Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

A Dragon's Treasure

Chapter 14

Lucius' Plan

Kreacher did it, Miss Cissy!"

Kreacher had arrived at the Malfoy Manor, unbelievable gleeful at what he had done. He hurried to the nursery where Narcissa had been feeding Gemma.

"Kreacher broke the hippogriff's wing," said Kreacher. "Sirius will be with him for hours."

"Well done, Kreacher," said Narcissa, though she had wished Kreacher used another means of keeping Sirius occupied. Even though Buckbeak the Hippogriff had injured her son, she didn't want any harm to come to it. Narcissa wouldn't admit it, but she had an affinity for such creatures.

"Kreacher is excited," Kreacher said. "Kreacher had not helped the Dark Lord since Master Regulus let him use Kreacher!" He gasped and looked up at Narcissa.

"What?" said Narcissa and Kreacher began sobbing.

"Oh, poor Master Regulus!" exclaimed Kreacher.

Narcissa sat her daughter in the crib and crouched to Kreacher. "Kreacher, what did Regulus have you do for the Dark Lord?"

"Master Regulus ordered me not to tell anyone," Kreacher said, shaking his head.

"Regulus is gone," said Narcissa. "You know what really happened to him, don't you, Kreacher?"

Kreacher nodded mutely.

"Tell me happened."

"I can't."

"I order you to tell me!" Narcissa said firmly. "Please, Kreacher. I don't care that he companded you to keep this secret. What did he have you do? How did he die? Where is his body? I want to know what happened to him."

"It's horrible," Kreacher said.

"Tell me anyway," Narcissa said. "Please. It's important."

Kreacher shuddered. "Master Regulus said that The Dark Lord needed a house elf. The Dark Lord took Kreacher to a cave. The cave was hidden behind a wall. Kreacher had to use blood to open the door."

"Your blood, Kreacher?" Narcissa inquired.

"Yes," answered Kreacher and Narcissa swore under her breath.

"What happened in the cave?" she prompted.

"There was a boat just big enough for the Dark Lord and Kreacher," said Kreacher. "There was water all around, until we got to a small island. There was a basin with potion that The Dark Lord made Kreacher drink."

"What did the potion do?" she asked.

"Kreacher saw horrible things," he shook his head. "Kreacher didn't want to drink anymore but The Dark Lord made Kreacher do it. Then Kreacher was so thirsty and tired. The Dark Lord put a necklace in the bottom of the basin and filled it with more potion."

The potion Kreacher described sounded familiar. She didn't know what it was called or how it was made, but the Death Eaters sometimes used it in interrogations. "Locket? What was the locket?"
"Kreacher does not know," said Kreacher. "Kreacher only knew it was important to the dark lord."

"What did it look like?"

"It was gold with a snake on it," Kreacher explained.

"What happened after that?" Narcissa inquired.

"The Dark Lord left Kreacher alone," said Kreacher. "Kreacher was thirsty and so Kreacher went to drink from the lake. There were dead people in the lake and they grabbed Kreacher."

"Inferi," whispered Narcissa. "How were you found?"

"Regulus called Kreacher," Kreacher explained. "And Regulus asked Kreacher where Kreacher was. Regulus was worried that Kreacher did not return."

"What did Regulus do?"

Kreacher paused and began rocking back and forth. "A week passed and Regulus came to Kreacher. Kreacher could tell that Master Regulus was bothered by something. Told Kreacher to take him to the cavern. Regulus had a locket like the one The Dark Lord left in the potion. He told Kreacher to switch the lockets. Regulus drank the potion."

Narcissa moaned as she pictured her cousin having to drink the potion of anguish.

"Kreacher switched lockets," Kreacher said. "Master Regulus told Kreacher to go home and destroy the lockets."

"Regulus did not return with you?" Narcissa asked.

"Master couldn't," explained Kreacher. "The dead people grabbed him and pulled him under. Kreacher had to return home and destroy the locket, but nothing Kreacher did would destroy it! I failed Master Regulus!"

Kreacher attempted to punish himself by flinging himself at the wall and Narcissa grabbed his arms. "Stop, Kreacher! You didn't fail Regulus. You tried. You did your best. I don't think Regulus knew just how strong the locket was. We will find a way to destroy the locket, together. I'll help you."

