Challenge Submission
Title: Obligatory Holiday
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Romance, Angst, PWP
Word Count: 3952
Summary: Narcissa Malfoy’s life has gone from bad to worse since her husband was imprisoned and her son became a fugitive. Setting out for one last holiday abroad, she finds pleasure in the arms of Severus Snape.
Author’s Notes: This work is a follow-up to Obligation, coauthored by laudomia, which can be found one entry below.
The new story is .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Narcissa Malfoy huffed with exasperation as she shouldered her way through the crowd. Harried witches tugging over-packed trunks hustled their snot-nosed children through the sooty air. Attendants in sulfur-yellow robes hurried to and fro, refilling Floo powder pots. Flickering green light from the active fireplaces filled the large terminal, as wizards and witches from every walk of life hurried through it to their destinations.
As humiliating as it was to have to travel via the Floo network due to her strained finances, it was impossibly burdensome to be forced to carry her own belongings at the Flooport. Since Apparition had become next to impossible given the thick fog that had descended over London with the advance of the Dementors, the Ministry had hastily constructed this centralized location in London to help channel the increased traffic in the network. Everyone, it seemed, was rushing to get to a safer location out of the way of the fractured conflict.
As she longed for a house-elf to relieve her of her load, Narcissa consoled herself with the thought, At least Deeble will be reminded of proper house-elf deportment whilst at Mother’s! Druella had issued reassurances that her daughter’s house-elf, Deeble, Dobby’s replacement, would not be treated with kid gloves but given a hearty regime of housecleaning and cooking to maintain her skills until Narcissa could manage to reopen the Manor.
Narcissa sighed, thinking of the last few days, which had been spent boarding up Malfoy Manor. The wizarding economy was in ruins, given Voldemort’s return and the confusion that followed Dumbledore’s death. The Malfoy portfolio was worth a mere fraction of its previous value, and Narcissa’s income had all but vanished. To contend with her financial difficulties, she had been forced to take drastic measures to avoid selling off property. After she’d sent away her staff and elves, she had packed up the Malfoy family valuables and charmed the locked vaults so that no one would gain access to them in her absence.
Reasoning that it was her final change for relaxation, with the last of her money, Narcissa booked a holiday stay in the Carpathian Mountains at a tiny wizarding resort frequented by the pureblood elite. She’d considered a sun-filled trip to Monaco to visit cousin Tempestua but didn’t think she could handle the social pressures of the season. She needed solitude and time to think, to renew, and perhaps to hope. The cool mountain air would refresh her, and Narcissa assumed that the proper, pureblooded Poles in the resort town would likely draw no attention from Voldemort’s forces. Narcissa’s acute need for rejuvenation stemmed from the fact that upon her return, she would seek employment to carry her through to better times. Though she told herself her wretched situation was only temporary, in her darkest hours she despaired over what her life had become and might well remain.
Lucius had been imprisoned at Azkaban for over a year, and Draco had been on the run for six weeks. Though he had managed to communicate with her on two occasions, Narcissa had no idea as to his exact whereabouts or whether he still served the Dark Lord. Merlin help him if he’s betrayed Voldemort! She loved the men in her life and would not forsake them, but at times she wondered at the apparent ease with which they’d abandoned her to the meager existence that had become her life.
Narcissa reasoned that Severus Snape, Draco’s protector, would make certain that wherever Draco was and whatever he was doing he would be under the watchful eye of Voldemort’s most highly placed spy. The Unbreakable Vow that Snape had sworn to Narcissa had ensured that commitment, as had a blissful dalliance the two had shared to further deepen Snape’s obligation to Narcissa.
Remembering the feel of Snape’s lithe, slender body against hers, Narcissa started as a booming voice shook the hall. “I’m sorry, witches and wizards but due to an electrical storm in Düsseldorf, all Floo travel through the Netherlands, northern Germany, and Poland will be delayed whilst repairs can are made. Please see a network representative for assistance.”
Drat! That’s my route! This can’t be happening! Where is the bloody representative? Narcissa looked around to see an agitated wizard in a formal, navy blue robe being besieged by angry travelers. Despairing, she collapsed onto a bench and choked back a frustrated sob.
“Right bunch of tossers, that lot!” said a spike-haired witch next to her. As the woman wrestled with a screaming toddler in her arms, the witch made an rude gesture toward the network representative. “Might as well lay up at the Leaky Cauldron for the night. Knight Bus is due in a mo’.” The witch picked up the toddler, and grabbed the hand of an older boy holding a warty toad, and departed.
That’s another Galleon gone if I stay overnight in Diagon Alley, Narcissa lamented. But she carefully considered her options and decided it was the best choice as she’d be sure to arrive in time to catch the Floo when it reopened. Wearily, she hoisted her bag and exited to the street.
Stepping into the night air, Narcissa found the acrid odors that typified London’s streets these days assaulting her. She grimaced. The Knight Bus appeared, nearly running over the spike-haired witch, who protested loudly as she hustled her children aboard.
