XX: New Year's Ball at Malfoy Manor

Thanks to JKR for some amazing characters. I love borrowing them.

Thanks to Apple Blossom for beta reading.

And thanks to you for reading and reviewing.

Chapter XX: New Year's Ball at Malfoy Manor

December had not only brought heavy storms but also the first snow. It was chilly in the dungeons. Severus was sitting in his armchair by the fire with a cup of hot peppermint-scented tea in his hand. He was looking at Morgaine, who was sitting opposite him with her feet on the chair, her arms wrapped around her knees. The dancing flames in the fireplace were reflecting in her eyes, and her hair was once more shining in the golden-red tone Severus loved so much.

They had spent a lot of time together since Halloween. At first, Morgaine had come down to the dungeons to change Severus' bandages. Although they both knew that he was perfectly able to change them himself, neither of them said anything. And once his wounds had healed, her visits to the dungeon had become so natural that neither of them needed an excuse for them anymore. It was just like it had been years ago, when she had been his student. They discussed and brewed potions, played wizard chess, drank tea, and now and then, she even managed to make him smile.

Severus was glad that she had returned to his dungeon. For some frightful weeks at the beginning of the school year, he had thought that he had lost her. There had been an invisible wall between them, and he knew perfectly well that it had been him who had built it. How stupid he had been.

Morgaine never asked him why he hadn't returned any of her letters, and Severus was grateful for that. As much as he had missed her, something deep inside him made it impossible for him to tell her.

'That is really annoying, you know.'

Her voice ripped him out of his thoughts. Whatever did she mean?

'The way you are staring at me,' Morgaine answered his unasked question. 'If there is anything you'd like to say, just say it.'

For a moment, Severus was slightly taken aback. What was he supposed to say now? But then he saw the grin on her face and realised that she was messing with him.

'I will be going to London after Christmas to buy potion supplies,' he announced, changing the subject. 'Would you like to join me?'

~ ~ ~

Diagon Alley was packed with witches and wizards trying to get rid of unwanted Christmas presents. Severus hated the crowd. Too many people in a confined area always made him jumpy. He was therefore quite relieved when Morgaine offered to go into the Apothecary to buy all the supplies while he waited outside.

He was watching her through the window when a well-known voice reached his ear.

'Severus, dear friend, I haven't seen you all year.'

Severus turned to face the tall, blond-haired wizard. 'Lucius,' he said, slightly inclining his head.

'Terribly crowded, isn't it?' Lucius' voice was as silky as ever. 'I'd never come here on my own account, but Narcissa more or less forced me. You know how persuasive she can be. I managed to escape her when she made her way into the jewellery store down the road. It will probably cost me a small fortune. Would you like to join me for a drink at the Leaky Cauldron, Severus?'

'I have to decline, Lucius,' Severus replied. 'I am here with one of my colleagues.'

'Colleague, is it?' Lucius asked as he eyed through the window of the Apothecary. 'This wouldn't be Albus Dumbledore's great-granddaughter, now would it?'

Severus nodded.

'So she has returned to Hogwarts?' Lucius continued. 'Did you take her on as an apprentice after all? I thought Dumbledore had said no to that.'

Severus frowned. How could Lucius know?

'My dear Severus, you seem to forget that families like mine always keep an eye on other pure-blood families. And your colleague in there,' he said, stressing the word unnecessarily clearly. 'She is sprung from a most powerful and influential line. She is worth keeping an eye on. She might be very useful one day.'

Before Severus got a chance to ask Lucius what he meant, he heard the bell of the door of the Apothecary ring. Morgaine was leaving the store. When she caught sight of Lucius, she stopped dead in her tracks.

A chill went down Severus' spine. Morgaine must have recognised the man who had thrust her into the arms of the Dark Lord when she had been a child. How was she going to react?

But if she had recognised Lucius, Morgaine didn't show any sign of it. She put on one of her most charming smiles and approached the two men with steady steps.

Severus cleared his throat. 'Lucius, may I introduce my colleague to you? This is Morgaine duLac. Morgaine, this is Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father.'

Lucius took Morgaine's outstretched hand and kissed it.

'Enchanté, Miss duLac,' he said in his most silky voice. 'It is always a pleasure to meet Severus' friends, especially if they are as lovely as you are.'

Morgaine politely responded to Lucius' flattery, but Severus sensed that she was uncomfortable. There was, however, nothing in her behaviour that gave her away.

'I am awfully sorry that I cannot stay to chat. My wife is expecting me,' Lucius said, turning towards Severus. 'Are you staying in London over New Year's?'

Severus nodded.

'We must catch up, old friend,' Lucius continued in an exaggeratedly friendly tone. 'And I would sure like to see more of you, Miss duLac. You are staying at the Leaky Cauldron, I assume?' he asked, once more facing Severus.

Again, Severus nodded.

'Well, I will contact you there then. Miss duLac, Severus.' He bowed theatrically and with a swirl of his black robes, he disappeared in the crowd.

Severus looked at Morgaine. He sensed that she was upset, but the look on her face made it very clear to him that she did not want to discuss the matter right now.

When they returned to the Leaky Cauldron, Morgaine excused herself, saying that she had a headache. Severus knew perfectly well that she was lying, but he left her alone. He would see her at dinner, and if she felt like talking then, he would listen.

But she didn't talk, and they ate their dinner in silence. Well, Severus ate. Morgaine mostly busied herself with picking at her food with her fork and chewing her lip.

Severus didn't know what to say, and he was quite glad when the bartender came to their table to deliver an envelope. He opened it and pulled out a dark green card with elaborate writing in silver ink.

'It is an invitation to the Malfoys' New Year's Ball,' he said as he stuffed the card back into the envelope and put it on the table. Morgaine stared at it as if it were a poisonous snake.

