*** In our last episode, Lucius and Severus first learned that the Hand of the Winged Victory of Samothrace had been stolen from the Louvre, Paris. Deciding to get to the bottom of the mystery, they set off to inform Narcissa of their leaving. What will happen next? Welcome to the latest instalment of ***

*** LUCIUS AND SEVERUS AND THE CASE OF THE HAND OF VICTORY ***

CHAPTER TWO: Lucius and Severus Contend with a Mysteriously Disapproving Narcissa at Malfoy Manor

Narcissa Malfoy had obviously been baking when she answered the door, for in one mitted hand was a tray of freshly baked biscuits.

"Good morning, my darling wife," said Lucius as he stepped into the entrance hall of Malfoy Manor.

"Good morning Lucius," said Narcissa Malfoy. "Now what have you been up to all night, and would you like a biscuit?"

"At Severus's house discussing our son's education, of course," replied Lucius, holding the door open for the aforementioned party. "And not now, thank you - I've just eaten."

"Good morning, madam," said Severus. His eyes flitted around the room before coming to rest on the tray of biscuits. "May I?" He made a motion toward the contents of the cooling tray.

"Oh, I wasn't expecting a visitor!" exclaimed Narcissa, discreetly pulling the biscuits out of Severus's reach. "Let me put the kettle on and make you a cup of tea."

"That will be unnecessary, my dear," said Lucius grandly. "Severus and I have pressing business in France and will be leaving very shortly. You see, the right hand of the Winged Victory of Samothrace has been stolen from the Louvre, and we must find its thief."

"The Winged Victory of Samothrace?" said Narcissa. "I agree that it's a very nice statue, but I don't see what it has to do with us. And France is so awfully far away. Are you sure you're not just looking to have an affair with a beautiful Parisian woman while I'm out of the picture?" She smiled coyly at Lucius, and winked.

"I would sooner die than abandon you for another woman," replied Lucius. "And I am afraid you are wrong on the other count as well. The Winged Victory has very much to do with us, for reasons I would prefer not to disclose at this moment" - or in your company, he added under his breath - "but which are nonetheless very important."

"But Mr Weasley says France is awfully busy this time of year," said a reasonlessly agitated Narcissa. "And he should know. He's monitoring Muggle traffic through the English Channel."

"That half-wit couldn't monitor the goalposts in a quidditch match," said Lucius.

"Mr Weasley is a very nice man!" cried Narcissa. "And there really is no reason for you to be going to France! Have a biscuit!" She thrust the tray at Lucius.

"Thank you very much," said Severus, and took one. Lucius elbowed him in the ribs. "Must you go out of your way to annoy her?" he asked under his breath, then said in a normal voice to Narcissa, "But what about the Winged Victory?"

"Who cares?" she almost screamed. "It's a lousy statue! Now clear out, you two, and forget about this detective business at once. I'm expecting someone."

Just then, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" called Lucius, and opened the door.

"Gaaaaah!" screamed Arthur Weasley and fell over backwards. He had been clutching a bouquet of roses in one hand and a manila folder in the other; both fell to the ground. Several papers spilled out of the folder and onto the garden path. MARCH WEATHER FORECASTS FOR PARIS ILE-DE-FR, Lucius managed to make out.

"Who's there?" asked Severus, and pushed past Lucius to stand in the doorway. Arthur screamed again.

"Y-y-you...y-you're...you..." he gibbered, finger pointed.

"Severus Snape," said Severus, offering a hand up. "Your son's former Potions teacher?"

A strangled sort of sound escaped Arthur's lips, but he somehow managed to compose himself enough to say, "O...o-oh. H-how...lovely." He scrambled to his feet and hurriedly gathered up the dropped papers and flowers. "L-l- lovely meeting you, Mr S-Sna-Sn...Malfoy and friend."

"Nice meeting you too," replied Lucius, "but I'm afraid we really have to leave now. Tell Narcissa we're going to France, will you?" He and Severus stepped out into the garden.

Without so much as a goodbye, Arthur Weasley streaked through the door, slamming it behind him. "I don't think he's coming out again," said Severus sagaciously, and so the two of them left it at that.

*** Will Lucius and Severus make it to France? Will they find out why Arthur Weasley is so nervous? And just why is he carrying Parisian weather reports? Find out on the next exciting episode of ***

*** LUCIUS AND SEVERUS AND THE CASE OF THE HAND OF VICTORY! ***