The Years of Blue [2]

Chapter 30: Soufflé and Weasleys

Visitors. Great. And not just any visitors. We had the whole Malfoy family at our front door alongside the Prime Minister, himself.

The group looked like they had been off on a long walk before taking a quick stop at our family tent. Mr. Malfoy had his silver spade walking stick in one hand which he dug into the dirt to balance, while Mrs. Malfoy, whom I'd always seen dressed to the nines, was in riding boots of her own variety and a long black shawl, with sleeves that branched out in the back. The Prime minister was wearing his bowling hat high on his head, not hiding the beads of sweat forming on his brow and Draco seemed the most normal of the bunch, with a relatively bored expression on his sharp features, his hands in his pockets.

I caught his grey eyes as I came out of the tent and made no attempt at greeting him. My father did that instead.

"Lucius, Cornelius. I see you've found us just after our arrival," my father said with pleasure that was almost embarrassing. My mother side stepped him and went to welcome Mrs. Malfoy whose stone expression cracked a fringe at my mother's warm welcome. Mr. Malfoy was eyeing the tent behind us curiously.

"We thought you were hosting your own tent so we went to the wrong field. Though now I see you didn't seem to mind renting one out instead." The prime minister waved his hand aside at Mr. Malfoy's comment and came up to shake my father's hand half handedly at the look at my dad's fallen expression.

"Oh don't mind that, Darious. I see you and your family have made it safely, which is all that matters. The Malfoys and I had a lovely walk through the camping grounds and came up with a plan before tomorrow's events."

"And we are now continuing our walk as the minister instructs," Mr. Malfoy added lightly, gaining another wag of the hand from Fudge, with a chuckle.

"My wife, Cordelia, will be hosting a dinner with everyone from our box before the event," began Fudge, as he turned back to face my mother and father expectantly. "So say it as you will, your family will be expected by 6 tomorrow evening, and please come hungry," Fudge added, warily. "Cordelia plans to cook far too much and I fear we won't have room to store it all."

My mother smiled gracefully as she promised to have our family in attendance.

"We should be off before the crowds start coming in," Mr. Malfoy motioned, casting Fudge from his train of thought. "Oh yes, of course." Fudge quickly took his handkerchief and wiped his brow while my father clapped Mr. Malfoy on the back, motioning to being able to talk soon, and my mother waved to Narcissa in goodbye.

Draco only gave a vague nod our way before walking off in tow of his family, leaving us to rush back inside and prepare for the events ahead.

That night was spent as one of the most peaceful nights of summer. My father left the tent to go see Lucius and coworkers, telling Damion to stay behind. Damion was a bit put off at first but after a quick dinner made from my mother herself, he was back in good spirits. It had been ages since my mother had cooked, but she still had a knack for country cooking from when she was younger and she was great at it. So, we feasted and I was left in a warm food coma from fresh chicken roasted in herb sauce and asparagus.

With Dad gone, Damion and Theo ended up hosting their very own Comedy show for the rest of us to laugh at from the cushioned chairs. Mamen couldn't help but join Ed and I, as the two boys tried to show the true way one was supposed to cook in the kitchen.

It ended with a mess of flour, ketchup, and raw eggs splattered all over the kitchen floor that had been stomped on properly by both Damion and Theo's bare feet. Chocolate sauce dried on Theo's cheek and Damion was rocking flour in his dark hair by the time they stopped to watch Mamen roll up laughing outright in her chair.