Happenstance

Chapter 36: The Evil Aunt

Luna was already exhausted. It was only six-thirty in the morning, and the engagement party didn't start until six o'clock that evening, but Luna was already beginning to wonder whether or not she'd be able to stay awake long enough to even meet Draco's extended family. In the thirty short minutes she'd been awake, Narcissa and Landon had managed to drive poor Luna crazy.

First, she was abruptly jostled awake by Narcissa, who had barged into her and Draco's bed chamber without even knocking, at just six-o'clock that morning. Had she knocked, Luna and Draco would have been able to cover their very naked bodies with their duvet, but because she didn't, she was greeted with an eyeful. The worst part was that Draco and Luna hadn't realized right away that Narcissa was standing in the room, so they didn't really bother to cover up all that quickly, which meant that Lucius, who was walking past their open chamber door to get to the kitchen, also got to see everything... and I do mean everything.

Not accustomed to having to keep her voice down that early in the morning, Narcissa made no attempt to quiet her unusually chipper tone. Naturally, when Landon heard her, he began wailing, eager to receive his morning meal. Luna had hoped that if they didn't go into the nursery right away, maybe Lanny would go back to sleep; after all, it was still an hour before he was supposed to get up. Unfortunately, Lanny didn't feel like cooperating. Instead, he screamed at the top of his lungs until Narcissa barged in and picked him up.

As if Narcissa's disruption of their usual morning routine, coupled with the fact that her soon-to-be mother and father-in-law had seen her completely naked and sprawled out on the bed with their son, wasn't enough to make Luna crazy; Landon had made it his mission to see to it that his mother was driven completely insane that morning. Draco knew that Luna was really stressed over their impending engagement party, so he'd taken over feeding Landon that morning. Which would have been a good thing, were it not for Landon's seeming desire to ruin everything they did. Add to that, the ever present nausea she was feeling thanks to her nervousness over the party, Luna was about ready to break.

Not having really thought things through, Draco had given Landon his bath before feeding him that morning; and had even dressed him in his party clothes. When Luna had first come downstairs to the kitchen, groggy as ever and still dressed in her dressing gown, she didn't really notice that Lanny was wearing the adorable custom made baby suit that she'd picked up from the tailor the previous afternoon. If she had, she would have immediately stopped Draco from feeding Landon his mashed bananas; but she didn't, and so he did. For every spoonful that made it into Lanny's mouth, another was smeared across his once dapper little suit; not to mention a great deal of mashed bananas ended up in his hair. This was mostly due in part to the fact every time Lanny made a mess of his clothes, Draco would laugh hysterically. That was when Landon started smashing his breakfast into his hair, his silky long locks now matted and tousled every which way.

"Draco!" Luna shrieked, her voice startlingly high pitched, her hands covering her face. "What are you doing!"

"Giving him breakfast," Draco said, trying to figure out why she was freaking out. "The boy's got to eat."

"Why would you put him in his suit!" she snapped, picking her very messy son up, making sure to hold him at arms length. "Its ruined!"

"It was lying on his dresser," he argued. "That's where you always sit his clothes for the day."

"Why would I want him to wear his party suit to breakfast," she asked, as she headed towards the stairs, Draco following very close behind. "That would have been silly."

"How was I supposed to know?" Draco asked, softly. "I was just trying to help." Turning back to face him, Luna's tone and expression softened.

"I know," she said. "I'm sorry. Its just this party is making me a bit nutters. I know you just want to help, but your Mum really didn't start things out all that well this morning."

"Try to relax," Draco said, taking their messy son out of her arms and bounding up the stairs. "My Mum and Dad are here to help you with anything you need. Mum knows how you're feeling about having to face the rest of our family. It wasn't too long ago when she had to do the same thing. That's why I asked them to stay over last night. They're here to help... so let them." Without waiting for a response, Draco headed upstairs so he could give Landon yet another bath. "Mum!" he shouted.

"Yes, dear," Narcissa said, eagerly, as she came striding towards the staircase.

