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Narcissa Malfoy ([info]palepanache) wrote in [info]refreshrpg,
@ 2015-02-12 17:23:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:! log, 1998-february, character: narcissa malfoy, x-character: antonin dolohov

Who: Narcissa Malfoy and Antonin Doholov
What: Tea
Where: A wizard-run tea shop in London
When: Thursday, February 12, afternoon (before either Antonin or Narcissa is told about Rodolphus)
Rating: Low? Potential discussion of evil things.
Status: Complete

Narcissa left Philomena's house and immediately apparated to the little-used alley near her favorite tea shop in London. The shop was sandwiched between a greengrocer and a chemist and appeared to be just a decorative garden between the two shops. When Narcissa approached it appeared and she stepped inside with relief.

London could be a delightful city, but there were so many muggles in it.

The teashop was quiet, magically insulated from the sounds of the city outside. Small, round tables were situated around the shop, and the counter occupied the back corner of the room. Old fashioned tea kettles were arranged on shelves on the wall, and scones were arranged in a display case on the counter.

Narcissa took a seat near the window in the front of the store to wait for Antonin. From here, they could see into the muggle teashop located across the street if they wanted entertainment and the light coming in through the large window perfectly illuminated their table.


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[info]rooskiebusiness
2015-02-13 02:56 am UTC (link)
Antonin arrived shortly after Narcissa, bundled against the cold in a heavy winter cloak. Tucked under his arm was a gift wrapped box, which he presented to Narcissa as soon as he approached her at the table.

"Good afternoon," he greeted her. "I hope you were not waiting very long for me." To explain the box, he merely told her, "Happy Birthday, though it is several days late."

He took a seat opposite her. "Have you ordered yet?"

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[info]palepanache
2015-02-13 03:23 am UTC (link)
"Not at all. I just arrived myself." Narcissa tucked a napkin into her lap and raised a hand to summon the proprietor. He nodded that he'd be right there. "I haven't done anything but pick a table."

Once Antonin was seated, Narcissa picked up he box. "You're a darling for bringing this, Antonin. You didn't have to get me anything." She tugged off the ribbon and peeled back the paper.

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[info]rooskiebusiness
2015-02-13 04:25 am UTC (link)
"It would've been rude to neglect your birthday, what with everything you and your family have done for me." Since he had been released from Akzaban, Antonin came to depend on the friendship of the Malfoys while he recovered, and afterward, for support. If it had not been for them, Antonin did not know if he would've wanted to survive.

The box came from Madam Malkin's shop, which meant only one thing - Antonin created this dress, himself, specifically for Narcissa. It was a flattering design in an eye catching color, meant to draw attention to herself when she walked into a room.

Though Antonin did not say anything, he carefully watched Narcissa's reaction to see whether or not she was pleased.

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[info]palepanache
2015-02-13 05:08 am UTC (link)
Narcissa didn't often show any sort of emotion in public, but as she opened the package, she couldn't help but let a bit of her pleasure slip through. "Oh, Antonin." She ran her hand over the lace and then gently lifted the dress from the box.

Held free of the box, the dress looked even more lovely than it had folded. The shape was one Narcissa preferred, one that flattered her shape. Given that it was from Antonin, she assumed the size would be perfect, and indeed, it looked exactly right.

"It is absolutely lovely. Did you design it yourself?" She figured he had, but it was only polite to ask.

At that moment, the proprietor came over, and Narcissa ordered her tea and a scone.

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[info]rooskiebusiness
2015-02-13 03:28 pm UTC (link)
Humbly, Antonin glanced downward, but a small smile betrayed his pleasure upon seeing and hearing her favorable reaction. "I did. A stunning dress for an even more stunning woman. I thought you could perhaps wear it to one of your WICCA events."

He too, ordered a tea, but opted for a chocolate cake as a side. "How are your WICCA responsibilities? Not too taxing, I hope."

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[info]palepanache
2015-02-13 04:03 pm UTC (link)
"It will be perfect for that." Narcissa carefully tucked the dress back into the box and set it aside where it would be safe from crumbs and spills.

"It's not the responsibilities that are taxing with WICCA, Antonin." The responsibilities were the fun part. "Everything is going well with my plans there. Our next fundraiser is earmarked for the educational matters we discussed the last time you were over for dinner. I did have to volunteer to host the next meeting, though. I simply couldn't stand their appalling lack of hostess skills any longer."

