The Affair

Chapter Twenty-Eight: End of the Malfoys







Moving on, is a simple thing, it’s the leaving behind that is hard.- Dave Mustaine









Lucius sat behind his desk, a cool mask of indifference on his face as he watched his wife and son settle across from him. Both of them looked wary, family meetings were not a common occurrence in the Malfoy household. Draco couldn’t recall the last time they had all sat down together to have a conversation. He saw a thick file lying in the center of his father’s desk and his curiosity became almost unbearable.





“I have called you here because what I am about to say will affect you both greatly.” Lucius began, folding his hands on top of his desk. “I doubt that it has been a secret that I am not exactly a happy man and I have not been for a very long time. Life with the Dark Lord and my subsequent punishment have left me cold and emotionally numb, therefore I was willing to continue to live in misery. That has changed now.” He looked at Narcissa and he could see the realization beginning to dawn. “I am filing for dissolution of our bond come morning.”







Draco felt his stomach drop as he stared in disbelief at his father. He couldn’t quite process what he had just heard. He looked at his mother and saw the glare of contempt directed across the desk. He knew his mother had punished his father unfairly over the years and had used him on more than one occasion as a weapon against him. He felt for his father, but she was his mother, she was fragile and delicate, she needed him, she told him so every day.







“You think I will let you go so easily so you can run to her?” Narcissa spat, venom dripping from her every word. “No, you will NOT leave me, Lucius Malfoy, I forbid it.”







“You have no say in this, Narcissa. I have been meeting with my solicitors and barristers over the last few weeks and I do not need your approval or even your consent. You may drag this through the courts if you wish, but in the end I will still be leaving you.” He knew he sounded callous and unfeeling, but it was the only way she would understand. Regardless of his cold exterior it wasn’t easy for him to walk away. Once upon a time he had loved her greatly, but time, life and hardship had slowly killed that love. His biggest regret was hurting his son, no matter what anyone believed he loved his child deeply.







“Father…why?” Draco knew the answer, but needed to hear his father say the words.







“I know this is difficult for you, Draco. It is never easy for a child to witness the separation of his parents no matter what the age. I haven’t been happy for so long, Draco. I have a chance for happiness and I am not willing to walk away from it.” He said simply.







“With Hermione Weasley?” He couldn’t believe it. His father was leaving his wife, his life, everything he had ever known and believed in for a life with a muggleborn.







“Come morning she will be Hermione Granger again.” Lucius answered.







“And how long before she becomes Hermione Malfoy?” Narcissa sneered. “You are such an old fool, Lucius. Do you really think that marrying a younger woman is going to make a difference? She will grow weary of you in time just as I did and you will once more be miserable. Will you find another young thing to warm your bed then as well?”







“Narcissa, you have it wrong as usual.” He shook his head sadly. “I never set out looking for a woman, younger or otherwise, to warm my bed. I simply hired a woman who was qualified, over qualified if I am honest, to restore my library. The rest just happened.”







“And instead she restored your libido.” She scoffed, rolling her eyes.







“No. She offered me friendship when you denied it. She offered me companionship when you wouldn’t even look at me. She gave me forgiveness while you withheld yours and lorded it over me. Yes, she offered me affection when you wouldn’t even touch me. You want to make this sordid and all about sex but it isn’t. Sex is such a minor part of what she and I share.” He looked at her pityingly. “She makes me happy, Narcissa. I hope that one day you find someone to make you feel this way.”









“Your parents would be turning over in their graves! Leaving your pureblood wife for a filthy little…”







“Don’t say it, Narcissa. Do not disparage her because I will not tolerate it. Say what you will about me, I deserve it. I know I was wrong, I know I broke our vows and I take full responsibility for it, but she doesn’t deserve to be slandered.” Lucius said firmly.







“Doesn’t deserve it? SHE STOLE MY HUSBAND!” Narcissa shrieked. Draco actually winced at the sound but remained quiet.







“She didn’t steal anything. I should have gone long ago but it was easier to stay. I felt I deserved your abuse so I took it. She has shown me the power of forgiveness.” Lucius smiled and rubbed his fingertips gently when he felt the tingling of awareness.







“So…you love her then?” Draco asked, unsure of himself. He kept thinking that he should be angry, indignant and defensive of his mother but he couldn’t seem to think clearly.







“Yes, I love her and she loves me.” Lucius heard the angry mutterings from Narcissa and ignored them. “I have made arrangements I would like to discuss with you.”







“You are really leaving aren’t you?” Draco was in shock. He just couldn’t fathom that his father was leaving his mother for his mistress.







“I am really leaving.” He said gently. “I am taking my personal belongings and the contents of my library as well as my hounds and horses. The manor normally would pass to you at the time of my death but I have decided to hand it over to you now. There is an account set up for the maintenance of the property as well as an account for you, Narcissa, that will be managed by Draco. You may continue to live in this house with Draco for as long as you like. I will retain ownership of the vacation homes in Tuscany and the Shetlands as you have never stepped foot in either of them. You may have the villa in France and the London townhouse. I have been very generous with your financial settlement but it is final. As I stated before, you may drag this through court if you like but you would not get close to what I have provided for you in a court ordered settlement.”







“And just what am I supposed to say when this gets out? What am I to say to people?” She asked angrily. Lucius smirked slightly and slid the file containing the deeds and account information to his son.







“You will be the victim here, Narcissa. Your horrible death eater husband has done the unthinkable and left you for a younger woman. You shall be the abused party and society will fall at your feet in sympathy for your sad circumstances. You shall be the society darling once more.” He saw the smile tugging at her lips and knew she was going to enjoy every moment of it. He looked at Draco and his heart ached. “I understand if you can not forgive me, Draco. I wouldn’t blame you for hating me but understand that this was never how I wanted things to go. I love you, son. You are a good man and I am very proud of what you have become, despite me. I am always here for you when you need me and you will always be welcome in my home.”







“Are you sure Granger feels the same, Father? Are you certain she is worth it?” He asked.







“She is worth it, Draco. And yes, I am certain of her feelings. And I am certain that she would welcome you, she lost a son and she would not wish for me to lose mine. I will give you the space you need and if you never want to see me again I will respect that.” Lucius stood and stepped around the desk. “Goodbye, Narcissa, I hope you find your happiness.” She stood and stomped from the room with her nose in the air without a word. Lucius laid his hand on Draco’s shoulder. “Take care of your mother, son. I love you.”





Lucius walked away without looking back. He walked out of his ancestral home and into the sunlight, smiling as he looked forward to a brighter future.



I just felt like updating today….its gloomy and cold and I felt like posting. =) so there you are, two chapters. Two more to go and you will find out what happened to Lucius and Hermione……..