Previously on Part 1:
Severus made a gesture for the Malfoy family to follow them. Adrianna and Severus walked up to the flowered wall and with a small flourish from Adrianna's hand the wall parted itself like a drawn curtain.
The small gasps of surprise from the Malfoys were enjoyed by the newlyweds as they led their guests inside.
(August 18th, 1990)
The 'dining room' was slightly smaller than the previous 'room' they were in and slightly more narrow. The walls were still tall hedges but now there were large rectangular 'paintings' along the 'walls' made out of flowers and vines. Twinkling fairy lights hovered around the walls swaying slightly as if there was a breeze. Four large Swarovski chandeliers were providing the room with more lighting as the sun was now beginning to set. The table was made out of thousands of tiny mosaic tiles that reflected the multicolored light coming from the chandeliers. All in all the place looked resplendent. Both elder Malfoys were upset.
"You simply must give the name of your decorator." Narcissa said as she took in the room. She would certainly use the family pensive to go over tonight. She wanted almost everything she had seen today.
Adrianna's laughter filled the room.
"I don't have a decorated I'm afraid. The pieces came from different stores or from different family members as gifts. Most of the arranging was done by the elves themselves." Adrianna replied.
Narcissa didn't know how to respond to that. She did not think she could ever leave her elves to do the decorating.
Thankfully she was saved by her husband before she took too long to reply.
"This is simply a wonderful dinner arrangement. I don't think I have ever dined like this before." Lucius replied.
It hurt to admit such a thing. He could have a luncheon on the lawn of his home or someone else's but all dinners have been indoors or in a covered space. This genuinely felt like he was outside, even though he was 80% sure he was still within the castle walls.
It upset him to see Severus having everything he had ever wanted. Yes, upset is exactly what he would describe it as.
"I am glad you all like it. My family likes to have some family dinners outside under the night sky. It allows us to feel closer to our land." Adrianna explained as she guided everyone to the table.
"Speaking of which." She said as she waved her wand to the stained glass ceiling. The glass instantly turned clear and revealed the sunset that was happening outside.
"That's better."
The table was set the traditional way to the Snapes. There was a large rectangle table with two head seats on one side. The chair to Severus right would hold Lucius while Narcissa and Draco would sit on Adrianna's side, since Draco is still young he would be with his mother.
Looking over to the Malfoys and their slight confusion Severus decided to explain.
"There is a tradition in Adrianna's home country that a newlywed couple sits together in the same chair at the head of the table in their home. It is symbolic in many ways. Mostly it is to show the joining of two families and the couples wanting to be together as much as possible." The last part was a bluff from Severus. He honestly just liked having her close. It also helped that he remembered his father in laws face when he had first seen them like that.
"Fascinating, I hadn't heard of that tradition before." Lucius said as he guided his wife to her chair as Severus helped Adrianna to her own. "Is that how you both wish to sit when you visit other homes?" He asked. He would not be so crass as to informally invite them to his home without a proper invitation but he implied it all the same.
"Oh no, It is simply for our own homes. We won't sit like this indefinitely though, only for the first few months of marriage." Adrianna replied. "Or until I need to have my own chair to make a quick escape as the pregnancy symptoms kick in." Adrianna said cheekily while looking at Severus.
"I am sure I can brew you the very best to limit the amount of discomfort you may suffer through." Severus said as he kissed her hand while he took his seat next to her. A slight smirk played on his lips.
He would not allow her to suffer while he could do something about it.
"I will hold you to that Darling." Adrianna said as she leaned into him slightly. It felt unreal to flirt with her husband.
Lucius was very upset as he watched them. He felt a horrible burn he rarely ever felt in his stomach and heart as he watched Severus flirt with his beautiful, young, rich, influential and pregnant wife. She must have gotten pregnant very quickly after their wedding. 'Damn, she's very fertile as well. Damn him!' Lucius thought to himself.
"Milo" Severus called. Said elf popped in.
"How may Milo serve Master?" Milo answered.
"You may serve dinner now." Severus said. The food quickly appeared on the table. It began to distribute itself to each guest on its own.
