Lucius Malfoy sat behind an ornate, ebony desk in his study, watching as the flames in his Floo came to life. A man stepped out, seemingly unaffected by the turbulence of Floo travel, maintaining his dignity and decorum above all else, just as he should.
"Nott. Right on time," Lucius said, standing to greet his guest.
"Good evening, Lucius," said Nott, and then stood awaiting further instruction.
"May I offer you a drink, or would you prefer to get right to business so that you may be on your way back to your son's early birthday festivities?"
Nott heaved a sigh that Lucius could not discern the impetus of.
"I'd be grateful for the drink. Some of my wife's family are in town. Americans. I can't say I care terribly for their company," he said, striding over to the armchair adjacent to the desk.
Lucius nodded, crossing over to his small reserve of bottles in crystal decanters. He didn't trust the Elves with these particular elixirs.
Pouring a neat glass for his fellow "former" Death Eater, he turned and handed it to the man swiftly before returning to his desk.
Nott took a sip, eyebrows raising in delighted surprise and said, "What's the occasion?"
Lucius positioned both elbows on the desk and clasped his hands together, omitting his forefingers, which he pressed to his lips as he pondered what to say next.
"I have a plan," he said, and let that ring into the quiet corners of the room for a few moments before continuing. "A plan… to see him returned, if all goes well."
Nott's eyebrows lifted higher still, and he took another sip of his drink. After a beat, he said, "Lucius, if this is about my Time-Turner I assure you, the Ministry has a collection of far superior devices."
Lucius smiled, looking down at the black leather-bound book in front of him. "It's nothing to do with the Time-Turner, old friend, though I maintain that I am grateful you confided in me about the object. I thought it was time I returned that favor," he said, quirking a single brow on the word time.
Nott cocked his head, missing the pun entirely, and turning his attention to the book as well.
"I was reluctant to share it, but I will need your assistance in carrying out the plot, you see," said Lucius. "Our master left this diary in my possession before he disappeared. He bade me only use it in an extreme circumstance."
He held up the book, and Nott's eyes widened with reverence as he gazed upon it, open mouthed.
"What is its significance?"
Lucius considered the item for a moment before speaking.
"I do not fully comprehend the function of it, however, I do know that it is a key."
"A key. To open…?"
"The Chamber of Secrets," said Lucius.
A slow, wide grin spread across Nott's face. "How excellent," he said. "But what do you need of me?"
Again, Lucius paused long to consider his words. "I need Theodore to act as spy from within the walls of Hogwarts. I need someone to ensure all is going to plan."
Nott finished off his drink as his brow furrowed. "Theodore? Any reason to choose him in particular? I would think you have a perfectly good spy here in your home that would be willing to carry out any mission set forth by—"
"Between you and I, Nott," Lucius interrupted, "I am not so sure of his willingness."
Nott gazed back at Lucius, a look of utter befuddlement on his face.
"You see, I have come to believe that my son has rather a… soft spot for Mudbloods. One Mudblood, in particular."
"The Granger girl," Nott said, cottoning on suddenly.
Now it was Lucius's turn to look befuddled. "How did you—"
"It so happens Theodore has mentioned such a… fascination, on Draco's part."
Lucius felt a wave of annoyance course through him, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Clearing his throat he said, "Yes, well, it's good to know Theodore can be counted on for confidence. We will need his utmost discretion in the matter."
Nott bowed his head in understanding. "I will ensure he understands the gravity of the situation. It will be his honor to aid in the extermination of Mudbloods from the school…"
Nott paused, suddenly deep in thought.
"You have some hesitation," Lucius said, matter-of-factly.
"Can we be certain our children won't be put in harm's way? As I understand it, Slytherin's Monster will only attack those of non Pure-blood status, but—"
"Theo will do well to avoid the corridors at night, and I will put Draco on his guard without divulging all of the details. He will undoubtedly share what he knows with his classmates; I have unfortunately raised a little braggart," Lucius said, betraying a glimmer of real shame that didn't go unmissed by Nott.
"Theo keeps to himself," Nott said, nodding. "I agree that he's the preferable choice."
"Yes, well," Lucius said, looking away in thought for a moment.
"Do you think the Basilisk is still alive down there?" Nott asked.
A small smile spread across Lucius's face as he said, "Oh, yes. And I daresay it's rather… ravenous."
A clatter erupted from the hall outside the study, and both men immediately stood. Lucius crossed to the door, simultaneously drawing his wand and causing it to fly open. There stood his House-elf, Dobby, looking as wide-eyed and petrified as ever.
The Elf squeaked at the sight of Lucius, clenching his tiny fists and shaking, he said, "A thousand apologies, Sir! Dobby is being clumsy and dropping the tea trays."
The Elf gestured to the silver and china that lined the floor of the hall.
"Clean it up," Lucius snapped, "and then return here for your punishment."
"Yes, Sir!"
Lucius returned to his study and shut the door. As soon as he did so, the small form of Draco Malfoy rose from the shadows, approaching the Elf with haste. "Dobby, I owe you. You have no idea how much."
Dobby snapped his fingers, vanishing the tray and tea set he'd been planning to use as an excuse to eavesdrop before he'd found Draco outside the door.
"Dobby is happy to accept the blame if it means young Master will protect Harry Potter and his friends!"
Draco grimaced. "Like I said, I'm not fussed if Potter gets hurt."
The Elf's face fell. "Oh, yes, that's right, Dobby knows, but um… if Master helps his friend—"
"I'm not helping anyone, Dobby. Not yet, anyway. I wouldn't really know how to, except to keep everyone from coming to school entirely, and I'm sure that's impossible."
The Elf suddenly got a far-away look in his eyes. "Im-poss-ible…" he said in a dreamy voice as he stared into the darkness of the hall.
Draco waved his hand in front of the Elf's face, bringing his attention back to their conversation.
"Oh, sorry, Sir! Dobby was just… thinking!"
"Well, you'd better go in there now. Father will be expecting you," Draco said, motioning to the closed door.
Dobby started and gave a quick wave before Disapparating on the spot.
Draco turned on his heel and headed straight for the Malfoy library. He needed to know what in the bloody hell a Basilisk was, and how to defeat one.
After an hour of searching, however, he was incredibly irritated to discover that every book that may have contained information on such a creature had been removed from the library. Presumably, his father had brought them all into his study.
There was no way he could manage to get them without arousing suspicion. He thought momentarily of sending Dobby in again, but a pang of guilt swept over him at the mere thought. He couldn't risk subjecting the Elf to another undeserved punishment.
He'd have to find some other way. There was, of course, the trip into Diagon Alley he'd be taking with his father the following morning. There was always the Hogwarts library, but he'd prefer to know before even stepping foot on the grounds. He felt sure he wouldn't be able to sleep until he knew how to keep Hermione Granger safe.