'Before I walked in the room
You were there watching 'Ben Hur'
Following what ever they do
But trouble seems to be gazing'
H.H., 'Ben Hur'
I wrote this story approximately a year ago, but the grammar is devastating because I was so ignorant with English than. I changed so much now. I know all those rules in English and I can actually speak French this yes. That is something that I couldn't do two months ago.
I'm doing restoration because I am ashamed of all the vapid mistakes I made in this story.
Uhm, PLEASE REVIEW, and don't be shy to give me your exact opinion about what do you think of the story. I mean, I don't care, I can take any shit and any flames. Just don't leave it un-reviewed.
________________________________________________________________________
Mr Arthur Weasley was heading straight to the Potion Ingredients room, in the building of the Ministry of Magic. He was cursing Lucius Malfoy in undertone, so nobody could hear him and get him into more trouble.
They had meeting about poverty in wizarding world on which Mr Weasley had to attend. Not because he was poor, but because he was an important persona. Well the trouble was that Mr Lucius Malfoy attended the meeting, too. When they broke into a discussion on how some wizards are poorer than the other ones, Mr Malfoy pointed his finger on Arthur and said:
-"Oh Weasley, you are poor, too. Are you attending this meeting just that you could find better solution how to find some money" – To a laymen, this tone of Lucius' voice might sound like a concerned. But Arthur, who knew Lucius good, recognised this as ridiculing, derisive tone, which he had an unpleasant chance to be pointed in his way.
I caused Arthur to flush. After five minutes, Lucius, unable to keep his thin mouth shut, started again:
-"You know what Arthur, I think that you and your family should nicely go to the Muggle world, where people are getting welfare, and that would help you survive. Of course, it wouldn't be hard for you. You love Muggles…"
Lucius was unable to finished cause Arthur jumped on him, from his seat. They were broke into a fight and they got so into it that Minister Fudge had to separate them of each other. And what was worst for Weasley was that Fudge thought that it was his fault, and that Lucius only tried to help him. The Minister apologised to Lucius and made Arthur apologise him, too. The apology was followed by an evil and triumphant smirk on Lucius' pale and pointed face. What was worse, Fudge sent Weasley to the Potion Room, to make him a Truth Potion.
Arthur Weasley walked faster and faster, until he got into the cellar floor of the Ministry of Magic building, and bumped into someone. He bumped into a woman. She was very pretty. She had a shoulder length dark chestnut hair and was wearing tight black robes. He immediately recognised that she was Victoria Berger, Head of the International Magical Co-operation. She got that job after Barty Crouch moved to a better position. Arthur did not know her very well, but he heard countless stories about her from Percy. Percy did not venerate her as nearly as he did Bartemius Crouch. She would give him hard time. Percy kept saying that she wouldn't get this job at all, if Lucius Malfoy didn't help her. Arthur also knew that Victoria and Lucius always had very friendly relationships, but were they just too friendly? He also thought that she is really involved into the Dark Arts..
-"Sorry" - he said politely.
She looked at him in almost piercing stare, and gave him sneer, almost like Lucius did when Arthur saw him doing, what was in his opinion funny.
-"Don't mind, it was my fault," - she sneered, and headed upstairs without a back glance on Arthur.
"Women", he thought.
When he opened the door of the Potion Ingredients room, on his immense surprise, there was no one else then Lucius Malfoy inside, pacing, and looking very pensive. On purpose, Arthur slammed the door, which sounds gave Lucius a fright as he jumped backwards. After a second, he put his well-known sneer expression on the pale face, and said:
-"Oh, making a potion, Weasley. Are you getting extra pay for it? Pity Minister doesn't know you are such a bad wizard. Then he'd sack you faster than you'd realise that you are out, lying on the street."
-"Pity your wife doesn't know that I found you alone in the room, with button on your collar unbuttoned. And guess who I saw before I saw you? (Mr Malfoy buttoned his button again) Victoria Berger! I couldn't help myself missing the fact that two of you are very friendly, well friendlier than a very young widow and relatively young, married man with a son should be?"
-"What are you aiming on, Weasley?"
-"Nothing." – Said Mr Weasley, ethereally. Mr Malfoy's pale cheeks went almost pink. Of course, Arthur never thought that there is something between Lucius and Victoria. Maybe they could be plotting something, some machination or who knows what. 'I heard she is a Death Eater, like he is. Well that is presumably. And he is married man. He would never cheat on his wife. And he has son.'
-"Still there?" - sneered Malfoy at Weasley, whose thoughts took his far away from the Earth.
-"Of course I am still here." – He snapped. He didn't like when people thought that he keeps his head in clouds.
-"By what you were saying, I thought you think that there is something between Victoria and me?"
-"No, of course I didn't. You are a married man with a son."
-"Was that the same thoughts you had when you fucked my wife?" – He sneered, but at the same time putted a menacing face.
-"You know that was just a school love, I never ever touched her. Anyway, you were never interested in her too much during the school. She was just another station of the route for you."
