Author's Note: This takes place right after Dumbledore's suspension in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

It was late at night, but Lucius was still wide-awake. And he knew that it was likely that Fudge was still up as well and still at his office at the Ministry of Magic.

Fudge had not been sleeping well since the whole incident with the Chamber of Secrets had started.

And Lucius would be restless until he was absolutely confident that he still had Fudge under his control.

It had all begun the previous summer with the Muggle Protection Act. Lucius had tried to convince Fudge to not even take the act into consideration. But Fudge had disagreed.

It was not often the Fudge disagreed with Lucius Malfoy.

Fudge had not even stopped the Ministry from conducting a search of Malfoy Manor for Dark artifacts.

And now Fudge was upset with Lucius's insistence that Dumbledore be removed from his position as Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Fudge was really starting to slip out of Lucius's control, and the aristocratic wizard didn't like that at all.

Perhaps it was time to eliminate Fudge.

Lucius hoped it wouldn't come to that, though. He had spent a lot of time and effort into grooming Fudge to become the "perfect" Minister, willing to do favors for him and willing to follow his lead. Lucius really didn't want to have to waste time on grooming a new Minister. He would be able to do it with no problem if it did end up coming to that, of course. The Ministry was full of fools, after all. But it would still be a time-consuming process, and Lucius didn't want to waste any time trying to get a new Minister on his side when he could have been using that time instead on getting his goals accomplished.

Perhaps, though, Lucius wouldn't have to worry about any of that. In the past, it had always been so easy for him to manipulate Fudge. Perhaps all Lucius would have to do was speak a few "right" words.

But if Fudge refused to cooperate, Lucius would have no problem with arranging for an "accident" to happen to the other man. It would be a great tragedy to lose the Minister of Magic, of course, but it wasn't anything that couldn't eventually be fixed.

Lucius stopped at the door of Fudge's office, which was open. A quick peek into the room confirmed that Fudge was indeed still awake and still in his office.

Lucius knocked on the door. Fudge looked up from his desk, where he had been reading some papers.

The Minister looked exhausted. This was good. Fudge's exhaustion could only work in Lucius's favor. It was hard to think at your absolute best when you were sleepy, and Fudge had never been a very good thinker in the first place (even when he was wide awake).

"Lucius," Fudge greeted politely. He lacked his usual smile, though. This wasn't good. Fudge was usually always happy to see Lucius.

"Fudge, are you busy?" Lucius asked, making sure that he didn't sound too demanding.

Even before Fudge had become the Minister of Magic (but some time after the two men had started talking with each other on a regular basis), Lucius had tested what the other man's reaction would be to Lucius calling him by name instead of by his official Ministry title. Fudge, who truly considered Lucius to be a friend, had not had any problems with being called by his name.

Lucius, however, refused to call Fudge by his first name. When Fudge had once inquired about that, Lucius had insisted that he considered that to be disrespectful, especially considering Fudge's high position.

In truth, for Lucius to call Fudge by his first name would have been a strong indication that Lucius actually respected and truly considered the other man to be a friend (as Lucius considered referring to someone by their first name as a sign of having a personal relationship with that person, while on the other hand referring to someone by their last name was a sign that the relationship was merely one of business and convenience.)

Besides, there was no way that Lucius could ever consider Fudge a real, genuine friend. Lucius was above making "real" friends with idiots.

"Because if you are busy," Lucius continued speaking, "I can always come back later. I understand if you don't have any time for me right now. I really can't blame you. You have been under a lot of pressure lately. I was just hoping that I could be of some help, like I have been in the past." Lucius then turned, as if to leave.

"No, no, Lucius," came Fudge's voice, "please, come in. I was just looking at some paperwork for the millionth time today, nothing important."

Lucius walked into the room. Fudge motioned for him to take a seat.

"What can I do for you, Lucius?" Fudge asked.

"I wanted to talk with you about what happened earlier tonight. I just wanted to make sure that you weren't under the impression that I don't care about what's best for the students of Hogwarts, because I can ensure sure you that I do care. I care a lot. I just had the unfortunate duty of being the messenger of bad news. I know that's something you can relate to, considering the bad news you just had to deliver to Hagrid."

