Welcome to Until The End. We are a moderate Harry Potter role-playing site set in the Marauder's Era. Our plot is generally derived from details in the book, but as an AU site we do take liberties most anywhere we like. Those who died in the books can have a second chance at living, and those who lived are always at risk.
Tom Marvolo Riddle has long since disappeared and in his stead Lord Voldemort has risen, bringing a small army with him. The Ministry of Magic has thus far ignored the growing menace that is the Death Eaters and Albus Dumbledore has taken it upon himself to defend the wizarding community from an evil he knows is building. War is coming. Pick a side!
School's Out For Summer
The Hogwart's Express has pulled up to the station in King's Cross station and the summer holidays have officially begun. What mischeif will you get into in the warm summer sun?
*Coming Soon* - Summer Solstice Carnival
Travel by portkey to the biggest summer celebration in wizard society - The Summer Solstice Carnival! There will be food, games, prizes, fun and more!
Post by Narcissa Astrid Malfoy on Jul 26, 2019 11:58:00 GMT -8
They were a week away from Carina's due date but instead of planning for a baby, Narcissa was busy planning for an old friend. Lucius' mate, Elias, had lost his half-brother only a month after Lucius and Narcissa had lost Carina. Their losses were in no way comparable, they weren't even in the same quidditch pitch, but Narcissa understood the hardship that Eli had gone through and she agreed to do her best to make him feel welcomed in their home. She also promised herself that she would put on a spectacular performance, seeing as this was the first non-relative guest the Malfoy Manor would be hosting since Carina's demise and Narcissa's self-imposed isolation.
Ordering Dobby to fetch a fresh tin of biscuits for their guest, Cissa paused to check her reflection in window. Her hair was pulled away from her face, long silvery curls flowing down her back. Her makeup was subtle but disguised the bags under her eyes well enough. She looked youthful despite the weariness she felt. Cissa inspected her lipstick then inhaled deeply and put on a smile.
Why the boys were meeting at the manor instead of somewhere more public or even at Elias' estate was none of Narcissa's business. Lucius had informed her they would be having company today and she quietly obliged. She'd been something of a wretched wife for several months following the premature stillbirth of their beloved daughter, the least she could do now was to accommodate her husband's wishes as best she could. Of all the possible visitors they might have had, at least Cissa enjoyed Elias' company. He was an intelligent man, witty, and gentle when he needed to be. He'd been one of the first to send Cissa flowers after it had happened, and never tried to pry any conversation out of her if she didn't appear willing. She knew he had a harder side to him as well, but as a lady and the wife of his best mate, there was never any reason for Narcissa to witness that side of him. She adored Eli and, as much as she could given the timing of it all, she welcomed his presence in their home.
"Should I have the barcart brought in?" she asked her husband, poking her head through the doorway of his study. "I've set out tea and biscuits, but if you think you'll be wanting something stronger I can arrange that." It was simple enough. Dobby, their house elf, would comply with her orders and she could have a fully stocked barcart set up in the lounge within the minute.
Post by Lucius Ophiuchus Malfoy on Jul 26, 2019 13:33:18 GMT -8
Lucius had been sitting for so long it felt as though the ornate cherrywood bookcases were closing in on him. Cissa's appearance was an unexpected breath of fresh air, most welcome, but still unexpected.
Bringing his head up at the sound of her voice, his gaze shot over to the doorway. His appearance was impeccable as always, but there were circles under his eyes and his hair was slightly more disheveled than usual. For the most part Lucius kept up appearances, even succumbing to the odd elixir for composure, but he was a wreck inside. Losing Carina had a profound effect on him, but not even he could understand, or share, what he needed to heal. Instead he chalked the emotion up to weakness, and Malfoys didn't have weaknesses so he ignored the pain.
He blinked a few times to adjust his weary eyes until his wife's face was clear.
"Cissa, you're up…" he remarked with surprise as she had more or less retreated to her chambers since Carina's passing.