"Do you know any spells to get mashed bananas out of Lanny's suit?" Draco asked, as he tried to pick some of the larger globs of banana out of Landon's hair. The giggling baby making it difficult by wiggling his arms and legs wildly.

"Of course," Narcissa said, heading up the stairs. As she passed Luna, who still stood on the landing halfway up the grand staircase, she leaned over and patted the frazzled young witch on the arm and whispered, "Why don't you go take a nice relaxing warm bath. I'll make sure every thing's okay with Lanny and Draco. The party planners will be here around ten to start setting up. Rosie and you're father will arrive around that time as well, and your wonderful stepmother mentioned that she would be bringing a masseuse over with her."

"Thank you," Luna said, smiling at Narcissa. "I know that you're doing everything you possibly can to make this easy for me. I don't want you to think I'm ungrateful, because I'm not. I really appreciate it."

"I know that," Narcissa said, kissing Luna on the forehead. "Now get upstairs and draw yourself a warm bath. I'll send up some cucumber slices for your eyes in a bit. If those vultures see that you're tired, they'll take it as a weakness and do their best to exploit it." Taking Luna by the shoulders, Narcissa directed her up the remaining stairs towards her and Draco's bed chambers, before heading towards Lanny's lavatory, where Draco and the baby were.

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Narcissa was right. The warm bath did wonders for Luna. After spending nearly two hours in the warm water, she was as carefree as she could remember having been in a long time; not to mention her skin was quite water logged. Right on schedule, the party planners and decorators, along with Rosie and Luke, arrived at Malfoy Estate. Without waiting for dictation from Narcissa or Luna, the planners went to work, transforming the mansion into the vision that the designer had created for the party.

While the decorators were busy at work, so were the caters; occupied by the extensive and very complicated menu that Lucius himself had picked out. The Malfoy family was accustomed to fine dining and Lucius certainly didn't plan on disappointing them. In the scheme of things, Draco and Luna's engagement party was one of the smallest and most intimate parties Lucius had ever thrown, but that didn't mean that it wasn't causing him a great deal of stress and a great deal of money. He was spending an enormous amount of money to make that evenings event appear as if it were just thrown together; that this amount of opulence was the norm for their family. After all, his child only gets married once.

Lucius knew how important tonights party was, so on top of sparing no expense, he made sure to invite every living Malfoy relative, no matter how distant, and many of the Wizarding Worlds most prominent families. Luna's bloodline was less than pure, though both her mother and father had been magical, so he knew that it would be difficult for her to make a good impression on his family. The last thing he wanted to do was make it any harder for her, by not throwing a perfect party. By making sure that the entire family was there, he could avoid any idle gossip that would portray her in an unflattering way, since everyone would be there and would get their information first hand. But still, he knew that if anything went wrong, even if it had nothing to do with her, Luna's reputation would be ruined, and any hope of her and Draco's marriage garnering the approval that would ensure that family gatherings were problem free, would go out the window. This was Lucius' reason for standing over everyone all afternoon, making sure that everything was done to his specifications. If so much as one flower was out of place, he'd force them to redo the entire arrangement. He'd even managed to make three of the party planners employees cry, and one even quit.

While Lucius was occupied with his role as 'evil overlord', as several of the workers had started calling him; Luna, Narcissa and Rosie, were all upstairs corralled together in Luna's bed chambers, getting ready for the party. Just as promised, Rosie had brought with her a masseuse, who did all that she could to pamper Luna. After a full body massage, a manicure and a pedicure, Luna was on cloud nine, and doubted that even Draco's evil great aunt, Ronalda, could ruin her mood.

"I'm going to go check on Draco and Lanny," Narcissa said, her gorgeous gown rustling as she walked towards the door. "Blaise and Greggory arrived a few hours ago, and only Merlin knows what those four are up to." Luna just smiled as she let the hair dresser finish up her extravagant up-do. Normally, she would have left her hair down, but Narcissa said that their family would see that as a lack of effort on her part, so she decided to let them pin it up. Nearly one-hundred bobby pins later, Luna's hair had been twisted, tucked and pinned into a gorgeous mass of curls atop her head.

