Week 5 Voting!

Oct 11, 2010 20:09

Well... Everyone got their drabbles in early, and I have an early morning tomorrow, so I'm starting voting early. It will end at the same time. Anyway...

Read the voting rules, please!

1. Please don’t vote for yourself or ask/coerce/blackmail others into voting for you.
2. If you submitted a drabble, you are required to vote.
3. Please vote for a Most and Second Favorite drabble. If you do not vote for both, your vote will not be counted.
4. Vote for the NUMBER, not the name. For the ease of the mods, please!
5. Don’t forget the prompt: '“If women believed in their husbands they would be a good deal happier - and also a good deal more foolish.” Henry Louis Mencken'

Feel free to comment about a given drabble; we’ll be sending out feedback from now on.

1. Author: flossiepots 
Title: A tea of sorts
Word Count: 253
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None

They met for tea, sitting in the gardens, feeding titbits of scone to the white peacocks, resolutely ignoring the darkened windows of the house, the meeting of Death Eaters taking place.
“Lucius doesn’t seem to be coping very well, Astoria. He asks my opinion on everything now, concerning his lord. He says everything’s going well, but that’s enough to worry me. You know what he’s usually like. Treats me like a child.” Narcissa stared down at the table, a frown breaking the carefully constructed blankness of her face.
Astoria took her hand, tense and cold inside a white glove, and pressed it between her own.
“That means it will be soon, Cissy. It can’t be much longer now. Soon the Dark Lord will be gone, and we can be together.”
Narcissa looked into her eyes, softening. They leaned towards each other, momentarily forgetting their roles as proud mother and prospective daughter-in-law, unaware of their public surroundings.
“Later...” Narcissa murmured into Astoria’s parted lips, and smiled up at Draco, who was just returning from the house with a pot of tea.
“So, how are you finding your OWL mocks, Astoria? Bet you’re glad for a break, aren’t you? A chance to see Draco?”
Astoria nodded, face turning from longing into a false image of adoration for Draco.
Neither of them needed to say what they both felt. Their whole relationship was full of silences and quiet looks, sneaked by in the midst of terror and death. That could wait until after. After the war.

2. Author: deirdre_aithne 
Title: Tea and Idle Conversation
Word Count: 350
Rating: PG
Warnings: None

“It is my experience, Astoria, that we are much happier when we have faith in our husbands,” Narcissa Malfoy said, plucking her delicate ceramic tea cup from the table between them and bringing it to her lips. There was a quiet clink as she replaced it on its saucer and turned her eyes back to the younger woman before her. “We are also a great deal more foolish.”

“How do you mean, Mrs. Malfoy?”

“Do not play games with me, Miss Greengrass,” Narcissa warned, her gaze turning icy although her tone maintained its pleasant lilt. “You know as well as everyone the history of our family.” Astoria had the grace to flush, her cheeks tinting with pink as she averted her eyes towards the caramel-colored tea in her cup.

“Are you saying it was your faith in Mr. Malfoy that caused you to...” Her voice trailed off, the awkwardness of the conversation finally rattling what confidence she had had when she entered the sitting room. Narcissa had invited her to tea in an effort to get to know her only son's fiancee, likely in hopes of forging some kind of congenial relationship with her.

“Join the Death Eaters?” Narcissa supplied. There was no shame in her voice, and when Astoria glanced up at her smooth features, she saw none in her expression, either. “What are reasons were, dear Astoria, they are our own.” If she had thought Narcissa's attitude towards her was icy before, it had become absolutely frigid now. In the back of her mind, Astoria had the distinct impression that perhaps the Malfoy family was a bit more of a snake's den then she had at first believed.

Gathering what little was left of her composure, she nodded briskly to the blonde woman, meeting her eyes determinedly. “Of course.” For a moment longer, their eyes remained locked, and Narcissa seemed to consider her rather thoroughly before returning her attention to her tea cup and taking a sip.

“But do remember my advice, should Draco's behavior ever become suspect.”

3. Author: valkyriekat 
Title: The Two Rings
Word Count: 378
Rating: PG
Warnings: a bit dark

Astoria had arrived at Malfoy Manor. Very much the country cousin (twice removed) was offered a seat in the paneled room where she was to meet her future mother-in-law. She tried to keep a positive outlook as Narcissa, a gentle, refined and proud woman, offered her a cup of tea.

She took the cup with a shaking hand. The rings. This was about their rings. The secret to a happy marriage, according to the Black family. She gave a nervous cough.

“Do you wish me to add a touch of lemon or honey to your tea? That sounds nasty.” Narcissa looked as if she were feeling nervous too. Astoria shook her head.

“Fetch Draco, Grimpy,” Narcissa demanded of her oldest house elf. The women waited, sipping politely and eyeing each others' status in clothing. Draco appeared, and he appeared delighted. He made a small bow to both women and sat down. Lucius hovered in the doorway, now thin and hunched, yet still cool and intimidating.

“The rings, Grimpy,” Narcissa said softly.

“Do you give consent for me to pass these rings of the Black family down to you?” she asked Astoria.

“Why, yes of course, if you tell me the secret,”Astoria was not without guile.

Grimpy came back with two boxes, puffing due to age. “Do you consent to wear it if I tell you the secret to marital bliss?” Narcissa asked.

“I shall, or hack off my own ring finger,” Astoria said.

Narcissa winced. “I hope that is not necessary. The rings are cursed. When you are bonded if you should leave Draco, a Vow would be broken, and your sex would shrivel and become useless to you.” Narcissa smiled an ironic smile. “And in a year, you would die.”

“And Draco's ring?” asked a shaken but smooth Astoria.

