Almost Lover

Chapter Two:
A Day & A Night.

Lucius had not been surprised when his wife had agreed to the arrangement without evening hearing any of the details. The moment he had mentioned leaving for a few months with Draco, she had thoroughly encouraged it. He had mentally sneered at her coaxing. Acting as if he didn’t know about all the men she had taken to her bed.

He had barely risen from his chair to speak to Draco when she was writing letters. No doubt to tell them of the good news. Draco had been ecstatic about the trip and had begun packing before Lucius had even had the chance to set the date. Of course they would leave within the week. Draco, after all, didn’t have a lot of summer time.

So, it was not shocking to see the two, with their bags shrunk in Lucius pocket, standing by the floo saying goodbye to Narcissa the next day. They floo’d to a preset destination and changed into the appropriate attire. Robes would not do when you were staying in a muggle area.

Lucius donned a simply pair of black slacks and a white button up shirt. His hair was pulled back per usual. Draco chose a pair of swim shorts and a black t-shirt. Lucius had nearly snorted at the boy as he chose the loudest looking shorts he could find. The boy was learn, that normal muggles didn’t wear such loud clothing.

From there Lucius apparated them to an alley beside a very nice hotel. While Lucius didn’t mind muggle Caribbean, he was not about to stay in some cheap motel. What was the point of money if you didn’t use it after all? Draco was bouncing up and down in excitement. He wanted to see everything that Lucius had shown him in the pictures. And he wanted to see it right then and there,

“Father hurry!” the boy whined and Lucius gently put his hand on Draco’s shoulder,

“Draco calm yourself. We’ll get out as soon as we get everything settled here.” he turned back to the young man at the counter,

“What’s the name please sir?” the man smiled brightly and Lucius returned it, though it seemed fake and slightly strained,

“Baxter. Jonathan Baxter.” the man typed away at the computer and then nodded,

“it’s all in order sir!” he smiled again and Lucius thought for a moment he was unable to do much of anything else, “Royal Sweet on the top floor.” he handed Lucius the keys, “I’ll have a bellhop take your things to your room.” he said about to summon a man when Lucius shook his head,

“It’s quite alright. We can handle it.” the man behind the counter nodded and Lucius gently pushed Draco in the direction of the elevator. Draco was staring in awe at everything around him… or anything that screamed muggle. Lucius could tell he was trying to control himself and Lucius was proud of the boy. Though the moment they stepped into their room Draco exploded,

“Father, how do these muggles do it?” he asked, “that… what was it again elevator? Are you sure it’s not magic?” he asked crossing his arms over his chest. Lucius nodded,

“Yes Draco. Now remember, you cannot mention anything about magic. Alright?” Draco nodded and Lucius patted him on the back, “Well then shall we go do some exploring then?” he asked and Draco nodded, but heading first to his bag and pulled out the pictures that Lucius had given him,

“Here first!” he said pointing to the picture of the beach. A picture that also showed a young girl with black hair. Someone Lucius had said was merely some random young woman who had stepped into the picture on accident. Lucius took the picture and nodded,

“Fine then the beach.” he chuckled at the boys whoop of joy and had to hurry to follow the boy out the door.
______________________________________________________________________

The beach was exactly how he remembered it, pristine and beautiful. Clear waters that Draco gladly jumped into. Lucius had settled himself far enough from the water, but close enough to keep an eye on Draco who had instantly made friends with another boy. Lucius watched them begin to build a sand castle and he smiled softly deciding to remove his shirt.

The sun touching his skin brought back even more memories of the past. And this time Lucius had no urge to stop them. He saw her again laughing and splashing him as he tried to catch her. The night they spent on the beach just staring at the stars. He was brought out of this thoughts by giggling close by. He turned his head finding two young women admiring him from a couple towels down. He flashed them a brilliant, fake, smile before looking back to Draco.

The boy was already sporting red skin, and they had only been out for a few hours. The boy would no doubt require a trip into the wizarding part of the island for a salve. He sighed and laid back against the sand his arms supporting his head. He was forced to close his eyes against the glare of the sun. It wasn’t long before Lucius was snoozing, completely content under the warming rays of the sun.

It was nearly two hours later when Lucius felt someone poking at his chest and laughing. Lucius cracked open his eyes to stare at Draco who was now looking like a lobster. Though Lucius’ own chest didn’t look much different,

“Draco stop that.” he demanded feeling the sting that came along with Draco’s pokes. He sat up wincing at the skin stretching and pulling at the burned flesh, “I think it’s time to go back to the hotel.” He stood replacing his shirt with slow movements that made Draco laugh. Of course the boy wouldn’t be laughing when his own skin began to burn.

They took it slow on their walk back, Draco examining the culture around him. Lucius paused once to get the boy a cool treat. He watched his son’s energy levels slowly lower until he was yawning. Luckily by that time they had arrived back to their room. Lucius watched Draco lay down and fall asleep within moments.

Lucius contemplated doing the same, but his chest still burned and he decided that he needed to make a small trip. He left a note for Draco before slipping out once more, but this time heading into the secret part of the island.