"I know, I know," Fudge sighed. "It's just that this is Dumbledore we're talking about. Dumbledore."

"I can assure you, Fudge, that my actions tonight were not out of disrespect for Dumbledore," Lucius responded smoothly. "I won't deny that the man has done great things in his life, because he most definitely has. But the governors really are concerned. I am concerned as well. I have a son at Hogwarts, and I would be completely devastated if something was to happen to him."

"I care about the students' safety as well, Lucius," Fudge spoke quickly, "but I'm afraid that getting rid of Dumbledore will only put them in more danger."

"Is that what you truly think?" Lucius pressed. "Then, tell me, no disrespect intended towards Dumbledore, of course, but what has he done to protect the students? Despite his best efforts, and I have no doubt that he's been doing the absolute best that he can, that doesn't change the fact that the attacks have not stopped. Dumbledore is failing our students, Fudge. That is an indication that a change is necessary, and the other governors agree with me."

"But perhaps Hagrid's removal will be all that is necessary to stop the attacks," Fudge replied.

"I truly hope that proves to be the case," Lucius said, managing to sound sincere. "I just want all the students to be safe."

There was silence for several moments as Fudge thought about Lucius's words.

"Fudge," Lucius spoke, "forgive me for asking you this, but have I done something to upset you?"

"Goodness gracious, Lucius. What would ever give you that impression?" Lucius was glad to hear the concern in Fudge's voice. So, Fudge was not yet ready to sever his ties with Lucius. This was good.

"I'm probably just being a little foolish," Lucius said, not losing his respectful tone for even a moment. "It's just that I've been concerned about a lot of things lately. The Muggle Protection Act, for instance. I mean, I'm sure that the act would be a wonderful thing in the right hands. But all the recent raids on the Purebloods' manors, including my manor, have all us Purebloods concerned about what's going to happen to next.

"There is so much talk about prejudice towards Muggles and Muggle-borns, and while I agree that should be a matter of concern, I'm afraid that there might one day be prejudice towards us Purebloods. I mean, it seems as if not a single Pureblood family was spared from the raids, even though most of the families have never given the Ministry any reason to be treated with such suspicion. Quite a few of the Pureblood families have actually been strong supporters of Muggles and Muggle-borns, both in the past and currently. Yet, their manors were still raided. Surely, Fudge, you can see my reasons for concern."

Lucius was pleased to see the horrified expression on the Minister's face.

"I can assure you, Lucius," Fudge spoke quickly, "that it has never been my intention to cause such concern for the Pureblood families, especially yours. I have always been a strong supporter of Purebloods and the Pureblood beliefs.

"I promise you, Lucius, that you have nothing to fear. And I promise you that there will be no more unjustified raids. I just wanted the public to see me as being concerned about the Muggles. I wasn't thinking of the potential consequences of my actions. Forgive me, Lucius. I truly did not mean to worry you like this. You know I consider you to be a very good friend. I don't know what I would do without you, Lucius. All the information that you gave me during the Wizarding War concerning Death Eater activities helped me to win the election for this position. And you have never stopped supporting me. That matters to me. That matters to me a lot."

Lucius allowed himself a slight smile. His mission for the night had been accomplished. Fudge was still under his control. Oh, Fudge may still be a little upset about the whole Dumbledore incident, but he had also not done anything to truly challenge Lucius in that matter. Dumbledore was still suspended. Fudge had not changed that fact.

Lucius was once again confident that Fudge would continue to follow his lead. It was now looking like Lucius wasn't going to have to eliminate the Minister after all. This was good. Lucius had not really wanted to waste time creating the next "perfect" Minister.

"I truly did not mean to upset you," Lucius smiled pleasantly. "I was just being a little silly. We have all been very stressed lately. I truly apologize. I think it's my time to take my leave now. Goodnight, Fudge."

"Goodnight, Lucius."

Lucius nodded his head politely at Fudge before turning to leave.

As he walked through the nearly empty Ministry, Lucius went over in his head everything that had just happened. Nothing was absolutely certain. Nothing ever was. But Lucius now knew that he no longer had to be concerned about whether or not Fudge was still under his control.

Cornelius Fudge, the current Minister of Magic, was still very much Lucius Malfoy's puppet.