(Time break)
Dinner progressed nicely with everyone contributing to the conversation. Adrianna talked to Draco about his flight and the young boy enthusiastically told her all about it. Narcissa and Adrianna spoke about decorating, shopping and her pregnancy. At that point Draco jumped in asking if she was really pregnant much to his parent's mortification. Lucius would be having words with his son for his manners. Adrianna merely laughed and told him she was. Draco had looked mortified and mystified at the same time, a difficult feat. He simply looked at Severus and asked "I'm going to have a baby cousin?"
Severus was amused by his godson's outburst. He hoped Lucius wouldn't punish him for it. He had told him 'yes' and watched as the boys eyes kept glancing at his wife's stomach with veiled longing. At that moment he understood. He probably wanted a sibling his entire life and now he would get a baby cousin. A part of him felt for Draco. He would ensure the boy was around his child as much as he could. He would just watch out for his parents influence.
Lucius and Narcissa had also noticed the looks Draco sent Adrianna. Narcissa felt like a failure to never being able to carry another child to term. Her marriage was strained as it was and only made worse with each subsequent failed pregnancy. She still remembered her son's demands and pleads for a sibling vividly.
Lucius hated how his son was looking at Adrianna. He would never forgive Narcissa her failure to give him more children. He remembered each and every single child lost. He didn't know if there had been more that she hid but he knew enough. Even Andromeda outdid her with her one child. A metamorphous! The first one to be born in over a century and a half years in the Black family. And to a muggleborn father no less. The sting of inadequacy burned him when he thought of it. His pure blood couldn't make one but someone with filthy blood could.
Adrianna noticed the longing looks but chalked it up to him being an only child. Without the information the others had she dismissed the looks and their meaning.
The dinner progressed to lighter topics. Severus and Lucius held a very bland sounding conversation about the economy when in reality it was a coded way for them to talk about more sensitive topics. By the end of it Lucius was left without many answers he wished to know but they had agreed for Lucius to return during the coming week. Lucius was already plotting on how he would wring out every single information he wished from Severus by the end of his visit. He would also do his best to become closer to Severus and Adrianna; the child would need a godfather after all.
The Malfoys gave their compliments to their hosts for their wonderful time. They promised to give them a perfect wedding present as soon as they could. Lucius would ensure it. Draco gave his compliments and farewells. He tried to discretely say goodbye to his future cousin in a whisper but he was heard by the adults who unanimously decided to not mention it. The Snapes found it amusing and adorable. The Malfoys however were filled with self hatred and regret.
Once the Malfoys left through the floo Severus cast a series of spells quickly and was reassured when they all came back negative. Milo popped in without needing to be called and reported that the rest of the house and the garden were cleared. Severus dismissed him and then stopped when he saw the look of incredulity on his wife's face.
Severus was a second away from apologizing when Adrianna burst into peals of giggles. She covered her mouth and averted her eyes but continued to laugh. Severus was slightly put out by them. Once she finally regained her composure she graced him give a proud look.
"I was startled into giggles because you reacted in the exact same way as I do after someone visits my home." She answered his unspoken question.
"Great minds think alike my dear." He simply replied. He tried to stop the spreading of the warm feelings her pride in him caused. He failed.
"Am I to assume Lucius will be returning soon?" She asked as she made her way to the main living room. Discarding her shoes and curling into the sofa to become more comfortable.
"Oh yes. He will be back during the week once I send him a letter telling him when it would be best. I foresee many more visits from the Malfoys in the future." Severus said as he sat in one of the wingback chairs. He didn't feel too comfortable to sit beside her at the moment.
"Are you alright with that?" She asked him.
"Shouldn't it be me asking that?" He replied with a small brow raise.
"Maybe, I am used to it however." She replied.
"I will not deny to having others use me in a similar fashion for my expertise. Although never to the level you may be used to." He said. He gathered his thoughts and told her how he knew things. "He is my oldest friend. Beliefs aside he is a good husband and father as much as he can be. I had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting Abraxas Malfoy in my youth. I am sure my abusive drunk of a father was better than him. He puts his family first no matter what. If the Dark Lord ever does return in our lifetime then I am sure he would be conflicted in rejoining him. That aside he is still the consummate Slytherin. He will see our marriage as an opportunity to forge a connection with your family. He won't be crass or pushy about it but he will take every opportunity to ingratiate himself into it." Severus said. He was sure Lucius wouldn't do something that would cross the line of propriety but he would be watchful just in case.
Adrianna mulled over her husband's words as she thought out the possible repercussions of what she was about to ask.
