Time for a Row Date: 6th August, evening Location: Malfoy Manor Characters: Narcissa Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy Subject: An argument about Andromeda
Having a new body wasn't easy, though it was often portrayed as such. Even the subtlest height difference could cause vertigo, and legs that were longer were most certainly a problem. For Lucius neither of these problems were great (Yaxley was a shade under six foot), though there were differences; Yaxley's arms were not quite so strong, his eye sight was a little unclear for reading, and Lucius would need to work to bring his wand reflexes up to their usual standards.Though they had kept the wands they'd taken from Yaxley and his wife, Lucius was using his own. It was this he used to enter the Manor, wary of alarming Draco. Tibby quickly arrived, apparently forewarned, and told him that Narcissa was in the kitchen. As he walked through to the kitchen the portraits called out to him, demanding to know his identity. Instead of blond Lucius' hair was now dark brown, his eyes dark green instread of their usual cold grey. His hair was shorter, though not short. It was really a little messy for his liking, but there had been no opportunity to spend the newly acquired small-fortune on tailoring and hairdressers. "Narcissa," he said, finding her in the kitchen and Tibby returned there ahead of him.
When Tibby had abruptly announced a visitor, Narcissa had sent him off to see who it was. She'd already informed the house elf that 'Yaxley' might be arriving, so that the creature didn't go making a fuss to Draco, and so wasn't surprised to see him walk through the door. Still, even when vaguely prepared (Tibby had squeaked 'Mr Yaxley - Master Lucius - Mistress'), it left her disconcerted. She didn't smile immediately, frowning for a moment before she turned her expression into something more welcoming.
"Who on earth -" demanded a wizened old Malfoy, who had edged his way into a still life to find out what was going on. Narcissa ignored him, trying to get over the surprise of seeing such a stranger standing there and saying, "Hello, Lucius." The painted figure fell silent, suspicious.
"Good evening," he returned. Standing in the kitchen made Lucius realise that he hadn't eaten either lunch or dinner. He was late enough to have missed the main meal of the evening, but meals had always been very much on demand in the Manor. When doing the Dark Lord's work Lucius had missed meals frequently, and had been more than ready for a meal in the middle of the night plenty of times. "I trust you were expecting me," he said with a smile.
"I was wondering when you'd turn up," she confessed, looking him up and down with a critical eye. "This is - the new you, is it?" It would take some getting used to.
Lucius nodded, "I can remove it whilst I'm here," he straightened the line of his jacket, "it hasn't taken too long to adapt..he's a little shorter, but nothing significant."
"He's not as handsome," Narcissa pointed out, glancing around the kitchen and then starting to walk towards the door. They could talk somewhere more comfortable. "If you go back to your true self, will your robes be too short?" She'd never played around with her own appearance that much, other than the usual experiments with hair dye potions and attempts to spell away adolescent spots. She couldn't quite keep her eyes off Yaxley, though - while she was now used to the idea of wizards walking around in dead men's bodies, something indefinably Lucius was pushing through the disguise. Perhaps it was his mannerisms, or his stance; his voice certainly carried Lucius' ring beneath the unfamiliar tones.
Lucius agreed, but didn't say so. He hadn't picked the disguise for its attractiveness, and in every way that mattered it was adequate - with practice it would even be very comfortable. "Yes, they would. His inside leg is shorter, and so forth." He leaned slightly against one of the large cabinets within the kitchen, "if it's agreeable to you, I would like to stay the night in the Manor. Bella is safely tucked away, and we have things to discuss."
Narcissa paused. "Well, of course ..." she said, surprised. "Where are you staying until you buy a house?" Things to discuss - of course, the rest of the returned dead and what that meant, but Narcissa wished she'd had more time to prepare for that discussion. She wasn't at her sharpest tonight, and Lucius would undoubtedly put her to shame. It was a matter of pride to be able to contribute at least as well as he did, but - but never mind.
She didn't know if Draco would be home that night, or if he was staying at his flat - so it would be a good idea to ask Lucius to change back to his usual self, just in case. There were robes in this house that would fit him.
"We're staying in a small hotel, on the edge of London," he said. Though they could afford something far grander, the quiet comfort of a smaller establishment was preferable. Larger hotels could offer anonymity, but that wasn't something they needed now. Whilst Lucius didn't want their appearance to draw undue attention, they were after all, a returning wealthy couple.
"Tibby, prepare a room," she ordered quietly, and left the kitchen as the creature squeaked its response. "Have you eaten yet? I take it you got through the border without any problems."
"Not yet," he said gratefully. "No problem at all; our papers were genuine this time, so there was little cause for scrutiny."
"Just tell Tibby what you want," she said, entering the drawing room. She pointed her wand at the fire and the lamps, and they all sprang into life. "I suppose everything is going well for you, then," she said, as she took her seat.
