Two and a Half Men # 3: The Good of The Family
Title: The Good of The Family
Rating: PG 13
Word Count: 1,600
Summary: Lucius has a talk with his grandson
Author's notes: Follows The French Fry Thief and Malfoy Management. I'm calling this series Two and a Half Men. Yay, it's a thing now!
Disclaimer: Faffing about. Do not own Harry Potter.
“Oh, do stop scowling, Lucius. It’s most unseemly.”
Lucius ignored his beloved wife in favour of glaring at Potter’s retreating back. Of all Draco’s life decisions that he didn’t approve of- and there were many- this certainly made the Top Five. He hadn’t been happy when Draco had divorced the Greengrass girl. He had been displeased when his son had moved out of the Manor to a semi muggle locality- apparently wanting Scorpius to experience the best of both worlds and expand his horizons… or some rot like that. Recently, he had been extremely unhappy about Draco’s decision to take his only grandson away for an entire week to go gallivanting at the beach.
But Lucius could have handled all of that and more if Draco hadn’t returned with Harry bloody Potter firmly in tow.
Now he was being subjected to Potter’s presence during dinner at Draco’s flat. Potter who was smiling at his son and cooing at his grandson and walking about as if he owned the place- setting tables and pouring wine. And then he had the nerve to suggest that Lucius and Narcissa ‘relax’ while he took care of the dishes with Draco. That was one step too far and the Malfoy patriarch was seriously considering doing something about it.
“Honestly, Lucius,” Narcissa admonished. “Why are you being so difficult? We had a wonderful dinner. Harry is a charming, polite young man. He loves your son and impossible as it may seem, he might actually adore Scorpius more than you do.”
“Entirely untrue,” Lucius protested vehemently. Nobody adored Scorpius more than him and the suggestion that such a thing was even possible was absolutely unacceptable. Just another of several reasons why Potter needed to go. He scowled as Potter whistled cheerfully and handed Draco another plate, nudging him lightly. Draco responded with a shy smile and Lucius’ eyes narrowed dangerously.
Meanwhile, Narcissa was busy subjecting him to a stern look. “Honestly, between the two of you it will be a miracle if that child isn’t spoiled rotten.”
The child in question made an appearance as if summoned. Scorpius abandoned his vigilance at the window and pattered in to check up on his grandparents.
“There’s my darling boy,” Narcissa smiled warmly, reaching for Scorpius and pulling him into her arms. “Come here, sweetling.”
“Oh, and I’m spoiling him,” Lucius scoffed. Narcissa ignored him in favour of cooing over her grandson, fussing and petting and making odd clucking noises that he hadn’t heard since Draco had been this age. Scorpius tolerated her affectionate attentions like a soldier, only expressing his annoyance with a tired huff. Lucius observed the scene in silence, regarding his grandson with approval.
Now this one was a real Malfoy.
Draco had been a precocious child back in the day and fairly smart for his age, but he lacked that certain…something Lucius had always hoped for in an heir. His son had never quite imbibed the discipline Lucius had tried to instil in him as a child. As an adult he had veered even further away from his sire’s expectations, choosing his independence over the good of the family. As much as he hated to admit it, Draco had a trace of Gryffindor in him and Lucius had not been able to eradicate it.
Scorpius was different. The child had immense potential. A serious, young man- always considering his situation before making subtle moves to further his interests. Even at this tender age, Scorpius displayed a natural ability for delicate persuasion, all the while projecting an air of guileless innocence. It was positively Machiavellian. Even his grandmother was fooled. But not Lucius. Lucius knew promise when he saw it, and Scorpius would make the perfect ally in his plans to get rid of Potter. All he had to do was get the boy on his side and the rest would fall into place…
At the moment, his future conspirator was fidgeting urgently in Narcissa’s grasp; valiantly trying to escape her vice-like feminine embrace.
“Nana, no!” Scorpius huffed, trying to squirm away.
Lucius’ approval went up a notch. Malfoys do not snuggle. “That’s enough Cissa,” he said, hastening to rescue the boy from her attentions. “I’d like a word with my grandson now if you don’t mind.”
It took a bit of manhandling but Narcissa eventually surrendered her grandchild. Scorpius huffed in apparent relief and regarded Lucius expectantly, giving him a rare moment of complete attention. Lucius smirked and lifted the child in his lap, making sure to maintain eye contact at all times.
“Now Scorpius,” he began smoothly. “It is time that you learnt the true meaning of being a Malfoy.”
Narcissa raised an elegant eyebrow. “What are you doing?”
Lucius ignored her, glancing discreetly at the kitchen. Potter and Draco were still busy with the dishes. Perfect. He would have ample time for his little…chat with Scorpius.
