Children Dance
Title:Children Dance
Author:Melfina the Blue
Rating:G
Characters:Lucius Malfoy, Scorpius Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Cassie Malfoy, Harry Potter, Andromeda Tonks
Summary: Lucius has to go pick up his grandchild from Mrs Tonks' School for Magical Children.
Prompt: Children dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music.
William Stafford
Warning(s):EWE, OC
Word Count:1642
Author's Notes:Big thanks to Zephre and author by night! This and Snapshots of a Memorial Day are meant to go together.
Lucius was not happy about this, not at all. But Draco had been in a near panic when he flooed, and Lucius had never yet managed to say no to his son. Even if it meant getting another lecture from the Headmistress and missing all his afternoon classes.
He straightened himself up, and glanced in the mirror. He was still in his teaching robes, but he doubted there was time to change, plus Pius had a tendency to be messy. He grabbed the portkey on his dresser and went to the Manor.
Draco was pacing back and forth, holding Pius in his arms. He looked up when Lucius entered.
"Here's the baby, all his things are in the nursery, try not to let him stay up late, and you need to go get Cassie from Mrs. Tonks. Hermione and I were supposed to exchange Cassie at the Memorial tomorrow, so you'll need to go. I'll be at St Christophe's if you need me; floo address is written on the blotter. Thanks and bye."
He thrust Pius into Lucius's arms and dashed out of the room. Lucius stood there, a bit confused. He'd caught the bit about going to get Cassie, but what had the last part been about? He hated when Draco talked that fast, he missed half of what the boy was saying.
"Draco?"
The only answer was the sound of the floo activating.
"Well, Pius, what say we go get your sister?"
Pius giggled and tried to pull Lucius's hair.
"Alright, we're going to apparate now. You ready?"
"Apparate!"
And with a whoosh of air, Lucius and Pius appeared at the front gate of "Mrs. Tonks' School for Magical Children". Lucius grimaced at the sound of children screaming as they played. He loathed screaming. Pius squirmed in his arms.
"Down! Down!"
"Pius, I know you know the word please, now use it."
"DOWN!"
"Pius, I will not put you down until you ask properly."
"DOWN!!"
Pius started to kick and struggle in Lucius' arms. Lucius held him out at arms length and Pius started to scream. He grimaced. Just what he needed, a screaming temper tantrum.
"WANNA DOWN WANNA DOWN WANNA DOWN!"
"Mr. Malfoy, is there a particular reason you're holding a screaming toddler?"
Lucius resisted the urge to sigh and roll his eyes. Of course it had to be the great Saint Potter, paragon of virtue and savior of the Wizarding World. Personally, he'd always been more fond of the title Severus had given him, the annoying prat who lived.
"He can go down, when he asks nicely and uses the word please. Until then, he's just going to have to scream."
"You didn't have another child, did you?"
"No, Potter. This is Scorpius, Draco's son."
"Scorpius??" Potter snickered.
"Yes, Scorpius Severus Malfoy. And at least his name's not Albus Severus, like your youngest."
"Hey, I named my son after two people who were very important to me."
"And I'm sure Severus isn't rolling in his grave about that."
"I think Professor Snape would appreciate the sentiment."
"Did we know the same Severus, Potter? He never appreciated a sentiment in his life. Now, a good whiskey..."
"Don't tell me, I really don't want to know."
"So you named your son after someone you really didn't know at all. How charitable."
"Is there some sort of class all Malfoys take on how to annoy me?"
"No. It comes naturally."
"Joy. Anyway, what are you doing here? Last I checked, you weren't welcome."
"Not really any of your business, Potter."
"Yes, it is. Death Eaters aren't allowed."
"This particular Death Eater is just here to pick up his granddaughter. Cassie would be rather upset if I left her here all alone."
"Don't be surprised if Mrs. Tonks throws you out."
"I would hope that she is willing to live and let live. After all, she allowed Cassie to come here, and Scorpius is already enrolled for next year."
Harry's voice dripped with sarcasm as he spoke.
"Why didn't they put you in Azkaban again?"
"Apparently they thought watching me teach would be more amusing. If you don't like it, feel free to take it up with Arthur Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt. I know the Headmistress has."
