Chapter 878 - Panicked Arrival

In Wiltshire down a wide snow-cleared driveway, there is a towering curved hedge covered in snow that runs far off into the distance with the impressive wrought-iron gate is shut barring any guests. Despite the cold, a pure-white magnificent peacock stands alert along the top of the snow-covered hedge. There was just something off that evening as the rest of the peacock pride huddles alertly together with the pure white-colored males standing guard over the white dull-colored feathered females and their quivering peachicks, who are tucked securely under their mother's warm wings. It is an unusual sight to behold considering the typically arrogant state of the peacock pride.

Past the great iron gates is the handsome Malfoy manor at the end of a straight drive. The home is not brightly lit causing the diamond-paned windows to glimmer dimly. The enchanted fountain's waters have ceased to flow frozen over in the snow-covered gardens. The inside of the Malfoy manor is tastefully decorated with Christmas ornaments, but the festive atmosphere cannot be felt despite the brightly lit candles, sumptuously decorated Christmas trees, and Christmas essence. The enchanted framed portraits on the wall quietly whisper to each other remaining alert as if intently listening for the signs of an imminent attack on Malfoy manor.

Past the grand hall is a drawing-room where the roaring fire crackles underneath a handsome marble piece with a surmounted gilded mirror above. On the elegant royal purple walls hang elaborate family portraits and grand sceneries. The impressive ceiling is 30 feet high as two grand golden chandeliers hang with candles brightly lighting the room. In the back of the drawing-room, there is an organ propped against the wall that plays a gentle lullaby softly on its own.

The lullabies being played bring no comfort to the seated ȧduŀts in the room. Narcissa is clearly seen rocking the cradle of her peacefully slumbering daughter with her foot, while she cradles the sleeping stocky red-headed toddler, Charlie Weasley to her ċhėst. Quietly shaking from the cold and shock, Andromeda is tightly wrapped up in blankets unable to hold her daughter, Dora, for the moment. Instead, her mother, Druella carries her granddaughter, Nymphadora in her arms gently rocking the restless but slumbering little girl into a deep sleep.

Not in much better shape than Nymphadora, Molly is warmly wrapped up in blankets, but unable to put down her eldest son, Bill, who still anxiously clutches clings to her clothes and huddles in her ŀȧp. The fire crackles loudly and causing Molly and Andromeda to flinch at the sound. The sound reminded them far too much of the crushing sound of flesh and bones….

A loud popping noise causes Molly and Andromeda to startle again revealing the neat livery figure of the Malfoy house elf, Dobby. The tiny creature with large, bat-like ears and bulging green eyes bows nearly to the floor causing the tip of his long nose to hover just above the lavish carpeted floor. "Dobby brings news mistress! Ronell Weasley yet lives and is at St. Mungo's being treated."

"Thank you, Dobby," Molly murmured with great relief and sorrow. At least one of her brother-in-law's yet lived. However, she didn't know what she was going to tell Arthur nor her in-laws about the loss of Bilius. Unconsciously, she squeezes Bill a little too tightly causing a soft whimper to escape from the five-year-old's lips.

Dobby vanishes with a loud pop and Molly flinches again, before pressing a kiss to the still cool forehead of her son. "I am sorry, poppet," she apologetically said. She hadn't meant to hurt her son, but she truly seemed to be all out of sorts.

Another loud burst of sound causes all the witches in the chamber to turn and see the female house elf in her neat little French maid outfit. Zuffe is a tiny thing with large eyes, a hooked nose, and pointed ears that stood up like that of a cat or wolf's ears. "Mistress!" The house elf eagerly squeaked. "Master returns with family in tow, Zuffe can sense it! Shall Zuffe prepare nourishment and warm drinks?"

"Lucius?" Narcissa gasped, before letting out a sigh of relief knowing that her husband would soon be home. "Yes, please prepare something light for my husband's return, Zuffe."

"Zuffe obeys!" The female house elf proudly squeaked, before vanishing with a loud pop.

Andromeda winces at the sound again, before turning her eyes hopefully towards her younger sister. "Do you think," she hesitates, "Ted is on his way too?"

"I am certain that they are all returning to the manor together," Narcissa hopefully replied causing Andromeda hunched shoulders to slump forward in relief at the thought of her husband's return.

Abruptly loud panicked footsteps are heard thumping down the stairs as the usual cool voice of Lucius Malfoy holds a tinge of panic. "Narcissa!" He cried as his face is paler than normal and his usual sleek, long blond hair is somewhat in disarray from his haste.

"We're in the foyer, Lucius," Narcissa cried out in relief as the footsteps grow louder and the doors to the parlor slammed open to reveal the breathless, distraught figure of Lucius.

The usual painstakingly immaculate pureblood hurries forward without a care for his appearance. Lucius's cold blue-gray eye frantically scans his beloved Narcissa and finds that she is unharmed before sheer panic appears on his face as he apprehensively searches for their daughter. He almost lets out a whimper at relief at spotting the cradle of his slumbering infant daughter, before publicly pulling Narcissa into his arms.

The young couple frantically embraces each other as Narcissa lets out a soft sob of joy at seeing her husband, and Lucius at finding that his wife is perfectly safe. A soft whimper pulls them out of their thoughts as Lucius pulls back and glances down to see the frowning, but still slumbering form of little Charlie Weasley in his wife's arms.

A flush of embarrassment creeps up the pale cheeks of Lucius as in his haste to embrace his wife, he had failed to notice the slumbering child. Before his embarrassed flush can fade away, behind him loud footsteps are heard before two breathless figures burst into the room. The first is the red-headed form of Arthur Weasley.

"Arthur!" Molly cried out tearfully at seeing her red-haired, freckled husband.

Arthur Weasley's blue eyes are full of relief as he rushes forward and embraces his mollywobbles! He frantically scans over the curvy figure of his fiery red-haired wife to find that their son is clinging to his mother. Arthur scoops Molly and Bill in his arms and holds them, before glancing anxiously for his youngest son, Charlie only to spot him peacefully napping in his cousin, Narcissa's arms.

Arthur Weasley wasn't the only one checking over his wife as was the fair-haired, Ted Tonks. He too holds his wife, Andromeda in his arms and kisses her forehead, before nodding at his mother-in-law, Druella, who carries their slumbering daughter, Dora in her arms. The couples cling to each other for a few more moments, before Lucius and Narcissa are the first to separate as Lucius had a lovely cooling flush on his flustered face.

"The rest of the family will shortly be here," Lucius finally recalled the Prewett's and the rest of the Black's. "Dobby!" He loudly said as Dobby appears promptly causing the women to flinch again.

Lucius, Arthur, and Ted do not miss the reaction of their wives but do not comment on the reaction, for the time being, there would be plenty of time to talk later. "Dobby prepare guest rooms and food; we will have guests shortly arriving."

"Dobby already prepared the guest rooms and Zuffee has already prepared tasty food, master!" The house elf proudly squeaked.

"Excellent Dobby!" Lucius said in rare praise causing Dobby to proudly beam before vanishing loudly away.

Lucius turns cautiously towards his wife and mother-in-law, Druella. "What happened?" He finally asked the question on the tip of the three wizards' tongues. They wanted to know details, but they did not dare to push their wives further.. It had been an exhausting night and there would be plenty of time tomorrow to hear the gruesome recount of the evening's events.