Chapter 21: Meeting the Ex
Hello again all! Thanks to those who have reviewed since I posted the last chapter, it means a lot and I find them really helpful! So please do continue if you would like!
A quick extra note for the beginning of this chapter: the music Lucius is listening to is…
Frédéric Chopin: Étude op. 10 No. 10 in A-flat Major
Just in case you wanted to hear it. In all honesty I know squat about classical music so I looked up 'romantic pieces' of classical music and liked this one. Technically cheating but oh well! The title of this chapter speaks for itself I suppose…enjoy! (Btw, I own nothing, all belongs to J.K. Rowling. I only own Lucinda ).
Lucinda had arrived at work in a rather good mood after leaving her Father's house. They had parted on significantly better terms than upon her arrival, and for that she was grateful. She was very close to her family and the thought of not talking to someone that meant so much to her was upsetting. The day passed relatively slowly despite the fact that she was technically working a half day. There had been several 'bank staff' on the ward for the past week that she had noticed. She thought about it now as she was sitting at her desk putting away her things before she left. Ward A4 did not generally have the need to use bank staff, having a fairly low attrition rate. So it was suspicious to say the least. Lucinda imagined that they were potentially there to gather information for the investigation; to ensure there wasn't anything untoward occurring. As if I would just invite Lucius here for an afternoon liaison in my office. She recalled the time he had indeed proposed just that, and decided that perhaps she wasn't quite so innocent after all.
Either way, it was annoying, she concluded. It was an inconvenience and not fair to the patients to have a lack of consistency in the staff that saw them. And all the worse if they were trying to phish for information about her. Lucinda and Lucius had been informed the other day that their statements had been safely received and they would be contacted again soon as to the next steps. She imagined there would be some person coming up to the ward to ask the staff questions regarding her conduct. Huffing, she got up and nearly slammed the desk draw shut. After she had grabbed her jacket she wore earlier, leaving her dark green robes on the back of her chair, she exited her office once again.
When she arrived back to the Manor, she could hear music coming from somewhere. It was a beautiful classical piece, although she wasn't sure who the composer was. Taking off her jacket, she went to make her way into the sitting room to slip off her heels, but she turned to find Lucius standing in the doorway blocking her entrance.
"Good evening my dear." He spoke as smoothly as ever.
Lucinda immediately and predictably forgot anything she had been worrying about; in fact she forgot pretty much anything she had been thinking about full stop. He was wearing a black shirt with a tiny pinstripe through it and black trousers. She noted his sleeves were rolled up a little to reveal the muscles of his forearms.
"Good evening. That music, it's beautiful. Who is it by?" Lucinda asked, trying hard not to sound like she didn't know anything about classical music.
She saw him smirk a touch before replying; "It is a piece by Chopin. It is beautiful yes."
"I haven't listened to music for so long. I forgot how emotive it can be." She said, moving into him and twining her arms around his neck.
"Emotive? And which particular emotions does it conjure?" He breathed against her ear.
"Hmm, I don't know. It's quite romantic though."
"I would suppose it is considered a romantic piece. I am also supposing that your family meeting went well. You appear to be in a good mood?" Lucius asked her, delicately trailing his lips down towards the crook of her neck.
"It did yes. I think my Father and I are going to agree to disagree and move on. He isn't happy about our relationship, but he wants me to be happy and he agreed to move past it if I never mention you…" Lucinda trailed off. Saying it out loud now, it didn't exactly sound that good.
There was a pause before he replied; "I see. That is quite an interesting conclusion to arrive at. However, so long as you are happy with that arrangement?"
"Well I wouldn't say that I'm exactly happy with it, I would rather my Father was able to accept this, but for now it's enough. Anyway, if I may say so too, you seem in a rather good mood yourself." Lucinda said, trying to switch the subject.
"Well my meeting at the bank went well. The Ministry will have what they want very soon indeed."
Lucinda pulled back from him slightly, her eyebrows raised in surprise. She hadn't really heard him mention the adversus inimicum mirror since his meeting at Borgin and Burkes the other month. He worked fast, she had to give him that.
"Really? The mirror. But how?" She asked.
"Let us just say that I made use of my connections." Lucius spoke slowly, as if he was carefully crafting what he was saying.
"Hmm I bet. And I also bet there was a little wand-based persuasion involved too?"
Now it was his turn to raise his eyebrows. "And why would you think that?"
"There isn't exactly previous evidence to the contrary is there Lucius? But I suppose if it's official Ministry business, you can get away with it." Lucinda said teasingly, one hand moving across his shoulder lightly.
"I grant you there isn't. I may have utilised certain…persuasive methods as needed. It produced the desired outcome did it not?" He replied.
Lucina felt his arm tighten around her and pull her body flush against his. She could distinctly feel something hard pressing against her thigh.
"It did. You got what you wanted." She whispered, attempting to keep her breathing steady as she felt his free hand move up to massage her breast.
"Not everything my dear, not yet."
"I see. Well, I know earlier today I proposed we spend the entire evening in bed, and we've already passed about ten minutes not in bed." She giggled as his mouth nipped the tender area at the base of her neck.
"So it appears. A fine proposal such as that should be adhered to, wouldn't you agree?" Lucius retorted.
He picked her up in his arms, the music quickly reaching its crescendo as if he had planned it as such. She wouldn't be entirely surprised if he had.
"I agree." Lucinda replied to him, her lips meeting his once more.
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The next day, Lucinda was sitting at her desk completing some assessments when there was knock on the door.
"Come in." She announced loudly, placing a piece of parchment across the desk from her.
"Good Afternoon Miss. Lovegood. Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Mr. Rufus Houndsworth, and I have been brought in to work with St. Mungos and yourself on the recent investigation that I'm sure you've been made aware of." The man spoke rapidly, inviting himself into Lucinda's office and plonking his large briefcase down on a chair.
Lucinda was slightly dumbstruck for a second before it dawned on her that she had in fact found out by owl the other day that this man would be paying her a visit. He was to interview some of the staff on the ward. She disliked him already.