The next second he was on his feet, his long legs eating up the space between them. He paused just in front of her, taking a moment for a proper onceover and assuring himself that she was physically unharmed.
When he was satisfied his brow furrowed "Is everything alright?"
Her words caught up with him then and he realized that she intended to be a hostess for Elias' visit. With understanding and infinite affection for the woman in front of him he smiled and brought a hand to her cheek "I could have handled that. You didn't need to trouble yourself."
Since the loss the Malfoys had been considerably less social, even going so far as to "close the gates" against visitors. It was for the best though as Malfoy Manor had become a house of death. Sadness echoed throughout the hallways and produced a gloomy depression that clung to the walls. Other than a few token family members, Elias would be the first person they welcomed into their home. But Eli was the closest thing Lucius had to a brother, thus his visitation would hardly call for formalities.
When he told Narcissa that Elias would be visiting, it was to give her warning that another person would be in the Manor and give her the opportunity to object if she wasn't ready. He also halfway expected her to keep to her chambers during Eli's visit and Lucius supported her doing whatever it was she needed to recover.
For his own recovery, Lucius was pleased Elias had returned to England. He understood that the return had to do with Eli's half-brother, and while Lucius had only met Rafe a handful of times, he believed the boy to have a good heart and that his death was a tragedy.
All in all Lucius needed a friend and his friend needed him.
Post by Narcissa Astrid Malfoy on Jul 26, 2019 17:53:36 GMT -8
It seemed unimaginable that Narcissa could be in so much pain and still function, but the anguish she had put her husband through after Carina's death was enough to guilt her into action. She hated seeing Lucius in pain but admittedly, she had no real idea what he was going through. She'd been selfish in her misery and it had only been within the last month or so that she began to look outside of herself. The weight she felt knowing she had let down Lucius was nothing to losing her daughter but anguish didn't compartmentalize or postpone to ease one's schedule. It piled on until Narcissa broke and then for added measure, life threw another curve ball her way and she dealt with that with as much grace as she could manage. Their home was large but the addition of Abraxas Malfoy made it feel small and cold. It was a terrible reminder that they were supposed to have been a very different household of three, and Cissa couldn't help but feel a bit of hatred toward her father-in-law, through no fault of his own. Abraxas would probably want to join them when Elias arrived, but she didn't bother sending word to him. He could find out of his own accord, as she was certain he had ears everywhere already.
"It's no trouble." She leaned into his hand, blue eyes closing. "I can have Dobby prepare the cart, if you'd like. You and Eli should be comfortable. He's been through so much."
Post by Lucius Ophiuchus Malfoy on Jul 26, 2019 20:10:15 GMT -8
Lucius answered with a smile and pressed his lips to her forehead, "You are a creature of infinite grace my love." he spoke softly against her temple. Her sympathy for Elias warmed Lucius. She had been through so much but chose to sooth another's grief and not for the first time Lucius wondered what he had done in life to deserve Narcissa.
She was his greatest treasure. Beyond the power and materialistic pleasures his wealth afforded him, nothing brought as much joy to his life as his wife. Of course there were dozens of offers for Narcissa's hand in marriage. The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black was one of the largest, oldest, and wealthiest pure-blooded wizarding families in Britain, and one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, but that was hardly all Narcissa had to recommend her. She was also undoubtedly an angelic creature with silver hair and pale perfect features. But as beautiful as she was on the outside, her true beauty was the kindness in her heart. Somehow she managed to escape adolescence without acquiring the same cynicism as so many others entering adulthood and even in difficult times seemed to exude a quiet strength that was both soft and sturdy.
"He is not the only one who has been through much of late."
