The Making of a Peacock

Year Three - 1971

He huddled himself into the corner, shrinking as far into the shadows as he could against the slimy, wet walls of the corridor. He was a monster - repulsive. He didn't dare let anyone look upon the hideousness of his visage.

A 15-year-old Narcissa Black bravely strode up to him, her unflinching gaze took him in.

"Gilderoy," she breathed. "Oh Gilderoy, what's happened to you?" She knelt down in concern and put her hand on his shoulder.

"No!" he gasped. "Don't touch me! I'm... I'm so ashamed."

"Gilderoy," she tilted his face up to look into his eyes. They were filled with unshed tears. She knew he was holding them back in an effort to spare himself the blotchy complexion and red eyes that accompanied a crying spell. "Tell me what's wrong."

"I... I've... broken a nail!" he wailed as his shoulders heaved. He was unable to hold back the tears any longer. "And now I'll have to live with this horrible disfigurement until it grows out," he sobbed.

She wrapped her arms around him and smiled into his hair. "Oh Gilderoy," she comforted, "this is nothing. There are so many things magic can do. Here, let me help you." She withdrew from him slightly and gently took the hand he cradled against his chest. There was an infinitesimal snag on the pinky nail of his left hand. "Unguis Emendo," she said as she tapped the jagged tip of his fingernail with her wand. The broken edge of his nail immediately began to repair itself, and soon he was left with a perfectly smooth and buffed nail.

"Oh Narcissa! Thank you so much! What would I do without you?"

"It's nothing, Gilderoy," she said, "I'm glad I was finally able to return the favor. I have to go, I'm going to be late for History of Magic." She smiled and waved as she turned around and ran down the corridor and around the corner to catch up with her classmates. She ran into Lucius, his face in an arrogant glower.

"What was that about?" he sneered.

"Oh, you know, just sharing beauty secrets," Narcissa chuckled.

"I don't like him," said Lucius.

"You don't have to like him," said Narcissa, "he's my friend, not yours."

"What would your parents say if they knew you were fraternizing with the enemy?"

"The enemy?!" She puffed incredulously. "How on earth is he my enemy?"

"He's a mudblood, Narcissa."

"I don't like you using that word, Lucius."

"That's what he is."

She whirled around, infuriated. "He's a person just like you and me," she said, jabbing a finger into his chest. "Besides, Andromeda has some Muggleborn friends, and no one's made a big deal about that."

"Andromeda is walking a very tight line right now. She's a bit too chummy with that Edward fellow, and if she doesn't watch herself, I think she may end up being disinherited."

"Oh Lucius, you're always so quick to jump to the worst possible conclusion."

"I mean it Narcissa, I don't want you talking to that filthy Mudblood anymore."

She rolled her eyes and pushed past him into Professor Binn's classroom.

Lucius' eyes burned with malice. I'll put a stop to this one way or another, he thought.

The next day, Lucius unexpectedly found his opportunity when he entered Potions class. Third-year Ravenclaws had just finished and were filing out of the room when he noticed the Mudblood had left his school bag under his desk. Lucius casually made his way over to the empty desk, sat down, and began rifling through Lockhart's things. He found a jar of powder and smiled as he twisted the lid off. Pointing his wand at the contents, he cursed the powder with a particularly nasty hex he had learned from his grandfather. He replaced the jar quietly as he laughed to himself.

"Lucius," Narcissa said as she sat down next to him, "what time did you say Slughorn's Christmas party was supposed to start tonight?"

He looked up sharply as he let go of Lockhart's bag. "Eight o'clock, Narcissa. I will meet you in the common room at 7:45. Be sure to wear something striking, yet tasteful. There are bound to be some Wizards of influence in attendance this evening."

Later that evening, in the first floor girls' bathroom, Gilderoy was unrolling the last curler out of Narcissa's hair. She was wearing a pretty silver party dress that shimmered as it caught the light.

"I've never had my hair curled before," giggled Narcissa. It looks so different.