-"Well of course you didn't. If you did, I would already have killed her, but before, I would have sterilised her, so that she can not pass on any disease she fetched from you." – He sneered.
This was too far for Mr Weasley. He dived into Lucius Malfoy, knocking him into the first shelf with potion ingredients. They were all covered in some stinky stuff. Then Mr Malfoy dived back onto him, as thet flew into another shelf, and knocked it down, and they both lost their consciences, and lay there with no slightest idea where they are, what are they doing, and what was most important: who the hell they are?
They both had their conciseness back in about five minutes and when they looked at each other, they screamed. Lucius looked in his opponent. Figure in his eyes was tall, handsome, blond, grey eyes, and what was reason why he screamed, he looked exactly like him. And his sight was blurry, so he took Weasley's glasses of the floor and put them on. He saw himself in a man who used to be Arthur Weasley. Arthur, had the same reaction. He saw a tall, little skinny, red headed man, with bold patch and glasses on. They looked in each other in amazement. Cause they were both around 194cm, (Lucius had much better body built) their robes fitted them perfectly. They stared at each others for what was about 10 minutes, and then Arthur first finally spoke:
-"What to do?"
-"Well, if I would go to Narcissa like this, she would probably kick me out of the mansion, screaming at me."
-"The same story with. But my wife, Molly, she would chase me with the broom."
-"So, do you know what could have happened?" – Lucius finally asked.
-"Well, maybe when I dived onto you or you dived into me, some ingredients mixed, and you became me, and I became you."
-"Well it wasn't the Polyjuice Potion. It would take weeks to make it; than what was it?"
-"Is there any way out of this?" – Said Arthur Weasley. – "Well, should I go your home, and be you, and… ?"
-"Yeah and fuck my wife with no need to say 'Excusez moi'. Is that what you wanted to do?" - Lucius asked.
-"No, it's not, I just thought that…"
-"Well you are stupid when you think, so don't do that," – snapped Lucius.
They sat there for about half and hour looking at the relics of what looked like shelf with ingredients. They somehow brought it back the way it was, and then ultimately Lucius agreed, when he saw that there's no other way out, that they switch places (he knew that the Dark Lord went for the trip, for an important mission, and he won't need him, for a certain period of the time). He raised sleeve of his robes, and saw, on his great relief, that his Dark Mark tattoo was still there.
Then they went back to their new offices, to write important stuff for the each other to know. Lucius was disgusted by Arthur's small office, filled with Muggle articles, and his collection of plugs and batteries on the wall, and the small sloppy table.
At the same time, Arthur felt strange in Lucius' gigantic office with marble walls and huge windows, and big fireplace, and enormous book shelf, with (he could not miss this), books all about the Dark Arts. He was before in Lucius' office, but never really paid any attention to the furniture, and the floor that was shinier then the mirrors in his cozy house. Just as he dropped himself in a big comfy chair, a person without knocking came in. Arthur, or better so-called Lucius, recognised her. It was Victoria Berger, a person about who they were previously talking about. She did not even bother to say anything, she just came from behind his chair, and started massaging his strong shoulders. Arthur felt good, but there was strange feeling because he was married, well and Lucius was married, too and it probably didn't bother him that a wife of his friend (that is dead now) comes into his office without knocking, and starts massaging his shoulders, without even asking. He quickly hid the paper where he was writing to Lucius about himself. And then turned around and politely asked her to stop doing massaging his shoulders.
-"Lucius are you okay?" – she said that with her back turned to him, looking into some of the Dark Arts books.
-"Yes, I am perfectly fine," - he said in kind voice.
-"Don't lie to me. I know something's wrong. First, if you were not in mood for me to massage your shoulders, which you usually call me to do for you, you would not just politely ask me to stop that, and you don't want it. You would have snapped on me. And now, when I asked you are you okay... I was totally surprised you didn't yell at me, and tell me to leave you alone, and to mind my own business."
-"Well, I was just trying to be nice," - he said in very awkward tone.
-"You are so funny. Sorry, I can't hang around you all day. I have some important work to do. I will give that Percy Weasley so much work to do, that he won't be able to finish. Than I shall have a good reason why to pick on him." – she returned book at the same place, where she picked it.
-"No, wait, don't do that?"
-"Do what?" – she had expression like someone just slapped her.
-"Well, don't give poor boy so much work."
-"Why?" - she was shocked Lucius Malfoy sticking up for Weasley. 'What's up with me today? I mean what's up with him? Just an hour ago he was normal.'
-"Just don't give him" – Arthur suddenly got the idea. - "Just send him to me. I will find a descent work for him."
-"For a mere moment, I thought you are saying that you will release him of all the works. Well anyways, when you got me this place you were the one that demanded that I always be rude to him. I shall send him in tomorrow, first thing to your office. Bye Lucius." – She waved with he hand and really annoyingly got out of the office, slamming the door hard.
She was very nice to him. 'I mean like there is something between them? Well no, maybe they are relatives or something, so she does all those stuff for him.'