Kreacher looked at her. "You will?"

"Yes," said Narcissa. "Where is the locket now?"
"It's at home," he explained. "In Kreacher's closet."

"Bring it to me," said Narcissa. "I will find a way to destroy it."

"Master may notice," said Kreacher. "What about the task we are already doing for the Dark Lord?"

"Oh no," Narcissa gasped. She had forgotten about it. Right now, Lucius was with Dumbledore and Harry would have the false vision at any moment. She had to worry about that. She wasn't sure whether to leave it alone, or do something about it. What could she possibly do now? She couldn't think. Narcissa collapsed in a chair.

"Miss Cissy, what is it?" said Kreacher.

"I'm just not sure what to do," said Narcissa.

Narcissa wondered if she should inform Sirius the truth about his brother's death. But this may not be the time to tell him. The Dark Lord was about to get what he wanted and if Narcissa did anything to jeopardize that, he may go after her family. But did she want him to get the prophecy? She had no idea what this prophecy told. What would happen to her family, the nation, the world, if he got his hands on it? Regulus made a great risk of going back to the cave and switching the lockets. Was he trying to stop The Dark Lord? Would Regulus have wanted someone to make sure this locket was destroyed, if Kreacher couldn't do it? What exactly was this locket?
"Miss Cissy has the same look Master Regulus did," said Kreacher, "the day Kreacher and Regulus went back to the cave."

"I'll be all right," Narcissa lied. "Watch Gemma for me. I have to do something."

Narcissa ran all over her house to find whatever she could on prophecies. How they were made, what they looked like and how they were used. She found a picture of one, something of a crystal ball. She searched her house for something similar. If Regulus could make a locket, then she could make a prophecy.

Lucius had to make sure Dumbledore didn't intervene while Harry ran off to rescue his "godfather." He decided the best way was to keep Dumbledore in his office by conversing with him. If something were to go wrong, he would have to stun Dumbledore or hide him. He waited until the last day of OWLS, when the Dark Lord would send the false vision to Harry. It was the last day of OWLs and the students were finishing their exams. They timed Harry to have his vision an hour after the exams were over. As Lucius was walking to Dumbledore's office, the students were piling out of the Great Hall. He felt his stomach flip. Lucius went to Dumbledore's office, took a deep breath and he knocked on the door.

"Come in," said the Headmaster.

Lucius entered the office. "Good afternoon, Headmaster." He said. "I'd like to invite you to Hogsmeade with me for a drink."

"A drink?" said Dumbledore.

"Yes, there are some things I'd like to discuss for the fifth year students," said Lucius. "We can talk about it over a drink."

Dumbledore looked at Lucius for a moment. His Legilemency told him that Lucius was not lying. But why would Lucius want to buy him a drink? He had never done so before. His legilimency was not strong enough to tell him what Lucius was planning and if Lucius was an Occlumency, he could be lying. He looked at his phoenix and sighed.

"I suppose I can get out for a while," said Dumbledore. "Let's be off."

They went to The Three Broomsticks and Lucius bought themselves the best mead Madame Rosemerta had to offer. Along with their drinks, they had chips.

"What was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Dumbledore inquired.

"I first would like to thank you for offering me the Defense Against the Dark Arts job," Lucius told him.

"You're very welcome," said Dumbledore. "You had a different mindset back then. Perhaps you will let me pick your brain on what changed your mind?"

Lucius was pleased Dumbledore was asking some questions, he needed as much time with Dumbledore as he could get. However, he wasn't quite sure how to answer Dumbledore's question. Many of the students annoyed him. They didn't do their homework, or they would do it poorly and there were some girls that would do their work a little too good. Lucius suspected that they were trying to get on his good side so that he'd let them off easily, or let them date his son. Snape was also a problem. Though both Death Eaters, the men had their differences. They came from different backgrounds. Lucius was brought up in a wealthy pureblood family whereas Snape was poor. They were not in Hogwarts at the same time, but he did remember when he had just joined The Dark Lord's ranks. Snape's robes looked as if he had dug them out of a garbage heap and his hair was in great need of a wash and a haircut. His lineage was questionable. Lucius was certain he was a halfblood, at least. He knew every prominent pureblood family in the country and none of them had the surname of Snape.

