Chapter 27: Lucius Investigo
Narcissa didn't know what had come over her husband. He was more moody and quiet than usual after Draco's birthday. He would lose his temper often and rage at the house elves till they grew terrified of him and crept around the house as quietly as possible.
The fact of the matter was that since Voldemort had told him that Draco might be in love, Lucius Malfoy had become obsessed with finding out who this woman was. Aside from the fact that the woman, whoever she was, might try to prevent Draco's inevitable death in two years, the other reason that Lucius wanted to find out the identity of this woman was…plain curiosity.
He knew that it would probably be no use confronting his son about the matter of the woman. If the boy had made up his mind about something, wild horses couldn't drag it out of him. No, Lucius would have to be far more subtle about the whole matter. And so, Lucius schemed and planned, wondering how to get the answer from his son. He couldn't help but keep returning to the idea of using veritaserum- but then, there was the problem of getting Draco to drink it. He couldn't spike drinks with it as once mixed with other fluids, the serum would lose its potency. No, Draco had to take a pure sample. This was the problem- unless he beat up his son and forced the liquid down his throat, there was no way Draco would submit himself to veritaserum.
"Well done, son" thought Lucius, aloud. Draco had become a man to be reckoned with. In their last duelling session, Draco had fought admirably well against his father, first with wands, then when disarmed, with a formidable Gladeus Maleus - eventually forcing Lucius to the ground. For a moment, Lucius had thought his son might actually harm him, but Draco disapparated the dark blade and pulled back at the last moment. Lucius knew that beating Draco up was no longer an option.
"Lucius, you really must come and eat something."
He looked up to see his wife in the doorway. She spoke timidly and hardly dared enter the dungeon.
"Come in, Narcissa."
Narcissa shivered as she entered the main dungeon of Malfoy Manor. Here, no sunlight penetrated, everything was lit by the glow of candles. One never knew if it was night or day in here.
"What is it Lucius?"
Lucius Malfoy seated himself in a chair and indicated his wife should take the one opposite to him.
"I want to talk to you about Draco."
Narcissa was immediately on guard, but kept her face calm. "What about Draco?"
"I know you are close to him, I wonder if you have noticed anything different in his behaviour recently? Say, within the last year?"
"He's grown up a lot. He's more responsible, more opinionated."
"Yes, yes-" Lucius spoke impatiently, "I mean, anything different emotionally?"
Narcissa pretended to consider the matter. "Not really, Lucius. Why?"
"Ever since the day I told him of his role in the Malfoy prophesy and my research for the Dark Lord, I've noticed that he seems to be keeping something from me."
"I was not aware of that."
"You wouldn't be. He tells you everything, I know. He's always been a bit of a mummy's boy."
Narcissa began to feel worried. Where was this going?
"What has been on your mind? Why have you been acting so distracted after Draco's last birthday?"
Lucius surveyed his wife carefully. She had been loyal to him for twenty years, and she still loved him, he knew, even though the Dark Lord had managed to persuade him to harden his heart to her over the years. Perhaps she could help him out…
"I was informed…by sources…that our son is in love with someone…" Narcissa turned white but Lucius was too preoccupied to notice and continued, "I would like to find out who this person is, both for personal and professional reasons."
"Our son? In love with someone?" Narcissa lied valiantly, "But that is of no consequence surely? What does it matter to us? He is not married- we would know I am sure, at least, I would know he tells me everything…I do not see how his personal life, his little girlfriends, should affect you and your work in any way."
Lucius sighed. Narcissa was still so soft about her son, always spoiling and protecting the boy.
"On the contrary, I have reason to believe that he is very very deeply in love with this person. We both know his fate in two years, if he cares so deeply for this person, he may try to resist his fate. It is best for him not to give his heart away at all."
"How did you come to suspect this?"
"From a very reliable source." snapped Lucius. "And if you don't believe me then you don't know our son as well as you think you do."
Narcissa kept quiet. She had to probe Lucius further to find out what he intended to do. "What are you going to do to find out, Lucius? As his mother, I too would like to know who this woman is."
"You will find out for me."
"How? What makes you think he will tell me?"
"He tells you everything, Narcissa. He won't tell me- he is too suspicious of my plans. But a mother's interest in her son's girlfriend…that's quite natural isn't it?" Lucius was beginning to get into the whole scheme. "I think it might be good if you gave her a present as well…say you would like to give a present to the young lady…make it seem all light and happy…"
"Lucius, you wouldn't harm the girl would you?"
Lucius blinked, coming out of his reverie. He didn't answer at first and a glint came into his eyes.
Narcissa was horrified and thought fast, "Because if you harm her, there is no way that Draco will ever co-operate with you… I know Draco, his loyalties are fierce. Harm her, and Draco will turn against you…if such a person exists."
Lucius looked at his wife shrewdly. He could tell she spoke genuinely, and she had a good point. A very good point. His intention had always been to put an end to the relationship, put an end to her if necessary, but Narcissa's words rang true: kill the love interest when Draco was still in love with her and he would certainly risk his son becoming all vengeful and lovelorn over her.
