Disclaimer: I don't own Lucius Malfoy…but he sure owns me, bwahahahahaha!
Author's Notes: Wow. I haven't written a Lucius fic in a long time. Wow. Anyway, okay, here goes. Thanks to all those who support my fics! Sarah, my Jason's Angel soulmate and my number one JasonIsaacsFanficFan, I luv ya! Thanks for all the support, thanks for everything! I hope we can get together some time, you know…maybe I'll row my boat from here to there so I can bring you over to watch PP with me, harhar! To Joal, yeah, thanks for also supporting my fics! (Dear Clark Devlin is doing wonderfully fine in my hands, trust me!) You're hilarious! To the Jason's Angels and the Cheeselovers' Guild, this one's for y'all!
Now for the heavy author's notes. I have a funny feeling this fic is going to be hell long. I've put it into what could possibly be 2 or 3 acts long. The first act, starting with this chapter, is 12 chapters long. I've finished it on paper already, I'm still working on act 2. For now, enjoy act 1, scene-I mean, chapter 1.
Summary: I really shouldn't put summaries, it's bad for my health! It spoils stuff! Anyway, this particular fic takes place somewhere in between books 5 and 6. Lucius is given the task of negotiating with the Vampires, to try and bring them over to the side of Voldemort, but that would mean he would have to talk with their leader…rated R for…argh, I got nothing. Oh well. Just have fun, kids.
THE DARKNESS WITHINBy Lady Tavington
ACT 1: THE COMING OF THE DARKNESS
Chapter 1
Lucius Malfoy loathed the dungeons of Malfoy Manor. It was always so dark and damp. The place was always crawling with insects and rats. There was always the eerie sound of dripping, and to that day he didn't know where the dripping sound was coming from. It echoed off the walls and into the corridors, filling the whole floor with its odious sound. Lucius drew his cloak around him for protection against the cold that seemed to have been born with the dungeons. He really did not like the dungeons.
Thankfully, he came to the end of the gods forsaken corridor. To a normal person (or at least an outsider), it would have seemed that there was no other way to go but back. But Lucius Malfoy was no ordinary man, and he was going to no ordinary meeting.
He touched the slimy brick wall with a gloved hand. The wall seemed to ripple like water would, until it became transparent. It showed a darkly lit hall, where a few other cloaked and hooded figures were discussing a few matters that Lucius could not hear. At the far end of the hall sat another hooded figure, but none of his features could be clearly seen through his cloak or hood.
Lucius waved a gloved hand across the wall. "Open," he enunciated. Again, the wall rippled. Lucius stepped through it.
He came out into the hall through what was actually a closed door. Some of the hooded figures that were talking quieted down and turned their attentions to him. One came up to him rather briskly. "Finally, you've arrived," the figure said, and Lucius realized it was a woman talking, "What took you?" Lucius shrugged. "I thought I'd come in the traditional, non-magic way," he replied as he began to make his way to the throned figure. "The traditional way?" the woman asked, obviously perplexed. "Yes," Lucius answered, "Through the door." The woman snorted and shook her head, laughing as she left Lucius' company.
Lucius came to the figure sitting at the throne. "It's traditional to open the door first," the throned one hissed (for indeed it was a hiss that came out rather than a human voice). "Why walk when one can run, I always say," Lucius replied. The one at the throne chuckled. "Malfoy," he said, "YOU will forever be my most unconventional and witty follower." "Thank you, lord Voldemort," Lucius replied, bowing slightly. But lord Voldemort was not finished. "Which is why I have chosen you for this task," he continued.
Lucius was deeply grateful, but also deeply confused. "Task, my lord?" he asked with as much courtesy and respect as he could muster. "Yes, Malfoy," his master replied, "As you well know, Dumbledore is gathering his army, and so are we. Your victorious convincing of the giants has led me to believe you are the best man for negotiations. You have also showed loyalty beyond the call of duty in events of late, and I am very pleased with that. And lord Voldemort rewards those who please him."
Again, Lucius bowed deeply. "Thank you, lord Voldemort," he said, but Voldemort put up a hand. "It will be no easy task," he said, "The spies have found out that there is still one group that we can bring to our side. However, Dumbledore's Order of The Phoenix has caught on to this group recently. Your task is to convince them-this still neutral group-to join us." "And what group would this be, my lord?" Lucius asked. Voldemort's thin lips cracked into a smile. "The Vampires," he replied, "Talk to their leader. She should be sufficient. But be warned, these Vampires are creatures of strength and power beyond even our own. Some even have wizard blood in them. One slip up could mean the end of you."
"I am honored that you have chosen me, my lord," Lucius said as he once more bowed to his sovereign leader, "And I will do all I can to fulfill my duties." Voldemort nodded and dismissed him. Lucius made his way back the way he came in.
