A little one-shot of the Malfoy family.
As Lucius prepared for his meeting at the Ministry of Magic, he decided to check on his wife before going to order Dobby around to cook him breakfast. Narcissa had been feeling a bit under the weather the day beforehand, complaining of fatigue, a headache, and a sore throat. He figured there was a good chance Narcissa was suffering from seasonal allergies, but why not check on his beloved wife to be certain?
When he entered the master bedchamber, he couldn't find Narcissa. "Cissa?" he called. All he received in response was retching and a flushing toilet. Narcissa came out of the bathroom, and she was wearing both her bathrobe and Lucius's, plus the emerald green duvet. Her face was pale, even more so than her usual complexion, her blonde hair was a mess, her blue eyes were bloodshot, and her skin was covered with a layer of perspiration. She looked like an Inferius, but Lucius wasn't about to tell her that. Instead, he went over to her side and escorted her to the bed. "Cissa, are you all right?"
"Do I look all right?" she quipped back sarcastically.
Lucius kissed the top of her head and said, "You look beautiful as always."
"Liar," she uttered as she tucked herself under the covers. "I've vomited three times in the last hour, and I'm pretty certain I'm running a fever. I also have a headache and chills. And before you ask, I took pregnancy tests last night and this morning, and they were both negative, so it is definitely not that."
"Pregnancy doesn't cause a fever and chills," said Lucius.
"When I took Draco to Crabbe's Manor the other day, both Vicky and Vincent were complaining of headaches and sore throats, and yesterday, I received a letter from the Owl Post stating that all three Crabbes had Black Cat Flu. So, guess what has come to Malfoy Manor?"
Lucius laid his hand against her forehead and said, "You do feel warm, love. Have you checked your temperature?"
"No, I was hoping last night I would be better by this morning. I have a function today to benefit St. Mungo's. It will look horrible on us if I don't attend, especially because I was one of the committee chairs."
"You are not going anywhere, darling," Lucius said firmly.
"I'll be fine," Narcissa argued as she sat up in bed. "If I could function with severe morning sickness when I was expecting Draco, I can get through today." She stood, but wavered in place before sitting back down on the bed again.
"If I recall correctly, you pushed yourself too hard and ended up in the hospital for IV fluids," said Lucius. "Plus, pregnancy is not contagious; Black Cat Flu is. I can get Mother to attend the function today, and I will have Father attend my Ministry meeting so I can stay home and care for you."
"Mmhm," Narcissa said and nodded as Lucius tucked her under the covers and kissed her forehead. She was too weak to argue.
Lucius went to the parlor where he knew his parents would be enjoying their morning tea. He stayed a good distance from them in the hopes not to expose them too much. "Good morning, Father, Mother," he greeted.
"Good morning, Lucius," said Abraxas, and Eleanor nodded at her son.
"Father, would you do me a favor? Narcissa is not feeling well, so I would like to stay home and care for her. I have a meeting with the Minister for Magic at ten o'clock. Would you be able to attend in my place?"
"I would be honored to do so, Lucius. I miss my days at the Ministry of Magic," responded Abraxas as he took a sip of his tea.
"Also, Mother, Cissa needs you to attend the function for St. Mungo's today."
"I was planning on making an appearance anyway. I can represent the Malfoy family today."
"Thank you. Is Draco awake yet?"
"He is. I had Dobby cook him some breakfast. He's in the dining room." Eleanor nodded her head toward the mentioned room.
Lucius wandered into the dining room and found his five-year-old son sitting at the ornate table. He was still clad in his snake-patterned pajamas, and he had a plateful of eggs, bacon, sausage, and french toast sitting in front of him, plus a full glass of orange juice. However, Draco was laying his head down on the table. Lucius went over to his son and laid his hand on his back. "Draco, what's wrong?"
"I don't feel good."
Oh no, Lucius thought. It looked as if Narcissa was not the only Malfoy down for the count. "How do you not feel good, Dragon?" asked Lucius softly, using Narcissa's usual nickname for him.
"I feel yucky," Draco said.
"Why do you feel yucky?"
"My head hurts and my tummy feels yucky and I'm cold," Draco listed. "I want Mummy."
Lucius sighed and scooped Draco into his arms. "Come on, Dragon, let's get you back into bed. Dobby?"
