Summersmut Mod (summersmutmod) wrote in hp_summersmut, @ 2007-09-10 09:42:00 |
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Entry tags: | gabrielle delacour, gabrielle/narcissa, narcissa malfoy |
[FIC] Ageless Beauty (Part Two): Narcissa/Gabrielle
Originally posted here on 29 August 2007
Title: Ageless Beauty
Requestor: sweetcarolanne
Author:
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Narcissa Malfoy/Gabrielle Delacour
Summary: Narcissa Malfoy takes Gabrielle Delacour as her protégé, but her reasons for doing so are not entirely pure.
Warnings: AU. Femmeslash. Chan.
Disclaimer: I do not own Narcissa Malfoy, Gabrielle Delacour, or the HP universe.
Author's Notes: Gabrielle, in this story, starts out as being 14. I do not know exactly what the age difference is between her and Fleur, but I have them as being about five or six years apart. In any case, while attempting to keep with the books as much as possible this story will completely disregard the war. This is not an action/adventure story.
Part One
The end of the school year was always a joyous event, for everyone involved. This year, however, would be particularly fantastic because Gabrielle was going on holiday with Narcissa. The girl could barely contain her excitement – she didn’t even have to go home before they would be setting off! Her school things were being sent to her father’s house, and she was flooing straight into Narcissa’s sitting room for the beginning of their three months together.
She and Océane had said a tearful goodbye, before the winged coaches had taken the redhead and the rest of their friends away. After that, however, there had been nothing but pure joy and excitement in Gabrielle. Ever since she had begun her lessons with Narcissa, it seemed as though she was always happy and excited about something – and she was starting to understand that it was, for the most part, a result of the crush she had on her teacher. Although the girl had been unnerved by the discovery at first, in the end she had just accepted it for what it was. So she had feelings for her teacher, who was a woman, and many years older than she was. None of that really mattered, did it? At least, it didn’t to her. For the first time the girl knew what it was like to have a crush, as so many of her friends had been doing for years, and it was a lovely feeling – especially because Narcissa gave her so much attention, constantly praising her and giving her small, discreet little touches. It was almost as if the woman knew and was actually encouraging her, but Gabrielle knew not to get her hopes up.
After Océane and the others left, Gabrielle took the walk for the last time that year to the Headmistress’s office. She quickly flooed to her teacher’s house, and was immediately swept into a hug by the blonde woman upon arriving.
“Are you terribly excited, pet?” Narcissa asked, her eyes sparkling, as she released her pupil.
“Of course I am!” Gabrielle exclaimed. They would be leaving the very next day for Malfoy Manor, for a couple of days, and the girl could hardly wait. “I do not think I shall be able to sleep tonight!”
Narcissa laughed. “Well, sleep you must, darling. Else wise you will not be able to enjoy tomorrow when it does come.”
Gabrielle frowned. This was a true statement, but she really didn’t think she was going to be able to sleep. Narcissa saw the look on her student’s face and placed a comforting hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I can give you a very light sleeping draught tonight, if you like. I want to make sure you are rested before I bring you to England,” the woman explained.
The younger girl nodded. “That would be very helpful, thank you,” the young girl remarked.
She had been to Malfoy Manor before, at the past Christmas. That had been when she had met her teacher, after all. She was no less excited, however, because she would get a chance to really see the Manor, the house where Narcissa had spent most of her life. The girl was nervous – would Narcissa’s husband be there? She hoped not, the man was more than a little bit intimidating. Besides, Gabrielle did not want to share her teacher’s time and attention. What about her son? Draco was several years older than Gabrielle was, but she wasn’t sure exactly how many years. Narcissa had mentioned at some point that the boy was studying at a Wizard University, but she hadn’t said what year he was in.
“How long will we be staying at your home?” Gabrielle questioned as the two women moved into the dinning room for their dinner.
“Only three or four days, pet,” Narcissa assured, settling into her spot at the head of the table while Gabrielle settled in the chair to her right. “I just have to ensure that certain things are organized and set so that I will not be disturbed when we are away. It is easy enough for me to take care of my duties during the day when you are in class, whilst I am here, but when we are away I want to be able to give you my full attention all day every day.”
