Lucius Malfoy sauntered through the doors of his bedroom suite, tearing off his clothes as he moved. The dark garments fell to the floor piece by piece, leaving a trail of fabric from the door to the en suite bathroom. Once he was surrounded by the bone white tiles that decorated the small bathroom, he felt slightly cooler. He examined himself in the bathroom mirror, grimacing at the sweat that dripped from his face and dampened his hair, before climbing into the shower.
He had done this exact walk once he got in from work every day for the last four weeks. The summer heat was unexpectedly brutal, and the ministry offices provided no relief from the sticky, oppressive air. It had been manageable at first, pleasant even, but then something shifted. The heat became so intense that he was unable to accompany Narcissa to Diagon Alley on the weekends, because wearing long sleeves was no longer an option unless you liked your clothes on the sweat soaked side, which Lucius most certainly did not. The black tattoo on his left forearm was becoming a problem.
At least they were on a no action order. Lucius didn't think he'd be able to cope with participating in raids at these temperatures. That heat mixed with the smell of blood, just the thought of it made his stomach clench. The Dark Lord had decided that the start of the heat wave was a fantastic time to take a solo holiday to Albania and tell nobody the reason why. Lucius suspected that he was doing something, but knew it wasn't his place to question the Dark Lord's lack of disclosure. Regardless of his reasons for leaving, he'd ordered the Death Eaters not to act in his absence. They were permitted to meet, to plot, since their plans had hit a stalemate, but not to act until he was there to oversee. Lucius knew that this was a test of loyalty, to see who would listen and who would go rogue, and Lucius was perfectly happy obeying.
Once he was finished in the shower, Lucius dried himself and put on his silk robe. He exited the bathroom, finding Narcissa sat on the couch in their bedroom, a self moving hand fan floating beside her head.
"How was work darling?" she asked
"Hot," he answered, clearly frustrated by the weather. "They really should do something about the lack of heat control, some of the older employees may start fainting." He paused, blinking in consideration. "I may start fainting."
"I'm sure you're not going to faint at work Lucius," sighed Narcissa.
"Well if I do they will most certainly be hearing about it," Lucius replied sternly. "It's dangerous."
"I think you've faced worse dangers," said Narcissa.
"What," scoffed Lucius. "Like your sister."
"Lucius," scolded Narcissa.
"I was only being truthful," he argued. "The woman is-"
"Still my sister Lucius," she reminded him, firmness replacing the usual softness of her voice.
"I know," he sighed, before wrinkling his nose as a thought came to mind. "Which reminds me, did you ask if she and husband of hers were responsible for the two missing bottles of brandy from my private collection?"
"It's two bottles of brandy Lucius," responded Narcissa, trying not to sound bored. During the clean up from their garden party three days ago, it was revealed that some of Lucius's private brandy collection had been taken. He'd talked about almost nothing else since. "I'm sure you won't miss them."
"But they were my bottles of brandy Narcissa," argued Lucius, almost whining. "They weren't for guests. They were expensive and of very high quality."
"I'm sure if it was them then they'll replace the bottles," said Narcissa, folding her arms over her chest.
"I'm not," scoffed Lucius.
"I'll make sure they do," Narcissa replied, a stern tone to her voice. Narcissa then cleared her throat. "If it was them, that is. It could have been any of the guests."
"I know," said Lucius. "But it's not as if they don't have form." Narcissa sighed.
"Can we forget my sister and the case of the missing brandy now," she said, her voice raising slightly. "I'm sure there are more interesting things to discuss."
"Of course," Lucius responded, his voice less harsh. "How was your day dearest?"
"Perfectly fine," answered Narcissa, clearly happy that he'd changed the subject. "My mother is okay now that my father is out of St Mungo's with no permanent issues."
"Good."
"It's been hot," she continued. "But I've managed."
"I was wondering if you wanted to accompany me for a swim after dinner?" asked Narcissa, low sultry tones lacing her voice. Lucius hummed.
"I'm not sure."
"If this is about last time," Narcissa began.
"It's not," Lucius interjected. "I've just showered, that's all." Lucius smoothed his silk robe. "I wouldn't want to have to wash my hair again."
"That seems like an excuse," said Narcissa, shooting him a look. "And a poor one at that."
"It isn't," he insisted.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Narcissa."
"It won't happen again," said Narcissa, smiling as the image returned to her. "And it wasn't even that green."
"It was too green for my liking," huffed Lucius.
"Lucius," laughed Narcissa.
"It took two days to fade."
"Didn't you buy that potion?" asked Narcissa, raising her eyebrows.
"You're right, I did," Lucius replied, now remembering the hair protection potion he'd purchased Monday after work. "In that case I will join you."
"Good," said Narcissa, a satisfied smile lighting up her face.
"Anyway, the damage from that little incident." Lucius grimaced. "Has already been done," he began. "Your sister saw it, so now I'll be reminded of it for the next year and a half, at least."