As the doors to the bus swung open, a fetid odor rushed out of the bus, nearly causing Narcissa to turn around to spend the night in the terminal. Weariness got the better of her, however, and she boarded and paid the porter, who had a nose so narrow and pointy, it could have speared parchment. There were no other passengers aboard the bus, save those she boarded with, so she chose a seat in the rearmost corner of the bus where she could rest in the shadows until she reached Diagon Alley. Settling onto a large sofa covered with worn leather, Narcissa stowed her bag at her feet and hugged herself against the chilly air.
As the Knight Bus thundered through the city’s streets, jerking and bumping, Narcissa watched the spike-haired witch calm her children with kisses and hugs, tucking them into a bed. The witch then settled down with them, caressing each child’s cheek as she sang them softly to sleep. Narcissa fought back tears as the need to hear from Draco grew physically painful, and the longing for her own husband nearly broke her heart.
Narcissa Malfoy was so very lonely.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“Fancy meeting you here, Narcissa.” Velvet and silk played at the edges of her dream. That voice! When she’d last heard it, it had moaned softly against her neck as Severus Snape ravaged her in the library of Malfoy Manor. Realizing this, she woke with a start to look around. The Knight Bus still rumbled through the streets. No one, it appeared, was nearby; the other travelers on the bus were all asleep.
I must have been dreaming, she concluded.
The seat next to her depressed, the scuffed leather crinkling downward. Her eyes were wide with alarm until she heard his unmistakable voice whisper, “It is Severus, Narcissa. Do not show any sign that something is amiss. I am Disillusioned.”
Narcissa looked very closely and thought she could see the outline of the man blur as he moved. Though Disillusionment caused the individual to meld into his background, a discerning eye might still catch a glimpse of the charmed during movement.
Digging through her purse, Narcissa found her compact and held an oval mirror in front of her face to conceal her as she spoke. As she dipped her Puffskein-hide puff into the powder and then dabbed it on her pert nose, she asked, “How is my son, Severus? I’ve been most dismayed at the lack of information. Have you forgotten your obligation to me?”
She felt her skin shiver with delight as Severus leaned close to her, his lips brushing against her earlobe, he replied, a smile evident in his voice. “I have no formal Vow to bind me to you any longer, Narcissa.”
“Indeed, you do! We have an understanding,” Narcissa countered, turning her head to allow her lips to brush softly against his. The thrill she felt at his nearness was intensified by her utter state of loneliness.
Returning her light kiss, Severus trailed his lips along her cheek as he mouthed, “Perhaps,” invisibly against her cheek, then continued more audibly, “Draco is fine. I’ve advised him to limit his communications for the moment. Both sides are looking in earnest for him: the Ministry for his role in Dumbledore’s death, and the Dark Lord for his failure to carry out his task.” Narcissa shivered again as she felt a long finger stroke the column of her neck. “So lovely,” Severus noted. “At any rate, Draco is fine.”
Narcissa leaned over to place her bag on the floor as she asked, “What are you doing here?”
Severus sighed, and Narcissa felt him shift his position so he no longer leaned against her. Oh, don’t pull away! she thought as he responded, “Tracking that blasted Potter, who determined to see himself and his friends killed. He’s on his way to…. Never mind, Narcissa, I shan’t bore you. What are you doing?”
Holding a book in front of her to conceal their conversation, Narcissa conveyed her predicament to Snape in whispered tones, divulging the ruination of the Malfoy fortune and the fact that she was taking one last holiday before being forced to seek employment. When she finished, Severus was silent for a long spell.
“Severus, did you hear me?”
“I did.”
“No one cares at all about me, Severus. Draco’s off having fun, and though I wouldn’t trade places with my Lucius, I feel quite put out that I’m left to deal with the sodding mess all alone,” Narcissa pouted.
“Draco is not having fun, my dear. Living a life in exile is neither easy nor fun. At any rate, it sounds as though you’ve formulated and executed the only acceptable plan, Narcissa. Where shall you work?”
“I first looked into working at a couture shop in Regency Plaza in Paris, just as a saleclerk, but there’s hardly any business there these days. I’ve settled for a position at my uncle Rosier’s firm. He handles legal transactions for most of the old, pureblood families. It’s all I could find. I’ll be staying with Mother in London while I work there.”
“And so you thought you’d head to the mountains before being confined to an office,” Severus recapped flatly.
“Yes, until the end to this Merlin-forsaken war!” Narcissa exclaimed, and remembering her situation, she lowered her voice before asking, “Our side is winning, aren’t we, Severus?”
“Our side, Narcissa? I fear that there will be no victor in this war.”
“What do you mean?” Narcissa asked as she reached for Severus’ Disillusioned hand, finding his thigh instead. But when she went to move her hand, Severus placed his atop hers, stroking her with his cool fingers.
“Never mind,” Severus replied evasively. “I do not wish to discuss it. I must prepare to find that blasted Potter once we reach Diagon Alley.”
