Chapter 25
"Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves poison the fountain.”
John Locke
With the grand dining hall to her liking, Narcissa looked over the large table. She missed the days when she and Lucius sat at either end, twelve feet apart. Instead, the table was set for six, with Draco at the helm. Where she had sat across from his fiancée the night before, her husband would take that place. She only hoped he'd be in better spirits than he'd been.
At least she'd have Theo on her other side, having placed Zabini beside her soon-to-be daughter-in-law and across from herself. Draco would have the helm to rub it in his father's face with his partner at his side as it should be. At least Lucius would be contained, boxed in. Even if the space between each place setting wouldn't even allow neighboring elbows to brush, it was far more intimate than most dinners her family had had.
A flute of bubbly wine in hand, she directed the staff. After years of Druella Black, Narcissa avoided elves. She'd always preferred a human touch, even if it meant employing muggles. And then the Dark Lord had invaded the Manor.
A maid walked in with a large bouquet of blush peonies (romance) and blue hydrangeas (regret). "She's not here. Bring them with the wine before dinner," she ordered, sending the black-haired woman back. At least then, there would be a reason to strategically place them to obscure her husband and future daughter-in-law's vision of one another. "And bring the bottle of prosecco," she called on the girl's heels. This was going to be a long night she could feel it in her bones.
Hermione had made sure she had freshened herself up, making sure her hair was still well maintained and the necklace around her neck. She spent a little bit more time staring at herself in the mirror as she tried to get herself composed. She had avoided the windows but had seen several Death Eaters go back towards the garden, and she didn't want to know what they were doing. It had her want to claim illness and stay in the room, but she had to get used to it. Now. Quickly.
Her cheeks were more full than they'd been since the second year of the war. Her hips were a little wider, her breasts fuller. She was still in shape and planned on keeping herself that way, but she wasn't malnourished. After being here a few weeks, she could see a healthier glow in her hair, her eyes, her nails, and her skin. The benefits were obvious. And yet she let one of her good friends venture back out into the world that they had all torn apart.
No one was innocent. If she killed for one side or the other, did it really matter? She didn't know anymore. And it was that that she clung to as she rolled back her shoulders and straightened her blouse. Emerald green and black this evening. Her brown hair helped make the look a little more warm. But still formal. She picked up a small hair comb and pinned her hair back from her face on the right side.
Leaving Draco's wing to go down to the dining hall, she still got a few looks from other Death Eaters that were milling about, but most stayed far away from her as she made her way into the dining hall, noting once again that she had beat the men that were meant to be there tonight. What would likely become a rather apparent pattern? "Good evening, Mrs. Malfoy."
Narcissa’s gaze moved to the new arrival, assessing her with a three-quarter stare she punctuated with a stiff nod. Despite her timeless elegance, there was a pale gauntness to her.
“Ms Granger,” she greeted, offering a softer look, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. At least her husband would be in high spirits if her sources were to be believed.
When the maid returned with a bottle on ice with a stand, Narcissa breathed.
“Prosecco?” She offered the brunette.
The way that Narcissa assessed her almost made her want to fidget, but she kept her head held high as she strode further into the room to look over the table, trying to relax.
"Yes, thank you." She responded easily enough. If what she thought happened actually happened, then she was going to need the drink.
With a graceful pluck and swish of her wand, the Malfoy matriarch had the bottle and Hermione’s flute in the air for a careful pour. As the bottle made its way back into the silver bucket, the glass gently hovered before the brunette.
“Daisy, make sure the bar’s fully stocked,” she called to the maid, having a feeling bubbles wouldn’t sate the rest of the table. “Be a dear and make sure the Old Ogden never runs dry.”
Plucking the flute from the air, she offered a polite smile and took a sip. It would help to a point. After years with the insurgency, she was used to harder stuff, but she was going to have to appear like a proper lady, wasn't she? Later, she could have whiskey.
"Will your husband be joining us this evening?" She asked with that same polite smile, keeping her poise. She wasn't sure if Lucius would even want to be around her. Part of her hoped he decided to stay away.
“Yes, and in high spirits,” she forced a smile. The only warning she would afford her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. The only one she could afford to offer. Taking him away from all of this had been a blessing. Now, she only hoped he wouldn’t linger in England. Surely, Draco wouldn't allow it.
"I'm glad to hear he's recovered from his traveling then," she offered after what Narcissa had said the previous evening about returning to England. She knew that Narcissa didn't want to be here, and honestly, there was a small part of her that wished she had fled. A selfish part of her.
Daisy was quick, efficient, and moved like a shadow. One moment, she was restocking the bar cart, the next, she returned with the large bouquet to present to Hermione.
