Malfoy 2

Chapter 4: 5 July 11:45 PM -- 13 July 2:00 AM – Malfoy 2

Within two days of their arrival, Mrs. Malfoy could tell the Snitch-Birds apart and had named them. Draco and I started hearing comments like "Little Frederick hasn't been out in two days, and he needs the exercise." We adapted our Quidditch practice to Mrs. Malfoy's timetable for exercising and resting the birds. By common consent, we kept them in their cages when Vincent and Gregory visited. We finally convinced Mrs. Malfoy to help exercise the birds by telling her that she only had to chase them, not catch them. Draco's mum in hot pursuit of a Snitch-Bird was a moving hazard. We learned to stay out of her way. "Here she comes!" Draco would shout.

* * *

It was the Malfoy custom for Mrs. Malfoy to kiss her son goodnight. One night after she had sent her son off to bed and had returned to the reading room, I said, "You deserve a goodnight kiss, too."

"I do?" replied Mrs. Malfoy.

"Yes," I said, rising and walking over to her. "A kiss is a seal of approval."

"You approve of me?" asked Mrs. Malfoy hopefully.

"We all approve of you," I said.

"That's not quite what I wanted to hear," she said.

I was somewhat discouraged by her last remark, but she wasn't running away. I gently held her arms just above her elbows and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Sweet dreams, Mrs. Malfoy."

"It's Narcissa," she said.

I kissed her on the forehead again. "Sweet dreams, Narcissa."

"Thank you," she said and smiled. She turned and waved as she went to her rooms.

The next morning at breakfast, Narcissa bustled about and hummed to herself.

"You seem happy, Mum," said Draco.

She sat down, looked straight at me, and said, "I slept very well last night."

Later, when the three of us were in the reading room, Narcissa asked if I wanted any tea. She adjusted the light for me. "He's okay, Mum," grumbled Draco, annoyed at the general disturbance.

* * *

The three of us prepared for the return of Vincent and Gregory and the practice of Broom Kung Fu. For safety, we bought six slow but sturdy brooms and padded them. I emphasized that we had to be careful since the moves that we would learn could break limbs and necks. Draco's eyes lit up. So did Narcissa's. Ah, yes, the aristocrats.

It was my first cultural contribution to the Brits. It wasn't a nice song to play for the girls. It wasn't a new dance step to show the girls. It wasn't a pleasant card game to while away the hours until the girls returned. It was a maim-and-kill defense against the dark forces tactic.

Vincent, Gregory, Draco, and I began the lessons on using brooms for defense by swatting Bludgers out of the way. This developed reflexes, control, and the ability to fly with a broom while not sitting on it. We progressed to using the brooms like quarterstaffs against each other. Like most martial art practices, it was a bonding experience. Nothing beats beating seven kinds of shit out of each other for forming lasting relationships.

* * *

The fourth time I kissed Narcissa on her forehead and wished her sweet dreams, she slid her arms around me and kissed me, very softly, on the lips. I did the same to her. We moved over to the sofa to lie down side by side. We held each other. An hour went by while we held each other. Finally, we parted and went to our separate rooms. The next night she returned after sending her son to bed and declared, "Hermann, I can't do this. You're my son's friend."

I was stunned. I couldn't think of a single thing to say or do.

"Good night, Hermann. Sweet dreams," she stammered, backing away. She turned and ran to her rooms.

"Sweet dreams, Narcissa," I finally got out, but I don't think she heard me.

The next morning Draco looked at his mother. "Mum? What happened?"

Narcissa sat down, glared at me, and said, "I couldn't sleep last night. I had nightmares."

"We'll make you a sleeping potion," exclaimed Draco, looking at me. "We can make it for you today."

"Potions are not what I need," countered Narcissa, continuing to glare at me.

"It'll be okay, Mum," continued Draco, thinking that his mother was just being stubborn.

The best part of me was upset that Narcissa had not slept well. The worst part of me was glad that Narcissa had nightmares. The worst part of me was definitely winning, which under the circumstances was good. I had been hurt last night and wanted to scream at her and say hateful things. If she had spurned me and then had a good night's sleep, I would have gone crazy. The worst part of me noted that she had not spurned me and then lived happily ever after. I could act like a gentleman while secretly gloating about her misery. It wasn't the best behavior in the world, but it was the best that I was capable of at the moment.