He finished writing, when a blond women came in. Well in her case, she knocked. This was the secretary of Lucius Malfoy.
-"Yes" – Arthur said, and she came in. She was very pretty.
-"Mr Arthur Weasley sent you this. And he said some pretty rude thing about you." – She said.
-"Oh, good. Would you please be kind and give him this?" – he said taking the piece of parchment, the woman just gave him.
She left the room with shocked expression on her face.
He opened the paper. It said:
-Do not feel too comfortable inside my house. It is not yours.
-Don't even think doing something bad about my son's education, be VERY strict with him. Remember: you HATE all that aren't Purebloods.
-Never use You-Know-Who when you want to indicate to Lord Voldemort ( Mr Weasley gave a little shake on this). Say Dark Lord, or maybe Master when you hear that one of my friends is saying it that way.
-Do not even touch my wife. Sleep in separate rooms. If she doesn't like the idea, tell her that you don't like blue covers on our bad and you want a black ones.
-Don't be too nice to people that don't deserve it.
-AND THE LAST ONE: DO NOT EVEN TRY STEALING OR WASTING MY MONEY.
Unfrankly,
Lucius Malfoy
The message Lucius received from Arthur was quite the same, but it was a bit politer. What really caught Lucius' eyes was the untidy scrawl, which he had problems reading.
Children: the youngest girl – Ginny (14)
The youngest son – Ronald, call him Ron. Ronald just when are you angry (15)
The twins – Fred and George (17)
The oldest boy that lives with us is Percy (18). And I hope you will try to be little nicer to him, that you are here; and act like his father, please.
My wife and I, we sleep at the same bad, even if you ask her for another one, she'll think you are crazy. And by the way, there's no room left.
Remember: you like all that is indicated to the Muggles, and all Purebloods and Muggles are the same to you.
Have nice winter holidays,
Arthur Weasley
PS. My wife shan't like the fact that other women are massaging you. Especially if that's just not shoulders. Ask your wife, or better my wife to do that to you.
'Damn it. Victoria you had to come there. Oh, God I forgot to tell him about her. Anyways if he doesn't know he'll just ignore, her, but it'll be the same that I ignored her. But hey, who cares. I don't love her, I love someone else."
When Arthur Weasley arrived at the Malfoy Manor, he felt estrange. The house was big, very big. The doors were large and heavy, and when you come in, there was a huge chamber with ceiling about 50 meters high. The hall was more like a cathedral, with its huge coloured windows. Arthur wanted to see the whole house. It was quite interesting. There was a titanic circular room with glass dome-ceiling, and a library, with hundreds and hundreds shelves of books, and a glass ceiling, and dining room was in same manner. Huge, with big coloured glass as ceiling, and a table where you could stuff whole Ministry (and maybe some personas from Irish Ministry, too).
Lucius' impressions were quite different. He arrived into one small house, with untidy yard, and lots of kids, (which in his opinion looked like midgets) having a snow fight. When he entered the kitchen, Molly was making a dinner, and instead of hello or hi, she snapped at him:
-"You were fighting again Arthur. Why?"
Lucius felt stuck at this question. Why? Because he said bunch of rude things to her husband. Narcissa never questioned him about what he did. Not because she didn't care, she did, but because Lucius clearly and very rudely stated to her that it is his life, and it is not her worry to give him advices on what to do.
-"Lucius Malfoy was talking again bad about Weasleys. I mean, he has right. Look at children, they are like midgets."
-"Arthur, how dare you to say something like that about your own kids? And when Harry Potter is here!" – She barked, and Lucius hurried to the small window, with paint peeling off and saw that along the four red heads there was one black one, which unmistakable had to be Harry Potter.
-"Je regarde." – He said very slowly.
At that moment, Mrs Weasley threw her arms around Lucius, which disgusted him.
-"Oh honey, you know that it is not our fault we are poor. But we are happy, aren't we?" – she tried to kiss him, but he pushed her away, and said:
-"What are you doing? you were just cutting the meat, and now you are touching me? And that dirty clothing you are wearing (he gave obnoxious and disgusting look towards her flower dress, and red, shabby apron). When we go to the bad, I want you to take shower, and you shall sleep on the floor." - He was lucky because at that time the Weasley kids came along with Harry. On his disgust, they took off their wet jackets, and threw them all around the hall, and without washing their hands sat down to eat.
-"Arthur, put plates, while I serve the sausages."
-"I have to wash my hands, and you" – he pointed his finger on Ron – "put plates while I wash my hands." – He stormed out of the kitchen, not as usually saying hi to Harry, or to some of the kids. He somehow managed to wash his hands in very small washroom.
On the other hand, Arthur Weasley felt everything by comfortable in Malfoy Manor. Narcissa kissed him, in his mouth, when she saw him. During the dinner he said a little, because Draco was all the time was gossiping Harry Potter, and saying very bad things about Weasleys until Arthur didn't tell him in not what you actually can call yell, but something alike it, to stop being so rude to Harry Potter and that Weasleys aren't that bad, and that it's not their fault that they are poor. Both Draco and Narcissa gave him look that was asking "Are you fine?" Rest of the dinner, they spent quietly eating pork chops and peas. When it came time to go for sleep, "Lucius" asked Narcissa about sleeping in the different rooms.
