When Lucius and Astoria arrived back at the Manor, Lucius made his way to his private study without even looking at Astoria. He made a mental note to speak to his son about the incident in Flourish and Blots before the end of the night. He would probably bring it up during his meeting later, although he suspected Astoria would be running as fast as her gold digging feet would carry her to find his son. He scoffed. Malfoys do not run.
Astoria sought out her husband as soon as she landed on the grounds. She had a juicy piece of gossip and couldn't wait to gloat about it to the blonde. She found him in his personal study, going over some sort of paperwork at his desk.
'What do you want Astoria?' The blonde looked blankly at his wife of 4 months as she sauntered over and around his chair. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him. It took everything in him to keep from flinching at her touch but he steeled himself.
'Darling,' she drawled in his ear, in what he could only assume she thought to be a sexy manner. 'Your father and I just got back from Diagon Alley.'
'Wow Astoria, thank you for that uninteresting titbit of your day, but if that is all, I have an awful lot to go over here before I meet with my father in an hour.'
'Oh but darling, I have the most wonderful news to share with you! You know that Flourish and Blotts has changed ownership in the last month?
Draco sighed deeply. There was no way he would get Astoria to leave until she finished telling him whatever she came to say.
'Yes?'
'You will never guess who the new owners are!'
'Ugh, just tell me, I am sure I don't even want to guess, and I probably won't care when you tell me.'
'Oh, I think you will care who the new owners are!' Astoria couldn't contain her glee and came around the front of Draco's desk to lean in for dramatic effect. Draco was just thankful she had removed her smarmy self from his person.
'It's Hermione Granger, or should I say a very pregnant Hermione Nott!'
Draco couldn't contain his ire.
'You're lying.'
'Go see for yourself. They are at the store today, looking quite cozy if I do say so.' Astoria was taking great satisfaction in her husband's response. 'It looks like your little mudblood didn't love you as much as you thought.'
Draco was livid, Astoria was wrong, she had to be wrong. He needed to see for himself. He looked at his wife. 'Get out, now!'
Astoria skipped out of his office with a smug look on her face to find Cissa and bring her the joyful news.
Draco left his office and quickly headed for the grounds to apparate. As he walked he passed his father's study.
'Draco, glad to see you out, could you come now?'
'Not now father. I have urgent business but I will be back for our scheduled meeting.'
Lucius was out of his chair and at the door. 'Draco, where are you going?' But the elder Malfoy knew exactly where his son was headed. Damn you Astoria, he thought to himself. You had to run and gloat, didn't you? Blast, he had hoped to speak to Draco before he went running off. He went back to his desk and hoped his son didn't make a bigger mess of the situation.