Author's Note: The information on the Superior Red wine mentioned in this chapter can be found on Harry Potter Wiki. Harry Potter also mentions Malfoy Apothecary, but the only product discussed is Superior Red. However, since it is an apothecary, I decided that it is possible for this business to be involved in medicine and healing as well.
Dinner with just Lucius and Narcissa was vastly different than dinner with the Malfoys and several other Pureblood families. The food was still extravagant, but there were no multiple courses. It was just a one-course meal. There was plenty of food on the table, of course, but there was an elegant simplicity to the meal that had not been there when the other Pureblood families had been dining with the Malfoys.
There also wasn't as much silverware as there had been the last time. There was just a single fork and knife, much to Percy's relief.
It felt strange to have just the three of them seated around the huge table, but at the same time is also felt relaxing.
This was exactly what Percy had needed.
"So, Potter is not going to punished at all," Narcissa spoke angrily. "I can't believe it. Even with Dumbledore gone, Potter still doesn't have to suffer the consequences for his actions."
"Draco was especially upset by that," Lucius remarked. "He was the one who caught Potter with a Trip Jinx."
There was obvious pride in Lucius's voice as he spoke about how his son had gotten the upper-hand over Potter.
"When will this favoritism towards Potter end?" Narcissa asked angrily. "He was caught flying on a broomstick in his first year against the orders of his professor, and his punishment was to be allowed onto the Gryffindor Quidditch team. He risked exposing our world in his second year with that flying car, and all he got was a little detention with that fool Lockhart. He was out of bed after hours that night Sirius Black escaped from Hogwarts, but he wasn't punished at all.
"Hopefully with Dumbledore gone, things will finally start to change for the better. The only student he ever cared about was Potter. I have no doubt that Dumbledore was involved in helping that hippogriff who attacked my son to escape. I bet if that hippogriff had attacked precious Potter, it would have been executed on the spot. But since it was my Draco who was attacked, it didn't matter to Dumbledore."
"I can assure you, Mrs. Malfoy," Percy spoke, "that with Umbridge now being officially in charge at Hogwarts, Potter will no longer be receiving such special treatment. All the students will be treated the same."
"That is a relief to hear," Narcissa replied.
"Umbridge also plans on starting an Inquisitorial Squad," Percy added, "and from what I've heard, she has picked Draco to be its leader."
Narcissa smiled at Percy's words.
Percy smiled back. A moment later, however, a frown crossed over his face. "I wished, though, that Dumbledore had not been able to escape. The Minister is really worried about him being on the loose."
"I have no doubt that he will be caught before too much time has pass," Lucius commented. "His arrogance will eventually catch up to him. He will make a mistake, and then he will finally learn that he is not as untouchable as he has deluded himself into believing."
"I can't wait for that day," Narcissa remarked.
Percy nodded his head in agreement. A few moments later, he put down his fork. The food was good, but there was no way he could possibly eat any more without making himself sick.
"Thank you for dinner," he spoke. "I enjoyed it a lot."
"Does that mean you're leaving us already?" Lucius asked teasingly.
"Well, I have to be in the Ministry early tomorrow," Percy responded, "but it's not that late yet. If it wouldn't be too much of a problem, Mr. Malfoy, I really would like a tour of your wonderful house. Maybe you can show me your weaponry and pottery collections."
"I would be honoured to do that," Lucius returned. "Would you like to join us, Narcissa?"
"Not tonight," Narcissa spoke. "I'm kind of tired. I think I'll read a book for a while, then go to bed."
"I'll try not to be too long," Lucius said.
"Don't rush your tour," Narcissa responded. "Percy is a guest. I want him to enjoy himself."
"Then I promise to be the best tour guide to have every existed," Lucius grinned.
Narcissa gave her husband an affectionate smile before giving him a quick kiss on his lips. She then nodded her head at Percy and gave him a smile before turning to leave the room.
"I'm a very lucky man," Lucius remarked.
"I hope that I will be just as lucky as you are one day," Percy spoke.
"I'm sure you will be," Lucius replied. "I just hope you're not thinking of trying to upstage me by getting yourself a larger mansion."
Percy could not help but laugh at the teasing tone in Lucius's voice.
"I can't imagine living in a place this huge," Percy then said, his voice serious.
"Well, I can't say that I blame you," Lucius replied. "I have been living here my entire life, but I know that would be lonely if I didn't have Narcissa and Draco. I really wish I could spend more time here. I know that Narcissa has to get lonely with both me and Draco gone. Maybe when things finally start to calm down, we'll all take a vacation together somewhere."
"I'm sure your wife and son would like that," Percy responded.
"What about you, Percy?" Lucius asked. "Do you have any plans beyond just your work at the Ministry?"
"Not at the moment," Percy admitted, "but I do hope to one day marry and have children. It would be nice to have someone to come home to."
"It is always nice to know that you matter to someone," Lucius commented. "But come now. Let's not just stand here. There's much to see."
As they walked through the manor, Lucius told Percy more about his family history. He also told Percy about where some of the artifacts in the manor had come from.
"It sounds like you come from a family that likes to stay busy," Percy remarked.
"Oh, yes," Lucius agreed. "The Malfoys have long been involved in many businesses that play essential roles in our world's economy. That's how we've been able to both maintain and increase our wealth and influence. Did you know that a lot of the ingredients that you used in your Potion classes at Hogwarts came from me?"
"No, I didn't," Percy said.
"Well, that's not all," Lucius continued. "Have you ever heard about Malfoy Apothecary?"
"Yes, I've heard my father mention it once or twice," Percy said. "He said that you can get very fancy, expensive wine there." Percy frowned. "There was always a look of scorn on his face whenever he talked about anything related to your family."
Percy gave Lucius an apologetic look.
"You don't need to worry about offending me, Percy," Lucius spoke. "I know that you don't think as your father does. I know that unlike your father you want to be successful in life. But your father is right. You can get fancy, expensive wine at Malfoy Apothecary. It's not the type of wine that you would be able to get anywhere else. Our specialty is Superior Red. It's a brand of red wine that is matured for a thousand years. But there's more to Malfoy Apothecary than just fancy wine. We also provide a lot of ingredients for St. Mungo's."
"I didn't know that," Percy admitted. "My father most definitely has never mentioned that particular fact. But I guess I really shouldn't be that surprised. My father would rather lose an arm or a leg than say anything even slightly positive about you. And the word 'apothecary' should have told me something as well. I should have considered that instead of just my father's words."
"You were living under your father's influence," Lucius responded. "It's not your fault. Come now. Let me show you my personal study. I believe I have a bottle of Superior Red inside. Would you like a glass?"
"Yes, thank you so much," Percy breathed.
"Don't be so surprised," Lucius chuckled slightly. "I consider you to be a friend, Percy."
"I'm honoured, sir," Percy spoke.
"There's no need for that," Lucius replied as he opened the door to his study. "I have many reasons to respect you."
Percy looked around in wonder as he stepped inside the study with Lucius. There were so many books.
"If only Hermione could see this," Percy remarked. "I don't think she would ever leave."
Lucius lifted up an eyebrow at Percy's words, but he made no reply. Instead, he busied him with pouring Percy a glass of the red wine.
"Here," Lucius said, handing the glass to Percy.
"Thank you," Percy spoke. He then took a sip from the glass. "This is wonderful."
"I'm glad you like it," Lucius smiled graciously, "but take your time drinking it. It's a lot stronger than it might taste at first."
Percy sat down on the nearby sofa.
Lucius chuckled slightly in amusement. He then poured himself his own glass of Superior Red before taking a seat on the nearby couch.