"Oh yes Mr. Houndsworth. I was informed of your visit. Nice to meet you." Lucinda said politely, walking around to the front side of her desk and shaking the man's hand.
"Yes, err, well I am here to just ask a few questions to some of your staff. Nothing to worry about of course." Houndsworth said, suddenly appearing rather sheepish.
Oh yes, Lucinda thought sarcastically, nothing to worry about at all. Just you here interrogating my poor staff about something they have no clue about, and my job on the line to boot. Nothing to worry about.
"I see. Well I have to see one of my patients in ten minutes, but before that I am more than happy to show you to the main office where the majority of the staff on shift at the moment should be. So long as you are not interrupting their duties, and they consent of course, then you are welcome to ask any of them the…questions you have."
"Right, very good. That would be very helpful if you could show me the office, and I'll get to it, then I can be out of your hair as soon as. I realise this must be an inconvenience for you, Miss. Lovegood."
Lucinda gave her best smile; "Of course not Mr. Houndsworth. You have a job to do and I can understand that. It's just this way."
And so Lucinda left her office, Houndsworth following behind her like a lost puppy. Luckily there were about six members of staff in the office, thankfully including Reg, who had always been supportive of her. After introducing Houndsworth to everyone, she left them be to go and see her patient, hoping against hope that they would only have positive things to say.
She was still thinking about it by the time she got back to the Manor that evening, and several days later despite the fact it was supposed to be her day off. Lucinda still hadn't heard anything back about the staff interviews yet, and no one had said anything to her about it. As much as Lucius told her to relax and not to worry about it, a part of her couldn't help but let her anxiety infiltrate her thoughts every now and again. Deciding to put her mind to something practical and enjoyable, she awoke on Thursday morning with a plan; "How about I cook something special for us to have later on tonight? I'm meeting Hannah for some coffee, but when I get back I can start on it."
Lucius turned to her and kissed her cheek. It was only early and so the curtains were closed and they were still occupying the bed.
"What did you have in mind?" He asked her, sitting up. She could see the muscles flex in his broad shoulders as he did so.
"Maybe beef wellington? If that sounds appealing?" Lucinda replied, snuggling further down into the covers. If she didn't have to get up early, she was bloody well going to enjoy a lie in.
"I would say it does. And you are going to make this from scratch?"
She flashed him a mock offended look; "Of course. I'll even make the pastry, from scratch. I am horrified you would think otherwise Lucius."
"I wasn't insinuating that you would take short cuts. I was merely inquiring. It is not an easy dish to make." He chuckled a little, leaning his arm over to let his hand stroke through her hair.
"That is true. But if it turns out to be an awful mess I would hope you would take that fact into account and be very polite about it!" She joked.
"I am sure it will not be awful in the slightest. Besides, I am always polite my dear." Lucius spoke slowly, raising one eyebrow at her.
Before she had a chance to reply, he had pulled her forcefully onto his lap, kissing over her shoulders and down towards her breasts.
"Really? Well dragging me out from the warmth of the covers wasn't very polite was it, Mr. Malfoy?"
He withdrew his mouth from her nipple and smirked up at her; "You are quite correct Miss. Lovegood. I should make it up to you..."
After he had satisfactorily made it up to her, Lucinda had a quick shower and dressed in her jeans and a light blue wrap top. Lucius had told her earlier in the week that he had a meeting to attend at the Ministry that morning regarding this dark arts thing he was involved in. She presumed most of the meeting would centre around the mirror and its forthcoming new home. He was already dressed to leave when she had left the bathroom, and he gave her a quick kiss before apparating to the Ministry.
It was just gone twelve when she arrived at the little coffee shop she had arranged to meet Hannah in. It was a quaint place with plenty of arm chairs and framed prints; they were all the rage now in muggle London it seemed to Lucinda. They often preferred to meet in muggle places rather than brave the overly busy establishments on Diagon Alley. Hannah wasn't there when she arrived (no surprise there, Lucinda concluded), and so she grabbed herself a flat white and sat at a small table towards the front of the place so that Hannah would hopefully see her when she came in. She looked out of the window. There was a little supermarket on the opposite corner. Perhaps she should pop in after their coffee and grab a few things for tonight. Not that it was needed. Lucius' kitchen was filled with food of every kind. But she would quite like to see the look on his face if she told him she had carefully crafted her beef wellington with ingredients bought from a muggle shop. Maybe that's not the best idea, Lucinda thought. Instead she decided she would pay a visit to the lovely family run bakery near to her flat and buy something for dessert. That way if he didn't want to eat it, more for her!
"I know…I know. I'm so sorry I'm a little late." Hannah said as she bustled in and sat down opposite her.
"That's ok, I'm sure I'll find a way to forgive you! You ok, you look a little…ruffled?" Lucinda giggled as Hannah took out a hairbrush from her bag and smoothed it through her hair.
"Oh yes yes I'm fine. Better than fine actually. The reason I'm late may be because of my new man!" Hannah spoke excitedly.
"Ooh get you! Is this the dinner-last-week guy?" Lucinda asked. Hannah had owled her the other week to tell her she was going on a second date with the guy she'd met at a bar a few months ago.
She thought she saw Hannah flush a little before she replied; "Yes, him. He's so lovely! I really like him already. He is a muggle though, that's the one difficulty."
"Well there goes my double date suggestion out the window! Does he know you're, you know…?" Lucinda asked her, keeping her voice down. The place was rather busy now.
"Ha yeah, no thanks. I couldn't imagine Steve's face if he met Lucius Malfoy. But no, he doesn't know. It's far too early for that. It's not as if I could just drop it on him is it? Oh by the way, I'm a…"
"Yeah, true." Lucinda interrupted her. Hannah could sometimes just blurt things out without realising they were in muggle territory. It was easily done. "And yes, I can't imagine the look on most muggle's faces if they saw him flicking his you know what about like nobody's business; he wouldn't care."
"His what about?!" Hannah asked, her eyes wide with horror.
"His wand!" Lucinda whispered forcefully, and they burst into giggles.
"Oh riggght, I thought you meant something else for a moment there! So, how do you think I should broach the subject, if it gets that far?"
