Tonks And Greengrasses
Just after Ten the next morning, Lucius crept down the stairs. Casting furtive glances around the entry hall, he headed for the front door. He had decided to apparate instead of using the fireplace since he felt he had apparation down pretty good…and still distrusted the fire travel.
"Lucius? What are you doing? I thought you said you'd be in your study all morning?" Asked Narcissa as she appeared from the front sitting room.
To his credit, Lucius did not physically react to Narcissa's voice, even though it felt like his heart jumped into his throat. He flashed a smile at her instead. "Oh, something came up that I need to look into, that's all. I have to head to Diagon Alley for a bit. Nothing to worry about. I shouldn't be gone too long."
Narcissa looked closely at him, a slight frown descending on her face. He looks okay, but Lucius hasn't gone anywhere from the manor without me or Severus since his accident. And he's acting much too nonchalant about his trip. I hope to Merlin it has nothing to do with the Dark Lord! "Well…alright. Just remember that William and Mary will be over at Seven this evening for supper."
Lucius blinked at her. "Who?"
Narcissa sighed and barely resisted rolling her eyes. "William and Mary Greengrass. They're coming over for dinner. I told you that last night when you got home."
I had other things on my mind…like how beautiful you are. Lucius shrugged. "Sorry, guess I forgot. I've slept since then." He smiled at her again.
Now it was Narcissa's turn to blink at him. "What does sleeping have to do with it, Lucius?"
He sighed. "Nothing, it's just an expression." He shook his head. "No worries, my dear. I should be home well before supper." He leaned in and kissed her cheek. She even smells beautiful!
Narcissa narrowed her eyes. "And just what exactly is it that you need to look into in Diagon Alley, Lucius?"
This lady is sharp. He smiled. "Just a couple of financial issues that I want to clarify, nothing major or critical. Just…info gathering." He leaned close and kissed her cheek once more. I'd love to kiss more than just your cheek, beautiful. And as soon as he had the thought, his face turned beet red. He cleared his throat and turned away. "Yes…well, then, I will see you in a couple of hours." Tempted to kiss her cheek a third time, he thought better of it and continued to the fireplace in the big sitting room. Lucius was still distrustful of the "fire travel", as he continued to call it, but he knew it was the safest way to get to that alley place.
For her part, Narcissa had a surge of suspicion shoot through her mind. Staring at his back for several moments, her eyes still narrowed, she finally sighed. I somehow don't feel like he's telling me everything, but I suppose he does have to get used to going out in public by himself again.
"Be safe, Lucius!" Narcissa called after him. He smiled as her melodic voice reached his ears. Even her voice is beautiful!
Lucius turned, flashed her a smile, and blew a kiss before continuing on his way. Narcissa put her hand on her lips, as if the kiss he blew had been a real kiss. He hasn't blown me a kiss since we were at Hogwarts and still courting.
His first stop was Gringotts, where he exchanged some Galleons for Pounds. He had the address of where the Tonks lived, but he was not at all familiar with southern England, even though he now found himself living there. He exited from the Leaky Cauldron out into muggle London (which to his mind was just "London"…he still hadn't got used to many of the terms the witches and wizards used). Thinking nothing of it, Lucius hailed a cab right in front of the magical pub. And unknown to him, several of the patrons saw him do this, and there were more than a few jaws hanging lose in the Leaky Cauldron; and many times was the story told and retold of the day Lucius Malfoy got into a muggle taxi.
His next stop was at an electric company that ran the power grid for Wiltshire. Lucius found magic to be utterly fascinating and absolutely amazing, but he still preferred Tech (after all, it wasn't witches and wizards who had walked on the moon!). And throwing a switch to illuminate a room was, to his mind at least, faster and easier than taking out your wand and mumbling some Latin incantation to light a bunch of candles—candles! In the last years of the 21st century? How primitive.
It took a bit longer than he expected to set up an appointment for someone to come out to the manor and have a look. Lucius had to do some fancy talking to explain why a house as huge as Malfoy Manor wasn't on the grid…or even in the postal system, for that matter. But in the end he was able to come up with a semi-logical story, and he left with a handshake and a grin on the electric official's face as he imagined all the money about to come his way.
