Chapter 22 It's in the Blood
Lucius Malfoy stood on the walk in front of Malfoy Manor and used his cane to knock off bits of sand from his expensive leather shoes. He leaned heavily on the cane that had once been a mere decoration to hold his wand, but was now necessary to maintain his balance to support his weight.
His expression was sour. He straightened his jacket, but it no longer fit well over his slightly bloated body. He had taken to drinking more than he ought, but it helped to calm his mind. His thinning hair blew in the breeze as he looked down his nose at his former home. He did not want to be here, but he and Narcissa took turns, each one visiting every six months. It was his turn, and he wanted it over with.
He much preferred his house on the coast of Kent. It was brighter and free of the memories he wanted to leave behind. The memories they wanted to leave behind. Mistakes had been made. The alliance formed with Lord Voldemort had almost destroyed his family. Draco was barely speaking to him and he couldn't fault him for it. He had nearly gotten his only son killed. Lucius had bullied Draco into joining the Death Eaters and had realized at the cusp of their ascension it had been a terrible mistake. He never thought he would ever think it, but he was grateful Harry Potter defeated the Dark Lord and saved his son's life.
Now, he had to make his yearly visit to check on Delphini, the love child of Lord Voldemort and his insane sister-in-law Bellatrix. If there was ever a strange match, it was Voldemort and Bellatrix. If they hadn't been killed, they probably would have died trying to kill each other. The thought made him chuckle.
Even though it was his own home, he still rang the bell. A grungy house-elf answered the door.
"Welcome Master Malfoy."
Before the elf could swing the door wide to allow him to enter, he roughly shoved him aside and pushed his way in.
"Where is Delphini?"
"I have refreshments ready for you in the front parlor. Mistress Delphini will join you soon."
"See that I'm not kept waiting," he said over his shoulder to the retreating elf.
"Yes, Master," the elf replied before he disappeared.
Lucius settled on the heavy leather sofa and chose a lemon biscuit to munch on while he drank his tea. He put his unfinished cookie on the plate when he heard footsteps in the hallway. He rose from his chair to greet a smiling Delphini, who swept into the room in a black leather costume and long platinum blond hair which had grown nearly to her waist. The leather outfit and high-heeled boots were reminiscent of something her mother would have worn, and he wondered if she found it in her closet.
"Hello, Uncle Lucius! I have someone who has been longing to see you."
She put her arms out like a model on a muggle game show, pointing towards the open door. A startled Lucius schooled his expression of dismay when a smiling Dark Lord floated in, followed by a twitching Bellatrix.
"Tada!" Delphini sang.