“The Malfoy name is an old one, Scorpius,” he continued. “A great name with a greater legacy. We pride ourselves on this legacy, on our roots and where we come from. And where is it that we have come from, Scorpius?”
Scorpius shrugged. “Dunno, Gampy.”
“I’ll tell you, child. We come from the very origin of magic itself. We were and are among the first of the wizards. The pioneers, if you will of all magical kind.”
“Kay.”
Narcissa rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Lucius. He’s two years old. You can’t seriously expect him to understand that bilge.”
“Hush, Cissa. My grandson understands me perfectly. He’s a Malfoy. Now as I was saying Scorpius, as one of the oldest and purest bloodlines of ancient wizardry, we have certain…responsibilities towards our forbearers. The responsibility to uphold the Malfoy name, carry on the family legacy and above all, remain pure.”
“Lucius, if you’re doing what I think you’re doing…”
“And that,” Lucius firmly talked over her. “…is where you come in, grandson.”
“Kay.”
“You see, your father has regrettably forgotten his duties to the family name in favour of this dalliance with Potter.”
“Lucius!”
Narcissa’s severe tone notwithstanding, Scorpius snapped to attention as well, blinking rapidly at his grandsire.
“Arry?” he questioned brightly.
“Exactly,” Lucius smirked triumphantly. “As you may have noticed Scorpius, Harry is not like us. He does not come from our roots and he does not understand the true worth of magical heritage. It is not necessarily his fault. However, the fact remains that Harry Potter is not…shall we say, suitable as the spouse of a Malfoy.”
“Lucius, that is entirely…”
“Oh do hush, Cissa. I am merely telling the boy things he should know. Hardly any wrong in that, is there? So Scorpius, for the good of your father and more importantly the family name…”
“Lucius, I swear to Merlin…”
“…it is essential that you understand that all hope now lies with you- the very last of my line. You must convince your father to come to his senses and sever all…ties with Potter. I understand that this might prove difficult at first. But you must persevere. For it is for the good of the family, grandson. The good of the Malfoy name.”
Scorpius considered that fine speech carefully. Lucius could practically hear the little wheels turning in his head. “Arry go bye bye?” he asked finally, looking up at Lucius.
Lucius nearly chortled with triumph. “Indeed, grandson. Harry go bye bye indeed.”
Narcissa glared at her husband, eyes flashing. “Lucius Malfoy,” she hissed. “Are you really trying to use your only grandson to drive a wedge between Draco and his boyfriend? Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I married you at all!”
She turned to Scorpius, eyes softening immediately. “Don’t listen to Grandfather, darling. He’s just a bitter old man grasping at straws. You just…”
“Now now, Cissa,” Lucius smirked. “Don’t influence the child. Let him make his own decisions.” He turned to Scorpius and smiled, patting his back gently. “So grandson, I think we understand each other now. Do I have your support in this little mission?”
Scorpius stared up at him, eyes drawn in a thoughtful frown. Considering his first move in the Great Plan, no doubt. Lucius was so very proud of…
“No.”
Lucius froze. Surely he had heard wrong. “What did you say? Scorpius, have I not made myself clear? You simply must…”
Scorpius lifted his little chin and glared. “No, Gampy!” he repeated firmly, slipping off Lucius’ lap at once.
The Malfoy patriarch bristled indignantly. Draco would have never dared dismiss him like this. “Do not refute me, young man.”
Scorpius responded with all the dignity and forbearance a two year old can be expected to muster. He scowled, blew a raspberry at his grandfather and took off like a snitch with a seeker on its tail.
Lucius could only gape as the boy bolted to the kitchen, pattering over to Potter at once and tugging urgently at his robes. Potter smiled warmly and lifted him up at once, pressing an affectionate kiss to his temple and murmuring fondly. Scorpius threw his arms around Potter’s neck in a possessive embrace and settled on his shoulder, taking a moment to cast Lucius a dirty look over his back.
Lucius scowled and slumped back on the sofa with a huff, trying to ignore his wife’s muffled laughter. “Well, that could have gone better,” he sighed. Clearly, he was defeated. All hope was lost.
Narcissa was still laughing as she reached over and patted his hand. “No one can say you didn’t try, darling. Oh Merlin, did you try.”
She turned away from her sulking husband. A gentle still smile traced her lips as she regarded Harry Potter; holding her grandson as if he were the most precious thing in the world. His free hand was linked with Draco’s and his eyes spoke of nothing but the deepest of affection for both of them. Narcissa raised her wine glass in a silent toast.
“For the good of the family,” she echoed softly.
