Because Every Phoenix Needs a Flame

Chapter 4: The Meeting

"You're really going?" Frank asked. He was just getting home from the night shift and Alice would be going to Diagon Alley in just a few minutes.

"Yes, Frank. I wrote to Narcissa and told her in advance that it would delight me to have tea with her." Alice explained, looking at herself in the mirror and adding one more charm to her hair. "And don't you dare throw yourself on the bed in those dirty clothes?! Shower first."

"I still don't like it, Alice." He confessed, standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. Alice could see his reflection in the mirror. His green eyes travelled from the back of her head to her feet, stopping on her hips for just a longer second. "You look pretty."

"I'm torn between saying thank you, or asking you if I don't look pretty every day?" The Slytherin raised an eyebrow, turning to look at her husband.

He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her, and pecking her cheek. "You look wonderful every day, powerful. But right now, oh, my angel. You look so sweet I could eat you."

Alice playfully pushed him away. "When I come back, if you have been a good boy, took a shower and napped, I might wake you up with a surprise."

"How can someone so angelic be so devilish at the same time, darling?" He asked, swatting her ass. "Enjoy your pureblood lady tea with Mrs Malfoy. I can only imagine that if I was to have a pureblood gentleman drink with Mr Malfoy, we would both end up in the Ministry holding cell for disorderly conduct."

Alice rolled her eyes and pecked his lips. "Love you, Frankie. I will be back soon."

When Alice arrived at the little teashop, it surprised her to find not Narcissa Malfoy waiting for her, but Lucius. There was no turning back. He had seen her and raised from his chair to welcome her.

"Luci..." She whispered once she was close enough.

He kissed her hand. "Lice, I'm glad to see that you are alright. I read about the attack on the Prophet."

"Yes. The healers took excellent care of me." She assured, taking a seat. "Good as new. And how are you, Lucius?"

"As well as always. It seems you were mistaken, Alice, I didn't get fat like my father with marriage." He teased.

Alice smiled, shaking her head. "If I recall, my exact words were: when you get married and have children, you will grow a firewhiskey belly like your father."

Lucius chuckled. This felt nice. It felt like they were back at Hogwarts, on their Heads dorm, having tea and studying for the NEWT's. It was like nothing had changed, like she didn't catch dark wizards for a living, and he wasn't allegedly one.

"I ordered ahead." He explained, as the server approached. She expected nothing differently from Lucius Malfoy with his need to be in control of everything all the time. It seemed that had not changed. The server placed a cup in front of her, and the other in front of her companion. "I hope you still enjoy herbal. Strawberry and Elderflower used to be one of your favourites."

Alice nodded. "Yes, thank you. But there was no need to ask for a different tea. We could have shared a pot."

Lucius dismissed her statement just as the table filled itself with pastries, biscuits, and sandwiches. "Why would you compromise for black tea, when you enjoy a cup of that pink monstrosity?"

She brought the cup to her lips, deciding to ignore his comment. "Is Narcissa alright?" Alice asked.

"Oh, yes, she's splendid. Beautiful as always." Lucius said with an enormous smile. He was always like that when they were talking about Narcissa, deeply in love. Alice could doubt many things about Malfoy's choices, but his love for the youngest Black sister was as real as her own for Frank.