"Toad in the hole," Lucius told Tibby immediately. Returning from abroad was always accompanied with a renewed love of gravy and mashed potatos. "Everything is going well. The new furniture has been moved into storage. The home in Russia will likely go up for sale shortly, and we have the details of the Gringotts bank accounts."
"I don't know why you couldn't have told me in the first place that you were going to Russia," she chided gently, but didn't linger on the admonishment. "Have you made appointments to view any houses yet? Nott's son is selling Langdale - you did see my message about that, didn't you?"
"I did, and I sent him a message regarding it two days ago. None other than Langdale as of yet, though we are now in a position to look properly." Lucius was about to take his seat again, but Tibby was back to inform them that the room had been prepared. "Excuse me," he said to Narcissa, and retired to the room Tibby had made up. The house elf brought him the robes he asked for, and disappeared to prepare his meal.
Narcissa waited in the drawing room, wondering if they would buy Langdale. It seemed like such a permanent move. The house was very nice, though - Narcissa had always found it charming. What Bella would do as mistress of such a place was anybody's guess, but at least she wasn't likely to end up like poor Eleanor Nott. These musings occupied her while Lucius was changing back to his old self.
Lucius removed the necklace and sat on the bed for a moment to catch his breath. His clothes were indeed a little short for him now, enough to be uncomfortable and unseemly. He changed into the robes Tibby had brought to him and returned to the Drawing Room.
When Lucius came in, looking just as he ought to, Narcissa's smile was much readier. "That's better," she remarked, pleased to see that the disguise was not permanent, pleased to see Lucius sitting in the chair as if he owned it, rather than a stranger. "Dinner won't be long. You might as well eat in here, I suppose." She paused for a moment to see if there was any immediate objection, and then carried on. "I've been thinking about what it means, to have Nymphadora back too, and I think I'm going to have to talk to Regulus. She did imply there were others."
Lucius took his seat and looked across, returning her smile. His expression became colder as she spoke, "you think Regulus may be speaking with them?"
"Well, I know he's speaking to Andromeda," she said. "At any rate, Nymphadora knew he was here. He may be talking to others too."
"Ah, to un-veil his great act against the Dark Lord. I'm certain he'll be welcomed with open arms amongst them. is this the cause of Andromeda's change of heart - your actions and the potential of her hypocracy?" He couldn't help the sarcasm that laced his voice, built not of resentment but long lived distrust and dislike.
"Andromeda's change of heart?" Suddenly aware that her sister was actually rather dangerous territory, Narcissa wanted clarification.
"Your journal note suggested that she had replied, and if her replies had been scathing I'm quite sure you would have mentioned it." Lucius raised his eyebrows, "why exactly did you write to her?"
"Because the last time Bellatrix was running loose, she did her best to kill Andromeda and /did/ kill her husband and daughter," Narcissa replied. "She deserved to know, in case Bellatrix had that goal again."
Lucius' expression didn't change, "'deserved' to know?"
"Yes," Narcissa said firmly. "If a raving maniac is after you and yours, it's generally a good thing if you receive some warning."
"Even your sister," he said, not agreeing
"Even if the two people involved are my sisters," she confirmed in a level tone. Her smile had vanished. "You think I shouldn't have?"
"Your sisters...I remember that we used to refer to one sister, as though Andromeda did not exist. Now you're writing to her - a fine example for our son. Unforgiveable acts are treated with kindess and compassion!" his voice became tighter as he spoke.
Clouds gathered over Narcissa's expression. "She spoke to Draco at a social event and was very impressed with him, actually," was the cool response. "And Draco agrees with me that there is no point in being purposelessly antagonistic."
"No point in being purposefully antagonistic," Lucius said, rising from his chair "the woman left her family to marry a Muggle, she shunned your family, shaming your parents and as I recall, hurting your feeling immeasurably. Perhaps the years have blurred your memory of it, I assure you mine is clear...it was quite awful."
"Yes," Narcissa said. "Yes, she did all those things - but everyone else is /dead/ now, including her husband, and I don't think she's beyond deserving a little compassion for that!" She looked up at him, glaring now. "I sent an owl to her. I didn't invite her to come live here with her freak grandchild."
"And was she compassionate to you - when I died, did she console you?" he asked.
Narcissa stared for a moment. "I'm not trying to defend all the mistakes she's made, Lucius," she told him angrily.
"Only to forget them," he retorted. "And through your sister and wayward cousin, we are all now in danger."
"You know, not even Mad Auntie would burn me off the family tree for talking to Andromeda," she sniped, getting to her feet.
"Go ahead - far be it from me to remember how hurt you were, or to consider the safety of you and Draco. Do what the fuck you want," Lucius glared harder than before.
"Safety?" Narcissa sneered, inwardly surprised at just how angry Lucius was getting. "Because it does so much harm to Draco to be on good terms with the grandmother of Harry Potter's godson."
"You told me yourself they all think we're evil incarnate! These people are interferring, clumsy, the girl spilled information to you - under duress or not - publically and easily! Who else do you think she'd tell with less persuasion?" Lucius dropped back into his seat, hands curling tightly around the end of the arms.
"She knows about you already, or suspects at least, and I haven't told Andromeda a single thing about you," Narcissa hissed. "I've been protecting you. Though I doubt Andromeda would turn you in even if she knew."
Lucius glared and swallowed back his retorts. The end of an argument was always the dullest part; repeating, and repeating until someone gave. Except neither of them ever gave.
"I'll continue to speak to her, too," Narcissa said, angry tone losing some of its passion. "I don't need your permission, or Draco's, or anyone's, and I never have."
Lucius, who'd never forbidden her, watched her. He let his anger simmer, not really furious anymore. Still, it was perfectly ridiculous, and if Narcissa were thinking logically she'd realise it. "Do what you like," he said dismissively but in agreement "you always have."
She harrumphed and turned away, folding her arms. He'd never liked Andromeda, but to behave so irrationally over an owl? Ridiculous!
He glared until he heard a click, and Tibby came into view wheeling a tray. A full stomach always put in in a better mood. He accepted the meal and drew it towards him as he sat.
She looked around at the sound, and with a sigh, she sat down, glaring at the fireplace. Narcissa had expected Lucius to understand. After all, hadn't he always been one of the few people with whom she could be more honest about Andromeda's betrayal? As he'd said, he knew how much the whole messy business had hurt her, when to the world Narcissa had presented a cool and uncaring face.
Lucius uncovered his meal and glanced up at Narcissa, "you've forgiven her so easily?" he asked.
"No," she said, without looking round. "Of course not." Something like that could never be fully forgiven.
"And you won't be speaking to her, now that she's warned?" he asked.
In a dull tone, Narcissa asked, "What are you, my minder?"
He looked down at his food again, was silent for a moment "where is Draco this evening?" he asked.
"Probably out, or at his flat," Narcissa said. "I'm not his minder."
"I'm very glad to hear it," Lucius said, and began to eat his meal.
She decided to let silence reign, save for the soft pop and crackle of the fire, and the quiet sounds of Lucius dining. Only when he was nearly a third of the way through his meal did Narcissa turn to him and say, in a tone devoid of the waspishness of five minutes ago, "It must be nice to be back in Britain. Russia's so oppressive, this time of year."
Lucius put down his knife, "It's oppressive in some fashion every time of of the year" Lucius commented, "a strange climate. Their political climate is equally as strange - objections to integration are quite open there, their back of the shop sales aren't as shrunken as our own...though of course they will have felt the effects of war less."
"Yes," she said, "Karkaroff's friends were very good at exporting civil unrest after his death." She sighed, sinking back into the comfortable chair.
"The food is more tolerable than some places - but something like having dumplings for every single meal," he said, looking over at her as he continued his meal.
"I've been there before, I do know what the cuisine is like," she said. "Bella can't have been very tolerant of it."
"We ate very few meals together," he said between mouthfulls.
Narcissa smirked. "Not a happy marriage, then?"
Lucius laughed, "I much prefer your sister in a gathering, or whilst there's an objective." The pair of them were not prone to small talk, and Lucius hated eating in complete silence.
"What a way to speak of your lady," she teased, with evident relish. Her good mood was on its way back.
"I know it is ill mannered to criticise one's spouse to others - but as a sister in law, I'm afraid I can't maintain the obligation to Bella," he smiled and ate the last of his meal. Lucius pushed the trolley to the side, to be taken away by Tibby shortly.
"To be honest, I'm quite scared of the idea of Bella as mistress of Langdale," Narcissa said, eyes glinting. "She's quite the opposite of Eleanor."
"I won't let her do anything terrible to the place," Lucius said truthfully, "and you'll be about to keep a careful eye on her and Langdale."
"And have you decided what you're telling Draco?" she enquired further.
"I'll speak to him soon," he said with a short nod.
"And?" she prompted. Details, please.
"And I'll show him my disguise and mention Langdale," he elaborated.
"Thank you," she said with a smile, both for telling her and treating Draco as an adult. "It's best for him to know anyway, if you're planning to come here a lot. This is his house, after all."
"Of course," he said, a little dismissively. He knew it was Draco's house, and as strange and wrong as it seeemed - a young man he didn't know, running his house - he'd accepted it.
"What is it?" Narcissa asked shrewdly. "What's on your mind?"
"Nothing but my ego protesting against continued deference in this house," he said, smiling self deprecatingly.
"Draco's not actually here right now," she pointed out. "Who are you deferring to?"
Lucius stared at her.
"I'm teasing," she explained, in the slow tone used for the hard of thinking.
He narrowed his eyes at her, though smiled "Is there any pudding from dinner?" he asked, wondering if there'd been some kept cool from Narcissa's meal. Of course Tibby could make another, but Narcissa had much better taste in deserts than he did.
"There's some meringue," she offered, and told Tibby to bring some through for herself too.