Get back, motherfucker, you don't know me like that

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*Holding an infant is vaguely at odds with most of the images Lucius like to paint of himself. It's at odds with his image as a leader of Society; it's most definitely at odds with his image as a loyal Death Eater. But there are times when image matters - most of the time, image matters - and times when it doesn't. This is one of the latter. That's why, on a family outing to Diagon Alley, he's holding Draco cradled to his chest as securely and gently and unabashedly lovingly as one might expect of any father. At least one who wasn't a Death Eater.

The outing is mostly for Draco's benefit. Lucius has been reading baby books since June (a fact which he does guard jealously from his colleagues of all stripes), and has definitive ideas about mental stimulation and socialization. And, in his view, starting the boy early on who not to socialize with is as important as teaching him who's acceptable, and anyway, the manor is far too quiet. It wouldn't do to have Draco grow up too used to that kind of quiet, and wind up nervous or twitchy or the like.

So, Diagon Alley. It's just now warm enough again for this kind of day out, and Draco seems to be enjoying drooling on Lucius's robes. (This bothered him for about a week, after Draco was born. He's gotten very, very used to it.) So far, so good. He turns to Narcissa, smiling, and so fails to see who's coming out of Florian Fortescue's behind him.*

So far so good, I'd say?

Comments

[aprettyconceit.livejournal.com]

*A twitch of her wrist Vanishes the tooth where it lies discarded - no sense in leaving physical evidence behind - and Narcissa's long legs allow her to easily keep pace with her husband as Draco stares over her shoulder at the squabbling redheads they leave behind. Perambulator faithfully rolling after them, she can already hear the matriarch's scolding tones rising above the rabble.*

That man is a menace. What on earth he thought that would accomplish I'm sure I don't know.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

He doesn't think, their sort doesn't think. Little better than animals, the way he's always mewling about after Muggles - disgusting. Crouch will hear about this first thing Monday morning. I will not be publicly humiliated like this.

*If his voice is kept low it's only to avoid a further scene - no mistake, Lucius is still absolutely livid.*

[aprettyconceit.livejournal.com]

He merely proved his low breeding, you certainly came off the better party-- Lucius, please stop and let me fix your lip.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*He does, obediently, looking at Narcissa with his eye quickly blackening and blood still all over his mouth. He doesn't feel the better party. He'd have felt the better party if Weasley hadn't just walked away from it. He drops his voice to a furious murmur, casting a glance about them.*

The next time I get the chance behind a mask, I swear -

[aprettyconceit.livejournal.com]

Hush. Not here.

*Draco is oddly quiet as Narcissa's wand soothes small wounds and erases the visible damage of Weasley's ham-handed fisticuffs. Anyone looking on would mistake Narcissa's expression and her quiet words for a worried wife cooing over the injuries or her husband, instead of the muttered warning it actually is.*

It looks worse for him if you play the role of the gentleman to the absolute hilt. You can hex him bloody another time, my love, but now is not the time to be plotting revenge.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*Lucius just listens, still glaring at the street over her shoulder, but she's right. She usually is. It takes an effort but he at least tries to compose himself, twitching a tiny nod.*

Alright. I'm still going to Crouch.

[aprettyconceit.livejournal.com]

As you should. To be attacked on the street is appalling - Weasley cannot control his temper any more than he control his finances, you've every right to see him brought up on charges.

*Satisfied that her husband's visage is returned to its usual handsomeness, she lays a gentle hand to his cheek.*

Come. Carry your son, and let us finish our shopping, hmm?

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*Gentleman. Right. He clenches his jaw but does as Narcissa asks, lifting Draco from her arms. He'll make sure, he thinks, looking into those wide grey eyes so like his own, that the boy knows exactly how to handle rabble like the Weasleys.*

Lead the way, darling.

[aprettyconceit.livejournal.com]

*The smile she gives him is more for the benefit of anyone who happens to be watching - and she knows there are watchers - but the light in her eyes is all for him.

It's gone by the time she steps out onto the path again.*