The younger girl beamed radiantly at that comment. She wanted to have Narcissa’s full attention all day every day. She expected the woman knew that, too, but it didn’t matter. They obviously wanted the same thing, otherwise Narcissa would not be doing this, would not be encouraging her. Gabrielle was almost sure of it, although it was entirely possible that her teacher’s interests were purely in furthering her student’s education. She doubted it very much, but anything was possible.
“What is Malfoy Manor like?” the girl then questioned, tipping her head ever so slightly to the side. She had only seen the foyer and the ball room, when she had been there, and even that had been limited as her father insisted that she stay right by his side.
Narcissa scrunched her nose in a most unladylike manner, and leaned in toward her student. “Dark and terrible,” the woman remarked. “Lucius keeps it terribly cold, and it is an obscene size. People get lost in the Manor and are not seen for weeks. That is why I shall request that you stay only in the areas I show you, Gabrielle. Do you understand?”
Nodding obediently, taking the matter very seriously, Gabrielle folded her hands in her lap. She would do whatever her teacher asked of her, after all.
“Good,” Narcissa remarked and sat back up, returning to normal, perfectly well-mannered. “Well, I shall be somewhat busy with my duties whilst we are there, however you are more than welcome to sit with me when I am doing paperwork. Of course, if you prefer there are also lovely gardens at the Manor, they are my pride and joy. You may spend your days outside, if you choose, or in the library. Whatever you desire, you are on holiday after all.”
Gabrielle beamed. “I think I should like to sit with you when I may,” the girl remarked. “But I should like to explore a bit as well, if that is alright with you. Within the limitations you show me, of course.” The last bit was rushed to add on to the end of her first statement. She didn’t want Narcissa thinking she was going to disobey her request to stay within certain boundaries of the Manor.
“Yes, I think that would be good for you,” Narcissa remarked. “Get to know the Manor. I like to think you will be spending more time there in the future.”
The young girl could only imagine spending time in Narcissa’s main residence, and imagine she did. She couldn’t wait to see her teacher’s rooms – assuming, of course, that she would be shown them, but she expected they would probably be included as a part of the initial tour, if only to show Gabrielle where she could be found should the girl need her. The Paris town house was, after all, much smaller than Malfoy Manor. If Gabrielle needed anything all she had to do was call out, and Narcissa would hear her. That would be quite different when they went to England.
The two females finished their meal, and Narcissa administered a small dosage of a light sleeping draught to her student. She wanted her protégé to be well rested for the next day, since she expected Lucius would most likely make an appearance. She wanted him to look at the lovely little girl and rage with jealousy. Oh yes, he would see how beautiful and proper her student was, unlike the girl’s sister, and be terribly jealous. But he would not lay a finger on her, could not do so, because of the contract which had been signed between Narcissa and Antoine. The whole situation made Narcissa feel intoxicated with power; power which she held over her loathed husband, and she loved it.
* * *
The next morning Narcissa gently roused her student, bidding her to bathe and dress before coming out for a light breakfast. After that they would Apparate to the Manor, where their things were already waiting.
Gabrielle arose from her bed, looking perfectly tousled and adorable to her teacher. The girl gave a large yawn – she had certainly slept well – and headed for the bathroom which connected to her room. When she emerged some time after, Narcissa looked with approval of the fact her student had chosen the yellow summer dress to wear that day. It was one of the many dresses Narcissa had purchased for the child, and it was Narcissa’s favourite. She suspected the child new this, and had chosen it because of that reason.
“I love to see you wearing the things I purchased for you,” Narcissa murmured, offering the child a plate of fresh fruit.
“Thank you,” Gabrielle responded, taking the fruit. “I love wearing them. Everything you picked out for me is so lovely. I feel like a princess wearing these things.”
Narcissa smiled smugly. Gabrielle was her princess, and she was doing everything in her power to make sure the girl was well aware of that.
The two finished their breakfast, talking lightly about things of little importance. When they were done they checked to ensure they had everything they needed, before Narcissa placed her arm around Gabrielle’s waist and Apparated them to the Manor.
The lovely warm feeling which invaded Gabrielle’s stomach whenever Narcissa touched her was replaced first with the unpleasant feeling of Apparating – like being squeezed – and then slight dizziness when they arrived at the gates outside the Manor (which was protected by anti-Apparating wards, and therefore they could not Apparate straight into it as Gabrielle was not a member of the family).
