Resigned
Chapter 11 of 21
MementoNarcissa surrenders and cannot account for it.
Reviewed- Chapter Ten -
RESIGNED
Saepe dat una dies, quod totus denegat annus.
WALTHER – Proverbia Sententiaeque
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Poor old Slughorn hadn’t believed his own bad luck. He had been forced to ban his favourite student – and Senior Prefect – and, what was certainly worst, Captain from the team, the best player! Lucius hadn’t defended himself; as a matter of fact, he had hardly listened. His mind was more pleasantly engaged; he kept gazing over at Narcissa, his stomach doing one back-flip after the other, while she was determined to pointedly look anywhere but at him. That was okay. In fact, it was brilliant. She could have been gloating, but instead she seemed to be nothing if not embarrassed.
He didn’t know what terrible headaches he caused Professor Slughorn, who had to write to Abraxas Malfoy. But even if he had known it, he wouldn’t have cared the slightest bit. All he cared about was that enchanting girl over there. If he had been in love with her before, he now was madly in love, at least. The fierceness, the determination she had shown betrayed a capacity for genuine passion underneath that icy exterior, thrilling him all the more.
They were dismissed at last, and he hurried to follow her. “Go out with me, Narcissa.”
She stopped in her tracks and whirled around. “What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing. I’ve just given up my only hobby, and I did it gladly. Now you can no longer demand that I stay away from you.”
She sneered. “Can’t I?”
“Why are you so scared of me?”
“I am not scared of you!”
“Great! Then you can go out with me.”
“Which part of no is so hard to understand for you?”
“You’ve done all that only to get rid of me. You must have a reason.”
“Yes, I have indeed! I can’t stand you!”
“Oh, you don’t like anyone, but only for me do you make such an effort.”
She gave a small, reluctant laugh. “Because you are more persistent than the rest!”
“Come on. In five minutes, I’ll have to face my team and make them understand that they’ll get a new Captain, in the last two months of the season –”
“You could have avoided that easily enough.”
“You made me choose between Quidditch and you, and I can’t manage without you.”
“Oh please, just stop prattling, Malfoy!”
He gave her his most heartfelt smile. “Come on, Narcissa. You’ve said it yourself – I’m persistent. I won’t stop asking you, no matter how often you say ‘no’. If nothing else, do yourself a favour and take a short-cut.”
She groaned and closed her eyes, lightly shaking her head. “And if I agreed to go out with you once, exactly one time, under the condition that you’ll leave me alone after that?”
“Deal!” He was beaming at her.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” She hadn’t stopped shaking her head, sighed once more and turned around to march back to Slughorn’s office. She contemplated her decision – going out with Lucius Malfoy – how could that have happened? How could she sink so low? Good Lord.
She knocked, and the Professor asked her to come in. She explained what had happened – omitting all details relating to the true cause – smiled her sweetest smile, pretended repentance, promised to come to his next party, and got away without further consequences.
That had been for several reasons on the Deputy Headmaster’s part. First – this was the first time ever that the youngest Miss Black had put a toe over the line. As much trouble as he had had with the eldest, so perfectly behaved was Narcissa. The next but much more profound point was his immense relief. Slughorn would not have to inform Malfoy senior, giving him no reason to withdraw his money, which practically ran half of the school. He was also more than grateful that Malfoy junior could remain Team Captain – he was fond of the cup on his desk, and there was nobody comparable in talent to replace the boy. The only problem would be Minerva McGonagall, but he would manage. He’d rather challenge his colleague than Abraxas Malfoy.
Very, very slowly, and feeling utterly beaten down, Narcissa trotted back to the dungeons. Had she just agreed to go out with Lucius Malfoy? She was going to be the national laughing stock! This aspect didn’t bother her. What was worse – her self-respect was beaten. She had promised herself to never go out with him, all the more since… Heat crept into her face, remembering the previous night’s dream.
And what was that poetry book supposed to mean? She had wanted to sink into the ground when he had quoted that particular piece, as if he had read her thoughts, as if he had known that she had just had a sleepless night because of him. Was he a Legilimens? She gave it a thought, but concluded that this was highly unlikely. He was too lazy to voluntarily learn something so demanding. Sheer luck had made him find a line that would knock her out cold!