Post by Elias Ainsley Bulstrode on Jul 26, 2019 20:31:37 GMT -8
Plans to return to work had been stalled, though not officially. Elias still attended the odd meeting here and there and he partook in a few Wizengamot trials, though only as an onlooker, not as prosecutor. Since May, Elias had been invested first in supporting his mother making plans for Rafe's burial and orchestrating all the legalities that came with death. A task no parent should be forced to endure for their own child. Once the dust had settled and the inconsistencies made themselves apparent, Elias' time had been spent on his own investigation into Rafe's death. It all came back to Rafe's obsession with Elara Sayre and by some strange twist of fate, he had read not long ago of her engagement to none other than Nicholas Malfoy, the cousin of his best mate.
The opportunity was too intriguing to pass up, but as he approached Malfoy Manor and rang the bell, Elias reminded himself for the umpteenth time that his hosts were still in their own period of mourning. Poor Lucius had lost his first child only four months ago, and that was after a handful of miscarriages the couple had experienced. Elias knew all about the hardship they were going through, and he could sympathize to an extent, but he had his own loss to tend to now. Lucius would understand that.
The door opened and a small house elf appeared. Dobby. Elias looked past the creature into the home, but his friend was not in the entry way. "I believe I'm expected," he said as he stepped over the threshold without so much as a formal offer of entry. Elias had been here many times before, and it was only out of courtesy for his friend's wife that he bothered to ring the bell at all. Before Lucius had married, Eli would walk straight into his mate's house without so much as 'hello', and Lucius was still welcome to do the same in return, but Elias was a gentleman and liked Narcissa so making her uncomfortable was low on his list of things to do. Ringing the bell was an easy accommodation to make. The elf directed Elias into the lounge where a tin of biscuits and tea had been set out. He grabbed a chocolate biscuit and wandered over to the window, looking out over the grounds and waiting for his arrival to be announced.
Post by Lucius Ophiuchus Malfoy on Jul 26, 2019 21:50:22 GMT -8
Lucius wouldn't have been surprised to hear of their engagement. The Sayres and the Malfoys had been quite close once. Lucius' uncle Gaius was best mates with the patriarch of the Sayre clan until that nasty business with Aedan's wife. Of course Abraxas took his brother's side and held a grudge against Aedan ever since Gaius' accidental death. His pride had been quite wounded when Nik decided to live with Aedan rather than at Malfoy Manor with him. Their relationship had been strained ever since.
But Lucius didn't fault his cousin's choice. Hell, he envied it. He also understood that staying with Aedan had more to do with Elara than any familial loyalty and Lucius admired his cousin's devotion. Nik made his priorities pretty clear on more than one occasion, it was only a matter of time before the pair wed. As the acting patriarch for the Malfoy family Lucius normally would have been consulted before an offer of marriage was made, but between Elara and Nik it was just expected.
That being said even if Nik had written a letter notifying Lucius of his intent to propose, Luc probably wouldn't have been in the right mind to congratulate his cousin
It had been four months since Carina's death and Lucius was no closer to understanding how he was supposed to put his life back together. He had no idea how to heal or if healing was even possible after that kind of loss. But in that quiet moment with his wife in his study he found a tiny shred of peace. They would get through this, they would survive. If Narcissa was at his side he could conquer the world.
The moment was broken by the sound of Eli's arrival. Had that been a bell? Lucius laughed lightly in amusement. The last time he had visited Elias in the city, he had broken into his friend's penthouse - despite having a key - and proceeded to drink his way through Eli's generous supply until his friend arrived. The memory sobered Lucius, that had been a few months ago and he had been in a bad place. He wasn't doing much better.
He pressed his forehead against Narcissa's in a show of solidarity and took her hands in his. He squeezed once gently, "If at any time it's too soon or too much..." his look conveyed his intent more than his words. Her well being was his priority and he wanted her to know that she didn't have to feign strength for him or Elias.
Post by Narcissa Astrid Malfoy on Jul 26, 2019 22:09:32 GMT -8
Narcissa turned her head slightly and kissed the palm of his hand which had been pressed against her cheek. Of all the handsome wizards who might have caught her eye, Cissa was amazed that he returned her affections. She was one of the lucky ones in their society to have avoided an arranged marriage, and while marrying for love had always seemed the easier outcome, it had been a literal life saver in these hard times. "I'll leave you to your fun," she finished his sentence for him with a nod. How many women had such a caring man as she?