He hadn’t bothered to replace his robes, it wasn’t likely he was going to see anyone he knew there. Or at least that was what he had thought. The moment he stepped onto the streets, a surprised voice came from his right,

“Lucius?” he turned surprised to find Severus Snape exiting an apothecary to his right,

“Severus. How are you?” he asked the man that had been his friend for years. Severus walked towards him not bothering to answer the question,

“What are you doing here?” he asked with a suspicious glance at his attire, “I’ve never known you to run around without your expensive robes, or come from a muggle area. Except of course all those years ago.” Lucius shrugged,

“Draco had found the pictures of that particular trip and demanded to visit. So I agreed. I would suppose you are gathering potions ingredients?” Severus nodded patting his pocket almost unconsciously,

“I have to get some sun burn potion. I’m afraid Draco and I managed to get burned today.” Severus smirked and waved the other man to follow him. Lucius gladly fell into step with the other man, neither finding any reason to speak.

Severus led him down the street and into a side alley way. He stopped in front of a side door and opened it letting Lucius enter before he followed the man inside. He picked up the bottle that Lucius was looking for and walked up to the counter. The woman there smiled brightly and openly flirted with Severus, to which Lucius could only smirk. She glanced up at Lucius and smiled flirtatiously at him as well as she processed Severus’ item.

Lucius browsed the shelves until Severus tapped his shoulder and led him back towards the door,

“Why Severus. I didn’t realize you flirted. And with a child none the less.” he grinned as the man all but threw the small bag at him,

“She, is no child Lucius. Of that I can assure you. And I am human after all. No matter what those brats say.” Lucius just chuckled underneath Severus’ glare,

“You should come by. Your god son would enjoy seeing you. Perhaps for dinner this evening?” he suggested and Severus nodded. That was all the confirmation that Lucius needed. He gave Severus the address of the restaurant he had planned to take Draco and exited back into the muggle world.
_______________________________________________________________________

When he stepped back into the hotel room Draco was practically bawling. His fair skin had taken quite a beating today. Lucius shook his head,

“Draco come here. Take off the shirt.” the sniffling boy did as he was told and sat in front of his father who gently and carefully rubbed the potion into his skin. When he was done the skin was already tanning and no longer burned. Lucius then turned his attentions on himself as Draco darted over to the TV. He flipped it on and found some cartoon with bright colors that caught his interest.

He knew he was going to regret letting the boy watch television. No doubt he would slip and cause his mother to go into a rampage. He could only image what would get broken in that process and who would end up hurt,

“Draco, you need to get dressed. Wear something… nice. We’ll be meeting Severus for dinner.” the boys head shot up and he grinned. He was on his feet in moments pulling out his best clothes for the meeting with his godfather.

Lucius himself changed into another pair of black dress pants and pulled on a black silk button up. He let his hair free this time and slipped an expensive looking watch around his wrist. He glanced at Draco who was wearing a similar outfit. That would no doubt cause a few comments from various people. They both finished with shiny black dress shoes.

Draco went back to watching TV as Lucius picked a book from out of his bag. His watch was set to go off with enough time to get Draco and he to the restaurant. He sat for a long time ignoring the open book his mind on his son, and wondering if she had any children now? No doubt she would. And he also knew she had probably forgotten all about him. He rested his head on his hand and finally began to focus on the book. He became so engrossed in the pages that when the alarm on his watch went off he jumped spilling the book onto the floor.

Draco chuckled at his father’s wide eyed expression. When Lucius’ heart settled he smoothed out his shirt and glanced at Draco. The boy turned off the TV and headed out the door, as Lucius grabbed a black wallet and followed after him.

_______________________________________________________________________

Lucius smiled as Severus was tackled by Draco as soon as the boy saw him. For a man who professed his hatred of children, he was rather good with Draco. Lucius shook Severus hand, greeting him for the second time that day. Severus had arrived earlier and led them both to the table he had acquired.

Lucius spent most of his time listening to Draco tell Severus about his day and how much fun he was having. The other half of it was spent thinking about the past. Severus indulged the boy, laughing at the atrocious jokes that children tended to tell. But eventually Draco wore himself out and busied himself with eating. Severus shook his head and turned his attention to Lucius who seemed to be in his own world.

“Lucius?” he questioned the other man. Lucius glanced at Severus.
“hmm?” He straightened focusing his full attention on his friend,

“You seem preoccupied. Are you thinking about then?” he asked quietly, though Draco was too fascinated by the people around him then the two at the table. Lucius nodded.

“Simply wondering if she was still around. Not that it would do me any good to look for her. I doubt she’d even acknowledge my existence.” he smiled and turned his attention to Draco who had yawned. Lucius checked his watch. “I should get him back. It’s past his bedtime.” he stood and Severus nodded staying seated.

“I’m meeting someone else.” he told Lucius as he gently shook Draco’s shoulder to get the boys attention. Lucius nodded as Draco slipped out of his seat.

“Stay out of trouble.” he told Severus who smirked and shook his head.

The moment Lucius and Draco were out the door a young woman took a seat at the table. “There better be a good reason why you’ve asked me here Severus.” the snapped looking agitated.

“I always have good reasons for things… Arianna.”


^^ There you go. Chapter two. PLEASE REVIEW! Even if it's just to say you absolutly hate it!
Ithilwen: thanks for reviewing ^^. And i'm glad you like it. This is pretty much a filler chapter but I hope you liked it anyway.