She crossed the common room and passed the object of her nightmares, who was just about to justify himself in front of his team-mates. In passing, she said as casually as she could, “Professor Slughorn sends his regards, Malfoy. He wishes me to inform you that there has been an unfortunate misunderstanding. You’re still Captain, you won’t be banned, and you can wipe off that smug grin, Harper.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Lucius Malfoy shoot up and head for her; she tried to reach the girls’ dormitories before he could reach her, but since she forbade herself to run and he had no such scruples, he caught up with her ten feet before her sanctuary that boys couldn’t enter. She took a deep breath and looked at him. “What is it?”
“You’ve talked to Slughorn then?”
“No. He’s just so impressed with your Chaser qualities, he can’t do without you.”
He winked at her and smiled. “Sure. Thank you nevertheless.”
“For what?”
“For being the bearer of good news, if you don’t want to be credited with anything else.”
“Is that all? Because I need to go.”
“That would be all – for now.”
Narcissa turned around and escaped, thus missing her date’s enthralled face staring after her. Lucius’ mind was blank, a clean slate; he was almost dizzy with elation. She had said ‘yes’ – at last! Yes! Yes! Narcissa – his Narcissa – had finally agreed to go out with him! She had even put things right with Sluggy – she needn’t have done that! Out of the sheer goodness of her heart, she had spared him! Oh Narcissa, lovely, gracious, wonderful Narcissa! He could hardly grasp his own luck!
*******
Saepe… Frequently, a single hour grants what has been denied the whole year.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Memento Mori
36 Reviews | 3.86/10 Average
I love the relationship Narcissa shares with Severus!
Ah, sweet little Severus!
Lucius is such a Slytherin ... and I love it. This is one of two stories I've been reading currently that feature Narcissa prominently. I think I'm beginning to really love this character, see her as a more filled out, and that is really inspiring.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so, so, so much! That is such an awesome compliment!!!Yes, I love the character very much, too (I guess it shows), and it makes me just so happy to hear that somebody reads this story and likes it - and her. Thank you for telling me!!!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so, so, so much! That is such an awesome compliment!!!Yes, I love the character very much, too (I guess it shows), and it makes me just so happy to hear that somebody reads this story and likes it - and her. Thank you for telling me!!!
Hmmm. It occured to me that I am now seeing them as people, not just villians. How odd! I do love Narcissa though, she's the bomb!!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!!And if you say you start seeing them as people, I can't tell you how happy that makes me, because this was one of my principal reasons to start writing this. Thanks for letting me know!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!!And if you say you start seeing them as people, I can't tell you how happy that makes me, because this was one of my principal reasons to start writing this. Thanks for letting me know!
This is adorable Lucissa. Positively adorable! Its so cute! You might want to start giving Narcissa fashion sense though, since in canon she's know for it.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so so much!'My' Narcissa (for all purposes of this story) is supposed to have natural taste; she just doesn't care for fashion magazines etc. But she recognises a good dress when she sees it 
And thank you for the kind review (and excuse me for taking so long to answer it; I've got so much work in real life to do). I'm really happy you enjoy the story. It was such fun for me to write it. Thanks!!!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so so much!'My' Narcissa (for all purposes of this story) is supposed to have natural taste; she just doesn't care for fashion magazines etc. But she recognises a good dress when she sees it And thank you for the kind review (and excuse me for taking so long to answer it; I've got so much work in real life to do). I'm really happy you enjoy the story. It was such fun for me to write it. Thanks!!!
A very interesting story that gives us much insight into what might have been.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter, and thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review for me!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter, and thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review for me!
Hmmm. Lucius is a piece of work! I really love Narcissa as the source of Snape's personality traits. Excellent!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!!!!I'm glad you like it; I thought it fitted to TPT and SWM canon - as a young boy, he could not keep his mouth shut (or open in the appropriate moment), and Narcissa seemed the right character to take over the task; I had bestowed all those character traits to her anyway, as being very controlled, very seclude in her emotional life, and I thought it would make sense for them to bond over questions like this one, because she wants to help him by all means.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!!!!I'm glad you like it; I thought it fitted to TPT and SWM canon - as a young boy, he could not keep his mouth shut (or open in the appropriate moment), and Narcissa seemed the right character to take over the task; I had bestowed all those character traits to her anyway, as being very controlled, very seclude in her emotional life, and I thought it would make sense for them to bond over questions like this one, because she wants to help him by all means.