-"Oh, can I ask you a question?" – He asked her while they were climbing upstairs, and heading towards "their" bedroom. It was kind of unnatural for Lucius to be so casual like Arthur was right now.
-"Well of course."
-"You know covers on our bed?"
-"Yes, what about them?"
-"Well I don't like them."
-"Lucius, didn't we have a talk about this already. It will be blue, not black. You wanted black, I wanted pink, so blue was an alternative." – She snapped.
-"Well…" - He wanted to give up, but remembered that if he would sleep in the same bedroom with Narcissa, he would be cheating on his wife. –"Anyways, I want another room. I don't want to sleep with you."
-"Fine, I'll go and get the elf to rearrange a guest room for you" - she barked, and turned away.
When Lucius settled down to eat, after he washed his hands, he gave a squeal.
-"Sausage? What is this? You don't expect me to eat this?" – He said in most irritating voice he could produce.
-"Arthur, what's up with you? I don't really know. You know we don't have enough money to buy anything else. And by the way, I thought you like them." – Barked Mrs Weasley from over the table, where she was just pouring herself some.
-"Well I don't care, I won't eat it." – He said and threw disgusting look at four Weasley kids and Harry, who were eating. – "What else is there?"
-"Arthur, you know there's nothing else. We don't have money for that."
-"Fine than, I'll just eat salad." - 'Weasley you will so pay me for this when I get you,' Lucius thought.
Mrs Weasley scowled and asked Harry how was his term at Hogwarts.
-"Well it is fine," - said Harry.
-"Oh, Dad, do you know what have happened?" – Ron asked his 'dad'.
-"No, and I don't care. And you even dare to call me dad once more. I am your father!" – snapped Lucius on Ron.
-"But Daddy, you always said how you want us to call you Dad or Daddy. You said that only snobs like, Malfoys, call their dad's father" – squalled Ginny. This was enough for Lucius. His face went redder then his hair. When Ginny saw him, she gasped mouth open.
-"What did you say? What did you say about the Malfoys? THEY ARE NOT THE SNOBS! THEY ARE OUR MOST CONSEQUENTIAL PUREBLOOD WIZARDING FAMILY. AND YOU SHOULD TRY TO LOOK MORE LIKE THEM!"
Even Fred and George, who were eating, stared at "their father".
-"You petite demoiselle, go to sleep now! without dinner!" – he yelled at Ginny. She covered her face with her hands, and run upstairs. Molly, after giving her 'husband' furious stare, ran after her daughter.
Harry was frozen. 'Mr Weasley to say something against his own family? He hates Malfoys, they had fight once. Lucius was taunting him, and now he is saying that they should be more like the Malfoys. Lucius even tried to kill and frame his daughter, Ginny." The same thoughts stuck Fred, George, and Ron.
-"I can't eat this." – He said throwing the sausage, that Mrs Weasley put in his plate, through the window, and getting out of the house.
-"I hope you are happy now, Lucius Cassius Malfoy." – Snapped Narcissa, in angry tone. Arthur saw that her pretty eyes were so close to crying. The family elf got all stuff of Lucius Malfoy into his new room, with black bed covers and black bed sheets. The room was pretty one. It had a window with view on the lake and cardinal red curtains. Arthur sat in the fancy antique chair and thought. 'What to do… I made Narcissa, who I loved so much, is angry now. But I had right. She married Lucius just because of money and status. And she used to love me. I know she did. It was a Gryffindor-Slytherin romance. It would never be allowed. And anyway, what does she have with me. I am poor and I am nothing like Lucius. He is rich, very rich. I'm not poor cause I like being poor. I mean, I don't mind being poor. I could get promotion any time I liked, but I like my job that has to do with the Muggles…'
He got off the comfy chair, and decided to take a shower. He had his own private bathroom, with entrance from "his" room. It was a big one, with gigantic Jacuzzi (wizarding Jacuzzi, do'h) and a waterfall from a high fountain into his bath. He decided that he will just take a shower. It was pretty hard for him taking a shower as Lucius. 'Whoa, if I were you, I would get Narcissa, even if I am that poor.' Now he understood main reason why Narcissa married Lucius and why was he so popular with women.
When he finished with his shower (and something else), he put on his black pyjama, and got out of the bathroom. He just fell on the bad, cause he was very tired, and at his home, he never got enough sleep. A person came from behind him, and lay on him. If whispered in his ear:
-"Oh Lucius, you did this just because me, didn't you? You know I am your wife best friend; she just sent me an owl saying that you don't want to share room with her. Well I don't want you to be alone… so I came".
_________________________________________________________________________________________
'As morning bring re-birth
a new day will dawn
to ease our troubled mind.'