After hailing another cab, he arrived at the Tonks' address. Lucius paid the driver, giving him an inordinately large tip, and missed the grin of the cabman as he counted the bills Lucius had handed him. Lucius still did not really understand Galleons and Knuts and Sickles, but neither did he fully understand Pounds. His brain was stuck on dollars.
As the cab pulled away from the curb, Lucius turned to face the house. It was a pretty little two story, painted a light blue with white trim. As he stood in front of his estranged sister-in-law's house, a bit of trepidation crept into his mind. In fact, the feeling was so strong that he almost decided to forget the entire foolhardy idea of reuniting the sisters and just leave.
No…I've been a horrible person in this world, and I have to make amends. Starting with trying to bring Narcissa's family back together. Blowing a gust of air from his lungs, Lucius squared his shoulders, walked up the flower lined path and, before he could change his mind again, rapped on the door.
After several moments of nothing, he frowned. I suppose everyone could be at work. Maybe I should have called first…
The door opened a crack and a face that would have looked friendly if it weren't for the scowl that covered it peeked out. "What do you want, Lucius?" The man's voice was cold and unfriendly, yet Lucius detected a bit of surprise as well. And the way the man said his name caused Lucius to realize he might have his work cut out for him.
Lucius took another deep breath before he answered. "Mr. Tonks, I was wondering if I might come in and speak with you."
The man remained silent, simply holding a hard stare at Lucius as if he were having an internal debate with himself. Lucius began to think the man was just going to slam the door, but after a full minute of his silent stare, he opened the door wider and stepped to the side. Lucius understood the unspoken invitation, and entered the house. Mr. Tonks turned and walked down a short hallway before turning right into a cozy room with the sunlight pouring in from the large windows that overlooked the front garden.
Mr. Tonks gestured at a couch facing the window while he sat on the love seat directly across from it, folding his arms across his chest and continuing to semi-glare at Lucius. As Lucius settled himself onto the couch, Mr. Tonks said, "All right, Lucius…talk. Why are you here?"
Lucius sighed again, and decided to come straight to the point. "Well, as you may or may not have heard, I lost literally all of my memories in what I'm told was some sort of potions mishap a few months ago. As in, all my memories. I didn't even know who Narcissa was when I woke up. As the days and weeks passed, more and more memories returned…slowly at first, but then with increasing speed. It's taken me a long time to even get to this point, and I still haven't regained everything."
Lucius paused and looked away, out the window for a few moments. Then he turned back and locked eyes with Ted once more. "Almost dying tends to give a person a rather…introspective view of their life. Or it should. And when my memories began returning faster and faster, I found that I didn't like a lot of what I was remembering."
He paused again, looking out the window once more, and Ted frowned. Am I crazy, or does Lucius Malfoy look nervous?
Another sigh, and as he continued looking out the window he spoke once more. "I know that to say I haven't been a good man would be a gross understatement. There are many, many things I regret from my past. And one that I regret the most is the way you and your wife were treated by me and your wife's own family." He looked back at Ted once more, and Ted had to stifle a gasp when he saw the sadness and regret shining out from them—genuine sadness and regret…Lucius had never been a good faker. "I cannot change the past, Mr. Tonks. But I have been given a new chance at life, for whatever reason. And I want to try and change the future. Therefore, I would like to offer an invitation for you and your wife to come to Malfoy manor for dinner at your earliest convenience."
Ted had to snap his mouth shut as he realized he's been gaping at Lucius. At least, I think I'm talking to Lucius Malfoy. Ted couldn't believe what was happening. Then a thought struck him, and he leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. "Are you really Lucius Malfoy, or someone using pollyjuice to pull some kind of sick joke?"
The heck is pollyjuice? Lucius thought as a small, sad smile formed on his lips. "Yes, I am truly Lucius Malfoy, although I understand your disbelief. When I found my journals from before the accident, I couldn't bring myself to believe I had written it. I had to do a handwriting comparison to convince myself, and even then it was difficult."
