Ad Mortem Festinamus

Poor old Slughorn hadn't believed his own bad luck. He had been forced to ban his favourite student and 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 did 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.

He didn't know what terrible headaches he caused Professor Slughorn, because this one had to write to Abraxas Malfoy. But even if he had known it, he wouldn't have cared the slightest bit. All he cared for 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 capability of 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 me to 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?"

"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 you make such an effort."

"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."

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 left me alone after that?"

"Deal!" He was beaming at her.

"I can't believe I'm doing this." She hadn't stopped to shake 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, 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 with it like that.

That had several reasons on the Deputy Headmaster's part. For once - 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. He would not have to inform Mr Malfoy senior, giving this one 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. The only problem would be Minerva McGonagall, but he would manage. He'd rather challenge his colleague than Abraxas Malfoy.

Very, very slowly, 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 been determined 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 just had had a sleepless night because of him. Was he a Legimens? 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 knocked 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, 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 saw fit to it, 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 smirked. "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."

"I'm glad to hear it!"

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Saepe... Frequently, a single hours gives what has been denied for a whole year.