Advent (Spleen and Ideal), Dead Can Dance
You were there watching 'Ben Hur'
Following what ever they do
But trouble seems to be gazing'
H.H., 'Ben Hur'
I wrote this story approximately a year ago, but the grammar is devastating because I was so ignorant with English than. I changed so much now. I know all those rules in English and I can actually speak French this yes. That is something that I couldn't do two months ago.
I'm doing restoration because I am ashamed of all the vapid mistakes I made in this story.
Uhm, PLEASE REVIEW, and don't be shy to give me your exact opinion about what do you think of the story. I mean, I don't care, I can take any shit and any flames. Just don't leave it un-reviewed.
________________________________________________________________________
Mr Arthur Weasley was heading straight to the Potion Ingredients room, in the building of the Ministry of Magic. He was cursing Lucius Malfoy in undertone, so nobody could hear him and get him into more trouble.
They had meeting about poverty in wizarding world on which Mr Weasley had to attend. Not because he was poor, but because he was an important persona. Well the trouble was that Mr Lucius Malfoy attended the meeting, too. When they broke into a discussion on how some wizards are poorer than the other ones, Mr Malfoy pointed his finger on Arthur and said:
-"Oh Weasley, you are poor, too. Are you attending this meeting just that you could find better solution how to find some money" – To a laymen, this tone of Lucius' voice might sound like a concerned. But Arthur, who knew Lucius good, recognised this as ridiculing, derisive tone, which he had an unpleasant chance to be pointed in his way.
I caused Arthur to flush. After five minutes, Lucius, unable to keep his thin mouth shut, started again:
-"You know what Arthur, I think that you and your family should nicely go to the Muggle world, where people are getting welfare, and that would help you survive. Of course, it wouldn't be hard for you. You love Muggles…"
Lucius was unable to finished cause Arthur jumped on him, from his seat. They were broke into a fight and they got so into it that Minister Fudge had to separate them of each other. And what was worst for Weasley was that Fudge thought that it was his fault, and that Lucius only tried to help him. The Minister apologised to Lucius and made Arthur apologise him, too. The apology was followed by an evil and triumphant smirk on Lucius' pale and pointed face. What was worse, Fudge sent Weasley to the Potion Room, to make him a Truth Potion.
Arthur Weasley walked faster and faster, until he got into the cellar floor of the Ministry of Magic building, and bumped into someone. He bumped into a woman. She was very pretty. She had a shoulder length dark chestnut hair and was wearing tight black robes. He immediately recognised that she was Victoria Berger, Head of the International Magical Co-operation. She got that job after Barty Crouch moved to a better position. Arthur did not know her very well, but he heard countless stories about her from Percy. Percy did not venerate her as nearly as he did Bartemius Crouch. She would give him hard time. Percy kept saying that she wouldn't get this job at all, if Lucius Malfoy didn't help her. Arthur also knew that Victoria and Lucius always had very friendly relationships, but were they just too friendly? He also thought that she is really involved into the Dark Arts..
-"Sorry" - he said politely.
She looked at him in almost piercing stare, and gave him sneer, almost like Lucius did when Arthur saw him doing, what was in his opinion funny.
-"Don't mind, it was my fault," - she sneered, and headed upstairs without a back glance on Arthur.
"Women", he thought.
When he opened the door of the Potion Ingredients room, on his immense surprise, there was no one else then Lucius Malfoy inside, pacing, and looking very pensive. On purpose, Arthur slammed the door, which sounds gave Lucius a fright as he jumped backwards. After a second, he put his well-known sneer expression on the pale face, and said:
-"Oh, making a potion, Weasley. Are you getting extra pay for it? Pity Minister doesn't know you are such a bad wizard. Then he'd sack you faster than you'd realise that you are out, lying on the street."
-"Pity your wife doesn't know that I found you alone in the room, with button on your collar unbuttoned. And guess who I saw before I saw you? (Mr Malfoy buttoned his button again) Victoria Berger! I couldn't help myself missing the fact that two of you are very friendly, well friendlier than a very young widow and relatively young, married man with a son should be?"
-"What are you aiming on, Weasley?"
-"Nothing." – Said Mr Weasley, ethereally. Mr Malfoy's pale cheeks went almost pink. Of course, Arthur never thought that there is something between Lucius and Victoria. Maybe they could be plotting something, some machination or who knows what. 'I heard she is a Death Eater, like he is. Well that is presumably. And he is married man. He would never cheat on his wife. And he has son.'
-"Still there?" - sneered Malfoy at Weasley, whose thoughts took his far away from the Earth.
-"Of course I am still here." – He snapped. He didn't like when people thought that he keeps his head in clouds.
-"By what you were saying, I thought you think that there is something between Victoria and me?"
-"No, of course I didn't. You are a married man with a son."
-"Was that the same thoughts you had when you fucked my wife?" – He sneered, but at the same time putted a menacing face.
-"You know that was just a school love, I never ever touched her. Anyway, you were never interested in her too much during the school. She was just another station of the route for you."
