Love on the Other Side

A/N Before there are any complaints, I wasn't about to make this a Ginny/ Lucius or a Hermione/Lucius fanfic, coz that'd just be sick. I couldn't think of anyone in the books I could imagine with Lucius, hence the original character – I've tried to make her a non-Mary Sue, but if you have any suggestions on how to make her less likeable then please do tell. I love feedback of all forms so feel free to send me flamed, roasted or even just mildly scorched reviews. Another thing – Lucius Malfoy is gorgeous. Anyone denying this will be the next meal for one of Guinevere's dragons.

Introduction: Okay, so I needed an introduction as well as an A/N – this is a LOVE story primarily. This means there will be fluff. Just not yet. Neither Lucius nor Guinevere fall in love easily. You'll have to wait and see if it's a happy ending :)

If you want to read a wonderful Lucius story then try Underscore's Thoughts: Through the Eyes of a Malfoy about Lucius and Lily at Hogwarts.

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone except Guinevere Avery. J K Rowling is the creator of the rest. I'm not her. I can prove this by showing you my bank statement, if you really insist.

Chapter One: an Offer

"Catastrophic failure has hit the so called 'Order of the Phoenix', headed by Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. One time Death-Eater-turned-spy Severus Snape, who also teaches Potions at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had taken up his former role as spy for the Order as soon as You-Know-Who came back to power. Snape was responsible for much of the little knowledge the Order of the Phoenix had about You-Know-Who before he was defeated by Harry Potter 16 years ago. In fact, it was Severus Snape who notified Dumbledore that You-Know-Who ws searching for the Potters and their now famous son.

Last Saturday night, You-Know-Who summoned Snape before him, pretending to have further instructions for him. Instead, he was surrounded by real Death-Eaters and barely survived to apparate back to Hogwarts with the news that his cover has been blown. He was saved by acknowledged hero Harry Potter and his friends, who realised what had happened after a tip off from a Slytherin student (who will remain anonymous).

Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge today praised Snape's courage: "Well, you know, we're seriously considering awarding him an Order of Merlin, but, well, really, it was rather brave of him, I suppose."...

Hermione put down her copy of The Daily Prophet and leaned over it towards Harry and Ron: "So?"

"So what? I still reckon we should've let him die, greasy git," replied Ron, casting a glare in Snape's direction.

"Well," continued Hermione, picking up her goblet of pumpkin juice, "It does show something."

"That I'm not a supercilious deranged fame seeker anymore?" Harry asked grimly.

"No, it shows that they're still pretending the Malfoys are alright. Okay, I know Lucius Malfoy's admitted to being a Death-Eater, but it was overhearing Draco talking to Crabbe and Goyle that told us what was happening wasn't it? Notice the Daily Prophet neglected to mention Lucius is still in contact with his heir."

"You mean," Harry leant forward, "That Draco might already be a Death Eater?"

"He can't be," replied Neville, and they jumped, unaware he'd been listening, "All the Death-Eaters had to be of age to join, and they all had to have passed their Apparition tests, so they could get to You-Know-Who whenever he called."

"Still," Ron interrupted stubbornly, "They'd better get someone a bit more likeable to be the next spy, don't you think? I wonder if Snape'll retire now..."

"Fat chance," said Harry, "You think he'd retire when he's still got all those Gryffindors to torture still?"

In Dumbledore's office, after breakfast, the members of the Order of the Phoenix began to congregate. Snape had refused to come, preferring to continue to teach his classes, despite injuries. Some implied he'd rather not meet his new replacement.

"I received a very interesting letter a few days ago," began Dumbledore, his eyes surveying his audience over half-moon glasses, "An offer – to replace Severus as our informant in Voldemort's inner circle."

"Who?" A dozen voices chorused.

"She, well, she would be perfect, really. But I am unsure as to whether she will feel entirely – at home – with us."

"What do you mean Albus?" Minerva McGonagall asked beadily.

"Do you remember a rather boisterous student we had at Hogwarts – she left about seven years ago now. Always a bit of a stirrer, if you catch my drift, but very sly and clever..."

"No..." breathed Hagrid, and everyone looked at him.

"Oh, Albus, I'm not sure that's a wise idea at all," said McGonagall, catching on.

"Excuse me," interrupted Lupin, "But I'm not sure the rest of us entirely understand what – or who, more to the point - you're talking about."

Dumbledore looked at him gravely, "Undoubtedly, Remus, you would not be saying that if you had any idea of who she is."

Lupin merely raised an eyebrow.

"Bring her in, then," said Arthur Wesley jovially, obviously trying to lighten the atmosphere, "You've prepared us enough, Dumbledore."

"I'm not sure I have," the Headmaster replied, "But, very well. Guinevere – please do come in."

The door opened and a slender woman entered and, without being asked, perched herself in an armchair, looking around and smiling vaguely.

"Guinevere Avery," detailed Lupin, loathing etched on every inch of his face, "Werewolf."

"That's a little ironic coming from you," she retorted.

Perhaps it would be better to describe Guinevere from the point of view of someone who had not taught her, never spoken to her and most certainly who had not been bitten by her.

