K is for Kaffeeklatsch
AN: Kaffeeklatsch (Coffee-klach): An informal social gathering for coffee (in this case tea) and conversation.
The title of this chapter could also be: . . . Meeting your boyfriend's parents
:D *Evil laugh* Harry is so awkward around the Malfoys in this one. I've actually known this word for a few years now and have been looking for an opportunity to use it. Judging from the pronunciation and spelling I would guess it's German, but I could be wrong O.o
Disclaimer: Can I just do a blanket? From this chapter on, I own nothing. It all belong to J.K Rowling and her publishers. You will see this NO MORE!
Harry fiddled with his cufflinks incessantly, causing Draco's eyebrow to twitch. Whether in annoyance or humour he himself wasn't quite so sure. They were on their way to Malfoy Manor for dinner and evening tea, and it would be their first time going to see the Malfoy delegates as a couple. Draco could tell Harry was nervous, very nervous. Bloody hell, he hadn't even looked this nervous when they'd had to tell Weasel and Mud . . . Weasley and Granger about their relationship. Draco sighed and took one of Harry's hands, grasping it tightly. "Har-bear, baby, it's going to be ok. Mother is going to adore you and father . . . will be kept in place by mother." Draco murmured, face flushing as his eyes darkened. "I know Dray it's just . . . I've never done this before. I've never had to meet a boyfriend's parents and of course they can't meet mine. I'm just scared that I'll do or say something wrong, or offend them somehow or-." Harry was cut-off by Draco's lips covering his own gently. Harry flushed and his eyes darted to the driver nervously, but the man was in his own little world.
"Calm Harry. Take deep breaths and settle yourself. It won't be so bad, I promise." Draco muttered, running his fingers through ebony locks as Harry melted against his shoulder. Harry hummed and snuggled up to the older man, allowing his fingers to sooth him slowly. Harry was perfectly content and in a blissful state until they started pulling into the Malfoy Manor driveway. Then Harry jumped away from Draco as if stunned and began meticulously fixing his clothes and hair. "You look stunning Harry. Absolutely mouth watering." Draco laughed. He caught on of Harry's hand kised the fingertips lovingly. "Now, I say it's high time we meet my parents. Don't you?" Draco whispered and Harry gulped but nodded. Slowly Draco stepped out of their limo and reached back his hand in offer for Harry to take to help him out as well. Harry grasped the fingers gently and hauled himself out of the limo with not nearly as much grace as Draco.
The two men turned and Harry nearly dove back into the limo and yelled at the driver to "DRIVE" when he saw the Malfoys standing at the door waiting. They made their way up the steps, Draco having a loose hold on Harry's hand the entire time. "Hello mum, father." Draco adressed properly, nodding at Lucius. "Draco, darling how good to see you." Narcissa sighed, and stepped forward to hug Draco briefly before stepping back and beside her husband again. "Hello Mr. Potter." Narcissa said softly, eyes smiling as she took in the boy who had captured her son's heart. "H-hello Madam Malfoy, Mister Malfoy." Harry stuttered, nodding his head. "Lord Malfoy, is actually my proper title Mr. Potter, and my wife's is Lady Malfoy." Lucius pointed out haughtily and Harry flushed. "O-of course Lord Malfoy." Harry complied meekly. Draco threw his father a warning glance wrapping his arm around an embarrased Harry's waist. "I saw no reason to inform Harry of these titles since you never have insisted upon anyone else using them when in your presence father." Draco growled, almost getting snarky with the man but managing to hold his tongue. He didn't think Harry needed the extra stress.
