This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

April Auction

Day 21 - Auction 4 - Pumpkin Pastries

Insane Prompt challenge

68: Character - Lucius Malfoy

Spring Challenge

Days of the Year

20th May: Be a Millionaire Day - Write about someone rich. Alternatively, use the phrase 'Money can't buy happiness.

Word count: 668

The sound of the smoke alarm ripped Severus from the dream he'd been having. It had been a nice dream, mostly involving his wife half naked. The blasted device screamed loudly. He sighed pulling himself from the bed. He'd deal with the dream, and it's side effects later. He made his way to the kitchen, wondering what was on fire this time.

"Um, good morning?" The stove was smoking and one of the cabinets was on fire. He sighed putting out the flames. One of these days he was going to have to find a way to fireproof the kitchen...or enforce the rules he'd tried to set for his wife. Who would have thought she'd develop such a taste for breaking them?

"Hermione. What is the rule about you cooking?"

"I'm not supposed to cook unless I don't turn on the stove, or I cast a silencing charm on the smoke detector. I forgot to cast a silencing charm didn't I?"

"Yes, you also set the cabinet on fire. What are you making?"

"Pumpkin pasties."

"And what are the rules about using the oven?"

"Don't." Severus turned off the oven. He opened it allowing the smoke to start thinning. He pulled out a tray of burnt pasties. They reminded him of charcoal.

"Exactly. Last time you managed to burn the house down."

"We did manage to save it," Hermione said softly. Severus could only shake his head. Despite the fact his wife was brilliant, she still couldn't cook without setting something on fire, or something exploding. She was almost worse than Neville in potions.

"Why exactly are you baking pasties at," he paused glanced at the clock, " nine in the morning?"

"Because your best friend and his wife just invited themselves to brunch."

"And you didn't wake me because?"

"You looked so peaceful, it's only brunch. I figured I could make the food and have everything ready. Besides, you're cranky in the mornings," she added.

"You're trying to make brunch for the Malfoys, allow me to sleep, and instead of accomplishing either of these two things, you decided to set my kitchen on fire."

"Our kitchen," Hermione corrected. Severus nodded vanishing the mess.

"Now, when are Lucius and Narcissa arriving?"

"In ten minutes," Hermione stated.

"And why are they coming over for brunch, exactly?"

"Because something involving Draco. I don't know, Lucius didn't exactly say. He just said his son had done something incredibly stupid and you needed to talk him out of it."

"If this is about Miss Weasley...again...I swear. Now, listen very carefully. Go make some fruit skewers, I'll make everything else. And Hermione, next time. Wake me." She nodded doing as he'd ordered.

Soon the kitchen smelled of bacon. Severus had changed from his pajamas and set the table with bacon, some crescent rolls, and an egg dish. Hermione was plating her fruit skewers.

"Severus, Hermione, how nice to see the pair of you," Narcissa announced. Severus nodded welcoming her and Lucius. Everyone sat at the table.

"Now, as nice as it is to have brunch, Hermione mentioned you needed to talk to me about something involving Draco?"

"Yes! He's marrying her!"

"Miss Weasley?"

"Yes, she's a,..." Hermione tilted her head wondering if Lucius would actually speak ill of her friend.

"poor," he finally answered.

"Is that all?" Severus asked. Hermione fought back a laugh. This was only the latest in Lucius protests against his son's now fiancee.

"She won't always be poor, she's signed a contract with the Holyhead Harpies," Hermione commented.

"Really? The Harpies!" Narcissa exclaimed. "I love them!" Lucius shook his head realizing he'd lost his only ally in protesting Miss Weasley as their son's choice of bride. "She'll look lovely in that diamond tiara I have."

"Thank you for hosting us, Severus, Hermione. I guess this brunch was more enlightening than I thought. We'll be seeing you soon." Narcissa kept talking about the Harpies as her and Lucius left.

"We need to make other friends," Hermione muttered as she started cleaning the dishes. Severus only shook his head and headed to the library to research fireproofing spells for the kitchen.