-"Well of course you didn't. If you did, I would already have killed her, but before, I would have sterilised her, so that she can not pass on any disease she fetched from you." – He sneered.
This was too far for Mr Weasley. He dived into Lucius Malfoy, knocking him into the first shelf with potion ingredients. They were all covered in some stinky stuff. Then Mr Malfoy dived back onto him, as thet flew into another shelf, and knocked it down, and they both lost their consciences, and lay there with no slightest idea where they are, what are they doing, and what was most important: who the hell they are?
They both had their conciseness back in about five minutes and when they looked at each other, they screamed. Lucius looked in his opponent. Figure in his eyes was tall, handsome, blond, grey eyes, and what was reason why he screamed, he looked exactly like him. And his sight was blurry, so he took Weasley's glasses of the floor and put them on. He saw himself in a man who used to be Arthur Weasley. Arthur, had the same reaction. He saw a tall, little skinny, red headed man, with bold patch and glasses on. They looked in each other in amazement. Cause they were both around 194cm, (Lucius had much better body built) their robes fitted them perfectly. They stared at each others for what was about 10 minutes, and then Arthur first finally spoke:
-"What to do?"
-"Well, if I would go to Narcissa like this, she would probably kick me out of the mansion, screaming at me."
-"The same story with. But my wife, Molly, she would chase me with the broom."
-"So, do you know what could have happened?" – Lucius finally asked.
-"Well, maybe when I dived onto you or you dived into me, some ingredients mixed, and you became me, and I became you."
-"Well it wasn't the Polyjuice Potion. It would take weeks to make it; than what was it?"
-"Is there any way out of this?" – Said Arthur Weasley. – "Well, should I go your home, and be you, and… ?"
-"Yeah and fuck my wife with no need to say 'Excusez moi'. Is that what you wanted to do?" - Lucius asked.
-"No, it's not, I just thought that…"
-"Well you are stupid when you think, so don't do that," – snapped Lucius.
They sat there for about half and hour looking at the relics of what looked like shelf with ingredients. They somehow brought it back the way it was, and then ultimately Lucius agreed, when he saw that there's no other way out, that they switch places (he knew that the Dark Lord went for the trip, for an important mission, and he won't need him, for a certain period of the time). He raised sleeve of his robes, and saw, on his great relief, that his Dark Mark tattoo was still there.
Then they went back to their new offices, to write important stuff for the each other to know. Lucius was disgusted by Arthur's small office, filled with Muggle articles, and his collection of plugs and batteries on the wall, and the small sloppy table.
At the same time, Arthur felt strange in Lucius' gigantic office with marble walls and huge windows, and big fireplace, and enormous book shelf, with (he could not miss this), books all about the Dark Arts. He was before in Lucius' office, but never really paid any attention to the furniture, and the floor that was shinier then the mirrors in his cozy house. Just as he dropped himself in a big comfy chair, a person without knocking came in. Arthur, or better so-called Lucius, recognised her. It was Victoria Berger, a person about who they were previously talking about. She did not even bother to say anything, she just came from behind his chair, and started massaging his strong shoulders. Arthur felt good, but there was strange feeling because he was married, well and Lucius was married, too and it probably didn't bother him that a wife of his friend (that is dead now) comes into his office without knocking, and starts massaging his shoulders, without even asking. He quickly hid the paper where he was writing to Lucius about himself. And then turned around and politely asked her to stop doing massaging his shoulders.
-"Lucius are you okay?" – she said that with her back turned to him, looking into some of the Dark Arts books.
-"Yes, I am perfectly fine," - he said in kind voice.
-"Don't lie to me. I know something's wrong. First, if you were not in mood for me to massage your shoulders, which you usually call me to do for you, you would not just politely ask me to stop that, and you don't want it. You would have snapped on me. And now, when I asked you are you okay... I was totally surprised you didn't yell at me, and tell me to leave you alone, and to mind my own business."
-"Well, I was just trying to be nice," - he said in very awkward tone.
-"You are so funny. Sorry, I can't hang around you all day. I have some important work to do. I will give that Percy Weasley so much work to do, that he won't be able to finish. Than I shall have a good reason why to pick on him." – she returned book at the same place, where she picked it.
-"No, wait, don't do that?"
-"Do what?" – she had expression like someone just slapped her.
-"Well, don't give poor boy so much work."
-"Why?" - she was shocked Lucius Malfoy sticking up for Weasley. 'What's up with me today? I mean what's up with him? Just an hour ago he was normal.'
-"Just don't give him" – Arthur suddenly got the idea. - "Just send him to me. I will find a descent work for him."
-"For a mere moment, I thought you are saying that you will release him of all the works. Well anyways, when you got me this place you were the one that demanded that I always be rude to him. I shall send him in tomorrow, first thing to your office. Bye Lucius." – She waved with he hand and really annoyingly got out of the office, slamming the door hard.
She was very nice to him. 'I mean like there is something between them? Well no, maybe they are relatives or something, so she does all those stuff for him.'
