Chapter 21
"Mother!" Kingsley shouted.
Cicely closed her eyes and sighed as she heard her son's agitated footsteps on the marble floor of her foyer at her home in France. He had just flooed to her fireplace in the drawing room. She was reading in her library and enjoying the afternoon sun as it filtered through her spotless windows. She knew what had her son in such disarray; she had gotten the note from Abraxas this morning:
My dear Cicely,
I have some news for you. My son, who as you know is an excellent financier and businessman, isn't the most tactful of people, especially when it comes to your son. Lucius has told Kingsley about our relationship. I realize you had wanted to keep it quiet, but I'm afraid that is no longer an option. My son, though I have instructed him against this, will eventually slip and tell the Skeeter woman. He's already told Kingsley, and I think he genuinely loves your son. I am sure you felt the recent Ergo Eris charm that was activated between the two. You know how the charm works since it seems that our children are recognized by the forces as natural mates the charm was activated when my son wrote that note to Kingsley.
I must admit that as his father, when I felt the charm (you know parents feel it since it impacts our children and the family line and since their relationship activated the charm, any child they may choose as their own, is viewed in our world the same as bloodline children), I was surprised and pleased. The fact that it was your son, made it even more enjoyable when I felt the charm. To be quite honest, I was relieved when the Ergo Eris charm didn't activate between Lucius and Severus. I don't outright dislike the potion master, but he isn't one of us and doesn't understand our ways. His ex-wife, Narcissa…well, I arranged that one, as I am sure the ladies at the Club have told you. Lucius didn't love the woman, but since the charm hadn't activated with my son and anyone else, I had to ensure an heir to our family line. In addition, with this development, both of our Houses will have an heir in Draco and any other child they may choose to claim as their own. It is quite a relief for me and I am sure with you as well.
Lucius tells me that Kingsley's defenses are falling and that is good and I am sure you would agree. Additionally, my dear, Lucius says he sensed an attraction between the two when they were in Hogwarts. Lucius never approached Kingsley and your son never even spoke to Lucius when they were in school. I guess it was youth and the social pressures. Who knows? But, what matters are that their relationship is deepening and that is good for both of our Houses.
Love you,
Abraxas
"Mother!" Kingsley shouted, again. Cicely wasn't going to answer, the man would find his way into the library soon enough. Besides, both of them did not need to be shouting around the estate like a couple of fisherwives over the back fence.
"There you are!" Kingsley said, as he finally made his way into the library.
"Yes, dear. Why are you shouting in my home like an uncivilized heathen?" Cicely said.
"Oh, sorry about that, mother. It's just that I've gotten some news about you," Kingsley said.
"Oh, have you? What news would that be, son?" Cicely said.
"Lucius told me that you and Abraxas Malfoy are...involved," Kingsley said. Cicely could see the shock on her son's face. She checked a smirk.
"Well, that's not how I intended for you to find out, but yes, it's true. Abraxas and I are in a relationship," Cicely said. She waited for the barrage of questions. Kingsley did not fail to rise above her expectations. Cicely watched as Kingsley paced back and forth in the library with vigorous gestures. Cicely did not interrupt the man, she let him get it all out of his system, but she was concerned about the condition that her Persian rugs would be in once the man stopped pacing. For one moment, during the inevitable tirade, she thought he was going to try to hex her. When he took a breath, she seized her chance.
"Kingsley, I'm sorry, that the news didn't come from me. I really am. But the situation is what the situation is," Cicely said. She deftly shifted the conversation and went on to explain to him the points that Abraxas made in his note.
"I...what? Sorry, I don't get you. Are you telling me to move forward with Malfoy? I don't like him! Well, I..." Kingsley trailed off.
"It's Abby, isn't it? You think loving Lucius is a betrayal of Abby," Cicely said.
"I...maybe..." Kingsley said.
"How was the charm, Ergo Eris? Cicely asked.
"I lost three liters of blood because of that charm. I know about it and the strength of the magic that it releases; only a spell that strong could do that type of damage," Kingsley said.
"As I expected. You delayed saying the counterspell, didn't you? You can be stubborn. You love him, Kingsley and he certainly loves you. There's no shame in it. Abby is gone and she would want you to carry on," Cicely said.
"I know, she would want not want me to remain in the past," Kingsley said as he began to pace again. Cicely inwardly sighed, the rugs were going to need cleaning and repair soon.
"Son, have a seat. Please. If not for your sake, then for mine," Cicely said. And for the sake of my rugs, too. She added silently, to herself.
"What about Severus?" Kingsley asked.
'What about him? Cicely responded.
"He won't be pleased about Lucius and me," Kingsley said.
"And?" Cicely asked.
"And it could cause problems in the efforts of the Ministry and Commission! It's not well known, but he is Potter's father," Kingsley said.
"He understands the gravity of the current situation with the wizarding and the Muggles societies. He knows that his cooperation, with the two of you, is for the greater good," Cicely said.
Kingsley did not think the potion master would respond in such a logical fashion, but he did not bother to correct his mother.