And it was.
Next: My Kid
Rating: PG 13
Word Count: 1,600
Summary: Lucius has a talk with his grandson
Author's notes: Follows The French Fry Thief and Malfoy Management. I'm calling this series Two and a Half Men. Yay, it's a thing now!
Disclaimer: Faffing about. Do not own Harry Potter.
“Oh, do stop scowling, Lucius. It’s most unseemly.”
Lucius ignored his beloved wife in favour of glaring at Potter’s retreating back. Of all Draco’s life decisions that he didn’t approve of- and there were many- this certainly made the Top Five. He hadn’t been happy when Draco had divorced the Greengrass girl. He had been displeased when his son had moved out of the Manor to a semi muggle locality- apparently wanting Scorpius to experience the best of both worlds and expand his horizons… or some rot like that. Recently, he had been extremely unhappy about Draco’s decision to take his only grandson away for an entire week to go gallivanting at the beach.
But Lucius could have handled all of that and more if Draco hadn’t returned with Harry bloody Potter firmly in tow.
Now he was being subjected to Potter’s presence during dinner at Draco’s flat. Potter who was smiling at his son and cooing at his grandson and walking about as if he owned the place- setting tables and pouring wine. And then he had the nerve to suggest that Lucius and Narcissa ‘relax’ while he took care of the dishes with Draco. That was one step too far and the Malfoy patriarch was seriously considering doing something about it.
“Honestly, Lucius,” Narcissa admonished. “Why are you being so difficult? We had a wonderful dinner. Harry is a charming, polite young man. He loves your son and impossible as it may seem, he might actually adore Scorpius more than you do.”
“Entirely untrue,” Lucius protested vehemently. Nobody adored Scorpius more than him and the suggestion that such a thing was even possible was absolutely unacceptable. Just another of several reasons why Potter needed to go. He scowled as Potter whistled cheerfully and handed Draco another plate, nudging him lightly. Draco responded with a shy smile and Lucius’ eyes narrowed dangerously.
Meanwhile, Narcissa was busy subjecting him to a stern look. “Honestly, between the two of you it will be a miracle if that child isn’t spoiled rotten.”
The child in question made an appearance as if summoned. Scorpius abandoned his vigilance at the window and pattered in to check up on his grandparents.
“There’s my darling boy,” Narcissa smiled warmly, reaching for Scorpius and pulling him into her arms. “Come here, sweetling.”
“Oh, and I’m spoiling him,” Lucius scoffed. Narcissa ignored him in favour of cooing over her grandson, fussing and petting and making odd clucking noises that he hadn’t heard since Draco had been this age. Scorpius tolerated her affectionate attentions like a soldier, only expressing his annoyance with a tired huff. Lucius observed the scene in silence, regarding his grandson with approval.
Now this one was a real Malfoy.
Draco had been a precocious child back in the day and fairly smart for his age, but he lacked that certain…something Lucius had always hoped for in an heir. His son had never quite imbibed the discipline Lucius had tried to instil in him as a child. As an adult he had veered even further away from his sire’s expectations, choosing his independence over the good of the family. As much as he hated to admit it, Draco had a trace of Gryffindor in him and Lucius had not been able to eradicate it.
Scorpius was different. The child had immense potential. A serious, young man- always considering his situation before making subtle moves to further his interests. Even at this tender age, Scorpius displayed a natural ability for delicate persuasion, all the while projecting an air of guileless innocence. It was positively Machiavellian. Even his grandmother was fooled. But not Lucius. Lucius knew promise when he saw it, and Scorpius would make the perfect ally in his plans to get rid of Potter. All he had to do was get the boy on his side and the rest would fall into place…
At the moment, his future conspirator was fidgeting urgently in Narcissa’s grasp; valiantly trying to escape her vice-like feminine embrace.
“Nana, no!” Scorpius huffed, trying to squirm away.
Lucius’ approval went up a notch. Malfoys do not snuggle. “That’s enough Cissa,” he said, hastening to rescue the boy from her attentions. “I’d like a word with my grandson now if you don’t mind.”
It took a bit of manhandling but Narcissa eventually surrendered her grandchild. Scorpius huffed in apparent relief and regarded Lucius expectantly, giving him a rare moment of complete attention. Lucius smirked and lifted the child in his lap, making sure to maintain eye contact at all times.
“Now Scorpius,” he began smoothly. “It is time that you learnt the true meaning of being a Malfoy.”
Narcissa raised an elegant eyebrow. “What are you doing?”
Lucius ignored her, glancing discreetly at the kitchen. Potter and Draco were still busy with the dishes. Perfect. He would have ample time for his little…chat with Scorpius.
