The Forbidden Fruit

𝕾𝖎𝖝𝖙𝖊𝖊𝖓

Arriving at the Manor in the late afternoon on a sudden call, Severus waits patiently to be let in by one of the house elves. "The Misses wishes to speak to you in the Bibliotheca for the hour" says the house elf as he escorts Severus to the room. "Thank you.." he murmurs with a slight nod before entering the Library, noticing Narcissa staring into the roaring fire with a drink in hand. "You wanted to see me about an urgent matter, Narcissa?.." he asks as he glides over with a wide gait with each step until he effortlessly slows to a stop at her side. Turning to face him as she finishes her glass of whiskey with a swift motion, she nods, sauntering over to the liquor cabinet. "I did.. but I suppose it's not as urgent as I may have stated.. I simply need company from someone I trust" she says with a slight slur in her tone as she pours herself another full glass without hesitation. Holding his hands in front of him comfortably, Severus observes her with a tingle of worry "You're intoxicated... are you certain you are aware of what you're doing, Narcissa.." he asks rhetorically, noticing the way she leisurely saunters, a complete opposite from her elegant poise she usually possesses on a daily basis. 

Taking a drink from her glass as she plops down on one of the sofas facing the fire, she kicks up her feet without care. "I am certain.. help yourself if you wish and take a seat.." she says gesturing to the place she just refilled her glass and then to a nearby leather chair. Nodding no politely, Severus decides to stand beside the fire, close by but still keeping a proper distance as he keeps an observant eye on her movements. "What is it that you wish to discuss.." he asks, trying to stay somewhat decent despite Narcissa's laid back position. Taking another gulp as she lets down her neat hair, setting aside the beautiful pin she uses on a nearby side table, she lets out a deep sigh as she combs her fingers through her hair. "Lucius.." she says with a slur, a hint of disgust in her tone as she takes another gulp, as if to wash down the taste of his name.

Taking a hard swallow at the mere mention of his secret lovers name in the presence of his wife, Severus shifts his stance slightly. "And, what is it about.. him.. that you wish to discuss with me?" he asks, as if trying to act aloof to whatever reason she may want to chat about her husband specifically to him in case it is what he thinks it is. Swirling the amber colored liquid in her glass, Narcissa stares out with a deep sigh "He has wasted my time... sure, we were happy.. but after we had our son, nothings been the same. Try after try and then finally we had Draco, but I guess all that trying made us grow apart.." she says, starting to speak freely about her feelings, making Severus somewhat uncomfortable yet intrigued. Staying quiet as she speaks, Severus makes his way to a nearby leather chair, sitting stiffly as he thinks to himself. Wondering if he'll get the reason as to why Lucius has become dull and unhappy with her, giving him a reason to feel good about their newly formed relationship. 

"We've grown apart, it's as simple as that really.. nothing we can do will bring us together. I can guarantee the only thing keeping us together is Draco and I mean that. If he weren't here, I would have been gone long ago" she says honestly as she finishes off her drink, getting up to retrieve another. Watching her closely, Severus decides to speak up "How many drinks have you had this afternoon?" he asks simply, knowing with the way she's acting in front of him, it must be a lot. Letting out a inelegant sort of snort, Narcissa gestures to the decanter "That was full maybe an hour ago, I had one of the house elves refill it just before you got here" she says with another cackle, the Black side of her showing a bit more as she takes her comfortable seat on the couch once more. 

Looking at her with wide eyes for a brief moment, Severus fidgets with his hands nervously "Maybe it would be for the best if you take a break from consuming such a drink, Narcissa... after all I'm certain Lucius wouldn't want to see you in such a state-" he says but suddenly he gets cut off. "Fuck what he thinks" she remarks harshly, hearing her cuss directly was certainly a surprise to Severus, to which he grows quiet once again, giving her a nod as if to say he was listening. Sitting back comfortably against the arm of the sofa, Narcissa rests her cheek in her palm "He is the most needy and self-centered man I have ever met.. did you know that man takes longer to get ready in the morning than myself? And I wear makeup" she says with a slight scoff, taking another drink as she looks sternly into the fire. As they sit in silence, apart from the crackling of the fire, Severus's attention reverts back to Narcissa as she speaks up "I think he's seeing someone else.." she broaches, taking a smaller drink from her glass, her stern expression morphing into a subdued contemplation.

Taking a hard swallow, Severus clenches his jaw with nerves, keeping his emotions as blank as his mind races. Clearing his throat, he speaks up "What made you come to such a conclusion?.." he asks cautiously, not wanting to make her snap at him again in fear she'll react similarly to her sister considering her state of impairment. Swirling her drink as she stares at the liquid with a focused gaze, she turns her eyes to meet his "He arrived home last night without any reason for being out.. he knew it was our family supper. He wouldn't miss it for the world.. he loves his son... but the only reason that I could think of for him to miss something that mean's so much to him is that.. what else could it be?" she asks rhetorically, as if she knew something like this was imminent before. Gazing at her as his own mind swirls with thoughts and emotions, Severus looks away with a slight nod "I... have no say in this situation, Narcissa.. I have no reason to give my thoughts on such a sensitive matter regarding your marital problems" he says, standing up as he adjusts his robes.

Watching him rise from his seat, Narcissa does the same, staggering a bit in place before adjusting her skirt and stance a bit. "Very well.. I shouldn't have assumed that you would Severus.." she says his name with yet another slur, her usually neat red lipstick smeared on the bottom right of her lips. "I suppose this discussion is over" she says, finishing off her glass and setting it aside "Very well.." Severus says giving her a slight nod as they approach the closed doors. "Though this wasn't as urgent or as.. elegant as our previous conversations regarding Draco's academic performance or other matters.." she says looking off to the side, referring to the discussions about Draco's integration into the Death Eaters inner circle by order of Voldemort. "I appreciate your company.." she finishes with a small smile, seeing Severus nod slightly as he reaches for the door "It was my pleasure... have a good evening, Narcissa.." he says before leaving, his long black robes barely missing the door as it shuts behind him.

As he leaves down the driveway of the Manor, feeling as though the tall hedges on either side of him are consuming him. He feels his heart racing as the feelings he had been suppressing come over him in waves. Feeling clammy and sweaty, he darts off of the path, nearly halfway down the driveway to take a breath out of view of anyone. Clutching his chest, he braces against a stone statue to calm himself down a bit "I have executed riskier situations than this in the past. but this, this is no ordinary feat.." he murmurs to himself, feeling conflicted about the future of such a secret.

To Be Continued...