Dolasitas

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Nine weeks had now passed since the miscarriage, and Lexy had still not fully recovered. Physically, the Healers had assured Lucius that she was entirely healed, but he knew that his wife was only a shadow of her former self at the moment. Whilst she claimed to be fine, it was evident to him that she was still carrying the pain and guilt of the loss. Lucius could not bear seeing her so unhappy, and he had a plan.

“Lexy, have you ever visited Russia?” he asked nonchalantly over the breakfast table one morning. “I hear it is very beautiful this time of the year.”

Lexy frowned, pausing as she brought her glass to her mouth. “No, I have never been there, Lucius. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, I thought it would be nice to take a trip there today, if you have no objection. It seems to be too long since we went out together, and Moscow is as lovely a place as any for us to spend a day.”

Lexy clapped her hands delightedly. “That sounds splendid, Lucius! How are we getting there?”

Lucius smiled, glad to see her so happy. “I have a Portkey in my study. It is ready when we are, darling.”

She stood up immediately. “In that case, I will go and dress now.”

He chuckled. “Finish your breakfast first, Lexy. We have plenty to see today, and it will do you no good to go with an empty stomach.”

Lexy finished her breakfast as quickly as she could before racing upstairs to dress. Moscow had always been one of the cities she most desired to visit, but she had thought after her marriage that she would never have the chance. She reached the bedroom and was surprised to see an entirely new outfit laid out on the bed. Lucius strolled into the room behind her. “I took it upon myself to purchase you some new clothing for today, as Russia will be significantly colder than you are used to here, Lexy. Do you approve?”

“Absolutely,” Lexy breathed, picking up the velvet cloak and stroking it softly.

“The purple offsets your hair perfectly, princess,” Lucius said fondly, crossing the room to stand behind her, enveloping her in his arms. “Would you perhaps like some assistance dressing?” he asked, a glint in his eye.

Lexy allowed her house robe to slip off her shoulders. “So long as it is you who is providing the assistance, Lucius,” she replied, a small smile dancing across her lips.

His hands instantly moved to her waist as he lowered his head to her neck, kissing it softly. “As if I would allow anyone else to touch you so,” Lucius said with a soft growl.

Lexy shivered pleasurably. “As if I would desire anyone else to touch me so,” she whispered in reply.

Lucius’ arms tightened around her waist. “What did I do to deserve you, Alexis?” he asked hoarsely as he pulled her robe down over her waist, allowing it to fall to the floor.

“Who can discern the workings of Fate?” Lexy replied heavily, her chest tightening.

Lucius immediately caught her meaning and pulled her onto the bed with him, wrapping his own robe around her. “Lexy, please listen to what I am about to say to you, my darling,” he said urgently. “Losing the baby was not your fault in the slightest, Lexy, and you must not blame yourself or try to seek a reason for it happening. There is nothing that anybody could have done.”

“But she must have known that I didn’t want her, Lucius!” Lexy said desperately. “It was my fault that she didn’t go to the right place, because I didn’t want her there!”

“She?” Lucius questioned, his face pale.

“I… I couldn’t think of her as an it all the time, Lucius,” Lexy replied brokenly.

Lucius exhaled. “I understand, darling. But I promise you, that would have had no effect on it, it couldn’t possibly. And didn’t you tell me that when Mrs Snape told you that you were pregnant, you were thrilled? Surely that means that deep down, in the most important part of you, you did want that baby?”

Lexy looked at him hopefully. “Do you think so?” she asked hesitantly.

“I know so, Lexy,” Lucius said firmly. “There is nothing wrong in grieving for our child, but we cannot let it stop us from living.” He was deeply relieved to see Lexy slowly nod as her face cleared. “Come on then, wife, we have a full day ahead of us,” he said affectionately, rising off the bed. “Go and freshen up in the bathroom whilst I get myself dressed, and then I will assist you in putting this collection on.”

Lexy breathed more freely as she headed towards the bathroom. Perhaps Lucius was right, and she had been blaming herself for the wrong reasons. By the time she left the bathroom, she was more relaxed than she had been for the past few months, and she smiled broadly at Lucius when he came out of the study.

“That’s more like it, princess!” Lucius said approvingly, deeply relieved. “Let’s get you dressed and then we are ready to go, if you like.”

“Absolutely,” Lexy replied, walking over to the bed and picking up the set of underwear that had been laid out for her. “Green again, Lucius?” she said reprovingly.

He smiled apologetically. “If you had any idea how much it arouses me to see you in Slytherin colours, Lexy, you would understand why I cannot refrain from buying it for you.”