“Mr Malfoy requested I present you with these.”
The large bouquet caught her completely off guard. Her eyes widened, and she put the flute down on the table, needing both hands to hold such a large bouquet.
"Oh! Thank you," she said simply and stared at the flowers. They were lovely and so vibrant. She brought them up and breathed in the scent with a sigh. When had she taken a moment to just enjoy flowers? Back in school? "They're so lovely."
“You should set them on the table,” Narcissa encouraged. “He’ll be happy to know his gift has pleased you.” Even by wizarding standards it was excessive, and yet expected from her son. It was obvious he was putting effort into this, though to what end she couldn’t say.
Hermione did as suggested, setting them down on the table so that she could look at them during dinner. And it did a good job of actually putting a barrier between herself and whoever was to sit across from her. "I can honestly say they are the nicest flowers I have ever received." And probably the largest. It was a lot.
Narcissa had no trouble believing that, but she didn’t have a snide remark in her. “Draco does have a way,” she agreed gently. At least she raised him right in some aspects.
"He certainly does," she agreed easily as she picked back up her drink and took a sip, her gaze on the flowers. Was this just part of the role he had to play, or was he getting at something?
Pleasantries were short-lived when boisterous mirth came from the hall. Too soon, the doors opened; Lucius was obviously pleased as he walked with his son into the room, Nott and an injured Zabini following behind.
Draco left his father’s side, freeing a velvet box from his inner cloak and presenting it to his lover. “Our rings are being worked on, but I had this commissioned in the meantime.” His voice was like velvet against her ear, only loud enough for her to hear. Inside, she would find a charmed metallic snake that would wrap itself on her wrist. It would also bite anyone who tried to harm her, but she didn’t need to know that.
“Father,” he called to Lucius. “I’ve yet to formally introduce you to my fiancée, Hermione,” he settled a hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward his parents.
The delight that she heard had her almost raising a brow, though as Draco approached her, she almost shivered at his voice right in her ear as she took the velvet box and let herself smile a little bit more. "Simply showering me with gifts today," she murmured, pressing a kiss to his jaw politely in thanks.
As she did that and shifted her hand, the snake moved to wrap around her wrist slowly, settling there easily. Bound up in snakes, shadows, and the Malfoy crest. Fitting. Still, she stepped forward with that hand on the small of her back with a polite smile. "Mr. Malfoy."
Lucius was speaking with Theo for a moment, letting Zabini lick his wounds, so to speak, rather than point out his failures. He looked up as his son called him, that smile a bit brighter before he saw the brunette at his son's arm. His expression cooled a little bit as he moved to his wife, drawing the woman a little closer.
"Ah. Yes. Ms. Granger...I see you've been...recovering well enough," He offered as a kind of compliment.
Hermione gave a good-natured chuckle, though the mirth didn't reach her chocolate hues. "I have your son to thank for that. He knows how to take care of lady," she said simply, deflecting that to her fiancé before taking a sip of her drink.
Zabini carefully shifted his weight to avoid wincing, offering a polite enough smile to Narcissa. "Mrs. Malfoy. Thank you for inviting us to dinner."
Narcissa gave Blaise a warm look. “Of course, it’s been far too long since I’ve seen you boys,” she ignored his wounds. They would heal, even if she had to take matters into her own hands.
Blaise smiled a bit more warmly at Mrs. Malfoy. "It has been a while. Hopefully, we won't have as long between seeing each other again," he said smoothly, ever the proper gentleman as his mother intended.
Draco eyed his father carefully. “I see Mother’s brought out the old Ogden. Why don’t you pour the first round,” he smiled easily. To most, it would seem innocent, but if his father thought he was going to come into his home and poke at his soon-to-be wife, he’d remind him who serves who.
The former Malfoy patriarch glanced over at Draco, his jaw tensing slightly before he offered a smile. "Of course," he said simply with a swish of his own wand, pouring the whiskey for the four men. "Always could use a nice drink after a hunt. And nearly everyone got their intended prey," he drawled, glancing over at Blaise for a moment before plucking his own glass out of the air as the others went to Theo, Blaise, and Draco.
"Sounds like a rather successful evening then," Hermione said offhand, trying to carefully redirect the conversation. Hunt. That's why Luna told her not to go outside. It made her feel ill but she took a sip of her drink without it showing on her face as she glanced back up at Draco. "Would you mind taking the box back for now, darling? I'll need to keep track of it until I get a jewelry box for your gifts."
She was going to have jewelry that could be changed out often. She could feel it in her bones. Was he trying to prove a point?
Draco caught his glass and took a sip, the look toward his father almost predatory. Only while shifting to his partner did his features soften slightly. “Of course, dear,” he accepted the box and slipped it back into his pocket.