Ted stared at him in silence for a good bit, before Lucius leaned forward. "Mr. Tonks, let's just be frank with one another. I know what sort of a man I was. I have no illusions of the things I did in the past. But I also know what I am now. And we are not the same men. I don't expect you to believe me. In all fairness I can't expect you to believe me. And I realize that simply saying I'm sorry falls woefully short of being an adequate response to the years of hatred you and your wife have suffered. All I ask is for an opportunity to try and make amends, and prove my sincerity through my actions."
Ted stared at Lucius in silence for several moments again, a small contemplative frown covering his face. On the one hand, he still didn't trust Lucius. He'd been there for all the hours that Andromeda had sobbed and mourned after her family had disowned her, and he didn't want to give her any false hopes that things would get better.
Yet on the other hand, Lucius seemed genuinely sincere in his regret about their treatment at the hands of the Black and Malfoy families since they eloped. Ted didn't want to deny Andromeda a chance at reconciliation with her baby sister if Lucius' olive branch was indeed sincere.
Ted sighed. "Alright, Lucius. I will talk it over with Andromeda when she gets home tonight, and let you know once she decides what she wants to do."
Lucius nodded and gave Ted a small smile. "Fair enough," he said, extending his hand toward Ted who gave it a firm shake after a slight pause. Lucius stood with a sigh. "Well, I feel as though I've taken enough of your time this afternoon, Mr. Tonks. Thank you for hearing me out, and I look forward to hearing back from you."
Ted stood as well, the two men heading for the front door. Lucius paused on the doorstep to shake Ted's hand once more before turning and heading down the front walk. Ted had just about made it back to the lounge when his doorbell rang again. Opening the door, he found Lucius standing there with a sheepish grin. "Er, umm, I was wondering if I might use your fireplace. I took a cab to get here and forgot that he left. I'd just call for another, but Narcissa was rather adamant that I be home at a decent time since we are having some guests over for dinner this evening."
Ted's eyebrows shot up. "You—you took a cab to get here?" Lucius Malfoy using muggle transportation? This is truly a day of firsts!
"Er…yes, yes I did. But I think it might take too long to drive all the way back to London and make it home before these guests are supposed to show up for dinner." He leaned closer to Ted and lowered his voice. "Malfoys seem to live an exceedingly posh life, and I've no real idea about how social etiquette works in these high society circles. I still feel very out of place."
Ted chuckled. "Of course, Lucius, feel free." He stepped aside to let Lucius back into the house and gestured at the fireplace. He turned to face Ted again. "I truly do hope that you and your wife take me up on my offer of dinner, Mr. Tonks. I know it would mean the world to Narcissa." Then he turned, threw a handful of powder into the fire, and said, "The Leaky Cauldron." And with a swirl of flames Lucius was gone.
Ted sighed, shook his head, and headed for the kitchen to make a cup of tea. What a day this has been. He wondered how Andromeda would take the news….
(XXX)
As for Lucius, even using the floo network, he only just made it back to Malfoy Manor in time to prepare for the arrival of the Greengrasses (he had stayed at the Leaky cauldron to have a butterbeer—which turned into two others. Narcissa had insisted that he go upstairs and freshen up, and put robes on, even though he was loath to wear them.
"Why do we have to be so posh and formal?" He groused as Narcissa looped her arm through his and started down the stairs. Draco was already standing by the front door and fidgeting.
"Because it's how things are done in the old families, Lucius." Narcissa said with a sigh.
"Yeah, but all the time?" Lucius whined.
Narcissa smirked and patted his arm. "Don't worry, I will take the lead as is customary for the hostess to do. Just smile and be charming."
"Smile and be charming," he muttered. "I think I can do that." I hope I can do that…
Narcissa leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I have every confidence in you, darling."
A sappy grin descended on Lucius face after Narcissa kissed him…he couldn't help it, the woman had that effect on him. She really is a witch with this power she seems to have over me.
As Narcissa finished speaking, Mipsy entered the room and announced the arrival of their dinner guests. Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass (he soon found out they were actually 'Lord and Lady' like he and Narcissa were) entered the room first.
