A Birthday Surprise
"Narcissa?"
At the sound of her name, she turns around to find Lucius standing at the front of the aisle, his eyebrows raised. Suddenly aware that she is still holding something in one hand, she sets it back down on the shelf and clears her throat.
"Hello, Lucius," she says, all innocence as she saunters toward him.
He regards her with a barely disguised quirk in his mouth. "I thought you said you were going to pick out some new robes for yourself."
"Well, I -- I may or may not have lied to you."
"Indeed?" Lucius moves toward her, step after deliberate step, and she mirrors his careful pace, walking backwards until they come to a stop where she had been standing earlier. "So, tell me, my dear, what could ever motivate a proper pureblood wife -- with an admitted dislike of household chores -- to venture into a place as plebeian as a, ah, grocery store?"
Neither of them speaks. Then, turning to face the array of colorful merchandise before her, she sighs. "Draco will be one year old soon."
"Narcissa, we've already discussed this. We will be having a party as grand as any at the manor, and the Minister himself told me that he may attend."
"Yes, yes, I know." She shakes her head impatiently. "But I want a cake -- "
"My dear, did you think that I had forgotten to invite the best caterers in England to the party?"
"No, I hadn't forgotten, but -- well, it isn't everyday that your son celebrates his first birthday, is it?"
Lucius's expression softens. "No, I suppose it isn't."
"I know that I ordinarily despise cooking, but I had wanted to surprise you with our own little party -- with our own cake that I would bake just for Draco -- simply as, well, as that: as one family with no others."
"If that is the case, then," Lucius says after a time, a noticeably pink tinge creeping into his face, "I'm sorry for, er -- "
" -- accusing me of acting beneath my station?" Narcissa offers.
He laughs, then, placing his arms around her waist, rests his chin upon her shoulder. "Yes, that. Now, what sort of cake were you planning on baking?"
"To be honest, I hadn't really thought about that part yet, but I did find these."
She picks up a jar and passes it to Lucius. He holds it up to his gaze and studies it for a moment. "Sprinkles, Narcissa?"
"Children find them delightful," she says.
"Mother knows best, but if you insist..."
"And I do."
Lucius places the jar back on the shelf and picks up another. "Then I will have to insist on a different colour. No son of mine will be eating a cake with red sprinkles on it. Green, on the other hand, is far more suitable. And you should add some silver ones too -- the two go very well together, you know."
Narcissa takes the jar from Lucius, her fingers lingering over his as they exchange smiles. "Ask nicely, Lucius, and I believe I can accommodate your request."