Narcissa wondered why Severus was tracking Harry Potter. On a mission for Voldemort, I suppose. The play of Severus’ fingers against her skin was comforting to her. Her loneliness had dissipated with his presence and the physical contact with him had a familiar, welcome feel to it.
Slowly, she began to move her fingers against the wool of his trousers, stroking his inner thigh in small circles. Narcissa felt him relax and heard him sigh. She smiled as she observed her effect on him.
“Severus, I’m letting a room in the Leaky Cauldron for the night. Where will you be staying?” Narcissa confessed. “I’ve missed your company.” As she spoke, she trailed her fingers up until they reached the buttons of his trousers. “And perhaps, we might discuss our agreement with one another,” Narcissa offered, as she stroked his erection through the fabric. A hiss escaped from Severus’ lips at her touch.
“I might be convinced to lodge nearby,” Severus allowed as Narcissa felt him lean against her once again, gently biting her shoulder through the silk of her robe. The feel of his teeth nipping at her skin flamed her arousal. Distracted, Narcissa dropped the book with a thump. As she retrieved it, she heard Severus chuckling softly.
“The Leaky Cauldron!” the pointy-nosed porter announced from the front of the bus when it lurched to a stop. Narcissa had been so diverted, she hadn’t noticed they were so near. What would happen now?
As she stood, Narcissa reached out and whispered, “Severus?” but found no one there.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“Yes, one for the night,” Naricssa told Tom, the keeper at the Leaky Cauldron.
If I’m not mistaken, that Lucius Malfoy’s wife. What in the devil is she doing here? Tom thought as he noticed the fine pearls at Narcissa’s throat and her flowing outer robe of dove-gray silk. Her platinum hair was loose, cascading over her shoulders as regarded him with unveiled scorn. She’s got a scowl that would cut glass. No wonder Malfoy chose Azkaban o’er this! “That’ll be a Galleon, miss,” Tom said as he ran a hand over his smooth, bald head.
Narcissa shoved a gold coin across the worn wood of the front desk and sniffed, “Will there be anyone to take my bags to my room?”
“Yes, miss, I will myself,” Tom said as he hurried from behind the desk to pick up Narcissa’s case, tottering toward the stairs as she followed.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On the third flights of steps, Narcissa stifled a gasp as she felt a hand on her bum. Glancing behind her, she saw no one in the dimly lit stairwell. Ah, Severus! You have followed me. Excellent, as I’ve much for you to do. We must discuss your bringing Draco back to me..
“Here you are, room number seven. Will you be needing anything else this evening?” Tom said as he unlocked the door with a flick of his wand, lowering the bag to the floor.
“No, thank you,” Narcissa replied, edging past him into the room, regarding the worn furniture with distain. She felt Severus whisper by her invisibly and then felt him press against her back. Quickly, she closed the door, removing her wand from the pocket inside the breast of her robe and locked the door, adding a Silencing Charm as an afterthought.
“Severus?” An unseen arm slid around her narrow waist and she felt his mouth sliding from her collarbone up over her neck to her chin. She wriggled in his arms and found his mouth with her fingertips. She kissed him urgently, moaning with pent-up frustration as she held his face in her hands. Breaking away, she demanded, “Let me see you!”
Disillusioning himself, Narcissa gasped and backed away in horror as she found herself looking at a Severus Snape vastly different than she remembered. Sweet Merlin! What has happened to you?
“Severus! What has happened to you?” Severus Snape had always been thin and sallow, but the man that stood before her had a haunted, debilitated air about him. Where was the man with whom she’d spend that wonderful night?! His skin had a grayish cast and his hair was more lank than was typical, and it fell in stringy ropes around his face, parted by his sharp brow, nose and chin.
Snape rolled his black eyes, countering, “Do you really want to know, Narcissa? Why would you care?”
“But I do, Severus! We are bound together! Are things so bad?”
Severus walked to collapse in a bedside chair, which creaked when he did so. “My role in this war is complicated, Narcissa. I hardly think that you would be able to understand.”
Narcissa bristled indignantly. I understand more than you think! Oh, the things I have gone through! “Try me, Snape. You underestimate me. Don’t you forget that I’ve handled the fiasco that’s become my life quite well, thank you, including securing your help in protecting my precious boy.” Narcissa stalked toward him, leveling a finger at him. “I’ll have you know that should my husband and son ever return to me, they’ll find our estate in one piece, though not of its former grandeur. That’s more than most pureblood families will have by the time this is all over.”
Severus regarded her carefully, holding his fingers templed near his lips. “Narcissa…my role is most complicated…”
“But you are still looking after my son, aren’t you?” she interrupted. hands on her hips.
Snape stood and scowled, “Yes, yes, your brat of a son is well-attended. Zabini’s family sees to that.”
Anger flickered briefly in Narcissa’s eye, but she softened quickly, realizing that she still needed to parry Snape’s favor. “Then what have you been doing? What has changed you so?” Narcissa grasped Severus’ arm and met his eye to ask directly, “Severus, are you still in league with the Dark Lord?”
