Ironic Love

Chapter XXII: The Truth Comes Out

~Blaise POV~

The last week of school flies by and before I know it we're stepping off the Hogwarts Express and onto Platform 9 3/4 for Easter break. I immediately spot Narcissa, who's chatting to Mrs Weasley. I can't help grinning at the sight. The four of us rush over and set our luggage down to embrace them. Mrs Weasley hugs me tightly and gives me a warm smile.

After arranging for me, Draco and Narcissa to go to the Burrow in a few days, we part ways. I give Ginny a passionate kiss, picking her up and spinning her around. Neither of us care that half the platform is watching. Hermione and Draco are standing with their arms around each other and their foreheads touching, having what appears to be a very intense conversation. They kiss and then Hermione scurries over to Ginny and her mum, who are now joined by Harry and Ron. I give Ginny one last wink before disapparating to Malfoy Manor.

When we arrive on the doorstep, Narcissa turns to look at me and Draco.

"Lucius is here. Just- just behave yourselves." She smiles apprehensively before pushing the doors open and stepping inside. We follow her through the entrance hall, stacking our belongings in a pile by the stairs.

Entering the dining room, we see a figure sitting at the table, hunched over a book. Upon the noise of our arrival, the figure looks up and locks eyes with each of us in turn. I grin weakly at the sight of Lucius Malfoy, unshaven and dishevelled. His sunken, dead eyes seem to light up as they glimpse us and my amusement vanishes. He seems genuinely delighted to see us.

Getting quickly out of his chair, much more agilely than his appearance suggests capable, Lucius struts over and pulls Draco into a hug. Then he turns to me and pats my shoulder. "Nice to see you're still loyal to my son." I nod and then Narcissa cuts through the silence that has formed, asking if anyone wants tea. We all say yes and then me and Draco take a seat at the table, opposite Lucius. I hear his previous words echo in my head. 'Still loyal to my son'. He says it as if I'm a Death Eater and Draco is Voldemort. I push this aside and focus on the encounter between Draco and his father. Lucius is trying to engage his son in conversation but Draco is only halfheartedly replying.

Luckily, Narcissa returns and sets a pot of steaming tea on the table, pouring four cups with a flick of her wand. A house elf pushes a plate of cauldron cakes into my hand and gestures for me to put them on the table as it's too high up for the elf to reach. I place the plate down and grasp my cup of tea, taking a quick sip. Desperately trying to avoid the social interaction happening in front of me, I drink too eagerly and burn my mouth on the scolding beverage. Quickly setting my cup back down, I try not to splutter. Narcissa catches my eye across the table and smiles encouragingly.

After covering topics such as Quidditch, lessons and our Slytherin friends, Lucius gives us a presumptuous grin and asks the question we've been dreading.

"Got a girlfriend, either of you? Or a boyfriend, that's cool too." I snort into my tea but pass it off as a coughing fit. After Draco pats me on the back, a little too hard, I glance at him before answering.

"I'm engaged."

Lucius looks shocked and then delighted. He offers his congratulations and reaches across the table to shake my hand.

"So who's the lucky person, eh?"

"Ginny Weasley." As I announce this, the blonde man's smile falters momentarily, but he remains composed.

"Ah, I see. Not quite what I expected your type to be, Blaise, but she is an incredible Quidditch player. You and Draco have hardly won a match against her, have you?"

I smile and look at my best friend just as Lucius asks "What about you, son? Any romance on the horizon?"

Draco pauses as if in thought for a moment and then pushes his chair out. We all cringe at the noise it makes as it scrapes across the hardwood floor. I stand up delicately, gesturing that I'm going to follow Draco.