Sept. 10: Venus Fly Trap: Violet

[Narcissa Malfoy]

▶︎ Why be a wallflower when you can be a Venus fly trap?
Babe, you'll never stop me being me -
I got the beauty, got the brains,
Got the power, hold the reins...

"Don't let them rile us, that's what they want," Narcissa said through her teeth, taking her dearest friend's hand as she smiled and held her head high. Just a few months ago, when they'd left this drafty hall for the summer holidays, no one would have dared say a word against her or her family. And now, even a walk to their usual spots at the breakfast table wasn't safe from rapid turns and whispers. But while the girl couldn't lash out with a hex or a curse, she found the faces of as many whisperers as she could, feigning mildness until eyes met. Some turned away as soon as they were caught out in her icy stare, and others had more nerve, which allowed her more time to log the faces. And she took note of the faces, every day. They would all regret using the Black family for their gossip, to fill their idle hours with truth and fiction. They were horrible, and small, and not worth getting in trouble over. "I've got everything under control. Trust me, Vi, by this time next week, I'll have everyone who matters here under my thumb. As it should be."

The sixth year took her seat among the Slytherins, and for all her forcible nonchalance, Narcissa's gaze darted up and down the table and into the air above before she began gathering her tea. No flying feathers, no newspapers, no parcels, and no letters. The only good thing about creatures as filthy as owls being allowed in the dining hall was that they delivered items of importance, and if her plan was going to work, then she needed another letter. If it came today, then she would have an entire week to plan for her outfit, to think through the benefits and costs of allowing their first kiss to be public or private, to gather conversation topics and decide just how honest she could be with him. Because this was going to happen for her. It had to. To gain back her power, her security, she needed to show that she and the Black family had value yet.

What better way to show that then to be seen on Lucius Malfoy's arm as if nothing had happened, and this had been their goal all along?

Violet truly was a dear, sticking beside her through the tumultuous summer and social fallout. 

I’m leaving, with no plans to return. Please don’t look for me, I no longer wish to be part of this family. I’m sorry, and I hope one day you can understand.

Andy's letter had left Narcissa in a...mood, to say the least. She had never felt so much at once, and it felt like the feelings would burst her apart from the inside out. That they would make her into some kind of figure who was meant to be endlessly sullen and tragic, woebegone, forgotten, left behind. The kind of figure her sister thought she was, or thought she deserved to be. But Andromeda was wrong, she was wrong about everything. Oh, how Andromeda had sobbed to her only last summer, she had cried her very soul out over a mudblood, and Narcissa had been foolish enough to trust that her sister would move forward. She'd been foolish enough to keep her sister's secret. And Andromeda had up and left in the middle of the night, not even giving her the courtesy of waking her up, allowing her a moment to plead, to say goodbye...

But that was in the past. 

Her feelings were safely buttoned up now, and she had a new goal for herself, a new fixation. She would still find a way to get what she deserved, and since she deserved the best - she deserved Lucius Malfoy. A date soon, a betrothal before long, and her future would be linked with the most eligible young bachelor in all of Britain. Since convincing her parents of the worthiness of this connection, they'd reached out on her behalf, and now...and now, Lucius was writing her, and if all went according to plan, they would meet in Hogsmeade next weekend...

Distraction needed, she smoothed her friend's hair with laughter in her eye. "The summer sun is strong in London. We'll look even more like proper sisters this term."

[Violet Fudge]

Every morning since their return to Hogwarts, Violet had to let the simmering rage she felt to herself. Her best friend had suffered a terrible loss this summer, and instead of having sympathy for Narcissa, everyone was judging her. Like she had been the one to abandon the family and run off to marry a muggle-born. Cissa was right though, they couldn’t let the whispers and stares get to them. They wanted a reaction, but they wouldn’t get one. Instead, she did as Narcissa did, and held her head high, giving Cissa’s hand a squeeze. After the family had found the letter Andromeda left, Vi had spent the day at the Black manor trying to help Narcissa process. Violet had looked up to Andy, she had been Head Girl last year and Violet was hoping she would get the position in a few years. “Of course you do Cissa. They should all know better than to talk about you, or any of the Black family.” If they were going to gossip, Violet thought it should be about Sirius, the boy sorted into Gryffindor a few years ago.