We all went to the reading room where Draco and I put together a list of ingredients for some mild potions. Narcissa complained that the sun was in her eyes and then that the room was too dark. The tea was too hot, and then it was bloody awful cold. She would be glad to be rid of us when we went to get the ingredients. We weren't going to leave her alone when we went shopping, were we? Draco and I added the ingredients for some powerful potions.

By noon, Draco and I had a simple draught prepared. Narcissa refused to touch it. I volunteered to test it and to take enough for four hours, until tea time. I thought it best that either Narcissa or I be unconscious. I awoke when the curtains were pulled back and the afternoon sun streamed in. It was Narcissa with a bedside tea service. I started to ask where Draco was, but then I realized that anything I said would give her an opening. Then I realized that not asking would give her an opening too.

"Hello," I said, sitting up. "Where's Draco?"

"Can't I serve you tea?"

"Of course, just asking."

"I think he's out throwing rocks in the lake."

All afternoon? Yes, probably all afternoon, I thought. I could join him. One could never throw too many rocks in a lake.

What was Narcissa doing? Did she really want to see me? Was she teasing me? Did she know how painful it was to see her? Did she know how glad I was to see her? Was she thinking any of these things?

The only clue I had was that Narcissa was keeping out of reach. I wasn't going to lunge for her or even ask her to sit closer. She had told me to go away, and I was going to play the gentleman.

"A Sickle for your thoughts," she said.

I thought of asking her if there was any more marmalade, but then I thought that there was no reason to act cold and callous since I didn't feel cold and callous. I felt hurt, but I didn't want to act that way either.

"Just waking up, not coherent yet," I replied.

My thoughts were that I really, really wanted Narcissa to lunge for me. Her being close but out of reach was becoming too painful. I had to leave before I made a fool of myself. I said, "Thanks for the tea. I'm going to go look for Draco."

That night, Draco persuaded his mother to take some potion.

"You look better, Mum!" said Draco the next morning.

Mrs. Malfoy sat down, glared at me, and said in a steely voice, "I slept just fine."

I was afraid that would happen. Instead of an unhappy lady who was puffy-eyed and incoherent, we had an unhappy lady who was well-rested and keen. Draco and I waited for Vincent and Gregory down by the lake. We heard Mrs. Malfoy screaming about tracking in dirt. We heard Mrs. Malfoy yelling about disturbing the birds. We figured Vincent and Gregory had arrived. We yelled and waved that we were down by the lake. The four of us mounted our steeds and rode out of town, as the Americans say.

We spent the day cruising through various woods and villages. At 4:00 we sent quick-owls to the various homesteads saying that we would return at about 7:00. We then stopped at a tavern that didn't mind younger wizards. After several rounds, it was Draco's turn to go to the counter and get the drinks.

Vincent looked straight at me. "All right, Hermann, what did you do to Mrs. Malfoy?"

"Eh, what?" I stuttered, jumping a bit.

"Don't act innocent," said Gregory. "We can tell something's going on."

"Nothing's going on," I replied.

"We know better," retorted Vincent. "At the beginning of the summer, Mrs. Malfoy was depressed. You arrived, and she perked up. She was absolutely giddy. Then she turned into a bloody awful bitch."

"It's okay, mate. You can tell us what you did," Gregory added, sympathetically.

"I didn't do anything," I said.

"That's what happened!" said Vincent and Gregory together, giving each other meaningful looks.

"You've got to do something, mate!" said Gregory, grabbing my arm earnestly. "You don't mind, do you? I know she's older than you, but she's a fit bird. Couldn't you canoodle her just a little bit?"

"Would you do it for us?" Gregory pleaded.

"Come on, Hermann, snog her brains out," said Vincent, enthusiastically thumping me on the shoulders.

"Yeah," said Gregory, "or we'll never get to visit Draco again."

"I have no idea what you are talking about," I protested. And where did Vincent get that language mix?