“How can I refuse you when you flatter me so?” Lexy replied with a small laugh, slowly dressing in the set, her eyes never leaving Lucius’ as she sauntered towards him. “So when I am dressed like this, you are aroused?” she asked breathily.

Lucius groaned. “Gods, Lexy, if I did not have so much planned for us today I would tie you to the bed and ravish you all day, princess. As it is, if you wish to go to Moscow at all I suggest that you put that gown on immediately.”

Lexy hurriedly turned away from him. As enjoyable as sex with Lucius was, she realised that she wouldn’t have many opportunities to spend a day in Moscow, and she was determined not to miss out. She picked up the gown and stepped into it, allowing Lucius to attend to the fastenings as she slipped on the heavy lined boots.

Finally, Lucius lifted the velvet cloak off the bed and draped it around her shoulders, casting a warming charm on it first. “We will be arriving indoors, but make sure you do the cloak up all the way before we go outside,” he said warningly as he pulled the Portkey out of his pocket. “You know what to do, Lexy.” Lexy reached out a finger to touch the Portkey as Lucius said, “Portus!”, causing it to glow blue briefly before she felt the familiar tug behind her navel.

The journey seemed to last forever, and when it finally stopped Lexy stumbled, falling into Lucius’ outstretched arm. She blinked and looked around her, seeing that they were in a large, elegant entrance hall, filled with golden statues. “This is beautiful, Lucius!” she said under her breath, her eyes shining.

“This is nothing yet, darling,” he replied. As he spoke, a door opened to the left of them and an important looking man swept towards them.

“Lucius, my friend, how are you?” he asked, his Eastern European accent tinged with a hint of American.

“Very well, thank you Mikael. And yourself?” Lucius replied with a small bow.

“All the better for meeting this charming creature,” he said with a beaming smile. “Lady Malfoy, I presume?”

Lexy, taking her lead from Lucius, curtseyed as she nodded. Lucius smiled. “Indeed. Mikael, allow me to introduce to you my wife, Alexis. Lexy, this is President Mikael Volkarov, the Head of the Russian Ministry of Magic.”

“Please call me Mikael, my dear,” the President said as he raised her hand to his lips. “I apologise most profusely for being unable to attend your wedding, my Lady, and I was most grieved to have to do so, but unfortunately I had some pressing state business to attend to.”

Lexy quickly took in the details of the tall man standing before her. He was clearly a confident man, that much was clear from his stance, and the cut and quality of his robes revealed his riches and high status. Mikael’s handlebar moustache was cut neatly, as was his dark hair, on top of which he wore a traditional Russian hat. She realised he was waiting for her reply. “We took no offence, Mikael,” Lexy said with a charming smile, “but if you are ever available, please feel free to drop in upon us at any time. We would be honoured if you were to visit our home.”

“I do anticipate having business calling me to England soon,” Mikael said with a significant look at Lucius, “so I certainly hope that I can make your acquaintance further then.”

Lexy did not miss the implication of his words, but she carried on smiling. “I look forward to that day then, Mikael.” She stepped back allowing Lucius to take over the conversation, and he nodded approvingly.

“Thank you for your help in arranging this at such short notice, Mikael,” Lucius said.

Mikael smiled. “It was my pleasure, Lucius. Who can fault you for wishing to indulge such a beautiful woman as your young wife? I hope you have no objection, but I have arranged for Ivan to guide you around Moscow today,” he explained, beckoning forward a tall, muscular man who had until now stood silently in the background. “He knows all the best places to visit in Moscow, and he will arrange your entrance to the sights you wish to see,” he said with a slight wink to Lucius.

“That is very kind of you, Mikael, my thanks.”

“I will have to take my leave of you now and leave you in Ivan’s capable hands, but I am sure I will speak to you soon, Lucius. Lady Malfoy, it was an honour to finally meet you,” Mikael said, bowing deeply. Lucius and Lexy replied in turn, and Mikael disappeared into one of the adjoining rooms.

Ivan bowed to them. “My Lord and my Lady, President Volkarov suggested that you would perhaps like to visit St. Basil’s Cathedral first?” he asked haltingly.

Lucius nodded. “That sounds like an acceptable plan.” He turned to Lexy. “Is that alright with you, princess?” The smile on her face was all the reply he needed, and Lucius chuckled as he reached into his pocket, withdrawing a pair of elbow length gloves the same colour as the cloak. “Put these on and put the hood of your cloak up, Lexy,” he advised her.

Too excited to reply, Lexy did as he said and turned back to him, bouncing on her feet breathlessly. “I am ready!” she exclaimed impatiently.

