Title: A dozen days
Author: Nienna 100
Reviews Wanted: Absolutely
Warnings: small spoiler, a little language, mentions of sexual intercourse, angst
Disclaimer: I only own the plot: the characters belong to JKRowling. Anything you recognize I am borrowing from the owners temporarily with all intentions of giving it back.
A/N: Reviewers will be given cyber muffins. Cyber muffins go to: Sampdoria (thank you) and GitaMerah (thank you and you'll find out in this chapter and the next, and the one after that a little bit too)
Lucius was woken late in the morning by a sharp stabbing pain in his leg. Grimacing, he pulled off the covers and examined it. It had been injured by the snake Nagini as she defended herself from his death curse. The flesh was tender but it would heal. When he stood he had to use his cane to support himself.
He threw Floo powder into the fire and stuck his head in as he called "Bobbin Apothecaries". A harried looking witch answered his call.
"How can I help you Mr Malfoy?" she asked. Lucius was a frequent buyer.
"Two vials of Blood-Replenishing Potion, Anti-Venom for diamondback Pythons, a tub of bruise balm and three bottles of strengthening solution, medium potential please"
As he spoke, the chemist rushed around gathering what he wanted from the shelves, "That's twenty-four Galleons please sir"
He handed over a handful of coins
Counting the money quickly, the girl said "That's thirty-two Galleons sir. Here's your change"
"Put it in your St Mungos collection please"
She looked surprised but started to thank him, when she realised she was talking to an empty fireplace.
Back at Grimmauld Place, Lucius shook soot from his hair and started to brush it quickly. Suddenly he changed his mind and stuffed it into a loose braid, tying it back with a leather thong. He applied bruise balm to his leg hastily and swallowed a mouthful of the Anti-Venom. Striding into Hermione's room, Lucius found that she had not moved
"Poor thing," he murmured, watching her gaunt face. He threw the curtains apart and pushed the window open slightly. Then he sat in a newly created chair at her bedside and went through his repertoire of Healing spells.
By nine o'clock that evening (having taken one break to transfigure a lamp into a plate of spaghetti) Lucius was exhausted. He had been through every awakening spell he could think of, but Hermione didn't stir. His head was in his hands, rubbing his eyes, when a voice made him jump
"Father?"
Lucius turned "Draco!" Hurrying towards the boy, he enfolded him in his arms "My son. I was afraid for you during the battle, but I could not leave" Draco was stiff in the unfamiliar gesture of affection
"What are you doing with the Mudblood?" the younger Malfoy asked savagely
"Draco, don't be impertinent. You are a guest in her rooms and you are offending your host. I am here to redeem myself"
"Sorry Father"
"What brings you here?"
"Mother wants to speak to you" Draco's voice was dull
"Can it not wait? Miss Granger is very unwell."
"No I don't think so. She was a bit… vehement"
Lucius nodded, "I'll be right there"
Tenderly, he covered Hermione up, tucking the blankets up to her chin. He closed the window and, with a last glance at the slumbering girl, he turned out the light
The moment Lucius apparated into Malfoy Manor he knew something was wrong. Draco looked small and silent, instead of obnoxious and brash. Narcissa was red eyed but looked defiant (which Lucius had discouraged in his long years of agonizing marriage), and sitting at the drawing room table was a Ministry Representative looking grave.
"Mr Malfoy," the representative's voice was high and nasal, "I am Flynn Brazier. I am a Ministry Representative from the Department of Law Enforcement. I have come at your wife's request"
"What is this all about Cissa?" asked Lucius, feeling bemused
At this, his wife looked up boldly "I can't live with you anymore Lucius. It's too painful. I can't bear to see you day after day. When you were in Azkaban," her voice shook but she steel herself, "When you were in Azkaban I was free for the first time, I saw friends I had missed for years, I bought exactly what I wanted. I was happy Lucius"
"You spent a large portion of my money too no doubt"
"It's my money too Lucius. I was so glad to be without you and I want to keep it that way"
Lucius realised what was happening, "Firstly it is not and has never been your money. You may come from the House of Black but as the youngest child, and a girl no less, you didn't inherit a penny. You have never had a job in your life; you sit around all day throwing tea parties for your friends that I have never restricted you from seeing. You would have spent my entire fortune many times over if I had not held you back. Not only that Narcissa, but I was the one at work for all hours to keep an income flowing. Stop lying Narcissa: there's no point"
Mr Brazier frowned, "Is this true Mrs Malfoy?"
Narcissa stiffened, "Is what true?"
"Have you or have you not ever had a job?"
Gulping, Narcissa said "I have not"
"Has Mr Malfoy, or has Mr Malfoy not allowed you access to your peers?"
