A/N: Welp, here comes a VERY weird idea that sprung forth within my mind. I've been enjoying roleplaying Lucius lately, so I figured why not come up with a weird story too? First time trying this stuff!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Finally.

Things were settling down in the Wizarding World; a couple months after the nightmare that was the huge battle at Hogwarts. Voldemort was dead. It left many wizards very cheerful and thankful to be alive, finally being able to laugh and smile once again. At least most, anyways.

A vast majority of Death Eaters had managed to find themselves locked up in Azkaban—

Only a few select ones were left free to roam due to loopholes, or evading capture.

Lucius Malfoy happened to be one of them, but…. It was too silent hearing about anything from the Ministry of Magic, deciding his fate. He shivered, thinking they might just ship him back to Azkaban. He already knew they had a sharp eye on him; they had even told him before they let him go to properly heal from the Second Wizarding War.

He had almost felt self-hatred about how the Ministry took pity on him-

He did look downright awful for those last few months.

The last couple months he at least got to put some weight again, getting better sleep, and hell even the state of his hair was trucktons better.

It was the day.

Lucius nervously gulped, as he picked up the letter he had received the day before, re-reading it once more.

Dear Lucius Malfoy,

A representative will be visiting you today to observe your physical and mental state to determine whether or not the Ministry of Magic can proceed with specific details to you about further proceedings.

Sincerely,
Minister for Magic
Kingsley Shacklebolt

Sudden anger surged forth, and he tossed it across the room in a fury. Of course, it simply hit right back into his body, and he grumbled.

If it hadn't been for the Ministry tracking him wherever he went, he probably would have gone into hiding for some time until things would have cooled down. Of course, after telling his family.

…At least Voldemort was gone.

A shudder involuntarily went down his spine.

''My Lord!"

Lucius's voice penetrated the thick atmosphere within the crowd of Death Eaters, as Voldemort called to him. His heart jumped up into his throat. Now he could properly thank the Dark Lord for breaking them out—

He took careful steps forward, hopeful, but dreading what Voldemort could possibly want from him. Nevertheless, he still had his cold exterior covering himself as he stopped in front of the strange looking wizard.

"I—"

"Lucius.'' Voldemort's voice sounded full of disgust.

All his excitement from being free of that DREADFUL prison suddenly left him. He frowned. "Yes, my Lord?"

Voldemort didn't respond. He simply flicked his wand, and Lucius instantly knew something bad was going to happen-

"CRUCIO!"

What felt like pure, white, hot fire scorched underneath his skin. He could feel like his body twitch on the ground—by sheer pride he didn't start screaming in pain until a couple minutes into the intense experience. Some of the Death Eaters managed to be impressed—some were uncomfortable as well.

But it hammered the message home as always: Never disappoint the Dark Lord.

Voldemort finally lifted the Curse, laughing for a bit, then just settled for a smile. "Lucius! You've dared to hold on for a little while, didn't you?"

No answer, as Lucius felt shallow breathing going back to normal. Bloody hell... He couldn't even move.

"CRUCIO!"

This time, Lucius did immediately yell.

Voldemort looked triumphant, before cutting it out again. "Now, Lucius, why don't you speak this time?"

It took him a moment. "Y-Yes… my L-Lord…I… did…"

"Always so proud…" The joyful tone soon though shifted south. "Lucius, why did you fail me? You knew how important that mission had been."

"I-I…" He really didn't have a proper answer. "…don't know, my Lord…"

"That's not an answer, Lucius." Once again, Voldemort shot the Cruciatus Curse towards the other.

Once again, what felt like white, hot flame enveloped his body.

Voldemort flicked his wand again, after a longer period of time, casting it off.

Lucius struggled to come to, gasping for air. A few moments went by, and he forced himself to least sit up a bit. Bloody hell…

"Lucius… my Dear Lucius… I think you need more.. This will not do enough." He leaned down towards his follower, megalomania dancing in his eyes. The blonde unfortunately caught his eyes—a shiver went through him. "I think it's time to send you to the Carrows."

Present day, Lucius nearly jumped when he felt Narcissa gentle hand land on his left forearm; she was looking at him with deep concern in her eyes.

"Are you okay, honey?" She quietly asked.

"Y-Yeah…" The blonde said nervously, trying to pull himself together.

"You're sweating dear… The representative is here."

A dark chuckle erupted from him, as he tried to steady his form from shaking. SHIT. "R-Right…Tell them I'll…. I'll be right down." He struggled to say it.

She frowned, giving him a kiss on the cheek, though quickly retracted. Her husband didn't look so good. "Will you be okay to meet them?"

Lucius simply nodded, then brushed past her to get into the master bathroom in their bedroom. Once there, he made sure there was light, before he looked into the mirror.

Jeez.

Not as haunted as before, but… Average, at best.

He slid his eyes shut and let out a sigh. He WILL get through this. With that resolve in mind, the blonde quickly turned on some cold water. Splashing some onto his face, he felt relief.

He… really didn't feel the same way, still, even if Voldemort was dead.

He splashed more onto his face, keeping his hands there longer, before reaching for a fluffy towel off to his right. He wiped his face, feeling much better, just taking some time alone. Taking time to process.

Fucking Ministry.

They were only doing this because he had donated to the Wizarding World several times. That was it. Giving him time to heal, before sentencing him to something potentially worse. They didn't care, truly.

What was he going to do without his family?

What would he do without Narcissa?

The thought brought forth a brief sob—Ugh, he was NOT going to cry, especially right before a Ministry of Magic type of meeting!

He huffed, looking in the mirror, making sure his hair was alright. He smoothed down his robes, making sure they looked okay. He practiced a few smiles, cold looks in the mirror before feeling satisfied enough.

Hopefully his lawyer managed to pull something out of their ass.

He was ready as he ever could be.

With that, he set off to downstairs. His heart started to beat underneath his cool exterior, as his steps came further and further down, closer to his end. He blinked, stopping. Narcissa had been talking to the Representative, and they seemed to stop and look over to Lucius when they heard him nearing them.

The representative split a smile onto her face, looking crisply up towards Lucius. ''Ah… Hello Mr. Malfoy, won't you join us?"

This is it, dreadful thought playing in his mind.