Lucinda thought for a moment. Having never dated a muggle before, her experience in this was limited.
"I think that you'll know when the time is right. And when, or if, you decide to tell him, you should just be honest. But best to keep it simple and to the point. If you start going on about the Ministry and all that, it might be overwhelming." She replied honestly to her friend, taking a sip of her now lukewarm coffee.
"Yeah that sounds good. I've never had to tell anyone before. It would be a long way off yet anyway. He seems like the type that would react well though; he's quite laid back." Hannah said thoughtfully.
"Well he sounds nice. I'm sure it would be fine in this day and age. I mean really, what is he going to do, have you burned at the stake!" Lucinda mused, tucking a stray piece of hair back into the small bun at the nape of her neck.
"Ha yeah you're right…either way, not going to complicate matters right now. I'm just enjoying dating him. Right, coffee time. I'll be right back. Do you want another? To say sorry for my tardiness?"
Lucinda checked her watch. She had plenty of time before she would need to start cooking. "Go on then yeah. I'll have another flat white please."
As Hannah sat back down again, she asked Lucinda; "So, my love life is finally going well, what about yours? You two have been together for a little bit now."
"Yeah it's going well too, or at least I think so. I've moved more of my stuff to the Manor now." Lucinda said. She didn't mention her thoughts of the other night after what George had said to her.
"Really? So you're living there? You two don't waste much time do you! Have you err been reading the papers?" She asked her, stirring the steaming cup of deep brown liquid in front of her.
"Well I think 'living there' is a bit of a stretch, but I suppose so. It is fast, but this hasn't exactly been a conventional relationship so far! And no I haven't. Neither has Lucius as far as I know. We thought it best to avoid The Daily Prophet after I pissed off Rita Skeeter."
"Ooh what did you do?" Hannah said, her eyes widening.
"Nothing much, I just told her I wouldn't tell her anything about me and Lucius due to the highly unfavourable quality of her work. Well…it sounds worse when I say it like that."
Hannah started laughing and almost spat out the mouthful of coffee she had. "Well that explains why you've been apparently pregnant and having massive slanging matches behind closed doors too."
"Slanging matches! With who?" Lucinda asked. The caffeine was starting to take affect now and she felt somewhat restless sitting down.
"With the Malfoys of course. Over money and whatever else. Skeeter is just trying to sell papers and keep herself relevant, everyone knows it's not true." She said, batting her hand in Lucinda's direction and rolling her eyes.
"Yes it bloody well isn't true. Not that I should be surprised I suppose, I expected Skeeter to go off on some tangent about us. I haven't even met Draco yet."
"Haven't you? He always was a jumped up little brat even at school. I mean, I heard he's changed a lot though since the War, but I wouldn't expect miracles when you do meet him. I imagine he's none too happy about daddy dearest and yourself!" Hannah replied, picking a piece off the edge of the blueberry muffin she'd bought.
Lucinda had heard the same about Draco. Not that the thought he might have mellowed made her any less nervous about potentially being introduced to him in the near future. I mean I am his Father's…girlfriend didn't sound right…partner? No that sounded too long term. She had no idea how to describe the relationship she had with Lucius.
"I'm not going to expect anything, I think that's the best way to play it don't you? No, I don't think he is happy about our relationship. Although, Lucius said he talked with him again at his engagement party and seemed to smooth things over a touch. So, who knows. We'll wait and see." She spoke slowly, letting one finger trace the rim of her cup idly.
"He'll come around eventually. Or he'll learn to accept it like a grown up. What about the ex-wife? Has she made an appearance yet?" Hannah asked amusedly.
"I haven't seen her. Lucius saw her at the party." Lucinda said, not sure if she should elaborate further on that encounter or not. Not that Lucinda hadn't heard rumours herself of Narsissa's fondness of one glass of sherry too many.
"Guessing she had some things to say?"
"Hah of course! She made a fool of herself later on in the evening though…"
Lucinda didn't feel like it was gossiping by telling Hannah. She knew she could trust her not to blab to all and sundry about it.
Hannah leaned in a little closer as if they needed to be more discreet. Which was entirely unnecessary considering they were well out of earshot of any fellow witches or wizards; "Really? Did he tell you what happened?"
"Well, sort of. She got completely pissed." Lucinda said, sipping at the last of her coffee.
"What?! No! At Draco's engagement party? The woman sounds a mess if you ask me!" Hannah snorted.
"Yep at his engagement party. I don't know what's going on, but what I've heard doesn't exactly endear my to her."
"I bet! Well, at least they've been divorced a while now. You don't have to put up with her hanging around all the time." Hannah said through a mouthful of muffin.
Lucinda smiled at her friend and took a piece of the muffin herself before there wasn't any left, before replying; "True. I just hope I don't have to deal with her full stop if I'm honest."
After another hour of chatting and giggling had passed, Lucinda parted ways with Hannah outside the coffee shop and headed to the bakery as she had planned. After much deliberation, she had decided on a gigantic apple pie, and a rhubarb pie, just for good measure. This is why I shouldn't drink coffee, she thought as she placed the two pies on the kitchen table back at the Manor. It never failed to make her ravenously hungry.
Once she had found everything she needed in the larder, she set to work making the pastry to wrap the beef in. It was such a physical task that she found it quite relaxing, and it certainly dulled her mind to any thoughts about the investigation and any impending meeting she might have to be called to regarding its outcome. She focused her attentions instead on kneading and rolling the newly-made pastry, hoping that Lucius would be appreciative of the work she had put into it. Not that she had any doubts he would be; he was nothing if not entirely gentlemanly .Well, out of the bedroom anyway, she thought, smiling to herself. Lucinda did find it oddly amusing however, that he seemed so surprised she would want to cook for him rather than have Scrimpy do it for them. She supposed he wasn't used to that; Narsissa probably rarely even entered the kitchen.
