The Malfoy Family Jewels

The Malfoy Family Jewels

A/N: Warning: Lucius is very much so "out of character" in this fic and believe me it was deliberate. I like to toy with characters, sometimes I find it rather boring when every fic you read every character is the same. If you're a reader who is open minded enough to read a fic where the character has clearly stepped out of his element than this is the fic for you. If not I suggest you go elsewhere because you won't enjoy this.


Considering the day was gloomier than usual it intensified once Abraxas Malfoy barged in to Lucius’ room while he read.

Lucius slowly closed his book quite curious as to why his father had decided to choose this particular moment to intrude upon him.

Before he could inquire so, Abraxas was already speaking.

“Lucius, there comes a time in every man’s life where he must find a suitable companion, and thus, venture out on his own.” Abraxas announced theatrically with an elegant wave of his hand.

Lucius stared at his father perplexedly.

Abraxas exasperated, “To get married and move out, Lucius, God!”

Lucius’ eyes grew wide and paled considerably for a Malfoy, as though someone stuck him with a huge syringe and sucked whatever pigment he had left.

Lucius blinked after a minute, “I’m sorry, my hearing must have gone all swimmy with horror because I thought I heard you say something about marriage and moving out?”

Abraxas exhaled, feeling quite irate with his incomprehensible son. “That is precisely what I said, Lucius.” He said through gritted teeth.

Lucius’ lip trembled and he looked away. He did not want his father to see him like this.

“Oh for Merlin’s sake, Lucius, you’re not going to cry are you?” Lucius said in disgusted tones.

“No!” Lucius snapped, fervently blinking away a threatening tear.

Abraxas made a growling sound deep within his throat. A sound he always made when he’d met his tolerances end.

“I just thought I’d have more time is all…” Lucius said quietly.

“My God Lucius, you’re 23 years old, you’ve had an entire lifetime!” Abraxas bellowed, feeling his eye twitch with rage.

“But, I don’t even know any…” Lucius choked slightly. “Any…”

“Women! Women, Lucius! It’s not a difficult word to say! Good lord, do I need a drink…”

Lucius gulped, “Yes, right w-women…” he stammered.

“And?” Abraxas interrogated.

“A-and, that’s just it, I don’t know any…w-women.”

“So?”

Lucius felt himself shrink in his seat, “I don’t know…” He said, scarcely audible.

“Listen, Lucius” Abraxas said, trying very hard to suppress the deep urge to throw something sharp and pointy at his only son and heir. “I never knew your mother before our wedding day and our marriage is fine!”

“You mean in the sense that you and mother never speak to each other?” Lucius said quickly.

“NO!”

Lucius slumped lower in his seat, dangerously close to slipping out.

Abraxas brushed a hand through his hair with frustrated force.

“There’s also another reason I’m weary about this whole marriage thing…” Lucius said.

“And what is that, Lucius?”

“I’ve never…well, I’ve never did…er…it before…” Lucius admitted, feeling a faint flush in his cheeks.

Abraxas exhaled irritably, nostrils flaring.

“What I mean to say is that…I kind of wanted to save myself…”

It looked as though Abraxas was about to explode.

“What’s there to save yourself for?” Abraxas bellowed in quite an explosive tone. “True love?” He scoffed.

“Well…” Lucius said.

Abraxas rubbed the area between his eyes, feeling thoroughly stressed at the fact that his only son was such an insufferable pansy. “I knew I should have never let your mother put those ringlet’s in your hair as a young child, I told her you were far too impressionable and the end result would only make you soft. But, your mother always wanted a daughter…”

“I’m not soft!” Lucius exclaimed, scandalized.

“Oh please Lucius, if you were any softer people would mistake you for a marshmallow manikin.”

“I can’t help that I like vanilla coconut body lotion.” Lucius grumpily justified.

Abraxas growled again. “THAT’S BESIDE THE POINT YOU VEXING NITWIT!”

Lucius flopped out of his chair.

Abraxas pointed a well manicured pale finger at Lucius threateningly. “You will do as I say or so help me, Lucius! And get up when I’m speaking to you!”

Lucius fumbled back on to his chair, “Shouting, actually…” He pointed out matter-of-factly.

“You are not entitled to CORRECT ME, stupid boy!” Abraxas retorted, outraged at the nerve of his son.

“Yes, father!” Lucius squeaked.

“Now, not another word out of you!” Abraxas said coldly, eyes flashing dangerously.

“Yes, father.” Lucius replied obligingly.

“I said not another word!”

“Yes, father.” Lucius repeated out of habit. He flinched. “Sorry father, not another word I promise.” Lucius made a zipping his mouth closed gesture.

