Hey everyone!
Shall we say this is the end of January and beginning of February update all rolled into one because of how late these are going up? I am writing again and I cannot believe I am able to say that! Feels so good though to be able to say that. I hope January has been amazing for you and chapter 1 of 2024 is coming to a close. See you next month!
Lots of love,
LSH xxx
Breaking Traditions – Part 69:
"Do you think they're alive back at the Manor?" Narcissa asked as she sat with Priscilla and Rosalie in a teashop in Diagon Alley. "If Meredith has her own way then I'd be surprised but, then again, she will want to see Draco as well before she decides to get herself locked up. They do have a lot of catching up to do though… Draco and Meredith."
"I hope they will have discussed things though," Priscilla replied, "Lucius will be easier for Mer to forgive I think," she said as she gave Rosalie something else to eat, "I do feel her anger is fully directed at her father though."
Narcissa nodded as she sipped on her tea and looked at her daughter. She knew Meredith was angrier with her father than her brother as the siblings at been making eye contact on the rare occasion that they had been in the same room together.
"Meredith has always been angrier with her father though than her brother. That is one thing I have always said about my sister-in-law," she said. "I can understand why. I just hope that we have a home to go back to."
"Don't worry," came a voice that made the two women turn to find themselves face-to-face with Meredith, "the Manor is still standing and Lucius and I are on speaking terms again. Father is a different matter though."
"Well that is good to hear that some progress has been made. You will have to deal with your father sooner rather than later, as much as you do not wish to," Priscilla said as she looked at her daughter before offering the free seat opposite Rosalie. Meredith accepted the seat and Narcissa asked for more tea to be brought.
"Where is Draco? He's not here and he wasn't at the Manor unless he's in his room and being very quiet," Meredith said.
"He's at a friend's house for the day. We had planned for you three to be alone as it was clear you needed to talk," Priscilla said as she looked at her daughter. "This was the best way to do it and you have every right to be angry at me," she said and Meredith sighed before she sipped on her tea and thought about her mother's words.
"I am angry but not at you," she replied after a few moments of silence as she drank some of her tea and watched Rosalie eating her food, "I am angry with Lucius but that will pass. Father, however, is a different story as I cannot stand what he did in the past."
"We don't expect you to forgive your father easily," Narcissa said, "he did put you in a position that you shouldn't have been in. However, saying that, I do feel eventually he will realise the error of his ways and how much pain and suffering he caused you."
"I hope he will understand my side of the story one day," Meredith said before asking for a snack to be brought to her as she was needing something sickly sweet.
Meredith savoured every last bit of her Belgium Bun and then the group walked around Diagon Alley for a while looking in the shops, maybe buying new clothes and getting Rosalie a small handful of toys before her birthday, which was now mostly planned out and decided upon.
"She's still Little Miss Grabby Grabs though," Narcissa said, "she's slowly starting to get past the stage of hair grabbing though," she said with a chuckle as Rosalie shook her new rattle that had just been brought for her. "I am glad on that one," she said with a chuckle
"I think we will all be glad when she is past that for sure," Meredith said as they walked through the Alley. People stopped to ask Narcissa about Rosalie and it was then that someone caught her eyes.
"Hello Jen. It's rare to see you in London," Narcissa said as she recognise Jen Greengrass, Astoria's aunt close by.
"Pleasure to see you too Narcissa," the Scottish witch said as she turned and nodded in greeting at Meredith and Priscilla. "Yes. I decided to get a change of scenery and come down to London. There are some sweets that Astoria wishes to have and I can only get them here or Hogsmeade so I chose to come here and get them. It it wonderful to see you again Meredith," she said with a smile.
"Thank you. It's been hard getting used to being myself again but here I am and the only one who I at odds with is my father," Meredith responded as she looked at Jen, "although I think that is to be expected somehow," she said with a chuckle, running a hand through her hair.
"I trust we shall see you soon up in the Highlands?" Jen asked Narcissa.
"Yes you will. Your mother only wrote two days ago saying that Astoria wishes to see Rosalie and has a birthday present for her so we shall be up soon," Narcissa said before the group parted and the Malfoys headed back to Malfoy Manor.
Lucius and Abraxas were sat in the study when the sound of heals drew closer and in walked Narcissa, without knocking of course, causing the men to put their copies of the Daily Prophet down.
"Well, I am pleased to hear that nobody hexed anyone which is wonderful and that the Manor is still standing as well," she said as she eyed her father-in-law.
"So my daughter did seek you and her mother in the Alley then…"
"Of course she did. She needed to cool off a little. I am pleased to hear that things have almost been resolved between yourself and Meredith Lucius," she said with a smile.
"Well, she isn't too angry with me so I just need to work on her and earn her full forgiveness but that will come," Lucius nodded, "Father, on the other hand…"
"Do not say anything on that Lucius. It seems most of Meredith's anger is directed at me," Abraxas said, "and I do not blame her at all there," he said with a sigh. "I have a lot to fix and it's going to take time but I will earn her forgiveness… eventually."