"I've seen them"
"Have you or have you not, ever had any money legally yours?"
Bowing her head, Narcissa said "I have not. It was his bank account"
"In that case, what are your grounds in wanting a divorce from your husband? By wizarding laws you must have a very good reason"
"I just don't love him anymore, alright?" Narcissa burst out
"Anymore? Cissa, you've never loved me. You may have enjoyed certain activities we have conducted together to conceive a Malfoy-Black heir, but love was not an issue." To Mr Brazier he explained, "We had an arranged marriage. It was the perfect opportunity to join the Black family and the Malfoy family together"
Flynn nodded, "I understand. Your grounds seem fair enough, as you both agree to the divorce" He pushed a small mound of papers towards them "I need you to fill out these forms in the presence of lawyers"
The adults all nodded, as Mr Brazier explained each one. Finally, he said "I will wish you good night. Mrs Malfoy, or should I say Ms Black, I will be meeting with you again at a more appropriate time
"Good night"
He left. Draco broke the tense silence "But you can't split up. Families are supposed to stick together. Your bloodties!"
Lucius patted his son on the shoulder, "These things happen between parents Draco. Your rooms will always be here at my house, whoever you decide to live with. You are of course of an age where you can live by yourself if you so wish"
"You can't" repeated Draco stubbornly, "You can't leave and you can't take this so matter-of-factly"
"He can Draco, and he has no choice" shot Narcissa
"I think you will find, oh light of my life, that I always have a choice," Lucius said, his voice deadly soft "I have a choice as to whether or not to proclaim the psychosis your sister had that you have also. I choice as to whether or not I kill your lover or not" There was a sharp intake of breath from Narcissa, "Make no mistake. I know"
The clock chimed; somehow it had become 11 o'clock. He thought it might have been the Ministry Representative's fault – spewing a ton of learnt-by-heart lines, quoting this law and that law"
"I shall escort you to your room" Lucius said coldly to Narcissa "and you shall pack a bag of your clothes. Draco, you too. Do you have a place to stay? I shall finance a hotel for you to sleep in if not"
Narcissa's voice shook slightly as she said "I have a place with… a friend of mine"
"You've seen him recently have you?"
"Yes, I saw him…" she stopped and looked at Lucius suspiciously
"Come," Lucius said imperiously, "Draco, go to your room. Pack a bag. Be ready to leave in five minutes. Can you stay with your mother for now?"
The youngest Malfoy gave a mute nod
"Good" Lucius strode from the room, chivvying Narcissa forwards in front of him
Lucius watched his wife meticulously as she packed her bag. She kept shooting glances at Lucius, and her hands would rest uncertainly on expensive items.
As soon as she had packed her case, Lucius opened it up again and went through it
"Very well," he said "Though I shall want those pretty pearls from around your neck. Those belonged to my great-grandmother. As no doubt you knew when you put them on"
Narcissa pulled away, but Lucius grabbed her hand
"Ah, ah, don't fight me now" he sneered
She ripped the necklace off with her free hand, "Happy now?"
"Quite satisfied my dear," Lucius drawled, dragging her and her suitcase out of the door and onto the landing where Draco was waiting
"I'm ready father," he said, his eyes downcast. Lucius into a tight hug, something that Draco was still unsure about.
Lucius planted a kiss on the pale forehead, "I might not have shown it, but I loved you since the moment you were born. Azkaban made me realise that. You're a good boy, the one thing that your mother and I did right. Don't mess up your life like I did. Dumbledore gave you the chance, so take it" He sighed, "Wait for your mother outside"
Draco trudged away
Lucius turned back to Narcissa who was eying a rare basilisk carving engraved with rubies on the wall. "It might interest you to know that I will be casting a spell over my house. The only one able to enter will be me. Or, if I die, my heir, until I remove it. Know that Narcissa"
She was obviously angry, but just said "As you wish"
Narcissa stalked away. Once the door slammed Lucius sank onto the stairs. "What am I doing here? Dumbledore gave me a chance too when he took me from prison. And he gave me a chance when he told me about the Horcruxes. Now I'm leaving Hermione on her own" He waved his wand and all the doors and windows sealed themselves.
He apparated back Hermione
He jumped as a voice said "Good evening Mr Malfoy, or should I say this morning?"
A hand over his heart, Lucius said, "Dumbledore, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to leave"
"It's quite alright, I can't expect you to be here all the time"
"Sorry Professor. I won't leave her again"
Dumbledore nodded and floated through the wall, as Lucius crumpled onto the chair feeling guilt added to his sorrow.
A/N: Ok? I'm looking for a beta whose online often please. My email is Please contact me there, or leave a review with your name and email address.
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