Aeneas "snogged Atticus" Nott (naught) wrote in blurred_lines, @ 2009-02-04 16:04:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | ! [1980-02] february, aeneas nott, claudette nott (née delacour) |
Who: Aeneas and Claudette Nott
When: 4 February, 1980
Where: Parlour, Nott Manor
What: Aeneas and Claudette discuss the campaign.
Rating: PG
Status: Complete.
Gentle winter sunlight filtered into the parlour at Nott Manor where Claudette Nott slept. She'd come down to the parlour to meet Aeneas for lunch, so that they could talk about his plans to run for Minister of Magic and their bright future, and everything was set out perfectly. Admittedly, she was a little early, but Claudette preferred to be waiting when Aeneas came home than hurrying to fix things as he walked in the door. The food was all kept magically hot, the plates were all set perfectly, and Claudette had perched in her usual, plush chair to wait for Aeneas to return. It was the final month of her pregnancy, according to the Healers, and she could feel it throughout her body. Her son was just about ready to be born, and was heavier than ever before. Her ankles were swollen, her back ached, and she was tired all the time. Of course, she tried not to show how exhausted she was, but at times, it was hard to hide, and Claudette cherished the times when she was alone and could take a minute to rest. This was one of those times. She had not been waiting for Aeneas long, but decided to relax a bit as she waited, leaning her head back on the plush chair and closing her eyes. It barely took a moment before she was deeply asleep, one hand resting on her enormous belly. Aeneas was pleased the reception to his announcement to run for Minister had been so favourable already. He knew, of course, that he would have the purist vote and that it would not be an easy road to win the vote of the common masses, but he was confident: Bostwick was simple-minded and anyone who had been reading the papers for the last year would surely know that. He knew, of course, that things would work out for the Dark Lord whether or not he won, but he had the Dark Lord's blessing to run and things would be much more simple for them if they did not need to Imperius the Minister. It also, as he more than well aware, would be advantageous for his family, not only to be the Minister but to have a larger role in this new world order under Voldemort. Aeneas could scarcely believe that only a month ago he was still locked up in Azkaban and now he was not only a candidate to become the Minister for Magic but he would soon have another child - a son, if Claudette was correct. Apparating onto his front step and entering the house, he hung up his coat and made his way to the parlor to join his wife for lunch, shooing away the House Elf who was hoping for some sort of instruction. "Claudette," he said to her, touching her shoulder and shaking her gently awake. "I am home." Claudette's eyes fluttered open when Aeneas shook her shoulder, and offered him a sleepy smile. Her cheeks were slightly flushed with the embarrassment of having fallen asleep in the sitting room, and she painfully pushed herself into a more upright position. "Forgive me, my love...I must 'ave fallen asleep," she murmured, pushing a piece of hair out of her face and turning her smile upwards to her husband. "Our son...'e makes me very tired of late, which I think means 'e will be a very strong boy." Most pleasant news, the Death Eater thought. "Do not worry yourself," he said, moving to the table where their lunch was ready. "Unfortunately, I am on a bit of a tight schedule and so we must not waste any time." He placed his napkin on his lap, waiting for his wife to sit down. "I will say, however, that reactions seem to be positive so far regarding my announcement to run." "Of course zey are positive!" Such a thing seemed so obviously natural to Claudette; how could anyone with sense and dignity not be absolutely thrilled that her husband was running for Minister? Out of all of their associates, Aeneas was clearly the best choice. Her smile as she sat back down was warm and winning "You are ze best choice out zere...no one could think otherwise." "I know," he replied flatly. "But it is not the vote from sensible society that I am worried about, it is the halfbloods and fullbloods, those who are common." He frowned as he picked up a bite of meat with his fork. "I am sure you must be aware that I am not pleased that I shall have to spend money to appeal to their sensibilities, but unfortunately there are others in the world than just His servants." He frowned again, deeper, if that were possible, and continued, "The Dark Lord would triumph either way, but I would rather this opportunity not be wasted on that half-witted man who shall only be under an Imperius anyhow." Claudette looked up at her husband, her eyes wide with a bit of alarm. "You would not 'ave zat curse placed on you if you won, would you?" she asked, seeking reassurance. The answer, she supposed, was most likely no, but one never knew in this day and age. She vaguely wondered if her allegedly wrong desire to help at the battle, all those months ago, would reflect poorly on Aeneas and result in him being cursed, turned into a mindless and heartless puppet, a shell of her husband. Aeneas scoffed at this idea. "Of course not," he informed his wife. "I have the Dark Lord's blessing, and his assurance that I shall not be put under the Imperius." No, there would be no need for the curse. "It would be rather redundant if I was, my dear, for I am nearly certain it would be one of my rank to perform the curse, possibly even myself." He was not certain on this, as the Dark Lord may wish to perform it on Bartholomew Bostwick himself if the senseless oaf were to win, but were an Inner Circle Death Eater given the responsibility he knew he would be a candidate. Not all of the Inner Circle had quite the knack for a long-term Imperius - Rodolphus, for instance, did not