There was a knock at the door and then a chiming reverberated inside the kitchen, startling her. She presumed the loud noise was to alert any house elf to the fact that there was someone waiting to be let in. Guess it's up to me today though, Lucinda thought, wiping her hands on a tea towel and departing the kitchen for the main hall. There was another insistent knock just as she reached the foyer. Wow, someone's keen. Lucinda enacted the unlocking charm Lucius had taught her and pulled open the heavy door. Lucinda felt her eyes widen at the sight before her.
"Oh…it's you. Might have known you would be here." Came the taught voice of Narsissa Malfoy, "My, what an interesting outfit."
She looked Lucinda up and down with disdain. Lucinda felt her cheeks flush heavily. She knew she must look a mess; her hair half up half down and her blue top splattered with flour. Narsissa was wearing a long black embroidered coat and what looked like a matching dress underneath. Great, the first time meeting the ex and I look like the housemaid.
Clearing her throat a touch, she replied; "Yes, it's me. And thank you for the compliment. That's some...interesting hair. Inspired by a skunk were you?"
Narsissa let out a brief, humourless laugh; "Oh, I can see why he likes you. I am here to see Lucius." She stepped inside and unbuttoned her coat.
Lucinda let out a silent puff of breath and closed the door, turning to the tall thin woman who had entered.
"Lucius isn't here. He's at a meeting at the Ministry." She responded, not sure what else to say.
There was a pause where Narsissa eyed her again before she asked further; "I see. And when will he be back? I need to discuss some wedding preparations with him."
"I err, don't know exactly. I'm sure he won't be long." She said without thinking. Damn. She should have said he'd probably be hours yet. Now she'll stay.
"I shall wait then." Narsissa replied shortly.
Lucinda didn't know why she felt so intimidated. Come on, she berated herself, don't let her get to you. Deciding a course of action, she thought it best to head back into the kitchen and hope Narsissa didn't follow.
"Well I was just cooking, hence the flour. I'll need to get back to it." Lucinda said, already turning to walk away.
The woman trailed her at a distance. Lucinda felt like she might want to apparate out of there. She didn't think Narsissa would be too happy to see she could come and go as she pleased, just like she could no longer. Arriving back in the kitchen, she set about wrapping the pastry up to let it rest so she could get on with the beef.
"I see he has you cooking for him already. That was what he always wanted; someone to cook and clean for him and be a good little housewife." Narsissa sniffed, sitting down at one of the chairs set at the big wooden table and folding her hands over her lap.
"I cook when I want to. He does not ask me to do it."
"I'm sure. I'm surprised he's moved you in already. Or you've moved yourself in." She spoke the last part under her breath. Lucinda watched as she took a cigarette out of her bag and lit it with her wand.
Reaching upwards to grab one of the flat bottomed copper pans that were hung there, Lucinda lit the stove with a wordless spell and placed the pan on it. She attempted not to rise to Narsissa's clear spite, but she had to wait for the pan to heat up and so she turned back to face her; "I don't live here, you'll be pleased to hear."
"I bet you stay often enough! I am sure he can persuade a young thing like you to do whatever he wants, be at his beck and call."
"I would hardly say I was at his beck and call, as you put it." Lucinda replied quickly, picking up the beef to sear it in the pan, suddenly rather wishing it was Narsissa instead.
"Hmm." She paused, and Lucinda noted her eyes dart rapidly around the room as if she was making a judgement on the place, "Do you trust him?" She asked suddenly, directing her full attention back to Lucinda.
The question took her completely by surprise. Why in Merlin's name would she want to know that? Why would she even care if she trusted Lucius or not?
"I do." She answered, almost honestly. She did trust Lucius for all intents and purposes, but there would always be some part of her questioning just how far that trust could go. He hadn't given her reason to doubt him however.
Narsissa took a long drag on her cigarette, releasing a cloud of dark blue smoke into the air which changed to pink and then grey as it faded. Lucinda awaited her retort patiently.
"Then you are a fool dear girl."
Lucinda had to physically shake her head a touch in order to process that she had actually had the nerve to speak to her in such a condescending way; "Excuse me? And why is that? Although, I don't even know why I am bothering to ask, of course you would tell me not to trust him!"
"And I am sure, of course, that he would tell you whatever you want to hear. I am not presuming to tell you that he would cheat on you or anything of that nature, no. He's far too much of a gentleman for that kind of behaviour, he always was. And he clearly appears quite besotted with you for some unknown reason. No, there are other reasons you should not trust Lucius." She finished, flicking her hand idly to put out the cigarette.
"And these other reasons are?" Lucinda asked her, moving the now sealed beef out of the pan and throwing some chopped onions in.
"One thing you should know about Lucius; he is, to the core, a selfish man. He may tell you he wants you, that he loves you even. But when it comes down to it, Lucius only truly cares about himself and what he wants." She said somewhat bitterly, crossing one leg over the other to reveal what looked to Lucinda like a very expensive pair of black suede heels.
With Lucius not here to defend himself, Lucinda felt it only right that she try to do that; she knew he would do the same for her; "Well I have seen no evidence to support that. And I certainly wouldn't say that he is at all selfish when it comes to Draco. Or to you for that matter; he clearly still provides you with the money to keep you in the manner you are accustomed, which in my opinion is more than generous."
Neither spoke for a beat and despite Lucinda's outright support of Lucius, Narsissa's words were swirling in her head. Was she being genuine? She couldn't tell in all honesty. It was true that she did trust him, and he had clearly been unselfish in his relationship with her and his son in particular. But did that mean he wouldn't ultimately prove otherwise?
"You won't have seen any evidence of it yet I can be certain of that. I presume he has told you all about the nice things he has done and how horrid I am then! Typical. No imagination at all. I am merely attempting to impart some advice to you. I was married to the man for twenty years, I should know what he's like."
Lucinda was getting tired of these mind games. She stopped the spoon in mid-air while she threw a handful of mushrooms into the pan.
"No actually we haven't really discussed you. And thank you, but I don't require any advice. I'll take my own chances, and judge people on the actions I see, not what somebody tells me they're like." Lucinda responded stubbornly, now stirring the pan by hand so she had an excuse not to engage in extensive conversation with her.
"You certainly seem sure, for now at least. I would recommend extreme caution in your decisions. He will disappoint you." Narsissa said. Lucinda thought she detected a hint of regret in her voice.
