Chapter 38
"A present?"
I smiled—actually, smirked was more like it--mysteriously, and waved my wand to accio the package to us.
It wasn't heavy, and it was rectangular in shape. She held it, fingers trembling ever so slightly with unbridled joy and excitement, so much like a child, I wanted to hug her. But of course I didn't—that would have been un-Lucius-like, so hug her so often in one day.
"Open it," I urged. She carefully lifted the spellotape that held the paper together, and I was left to watch her, shocked. "You could just tear the paper off, Lily," I said, impatient to see her reaction to the gift I'd spent days and days looking for. The concept of gently opening a present was unfamiliar and foreign to me. Wrapping paper was made for being torn apart—why else had the manufacturers made it so flimsy? If they'd wanted something strong and lasting, they would have used plastic, or an enchanted material, at the very least.
"But the paper's so pretty—I want to keep it." I almost rolled my eyes; how very Lily.
After what seemed to me like eons of waiting while she carefully and systematically removed the green paper, the present was unwrapped (at long last). She looked at it for less than a second, before practically knocking me down with a hug.
"Oh, Lucius, I love it, thank you so much!" She was kissing me all over the face, and I was impatient all over again, moving away from her gently for air before I gave her the kiss, this time on her lips.
The present I'd given her was an enchanted book. It was enchanted in two ways, though I only knew of one at that time. The first enchantment was purely physical, dealing with the books protection spells, and other mediocre charms. Its pages would never run out (naturally). On the bottom part of each page, a line of poetry was written. Muggle and wizard poetry alike. I hope the symbolism hasn't been lost on you—mixing muggle and wizard poetry. Try to figure that out.
The second enchantment—that is something you shall know in due time.
Now, you must remember, I was a Malfoy then, and I still am now, and Malfoys, no matter what, have never been known for their frugality. Of course it was an expensive present. It was bound in the finest baby dragon skin leather there was, and it's corners and spine were protected by diamonds, forged and melted to fit the book perfectly. Oh yes, and I mustn't forget to mention the lock, triggered by the owner's very thought, and the spell cast upon it so that it's weight and size would be controlled by the owner himself (or, in this case, herself). This was a book that would last forever.
"What do you think I should use it for? It looks too nice to be used."
We were sitting on the floor, with our backs to the wall, lazing contentedly in our post-snog euphoria.
"Well, Lily my dear, you have too many thoughts to keep in your head, and so I decided to give you something much like a pensieve. I would have gotten a pensieve for you, except you know how rare they are. So put those thoughts, in there." I took her wand, and traced a line from her head, to a page. Words instantly appeared. She closed the book shut, moving faster than I'd seen her move before, and she smiled guiltily.
"Don't read my thoughts, they're embarrassing."
"They're all gibberish to me—only you can understand what you think. The book-maker made sure of that. I could understand it if you wanted me to understand it, and unlock it if you wanted me to, but the temptation would be too great for me to bear, looking into your mind. I'd probably accio the book into the Slytherin Dorms each night, just to read what you were thinking."
She smiled, flattered.
"Could I write it the normal way, you know, with quills?"
"Why not?" And I pulled out the second present I had for her—a peacock tail feather quill.
Her warm back reassuring against mine, she murmured her thanks, and, a quill in her hand, she began to write.
*~*~*~*~*
I leaned forward, my forehead against the cold, hard pane of the carriage window. I was going back to the house. The carriage had no need of a driver—it was enchanted. It had horses, though, not Thestrals. I didn't like Thestrals, because I could see them. And the fact that I could see them reminded me of Iole, and I didn't like to think about her.
The cessation of the sharp jolts made whenever wheel hit stone told me we were finally airborne. Of course we (the horses, the carriage, and myself, that is) couldn't be seen by even the sharpest muggle eyes because of the best cloaking spells. Was it just me, or was the word 'best' always associated with the name Malfoy? Interesting coincidence.
My grip tightened on a special bundle I had in my pocket. My present from Lily.
'I wasn't really sure what to get you—what am I supposed to give the person who has everything?' She'd whispered, her small hand slipping something into my pocket, much like it had done that night in detention.
She'd given me a Snitch. Well, yes, snitches were typical, and not at all expensive. But this was different; not only because She'd given it to me, but because it was silver, and not gold.
'And it changes color too, see? It's a bit like the muggle mood rings, only it's based on your feelings, not just the temperature.'
'The wings are removable, you can give them to whoever—'
'To whoever I want. I'm giving it to you.'
She'd blushed uncontrollably.
'You don't have to, you know, because. . . because of me. . . just do what you want--'
'This is what I want. It's yours.'
It didn't take very long to get to Malfoy Manor. I knew instantly when I was almost there. The air around my house was colder than anywhere else, because of a spell my ancestor had placed upon it centuries before. He was odd, believing that true Slytherins were part serpent, making us oblivious to the cold, being cold-blooded creatures ourselves. Right. As I said, he was odd.
The carriage alighted with a rumble. I would have to get that fixed. Levitating my trunk, I stepped through the door (which opened of its own accord—it felt the Malfoy in me) and into the vast antechamber. Nothing had changed, since I'd last seen it a few short months ago.
The marble halls were, thankfully, black. Any more green and I probably would have gone colorblind.
Torches, enchanted to give no heat and burn forever, lined the halls.
"Mother, Father, I've arrived," I said to no one in particular. The halls carried sound, and my voice, low though it was, could be heard throughout the rooms where the doors were still open.
"We're in the sixth living room, Lucius," My mother's voice said, so clear she could have been beside me.
The sixth living room—that was somewhere in the east wing. I left my trunk hovering in the middle of the hall with a simple placement spell for the house elves to bring to my room.