Blaise tried to ignore the jab, glad most had remained quiet on the matter, with Draco being sidetracked by his lover.
Theo drank deep. “I doubt the ladies want to hear about hunting,” he said gently. “There’s always after dinner,” he offered the elder Malfoy a smile. “I brought cigars from my time in South America.” He could take the brunt off of his friends.
"I'm not so sure, Theo. Ms. Granger is familiar with hunting things down. Perhaps she'd appreciate the sportsmanship of it all," he drawled and glanced over at Hermione and Draco with a bit of a challenge to his gaze. "Besides. With hunting happening so close by, in her future backyard, she should hear about it. She'll hear it enough."
Blaise tried not to grimace as he sipped only to down the first glass, glancing over at Hermione. He poured himself more immediately and cleared his throat. "We should at least take a seat. I think we've made the ladies wait long enough for dinner. Especially with how much care Mrs. Malfoy put into it," he offered, trying to get them some sort of space.
Prickles went down her spine at that. How often did the hunts happen? She wanted her wand, seeing all of the magic being used around her. She finished off the content of her glass and envied the boys for having their whiskey without saying a word for a moment, mulling it all over. "Hearing the hunt is enough, I assure you. I have never cared for play-by-plays, even in Quidditch." Partial lie, but she didn't need to hear about whoever it was that got hunted in the garden. "But dinner? That would be lovely."
Narcissa sat beside her husband quietly. She'd tuned out of their discussions a while ago, needing to keep herself under control. She wasn't going to stoke the fire her husband was already igniting in her son.
"You're too kind," she told Theodore with a motherly look. "I knew I sat you next to me for a reason," she smiled. Lucius would fight a war on two fronts if he continued.
"Yes, I do forget your generation was more foolhardy and undisciplined," Draco drawled over the rim of his drink. "Sit," he invited his guests, motioning towards the table. He hadn't factored the flowers at the table, but he didn't mind them, especially the interference they offered the seats beside him.
His hand reached for Hermione's on his way to the table. "My father is right. You are quite capable. Perhaps you'll join me one quarter," he kissed her knuckles.
Blaise tried not to grimace as he and Theo went to take their seats. He noticed he was on Hermione's other side, which was kind enough, he supposed. They did speak more than she had spoken with Theo, which would likely change with time. "And how did you become Mrs. Malfoy's favorite, Theo?" He joked with his friend with a smile, trying to talk to them a bit more.
Hermione almost snorted at that, though as Draco took her hand, she glanced up at him and blinked at that suggestion. "Perhaps. We'll see," she offered with a bit of a smile before she took her seat at the table off to the side. Now, she was quite glad that Lucius's seat was across from her and obscured with the flowers. Perfect.
His jaw clenched slightly as he looked at his son and eyed the girl. What his son saw in this woman he'd never understand. And the fact that he was diluting their bloodline with her? Even more unforgivable. He was trying to riddle out why the Dark Lord had sanctioned it. Instead, he took his wife's hand and led her to her seat, drawing it out and tucking her in before he took his own.
The answer was one he paid attention to. He had thought her bloodthirsty with what she got up to before his son took her in.
Narcissa easily tucked against her husband and smiled as she took a seat. The three glasses of prosecco she'd had, helped keep her calm and coy. She eyed Blaise. "He doesn't get blood on me," she quipped. She might sneak him potions later, but she knew Draco wouldn't tolerate weakness.
Draco held back a laugh. He eventually had to let go of her hand, but he stretched out to her. Where he had once made her feel like his hand was at her throat, he kept that similar feeling on her thigh. At least the night was providing entertainment.
Theo gave Blaise a wry smile. "What can I say? I know not how to disappoint a lady," he taunted, polishing off his whiskey, realizing that sounded completely inappropriate. "I mean, I know my place," he corrected; he was absolutely losing it. "Wild fucking day... Sorry Mrs Malfoy."
"First a misplaced comment, then foul language. Perhaps I need to scourgify your tongue." She warned like he was a teenager in her home and not a mercenary that had spent the afternoon killing.
Theo seemed to stiffen. It wouldn't be the first time, and though she had more cruelty in her arsenal, there was nothing quite like humiliation.
A sigh left the dark wizard's lips, and he smiled at the lady of the family. "Well, I suppose I'll have to wait for another visit to avoid getting blood on you. My apologies, of course. Didn't mean to come to dinner injured."
It was tempting to cross one leg over the other to move his hand, but she let it stay. Might as well. It wasn't like he hadn't touched her elsewhere. And as much as she hated to admit it, that touch actually helped ground her. At least until Theo made that comment.
