual demeanor. I can hold my own without problems. I"m just not used to this sort of reaction from HIM. Something is wrong. Something has happened to make him behave like this."

She wipes away another tear, then with a sudden change of emotion...

"You don't think he could be under.... "

Off in the distance, within the walls of the manor... a woman's cackle is heard.

"Out of my way you filthy beast and I demand you tell me where Cissy is!!!"

Bellatrix Black burst into the sun washed Solarium and promptly raises her arm to shield her eyes and face from the Sunlight. Almost phantom like, she walks into the room with the less than elegant gate of her sisters.

Her almost mannish mannerisms could not be mistaken. She was rough and she was not apologetic about this fact.

Kokay was to follow Bellatrix, bowing her head low to the floor as her ears dragged in the wake of the darkly dressed witch. Kokay obviously felt that she had done something wrong.. She feared that she would be punished but was bent low and prone to show complete a subservient demeanor.

"That will be enough Kokay," came Narcissa's somewhat surprised tone.

"Bella, what brings you here on this lovely day?" asked Narcissa

Celeste remained unfazed, unruffled as if nothing had occurred out of the ordinary.

"Have you seen this mornings Prophet Sissy?" demanded Bellatrix.

With the smallest of a motion, Celeste handed her edition of the Morning Prophet to Biddy who in turn ran forward to receive it and then hand it to the open palm of Nacissa, who sat just across the breakfast table from the elder Madam Malfoy.

Narcissa opened the paper with a flourish of her wand as it now lay upon the table before her. Covering her breakfast setting in the doing. Narcissa waved her wand once and a page turned. Faces moved, most smiling, one showing a large goat like creature being forced into a box by a disgruntled looking Wizard.

Once again, with a waive of her wand the paper slowly folded another page to the left.

Now revealed to her own astonished eyes was the moving image of the Three Black Sisters... Bellatrix, Narcissa and Andromeda.... The photo was to her eye one that was somewhat older and one that she fondly remembered from the Graduation of Narcissa Black from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Yes, much happier days when the three could be found together, sharing their joys.

Narcissa's mind wandered back to a time when things were to her, so much easier, so much more pleasant, so much more joyful and the anticipation of what tomorrow might bring was enough to fill her head with thoughts and dreams for a brilliant future with her recently announced engagement to Lucius Malfoy.

A smile crept it's way across her face and with the most gentle touch possible, Celeste reached her own Emerald bejeweled hand to lay it upon the hand of her Daughter-in-Law.

Celeste tipped her head just a bit to one side while looking at Narcissa. The love that flowed from her was obvious. The caring and understanding that generated from one witch to the other was palpable.

Narcissa returned the glance that Celeste had bestowed upon her. She turned her hand underneath that of Celeste's and gently closed her fingers around the hand of the elder Witch.

"All right, all ready.. Do not make me throw up right here and before I have had breakfast too!" hacked out Bellatrix.

"What have you two to say about that filthy, disgusting image and it being released to the public?"

Narcissa, now again taken aback by her own sisters rude and rough shod demeanor, gently answered her.

"But of course you do not believe that I, oh I mean WE would ever have let that personal image out to the Paparazzi, now do you?"

"Well, then who the heck did?" screamed Bellatrix.

Celeste responded very calm and matter of fact, "I am sure we have no idea of who or why, Bellatrix."

"Now, will you join us for a lovely breakfast? Biddy another setting please."

"PLEASE, PLEASE? You ASK PLEASE of these filthy creatures? As IF?"

Bellatrix threw her darkly fabric clad form onto the divan that was centered between two large and leafy palm tree's. She cared not that her shoes may have anything on them, she just forced her boot clad feet upon the silken fabric of the divan.

Celeste returned her eyes toward Narcissa who was now staring intently upon the image of the three sisters.. A small tear reflected in the inner corner of her right eye.

The tear grew in size in but a moment and dropped from her long lashed lid and landed onto the page of the Morning Prophet. It spread just a bit, causing a dark spot to develop over the moving and smiling faces of the Black sisters before her..

It was but one tear. One tear alone but the smile seemed to have receded a little. Only one corner of her lovely mouth continued to reach upward. The massive and soulful eyes of Narcissa Black moved upward from the page. They locked onto those sparkling and most love giving eyes of Celeste Malfoy..

A tiny squeeze of the hands said everything to both of them that neither would have to put into words...

"Oh, I am going to just BARF!" came the crackling voice of Bellatrix.

When the scene she was witnessing did not end, Bellatrix swung her feet back to the floor and stood up. She had her hands upon her hips and rolled her eyes in disgust.