William Greengrass was about Lucius' height, with dark brown hair just long enough to skim the top of his shoulders (what is it with magic dudes and long hair anyway? Lucius wondered). His hazel eyes were sharp and perceptive, taking in his surroundings with a quick glance…almost as though he was wary of danger.
Mary Greengrass came across as a kind and demure lady, yet Lucius thought he could detect fierceness just below the surface. Here was a good woman who loved her family and would literally do anything for them…even kill, if the situation arose. In fact, she reminded him very much of Narcissa…they both shared light blonde hair and piercing ice-blue eyes—eyes so piercing it almost felt as though they could see right through you. Lucius wondered if Narcissa and Mary Greengrass were related.
Behind them were two girls—one older, taller, and blonde haired; the other younger and a bit shorter, with dark brown hair. Lucius, predictably, did not notice, but Narcissa did, the way Draco and the blonde haired girl's eyes immediately found one another; and also the blushes that covered both their faces. She smirked in satisfaction.
Mr. Greengrass took the hand that Narcissa had extended to him, and gave her a slight bow. "Thank you for inviting us over this evening, Lady Malfoy," he stated before brushing his lips across Narcissa's knuckles.
Lucius frowned at the action. I just can't get over how posh all these magical folks are! I wonder if I have to do that to his wife? Guess I'd better. This is so embarrassing…
"The pleasure is ours, Lord Greengrass," Narcissa replied, giving the man a small courtesy. "Thank you for honoring us with your presence." Then the ladies greeted one another, giving small curtseys. The Greengrass daughters greeted Narcissa next as Lady Greengrass moved on to Lucius…who attempted to copy her husband's actions toward Narcissa. He must have done it right as both Greengrass adults had satisfied smirks on their faces.
Mr. Greengrass greeted Lucius next. The enthusiasm with which William greeted him, while not seeming at all forced, did feel a bit too enthusiastic. "Lucius, it's wonderful to see you again! Narcissa told Mary that your memories are finally returning. I'm very glad to hear it!" Then he leaned closer and murmured, "And I am so glad you finally broke ties with the Parkinsons. That family has always sought to increase their wealth and standing with the Old Families by marrying up, as they say. I was seriously afraid they had managed to fool you into some sort of alliance with them."
Lucius blinked a couple of times, not quite certain of what to say. "Well, yes…yes, I often wondered why Narcissa and Draco spent so much time with them when I could tell neither liked the family much at all."
William's smile grew. "Allow me to present my daughters: Daphne and Astoria." Both young ladies curtsied to him, and he smiled and nodded at them, desperately hoping that was the proper thing to do. "I am honored to meet…or probably re-meet…you, ladies."
Mipsy popped in at that moment to tell them dinner was ready. The meal was marked mostly by the mothers having a lively discussion about current trends and fashions in Diagon Alley, and occasionally interacting with their children who remained quiet for the most part. Yet both mothers watched their offspring from the corner of their eyes, and saw the way Draco and Daphne kept watching each other, blushing, and sending one another small smiles.
And all the while Astoria smirked at her sister and Draco's antics, at one point making kissy noises, causing the other teens to blush.
"That's enough, Astoria," Mrs. Greengrass chided softly.
The girl rolled her eyes, still smirking. "Yes, mother."
After dinner, the teens sat in the parlor with their mothers, talking over various school things and social events, whilst Lucius and William went into Lucius' study for brandy and cigars…Narcissa had strictly forbidden cigar smoke anywhere outside of Lucius study.
"So Lucius," William said after Lucius had filled glasses for the two and the men had lit their cigars. "Have you fully recovered from the curse the Dark Lord put on you?" He said it with a smirk, but his voice sounded serious.
Lucius shook his head. "Honestly, my memories from before my accident are still pretty hazy. But I have read my journals from that time period, and I don't believe I was really under that…that…whatever that spell is called when you're controlled by someone else. But I have researched that Dark Lord fellow, and I cannot begin to imagine what on earth possessed me to give him my loyalty. The man was a psychotic murderer!"
William continued smirking at him over the top of his glass as he took a sip of brandy. "Of course you weren't, Lucius…we all knew that. Thankfully you still had enough friends on the Wizengamot to keep you out of Azkaban." He took another sip and sighed.