"That's lovely," Rosie said, her eyes teary up a bit as she gazed at her stepdaughter. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," Luna said, her freshly made up face still looking a bit too relaxed, thanks to the magic the masseuse had worked a bit earlier. "You look quite lovely yourself." Rosie smiled, as she walked across the room and retrieved a rectangular gift wrapped box from her bag.

"When I saw the dress that you had the designer put together for the party tonight, I remembered this lovely trinket my Mum had given me just a few weeks before she'd passed away. I thought that it would go perfectly with that gown. You don't have to wear it, but I'd still like for you to have it." Nervously, not exactly sure if it were her place to be doing this, Rosie handed Luna the beautifully gift wrapped box. Excitedly, she untied the ribbon and opened the box. Laying inside was a gorgeous choker with a mother of pearl cameo pin strung on pale blue velvet. The velvet somehow matched the fabric of her gown perfectly.

"It's beautiful," Luna whispered, not sure how the choker could have managed to fit so perfectly with her dress. "Thank you so much, Rosie. It will look smashing with my gown." Rushing over to her closet, Luna opened the door and drug out the dress form that her gown was on, so she could hold the choker up next to it.

"The colors are almost identical," Rosie said, glad that Luna appreciated the gift and actually planned on wearing it on such an important night. "Here, let me help you." Taking the necklace out of Luna's hand, Rosie fastened it around her neck.

"Do you think its too early to put my dress on?" Luna asked, admiring the beautiful pale blue velvet dress, excitedly.

"The guests will start to arrive in about fifteen minutes, so its probably a good idea to go ahead and get your gown on," Rosie said, as she began unfastening the buttons of the gown, so she could slip it off of the mannequin.

Though it took nearly ten minutes to get the gown off the form and onto Luna, she was finally ready. Standing in from of the full length mirror, she checked to make sure that everything was in place. Luna loved her dressed. She'd spent more time trying to decide what this dress would look like then she had on her own wedding gown. After many days of switching back and forth between various ideas she and the designer had toyed with, Luna had decided on this one. It was made of a beautiful pale blue velvet fabric that had a tightly corseted bodice, though you couldn't really tell that it was a corset, it just serve to make sure that everything was nipped in and tucked perfectly into place perfectly. She had specifically requested a scooped neckline that sat off the shoulders and led to three-quarter sleeves that were slightly belled out with white antique lace peaking out at the hems. From the cinched in bodice, the gown led into a tightly fitted pencil skirt that fell to mid calf and had white antique lace peaking out from under the bottom hem. Perhaps Luna's favorite part of the dress, were the tiny mother of pearl buttons that fastened the back of her dress shut. The finishing touch was the pair of custom made blue velvet sling-back heels that matched her dress perfectly. All in all, Luna thought she looked pretty fantastic.

"Well it looks like every thing's ready," Narcissa said, as she bounded into the room. "Those boys seem to have everything with Lanny under control, and everybody is dressed and looks more than presenta..." She had to stop mid-sentence, as she gazed at Luna. "You look beautiful, Love."

"Thank you," Luna said, her nerves starting to re-form as she heard the doorbell ring, signaling that their guests were starting to arrive. "Oh, Merlin," Luna whispered, "they're here." Before anyone could say anything, someone knocked on the door to Luna's chambers. Peaking his head inside, was Luna's father.

"You look lovely," Luke said, striding across the room and hugging his daughter tightly before pressing his lips against her forehead. "I just wanted to see you before you got too busy with the party."

"Hi Daddy," Luna said, glad to see him. Just the sight of him was enough to calm her jittery nerves... at least for the moment.

"So, this is really happening, is it?" Luke asked, suddenly. He of all people should be fully aware of the situation. He'd been rooting for them to get married from the get go.

"I think nows a bit late for you to be in denial," Lucius chimed in, signaling his own arrival. "You look smashing, Love," Lucius said, greeting Luna for the first time that morning. "The guests have started to arrive and I would really appreciate it if the two engaged people this party is for, would get their asses downstairs." Without waiting for a response, he headed towards the door. "Now."

