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Rejoice and be glad, dear readers, I have posted according to schedule.
Weep and mourn, this chapter is short.
Shiver in anticipation, a notice for "future" planning is being posted in the next hour.
I do not take any credit for any names, places, or ideas already used in any stories. I do not do this for profit, it is purely for the enjoyment of myself and the readers.
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The Dark Phoenix
Writing (or just italicized words)
'Someone thoughts' (Although I haven't consistently done that.)
The Dark Phoenix
Lord Lucius Malfoy could be called many things; arrogant, proud, hateful, condescending, bigoted - the list as endless as the wealth his family possessed, but there were some things he was not, chief among them stupid. Lord Malfoy knew he was a ruthless bastard - according to the crasser of those who disliked him- but he was cunning one as well, there was no denying it.
So it was, when Lucius entered the dining hall on a February morning vivaciously, a loving wife and a warm shower went quite a way to awaken early each day, unprepared for - and unaware of - the upcoming upheaval that would follow his habitual reading of the Daily Prophet.
A proud smile found itself on the stern Lord's face as he watched his heir enter the dining hall, prim propriety dictating Draco's every step. Draco Malfoy was Lucius' pride and joy. Perfect manners and strikingly regal, Lucius knew he'd been raised without a fault. Only the boy's pale blue eyes betrayed the emotions he felt.
A miniature version of Lucius, who -for Lucius- was a chance at making things right. Draco was keener that he had been, far more respectful and tactful, with the most important difference being something that Lucius - in many regards- lacked; subtlety.
Lucius had ruined many opportunities for himself because of his outspoken bigotism, condescension and arrogance; Draco, however, had been taught better. Sharing every belief Lucius had - for now- Draco simply knew when to hide his disdain, as had become apparent in the past year.
Yes, Draco was Lucius' redemption in the eyes of the public, in the eyes of the Dark Lord, and in his own eyes.
Heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Malfoy and the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black; nothing would stand in his way.
Lucius' shortcomings would not define his son. Where he had failed, Draco would succeed. Where he succeeded, Draco would flourish. Where his House Malfoy existed, Draco's would rule.
This was the dream of Lucius.
A noble dream, many would say, and not an unattainable one.
Lucius sat happily enjoying the comforting presence of his wife and son, and a well prepared meal - Quiche Lorraine, Crepes, Croissants, Assorted Cheeses, Handpicked fruits, and delicious Lattes- wallowing in the pleasantly uplifting mood that he was experiencing; until it was shattered by the arrival of the Daily Prophet.
HARRY POTTER sighted in Diagon Alley with Baron Black, Lord of House Black
By William Quillfast
"Oh, Bloody Merlin." Lucius breathed, succinctly describing the situation.
In a single instance, he felt his plans come crashing down irreparably, hopes crushed underfoot, dreams shattered, and goals made unattainable.
How could he have been so stupid?
Arcturus Black was alive.
Not good.
Arcturus held Lucius in 'high esteem'; the same 'high esteem' Lucius reserved for blood-traitors. A sneer crossed his face, worthless.
Arcturus had been contemptuous of Lucius' disdain for those of lesser blood; a disdain that Lucius had made no attempt to conceal, regardless of the resulting distance it had created between himself and the Lord Black.
At the time - it had been many years ago - Lucius had cared little of the image he presented to Lord Black, but as time had progressed, Lucius realized the folly of that decision taken in the hotheadedness of his youth. Luckily it had amounted to nothing, as, despite the death of most of his potential heirs, Arcturus had been presumed dead leaving Lucius to raise the most legitimate Heir to House Black.
Learning of the disappearance of Arcturus had brought him great joy; despite his arrogant mistakes, his son had had an unobstructed path towards Lordship of House Black; Until now.
The Lord Black had returned.
Curses and oaths capable of tainting the air swirled through his mind.
Fate seemed to believe that this was not enough, however, as the only other possible Heir claimant had appeared with the return of Lord Black.
Alas that was not all.
Harry Potter.
Lucius was not ready for this.
Damn it all.
Plans needed to be made - good plans needed to be made before he considered approaching the issue of Harry Potter, but the inheritance of House Black would be lost entirely if he failed to approach Lord Black.
Slamming the offending paper onto his forgotten breakfast in frustration, Lucius gave a sharp command before retiring to his office. "Leave me."
Once in the confines of his office - not a very confining office, due to its unnatural size - Lucius began pacing as he considered his very limited and unsavoury options.
On the one hand, Lucius needed to approach Arcturus, else he would lose all chances of Draco ever inheriting the House Black. Were the risks involving anyone but those related to Harry Potter, Lucius would immediately approach the Lord Black spouting whatever honeyed lies and promises were necessary in order to ensure his son's position as Heir.
But … Harry Potter.
Harry Potter scared Malfoy; He had not yet met the boy, but the simple fact that he had defeated the Dark Lord as a baby struck fear into Malfoy's heart, especially as a follower of said Dark Lord.
Caution was as necessary as haste.
Lucius snorted, of course caution was bloody well necessary when dealing with dark lord defeating children… Honestly.
Regardless of his son's position, Harry Potter could not become his enemy yet.
Lucius was influential, but many still doubted the innocence of the many death eaters who claimed to be bewitched by the Imperius curse.
