Ok, so Hello, I'd like you all to know that I am not dead, I am alive and very much sorry that it has been almost a year since I updated this. I have had a few things going on in my life that have made it crazy and unable to sit down and think this out. I have thought about it a lot, I just didn't know which way I was going to go with it. I have an idea, it's an evil idea and I was thinking of ending it quickly and painfully, but I thought that it wasn't fair to my awesome readers, those who keep adding this to favorites and alerts and commenting.
There are a lot of you and THANK YOU for keeping me reminded that I have this story out there and that I need to update, which I have, yay!
There is a bit of a warning, this is somewhat of a filler chapter, sorry but I'm hoping that this will help kick start this idea and so I have more to write so I don't leave it for another year, which I won't, promise! I promise to come back with more of the story, but this goes into what happened with Lucius and James after Lucius ran off to join Voldemort. I have made Dumbledore a mean person and if I got any of the facts incorrect, I apologize, it's really late and I have to be up in a couple of hours, literally, but I didn't want to sleep until I got this written and out to you all.
Again, keep in mind that this is an AU, I warned you in the beginning, there's even a little warning in the description before you click on the story, so please forgive me for taking liberties if it bothers you. Meaning that the ages and the years and all that are going to be different than in the original, obviously, like they have in the last few chapters, so please don't point those out, well i guess you can if you want, I know I'm screwing with the timeline like crazy, but hey it's fun, well at least for me anyway.
Lady, if you're still alive, I haven't heard from you in about as long as it's been since I last updated, if you are, I hope you are well and am wondering if you are still willing to be my beta. I would have sent this to you first, but again, I don't know if you're alive and I wanted to get this out ASAP so message me or whatever and let me know. :) Hope to hear from you soon.
For the rest of you, please review and let me know what you think about this idea. These are my original-ish ideas for what happened between James and Lucius. Again, thank you all for your reviews/alerts/favorites, it makes me happy and keep them coming, if you don't hate this anyway, or if you do, let me know, I really like this chapter so I'm pretty sure I won't change it, but I might take something into advisory.
Enjoy!
There were scenes that surprised Harry as he made his way through the Memoria, the first had been when Dumbledore had called Lucius and Snape into his office in their sixth year. It came not long after the scene where James had been tested and found that he was not a carrier. It had nearly brought Harry to tears to see how devastated his father was. Lucius had said nothing, he had just turned and walked out of the headmaster's office without a backward glance. Lucius had skipped the memories it seemed of the beginning of his and Narcissa's relationship which Harry was grateful for.
When the scene opened in the headmaster's office, both Lucius and Severus Snape were sitting in front of the large desk, the headmaster's seat empty.
"Do you know why we are here Lucius?" Snape asked and Lucius looked around the room briefly before shaking his head.
"I do not, I can imagine though," he replied and turned only slightly when the door opened and Dumbledore strode through, smiling at the two young men as he took his seat behind the desk.
"Thank you both for coming," he said, offering them both a lemon drop that was refused, "I asked you to join me to speak on a very sensitive matter, Tom Riddle."
"What of him?" Snape asked, eying the headmaster and Harry had to wonder what he was thinking.
"You have heard the rumor's, correct?" Dumbledore asked, sitting back in his chair and watching the two young men in front of him.
"Yes," Lucius answered this time but did not elaborate and Harry had the feeling he knew more than he was letting on.
"He has been contacting pure blood wizards to join an army that he is building to destroy all Muggle and Muggle-born wizards," Dumbledore said, sitting forward and linking his fingers and resting his elbows on the desk.
"That is pure speculation," Lucius replied, giving nothing away but Harry could see a tightening around his mouth and his eyes narrowed slightly. Dumbledore stood and walked to Fawks and stroked his chest but said nothing for a long moment.
"Five years ago, when he was still here at this school," he said finally, his voice quiet, "I saw the darkness in him, feared what he could become if he did not stray from the path he was on. I did nothing to stop it then but I find that there is something I might do now to slow it down, stop him before he becomes what I fear."