Putting the pan off the heat, she turned to her; "I do take the upmost caution in decisions I see fit to do so. Believe me, I took caution before entering into this relationship."
"Huh, I bet you did! I bet also that there were certain…benefits that persuaded you otherwise. Enjoying your earrings are you?" Narsissa spat, drumming her long fingers lightly on the table top.
"I have no idea what you are talking about!" She said defiantly. Lucinda made her way over to the other side of the worktop and grabbed a bowl.
"Oh there's no need to act coy for my sake girl. I saw him looking in the window of Madam Jocalia's at them."
Lucinda narrowed her eyes a touch. Her calling her 'girl' was hugely annoying and patronising, but she decided to ignore it. And as for the earrings, she was clearly imagining things.
"I still am none the wiser, sorry. Lucius hasn't bought me any earrings."
"Hasn't he? Or not that you are aware of is more accurate no? He's probably saving them for when you get tired of him; hoping it might persuade you to stay."
"You seem to have made the assumption that I am with Lucius for his money? I think you will find that I have not taken a penny from him, nor would I. I have some modicum of pride." Lucinda retorted, putting extra emphasis on the 'I' in the last sentence.
Both of them were stock still, staring each other down from across the kitchen. Lucinda folded her arms loosely across her chest. Where the hell was Lucius!?
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For once, Lucius was somewhat keen to get to Level Two of the Ministry of Magic for the dark arts meeting. He had received word that morning from Borgin that the mirror would be picked up by him in person from its current owners tomorrow, now that the funds had been transferred successfully. It took an hour and two senior goblin authorisations (just a precaution for such large transactions, he had been informed) at Gringott's the other day, but it had been done. That was the main thing, he reminded himself. It was progress.
He was particularly looking forward to this meeting as he was fairly certain its main purpose would be to ascertain where the mirror would be kept upon its arrival at the Ministry. He could put his powers of persuasion, as Lucinda would call them, to full effect here. It was not as if the unmighty trio of Forbeson, McIntosh and Edmonds would provide much of a challenge to navigate. Lucius was certain he would be able to ensure the mirror's resting place would be convenient enough that even Costache and his cronies wouldn't miss it.
He had just stepped out of yet another crowded lift, in a significantly more agitated mood after narrowly avoiding being hit in the eye by an interdepartmental memo, when he saw one of Potter's friends walking towards him from further down the corridor. And to make matters worse, it was the Weasley one. Lucius did find himself somewhat amused that his face was like thunder, pace quickening significantly as he approached, but he was still in no mood for anyone to get in his way.
"There you are, you smarmy git! I've been hoping to run into you!" The red-head grunted, his auror robes flowing behind him.
How he ever became an auror full stop was puzzling to Lucius to say the least. Little wizarding talent to speak of and even less wit about him. He stood his ground and rolled his eyes. The whole family was so predictable and a tedious thorn in his side.
"Were you now. How fortunate for you as here I am. As much as I would love to stay and chat, I have a meeting to attend." Lucius replied, watching with barely contained pleasure as Weasley clenched his fists, his face red and sweaty.
"You won't be going anywhere soon if I have anything to say about it. We've got stuff on you Malfoy…" Weasley started.
Lucius wasn't even bothering to listen to what he had to say. He knew for a fact that they had nothing on him; there was nothing for them to find. Or at least not for the moment as it stood anyway. Just as he was about to interrupt Weasley's spiel, who should emerge from the office behind them but the 'Chosen One' himself, Harry Potter. He flashed Lucius a look but didn't directly address him, instead attempting to calm his friend.
"Come on Ron, just leave it. He's not worth it." Potter spoke, one hand gently pulling on Weasley's shoulder.
Lucius noted Weasley had stopped speaking now, but he still had a look about him that he might potentially throw a punch. He'd like to see him try. He'd be more likely to make Minister for Magic than so much as catch the side of his face.
Weasley stepped back a touch, his freckled face still tomato-like; "You're right Harry. But..." He spoke loudly, pointing his wand in Lucius' direction, "If you ever, ever hurt my brother, or any of my family ever again, so much as come near them, I'll see you back in Azkaban I swear!"
"As far as I was aware, I have done nothing to hurt your brother. But I can assure you I will make every attempt to stay far away from your family, especially if it means I can avoid this inane drivel! Now, if you'll excuse me…" Lucius smirked widely, using the head of his walking stick to physically move Weasley aside.
He was walking away as he heard the last snippets of conversation between Potter and Weasley; "I better not see his sneering face again Harry or I won't be responsible for my actions I can tell you!"
"I know it's difficult, but you can't rise to him like that in the middle of the corridor. He's not worth being suspended over Ron!" Potter replied, then he heard a door slam as the two must have disappeared back into the office Potter emerged from a few moments before.
Luckily, the corridor had been fairly quiet during Weasley's tirade and so there hadn't been many people around to witness the event. However as he progressed a little further down the corridor Lucius noticed a couple of older wizards visibly shake their heads disapprovingly and withdraw into the meeting room beside which they were stood. Releasing an agitated noise, he carried on passed endless doors and turns until he came to the usual venue for the dark arts meeting. The room was currently empty. As he sat himself down, Lucius checked his pocket watch. He hadn't realised he had left so early, having been distracted by her mouth once again. Not that he minded in the slightest, of course. But now he would have to wait probably ten minutes for the rest of the initiative to appear. Perhaps he should have allowed Weasley to go on for longer, or perhaps he should have retaliated to make things more interesting. It had been tempting, but he had been aware it would only end up creating yet more stories for people to pore over in The Daily Prophet. Lucinda had already suffered enough due to Skeeter's ramblings. But yes, it had been tempting. The whole family seemed to be constantly there to irritate him, and not just as there were so many of them. He heard that Arthur had been promoted recently in his post, and was now the Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. What an utter waste of time that job was, Lucius mused. At least they might be able to afford some decent dwellings for once.