Blissfully cold water engulfed Lucius as he dove into the pool, swiftly removing and feelings of sweatiness and discomfort. The rectangular pool was located at the bottom of the back patio, down a set of stone steps, and ran parallel to the manor. Lucius surfaced, sweeping the cool water out of his eyes before he swam over to Narcissa, who was leaning against the wall, her arms resting on the pool's edge.
"I've been waiting to get in here all morning," said Lucius, stopping in front of Narcissa so their legs brushed against each other. His platinum blond hair, which was up in a ponytail, fanned out over one shoulder in the water.
"It's been wonderful having the pool in this heat," replied Narcissa, removing her arms from outside the pool and placing them in the water, dipping her shoulders in after. "I almost feel sorry for those who don't have one." Narcissa inched past Lucius and started gracefully swimming to the other end of the pool. Lucius quickly turned and followed her.
"I agree that having the pool has been a pleasurable luxury," continued Lucius once he'd caught up to Narcissa, who was treading water with slow waves of her arms. "And to think that I questioned why father hadn't had the thing filled in."
"It's a good thing you didn't convince him to do so," said Narcissa, sounding almost outraged at the prospect. "Otherwise we would have had to go to the Flint's."
"Michael isn't that bad," argued Lucius, knowing that Narcissa wasn't overly keen on his friend. "He would definitely have let us borrow his pool." Lucius and Michael worked together, and had been friends at Hogwarts, despite being two years older than Lucius. Narcissa had never liked him, and said that she found him lecherous and uncomfortable.
"He has a one year old child who is bound to be struggling in the heat," countered Narcissa, watching Lucius narrow his eyes at her as she gave her response. "So even if he would have let us share his pool." There was a hint of contempt to her voice. "I'm sure their boy would need it more than us."
"It's a good thing we have our own pool then," Lucius responded, disagreement with his wife's staunch position against his friend evident in his voice.
"That it is," agreed Narcissa, smiling widely.
"Have you been sharing our pool with anyone?" asked Lucius, wondering if anyone had been enjoying his property while he was at work all week.
"Elizabeth Parkinson has been over a few times since the start of the summer," explained Narcissa, pursing her lips as she thought. "And Bella has been over quite a few times." Lucius tried and failed to hide the look of displeasure on his face at the mention of Narcissa's sister.
"Was she alone?" he asked, trying to sound interested and not to look at the curve of Narcissa's raised eyebrows. Narcissa was perfectly aware that Lucius couldn't stand her sister Bellatrix, and merely tolerated her being around for her sake, but she didn't like to hear him openly complain about or badmouth her, which usually resulted in the glowering look she was giving Lucius now.
"Sometimes," answered Narcissa, maintaining her scrunitous gaze. "And you do remember that they're coming over this morning, don't you Lucius?"
"Yes," he sighed. That's why he'd been looking forward to swimming so much, he wanted an hour of leisurely peace before their guests arrived.
"Good," Narcissa said smugly.
"That's why wanted to get you down here," Lucius continued, moving closer to Narcissa and placing his hands on her waist. "So I could spend some time alone with you before they arrived." Narcissa pulled her eyes away from his briefly, glancing down at the water. She took Lucius's hands in hers.
"You'll have to catch me first darling," she teased, giggling as she tore his hands away from her and swam towards the other end of the pool.
Lucius grinned as he took off after her, gliding through the water at a speed that almost matched hers. Once they were at the other end, he grabbed her feet, laughing at the dainty squeak that came out of her mouth as he pulled her towards him by her legs. She wrapped them around his waist once she registered that he'd caught her.
"Caught you," said Lucius, his voice low. Narcissa pursed her lips, noticing that Lucius was moving the two of them towards the corner of the pool.
"So you did," she replied, blinking water out of her eyes before leaning in to kiss him. They stayed in the corner of the pool, kissing and pulling each other closer, for a good few minutes until a squeaking sound in the distance caught their attention.
"Did you hear that?" asked Narcissa, uneasiness swiftly replacing the warmth that was flowing though her body.
"Yes," agreed Lucius, loosening his grip on her slightly. "It sounded like-"
"Master," shouted Dobby, the Malfoy house elf, who was running down the patio steps. Lucius and Narcissa pulled further apart. "Master, you have-" The small house elf was followed by two figures, the bottoms of their robes flowing behind them as they followed Dobby down off the patio. "Guests." Lucius's eyes followed the robes up, and were met with the matching judgemental expressions of Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange. He mentally cursed.
"Good morning," said Bellatrix with such false sweetness that Lucius could already feel a headache forming. "Now if you wouldn't mind putting my sister down, you slobbering over her isn't exactly what I wanted to see at this time."
Lucius felt his face ignite, with both anger and embarrassment. Well you aren't exactly what I wanted to see at this time, he fumed to himself, gently letting go of Narcissa. Dobby scarpered back inside.
"What are you doing here?" asked Lucius, trying not to let the words come out as an irritated hiss.
"You invited us," answered Rodolphus, with a subtly patronising tone that didn't go unnoticed.
"You're over an hour early," replied Lucius, keeping his frustration as reigned in as possible, which was a challenge, since his patience was being rapidly sucked down the pool filter. They'd not even been here five minutes.