"What is it you fear?" Snape asked and Dumbledore turned to them, an odd look in his eyes as he sat down again, looking closer to his age now, in Harry's time than he should have years ago
"Something beyond anything we have seen before, someone those who hear his name will fear, will not dare to speak. He will bring death and pain to our world, destroy so many lives," he said quietly, his eyes seeing something the three young men in front of him couldn't, a dark shadow in his lurking. There was a silence that was only broken when Dumbledore took a breath and blinked, looking back to Lucius and Snape. "That is why I need your help," he said and both young men looked at each other.
"What is it you need us to do?" Lucius asked cautiously.
"I want you to infiltrate his ranks, watch him, send the Order information on his goings-on, his plans, who he has recruited," Dumbledore explained.
"Spy for you," Snape spoke up and the headmaster turned to him and nodded once. "You do realize, headmaster," the dark haired youth went on, "I am only a half-blood, my father was a Muggle." There was a sharp intake of breath from Lucius as if this information was news to him but Snape did not look at him, keeping his eyes on the headmaster.
"You knew Tom when he was here five years ago, in passing but you seemed to get along," Dumbledore replied and Snape's eyes narrowed.
"I did but we were not friends," he pointed out and the headmaster shook his head.
"No, but he knows you and knows your past, it is very similar to his," he pointed out and the younger man scowled while looking away.
"Headmaster," Lucius spoke up and the other man's eyes turned to him, "what if you cannot stop what has been foretold?" He knew enough about the older man that he was sure that Dumbledore was no seer and would not have come to these visions on his own. The haunted look returned to Dumbledore's face and he was quiet for a long moment.
"Then may the gods help us," he said quietly and all three were quiet.
"How far in would we have to go?" Lucius asked after a long moment.
"As far as you can," was the quick reply, "we need as much information as we can get to stop him before this gets out of hand. Has he contacted you Lucius?" the older man asked, eying the boy in question and Lucius' mouth tightened further.
"He has, not long after my parent's died," he said after what looked like a struggle to keep the words from leaving his mouth.
"You should have brought this to me," Dumbledore admonished, a strange glint in his eyes as he leaned forward.
"I did not see a reason to, I had no intention of replying," Lucius said.
"You will need to now, we will stage an escape from the school so you may join him and take Severus with you," Dumbledore said with an air of finality and Lucius glared.
"I did not agree to this headmaster," he said, his voice cold, "and I will not." Dumbledore looked up, a contemplative look on his face as he stared at Lucius.
"This is not up for debate Lucius," he replied, his voice almost as cold as the younger man's, "when your parent's died, their position in the Order was handed down to you, you have an obligation to us."
"I do not want any position in the Order if this is the way I am to be treated," Lucius said and stood, Snape following closely behind.
"You are not yet of age," Dumbledore called out and Lucius stopped, "and have no family to take you in, I would hate for you to be lost in the system," he said innocently and Lucius stiffened.
"With my father's death, I became Lord Malfoy," he said turning a full glare on the headmaster who was reclining in his chair, his fingers linked above his stomach.
"Not until you are of age," the older man pointed out and it seemed that only Snape's hand on his arm stopped Lucius from reaching for his wand, "sit down," the headmaster said, his voice hard and the two younger men did so. "You and Severus will go to Tom seeking sanctuary, now that your father is dead, you find nothing but contempt for your bid for the Lordship. You will offer your home and wealth to him, offer anything he needs and report his movements and any impertinent information to me."
"And what if what you have been told comes to pass, that he turns into the thing you fear most?" Snape spoke up seeing that Lucius had his jaw clenched so tightly, he would not be able to speak.
"Then we will do what we can to stop him and you will be vital in this," Dumbledore pointed out, "any information on what he is doing, who he is recruiting will help us."
"I want your word that if this happens and we help you take him down, we will not be left hanging by you to defend ourselves," Lucius finally said, unclenching his jaw but his eyes were still narrowed in anger.
"Of course Lucius, you will be seen as heroes," the older man replied and Lucius' mouth twisted again and he stood.
"Fine," he snapped and headed towards the door.
"I've arranged for you to leave tonight," Dumbledore called, "meet in the front hall at one o'clock, tomorrow morning." Lucius left without another look back, Snap following, Harry turned back as the door was closing and saw an odd smile on the headmaster's face.
The scene moved forward, Harry saw glimpses of Lucius talking to Narcissa and of watching James, a sad look in his eyes. Scenes passed quickly before him and before he knew it, Lucius was standing in the Great Hall, the large clock reading fifteen minutes to one, bags resting at his feet.
"Are you ready for this?" Snape asked, joining him when the clock showed ten to one.
"I have a bad feeling about this Severus," Lucius replied, turning when he heard his name and found Narcissa walking towards him, a bag in her hands.
"What are you doing Cissa?" he asked, moving forward to take the bag from her.
"I'm coming with you," she said, her voice holding a note of finality.
"No," Lucius replied, shaking his head, "it is too dangerous." Narcissa moved forward and rested her hand on his cheek and pressed her forehead against his.
"If you're going, I'm going," she said and pulled back, smiling tightly at him. There was an air about the two of them of friendship, Narcissa was only fourteen at this time and Lucius was now sixteen but they did not seem to be in a relationship Harry now realized.
"Good, you are here," a voice said and they turned to find Dumbledore walking down the steps towards them. "Take this, you will need to walk to the edge of the wards and apparate to Malfoy Manor," he said, handing them a scarf, only sparing Narcissa a quick glance but didn't comment. "There you will need to contact Tom and make him aware of your willingness to join his campaign."
"Willingness is not the word I would use," Narcissa said under breath and ignored the sharp look she received from Dumbledore.
"Good luck," the older man said, choosing not to reply to the snide remark and stood watching as the three young people walked towards the gates of Hogwarts.
The scene dissolved around Harry and when it became clear again, he found himself standing next to Lucius in Diagon Alley, surrounded by people in black robes. He watched as Lucius and those in the black robes attacked passerby's and the shops around them, causing chaos as they went. Harry winced every time a person was hit or a window exploded nearby and turned to Lucius and was surprised at what he saw.
Lucius wore the same black robes as the others attacking but he did not wear a mask, nor did any of his group, letting all who saw them see their faces. Lucius had a pained look on his face as he shot another spell, knocking out a window and when he aimed at a person, the spell missed and Harry had a feeling he did it on purpose. As Lucius walked down a side alley, searching for anyone he could 'attack' he heard his name and turned to see James standing there, his wand gripped tightly but pointed at the ground.
"Why are you doing this?" he demanded and Lucius shook his head.
"Leave James, before you get hurt," he warned but did not raise his wand.
"This isn't you Lucius," James said, taking a step towards him and Lucius shook his head again.
"You wouldn't understand James," he shot back, taking a step back when James took another towards him.
"Then make me understand," he demanded, pleaded with him, stopping when Lucius wouldn't allow him to get closer than he was.
"You wouldn't understand," Lucius repeated himself, again shaking his head.
"Damn it Lucius, I can't believe you are doing this, what made you join him? Why are you going against everything your parent's stood for, what about the Order?" James demanded. Lucius stared at James for a long moment and the other man stared back.
"Please James, leave," Lucius finally said, "I don't want you to get hurt."
"Do you know what they are calling you?" James demanded, "they call you Death Eaters," he spat and Lucius almost physically flinched, "are you Lucius, have you killed? Because I know you, you wouldn't do this without a reason, please, just tell me what it is."
"James," Lucius said, again shaking his head and opened his mouth but movement at the end of the alley caught his attention and found another of his group standing there, his wand pointed at James' back. "Forgive me," he said and James' eyes narrowed in confusion before Lucius hit him with a curse that knocked him unconscious and to the ground, causing the curse the other man sent to miss him completely.