“St. Basil’s is just a few minutes from the Ministry on foot,” Ivan said, leading the way out of the building and onto the snow-covered, bustling street. Lexy’s eyes widened as she took in the scene around her.

“Everything is so beautiful!” she breathed.

Ivan smiled in acknowledgement. “Thank you, my Lady. I assure you, however, not all of Moscow is like this. Around the Kremlin, certainly, the architecture is of top quality and no expense was spared, but the outer areas are like any other city. We are very proud of the culture, though, even if it was created by the Muggles.”

“Really?” Lexy questioned, surprised. “I have seen photographs, and I always assumed that buildings of that quality could only have been created by magic.”

“You could say that it was magic of some kind, my Lady, but not our kind of magic.”

They walked briskly towards the cathedral, their thick clothing unable to protect them fully against the bitter cold, and St. Basil’s was soon in sight. Even Lucius was taken aback when they saw it. “That is most impressive,” he said, wrapping his arms around Lexy as they stopped.

“Indeed. It was built in the mid 1500’s, commissioned by the Muggle Tsar, Ivan the Terrible, and it is said that he was so delighted when it was finished that Ivan had the architect, Postnik Yakovlev, blinded to prevent him from building a more magnificent building for anyone else.”

Lexy found it difficult to tear herself away from the splendour, and it was only when Ivan assured her that there were many more such sights to be seen that she was persuaded to move on. After some more brisk walking, cutting their way through the crowds, they arrived outside the Kremlin. Ivan sped ahead, gesticulating wildly with one of the guards, and finally beckoned them forward. “The Muggle guards are a little… difficult here,” he said, a black look on his face. “They like to search everyone who enters.”

Lucius’ face hardened instantly. “If those pieces of filth think they are laying a hand on my wife…” he threatened.

Ivan quickly shook his head. “No, I have… what is the word? Yes, persuaded them to ignore that particular piece of tradition, but we will still have to pass through this arch to stop others becoming suspicious.”

“What is it?” Lexy asked, intrigued. She had spent little time in the Muggle world, and was fascinated by what was in front of her.

“I do not understand it exactly,” Ivan owned, “but I believe it shows them what is hidden under each person’s clothing.”

Lucius exclaimed furiously. “Then Lexy will not be going through it! That is disgusting!”

“It will be turned off whilst we pass through, I assure you,” Ivan said earnestly.

“How do I know?” Lucius growled.

Ivan took him to one side and whispered to him out of Lexy’s earshot. His face cleared instantly. “Very well,” he said haughtily. “We will pass through this absurd machine.”

Lexy’s eyebrows shot up but she knew better than to question her husband, instead demurely following him through, her eyes darting about interestedly. Ivan hurried them away from the guards, diverting her attention instead towards the history of the Kremlin, pointing out the giant bell and the rooms where President Yeltsin, the Muggle equivalent of President Volkarov, was working.

Finally, he paused, a proud smile on his face. “And this is the Church of the Accession, also known as the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour,” he said, his hand held out towards the most beautiful building Lexy had ever seen. “It was a memorial to the Muggle war with the Frenchman, Napoleon, and was commissioned by Tsar Alexander I. It was initially meant to be built on the Sparrow Hills,” Ivan explained, gesturing behind them, “but this was later determined to be a better site. The original church was actually destroyed after the Socialist Revolution, but after the fall it was rebuilt to its original specifications.

“And now I am sure that your feet are tired and would like to rest, yes?” Ivan asked with a smile. Lexy nodded. “That is fortunate, because we have arranged for you to spend this afternoon watching a traditional Russian music and dance performance.”

Lucius and Lexy were both enthusiastic about the prospect and as it happened, they enjoyed it greatly, having never seen anything of the sort in England.

Ivan was waiting for them in the foyer when they emerged. “Lord Malfoy, the President was wondering if he could take up a little of your time before your next engagement? Mrs Volkarov is waiting at the Ministry to entertain Lady Malfoy whilst you are occupied.”

Lucius looked at Lexy enquiringly. “I don’t mind, Lucius,” she said quietly. “You know that I would not dream of interrupting any business you might have.”

“Thank you, princess,” he replied, clearly relieved. “Yes, Ivan, we will go now.”

Ivan nodded shortly and ushered them into a private room where he held out a Portkey that took them directly to the President’s office. A middle-aged, tired-looking woman rose as they appeared and greeted them in a heavily accented deep voice. “Good evening, I am Valentina Volkarov. May I escort you around the Ministry whilst our husbands are occupied, Lady Malfoy?” she asked.

Lexy smiled her assent and Lucius kissed her possessively before she and Valentina left the room. “How long has your husband been President, Mrs Volkarov?” Lexy enquired politely.

