Who: Alecto and Narcissa When: July 23, 4 in the afternoon What: Tea and chatting and then dinner! Where: Malfoy Manor. Rating: PG? Status: Completed log!
Narcissa was dressed smartly, as usual, but casually in a flowing, Greek style white dress that didn't draw attention to her growing stomach. Everyone knew now, of course, but Narcissa felt more as though she looked like she was gaining weight rather than like she was pregnant. So, she casually dressed it down, and now the long garment billowed calmly around her legs, giving her a very classic silhouette.
There was a knock at the door--right on time--and Narcissa gestured for the house elves to let Alecto in and lead her to the parlour. She smiled at her friend as she entered, getting to her feet to greet Alecto.
"Come in, Alecto. Leave us, Dobby," Narcissa said, dismissing the house elf distractedly, her warm attention on Alecto. It really had been too long since she'd seen the woman. Narcissa and Alecto didn't really move in the same circles, after all. Still, they remained friends, despite the clear difference in status between them. As pleasant as Narcissa was currently behaving, she was just waiting for the right time to broach the real reason she'd asked Alecto over. She had questions, inquiries, and some admonitions for her.
Alecto had left work a bit early that day, to make time for Narcissa. Of course, she would rather have stayed her full designated hours at work, but Narcissa wasn't the type to rearrange her schedule, no matter what the other party was doing. So Alecto showed up directly on time, not wanting to keep the other woman waiting.
Narcissa looked lovely as always, achieving a state of grace that comes from a life of leisure that Alecto had never quite managed. She was slightly self conscious, wearing a simple long, navy dress in lieu of her work robes, that were almost constantly covered in dirt. She approached the woman with a smile, genuinely delighted in seeing Narcissa. The last time she saw her, was at the woman's wedding, and Alecto had not quite been in the best condition. In fact, the glamour charm that was in place at the wedding was hiding not only scars but bandages on her chest. So it was good to see Narcissa in a better condition, one where she could actually enjoy her friend's company and not simply keep up appearances.
"Narcissa, Holy Merlin, you look absolutely radiant," Alecto said, her voice and smile displaying the most genuine of reactions. "How are you doing?"
"Thank you, Alecto. Today I feel radiant. And I'm fine," Narcissa replied with a smile, hoping Alecto wouldn't bring up Cissa's little episode in the journals yesterday. That wasn't what she'd brought Alecto here to talk about. "And yourself?"
She looked at the woman then, taking in her blue dress, her slightly shiny appearance, as though she'd been working all day. Narcissa supposed she likely had, but it was still a quality she didn't approve of. Even if one was unfortunate enough to have to engage in laborious tasks, they should never appear affect once said tasks were completed.
Of course, they were friends. Narcissa didn't say anything. She just sat down and focussed on the fact that she really was sincerely pleased to see her friend. Alecto may not quite be her equal, but that didn't mean Narcissa didn't enjoy her company. Alecto had always been there when she needed her, and always backed her up. She could be counted on, in disputes with other parties, to take Narcissa's side. Narcissa was closer with Alecto than any of the other girls were. Alecto and Amycus were hers, and though perhaps she didn't always treat them well, she cared about both of them.
Alecto gave a shrug at Narcissa's question. "Doing alright, I suppose," she answered, not wanting to get into all of her recent scoldings. "Though I must say, I'm definitely faring better than the last time you saw me," she said with a quick smile. Alecto sat down finally, and briefly took in the place setting. Narcissa always outdid herself, even for a simple visit with an old friend.
"I'm glad to hear you and the baby are dong well," she started, not really knowing how to continue. Of course she was curious about Narcissa's cryptic final comment to her last night. But she didn't think it would be polite to just jump into grilling Narcissa. So she decided to start small.
"But everythings alright since last night, yes? I mean, you seemed a bit upset towards the end of the night..."
Narcissa sighed as she sat back down again. She should have known better than to expect Alecto not to ask. Still, she didn't feel like talking about it--being slighted in so many ways and by so many people had bruised her pride. Narcissa was a very prideful person. Still, Alecto was her friend, and though she knew she didn't owe her anything, Narcissa still felt as though she ought to offer some sort of explanation for her abrupt cessation of their conversation.
