Reporting back Home
After the Death Eater meeting of chapter 4
Apparating into the entrance hall of his manor, Lucius released a breath of relief. His measured steps echoed from the high ceiling to the patterned tile floor, as he made his way to the parlour nearest the entrance.
On his way there he removed the hood and mask, dispelling the sticking charms that held his robes closed.
And as he had known, as soon as he stepped into the sparsely lit parlour his lovely wife Narcissa got up from her vigil on the love seat by the fire.
As so often in the past she had waited up for him, clad only in a sleeping gown and her dressing robes, potions prepared on the low table, a book for distraction in her hand.
And following the routine established over a decade ago, she waited, standing by the love seat until her husband had shed the dark, heavy robes and the white, cold mask, before hurrying to his side.
With a reassuring smile, Lucius tried to calm her down. "I have not suffered any punishment tonight, love."
Despite his obvious lack of injuries, Narcissa first checked him over, using eyes and hands before she cast a general diagnostic charm at him.
At her relieved expression, Lucius just had to let his chuckle be heard.
"I told you I am fine. Our Lord has shown much more restraint in punishments since his return."
They both knew what was not said. That the Dark Lord appeared to be much saner and collected than he had been before his fall. And the fear that this would only be temporary and that the raving madman was about to reappear again.
Giving in in to Narcissa's urging to sit down beside her, Lucius made himself comfortable on the love seat right next to the love of his life. How lucky they had been, that their match, arranged by their parents, had come out this good.
"Can you tell me what the future will bring?" Narcissa asked, with her head leaning against his shoulder.
They both felt the need for contact after he had been called. And now, in the privacy of their home, out of the sight of prying eyes, they could give in to the need.
"I do not think that we need to fear all-out war and violence," Lucius murmured. "Or the return of madness. He looked rather well."
Turning his head and pressing a kiss onto her hair, he relaxed. Meetings always were tense affairs.
"He is concerned by the dwindling numbers of magical people. He fears we will eradicate ourselves, if we wage another war."
Narcissa shot her husband a questioning look.
Lucius chuckled again. "He ordered all single men to marry and start families. And..." the blond hesitated.
But he did not need to say more. Understanding dawned in Narcissa's eyes.
"He wants the families of his people to grow?" Her voice was soft, and smug. A small smile tucking at her lips, a spark in her eyes, she stood up dragging her husband along.
"I would not dare to keep you from following his orders," she whispered into his ear.
He followed her eagerly out of the room and up the stairs to their rooms. Now that all of his arguments of the years past had been dispelled, he was only too happy to give in to her demands.
First published: 9th of February 2016
Thanks to Alxalama as well as Jordre and Jake for beta reading the out-takes!