"What I really need to know is whether or not you will trust him enough with becoming the godfather to our child." She said. Severus looked at her with a curious and perplexed expression so she elaborated.
"A godparent is very important in our culture. I am sure it is here as well but back home a godparent has a duty to the child in a more involved way than one might have here." Severus nodded for her to continue. "If either of us were to die then if we had no other family, impossible for me, then one or both godparents would take the responsibility. They are expected to be at every major event of the child and guide them along as well. If you chose him he would be at every major celebration of our child. If we have a girl then he would be expected to be involved in her Quinceañera. It's like a sweet 16 but at 15 with more tradition and symbolism involved. Godparents contribute financially, physically and emotionally to that. My godmother had been a rock to me throughout my life. She has been a confidant from time to time. She is important to me. I will forever involve her in my life. The same with my godfather. They are family friends and married to each other. They want to meet you and will visit soon. If Lucius is chosen then it's a commitment for life. He can't back out. It would be a huge insult to the family. He would have to put the child first, after his family, over any other alliances. He would have to be an example to them." Adrianna said. She knew Lucius had a very dark past. He was a very prejudiced man and his views would definitely clash with her families. Should Severus decide to ask him to become a godfather then he would have to hold his tongue on many things.
Severus took what his wife told him and tried to think if his old friend could do it. He hadn't thought about godparents at all if he was honest with himself. He had many things to think about and do since Adrianna contacted him. He wished he could give her a definitive answer but the truth was that he wasn't sure himself. He would have to take his time with this.
"I believe he would do anything to become the godfather to our child. However you are correct that he would have to make compromises when dealing with whatever life brings us. I think I will take my time to think everything through. I will eventually approach him with the possibility of making him one of the godparents. By then I would like to be prepared with what some of his responsibilities would be to see if he would be able to do so. My honest answer though would be that he would surely do anything to become a godfather." Severus said. He had no doubt Lucius would go through anything the Vega family threw at him in order to become a godfather to his child. He was suddenly feeling dread at that prospect.
"Very well. I will send for more information to my family. I know I will ask my god sister to become the godmother. She is someone I love and trust to do this. Plus she will always be in my life so that would solidify it more." She said.
Severus nodded in reply. He would trust her with her pick. He was sure she wouldn't disappoint him. It wasn't like her choice was a former death eater 'under the imperious curse'.
"I would like to meet her. It's not that I don't trust your choice. I simply wish to know who will be in such an important role in our child life." Severus said. He wanted to ensure the woman was a good choice for himself.
"I am not insulted Severus. I understand. I will see about inviting her and her family over once we have settled here when the children return." She said.
"Good. I look forward to it." He replied.
Adrianna smiled at him and then stretched her body out on the couch as she lay down. Severus was transfixed by the site. His hands itched to touch her. He stilled himself quickly.
"I think I will rest for a bit and then retire to bed. Right now I could not be pressed to move." She said with a content smile.
Severus gave her an amused smirk in return. He wouldn't mind if she lay there at all. He summoned a book from the shelves behind him.
"I feel comfortable as well. Would you mind if I play some classical music while I read? I prefer to unwind with a good book and a tumbler of fire whiskey after a long day." He said as a glass appeared on the small side table next to him. Milo knew his master after all.
"Go ahead. Just don't be surprised if I knock out." She said with a dreamy sigh as she burrowed into the sofa.
Severus simply waved his wand and violins filled the air. Adrianna let out a content sigh and closed her eyes. She fell asleep fairly quickly. Severus held his book the entire time he sat. He watched her sleep and thought about how much his life had changed. He never thought he would be a father, let alone married. He thanked all the deities he knew. Finally, he got a break from life.
So how did everyone like the second part to the Malfoys visit. I wanted to include more about them as individuals and what has shaped them. Lucius to me is a very hard character to write since I keep going back and forth as to how to portray him. I don't think I will ever be able to get his character right though. Draco and Narcissa are a little better for me. Draco's personality will develop with the story and Narcissa won't be a very prominent figure since she will distance herself as much as she can from Adrianna for personal reasons.
Harry will return in the next chapter as well. I am having some problems with writing Goblin culture but I hope it won't be too bad since I am going blind here. I have missed my little speckled angel.
Soon the school year will begin in the coming chapters. With it the truth about Harry's life will also be revealed. I am sooo looking forward to that chapter.