Hmmm...lots to think about here. I really like your geneology/character introductions for the Blacks. Very interesting! I adore backstory! Well done.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
I'm glad you enjoyed it! It was fun to write it, too. And thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review for me, that's great. Thank you!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
I'm glad you enjoyed it! It was fun to write it, too. And thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review for me, that's great. Thank you!
I'm hooked to this story!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you! I'm so happy you like it! And thank you for taking the time to leave a review for me, that really means a lot to me, thank you so much!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you! I'm so happy you like it! And thank you for taking the time to leave a review for me, that really means a lot to me, thank you so much!
Really interesting taking on the initiation process. I think it was good, the bit about drinking blood was nasty, but Voldemort really isn't the sort for garden parties, is he? It's odd that you've had internet issues, me as well. I was 'off-line' for nearly a week. Horrible isn't it? Glad you're back! =]
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you! I'm glad you found it interesting.Gosh, the horrible internet - at first, I didn't even understand it was a provider problem and didn't complain to them because I thought I had done something wrong when disconnecting the router from the electricity net. Which could have been the root of the problem; I'm useless with technics 
Severus is running with a dangerous crowd, and Lucius is in better company! It's nice that he dated someone who could call him on his crap. Narcissa is becoming more isolated. In trying harder to control her, her father is driving her away. Very good paradox!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Well, yes, Severus IS running with a dangerous crowd, but so is Lucius, in every other respect than his current girlfriend.As for Narcissa - well, yes, she is distancing herself to a certain degree from her parents, but I'm not so sure whether that's not a good thing. She's nearly 17 now, and in many respects, she's as much a Daddy's Girl as Draco will be a Mummy's (and Daddy's) Boy. I think it'd be healthy for her to emancipate herself a bit 
Happy New Year!
The, ahem, true and highly inappropriate translation of the Adam and Eve bit is...."When Adam delved *cough* and Eve span, who was then a gentleman?"Teehee. Lovely chapter, poor Lucius! And come on, little Severus (Savvy????) help them along!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Oh, thank you so much for your help! I corrected it straight away!Well, I'm afraid little Savvy (I always thought of him like that, so it was the natural choice for a nickname for the Septuplet) won't be of much help regarding the future romance. He's done his bit, and he wouldn't DARE meddling with other people's business in this respect. No, no, he won't be the cupid in this piece 
merry belated christmas! Poor Narcissa and Lucius, they're at cross roads, i wonder when they'll see each other again. Looking forward to the next chappter
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
thank you so much! A merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you as well!Without giving away too much right now, I think I can safely tell you that they will meet again ;) I'm not sure when I can upload a new chapter because my internet connection at home is faulty, but it should be there in the next two weeks, I guess. Once more: thank you!
Starcrossed lovers....ah, poor things. Can't help feeling sorry for them, even though we know they're going to end up being snobby twits.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
thank you!!!!Well, even snobby twits can have a love life, eh?
The contrast between the two handling their grief is wonderful. Narcissa's situation with her mother is quite sad. Lord Moldy-shorts has made his appearance at last...I don't suppose you could have written it without him, but I was still disappointed to havve Lucius fall in with him. Amazing as always. Happy Christmas, Rhia
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much, and a belated Merry Christmas and a somewhat more appropriate Happy New Year to you, too!Yes, well, it was not really possible to have Lucius not joining up, given later events... Sorry to have disappointed you 
Aww, poor Lucius. Karma came back to bite him! How will he soften down old Cygnus, hmmm? Let alone Narcissa...
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
First of all: 
Being no native speaker of English, I've never heard that phrase before, and it just nails it 
As for the softening - Narcissa is bound to cool down soon enough; her main reason for reacting so viciously was the emotional strain she was going through. As for Cygnus... Well, he's got two alienated daughters already. In the end, he has no strength to deny his darling child her happiness.
How have you done it? I feel so bad for Lucius, I even managed an *awww* during Mr. Black's rant. He's meant to be a deranged monster...now you've gone and made him human, for shame! LOL Really lovely. The family dynamics give a real insight into future behaviours. I like the multi-faceted story. It reminds me of a twisted food-chain! Really nice.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you!!!!I'm really, really happy to hear you say that Lucius is human; it was my aim to achieve this without denying his negative traits of character. It's far more interesting to write, and I can only hope it makes for interesting reading as well.
