Celtic Studies - Celtic Languages Brief Lesson: Celtic studies or Celtology is the academic discipline occupied with the study of any sort of cultural output relating to the Celtic people. This ranges from linguistics, literature and art history, archaeology and history, the focus lying on the study of the various Celtic languages, living and extinct. Three of the six Celtic languages that are still in use today are Irish, Scottish, Gaelic, and Welsh.

Task Chosen: In the last 50 years, there has been active support in getting people speaking the Welsh language. Write about someone/people trying to keep something (like a tradition, language, or risk of animals) from becoming extinct or dying out.

Summary: Even in the conservative wizarding world, the language of flowers is a lost art. Seeking to gain the attention from the only witch that holds his, Lucius hopes the flowers he gives can do the talking for him.

Courting Narcissa

1)

As a Malfoy, Lucius was used to having the best life had to offer. What he wasn't used to was having to work for something, or in this instance, work for someone's attention.

"It's not fair," Lucius grouses as he blatantly watches Narcissa from across the library.

"What's not fair," Franklin, the first year Lucius is supposed to be tutoring, asks.

"Oh no," Thaddeus Nott sighs, "not this again."

"Narcissa refusing to date me," Lucius answers, ignoring Thaddeus. "Why wouldn't she want to date me? I'm handsome, rich, popular –"

"Humble," Thaddeus adds. Lucius doesn't (or pretends not to) hear him but Franklin does. He laughs but quickly pretends to cough when Lucius glares at him. Undeterred by his mentor's glaring, offers some advice.

"Have you tried saying it with flowers?"

"That's so . . . old-fashioned. Just because I'm a Malfoy doesn't mean I am."

"But I overheard –"

"You're just a first year. What do you know about romance? Matter of fact, I didn't ask your opinion."

Franklin looks at Thaddeus who shrugs his shoulders.

'Let him learn the hard way,' Thaddeus mouths to Franklin.

2)

After seeing a smile grace Narcissa's face after receiving flowers from an unnamed suitor, Lucius finds himself sending an owl to his mother. His mother, Althea Malfoy, usually writes within three days of receiving a letter from her eldest son. A week passes before Artie, his mother's barn owl, arrives at the Slytherin table during breakfast.

Lucius suspects that his mother intentionally waited before sending her response and the letter enclosed confirms it.

Dearest Lucius,

You should have paid attention to the lessons I tried to teach you while working in the greenhouses.

Sincerely,

Mother

At least she sent her well worn copy of Say It Without Saying It: The Timeless Language of Flowers.

3)

In the privacy of his dorm room, Lucius reads the book that his mother sent. He admits to himself that maybe he should've paid more attention to the knowledge his mother was trying to impart. In his defense, the best part of being in the greenhouse when he was younger was getting dirty with no consequences from his father.

Shaking the memories away, Lucius learns how various flowers having various meanings based on the color of the bloom and how even how which side the bow is tied on a bouquet of flowers makes a difference.

With this new knowledge, Lucius studies the flowers Narcissa receives for a week. The ribbon holding the bouquet is always perfectly tied in the middle. The flowers are always white daisies. It's like the sender is afraid to take a chance declaring his feelings.

Lucius doesn't share the same hesitance.

4)

Professor Sprout is more than happy to allow Lucius to pick flowers from the greenhouses she maintains for recreational purposes.

"When I first signed on as a Hogwarts professor, it was one of perks I insisted on. As much as I love Herbology, it's nice to take care of plants whose only purpose is to look pretty."

What Professor Sprout doesn't share with Lucius is the fact she has a bet with Professor Slughorn that Lucius will go the extra mile to gain Narcissa's attention and affection versus quitting and settling for someone who's attention is easier to gain.

Telling Horace 'I told you so,' is worth sacrificing a few of her precious flowers and Professor Sprout leads Lucius to the portion of the greenhouse where she grows several different colors of roses.

5)

The owl delivering the bouquet of white roses is nondescript. The ribbon (which is the colors of House Malfoy) tied to the left and the charm holding it upright is not. Narcissa lifts a delicate blonde eyebrow but otherwise doesn't make it overtly obvious that she's impressed.

When Lucius retires to his room for the evening however, a sprig of goldenrod is on his pillow.

The following morning, a hibiscus appears in front of Narcissa when she sits down at the Slytherin table for breakfast.

When Lucius pulls out his wand for a practical lesson in Charms, a sprig of ivy wraps around his wand.

At dinner, a Hufflepuff first year delivers a white camellia to Narcissa.

Two days later, Lucius receives chrysanthemums tied together with a sparkling midnight blue and silver (the colors of House Black) ribbon tied to the left. Confused, Lucius writes his mother for clarity.

Luc –

She's not laughing at you; you made her laugh.

Mom

Reassured, the next bunch of flowers Lucius sends Narcissia are yellow tulips.

6)

After a month of exchanging messages with flowers and plants, Lucius finds Narcissa with a couple of her year mates in the Slytherin common room.

"May I have a moment of your time, Narcissa," he asks.

Excusing herself from her friends, Narcissa allows Lucius to sit with her and he conjures a yellow rose and hands it to her upside down.

"When growing up, I never found the language of flowers terribly interesting. However, this past month I have enjoyed exploring the different meanings of flowers and various plants with you."

"It is a dying art," Narcissa comments, "and I am well versed in it, or I thought I was. I thought the yellow rose means the decrease of love, jealousy and infidelity."

"It does, if I give it to you upright. However, I am holding this rose upside down. Narcissa, you're the only witch that has completely captivated me. If you accept this rose, know that my love for you will never decrease and while I cannot promise I will never be jealous, I can promise if you will have me, I will only be true to you."

"I think I can accept that," Narcissa responds and after accepting the rose upside down, she conjures a red tulip and hands it over Lucius with her right hand.

7)

Later in the evening during rounds, Professor Sprout tries not to gloat as she accepts her galleons from Professor Slughorn.

She is unsuccessful.

Author Notes:

The meaning of the flowers/plants and ribbon symbolism as used in this story are –

Daisy: Innocence, Hope

White Rose: A new beginning, a fresh start

Ribbon: When tied to the left, the message is about the giver and when tied right, the message is to the receiver. When Narcissa receives the white roses from Lucius, the color of the bow lets her know they are from him and the direction the bow is tied let informs Narcissa that he is asking her for a new beginning and a fresh start between them.

Goldenrod: Encouragement

Hibiscus: Delicate Beauty

Ivy: Friendship, continuity

White Camellia: You're adorable

Chrysanthemums: Cheerfulness

Yellow Tulips: Your smile is like sunshine

Red Tulips: Declaration of love