Fruitful Expedition

Originally posted to the Live Journal community Dramionedrabbles, 12 Days of Christmas Challenge. Prompt: elf.

Lucius Malfoy watched his heavily pregnant daughter-in-law invade his sanctuary and absently touched the slight dimple high on his forehead, left of center, over his original nose. He breathed an audible sigh of relief as he spied Mipsy trotting into his study after her. Still, he weighed his choices carefully, balancing tone of voice against the implications of words and opted to open negotiations with a tentative, yet pleasant, “Good morning, Hermione dear. How are you feeling?”

“Well enough.” She beamed at him. Obviously, congeniality had been the correct tactic. “Junior and I turned Mrs. Clemson’s kettle inside out this morning. Mipsy fixed it in a trice though. Sev’s little brother is taking it easy, it seems. Although your doorknocker has been altered, Lucius. It is now an elf, instead of a serpent. Mipsy and I thought it looked better, so we left it.” Ah well, he mentally shrugged. The doorknocker could eventually be set to rights without a visit to St. Mungo’s.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” He gestured to one of the Chippendale chairs facing his desk. “Make yourself comfortable. Would you care for some herbal tea or crackers?”

“No thank you, Lucius,” she replied. “I was hoping you could help me with something.”

He arched an eyebrow in surprise. While he and Hermione maintained a pleasant acquaintance, they had never become close. This was the first time she had ever asked anything of him. He suppressed the urge to touch his forehead again and said, “Please elaborate.”

“Well, Draco mentioned the other day that your library includes some personal journals of Salazar Slytherin’s. I’m hoping to write a book about him and thought maybe I could look at them?”

“That would be impossible had I not taken the Family Name Vow. The journals have extremely strong wards against non-purebloods.”

“The Family Name Vow? Why would that make a difference?” she inquired, puzzled.

“Actually, having been apprised of your knowledge seeking tendencies, I’m rather surprised you are not aware of this particular side effect.”

She frowned, and Lucius glanced around to make sure Mipsy was still in the room, relieved to find her sitting by the fireplace.

“Well, I’ve always wanted to read more about the vow, but at first, it was almost impossible to find any information about it, and then, well, I’ve been ah… busy… ” She blushed, unconsciously rubbing her tummy.

“That’s my boy,” Lucius murmured. Draco had obviously absorbed and employed his own favorite method of handling an energetic wife. “A lesser known effect of the vow -- the reason it can be performed only by immediate family members -- is that it makes the subject of the vow a full blood member of the family.”

“Oh!” She gasped and rubbed her tummy. Lucius surreptitiously checked for his wand. She looked down and said distractedly, “You won’t be able to try out for Puddlemere United right away, you know. Please settle down in there.” She focused on Lucius again. "You mean the journals will think I’m a pureblood?”

“Yes,” replied Lucius, “because you are.”

“Draco Malfoy,” Hermione muttered darkly. “You have some explaining to do.”

“I’m sure Draco is not aware of it,” Lucius interjected. Hermione gave him a sharp look. He hastily continued, “I only discovered it a few days ago. Severus was able to pick up my cane without triggering the wards. I did some research.”

Hermione took a deep breath. “How did Severus get to your cane, Lucius?”

He shifted in his seat. He had been hoping the mention of research… "I had put it down for a moment to give him a hug. I was distracted by Narcissa, and when I looked down, Sev was kissing the snake.”

Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. Lucius Malfoy was a very lucky man. If her baby had been hurt… an extra nose would have been preferable.

“I have been unable to remove the pureblood wards from my cane,” he said. “But I was able to disarm the harmful curses. I replaced them with a Rictusempra."

She opened her eyes and smiled warmly at him. “Thank you, Lucius.”

“Shall I get those journals for you?” he inquired.

“Yes, please. If you’re not busy, would you like to peruse them with me?”

Several hours later, Hermione slipped into Draco’s study and snuggled with him by the fire.

“You were gone a long time, Moh. Was it a fruitful expedition?”

“Yes, DaM,” she replied, “More so than expected.”

“You seem preoccupied.”

“Mmmm... Draco, if you don’t mind, I have a name picked out for our new son.”

“Yes?” he encouraged.

“Salazar Lucius.”

Draco raised an eyebrow, but merely nodded his consent. A very fruitful expedition indeed.