Scorpius had stopped screaming, and now was rather intently listening to the conversation. He swung his legs back and forth.
"Pweas down?"
"Yes, Pius, you may go down. Just don't run..."
As soon as Lucius set the toddler down, he was off like a rocket towards the sounds of children playing around the back of the building. Lucius resolved to give him a treat later for giving him an excuse to end the conversation with Potter. He loathed having to deal with any member of the so-called Golden Trio, their self-righteousness tended to make his teeth itch.
"Must dash, Potter, need to make sure Pius doesn't get into any trouble."
Lucius hurried after his grandson, and resolved to give the boy a treat at the earliest opportunity. He rounded the corner of the building and came upon a playground full of children, surrounded by a wooden fence. Pius was standing at the gate, banging on it. Lucius scooped him up and opened the gate.
"PWEAS DOWN!"
"In a moment, Pius. We need to find your sister."
Pius pointed.
"There. Pweas down now!"
Lucius looked in the direction Pius was pointing. Cassie was in a corner of the playground, humming to herself and dancing around. Pius started to struggle in his arms again.
"PWEAS DOWN NOW! PWEAS DOWN NOW!"
"Pius, you have to stay with me."
"WANNA DOWN WANNA DOWN WANNA DOWN!"
Pius started screaming and flailing. Lucius winced as a stray kick caught him in the ribs.
"Now, now, now, what's all this about, little one?"
Andromeda Tonks was coming towards them. She smiled at Pius, and frowned at Lucius.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy? I thought I made things clear to Draco."
"I apologize. Pansy's been injured, and Draco had to rush to her side. I'll just get Cassie and leave."
"Why didn't he send Narcissa? That was the agreement we had."
"Narcissa's been in St Mungos for a week now. Draco and I've been pulling strings to keep it out of the Prophet."
"What's wrong?"
Lucius sighed.
"I would prefer to discuss that in private. Neither of the children has been informed."
"Put the boy down and come inside then. He'll be perfectly safe out here."
Lucius set Pius down and he ran off to play in the sandbox. Andromeda led him into a small classroom.
"Well?"
"She is dying. She has perhaps another two months at most."
"What? Why didn't Draco tell me?"
"Because Narcissa has yet to tell him. She wants to do that in her own time, in her own way. We'd been able to arrange care for her at home to this point, so I don't think Draco realizes how serious things are."
"But his mother is dying! My sister!"
Lucius' voice was choked with emotion as he spoke.
"And my wife of many years, a dear friend and companion. My actions have led to her death. I cannot take them back, cannot fix what is broken. All I can do is be there for her and respect her wishes, as I know she would respect mine if the situations were reversed."
He stared out the window, not wanting to look Andromeda in the face, not wanting her to see the grief he could not hide.
"What do you mean your actions have led to her death?"
"She is dying from a combination of minor hexes cast while I was in Azkaban and unable to protect her."
"What?"
"The healers said it was an extremely unusual case. The combination weakened her heart, and it is gradually failing."
"They can't do anything?"
"By the time symptoms started to show, it was too late. All they could do is slow the deterioration, not stop it."
"I see. So, you killed her. Why am I not surprised? That's what you do, isn't it, Malfoy, destroy families?"
"I had nothing to do with the death of your husband."
"LIAR! Face me and say that!"
He turned around to look at her. She looked so much like 'Cissa in that moment it hurt.
"I had nothing to do with the death of your husband. Speaking out against his sentence would only have killed him the quicker."
"You think I care? The Death Eaters killed him, and my daughter and her husband!"
"If you want to hate me, go right ahead. I'll just get Cassie and go."
"You arrogant prick! You still think it's all about you, don't you!"
"I think that I am an easy target for the righteous anger of many. And I think that you need someone to blame. I certainly would, if I had lost Draco."
Lucius turned to look out the window again. Pius had found Cassie, and she was dancing with him. How amazing, that in a world still so full of pain, two children could dance together without a care in the world. He couldn't fix the world for them, couldn't shield them forever, couldn't make their family name respectable again. But he could love them and do his best to protect them, and hope that in the end, that would be enough.