"I don't wish to get into the details, but suffice to say, Rabbit has a short temper, my sister is a very harsh critic, and Evangeline Yaxley forgets her place," Narcissa said airily. Even Alecto, though lower in social status, had more right to comment on Narcissa's life than Evangeline did. Alecto at least was her friend. Not that Narcissa would allow such rude criticism from Alecto either, or anyone, for that matter.
"But that isn't what I wish to talk about," Narcissa said brusquely. Her voice grew soft, somber even, as she spoke next. "If I understand correctly, you've been... spending time with Sirius?"
Much as Narcissa excused her own pre-marital relations, she did not excuse Alecto's. Alecto conducted herself as a woman who would never wed. Who knew, perhaps Alecto would not, but that was no reason to behave like a common whore.
Alecto shrugged when she mentioned all of Narcissa's critics, and she had no arguments about it. "Well, Rabbit always had a temper, hell I quarrelled with him the other night. Your sister is your sister, and Evangeline Yaxley is a bitch," she said simply, leaning back in her chair. "Sorry the two of you fought, but he gets over it quick enough," she added, showing concern for her friend. But she did not push Narcissa; clearly the woman didn't want to talk about the fight. And it really wasn't any of Alecto's business, nor did she really care.
Alecto's demeanor changed immediately when Narcissa switched gears in the conversation. She crossed her arms angrily across her chest and stared directly at Narcissa. If this was going to turn into yet another one scolding... "Yes, and what of it? It was only once. And then we flirted over the journals." She wasn't sure why she was explaining herself to Narcissa, but here she was. "I've already been reprimanded, thank you very much. So I don't need it from you."
Though Narcissa appreciated Alecto's comments--especially the crude one about Evangeline Yaxley--she did not address it. She had meant it when she said she didn't wish to speak of it. Instead, she snapped for a house elf and gestured absently at the tea pot, suggesting wordlessly that it ought to pour them tea.
"Have you," Narcissa said delicately, but her eyes narrowed slightly. She was sick of people speaking to her as if she wasn't Narcissa Malfoy, as if she didn't deserve respect. Her expression turned slightly cold. "Regardless, Alecto, have you any idea how monumentally stupid that is?"
"Oh is it?" Alecto asked, in a more derisive tone. Why everyone was making such a big deal of her tryst with Sirius Black was beyond her. They should be allowed to have some fun here and there, after all, they were purebloods. It's not like she screwed a mudblood. Or someone's husband, for that matter.
"He is reformed, or is for the current moment. I wished for a spot of fun, nothing more. I know this situation with Black is temporary; I'm not an idiot. Honestly why do you care who I sleep with, Narcissa?" She shrugged and was distracted briefly by the house elf pouring their tea. "And don't turn this into a lecture about waiting until marriage."
"You are fully aware he is under the control of Bellatrix, yet you still must ask if it is dangerous? Your wilting intelligence wanes further," Narcissa drawled, unimpressed by Alecto's response. Sirius, regardless of his current reform, was not to be trusted. Didn't she understand that? He was still the enemy, and the Imperius Curse wasn't infallible, even when cast by such a formidable witch as Bellatrix. Still, regardless of her disapproval, concern, and mild anger, Narcissa was curious. "What was he like? Was he fighting the curse at all?"
Perhaps he wasn't. Perhaps he wouldn't. Perhaps he didn't see the point, now that he'd already betrayed all whom he loved. She was viciously glad Bellatrix had done it, even though it was such a violation, even though it made her feel a little ill to really contemplate. At the very least, he must understand now how he made her feel. Forced betrayal was still betrayal, after all.
Alecto laughed derisively. "It's not dangerous to have sex with the man! Did I give away Our Lord's secrets? Of course not. Was I ever in danger from him? No, Narcissa, I was not. I can handle myself," she said, chaffing from Narcissa's comment on her intelligence. Alecto might be reckless, but she wasn't stupid. And she wasn't going to give information over to Sirius Black, no matter how reformed he claimed to be. He would never gain her trust; no one from the Order would.
"And no, he was not fighting the curse. He was relishing in his new found freedom, actually." Alecto took a brief sip of tea before continuing. "Well, actually, he thinks it's freedom, where in reality it's just Bellatrix's prison. But he didn't complain, not one bit," she said, drawing out that last comment.
