Survivor

Chapter 8 - The Proverbial Fan

Severus grimaced as he stepped heavily into a puddle, spraying muddy colored water up his trouser leg and along the hem of his cloak. Bloody brilliant. The rain was fine but constant and left a layer of filth along the winding driveway of Malfoy Manor. The wind was beginning to pick up, biting viciously at the brave souls who challenged the weather. Severus pulled his cloak closer to him as the house came into view.

The windows were not flooded with light as they once had been. Instead, the flickering candle light provided a dim glow behind the window panes. Severus had been seventeen when he had first been invited to a Malfoy Ball, and seen for himself the magnificent house that his friend had boasted about on many occasion. Of course, it had been Mr and Mrs Malfoy senior, who had been hosting the event. Their son, Lucius was the most eligible bachelor in the pureblood circles. Yet he only had eyes for one girl.

There had been many girls gallivanting around the ballroom that night. They all wore traditional dresses, corsets and their family's finest jewelry. Severus was so overwhelmed by the bright colors and the strong perfumes that he had become something of a wallflower. He had quite literally stood against a wall and watched the festivities in silence. There was an enchanted orchestra and the use of dance cards were employed in order to match potential suitors.

Severus had neglected to sign any of the cards. Instead he watched as his best friend stole a young woman away. Cissy had looked beautiful. Her dark hair cascaded in free curls along her back, held with an ivory hairpiece. She was young and supple, her small waist was squeezed into an even smaller lavender ballroom gown. Severus had watched as Narcissa's mother and father eyed Lucius as they danced.

The younger Malfoy had upset many young ladies that evening, refusing to dance with anyone but Miss Black.

It was not long after, that Lucius had told Severus he planned to ask Cissy to marry him. It seemed like a whirlwind romance to Severus, but they were already 19 and the senior Malfoys were getting impatient. They wanted an heir. Lucius proposed at a dinner party, between the two families. Of course Narcissa was over joyed. Her sister was not so thrilled.

Severus had seen Andromeda Black at Hogwarts, although they had never been formally introduced. Bellatrix had been a complete wild card, having passed through school before Severus had begun. It was the eldest sister, Bella, who had been unenthusiastic about the marriage. As was traditional in wizarding families, the eldest daughter (Bellatrix in this case) was to be married off to a rich husband. The second and third children were often expected to stay closer to home, to look after their parents in old age.

Bellatrix had yet to find her husband, and was jealous of Lucius's affection for her sister. She had often been rather spoiled by mummy and daddy, according to Narcissa.

Lucius and Narcissa had wed, shortly before the first wizarding war. To say they were desperate for children had been an understatement. Cissy had miscarried 3 harrowing times before she had fell pregnant with Draco. Understandably, Lucius refused to let her out of the mansion when she finally managed to maintain her pregnancy. This further angered the Black family.

Severus had to admit, they were a wonderful family unit (Minus the pureblood mania of the first wizarding war). After realizing the error of their chosen path, Lucius and Narcissa had pledged allegiance to Dumbledore. However Lucius could not shake off his history of being The Dark Lord's main bitch.

Malfoy Manor was currently the under the occupancy of The Dark Lord. Lucius, Narcissa and Draco were lodgers in their own home. Blood stained the marble floors and prisoners could be heard wailing from the cellars. Otherwise, Severus might have suggested that Hermione stay with the Malfoy's whilst he took up the position of headmaster at Hogwarts. No doubt, it was the reason he was being summoned that evening.