Chapter 13: Lucius's Potion
Back at the cottage Ivy sat alone on the couch, bitterly trying to open her stubborn cigarette case when there was a bang on the door. She scowled; her brows creased and rose to open it.
"WHAT?" She demanded loudly as the door swung open. There stood Draco, his hair perfectly slicked back, his black robe perfectly groomed, beneath it black dress pants and a black silk shirt, his Slytherin tie neatly in place, he looked up and had to stop his heart from jumping out of his mouth. Ivy looked so perfect, like an angel, granted she was no such thing but that was irrelevant in his mind, she was a vision of pure evil and beauty in one neat package.
Ivy's expression softened when she saw Draco and she ushered him in, opening the door wider. "I'm sorry, I forgot you were coming...."
Back at the Malfoy mansion Narcissa had all but barricaded herself into her bedroom. She picked at a box of expensive, imported chocolates as she pondered over her decision. If she WERE indeed to kill Draco it would have to be subtle, if anyone were to even suspect, especially Lucius, it would be the end of her life. Subtle.... she pondered it over again and again in her mind. No one could even suspect that it had been murder, it HAD to look like a accident, that little brat, threatening her...he may be her child, but only because Lucius had demanded it, truth be told she would have preferred a girl, but now she would have that chance...if she could only think of a way...
The idea it her while she gazed over her box of chocolates, what if she started sending sweets to Draco again? As a apology of course, making it seem as if she were sucking up to him...he would go for it...THEN she could get rid of him and make it look like a accident, of course this would take some planning. She smirked to herself and popped a cherry cordial into her mouth, perhaps everything would be all right after all.... now if Lucius would just accept her back into his bed...
Draco sat down next to the fire and stared at it intently. Ivy handed him a glass of Butterbeer and sat down next to him on the couch. Draco ignored his butterbeer content to stare in to her eyes and let out a sigh.
�So you said earlier that you wanted to talk to me about something personal Draco�
�Yes it�s about my mother and well my father too I suppose. I�m worried that if he were to ever find out about my mother that he would hate me as well for being a � a� Halfblood�
Ivy put a hand on Draco�s shoulder and moved closer to him. �I would hope that your father would see the exceptional talent that you have and not hold your mothers lies against you. After all,� She said softly slipping her arm around his shoulder as he began to shake, � It�s not your fault she concealed her true breeding from him. We can�t all help our families mistakes�
Large drops of tears slid slowly Down Draco�s pale face and Ivy embraced him. �I know,� He sobbed quietly,� But he hates Muggles so and I don�t want him to hate me�
Draco didn�t know what to feel, he was pouring his heart out to this magnificent woman and she was holding him closer than ever before but his pain wouldn�t let him fully enjoy the closeness.
�It�s my mother as well, if she ever found out that I knew I�d hate to think what she would do to me.� Although upset his natural need to turn everything to his benefit remained as strong as ever and he wanted to get closer.
�Well if she did try anything you should come to Osanna and Myself. I very much doubt that there is anything that that Muggle woman could do that we couldn�t deal with.�
The Door burst open and Draco�s eyes flashed and his body stiffened. Osanna marched in. �FUCKING WEASLEYS.� She screamed in a blind rage that lit up her face. She stopped and the rage was replaced with mild amusement as she took in the scene in front of the fire. �Didn�t mean to ummm disturb anything,� she quipped with a meaningful wink at Ivy.
�Draco here was just sharing with me some of his concerns about his mother and his future�
�Ahh right concerns�
Ivy stood up and went upstairs; �I�ll just get some tissues� she called down behind her. Osanna sat down next to Draco and George jumped up next to her.
�So Draco, I hope things are not going to badly with your mother?� She asked, determined to find out more.
�Well, It�s okay at the moment. I just don�t know what I would do without Ivy� He replied, immediately chastising himself for saying her first name. �Yes Ivy is rather good in these sorts of situations. She has a certain flair for the personal�
�She�s wonderful.� Draco forgot himself completely at the chance to sing the praises of the woman he loved so much. �So kind, Beautiful and generous. I�m surprised she hasn�t a family of her own, she�d make a wonderful wife, I know it�
�Really, yes she would� Osanna tried to keep the conversation going the right way.
�Oh yes,� Draco�s mind threw out all caution in the face of Osanna�s tactful steering, she had always had the knack of being able to get people to tell them what she wanted. �If I could only have her I�d make her realize just how wonderful she�� He trailed off. He�d gone to far and now Osanna knew his feelings.
� She what? Draco I do believe you carry feelings towards out Lady Cariad� She also couldn�t resist the playful smile that crossed her face, just to make sure he knew that she knew. Draco blushed violently and stood up in a hurry. � I better go now, curfew and all� And hurried out the door.