Opposing the saviour, therefore, was nothing short of political suicide.
An idea slowly formed in Lucius' mind, a breathtakingly perfect idea. It was not without risk; it was fraught with peril and could potentially lead to his ruin, but confidence was not something Lucius lacked.
Carefully considering the clever idea, Lucius began to write a missive to the Lord Black, a smug smirk slowly forming across his face.
The Dark Phoenix
Arcturus idly sipped his preferred morning beverage as he contemplated the passing of time.
Nearly two years prior Arcturus had left his self-inflicted solitary confinement to find himself as the guardian of Charlus' grandson. Initially the ordeal had been painful, from the child's blatant lack of knowledge - and respect - to his complete lack of emotion.
While Harry might have believed otherwise, he had not yet perfected his mask of indifference to the extent where he could hide his emotion, or lack thereof. Indeed, it had been one of the first things Arcturus had noticed about the boy.
Harry did not truly experience emotions.
From the way that he could transition from joy, to sadness, from embarrassment to mockery, emotions, it seemed, were like pages in a book to Harry. At least initially. As the past years have progressed Harry has hidden this fact quite well, to the point that only prior knowledge, or very keen observation, would allow anyone to recognize this truth in his actions.
The only emotion Arcturus was confident that Harry felt was a mix of anger and resentment, something that Arcturus had unashamedly used to motivate the child-initially.
Now, however, was a different matter.
Arcturus had spent the past two years slowly convincing Harry not to live for the dead.
His bird had helped.
Slowly, painstakingly Harry's motivation had changed from 'I will avenge my parents' to 'I will honour their sacrifice'.
The thirst for vengeance had not left him; but Harry was more concerned about honouring his parents through living a great life.
Not in a hedonistic sense, but as someone who would be remembered.
It was an honourable goal, and one that was evident in the effort Harry put into his learning.
In regard to the lessons Arcturus had been giving him personally - Etiquette and Tradition, Magical Control, Family History, and Basic Occlumency- vibrant success was an understatement.
By now Harry was fully knowledgeable in regard to Etiquette and Tradition, although his blatant rudeness towards Arcturus could convince many otherwise, 'Alas, the pains of guardianship…', he chuckled.
Harry's Magical Control was, though he would never admit it to Harry, far superior than the average First year Hogwarts student. Regardless, Arcturus required that it be far better than it already was before Harry received a wand, simply because his magical core was so much larger than anyone his age.
Arcturus' evaluations were rudely disrupted by the graceful landing of a regal Eagle-Owl on the ornate saucer resting on the table before him. Frowning at the uncouth owl, Arcturus set his beverage upon the tablecloth - affronted at the absurdity of it - and removed the letter from his saucer.
Recognizing the seal upon the missive, Arcturus snorted in amusement.
'Why am I not surprised that it is Lucius's owl'
Opening the missive, Arcturus began reading.
Baron Arcturus Black,
Lord of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black,
Recent happenings have brought - to the joy of my wife, Narcissa Malfoy nee Black - to light that, as opposed to the previously assumed fact, you, my lord, have not yet passed on to your next adventure. Our family, Narcissa in particular, was overjoyed to hear that you, my lord, or grand-uncle once removed had survived the peril-fraught war with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
In light of this joyous discovery the Malfoy's would like to arrange a gathering of every member of the House of Black. Considering, my lord, that the decision lies in your hands, I leave this matter for you to decide.
If you, my lord, agree to this request, I should greatly appreciate your generosity if a meeting - of more private nature - could be arranged prior to the familial gathering. The future of your mighty House, my lord, is a matter begging to be discussed; The unity of our Houses could prove to be incredibly effective in dealing with our foes; "United we stand," They say, "And divided we fall."
Dilemmes créent des opportunités,
Lord Lucius Malfoy,
Lord of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Malfoy.
An annoyed grimace slowly formed itself on the face of the ancient face of Lord Black, a pleasant coffee the morning after his first success, now tasting bitter in his mouth as he considered the mess Malfoy was making.
To refuse the requests of the Lord Malfoy would ensure that nobody in the 'dark alliance' would support him by deference when the time came, which would make Dumbledore's task far easier - Essentially, declining was not an option.
On the other hand, accepting the requests would inevitably expose Harry to the Malfoy's at a level which he was unsure whether he was willing to accept. Furthermore, the Lord Malfoy could quite easily press him for information under the pretences of "House Unity" and "Political Alliances."
'Dilemmas create opportunities', a motte Lucius seemed to live by religiously.
Scowling, Arcturus resigned himself to defeat, Lucius had taken him completely by surprise.
There was quite literally no escape from this matter, and Lucius could easily arrange many things in his favour until the Dumbledore dilemma was dealt with, simply by threatening to withdraw political support against Dumbledore.
And so, he began writing.
Lord Lucius Malfoy,
Lord of the Most Noble and …
The Dark Phoenix
Recommended Stories:
Angry Harry and the Seven by Sinyk
Thanks to a Snake by Irish216
They are both similar and long.
TPR
P.S I have no clue why, but this darn chapter hasn't been uploading. Sorry for that.
P.P.S It literally uploaded for two hours, then poof its gone … I am going to end up killing myself because of this website