"Most of us neutrals were…sympathetic to the Dark Lord's ideas. We simply felt that indiscriminate murder and bloodshed weren't the correct way to go about it. And now I fear that some of the more devoted followers of the Dark Lord are up to something rather unsavory. Just what that might be, I don't know" William paused, took another swig, and looked at Lucius. "Have any of them attempted to drag you into whatever it is yet?"
"Nnnnoooo…?" It came out sounding like a question. "I'm not even certain I know what you're talking about. I haven't really talked to a lot of our friends in any detail since the accident, besides Severus and now you…not counting those idiotic P people."
William barked a laugh. "The 'P' people! I love it! And I agree that they are rather idiotic." His smile faded. "Lucius, I was wondering if you feel up accompanying me to the Ministry one day next week. We need your experience back with us, the way it appears things are going."
Lucius hesitated. "Well, I feel alright physically, better than I ever have in fact. But my memories are still vague and hazy, for the most part. I'm not sure I'd be of much help."
"Just having you back in public at the Ministry will help tings," William replied. "You still carry a lot of respect with you, and we need help, Lucius. The darker families need to be reigned in some before things spiral out of control again, and the light families are growing even more annoying and cocky, if such a thing is possible. If you make a reappearance at the Ministry, and show you're no longer on the Dark Lord's side, it will go a long way toward evening things out."
Lucius was stunned. He had no idea that his family name was so important in magical society that his mere presence would be enough to sway a group of brooding politicians. "Well…if things are getting that bad, and if I don't have to say much—because honestly, I'm not joking about my memories being foggy still—then yes, of course, I would be happy to accompany you. If you think it would help."
William grinned. "Splendid! I will owl you this weekend with the details." And the men went on to talk of many other things before Mary Greengrass came to collect her husband, and the Greengrasses bid the Malfoys a good evening.
(XXX)
The following morning after breakfast, Draco pushed his chair back and stood, turning to face Lucius as he did so. "Father, may…may I speak to you for a moment…please?"
Lucius looked over the top of his newspaper and blinked. "Well, er… yes, of course you may, Draco." He folded the paper and set it down, giving Draco his full attention.
Draco glanced sideways at his mother. "In—in private?" He whispered.
"Ummm…" Lucius cast his own glance at Narcissa, who seemed to have the ghost of a smirk on her face. She continued reading her paper, pretending as though she hadn't heard Draco's request. Although Lucius suspected she had indeed heard it.
"Yes, uh…let's go into my study." Lucius stood as well and led the way down the side hallway. Upon arriving in the study, he closed the door and sat behind his desk, Draco having already seated himself in one of the chairs that faced it.
Lucius leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "Now, what did you want to talk about, son?" The word "son" almost caught in Lucius' throat, but Draco didn't seem to notice. Calling Draco son still felt so strange to Lucius, but he didn't let on. Or he at least hoped Draco truly hadn't notice the tiny pause before he said son.
Draco cleared his throat and fidgeted. He sighed, cleared his throat again, examined the wall behind his father, and cleared his throat once more.
Lucius frowned. The boy seems really nervous about something. "What's wrong, Draco?"
Draco threw a quick glance at his father, before clearing his throat yet once more and began staring at his hands which were now folded in his lap.
The frown on Lucius' face deepened and he leaned forward. "Draco—is something wrong at school? Did you get into a fight? Are you having trouble in one of your classes?"
"Father…I'minlovewithDaphne!" It all came out in a rush, Draco's voice somewhat shrill. And as soon as the words escaped him, his face blushed a deep scarlet.
Lucius blinked. "Oh. Well. There's nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. In fact romantic feelings are very common at your age. At least it isn't that annoying P girl who kept throwing herself at you."
Now Draco's face turned whiter than his hair. "Oh Merlin, no! Not Pansy…Daphne."
"So do I know this Daphne girl you are smitten with?"
Now it was Draco's turn to blink at his father. "Um, she was over with her parents last night, so I assume you do?"
Lucius rubbed his chin and squinted his eyes, trying to remember the previous evening's guests, recalling that there were indeed two young ladies who had accompanied their parents for diner…Lucius had consumed a bit more brandy than was good for him. "Ahhh, that's right. I remember." Then he paused and frowned again. "Um…the blonde or the brunette?"