Vincent and Gregory were completely exasperated. They were telling me I was the most stupid git on the face of the earth when Draco returned.

* * *

When Draco and I arrived at back at the Malfoy manor, Mrs. Malfoy was waiting on the front lawn.

"Hello, Mum," said Draco, hopping off his broom and kissing her on the cheek ... brave lad, although Mrs. Malfoy's fury seemed to have subsided.

"I want to go jump in the lake," I said. "Seriously," I said, as the two of them looked at me.

"All right!" said Draco. My rooms were closer. We dropped our clothes there, grabbed towels, and ran down to the lake.

We whooped and yelled as we splashed into the water. It was cold. It was a good way to end the day. We trotted back to our respective rooms for warm showers before dinner. Later, there was a knock on my door and a voice asked if I was decent. I opened the door to see Mrs. Malfoy.

"How are you?" she asked.

"Fine," I replied, "and how are you?"

"Good," she said.

"Good," I said.

"Did you have a good time today?" she asked.

"Yes, fine. I'm sure Draco will tell you about it at dinner."

"He never tells me anything."

I was desperately wracking my brains for something intelligent to say, something witty to say, anything to keep her here talking to me.

"I was thinking of asking you a favor," she said.

"Okay."

"It's something you've done before," she said.

"Okay. Sure," I said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I hope you don't mind," she said.

"Well?" I asked.

"I ... I want a good night kiss."

"Okay," I agreed, looking up and down the hall. No one was around. I kissed her on the forehead.

"I meant later," she said, smiling.

"My mistake," I said.

She hesitated. "I need to check on dinner," she said. She waved goodbye and left.

After dinner, Draco and I kept dozing off while lounging in front of the fireplace. I awoke about midnight to find Draco gone and Narcissa beside me awake.

"Nice room," I said. "I like all the windows, the fireplace, the nice rugs, and the view from the windows."

"I refurnished it several weeks ago. It was being used to store boxes of junk."

"Draco told me that you've been moving things around ... closing the dark, closed-in rooms ... opening the light, airy ones ... sounds healthy to me."

"Do you really think so?" she asked, moving closer to me. She was on her elbow, looking down at me, almost touching me.

"Yes, it's a very good thing to do," I said, encouraging her by lightly placing my hand on her shoulder.

Take it easy, I said to myself. I let Narcissa gently relax and nestle against me.

"Ohh," she sighed, making herself comfortable.

That made it worthwhile, I thought.

"I missed you," she said, giving me a squeeze.

"I missed you too."

"Hermann, I'm really tired," she said.

"You feel tired. You're not just relaxed. You're limp, wrung out."

"Uh-huh," she muttered.

I helped her to her feet and kissed her goodnight.

My thoughts as I walked to my rooms were that being a bloody awful bitch must be exhausting. You're better off snogging. With me, I added.

* * *

I awoke the next morning to discover that things had gone from bad to bad. The misery of rejection had been replaced by the misery of uncertainty. What in the world do I do now? Did Narcissa really like me? What did she want?

One rational thought did come through. Neither Narcissa nor I could ever reveal to Draco that we were canoodling. That meant I had to be prepared to go the entire day without any reassurance that Narcissa wanted to see me again. This was going to be hard.

Pretend you're a Malfoy, I told myself. You're self-possessed, calm, in control, and capable of doing the right thing at the appropriate moment. That helped. Could I keep up the pretence all day?

At breakfast, Draco told his mother that she was looking much better.

Keeping up the "I'm-a-Malfoy" pretence, I said, with complete innocence, "You are looking better. In fact, you're looking beautiful this morning."

Narcissa smiled and thanked us. Draco gave me an appreciative nod. He was glad that his mother and I liked each other and that I was helping keep her morale up. The rest of the conversation was about Draco's upcoming trip to the Crabbes and the Goyles. It wasn't mentioned, but I knew that Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle were in prison. It was mentioned that Draco was one of the few friends that Vincent and Gregory had at school and that his visit would mean a lot to their families. It was clear that Draco thought the visits would be stressful. Everyone was apologetic that I couldn't visit too, but the Crabbes and Goyles weren't prepared to entertain strangers.

