Lucius Malfoy didn't like being ordered about like a humble house
elf, nor, however, was he stupid. When the letter from Dumbledore arrived
he hadn't wanted to open it, but it was a howler and he didn't want private
matters between him and the headmaster of Hogwarts to become house elf
gossip.
Dear Mr. Malfoy (the letter went)
The headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry requests your presence in his private study this evening at 10 p.m. Please do not be late as we have matters of some urgency to discuss.
Sincerely yours,
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster
Requests? Demands rather, but it would probably be best to see what the old fool wanted. After all the ministry was still keeping an eye on him, and, though he'd never admit it, the part about "matters of urgency" intrigued him. He glanced at the clock. 9:30 If he apperated just outside the school grounds he'd just be able to make it.
When he'd apperated Lucius hadn't been too surprised to find someone waiting for him. What did surprise him was who that someone was. Snape had betrayed their former master and though he couldn't show it publicly he hated the man for his trechery. Snape had led him, without a word, directly to the headmaster's door, though of course Lucius hadn't needed help to find his way there. He could still feel the potion master's eyes on him even as he ascended the stairs leading to Dumbledore's offices.
"Ah, come in Lucius, come in," Dumbledore indicated a chair.
"Thank you I prefer to stand, if it's alright with you."
"Very well Lucius if that's what you want. If you will excuse me for just a moment I'm afraid I left the kettle on." The older man left the office.
The departure of his nemesis gave Lucius the chance to look round the room. Not much seemed to have changed. Nothing except for a studio portrait of a baby that now rested on the headmaster's desk. The child was currently playing with its toes. So Dumbledore had finally gone ga ga had he. Lucius smiled to himself. He'd known that it was just a matter of time. Only a feeble old man would keep a baby's picture on his desk. He picked it up and looked at it. He had to admit that whoever the child was it's face was pleasing to the eye. But, who's child was it? As far as he knew Dumbledore had never been married so it was unlikely that it was one of his grandkids.
"Ah, Lucius, I see you are admiring my newest treasure. A pretty child is she not?"
Lucius was embarrassed at being caught, but he wasn't going to let Dumbledore know that. He carefully placed the picture back on the desk. "Passible I suppose." In truth she was beautiful. He looked back at the picture remembering when Draco was that tiny. Thoughts of his son brought an ache to his heart. "Is she a relative of yours Dumbledore?"
"No, Lucius. Actually, she's your granddaughter, and her name is Jamie Opal Potter."
Students later claimed they'd heard the thud (when Lucius fainted) all the way to the great hall. That wasn't possible of course, but Dumbledore had to admit that Lucius had made quite a bit of noise when he hit the floor.
Dear Mr. Malfoy (the letter went)
The headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry requests your presence in his private study this evening at 10 p.m. Please do not be late as we have matters of some urgency to discuss.
Sincerely yours,
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster
Requests? Demands rather, but it would probably be best to see what the old fool wanted. After all the ministry was still keeping an eye on him, and, though he'd never admit it, the part about "matters of urgency" intrigued him. He glanced at the clock. 9:30 If he apperated just outside the school grounds he'd just be able to make it.
When he'd apperated Lucius hadn't been too surprised to find someone waiting for him. What did surprise him was who that someone was. Snape had betrayed their former master and though he couldn't show it publicly he hated the man for his trechery. Snape had led him, without a word, directly to the headmaster's door, though of course Lucius hadn't needed help to find his way there. He could still feel the potion master's eyes on him even as he ascended the stairs leading to Dumbledore's offices.
"Ah, come in Lucius, come in," Dumbledore indicated a chair.
"Thank you I prefer to stand, if it's alright with you."
"Very well Lucius if that's what you want. If you will excuse me for just a moment I'm afraid I left the kettle on." The older man left the office.
The departure of his nemesis gave Lucius the chance to look round the room. Not much seemed to have changed. Nothing except for a studio portrait of a baby that now rested on the headmaster's desk. The child was currently playing with its toes. So Dumbledore had finally gone ga ga had he. Lucius smiled to himself. He'd known that it was just a matter of time. Only a feeble old man would keep a baby's picture on his desk. He picked it up and looked at it. He had to admit that whoever the child was it's face was pleasing to the eye. But, who's child was it? As far as he knew Dumbledore had never been married so it was unlikely that it was one of his grandkids.
"Ah, Lucius, I see you are admiring my newest treasure. A pretty child is she not?"
Lucius was embarrassed at being caught, but he wasn't going to let Dumbledore know that. He carefully placed the picture back on the desk. "Passible I suppose." In truth she was beautiful. He looked back at the picture remembering when Draco was that tiny. Thoughts of his son brought an ache to his heart. "Is she a relative of yours Dumbledore?"
"No, Lucius. Actually, she's your granddaughter, and her name is Jamie Opal Potter."
Students later claimed they'd heard the thud (when Lucius fainted) all the way to the great hall. That wasn't possible of course, but Dumbledore had to admit that Lucius had made quite a bit of noise when he hit the floor.
