A Single Choice
Chapter Eight- Lucius is Always Correct
By- IceWind

A/N:
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everything in its franchise is owned by J.K Rowling and whoever else has rights to the books. I have no claim whatsoever to the characters; the plot is entirely mine though, as is any new characters that I might introduce into the story. Rating is PG-13; though it may turn to R later.

Warnings: Probably slash in later chapters… which for those who do not know what that means, it means boy/boy, yaoi, shounen-ai, or homosexuals if you want to get technical. It's AU (alternate universe) Definitely AU; nobody could mistake it for anything else. I accept constructive criticism, and flames are fine as well just as long as you don't care if I write a reply, most probably sarcastic, unless you actually had a good reason… though that would probably go under the constructive criticism column and I wouldn't do anything but thank you. ^_^

*yawns tiredly* Hello! Yuss, I'm kinda tired right now… (3/18/03) went to Central Park, in New York City, and then to the Hard Rock Café… Was fun! ^^; Class trip. Then I came home and started to type, don't you all feel special? *giggles* Anyway… I was kind of wondering why I only got like 8 reviews for the last chapter, but then I decided to forgive you all *sweatdrop* Whatever, but can we at least strive for 10 reviews for a chapter? ^^;;;;;

Jalee: *large sweatdrop* You don't get it? x.x Awww! Dangit, anyway, you'll find out definitely in this chapter then. Lol and Severus didn't put any wine in the cup… Lucius was just thinking if he was getting a fuzzy head from the wine *giggles*

Xelos: ^__^ Fav list? *goes starry eyed* aww thanks! Lol, your English isn't that bad ^^; god knows mine can be just as bad and that's rather pathetic considering that English is the only language I can fully speak. *sweatdrop* Didn't I say in some previous chapter that the probability of it being Draco/Harry is high? I stick to what I said ^_^ Severus and Remus though? *thoughtful, contemplative look* Perhaps, if I feel like it. I'm trying to keep this at least a bit realistic, not too many slash pairings and not too many het ones… because slash ones are sooo much yummier *sweatdrop*

Coriander: Mpreg? *gives a silent wince and a drawn smile* Well… probability of it turning into that kind of story is very close to 0% *large sweatdrop* Mostly because I don't really like pregnancy fics and the small children (I am a hypocrite, people will have to deal with it, but the main characters DO grow up!). There is also the fact that the boys will be around 15/16 if they get together *giggles*

Fanny chan: And here I thought the scene was horribly cliché and stilted ^^; I'll try to keep up the level of excellence (excellence? Where? *looks around wonderingly*), hehe…

Frizzy: Erm… a set date? Regularly? *valiantly tries to keep from falling over* What is with me and disappointing people today? *sweatdrop* Anyway, I really, really doubt that even if I set a date to update, I'll be unable to keep said date of update. x.x Just a small problem I have with writing… I write when I feel the urge to or if I feel horribly guilty. *twitches* At least this came out early…?

Diana: *hums and jots down the house* Lmao, you amuse me ^^; Then again, it isn't that hard to amuse me… I'm sad that way *mock sighs*

Nephir: Twist? Where? *spins around, gets dizzy, falls onto floor* ^^; Well, I suppose there's a bit of a twist, though I really wasn't thinking about that when I wrote this fic. Hmm… ^__^ I feel happy *gives you a lollypop*

Shakira: *giggles* I didn't know anyone who read my HP fic and my Aether fic! SQUEE! *glomps you momentarily* Happy ending? *mock grave face, almighty voice booms* Maybe, maybe not! *large-ass sweatdrop* I'll… try not to be as slow as updating this fic as with Aether *hangs head* TRY being the operative word here *giggles*

Npetrenko/Kimmy/smallfry: Thanks!

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Narcissa yawned slightly, hiding it behind her hand, her steady blue eyes locked onto Lucius' busy form. She looked at his back thoughtfully, finally saying, "When are you going to tell them?" Usually perfectly still, her fingers traced an absentminded pattern on the arm of the chair, showing her slightly apprehensive state of mind. There was no need to ask who 'them' were, that was obvious.

Silence filled the air for a moment, Lucius looking up from the bunch of forms he was signing and looking over, turning around in the chair to look at his wife. He thought to himself for a moment, before saying in a cool voice, "Perhaps tomorrow. I think it would be better if they had notice, considering that they are going to separate in about a week."

He then turned back to his paperwork; the only sound in the room was the steady scratching of his quill against the parchment.