Lucius sniffed and stuck his nose up at Harry, glaring down at him. "Of course I do Draco for . . . certain individuals." He said waspishly, then turned on his heel and started down the hall, his cane making a small chink chink chink noise with every step. Draco huffed and pulled Harry clsoer to him, rubbing small circles in the other man's hip to sooth him. "Father is being a right arse today mother. He has no reason, nor right to treat my fiance this way." Draco hissed and Narcissa sighed, nodding in agreement. "I know Draco, but there's not much I can do. He's been in a right mood all week over this meeting. But come now, it is time for dinner, I'm sure everything will calm down after we've had some food and during evening tea." Narcissa said, smiling encouragingly at the two before heading down the hall herself. Draco and Harry followed, Harry's eyes looking in every which way. "You have a very lovely home Lady Malfoy. It's absolutely gorgeous." Harry said, his eyes shining in delight. "Why thank you Harry." Narcissa chuckled as they enetered the dining room.
Lucius stood at the head of the table, waiting for the others so they could all be seated. Once everyone was at the table, house elves strolled in and started placing the appetizer down. They were having a six-course meal, and Draco had no doubt in his mind that thiis was a way for his father to humiliate Harry further, thinking he would have no idea on what silverware to use for which dish. Draco smirked as he saw his father watching Harry intently but only out of the corner of his eye. Growing up muggle had hindered Harry in many workings of the magical world, but had helped him in some ways. Before dinner parties at the Dursley house, Harry was made to set the table and he had to know exactly which piece went on which side and where and when it was supposed to be used. His aunt had been insistent on the fact. As a result, Lucius got a nasty surprise when Harry used the right utensil every time through four courses. Throughout that time there had been very little small talk. Most of it was politics and government that Lucius used to try to get Harry tongue-tied. Although Harry could no longer be an auror, it didn''t mean he had dropped out of ministry happenings entirely. He was able to hold the conversation very easily.
"So Harry, Draco, what are your plans after marriage?" Narcissa asked pleasently and Harry flushed slightly. "Well, Harry and I want to have a baby soon, start our own little family." Draco answered and Harry nodded in obvious agreement. "Will you be moving into a large house like this?" Narcissa asked, genuinly curious. "Hm, no ma'am. Draco and I have decided to keep a semi-small house. We want a large family, but we think a small, intimate living space is best." Harry answered, his eyes glowing with happiness. "I must admit, I'm rather afraid of Harry getting lost in a mansion, especially one of this size. He could easily lose his way what with his . . . tendencies since the war." Harry's face flared and he shuffled uncomfortably. It was common knowledge that Harry had a problem with his mind going suddenly blank and he would wander off into all kinds of situations if not watched carefully. Harry would never remember what happened after the bout was over. The St. Mungo's mediwizards speculated that it was probably caused by a prolonged exposure to the cruciatus and his own subconcious. They said that it probably happened when a nasty memory from the war was trying to force its way into the forefront of his mind, so the blank moments were a defense mechanism.
Lucius looked like he wanted to sneer but the look Narcissa gave him seemed to discourage the action. "Harry, are you looking for a job?" Narcissa asked and Harry sighed, watching the elves set the final course. "Yes, of course. But due to my condition, no one is willing to hire me except Fred and George. And then the only position they have is product tester and . . . well, last time I did that Draco nearly hexed the whole shop down, so they refuse to let me try it." Harry admitted and Draco stiffened. "They gutted you!" He hissed, eyes flashing wildly as he remembered the incident. "On accident! The product was supposed to turn your skin see through at your stomach, but it ended up . . . er, removing the skin." Harry exclaimed and Narcissa looked absolutely horrified. "Great Merlin!" She exclaimed, placing a hand to her heart. Even Lucius seemed a bit ill at the information. "But they managed to rush me to the hospital instantly. Plus, they felt more then guilty. They still have that kicked puppy look on their face every time they see me. They've done everything they could to make it up to me. I don't think I've ever seen them cry so much then when we were at the hospital." Harry admitted, smiling softly.