The Manor was bigger than Gabrielle remembered, most likely because she’d never before seen it by the light of day. The place was gigantic, that was sure. It was more like a castle than a house, the girl thought to herself. The fact that it was made of stone only reinforced this impression upon the young girl, as did the stone wall which wrapped its way around the property.
They made their way up to the Manor, and climbed the steps to the door. Letting themselves in, they entered the grand foyer and gave their cloaks to the house elf who happily greeted his mistress. According to the little creature, she had been gone far too long and was most welcomed back.
“Welcome to Malfoy Manor, Gabrielle,” the woman remarked, gesturing around the foyer. “While it is just the two of us, we shall speak French. However when there are others present I should like you to at least try English. Should it become too tiresome, we may switch back to French, but I believe it would be excellent practice for you.”
The young part-veela nodded her head, and then proceeded to look around with great interest. It was certainly different from their house in Paris, and different from Gabrielle’s father’s house in Versailles, but different wasn’t necessarily bad.
They began their trip through the house, Narcissa showing her the dining hall and the kitchens on the first floor, the library and her office on the second, and finally the room she would be staying in which was across the hall from Narcissa’s own. Gabrielle was quite pleased with this arrangement, as she did not want to be far away from her teacher when she was staying in the strange house. She was also pleased to find that her things had already been placed in the room, which was decorated in a bright cerulean blue with white and gold accents.
“We will not have many opportunities to stay in the Manor,” Narcissa began as they stood in Gabrielle’s room, allowing the girl to look around. “But when we do, this shall be your room. I want to make sure you are close, in the event that you need anything. Of course, if you just want something to eat or drink, ring the bell on your bedside table and an elf will come to fetch you whatever you need.”
“Thank you, Narcissa,” Gabrielle responded. “I do feel much more comfortable knowing I am sleeping across the hall from you. This house is just so big, and I would hate to feel alone in it.”
“You need not worry, my pet,” Narcissa assured her student, placing her hand on the girl’s back and gently ushering her out of the room. “I would not leave you on your own, especially here.”
Gabrielle was just about to express her gratitude to her teacher when another presence made it clear that they were much less alone at Malfoy Manor than at the town house. Just as Narcissa had expected, Lucius had made his grand entrance, striding boldly towards them with that wretched cane tapping on the ground as he walked. The woman wanted to hex her husband; could he have not at least waited until dinner, or some other more appropriate time?
“Ah, I see my wife has finally returned,” the man drawled, in English, stressing the words “my wife”,
Narcissa looked at her husband, forcing her best bored face on and pulling Gabrielle just the tiniest bit closer. “Yes, and as you can see I have brought my protégé with me. But I should warn you, Lucius, we’re only here for a few days.”
The tall blonde man approached the woman and child, a look of strong distaste on his face. Gabrielle tried not to appear frightened, but the man was a giant to both her own and Narcissa’s petite and slender frames. That was not the worst, but the way in which he carried himself, the sneer upon his face, and the cane which he carried all contributed to the feeling of dread Gabrielle felt when the man was there. Only Narcissa’s hand on her back kept the child perfectly calm, as the man put a hand on his wife’s neck and gave her what Gabrielle assumed was supposed to be a sound kissing, but looked less than enjoyable. She could tell from Narcissa’s face, when the woman managed to pull away, that her observation was correct.
“Welcome home, Narcissa. You might try to make more time for your family, from now on,” Lucius hissed, and then brushed past them.
The woman let out a deep sigh when her husband was finally gone, shooting a nasty glare in the direction he had gone in. “I do apologize, Gabrielle,” Narcissa remarked after turning back to her student. “I had expected him to make an appearance, but I had not expected him to be so rude. He should have at least allowed me to properly introduce you.”
Gabrielle looked up at her teacher, a very thoughtful and slightly confused look upon her face. Narcissa saw it and quirked her head to the side. “What is it, child?” she asked the young blonde girl.
Gabrielle briefly hesitated before asking; “Do you love your husband?” She was almost afraid of the answer.
Narcissa paused, processing the question, and then let out a deep sigh. “Come sit in my room with me, Gabrielle,” the woman requested. “There are some things which need to be discussed which we have not yet discussed. I suppose now is as good a time as any to discuss them, as they seem to be becoming very relevant.”