Charlie Weasley could see nothing wrong in her physically, except perhaps a slightly pointed chin and thin grey flecks in her ebony hair. She was the smallest person in the room; Ron was, what, a good four inches taller than her. Her smile was broad and came frequently, although (he suspected) often at the expense of others, her teeth slightly crooked, her neck long and thin, as were her wrists, which were also heavily bruised. The most remarkable thing about her, though, were her eyes, which were jade green, like a cat's. She was attractive, he concluded, and made slightly more attractive by the fact that he had heard her name connected with dragons.

"I have a large farm in Wales," she remarked, turning her gaze on him, "I breed and tame dragons. I have funding from the Ministry."

"Oh," was all he could muster in reply; had she read his mind?

"Yeah, but it can get boring at times." She leant back decidedly in her armchair.

"And you want to be our new spy?" Remus asked, hatred still evident in his voice.

"That's right."

"You, err..." Mcgonagall paused, searching for the right words, "You don't seem to be the, well, the loyal type, if you don't mind me saying."

"Oh, not at all – I know – I'm dreadful at sticking to things. I only really stuck with the whole dragon thing because they're so hard to sell off once you've got yourself into it."

"I'm not sure that's quite what Minerva means," Dumbledore said gently.

"I know precisely what she means," returned Guinevere, rather more sharply this time, "But I'm afraid I don't think I'm answerable to her. You read my letter – you decide."

"Well, I must admit, your motives aren't particularly clear. Your brother's a true Death-Eater, you've never been one to stick to the... err... moral code, one might say..."

"And you were a Slytherin" stated Remus, as if this settled the matter.

"These dragons... wha' sort are they then?" interrupted Hagrid, asking her eagerly and a little breathlessly. She raised an eyebrow and chose to ignore him.

"Surely the very fact that I'm a Slytherin etc etc would make me more likely to be able to infiltrate You-Know-Who's inner circle, don't you think?"

"She certainly looks the part," said Tonks quietly. Kingsley Shacklebolt nodded fervently and edged his chair a little further away.

"I'm offering to do this because it makes life a bit more interesting." Guinevere said this so abruptly and sat up so suddenly that they started. "I know I was never popular at school; I know you all thought I was a stirrer and a pointy faced little cow, but I'm offering to do this bit of good, and you might like to know that I've already been approached by You-Know-Who to join him, and I'll... I'll seriously consider it if you don't take up my offer!"

She sank back and looked down at her sparkly painted fingernails.

"You're doing it to make life more interesting?" repeated Minerva incredulously.

"Yes – like I said, it gets a bit boring with the dragons."

Hagrid snorted nervously.

"It seems to me," said Arthur Weasley slowly, thinking it through as he went along, "That you're not telling us the whole story, Miss Avery. Do you want paying? To be a member of the Order? What?"

"I don't want anything in return," She said quickly, "Unless, well, it's not much really..." Suddenly she looked very nervous, "Unless you could, well, get me a niffler." She ended quietly.

"A niffler?" repeated Molly Weasley.

"Yes, well, it's a bit of a long story. But I've always wanted one."

"That's all?"

"Yes."

Dumbledore looked around, "If this is indeed all you want, Miss Avery, I think we would be delighted to have you as our new informant. But you should be aware that we will tell you nothing of what is going on, lest you be forced to repeat it under torture later. You will be entering an area of the utmost danger, where everything you do will be scrutinised and every word you say examined. You must not be too curious, or they will suspect you immediately, nor must you never ask questions, or they will consider you stupid..."

"I know, I know," interrupted Guinevere lazily, back to her normal self, "Shall I go now?"

"Guinevere, do not hide your fear." Dumbledore admonished her, and she blinked.

"Now, Severus has told me that you will be allocated an established Death Eater to watch over you for the first month of your work. You will do exactly as he says. Cornelius," Here Dumbledore frowned, as if he did not agree with what Fudge had done, "Cornelius has authorised our spies to use the Unforgiveable Curses in an attempt to disguise their true motives. I should inform you, however, that you must show a lot more than a willingness to torture muggles to gain the trust of Voldemort."

"Now, really, Albus, this is ridiculous" Molly Weasley was on her feet and furious, "How can you allow that girl – sister to a Death Eater – to pretend to spy on You-Know-Who and allow her to torture muggles? Have you forgotten Frank and Alice Longbottom? They're still in St Mungo's, Albus! I mean, she's a werewolf, for Christ's sake!"

There was a stunned pause.

"The fact that she's a werewolf has nothing to do with the matter," said Lupin, quite coolly.

"Molly, I am no happier about Fudge's ruling than you are, but he is the Minister and I cannot ignore him entirely. It will help Guinevere's disguise – Voldemort will be suspicious if she refuses to do anything."

"Snape managed it," put in Bill Weasley, who up til now had kept quiet.

"That is because Snape was a true follower of Voldemort when he first joined the ranks of the Death Eaters. He only became a spy for us a few years before Voldemort fell."

There was a moment of contemplative silence. Guinevere stood up, "Well, I'm off then. Wish me good luck!" Without waiting for a reply she strode out of the room. The door boomed shut behind her.

A/N Hope you liked it! There will be lots more cameos from some of our favourite characters – like Tonks, Molly and the rest. Lucius and Snape will feature in the next chapter. Now, review, review, review!