Who: Bellatrix, Narcissa Where: Malfoy Manor, Narcissa's Room What: Discuss Narcissa's upcoming wedding...and wedding night When: Late Evening, November 23rd, 1973 Rating: PG-13 Status: Complete
Pulling her white nightgown tightly around her, Narcissa Black walked barefoot through her huge room, pacing the cold tile floor between where her wedding gown hung prepared for the morning and her bed. She should be sleeping, she knew this, yet every time she laid down and closed her eyes she began thinking about the hundreds of things that could go wrong tomorrow.
What if the flowers were wilted, or Salazar forbid - the wrong color? What if she got a stain on her gown, or her hair wouldn't go up properly. She'd toyed with the idea of doing her hair this evening and sleeping upright so as not to ruin it, but it was too risky. What if she forgot the vows she'd written? She would never live that down - a disgrace to her husband on their very first day of marriage! Beyond the wedding day, there was the wedding night to think about, and Narcissa felt even less certain about that than about everything else all rolled into one.
Bellatrix was not by nature a particularly light sleeper, but even she could not dream peacefully throug the distinct pitter-patter of footsteps emanating from the room across the hall. Displeased with what would be fitful slumber at best if she continued, she climbed from her bed and drew jade satin about her, loosely tying the robe about her waist as she left her room and opened the door leading to her sister's.
"Narcissa?" She called out, deeming it unnecessary to knock but nonetheless permitting her sister the dignity of opening the door a crack before she barged in. When she found her sister pacing the room, she let herself in and shut it lightly behind her, bestowing a rare look of concerned upon the distressed blonde. "Care to tell me what has you restless at this hour?"
The younger Black's head turned to her sister, the worry evident in her nearly-panicked gaze. "How can you even ask me that? It's…" She looked to the clock on the fireplace mantle and did the math quickly. "…eleven hours until my wedding, Bella! Do you know how many things could possibly go wrong and leave me the laughing stock of society? I've counted forty-nine so far, and I'm sure there are more I'm forgetting."
The concept of disappointing society evaded Bellatrix almost completely, as it required a distinct interest in holding its approval. Nonetheless, she understood that it was important to her sister and so attempted a modicum of sympathy for Narcissa's sake. "Perhaps there are, but there is simply no reason to believe that you will commit any one of them." Clasping her sister's hands gently, she met light blue eyes with deep black. "Tell me, what is it that worries you most?"
Letting out a long sigh, Narcissa considered that. "Well, I suppose forgetting my vows...though I could always improvise if need be. It took me weeks to get them just right, and what if I mess up a word and say something entirely foolish? Everyone expects better of me, and I don't want to let Lucius down." Speaking of not letting Lucius down. "And...well...after the wedding."
Bellatrix blinked for a long moment, before a knowing smile slowly spread over her features, looking rather like a Cheshire cat now that she had discovered the surprising cause of her sister's distress. "The wedding night, you mean?" She asked, somehow managing to stifle her delight at the unlikely topic of discussion. "Am I to take it that you have not... engaged in such activities before?"
"Bella!" Narcissa's cheeks turned a furious shade of red as she pulled away to go and look out the window. The trees were mostly bare, but they'd had some brought in from Spain for the occasion and charmed others. At least it wouldn't look totally dead for this most important day. After a long delay she looked back to her sister. "Of course we haven't. It's not that I didn't want...well mother...one of us had to be the proper daughter, you know. I have a reputation to uphold, and I was still in school until a few months ago."
Bellatrix resisted the urge to ask what still being in school had to do with it. Opposite as their philosophies on the matter might have been, she respected her sister's naiveté, if not fully comprehending it. Lips parted in query, only to pause when she realized that she would have to phrase 'how far have you gone' a bit more delicately if she wished a candid response. "And to what degree did you and Lucius adhere to mother's standards?"
This was all horribly uncomfortable for Narcissa, but it wasn't as if she could go to her mother about it, and she didn't want to disappoint Lucius. She had always gone to Bella with her problems before, and this was certainly something her sister had experience with. "Well...I didn't exactly follow all of her rules - you know how traditional she can be. We've...well we've kissed. A lot of kissing, actually. And sometimes..." Her blush returned. "He'll press me back into the wall or the sofa - not to hurt me though - just to...I don't know, really, but it didn't feel bad."
The manner in which Narcissa recounted her limited exploits was almost charming - so innocent and abashed. Bella could not help but smile as the blonde struggled to explain what had passed between Lucius and herself. Had it been any other woman blushing, she would have turned her nose up in disgust and dismissed them immediately, but somehow, Narcissa was endearing where others were repulsive. "Did either your or his hands ever delve beneath one another's clothing?"
"I..." Narcissa paused, looking to the door. She hurried across the room, inched it open and peeked out into the hallway, and then closed it - leaning against it with a sigh of relief. All she needed right now was for her mother to hear this, or one of the guests who'd arrived early. Scandal - that's what it would be - with her right in the middle! "Maybe...yes, once or twice, but not until we were properly betrothed. You won't tell anyone, will you?"
