Chapter 9: Back home

Lucius could not help but feel relieved when he was back in familiar surroundings. The fukutaichou stumbled against him and cursed under his breath. He had been surprised by the sudden change of place.

"Go to your room and wash that blood from your face, Draco", commanded Lucius. "I want to see you in my study in fifteen minutes."

"Yes, father", replied Draco and left the hall.

Lucius had barely made two steps when a door burst open and Narcissa hurried out. She threw herself into his arms in a rare show of passion. With surprise, he felt hot tears against his neck.

"They took you for dead, Lucius!", she cried. "I heard you fell into a portal and disappeared. How could you? I was worried senseless! And Draco, he..."

"I know, dear", mumbled Lucius, patting her back soothingly. "He just came back with me. I'll have a word with him."

Narcissa let go of him, wiped at her eyes and was suddenly herself again. "Where the heck were you, Lucius?", she demanded to know.

"It is kind of a long story", replied Lucius evasively. "I will tell you over dinner. I have work to do right now. I will be in my study and I don't want to be disturbed."

He turned and ascended the stairs, hoping his guest would take the hint and follow him. Narcissa threw him a last glance and left the hall the way she had come.

Lucius closed the heavy oak door of the study behind them. "I need a drink right now", he said. "Can I offer you something, too?", he asked, dropping back into his good manners.

"Um, why not?", said Renji.

Lucius went over to the small bar table and, seeing his guest standing near the door awkwardly, gestured towards a leather armchair. "Take a seat, if you please."

The red-haired man sat down with a sound of contentment. Lucius was not fooled by his seemingly relaxed attitude. He felt the brown eyes follow his every movement.

"Thanks", said Renji, receiving the glass of brandy and immediately taking a large gulp as Lucius settled down opposite of him. "You do realize we will go back in a few moments?", he asked.

Lucius took a sip from his glass and relished the warmth travelling down his throat. He looked the other man straight in the eye.

"You heard what was demanded of me", he said. "You might have an idea what will happen to me, and my son, should I not deliver."

"That monster you call your lord", hissed Renji. "He is half of a Hollow. His soul is corrupted, fragmented. He must never be allowed into Soul Society. His place to go is Hell."

Lucius smiled, mirthlessly. "I know", he said. "Today I found myself wondering whether I am still doing the right thing. Does the aim always hallow the means?"

"Do you really have to ask yourself that?", growled Renji. He rose, hands on the polished table between them and his voice was low and dangerous when he continued. "Did you hear the things that were said back there? They are a bunch of murderers. And you, I take it, are one yourself."

He drew his katana with a soft swishing sound and pointed it at Lucius' heart. "I should judge you here and now", he hissed. "...but it isn't my place to do so."

He resheathed his sword, sat back down and drowned his glass in one gulp. "There's one thing I don't understand, Malfoy-san", he said. "Why would you follow a man that tortures you like that? Are you afraid of him?"

Lucius looked into the depths of his glass, as if it held the answer. "When I first met him", he mumbled. "He was different. He had an appeal that is hard to describe. Before he was last defeated, he was immensely powerful, we nearly achieved our aim. We..."

He broke off at a knock at the door. He set down his glass.

"That's my son", he said. "Be silent." "Come!", he called aloud.

The door opened and Draco entered the room. His hair was moist and his pale face clean. His eyes fell on the empty glass on the table.

"Did you have a guest, father?", he asked.

"That is none of your business", replied Lucius. "Sit down", he demanded, pointing to the chair in front of his desk. He took the seat behind it.

Steepling his fingers, his grey eyes fixed on his son. "Why did you join the Death Eaters, Draco?", he asked.

The boy set his chin defiantly. "I had to do it for the family", he replied. "You were taken for dead."

"Well, I am not!", exclaimed Lucius. "Can you tell me how I shall explain this to your mother?"

"She will understand", said Draco. "I will make you proud."

Lucius suppressed a sigh. "Are you afraid of the Cruciatus Curse, Draco?"

Draco swallowed and nodded.

"You will suffer through it a lot", stated Lucius mercilessly. "This is no game, Draco! The Dark Lord will kill us both if we don't succeed!"

"You'll just have to remember the second spell, father", said Draco, his grey eyes blazing.

"Silence!", thundered his father. "When did I raise you to be this impertinent! Go now and prepare the armoury with shielding spells. And don't dare to be late for dinner!"

"Yes, father", spat Draco, rose with more force than necessary and stormed from the room.

"We have to leave now", said Renji, when the door had closed behind him.

Lucius nodded and stood up. "Will you help me explain why I have to go back again?", he asked.

"I will make a full report", answered the fukutaichou. "The captains will decide whether you're allowed to return or not."

He drew his katana and stabbed the air in front of him, turning it like a key. A set of old-fashioned sliding doors appeared and opened for them. Two black butterflies came fluttering out. When the fukutaichou held out his hand, Lucius gave him his wand without hesitation. He threw a last glance at his study and stepped through the door.