Draco "I'm not a drama queen!" Malfoy (brightson) wrote in reduxpitch, @ 2016-11-24 01:17:00 |
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Draco had known they would eventually need to meet each other's parents, particularly if they did keep on dating, but he had rather been hoping to put it off a little longer - even if that wasn't a terribly realistic or logical option. Not that he figured it would go terribly and horribly wrong, though it was still a possibility in the back of his mind, when Lottie had brought it up he had asked if they could visit his parents first because whether it went good or bad it was (of the two visits) the one he was concerned about. It couldn't be ignored that his parents and other certain members of his family held to certain ideals that were questionable to say the least. Even though his parents, or his father at least, no longer followed the Death Eater ways (as far as he knew) that prejudice they all subscribed to was still there. It didn't help that aside from that they did tend to be more than a little classist at times. Draco just hoped that his parents could be at least civil enough while they were here. He had waited for Lottie at his flat before side-apparating with her to the Manor. As they walked the path he had wanted to ask if they really had to do this before realising how petulant it would sound, and knowing that even if they did put it off that they'd only be visiting later again anyway. Draco opened the front doors rather than knock and wait, as it was still technically his home even if he had been spending more of his time at his London flat. Dobby, one of the family's house-elves, raced towards them before speaking almost hurriedly. "Master Draco, sir! Mistress is waiting for you and your lady friend in the drawing room, sir." "Thank you, Dobby," he said watching as the house-elf disappeared; no doubt to inform his mother of their arrival. "You know if we hurry we could maybe get away without having to see anyone else?" It was worth a try, even if he was mostly joking when he asked it. -- Though she hadn't said anything to anyone, Charlotte was nervous. She was meeting Draco's parents officially as his girlfriend. It had been her suggestion, and she wanted to, but she was also afraid they wouldn't like her. She was almost four years older than Draco. When they were together, that age difference didn't matter, but it was something she held in the back of her mind as something people frowned at. She'd spent a couple of hours the night before contemplating her outfits. She forwent her usual red in favor of something a little less vibrant. She'd gone as far as selecting a lace dress in cream before going to bed. When she'd woken up, though, she knew she was being silly and chose one of her red dresses. She kept her makeup light and her hair romantic and classy. She wasn't trying to be someone else. She was being herself, and she wanted her appearance to show that. After they apparated to Malfoy Manor, Lottie kept hold of Draco's hand. It was as much for her comfort as his. She smiled kindly at the elf who rushed towards them. "You can call me Lottie. Or Miss Lottie if that's easier for you." Lottie laughed, turning her smile to Draco. She popped up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "What's the worst that could happen?" -- Before rushing off to inform his mistress of their arrival, Dobby had nodded his head in acknowledgement of Master Draco's lady's suggestion of what to call her. Mistress had not given him a name when she had instructed him to keep an eye for her son's arrival. "Shouting and storming out of the manor?" he suggested. Draco was confident enough that that would be the worst that could happen, and that the most hurtful thing would be words rather than actual violence. "I know it probably won't be as bad as I'm thinking it will be but I can't help but be nervous…" "You and my parents are both important to me, and I just want this to go well and without much of a hitch," he said with a sigh, squeezing Lottie's hand as they continued on to the drawing room. "I want them to like you and for them see how amazing you are." Though the manor was spacious, with rooms dotted about on all three stories, fortunately the drawing room was on the ground floor and not too far from the main entrance. For a brief moment Draco had them pause outside the doors. "Don't forget that I love you, and that won't be changing no matter what they say," he said determinedly, pressing a soft kiss against her lips as his fingers lightly brushed her cheek. With a deep breath Draco opened the door and guided them inside the room, where his mother was sitting poised in one of the few, and likely far too expensive, chairs situated about the room. Narcissa Malfoy was a woman who did not like to be kept waiting; however, for her son she was willing to give him some leniency. Being an only child Draco was always given a certain amount of leniency in behaviour; and had she and Lucius been able to have more children it was unlikely to have been the case. Dobby had informed her of Draco's arrival before being dismissed to the kitchens to oversee the rest of the preparation for luncheon. "There you are, darling." she greeted, having risen gracefully from her seated position and embracing her son. "How are you? Keeping well, I hope?" "Yes, mother, I'm perfectly fine," he said as he embraced his mother back, and managing to not roll his eyes. Draco knew his mother meant well but it was almost the same question he