Pureblood (Lucius Malfoy) *COMPLETED*

CHAPTER 5 - ROSES AND RIVALS

After Draco leaves with Blaise and Pansy, I realise I have a lot of time on my hands so I pick up Wuthering Heights from my bedside table. I open the page to where Lucius had started to read, remembering the events that followed. I smile to myself, trying to focus on the words that I'm staring at. Eventually, I manage to get past that page, making it easier for me to read the rest. When I've read at least 20 pages, I fold the corner over to mark it and place it back down again. I sigh as I lie on my bed, thinking of things to do when I remember telling Draco this morning at breakfast about how I wanted to see the garden.

I jump up, rushing over to the window and peering out to see the huge land surrounding the manor. Various plants and hedges stand out amongst each other, their beauty still visible, even under the blanket of snow that covers them. Several silver metal benches with floral patterning on the sides are placed throughout the field before me, no doubt for the Malfoys to relax there, admiring their gorgeous garden. Although, something told me that they didn't do that very often.

I quickly put on my coat and slip on some winter boots with a heel. I grab my wand, putting it in my pocket as I grab Wuthering Heights and leave my room, rushing downstairs. I open the door, stepping out into the cold, windy world and shutting the door behind me. I walk forward, leaving behind the warm house as I listen to my shoes crunching in the snow as I take each footstep. I tighten my grip on the book, trying to keep them from freezing as I step further into the powdery snow.

After a few minutes of walking, I turn to see the house is already so far behind. When I turn again, I see I've arrived at a row of rose bushes, their frail petals have darkened, looking dull compared to the bright white snow and their prickly sharp thorns looking sharp enough to impale a person. I move closer, intrigued by the look of these deadly looking flowers. "Do you like them?"

I gasp, turning to see none other than Lucius stood behind me. My eyes meet his before roaming the rest of his body. His long, perfectly straight hair matches the snow and his dark, leather clothing shines in the sunlight. A thick, black winters scarf is wrapped around his neck and he's carrying his cane which is now stood on the snow, his strong fingers bearing a variety of silver rings are clamped around its neck tightly. He's silent as he watches me, nodding towards the wilted roses in front of me. I blink out of my trance and tear my eyes away from his beautiful face, looking back at the roses. "They're pretty, but they look... dead." He moves forward, joining me as I stare at the dying flowers, almost feeling sorry for them.

"I planted them, but I never thought they would wilt away like this. They're supposed to survive the winter." I turn to him, my eyes wide in disbelief. "You planted these?" He smirks.

"Do you really find it that hard to believe Miss Rivera?"

"Well, no, I just... didn't think of you as a man who likes to plant... Rose bushes." He chuckles, making my insides warm.

"I arranged to have them planted a long time ago." He touches a petal, the mere contact causing it to detach and flutter down on to the snow. "These are no ordinary roses, they are magic. Supposed to only die when their owner does. Their health is somewhat... connected." I smile at him sadly, realising that the wilting roses are due to his problematic life. I know it's wrong, how Draco's childhood was ruined because of his family's wealth and how his parents treated him. But it can't be easy being a Malfoy. I suppose there are certain expectations to live up to, which is why I think Lucius's childhood wasn't any better than his sons, causing him to give him the same responsibilities and rules as a child.

Then, another thought crosses my mind. I turn to Lucius, panicking. "Oh my god, you're not dying are you!?" To my relief, he laughs, making my stomach flip - I made him laugh. I notice a single petal on the roses start to regain it's colour, but decide not to adress it. "I'm not dying. Well, at least I don't think so." I frown at him worryingly. "Hmm, maybe get yourself checked out before you can be certain." He smiles at my joke and I'm stupidly proud of myself for making him show emotion. "Wait, I have an idea." I take out my wand from my pocket and point it towards to wilting roses, whispering the incantation. "Rennervate."