They walked in silence through the corridors, a somber expression on her face. Cissa's entire appearance seemed to change as soon as she turned into the lounge. "Look what the kneazle dragged in, Luci darling." She smiled brightly at Elias but it wasn't completely convincing. The sparkle hadn't reached her eyes. She greeted Elias with a kiss on the cheek.
Post by Lucius Ophiuchus Malfoy on Jul 26, 2019 23:39:44 GMT -8
Caring had been Lucius' weakness according to his father. Abraxas thought him soft, and that softness made Lucius weak. He could still hear the hallways echo with his father's disapproval, but Narcissa had shown him something else. She was soft and incredibly strong. She was soft and gave him a safe place to be soft as well. He could be tender with Narcissa where he had to be hard with the rest of the world. He could tell her his hopes and dreams, and she would inspire him to meet the challenges head on.
She was his saving grace - even if he was beyond saving.
Cissa's abrupt change in demeanor brought a smile to his mouth as well. She knew that neither man would judge her for her sadness, but she still made a sincere and successful effort to be the perfect hostess.
Lucius demeanor changed as well. He had never feigned any kind of emotion with Eli - there was never any need - but the man's presence was comforting. Family had come and Lucius had greeted them with the same stiff formality as ever, but Eli was the first person to visit that actually made Lucius relax a little.
"Dragged indeed. Brother you look terrible." he teased ironically as Lucius was the one out of sorts. Elias had just lost his brother, but still looked every inch the dashing prosecutor.
Post by Elias Ainsley Bulstrode on Jul 27, 2019 12:24:37 GMT -8
Footsteps approached from behind him in the corridor and when Elias turned, half a chocolate biscuit in his mouth, he was greeted by the lovely Narcissa Malfoy and the slacker she called a husband. He choked down the rest of his cookie as Lucius attempted a playful insult that only brought further attention to how ragged the married man looked. Lucius, unlike his stunning wife, had the appearance of a disheveled boar. He chuckled loudly. "Well we can't all look as dashing as you, mate. You look like you've been dragged through hell. Cissa, are you not hosing him down in the garden at least once a week? I thought that's what we agreed upon." He gave her a cheeky grin before lifting her hand and bringing it to his lips. In a more sincere tone, he complimented her. "You, my dear, look ravishing. Apologies for my impatience. You know I cannot resist your biscuits."
Post by Lucius Ophiuchus Malfoy on Jul 27, 2019 16:33:00 GMT -8
Lucius was well aware of his haggard appearance and didn't take any extra measures to hide that from his friend, but he did defend his wife, "My wife is most attentive, thank you Ainsley." he said using the man's middle name whenever he was annoyed or feigning annoyance.
He quickly took the hand that Elias had held and brought it to his chest in a mock show of possession. "Perhaps if you were married your ability to resist temptation would improve."
Lucius smirked at the standing joke between them. Elias would need to settle down one day - it's simply what men in their position did, but the man didn't seem to be in a rush. Lucius' obligations had been different. The most important thing for him, according to Abraxas, was continuing the family line and create a dynasty. His father had decided marriage to the Black household was the only logical choice and Lucius - being a Malfoy - had his pick of the three sisters.
Bellatrix terrified him on an emotional level. They were in the same year at school and the woman was knucking futz if ever anyone fit the description. He loved her of course - as his sister in law - but he never would have married her.
There was a time that Andromeda's name came up. They had been friends in school and got along easily enough. But her name was swiftly out of the running after the scandal involving the mudblood. Elias had also been seeing Andromeda at the time. It was a rather chaotic period for everyone involved, but even then, there was something melancholy about Andromeda that wouldn't have suited him in marriage. He was melancholy enough.
