Author's Note: This is for WolfSpirit1992, who wanted to see some more Lucius/Percy interaction.

Additional Author's Note: The headline on the Daily Prophet is from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 15, "The Hogwarts High Inquisitor."


Percy was strolling through Diagon Alley, on his way to the Ministry Press for the Minister, when he suddenly caught sight of the familiar platinum hair.

Percy immediately walked over to Lucius, who was sitting at a table outside a restaurant and reading a copy of the current Daily Prophet.

On the front page of the newspaper was the headline "MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST-EVER 'HIGH INQUISITOR.'"

Percy could not help but feel a little smug. He had worked hard to make this happen, hoping that it would impress the Minister and more importantly Lucius.

"You have much to be proud of," Lucius spoke suddenly, his eyes still on the paper. "Your interview was a pleasure to read. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who's worried about the students at Hogwarts. Since my son Draco has started going there, there has been disaster after disaster."

Lucius put down the newspaper and met Percy's eyes.

"I know this is several years late," Lucius then said, "but I would like to apologize for how rude Draco was to you in his second year. He wrote me a letter that year about his encounter with you, and his lack of respect to a Prefect greatly displeased me. You had, after all, worked hard to become a Prefect. Only the best students are able to earn such a honourable position, and I told Draco when he came back home that summer that he would do well to remember that very important fact."

"Oh, there is no need for you to apologize for that, Mr. Malfoy," Percy replied, even though he was flattered that Lucius found him to be worthy enough for an apology.

"Perhaps," Lucius responded, "but I often spoke of my disgust of your family in front of Draco as he was growing up, so I blame myself for his treatment of you."

"In all fairness to you, though, Mr. Malfoy," Percy returned, "I was snooping around when that incident happened."

"There is nothing wrong with being curious," Lucius said. He then gestured to the chair across from him. "Please, take a seat."

Percy shifted slightly on his feet. "I thank you for your offer, sir," he spoke, "but I really must be going. I have to go to the Ministry Press. The Minister wants more copies of today's Prophet to be published. He wants to make sure that everyone has a chance to see it."

"Of course," Lucius said in an understanding tone of voice. "Perhaps another time then."

Percy did not move. He didn't really want to leave, especially since Lucius was finally showing an interest in him.

"I saw your comment in the paper," Percy remarked, suddenly feeling very stupid. It seemed as if he was always feeling stupid whenever he was around the aristocratic wizard.

"Oh, did you like it?" Lucius drawled in an almost bored tone of voice.

"I know that you have also been working hard with the Minister to get this decree passed," Percy said, gesturing at the headline on the front cover of the Prophet. "You have much to be proud of as well."

"There's no need for that," Lucius responded. "I was merely acting as a concerned parent, and I have no doubt that your motivations were similar. You do have several brothers and a sister at Hogwarts, and from what Draco has told me, one of them is very close to Harry Potter."

Percy shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "Yes, I have written a letter to my brother Ron about his friendship with Potter."

"And how do you think he will respond?" Lucius inquired, now sounding interested. He once again gestured for Percy to take a seat, and this time the younger man did.

"I can't really say," Percy replied as he sat down. "Ron has always been one to seek attention in any way that he can, and I have no doubt that he believes his friendship with Potter will one day gain him the recognition and fame that he seeks. But I am still going to try to hope for the best. I am still going to hold onto the hope that Ron will come to realize, hopefully before it's too late, that being friends with Potter will only ruin him."

"Well, you've reached out to him," Lucius responded. "The rest is up to him now. Meanwhile, I will also hope for the best. It sounds like you are close to him."

"Not really," Percy admitted. "I think that he's always looked up to Fred and George more than he has me."

"By that look on your face," Lucius spoke, "I am taking it that you aren't that close to those two."

"They're always pranking me and making fun of what I want to do with my life," Percy explained.

"They're clearly jealous of you," Lucius returned. He sighed slightly, as if he was a long-suffering soul. "Alas, that is often the price of success. There are always those that will envy you for what you have, even though they are the same ones that are not willing to work to make their own lives better. They find it easier to just blame you for all the misfortunes in their lives."

"You sound like you have a lot of personal experience with that, sir," Percy remarked, once again feeling stupid.

"I come from a wealthy family," Lucius explained. "People hate me because they believe I was born with, what's that Muggle saying, oh yes, with a silver spoon in my mouth. It is my belief, though, that those people could also have silver spoons in their mouths if they were only willing to put some effort into it."

"Oh, I agree with that, sir," Percy replied. "I mean, look at where I came from." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I don't mean to sound like an ungrateful brat. I always had clothes and food while growing up, along with a roof over my head. But I always thought it could have been a little better if my father had worked to be a better provider for us. I mean, if he had really wanted to, he could have worked up to a higher position in the Ministry instead of just being satisfied with where's he's been at for years."

"I don't think you sound like an ungrateful brat at all," Lucius responded. "I think that's a perfectly reasonable expectation for a child to have of a parent. A parent should strive to give their child or children the best life possible. A parent should never just accept that they can't improve themselves. I believe there is always room for improvement. You just have to be willing to work for it. Now, I believe I've kept you for long enough. I don't want Fudge to get upset with you because you were talking with me instead of going to the Ministry Press."

"I don't think the Minister would be upset about me talking with you," Percy replied. "He holds you in very high regard, and he's told me more than once that I could learn lots from you."

"Fudge is a very wise man," Lucius smiled slightly. "But nevertheless, I will let you get back to work now. I know that you have many important things to do. Perhaps we can catch up again at a later time."

"I would greatly look forward to that, Mr. Malfoy," Percy grinned. He then stood up with some reluctance.

Percy hesitated for a moment. Then, he offered his hand to Lucius.

The aristocratic wizard looked at Percy's extended hand for a brief moment, his face not revealing anything. Then, he reached out and took the younger man's hand.

Percy could feel his face turning as red as his hair, but to his relief Lucius smiled encouragingly at him.