Disclaimer: Don't. Own. HP. Franchise. I don't know how much clearer that could get.
Author's Notes: Congratulations, reader! You are one of the few who read the whole first act to the finish. Thank you! Big hugs from me to you!…Fine, I'll throw in a few kisses as well. