Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters you may recognize from the wonderful world of Harry Potter, they all belong to the revered JK Rowling; I just like to play with them a little.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
SECRET WIZARDS BUSINESS MANAGED
"Right then, shall we get down to business?" Lucius eyed Draco carefully, he looked uneasy - something was obviously worrying him.
"Umm- Yes, let's. Drake, why don't you explain to your grandfather what we need to talk about," Draco suggested unevenly. He certainly did not want to have this conversation and had hoped Drake might have forgotten about it.
"Well, Mummy said that her and Daddy never lived together, but to make a baby you have to live with a witch, after going to a wedding and you have share a bedroom - and you have to love her." Drake explained his beliefs to Lucius in an exasperated tone. He really just wanted an explanation.
Lucius arched an eyebrow in Draco's direction and Draco shrugged in return, grinning uncomfortably at his father.
"I see," Lucius started, before dropping his voice to barely a whisper and continuing. "He's a bit young for this talk, isn't he?"
Draco nodded slightly from his position beside Drake and looked at his father, with a helpless expression on his face. He still had no idea how to explain to his son how he and his sister came into existence, without going into details he was far to young to hear.
"Alright, Drake. What you've said is perfectly correct, except sometimes mothers and fathers share a bedroom before they get married. Like your parents did," Lucius said carefully.
"But they can't make babies before their married." Drake protested. As far as he was concerned, a wedding was necessary.
"Oh, but they can. It isn't morally correct, but it's entirely possible," Lucius assured him, hoping the child would simply accept this and leave the subject alone.
"Were Mummy and Daddy naughty?" Drake had picked up on the words `not' and `correct', but was a little confused by what his grandfather had said.
"Yes, in a way they were. Good witches and wizards wait until they're married to share a bedroom." Lucius was struggling to hold in his laughter, as he watched Draco's facial expression contort into horror.
Merlin I think father is making this worse, Draco thought as he ran his hands through his long hair. How am I to exonerate Gin and myself now? He thinks we're naughty!
Drake looked curiously at Lucius. "How?"
"How what?" Lucius frowned with confusion.
"How do they make babies?" It was a simple question. No one had ever answered it for him before so, perhaps his grandfather might.
"Well- You see- they umm-" Lucius was stuck. How was he meant to answer this? It would be inappropriate to go into detail with a child of this age. Merlin knows, he sent Draco off to Hogwarts with a very basic overview and hoped the older boys would fill in the blanks for him.
"They- umm- share a special hug." Draco smiled, pleased with himself for having thought of a simple explanation.
"Yes-yes they share a special hug, and then they can have a baby," Lucius continued more confidently.
"What kind of special hug?" Drake enquired.
"I don't really think we need to go into detail now, Drake. When you're older you'll learn all about special hugs with witches." Lucius attempted to appease him.
"But how will I know if I give a witch a special hug? 'Cause I don't want to and I need to know so I won't." Drake pushed further quite worried that perhaps he may have already given a witch a special hug. Not that he'd hugged many witches, just his mummy, grandma and assorted aunts - usually under sufferance.
Both the Malfoy wizard's eyes popped wide open. Drake wouldn't let the subject go and neither of them were prepared to go into any further detail with him.
"Drake, you won't have to worry about giving out any special hugs till you're about fourteen or so, okay? By then you'll know all about them," Draco told him in the hope that it would end the discussion.
Upon hearing this Lucius cleared his throat subtly, to gain Draco's attention, then arched a questioning eyebrow at his only son. Draco merely responded with a cheeky smirk.
"But what if I don't want to give a witch a special hug?" Drake was clearly distressed at the thought that he may not have a choice.
"You don't have to, but believe me by the time you're fourteen or fifteen you'll want to give witches special hugs, as often as you can." Draco tried to contain the laughter that was threatening to burst forth.
Drake considered this seriously for a moment. "But what about witch germs?"
Lucius had to muffle a snort at his grandson's last comment; it was bad enough that they were sitting here discussing sex with a four year old, in a round about way, and now he voices his concerns about witch germs.
"When you get older witch germs don't seem to matter anymore. You'll like to touch witches," Draco assured him with a smile and a wink.
"That's what Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron keep telling me," Drake replied thoughtfully.
"Well, would they lie to you?" Draco asked as seriously as he could, given the circumstances.
"Uncle Harry wouldn't," Drake told him with certainty.
"Well you can believe your Uncle Harry, and I wouldn't lie to you," Draco affirmed.
"Maybe-" Drake considered his father's answer carefully.
"I used to be afraid of witch germs too," Draco admitted.
"Really?"
"Yes. I was terribly afraid, just ask your Aunt Pansy. We've known each other practically all our lives and sometimes our parents would tell us to hold hands to walk to dinner, but I would never want to because she had witch germs."
"What happened, Daddy?" Drake looked shocked that his own father had endured such torture.
"Well, I guess I grew up. All of a sudden, I didn't worry about witch germs anymore and I wanted to hold hands with witches."
"Oh-" Drake didn't really think he would ever not worry about witch germs, despite what everyone kept telling him.
While Drake appeared to be deep in thought, Lucius took the opportunity to speak to Draco quietly.
"Sometimes it pays to be a little more cautious about witch germs," Lucius whispered, smirking all the while.
"I'm glad I wasn't," Draco whispered back smiling.
"Drake, is there any other `Secret Wizards Business' you'd like to talk about while we're here?" Lucius asked interrupting the young wizards thoughts.
"Nope, I don't think so."
"Good. Why don't we return to the parlor then?" Lucius was quite relieved they had satiated the boys mind for now. Merlin, I do believe I may be getting too old for this, he pondered as he rose gracefully from his chair.
Drake jumped off his chair. "Okay."
As they made their way up the long corridor Lucius stopped frequently to explain to Drake who was in the portraits and how they were related to him. Some were posing questions about the punishment the boy had just endured - disappointed they'd not heard screams. At some point, while Lucius was showing him the portrait of his great-great grandfather, Drake's little hand slipped inside Lucius' large hand grasping it tightly. Lucius looked down to his hand and wrapped his long fingers around the small hand of his grandson. He felt a surge of warmth flow through his body, such that he hadn't felt in a very long time.
The three wizards strolled back into the parlor - Drake's hand still firmly in Lucius'. Narcissa looked up as they walked in, smiling brightly at the sight before her and ignoring the loud gasp from Ginny. In front of her were three generations of Malfoy men, the eldest and the youngest holding hands. It warmed her heart and reassured her that all would be well with her family.
"Ladies, I assume there is some morning tea left for us," Lucius said in a light tone.
"Of course, darling. Tea?" Narcissa responded.
"Yes, thank you." Lucius looked down to the little boy still clinging to his hand. "Drake, would you like to say something before we eat?"
"I suppose so," Drake muttered.
"Perhaps you can speak up," Lucius suggested quietly.
Drake looked up at his mother and grandmother, and then took a deep breath. He had hoped his grandfather had forgotten about his need to apologize to the ladies. "I apologise for being nasty to grandfather in front of you."
Ginny was taken aback, never had she heard her young son apologise so eloquently before. Usually, she had to force a mumbled `sorry' out of him to the offended party and then he would add some self-vindicating comment on the end of it.
Narcissa, on the other hand, maintained her warm smile and held her hand out to the little boy. "Your apology is accepted, darling. Now we can forget all this nasty business and let you have some morning tea."
"I'm hungry." Drake smiled when he saw the occasional table full of delicious snacks.
"Perhaps, we can allow you to help yourself," Lucius suggested.
Drake wandered over to the little table that held all types of delicious snacks. There was so much to choose from.
Narcissa smiled as she passed him a small plate to place his selection on. "Have as much as you like, dear."
Meanwhile, Draco had sat down next to Ginny, draping an arm around the back of the chair, above her shoulders.
"Is everything alright?" Ginny whispered.
"Everything is fine. We just had that `Secret Wizards Business' to sort out," he replied in a low whisper, arching an eyebrow.
"Oh-" She giggled softly. "And your father?"
"They sorted that out between themselves, but everything seems fine. Don't you think?" Draco glanced over to his father, who had taken his original chair and Drake, who had precariously perched himself on the arm of the chair with a plate full of snacks.
"I guess so."
"Perhaps, I should send you to fathers study for a chat," Draco teased.
"You wouldn't!" Ginny exclaimed a little louder than she intended.
Draco smirked at her, as he watched her color rise when she realized she had drawn the attention of Lucius and Narcissa.
"You wouldn't what, Draco?" Lucius asked smirking.
"I just suggested that, perhaps, it might be an idea for Ginny to oomph-" Draco finished with a grunt as Ginny's elbow sunk into his ribs. He glanced at the fiery redhead, instantly recognizing the evil look on her face and decided not to take the matter any further, lest she decide to bring her wand out to `play'.
"Nothing really, Father," Draco expressed pointedly.
"Draco, when you flooed this morning you mentioned an upcoming birthday-" Narcissa reminded him.
"It's our birthday soon," Angel supplied excitedly.
"Their birthday is March twenty-fifth," Ginny informed her smiling softly.
"Oh, how lovely! How old will they be?" Narcissa exclaimed.
"We'll be five," Drake told her.
Narcissa looked at Ginny. "Wonderful! Do you have plans for a celebration?"
"We usually have a family party at home," Ginny responded casually.
"Oh, I see-"
Ginny quickly realized that her answer had, perhaps, sounded as if the Malfoy's would not be included in the celebration. While she had not considered this, it would be rude not to at least invite them.
"Of course, you are all welcome to attend," Ginny quickly amended.
"Are you sure, dear?" Narcissa questioned still with a disappointed note to her voice.
"Of course. As soon as we've finalized the details I'll owl them to you."
"That would be lovely!" Narcissa's cheery disposition returning as she began planning the shopping trip she would have to take.
"After we finish our tea, perhaps we could take a stroll in the grounds. Maybe show the children the lake," Lucius suggested.
"Oooh- Grandfather, can we go see the horsey's, please?" Angel jumped up from her chair and started bouncing around.
"I told them we had horse's, this morning," Draco informed his father grinning at Angel's enthusiasm.
"Well, I suppose we could visit the stables, if you'd like," Lucius said agreeably.
"And can we take sugar and carrots for the horsey's?" Angel asked excitedly.
"Sugar and carrots?" Lucius queried.
"Yes. Horsey's like sugar and carrots. Please Grandfather, Daddy said we could?"
"And just when did your father give his consent?" Lucius arched an eyebrow at the still bouncing little girl.
Angel stopped bouncing and furrowed her brow in confusion. "I don't know. What's consent?"
"Consent is permission. When did your father give his permission to feed the horse's sugar and carrots?" Lucius rephrased his question, making a mental note to review Angel's education along with Drake's.
"Oh, today when he told us about his horsey's. Please, Grandfather?" Angel pleaded placing the sweetest expression on her face. It was the one that usually made her uncles fall all over themselves, getting her exactly what she wanted.
Draco couldn't quite believe his eyes. He sat across from his father and he could almost see him melt into a puddle. Angel would definitely not have a problem twisting Lucius around her little finger - if she kept looking at him like that.
"Well, I can't see any harm in that," Lucius replied smiling broadly. "We'll have the house elves arrange a package and deliver it to the stables."
Angel had started to bounce up and down again with excitement. "Thank you, Grandfather! Can we go now?"
"We've not yet finished our tea, Angelique," Lucius said gently. "Just as soon as we have, we can be on our way."
"Daddy, can I get changed out of these poxy robes? I hate looking like a prat." Drake tugged at his dress robes.
"Drake, that language is not acceptable in front of ladies," Lucius interjected firmly before Draco could respond.
"Oh, umm- Sorry Grandmother, Mummy" he said turning towards the two witches.
Narcissa could see Lucius settle into the old routine he had with Draco, when he was small - gently reminding him of his manners and taking him to task, in the study, over larger misdemeanors.
Ginny couldn't quite believe her eyes or ears. Was her son apologizing, without being ordered to? Perhaps there was something good to Lucius Malfoy after all; if he had this affect on Drake, he couldn't be all bad. Not that she was willing to throw caution to the wind, but perhaps she would allow him the chance to prove himself worthy of her trust.
"Well, Daddy? I look like a git. Can I change now?" Drake rephrased his request.
Ginny couldn't help the small giggle that escaped her as she saw Lucius' exasperated expression.
"Drake," Lucius intoned in a low growl.
"I didn't say nothing wrong this time!" Drake rolled his eyes at the older wizard. Couldn't he just butt out and let his father answer him.
"I feel you did. Apologise now!"
Drake sighed heavily and turned to the witches once more. "Sorry I said something wrong."
Both Ginny and Narcissa wore smiles that had nothing to do with the apology he had just imparted so carelessly. The pained expression Lucius wore, as he too rolled his eyes, was most comical.
"Daddy, now can I get changed? I don't-" Drake was cut off.
"Of course, Drake. Mother where can Drake change his clothes?" Draco could not have held his mirth had he been forced to watch his father go another round of manners correction and apologies with his son. He remembered the painful routine well from his own childhood.
"Millie," Narcissa summoned the elf.
"Mistress, Millie can serve Mistress?" The creature bowed low to the floor.
"Millie, you are to show Master Drake to a guest room and assist him with the changing of his clothing."
"As Mistress wishes."
"Drake, darling go with Millie and she will help you. Angelique, do you wish to change dear?"
"No, I like my dress robes. Aren't they pretty?" Angel twirled on the spot for all to admire.
"It's `no thank you', dear, and yes, your robes are very pretty," Narcissa corrected her gently.
"Millie, be sure not to leave Drake alone. We wouldn't want him to get lost," Draco instructed the elf.
Drake followed the ugly little creature out of the parlor and up the grand staircase toward a guest room.
While Drake was getting into more comfortable clothing Lucius arranged the parcel for the horses to be delivered to the stables, ready for their arrival and for their cloaks to be bought into the parlor. Once they had arrived, Draco helped Ginny into her cloak while Lucius assisted Angel. Angel copied everything her mother did with her father, including her own version of a flirtatious smile over her shoulder to the older wizard, causing Lucius to laugh heartily. While Lucius was assisting Narcissa with her cloak, Drake reappeared in the parlor ready to take on the outdoors.
"What on magical earth are you wearing child?" Lucius exclaimed eyeing the boy up and down.
"My real clothes!" Drake smiled broadly. He was much more comfortable in the worn jeans, old tee shirt, runners and `Weasley jumper' he now wore in place of his best dress robes and good shoes.
"Really? Well perhaps we will need to attend to your wardrobe?" Lucius muttered under his breath.
"We're all ready, Grandfather," Angel chimed in excitedly. "Can we see the horsey's now?"
"Of course, shall we?" Lucius replied holding his hand out to the little girl to take hold of.
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AUTHORS NOTES
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