have the same confidence in his ability as Aeneas had. Of course not. Claudette felt a bit silly for even wondering. "I am glad for zat," she answered with a smile, deciding to forget that even the idea of it had existed in her mind. "I much prefer you under your own control...and I am certain our son will as well." Her cheeks flushed pink at the mention of their son, and she instinctively returned her hand to her abdomen, smiling as she did so. This would be a happy year for the two of them, she knew, what with the birth of their third child and Aeneas' ascent to political power. "Anyway, I am certain zat ze bourgeoisie 'ave ze ability to see reason as well as zose with 'igher class," she added, returning to Aeneas' earlier worries. "It is just a question of choosing ze right words when you speak to zem." He nodded, knowing the truth in her words. He doubted many in their right mind would vote for Bostwick, the man unable to prevent so many tragedies in his own town. Not, of course, that Aeneas thought anyone could prevent those tragedies caused by the Death Eaters, but it certainly did not make the man look good. "The right words, yes, but," he paused, "also we must keep the right appearances." Claudette frowned over her tea, tilting her head to the side slightly. "Ze right appearances? 'ow do you mean?" she asked. Aeneas did not answer right away, as he had a bite of food in his mouth. He finished chewing, picked up his water glass and took a sip. The pause was unintentional - as he did his very best to keep himself away from women's affairs unless they could benefit him in some way, even those the Dark Lord ordered, Aeneas had no reason to believe what he was going to say would be at all upsetting to his wife. "I mean that I believe it is in our best interests for you, as the potential wife of the Minister for Magic, to take a larger and more visible role with Narcissa Malfoy's Foundation." His eyes remained on his plate as he prepared his next bite of food and continued talking. "I have been responsible for Lucius' success for many years now and though he is not in need of my mentorship the same as he once was, it is still in our best interest to support him and, by extension, his wife, which, along with its prominent place in the public eye, makes the Foundation ideal. I understand you may not be able to do much until our son is born, but even if I lose the election I expect this of you." At the mention of Narcissa and the Foundation, Claudette nearly dropped her teacup. Of all the things her husband could ask her to do, this was probably the most loathsome...why, even consorting with Muggles would be less frustrating, as it would be somewhat akin to spending a great deal of time with rather foul-smelling animals (somewhat comparable to horses that could talk and walk on two legs, or maybe donkeys). Still, she took a breath to compose herself before responding to her husband. "I do not know zat...what I mean is...Narcissa does not like me very much," she finally stated lamely. It sounded even more like a schoolgirl's complaint when she spoke the words outloud, but then, life with her like-minded peers could often be like life with a group of silly schoolgirls. Claudette dropped her gaze. Claudette may have been fortunate that she was not looking at her husband in that moment, as his gaze was anything but pleasant. The idea that petty womanly issues could hinder progress for both his family and the Cause was, admittedly, shocking to Aeneas. He took a moment to process that news and to collect his thoughts before he spoke again. "That excuse, Claudette, is not acceptable to the Dark Lord, nor is it acceptable to me." He took another bite of his meal in order to let his ire calm a bit and then continued. "You shall do as I say and act befitting of a Nott and of a potential Minister's Wife. If you have any conflicts with Mrs. Malfoy that will prevent you from this duty, you will inform me and I shall address this matter Lucius." It was absurd that Claudette would even see this as an issue, and for him to have to discuss it with Lucius would only sully the Nott's reputation. "I should hope it will not have to come to that." Of course he didn't understand. Claudette hadn't expected him to understand, but she didn't know how to explain herself better, even if she'd been able to explain in French. Chloris would understand, that much she knew, but it wasn't for her husband to understand, or even care about, the intricacies of the purist social circles. "Je suis sûr qu'il est parce que je suis français qu'elle ne m'aime pas," she murmured almost inaudibly before looking up at Aeneas again with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "If that is what you wish, then, it shall be done." Aeneas ignored her mutterings - he could barely hear them and he certainly could not understand them, not when her French was that quick and quiet. She was certainly in a Mood, being so disagreeable as she was, but he knew it was likely just a result of her pregnancy and not anything real. She would, in the end, obey him as she was obligated to do. As she always did. "It is," he replied simply, taking a last bite of his meal and chasing it down with water. "Now I must be going," he informed her, rising from his chair, "as I must meet with the designer to finalise the posters." That horrible request, and now he had to leave? The placid smile remained on Claudette's face, but disappointment showed in her eyes as she spoke. "I understand, and I am sure zat ze posters will turn out quite 'andsomely." She turned her face up, hoping for a kiss. "When shall I 'ave supper waiting for you tonight?" Aeneas frowned, thinking, and leaned in automatically for a quick kiss. "I shall be late tonight, I believe, but I should return before you retire for the evening." He nodded to her then left the room without another word, fetching his cloak and his hat, returning to the busy task ahead of him - election to the office of Minister. |