Author:Melfina the Blue
Rating:G
Characters:Lucius Malfoy, Scorpius Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Cassie Malfoy, Harry Potter, Andromeda Tonks
Summary: Lucius has to go pick up his grandchild from Mrs Tonks' School for Magical Children.
Prompt: Children dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music.
William Stafford
Warning(s):EWE, OC
Word Count:1642
Author's Notes:Big thanks to Zephre and author by night! This and Snapshots of a Memorial Day are meant to go together.
Lucius was not happy about this, not at all. But Draco had been in a near panic when he flooed, and Lucius had never yet managed to say no to his son. Even if it meant getting another lecture from the Headmistress and missing all his afternoon classes.
He straightened himself up, and glanced in the mirror. He was still in his teaching robes, but he doubted there was time to change, plus Pius had a tendency to be messy. He grabbed the portkey on his dresser and went to the Manor.
Draco was pacing back and forth, holding Pius in his arms. He looked up when Lucius entered.
"Here's the baby, all his things are in the nursery, try not to let him stay up late, and you need to go get Cassie from Mrs. Tonks. Hermione and I were supposed to exchange Cassie at the Memorial tomorrow, so you'll need to go. I'll be at St Christophe's if you need me; floo address is written on the blotter. Thanks and bye."
He thrust Pius into Lucius's arms and dashed out of the room. Lucius stood there, a bit confused. He'd caught the bit about going to get Cassie, but what had the last part been about? He hated when Draco talked that fast, he missed half of what the boy was saying.
"Draco?"
The only answer was the sound of the floo activating.
"Well, Pius, what say we go get your sister?"
Pius giggled and tried to pull Lucius's hair.
"Alright, we're going to apparate now. You ready?"
"Apparate!"
And with a whoosh of air, Lucius and Pius appeared at the front gate of "Mrs. Tonks' School for Magical Children". Lucius grimaced at the sound of children screaming as they played. He loathed screaming. Pius squirmed in his arms.
"Down! Down!"
"Pius, I know you know the word please, now use it."
"DOWN!"
"Pius, I will not put you down until you ask properly."
"DOWN!!"
Pius started to kick and struggle in Lucius' arms. Lucius held him out at arms length and Pius started to scream. He grimaced. Just what he needed, a screaming temper tantrum.
"WANNA DOWN WANNA DOWN WANNA DOWN!"
"Mr. Malfoy, is there a particular reason you're holding a screaming toddler?"
Lucius resisted the urge to sigh and roll his eyes. Of course it had to be the great Saint Potter, paragon of virtue and savior of the Wizarding World. Personally, he'd always been more fond of the title Severus had given him, the annoying prat who lived.
"He can go down, when he asks nicely and uses the word please. Until then, he's just going to have to scream."
"You didn't have another child, did you?"
"No, Potter. This is Scorpius, Draco's son."
"Scorpius??" Potter snickered.
"Yes, Scorpius Severus Malfoy. And at least his name's not Albus Severus, like your youngest."
"Hey, I named my son after two people who were very important to me."
"And I'm sure Severus isn't rolling in his grave about that."
"I think Professor Snape would appreciate the sentiment."
"Did we know the same Severus, Potter? He never appreciated a sentiment in his life. Now, a good whiskey..."
"Don't tell me, I really don't want to know."
"So you named your son after someone you really didn't know at all. How charitable."
"Is there some sort of class all Malfoys take on how to annoy me?"
"No. It comes naturally."
"Joy. Anyway, what are you doing here? Last I checked, you weren't welcome."
"Not really any of your business, Potter."
"Yes, it is. Death Eaters aren't allowed."
"This particular Death Eater is just here to pick up his granddaughter. Cassie would be rather upset if I left her here all alone."
"Don't be surprised if Mrs. Tonks throws you out."
"I would hope that she is willing to live and let live. After all, she allowed Cassie to come here, and Scorpius is already enrolled for next year."
Harry's voice dripped with sarcasm as he spoke.
"Why didn't they put you in Azkaban again?"
"Apparently they thought watching me teach would be more amusing. If you don't like it, feel free to take it up with Arthur Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt. I know the Headmistress has."