All eyes were now on Theo even as Hermione poured herself another glass. She needed the alcohol. Especially as she could see, barely, through the flowers the way that Lucius was looking at Nott.
Lucius looked over at Theo, his eyes narrowed slowly at the young man. "If she doesn't, I'd be so inclined," he drawled with that underlying promise of violence as he brushed his wife's hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear before he poured himself another glass of Old Ogden.
"Since there's so much indecision," he pulled away from Hermione, the chair screeching back as he threw Theo across the room, pinning him to a wall.
"Am I a liar?" he demanded of Theodore, closing the gap between where he held him away.
Theo struggled against invisible hands. "N-no, sir," he struggled with the words.
"And have I not given you means to expend all that excess energy to avoid the buffoonery of the former inner circle?" he demanded, slamming him into the floor. He had just taken a jab at his father over the matter, and here Nott was, losing control.
"Y-yes," he nodded, but then he was screaming, twisting and writhing.
When he finally stopped, he paused, kneeling down and lifting Nott by his hair so their gazes met. His voice wasn't loud enough to carry to the table. "You can sit near Blaise, and I dare you to use that smart tongue again. I'll stab it to my table until you slice it in half on my blade to get back to your quarters."
Letting go, he made his way to his mother. "I'm afraid Theo needs to go freshen up. Might be best to sit him near Blaise," he squeezed her shoulder gently.
Narcissa hadn't moved, merely sipped her bubbly wine as if she weren't hurting all the way down to her ovaries at the sound. She knew he had to, even if only for the man at her side to be appeased. "Of course," she nodded gently towards her son, waving a hand at the table, setting for it to shift to the other side.
When Draco returned to his seat, the lightness he had achieved to fake was gone as an appetizer appeared before them all.
Bracing herself was difficult, but she managed to as she took a sip of her prosecco. She didn't look over at Theodore as she felt her skin crawl. This was what she had agreed to be around. The only upside was this level of torture didn't usually happen back when she was with her people. Her former people.
Blaise knew better than to even touch Hermione, but he gave her a brief look of understanding. He refilled her glass rather than let it go empty and poured more whiskey into his own glass.
While the other two had been not all that interested in watching or listening to the screams or the pain that happened. Lucius watched with a bit of satisfaction, glad that the lessons his son had learned had at least sunken in. It wasn't love that had him getting the brunette across the table, as he had feared, but perhaps the idea of having a trophy? Then perhaps he would have other heirs that wouldn't be the dilution of their own blood.
He raised his glass to his son momentarily before taking a sip and then turned his attention to his wife as the appetizer came out. "Are you responsible for the menu, dear?"
Hermione crossed one leg over the other, drinking a bit more, not reaching for her food at the moment. She had to get her bearings.
Narcissa forced a smile, watching her husband with all the warmth she could muster. "Of course, inspired by our time in Italy," she added sweetly. She knew he wasn't fond of it, and honestly, she gained pleasure knowing he would be aggravated beneath the surface. "Tomorrow's menu will be far more decadent," she grinned.
Draco settled his hand back on her thigh, needing that proximity. He knew his father would misread, and he didn't care.
"Of course. How delightful," he answered with a smile to his wife, watching as Theo left the room before he turned his attention to Blaise with a bit more of a smile. "I do assume that you and Theodore are going to be at the festivities?"
Blaise nodded his head with a polite smile before he took a bite of his food. "We wouldn't miss it. Not everyday that someone manages to get Draco's attention."
And attention was put back on her. It had her chuckle slightly as she gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. "Must be my wit." She offered with a small note of amusement before glancing over at Draco, putting her hand over his on her thigh for a brief moment before she finally took a bite of her food.
Lucius cut his eyes over to Draco, seeming to mull that over. "Yes, son. Not every day that happens. Are you going to make us wait tomorrow to hear your...tale of courtship?"
Draco's thumb smoothed up and down against her thigh. The way he eyed the table made it seem like he could see through it before meeting his parents' gaze.
"For years, we've been at each other's throats, constantly trying to tear the other down," he said honestly. "And then, she tried to seduce me," he chuckled. "Eventually, our chase took on a different flavor, and I just knew she had to be mine," he explained. "Inevitably, she understood and began leaving me the most wonderful presents and tidbits of information until eventually I had to extract her." He slicked his lips, looking at her. "Our fate was signed a long time ago," he lifted her hand, flashing her ring. "We always knew we'd face death," he brought the flesh to his lips. "It just took a moment to realize it was better done together," he concluded.
Narcissa quietly took it all in. It was so good it almost looked rehearsed, but there was nothing scripted. She reached for her husband's hand.