“Thirteen years now,” she replied, “and please do call me Valentina. Yes, it has been many years that he has been working here,” she finished sadly.

Lexy noticed the sadness in the woman’s eyes. “I do not know how aware you are of the political situation in Britain,” she said delicately, “but my Lucius has a senior position in our… government… and he is often away, but I cannot imagine what it would be like if he had even more work to do.”

“Precisely,” Valentina replied, relieved. “I rarely see Mikael other than at government functions, and we never had any children. It is a very lonely life.”

“It must be,” Lexy said sympathetically. “I understand that Mikael is coming to England soon?” she probed.

Valentina nodded. “Yes, he is coming to meet your leader and discuss their relationship, I believe.”

“Indeed,” Lexy said gravely, making a mental note to tell Remus as soon as possible of this alarming development. “Well, we have extended him an invitation to stay with us whilst he is in England, and that of course applies to you as well; I personally would be delighted to have the company.”

“I would love to come,” Valentina said sincerely. “I rarely travel with Mikael, but I am sure he can be persuaded on this one. Thank you, Lady Malfoy.”

“Lexy, please,” she insisted with a wide smile. “Now, what can you tell me of the ministry?” Lexy paid close attention to all she heard, and her mind was spinning by the time that Lucius came to retrieve her.

“Darling, I am ready to leave if you are,” he said, encircling his arm around her waist.

“We are going home already?” Lexy questioned him, her face dropping slightly.

“Not at all, princess,” Lucius hastily reassured her. “I have one more treat scheduled for you tonight. Ivan is waiting for us in the foyer.”

“Where are we going?” Lexy asked, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Now that would be telling, my princess,” he replied teasingly, a loving smile on his face. “Come, you will find out soon enough.”

They walked to the main entrance of the Russian Ministry where Ivan was waiting to open the door for them. “Your car awaits, sir,” he said, gesturing to a sleek black car standing outside the doors.

“I thought that we would arrive in Muggle fashion, considering where we are going,” Lucius explained to Lexy, opening the car door for her and ushering her inside before walking around. Ivan climbed into the front seat next to the driver and the car pulled off.

Lucius reached into his pocket and turned to Lexy. “I have a small gift for you, darling, as a thank you for all the happiness you have given me since you came into my life.” He handed her a box. “I thought perhaps you might like to wear them tonight.”

Lexy opened the box to reveal an amethyst and diamond pendant with matching earrings, and she gasped. “Lucius, they are beautiful. Thank you,” she said sincerely, closing the gap between them and kissing him softly on the lips.

“I would do anything for you, Lexy, in a heartbeat,” Lucius whispered, holding her close. “I know that you cannot tell me your feelings yet, but I can see the intensity of them when I look into your eyes, and that is enough for now.”

Lexy’s heart sped up and she swallowed hard as she lay her head on Lucius’ chest, knowing what he said to be true, yet still refusing to admit it. Before she could gather her thoughts, however, the car came to a standstill and Ivan got out of the car to open her door.

Lucius strolled around to her side of the car. “Knowing of your French heritage and your love of the arts, I could not possibly bring you to Moscow and not take you to the Bolshoi Theatre, Lexy,” he said with a smile. She beamed and threw her arms around his neck, allowing him to draw her close. “We have a box reserved, Lexy, and Ivan will lead us there now.”

When the performance was over, they took a Portkey directly back to the manor, where Lexy collapsed onto the bed with a happy sigh. “That was a wonderful day, Lucius.”

“I am glad you enjoyed it so much, princess,” he replied, dropping down onto the bed beside her and slipping her cloak off her shoulders. “You look so beautiful today, Lexy,” Lucius said fondly. “It was almost as if you were glowing with happiness, even Mikael remarked upon it.” He tenderly moved his hands to encircle her, slipping them around to caress her breasts through the gown, but Lexy winced and moved away. “What is it?” he demanded, hurt.

“Sorry, Lucius,” she replied, perturbed. “I just feel really tender tonight…” their eyes met as they realised the possible implication and Lucius leapt up to run into the study, coming back with his diary.

“Today is the 29th, Lexy,” he said excitedly. “When were you due?”

She thought hard for a few seconds before her eyes began to shine. “Yesterday, I think. Oh Lucius, could it possibly be –“

He cut her off. “We will go to St. Mungo’s in the morning, princess. Tonight, let us get some well-earned rest.”

“I don’t know that I can sleep without knowing,” Lexy said impatiently.

Lucius chuckled. “You will have to, because my word is final. I promise we will go directly there in the morning.” They lay down on the bed and Lucius kissed her forehead softly before laying a hand on her stomach. “Good night, darling.”

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