got asked whenever they hadn't seen each other for a while, and he figured unless he had written to say he was sick that it was obvious he'd been well. It was then he noticed, and tried not to noticeably frown, that his father was missing from the room. "I thought father was going to be here as well?" "Oh, he'll be along in a moment, he just had a few last minute owls to take care of," she said dismissively. Lucius would know better than to skip out on the luncheon, particularly if he wanted to avoid an annoyed Narcissa later on. While making small talk with Draco she had been subtly inspecting the young woman that was her son's girlfriend. With Draco being particularly tight-lipped about her except knowing that he was even dating, and so being unable to conduct her own research, Narcissa didn't know much about the woman at all - not even her name. It was why the luncheon had been organised because after dating for some time now the woman was clearly important to Draco, and as her son was quite important to her that meant she needed to get to know her. "Now, dear, are you going to introduce us?" she queried, looking at her son with a slightly raised brow. Draco smiled sheepishly at having his lack of manners noticed. "Mother, this is my girlfriend, Charlotte Wood," he announced happily, smiling as he glanced across at Lottie. "Lo… Charlotte, my mother, Narcissa Malfoy." He managed not to wince at how whenever he was here at the Manor he always dropped to a more formal tone and tended to act more proper, at least when in the company of either of his parents. -- Lottie was suddenly less nervous than she had been. Draco's nerves helped with that. She felt she needed to be strong for the both of them. She watched the exchange between Draco and his mother with a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She would not laugh, though it was amusing. She beamed at Mrs Malfoy when Draco finally introduced them. "Lottie's fine," she said, allowing her Scottish accent to be a little thicker than normal. She usually kept it light, especially when dealing with the English, but she wanted Draco to relax, and she thought he might be amused by it. "It's very nice to finally meet you," she said, extending her hand for Narcissa to shake. "I nearly had to twist Draco's arm to arrange it. I think he's been worried you'd hint about grandchildren." Her eyes twinkled as she smiled and looked up to Draco. -- There was a small smile on his face when Draco heard Lottie's Scottish accent come through stronger than normal, and it did distract him… well, right up until she mentioned why he may have been worried about all of them meeting. His gaze snapped to her's, and when Draco saw the twinkle in her eyes he knew she was teasing him. He narrowed his gaze at her little as the corner of his mouth twitched as he fought the urge to whine and tell her that she shouldn't be giving his mother ideas. "Likewise," Narcissa said politely, shaking Charlotte's hand. It wouldn't do to be rude and inhospitable to the young lady just yet. In her eyes it was rare that she thought anyone was worthy of her boy, and even though she knew Draco was perfectly capable of finding someone himself it hadn't stop her from looking at possibilities or attempting to set him up with someone. Though any such attempts had stopped when she had heard the first inkling of the young woman before her. Upon hearing why Draco was possibly reluctant for her and Lucius to meet his girlfriend she looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Now, darling, whatever would give you the idea that I would do something like that?" she asked, as if she had never made any such hints before. Draco shot his mother a disbelieving look. He didn't believe the innocent tone in her voice for a minute. There may not be any evidence he could show to prove that she had suggested on a number of occasions her wish for grandchildren but he hadn't forgotten any of them. "Oh, I don't know, maybe because you've possibly hinted at it before?" he retorted, momentarily forgetting his show of formality. A knowing smirk tugged at the corners of Narcissa's mouth at her son's response. Though he was loathe to be anything like his father in some regards Draco was very much like Lucius. In this particular case, he was easily goaded into the quicker more emotional response rather than considering his words before speaking them. "Hmm, well, perhaps I have once or twice hinted at the idea," she said airily. "Though that's hardly reason enough that you couldn't have introduced us to Charlotte earlier. You might not have needed to keep putting it off then if you'd done so." His mother did make a good point though he was hardly going to concede to it. Though so far the day seemed to be going well enough, to a degree, however his father hadn't yet made an appearance and he had no idea how that part of the meeting would go. "Now would either of you care for something to drink before lunch?" Narcissa asked. -- Lottie liked Draco's emotional, unmeasured responses, but she couldn't leave him undefended. "It's not his fault, Mrs Malfoy. Or, rather, not entirely Draco's fault. It took me so long to realize how deep my feelings for him are, that it's no wonder he wanted to keep it between us for a while." She twined her fingers through Draco's and leaned into him. She wasn't one to drink in the middle of the day, but she didn't want to be rude or for the Malfoys to think she was stuffy or prudish or anything negative that would make them question her