"It looks very elegant and frames your face beautifully." She really did look very attractive tonight, he thought to himself. She lowered her lashes and blushed. He started sweating under his arms.

"I have some...," he started, his voice cracking. He cleared his throat. "I have some face powder I want you to take with you tonight. If you get shiny at all, just dust a little bit on."

"Well, thank you, Gilderoy, that's very kind."

"Don't mention it," he smiled, "I'm glad I have it for you. I left my bag in Potions earlier today. I had to run back down there to retrieve it just before meeting you tonight."

"I'm glad you have it too. Well, I better be off. Lucius is very punctual, and I don't want to make him wait," she said as she gathered her things. Then, looking like a princess, she walked out the door.

The party was a somewhat boring affair to Narcissa. Lucius seemed to be enjoying himself though. Just as she had expected, Professor Slughorn had invited some rather distinguished Wizards and Witches to the party. This was an excellent opportunity to network and rub shoulders with what her parents would call 'the right sort of people'.

She could tell Lucius was a bit nervous, but he held himself well - chatting about the latest goings on at the Ministry and making small talk about Quidditch. She had been to many functions like this in the past since her family was well-known and respected. She was an ornament for Lucius' arm. She knew that. It was her place to smile, nod, and laugh at the right times, and she did.

When there was a lull in conversation, Narcissa turned slightly away from the crowd and opened her clutch to retrieve Gilderoy's face powder. It was a bit stifling with so many people in such small quarters, and she could feel a thin sheen of sweat on her face. She opened the jar and dusted the pouf with powder, then gingerly patted it over her nose.

All of the sudden, she felt blistering pain erupt inside her nostrils as thick, yellow, pungent pus shot out from her nose. It hit the wall, and some of it splattered back onto her dress. She turned around in confusion and pain and inadvertently sprayed the closest party guests with the foul pus. The party-goers looked on in horror and disgust as she continued shooting pus from her nose projecting it all around her and down her dress. She had to open her mouth in order to breathe, which enabled the pus to drip in it. She gagged and vomited, falling to her knees.

When Professor Slughorn realized the cause of the commotion, he immediately crossed the room in swift strides pulling his wand out. "Finite incantatem!" he roared.

Immediately the pus ceased flowing, and the pain stopped. Narcissa wretched again on the floor.

Lucius looked on in confusion and disgust until sudden comprehension dawned on him. Of course! Lockhart must have given her his powder tonight. Well, this wasn't his intended result when he had hexed it, but it would certainly do the job. He schooled his features to show concern instead of repulsion and bent down to offer Narcissa his hand.

"My dear, Narcissa, are you feeling unwell? Let me take you to the hospital wing."

She weakly lifted her pus-covered hand to his. He choked back bile and took her hand.

Professor Slughorn came closer to inspect the scene and observed the powder spilled on the floor behind Narcissa. He waved his wand above it and quickly recoiled. "This powder has been hexed," he announced. "Take care not to touch it. I will have it removed momentarily." He turned toward Narcissa who was sheltered under Lucius' arm now. "Dear girl, where did you get that?"

"F-from... someone I thought was my friend." Her lower lip quivered, and she buried her head into Lucius' chest as she began to sob.

"I'll take care of her, Professor." Lucius said as he escorted her away.

As they approached the hospital wing, they passed a group of Ravenclaws making their way back from dinner in the Great Hall. Lucius noticed that Lockhart was among them. He wasn't the only one who noticed. Narcissa tore herself from Lucius' arms and stormed over to Lockhart.

Gilderoy was stunned when he saw Narcissa stalking toward him. She was an absolute mess. Her beautiful dress was ruined, her hair was in disarray, and her make-up was flowing freely down her face along with her tears. The smell emanating from her was also horrific. She looked like something out of a nightmare.

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU, GILDEROY LOCKHART!" she cried before she turned and ran down the corridor, tears trailing down her soft cheeks.

Gilderoy stood there, dumbfounded. Lucius glared at him and then turned to follow Narcissa down the hallway, a smile spreading across his face.