Draco pleaded that I stay and keep his mother company for as long as I could. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Not at all," I reassured him.

Draco was leaving at ten o'clock this Saturday, which was the day after tomorrow. Draco's mother spent most of the day organizing her son's trip, bustling about in good-natured exasperation. Draco found life at home comfortable, didn't want to go, and was no help at all. After dinner, we went back to the reading room for a few hands of cards. As Narcissa left to tuck in Draco, she mouthed, "Meet me in the dining room."

That made sense. The dining room was in an out-of-the way place. We didn't want Draco to drop in on us. I waited a while to make sure Draco was safely tucked in. When I arrived, Narcissa was sitting on the floor with her arms wrapped around her knees, staring morosely at the flames in the fireplace. I sat down beside her. This is awkward, I thought. Wait, I thought, be a Malfoy. I willed myself to just sit calmly. After a while, Narcissa turned and smiled at me.

"Narcissa," I said, "are you all right?"

I placed my hand lightly on her neck and gently massaged it. She rested her head on my shoulder. I ran my hand down her back.

"You're very tense," I said. "Would you like a back rub?"

She nodded yes.

"Do you have a blanket?" I asked. "We don't want you breathing dust from the rug."

She got up, gave my shoulders an affectionate squeeze, left, and returned with a quilt. She spread out the quilt, turned her back to me, took off her blouse, and lay down on the quilt ... breathtaking. I ran the back of my hands across her shoulders.

"You have the best shoulders," I said. I meant it.

"Mmmmm."

"Oh, that's so good," she said after a while.

Some time later she felt completely relaxed, and it seemed like the melancholy was gone. I stopped giving her a massage, and I kissed the back of her neck.

"Lie down with me?" she asked.

I kissed her on the back of the neck again and stretched out beside her on my back with my head resting on my hands. I was determined to take it slow and easy.

She slithered over to me and then on top of me. Her tongue flicked out in small devouring kisses. When I looked into her eyes, I saw a hungry reptile. This was incredible, absolutely incredible.

"Hermann," Narcissa asked, "what are you thinking? I know you're thinking something. Tell me. Be honest."

"I can tell you," I said, "but you might get upset. I like what I'm thinking, Narcissa. Remember, I really like it."

"So, tell me."

"Keep in mind, you wouldn't get upset if I thought you were a tigress or an eagle," I said.

Narcissa was giving me her 'I'm being patient, but I'm getting impatient' look.

"I'm looking at a beautiful and affectionate woman, and I get the impression of a great, powerful snake."

"That's different," she said. Thank goodness, she sounded amused.

"You asked. You wanted me to be honest. And I said I liked it," I said defensively.

"Do you really like it, darling?" she asked, cuddling and slithering on top of me.

"God, yes, I love it!" I said.

Narcissa's hair draped over me and her nose touched mine. She had come by herself from a lonely place. Narcissa and I breathed the same air. She wanted someone who could see her. Narcissa touched me with her lips. She had found someone to hold her. Narcissa ran her fingers through my hair. She had someone to unfold her. Narcissa found my lips with hers. She was past all concern. Narcissa's kisses were deep and warm. She was soft and warm. Narcissa was pulled into my embrace. She would never return. Narcissa wrapped herself around me. She would not look for another.

I was entangled enough in Narcissa, her caresses, and her embraces that it took me awhile to realize she was falling asleep on top of me. "Oh, Hermann, you shouldn't have given me such a nice massage. I'm falling asleep. I'm sorry."

It took every gram of gentlemanly behavior I had to release Narcissa and help her to her feet. She wobbled. After I steadied her, I said, "You're exhausted."

I gave her a goodnight kiss. "Goodnight, Narcissa."

"Goodnight, Hermann."

I awoke the next morning, remembered my experiences packing for the summer, and decided not to interfere with the Malfoys. Narcissa and I took a nap between lunch and tea. After all, we had been keeping later hours than Draco. After tea, I went shopping for some potion and household supplies. I agreed to return by half past six. I returned to find Draco in a very impatient mood.

"I said we couldn't open the wine until you got back," said Narcissa.