“Merely bonds you to him. His ring commands yours.” Narcissa said in a quiet voice. Draco's eyes were slits.

“I won't be foolish enough not to listen to my husband, then,” Astoria would do anything for love. She didn't even blink. It was old-fashioned, but she was basically a simple girl.

Draco smirked and kissed his fiancé on the forehead. “The recipe of marital success,” he said.

4. Author: illusionrain 
Title: Waste Not, Want Not
Word Count: 486
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None really, except kissing.

It’s laughable how Lucius thinks he can get away with it. Like Narcissa doesn’t know, doesn’t catch those sideways glances he exchanges with the wench at Ministry related events. This evening is no different and Narcissa has to grip her champagne flute that much harder to stop herself from marching right over there and -

“Good evening, Madame Malfoy.”

She turns to see the person addressing her so formally and falters. Astoria is looking at her like she’s the only one here and it’s the last thing she expects. She clears her throat a little and glances surreptitiously around the room. There are much more interesting people about, much more interesting than one fuming witch alone. Why would Astoria approach her? Never mind that her son’s wedding is ever looming in the distance.

“Can I help you?” drawls Narcissa as she stares into her champagne and fervently hopes Astoria isn’t here to comment on her husband’s whereabouts. She chances a look at her companion and their eyes lock, a mutual understanding passing between them. “Is it Draco?” she whispers coolly, blue eyes scouring the room again to find her son.

“Over by the refreshments,” Astoria responds dismissively, “but no, I’m not here about him.”

Narcissa looks up and hides her surprise behind a sneer. “So you just enjoy my company, do you?” She takes a sip of her champagne and pretends her eyes don’t dart in Lucius’ direction.

“You could say that.” Narcissa feels her mouth go dry as Astoria’s gaze sweeps along her body, assessing. “But I digress. It appears you do not enjoy mine.” The young woman stiffly turns on her heels, ready to leave now that her pride has been offended, even minutely.

Before she can get too far, Narcissa grabs one slim wrist and yanks the girl back, nearly sloshing her champagne onto both their robes. She doesn’t spill a drop, though, and when she raises her eyes to meet Astoria’s brilliant green, she smiles a more genuine one than she has all evening. “You cannot know what I enjoy and what I don’t.” There is an edge to her voice, testing, and Astoria seems to recognize it.

Green eyes darken and there is a telling strain in the young woman’s voice. “Would you show me what it is you like, should I ask?”

Narcissa glances once more at Lucius and the wench that sidles up to him. When her attention returns to Astoria, she has already made her decision. “I see nothing wrong with that.”

She doesn’t think of her husband or her son as she tugs the young woman away from the throngs of people, away from everything. She doesn’t think until they are in a secluded alleyway outside the Ministry. Then she presses her lips to the trembling ones offered up to her and breathes in the taste of mint and the smell of liquorice. Something new and wholly untainted.

5.Author: bendleshnitz1 
Title: Narcissus
Word Count: 498
Rating: R
Warnings: Femmeslash. Narcissism. Dub-con at first. Mentions of infidelity.

As the orange light of sunset entered through the large window of Narcissa's bedroom, Astoria barged in. The door slammed behind her as she ran to her mother-in-law with tears running down her face. She collapsed at Narcissa's feet, sobbing against her velvet dress.

Placing the book she was reading on the silver table at her side, Narcissa started caressing Astoria's blonde hair. "Shhh, it's alright, dear," she cooed softly.

"It's not, Mrs. Malfoy!" Astoria muttered, sniffing against a wrinkled handkerchief.

"What did my son do this time?" she asked patiently, remembering the many times Astoria had run to her, looking for comfort after having her heart broken by Draco. Like father, like son...

Astoria looked up into Narcissa's eyes. Her lips quivered, threatening more uncontrollable sobs. "He...he was with P-Parkinson...again!"

"Oh, sweet girl. As much as it hurts me to tell you this, I warned you."

"But he promised!"

Narcissa smiled sympathetically. "It is easier to believe him than knowing the truth; I know it is. But it is not smarter."

Astoria kept looking intently at Narcissa's eyes, trying her best not to disrespect the woman by screaming at her. Of course she believed in her husband; he had promised. Draco swore not to cheat on her ever again. She had to believe him, or else her marriage was going to be even more miserable than her parents'.

Narcissa smiled knowingly, cupping Astoria's chin in her hand. "You're so much like me. So vulnerable! I felt impotent and used too; but the dignity and pride I felt by being a Malfoy showed in every fiber of my body, eliciting this... respect and fear from other people that made the suffering worth it. It's the same reason you're here crying and not packing your belongings and leaving Draco."

Astoria averted her eyes as Narcissa continued. "I looked just like you when I was wedded to Lucius. Pale, taut skin... so soft and young. Vibrant blue eyes, just like yours; so full of life and hope." She laughed softly. "If only I knew better back then..." Narcissa continued stroking Astoria's long hair. She sighed, looking nostalgic as she whispered. "My hair was as beautiful as yours. Everyone in my family envied it; all of them having black hair... My sister Bellatrix cut it off one night. She was so jealous... The next day, it just grew back, more beautiful than before." Narcissa's hand caressed the side of Astoria's neck, down her shoulders, softly pulling down her elegant dress and exposing more pale skin. "Toned body, graceful and elegant. With perfect breasts that drove my husband mad with desire," she said in a huskier voice as her hand went down to cup Astoria's perky left breast.

Astoria couldn't help but gasp. Narcissa's words were as intense as the look in her eyes, and she was caught up in the descriptions enough to ignore the moisture in her knickers.

"Please, go on," Astoria whispered, closing her eyes and forgetting about Draco.

voting, week 5: narcissa/astoria

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