Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
Author's Notes: Thanks to all those who have reviewed! A few more things to add here. I've always pictured Lucius' father to be very controlling, and wanted only the best for his sons (yes, I do think Lucius had a brother). Because he was very controlling and thus very highly respected by his offspring, he got them to do whatever he wanted. One of these was to have samurai teach them a few tricks of the trade, back when they were kids, before they started schooling at Hogwarts. That will explain something in this chapter. Anyway, here's Chapter 3. Hope you like the fic so far…even if the story hasn't quite come out yet…
ACT 1: THE COMING OF THE DARKNESS CHAPTER 3 "Don't say I'm out of touchwith this rampant chaos-your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge…"
~Imaginary by EVANESCENCE
Nights in London were always cold, and Lucius, though used to it, didn't like it. It was obvious to him that to most if not all other people thought he thrived on the cold. "Goes to show prejudiced people can really be," he muttered to himself vaguely, plunging his free hand into his pocket while the other clutched at his trademark snake cane as he realized he looked vulnerable. He mentally noted to let himself be distracted again.
He was in one of the darker sides of London. The streets and allies were littered with pimps and elaborately dressed or totally undressed whores looking for work. This part of London was alight with the bright electric neon signs of the taverns, pubs and brothels. Some were coming, some were going. Some were entangled and engaged in their supposed private matters out there for the world to see.
Lucius shut out the calls of the pimps and the invitations of the women. He gave a tiny, almost invisible shudder. Even the seediest side of Hogsmeade wasn't as bad as this. He should know.
But he wasn't here for fun. He was here because he had business to attend to. The fun, he was sure, would come later, when he got home.
He entered a small, inconspicuous brothel, deeper into the town. As he asked for a woman named Lilith, he was only vaguely aware that someone was watching him. He dismissed it as sleepiness.
He was directed to a room on the upper floor. He took the key to the room and proceeded upstairs, thinking he was alone.
As Lucius neared his room, which was at the farther, more quiet end of the hall, he heard the footfalls of another person following him. He could feel the other's gaze on him, and so, he stopped short. The footsteps stopped as well. Lucius glanced to his side as if checking if there truly was someone behind him. Then, he turned swiftly on his heel. He came face to face with-
No one. Although he was absolutely sure someone had been marking him, following him. How else could he explain that feeling he had on his nape, as if someone was watching him? He frowned as he turned to face the door to the room he was to enter, though that ominous feeling did not go away. He put the key in the lock, turned it, turned the doorknob and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
Lucius inspected the room quietly, scrutinizing only with his eyes and his judgment every inch of the room. He felt as if someone was in the room with him, hidden somewhere. He closed his eyes, shutting out all other sounds other than those in the room. There were things one only learned by delving away from ordinary magic, things not taught in wizarding schools. Things not taught by Lord Voldemort, because he did not know.
Lucius recalled the lessons he learned from some Japanese samurai he had once studied under as a boy as his father, Gaius Malfoy, had once insisted. It took a great amount of will power, and concentration. That was something he'd always been good at: concentrating. And when he was deep in thought, it was very rare that he be perturbed.
In his mind, the world was silent. He was waiting now for any one small sound that should come from his room. He didn't need much. Just a shuffle of clothing, a footstep, even an uneven fall of breath. Any telltale sign that someone else was indeed in this room.
His patience was rewarded. From somewhere behind him, he heard a low intake of breath. He put his hand to his cane and drew out the wand which he had concealed in it. He heard the accompanying exhale, still behind him, and concluded that whoever had followed him had not moved from his or her spot. Lucius made his move as swiftly as a cat might. He turned on his heel and had his wand pointed at the intruder's face before one could say "Shit."
The intruder was caught unawares, but not as much as Lucius. He had expected a man, perhaps an Everlast elf (A/N: Think Legolas…), a boggart even. He hadn't been expecting the pale complexion of the woman's face that he stared into now.
She was only half a foot shorter than he. Her long straight hair was black as night, and shone even in the light from the lamp above them. Lucius could tell by her strawberry red eyes that she wasn't human. Around her neck, she wore a choker necklace. She had wrapped a cloak of red velvet around her.
When she spoke, she spoke with the voice of a 35 to 40 year old woman, though she looked no less than 25 or 30. "I gather you are Lucius Malfoy," she said with a beautiful sneer to match her thick Scottish accent. She flicked his wand away from her face with a nonchalant wave. She removed her cloak then, revealing a wine red dress, the top barely concealing her breasts. Her shoulders were bare, and the sleeves started halfway between her elbow and shoulder. The skirt was free-flowing, and touched the ground. As a breeze flew into the room, Lucius caught the scent of strawberries in the air around him, and realized it was coming from her. "We should have a seat," she offered, moving to the bed, "We have much to talk about."
A/N: If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! Please review! Thanks!