Waiting | Lucius Malfoy

Chapter Twenty-Eight | Reunions

"All I'm saying is that you've never shown an interest in attending any event related to the War before, Guinevere!" Lucius bellowed at her from across the room. They'd been arguing from the minute she'd gotten out of bed this morning, after telling him her plan for the day.

To say that Lucius would prefer that she didn't attend the reunion was an understatement. They'd argued over breakfast, muttered to each other during lunch, and hadn't spoken a word until she'd started to get ready. Unfortunately for Guinevere, her belongings were stationed in his room at the Manor. She almost regretted asking him to be more forthcoming last night. It hadn't exactly resulted in the desired effect.

"I've never been asked before! I don't know if you've noticed Lucius, but most of them hold me in contempt. If this is what I have to do to make peace with my peers, then so be it!"

"That's all well and good, my dear, but have you stopped to consider how this might make you look? Now that you and Draco have finished, you're suddenly interested in being a War veteran instead, is that what you want?"

"Of course it isn't. Merlin, Lucius, why are you so upset about this? Why don't you want me going?" She stumbled in her heels as she pulled her dress from the wardrobe in his room. Even the sight of her standing in nothing but her underwear was doing nothing to cool Lucius' temper.

"I-" he muttered, as he watched her pull the silk gown over her slender frame. "Is that what you're wearing?" The ivory-coloured silk felt cool against her skin as she shimmied the straps over her shoulders. She took a second to adjust her breasts into the bodice.

"Yes. It is. Is that something else you're going to have a problem with?"

"You look beautiful, Guinevere." He reached out to cup her face and she moved away from his touch.

"I need to finish getting ready. I'm meeting Theo at six."

"You're going with Mr Nott?"

"Yes?" She quipped, watching as his expression merged from anger to passiveness in the blink of an eye.

"Hmm. Well, I'm glad to hear you'll be accompanied, I suppose."

"Is that what your concern was? That I'd be out in the big bad world without you? I'm a big girl, Lucius, I can handle myself. You don't have to be at my side for every moment of every day." She huffed as she clipped in her matching earrings, glancing at her reflection in the mirror before checking the clock. Half-past five. She should have left already.

She grabbed her clutch bag and left the room before Lucius had the chance to form a reply. "Honestly, the man thinks I can't fucking deal with anything," she muttered to herself. She heard his heavy footsteps following her as she made her way to the fireplace, his pace quickening as she got closer.

"Will you be returning to the Manor tonight?"

"Yes. Don't wait up," she replied snarkily before grabbing a handful of Floo powder and stating Theo's address. As she emerged from his fireplace, she found him adjusting his tie.

"Guinevere Grace, might I just say, you look beautiful." He bowed before her sarcastically, reaching out for her waist as she moved past him quickly. She batted away his hand.

"Yes, yes, Theo. And you look handsome as ever. Can I have a glass of water?"

"Water? Are you feeling alright?" His eyes squinted in concern as she looked her up and down. She took a second to ponder her response. She wanted things to go back to normal with Theo, as normal as they could. However, she needed someone to vent to.

"I've been arguing with Lucius if you must know. I'm not in a very good mood."

"How could Lucius argue with you when you look like that? Surely that would be enough to end any arguments?"