#ihq open

[peacockheir]

January 31, 1981 Malfoy Apothecary - Knockturn Alley

If looks could kill, the one directed at the door when it swung open would have been deadly. Lucius knew better than to expect no one to show up. In fact, he could have kept the business shut the entire weekend. Abraxas had put his foot down though and Lucius was above last minute searching for a clerk that could be trusted with running the business to the family’s standards.

“If it takes you longer than five minutes to browse, I’ll be subtracting five percent from the discount per additional minute,” He sighed, deliberately remaining behind the counter. It wasn’t like the majority of the people that came through the doors needed a discount in the first place so it was on them if they were displeased by his appearance.

[not-the-galaxy]

Andromeda & Open February 6, 1981 - Hogsmeade, Lunar New Year Celebration

Andromeda felt like a kid again, having snuck out from the family’s watchful eyes to take Nym to the Lantern Festival in Hogsmeade. It was just the two of them, smiling and behaving as though they hadn’t a care in the world for the first time in weeks. She wouldn’t have changed it for anything. At least, that had been the thought on her mind up until the time to release lanterns came about. “I hope daddy comes back,” served as the unexpected quote of the evening, with Nymphadora glued right to Andromeda’s side when they whispered and released the lantern. Andromeda’s voice cracked when she answered, “me too,” and there would be no more trying to mask her emotions for the evening.

Things had taken a solemn turn and she was all too ready to bring Nym back home and face the consequences of having left without stating where they were going. “How does a hot chocolate and -” The rest of her thought trailed off and she instinctively moved closer to Nymphadora, grabbing hold of the seven year old’s shoulder. As if on instinct, Nym shifted to give a small curtsy. “Beautiful night, isn’t it?” Nym quickly filled the silence between their mother and the adult that joined them, mimicking Andromeda’s awkward smile.

“Nym saw the ad in the Daily Prophet,” Andromeda murmured, figuring things would take the route of questioning one of the first public appearances she had given without a chaperone in close proximity. “I talked them out of bringing Draco without permission, but there was no way 'we aren’t going’ would have been accepted as an answer.”

[peacockheir]

Lucius & Open Malfoy Manor, January 8 1984

The fake smile grew smaller and smaller as time went by, leaving Lucius looking relieved at not needing to play the part of gracious host for a few moments. He could navigate parties with no issues, knowing how to behave and speak from a young age. The only problem was it getting tiring after a while. One hand rested around his cane while the other brought a glass of wine to his lips. The feeling of unease was gone for mere seconds, just to come back when someone arrived on his left side.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” He quirked a brow before turning to face the intruder. The look on his face would make it clear he expected no as an answer. “We appreciate your celebrating with us.”