When Lions And Snakes Play Together: A Cautionary (But Funny)Tale

t.w.e.n.t.y-o.n.e: Lucius Pays Respects

Lucius

The Black family tomb was deserted at this time in Pere LaChaise Cemetery, France. The tall, handsome Malfoy walked with grim purpose to the ornate marble tomb in the crowded Cemetery. Many famous muggles and magical people were buried within its soil, and even those who were wealthy enough to have purchased a mausoleum when alive shared real estate with them. Lucius caught sight of a few ghosts, which only the genuinely psychic of muggles could see, and they eyed him with faint curiosity as the blonde pure blood wizard walked up a hill to the Black family tomb.

He cast the unique unlocking charm Narcissa taught him years ago when her control freak father Cygnus Black died. The rod iron gate squeaked loudly on its hinges as he walked inside. Lucius cast lumos to light his way since there were no candles to cast the flame charm on. It was just as well. He did not plan on remaining in France for very long any way. At the furthest end of one wall was Narcissa's tomb next to her favorite cousin, Regulus. Next to his effigy tomb was Sirius Black, although no body resided there due to how he met his demise.

Lucius glanced at the Irish wolf hound statue laying at Sirius's feet and rolled his eyes. No doubt the cocky bastard would've preferred cremation, but Narcissa insisted on commissioning a splendid tomb for him, as if reminding her husband that she could have been wed off to him instead. Regulus's tomb beside his brother looked to be of Regulus as a sleeping, innocent angel, but of course, a Dark Mark was engraved by his name with the words loyal soldier beside it.

Lucius chuckled at that since the boy defected in the end, but Voldemort had a soft spot for the kid and had wanted to honor him in that way.

Lucius laid his bouquet of roses on her tomb and rested his hands on the dusty marble, staring at her birth and death dates. With this bouquet, he placed his old wedding there.

"I did it, Cissa. I finally remarried as you wanted the last time we spoke. I know you would hate my choice, but the Malfoy bloodline finally has a witch. A fine, lovely girl named Carol. She wasn't planned, but I wouldn't trade her for the world."

He felt a breeze blow in the mausoleum, and then he saw her blue spectral self. She was dressed as always in her wedding gown, and she was eternally young. She looked on him with equal parts, sadness, and happiness.

"I am glad after so long you have the girl we have always dreamed about," She answered. She sighed. "I wish...no, I believe much of my sadness came from not giving you that, darling. I hope to be moving on to join the Hogwarts ghosts soon."

He rose an eyebrow. "But why, Cissa? Surely there is nothing more for you here."

She smiled, her blue cheeks flushing somewhat. "Baron Richard has taken a fancy to me, much to the Lady Helena Ravenclaw's chagrin. The other ghosts seem to think her holding a torch for him is tiresome at best."

Lucius couldn't help but grin. "I...If anyone can have a calming effect on a notoriously violent Slytherin, it's you, Narcissa."

She shrugged. "He is just that way with Sir Cadogen now, oh, and when he has to bring Peeves into line, which is all of the time."

"Are you happy, though?"
"Are you, Lucius?"
Lucius smiled. "Yes, very."

"Good. Then enjoy every moment with your wife, for life is more fleeting than we all believe. Stop your brooding, be present for her, and don't you dare neglect her needs the way you did with mine. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I do."

"Time will tell. Goodbye, Lucius. This will be the last time I will come here, unless you visit Hogwarts."

"You won't visit Draco?"

Narcissa smiled. "Our son is well enough. But should he ever visit Hogwarts, I will speak at length with him."

Lucius wanted to say more, but she dematerialized, and so he was left alone in the cold mausoleum that was the Black family tomb. He had no other option but to leave. He found the apparation spot to travel, and when he arrived back at Prince Manor, the original bachelor/ette group save for Miss Chang were in the library, and just about to use a large pensieve to relive all of the events of that fateful party to remember everything in total recall at long last....