“Yes, Narcissa, I am,” Severus said with a sigh.
“Is that why you’re tracking Potter?”
Severus ran his fingers through his hair, and then pinched the bridge of his nose. “I cannot say,” he rasped, dropping into the chair again.
Suddenly, Narcissa felt sympathy for Severus, realizing, Here is a man who suffers as I do! Too much has been asked of both of us! Narcissa knelt between his legs. “Oh Severus, we are in such miserable positions! Each of us must do another’s bidding, and they care not a Fwooper’s feather for us!”
“Our positions are hardly comparable,” Severus said wryly, smoothing a calloused hand over her cheek. As he did so, Narcissa turned to kiss his palm.
“Perhaps not, but we understand each other, don’t we?” Narcissa slid her hands between his knees, and up along his inner thighs. “And we can help one another, can’t we, Severus?” she asked sweetly, her blue eyes wide.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What exactly do you understand, Narcissa? Severus thought. Because you’ve been forced from your splendor, you think you’ve experienced my hardship? Hardly.
“I understand that you’ve been lonely, am I right, Narcissa?” Snape asked, grasping Narcissa’s hands as he stood, pulling her up with him.
“Oh, yes, so very lonely!” Narcissa admitted, slipping her arms around his neck. “Haven’t you?”
“You might say that,” Severus responded noncommittally as he smoothed a tendril of her hair behind her ear. He grasped her hips and pulled her toward him.
“Let me help you, Severus. We’ve assisted one another in the past, why can’t we continue to do so?” Narcissa asked as she arched against him and her mouth crushed his with an urgent kiss.
Lonely, indeed. Severus reached down and lifted her, one arm behind her shoulders and the other behind her knees. Dropping her unceremoniously on the bed, he disrobed them both with a thought. Looking down into her smoky eyes, he thought, Legilimens! In her mind, he saw only feral need and selfish manipulation. No hint of love, only lust and desire. Nor did she intend to deceive him to either side. He broke the intrusion; he had to be sure. No one could be trusted and he would not bed any witch without being sure she would not betray him. No one knew of his alliances, and no one would.
Reaching up, Narcissa grasped his stiffness and stroked. The sensation overwhelmed him and caused Severus to throw back his head. His delight intensified when he felt her kneel before him and take him into her mouth. Her warm tongue slid over his tip, swirling wetness encasing him. Stroking her hair for a moment, he pushed her head firmly down on his length and she engulfed him. A moan escaped his mouth as she serviced him.
“Narcissa! Yes, that’s it!”
Too soon, Severus stopped her ministrations as he felt his end draw near. Pushing Narcissa back onto the pillows, he lay next to her and stroked her nipples. They were hard and rosy, and reminded him a bit of ripe raspberries. Smiling to himself, he nipped on of them lightly between his teeth, causing Narcissa to gasp.
“Severus! I need you!”
“You must wait a moment, Narcissa. I need to…collect myself briefly.”
Reaching over, he pulled her full breasts together and flicked his tongue firmly over one nipple, then moved to the other. Plucking one at a time while licking the other, Severus felt Narcissa move as her hands moved down and she began to pleasure herself.
“Oh!” Narcissa gasped as nearly immediately, her body began to spasm in orgasm.
Desperate witch! However have you survived without a wizard to satisfy you? As soon as her body quieted, he moved over her and thrust his tip against her slick opening.
As he did so, Narcissa’s hands moved to his hips and pulled him into her. Severus entered her in one stroke, and found that she began to set the pace of their lovemaking, hungrily, needily. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he pulled her onto him, thrusting as deeply into her as he could, over and over again. Narcissa cried out, agony and ecstasy mingling in her voice.
Her appetite will swiftly undo me! As the thought ran through his mind, Severus felt his cock grow harder and felt heat surge through him as he climaxed. He felt Narcissa grabbing and clenching all around him, pulling him in deeper, as he collapsed onto her, holding her tightly as he grunted, waves of pleasure washing through him.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hours later, Severus looked down at Narcissa, who slept quietly in the moonlight that filtered through the dingy lace curtains. He buttoned his inky robe, slipping the hood over his head, and then cast a Disillusionment charm on himself. As his form faded into the background, he thought, I may soon need yourhelp, Narcissa. Enjoy your holiday, my sweet, for having bed you once again, I know that you will do whatever I need. If you don’t, the life you find burdensome already will become unbearable. All it would take is but one letter, addressed to a certain cell in Azkaban. Blowing a final kiss her way, Severus opened the door and left Narcissa’s room.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Author’s Notes: I want to credit the idea that the haze and fog created by Dementor activity to Harriet Evans, who in her story “A Few Small Steps” on MNFF suggested that it would interfere with safe Apparition. It was just the problem I needed for Narcissa. Additionally, I must credit HP Lexicon for all sorts of useful information, including the name of Narcissa’s mother. Thank you to Laudomia for beta reading an earlier version of this story.