"Someone's got his knickers in a twist," Luke laughed, placing his hand at the small of Luna's back and ushering her towards the door. "Let's go find your fiance."

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Once everyone had arrived, Lucius began introducing Luna to his relatives. He was happy to note that everyone seemed to have gotten his message and were attempting to put on a happy face. So far, not one person had said one mean or offhand comment to Luna. She'd even begun to feel like she could let her guard down a bit. They'd even managed to make it through the entire meal without anyone making her cry. To Lucius, this was a huge deal, seeing as how it had only taken fifteen minutes for his Aunt Ronalda to make Narcissa cry during their own engagement party. While he was quite happy with how things had progressed thus far, Lucius wasn't foolish enough to let his guard down. He was watching everyone like a hawk, and he planned on doing so all evening. He was most worried about when the time came to introduce Landon to his relatives.

"So, Luna, I hear that you and my great nephew already have a son together," Ronalda said, her tone hinting at her disapproval of their child out of wedlock.

"Yes," Luna said, nervously. She really wished that Draco was with her, but he was presently detained by his cousins, and they were talking at great length about the most recent Quidditch game. Luckily, Lucius was all ears, and he quickly came to sit right next to Luna, warningly glaring at Ronalda. "His name is Landon Cooper and he just turned one a few weeks ago."

"So when do I get to meet this boy," she asked.

"I'll go fetch him," Narcissa said, having heard their conversation from her seat a few feet away.

"You do that," Ronalda said. "Its about time you made yourself useful." Luna gasped, she couldn't believe how rude that old hag had just been to Narcissa. Well versed in how to deal with the verbal abuse that Lucius' aunt dished out, Narcissa didn't let it phase her.

A few minutes later, Narcissa returned from the nursery with a clean suit clad Landon resting in her arms. As she was bringing Lanny into the ballroom to introduce him to his extended family, the door bell rang, and Lucius went to answer it.

"Ronalda," Narcissa said, tensely, as if she were trying her best not to hex the witch to death, "this is Landon." Bringing her glasses up to her eye, Ronalda gave Landon the once over. She'd even taken his tiny face in her hands and moved it from side to side, checking his profile. Without asking, she took the boy from his grandmother's arms and held him up at arms length from her body. If she'd taken the time to ask how the boy liked to be handled, Ronalda would have known that he hated being held in that manner. "Luckily, he looks just like his father." Luna rolled her eyes from her seat on the couch.

"Oh, this is bad," Draco murmured, as he saw the event unfolding from across the room. Every time Landon was held like that for a prolonged period of time, he always reacted badly. As quick as he could, Draco tried crossed the length of the ballroom.

"Really, he hates being held like that," Luna said, standing from her seat and rushing over to Ronalda so she could take Lanny from her. Before Draco or Luna could reach him, Landon spit up right down the front of Ronalda's dress and her fur stole. With a look of absolute disgust, she let Luna take the boy from her arms, so she could spell the baby puke off of her clothing. Tensely, Draco and Luna waited for the old witch to lash out, but it never came.

"It seems Severus has finally decided to join the party," Lucius said, as he entered the room, Severus and a young looking witch following behind him, entered the room. Seeing the tense looks on his wife, Draco and Luna's faces, he began to worry. "Shit, what happened."

"Nothing," Ronalda said, nodding at Severus. "Its good to see you again, Severus, but I think its time for us to be going now." Heading towards the door, Ronalda signaled to the rest of her party that it was time to go.

"Wait, that's it?" Lucius asked, rushing to stand in front of his aunt, so she couldn't leave. "You're just leaving?"

"Yes, we've achieved what we came for," she snapped. "Now move. If you're waiting for their gift, they'll receive it at the wedding like their supposed to."

"So, this means you'll actually be at the wedding?" Lucius asked, hopefully.

"Yes, of course," she barked, shoving passed Lucius. "After all, Draco is my only great nephew, and his bride has proven that she spawns suitable offspring. So, I guess she'll do quite nicely."

