On The Subject Of The Art Of War

That Which Concerns A Prince On The Subject Of The Art Of War

The woman sat on the veranda. It was a lovely evening and the sun was less than an hour from disappearing over the horizon. The roses were turning out lovely this year and she could smell their heady scent mingling with that of the exotic dishes being prepared inside.

The scene being played out before her brought a smile to her face. The two men in her life were playing Quidditch on the lawn. A surge of pride went through her as she saw her son perfectly executing rather difficult moves, looking very much as his father did at his age. Her gaze shifted to her husband. The man cut quite an impressive figure and she was amazed that the very sight of him could still send her heart racing. She felt herself to be a very blessed woman and mother, indeed.

She often worried about many things. Mostly, she worried that little family moments like the one before her might not be allowed to continue. She was more than a little concerned that Mudbloods would take over with their brand of barbarism and snuff out her culture.

Mudbloods were part of a vast conspiracy to take what wasn't theirs. In her mind, she distinguished Mudbloods from the Muggleborn. The Muggleborn knew their place. The Muggleborn knew that they were lower and should be kept separate from the Purebloods. If that balance were kept, then everyone would be happy. She didn't spare much thought for Muggles themselves at all. They were savages at best and easily contained by magic. The poor dears were to be pitied.

It was a real shame that so many had been poisoned by the Mudblood propaganda. Yes, her people were on the verge of war. Her husband had great responsibilities to ensure that their cause succeeded. It was her job to help out the cause in any way she could.

She could have gone the way of Bellatrix, but she was content to manipulate things from the sidelines. She had her son to consider, after all. So, she contented herself organising soirees such as the one planned for tonight. All Purebloods were welcome in her home, from the rich to the poor. Once the Dark Lord gained control, the poor would be rewarded and the rich even more so.

Her family was the standard by which other Purebloods judged themselves. Her husband was an amiable man and they both did their part of recruiting for the cause. He was a genius tactician and was high in the Dark Lord's circle. She did charity work and made friends, and it was her pleasure to do so. Why, wasn't she the one that convinced that nice young Percy Weasley to come tonight? He had promise. Perhaps he could even further their cause in his own family. Merlin only knew, but that was a wonderful hope to have.

Tonight would be wonderful. Their old friends, their new ones, and those yet to be made, all under her roof. Dinner and dancing would come first. Then, the ladies would retire and go off to gossip. The men would go off to drink, smoke, and discuss politics and Merlin knew what else. The children would go play, while the older ones would alternate between watching and staying with the adults. Perhaps the men and boys would go off to practice dueling techniques. She lived for these moments.

The two men were walking over to her as she stood up, broomsticks over their shoulders. They both smiled at her.

"Come to watch us play, Mother?" her son asked.

"You both play so well. I swear, you look more like your father everyday, Draco," she told him proudly.

He kissed her on her cheek and went inside to get ready. Her husband merely grinned wider.

"Narcissa, my dear, you are a vision of perfection," he purred in her ear as he put his arm around her. "I could just eat you up."

Laughing like a schoolgirl, she started to blush.

"Lucius, you flatterer! You're making me all sweaty. You'll ruin my dress..." she countered lightly.

Leering at her, he retorted, "Damn the dress. If we didn't have guests coming..."

"But we do. Well, I suppose that you'll just have to wait until later," she said laughing.

Turning to face her, he kissed her soundly. It left them both breathless. Yes, Narcissa Malfoy definitely lived for these moments.