"I need some fresh air, this in here is polluted." She walked in a manner which was not graceful, over toward the center window. Peeking through the sheer lace curtain, she intended on opening a window when she noticed a doorknob. Turning it she roughly pushed open a set of French doors. The sky beyond is a cornflower blue. A breeze so slight, but steady it was one that not even one such as Bella could not appreciate. She walked out onto the stone terrace and breathed in deeply the scent of salty air. In the distance, one could make out the sound of ocean waves hitting a shore.

She glances back over her shoulder, only to noticed that she did not seem to make any difference to the two women still sitting inside. She blinked her eyes and shook her head with disbelief that people could actually be that way. She comes to the conclusion that her sister is getting soft.

She takes a few steps forward, her boots clicking upon the granite until she reaches the edge of the terrace. She takes a seat throwing her legs over a low stone wall, causing her feet to dangle on the other side.

The warmth of the air did have a calming affect upon her, which was a rarity. She closes her eyes and begins to smile. With a tilt of her head a memory forms. A low giggle escapes her throat. What a memory... one with screams, laughter and a voice.

"Muggle filth. We WILL wipe you off the face of this earth OR ..." he pauses for a moment, then with is deep drawling voice he slowly says... "You will serve US..... as it should be."

Her own voice in her memory is heard backing that comment up.

"Like an elf!" Then her own laughter rings out within her mind.

"Go ahead, KILL HER!" Her voice rings out, eagerly urging him on. The memory of more screams of pain are heard, as a flash of long blond hair is seen beneath her closed heavy lidded eyes.

Suddenly a drawling voice brings her back to the present time.

"What are YOU doing here at my house?"

Her eyes pop open with surprise.

"Aren't WE up early this morning?" Wearing a huge grin as she begins to speak more.. only a slight pause to notice behind him is Dobby, a filthy elf. Then with a tilt of her head her eyes followed down the stone steps to the gardens beyond.

"OH what? Burying the body are we?" She cackles loudly.

"I am sure I have absolutely no idea of what you are speaking of Bellatrix, now if you would excuse me, I wish to enjoy MY GARDENS this lovely morning and you seem to be casting an ugly shadow upon my prized Gardenia." he stated with great impudence.

"Don't go acting all higher and mighty with me Lucius Malfoy, I know what you have been up to. You are not the only person that our FRIEND has been courting. Remember Lucius, your blood is no more pure than mine." Bellatrix stated with a bit of spittle dripping off the corner of her mouth.

The sound of the Solarium doors closing behind the twosome took both by surprise. Inside the two Madam Malfoys could be seen conversing. It appeared that the topic of discussion was surely the two who stood just outside their earshot, as Celeste made no mistake in trying not to hide her sudden contempt while she turned and glared at both her son and niece. The look upon Celeste's face appeared to seem as if she had just placed something bitter, oh so very bitter into her own mouth...

Celeste moved her flowing day coat out of her way as she swept out of the Solarium, closely followed by Biddy upon her very heals. The ancient house elfs ears flapping wildly as she attempted to keep up with her mistress.

The knob on the door turned once more, and in a moment, Narcissa walked out to greet her husband with a gentle peck upon his cheek.

"Sleep well, Lucius?" asked Narcissa.

"Oh who gives a Damn if he slept well or not? I have business to discuss with Lucius Cissy and I do not believe that you would be interested in this discussion at all." Bellatrix stated, trying to put her best forward with the suggestion.

"Oh, no, not at all Bella. You see, I do care if MY HUSBAND has had a good nights sleep or a bad.. Something that you should be concerning yourself with, as it has been rumored that your own Husband to be has been seen out carousing late into the nights... Maybe someone should watch where their own anchors are laid before worrying where anthers ship is sailing to." came back Narcissa in her ever so gently way.

"Yes, well, yes, I am well aware of what Rodolf is up to.. He is very busy making plans for our wedding come to fruition. You see, we are so very in love that we have no secrets between us.. You see Narcissa, WE have NO SECRETS." shot back Bellatrix in her most condescending tone.

"Lady's, lady's, must we bicker over such trivial goings on.. It is a lovely day and here we are waisting its gifts, standing here pretending to be unaware that we all carry secrets. Yes, Bellatrix, WE all carry around small purses of secrets. Without them, we would all be an open book and everyone would be able to walk all over us."

Bellatrix turned on her heals, began walking towards the now fully in bloom gardens of Malfoy Manor.

Lucius takes his arm and wraps it around his wife... The begin to walk towards those very same gardens... Dobby in tow.

Upstairs on the second floor, Celeste pulls back the lace curtains to her private chambers... She stands sideways, hoping not to be noticed... But a look of concern crosses her face... Her mouth moves ever so slightly and then the lace once again covers the entire window.

A soft POP and Biddy is suddenly spotted by Dobby.. Only Dobby notices the elderly House Elfs appearance... She shakes her head violently.. Dobby understands and continues to follow his master..

Kokay suddenly aparates along side Biddy and the two then snap their fingers and disaperate..