The Forbidden Fruit

𝕰𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖊𝖊𝖓

Waiting patiently within the confines of the room, Severus slithers his way out of the door, being careful not to make too much noise. Still feeling the heat from his passionate embrace with Lucius, he pulls at his collar a bit as he adjusts his clothing, making haste down the long corridor. Turning the corner as he adjusts the buttons of his sleeve, he stops in his tracks when he is met with a familiar face. Standing just shy from the bottom of the stairs within the hallway, Draco stares with an unwavering gaze. Standing only a few feet in front of him, Severus stands straight before walking past him without a glance or a single word. Watching him leave around another corner, Draco lets out a small breath before retreating back upstairs hearing his Mother calling for him.

"Yes?" Draco asks softly as he enters one of the parlors upstairs, seeing his Mother lounging on one of the sofas staring in deep thought into the fire. "Would you be a dear and fetch me another glass?" she asks, swaying an empty whiskey glass in her hand. Letting out a sigh, Draco nods "Yes Mother.." he says as he approaches, taking the glass he stares at her for a moment, taking in the sight before him. His Mother, usually a graceful and proper woman, now laying slump and slightly disheveled as she stretches out without a care in the world. Walking over to the decanter, Draco hesitates for a moment "Am I.. allowed to touch Father's cabinet?" he asks, knowing despite having a glass of wine here or there during formal dinners, he has been told to keep away from Lucius's liqueur cabinets all around the Manor. Scoffing Narcissa sits up "Oh just pour me a glass already Draco.. such rules don't need to be followed during times like these.." she says snapping at him a bit, which was rare. 

Feeling unnerved by her sharp tone, Draco nods as he pours Narcissa a refill, handing it to her as he sits beside her on the sofa. Observing her for a moment, he frowns with worry, not liking this side of his Mother which he hasn't seen before. Taking a long, savoring drink from her glass, Narcissa lets out a sigh "You know, Draco... you're fortunate.." she says making Draco confused as he sits stiffly beside her. "And why is that?" he asks, still eyeing her movements, feeling uneasy at the sight of his Mother acting in such a way. "You're nothing like your Father.." he says with a slight slur to her words as she takes another drink. Thinking of a response, Draco shifts in his seat "But.. I am I-" suddenly Narcissa snaps sitting up "No!" she shouts before adjusting herself accordingly. "No.. you're nothing like that man.. if you can even call him that. Prancing around as if he's got a stick up his arse-" suddenly someone interrupts standing in the doorway.

"Narcissa that is enough." Lucius calls out as he stands in the doorway, hearing nearly everything she's said. Walking into the room, Lucius turns his attention to Draco with a stoic look "You're excused" looking up at him, Draco tries to rebuttal but Lucius snaps. "Do not question me young man, leave at once like I ordered" he says with a stern tone and displeased expression as he looks at Narcissa still savoring her drink. As Draco hesitantly leaves the room, Lucius trails behind him to shut the doors. Hanging his head with a hand pressed to the door, he rubs his temples "I am appalled Narcissa.. simply appalled" he says as he walks over, looking at her as he stands behind the sofa, gripping the back of it tightly "The way you were talking to our son..  I cannot believe you would let him see or even hear you act in such a way" he lets out in calm, angered tone.

Rolling her eyes as she looks down at her lap, Narcissa sneers "Oh please Lucius.. he's smart enough to know what's going on despite our perseverance to hide it all" she says as she rises from her seat, sauntering over to the decanter. "I'm sure he's already asked you about it, no?" she says as she brings he refilled glass to her lips, taking a long sip. Looking at her, Lucius takes a hard swallow as he rubs his throat, remembering Draco asking about the now faded hickey that has stayed hidden under his high collar since then. Clearing his throat he adverts his gaze as she returns to the sofa "Yes, he has.. but, it is my duty as a Father to keep the balance within our family... therefore I bit my tongue and never answered any of his questions nor did I mention anything about our situation. Which I see now, isn't as easy for some of us, despite our age" he says with a soft sneer, still loathing about the conversation he had stopped between her and Draco. 

Tapping her nails against the glass, Narcissa gazes at him, unbothered as they continue to talk "Well then.. I see we are now hissing out insults" she says, finishing off her glass with one swig, setting it down before she approaches with haste. "I understand this has been just as hard on you as it has been on me Lucius, but dear Merlin have I had some time to think and this is a good as time as ever to tell you exactly how I feel about you" she says with a slight slur, pointing a finger to his chest. "When we fell in love, everything felt brighter, I had hope that I wasn't going to be like my family.." she says, her gaze unwavering as she continues. "But as the years went on, I saw your true colors and I tried to accept them, I really did but you have become the most ignorant, self entitled, spoiled adult I have ever met. Sometimes I wonder if you're even a man with how you prance around with that damned cane of yours" she hisses, her words hitting deep. Stepping back a bit to create space between them, Lucius chokes back his words, not wanting to stoop down to her level.

"Narcissa.. you, you don't mean all that, I know you don't.. you're intoxicated, please, sit down and I'll get you some water-" he says in a gentle tone as he offers out a hand, trying to brush off her words but Narcissa bats it away. "I am perfectly capable of understanding what I am saying and it is all true. I thought I married a loving, kind and unique man but it turns out you're just like your Father. Conniving, selfish and unlovable.. it makes me wish I had seen through your veil a long, long time ago.." she says as her words trail off into a deep sigh as she turns away, rubbing her temples. As his hands fall to his sides, Lucius stares at her with a deeply hurt expression, feeling tears welling up in his eyes as they stand in silence. Taking a hard swallow he nods softly as he turns away as well "Well then.. if that is how you truly feel.. " he trails off, not knowing what to say.

Standing just outside of the room, despite his Father's order to go to his room, Draco has stood against the wall nearest the door to eavesdrop, staring out with a solemn gaze. Hearing everything, he wipes his eyes as he leaves to his room decisively, feeling a deep ache within his chest, the reality of how distant his parents have become revealing itself in full.

To Be Continued...