The tea arrived then, and Narcissa took a long sip. "Lucius and I created a second parlor specifically for hosting people like them. We don't want them in the good parlor." She laughed, but then the grin faded. "I did have to pretend to be thrilled to host those mudbloods and muggle-lovers, though." She shuddered delicately.

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[info]rooskiebusiness
2015-02-14 02:23 am UTC (link)
Antonin added lemon to his tea and one cube of sugar before tasting. He grimaced when Narcissa told him about the facade she had to play in public. "There is no way for you to avoid inviting them into your home? It would be a shame to sully the halls of Malfoy Manor with their presence, as if their very existence would contaminate the place." He shook his head and set his cup down in its saucer. "I must play that game all day long, at the shop. There are some days..."

His voice trailed off, along with his vision, staring out the window to the street beyond, his mind captured by thoughts of violence and revenge.

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[info]palepanache
2015-02-14 07:50 am UTC (link)
"I would rather invite them over than go to one of their houses. I control Malfoy Manor. If I must deal with those people, I'd rather it be in a place I control." She agreed with Antonin that their presence would contaminate the place, but that was why she and Lucius had created the second parlor.

She put a hand on his arm. "I can only imagine how it must be to associate with those people every day. WICCA is only a few hours a month, and I have the right sort of support at events. I wish there was something we could do to help."

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[info]rooskiebusiness
2015-02-14 08:46 pm UTC (link)
"That is true," Antonin conceded. He couldn't imagine ever going to one of their houses. "It's quite a sacrifice. Perhaps if you built the new parlor detached from the rest of the Manor? Like a greenhouse? It could still look lovely without being blatantly insulting to them."

Sighing deeply, Antonin lowered his eyes in shame. Once, he held his head up high, but those days were now rare and far in between. Azkaban had taken its toll, and then needing to pretend day in and day out for the public... it was a humble experience. He muttered darkly, "There was a time when, with a deft stroke of my wand, I could save a man's life as a Healer, or take it for the Dark Lord's service. I am losing my patience in the face of these fools."

He glanced around to make sure that nobody was listening into their conversation: fortunately, the tea room was relatively empty and their table was in a private enough that nobody could hear. Then he continued in a confidential, but desperate tone. "When my patience is finally exhausted, I beg of you not to turn me away. I may need your protection. My mind is slipping, Narcissa. I am unable to maintain the facade as I once done."

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[info]palepanache
2015-02-15 06:42 am UTC (link)
"Oh, Antonin." Narcissa took his hand in both of hers. "You know you will always be welcome, but... there has to be something we can do before it gets that bad. A vacation, perhaps? You clearly need to get away from that horrible robe shop.

She tapped one finger against her chin as she thought, but kept the other wrapped around Antonin's. She and Lucius had talked about doing something to help Antonin for a while, but hadn't been able to come up with something that wouldn't be insulting. Now, though, that seemed like it might be the least of their concerns. If Antonin cracked, not only would out endanger all the right-minded individuals they were working with, but they would also risk losing a true friend. He would not survive Azkaban a second time.

It did not take Narcissa long to make a decision. She could not let Antonin continue like this for another day, and she was certain Lucius would agree with her. "Quit that horrid robe shop, Antonin. Leave your flat. Come stay with us for a while. We will figure out something else for you to do, something that uses your true talents." She knew Antonin had his pride, but this situation was clearly worse than she or Lucius had thought. "A break from daily inanity will do you good."

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[info]rooskiebusiness
2015-02-15 07:22 pm UTC (link)
The amount of Narcissa's care made Antonin's brow furrow with embarrassment and anxiety, revealing a vulnerable side of himself that was not seen by most. Maybe it was the way Narcissa vaguely reminded him of his late wife, taken away from him in the blossom of her youth. Or the fact that he'd rarely felt such kindness from anybody, especially after he was caught and incarcerated at Azkaban. With a sudden influx of emotion, he shook his head and reverted to his native Russian mumbling, "Nyet, nyet, ya ne mogu prinyat'... I... I can not accept."

Deep down, he knew this would be the best thing for him, but he protested, "Your reputation will be smeared and all that you are doing will be held under suspect if I came to stay at your house, a convict, a known Death Eater. Think of your family. I would not endanger them."

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[info]palepanache
2015-02-15 08:39 pm UTC (link)
"Having you stay with us won't harm our reputations any more than having you to dinner or me joining you for tea in public, Antonin." Narcissa wasn't going to let him out of this easily. Her mind was made up, and once she decided she wanted something, she always got her way. "And it will be far less dangerous than harboring you should you, ah, lose your patience."