Bottom line, men will never understand women. Well ... poor guy really had no inkling of the circumstances behind the behaviour, but really, men will never understand women. Nope. They might think they do (at times), but that's only what we let them believe so they feel more manly.Lovely chapter. Looking forward to the next one ... in fact, going right now to find it and stick my name on it in queue so I get to read it first.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much; I'm so happy you liked it!!!Yes, well, what is true for all men is particularly true for Lucius. Empathy really isn't his strong suit to begin with, although in this case, he didn't have a chance of seeing it coming. What's worse - this time, he'll take her rejection seriously. Her father drove the point home that, especially after Andromeda's 'downfall' (of which Lucius will of course hear later on), Narcissa would never seriously contemplate a guy like Lucius. The tragic aspect about all this is that now he will try to find something else to do and pursue... 
Response from notsosaintly (Reviewer)
That is tragic, indeed. However, conflict is necessary to keep readers interested in a story. It is why stories like this attract readers' attention and makes them want to come back for more.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
You know, you're right. It's just that, while writing, I rather followed the more selfish approach, not thinking so much of the potential reader, but what *I* enjoy writing. In fact, I was always rather afraid that I'm procrastinating too much so that many readers might lose patience and interest.
Thank you for mentioning me, I'm truly glad to review for you! 
And utterly addicted to this story!This was really interesting. I was extremely sad, and feeling so sorry for the Black family. It's amazing how a look at someone's troubles can make you empathize with them. Brilliant. I wonder who her visitor might be? Hmm....
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank youuuuu! 
I'm really glad to hear you say that you can emphasise with them in this situation; it was my aim to achieve that, but I can never be sure whether it works out like planned. Thanks for letting me know!Ah, the visitor...
Excellent 'argument scene', that was. Poor Cissy, though. She got trampled on, and it really hurts not to be Daddy's Little Girl anymore.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!I must admit that I had fun writing the argument though; I find there is something compelling about the inner logic of the dynamics that such fights take when regarded from the point of view of each participant.Yeah, poor Cissy. That's what you get for making whoopee 
awhh, i was hoping for a better night for lucius and narcissa..
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Well, they must not have it too easily, eh?
Oh, dear lord, its hit the fan....poor Andy. And when on earth shall Narcissa and Lucius get together, since it seems they shall no longer both attend Hogwarts?
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Oh, thing will be getting a tad worse still, I'm afraid. As for Lucius and Narcissa - well, since the outcome of their romance is so totally well-known, I thought I'd have to keep up the tension by separating them for a bit. Which will also give Narcissa the chance to see what was in her grasp so long, and has so utterly slipped away from her. I believe in the saying that one can sometimes only see a thing's true value when losing it. 
Well, after seeing the patrilineal line of the Malfoy family, Draco is an absoltue gem! LOL I think it was interesting that both of them are used to being rather dignified in public, and were wrong-footed by their families in this case. It's a clever way you've given them a common ground. I was also intrigued at the mentilon of Narcissa's academic idol. I honestly thought you were refering to Dumbledore... excellent!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!!Yeah, Narcissa is a bit of an intellectual groupie. She and Dumbledore might have been great friends if she were a hundred years older, but as things are, and with her knowing only his 'old' self, she'd rather idolise brilliant Tom Riddle Yes, Draco didn't turn out half that bad, seeing his gene pool, don't you think? 
But he's got one material advantage - he'll grow up with loving, caring parents.
Aww, poor Lucius!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Ah, come on - he had it coming, don't you think?
I've heard of doing things the hard way, but Lucius seems to do nothing but spite himself. I am pleased to see that Narcissa is getting more interested in him. He can be charming, an arrogant bastard, yes, but a charming one! This is quite the spell-binding little tale!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!Well, Narcissa IS - always was in a way - interested in him. He would not bug her so badly if she hadn't always been intrigued by him. She's just acutely aware that she has no reason to trust him, so she fights her affection for him. Allowing him to become her friend was a first, guarded step to permit him into her life. After all, she's pretty young - at this point of the story, she's 16, so the greater part of his 'courting' her, she was 13, 14 - she was 15 when joining the Septuplet, while he acts the experienced, elder guy. She's not ready for that. Yet ;)