It was like watching a volcano about to erupt, only more frightening and hazardous. Lucius shifted in his chair nervously.

Abraxas closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, desperately willing away the severe urge to murder his only heir.

“Now, Lucius” Abraxas continued in an eerily calm tone. “I understand this tiding was brought on such short notice, and I also understand that it is a little distressing…”

Lucius beamed at his fathers’ consideration.

“But your mother and I have grown sick and tired of you loitering around here like some freeloader…”

Lucius abruptly stopped smiling.

“You don’t even work, Lucius! I mean, my God, you could have at least attempted some form of employment!”

“What exactly are you saying…?” Lucius inquired quizzically.

“I want you out, Lucius! Out! Out! OUT!” Abraxas bellowed.

Lucius gasped frightfully. “You want me out…?”

“YES! I want you out of my house! So long, farewell, bon voage, good-bye! Don’t forget to write, GONE, Lucius!”

“But, this is my home…” Lucius said pitifully.

“No, this is my home. You have to find your own home!”

“Right now?” Lucius asked bemusedly.

Abraxas rubbed the bridge of his nose again. “If it were up to me I would have thrown you out ages ago. Unfortunately your mother wants you to stay until you find yourself a decent wife.”

Lucius deflated with relief.

“But you will find yourself a wife as soon as possible and I will see to it that you do.”

Lucius thought this was all unnecessarily harsh coming from his own father.

Abraxas cleared his throat. “Have a good evening,” He said before departing.

Lucius seriously doubted that he would.

*

Lucius tossed and turned in his bed during the night. His father’s words haunting him.

How the hell was he going to find a wife when he could barely say the word ‘women’ aloud without having his guts nearly shimmy out of his body?

“It’s hopeless!” Lucius cried as he violently tossed over on to his back and then shrieked when he rolled off his bed.
Lucius joined his family in the dining room for breakfast the next morning with an air of a condemned man.

Abraxas lowered the Daily Prophet, “Good lord Lucius, your hair is abysmal!”

Lucius’ mother on the other hand looked a bit worried. “My dear, you look a little under the weather this morning are you feeling ok?”

“I’m just a bit tired mother that’s all.” Lucius informed, reaching for a piece of grapefruit.

Abraxas adjusted his newspaper, “That is no excuse to leave your hair in such a state.” He said firmly. “I demand that right after breakfast you go and repair the damage before our visitors arrive.”

“Visitors?” Lucius inquired.

“Yes,” Abraxas said looking at the newspaper, “I have invited a suitor and her family to brunch this afternoon.”

Lucius spit out the orange juice he’d been drinking, “Suitor?!” he spluttered.

“Yes Lucius, a suitor.” Abraxas affirmed philosophically.

Lucius felt a minor panic attack in his chest. “Suitor?!” He squeaked, feeling his throat tighten.

Abraxas smacked his lips in annoyance. “Yes, yes, yes! Do I need to get you a dictionary?” He snapped.

“But – I – er – bu’ – I –“ Lucius spluttered incoherently, “Mother!” he cried at last.

“Abraxas perhaps we should arrange the brunch for another day.” She suggested.

“The sooner the better, Acanthus.” Abraxas stated firmly.

“But Abraxas, can’t you see that he is frightened right now? Perhaps he should wait until he is ready to find himself a wife on his own?”

This was the first time in Lucius’ life he’d witnessed his parents speaking more than a few words to each other.

“Acanthus, if he doesn’t do it now he’ll never pluck up the courage on his own to do it later!” Abraxas retorted.

“Perhaps that’s the decision he should make on his own.” Acanthus stated stonily.

“Acanthus, you know pureblood marriages are always arranged! It is tradition, it has been done with our ancestors and it is done now, and I’ll be damned if my son breaks that tradition!” Abraxas bellowed.

“He is not only your son Abraxas, I am his mother and I have a say in the welfare of my child. For I will be damned if he is married off for the sake of tradition and condemned to a life of misery than living a life of happiness!” Acanthus shouted back, standing up from her seat.

Abraxas slammed down the news paper and also got of from his seat, eyes mirroring his wife’s glacial stare. “Happiness has nothing to do with marriage!” Abraxas bellowed.

“OBVIOUSLY!” Acanthus shouted back. “But it does not mean I want the same fate for my son!”

“Why the bloody hell not, it’s happened to us!” Abraxas retorted.

“You selfish, vile – “

Lucius now fully understood why his parents never spoke to each other.

Lucius left the shouting match unnoticed. He could still hear them going at it from the top of the staircase. It was in the other end of the manor.

He entered his room abjectly and made for the bathroom to fix his hair.

*

TBC

A/N: Thanks to all who have taken the time to read and comment my other fics. Here's to you all, cheers!