The young girl’s stomach dropped. Was Narcissa going to ask her about her feeling for her? She didn’t know if she could have a conversation like that, she was much too frightened. Especially since Narcissa didn’t seem to be looking forward to the conversation they were about to have. Still, the girl swallowed and nodded obediently, following her teacher out of the hallway and into her rooms.
Narcissa led Gabrielle into her own set of rooms, which were decorated in white and gold. Pressing Gabrielle first into a seat on the small gray couch, she settled herself into the gold coloured chair just to the right of her. The woman sighed, and looked at her student.
“As a pureblood” - since her grandmother was a magical creature, not a muggle, she was still considered a pureblood – “you are aware that marriages are more often than not arranged, correct?” the woman asked the child.
Gabrielle nodded, hands clasped tightly in her lap. That wasn’t how she had expected this conversation to start, but maybe that was a good thing. Maybe her feelings wouldn’t even come up. After all, Narcissa was teaching her in order to prepare her for marriage, was she not? It would make sense for them, then, to discuss the institution itself.
“Lucius and I had an arranged marriage. I fulfilled my obligation to him by having his son, Draco. But Lucius and I have never been in love. Once, when we were first married and I was very young, I believed myself to be in love with him, but that quickly changed. He is a very cold man, and very proud,” Narcissa explained. “But I am his wife, and that will never change.”
“I am telling you this because one day you will be married, and it may well be to a man who you have never met before and know nothing about. Of course, I will do everything in my power to ensure that you are matched with someone who will treat you well, but I do not know everything about every eligible bachelor, as much as I would like to, and these sorts of things are often very well hidden.”
The young girl listened, and nodded. She felt slightly sick from the thought of being married to a man. The idea of performing wifely duties for a man, more specifically, made her feel ill. Narcissa noticed the look on her student’s face, and reached out to put her hand on the girl’s wrist.
“You are very young, Gabrielle, you may yet decide to enjoy male companionship,” the woman remarked, although the idea of her angel being spoiled by some disgusting, pig of a man made her feel ill as well.
“I do not think I shall ever be attracted to men!” the young French girl remarked, the disgust apparent in her voice.
“Even so, dearest, you will have to give your husband a child. But after that, well, no one will say anything if you and your husband each seek companionship in the arms of another,” the woman remarked, gently stroking the girl’s skin as a way to offer her comfort.
Gabrielle studied her teacher intently. Well, at least now she knew that Narcissa was certainly not in love with her husband, and was not opposed to the idea of being unfaithful. That made the girl hopeful, along with the fact Narcissa seemed to be implying that she knew Gabrielle preferred women (did she really though? She had never been affected by anyone but Narcissa. The girl seemed to think that she was only attracted to the older woman) and that it was acceptable.
“Have…” the girl began quietly and somewhat unsurely. “Have you ever, well, you know, sought companionship from someone else? Besides your husband, I mean.”
Narcissa was not sure how to answer her student’s question. While she wanted to be able to be honest with the child who she so deeply adored, what good would be revealing her many previous trysts? She certainly didn’t want the girl thinking she was just another one of Narcissa’s toys, if – no, when their relationship progressed to a sexual level. But, realistically, it wasn’t as if the child could imagine that Narcissa wasn’t sexually active, or hadn’t been, at any rate.
“There have been times,” Narcissa began slowly. “In the past, when I have chosen to ease my loneliness outside of the marriage bed,” the woman remarked, and then looked at Gabrielle, making sure to catch her eyes. “But since you have become my student, I have found that I do not need the company of others. You have filled up my life to the point where I do not need anyone else, as I want to spend all of my time with you.”
The young girl blushed heavily at Narcissa’s admission. “I…I want to spend all of my time with you too,” Gabrielle admitted hurriedly, wanting desperately to finally make her teacher understand how she felt, but at the same time terribly afraid of the whole situation. “I do not know why. But I love being with you, always. I have never felt that before, the need to be around someone else all the time.”
Narcissa breathed out heavily. It was lovely to hear Gabrielle finally make that admission, and the woman didn’t even think she had pushed the girl to do so. “We have a strong connection, Gabrielle,” she remarked. “Stronger even than I think you realize.”
Did Narcissa feel it too, then? Gabrielle couldn’t help but wonder. Well, obviously she did, if she was acknowledging it. Narcissa was, after all, an entirely perceptive woman, and there was no way she couldn’t know how Gabrielle felt. It had become too blatantly obvious, especially after that last admission.
