Chapter 25. Waiting
Lucius couldn't bare to hear her cries, her wails of pain, both emotional and physical. He pulled Astrid onto his lap, wrapping his strong arms around her he hushed her cries, placing soft kisses a top her head. This didn't settle her, instead it made her struggle against him, pushing him away she tried to free herself of his hold.
"N-no!" She cried, "G-get away from me!"
Astrid managed to break free of Lucius, crawling away she tucked herself into a small ball and cried into the earth.
"D-don't touch me," She wept as Lucius crouched by her side, a hand hovering over her back. "You're a monster," She choked out. Her words hit Lucius deep, not because he was hurt by their meaning, he had done terrible things, he truly was a monster, but they hurt because they came from her.
"It was never supposed to be this way," Lucius exhaled, "If Potter had just handed over the prophecy…"
"If you had just not done the Dark Lord's bidding," Astrid spat, as she peered up at him now, with reddened tired eyes. Her mascara had run down her face, leaving a trail of black and grey. Her skin was smudged with dirt, her hair tangled and knotted. He expected to see hatred in her eyes, but there was none there, just sadness and heartbreak.
"That's not an option, my sweet," Lucius told her in a hushed whisper. "Let me get you inside and cleaned up,"
"I don't want to go anywhere with you," Astrid sniffled, pressing her eyes closed as she fought the urge to burst into tears once again. Lucius ignored her wishes and wrapped his arms around and under her, pulling her to him and hoisting her up against his chest, she wriggled and fought against him briefly, before her tired limbs gave up and her head fell weakly against his leather clad chest, her eyes softly closed. He began ascending the ornately carved stairs up to the large house ahead.
"Where are we?" Astrid asked weakly as she peered through one groggy eye.
"I already told you dear, we're home,"
Astrid awoke in a large comfy four poster bed, with green velvet curtains tied to each post. The sheets were softer than anything she had felt before, the pillows plump and fat.
Sitting up she looked around her unfamiliar surroundings. Grey, almost black walls surrounded her. A wall of large arched windows lined one wall; double doors squeezed in the middle of them that led to a balcony area. The room was large, larger than even her chambers at Hogwarts. Astrid pushed back the covers and slipped her legs out of the bed, her bare feet touched down on the cold black wooden floor. That's when she noticed she'd been cleaned up and her clothes changed. No longer in her dirtied sports kit, she now wore a black silk night dress that hugged her bump, it had a black lace trim and finished at her mid-thigh. Standing up, her legs were shaky as they took her weight.
After steadying herself she padded into the room cautiously. A green velvet chaise longue sat at the end of the bed. Beyond that there was a large round rug, woven in shades of silver, grey and black. Upon it sat two green armchairs, pointed slightly towards each other, a black table perched between them, a vase of eucalyptus stems sat atop it. The armchairs faced a large white stone fireplaced, it's surround was intricately carved with snakes, and what looked to be gargoyles. The fire was lit, its warm glow cascading across the room. A black ornate dressing table sat against the wall nearby, a large silver mirror suspended above it. Its surface was empty bar a silver hairbrush.
Two sets of double doors were positioned on the same wall. Astrid deduced that one led to an ensuite, and the other to her freedom. She stepped towards them anxiously when her question of which door was which was answered. The right-hand door opened, revealing a dark hallway, Lucius Malfoy slipped inside, he looked tired, bags had started to form under his piercing blue eyes, he pressed the door closed behind him.
"You're awake," He breathed, as he looked over the girl before him. She was so beautiful, pregnancy suited her he thought. He wished he had been able to see her blossom through the full nine months, but these last three would have to do.
"Where am I?" Astrid asked, taking a step back away from him as he stepped closer. He stopped his approach when he read the uncomfortable look on her face.
"Malfoy Manor, this is my room… our room," Lucius told her. Astrid looked around at the space, imagining what it would be like to share it with him in a different reality where he was not a villain.
"How long was I asleep?" Astrid asked, she felt like she's rested an entire day if not more, her bones ached from being immobile for too long.
"You weren't as such asleep, I had you put into a sleep-like state for your own good… you were hysterical to the point of being a danger to yourself, your heart… it could not take it," Lucius explained.
