Chapter 24 - The New and the Old Lucius
The Manor was the same as when she had left it. The sun still swept through the large French windows as it always had done. The marble stair case in the main hall gleamed as invitingly as ever. The large clock above the above the door, decorated with the planets of the solar system circling its numerals. In the main hall there was a large, ornate, marble fireplace.
Suddenly the silence of the Manor was broken. Green flames flamed whooshed up into the chimney. A tall blond man came spinning out of the fire landing on his feet with as much dignity as was possible. The man turned back and looked at the fire place. It remained still until yet again the green flames burned. A slim blonde woman appeared spinning, holding an equally blonde toddler close to her as she too stumbled out the fire place.
The woman placed her son on his legs and stood up straight, she looked into the eyes of her husband was smirking at her.
"What is it?" she asked. Lucius snapped out of his stare and nodded
"Well…glad to be home?" he said cheerfully.
Narcissa sighed and looked at her son was looking happily up at her
"I'm not sure yet Lucius…we'll have to wait and see" she said "I'm going upstairs to freshen up" she said taking Draco's hand and leading him up the marble stair case. Automatically a house elf appeared and took the suitcases and dragged them up the servant's stair case.
Lucius watched his wife walk gently up. He smiled. He was glad she was back. His son too. He had to make things right now. He had to.
Two Weeks past. Lucius made much effort to be a good husband and father, but still trying to keep his character. Narcissa said very little and smiled seldom, even with her son, for that time. She would not even look Lucius in the eye and spoke only when spoken to.
On one Monday, though she entered his study quietly. Like a school girl entering a headmaster's office. She kept her eyes turned down
"Lucius…I'm going to drop Draco off at Francesca's" she said softly. Francesca had met up with Narcissa a few days after her arrival. She apologised to Narcissa (falsely) and said all the write things one would say to end an argument with a friend. Narcissa accepted but she was in no mood for friendships or happiness at that moment.
"Why?" asked Lucius looking at his wife
"It's Draco's birthday next week, I need to get his presents, and he can't be with me when I do"
"Next week?" he asked
"Yes next Thursday, Lucius I can't believe you don't know your own son's birth date"
"I do…I just cannot recall having any such celebration for the past few years" he said softly
"You weren't around Lucius…you were at work. Don't worry, I bought presents in your name for him if that's what your worried about" she finished icily. She turned around to leave the room.
"Cissa" said Lucius abruptly standing up. Narcissa turned around but did not look at him in the face "Can I speak with you?" he asked gesturing to a dark green leather sofa against the study wall.
"If you must" she raised her eyebrows and went over and sat down. Lucius joined her
"Narcissa…I have tried to be better-" he said softly
"Yes, you have! Congratulations your medal will be in the post!" she said coldly. Lucius could not help but give a small laugh. Narcissa looked at him for the first time. Her brow furrowed.
"I'm not finished Narcissa. What I am saying is I have tried to be better to you and Draco. Perhaps a little recognition would…well…"
"I understand. You want encouragement. Lucius you have been better, I'm sorry…but" she closed her eyes and two large tears seeped out from under the eyelashes "I've been hurt and…"
"Narcissa, would you mind if I asked you a rather controversial and possibly insulting question?" he said softly "Its something I have been thinking about since you came back"
Narcissa took a deep breath. She knew what was coming "That muggle in Italy…it did not escape my notice, the attraction he had to you"
"It was nothing he was just -"
"A fling?" he asked
"Not even that Lucius. He had a silly crush on me."
"Is that all?" he asked
"Absolutely. Really Lucius I thought you knew me a little more than that. He was bloody muggle for Merlin's sake" It hurt her to talk of Silvio so. Every time she thought about him her heart would cry for him.
Lucius nodded sceptically.
"Very well" he said. He took a deep breath "Would you mind if I came with you to get Draco's presents?" he asked
Narcissa's mouth dropped on its own accord. She looked down at her lap, her eyebrows so high they were near her hair line. She closed her mouth
"If you want" she whispered.
--
Diagon Alley was as vibrant as ever. People roamed around the little shops busy with there own little lives. Oblivious to the other's around them.