He finished writing, when a blond women came in. Well in her case, she knocked. This was the secretary of Lucius Malfoy.
-"Yes" – Arthur said, and she came in. She was very pretty.
-"Mr Arthur Weasley sent you this. And he said some pretty rude thing about you." – She said.
-"Oh, good. Would you please be kind and give him this?" – he said taking the piece of parchment, the woman just gave him.
She left the room with shocked expression on her face.
He opened the paper. It said:
-Do not feel too comfortable inside my house. It is not yours.
-Don't even think doing something bad about my son's education, be VERY strict with him. Remember: you HATE all that aren't Purebloods.
-Never use You-Know-Who when you want to indicate to Lord Voldemort ( Mr Weasley gave a little shake on this). Say Dark Lord, or maybe Master when you hear that one of my friends is saying it that way.
-Do not even touch my wife. Sleep in separate rooms. If she doesn't like the idea, tell her that you don't like blue covers on our bad and you want a black ones.
-Don't be too nice to people that don't deserve it.
-AND THE LAST ONE: DO NOT EVEN TRY STEALING OR WASTING MY MONEY.
Unfrankly,
Lucius Malfoy
The message Lucius received from Arthur was quite the same, but it was a bit politer. What really caught Lucius' eyes was the untidy scrawl, which he had problems reading.
Children: the youngest girl – Ginny (14)
The youngest son – Ronald, call him Ron. Ronald just when are you angry (15)
The twins – Fred and George (17)
The oldest boy that lives with us is Percy (18). And I hope you will try to be little nicer to him, that you are here; and act like his father, please.
My wife and I, we sleep at the same bad, even if you ask her for another one, she'll think you are crazy. And by the way, there's no room left.
Remember: you like all that is indicated to the Muggles, and all Purebloods and Muggles are the same to you.
Have nice winter holidays,
Arthur Weasley
PS. My wife shan't like the fact that other women are massaging you. Especially if that's just not shoulders. Ask your wife, or better my wife to do that to you.
'Damn it. Victoria you had to come there. Oh, God I forgot to tell him about her. Anyways if he doesn't know he'll just ignore, her, but it'll be the same that I ignored her. But hey, who cares. I don't love her, I love someone else."
When Arthur Weasley arrived at the Malfoy Manor, he felt estrange. The house was big, very big. The doors were large and heavy, and when you come in, there was a huge chamber with ceiling about 50 meters high. The hall was more like a cathedral, with its huge coloured windows. Arthur wanted to see the whole house. It was quite interesting. There was a titanic circular room with glass dome-ceiling, and a library, with hundreds and hundreds shelves of books, and a glass ceiling, and dining room was in same manner. Huge, with big coloured glass as ceiling, and a table where you could stuff whole Ministry (and maybe some personas from Irish Ministry, too).
Lucius' impressions were quite different. He arrived into one small house, with untidy yard, and lots of kids, (which in his opinion looked like midgets) having a snow fight. When he entered the kitchen, Molly was making a dinner, and instead of hello or hi, she snapped at him:
-"You were fighting again Arthur. Why?"
Lucius felt stuck at this question. Why? Because he said bunch of rude things to her husband. Narcissa never questioned him about what he did. Not because she didn't care, she did, but because Lucius clearly and very rudely stated to her that it is his life, and it is not her worry to give him advices on what to do.
-"Lucius Malfoy was talking again bad about Weasleys. I mean, he has right. Look at children, they are like midgets."
-"Arthur, how dare you to say something like that about your own kids? And when Harry Potter is here!" – She barked, and Lucius hurried to the small window, with paint peeling off and saw that along the four red heads there was one black one, which unmistakable had to be Harry Potter.
-"Je regarde." – He said very slowly.
At that moment, Mrs Weasley threw her arms around Lucius, which disgusted him.
-"Oh honey, you know that it is not our fault we are poor. But we are happy, aren't we?" – she tried to kiss him, but he pushed her away, and said:
-"What are you doing? you were just cutting the meat, and now you are touching me? And that dirty clothing you are wearing (he gave obnoxious and disgusting look towards her flower dress, and red, shabby apron). When we go to the bad, I want you to take shower, and you shall sleep on the floor." - He was lucky because at that time the Weasley kids came along with Harry. On his disgust, they took off their wet jackets, and threw them all around the hall, and without washing their hands sat down to eat.
-"Arthur, put plates, while I serve the sausages."
-"I have to wash my hands, and you" – he pointed his finger on Ron – "put plates while I wash my hands." – He stormed out of the kitchen, not as usually saying hi to Harry, or to some of the kids. He somehow managed to wash his hands in very small washroom.
On the other hand, Arthur Weasley felt everything by comfortable in Malfoy Manor. Narcissa kissed him, in his mouth, when she saw him. During the dinner he said a little, because Draco was all the time was gossiping Harry Potter, and saying very bad things about Weasleys until Arthur didn't tell him in not what you actually can call yell, but something alike it, to stop being so rude to Harry Potter and that Weasleys aren't that bad, and that it's not their fault that they are poor. Both Draco and Narcissa gave him look that was asking "Are you fine?" Rest of the dinner, they spent quietly eating pork chops and peas. When it came time to go for sleep, "Lucius" asked Narcissa about sleeping in the different rooms.