After that, they finished their meal and moved to the sitting room for tea. Harry sat next to Draco on a small, two-person love seat, settling himself comfortably next to the taller man. The elf came in and poured tea, handing each of them a cup. "Thank you." Harry said politely and the elves eyes widened to enormous porportions before it popped out. "You treat elves as if they were people." Lucius sneered as Harry took a sip of tea. "They are people, just magical creatures. It's not that much of a sacrifice to say thank you to them when they do something as small as making tea." Harry admitted to Lucius but the man just narrowed his eyes. They continued drinking in silence enjoying the warm fire. "You there! Small boy! Are you a Potter?" A voice suddenly rang out and Harry jumped slightly, looking around for the mystery voice. "Up here, you daft boy! The painting above the fire place." The voice called and they all looked up to see Marcellow Malfoy, Lucius's great-great-grandfather, staring at the boy intently. "Um, yes sir, Lord Malfoy." Harry said nervously, looking at Draco questioningly. "Humph. Fine boy you've bagged yourself there Draco. A Potter and a damn beautiful bloke. Why if I was twenty years younger . . . and still alive . . ." Marcellow mumbled to himself, then just wandered out of his frame talking to himself.
Harry's face was flaming and damn near looked to be about to catch on fire. "Well, that was rather . . . odd. Marcellow doesn't normally speak to anyone outside the family." Narcissa admitted, and Lucius nodded. "Yes quite. And he normally doesn't talk to half-bloods since he's so opposed to intermingling blood with mud- . . . muggle-borns." Lucius said, managing to hold his tongue at the last second. At the word "half-blood" Harry's pupils shrank to pinpricks and he lost his grip on the now, thankfully, empty tea cup. It fell to the floor and crashed, glass bits flying everywhere and cutting up Harry's bare feet. "Harry?" Draco called, bewildered. Once he got a look at his face though, Draco knew what had happened and swore loudly. "What the bloody hell is wrong with him?" Lucius hissed, snapping his fingers. A house elf appeared and began cleaning up the glass shards. "He's having a flashback. Like I explained during dinner? Something that you said must have triggered it." Draco explained before kneeling in front of Harry. "How long do these . . . episodes last?" Narcissa asked, coming to stand by Harry. "Usually only a few minutes. The longest was three hours." Draco admitted and Narcissa gasped.
Draco waited, rubbing his palm along Harry's thigh until, finally, Harry's pupils dilated back to a normal size. He blinked and shook his head. "Nn . . ." He moaned, closing his eyes and pressing the heel of his hand to his temple. "Ah, bloody hell." Harry murmured, leaning against Draco's shoulder as the man sat next to him once again. "Hm, you have a rather coarse vocabulary Mr. Potter. Are you through with your little show?" Lucius snarked, taking a swift drink of his tea. "Stuff it you barmy old man." Harry snarled as his peridot eyes, so cloes to the color of the death curse, glared at Malfoy Sr. The Malfoy's mouth fell open while Draco snorted and burried his smile in Harry's hair. "Listen here you arrogant prat. I've done nothing but be courteous and grateful to you the entire time I've been in your house. And if you can't even do me the same honour then you can stuff it. I do not need your approval or your permission to love your son!" Harry growled, and ignored the totally bewildered look on Lucius's face. "Why you little mudblood!" Lucius roared, jumping to his feet and drawing his wand. Within seconds Lucius was disarmed, on the floor body-bound, and silenced by a spell.
Draco stood over his father, frowning down at the man. "You're my father Lucius. I love you and I love mum with everything I am. But Harry is mine, and no one, not even you willl insult him or lay a finger on him. We will be taking our leave now. Your invitations to the wedding will be in the mail shortly. Whether you come or not is your decision, I just pray you make the right one." With that Draco spun on his heel, facing away from the man he looked so like. Draco hugged Narcissa as he and Harry were preparing to leave. "Goodbye mum. We hope to see you soon." Draco muttered in her ear. "Of course darling." She said as they pulled away from one another. Then she stepped to Harry and kissed his forehead, surprising the youngg man. "You take care as well Harry." Narcissa just smiled at the boy's stuttered attempt at an answer. When the two were gone, Narcissa turned to her husband on the floor. "Now then, I believe we need to have a talk Lucius Abraxas Malfoy."