"I told her we could open the brandy for all I cared," said Draco, a man in an obvious state of stress.

"Okay, okay," I said. "I'll stop and have a glass before I clean up."

"Thanks, mate," exclaimed Draco, grabbing my arm.

Despite his stress, Draco took quite awhile to finish a glass. He appeared happy just to sip a nice wine in our company. I watched as the stress left him. After we finished our first glass, I pleaded the need to wash before dinner. I was told dinner would be early that evening. It's probably to get food into Draco, I thought.

After dinner we were having another glass of wine. The stress of the coming visits, the irritation of packing, the end-of-the-week fatigue, and the wine had taken their toll on Draco. The barriers broke. Draco asked the question that had been constantly within him. He asked the only person he dare ask.

"Do you think my father will get out of prison?" Draco asked me.

Verdammt. Perhaps a formal, academic response would get me out of this one. I reached into the storehouse of knowledge that Durmstrang had obtained from studying the mundane Germans.

"Your father is a prisoner of war being treated like a common criminal," I said.

"Yes. Yes," said Draco, banging the table.

"Criminals are guarded by police. The police are not a military unit. The police might be able to prevent a criminal escape, but they would not be able to withstand a military assault to free prisoners of war," I said, straight out of Middle European twentieth century history.

"A toast," said Draco, raising his wine glass.

Narcissa looked stricken.

Seeking a way out of this supercharged family scene, I pretended I did not notice the turmoil, left the two of them, and made my way to the lavatory.

While splashing cold water on my face in the lavatory, the image that kept coming to mind was Narcissa's lack of enthusiasm about Mr. Malfoy's escape. I remembered a story going around Durmstrang. Several years ago, someone had unleashed a monster, possibly a large snake, on the students at Hogwarts. Several students were injured, although the official claims were that none were killed. Students at Durmstrang were skeptical about the claims of no fatalities. It would take a series of miracles for there to have been no deaths. Part of the story was that Mr. Malfoy was involved in unleashing the monster. What kind of person did that? What kind of person set monsters on students, including his own son?

Speaking of kinds of people, what kind of person stirs up a family and then leaves for the lavatory? My only excuse was that there were lots of sore spots. If I stayed, I would certainly step on more of them. Let the family work it out, as only they could. Coward or wise man? I honestly didn't know.

When I returned, Narcissa was on the couch comforting Draco. Gottverdammt! What had I done?

"I think I should leave you two alone," I said.

"No, please stay," said Narcissa. "Draco is falling asleep."

"I think I unknowingly said terrible things," I apologized. "I had no intention of doing that."

"What you said made Draco feel better," said Narcissa. "He got a little excited. Please stay."

"I did try to speak as a friend," I said, sounding pretentious and lying only a little bit.

I wish I had thought of something better to say, but what I said obviously made Narcissa feel better. For that, I would accept the guilt of a small lie and the embarrassment of a clumsy social response.

"I'll be right back," Narcissa said, lifting Draco with ease and guiding him up the stairs. Of course, she would be like her son ... elegant, but strong. My imagination ran wild. I was doing a delineation of her shoulder and back muscles when she returned and arranged herself between me and the fireplace. The exertion or wine had had some effect. Narcissa was slightly flushed, and her eyes were shining.

"You're very attractive," I said.

"Do you think about me?" she asked.

"Constantly," I replied. "I have fantasies about you." I was soon to regret that last statement.

"Oh, tell me one," she pleaded.

"We are going for our morning ride, but you are wearing a skirt instead of sensible trousers. I'm following, trying to keep up as you race through the woods."

"Yes, go on," she encouraged.

"Well ... um ... the wind blows your skirt up, showing your legs."

"Just my legs?"

"More, actually."

"You mean my knickers are showing. Are you looking?"

"I try to be a gentleman. I'm not strong enough. I stare shamelessly."

"There's more," I said, trying to stay calm. "The way you're riding the broom ... there's a tingling sensation, and your ... your knickers ... everything's getting damp."

"Let me get this fantasy straight," Narcissa said determinedly. "I'm on a wild ride through the countryside, madly cackling and flaunting my limbs and lingerie. I'm in danger of sliding off my broom because it's slimy slick from my unhealthy relationship with it. And you're in hot pursuit, all googley-eyed."