Blaise whistled softly, not mockingly, but making himself seem genuinely impressed. He knew it wasn't the truth, and yet it seemed like it, and he gave her some power in the telling of the story. Incredibly well done. Her side wouldn't trust her again. "Didn't know you had it in you, Granger."
The words echoed in her head, but she left her gaze on her husband-to-be as he lifted her hand with the ring and then kissed her knuckles. She was able to soften her gaze with a smile, even as she chuckled at what Zabini said good-naturedly. "Back when I was a school girl, I didn't. Surprising what seven years can do to a person. Who it can drive together." She drawled and lightly squeezed Draco's hand.
Lucius noticed that Nott came back to the room and took a seat next to Zabini before he took his wife's hand. "How...touching. and how will things work for your nuptials? Hardly can expect her old friends to attend. No, his side and her side to worry about, I suppose," he chuckled, getting a quick glimpse of the brunette. If he had said it a different way, he would likely be at further odds with his son. But it was an important question.
The question had a flicker of pain in her eyes for a moment before she covered it. But her hand had squeezed Draco's a little harder. Never to see her parents again. No chance now. Never to see Harry again. It had that heaviness back on her chest even as she managed to shake her head. "We're handling it."
“There’s only our side now,” but the words weren’t for his father. He spoke them directly to Hermione. She was in deep, and he would do everything in his power to keep her safe. “Perhaps Zabini’s mother and Nott’s father can stand in for your family,” he offered. He might have harmed his friends, but he still cared for them. “They’ll, of course, be otherwise occupied at my side. If they can manage to look presentable,” he added.
Theo nodded. “I can talk to my father,” he offered the brunette. He might not have been the warmest man, but he could walk a straight line without causing issues.
Blaise looked to Theo and then back to the brunette with a small smile. "I'll talk to my mother. She always liked the idea of a daughter. Sure, she'll like getting to play the part for a while," he chuckled but seemed genuine enough. The fact he and Theo would be with Draco didn't surprise him, though it did reassure him.
Narcissa looked over the brunette. “We are gaining a daughter,” she gave her husband an opportunity to chime in. “And as such, any assistance you require for the ceremony or anything relating to your new role…”
“Mother, with all due respect, we have staff to delegate the day-to-day to. It’d be a waste of her talents to confine my Morrigan to setting up three-course meals and ordering house-elves around,” he eyed her from around the flowers.
Hermione kept his gaze, but she wasn't sure she believed it. She left her hand in his for the moment. She wished she could simply believe it, but she overthought everything far too well to believe that simply because she agreed this would be easy. That this would make things better. But it wouldn't. Just a new role, a new side. With comforts to at least ease it all.
"Thank you," she said politely before she slowly pulled her hand from Draco's and took another sip of her drink. Hearing her title from Draco's lips actually had her smile a little bit more naturally. She had more things to do than just be the lady of the house.
The former patriarch of the family glanced at his wife and then glanced back at his son. "And what are you going to have your witch do if not run the manor, Draco?"
“As I see fit,” he looked at his father. “My witch has a way with runes and knives. I might just give her a chance to use them in the dungeons,” he drawled.
Narcissa was the one who barely touched her plate this time. It had Draco take a few bites. “Are you feeling unwell, mother?” He taunted.
“No, Draco darling,” she pushed food around and took a bite. “Just seeing how you both seem to share more in common with your aunt and uncle,” she praised gently. “Never did have Bella’s strength myself.”
Hermione took a bite of her food as well and settled into her seat, taking a bit of satisfaction in how Lucius looked at that comment. He wanted to try and say something, she could tell, but he wasn't about to cross too many lines with his son.
And then Narcissa mentioned Bellatrix and how she was like her. Instead of dropping her fork, her hand tightened on it while her shoulders tensed. Her other arm moved to press her forearm to her stomach.
The movements were something that Lucius noticed, and he gave a nod of his head. "Of course, Draco. It seems she'll be a rather skilled tool for you and the Dark Lord to use," he praised, paying more attention to how the brunette reacted.
Calmly, she finished the food on her plate and poured herself more prosecco. She could feel Blaise looking at her and didn't dare look at him. Not wanting to see what pity might be there.
Draco laughed. “Not that you’ll ever know how much,” he taunted the man. “Still tinkering on those toys back in Italy?” He demanded, reminding his father of his all but stated retirement. “Hopefully not so much as to neglect Mother. She seemed so lonely at dinner yesterday.”
Theodore focused on finishing his plate and downing his entire glass of wine to stop himself from being anything but a bystander.
His mother cleared her throat. “I have everything I need,” she tried to smooth over.