I rounded a corner, and entered. They were sitting there, just the way they'd done in the second living room when I'd left them last start of term. Did nothing in this house change? Mother was sitting on a chair, the very image of poise, and Father looked rather sulky, reading the Daily Prophet and sipping his Black Unicorn Dust Tea with disdain.
Of course, things changed when I stepped in. Nothing major, I was just their only firstborn son, wasn't I? My mother's eyebrow arched slightly, and my father put down the paper. To tell the truth, that was more than I'd already expected.
They probably wanted something from me.
And, as I found out less than a minute later, they did.
"Lucius," both my parents said at the same time, in the same tone, which, obviously, meant that they wanted the same thing from me.
"Mother; Father?" I pretended to look as if I knew nothing of what they planned to do. But I had a sinking feeling that I did—
"At eighteen, I believe you've already come of age--" Mother began.
"Don't coddle the boy, tell him straight out," the deep voice of Byron Malfoy, my father, growled.
"I was getting to that; Lucius, it's about time you started thinking of settling down."
"You've your whole life ahead of you—don't marry her right away, a man has his needs, but what your mother and I mean, boy, is that you must start looking. We purebloods do our best to keep our line clean. We were thinking one of the Black sisters—you've met them, surely? Three of them to choose from. Well? What have you got to say?"
Father didn't say 'what do you think'—because in his eyes, I hadn't developed a brain yet. I was supposed to be as obedient as a house elf. But, you know, if you can lie to one person, you can lie to another.
"Good. I'll start--"
"Tonight," Mother intervened gracefully, her eyes sparkling with excitement. How anyone could enjoy matchmaking was beyond me—
"Yes, we're hosting a party. You can have your choice of women then." He made it sound like women were on a display rack, and I was the lucky buyer. Ha.
"Perfect." I didn't care if my answers were boring—they expected me to be that way, so I was.
I waited for them to say I could go.
And, right on cue, Father cleared his throat.
"Go to your room, and change into something presentable for tonight. And for Salazar's sake, boy, put a Paling charm on yourself. You look too flushed to be a Malfoy."
I bowed formally, bristling inside at his casual insult, and left the room. That was a strange way to behave toward your parents, but, then again, I thought, as a house elve's screams echoed from the room and resonated around the house, my parents were far from normal.
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A/N: Ack!! I'm sorry I haven't written in a long time. Nearly a month—sorry! If Lucius were here, he'd be torturing me with Avada spells already. Lucius has gone on some 'Very Secret Business' (translation: DEATH EATER/KILL HARRY POTTER business). And I—I was on vacation. Then school started, and I was just too lazy to do anything, since school was—well. . . school was schoolish. You know what I mean.
Now, to the story.
The 'Present'. Hope you all liked that! And, this chapter really wouldn't be here (SERIOUSLY) without all of you guys giving suggestions. Even if I didn't use the suggestion, it went into that little part of my brain, and it was, whether you see it or not, processed into the story.
The 'Second Enchantment' that Lucius hasn't mentioned yet is nothing anyone should really worry over. It's got something to do with the sequel, if I decide to write one. And it will definitely be mentioned in the epilogue. I hope you all liked my version of Lucius' parents—there will be more of them in the next chapter, at the party, and you'll get to meet the Blacks. Including Sirius. (I can't really remember—was Sirius still there? He ran away in his Seventh year, didn't he? If he ran away in his Fifth, and I'm making a huge mistake, please tell me—I want to stick as much as possible to the original storyline).
THANKS TO:
Black Snow—you're back! :D And I'd thought you'd disappeared :D Thank you for reviewing! (you were the first :D)
Clarissa—thanks for your review! It totally changed my viewpoint about the whole jewelry thing (aside from Lucius whispering into my ear, lol). Lucius lives to be different and unique, in an evil way. Don't we all? (well, maybe not all of us can pull off his evil act, I know I can't, lol).
Sarah29—Lucius was simply desperate for reviews—it hurts him deeply when no one has anything to say about the story of his life, lol. You know how his ego is.
PinkFlamingoes—hope you like this chappie! Thanks for reviewing!
Addy—ADDY!! *huggles* Thanks for always reviewing! :D I loved that idea about the Avada charm protection, but *sigh* she wouldn't have died, if she'd had that. *sigh* I enjoyed my vacation immensely (went to three diff. places!), but it's back to the old grindstone. Is that the right expression? Ah, whatever. Hate school. *sulks, but brightens up immediately at the Lucius picture on her comp*
Briana Marie—your story!!! I'm off to read it once I finish posting this. I haven't noticed how much I actually miss fanfiction *sigh* It's starwars. It's warping my brain! I'm getting addicted to both kinds of fanfiction now, lol. Thanks for reviewing! And no, your Christmas chappie did NOT suck!!! :D
Erenriel—*huggles* you're back! I don't mind if you really are the world's worst reviewer (you're NOT!), since I'm the world's worst updater too L Ah, well. Lucius still loves you, lol. He loves all 'his' readers. Just like we love him, lol.
Mina Granger—I know, it's all Voldie's fault. And the time for Lucius and Lily to part is coming ever sooner *Trelawney Voice* *sigh* Thanks for the necklace idea! I was thinking about it, but then Lucius whispered into my ear, and I melted :D
Leah—hello, my fellow Severus lover!!! *sighs and flutters lashes* Slytherins are sooo shaggable. . .
AJRoald—and 'insanely' expensive the gift is! :D And Lucius was arrogant about that, wasn't he? lol. This isn't exactly muggle poetry, but it's got muggle poetry :D The stuffed animal idea simply scared Lucius, lol. I think it's a childhood fear of his. *snicker*
Star2003—thank you! :D Hope you like this chappie :D