Taking her seat at the table, she shot a glare to a whispering second-year who promptly left the table. It didn’t seem as if the owls had arrived yet, which was good. Violet knew that Narcissa was expecting a very important letter, and if Lucius was to fail at this, Violet would be giving him an earful. He was a perfect match for Narcissa, and she wanted the girl she viewed as a sister to have some happiness in these trying times. When Narcissa had told her of her plan to convince her parents to match her with Lucius, Violet had been thrilled. And promptly had started dropping hints to Lucius when she saw him over the summer to put the idea in his head. After all, Narcissa was a catch and if Lucius didn’t hurry, someone else would certainly catch her friend’s attention.

She took her time preparing her morning tea, before helping herself to some of the pastries on the table. There was always a wide selection of food, but today she found herself too annoyed by the stares of others and anxious for her friend to receive a letter. She turned to Narcissa, smiling brightly as her dear friend complimented her. “We will indeed,” she said with a laugh, feeling lighter. She had siblings of her own, and a quick search of the hall revealed that they had already eaten, or were on their way. She didn’t speak to them during the school year very often, and not just because they had been sorted into Gryffindor. They were nothing like her, and Narcissa felt more like a sister than Charlotte ever had. “I have a good feeling about today, I do believe you’ll be getting a letter.”

[Narcissa Malfoy]

Perhaps it was unwise of her to set her sights on Lucius Malfoy. Perhaps she should cast a wider net, and see who may be interested in her. He was not the only unwed heir around, but he was, without question, the best option, and she couldn't be the only well-bred witch with him in mind. But Narcissa could only beam at her friend's encouragement, confident that she would find a way to turn this dream into reality. To be sure, Lucius was older and had just graduated with honors - he had even been Head Boy; he was Andy's contemporary, not hers, but if he felt any animosity towards her for her sister's betrayal, he hadn't let on; he was part of a noble family and would undoubtedly do so much to continue bringing them pride; he was charming, and handsome, and brilliant, a splendid dancer and spectacular orator...

He was, in short - the perfect match for her. Not only because, in her heart, Narcissa felt they could connect, understand, and love each other as only those raised within their social circle could. They could bond two important families together, their union overshadowing the shame her sister had brought upon them so flippantly, and she would have done far more than her part in securing herself a glorious future, along with helping her family. Bella had done so with Rodolphus, Andy should have done so - but she would fulfill her duty, and enjoy it. Because if she could become Narcissa Malfoy? There was nothing, truly, that she couldn't do. Not with the resources and support of such a man at her side, and his heart.

For she would win his heart, first. He would see her - her charm, her beauty, her brilliance, all that she had to offer. No one of substance had ever found her lacking before, and she would throw herself into the lake if Lucius Malfoy was the first.

It was easy to trust in her decision when those she trusted were on board, and Violet would never lie to her as Andy had, she would not abandon her or lead her astray. If Andy could choose to no longer be sisters, she could choose who her sisters were, and no matter if Vi kept her lovely hair blonde or allowed it to darken again - she was as true a sister as Narcissa deserved. They deserved each other, really, what with the disappointments that Rufus and Charlotte were. "I hope so, darling," she agreed, on the edge of her seat as she tried to contain herself, to wait. She sipped at her tea, not quite tasting it. "It's one thing to receive hints, but knowing he's actually coming to visit? It will change everything. And he must know that I'll need time to prepare - oh!" Narcissa's cup clattered onto its saucer as she grabbed her friend's arm, a flurry of owls flying into the Hall. In moments, a letter was drifting down towards her, and she plucked it from the air in her eagerness. Dignity, Narcissa, all things with dignity. She shooed away the voice that sounded terribly like her mother's, although she did heed it, and took a measured breath as she looked it over. A letter addressed to her in his handwriting, the wax seal bearing his family's emblem.

She hesitated, letter in hand. While she waited, anything could be inside, including what she needed. And what Narcissa truly needed was something to go right. Unequivocally right. Something to go according to plan, something that made sense, something of a sign that she could take on this challenge of finding a husband without Andy's guidance. That she could do difficult things without her sister, whether it was this task or anything else that came her way. Narcissa took a knife from the table and slid it under the seal to release the letter, and read quickly, eyes darting over the script until, with a restrained squeal of delight, she gave the letter to Violet. "We need to find Dora," she whispered, beyond giddy in her thrill. "He's taking me out for the day, it's happening!"