Finally there was Narcissa. Lucius had always carried a soft spot for the woman he now called wife. She was stunning even as a child and often reminded Lucius of a flower at dawn. His last year of Hogwarts brought them closer and they kept in touch after he left, but she had been too young for him then. Admittedly it was his father who opened Lucius' eyes to the woman that Narcissa had become. He had been dating someone at the time, but after seeing Narcissa at a party surrounded by beaus and eligible bachelors Lucius was sunk. He knew that Narcissa had been the right woman for him, but was hesitant to make her a wife so early without having a chance to live or date - as he hadn't exactly been celibate. At the same time he wasn't about to let her slip through his fingers. They began courting and their affair had been easy - at least to Lucius. Narcissa was the perfect spouse, the perfect woman. She suited him in every way - even during these difficult times she made his life infinitely better.
Eli had yet to even come close to being serious about woman. Lucius sometimes wondered if it was because the only two women he had seriously dated both ended up betraying him - one shagged and eventually married a mudblood the other - Olivia - had them all fooled, only she wanted Eli for his bank account. Since then it was a revolving door, Lucius didn't bother to remember any names.
Post by Narcissa Astrid Malfoy on Jul 27, 2019 17:00:05 GMT -8
Narcissa gave a flirty smile at Elias, not the sort that would cause a stir but simply that of two good friends sharing a secret. The secret being Narcissa's divine looks, which could have classified as a secret as of late, what with Narcissa holing away in Malfoy Manor for months on end. "Don't listen to him, love. You have as many biscuits as you'd like." She looked adoringly up at her husband then raised up onto her toes in order to kiss his cheek. "My offer still stands, Elias. I know several young witches who would adore an evening with you." She had offered to set Eli up several times but he always refused her offer. She assumed it had something to do with her sister, Andromeda, and that whole mess with the muggle born.
Post by Elias Ainsley Bulstrode on Jul 27, 2019 17:14:40 GMT -8
How were they talking about his love life already? He'd only been here three minutes and it was the main focus of their conversation. Lucius had always seemed the sort to settle down sooner rather than later, no doubt in part due to his father's incessant badgering, but that really wasn't Elias' aim. He enjoyed his freedom and being able to spend time with whatever enchanting creatures he deemed fun for the evening, and the rest of his time he spent working. He had high goals for himself and an engagement would only slow things down. "Enough with the perfect couple routine," he said teasingly, waving a flippant hand in their direction as he crossed the room and sat on the plush sofa. "You're making me nauseated, it's far too early for this sort of thing." Plucking another biscuit from the tin, Eli crossed his right leg over his left and leaned back into the decorative cushions. "Since you broached the subject, Luci darling," he said, only slightly mocking the way Narcissa addressed her husband, "I hear there are wedding bells to be ringing soon in your family. Your cousin is engaged now, isn't he?"
Post by Lucius Ophiuchus Malfoy on Jul 27, 2019 18:27:37 GMT -8
Luc's amused smirk widened as Narcissa offered to set Eli up. He could barely resist the chuckle that escaped his lips.
Leaning into her kiss he indulged in the nauseating affair "You'll have to excuse him darling," he said addressing Narcissa, but keeping his eyes on his friend "jealousy is a terrible disease." he teased further, insinuating that Eli was jealous of their wedded bliss. It took him a moment to put Eli's words together, first he was confused as to which cousin Eli was referring to - there were many Malfoys - but only one made sense and Luc laughed.
"You must mean Nik. Did they make it official then?" he asked, assuming if Elias had seen it in the paper that the young couple had finally gone public with their intent. He frowned in thought, and addressed Narcissa for her input "I didn't realize the Sayre girl was of age already."
Time had certainly passed them by, but Lucius and Narcissa were only just hitting five years of marriage - still technically in the honeymoon phase. In addition to the tragedies that followed it stood to reason that Lucius was a bit out of the loop. Even so, the few family outings they had with his cousin and his apparent fiance he didn't spend much time with Elara one on one, though the encounters he remembered had been pleasant. What really made Elara stand out in his mind however was his father's approval of the girl - or perhaps it was the wealth and power the merger would bring. In any case Nik could certainly do worse.