There were certain Ministry offices and departments, such as that which Arthur Weasley worked in, that seemed to Lucius to be wholly unnecessary add-ons. It wasn't as if any self-respecting wizard would want to fiddle around with anything muggles had invented. No, Lucius thought, they should to focusing much more on the potential uses of wizarding artefacts, things that could help further knowledge and help the wizarding world prosper rather than extoling the virtues of muggle's supposed technology.
Despite the fact that he was eager to have his say on the adversus inimicum mirror's home at the Ministry, he was rather hoping it wouldn't end up with them talking in circles for hours on end. Lucinda would most likely be cooking now, and he wanted to be back at the Manor in good time to spend the rest of the day with her, something they didn't often have the chance to do with Lucinda's hours at work. He realised of course how important her job was to her, but he was not used to having to adjust to other's needs. However, he was certain he wouldn't want her to change though either; to see someone so passionate about what they did was refreshing to him. He had never felt passionate about much himself. Once he thought he was passionate about blood purity and what that stood for, but over time he realised he felt less and less enthused regarding the tasks set for him as the Dark Lord's favourite. Chasing a bunch of infuriating schoolchildren around the Department of Mysteries wasn't exactly what he had imagined being a deatheater would entail.
He was glad to be interrupted as his thoughts began to drift to the consequences of that particular event. Forbeson entered the room, briefcase floating in the beside him as he perused several pieces of parchment he was holding.
"Good afternoon Forbeson." Lucius spoke, clasping his hands together on the table top.
Forbeson glanced up at him from his reading, glasses perched on the end of his nose; "Ah, Lucius. Good afternoon. Just, err, looking through a final draft for the new Ministry proposal regarding their joint initiative with St. Mungos. It makes interesting reading to say the least!"
Lucius watched with interest as Forbeson placed the pages on the table and sat himself down opposite him.
"I see. I have heard some vague information concerning this, yes. There be joint contract with St. Mungos to set out the full extent to which the Ministry will be influencing them, I presume?" He said, leaning back in his chair a touch.
There was brief pause as Forbeson filed away the parchment away in his briefcase before he replied; "Oh it seems like it yes. Many months of meetings I imagine, they do so like to draw these things out to the nth degree don't they!"
And of course you don't, Lucius thought sarcastically. It was intriguing to hear however, that there would in fact be a joint initiative between the Ministry and St. Mungos. He recalled Lucinda's view on the matter, and he had to agree. The Ministry had no business sticking their nose into St. Mungos. They were two completely different agencies with significantly different ways of working, and one would not mesh with the other, he was certain.
Attempting to retain a slightly more unbiased view, and not wanting to enter into a particularly long conversation on the topic, he simple added; "Yes I quite agree. Let us just hope that the meetings prove worthwhile and lead to a conclusion everyone can accept."
"Aye, let's hope so Lucius, let's hope so. Ah, Edmonds, McIntosh, there you are." Forbeson spoke loudly, gesturing the two men who had just appeared to take a seat, "We'll get started. I have another meeting at half past two, so if it is ok with everyone, we'll finish just before."
Lucius noticed they all nodded in response rather more forcefully than was strictly necessary. I appeared he wasn't the only one keen to get this over with.
"That's splendid as far as I'm concerned James! Haven't even had a lunch break yet! That illegal mandrake scandal just keeps growing, no pun intended! So, err, how are things going with this mirror then Lucius?" McIntosh asked, looking to Lucius from across the table, his stubby fingers stroking his moustache.
He was wondering when he would pipe up. He was probably expecting Lucius to have no further news so he could step in with his snivelling bureaucratic drivel about money and how Shacklebolt wouldn't want to wait any longer.
"I have been informed by my source that they will be collecting the mirror in person in the coming days. Then I shall collect it from them, so do not worry McIntosh, we shall not have to wait much longer." Lucius spoke calmly, inwardly relishing it when McIntosh's face dropped, "So, I believe the most logical next step is to plan what exactly will be done with said mirror when it arrives."
Lucius noted McIntosh open his mouth to rebuke, but Edmonds interrupted, clearly sensing the growing tension in the room; "Well, that's terrific news isn't it! I'm sure we've all had quite enough of discussing and researching the same thing for months on end! I for one propose the mirror should be kept where it can be most protected, and we all know where that is."
"Ah yes, of course. However I did briefly discuss this matter with Kingsley the other day. He seemed to be keen on the idea that the looking glass should be kept in the Ministry's own vault at Gringotts." Forbeson replied, his quill moving rapidly across a fresh piece of parchment.
Merlin be damned! Lucius thought. Shacklebolt out to ruin his plans, this would simply not do. He needed to have his input, and quickly.
"I imagine the goblins would severely object to the idea of a wizard made dark object being kept within Gringotts on a permanent basis. Recall the absolute shambles we had ten years ago with Fudge attempted to cajole them to keep the veil there temporarily." He spoke smoothly.
"True. Very true, they can be most difficult to cooperate with. Besides, the vault is not exactly easily accessible, which proves good for security, less so for research purposes." Edmonds responded. At last, someone was speaking a little sense, Lucius thought.
"The Department of Mysteries may be more accessible, but isn't that the problem? Although, saying that, the opportunities for research into something as rare as this are quite astounding." McIntosh said.
"Yes, research is vital into an object so little is known about. I assume we are all agreed that the Department of Mysteries is perhaps the best place, but it will be difficult to change Kingsley's mind. I believe he feels the Department is not quite safe enough, after, well err…that event during the Second War…" Forbeson said, trailing off towards the end of his sentence.
Lucius was fully aware of what he meant. Shacklebolt had been there during the 'event'. It was an event that had cost Lucius his freedom and his dignity. He should have expected that Shacklebolt wold recall how easy it had been for them to infiltrate the Department. Nevertheless, he knew that there had been significant security changes to the Ministry in the past few years, so why he was so reluctant to allow the mirror to kept there was anyone's guess. I'm sure he'd rather let it gather cobwebs on the Ministry's terms than actually put it to good use, Lucius concluded.
"The Department should be more than adequate now though surely? I think the best idea would be to get a message to some of the unspeakables and ask their opinion. They can tell us where it could potentially be kept and what, if any, extra security will be required." McIntosh chipped in again.
