Theo nodded. "If you ever need a friend to talk to," he said, because regardless of what some people thought, he was not a man devoid of humanity and compassion. He just didn't have those feelings for people below his standard - which was most people. Not that he could not pretend to, when it was needed.
He smiled at the mention, remembering the all too many fights he and Stephen had had about the matter. It was the first time they'd truly disagreed on anything. "So eager to replace your mother-in-law," he said teasingly. "I think she'd say she has more than twenty years in her still." He was pretty sure Mrs Malfoy thought she was impervious to age, but that was something he didn't say aloud.
"Research is what Stephen is most pleased with doing, and isn't that what we want for our children? And we get to benefit of the research that will one day make him famous, all the better for us."
"Don't be too surprised, Astoria. I'm sure Cassius tried his best, but from what Charlotte tells me his boy has always been inseparable from Potter." He smiled. "I have to say you were most generous in opening your home, and they should be grateful for the offer."