Dobby appeared. "Yes, Master?"
"Clean the breakfast dishes, brew a cup of peppermint tea, pour a glass of orange juice, and make two bowls of chicken soup. Bring all of that food to the master bedchamber. Also, bring me a thermometer and a bowl of cool water with two flannels."
"Yes, Master. Right away, Master." Dobby bowed and disappeared into the kitchen.
"Come on, Draco," Lucius comforted and carried him up the stairs.
When father and son reached the master bedchamber, Lucius quietly knocked before entering the room. Surprisingly, Narcissa wasn't asleep. "Lucius…"
"He's sick too, love. I don't think he has the energy to run circles around you. But he wants his mummy right now." Narcissa nodded as Lucius laid Draco down on the other side of the bed where the former's place usually was. Lucius knew that no matter how bad Narcissa felt, her mothering instincts would kick in when it came to Draco. She proved Lucius correct when she began rubbing Draco's back, and thankfully, the young boy fell asleep instantly. Lucius figured it would probably be best to keep them together and he himself sleep in one of the guest rooms for the time being. "I have Dobby making chicken soup for you both. You both need to eat and drink something to stay hydrated. I also want to check your temperatures and brew you both a fever-reducing potion."
"You really don't have to care for us like this, darling," said Narcissa as she shivered underneath the covers and then coughed.
"I know I don't have to care for you; I want to care for you." He kissed her and Draco's foreheads. Once Dobby arrived with all of the requested items, Lucius took their temperatures and said, "38.3 degrees for you, and 38.9 for Draco." He laid the washcloths on their foreheads. "I'll be in the lab brewing the potion. Please try to eat or at least drink. I don't want either one of you to become dehydrated, especially Draco."
Narcissa groaned in response and shivered under the covers again, but nodded in understanding. "Okay."
"Use my wedding ring if you need anything else." Lucius looked over toward Draco, and the five-year-old was still out cold. Lucius left the room and quietly shut the door behind him.
Over the next few days, Lucius continued to care for his wife and son. He brewed Healing Potions and had Dobby bring them meals and took temperatures while Abraxas and Eleanor temporarily took care of their societal duties. Lucius had to admit that he would have made a decent Healer had he not gone the Ministerial and Death Eater route in life. By the end of the week, both Narcissa's and Draco's fevers had broken—that had been an uncomfortable forty-eight hours for both of them, and Draco wondered how he could simultaneously feel cold and hot—their appetites had increased, and their symptoms were lessening. Of course, once his appetite returned, Draco ate his way through every cherry ice pop since they made his sore throat feel better. "I want to be sick all the time," he beamed excitedly as Dobby handed him yet another popsicle.
"He's going to be covered in red syrup for the next week," said Narcissa as she ate her toast and sipped her tea at the dining room table for the first time in a week.
"As long as he's eating and drinking. You both probably lost a lot of fluids," Lucius commented hoarsely.
"Still, I need to bathe him after breakfast." Lucius coughed, so Narcissa raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you all right, darling?" She noticed he wasn't eating or drinking much.
"I'm fine; just tired. Caring for you both all week was fatiguing." Lucius gave a little shiver as he pulled his robes on tighter.
Narcissa stood, walked to the other side of the table, and felt Lucius's forehead. "Lucius, you're burning up. Come on, let's get you back into bed."
"No, Cissy, I cannot be sick. I have a Board of Governors meeting today." Lucius coughed and shivered again. "A measly headache and some body aches won't stop me from attending."
"No, but your wife will. I will have Abraxas attend the Board of Governors meeting in your place. Now, get back into bed: I will have Dobby make you some chicken soup, and I will brew you a fever-reducing potion."
"Fine," Lucius grumbled as he went to their bedroom.
"Mummy?" Draco came up behind her.
Narcissa crouched down in front of Draco and asked, "What is it, Dragon?"
"May I have another cherry ice pop?"
"No, you need to eat some real food. I will have Dobby make you something after I finish caring for Daddy." And Narcissa knew the biggest challenge of the week wouldn't be getting over Black Cat Flu, but helping Lucius through it if he was anything like he was when he caught the common Muggle cold during his sixth year at Hogwarts.