"I still don't like it…"

Lucius glanced up again and finally pushed the papers aside, twisting around in the chair and looking at his wife for a moment. She wasn't looking at him, rather out the window, no expression on her lovely face other than a faint frown. He gave an inward sigh and shook his head lightly, finally replying, "We have to go through the plan love, there is nothing else we can do. The boys will take it just fine… after a week or two, they'll adapt, they're young."

He pushed himself up from the chair and made his way over to Narcissa, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder, ignoring the small flinch that she made. He lips thinned slightly when he realized that she refused to look at him still and spoke on, "You understand that my mind is made up, correct? Voldemort is going to pay for the humiliation he dealt to the Malfoy family, even if we have to split up the family."

A wry smile appeared briefly on Narcissa's lips, her voice cool as she spoke, "Pride goeth before a fall."

Lucius smirked in reply, "Not for a Malfoy… we may fall, but we never lose our pride. Never." His voice was adamant on the last part, his benign face underscored by his hard eyes, the harsh set of his jaws. He meant what he said, Malfoys never disgrace themselves, they would rather die than give up their pride or harm it.

Then he spoke again, "Besides, that was a saying made by a muggle, for muggles. They don't equate the Malfoy family in that." He waved his other hand around airily, "Let's move on to a different topic… did you know that Harry and Draco are progressing quite well in their studies?"

Narcissa gently bit the bottom of her lip for a moment before relaxing, willing to let him divert her attention towards different matters. It wasn't as if she had any choice in the matter anyway… "Oh?"

A fond smile answered her inquisitive sound, Lucius giving a slight nod, "Yes, they will both be powerful wizards when the time comes… that bastard is going to regret making servants out of Malfoys."

"Revenge is sweet…" Narcissa chuckled softly, finally reaching up a hand and laying it lightly on the hand that Lucius had rested on her shoulder. A vicious smile crossed her lips, mind dwelling on the indignities her family had on Voldemort's reign, deciding in that moment that Lucius' plan was the only way anything will work. He was always right, always. And she loved him for that and the fact that he was utterly brilliant in everything that he did.

Suddenly a thought struck her, and she asked lightly, "Any more information on Severus, darling?"

Lucius frowned slightly in thought, gray eyes contemplative as he looked down at his wife. "A bit, nothing concrete yet. Apparently Severus Snape is a hard man to pin down… how loyal he is, where his heart lies. To the other Death Eaters, he seems as if he was the perfect henchmen, with his coveted spot near Dumbledore where he could spy on the old man. But… something jars me on that; something is making me rethink about his true allegiance."

A pause then, Lucius' mulling over his thoughts.

"He believes, as well as I, that Voldemort is coming back. Some of the others do not… I say that they are all fools. We have to tread carefully, love, we don't know exactly how much influence Voldemort still wields, if he is coming back fully at all."

Narcissa glanced up at her husband's face, the sharp, almost predatory look in his eyes. She gave a smile at him, just as blood-thirsty, "You and I both know that he is. That one of the Death Eater's is caring for him… we are just not exactly sure where he is and who is housing him. Harry may have temporarily halted him, but he did not finish him." She laughed softly and lightly stroked the back of his hand, "You would have been sorely vexed if he had, am I correct?"

Lucius gave her a sharp look before that melted away into a softer one, "Of course. A Malfoy takes revenge against those who have angered them; we don't let others take that away from us. The thrill is in the chase and most importantly the kill. As fond as I am of Harry, I would have killed him that night if I had believed that he had truly done away with the Dark Lord. It is different if I craft him and Draco, wielding them both as my swords. Then… then I would have caused Voldemort's downfall, though his blood did not stain my hands directly."

A smile played on his face, smug, "The plan is going perfectly, with the only disturbance being Severus' arrival onto the scene. But his appearance in this little play may make everything easier for us, love. He can help us teach the children, help us plan the downfall of Voldemort… a pawn. Perhaps later we could inform him, but only when we are completely sure on where his allegiance lies. If it is with Voldemort… then we have to regrettably kill him later, if Dumbledore… well, we'll wait and see what happens. The old man is only a bit better than the bastard." Lucius sneered at the last, dislike clear in his eyes.

Narcissa gave a slow nod. Malfoys took care of themselves, they looked out for themselves, and nobody stole their revenge from them in fear that they themselves become the focus of that need for revenge.

~

"What?!" Harry shrieked, his emerald eyes filling with complete and utter desperation, "No!" He stood by Draco's side and clung to the other boy hard, shaking his head furiously towards Lucius and Severus… Narcissa having exited the scene a couple minutes prior. Almost as if he believed that Lucius hadn't heard him, he spoke again, adamantly, "No!"