involvement with Draco. Looking up at Draco, she smiled. "I'll have what he's having." It was a cop out, but it kept her from having to make a decision. -- With their fingers twined together Draco gave Lottie's hand a grateful squeeze. He could handle his parents well enough but it was a nice feeling having Lottie defending him. "Don't worry, I'm fairly sure she means non-alcoholic beverages," he murmured quietly, smiling back at her. If alcohol was going to be served at best it would be wine or champagne; though he wouldn't be surprised if his father attempted to have a nip of something stronger. "Tea will be fine, mother, thank you," he replied politely. After calling for Dobby, Narcissa ordered for the tea service to be brought to the drawing room and then for the house elf to go find her wayward husband. From observing the pair Narcissa suspected there was little that could be done even if she and Lucius were to object; aside from possibly not seeing or speaking to Draco for a time. Charlotte may not be who they might've chosen for Draco but he appeared happy with his choice and for her at least, if not Lucius as well, that would be enough - had to be enough if she wanted to be part of her son's life. Gesturing for the couple to take a seat she then returned to her own chair before speaking up again. "If you don't mind indulging a mother's curiosity, how did the two of you meet?" she asked. Having sat down with Lottie, grateful that they didn't have to remove themselves to separate chairs, Draco managed not to let out a sigh upon hearing his mother's question. He didn't mind answering any of his mother's questions, though preferably the ones he could get away with responding more vaguely and not having to go into details. Of course, his mother naturally went and asked the one question he'd been hoping she wouldn't ask. If only because he was certain even if they said that they met at the charity gala earlier this year (which wasn't a lie) she would ask for further details and, even though he wasn't ashamed at all of how they met, he'd rather not give his mother those details. Still he couldn't leave it to just Lottie to answer. "We'd talked a little beforehand but we didn't really meet until the annual St. Mungo's charity gala earlier this year," he answered as nonchalant as possible. -- The question made Lottie beam. She was terrible at keeping her emotions off her face, and that particular question made her happy. She would not give his mother certain details because Draco had asked her not to. That was a conversation they would be able to have after she'd given Narcissa a grandchild to dote on. "I attend that particular gala every year. I don't like the thought of children being stuck in a hospital, sick, with nothing to occupy them and take their minds off the fact that they're stuck in a hospital. So I give to Mungo's as much as I can, especially when the focus is the children's ward." She turned shining eyes on Draco. "I had one too many glasses of champagne on an empty stomach, and Draco helped me find my cloak then took me to put proper food in my stomach." She leaned towards Mrs Malfoy and said in a conspiratorial tone, "He saved me from a headache the next day by insisting I eat American style pancakes." -- Draco smiled as he listened to the story Lottie spun about how they met. It was as close to the truth as it could be without mentioning what actually happened. He couldn't help but admire Lottie's creative thinking. "Well, I had to make sure you ate something," he retorted with a smile, finding it easy to slip into the not-quite-so-true story. "I would hardly have felt right if I'd just let you return home without making sure that you were alright to do so." Narcissa chuckled lightly, it was a charming story. "I wonder that you didn't also make the poor girl a Hangover Cure, darling," she commented, not at all surprised that Draco had gone out of his way to care for the girl. "No doubt it would've also helped." Dobby had soon returned with the tea service placing it on the tea table that sat slightly off to the side of the chair and lounge. "Mistress, Dobby goes to find Master Lucius and he is still in his study, mistress," Dobby reported, a nervous tone in his voice thinking he may have failed his mistress. Narcissa sighed and after politely thanking him told the house elf he could return to the kitchen. Honestly, if Lucius was going to behave like this then she would simply have to go to him and bodily drag him here if he couldn't otherwise be convinced it would be better for him to do so of his own accord. Returning to the conversation at hand, Narcissa thought there was perhaps a little more to the story since she couldn't recall having seen Draco with Charlotte at all that evening; however, it was entirely possible her attention was elsewhere and she'd simply missed it. Narcissa started readying hers and Draco's cups before turning to Charlotte. "How do you take your tea, dear?" "Well, we've been together ever since though it wasn't until a couple months later we decided to make it official," he explained, reaching for Lottie's hand again smiling as he gave it a squeeze. So far things seemed to be going well, though he supposed his mother could always be saving the interrogation for after getting to know Lottie a little better. Though he wasn't sure whether his father's presence would make things awkward Draco couldn't help but wonder why he wasn't there now - because he didn't relish the thought of having to do this a second time. -- |