Bellatrix resisted the urge to laugh, entertained by the suggestion that she would have something to gain from telling her mother that her sister had engaged in some form of heavy petting - particularly since she herself had crossed that particular bridge in her 4th year. Thankfully, she was able to squeeze her sister's hands in support and maintain a polite expression. "Of course not." It was becoming apparent that Narcissa would have no idea where to start on her wedding night, if her experience was any indication. Gently ushering her sister over to the edge of the bed, she sat down beside her. "Now, tell me what you know of sex - from books and what have you. Do you understand how it works?"
"Of course I do!" Narcissa protested. "I'm not a child - I know where everything goes. I've had an idea of that since we watched father's crups breeding. It doesn't change the fact that I've never actually...done it. What if I'm horrible at it? What if I do something wrong? Lucius has been so patient and I know he's anxious for tomorrow night...I don't want to disappoint him."
"Oh, Narcissa," Bella sighed softly, forcibly stifling her amusement at how her sister had learned of sex. However absurd her sister's experiences were, it was her job to be helpful and not judgmental. "You needn't worry. Men are really rather enamored with innocent women who make an effort to please them - far more than they are with the experienced sort. They glean pleasure from the pride they take in realizing that said virgin is relinquishing her chastity to them. If you are willing to learn, he will be appreciative."
Narcissa desperately hoped her sister was right. Normally she enjoyed living up to everyone’s expectations, and took pride in it, but it was far more difficult when you didn't understand what those expectations where. "I hope you're right, Bella. I really do love him, and I want him to be happy."
"He will," Bella reassured her, confident that her assessment was right and that Lucius would be titillated by the prospect of his innocent wife opening up to him. How could he not? Though her coloring was certainly on the opposite end of the spectrum, Narcissa was radiant and beautiful - not to mention the epitome of grace and propriety. "I think you will find that he will take great pleasure in making you happy as well."
"Me? He does seem to want to please me. But..." Narcissa paused, looking down at her hands. "Doesn't it hurt? I know Lucius would never hurt me, but if it has to hurt...mother says it hurts horribly but wouldn't tell me anything else."
Bellatrix paused. Did it hurt? The question reminded her that there existed individuals who did not thrive on a combination of pleasure and pain, virtually ruling out the benefit of trying to convince her sister that it was to be enjoyed and not feared. "Mildly," She answered after a long moment. "There is, of course, flesh that must yield to allow such an encounter, but it is momentary and soon overtaken by pleasure. I cannot promise you that you will suffer no discomfort, but I am certain that Lucius will take all necessary steps to ensure that you suffer as little as possible."
Swallowing loudly, Narcissa nodded and went to sit on her bed. She hoped Lucius knew how to make it not hurt. She hadn't really considered how much experience her future husband had with such things, or with who. "You're right, of course. I suppose it won't be bad, so long as it's pleasurable afterwards. I wondered if perhaps mother was exaggerating, to keep me from finding out for myself." She lifted her chin to give Bella a shy smile. "I'm lucky to have you here to explain it all."
On that count, Bellatrix fully agreed. She had suffered the same horror stories at her mother's hands, particularly when Mrs. Black discovered that her eldest was not the virgin she had assumed. It was a shame that she had scared poor Narcissa so. "Mother does tend to exaggerate when she wishes to make a point," Bellatrix commented wryly. "But I can personally attest to the ability to engage in such activities without significant discomfort." Meeting her sister's eyes, she smiled. "Lucius cares for you in the way that you care for him. Your pleasure is of the utmost importance, I am certain." And if she was wrong... Well, Mr. Malfoy would not be enjoying the rest of his honeymoon.
Narcissa nodded again, taking a long deep breath. Bella was right - Lucius would want her to be happy, and he would protect her however he could. She knew that. Now she just had to be the best wife she could so that he never regretted his choice. "I think I should try to sleep again. It would be dreadful if I was sleepy tomorrow - it's going to be such a long, trying day."
"It would hardly do for you to fall asleep at the altar," Bellatrix agreed, voluntarily rising from the bed and smoothing the folds of her satin robe down. "I hope I allayed your fears in some way, Narcissa." Her tone was genuine.
"Or have bags under my eyes, or fall asleep tomorrow evening," Narcissa chucked, rising to kiss her sister's cheek. "Thank you, Bella, you have. I promise not to keep you awake with my pacing any longer." If she had to, she would take a potion to assure it. Beyond all the other reasons, Narcissa had no desire to deal with a sleep-deprived, grumpy Bellatrix tomorrow.
You better, Bellatrix added silently, though the smile did not leave her features even as she made her way to the doorway. Much as she loved Narcissa, she would prefer to do so on rest - something that had as yet been prevented by her frantic pacing. It was with hope for both her chances of sleep and her sister's state of mind that she returned to her bed, placing a pillow over her head (just in case).