-"Oh, can I ask you a question?" – He asked her while they were climbing upstairs, and heading towards "their" bedroom. It was kind of unnatural for Lucius to be so casual like Arthur was right now.
-"Well of course."
-"You know covers on our bed?"
-"Yes, what about them?"
-"Well I don't like them."
-"Lucius, didn't we have a talk about this already. It will be blue, not black. You wanted black, I wanted pink, so blue was an alternative." – She snapped.
-"Well…" - He wanted to give up, but remembered that if he would sleep in the same bedroom with Narcissa, he would be cheating on his wife. –"Anyways, I want another room. I don't want to sleep with you."
-"Fine, I'll go and get the elf to rearrange a guest room for you" - she barked, and turned away.
When Lucius settled down to eat, after he washed his hands, he gave a squeal.
-"Sausage? What is this? You don't expect me to eat this?" – He said in most irritating voice he could produce.
-"Arthur, what's up with you? I don't really know. You know we don't have enough money to buy anything else. And by the way, I thought you like them." – Barked Mrs Weasley from over the table, where she was just pouring herself some.
-"Well I don't care, I won't eat it." – He said and threw disgusting look at four Weasley kids and Harry, who were eating. – "What else is there?"
-"Arthur, you know there's nothing else. We don't have money for that."
-"Fine than, I'll just eat salad." - 'Weasley you will so pay me for this when I get you,' Lucius thought.
Mrs Weasley scowled and asked Harry how was his term at Hogwarts.
-"Well it is fine," - said Harry.
-"Oh, Dad, do you know what have happened?" – Ron asked his 'dad'.
-"No, and I don't care. And you even dare to call me dad once more. I am your father!" – snapped Lucius on Ron.
-"But Daddy, you always said how you want us to call you Dad or Daddy. You said that only snobs like, Malfoys, call their dad's father" – squalled Ginny. This was enough for Lucius. His face went redder then his hair. When Ginny saw him, she gasped mouth open.
-"What did you say? What did you say about the Malfoys? THEY ARE NOT THE SNOBS! THEY ARE OUR MOST CONSEQUENTIAL PUREBLOOD WIZARDING FAMILY. AND YOU SHOULD TRY TO LOOK MORE LIKE THEM!"
Even Fred and George, who were eating, stared at "their father".
-"You petite demoiselle, go to sleep now! without dinner!" – he yelled at Ginny. She covered her face with her hands, and run upstairs. Molly, after giving her 'husband' furious stare, ran after her daughter.
Harry was frozen. 'Mr Weasley to say something against his own family? He hates Malfoys, they had fight once. Lucius was taunting him, and now he is saying that they should be more like the Malfoys. Lucius even tried to kill and frame his daughter, Ginny." The same thoughts stuck Fred, George, and Ron.
-"I can't eat this." – He said throwing the sausage, that Mrs Weasley put in his plate, through the window, and getting out of the house.
-"I hope you are happy now, Lucius Cassius Malfoy." – Snapped Narcissa, in angry tone. Arthur saw that her pretty eyes were so close to crying. The family elf got all stuff of Lucius Malfoy into his new room, with black bed covers and black bed sheets. The room was pretty one. It had a window with view on the lake and cardinal red curtains. Arthur sat in the fancy antique chair and thought. 'What to do… I made Narcissa, who I loved so much, is angry now. But I had right. She married Lucius just because of money and status. And she used to love me. I know she did. It was a Gryffindor-Slytherin romance. It would never be allowed. And anyway, what does she have with me. I am poor and I am nothing like Lucius. He is rich, very rich. I'm not poor cause I like being poor. I mean, I don't mind being poor. I could get promotion any time I liked, but I like my job that has to do with the Muggles…'
He got off the comfy chair, and decided to take a shower. He had his own private bathroom, with entrance from "his" room. It was a big one, with gigantic Jacuzzi (wizarding Jacuzzi, do'h) and a waterfall from a high fountain into his bath. He decided that he will just take a shower. It was pretty hard for him taking a shower as Lucius. 'Whoa, if I were you, I would get Narcissa, even if I am that poor.' Now he understood main reason why Narcissa married Lucius and why was he so popular with women.
When he finished with his shower (and something else), he put on his black pyjama, and got out of the bathroom. He just fell on the bad, cause he was very tired, and at his home, he never got enough sleep. A person came from behind him, and lay on him. If whispered in his ear:
-"Oh Lucius, you did this just because me, didn't you? You know I am your wife best friend; she just sent me an owl saying that you don't want to share room with her. Well I don't want you to be alone… so I came".
_________________________________________________________________________________________
'As morning bring re-birth
a new day will dawn
to ease our troubled mind.'
Advent (Spleen and Ideal), Dead Can Dance