Lucius Gets The Kick
Chapter 18 of 21
MementoIndeed, he gets a kick - out, that is.
Reviewed- Chapter Seventeen -
LUCIUS GETS THE KICK
But heaven knows I’m miserable now. “You’ve been in the house too long,” she said, and I, naturally, fled. In my life, why do I give valuable time to people who don’t care if I live or die?
THE SMITHS
*******
He had meant no harm. As a matter of fact, he had thought it to be an act of courtesy and a sign of affection to call on her that morning. He was in no way prepared for the reception, and the habitual discretion of the serving house-elves was no help in that respect either. He had no idea about Andromeda’s engagement, or pregnancy, or exile, or Mrs Black’s cardiac arrest when entering his adored Narcissa’s room in awe and thrilled anticipation, with a big smile on his face.
“Good morning, Narc—”
“What do you want here! Out! Get out!”
This was the first time that he was perplexed, and many more were to come yet. “I beg your pardon for intruding, but I wished to inquire after you. You –”
Narcissa was tired, exhausted and desperate, and if her own father had abused her to get that weight from his chest, she didn’t think it unfair to use that insolent person to ease her own worries now. He had a thick skin; he could take it much better than she had! For three hours, she had been compelled to listen to her father’s outraged ranting about the ‘debauched cad that she hadn’t been ashamed of to associate herself with!’, and seeing that ‘scoundrel’ standing there now, smiling at her expectantly, she would have liked to curse the living daylights out of him.
“What do you want, Malfoy? How dare you come here! I couldn’t prevent you from molesting me in school, but this is my home! You have no place here!”
He faintly registered that she was looking pale and rather unhealthy, but his mind was too much engaged with the sudden change of mood. Last night, she had been charming and easy-going; she had appeared to like him to a certain degree. He didn’t understand what had happened since then – had he misinterpreted her behaviour so completely or –
“I apologise if you find my visit inappropriate, Narcis—”
“Miss Black for you! In my own house I want to be addressed by my proper title!”
“That’s fine by me!”
In all truth, he had never been dressed down the way Narcissa did in the following ten minutes by any of his ex-girlfriends, who admittedly had had sufficient reason to be mad at him. What had he done now to Narcissa to make her so venomous and hostile?! She hurled all sorts of reproaches and allegations at him, leaving him no chance to defend himself, and while still yelling that a ‘smooth scoundrel’ like him was the last man on earth whom she would allow to misuse her, she rang for a couple of servants to have him thrown out.
He left without protest, frog-marched by some ridiculous house-elves, but in the hallway, her father suddenly stepped in their way, looking even fiercer than his daughter. “You,” he spat, gesturing him to follow, and slamming the door to his study. “You! You will stay away from my child, young man, or I swear, I will make you regret the day you were been born!”
“Sir, I –”
“I know you! I know what you are! I know how you treat innocent girls, what you do to them! But mark my words; you won’t succeed with my Narcissa! How dare you enter my house! I might have failed in the past to protect my daughters from villains like you, but that won’t happen again, and certainly not under my own roof!”
“I merely came to inquire after her well-being, sir!”
“Silence! Don’t you talk back to me! I know your kind, Mr Malfoy, and even though I’m an old man, you want to know that you better not mess with me! My daughter has no interest whatsoever in you, don’t you get that?! You’re not in her league; she knows that, so why don’t you just leave her in peace!”
“Sir, please let me just say –”
No, Mr Black did not let him say just anything. Like his daughter before, he heaped threats upon reproaches, hardly catching his breath, culminating in a fulminating, “And if I ever see you within a hundred feet of my daughter, I will make you pay, and all your father’s wealth won’t help you then! Out! OUT!”
Lucius obeyed numbly. His head was spinning. Not even his own father had ever managed to yell at him for one and a half hours straight, and so totally without reason. He hadn’t done anything to Narcissa Black, and what was more, he hadn’t the least intention of taking advantage of her in any way!
He felt something like remorse. His father had often warned that his bad behaviour would one day fall back on him, and even though he was perfectly indifferent towards all those girls he had been with, he was sorry now. The only one he had ever really wanted – she wanted to have nothing to do with him because of those useless affairs.
He returned to Malfoy Manor, groaning when meeting Abraxas, who showed a malicious grin and snarled, “You’ve gotten up very early for your own standards, sonny.”
“Not now, Father. Not now! I’m not in the mood to quarrel with you!”
“Quarrel? Oh my! There I go, for once wanting to congratulate you, and you presume I wanted to quarrel?”
Lucius sniggered mirthlessly. “Spare your scorn, Father. I know my results don’t meet your expectations, but I’ve done well enough, I’ll start College in autumn and you’ll get your will, as always.”
“So tense, sonny? I know you didn’t get it last night, but I wouldn’t have thought that you’re so needy!”
“Oh, shut up, Father!”
He meant to walk past, but stopped in his tracks when Abraxas continued regardless, “I was quite impressed with that girl. What have you done with her? Did you jinx her?”
“What?!”
“She appeared a very good girl, and witty to boot. Such a girl wouldn’t deliberately go out with someone like you.”
Lucius took a deep breath and looked his father in the eye. “Too right, Father. She won’t go out with someone like me, and as you’ve already stated so tastefully last night – you won’t meet her again, and neither will I.”
“Oh, so that’s where you’re coming from at this time of day? She’s ditched you?” Abraxas laughed merrily. “I’d say it’s a pity, because that one was worth a hearty damn. But on the whole it serves you right. You were overdue to swallow a dose of your own medicine.”
Lucius’ hand was in his pocket, fumbling with his wand, but he fought down the urge to curse Abraxas. He didn’t have a nerve for that much; he just wanted to be alone with a bottle of Ogden’s Firewhisky.
*******
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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 ;)