As appetizers were cleared and the next course was brought out, Hermione realized that she likely wasn't going to make it to dessert at this rate. Not if this kept up. Lucius was going to keep snipping at her and the way he had continued that line of conversation, she was sure he realized just how much the memory of Bellatrix haunted her. It all happened in this damned house and had made her determined to destroy this family. Now, she was going to be marrying into it.
Lucius gave a shrug of his shoulders. "I'm sure if it's anything of note, I'll hear of it. We do still get the Prophet. I am still tinkering but I do make sure to give your mother the attention she deserves and desires. She often likes making sure the vineyard is run to her standard," he offered with a shrug before taking a bit of his food, glancing back at his wife, clearly desiring her support.
He should have known this was going to be posturing. Dragging things out and trying to test how Hermione was settling. Another olive branch needed to be extended while the Malfoy's spoke. He lightly elbowed Theo and gave his attention to Hermione. "Have the pair of you picked colors? I'm sure Astoria, Pansy, and Daphne will start hounding us all for details tomorrow."
Colors? The wedding. Right. That was normal. "Not as of yet. We wanted to focus on the engagement party and our vows first," she said offhand and took another sip. Perhaps writing off Blaise had been done too hastily.
Draco practically ignored his father and his delusions. “The ring will be ready tomorrow, if all goes well, ready to take all…what was the final count fifteen?” He asked her.
Narcissa blinked. “That many?” She was fairly impressed at the thoroughness. “Any you’d like to share?” She asked. As much as she cared about her husband, weddings had always been her favorite.
“Most of the traditional ones, making sure we can’t kill each other,” he licked his lips as he eyed her. The only thing keeping him calm was the plans they’d made for that evening.
Not a dinner went by in Malfoy Manor that Theo didn’t remember seeing devolve into chaos. This dynamic, on the other hand, was different. “You know, Mrs Malfoy, setting up an afternoon tea with the girls before you leave might be beneficial.” Mostly, it meant they wouldn’t be hounded while keeping his friend’s mother busy in a constructive way.
“I suppose if Ms Granger is alright with it, I could introduce her to the other young women of society,” she offered.
Hermione had to mentally count those vows for a moment. "Yes. Fifteen is the final count. I'm glad you could be accommodating on being thorough," she offered, ignoring Lucius just as much as everyone else. But as Draco shared that they were traditional, she gave a nod of her head. "Nothing out of the ordinary."
Which was a bald-faced lie, and she could see how Draco licked his lips as he eyed her. She would have to turn her brain off later. To not think about today, or she might be too unsteady to do what she agreed to this evening. And she wanted the distraction. Anytime she was in bed with him, he drove her out of her own head for a little while. Better than being drunk.
Looking over at Theodore, there was a slight spark of annoyance. Of course, he would offer that, and she saw the slight note of amusement at that annoyance from Blaise. Damn them both. She'd get them for that.
"That would be lovely, Mrs. Malfoy. I should get to know them a bit better. Draco had mentioned having a few of them be bridesmaids," she said casually.
Lucius seethed as the conversation turned to the nuptials in question but took another bite of his food and drank more of the whiskey. At least he wouldn't have to be there when Granger was introduced to witches of quality. Why couldn't Draco have chosen one of them instead?
His father's pregnant silence was only lightening Draco's mood. He'd talk flowers if it meant the man would storm off. Small victories in a lifetime of strife. It gave him time to brace for the next wave of vitriol.
"I'm certain you'll find bridesmaids in no time," she promised. "I'll make sure the company and time is spent pleasantly," she tried to sound reassuring. At least Lucius wouldn't be there, and Draco did allow her enough freedom around the house not to feel like it was under siege.
Theodore had felt that glare. He just hoped there'd be delicious bite-sized treats to enjoy. Most of the girls barely ate, which meant they got a nice spread afterward. Especially desserts. Not that he could complain about the food or his situation.
Trading whiskey for wine, Draco focused on his plate, taking a few bites. The twisting in his stomach reminded him he'd skipped every meal of the day. Before he knew it, his plate was empty, and the heady feeling he'd been getting was slowly escaping his grasp.
"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy. Your help in the matter is appreciated." She smiled a little more and then took another bite of food. There were at least two more courses and dessert. And she needed a lot more wine.
Something that she did indulge herself in as she tried to ignore Lucius's existence.
Things were quieting down, though. Blaise and Theo both exchanged pleasantries with Mrs. Malfoy while being more polite than earlier. The silence as the final course was brought out was quickly broken. They all should have known that, given the time to think and scheme and stew was going to pull more from Lucius Malfoy.
"Traditional vows, yes?" The man asked before taking a long drink of his whiskey. "Including the fidelity vows? Your mother does so want grandchildren and we do know our line has to continue. Such a pity that Ms. Granger doesn't have a better pedigree behind her."