"We needed to get out of the house," explained Bellatrix, whose tone made it clear that there was much more complicated reason for their unexpected arrival.
"The elf knocked her water over and she threatened to kill it," Rodolphus added bluntly, almost sounding bored, like this was a daily occurrence.
"I see," said Lucius, wincing slightly. He tried to meet Narcissa's eyes discreetly to make her aware of his disapproval, but they were both watching him too closely. He felt exposed.
"It wasn't just that," said Bellatrix hastily, more to express annoyance at being painted as the sole reason they left early than as a reassurance to Lucius and Narcissa that she wasn't in one of her moods.
"It's fine, honestly," insisted Narcissa, smiling up at them. "It can't be easy being limited on where you can go in this heat." Lucius tried not to scoff. He still managed to go to work every day with his mark covered in the sticky heat.
"I would have thought you'd still be in bed," Lucius began to add, "What with it being nine thirty on a Saturday." Bellatrix opened her mouth slightly, as if she was about to say something, and then closed it quickly, exchanging a glance with Rodolphus.
"It isn't exactly easy to sleep in this heat," answered Rodolphus. The corners of his mouth twitched like he was trying not to smile. Clearly whatever Bellatrix had almost said would have been amusing.
"I know," said Narcissa, the pitch of her voice rising in agreement. "And the two of you must getting under each other's feet at home."
"You could say that," replied Rodolphus, tiny hints of amusement lingering in his voice. He and Bellatrix exchanged another glance, and Lucius decided that whatever private joke they were sharing, he was better off not knowing. With those two, he rarely wasn't.
"We'll get out now," said Narcissa, and Lucius felt his frustration over the situation double. His face felt so hot that he though steam might rise if he dunked it underwater. "You can go and wait for us in the drawing room."
After that they started to walk inside, Narcissa turned to Lucius apologetically. "I'm sorry."
"It isn't your fault," he sighed, clearly disappointed, making sure that she knew that he wasn't angry with her. They got out of the pool, cast drying spells on themselves and then went upstairs to get changed. Lucius was ready first, and he waited for Narcissa as she applied a quick coat of make up in the bathroom. Once they were ready, they headed downstairs.
"Have you eaten?" Narcissa asked her sister and brother in law once they were in the drawing room, noticing a pot of tea and two cups, but no food.
"We have," confirmed Bellatrix, who had one of Narcissa's self operating hand fans beside her head.
"Good," Narcissa replied, sitting down in one of the armchairs opposite the couch that their guests were sat on. The only space left was the chair catching the light from the windows. Lucius chuckled to himself, thinking it typical that he got the one seat in the sun, given how his luck was going this morning.
"So what's the plan?" Bellatrix asked Narcissa. In all his annoyance Lucius forgot that there was an actual purpose to their visit. They were helping finalize the plans for the garden party that he and Narcissa were throwing tomorrow afternoon. Narcissa knew that Bellatrix was eager for things to do while the Dark Lord had disappeared, so she agreed to let her assist with the planning. Rodolphus was just there so Lucius wasn't alone all day.
"Well," began Narcissa, folding one leg over the other as she got comfortable in her chair. "I have the list of guests to check, the food to check, the decorations to organise and place, and a selection of dresses upstairs so you can help me choose which one to wear." Bellatrix didn't look overly pleased, but it was clearly better than doing nothing.
"They can just do whatever it is that men do," added Narcissa, motioning to Lucius and Rodolphus. Lucius forced a smile. While his brother in law was certainly less intimidating than his wife, there was still something about him that unnerved Lucius. He was a very big man, almost a head taller than Lucius and made up of broad shoulders and muscular arms, which was intimidating enough, but he also seemed completely unbothered by anything. The drawing room could be on fire right now and he'd give it as much consideration as the morning newspaper.
Lucius wasn't aware that everyone else was staring at him until he heard Bellatrix snicker loudly. He looked over, noticing Rodolphus laughing too, albeit silently. Narcissa was biting her lip and shooting him a surprised and apologetic glance.
"What?" demanded Lucius with a huff.
"Um," managed Rodolphus before he started laughing again. Bellatrix was laughing too hard to say anything at all. "You do know that your hair is green, right?"
"Excuse me," stammered Lucius, shooting him a warning glance. Rodolphus nodded, making sure Lucius knew that he wasn't lying. He pulled his ponytail over his shoulder to examine what he could of his hair, gasping in horror when he saw that it was tinged a mossy green colour.
That moment had been interrupted by the family owl flying in with a letter from Narcissa's mother. Her father had collapsed and was in St Mungo's. Lucius was left to handle Narcissa's lists while she and Bellatrix went to the hospital.
"I'm sure she'll soon forget about it," Narcissa reassured him, offering him a warm smile. "Now you should probably get changed, unless you plan on wearing your silk robe at the dinner table."
"I don't," replied Lucius, striding over to the walk in wardrobe on the other side of the room.
"And don't forget to put that potion on your hair before we go swimming," called Narcissa, playful amusement lacing her voice this time.
"I won't," said Lucius, knowing that he was never going to risk having green hair ever again.