Unexpectedly Expecting

38: Using The Malfoy Charm

Andromeda

Seeing Lucius Malfoy on Andromeda's doorstep was both a shock, and not entirely unwelcome surprise she had to admit. Nymphadora had gone into labor earlier than expected, and so Ted had gone with her to St Mungos, even though she had wanted to deliver Teddy at home. The heavens decided to downpour like cats and dogs, and he held up a new wand as he cast the impervious charm in the air so his wand acted like an umbrella over his head so he wouldn't get wet.

"What do you want?"

Lucius plastered on a smile, the million galleon watt smile 'Cissa always called it, "My aim is to talk, just talk, Andra, and that's all."

She folded her arms across her chest. "Sure. Talk. After your father banned me from your wedding, after I had to visit my own Nephew like a thief in the night at your home when he was little, after we...You know what? Never mind about dredging up that old history."

Lucius nodded, his smile disappearing for now. "I'm not here for that, but I did keep my promise in never telling Narcissa about what we did during my bachelor party."

"Or the money paid out for the result."

Lucius sighed. "You know what would have happened for either of us."

Andromeda nodded. "You might as well come in since it is raining outside. Although, I don't fancy inviting a vampire into my house."

Lucius laughed, stepping across the threshold. "If only I were, that would make this whole plan of mine much easier."

Andromeda led him to the living room, and ducked into the kitchen to make them both some coffee. When that was done, she accioded a towel for him to use. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

They sat on the main couch, drinking their coffee and looking at one another, wondering what the other was going to say first. Lucius set aside his cup on the coffee table and folded his hands in his lap.

"I came here to recruit you."

"I'm not joining your ridiculous snake cult, you know. You offered it, Bella offered it, and the answer is still no."

Lucius shook his head. "I wouldn't ask you to do that. What I am asking of you is far more dangerous. Bellatrix murdered your sister in cold blood, my wife. I simply want to give you the chance to avenge her."

Andromeda rose, and began to pace the living room. The last time she had seen Narcissa was at Malfoy Manor, and it had not been a pleasant encounter. But even though the Black sisters had all had their falling out, she owed it to Narcissa to bring Bellatrix the justice she deserved. She stared into the fireplace, and her eyes blurred with her tears as she reached up to take down a framed photograph down from the mantle.

She wiped at her tears, and looked at the picture. In the photograph was a picture of a smiling twelve year old girl with dirty blonde hair wearing an Ilivermorny uniform. She had gray eyes, and she was standing in between two other friends of hers who also went to her school.

She wordlessly handed the slightly dusty framed picture to him. Lucius looked at it, and his eyes went wide before he smiled. "She would be long since graduated by now. What is her name?"

"I was told that her adoptive parents named her Heather," Andra informed him. "Heather Farris. At the time, I didn't want to be told more about her life, just that she was healthy and happy. I didn't want to tell you, because you had Draco, and I didn't think it was fair to dredge up the memory of our one night stand, and tell you I got pregnant."

Lucius took her hand in his. "It's alright. I'm just happy there is another of my children out there alive somewhere away from the Dark Lord's insanity. She is beautiful, Andra."