"That's the picture, yes," I agreed.

"Do you catch me?"

"Yes."

"What happens then?"

"I ... I'm not able to control myself."

"You bonk me, right there, on the spot."

"Yes."

"Ahh," Narcissa sighed, giving it some thought.

Narcissa took a sip of wine. "Do you have another one?"

"My deepest fantasy is that you like it."

"I enjoy it when you bonk me?"

"Yes. It gives you great pleasure. Afterwards, you feel calm and happy. You want to cuddle."

"Cuddle?"

"Put your arms around me. Rest your head on my shoulder."

Narcissa took another sip of wine. I waited for what seemed the longest time. Narcissa set the glass aside, moved over to me, and rested her head on my shoulder.

"This is getting to be a nice evening," she murmured. "Tell me another one."

Tell her another one! I could tell her my creative juices were running the other direction.

In desperation I said, "There's the one where you can't sleep, and you order chocolates and small glasses of liqueurs brought to you."

"I'll have to remember that," she whispered into my ear, giving me a small squeeze.

"You think of how it will end ... the stains from the chocolate ... the sticky residue from the liqueurs. You think, why get messy all by myself when I could have some company?"

"That makes sense," she agreed, snuggling some more.

"You bang on my door until I answer. You ask if I'm asleep."

"Right," she said, "as good manners dictate."

"You display your excellent and elegant goodies, ready to be consumed. Pretty, untouched, almost virginal. Longing to be taken out of their wrappers. Ready to be grabbed with hunger. Aching to melt on the end of my tongue."

She raised herself on her elbow, with her hair draping over my face and her nose touching mine. "Are we talking about my chocolate?"

I thought about continuing to be debonair, but I had had enough of fantasy. I wanted to be part of her life. I gently kissed her.

She gently kissed me back. "Do you really like me?" she asked.

"Yes, very much."

"If you're lying to me, I'm going to kill you," she said.

I rolled over so that I was looking down into her eyes.

"Oh," said Narcissa. "Oh, God," she moaned, as she decided to be an unfaithful wife.

I gave her a kiss as hungry as I was and felt her stiffen. I stopped, and then started over by stroking her temples with my fingers. It wasn't until some time later that it occurred to me that yielding to affection was frightening to Narcissa. She had built a solitary life; she had been free; and now she was in an emotional trap. I resisted the urging of the beast within to devour her. I decided to gently encourage Narcissa to be affectionate.

She wrapped her arms around me and she kissed me, just a close-mouthed, gentle caress. Tenderness flowed out of Narcissa as she gave me another one, slowly. I looked into the soft face of a little girl. The little girl was full of soft, warm kisses.

But the little girl had grown up. She knew there was more. Narcissa licked at the corner of my mouth. I smiled, and her tongue glided in. "Careful," I told myself, "easy." With her tongue teasing mine, it was hard not to rip the clothes off this grown up girl.

I nibbled on her from her right ear down her neck to her throat. She began unbuttoning her blouse. Yes, yes, yes, I said to myself, keep going slow. Let Narcissa offer herself to me. Enjoy her undressing herself so that I can have her, so that I can nibble on every inch of her. She took off her blouse for me. She took off her bra for me. She was even more beautiful than I imagined she would be. By now I was stroking the inside of her thighs.

The clinical part of me knew that I had to give her an orgasm by hand. She was too beautiful. I liked her too much. When I slid into her, I wasn't going to last more than a few seconds.

My stroking her thighs got higher and higher. Finally I was resting my hand between her legs.

"Tell me what feels nice," I asked.

"Lower," she said. "Lower. There, darling."

Gently, I said to myself. I started the rhythmic strokes between her legs. I cradled her head in my other arm and continued the gentle, rhythmic strokes. Softly, I said to myself, as I kissed and nuzzled her breasts until I could taste them, while I continued the rhythmic fondling of my lovely lady. Sweetly, I said to myself, as I enjoyed the roll of her hips and her tongue in my mouth. Her skin was flushed. Her arms were around me. She was moving with me. She reached down with one hand and placed it on top of mine. She squeezed her thighs together as she pressed my hand against her.

