Chapter 39 - Meetings

[dazzledfirestar.livejournal.com]

*Deep breath* Okay, so here we go. The much discussed meeting... oh my hands are shaking! I wrote the next three chapters (this one included) as one big go. It just made sense to do it that way, I don't know why. I hope it worked out. I don't know why I'm so nervous about this, but I am, so be kind! lol Mad... we're so in for it hun... Okay, enough babbling... Enjoy!

Title: The Mary Sue Virus
Chapter Title: Meetings
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: 18+
Warnings: Graphic Sexual situations, Oral, Angst
Disclaimer: The recognizable characters in this work of fiction and the world it is set in are the property of J.K Rowling and Warner Bros. Pictures. The original characters are the property of Dazzledfirestar, Nanaea, Madapple and Polywolly, and are not to be used without the permission of those individuals. I am not making any money from this and it is purely a flight of fancy for the purpose of entertainment.

 

It was already dark as the four of them walked up the road toward Malfoy Manor. There was no friendly conversation, just the sound of a slight breeze through the hedgerow as they each prepared for the role they had to play. Azalea played absentmindedly with the thin slivery chain around her neck. Suddenly, she stopped, waving Hyacinth and George on. She looked up at Oliver. “Promise me one more time.”

 

He sighed. “I’ve done this before, Lea.”

 

She shook her head. “This is different. I know her. Whatever she says, whatever she wants you to do…” He pulled her close. “Don’t hesitate. There is no place for compassion with them. Whatever it is…”

 

“We’ve been through this.” He kissed the top of her head. “Come on.” They started again toward the gates. Hyacinth and George seemed to be waiting for them. Wordlessly they all slipped through as if the bars were made of smoke and moved up to the door. Lucius was standing there, waiting for them.

 

“Hyacinth, my dear. It has been far too long.” He took her hand and kissed it politely.

 

She smiled. “Lucius. Are my parents here yet?”

 

“Of course. They’re in the study, with the others. I trust you remember the way?” She nodded and smiled again, slipping through the foyer on George’s arm. Lucius gave George an incredulous look then turned his attention to the next couple on his front step. “Ah, the other prodigal daughter returns. Isn’t your brother with you?” The tone in his voice suggested that he disapproved of her traveling companion.

 

“Alec is otherwise engaged tonight, but he sends his best.” Azalea smiled. “You know Oliver, of course?”

 

“Of course.” One eyebrow rose on Lucius’ face, yet again communicating his opinion on the young man in front of him. “Nearly everyone else is here. We should join them.” Lucius closed the door behind them and led them down the opulent halls of Malfoy Manor. They heard the low din of several voices in conversation as they reached the study. Azalea turned to see Hyacinth in what looked to be an intense conversation with her parents, with George standing behind her, his hands firmly on her hips.

 

“You’re being ridiculous.” Hyacinth leaned back slightly into George.

 

“You could have told us ahead of time.” Her father said quietly. “How long has this been going on?”

 

“Two and a half years.” George finally spoke. This seemed to catch Hyacinth’s father off guard. There was none of the mirth that usually colored George’s voice. “Your daughter has made her opinion clear. I suggest you honor that.” Without another word, he led her away from her parents, and they sat in two plush chairs near the fire.

 

Hyacinth leaned in, kissing his ear. “Wow… I’m impressed.”

 

He smirked a little. “Show no fear, right?” She felt a few gazes fall on them as he grabbed the velvet choker she had on and pulled her into a fierce kiss. She was breathless when he let her go.

 

“Mmm… I don’t think you’ve left any doubt in anyone’s mind that you belong here.” She whispered before she took a moment to glance around the room, taking stock of who she recognized. Snape was in the far corner, talking to Narcissa and sipping what looked to be elf made wine. Draco was mingling with the younger members of the crowd, slowly making his way toward Azalea and Oliver. She studied her friend for a moment. Azalea was talking to an older man, her father, who seemed more than pleased that she was there, and surprisingly seemed almost pleased to see her with Oliver.

 

Azalea smiled as her father kissed her cheek and went off to mingle. She had barely been paying attention as he talked about how happy he was that she was there, and that she’d seen the truth. He’d gone on and on and she was relieved when he’d left. Her eyes took in the room before her. She exchanged a glance with Hyacinth before she turned back to Oliver. He kept one arm around her waist, holding her close to him while the fingers of his other hand lazily intertwined in her necklace, occasionally pulling it a little tighter around her throat. Absently she wondered if there had ever been a submissive Gryffindor. Surely, Hyacinth hadn’t found one, and neither had she. A darker thought crossed her mind suddenly… how far would they be able to take this and how far would they have to take it? She nearly shook her head to clear the thought.

 

Draco had managed, finally to get through the crowd, but before he got a chance to ask Azalea what the hell she was doing there, one of the heavy bookcases swung out from the wall, revealing a doorway. With everyone’s attention caught by this, Bellatrix made her entrance, flanked by the other deatheaters who were being hunted by the Ministry. She surveyed the room with an air of boredom, until she spotted the girls. A slow smile crossed her face as she crossed the room. She got to Hyacinth first. “Look at you, my dear girl! Of age already… I remember when you were born. You are the image of your mother.” Bella turned to the Ironmongers. “You must be so proud of your daughter, Turias.”

 

Hyacinth’s father looked at her for a moment. “We are, of course. Though I worry about some of her recent choices.”

 

Bella smiled. “Now, now. One cannot always judge by family, despite what the Dark Lord thought.” Her eyes moved around the room. “Every family can become lost, and even the strongest trees can have a rotted branch.” Her eyes scanned the room, seemingly looking for those rotted branches. “I’m sure Mr. Weasley would agree.” George nodded once then returned his attention to Hyacinth as Bellatrix continued to move across the room.

 

“Now let’s see, the last time I saw you, Azalea, you were little more than a toddler.” Bella kissed both her cheeks. “Now look at you.” There was something that vaguely recalled affection, or as close as Bella could come to affection, in her voice. “So strong.” It was then that she noticed Oliver’s grip on Azalea’s necklace. Bella’s gaze darkened slightly. “Is that strength yoked, child?”

 

Azalea shook her head, and smiled. “Given, Aunt Bella. Given freely.” Bellatrix looked over at her sister. Narcissa was now sitting beside her husband, a knowing, and slightly concerned look on her face.

 

Bella then turned back to the young couple in front of her. She studied Oliver for another moment. “You are a lucky man, Mr. Wood.”

 

His eyes drifted down to Azalea and he smiled. “I know.”

 

That seemed to be enough for Bella as she called the meeting to order. There were several points of little interest to be discussed it seemed. Finally, Bellatrix turned to George. “And the ingredients you’ve ordered for us? When should they be arriving?”

 

“Within the next week.” George said. “It’s hard to say exactly. I was required to find some interesting means of getting most of them into the country.”

 

“Have you had a problem?” Bellatrix raised an eyebrow.

 

George smiled a smile that Hyacinth recognized as one he had shot at Professor Umbridge once or twice. “Nothing I couldn’t take care of.”

 

“And our plans for the quidditch finals?” She turned to Philbert Deverill as he stepped forward, his hands and his voice shaking. “Is everything in place?”

 

“Y-yes. The invitations to the Minister and his secretaries have been sent, and most of them, including the Minister have accepted.”

 

“Very good, Mr. Deverill. Much better than your last report.” Something in Bella’s voice told both girls that they didn’t want to know what happened to Mr. Deverill last time. “Is that all of our business?” No one answered. “Well, then,” a dark smile crept across her face and her eyes seemed to light up with an almost manic energy, “Lucius, I think it’s time for tonight’s festivities to begin.”