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Romance, Angst, PWP
Word Count: 3952
Summary: Narcissa Malfoy’s life has gone from bad to worse since her husband was imprisoned and her son became a fugitive. Setting out for one last holiday abroad, she finds pleasure in the arms of Severus Snape.
Author’s Notes: This work is a follow-up to Obligation, coauthored by laudomia, which can be found one entry below.
The new story is .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Narcissa Malfoy huffed with exasperation as she shouldered her way through the crowd. Harried witches tugging over-packed trunks hustled their snot-nosed children through the sooty air. Attendants in sulfur-yellow robes hurried to and fro, refilling Floo powder pots. Flickering green light from the active fireplaces filled the large terminal, as wizards and witches from every walk of life hurried through it to their destinations.
As humiliating as it was to have to travel via the Floo network due to her strained finances, it was impossibly burdensome to be forced to carry her own belongings at the Flooport. Since Apparition had become next to impossible given the thick fog that had descended over London with the advance of the Dementors, the Ministry had hastily constructed this centralized location in London to help channel the increased traffic in the network. Everyone, it seemed, was rushing to get to a safer location out of the way of the fractured conflict.
As she longed for a house-elf to relieve her of her load, Narcissa consoled herself with the thought, At least Deeble will be reminded of proper house-elf deportment whilst at Mother’s! Druella had issued reassurances that her daughter’s house-elf, Deeble, Dobby’s replacement, would not be treated with kid gloves but given a hearty regime of housecleaning and cooking to maintain her skills until Narcissa could manage to reopen the Manor.
Narcissa sighed, thinking of the last few days, which had been spent boarding up Malfoy Manor. The wizarding economy was in ruins, given Voldemort’s return and the confusion that followed Dumbledore’s death. The Malfoy portfolio was worth a mere fraction of its previous value, and Narcissa’s income had all but vanished. To contend with her financial difficulties, she had been forced to take drastic measures to avoid selling off property. After she’d sent away her staff and elves, she had packed up the Malfoy family valuables and charmed the locked vaults so that no one would gain access to them in her absence.
Reasoning that it was her final change for relaxation, with the last of her money, Narcissa booked a holiday stay in the Carpathian Mountains at a tiny wizarding resort frequented by the pureblood elite. She’d considered a sun-filled trip to Monaco to visit cousin Tempestua but didn’t think she could handle the social pressures of the season. She needed solitude and time to think, to renew, and perhaps to hope. The cool mountain air would refresh her, and Narcissa assumed that the proper, pureblooded Poles in the resort town would likely draw no attention from Voldemort’s forces. Narcissa’s acute need for rejuvenation stemmed from the fact that upon her return, she would seek employment to carry her through to better times. Though she told herself her wretched situation was only temporary, in her darkest hours she despaired over what her life had become and might well remain.
Lucius had been imprisoned at Azkaban for over a year, and Draco had been on the run for six weeks. Though he had managed to communicate with her on two occasions, Narcissa had no idea as to his exact whereabouts or whether he still served the Dark Lord. Merlin help him if he’s betrayed Voldemort! She loved the men in her life and would not forsake them, but at times she wondered at the apparent ease with which they’d abandoned her to the meager existence that had become her life.
Narcissa reasoned that Severus Snape, Draco’s protector, would make certain that wherever Draco was and whatever he was doing he would be under the watchful eye of Voldemort’s most highly placed spy. The Unbreakable Vow that Snape had sworn to Narcissa had ensured that commitment, as had a blissful dalliance the two had shared to further deepen Snape’s obligation to Narcissa.
Remembering the feel of Snape’s lithe, slender body against hers, Narcissa started as a booming voice shook the hall. “I’m sorry, witches and wizards but due to an electrical storm in Düsseldorf, all Floo travel through the Netherlands, northern Germany, and Poland will be delayed whilst repairs can are made. Please see a network representative for assistance.”
Drat! That’s my route! This can’t be happening! Where is the bloody representative? Narcissa looked around to see an agitated wizard in a formal, navy blue robe being besieged by angry travelers. Despairing, she collapsed onto a bench and choked back a frustrated sob.
“Right bunch of tossers, that lot!” said a spike-haired witch next to her. As the woman wrestled with a screaming toddler in her arms, the witch made an rude gesture toward the network representative. “Might as well lay up at the Leaky Cauldron for the night. Knight Bus is due in a mo’.” The witch picked up the toddler, and grabbed the hand of an older boy holding a warty toad, and departed.
That’s another Galleon gone if I stay overnight in Diagon Alley, Narcissa lamented. But she carefully considered her options and decided it was the best choice as she’d be sure to arrive in time to catch the Floo when it reopened. Wearily, she hoisted her bag and exited to the street.
Stepping into the night air, Narcissa found the acrid odors that typified London’s streets these days assaulting her. She grimaced. The Knight Bus appeared, nearly running over the spike-haired witch, who protested loudly as she hustled her children aboard.