Lucius searched his feelings. There had to be something he enjoyed about this job. What good came out of it? He had to say something positive. One good thing was that he was using this position to help the Dark Lord, but he couldn't say that. He thought of Draco. Since Draco's first year, it seemed as though father and son were drifting apart. The family didn't see much of each other during Draco's studies. The only time they did was during breaks, and there were some years when Draco remained at school. Lucius wanted the best of his son. He wanted him to go to Drumstrang and learn the Dark Arts. Of course, Narcissa would not stand for that. It was too far away and the main language there was not English. Draco would have a difficult time fitting in. Now Lucius understood that his wife was inspired. He wouldn't like to have his son too far away. Now he got to see how his son was doing in school and teach him how to be his own man. In previous years, Lucius did many things for his son. He bought the whole Slytherin Quidditch team new broomsticks in exchange for Draco to play. He didn't have to do so. Draco was a good player; he knew that. He just wanted Flint and the others to know that. He wanted to give his son an edge.

Lucius also told Draco about the last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened; taking Hagrid to court and ordering the death of Buckbeak when it attacked Draco. Lucius knew of course that Draco angered the animal but teaching third year students how to care for a Hippogriff was not wise on Hagrid's part.

Now Draco was bending over backwards to prove himself to his father. As much fun it was for Draco to bully other students, he stopped doing that (but continued to badmouth them at some occasions) and focused on his students. Lucius was quite impressed that he went as far as paying Theodore Nott to be his teacher. The week before OWLs, Lucius noticed Draco eating his meals while going over notes. Draco made every Quidditch Practice and even practiced on his own. Sometimes Lucius would watch him through his office window.

"My son," said Lucius after taking a sip of mead. "I get to spend more time with my son."

"And?" said Dumbledore.

"And I see that he is doing quite well in school," said Lucius. "He is certainly making more of an effort than in previous years."

"I hope you are pleased," said Dumbledore.

"I am," Lucius said quickly, as if Dumbledore didn't already know it. Lucius was pleased with his son's progress. He didn't have to go around telling everyone, now did he? Wasn't it enough that Draco knew? Lucius took a bite of a chip.

"Yes, I thought that having a parent as one of the teachers here will help make a difference," Dumbledore pointed out. "It's important for parents to know about their child's progress while they are here. I do make sure their needs are met. I think of them as my own."

Lucius nodded in understanding.

"Now, you said there was something you wanted to discus?" said Dumbledore.

"There is," said Lucius. "The fifth year students have been working quite hard for their owls. Once their exams are over, I would like to reward them for their hard work."

"What did you have in mind?" Dumbledore inquired.

"I realize it may be short notice," said Lucius, lowering his glass of mead, "I would like to take them on a field trip to the Ministry of Magic."

"Doesn't seem like the ideal field trip after a week of difficult exams," said Dumbledore.

"Yes, but I am sure I can make it enjoyable for them," said Lucius and he took out a list of names from his briefcase. "After consulting with the other teachers, I've learned that a good majority of students wish to work for the Ministry. This is an important time in their life and I would like to help them make goals. This can be an opportunity for them to learn more about the Ministry, and their careers."

Dumbledore skimmed over the list of names. He was given a similar list after the heads of houses had interviewed their students and given them career advice. He was also surprised at the number of those wishing to work for the ministry in some department or other. Of course, it was the ministry that had the most rewarding jobs though they were difficult to land.

"I see your point," said Dumbledore. "That sounds like a good idea. I will consider it."

"Thank you, Headmaster," said Lucius and he brought his glass to his lips. It was going well. He just had to make sure Dumbledore did not leave.

Harry Potter was sitting comfortably in the common room after doing his OWLs. The room was partially vacant. Many had gone outside for some fresh air. Some had gone to bed early. Suddenly, he felt a searing pain in his forehead. He slid out of his chair, holding his forehead. Sirius was in trouble. He could see it. He could feel it. Harry knew he had to do something and he didn't have enough time to do it.

To Be Continued