"Blonde," Draco replied, a sappy grin descending on his face until he glanced at his father. The sappy look disappeared and he sat up straighter. "The blonde girl, father."
"Yes, a pretty and very well behaved young woman, as I recall. In fact they both were." Lucius did recall the polite and respectful way the two young ladies had presented themselves, and how quiet they had been unless directly addressed. Very posh, just like us. But I do prefer people who don't prattle on and on. And they were so much better than those ridiculous P idiots…
Draco sat up even straighter, giving a little sniff as he did so. "Of course they are well mannered, father. They are a noble, ancient, pureblood family, even as we are."
Lucius barely contained the snicker that almost managed to make its way up his throat at Draco's sniff and tone of voice. Like mother like son. Lucius was already madly in love with Narcissa, and growing more so by the day. And at that moment he realized his affection for Draco was slowly growing as well.
"As I said, there's nothing wrong with having a crush on a girl." He smiled indulgently, thinking that was the end of the matter.
But Draco frowned and sat forward in his chair. "It's not a crush at all, father! We're in love!"
Lucius was just able to restrain himself from rolling his eyes. Oh to be young and infatuated. Ah youth. "Aren't you a tad young to know what love truly is, Draco?"
Draco's frown deepened. "No, father! We've talked about it for a good while now. And Daphne has already spoken to her father about it. That's why they came over last night."
Now Lucius frowned. "It…is?" That William fellow didn't say anything about his daughter and Draco…
Draco gave an enthusiastic nod. "Yes. Daphne's father was hoping to speak to you about a—a marriage contract between Daphne and I."
Lucius' frown grew. "A…a 'marriage contract'? Do people even do that still?"
Draco blinked at his father again. "Yes, all the pureblood families still do. It's one way we stay pureblooded.
"Huh," Lucius said. "Her father didn't say anything about weddings or contracts or love last night," He muttered. He sat back in his chair and stared at Draco in silence a few moments before sighing. "All right, I'll talk it over with your mother and see what she thinks. And if she has no problem, I'll talk to…uh, what's the girl's name again?"
Draco somehow just managed to resist rolling his eyes. "Her name is Daphne, father." He tried to not sound upset, because he was still getting used to this new, calmer version of his father and didn't want to do anything to bring back the old uptight and frequently cruel Lucius. He liked the new Lucius much better than the old.
"Yes…I will talk to Daphne's father about it all." Lucius leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Whatever the case, that family seems a darn sight better than those P people we used to hang around with."
Draco repressed a shudder. "For certain, father!"
Lucius glanced back at Draco. "Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?"
Draco shook his head. "No, father. I just wanted to tell you about…about Daphne and I." He stood. "Mother is taking me back to Hogwarts this morning. Professor Snape only excused me for one night." He paused, his hand on the back of the chair he'd just vacated. "I—I suppose I will see you at Yule, father."
Lucius stood also. "Yes indeed, Draco. I hope you have a good rest of your semester." He smiled and stuck his hand out, and Draco shook it. Lucius still felt too awkward to hug the boy.
The two walked out and found Narcissa waiting for them. She smiled at her son. "Ready Draco?"
He nodded and headed for the floo. Narcissa kissed Lucius cheek and said, "I won't be gone too long, Lucius." Then she smirked at him. "But do try and stay out of mischief whilst I am gone." She turned and followed after Draco. Moments later Lucius heard the roar of the fireplace.
He sighed. He hated being in that huge monstrosity of a house alone. Well, he wasn't alone alone: all the munchkins were there after all. But those portraits, the ones that would watch you and make comments, they gave Lucius the creeps. It was uncanny! Sighing again, Lucius headed out onto the back porch. And as he exited the house, a melodic voice purred, "Well hello there, Lucius!"
A/n: Here ya go, another chapter. And poor, poor Lucius is still so far out of his element. Will Andromeda and Ted accept his dinner invitation? How will Narcissa react about that when she finds out? Even I'M not certain yet! But thank you all for reading, and I hope you enjoyed.