As the doors to the bus swung open, a fetid odor rushed out of the bus, nearly causing Narcissa to turn around to spend the night in the terminal. Weariness got the better of her, however, and she boarded and paid the porter, who had a nose so narrow and pointy, it could have speared parchment. There were no other passengers aboard the bus, save those she boarded with, so she chose a seat in the rearmost corner of the bus where she could rest in the shadows until she reached Diagon Alley. Settling onto a large sofa covered with worn leather, Narcissa stowed her bag at her feet and hugged herself against the chilly air.
As the Knight Bus thundered through the city’s streets, jerking and bumping, Narcissa watched the spike-haired witch calm her children with kisses and hugs, tucking them into a bed. The witch then settled down with them, caressing each child’s cheek as she sang them softly to sleep. Narcissa fought back tears as the need to hear from Draco grew physically painful, and the longing for her own husband nearly broke her heart.
Narcissa Malfoy was so very lonely.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“Fancy meeting you here, Narcissa.” Velvet and silk played at the edges of her dream. That voice! When she’d last heard it, it had moaned softly against her neck as Severus Snape ravaged her in the library of Malfoy Manor. Realizing this, she woke with a start to look around. The Knight Bus still rumbled through the streets. No one, it appeared, was nearby; the other travelers on the bus were all asleep.
I must have been dreaming, she concluded.
The seat next to her depressed, the scuffed leather crinkling downward. Her eyes were wide with alarm until she heard his unmistakable voice whisper, “It is Severus, Narcissa. Do not show any sign that something is amiss. I am Disillusioned.”
Narcissa looked very closely and thought she could see the outline of the man blur as he moved. Though Disillusionment caused the individual to meld into his background, a discerning eye might still catch a glimpse of the charmed during movement.
Digging through her purse, Narcissa found her compact and held an oval mirror in front of her face to conceal her as she spoke. As she dipped her Puffskein-hide puff into the powder and then dabbed it on her pert nose, she asked, “How is my son, Severus? I’ve been most dismayed at the lack of information. Have you forgotten your obligation to me?”
She felt her skin shiver with delight as Severus leaned close to her, his lips brushing against her earlobe, he replied, a smile evident in his voice. “I have no formal Vow to bind me to you any longer, Narcissa.”
“Indeed, you do! We have an understanding,” Narcissa countered, turning her head to allow her lips to brush softly against his. The thrill she felt at his nearness was intensified by her utter state of loneliness.
Returning her light kiss, Severus trailed his lips along her cheek as he mouthed, “Perhaps,” invisibly against her cheek, then continued more audibly, “Draco is fine. I’ve advised him to limit his communications for the moment. Both sides are looking in earnest for him: the Ministry for his role in Dumbledore’s death, and the Dark Lord for his failure to carry out his task.” Narcissa shivered again as she felt a long finger stroke the column of her neck. “So lovely,” Severus noted. “At any rate, Draco is fine.”
Narcissa leaned over to place her bag on the floor as she asked, “What are you doing here?”
Severus sighed, and Narcissa felt him shift his position so he no longer leaned against her. Oh, don’t pull away! she thought as he responded, “Tracking that blasted Potter, who determined to see himself and his friends killed. He’s on his way to…. Never mind, Narcissa, I shan’t bore you. What are you doing?”
Holding a book in front of her to conceal their conversation, Narcissa conveyed her predicament to Snape in whispered tones, divulging the ruination of the Malfoy fortune and the fact that she was taking one last holiday before being forced to seek employment. When she finished, Severus was silent for a long spell.
“Severus, did you hear me?”
“I did.”
“No one cares at all about me, Severus. Draco’s off having fun, and though I wouldn’t trade places with my Lucius, I feel quite put out that I’m left to deal with the sodding mess all alone,” Narcissa pouted.
“Draco is not having fun, my dear. Living a life in exile is neither easy nor fun. At any rate, it sounds as though you’ve formulated and executed the only acceptable plan, Narcissa. Where shall you work?”
“I first looked into working at a couture shop in Regency Plaza in Paris, just as a saleclerk, but there’s hardly any business there these days. I’ve settled for a position at my uncle Rosier’s firm. He handles legal transactions for most of the old, pureblood families. It’s all I could find. I’ll be staying with Mother in London while I work there.”
“And so you thought you’d head to the mountains before being confined to an office,” Severus recapped flatly.
“Yes, until the end to this Merlin-forsaken war!” Narcissa exclaimed, and remembering her situation, she lowered her voice before asking, “Our side is winning, aren’t we, Severus?”
“Our side, Narcissa? I fear that there will be no victor in this war.”
“What do you mean?” Narcissa asked as she reached for Severus’ Disillusioned hand, finding his thigh instead. But when she went to move her hand, Severus placed his atop hers, stroking her with his cool fingers.
“Never mind,” Severus replied evasively. “I do not wish to discuss it. I must prepare to find that blasted Potter once we reach Diagon Alley.”