Draco had wondered just what his father was plotting. There was no fun in plucking it from his mind, so he merely gathered himself. And then that question. Before he could strike, his father only sank further.
"Mother should rest assured," he reclined, reaching for her hand, needing it to keep himself from cursing his father where he sat. "My betrothed was the one to insist we add heirs to the vows. I couldn't deny her my unwavering attention in exchange," he kissed her hand.
Theo couldn't take another bite, not with how volatile the moment had become.
Narcissa pressed a hand to her husband's arm in warning. "Not many wizards would be so generous," she smiled, and though it might have held venom once upon a time, she couldn't contain her mirth. "Though I'm glad to know to expect grandchildren to dote on."
Hermione let her hand stay in Draco's, lightly squeezing it. Her stomach felt sick. The urge to hex the former patriarch was there but here they were. Without her wand and having to actually play nice with a man she would always hate. Lovely. Looking over at Draco, she smiled and made her expression soften a bit more. "I do believe there is very little you would deny me, darling."
That touch to his arm had him glancing at Narcissa as he tried not to seethe. "We did raise a very generous young man," he agreed with a slight grind of his teeth as he glanced back at his son. They had the acting down. But he knew better than not to want to poke and press until the lioness showed her true colors. "It seems Ms. Granger has found some sense in being around you, son."
Backhanded compliments were what she had expected. She finished her glass of prosecco and poured another. She'd lost count of how many she had. The food was balancing it, though. Buzzed and not drunk. When she would much rather be completely smashed. "Those without sense rarely keep the attention of others for long," she drawled and then pointedly turned her attention from Lucius and back to Draco.
They needed to get out of here. In some way, it was good that this was happening now rather than at the engagement party, but Blaise didn't want to be here if it got worse.
Narcissa was now the one sipping at those bubbles, refusing to switch to red. She needed that heady feeling that hit quickly and true. "Our son does have that Malfoy charm," she kept the focus off the brunette.
"I don't know Mrs Malfoy. He definitely seems to lean more Black," Nott taunted.
Draco eyed Theodore in warning before returning his gaze to the woman at his side. He had half a mind to claim he'd have dessert in his quarters. Certain that that would make his father's head explode. "Sense and wit are in such shortage these days..."
"Such a shame. Such are the times we live in," she answered her partner before glancing over at Theo with a bit of a look. Not that she didn't agree at the moment. The ferocity with which he had taken care of things earlier with Theo and in the study was enough to make her doubt she could handle this. But what other choice did she actually have?
Lucius glanced at Theodore and actually chuckled, his plate clear now as he waited for dessert. "He certainly has an even mix of Malfoy and Black traits," he stated cooly before lightly brushing his wife's hand a moment before sipping his whisky. How she was okay with the brunette was beyond him. But he would be trying his best to make her slip up.
Draco nodded. Shameful times indeed. At his father's latest statement, he couldn't help but feel like he was being spoken of no different than some Abraxan horse at an auction. He wouldn't have it. "Yes, well, at least I plan not to place my cards in a single heir," he shot back. If his parents were so prideful and petty, so could he. Not a single man at the table had siblings. It was as if their parents had merely given up.
"Since you're in town, Father, I've been asked to attend the unveiling of Azkaban's latest expansion. I can bring you along. I'm certain your intimate knowledge of the prison would be invaluable in ensuring the best standards are maintained," he offered viciously. Just like the mark on their arms, there would never be removing that sequence at his neck. The one that had reversed their roles and had made him claw his way to the top.
Hermione had to try not to react at that. Not a single heir. It had her give a bit of a smile before she cleaned her plate and then finished another glass of the prosecco. If he felt like a horse at auction the moment before, she almost felt like a broodmare at that moment, and it made her want to go back to her own quarters. Despite the turmoil, she stayed the image of composure and was glad when the plates were cleared away and dessert was brought out.
Nearly choking on his own whiskey, Blaise cleared his throat a few times and gave a look to Nott. If one of them had an injury that could start bleeding again to get them out of this, it would have been a blessing at this point.
The grip that Lucius held on his glass tightened a little bit more. It would have been easy to counter that comment from his son. About how if he thought it would take multiple attempts to reach perfection, perhaps that was a reflection on his partner, but then Azkaban was mentioned, and he started to lose color. Only for him to redden a bit with anger. "That won't be necessary, son. I'm sure you are more than capable of handling that yourself," he sniffed a little indignantly.
Narcissa did her best not to let the sting of bubbles and alcohol add to the common discomfort, which her son didn't seem to want to ease.
"No?" he asked, swirling the garnet liquid in his glass. "And yet, you seem to be questioning everything else..." he stated cooly.