'We do not have to go,' he said.

For the first time this evening, Morgaine looked straight at him. There was a defiant look on her face, and the tone in her voice made it clear that her decision was final.

'Oh yes,' she said as she put down her fork. 'We do have to go.'

~ ~ ~

Shortly before eight o'clock on New Year's Eve, they Apparated outside the wrought-iron gates of Malfoy Manor. Morgaine looked pale, but perhaps it was just because of the moonlight. Her face was unusually stern, and Severus couldn't help but wonder what she was up to, why she wanted to meet Lucius Malfoy. But he knew better than to ask.

When Lucius' house-elf took their cloaks, Severus gasped. Morgaine was wearing a long, black satin skirt with a black underbust corset and a see-through spiderweb top. The pale skin of her shoulders clashed violently with the dark fabric. Around her neck, she was wearing two simple necklaces, the Witch's Star and the Wyvern Severus had given her as farewell gift when she had graduated.

He reached out for the Wyvern and eyed it carefully. 'You kept it.'

She looked into his eyes and nodded. 'I've never taken it off.'

'You look stunning, Morgaine.'

She gave him a fleeting smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

'Yes, you certainly do look stunning, Miss duLac.' Lucius came sweeping down the stairs and took Morgaine's hand to kiss it.

'Welcome to my humble domain, Miss duLac,' he said as he bowed. 'Let me steal her from you for a moment, Severus. I just have to introduce this dazzling creature to some people.'

And without waiting for a response, Lucius led Morgaine into the ballroom.

Severus lingered at the door, letting his eyes sweep over the room. Lucius had only invited the crème de la crème of the wizarding society: members of pure-blood families, people in high positions at the Ministry, members of the Wizengamot. Yes, Lucius Malfoy certainly knew who to rub shoulders with. And now he had cast an eye on Morgaine. Of course, she was Dumbledore's great-granddaughter, kin of one of the greatest wizards alive and with that somebody to be seen with. But Severus couldn't help but wonder if there was anything more Lucius knew about Morgaine. Was there a possibility that he had recognised her?

It wasn't hard to make out Lucius among his guests; he was in the centre of the attention. He seemed to be introducing Morgaine to some governors. Severus felt his stomach clench. He didn't like the lusty look in Lucius' eyes.

'Now, who is my dear husband trying to seduce today?'

The sound of the woman's voice made Severus spin around. 'Narcissa.'

'Good evening, Severus,' Narcissa greeted him warmly. 'I am glad that you accepted our invitation. It's been too long.'

Severus bowed curtly and then turned to observe Lucius and Morgaine again. Narcissa let her gaze follow his.

'I gather from your reaction that it is your lady friend Lucius has chosen as prey tonight,' Narcissa said in a cold voice. 'As I understand, she is Dumbledore's great-granddaughter.'

Severus nodded.

'No wonder he is trying to charm her. You know how Lucius likes to make friends with influential people,' Narcissa continued. Then she took Severus' arm. 'Come, let's spoil his fun.' And with a light tug, she led him in the direction of her husband.

~ ~ ~

He disgusted me. Every time Lucius Malfoy touched me, my skin crawled and my stomach lurched. But I have to admit that he was a fascinating man. He sure knew how to wrap people around his little finger. He had a way with words that could make even the most stubborn person change their mind.

I let him play, I let him believe that he was succeeding. It would have been dumb to turn him down. I had been sorted into Slytherin as well. I, too, knew how to get what I was after. That New Year's Eve, I was determined to find out about my past, and Lucius Malfoy was just the man to tell me about it.

~ ~ ~

Lucius had just finished introducing Morgaine to some very influential people when Severus and Narcissa reached the small group in the middle of the ballroom. He was showing her off like a trophy, holding her left hand close to his chest while his right arm encircled her waist. For someone who didn't know better, the two could have passed as lovers.

When the music started, Severus could see Lucius tighten his grip around Morgaine's waist. It was obvious that he didn't intend to let go of her anytime soon. And she didn't seem to resist at all.

Severus turned away. He just couldn't stand looking at the two. How could Morgaine let herself be charmed by Lucius Malfoy?

He went out onto the terrace. If he didn't want to punch Lucius right in his pretty face, he would have to calm down. He paced the terrace, breathing deeply and seriously considering hexing some of Lucius' white peacocks when he heard steps behind him. It was the master of the manor himself.

'Charming young witch, your colleague.' Again, Lucius was stressing the word unnecessarily clearly. 'Allow me to congratulate you, Severus.'

'Congratulate me on what?' Severus snarled.

'Oh, come on, dear friend, give me some credit,' Lucius snorted. 'I have noticed the way you look at her. I have to hand it to you, seducing the great-granddaughter of Albus Dumbledore is a smart move. And as she is quite charming, the task can't be too repellent. Merlin's beard, I would bed her if I had the chance.'

Severus ground his teeth and clenched his fists under his robe. So that was what Lucius was thinking. That he, Severus, was courting Morgaine in order to get to Dumbledore.

'Smart move indeed, dear Severus,' Lucius repeated. 'As I said in Diagon Alley, she might be useful one day. Keep her close.'

And without explaining just what Morgaine might be useful for one day, Lucius turned on his heels and went back inside.

Severus stared after his host for while, not really knowing what to make of his insinuations. What he was sure of, however, was that he would not go back inside. He had no desire whatsoever to see Lucius continue his courting of Morgaine.

He cast one more glance through the window and saw Lucius standing behind Morgaine, whispering something into her ear. When she laughed, Severus decided that he was indeed superfluous, and without excusing himself, he Disapparated from the terrace of Malfoy Manor.