Narcissa didn't comment on it, really. What could she say? She'd been kidnapped by Sirius and forced to give up all of her friends and family's secrets, all of the Dark Lord's secrets. Alecto hadn't done that. Could Narcissa really criticize her for her behaviour, then?
"Still, it was completely distasteful," Narcissa said primly, sipping from her tea cup delicately. Of course she could still criticize Alecto. She always criticized Alecto. "You need to learn to behave more like a lady. You've spent enough time with me, you know how one ought to act. Must you still disregard propriety so?"
Narcissa alraedy knew the answer to that question, though. Alecto had never really been one to conform, so she was sure this old, oft-discussed issue would not break her of such habits. Regardless, Narcissa had to try, and it gave her time to mull over Alecto's other words. He thinks it's freedom. Narcissa felt a pang of... something. Much as there was a sense that he deserved it for making her betray everyone--what goes around, comes around, after all--there was also a part of her that thought no one ought to have to experience that.
Narcissa curled her lip slightly at her own sentimentality. Empathy was so not an emotion she appreciated, nor tolerated, in herself.
Alecto sighed, and sat all the way back in her chair, resting her elbows on the arm rests. "Why-- why would I want to behave like a lady? I don't have the monetary benefit that comes with all this," she added with a dismissive wave. "I don't get the benefits, so why should I obey the rules of you rich kids? There'd be no reason." Besides, even if she was the perfect picture of a lady, the women of society would still look down on her. At least this way, she got to do whatever she pleased. And she got to do service in the name of their Lord, something those society women couldn't claim.
"Look, Narcissa, I'm growing weary of this discussion. I know what you all think of me, and frankly, I don't care." Although that was partly true. At Hogwarts she would have given anything to fit in with the society girls, but it was never a possibility. So she went her own way, finding her niche as the crass girl with a stomach for bloodshed. But now she was growing tired of hearing crap from every single person it seemed. Which is why she had snapped at an Elder Death Eater and was close to snapping at Narcissa.
Though part of Narcissa was annoyed with Alecto's reaction, a much larger part found herself oddly cheered by it, especially after her ridiculous argument with Evangeline in the journals. Just as Narcissa was above many of the rules, Alecto was below them. Regardless of her knowledge of Alecto's loyalty to her, Narcissa needn't worry about facing any judgement here. Alecto was hers, yes, but she clearly also held a certain disregard for the rules, and even if Narcissa thought she ought to be more careful considering her position, it was still freeing.
Smiling slightly, Narcissa said, "Such a rebel, Ally."
She rarely called Alecto by any sort of diminutive or nickname. Butfor whatever reason, her mood had shifted and she felt particularly fond of the girl. Besides, they had a long tradition of butting heads, even though it always worked itself out in the end. Though she still felt a slight curiosity regarding Sirius, Narcissa recognized that it was time to change the subject.
Leaning forward slightly, Narcissa's expression turned catty as she said, "You would not believe some of the things Evangeline said to me. The amount of disrespect... She thinks far too highly of herself if she thinks she can criticize me. It was unbelievable, Alecto."
Alecto managed a smirk at Narcissa's comment. So she was a rebel, and what of it? She would challenge anyone to a contest of loyalty to the Dark Lord. She served Him and Him alone, none of these other people, no matter how high up in society they thought they were. Of course, she knew the rules of society and propriety, and knew how to play along, when she wanted to. She felt far more freedom being a Death Eater than she would playing by the rules of society. Besides, she was poor, and the options were far more limited for her than they were for Narcissa. Joining the Death Eaters provided her with more options than the society women, and thus, she felt she did not have to follow their rules.
At Narcissa's comment about Evangeline, Alecto outright laughed. "Of course she thinks too highly of herself. Even her husband thinks too highly of himself," she said dismissively. Alecto wasn't surprised that they had the nerve to criticize Narcissa. "Oh do tell," she said, now finally interested in the gossip, now that she was no longer the subject.
"She had the nerve to criticize me about sleeping with Lucius before we were married, and suggested she thought I was daft for talking about being pregnant, as if everyone didn't already know,the stupid cow," Narcissa drawled snidely. "She had the nerve to outright say she didn't respect me, and she called Lucius a Knockturn Alley rent boy!"
It was the last one that really rankled Narcissa. She could defend herself quite easily against the likes of Evangeline Yaxley. What she could not and would not tolerate was hearing tripe about her husband from the likes of some second tier upstart who had forgotten the established heierarchy, especially when said upstart was stooping to the level of completely baseless insults.