"How long Lucius?" Astrid pushed.
"Two weeks," The answer made Astrid feel sick to her stomach, two weeks had passed by since the battle? How could that be so? She had so many questions, and she would demand answers.
"My father, is he…?" Astrid couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence as her heart skipped a beat in her chest.
"Alastor Moody is very much alive, along with all your other… acquaintances," Lucius sighed, as if it gave him displeasure that her father yet lived. It didn't, it just complicated things for him. Astrid sighed a sigh of relief, and ran her hands through her freshly washed hair.
"Where's my wand?" Astrid asked, it was not on either of the intricately carved bedside tables, she had already checked. Lucius reached into his black robe, and pulled two wand fragments from a pocket.
"Regrettably, it must have snapped… when we made our escape," Lucius sighed, holding out the two halves of her wand for her to take. Astrid made no move to retrieve them from him.
"You mean when you kidnapped me," Astrid corrected. Lucius placed the two halves of the wand carefully down on the dressing table.
"Kidnap is a very strong word Astrid, I was simply removing you from a battle that could have resulted in your death," Lucius huffed, her bitterness towards him stung.
"I wish it had… then I'd be free of you," Astrid knew she sounded childish, but she didn't care, in that moment she spoke it as truth.
"Do not say such things," Lucius ordered as he stepped towards her. Astrid decided to stand her ground. "Do you know what I've sacrificed… what I've risked… for you?"
"I don't care Lucius," Astrid told him, "Sirius is dead… and y-you caused it." Her voice trembled as she spoke the words out loud, admitting what she saw happened, it really happened. Lucius stood before her now, close enough for her bump to brush against his black robes gently.
"That was regrettable… he came from a great noble family… but even so, he was nothing to you, just an Azkaban rat," Lucius said cruelly. Astrid reached up and slapped the man across the face, his head snapped to the side, revealing a red mark on his burning cheek. Astrid slightly regretted her action, as she worried about what his retaliation would be. But he didn't retaliate, he simply turned his face back to her, his jaw clenched tightly.
"Sirius showed me great kindness… he was twice the man you are Lucius Malfoy," Astrids words didn't falter. Lucius curled his lip up into a slight snarl as she spoke, before calming himself.
"I can see you're still highly emotional… the hormones won't be helping that… I'll get Tilly our house elf to bring you some tea… hopefully it'll calm you somewhat," Lucius sighed as he turned on his heel and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Astrid shouted after him. She didn't want his presence, but at the same time she didn't want him to leave, in truth she didn't know what she wanted.
"Out." Lucius said simply over his shoulder. "You're not to leave this room, understand me?" He ordered as he slammed the door shut.
Sometime later Tilly the house elf apparated into the room, a silver tray of bone white china in her hands. She wore a little blue dress that was far too big for her, and not mention tatty and filthy. Wrapped around it was a white dirty apron.
"Miss Moody, I have brought you the tea that Master Malfoy requested on your behalf," Tilly said sweetly, if not a little timidly. She placed the tray on the table between the two armchairs, where Astrid had curled up into a ball in one of them.
"Thank you, Tilly," Astrid's voice cracked, she had been crying again, the evidence of it stained her eyes red. Tillys ears perked up at the girls' thanks, she had never been thanked before.
"Is everything okay with Miss Moody?" Tilly asked, as she noticed her new mistress's sad demeanour.
"I don't belong here Tilly," Astrid sniffled as she picked up the tea pot and poured herself a cuppa. Popping a sugar cube in between her fingers she stirred at the tea cup on its saucer. "I wish to leave,"
"I cannot permit that Miss Moody, I am sorry, I have my orders from Master Malfoy… sadly you cannot even venture from these quarters, he has placed a hex on the door… to prevent your departure," Tilly squeaked as she fiddled with her fingers, she was entirely expected to be kicked or slapped for denying the mistress her request, she was thoroughly surprised when no violence came her way.
"I know Tilly, I already tried the door, thank you," Astrid said sadly as she stared into her tea cup.
