Lucius calmly made his way down the hallway that led to the entrance of the Department of Mysteries.
If Lucius was not the aristocratic wizard that he was, one would probably be tempted to say that he was walking casually. But Abraxas Malfoy had taught his son at a young age that a Malfoy never did anything casually because that was common, and there was no way that Malfoy would ever be common. Instead, a Malfoy did everything (even things that others would consider casual) with perfect dignity and grace.
As Lucius neared the Department of Mysteries, he listened closely, even though an observer would probably mistakenly think that Lucius was not paying much attention to his surroundings. Lucius had always been good at pretending to be oblivious when he really was highly alert.
Lucius suddenly heard the sound of rustling. It was a barely audible sound. If Lucius had not been paying attention, he would not have heard it.
Lucius looked around with his nose in the air. He wasn't looking around because he thought he had heard something. No, he was just regarding his surroundings with the typical disdain of a wealthy Pureblood.
There was no one in sight, but Lucius knew that meant nothing. He had many times (especially during the First Wizarding War), after all, hidden himself from view with the Disillusionment Charm.
Considering the rustling sound, though, the unseen person with him in the hallway was not using the Disillusionment Charm. No, the rustling was definitely the sound of a cloak rustling.
Whoever he was hearing was most likely wearing an Invisibility Cloak.
It truly was a shame that the cloak did not also prevent someone from being heard.
Lucius listened even more closely, even though he did a good job of not showing that.
Once again, there was the sound of rustling.
Lucius now knew where the invisible person was standing, right by the entrance to the Department of Mysteries.
So Dumbledore had decided to post guards, no doubt to keep the Death Eaters from getting in.
Well, no guard was going to get in Lucius's way.
And it wasn't as if Lucius had to actually enter the Department of Mysteries directly in order to accomplish his mission for the Dark Lord. Personally, Lucius had always preferred to use indirect methods as much as possible. It was much smarter and safer that way.
Faster than the eye could blink, Lucius pulled his wand out of his snake-head cane and pointed it at the invisible person.
Imperio, Lucius thought.
"Reveal yourself," Lucius then ordered.
A moment later, Lucius found himself face-to-face with Sturgis Podmore.
Lucius could not help but sneer slightly. He knew that Podmore was a member of the Order of the Phoenix.
"I need you to do something important for me," Lucius told the other man.
Podmore nodded his head eagerly.
So weak-minded. He had not even attempted to resist.
A part of Lucius was always disappointed when he didn't receive a challenge.
But another part of Lucius was filled with the satisfaction that came from having one of Dumbledore's people under his absolute control. Take that, Dumbledore.