The scene dissolved again and this time, Harry found himself following Lucius down what looked like a hallway in Malfoy Manor. The hallway was dark and empty as he walked so the hissing noise from behind a tapestry surprised them both. Stopping, Lucius turned his head in question and listened and when it sounded again, moved forward and pulled the tapestry back to reveal James Potter. There was several seconds of silence as they stared at one another and then Lucius was moving, pulling James out from behind the tapestry and into a room next to it.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed, pressing James against the wall, an arm across his chest, pinning him there.
"I came to talk some sense into you," James shot back struggling to move the bigger man away from him.
"How did you get in here undetected?" Lucius snarled and James grinned at him.
"I practically grew up here Luc, you don't think I forgot about the hidden corridors, the secret passageways did you? I know how to get in and out of this place undetected, we did it enough growing up, didn't we? Oh, and I had this," he said and held up a parchment and Harry recognized the Marauder's Map.
"Leave," Lucius said, pulling back, "leave now James, don't ever come here again."
"I'm not leaving without you Luc," James said stubbornly, "I came to rescue you," he said, grinning again and Lucius shook his head.
"I don't need rescuing James," he snapped, "don't you realize that I am here of my own will, that I want to be here?"
"No," James said, shaking his head in denial, "I don't believe that, you are better than these people, they are murderers, the things that they have done, the stories," he said, trailing off.
"You don't think that I haven't done those things?" Lucius asked, rounding on him and James took a step back, "you don't think those rumors include me, Tom Riddle's right hand man?"
"You're not that kind of person," James said weakly, seeing the angry set to Lucius' shoulders and ugly twist of his mouth.
"People change James, I've changed, we're no longer school boys, it's time to grow up," Lucius said viciously and James took another step back, looking confused and hurt.
"This isn't you," he said, trying once more to convince the other man and Lucius laughed, a sound that was ugly and harsh.
"Leave before I decide to turn you over to Riddle," he said and turned towards the door of the room.
"Luc," James called again and said man stopped with his hand on the doorknob but didn't turn back, "please." Harry turned and saw a devastated look on his father's face as he watched the man that was his oldest friend turn his back on him.
"You need to disappear James, things are going to get ugly soon, those who oppose Riddle will be hunted down, take Black and Remus with you."
"We're not going to stop Lucius," James replied, "we have to stop him, we need your help to do it though, please come back."
"Go to Godric's Hollow, Riddle is unaware of our property there, you should be safe," Lucius said before leaving the room.
Once again the scene dissolved and this time Lucius was standing outside of a two story house that was vaguely familiar to Harry and with startling clarity, he realized it was the house in Godric's Hollow. Lucius was wearing his black robes and quickly walked to the front door and knocked. When Lily opened the door, Lucius pushed his way inside and Harry looked around the kitchen they had stepped into. It was small and quaint, and James was sitting at the table until Lucius walked in and was suddenly standing, wand out and pointed at Lucius' chest.
"Close the door," Lucius snapped at Lily but she didn't move, her own wand drawn and pointed at Lucius.
"What are you doing here?" James demanded letting his wand drop slightly when he realized who it was.
"I've come to warn you, Voldemort knows where you are, you need to leave," Lucius said, pulling back his hood.
"How," Lily asked, closing the door finally but did not lower her wand, "did you tell him?"
"No, Peter Petigrew did," he snapped at her and they looked towards the stairs when they heard a baby's cry.
"I'll get him," Lily said, walking past her husband towards the stairs.
"Peter? No one has heard from Peter in nine months Lucius, how does he know where we are, the only ones who know are you it seems and Sirius Black," James pointed out.
"I don't know how he got the information James, but he did and he told Riddle, he is on his way here now, you need to leave. What is your exit strategy?" Lucius asked, peering out of the window into the night.
"We don't really have one, we assumed we were safe," Lily said, walking back into the room, carrying Harry in her arms.
