InsaneJournal

Who: Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy
What: Every mummer needs a mask.
When: March 17, 1998
Where: Malfoy Manor
Rating/Warnings: Well, they are ridiculously in love...


Lucius had been thrilled when the parcel arrived from Hallam earlier in the day--even more so when he saw the contents. It was perfect--he could see the touches of Ginnifer’s handiwork in the design, which Narcissa would surely appreciate. He’d wrapped the gift back up and put it aside till after supper, though he was nearly brimming with impatience--an emotion he usually only felt when forced to deal with people other than Narcissa.

Halfway through dinner, Narcissa set down her fork and looked directly across the table at her husband. “Is something the matter, darling?” She recognized signs of impatience in Lucius--subtle things that anyone who didn’t know him well wouldn’t pick up on--but she generally only saw them when they were around people they didn’t wish to interact with. That was, in all honesty, just about everyone who did not have a permanent address in Malfoy Manor, but as they were alone tonight and she was unaware of any exciting plans for later, she knew something had to be going on. Lucius simply did not get impatient with her.

Lucius smiled, a bit like a child caught out at something. “Forgive me, my mind is elsewhere tonight. No, nothing is the matter. I’ll tell you what’s distracting me after dessert, but it’s nothing unpleasant, I promise.” He could give it to her now, of course, but he did like to keep such things away from the house elves. They could be so jumpy about certain things.

A surprise then. Narcissa did love surprises from Lucius. He was so good at them. Her birthday surprise had been an absolute delight and though this probably wasn’t on the level of that--though she would adore the opportunity to take out the mongrel who had seduced her once-dear sister away from her respectable heritage--she was certain it would be delightful. “Very well. Though, perhaps we should skip dessert? We can always have it with drinks later.”

His eyes sparkled with restrained delight. “Well, I suppose, since you’ve twisted my arm, darling.” It wasn’t perhaps on par with their previous outing, but he did believe it was just as good in its way. Narcissa had grown frustrated with the way she was constantly a sidenote, an afterthought, in the journal wards. This surprise would be a nice way of reminding her--and everyone else, soon--how much she belonged among the Death Eaters.

Oh, this was going to be good. The delight in Lucius’s eyes was almost enough to make Narcissa forego the rest of her meal. Anticipation was indeed part of the pleasure, however, so she picked her fork up and began eating again. If it were slightly faster than she had been before questioning Lucius about his impatience, well, there was no one around to know but him.

Lucius, too, ate quickly--and while he tried to make light conversation, neither of them were truly distracted. At last he finished his wine, laid aside his fork, and folded his napkin on the table. “I do think dessert will have to wait. Let’s adjourn to the bedroom, shall we? I received some mail today that I think might interest you.”

“Of course.” Narcissa folded her napkin on the table and called for Dobby to come clean up the mess. The bedroom meant it was something Lucius didn’t want the house elves to see; they were under strict instructions not to disturb the master and mistress in there unless something required their immediate attention at the wards. The thought heightened her anticipation and by the time they reached the bedroom, she was buzzing with excitement, though no one but Lucius would be able to see the signs.

Lucius picked up the parcel that held her new mask from where it lay on the dresser, considering. There were many ways he could present it to her--he was half-tempted to have her close her eyes and put it on for her, the way one would a necklace--but no, he wanted her to see the full effect first. “I know it’s a little unorthodox to purchase you something you need, but I thought this might serve a want and a need at the same time.” He placed the package in her hands, grinning with anticipation. “Go on, open it.”

Narcissa quirked an eyebrow at that. Buying her something she needed was unorthodox, but judging by the expression on Lucius’s face, this would be a worthy exception. It was difficult to gently untie the ribbon and peel back the paper with care, but no matter how impatient Lucius was, Narcissa would never be so gauche as to tear into a present. That was an unnecessary spectacle, even in the privacy of their own home, and was practically asking to damage the contents of the package.

Narcissa’s breath caught in her throat as she peeled back the last bit of paper to reveal the mask underneath. She knew immediately what it was, of course--Lucius had a coordinating one hidden deep in the vaults where the Aurors would never find it--but she had never expected to have her own. His behavior suddenly made perfect sense. “Oh, Lucius.”

He watched her face as she opened it, and he could not have asked for a better reaction. “It seemed more than time that you should have one, darling.” He moved behind her, putting his arms around her waist and kissing her temple. “I ordered it specially from Hallam, and I believe you’ll recognize Ginnifer’s touch in the details. Would you like to put it on?”

Narcissa turned her head so her lips met Lucius’s. The kiss wasn’t as passionate as it might have been--the way they were standing prevented that--but Narcissa still managed to convey her delight and gratitude with the kiss. “Of course.” Her breath caught in her throat just looking at the mask. The thought of having it on her face made her heart skip a beat. The thought of what she could do while wearing it and of how certain old friends might look at her while she had it on was enough to make her giddy.

No one else would ever see that particular emotion from Narcissa Malfoy, but it showed in her smile and the slight tremor in her hands as she handed the mask to Lucius so he could put it on her.

Lucius beamed as he tied the strings, lifting her hair over them to hang loose down her back. Of course, she would be usually be wearing a hood when the mask came out--her hair, like Lucius’, was rather conspicuous--but just for now it was pleasing to play as if they were going to masquerades rather than massacres. They would have time for both, of course.

Narcissa stayed perfectly still, her body tingling with pleasure as Lucius tied the mask on and pulled her hair free of the strings. When he was done, she squeezed his hand and stepped in front of the mirror so she could look at herself in it.

The mask covered her whole face, rendering her completely anonymous except for the blond hair that tumbled over her shoulders. It fit perfectly--Hallam’s work exquisite as always--and was cool against Narcissa’s skin. She lifted one hand and ran her fingers over the surface, feeling the tiny details Ginnifer had added. Even with the material smooth against her face and her fingers matching the movements in the mirror, it was hard to believe this was real. “It’s perfect.”

With the mask obscuring her features, she looked coldly, terrifyingly lovely. It gave Lucius a little thrill to imagine them going forth together masked and cloaked, matching visions of fear. What would it be like, to be confronted with Narcissa in her wrath? He would never know for certain, of course, but he enjoyed imagining how their enemies would feel at the sight of her. “I think we will have to plan an outing sometime soon, don’t you? I know how you like to show off new outfits.”

Just the thought of going out wearing this was thrilling. Narcissa imagined standing at Lucius’s side, terrifying Muggles and Mudbloods and all the other filth that occupied their world, and desire stirred deep within her. With deliberate movements, she untied the mask, set it on the vanity, and turned to face her husband.

“Thank you,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She twined her fingers in his hair as she kissed him; not their usual light but passionate kisses, this, but a deep, thorough kiss that conveyed every ounce of pleasure and desire Narcissa was feeling. Her tongue slipped into Lucius’s mouth forcefully, demanding reciprocation, and her lips moved over his with an urgency that belied her earlier deliberateness.

When she pulled back, they were both breathing hard, and Narcissa grinned wickedly as she looked up at Lucius. “Merlin I love you.”

Of course he had known she would love it, but Lucius never got over the smug satisfaction of giving a gift she adored. He stroked light fingertips over her jaw and down her throat as they kissed, a surprisingly gentle touch for the intensity of the kiss, but he knew well enough how it would affect her. “And I you, dearest.” He raised his eyebrows, the briefest hint of a wicked expression to mirror her own. “Shall we retire, and I’ll show you how much?”

He knew the answer, of course; he didn’t wait for it to be voiced before lifting her off her feet and carrying her to bed.