Narcissa wondered why Severus was tracking Harry Potter. On a mission for Voldemort, I suppose. The play of Severus’ fingers against her skin was comforting to her. Her loneliness had dissipated with his presence and the physical contact with him had a familiar, welcome feel to it.
Slowly, she began to move her fingers against the wool of his trousers, stroking his inner thigh in small circles. Narcissa felt him relax and heard him sigh. She smiled as she observed her effect on him.
“Severus, I’m letting a room in the Leaky Cauldron for the night. Where will you be staying?” Narcissa confessed. “I’ve missed your company.” As she spoke, she trailed her fingers up until they reached the buttons of his trousers. “And perhaps, we might discuss our agreement with one another,” Narcissa offered, as she stroked his erection through the fabric. A hiss escaped from Severus’ lips at her touch.
“I might be convinced to lodge nearby,” Severus allowed as Narcissa felt him lean against her once again, gently biting her shoulder through the silk of her robe. The feel of his teeth nipping at her skin flamed her arousal. Distracted, Narcissa dropped the book with a thump. As she retrieved it, she heard Severus chuckling softly.
“The Leaky Cauldron!” the pointy-nosed porter announced from the front of the bus when it lurched to a stop. Narcissa had been so diverted, she hadn’t noticed they were so near. What would happen now?
As she stood, Narcissa reached out and whispered, “Severus?” but found no one there.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“Yes, one for the night,” Naricssa told Tom, the keeper at the Leaky Cauldron.
If I’m not mistaken, that Lucius Malfoy’s wife. What in the devil is she doing here? Tom thought as he noticed the fine pearls at Narcissa’s throat and her flowing outer robe of dove-gray silk. Her platinum hair was loose, cascading over her shoulders as regarded him with unveiled scorn. She’s got a scowl that would cut glass. No wonder Malfoy chose Azkaban o’er this! “That’ll be a Galleon, miss,” Tom said as he ran a hand over his smooth, bald head.
Narcissa shoved a gold coin across the worn wood of the front desk and sniffed, “Will there be anyone to take my bags to my room?”
“Yes, miss, I will myself,” Tom said as he hurried from behind the desk to pick up Narcissa’s case, tottering toward the stairs as she followed.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On the third flights of steps, Narcissa stifled a gasp as she felt a hand on her bum. Glancing behind her, she saw no one in the dimly lit stairwell. Ah, Severus! You have followed me. Excellent, as I’ve much for you to do. We must discuss your bringing Draco back to me..
“Here you are, room number seven. Will you be needing anything else this evening?” Tom said as he unlocked the door with a flick of his wand, lowering the bag to the floor.
“No, thank you,” Narcissa replied, edging past him into the room, regarding the worn furniture with distain. She felt Severus whisper by her invisibly and then felt him press against her back. Quickly, she closed the door, removing her wand from the pocket inside the breast of her robe and locked the door, adding a Silencing Charm as an afterthought.
“Severus?” An unseen arm slid around her narrow waist and she felt his mouth sliding from her collarbone up over her neck to her chin. She wriggled in his arms and found his mouth with her fingertips. She kissed him urgently, moaning with pent-up frustration as she held his face in her hands. Breaking away, she demanded, “Let me see you!”
Disillusioning himself, Narcissa gasped and backed away in horror as she found herself looking at a Severus Snape vastly different than she remembered. Sweet Merlin! What has happened to you?
“Severus! What has happened to you?” Severus Snape had always been thin and sallow, but the man that stood before her had a haunted, debilitated air about him. Where was the man with whom she’d spend that wonderful night?! His skin had a grayish cast and his hair was more lank than was typical, and it fell in stringy ropes around his face, parted by his sharp brow, nose and chin.
Snape rolled his black eyes, countering, “Do you really want to know, Narcissa? Why would you care?”
“But I do, Severus! We are bound together! Are things so bad?”
Severus walked to collapse in a bedside chair, which creaked when he did so. “My role in this war is complicated, Narcissa. I hardly think that you would be able to understand.”
Narcissa bristled indignantly. I understand more than you think! Oh, the things I have gone through! “Try me, Snape. You underestimate me. Don’t you forget that I’ve handled the fiasco that’s become my life quite well, thank you, including securing your help in protecting my precious boy.” Narcissa stalked toward him, leveling a finger at him. “I’ll have you know that should my husband and son ever return to me, they’ll find our estate in one piece, though not of its former grandeur. That’s more than most pureblood families will have by the time this is all over.”
Severus regarded her carefully, holding his fingers templed near his lips. “Narcissa…my role is most complicated…”
“But you are still looking after my son, aren’t you?” she interrupted. hands on her hips.
Snape stood and scowled, “Yes, yes, your brat of a son is well-attended. Zabini’s family sees to that.”
Anger flickered briefly in Narcissa’s eye, but she softened quickly, realizing that she still needed to parry Snape’s favor. “Then what have you been doing? What has changed you so?” Narcissa grasped Severus’ arm and met his eye to ask directly, “Severus, are you still in league with the Dark Lord?”