Post by Elias Ainsley Bulstrode on Jul 27, 2019 19:05:11 GMT -8
"Nicholas, yes. That's the one." Elias took a small bite of his biscuit, swallowing before he continued but cutting in before Narcissa had the opportunity to answer her husband's question. He already knew the answer. "Still another year at Hogwarts, hasn't she?" She did. "That is a bit young. He's in his twenties, if I'm not mistaken. Seems you married into a family of pedos," he said jokingly, his eyes falling on Narcissa. "I'm sure she's a lovely girl but that age difference is quite striking. She would be much better suited to my brother, but then that didn't really seem to work out in Rafe's favor." Elias' jovial expression hardened slightly but his smile remained, giving an almost demented look.
Post by Lucius Ophiuchus Malfoy on Jul 27, 2019 20:18:00 GMT -8
If Lucius had been on his game he would have known immediately where Eli was steering the conversation. Then again, Lucius never bothered to hide things from Eli, making their relationship possibly the most honest one he had.
He was honest with Narcissa, and he loved her beyond measure, but he tried to shield her from the darkest parts of himself. Something he had no problem revealing to Eli. In turn he had seen Eli's good, bad, ugly, and downright terrifying sides over the years. As a prosecutor, Eli was skilled in conversation steering - most anything out of the charming devil's mouth was a trap - but his friend's cunning when he was truly worked up was a different beast all together. And Lucius wasn't on his game.
He had the presence of mind not to comment on Elara's "loveliness" in front of Narcissa, but he was amused at Elias' assumption that Elara was too young. Just because Lucius wasn't aware of Elara's actual age, didn't mean he thought her young. The girl did not look young. She didn't act young either. Accomplished in terms of education and extracurricular pursuits - Lucius couldn't be sure but he vaguely recalled something about a magazine - and impeccably composed, Elara was very mature for her age. But maturity had nothing to do with it. Elara was the kind of female that made a man have less than wholesome thoughts. There would never be another woman to rival Cissa's beauty in Lucius' eyes, but he wasn't blind - neither was the entire male student body at Hogwarts.
Lucius didn't envy Nik's future of keeping other men's hands off of his wife, because Elara wasn't like Narcissa, who was just as admired and in his opinion more beautiful. Elara didn't look at Nik the way that Narcissa looked at him. The dark haired beauty invited sin with every innocent gesture, and Lucius had a feeling she knew how to wield such a weapon.
It wasn't until Elias brought up Rafe that the puzzle pieces clicked together and understanding dawned in Lucius' eyes. He hadn't put all of the connections together prior to Eli's visit, but that now seemed a rather large oversight. His cousin was marrying the girl partially responsible for the death of his best mate's younger brother. Small world.
The circumstances surrounding the murder were still vague and Lucius had been so wrapped up in Carina's death he hadn't paid much attention to the world outside Malfoy Manor, but now the event and his friend's slightly determined look brought him to the present. Not many people knew that Elias had a younger brother. Lucius was Elias' best mate and he had only ever met Rafe a handful of times. The social gene definitely went to Elias as Rafe was infinitely more reserved and almost introverted. He was a good kid to be sure, and pleasant to be around, but no where near the larger than life presence that his brother carried. But Lucius knew how deeply Elias cared for Rafe and his mother and their broken family, thus he was properly sympathetic as the conversation took a serious mien.
"It was a tragedy, what happened to Rafe, but he was a good sort until the very end." Lucius stated sincerely. He had no reason to believe that Elara's tale about being attacked and Rafe rescuing her had been a falsehood, to him it was all a brutal twist of fate, but he could understand his friend's desire for answers. "I heard they held a vigil in his honor at the school, have there been any new developments in the case?"