"Stupid," Lucius said harshly, "get bags together and you're coming with me, I have somewhere you can go temporarily."
"Why should we trust you, you're a Death Eater," Lily accused, placing Harry in his high chair.
"James," Lucius said, turning to the other man who still had his wand out but pointed at the ground, "you know me."
"I thought I did," the other man replied after a long moment, "you could have come with me those years ago Lucius, it's hard when someone you thought you trusted and trusted you won't do the right thing."
"Damn it James!" Lucius nearly shouted and Harry started to whimper, "he is coming for you tonight, I swear by Salazar Slytherin that I want you safe, you, Lily and Harry." There was a long silence where James and Lucius stared at each other, James searching Lucius' eyes.
"Lily, go pack," James said finally.
"James," Lily said, protesting, "he could have told Voldemort himself and blamed poor Peter instead."
"I trust him Lils," James said turning to his wife and she opened her mouth to protest but James shook his head, "trust me on this, please." Lily looked between the two men before sighing and picking up baby Harry and heading back up the stairs.
"I'll go, meet me in twenty minutes at the Leaky Cauldron," Lucius said, gripping James' shoulder tightly before he turned and left. As he did, Harry turned to see his dad watching Lucius leave and felt his heart clench at the thought of what happened next.
The scene dissolved until they were standing in the Leaky Cauldron with Lucius pacing back and forth, keeping to a dark corner so no one recognized him, every few minutes he cast a Tempus charm to check the time. Harry watched as twenty minutes came and went, then thirty and thirty-five before Lucius growled and apparated back to Godric's Hollow.
Harry only remembered what he had experienced with the Dementor's and hearing his mother's scream and seeing the green flash of the killing curse and dreaded what he would see inside now. He was almost tempted to pull out of the memories but couldn't find it in himself to do so and so he followed Lucius into the house.
The kitchen was a mess, the table was broken and several of the cupboards were open and many of the doors to the cupboards were gone, broken and laying on the floor.
"James?" Lucius called out and made his way towards the stairs, "Lily?" he called again and stopped when he reached the bottom of the stairs and found James' body lying there. A strangled sob made its way out of his throat before he fell to his knees and checked for a pulse but Harry knew he wouldn't find one. Lucius bowed his head over the body of his oldest friend and clenched his eyes shut for a long moment before a scream reached his ears and the horrible cackling laugh of Voldemort was heard.
"Lily!" Lucius cried and ran up the stairs, as he reached the landing, he saw a flash of green light and quickened his pace. Throwing open the door, he saw Lily's body before the crib and baby Harry was there, wailing loudly. Moving to the crib, Lucius looked around for Voldemort who he knew had been there but did not see him. Picking up baby Harry, he tried to sooth the young child as he continued to wail, noticing the odd scar on his forehead.
"Shh," Lucius cooed, trying to fight tears of his own at the loss of James and Lily, glad that at least Harry had survived, how, he wasn't sure.
"Lily?" a voice called and Harry recognized it as Severus Snape's and Lucius looked between the boy in his arms and Lily's body and seemed to make a decision. Placing baby Harry in the crib and ignoring the boy's reaching arms, he apparated away from Godric's Hollow to Malfoy Manor.
Once his feet hit the ground of Malfoy Manor, Lucius' knees collapsed and he fell forward, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Lucius," Narcissa called, rushing to his side, "Lucius, I don't know how it happened, but the Dark Lord is dead," she said, wrapping her arms around him as he sobbed.
"James," he said weakly out and Narcissa gasped, she had known that he had meant to warn them, "James and Lily are dead." Narcissa closed her eyes tightly and pulled her husband to her chest and rocked him back and forth as tears slipped down her cheeks.
Harry wrenched out of the Memoria with a gasp and found tear streaks on his cheeks, he had no idea that Lucius had tried to warn his parent's or that the headmaster had threatened him into joining Riddle. Leaning his head back against the wall behind him, he closed his eyes and tried to process all that he had learned.