She waited until Antonin looked up at her again. "Let Lucius and I worry about our reputations. We're respectable members of society... and so are you, since being released. You were reformed, remember?"

Her conspiratorial smile faded quickly. Antonin was too close to the edge and Narcissa wouldn't let petty concerns send him over it. "We will come up with a reason for you to stay with us, if you're concerned. Do you think you could convince the idiot woman who runs the robe shop to fire you?"

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[info]rooskiebusiness
2015-02-16 12:21 am UTC (link)
"I am reformed," Antonin bitterly corrected, "but I am no less of a criminal in their eyes. The only reason why I work at that miserable robe shop is because no one else would hire me, and even then, she dangles my past in front of me, to taunt and manipulate me. She has gone far as to once tell me that if I do not do as she demands, she will tell some cock and bull story to the Aurors that will have me arrested again."

A darkness fell upon Antonin's features, a dangerous intensity that burned in his eyes which reflected the madness developing in his mind. He dropped his voice to a mere whisper, for only Narcissa to hear, a whisper that would cause fear in lesser men. "I do not want to be fired. I want her dismembered by my own hands."

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[info]palepanache
2015-02-16 08:23 am UTC (link)
"She will be," Narcisa promised with steel in her tone. She would see that Antonin got to dismember Madame Malkin even if she had to incapacitate the woman herself. "It can't be yet, though. Even the idiots at the DMLE aren't so dim that they wouldn't look to you first. We need distance between you and her. Then you can act."

She took a deep breath and another sip of tea to gather her thoughts. As she set the cup down, the box with her new dress caught her eye and an idea began to form. If she could convince Antonin to hold on for just a few more days and get Hallam to cooperate, there might be a solution to Antonin's long-term problem.

The issue of what to do short-term still remained, though.

"Come stay with us for a week or two at least, Antonin. Please. For me. We'll find a way to get you the time off."

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[info]rooskiebusiness
2015-02-16 08:52 pm UTC (link)
It was a relief for Antonin that Narcissa didn't bat an eye when it came to the way he described what he wanted to do to Madam Malkin. "You are a treasure of a woman," Antonin said, graciously, "And Lucius is a very fortunate man."

But back to the topic at hand. Folding his hands upon the tabletop and lowering his gaze, he muttered, "Perhaps I could take a few days off. I see you will not take no for an answer." The last part was not meant to be cruel, but a was spoken with fond observation.

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[info]palepanache
2015-02-17 01:56 am UTC (link)
Narcissa smiled and nodded her head in acceptance of the praise, but easily accepted it as her due. Lucius was a very fortunate man, and had been for the past--Merlin!--twenty eight years.

"I always get my way, Antonin. Surely you knew that." She squeezed Antonin's hand gently. "Now, when can we expect you? I won't allow you to spend your vacation huddled in your flat." That would be almost as bad as letting him keep working. He needed distraction and association with like-minded individuals, not time to dwell on everything that was wrong.

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[info]rooskiebusiness
2015-02-17 03:16 am UTC (link)
"I... will need to let Malkin know. Perhaps in a week? If we are to maintain appearances..."

A grimace crossed Antonin's expression at the thought of working another week.

"Or I could tell her I've become ill."

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[info]palepanache
2015-02-17 03:49 am UTC (link)
Narcissa brightened at that suggestion. An immediate break was clearly needed. "Perfect. That gives you an excuse to come stay with us as well. After all, a man your age shouldn't stay alone when ill."

She finished her tea and set the cup and saucer aside. "I'll expect you tonight, then?"

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[info]rooskiebusiness
2015-02-17 03:58 am UTC (link)
Antonin accepted defeat at the hands of Narcissa. It wasn't as if he had a chance against her, anyway. But it was a defeat he could accept, for he knew that she was concerned only for his well being.

"Tonight. I shall have to return to Malkin and let her know my co-called condition, and then pack a bag."

The expression upon Antonin's face showed his gratitude.

"Spasibo," he muttered, truly indebted to her kindness.

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[info]palepanache
2015-02-17 04:34 am UTC (link)
"You're welcome." Narcissa would never let it show, but she was greatly relieved that Antonin had agreed to her suggestion. For a few minutes today she'd been genuinely concerned he would end up back in Axkaban, and soon. The chance to stop that from happening felt like a literal weight off her shoulders.

"And thank you again for the dress. I'm afraid I must head home now. Lucius left a note in my journal that he had something to tell me and I promised I wouldn't be too long." She kissed Antonin's cheek before gathering up her cloak and the dress box. "I will see you in a few hours."

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