“But, well, I do think I realize,” the girl remarked, looking up at her teacher. She knew her face was bright red from the blush which had been on her face since they entered the room. “What I mean is,” the girl continued. “I know I have not felt like this, this close to someone, ever before. With anyone. It is different from how I feel close with my sister, and how I feel close with Océane, and how I felt close with my mother before she died.”
The woman could not expect a more straightforward declaration from her young student. The girl was only fourteen, after all, and not very experienced or knowledgeable on the subject of romance. After all, the girl had admitted she’d never felt those sorts of feelings for anyone before. Narcissa knew she had to take the initiative here, and so she gracefully moved from the chair she had been sitting in to settle beside Gabrielle on the couch. The girl looked at her as she did so, curiosity and anticipation running rampant across her face.
Narcissa put a hand under the girl’s chin, and gently turned her head toward her. “I am glad that your feelings are so strong, my angel,” the woman remarked. “As you already know how much I absolutely adore you.”
The girl felt a thrill of pleasure and joy sing through her body at her teacher’s statement, and the feeling of her soft hand on her neck. She felt that familiar tightening in her chest, and an ache low in her stomach. Oh, it was such a wonderful feeling, and only Narcissa had ever caused it to happen within her.
“Actually, Narcissa,” Gabrielle remarked, her voice very low. “I am still not entirely sure I know.”
Something within Narcissa clenched at that. She knew now that Gabrielle was perfectly aware of her own feelings, but only doubted those of her teacher. Well, that simply wouldn’t do. She wanted the girl to be perfectly aware of exactly what Narcissa felt, and thankfully the girl had given her the perfect opening.
Moving her face just the tiniest bit closer to the other girl’s, her fingers splayed across the girl’s throat, Narcissa murmured; “Would you like me to show you exactly how much?”
Drawing in a deep breath, Gabrielle could only nod her head in response to her teacher’s question. As she did so, Narcissa moved closer to the young girl on the couch, and slowly put her mouth ever so lightly on the young blonde’s.
Gabrielle’s heart absolutely stopped when Narcissa kissed her, giving her what was her first kiss ever. Her whole body tensed up – but in a very good way, not from fright or nerves, but from the sheer joy which was filling her. The girl felt as though she was going to explode, as she gently pressed her lips back against those of her teacher.
Narcissa had to keep herself from moaning aloud at the first touch of their lips. Gabrielle’s mouth was incredibly soft and sweet, and she wanted to deepen the kiss but did not want to frighten the child, who had likely never been kissed before. Now that she knew the girl was hers, and she had no doubt about that now, she could take things as slowly as she wanted because she knew that in the end she would have the girl all to herself.
Gabrielle felt as though the sun was about to burst out of her chest, as she melted into the soft, gentle kiss which her teacher had initiated. She didn’t know why she felt so strongly for her teacher, didn’t know why this woman evoked these feelings within her body and her heart which no one else had ever evoked. She didn’t know, and really she didn’t care, as long as Narcissa kissed her like that every day for the rest of their lives.
After a few moments of pressing her lips gently to the young girl’s, Narcissa pulled away. Her fingers gently trailed along Gabrielle’s cheek, and the woman noticed the young girl was breathing very heavily. That was a good sign.
“Can you still doubt the strength of my affections?” the woman asked quietly, pressing soft kisses to Gabrielle’s cheeks and forehead.
The blonde child shook her head, and looked up at her teacher with utter devotion shining in her eyes. “Narcissa,” the girl began, her voice very breathy. “I think I love you.”
The older woman smiled softly at the younger girl’s statement, pressing a much quicker and lighter kiss to the other blonde’s lips. “And I love you also, dearest,” she remarked with a third and final kiss, before wrapping her arms around the child and pulling her into a close embrace. Gabrielle nuzzled her face into her teacher’s neck, breathing in the smell of her teacher, a scent which she found to be heavenly.
Slowly, the woman pulled away. “Come, let us go for a stroll in the gardens,” she suggested, rising from the couch and taking both of her pupil’s hands to pull her to a standing position. They would have plenty of time for kissing, later, and Narcissa would be better able to resist the temptation of her beautiful student when they were in plain view.
* * *
Continue to Part Three!