Character: Lucius Malfoy
Prompt: The Hand of Glory
Word Count: 573
Rating: PG
)O(
If Lucius could have avoided going into Borgin and Burke's, he would have.
He loathed Knockturn Alley – ever more since the Dark Lord had returned, for now, Lucius saw it no longer only as the shady but ultimately harmless little collection of shops that catered to those with a taste for the macabre, but as a genuinely dangerous place that could provide the Dark Lord with anything and everything that he wanted for himself and for his Death Eaters.
And for all of Lucius's attempts at pride and happiness at the Dark Lord's return, he could not shake the feeling that it meant impending danger for him and his family.
If Lucius had believed that it would be effective, he would have done everything to avoid the
Dark Arts and all places associated with them. He would have given up all his old ways in a second if he believed that doing so would protect Narcissa and Draco.
But he did not believe that it would.
On the contrary, he knew that avoiding the Dark Arts would only lead to more trouble. Those who abandoned the Dark Lord were not treated kindly – no, Lucius was lucky to have avoided torture for his abandonment thirteen years ago… for never going to search for the Dark Lord…
Now, the most he could do was try to keep his family safe.
And it was in the name of his family's safety that he went to Borgin and Burke's.
Mr. Borgin was already in the front room when Lucius entered, and there was an expression of near-manic excitement on his face. "Master Malfoy, how lovely to see you – it has been a long time, hasn't it? Might I interest you in–"
"I want your Hand of Glory," Lucius interrupted. He had not the patience to tolerate Borgin's oily attempts to sell him everything in the shop. "Now. Give it to me. Whatever your price is, I'll pay it," he added, when Borgin opened his mouth.
"Might I ask what it's for, Master Malfoy?" he asked.
"I need it, Borgin," Lucius snapped. "Do not ask questions. That is not your place."
Borgin looked suspicious, but he said nothing more, much to Lucius's relief. He did not know how he would explain – without telling someone who was not in the fold about the Dark Lord's return – that he had thought for years that a Hand of Glory would be something useful to possess, something that he would want to have in times of trouble. If he and his family needed to make a swift and covert escape – and Lucius prayed that they never would have to, but he knew that there was a chance, always a chance – he wanted to be prepared. He wanted to have everything that could be of use at his disposal.
Lucius did not look at Borgin when he lifted the Hand of Glory off its cushion. He kept his eyes upon the Hand while Borgin wrapped it in paper and placed it in a box with all the care of a man laying a child to rest…
And Lucius did not look at Borgin while he handed over his money. He looked down at the box and thought of the object within it.
And thought the Hand of Glory brings light only to the holder.
And thought, please, let it bring enough light to guide us when the Dark Lord has risen fully.
)O(
Fin