Beside them, Tyr and Ayrin whined, both pups terribly confused to the reason why their bondeds were feeling so anguished. Ayrin threaded around the white pup towards Harry, his wet nose gently brushing against the back of the boy's hand, ears and tail down.

Lucius looked towards Harry and Draco with no emotion on his face other than a slightly raised brow. His voice silkily whispered through the room, "No…?" Lightly he looked down towards the boys, faint annoyance rising within him. He knew that they would both have been upset, but… this upset? Damn it, he knew that he should have drunk a glass of wine… preferably that aged red.

Then again, with two hysterical little boys that would use any excuse to stay together… well, perhaps it was a wise choice not to drink anything before hand that may -a very remote possibility, but one nevertheless- cloud judgment slightly. Suddenly his eyes flicked over to the impassive Severus, the other man was just watching quietly, taking in the scene.

Apparently he won't get any help from the potion master.

Whatever, he didn't need help, he was a Malfoy and that was all there was too it. Malfoy's never backed down from a challenge, never gave up on what they pursue… that said, no one could ever confuse a Malfoy with bloody, well… Gryffindors, because unlike those foolhardy idiots, Malfoy's would retreat when needed and not rush into things foolishly. Not to mention that they would go to any means to get what they want… They were all breed like that, taught to act like that, which was why the entire line of Malfoys have always been sorted into Slytherin… discounting the one or two odd Ravenclaws.

If any of them have been sorted into Gryffindor or even worse, Hufflepuff, well… hey, didn't he hear of a tale from a long time ago (several centuries) where one was? Oh yes, they killed themselves on the second night… good, put the boy (or was it a girl?) out of their misery.

Anyway, back to his current predicament. Lucius sighed inwardly, his outward expression stern. He lightly fingered his wand, his voice still low, calm, utterly calm, "Yes, you two are going to split up." His voice was cold and commanding, the same tone he used with others who weren't worth his time.

"But…!" Draco wailed softly, his silver eyes bright with distress, but trying to comfort his slightly younger companion. The small boy gave a gulp and winced when his father turned his stare towards him directly, but stood his ground, jutting his chin up, staring eye to eye with Lucius before breaking the gaze and looking down at the ground.

Lucius narrowed his eyes at his son, sneering slightly when he saw Draco back down, his voice harsh as he bit out, "What does it take to be a Malfoy?" He stood there commandingly, ignoring everything else but Draco, intent on the answer though he knew full well what it was.

Severus eyed Lucius with a bit of trepidation, wanting to depart like Narcissa had done before, yet not daring too. This was the Lucius he knew from everyday life, not the Lucius that the two boys were used to. This man was ruthless, utterly ruthless; nothing could stand in his way from what he wanted. It was foolish to try to oppose Malfoy, bloody stupid. Look at the Weasleys now… their family had insulted a Malfoy generations before and that caused their financial and social downfall. And really, Severus believed that Lucius was just as ruthless as that Malfoy had been.

His obsidian eyes were pinned onto the small form of Malfoy junior, who looked so like his father yet it was clear that he was Narcissa's son as well. The potion's master watched the scene with a calm expression, inwardly feeling slightly sorry for the boys and the life that they had known. It would all change…

Draco flinched as if he had been hit at Lucius' harsh words, his eyes traveling towards Harry for a moment, silver meeting green, before he looked back towards his father and began to recite all that the other had told him about Malfoys… Until he got up to one part, "…Malfoys are intelligent, but even more important, cunning…"

"Exactly right," Lucius bit out, halting the boy in his recitation with the curt words. "There is a plan behind all of this, you know very well what we have to accomplish." He didn't elaborate, Severus was there after all, "And this is part of the plan. We must not attract any attention to ourselves, understood? That means that you have to be shown to the public, Harry will go into hiding. Narcissa will pretend to have an illness and go off with him. That is how the plan is shaping up, that is what we are going to do. I am not allowing you two to wreak it! Not when we have come so far!"

Silence answered, Severus wondering to himself exactly what Lucius was talking about. It seemed too much… more than just training Draco and Harry for Voldemort… so much more. Yet, that couldn't be it, could it? He frowned slightly, but stayed silent, watching the scene with curious eyes.

