Lucius was sitting beside Narcissa on the couch in his favorite study. Narcissa was holding Draco on her lap.

Lucius had his arm around Narcissa's shoulders as they both looked down at little Draco, who was currently sleeping.

"I don't know why he can't sleep this well at night," Narcissa remarked. "He's so restless at night, much like his father." Narcissa looked at Lucius with a fond expression on her face.

Lucius smiled at Narcissa. His smile quickly disappeared, however, when he saw who was standing in the doorway.

It was Abraxas.

The happy expression also faded from Narcissa's face.

"I thought it was about time I finally met my grandson," Abraxas spoke as he walked into the room. "I have been waiting a long time to finally have a grandchild, you know."

"Don't even start, Father," Lucius growled.

"My apologies," Abraxas replied. "I'm just very happy to finally be a grandfather, that's all."

"I didn't know you were capable of happiness," Lucius sneered, "and don't try to pretend that you're such the benevolent grandfather. You're not capable of that."

"You wound me, Lucius," Abraxas said, his face the picture of false hurt. "Now, let me see my grandson."

Lucius looked at Narcissa.

"I hate him almost as much as you do," Narcissa muttered, "but he still is family. Besides, the sooner he holds Draco, the sooner he will leave."

Narcissa then held out Draco towards his grandfather.

Abraxas took Draco from Narcissa.

Draco immediately woke up and began to cry.

With a look of disgust, Abraxas practically threw Draco back into Narcissa's arms. Narcissa immediately began to make soothing sounds.

Abraxas then turned to look at Lucius. "What are you going to do about this, Lucius?" he asked. "Are you going to allow your heir to be this weak and pathetic?"

"He's a baby," Lucius snapped. "It's perfectly normal for them to cry."

"Oh, yes, now I remember," Abraxas smiled unpleasantly. "I had to use the Silencing Charm on you a lot when you were a baby. You always were a disappointment, and it looks like your son is going to be the same exact way."

Lucius stiffened slightly, but otherwise he betrayed no emotion.

"Leave," he then said in a soft but deadly voice.

Abraxas smirked one final time before turning and leaving the room.

Lucius took several deep breathes to calm himself before directing his attention back to his wife and son.

Draco was no longer crying. In fact, he was now looking up at his mother with a content expression on his little face.

Narcissa looked over at Lucius. She had heard every word that Abraxas had said.

"Don't let your father's words get to you, Lucius," she said. "You've always been too good for him. He should be grateful that he has such a wonderful son and now such a beautiful grandson."

"My father's taunts don't bother me anymore," Lucius replied, waving his hand dismissively. "His words aren't anything I've never heard before."

Lucius stood up. "But I won't allow my father to hurt Draco. Draco will have a better childhood than either of us did. I will do whatever it takes to ensure that."

Narcissa placed a gentle hand on Lucius's arm.

Lucius looked at his wife with a soft expression in his eyes. Her touch had always been enough to calm him down whenever he was upset about something.

Lucius then placed a gentle hand on Narcissa's shoulder. "I'm sorry," he spoke, "but I have to go to the Ministry for a few hours. Try to take it easy."

"Don't worry about me," Narcissa replied. "I doubt your father will be back anytime soon. Apparently, crying babies are very frightening."

Lucius gave Narcissa a wide smile. "I'm glad that I have you in my life," he said. "You truly are an amazing woman."

"Only because I'm married to you," Narcissa returned.

"Don't make me blush, Narcissa," Lucius grinned. "It's not good for my ego."

Narcissa laughed. "I sometimes forget I married your ego along with you," she teased. She then looked down at Draco with obvious fondness. "And I bet you're going to have the same exact ego as your father."

"I don't think that's going to be a problem," Lucius smirked. "You have always found my ego to be endearing, and there's no way it won't be the same way with Draco."

"And that is what makes both of you very fortunate," Narcissa laughed.

Lucius just smirked.