Small Moves
Small Moves
By katbeseroc
Lucius comes home after seeing Lupin and Severus in the series starting with Dark Encounters: Unsettling Discoveries
Late Afternoon - June 28, 2004
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Her husband had not come home in the best of moods.
Narcissa knew enough of his habits and expressions by now to know his mood. As soon as he came home he disappeared into his study and locked the door behind him to brood. This wasn’t one of his sulks where he really wanted Narcissa to interrupt him and talk about it. This was most definitely one of his stay away or be hexed into next week times. And there were precious few things that could get him in that state.
She had a shrewd guess the root of the matter but had no idea what lead up to it.
When Lucius got like this there was little to nothing she could do. She knew in many ways his turning away from her now was really asking her if she was willing to follow him into hell. She was willing. The path was a familiar one. She had followed him into hell twice before. Lucius likely knew at some subconscious level she was trailing at his heels on those journeys, a silent bodyguard against any more harm while he fought the battle he needed to alone.
It was time for more of her quiet care.
“Tindy.” Narcissa called out.
Her house elf popped out of nowhere and bowed deeply, “Tindy here Mistress.”
“Lucius will not be dining with the family tonight. Please prepare a tray for him to be delivered to his study sideboard by magic.” She said softly
“Yes Mistress.” Tindy said.
“Prepare for him a rare steak,” Narcissa pursed her lips and thought, “By rare I mean if you stab it blood should come out. For desert two chocolate cream filled canollis covered in fresh whipped cream and strawberries. Get a full bottle of cabernet for during meal and a full bottle of Port for after. Both bottles should be from my private stock.”
“Salad course, Mistress?”
Narcissa frowned, “Add a small sprig of parsley to his plate.”
“Yes Mistress.”
“Oh and Tindy? I suggest you issue a magical chime before and after delivery of his meal. I don’t wish to have to replace another sideboard in his study again.” Narcissa waved a dismissal and the house elf disappeared.
Narcissa sighed deeply as she walked to her quarters, her own appetite completely vanishing. Her over active imagination turned possibility after possibility over in her mind. She set the bath to fill with hot bubble bath, stripped down and got in. Resting her head on the cushion she tried to will the stress and anxiety out of her body but it was no use.
After her fingers and toes began to prune she realized her worry was not going to fade with a bath. Instead she climbed out with a sigh, dried and dressed in her flannel pajamas.
Insomnia was returning to her like an old friend. Maybe now was a good time to catch up on her reading. She was always one to take any situation or condition and turn it to its most practical advantage. It was most certainly not because she was merely trying to distract herself from her own mental hand wringing.
Maybe if she kept telling herself that often enough, she might even come to believe it.