Ayrin finally figured it out, what was happening to his bonded and the other boy and his brother. They were all going to separate, and for one of the first times in his life, the black pup was scared. He whined and gave soft whimpers, hearing Tyr do the same, knowing that the white pup finally understood. His voice shot through Harry's head viciously, undertones of fright laced within it, I… I will bite tall alpha! I will, I will, I will! Don't want Tyr and Tyr's bonded to leave! Not fair!

Harry winced slightly, hearing his pup's thoughts battering through his mind, wishing inwardly that he could let Ayrin just bite Lucius and they could all run away… But that was silly, Ayrin couldn't do that, Lucius could just do a… spell thingy and Ayrin would crumple. Harry looked towards Lucius with hurt eyes, unshed tears within them.

"…Yes, Father…"

The tiny voice came from Draco, the small boy looking down fiercely at the floor, his hands clenched. He could feel Harry stiffen slightly beside him, but paid the other boy no mind, shaking slightly, body tense. -I… don't know what to do. I dun wanna be separated! But… father says we must, we gotta defeat Voldemort…-

Upset emerald green eyes looked towards Draco, Harry whimpering softly and burrowing his head into Draco's robes, mind vehement. -But… but it's safer together! It gotta be! Lucius… Lucius is wrong!-

-Father is never wrong!-

The statement came quickly towards Harry and the black-haired boy twitched slightly, but didn't reply back, didn't try to argue that Draco was wrong. His voice came up as a mere whisper, echoing what Draco had said with a single variation, "Yes, Lucius."

For a moment Lucius missed the way the boy would pronounce his name, 'Luwcius', but then dismissed the ridiculous notion from his mind, standing firmly by his decision. Very good, they agreed, finally. He gave them a short nod, and bestowed upon them a small smile, which they did not return. Granted, he wasn't expecting them to, but he really was doing this for their own good… He spoke again, a bit reluctantly, "You two can always owl each other," that would give them an even greater incentive on learning how to write properly and well, "Even twice in a day if you wish."

Only silence greeted him, but he hadn't expected them to thank him or anything of the sort. Wishful thinking really, something he did away with without another thought. "Harry is leaving in the morning with Narcissa… Draco, you will stay in this manor with me."

Confusion flickered momentarily in Severus' eyes, 'this' manor? Exactly what does that mean? That they had more than one Malfoy manor or something of the sort? Yes, they had many villas and houses, but the Malfoys were known for only one manor. Hmm… Severus inwardly shook his head, deciding to ponder over such matters at a later date.

Draco opened his mouth, as if he was going to argue, but then snapped it shut before turning towards Harry, his voice low, but carrying throughout the room. "Let's go to my room…" With that, he took the smaller boy's hand and tugged him up the stairs towards his room, his steps slow and ponderous, looking as if the weight of the world had descended upon him, Harry following him with almost the same expression. That was a look not suited for such young children…

Before Tyr and Ayrin went after their bondeds, Tyr looked towards Lucius and lifted his upper lip, revealing sharp canines. And the white wolf actually growled at Lucius, a full, low, rumbling growl that was abruptly cut off as the black wolf nudged Tyr in the side. Without sparing a glance backwards, both wolves trotted off after their bondeds.

Lucius flicked his eyes away from the retreating animal's backs, his voice soft as he mused out loud, "Strange, they have never done that to me before." It almost seemed as if he had forgotten that Severus was in the room as well, too caught up in his own thoughts.

"Perhaps it is because you are separating the boys and disrupting their lives." Severus' dry voice rang out, eyes pinned onto Lucius. "Do you truly believe that your current course of action is wise, Lucius?" Apparently the potion's master disagreed, but then again, he knew something that the boys did not.

The blond haired man just gave a languid shrug, answering in a light voice, "Of course, I wouldn't do it if I didn't think that this was the only course that I could take. Didn't we discuss this before, Severus? Really now, I thought you had a better memory than this." He cast a discreet glance towards the other man, but pretended that he was looking out the window towards the gardens below.

Annoyance flickered in Severus' dark eyes for a moment, before he visibly reigned himself in and calmed down, "Perhaps, but not everything. Only the general information, Lucius. Why do I believe that you have more information than what you are telling me?"

"Perhaps it's because I do."

At such a bald statement, Severus couldn't help but blink a couple of times, before asking hotly, "Then why do you not tell me? Aren't I also in this little plan of yours? Do you not think that I deserve to know what is going on inside your mind?" His hand clenched, before he relaxed, other than his words, he refused to show that he was perturbed by the other man, "Stop playing with me."

