Chapter 8: The Problem with Old Age

As Draco went to open the door to his father's study, it swung open to reveal a very flustered Lucius and a grinning Rodolphus Lestrange. His father didn't even seem to notice him as he continued his rant on Ruddy. "You will appear at Hogwarts in two days' time and you will stay through the entirety of the board meeting with Dumbledore and you will participate in the school tour is that clear Rodolphus?" Lucius finished with a huff.

Instead of answering, Rodolphus stepped out of the room and clapped a hand on Draco's shoulder, ignoring Lucius and his murderous glare altogether. "How are you, Draco? I have to say it has been awhile since I've seen you twerp. Got a girl that's been keeping you busy? Is that it? No time for your favorite uncle," he finished, giving Draco a sly wink and a nudge.

Draco looked from his father's dark look to Ruddy, who still had a grin on his face, before sighing loudly. "What did you do this time, Uncle Rodolphus? You should consider that other people do have to deal with him after you have worked him up into one of his moods."

Rodolphus laughed at this, ''I honestly don't think it's my fault this time, Draco. You see, your father is just getting to that age where everything makes him cranky," he paused for a moment, as if in thought, and scratched his chin, "Or, it could be like Severus was telling me that one time, about how as men start to get past their prime, like your father over there, they begin producing more estrogen than testosterone and that causes them to start having these womanly mood swi-"

"OUT, RODOLPHUS LESTRANGE! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE THIS INSTANT, YOU INGRATFUL CUR!" Lucius yelled, moving to draw his wand as Draco moved to stop him.

Lucius's shouts and Rodolphus's booming laughter shook the walls of the Manor, until a house-elf took pity on poor Master Lucius and escorted his unruly and highly amused guest off the grounds. Of course, Draco remained; he still had his meeting with his father to look forward to after all.

"Really Severus, tell me what you think of the name?" Hermione said scooting her chair closer to the potion master, who stood slicing ingredients for his next project. "Really Hermione, I'm not the right one to ask for opinions on these sorts of matters. I am siding with you in this little spat with Lucius but whether I am on speaking terms with him or not, does not mean that I find it alright to take part in a decision that should be made between two parents. If I ended up naming Lucius's son in his stead, the guilt would take me then, knowing that I stole the honor of naming him, while Lucius doesn't even know it is a him. Do you understand what I am saying, Hermione?"

"I'm not asking you to pick a name for him, Severus. I'm just asking what you think of some of these names. Like is Robert too muggle or is Edward too stuffy," she paused and frowned at the baby book in her arms, "Banjo? You have to have an opinion on that name at least?"

Severus sighed before putting down his knife and looking up at the witch, who was now smiling up at him. He couldn't help but return her smile with a small smirk and grabbing the closest chair, he took a seat and quickly snatched the pen from Hermione's hand and marked out the name "Banjo," muttering under his breath, "Banjo Malfoy? Now that is something that Lucius would never forgive me for."

"Father, calm down. You know he only does it because he knows that he gets to you. Now where is Blaise? I need to hurry and finish this meeting, there is something that I need to get back to," Draco said, calling for a house-elf to find Mr. Zabini.

Lucius looked hard at his son, all anger gone from his face, before asking, "And what is so important that you arrive more than an hour late for a business appointment and then try to hurry it along, so that you can leave again? What have you been up to Draco that is so important?"

Draco glanced at his father, unfazed, before answering, "Like Uncle Ruddy said, there is a girl waiting on me and I can't afford to be late, I actually like this one." Before his father could ask any more questions, there was a knock on the door and a house-elf announced Blaise, who took a seat next to Draco and asked, "Are you ready to get started, gentlemen?"

Lucius shot one more look at Draco before turning to Blaise, "Yes, Blaise. Do you have all the paperwork ready?"

"At our last meeting, you and Draco filled out all the important paperwork, all I did was make copies. The only thing left to do is sign these documents and we can get started on revising your will as soon as you're ready. Since Draco will be acting as your witness, he has to sign the forms as well," Blaise paused, looking down at his watch, "If that is all Mr. Malfoy, I have to get going. I have a meeting with the Minister and I am already a little late."

"Of course, of course. I apologize for keeping you so long Blaise, I was just reprimanding Draco on how rude it is to keep company waiting, when Mipsy brought you in. I would like to begin the new draft next week sometime if that is alright with you?"

"That will be fine. Good day, Mr. Malfoy," he turned to Draco, "And I expect to see you at the pub this weekend for a drink with the boys, you've ditched us the last few weeks with some lame excuses. We will be at the Leaky Cauldron this time, don't be late or expect to have some very drunk unwelcome visitors show up at Hogwarts to find you," He grinned before leaving the room.

Draco looked once more to his father, who was giving him a puzzled look, "Draco, it is very unlike you to miss a weekend with your housemates. You usually enjoy their company. This is really starting to concern me, these secrets you are keeping. "

"Don't concern yourself with me, Father. There are more important things that you should be worrying about. Like getting rid of that tramp in the East Wing or looking for Hermione for instance. You have completely given up looking for her, for all you know she has fallen in love with some other wizard and while they are going to get there happily ever after, you are going to be stuck with the female Weasel. That is a fate worse than death in my book"

Lucius was still giving him that pointed look but Draco rose from his chair and headed for the door, Lucius words stopped him, "You are leaving already? How about having a brandy with your father and chat for a while? I could use the company."

Draco looked back at him, his hand still on the door, "I'll be back tomorrow for a that chat and a drink if you are still offering, but there is something that needs my attention right now," he turned towards the door once more, opening and then pausing and turning back to Lucius, "How about you join me and the boys this weekend, Father? You need to get out of this office, out of this house."

Lucius looked at him thoughtfully before replying, "Alright, I'll go. Merlin knows I need some fresh air"

Draco smiled before heading out the door, before he got too far he remembered one more thing he forgot to tell his father, so he called out, "Severus and my lady friend send their regards."

He wasn't in the room to see the pondering look on Lucius's face.