"Of course I wouldn't harm her. I don't want to upset Draco. Anyway, he's only nineteen, so I don't think we have a very deep relationship to worry about. He's probably just infatuated with her and will soon pass her over…" ha ha thought Narcissa. "I would just like to make sure it is a name that doesn't embarrass our family…a half-blood or worse, a mudblood. The Malfoys have an excellent bloodline, you remember."
"I do," said Narcissa.
Lucius stood up and went behind his wife. He began to massage her shoulders. Narcisssa's hairs began to stand on end…it always made her nervous when Lucius stood behind her like this, where she couldn't see him. "You will give me the lady's name soon, won't you, Narcissa? I'm asking you nicely, I don't want to use more forceful means" he bent down and whispered into her ear.
Narcissa didn't know how she would get out of this one She didn't know how Lucius had found out, but it seemed she was stuck with doing this dirty work. She would have to send word to Albus Dumbledore immediately.
"I will find out for you," she said, thrilled but fearful at his touch. Once, she had craved every caress, every kiss from Lucius Malfoy, but as he proved himself more and more ruthless and cruel, she began to be horrified by the intimacy he still demanded from her.
"Excellent," he murmured as his hands moved down her body.
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Draco Malfoy conducted his Potions classes in a cool and professional manner. He seldom resorted to scathing criticism like Snape, instead preferring a more lordly and intimidating form of discipline. He couldn't help it. His family had been wizarding nobility for years and his upbringing instilled in him a sense of pride and lordship that was not easily erased. His students were generally well-behaved, most of them having being brought up in awe of the name "Malfoy".
One afternoon, Charlotte Macmillan (a first year Ravenclaw) and Zeralda Hopkirk (a first year Slytherin), were giggling into their cauldrons as they were prone to do during double potions with young Professor Malfoy. Occasionally, they would sneak looks at the young Professor, turn red and blush. They were not the only girls in the class that were prone to doing this. Although Draco was aware of this attitude from the lower-school girls, he calmly ignored all of it. It reminded him unpleasantly of the sessions with Gilderoy Lockhart when he was in his second year.
"Miss Macmillan, Miss Hopkirk- I wonder when you were thinking of turning down the heat on your cauldrons?"
Zeralda gasped as she noticed her potion spilling over the top of the pot in a mini-volcano of purple-grey foam. Maximillian Roebuck in the row next to theirs smirked as he serenely stirred his perfectly simmering pink potion. "Sir, I've finished mine!"
Malfoy walked over and tested the potion. A drop of it on a seed made it grow rapidly into a small plant. A single pink flower bloomed. The class broke into applause.
"Excellent Roebuck. Ten points to Ravenclaw for you being the first to complete the potion successfully. Other hands went up and Malfoy went to inspect their potions.
"Evaensco" he muttered, pointing his wand at Zeralda's and Charlotte's disaster of a potion before moving along. It vanished clean out of the pot and the girls looked subdued. "Perhaps you will pay attention in class next time, you will both write one foot of parchment on why you should turn down the heat on the Growth Potion, due tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Professor Malfoy" said Charlotte and Zeralda in unison. They didn't look too upset at the punishment, they were too busy checking out Malfoy's profile as he turned to inspect someone else's potion. A knock at the dungeon door distracted the class.
"Yes?"
"Please sir, a note from Professor Dumbledore" said a furiously blushing second-year girl.
"Thank you, Miss Brocklehurst."
Draco read the note quickly and went to the front of the class. "I have to leave you early today. Roebuck, Ling- you are in charge. Make sure everyone finishes their potions and cleans up properly. If I find one spot of dirt when I return, your whole class will do detention."
"Yes, sir."
Draco Malfoy left hurriedly for the Headmaster's office. What could Dumbledore want to talk about so urgently?
"Skiving Snackboxes" he told the gargoyle that guarded the stone stairs to the Headmaster's office. It swung slowly open.
"Professor Dumbledore…"
"Professor Malfoy, come in. Have a seat."
"What's this all about?" Draco enetered the room and was disconcerted to find McGonagall, Snape and Lupin also there. This was probably a bad sign- the one thing that united all these people was…
"Lucius Malfoy- it's your father. He suspects you're in love with someone" said Lupin in a hushed manner.
Draco took a few seconds to process this bombshell.
"Wh-What? How?"
Snape spoke into his hands, not raising his eyes to meet Draco's – "I have found out that Voldemort sensed it just before you received the Dark Mark and informed Lucius. Lucius has been appointed the task of finding out about the young lady and putting an end to your relationship."
"But how did Voldemort know?"
Snape slowly unclasped his hands and raised his eyes. "I can only surmise that at the moment before you received the mark, you lost control of your emotions and allowed Voldemort a glimpse into your true soul."
"Well, that's YOUR fault isn't it!" Draco shouted at the Potions master, who looked tired. "If you had TOLD me what was going to happen, I would have been PREPARED. But you DIDN'T, did you? You let me be stained, corrupted, CLAIMED!"