Lucius finally turned and looked towards him, vague amusement lighting his pale eyes for a moment. "Why? Don't you believe that life is much better as a game? More exciting? View it that way, perhaps one day you can figure it out for yourself… or I could tell you. Though I would be sorely disappointed if I had to tell you, I did think that you were so much more intelligent than that."

Severus couldn't help but bristle a little at the statement, his mind furiously scanning over what scant information he knew already, but coming up with nothing but what he had already known before. He replied coolly though, a slight touch of arrogance in his voice, "I'll figure it out later then, wouldn't like to disappoint you, Lucius."

"…You do that, Severus."

Lucius turned back towards the window and looked outwards towards the sky.

~

The day had arrived, both boys were looking absolutely miserable, their pups not in a much better state either. It was clear that Harry had been crying, his face splotchy and his eyes tinged with red. Draco was trying to maintain a strong front, but obviously failing, every once in a while he gave a soft sniffle and a whimper.

Lucius watched over the boys with a cool eye, Narcissa wringing her hands lightly, but hiding her nervousness when Lucius directed his gaze towards her. She gave a faintly strained smile towards Harry and Draco, walking gracefully over to Harry and gently taking his arm, "We have to go… Say your goodbyes."

It was apparent that the boys loathed to do so, but Draco broke away gently from Harry's grasp, looking at him with a fond smile. He wordlessly drifted towards Lucius, Tyr following him reluctantly, the white pup continuously looking back over his shoulder towards where his brother stood next to Harry.

Tyr gave a soft, distressed whimper, but Ayrin just looked at his brother with calm eyes, for once the picture of serenity and solemnity. It was strange how Tyr's actions right now mirrored Harry's and Ayrin's mirrored Draco's…

Lucius reflected to himself on how that was something to look into later, but for now… he glanced towards Harry, gave him a small smile and a brief nod, "I will see you soon to help with your instructions. Perhaps if you and Draco learn quickly enough, you'll two meet up again sooner than expected." He had not yet told them how soon the 'expected' time was. It was better off that way… less sorrow for him to deal with. Narcissa could inform Harry if he asked, as he would personally see to Draco if his son asked.

"Touch my robes, keep Ayrin's fur firmly in your hand," Narcissa spoke towards Harry who complied with her instructions, his loud sniffling audible to all in the small room, "We're going to apparate to the manor." Her gaze flickered over to her son and gave a faint smile, "I will see you soon, Draco." She then took out her wand and prepared herself for apparating, but before she left, she glanced down towards the taciturn boy with a troubled expression, "Are you going to say goodbye?"

Harry flinched but turned towards Draco, murmuring softly, "Bye Drake…" He heard Tyr give a sharp bark of goodbye and Draco's quiet return before Narcissa waved her wand and they disappeared from sight.

Lucius looked towards his son, a slight frown on his lips appearing at Draco's sorrowful look, voice light as he spoke, "Well then… let us move on with your lessons. Later on, you are to meet Miss Parkinson, while I converse with her father. I suggest that you act in a manner befitting of a Malfoy." He ignored Draco's wide eyed look as he swept out of the room.

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Erm… *sweatdrop* At least I updated quickly this time, right? So what if this chapter is slightly depressing and angsty *starts coughing* Don't kill me! Only the authoress… Anyway, just to tell you all, I'm moving up their ages (finally!) in the next chapter, most likely they'll be 7. Contrary to what some may believe, I'm not going to skip ahead until their 11 or something like that… we need logical procession people, as much as some may hate the sound of that *giggles*

Oh yes, nearing the good parts *gives devious grin* Just to tell you… don't ever expect something, you may be sorely disappointed if you do. *innocent smile* That said… well, what do you guys think of this chapter? *grins* It was kind of hard to write… and thus a bit shorter than my last one. Kinda sad too… hn. See… Lucius is a bastard and he isn't one… quite a role the guy plays, isn't it? Lmao, you don't know whether to hate him or love him… at least I don't. -.-;;;

*yawns* Sleepy… So glad I got this chapter done. Next one may come out late because I might be writing another chapter of Aether before another chapter of this, I'm still not sure. Hmm… you know what I think? I think that I should get an online journal, might be fun. ^^;; Though which one… I'd prefer a live journal really, but those require codes *large sweatdrop* which I don't have. Ah well, I'll just go start bugging people I suppose.

~

My e-mail address is flyby311@hotmail.com and put Single Choice or fanfic or Harry Potter or something similar to that, so I know what the e-mail is about. Anything you want to add/criticize/comment/whatever you guys just review it… please?