"Someone needs to remind that woman just where she stands," Narcissa replied. Of course, she had to be careful what she did to the woman, if only because Leoben was a respected member of the Dark Lord's followers, and Narcissa--tempestuous and prideful as she was--was quite aware she has no place to reprimand a Death Eater.
Alecto shrugged. Of course she didn't care that Narcissa and Lucius had been together before they were married. "Oh that double standard is bloody ridiculous anyway," she said. The men of pureblood society could do whatever they wanted but the women had to remain chaste and delicate? No thank you. But Alecto did see Evangeline's point, as much as she hated to admit it. "Well, I suppose she was saying that you should be careful is all, though really everyone knows your condition at this point. You're just high profile, that's all."
It was at the next comment that Alecto had to stifle her laughter. "She called Lucius a what? Oh my...." As much as she disliked the Yaxleys, it was still funny. But she wouldn't dare say that to Narcissa. "Well her husband's a prick, anyway. Lucius is a far better man than he'll ever be, and you know that. So you shouldn't let her get to you like that."
"Leoben is a respected Death Eater, Alecto, and we mustn't speak ill of him. But by all means, insult Evangeline all you'd like," Narcissa said primly. She sipped her tea for a moment, and then said, "And she didn't get to me. She's simply an annoyance that I've yet to properly swat away."
Oh, Narcissa would, though. She'd go to Rodolphus and tell him just what Evangeline said, and Rodolphus would understand how damaging Evangeline's behaviour was to Leoben, and he'd speak to her. Perhaps she wouldn't be properly chastened, but at least the insufferable woman might learn to keep her mouth shut. The Blacks had never tolerated disrespect well.
Alecto rolled her eyes. "I suppose." Though she wanted to say more choice things about Yaxley, Alecto didn't. She really needed to learn to hold her tongue.
"Enough about them," she said with a sip of tea. "You were saying something about needing a body guard? I know Amycus is in Europe, but now that I think about it, I'm sure he would come back to England if your safety was an issue." Her brother should come back for her, but she would accept him being Narcissa's body guard. They were all close enough at Hogwarts that she didn't become jealous of her. Besides, Cissa would distract him from all the fun she'd been having lately.
"I suppose he would, wouldn't he," Narcissa mused. "I shall owl him."
And what better time than the present? Narcissa snapped her fingers and when Dobby appeared, she told him to fetch her parchment and a quill. Within moments, Narcissa was writing, including phrases like I am of course aware that your work is important, but there isn't anyone I trust the way I do you and your assistance in this matter would be greatly rewarded and some other such flattering silliness that she was sure Amycus would see right through, but nonetheless come rushing back for. She signed it with a flourish ("With Devotion, Narcissa Malfoy") and rolled it up, passing it over to Dobby to owl.
Dobby disappeared with another pop and Narcissa returned her warm attention to Alecto. "We shall see if this works. I'll be so very disappointed in him if it doesn't. If your suspicions are right about him staying to chase women, then he had better come back. You and I have always been the most important women in his life, after all."
Alecto grinned. "Of course we are," she said with a shrug. "And I'm sure he's only there to chase after the girls away from my watchful eye." Of course, while Alecto had no room to talk, considering her own exploits, she was always critical of the women Amycus brought home. She figured that they were both suspicious of the other, but secretly relishing in their freedom from criticism. "It'll be good for him to get back to England."
"I agree," Narcissa said decisively, setting her tea cup down now that it was empty. Dobby appeared again with a pop, and she turned a glare on him. "I did not call for you. You know better than to interrupt."
"Dobby is sorry, Mistress, but you is asking for me to tell you when dinner is served," Dobby explained in his gratingly sqeaky voice that Narcissa hated. She preferred her house elves silent. "Dinner is ready."
"Yes, I understand. Go," she said shortly, before looking back at Alecto. "Shall we move to the dining room?" She dropped her voice then and added, "I fear Lucius' parents may join us, however. You have been warned."
"I promise I'll be on my best behaviour in front of the inlaws," Alecto said, rising to her feet. Really, she knew better than to say anything negative in front of the Malfoys. And with that, she followed Narcissa into the dining room, for what promised to be an excellent meal. The Malfoys' elves never did disappoint.