Narcissa moaned quietly and slowly went limp.

She lay on her back, breathing in short gasps. I sat beside her watching, still holding her. I was worried about how limp she had become. She looked at me and breathed a disappointed, "Don't you want me?"

"Of course I want you. Are you okay?" I replied quietly.

"Yes," she breathed. Looking at me, she took her hand from mine and placed both her hands on either side of her head. Still looking at me, she arched her back and then spread her legs a little more.

I pulled her knickers off and placed my hands on top of hers, holding her down. Breathing hard, she opened her thighs.

She sighed as I slid into her.

I moaned as I entered Narcissa. I couldn't help myself. I thought it would be nice, but I didn't realize it would be this nice.

I looked into her pretty eyes. "Sweetheart," I managed to say.

I liked her too much to do it like this the first time. I didn't want to just hold her down and bonk her. I let go of her hands and lowered myself to my elbows. Now my hands were tangled in her soft damp hair.

I kissed her and whispered, "Hold me, darling."

Narcissa was slow to respond and embrace me. For a few seconds, a wild thought careened through my brain. Hadn't anyone ever held and kissed this wonderful woman while taking her?

Narcissa finally had her arms around me, and I kissed her and pressed gently into her.

Sadly, it was over. It took several seconds before I realized what happened. I was laying on her completely still. There hadn't been any buildup or increase in tension. Just everything feeling nice, and then everything was over.

"You were sweet," said Narcissa as she grabbed her undies and dried herself between her legs. She then looked uncertainly at me where I was still lying on the rug.

"Oh, come on," I said. "You know I want to hold you."

"Please," I said.

She actually giggled as she bounced over and sprawled across me.

Narcissa was in a warm and cozy world when she said, "Hermann ... Honey ... Darling, I have to pee."

Oh my goodness, I thought. Did she just blurt that out? I helped Narcissa up and gathered the clothes.

"Can we use your rooms?" she asked.

I took her hand. She was barefoot and the stone floor was cold. She would grab my arm when she stepped on a stone slab that seemed particularly cold. I couldn't figure it out. My foreplay was clumsy and I had really messed up the sex, but she was keeping a tight grip on me and was acting like a giddy school girl.

"First to the WC," she cried as we entered my rooms. She plunked herself on the toilet without bothering to shut the door to the washroom. I neither looked nor didn't look. There was something intimate about a woman not caring about that. I heard her in the shower.

I wondered if Narcissa thought about how much her behavior had surprised me. Perhaps she didn't think about it. Mein Gott, she's treating me like a husband.

Later, when I got out of the shower, Narcissa was wearing one of my shirts. Her clothes were piled by the door. "Do you mind?" she asked. A little later, we were in bed, her head on my shoulder. I fell asleep running my hand through her hair.

* * *

After Hermann had fallen asleep, Narcissa untangled herself and got out of bed. Narcissa stood in the middle of the room, looking down at Hermann. "You dear, sweet, silly little boy."

She gathered her clothes, made her way back to her own rooms, and went to bed. "I hope Hermann isn't taking this seriously," she said to herself.

She lay there, staring at the ceiling.

Unbidden thoughts came to Narcissa. That little boy has been kissing me good night. I can't sleep well unless he does. That little boy has been snuggling me. I act like a little girl. I miss him when he's not here. I keep thinking about him. That little boy held me, and kissed me, and caressed me until I had an orgasm. I can't remember the last time I had an orgasm in someone's arms. He wanted to hold me afterwards. No one else has ever wanted to cuddle after they fucked me.

She lay there, staring at the ceiling.

After a while, she was sitting on the edge of her bed.

Narcissa sighed.

She left her rooms and waved her wand, putting an unbreakable lock on her door. She made her way back to Hermann's rooms where she waved her wand again, putting an unbreakable lock on his door. No one, except the house-elves, would know where she was, and they would wake her in the morning.

Narcissa climbed into bed with Hermann and wrapped herself around him. This is comfortable, she realized. This is soothing. "Silly little boy," Narcissa whispered as she drifted off to sleep.