"What do you want to get Draco, Narcissa?" asked Lucius examining the windows of the shops
"Toys" she laughed. Lucius smiled "He just wants toys of all kind"
"He'll be four" said Lucius softly
"I know" said Narcissa smirking "It seems like only yesterday that he was born"
"Can he read yet?" asked Lucius interestedly
"Don't be silly Lucius, three comes before four" she said
"Well I believe when he does turn four, he should start learning to read. Not straight away but. We should get a tutor in before he turns five" he said thoughtfully "Someone to teach him the basic reading and writing, arithmetic, history of magic, perhaps music"
"I'd rather teach him myself…I've always had this image in my head of sitting with him and going through words. Helping him"
"And so you shall, on the side. But wouldn't it be better to bring in someone who really knew what they were doing, really knew how to teach. He does deserve the best"
"I suppose" she said thoughtfully. Although slightly disheartened "Why don't we pick up a few children's learning books now?" she pointed to Flourish and Blotts.
"Very well" he held out his arm. She grinned and took it. She rather liked this new Lucius.
--
"FRED, GEORGE STOP IT YOUR SCARING GINNY! RON PUT THAT DOWN!" came a woman's shrieking. Narcissa looked over from the children's books. To see a woman with red hair, holding a pram and surrounded by red headed children of all ages. Lucius looked up as well and shook his head
"Weasleys" he muttered under his breath
"Pardon?" asked Narcissa
"They're a family of blood traitors…The Weasleys. Purebloods you know. Purebloods, who love muggles, they disgust me" he muttered "The father of them works at the ministry, in that ridiculous muggle department. He wants to start a muggle protection act." He spat "It'll never happen"
Narcissa nodded and looked at the woman struggling with her children. She always liked children, but she could not imagine what it would be like having to cope with all of those children. The stress would drive her insane.
"Narcissa, I'll pay for these, why don't you take a little glance around for yourself…you like reading don't you?" Said Lucius walking over to the counter
"Yes alright" Narcissa could never resist books.
She was reading the blurb of a book when she heard the little pitter-pattering of feet across the wooden floor. Narcissa looked. Next to the shelf was a tiny red headed girl of around two. She wore a little floral dress and had tears streaming down her face.
"Are you alright sweetie?" asked Narcissa putting the book back and crouching down to the girl's height
"I can't find mummy" she whined the tears falling down harder. Narcissa held her arms out.
"Come here sweetheart, we'll try and find her together alright?" poor thing, thought Narcissa, how could a mother just let her child wander off like that? And at two years old! The little girl walked towards Narcissa, who took her hand and stood up, crouching slightly so she did not pull on the girl's arm. "What's your name princess?"
"Ginny" the girl cried harder
"Shh, shh, don't worry; your mummy is probably looking for you too"
"Oh Merlin, Ginny there you are" came a voice of a woman. Narcissa looked up to see a plump woman with red hair bounding towards her. So, the girl was a Weasley was she?
"Mummy" said Ginny. Narcissa let go of the little girl's hand and let her run to the Weasley woman. Mrs. Weasley hugged the girl.
"Thank-you so much dear" she said to Narcissa, who nodded and gave a small smile
"You should keep a better eye on her" said Narcissa softly.
"I know, but with so many children, it's hard to keep track. Especially when this one figures out how to get out of her pram" the woman laughed.
"Narcissa is there a problem" came a voice from behind her. She looked back
"Oh no, Lucius, this woman just lost her child, I just helped them"
The woman was looking very coldly at Lucius
"Would I be write in thinking you are Lucius Malfoy?" she said, her eyes narrowing
"And you would be Mrs Weasley no doubt?" he said coldly.
"I believe you know my husband sir?" Mrs Weasley said
"I believe I do" Lucius raised an eyebrow. Narcissa swallowed and looked away. "Come Narcissa, we have our own business to deal with" He grabbed her arm rather suddenly and dragged her towards him and away from the Weasleys.
"Ouch Lucius, that hurt"
"Sorry Narcissa, I just cannot stand that family"
"Why, because they're blood traitors?" she asked "Blood traitors are every where. That's just a large family of them"
"You don't know Arthur Weasley" he said as they left the shop "The man is a complete buffoon, and takes pleasure in trying to get me arrested. He sticks his nose into all the deals I do, trying to damn well get wind of any illegal business going on."
"Whatever for?" asked Narcissa
"He loves Muggles…and he knows" Lucius lowered his voice "He knows what I was"
"Oh" said Narcissa "Lucius, I meant nothing by helping that woman. I just saw her little girl and couldn't leave her crying all by herself"
"I know Cissa" he smirked "Think nothing of it…I believe we have some presents to buy?"
"Of course" she replied taking his arm
Sorry it's not very good, I'm ill at the moment as well as suffering from writers block…I just wanted to get this chapter done though.
LuciousLadyLucius xxx
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