Ivy hearing the door came back downstairs and shot an accusing look at Osanna, who sat absent-mindedly scratching Georges tummy (a treat he allowed only her to give him). �What did you say to him?� She asked hotly. � It was more of a case of what he said to me Ivy. I was right he does have quite the schoolboy crush on you. He even talked about Marriage�
�I know you tricked it out of him though. You always do. I doubt that was really how he felt. I�m sure he just said that to let you hear what you wanted to hear.� She stomped off to bed and slammed the door behind her.
Osanna climbed the stairs and pausing outside Ivy�s door said. � You just keep telling yourself that dear� and went to bed herself.
The next morning brought an Owl at breakfast addressed to Osanna. Ivy forgetting her anger from last night grabbed it out of Osanna�s hands as she turned it suspiciously and ripped it open.
�It�s from Durmstrangs, in response to the Owl we sent Miss Vracht about Dumbledore.� Miss Vracht was the one person who had stood up for them when they had their disciplinary hearings there. �She say�s that the rumors were indeed about Dumbledore being a fake and that she heard that he was given his tests in Antarctica where the magical field would only be seen as a very bright Aurora Borealis. Other than that she doesn�t know any more.�
She folded up the letter and placed it in the loose brickwork around the fire where they kept other such important documents that they didn�t want seen.
�Hmph, Ivy that�s a mighty big area but I suppose it�s somewhere to start looking�.
Back in the Alley behind the Three Broomsticks Narcissa was stalking up and down impatiently. She didn�t like to be kept waiting, especially on an important matter like this. A haggard looking woman aparated in beside her.
She was in her late thirties but looked around her seventies with a nose that had been broken one too many times and blotchy skin like the surface of the moon. Her arthritic hands shook as they clasped Narcissa by the shoulder to turn her around.
�Where have you been, Isabele? I can�t afford to be seen with the likes of you� Narcissa snapped. �Listen here, Isabele Jonitch doesn�t take orders from the likes of you.� Isabele put one clawed hand in to the pocket of her robes and brought out two phials of Potion. �Where�s my payment?�
�Here.� Narcissa threw a pouch of Galleons into her outstretched hand,� It better work�. The hag shot her a disgusted look.
�The blue one will make him compliable to your every wish for one week, but one week only mind. The red one will make him especially virile to increase the chances of you concieving�
With that the crone Aparated out again leaving Narcissa with a very cunning look growing on her pointed features. With a slight cackling laugh, she turned heel and made for the Mansion. �Time for Lucius to get a little friendly� She whispered to herself.
She arrived home long before Lucius and set about making things more to her liking. The first part of the plan would go into action now, she set about wrapping up the sweets she had bought for Draco, with a long apology letter. He would of course eat them, even if he was still angry at her...this batch wasn�t poisoned, but one of the next few would be, she then attached the bundle to her eagle-owl and let her loose. He would never know when it was coming of course. She then actually set out dinner for Lucius, she had bought it of course, but that was irrelevant, he didn't have to know.
He arrived home shortly after she had set up the table, she had put on a stunning, black satin gown, which was backless and also had a plunging neckline. She also wore black velvet gloves, had pinned her hair up, and sprayed on her most alluring and expensive perfume.
Lucius breezed past her, his cape rustling as he said nary a word to her, finally he saw the candles and the table with the velvet tablecloth. His brows creased and he frowned, and then slowly turned to Narcissa.
"What is this... this.... utter nonsense?" He hissed, sweeping his hand across the table; he was obviously irritated.
Narcissa frowned; this was not going quite how she had intended. She tried to look cheerful despite this; she plastered a smile on her face and answered in her best seductive voice.
"Why Lucie! I made us dinner and....."
His eyes narrowed and glittered dangerously, like chips of ice, he hissed softly and looked as if he were about to strangle her. He tried to remain calm, his eyes flashed again and he took a step towards her, in a second, nearly to quick to be seen, his hand was around her pale throat, he held her there like that for a moment, just long enough to be properly terrified before he spoke.
"DO NOT EVER CALL ME ANY SUCH CHILDISH, IMPUDENT NAME AGAIN, DO YOU UNDERSTAND? You did your part and gave me an heir! I MARRIED YOU! What more do you want from me? IF I WANT ANYTHING I will ask for it, until then keep out of my way! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
She blinked, staring at him, her lovely face stretched in terror, she nodded mutely and he released her.
"Now" he said, glaring at the table. "Clean this mess up, I will eat in my study.... ALONE!"
Narcissa bristled, but remained silent until he had disappeared, she had been hoping she wouldn�t have to do it this way, but so be it, she would play the simpering, perfect little wife for a few days, just long enough to make him believe she meant it...then she would put her full plan into action.
She cleaned up what was supposed to have been a romantic dinner, she angrily swiped the plates away and left the food on one plate, she would take it to his study...if he wanted to be alone then he would be, he had best enjoy it while it lasted however.