Scorpius had stopped screaming, and now was rather intently listening to the conversation. He swung his legs back and forth.
"Pweas down?"
"Yes, Pius, you may go down. Just don't run..."
As soon as Lucius set the toddler down, he was off like a rocket towards the sounds of children playing around the back of the building. Lucius resolved to give him a treat later for giving him an excuse to end the conversation with Potter. He loathed having to deal with any member of the so-called Golden Trio, their self-righteousness tended to make his teeth itch.
"Must dash, Potter, need to make sure Pius doesn't get into any trouble."
Lucius hurried after his grandson, and resolved to give the boy a treat at the earliest opportunity. He rounded the corner of the building and came upon a playground full of children, surrounded by a wooden fence. Pius was standing at the gate, banging on it. Lucius scooped him up and opened the gate.
"PWEAS DOWN!"
"In a moment, Pius. We need to find your sister."
Pius pointed.
"There. Pweas down now!"
Lucius looked in the direction Pius was pointing. Cassie was in a corner of the playground, humming to herself and dancing around. Pius started to struggle in his arms again.
"PWEAS DOWN NOW! PWEAS DOWN NOW!"
"Pius, you have to stay with me."
"WANNA DOWN WANNA DOWN WANNA DOWN!"
Pius started screaming and flailing. Lucius winced as a stray kick caught him in the ribs.
"Now, now, now, what's all this about, little one?"
Andromeda Tonks was coming towards them. She smiled at Pius, and frowned at Lucius.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy? I thought I made things clear to Draco."
"I apologize. Pansy's been injured, and Draco had to rush to her side. I'll just get Cassie and leave."
"Why didn't he send Narcissa? That was the agreement we had."
"Narcissa's been in St Mungos for a week now. Draco and I've been pulling strings to keep it out of the Prophet."
"What's wrong?"
Lucius sighed.
"I would prefer to discuss that in private. Neither of the children has been informed."
"Put the boy down and come inside then. He'll be perfectly safe out here."
Lucius set Pius down and he ran off to play in the sandbox. Andromeda led him into a small classroom.
"Well?"
"She is dying. She has perhaps another two months at most."
"What? Why didn't Draco tell me?"
"Because Narcissa has yet to tell him. She wants to do that in her own time, in her own way. We'd been able to arrange care for her at home to this point, so I don't think Draco realizes how serious things are."
"But his mother is dying! My sister!"
Lucius' voice was choked with emotion as he spoke.
"And my wife of many years, a dear friend and companion. My actions have led to her death. I cannot take them back, cannot fix what is broken. All I can do is be there for her and respect her wishes, as I know she would respect mine if the situations were reversed."
He stared out the window, not wanting to look Andromeda in the face, not wanting her to see the grief he could not hide.
"What do you mean your actions have led to her death?"
"She is dying from a combination of minor hexes cast while I was in Azkaban and unable to protect her."
"What?"
"The healers said it was an extremely unusual case. The combination weakened her heart, and it is gradually failing."
"They can't do anything?"
"By the time symptoms started to show, it was too late. All they could do is slow the deterioration, not stop it."
"I see. So, you killed her. Why am I not surprised? That's what you do, isn't it, Malfoy, destroy families?"
"I had nothing to do with the death of your husband."
"LIAR! Face me and say that!"
He turned around to look at her. She looked so much like 'Cissa in that moment it hurt.
"I had nothing to do with the death of your husband. Speaking out against his sentence would only have killed him the quicker."
"You think I care? The Death Eaters killed him, and my daughter and her husband!"
"If you want to hate me, go right ahead. I'll just get Cassie and go."
"You arrogant prick! You still think it's all about you, don't you!"
"I think that I am an easy target for the righteous anger of many. And I think that you need someone to blame. I certainly would, if I had lost Draco."
Lucius turned to look out the window again. Pius had found Cassie, and she was dancing with him. How amazing, that in a world still so full of pain, two children could dance together without a care in the world. He couldn't fix the world for them, couldn't shield them forever, couldn't make their family name respectable again. But he could love them and do his best to protect them, and hope that in the end, that would be enough.