"Yes!" Draco shouted, not having really meant to. Embarrassed, his cheeks flushed bright red and he tried to hide behind his mother.

"Well, if I'd known that puking on her would have made deemed me suitable, I'd have done it years ago," Narcissa grumbled, downing an entire glass of champagne in one gulp.

"So you approve of her," Lucius asked for clarification.

"Yes!" Ronalda snapped. "How many times must I say it. She is a lovely girl and the baby is quite handsome. Now get out of my way. I will see you at the wedding in two weeks." Now thoroughly agitated by Lucius' pestering, Ronalda and most of the guests that were related to him, headed towards the door.

"You're a hit," Lucius said, sauntering back towards his family. Though he tried to sound enthusiastic, his words came out more exhausted than anything. Throwing proper behavior out the window, Lucius flopped onto the couch and ran his fingers through his long hair, sighing with relief.

"I think someone's tuckered out," Blaise said, laughingly, flopping down next to Lucius and cradling his head against his chest playfully.

"You have got to get new friends," Lucius said, pushing Blaise away from him. "Did Ronalda even hold Landon?" he asked, taking him out of Luna's arms.

"Yes," Draco said, laughing, "and he puked on her."

"Stop it," Luna said, trying to control her own laughter. "It's not funny."

"Yes, it is," Severus interjected, drawing everyones attention back to his arrival.

"What made you so late?" Draco asked, greeting his former Head of House, happily.

"She couldn't figure out what to wear," Severus grumbled, rolling his eyes as he pointed at his wife, who stood just behind him. Peaking around Severus, everyone tried to get a glimpse of his wife, as none had ever met her.

"You look familiar," Draco said, recognizing the face but not knowing what name to put to it. "Have we met?"

"Not really," she said, softly. "I was at Hogwarts during your first two years though."

"Name?" Draco asked, still not sure who exactly he was.

"Sorry," Severus said. "Everyone, this is my wife, Penelope. Formerly, Penelope Clearwater."

"Shut up!" Blaise gasped, his hand clasped over his mouth. "As in the Head Girl who used to date Percy Weasley? The student?"

"Yes," Severus said, nodding. Clearly, he'd expected this sort of reaction, because he didn't seem too surprised by Blaise's shouting. "Though we didn't meet up until a great while after she'd graduated."

"Well, its lovely to meet you," Luna said, still not having a clue who the young witch was, but glad to meet her, either way. "You've done wonders on our Potions Master. He's down right tolerable."

"It took some work, but finally I was able to break him," she said, smiling up at her husband, a slight blush having crept across his face.

"I fought tooth and nail, that's for sure," Severus mumbled, resting his hand on the small of his wife's back.

"Well, now that the introductions are over with, I say we enjoy the rest of this party," Luke said, taking his wife by the hand and making a dash for the dance floor.

All in all, it had shaped into a pretty fantastic evening. Not only had Luna gotten the official thumbs up from Ronalda and company, but both families, though not officially yet, had become one. Now, all that was left was for the actual wedding to come to pass, and even that was only a mere two weeks away. As he watched his son and soon-to-be daughter dancing happily in the middle of the ball room, with Landon bouncing around giddily in his fathers arms, Lucius didn't think that things could get any better than they already were. Little did he know that there were forces, or rather a force by the name of Pansy, who was hell bent on bursting their perfect little bubble.

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I PROMISE THE NEXT CHAPTER IS THE WEDDING. THOUGH, REGRETABLY, THAT WILL BE THE SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER. AFTER THE WEDDING IS THE EPILOGUE, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY MEANS ITS OVER : ( I'VE GOT IT ALL PLANNED OUT, SO I'M HOPING TO GET IT FINISHED UP BY THE END OF THIS COMING WEEK. AT LEAST THAT'S THE PLAN, BUT I'VE GOT RELATIVES COMING IN FOR THE HOLIDAYS, SO WHO KNOWS HOW THINGS WILL CHANGE : )