Theo shared that look with Blaise. Whatever the blowback was, it had him keep a hand ready to reach for a wand. He didn't want to intervene, but the ladies would need shielding if it escalated any further.
"No. I'm sure you're more than capable. Can't have your fiancée have to entertain your mother the whole time we're here. I'm sure she'd like some of that planning herself. If she's anything like she was in her school days," he waved off or tried to as politely as possible.
There was a part of Hermione that wanted to dig in the knife and force him to go by saying she'd be more than happy to keep Mrs. Malfoy company, but that had already made him quite uncomfortable once before. "A witch with an attention to detail? Of course, I am," she said simply and took one bite of her dessert.
Blaise kept a hand close to his wand as he took another careful bite of his food. At least Hermione seemed to be able to bite back without direct insults.
"And yet I have it on good authority that Nott's been entertaining mother." The words were cool, emotionless. "Ssssaytha ssss aayaa ssssseettth ssss," the hissing was low, smooth, practiced, the bracelet on his fiancée's wrist slithering from her wrist and darting across the table. "My Parseltongue is rusty, so you'll have to forgive me if that's more of a squeeze than a seize," he taunted, watching the emerald eye silver lengthen as it settled gently around his father's neck. Unlike Potter he hadn't just woken to the knowledge. A mixture of being forced into his mind and having been taught.
Narcissa stiffened. "Draco," his name between a plea and a gentle nudge. "Your friends have been good hosts..."
"Of course they have. They know their place, mother," he snapped. "But father here, he still tries to claw his way back to a place that stopped existing for him a long time ago. Given the upcoming events, I'd hate for him to think he had an opportunity to think otherwise." Though the words were spoken to his mother, he kept his gaze on his father.
The parseltongue had the hairs on the back of her neck raise as the bracelet slithered off of her wrist. She nearly dropped her fork. Sitting back in her chair, her fingers brushed the wrist the bracelet had just been. Perhaps letting the thing wrap around her wrist earlier hadn't been the best idea. Hermione felt a bit of that color drain from her face.
Lucius hissed, his eyes going wide but he didn't make the foolish move of trying to reach up to pry the metal off of his neck. Colour drained from his face further as he looked up at his son, his expression going cooly blank even as rage and humiliation raged through her. "Your mother has missed your friends. Her surrogate sons," he spoke just loud enough to be heard. "D-didn't want to interrupt the reunion."
It was a carefully constructed lie, and all of them knew it. At least, the not wanting to interrupt bit. Lucius Malfoy had never minded interrupting others before. Least of all those that he had once considered inferior due to their youth.
Taking in a slow breath, Hermione reached over, her fingers brushing Draco's arm gently. She didn't try to get him to stop, knowing much better than that at the moment, but her voice was cool. "I'm sure he realizes now. Just had to test his limits," she drawled and glanced over at Lucius with a much colder expression, almost as if the look itself was a warning from the witch, even as she felt like her skin was crawling.
Draco considered it. Only one other person had known of his ability, but with his father so openly unruly, he had to make a statement without raising a wand. "Hasseey ssss ssseya esseytha hasseey seyythaa," he hissed. It was less broken than Potter's attempts but not as natural as his mentor's.
"In case you decide to take it out on my betrothed, it is charmed to bite anyone with intent to harm her," he warned. "I've, of course, laced its fangs with a poison of my own invention," he added with a drawl. "I suggest you keep to your own duties as a doting husband until you're needed," he concluded dryly.
His hand held hers on his arm. "Would you like to retire?" he asked his partner. "I've had enough social interaction for the day," he didn't bother with decorum. Mostly because he didn't have to.
Narcissa loosed a breath. "You two retire. The boys will help clean up," she encouraged. She had seen them as surrogates and always would. Now, she had an opportunity to meddle to help ease their pains before she'd have to lick her husband's wounds.
The bracelet leaving his throat had him shudder, one hand going up to rub along his throat as he didn't say another word. He draped one arm around the back of his wife's chair and simply gave a nod of his head. His boy had learned far too well from their Lord. It was startling and more than a little chilling. He would have been impressed if it hadn't been used on him or to protect the mudblood.
"Yes, I would. We need to be well rested for the festivities tomorrow evening." She said simply, lightly squeezing his arm and ignoring the others. She could barely keep this mask up as it was. All she wanted now was to be away from everyone she had to pretend around. Her entire life was about to be a performance. She needed a break.
"We'll handle cleanup. Not a problem," Blaise agreed swiftly and a nod. At least this way, there couldn't be more outbursts this evening.
Draco didn’t wait to hear the rest, offering his arm to the brunette to apparate silently to his study. His mother could handle the mess.