"Good idea McIntosh. I shall send a memo to Timson, he works in the Department. That is, if we are all in favour?"
"I should see no reason why we would not be in favour. It is, after all, the most sensible idea I think we are all agreed on that?" Lucius replied. It was too easy really; a simple seed of doubt planted carefully, and they had changed their plans just as he anticipated they would.
"Aye it is. What say you McIntosh?" Edmonds spoke, inclining his head a little in McIntosh's direction.
Lucius heard a slight snort emerge from the man before he answered; "As much as I would rather not, I have to agree as well. I don't imagine it would be any easier to store it in Gringotts. And at least if it is kept here, we can keep a closer eye on it…" He eyed Lucius suspiciously.
"Glad that's sorted then!" Forbeson said, appearing slightly distracted as he quickly packed away his briefcase, "Might be an idea if we all go and speak to Kingsley now if everyone is available. If I don't do it now I won't get chance with all the meetings and paperwork I've had lately."
And so Lucius found himself now in a significantly darker mood than when he had first arrived at the Ministry, in a lift with Forbeson, Edmonds and McIntosh up to Level One to pay Shacklebolt a probably unwelcome visit. He had managed to avoid any meetings with him for quite some time now, and the thought of having to plead their case while he sat behind his vast desk filled him with frustration.
Reaching their destination, it was Forbeson who knocked on the door. There was a moment's silence before Lucius heard a reverberating voice say; "Come in."
They stepped inside. Lucius let his eyes move about the room. Alongside several portraits of past Ministers for Magic were various vases and other artefacts Lucius found completely devoid of artistic flair and decent craftsmanship. Just the kind of thing I would expect to find in here, he concluded.
"Minister, so sorry to just barge in like this, but we have a proposal to put forward regarding the adversus inimicum looking glass." Forbeson addressed the man sat behind the desk.
Shacklebolt looked up from the parchment he was reading and glanced at the group of men. His eyes settled on Lucius and his gaze visibly hardened.
"That is quite alright. But I thought I had made my feelings on the object quite clear. Besides, we do not yet have an arrival date for the looking glass have we?" Shacklebolt spoke in his trademark deep drawl.
"We do now. It shall be collected in the next few days. With regards to where we shall store the mirror, we have been discussing that today. We are in agreement that it would perhaps be best that we utilise the Department of Mysteries. It is close and secure, and we feel it will provide us with opportunity to allow the unspeakables to study the mirror." McIntosh said, trying to sound as eloquent as possible. Lucius couldn't stop himself rolling his eyes.
"Well that is certainly fast progress. Nonetheless, I am quite reluctant for something with such dark connections to be kept within the Ministry itself. You do make good points however. What is your opinion on this, Malfoy?" Shacklebolt asked, waving his hand over his desk at the same time to clear it.
"My opinion, Minister," He practically spat the word out, "Is that, so long as the mirror is in the correct hands, it shall not be dangerous. Therefore it is best to keep it within the Ministry, where there is a chance to explore its origins and the magic used to craft it."
Lucius waited for a reply. He was fairly certain he would buy what he had to say. Of course, he was distrusting of him, that would not change. But, Shacklebolt was not a complete fool. He knew Lucius had great knowledge of dark magic and the objects used to channel it, not that he would ever openly say so.
He watched as Shacklebolt folded his hands on top of the desk and cleared his throat loudly; "That is as maybe. I am already aware that there will need to be research into something so rare….But, if this goes ahead, and the mirror is brought here, it will be on all of you if anything goes wrong let me make that clear. I am trusting you with this task. Forbeson I suggest you make contact with the Department and feedback to me as soon as is possible. Then I will make my final decision."
"Yes Minister, of course. I know of several unspeakables I can contact for further information, and I am sure of their discretion. I will see to it." Forbeson said. Lucius thought he sounded disgustingly sycophantic.
"Well then. I can see you tomorrow at four." Shacklebolt replied smoothly.
"I shall get onto that right away Minister. I'll see you at four. Let us go then, gentlemen. I know we all have other meetings to get to this afternoon." Forbeson said, rising from his seat as they all followed suit.
As Lucius made his way back up to the atrium, he knew his face must be displaying his anger, as people made a considerable effort to move out of his way as he passed, several groups of wizards and witches putting their heads together to whisper some nonsense or other about him probably. The sooner he could get back to the Manor the better. Despite the fact that he had the upcoming meeting with Costache, and that the mirror would be arriving in a few days, Shacklebolt's attitude was proving to be a barrier he should have anticipated, and that made him even angrier. Stepping into one of the black tiled fireplaces, he left the Ministry.
The Manor was quiet upon his arrival, the gentle tick of the grandfather clock the only thing piercing the silence. After depositing his outer robes, he made his way to the kitchens, knowing Lucinda would be there. He needed a distraction from what had turned out to be a most irritating meeting, and she was extremely good at doing just that. As he got closer to the kitchen, he could sense the distinct smells of cooking, making him realise he hadn't eaten anything so far today. But he could sense something else too; something out of place. Voices coming from inside the room. He pushed open the door to find Lucinda standing at one of the marble kitchen countertops, and Narsissa, of all people, sitting at the table. Both women turned to him as he stood in the doorway. He felt his jaw tighten unconsciously. He was not in the mood for this.
"Ah there he is, the man in question." Narsissa said as she stood from her chair and smoothed down her robes.
"And what exactly are you doing here Narsissa?" Lucius replied shortly.
She sneered at him briefly; "Well, as much as I do apologise for interrupting your domestic bliss, I am here to discuss some important decisions for the wedding."
He glanced over to Lucinda, who was being unusually quiet. She flashed him a closed lipped smile in response but still didn't say anything.
"I see. And I suppose you couldn't have sent me an owl to arrange a date beforehand. I sincerely hope you haven't been making trouble."
Narsissa made to walk over towards the door. "I did not see the point in owling, surely I do not need to make an appointment to talk about our son. And I have not been making any trouble, we were just having a little chat is all."
