The Final Touch

Chapter One

Melanie Malfoy paced nervously around the mansion. She kept repeating to herself that there was nothing to worry about, that her father Lucius had known for a long time that she and Barty Crouch Jr. were a couple ... although at first he found it hard to accept that fact. As if he had a grudge against Barty. It was no different with Barty himself. However, over time, the two accepted each other, and their cooperation (both were Death Eaters) appeared to be more superior.

Except now Barty is going to ask her father for permission to marry her. If Lucius didn't agree ... Melanie didn't even want to think about it. She kept telling herself that perhaps-her-future-husband and her father were already on good terms. However, Lucius could be unpredictable, she knew it herself. Yesterday she heard him say to her mother that they should try to have another child, that he hopes for a son. And yet not so long ago, he claimed that their daughter would be enough for all their children.

The girl slipped silently to the bar, her father's favourite place. She poured herself a good deal of cognac, then sat down in a brass chair enjoying the drink. The alcohol in flowing in her blood calmed her a little. However, after a while, her peace was broken as she heard her parents heading for the large room where she was. With a speed she would not have suspected herself, she got up and hid with a glass of cognac behind a large, antique sculpture.

Lucius walked over to the bar, poured himself a glass of the same drink, though filling it to the brim. He then sat down on the brass chair Melanie had just sat on. Narcissa took the seat next to him.

"Melanie's acting rather suspiciously, Narcissa." She's too polite these days. In addition, she helps me with everything, and that's nothing like her. I'm afraid it has to do with this Crouch.

Narcissa laughed to herself, but only her daughter noticed it.

"Yes, he's a pureblood wizard, but why him?"

"Why not, Lucius? I don't know what your cooperation for the Dark Lord looks like, but you have prejudiced against him. He's a decent boy, from a good home"

"Who happened to say that I am blaming my work on others, and I'm a fucking coward".

Melanie struggled to suppress a laugh. Barty was absolutely right, she had known it since she became a Death Eater herself. However, he never told her about the incident. He probably noticed that she was so after her father. Which didn't mean she couldn't make an objective assessment.

Narcissa made a face titled you-know-he-may-be-right, which Lucius noticed.

"You agree with him," it wasn't a question, the man stated a fact. Both women knew what would happen next. Lucius will be offended with his wife for a while.

"I didn't say anything like that," Narcissa replied quickly, "Bartemius must have said it for a reason, however. You can't think of why?"

"He's jealous of my position and charisma," he replied with impeccable pride.

Narcissa quickly sensed that all she could do at that moment was to agree with her husband.

"Of course. However, your relationship has improved"

Lucius thought about it, then drank his cognac.

"Crouch helped me with a task that was very important to the Dark Lord." He did it voluntarily, and I am grateful to him for that. I doubt he would do it out of respect for me, though. Which brings us to the topic I raised at the beginning".

Narcissa took her husband's hands.

"Lucius, they are made for each other. You cannot forbid them from loving for private reasons"