“Yes, Narcissa, I am,” Severus said with a sigh.
“Is that why you’re tracking Potter?”
Severus ran his fingers through his hair, and then pinched the bridge of his nose. “I cannot say,” he rasped, dropping into the chair again.
Suddenly, Narcissa felt sympathy for Severus, realizing, Here is a man who suffers as I do! Too much has been asked of both of us! Narcissa knelt between his legs. “Oh Severus, we are in such miserable positions! Each of us must do another’s bidding, and they care not a Fwooper’s feather for us!”
“Our positions are hardly comparable,” Severus said wryly, smoothing a calloused hand over her cheek. As he did so, Narcissa turned to kiss his palm.
“Perhaps not, but we understand each other, don’t we?” Narcissa slid her hands between his knees, and up along his inner thighs. “And we can help one another, can’t we, Severus?” she asked sweetly, her blue eyes wide.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What exactly do you understand, Narcissa? Severus thought. Because you’ve been forced from your splendor, you think you’ve experienced my hardship? Hardly.
“I understand that you’ve been lonely, am I right, Narcissa?” Snape asked, grasping Narcissa’s hands as he stood, pulling her up with him.
“Oh, yes, so very lonely!” Narcissa admitted, slipping her arms around his neck. “Haven’t you?”
“You might say that,” Severus responded noncommittally as he smoothed a tendril of her hair behind her ear. He grasped her hips and pulled her toward him.
“Let me help you, Severus. We’ve assisted one another in the past, why can’t we continue to do so?” Narcissa asked as she arched against him and her mouth crushed his with an urgent kiss.
Lonely, indeed. Severus reached down and lifted her, one arm behind her shoulders and the other behind her knees. Dropping her unceremoniously on the bed, he disrobed them both with a thought. Looking down into her smoky eyes, he thought, Legilimens! In her mind, he saw only feral need and selfish manipulation. No hint of love, only lust and desire. Nor did she intend to deceive him to either side. He broke the intrusion; he had to be sure. No one could be trusted and he would not bed any witch without being sure she would not betray him. No one knew of his alliances, and no one would.
Reaching up, Narcissa grasped his stiffness and stroked. The sensation overwhelmed him and caused Severus to throw back his head. His delight intensified when he felt her kneel before him and take him into her mouth. Her warm tongue slid over his tip, swirling wetness encasing him. Stroking her hair for a moment, he pushed her head firmly down on his length and she engulfed him. A moan escaped his mouth as she serviced him.
“Narcissa! Yes, that’s it!”
Too soon, Severus stopped her ministrations as he felt his end draw near. Pushing Narcissa back onto the pillows, he lay next to her and stroked her nipples. They were hard and rosy, and reminded him a bit of ripe raspberries. Smiling to himself, he nipped on of them lightly between his teeth, causing Narcissa to gasp.
“Severus! I need you!”
“You must wait a moment, Narcissa. I need to…collect myself briefly.”
Reaching over, he pulled her full breasts together and flicked his tongue firmly over one nipple, then moved to the other. Plucking one at a time while licking the other, Severus felt Narcissa move as her hands moved down and she began to pleasure herself.
“Oh!” Narcissa gasped as nearly immediately, her body began to spasm in orgasm.
Desperate witch! However have you survived without a wizard to satisfy you? As soon as her body quieted, he moved over her and thrust his tip against her slick opening.
As he did so, Narcissa’s hands moved to his hips and pulled him into her. Severus entered her in one stroke, and found that she began to set the pace of their lovemaking, hungrily, needily. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he pulled her onto him, thrusting as deeply into her as he could, over and over again. Narcissa cried out, agony and ecstasy mingling in her voice.
Her appetite will swiftly undo me! As the thought ran through his mind, Severus felt his cock grow harder and felt heat surge through him as he climaxed. He felt Narcissa grabbing and clenching all around him, pulling him in deeper, as he collapsed onto her, holding her tightly as he grunted, waves of pleasure washing through him.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hours later, Severus looked down at Narcissa, who slept quietly in the moonlight that filtered through the dingy lace curtains. He buttoned his inky robe, slipping the hood over his head, and then cast a Disillusionment charm on himself. As his form faded into the background, he thought, I may soon need yourhelp, Narcissa. Enjoy your holiday, my sweet, for having bed you once again, I know that you will do whatever I need. If you don’t, the life you find burdensome already will become unbearable. All it would take is but one letter, addressed to a certain cell in Azkaban. Blowing a final kiss her way, Severus opened the door and left Narcissa’s room.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Author’s Notes: I want to credit the idea that the haze and fog created by Dementor activity to Harriet Evans, who in her story “A Few Small Steps” on MNFF suggested that it would interfere with safe Apparition. It was just the problem I needed for Narcissa. Additionally, I must credit HP Lexicon for all sorts of useful information, including the name of Narcissa’s mother. Thank you to Laudomia for beta reading an earlier version of this story.