So, this chapter is a bit shorter than the rest, but I couldn't find a natural way to break what I've made the next chapter, so you guys will just have to wait until the next one to get your smut on. I was excited to bring Astoria to the story. It's always nice to have another Slytherin.
Enjoy, and as always, feel free to review. Oh, and thank you for the favorites, they are much appreciated!
To her credit, Astoria only looked intrigued as opposed to surprised that Lucius was at her door. He didn't see much of his son, and even less of his daughter-in-law, but every time he did see her, he was struck by her beauty. It would never matter what she wore, an evening gown, robes or even Muggle attire, she was stunning. Abraxis Malfoy would be rolling over in his grave if he knew his grandson had chosen a wife who looked so completely the opposite of any other Malfoy, but Lucius was proud. Instead of tall and thin, she had curves and the darkest hair he had ever seen.
He had known her parents. They were at Hogwarts the same time as him, but a few years younger. They had never gotten mixed up with the Death Eaters and they weren't wealthy, but they had the respect of most of the wizarding world. She understood the value of gold and managed Draco's house well.
"Lucius," she greeted neutrally.
"Astoria," Lucius responded. She would give nothing away, she was, after all, Slytherin. He was reminded again just how good of a match this woman was for his son. She didn't invite him in, nor did she send him away, she simply waited for him to speak. "Is my son here?"
"No. He has Scorpius at his grandmother's." Lucius knew she had brought up Narcissa on purpose. She hadn't ever put any of them in danger and was therefore rewarded with her grandson. Their grandson.
He tried to stop his shoulders from slumping. He hadn't called ahead and his son had a life. A very good life, he noted glancing inside the home that he had never been inside.
"Very well," Lucius finally conceded. "Will you tell him I came by?"
"Of course."
Lucius nodded and turned away from the house. He only took one step before Astoria stopped him.
"Lucius, wait," her voice had softened. Lucius turned back. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Lucius frowned, one foot on the landing, the other down the first stair. Sighing, he spoke, "Does Draco wear jeans?"
Astoria blinked four times in rapid succession. That was clearly not what she had expected him to ask.
"Yes," she answered but the question was evident in her voice.
"I do not."
For a moment, her frown simply deepened, then, as if a spark was just struck, her eyes opened wide and she tilted her head to one side. "Do you need help buying jeans?"
"I have never had a need for them and therefore have no knowledge base in which to make an informed purchase."
"This wouldn't have anything to do with that Auror, would it?"
Lucius just met her gaze. After a moment she broke into a smile.
"Okay, come on in, I'll get my jacket."
She stood to the side and let Lucius in, shutting the door behind him.
"Why don't you wait in the parlor," she said pointing to the room to the left then she climbed the stairs and out of sight. The house was old. It looked like one of the original homes to border Hyde Park. It's Victorian influence was strong with dark woods and reds in the curtains and rugs.
It was warmer than the Manor and Lucius had a sneaking suspicion that was on purpose. In fact, the only room in the entire manor that even remotely looked like it had any influence in his son's home was Lucius' study. Draco had always loved that room.
A collection of photos caught his eye, they were of Draco's family and Lucius wasn't in any of them. Narcissa and both of Astoria's patents were present. His heart ached.
"It's not too late, you know."
Lucius visibly startled. Astoria was standing in the doorway now wearing a cream peacoat and her Slytherin scarf. She didn't say anything more and he didn't comment. It was more than he should hope, and yet he did.
"Are you ready?" he asked, offering her his arm.
She smiled and nodded then tucked her arm beneath his. She looked up at him and suddenly looked very young.
"And you trust me to pick out clothes for you?"
He smirked, much closer to his normal expression. "My dear," he said, flipping the end of his own Slytherin scarf, "I do believe you have impeccable taste."
Even though Aurelia was supposed to be on an assignment, the trip to Russia felt more like a mini vacation. The lecture and meeting over brunch were incredibly interesting, and even though she knew the purpose of the visit was to gain information to bring Petrovich down, she couldn't help the ideas he spurred. She had always enjoyed school and learning, and would have attended university in a heartbeat if it was offered. Plus there was the evening with Lucius and that afternoon. She smiled thinking about how the Russians spoke his name. She liked how it sounded on her tongue. Her smile grew, thinking about what other parts of the man she would like on her tongue.
She finally had to admit it, she liked him. A lot. And his threat, or was it a promise? She didn't know, about not being a gentleman the next time they met … it sent chills up her spine and warmth between her legs.
