@kerrotko:
Abraxas couldn’t help but notice the strength of her grip. Why, this elegant, dainty-looking hand could’ve crushed his own in an instant, had it so wished.
He took the glass that was offered and raised it. “You flatter me, Mrs. Black, but I’ll gladly accept your flattery. To Domincus, and this wonderful evening.”
The wine, as expected, was excellent. Abraxas was too experienced of a drinker for a single glass to make much of a difference in his demeanor. He was just about to accept Walburga’s compliments of the wine with all the modesty he could muster up, when Mrs. Black spoke again. Abraxas Malfoy’s mouth fell open, and he couldn’t, for the life of him, close it again until she was done talking.
Walburga’s honesty was as refreshing as it was startling. Such a way of speaking was unheard of at an event like this.
“Well, you certainly seem to know a lot about our family history,” Abraxas laughed, more out of sheer surprise than genuine amusement. “Why, almost as much as I know. I say you have done your homework, Mrs. Black.”
To be aware of the family history of an another wasn’t, in of itself, uncommon around these parts — the past. in general. was matter of great importance to most pure-blood families, especially when one’s own lineage was concerned. Many also chose to study the family histories of those like them, in case that knowledge should come in handy in a conversation. “Malfoy” was a name of much importance, and it wasn’t too strange that Walburga should be able to recount a few facts about the family when necessary.
What unnerved him more was her callous manner of speech. All in all, Abraxas didn’t know what to make of Walburga. This in turn, made him wary of her. But none of his doubts could be deciphered from his demeanor when he spoke again:
“Ah, yes, the wand. You shouldn’t get me started about it, Mrs. Black, I love the old thing. I always keep it on me. The Ministry had to make a special exception for me to carry it on premises where wands are forbidden. I threatened to never set foot in the whole building again if they didn’t,” Abraxas laughed, but these words were no joke, of course — instead, they were meant to draw attention to the Malfoy family’s vast influence in the Ministry. If Walburga had declared herself tired of posturing for the night, Abraxas Malfoy didn’t seem to share her sentiment.
From his side, he produced a walking cane. On top of the cane, a serpent’s head, made of pure silver, glittered in the candlelight. Gently, Abraxas grabbed the head of the serpent and lifted it, revealing a wand hidden inside the walking cane like a sword inside a scabbard.
“It is a family heirloom. As I’m sure you’re aware, if you indeed know as much of the Malfoy family as you seem to know, Mrs. Black. It has been passed down from father to son for generations. There has not yet been a single man in the Malfoy family to whom the wand did not obey.” This wasn’t entirely true. The wand had become extraordinarily attached to Abraxas’ father, Lowell Malfoy, and sometimes still failed to follow the orders of the son. However, to say that Abraxas Malfoy would’ve sooner died than admitted this fact wasn’t much of an exaggeration.
Walburgas eyes followed closely when Abraxas pulled his wand and gasped softly. The silver against the black of the elm, the serpents teeth so sharp they looked like they could easily pierce the skin. “It’s... It’s a masterpiece! Just the details on the silver are remarkable, so elegant but still so precise... Is it work of Perrot? I read that they were excellent jewelers as well as wand makers...” she had to fight with herself to lift her eyes from the wand to Malfoys eyes.
“If you have anything as half as beautiful in your manor I think you will have hard time to keep me off your back.” Walburga smiled and emptied her own glass without even blinking. “If you have something you don’t value anymore of course. Don’t worry, I am not after your wand, hell I would even die before selling mine and it’s not nearly as gorgeous as yours, but old pure-blood households tend to find couple pieces worth my time they want to get rid off.” “When I was a young witch, I adored hairpins. I went to auctions and old attics to find one, even one to add to my collection. One particular was my favorite. It was simple yet breathtaking, just silver pin with one polished pearl on top. Black as the sea at night, the old lady said to me when I bought it. My mother loved pearls and often tried to borrow it during balls and get-togethers but I refused, I wanted to wear it. But the one time she borrowed it, it was tainted. I couldn’t use it after that, it doesn’t felt right anymore... But I found one wizard who wanted to have it. He sold everything he had to get it. That was a promising start to my career, don’t you think?” She took a step closer, leaned a little bit forward to whisper “Do you have something to die for, Abraxas?”
Now the tainted dark chocolate smile had disappeared. It was pure salty liquorice.