“The Malfoy name is an old one, Scorpius,” he continued. “A great name with a greater legacy. We pride ourselves on this legacy, on our roots and where we come from. And where is it that we have come from, Scorpius?”
Scorpius shrugged. “Dunno, Gampy.”
“I’ll tell you, child. We come from the very origin of magic itself. We were and are among the first of the wizards. The pioneers, if you will of all magical kind.”
“Kay.”
Narcissa rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Lucius. He’s two years old. You can’t seriously expect him to understand that bilge.”
“Hush, Cissa. My grandson understands me perfectly. He’s a Malfoy. Now as I was saying Scorpius, as one of the oldest and purest bloodlines of ancient wizardry, we have certain…responsibilities towards our forbearers. The responsibility to uphold the Malfoy name, carry on the family legacy and above all, remain pure.”
“Lucius, if you’re doing what I think you’re doing…”
“And that,” Lucius firmly talked over her. “…is where you come in, grandson.”
“Kay.”
“You see, your father has regrettably forgotten his duties to the family name in favour of this dalliance with Potter.”
“Lucius!”
Narcissa’s severe tone notwithstanding, Scorpius snapped to attention as well, blinking rapidly at his grandsire.
“Arry?” he questioned brightly.
“Exactly,” Lucius smirked triumphantly. “As you may have noticed Scorpius, Harry is not like us. He does not come from our roots and he does not understand the true worth of magical heritage. It is not necessarily his fault. However, the fact remains that Harry Potter is not…shall we say, suitable as the spouse of a Malfoy.”
“Lucius, that is entirely…”
“Oh do hush, Cissa. I am merely telling the boy things he should know. Hardly any wrong in that, is there? So Scorpius, for the good of your father and more importantly the family name…”
“Lucius, I swear to Merlin…”
“…it is essential that you understand that all hope now lies with you- the very last of my line. You must convince your father to come to his senses and sever all…ties with Potter. I understand that this might prove difficult at first. But you must persevere. For it is for the good of the family, grandson. The good of the Malfoy name.”
Scorpius considered that fine speech carefully. Lucius could practically hear the little wheels turning in his head. “Arry go bye bye?” he asked finally, looking up at Lucius.
Lucius nearly chortled with triumph. “Indeed, grandson. Harry go bye bye indeed.”
Narcissa glared at her husband, eyes flashing. “Lucius Malfoy,” she hissed. “Are you really trying to use your only grandson to drive a wedge between Draco and his boyfriend? Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I married you at all!”
She turned to Scorpius, eyes softening immediately. “Don’t listen to Grandfather, darling. He’s just a bitter old man grasping at straws. You just…”
“Now now, Cissa,” Lucius smirked. “Don’t influence the child. Let him make his own decisions.” He turned to Scorpius and smiled, patting his back gently. “So grandson, I think we understand each other now. Do I have your support in this little mission?”
Scorpius stared up at him, eyes drawn in a thoughtful frown. Considering his first move in the Great Plan, no doubt. Lucius was so very proud of…
“No.”
Lucius froze. Surely he had heard wrong. “What did you say? Scorpius, have I not made myself clear? You simply must…”
Scorpius lifted his little chin and glared. “No, Gampy!” he repeated firmly, slipping off Lucius’ lap at once.
The Malfoy patriarch bristled indignantly. Draco would have never dared dismiss him like this. “Do not refute me, young man.”
Scorpius responded with all the dignity and forbearance a two year old can be expected to muster. He scowled, blew a raspberry at his grandfather and took off like a snitch with a seeker on its tail.
Lucius could only gape as the boy bolted to the kitchen, pattering over to Potter at once and tugging urgently at his robes. Potter smiled warmly and lifted him up at once, pressing an affectionate kiss to his temple and murmuring fondly. Scorpius threw his arms around Potter’s neck in a possessive embrace and settled on his shoulder, taking a moment to cast Lucius a dirty look over his back.
Lucius scowled and slumped back on the sofa with a huff, trying to ignore his wife’s muffled laughter. “Well, that could have gone better,” he sighed. Clearly, he was defeated. All hope was lost.
Narcissa was still laughing as she reached over and patted his hand. “No one can say you didn’t try, darling. Oh Merlin, did you try.”
She turned away from her sulking husband. A gentle still smile traced her lips as she regarded Harry Potter; holding her grandson as if he were the most precious thing in the world. His free hand was linked with Draco’s and his eyes spoke of nothing but the deepest of affection for both of them. Narcissa raised her wine glass in a silent toast.
“For the good of the family,” she echoed softly.
And it was.
Next: My Kid