"If it makes Miss Moody feel better, Master Malfoy is not all that bad…" Tilly said, "The other master, he is... different,"
"Your wife was here, just this morning Lucius," Severus said as he read his newspaper. Lucius had come to visit his old friend at his house for once, a small terrace in Spinners End, London. The old house reeked of old books and parchment, it was dimly lit by candlelight in the unusually dark summer afternoon, rain battered the windows as a storm tore through overhead. Lucius sat in a tartan armchair by the fire, nursing a glass of fire whiskey as Severus scanned his paper.
"Ex-wife," Lucius corrected. "What did she want?"
"She came for assistance… with Draco, and his… task set by the Dark Lord," Severus informed his old friend.
"Did you agree to help him? Draco?" Lucius asked, setting his glass of fire whiskey down.
"I did," Severus confirmed, his eyes shifting to the Malfoy beside him, he noted his friends eye bags.
"Thank you, Severus," Lucius breathed, it was a relief that Severus had agreed to help his son with his monumental task, now that he was publicly outted as a death eater he could not step foot in Hogwarts himself to aid his boy. He didn't need to know the details, confirmation was enough.
"It's important for your… standing with the Dark Lord… that Draco is successful, he will not accept another failure Lucius," Severus informed the blonde.
"I know," Lucius sighed, picking up his glass and taking a long swig of the liquid.
"How is the girl? The order are in quite a tizzy over her Lucius… they will come looking,"
"She's awoken… she's opposing me, I fear she truly does hate me Severus," Lucius sighed into his drink.
"Give her time Lucius, it will be a big shock for her… she's still processing what happened at the ministry… reconnecting with the idea of being with you… all whilst dealing with her pregnancy,"
"I still do not forgive you for keeping my own child from me Severus," Lucius hissed.
"I'm aware… and I hope you are aware of my reasoning behind it, her safety was my priority Lucius, and by extension, the safety of your child," Severus sighed. The two sat in silence, as Lucius nursed his drink, relaxing more as he downed more of the liquid. Lucius decided to break the silence with something that had been eating away at him since his conversation that morning with his dearest.
"She mourns the death of Black… said he was twice the man I am," Lucius scowled. Severus folded his paper up and propped it against the foot of his arm chair.
"I imagine she does… the two of them grew… close over the Christmas period," Severus informed his friend.
"How close?" Lucius sneered, as he gripped his cane tightly in his free hand.
"Not that close, Lucius, but their friendship did grow to be quite strong… and he was sweet on the girl," Lucius couldn't bare to hear to anymore, he waved his hand at Snape to change the subject. The two men sat in another period of silence, with only the sound of the rain pitter-pattering against the windows to keep them company.
"The Dark Lord has summoned us both tonight, at eight sharp, do you have an inkling of what he desires?" Severus questioned the blonde man, breaking the silence.
"How should I know Severus? I'm no longer in his best graces, am I?" Lucius sneered.
"Wormtail told me about your night under the cruciatus curse… Are you okay? Any lasting effects I can remedy?" Severus offered his held candidly.
"No, thank you Severus, I'm quite alright… perhaps more snappy than usual… but fine," Lucius sighed as he finished his drink.
The two men arrived at Malfoy Manor promptly, the time on the large grandfather clock in the entrance hall read 7:55pm, Wormtail slinked his way down the stairs to greet the two wizards.
"The Dark Lord is waiting upstairs," Wormtail snivelled, his lips upturned into a wicked grin. He spoke as if he wasn't addressing the owner of the house. Snape and Malfoy pushed passed the rate faced man and climbed the stairs in silence, when they reached the top, eyes grew wide, their breaths hitched in both their throats, the pair of them stood frozen at the sight before them.
Upon a large arm chair not dissimilar to a throne, in the center of the room, sat the familiar pale serpent like figure of their Dark Lord. It was not unusual or shocking to see him seated as such, he would often conduct his business from that chair, lording over the room. It was the petite blonde nestled onto his lap that was the shocking sight. Astrid's legs curled up over his knees, she obediently sat as the Dark Lord caressed her soft long blonde waves with his thin skeletal fingers. The other hand caressed her bare thigh lightly, his fingers almost brushing the black lace of her night gown that had risen up her leg. Silent tears fell down Astrid's face as she was put on show for the two men.
"Lucius, Severus… so glad you are here," Lord Voldemort wheezed with a sly grin. "We wouldn't want to keep our lovely guest waiting,"