"Professor Malfoy, I won't have shouting in my office." Albus Dumbledore looked at Draco over the rims of his half-moon spectacles. Draco debated for a few seconds whether to defy the Headmaster, but Dumbledore looked like he meant business. Draco lapsed into furious silence. He still hadn't forgiven Professor Snape for not informing him that he was going to receive the Dark Mark and for not trying to prevent it.
"We all know how you feel about what has happened, Draco" said Dumbledore kindly, "But as I have told you before, and I will tell you again, Severus is innocent. He could not have prevented Voldemort giving you the mark, as much as he would have liked to."
"Believe me, if I had known I would have told you about it, Draco. I know how the mind loses control in such situations- that has been very much to our disadvantage."
Draco ignored Snape. "Well, what the HELL are we going to do about it now that he suspects?"
McGonagall looked disapproving at Draco's bad language.
"Your mother has been given the task of providing the identity of the young lady to your father. If she does not do so soon, I fear to think what your father might do to her."
Draco looked wide-eyed at Dumbledore. "M-My mother? Why?"
"It is a natural option- you were always close to Narcissa, Lucius knows that, and he wants Narcissa to find out who this woman is."
"Then Hermione and my mother's life is in danger! What in hell are we going to bloody do about it?"
"Professor Malfoy," McGonagall interrupted, "I really must ask you to restrain yourself. Lucius does not know her identity yet- and Severus claims that Lucius will not harm the girl. Your father does not believe the relationship to be serious."
"Not serious?! I'm engaged to Hermione, I have a child with her! I would die for them!"
Severus Snape spoke up, "But Lucius doesn't believe that. I have told you that Lucius underestimates you- in his eyes, you are still a boy- incapable of a serious relationship or being a father. We can still get out of this one."
Draco met his mentor's eyes. Snape nearly flinched at the anger and coldness that glared out of the gray eyes. "Draco, I want Hermione safe too." Snape thought he saw a flicker of softness in Draco's eyes. Draco turned to Dumbledore.
"What Severus says is true, Draco. You too want Miss Granger safe. Draco Malfoy, as we have been telling you, just because you bear the the Evil Mark upon your skin does not mean that evil is imprinted in your soul. You have the free will to choose your path in life, as Severus himself has done here."
Dumbledore saw pain in the young man's face. He knew that Draco regarded himself as befouled. He didn't know what else to say to ease the young man's mind. Hopefully, time would heal even that dark scar, and Draco would come to realize that it was one's actions that made one a Death Eater, not simply a mark on the skin.
Draco thought about Hermione. How she would react if she saw the dark mark on his arm. Her horror, her pain. Would she still believe he loved her with his whole soul? He remembered the look in her eyes when he had proposed to her. Surely there was hope yet. "How can we trick Lucius?" he said at last.
"We will have to give him the name of another lady." Said Dumbledore.
"Somebody pureblooded- he will not dare harm her, not at first anyway and it might quell his temper a little." Snape said at once.
"Somebody far away, not easily accessible so he won't go checking up on her" said Lupin, with the wisdom of years of hiding out.
"Somebody believable" McGonagall contributed.
They all looked at Draco.
"I know just the person." Draco said, drily.
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"Pansy Parkinson?" laughed Lucius Malfoy spitefully, "that dog?"
"Lucius, please. I suppose Draco finds her beautiful. Anyway, she's from a very rich, respectable, pureblooded family so I don't think you should make trouble for her."
"I would have thought my son had better taste."
"Anyway, though he still has feelings for her, I'm sure their relationship won't last."
"Why not?"
"Because she's been overseas at a finishing school for the last year. Long-distance relationships are so hard to maintain. I don't think you have anything to worry about really."
Lucius Malfoy was still chuckling to himself. Pansy Parkinson- he knew his son had taken her to many Balls at Hogwarts before, but to think that that ugly little witch had made his son fall for her. Oh well, at least she had a respectable bloodline.
"Lucius, please don't upset Draco over this. It's just puppy love- he's only 19, let him have some fun."
Puppy love was the right word, thought Lucius maliciously. From what he remembered of the Parkinson's daughter, she looked like a pug.
"All right, Narcissa. I told you I wouldn't harm the girl, didn't I?"
Narcissa nodded, but couldn't help catching the stress on the word.
"What are you going to do about it?"
"You'll see."
Narcissa felt nervous, but she comforted herself with the thought that at least, Lucius had bought the story. Meanwhile, Lucius was thinking hard.
Pansy Parkinson…where had he last heard her mentioned? Pansy Parkinson…suddenly, the music from last year's Graduation Ball floated into his mind…he could hear the piercing whisper of Barbara Zabini expelled!...Lucilla would not tell me any details except that her daughter and the Bulstrode girl would be going to a finishing school in Switzerland…and it was some catfight over a boy…
Lucius smiled. He had contacts in Switzerland. After all, he had been there on business in October last year. Now, it was just a matter of finding that girl…and how to put an end to that relationship without harming her.
It shouldn't be too hard.