"Yeah, we have. It's fine. Look, I'll leave you both to it." Lucinda spoke, also moving towards the door.
"Are you ok?" He asked her as she stopped in front of him.
"Yeah I'm fine. I'm going to go and get cleaned up and have a shower. I'll see you in a bit. And Narsissa," Lucinda turned to his ex-wife, "It was nice to meet you."
He wanted to say something else to reassure her, but she had already exited and he could hear her footsteps slowly dying away as she made her way back down the corridor. Lucius realised it can't have been easy for her to have to sit and chat with his ex-wife and then leave them both alone. Merlin knows, he certainly didn't want to be alone with Narsissa, especially not after the day he'd had so far.
Moving his attention back to the woman beside him, he noticed she was still smirking in the direction Lucinda had left.
"I certainly hope for your sake you haven't been spouting your usual spite."
"I have been doing no such thing I can assure you Lucius. As if I would waste my time. I was merely offering the girl some advice is all." She moved past him and out of the door, her long black robes flowing behind her.
Lucius was always completely astounded at the way she acted when she visited the Manor. Despite the fact that she hadn't lived there for four years, she treated it like her own personal fiefdom whenever she was there. Grunting under his breath, he begrudgingly followed her to his study.
She had arrived there a few seconds before him and he noticed her leaning a little over the desk, perusing the draft of a business letter he had left out yesterday. He cleared his throat loudly, closing the door behind him and she straightened up.
"I have to say Lucius, I can see what why you are so keen. Pretty, far too young, and quite the sharp tongue." Narsissa told him, sitting down in one of the armchairs set over one side of the room near the floor length window.
"From what you had said, I was under the impression this meeting was in regards to the upcoming wedding of our son. Not for you to pass judgement on my choice of partner." Lucius replied, choosing not to sit down. The sooner she got to the point, the sooner she would leave and they could be alone again.
He watched as she looked out of the window at the gardens. He had had them landscaped sometime after she left and so he imagined they must look quite different to her. After a few seconds, she turned back to him; "That is the purpose of my visit yes. I was just not expecting to be greeted by her at the front door."
She was testing his patience. And it was wearing thin as it was. He breathed in deeply as she stared at him from across the room.
"Whether Lucinda answered the door or not is not an issue as far as I am concerned. Now, what wedding preparations were so urgent that they just could not wait?"
"Suit yourself. Draco and Astoria are keen to have a winter wedding and as it's already summer that doesn't give us much time to prepare." She declared importantly, as if she knew so much more about their own son's life than Lucius did.
"That's perfectly fine. What is there to prepare? They have said they want to be married here, in the garden's chapel. I am assuming that still stands?" He replied, flicking his hand to file away the stray pieces of parchment on his desk.
"It still stands yes. Although it is bad luck to marry there if you ask me, but they have their hearts set on it. It is not so much the venue that is the difficulty, but the family. Or families, as the case may be." Narsissa said, pursing her lips together.
"I have no interest in getting involved in any…tensions between the Greengrass's extended family and the Black's."
"Oh I see, and what about your extended family Lucius?" She said smugly, raising an eyebrow at him before opening her handbag and taking a cigarette out of it.
"How droll. I have no extended family as you are well aware. My extended family is your extended family, perhaps unfortunately. There is nothing to decide either way. We seat each family at opposite sides of the chapel during the wedding. Will you be inviting your sister?" He asked tentatively.
After the Second War, Narsissa had attempted to reconnect with Andromeda. Despite the fact that she married a mudblood, Narsissa had felt that, with her only other sibling dead, it was time to try and make amends. At first there were no answers to her letters, but he recalled one day, not long before their marriage ended, an owl arrived with a reply. He wasn't sure if there had been much progress since then however.
"I think I will invite Media, yes. Things are still quite uncertain at the moment. I haven't met that useless husband of hers anyway. But I have seen her. And I will invite her. She is Draco's aunt after all. Anyway, I agree, so long as we keep certain members of the Greengrass family away from everyone else then all will be fine." She finished the last sentence sarcastically, taking a long drag on her cigarette. Lucius had always hated the habit; he found it vulgar and unbecoming of a lady to be puffing on the end of cigarette constantly.
He opened his mouth to reply, but she cut him off; "We also need to decide where to have the wedding breakfast."
"Hmm, is this not Draco and Astoria's wedding, not ours Narsissa. Surely they should decide on such things and arrange it between them." Lucius said. It was absolutely pointless to be discussing such matters with the bride and groom not present.
"They have told me they do not mind. They are being awfully lackadaisical about the whole thing if you ask me. So, I was thinking we could use the hall on the west side of the house."
The hall. It was in a later edition to the Manor; an airy large room with mirrors and portraits across one wall and windows on the other. Several chandeliers were ordered to light the space. He couldn't think of the last time it had been used. He paced to the end of the desk and back again, thinking about her proposal, before replying; "Fine, I'm sure it will be nice for them."
"Well, it is a beautiful room. And Draco loved it in there when he was young. So, as long as that is decided then, I can start making some arrangements for the decorations, if they ever get to deciding on those." She finished, putting out the cigarette and standing.
"I shall owl Draco in the coming week and ask if there are any preparations I should be aware of. Other than that, I shall take a back seat to this. It is their day." Lucius said, opening the door for her.
She flashed him a look as she passed; "Is that a hint for me to do the same? Just because I want to be actively involved in this joyous event does not mean I will take it over. Anyway, yes you should owl him. And I will owl from now on before any meetings between us…want to make sure I don't interrupt anything don't we?"
"It is not the point that you might…interrupt, as you put it. It is the fact that this is no longer your house, and it is only polite to forward plan. At least then I shall be here if you want to speak to me."
"Fine. Well, goodbye Lucius. I'm sure she'll probably have dinner on the table by now." Narsissa smirked, proceeding out of the front door and down the stone steps.
"Goodbye Narsissa." He replied, relieved when she had apparated and he could close the door.
There was only one thing on his mind now. He began unbuttoning his shirt as he made his way up the staircase. As Lucius entered the bedroom, he could hear the water running. Excellent, he thought.