Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
Author's Notes: Not much to tell about here…thanks to all those who reviewed! Hope you guys are liking the fic so far! This one's going to be relatively longer than the previous chapter, but the following chapter will be really short. On paper, it's just one paragraph. Anyway, enjoy.
ACT 1: THE COMING OF THE DARKNESSCHAPTER 6
"I'm frightened by what I see
But somehow I know there's much more to come
Immobilized…"
Whisper by EVANESCENCE
Lucius headed off to his work at the Ministry of Magic early the next morning. In his carriage he arranged his papers and the sack of Galleons he would be 'donating' to St. Mungo's for the month. He sneered as he recounted the Galleons. Every month his family donated generous amounts to the wizard hospital, but he was quite sure that only a third of the general amount ever really went into the hospital's funds. He had a funny feeling he knew where the rest went.
At the Ministry building, he proceeded directly to the office of the Minister of Magic. He didn't like the long lines at the Donations department. It was crowded with people trying to suck up to the important people such as himself. Besides, it was much too long and tedious a process. Why go through the foot when one could go straight to the head?
The Minister's door was locked when Lucius arrived. Lucius rolled his eyes. It was so typcal of the Minister to forget he had a meeting with Lucius. He was probably in there, talking to someone else. Despite himself, Lucius knocked on the door. He could hear the muffled voices of the Minister and a vaguely familiar female talking. A few seconds later, the door swung open.
Lucius' breath caught in his throat. Standing beside a very animatedly talking Minister Fudge was a woman with pale skin, red eyes and startlingly straight midnight black hair. Her eyes immediately shifted to Lucius, and her full red lips cracked into a smirk. Lucius acknowledged her presence with a small nod of greeting, quite unable to speak. Again, he was too taken by her preternatural beauty and presence to think coherently.
Minister Fudge must have noticed Lilith looking at Lucius, for he quickly apologized. "Lucius, this is Lilith Malfoy," he announced, "Lilith, this is Lucius Malfoy, one of our most generous donors, and quite the hard-worker." "We've met," Lilith replied as if the previous night had not taken place. She extended her hand towards Lucius, who almost forgot to shake it. "You have?" Fudge asked. "We're family," Lucius replied, understanding that their meeting was to be kept secret from the Minister's ears, "Though our relationship is somewhat…distant." "I expect it would be," Fudge answered with a laugh, "She's a vampire, after all." "Yes," Lucius answered, "How could I forget?" "What is it that you came to me for, Lucius?" Fudge asked, oblivious to the fact that Lucius and Lilith were still gazing at each other. "To discuss this month's donations, Fudge," answered Lucius, "Surely you have not forgotten that today marks our monthly appointment regarding each month's donations." Fudge gave an apologetic laugh. "Oh yes, yes, I am sorry, Lucius," he said, "It slipped my mind when Lilith came in to talk."
Lucius felt a sharp pang of jealousy towards Fudge. He had believed Lilith's attention-all of it-was his, and his alone. He raised an eyebrow at Lilith, who shrugged innocently. "She has that effect on people," Lucius said to Fudge, his lips barely moving. "You wouldn't mind if I postpone our meeting until tomorrow, do you, Lucius?" Fudge asked politely. It was only then that Lucius looked at the Minister. "Actually, I do," he said darkly, "I am a very busy man, Minister. It is not easy to stay out of Azkaban when everyone thinks I deserve to rot in it." "Oh, poppycock, Lucius!" Fudge contradicted, "Not everyone thinks you deserve prison! I, for on, was rather surprised that you ended up in Azkaban at all!" Lucius turned his arched eyebrow at Fudge. "Were you now?" he said in a quiet, dangerous voice. He heard the Minister swallow as he looked away from Lucius' threatening glare. "Well, I really must be going," Fudge stuttered, "I have another meeting to attend to. I shall take my leave of you, then. Good morning, Lucius, Ms Lilith." And with a nod, he hurried away, leaving Lucius and Lilith on their own.