milliways_bar | (no subject)

And then, there is a rose before her, from a husband, who feels she needs it. Perhaps it is that he doesn't show his affection enough, or perhaps it was that wonderful candy bar, but, there is a rose.

"Hello, my darling."

She beams up at him.

"Lucius, dear. Is there an occasion I am forgetting?"

A shake of his head, tossing his long blond hair back over his shoulder. And then, absently, he does it again, seeming to enjoy the feel of it.

"I was simply walking out along the lake, when i saw this rose, admidst a rather distressing clump of weeds, and I could not help but think of you, and how your beauty always shown so much brighter then those around you."

"Flatterer." Narcissa's smile widens and she twirls the flower around in her fingers, mindful of any thorns. "Though still terribly thoughtful, thank you."

Draco stepped down into the bar, and noticed his parents together. They actually seemed happy together. How long has it been since that happened?

Was the Dark Lord dead in their world as well then?

He approached their table with a calm expression, posture perfect as usual, "Good evening father and mother."

A light kiss on her cheek, for, after all, such things are drilled into Malfoys, even as teenagers.

"I fear that in the presence of one so wonderful, my tongue can speak only the tru-"

And then his son pops up. Bummer.

"Ah, yes, Draco, evening, yes."

Narcissa laughs lightly and turns her smile to her son.

"Hello, darling. Will you join us?"

Draco really didn't want to know where that conversation was going. Like any child, he was happy that things were better for his parents...but for the love of Merlin, he really didn't want to know any details.

He nodded, and sat down. A brief wary, and curious eye to his father especially.

"Father, things are well? You were away for a while."

"Hmm, yes."

Something Draco has possibly never seen before, but his Father is being.. affectionate, to his mother. In fact, one hand is lightly playing with Narcissas hair, almost without being aware of it.

"It has not been overly long for me, a week, no more."

Did he just try to sneak a peak down his wifes shirt? Only he knows for sure.

Narcissa is certainly aware of her husband's hand in her hair and while not exactly usual behaviour for him, she is not adverse to a little affection. They are somewhat out of the way.

"Nothing too taxing, I hope." She pours a cup of tea and passes it over to Draco. "And what have you been occupying yourself with, darling?"

In any event, Draco really didn't want to know. He tried not to stare, and was silently grateful for the offered cuppa from his mum. Gave him something else to focus on instead.

"Oh, no troubles then?" He politely inquired.

He then said to his mum, "Just research and working with Tom and Master Salazar as usual."

"Don't go studying too hard now."

Prepare for jawdropping.

"All work and no play, well, it's just not right for a growing boy."

Well, that causes a mildly startled look.

"But not too much play, of course. You're an adult now and there's no need for unnecessary fooling around."

Oh yes, there was jawdropping. And odd glances going back and forth with his grey eyes.

"What?"

Confundus Charm maybe? Or a potion? It had to be that. His father never acted this strange normally.

Lucius shrugs almost without thinking. His free hand dips into hsi robe pocket, coming out with a bar of choclate, for him to chew on.

"Nonsense. You're only young once Draco, and, I insure you, adulthood comes far too soon. Enjoy this time that you have, before you are forced to assume such onerous responsibility of adultnessity."

Narcissa gives her husband a bewildered look.

"He is of age already, dear. It's time he accepted his responsibilities."

More staring and eyeing between them. Normally Lucius was more strict, and Narcissa slightly more lenient. Now they were reversed?

He hadn't sipped the tea yet, he seemed to be in shock.

Wizard brain goes 'bzuh-OMGWTFBBQ?!?"

Lucius sighs heavily.

"Does it matter, truly? The boy has had sucha hard expierience when he should have been enjoying life, he deserves some time to play."

Just like Lucius does.

"Of course it matters!" Narcissa sputters. "He had plenty of time to play when he was a boy."

Draco finally found his voice to admit quietly, "Not as much as I wanted to, though..."

His father was a bit mad, but no reason he couldn't take advantage. Right?

"And enjoying life includes seeing people I like, doesn't it?"

He smiles at Narcissa.

"But we were rather hard on him in those years..."

He glances back to his son.

"Ah, wanting to go on a date? Did you need some spending money then?"

Reaching into his robes. Anything that will get his son to bugger off so he can be romantic again.

Narcissa wasn't hard on him! She doted!

"We helped him build his strength of character, dear." She reminds her husband gently.

Then she turns to Draco. "As we discussed, that is acceptable, providing the girl is of proper breeding, yes?"

Draco's eyes lit up at his father. All right, maybe he was mad. But in a brilliant way! He kind of liked this.

"Yes, thank you. Going to a Halloween party with her."

He added, "She is of excellent breeding. You'll see."

"I was always as hard on him as my Father was on me. I suppose I just never remembered how much I hated it at the time. Really, I would have turned out much the same with less-"

Beatings.

"pressure. Now then, how much did you say Draco?"

Pause.

"What is this girls name, and when do we meet her?"

"Of course." She murmurs, patting Lucius' hand soothingly.

"The family name is Addams. We do not know them." A pointed look at Draco. "Yet."

Draco briefly thought for a moment, and rattled off a large sum of Galleons. Large for even a wealthy wizard.

"And you'll meet her soon enough. Meeting her family as well. Sure they're a proper one."

"Addams, hmm?"

Lucius shrugs.

"Sounds a good enough name. Strong wizarding ties on thier world?"

And then he laughs.

"Nice son, but no. Here, take this, to tide you over."

And he tosses Draco his pouch. His, full, pouch.

Narcissa frowns. But not at the money.

"There seem to be some ties, but I do not think they could exactly be considered purblood."

Draco neatly caught the pouch. Oooh, still a good haul anyway. Quickly stashed it away.

"I said they were a proper family. Wouldn't even considered if they weren't. Even Tom thought she'd be a proper Slytherin. I'll prove it. Good night."

And without another word, he bowed, and left quickly.

"I trust our son to find a proper girl. He does have his fathers eye for a rare prize. At least he's not with a weasly."

He shudders for a moment, and then a smile crosses his face.

"Have you been outside tonight? It is quite wonderful. I thought we might go for a walk down by the lake."

"I certainly hope so. I know he is aware how important it is he make the right choice, but he is still young..."

She sighs and smiles back. "I was out earlier, but I think I could do with another turn along the shore."

He offers her his hand. Now, it's going according to plan.

"At some point we must let him make his own choices, and his own failures. We cannot protect him forever."

"Of course we can." It's a mother's initial reaction. "To some degree."

She takes his hand, standing, rose still in her other hand. "But that need not be decided right now."

"No, fo course not. Tonight is about us."

And he leads her most gracefully out back, where two broomsticks are propped upon a rock.

"Oh, look at this. it seems someone left some broomsticks out. It would be a shame to elt them go to waste, yes?"

Romance, from the mind fo a sixteen year old.

Narcissa laughs again, almost a giggle this time.

"I have not been on a broom since I arrived here. I hope I'm not entirely out of practice."

"Nonsense, it's like riding a...broomstick."

Really lame.

"But, I am sure you shall be as beautiful as ever."