Aurelia parked the car on the street in front of her house, right behind her mother's car. Even though she was only gone for two nights, she missed her daughter. She grabbed the now stacked and wrapped Matryoshka Dolls that Lucius gave her and left her luggage in the back. She could get it in the morning.
She opened the door and the smell of cookies baking met her and she smiled.
"I'm home!" she called.
"Mommy!" her daughter's voice sounded from the kitchen and the next moment she popped into view. She threw her arms around her. They hugged.
"Did you have fun?" Arianna asked exuberantly.
"You know, I actually did." Aurelia handed her the wrapped box. "Here, this is for you."
"Can I open it right now?"
"Yes you may."
Arianna ripped into the paper and opened the box exuberantly. She gasped, pulling the largest doll out of the box.
"Look," Aurelia opened the doll and pulled the smaller one out. Then the next, then the next until they were all out.
Aurelia looked up and her mother had rounded the corner. "You are never going to believe who I got this from."
Her mother's eyes widened as if warning her about something and then held up her hand. Just then, wiping his hands on a towel, none other than Lucius Malfoy rounded the corner out of the kitchen. Aurelia froze, her mouth hanging open. As if him being there wasn't surprise enough, he was wearing a knit gray sweater and dark blue jeans that made his legs look impossibly long.
"Lucius," she said, pulling out each syllable.
Aurelia's mom then widened her eyes again, came up to her and gave her a hug. "He showed up about an hour ago," she whispered in her ear. "Come on little one, bring your dolls and let's go check on the cookies," her mother said, grabbing the dolls and then her granddaughter's hand and pulling her back in the kitchen.
"What are you doing here?" Aurelia asked as soon as they were alone in the hallway.
"Well," he started, throwing the hand towel over his shoulder. "As it turns out, I didn't actually own a pair of jeans. And since, as I just learned this weekend, it is required to have jeans in Nottingham, I figured that would be the place to get some. Then I was in the neighborhood, so …" he raised his eyebrows, smirking. "Here," he said, crossing the hallway to her and taking her coat.
"I thought you said you weren't going to be a gentleman the next time you saw me."
"The night's still young."
"Is that why you're here?" and she couldn't dampen the excitement in her voice.
"Well, right at this very moment, I am here to see how the cookies we baked turned out. Shall we?" He had the towel back in his hand and was motioning to the kitchen with it.
She followed him. "How did you know where I lived?"
"You told me."
"No, I didn't. I told you I lived in Nottingham, I didn't give you my address."
"Oh, well, I might have done a little digging. Nothing as compared to what you did on me."
The conversation stopped as they entered the kitchen. There was flour, sugar, eggs, and dirty bowls and spoons all over the kitchen.
"Wow, you guys really went to town. What kind are you baking?"
"Chocolate chip and peanut butter," Arianna announced proudly.
Aurelia closed her eyes and smelled the air. "Ah, I smell the peanut butter now."
"They're her favorite," Arianna said conspiratorially to Lucius. "Mommy, Mr. Malfoy has horses and he said I can come ride sometime."
She caught his eye and he smiled sheepishly. "Oh he did, did he?"
She nodded exuberantly. Then Ari tugged on Lucius' arm to pull him down to her level. "What are the birds called?" She whispered near his ear.
He smiled such a beautiful smile there left no doubt in her mind that he loved children. "Peacocks."
"Peacocks!" Ari repeated to her mother. "I can have as many feathers as I can carry!"
"Lucius was telling me how he visited Avignon this spring," Manon said with a very strange smirk.
Aurelia frowned and looked at him. Avignon was where her mother had grown up. He was trying to make points with her mother!
"La ville était belle, mais pas aussi belle que vous," Lucius spoke in fluent French, eliciting a very girlish giggle from Aurelia's mom. She couldn't believe her mother. Although, she could hardly blame her. Him being who he was, and looking amazing in those jeans.
The timer sounded and Ari jumped in the air. They all laughed at her excitement. Manon pulled the cookies out of the oven and there was a fresh wave of fresh cookie aroma.
It was almost surreal as the four of them sat around the table eating fresh cookies and drinking chocolate milk. Lucius was charming as ever, making a special effort to impress her mother and daughter. It was quite obvious they were both smitten with him and Aurelia knew her mother was having a difficult time leaving them. After packing a box with cookies for her to take, Manon bade them goodbye and left her daughter and granddaughter in the hands of the Nefarious Lucius Malfoy.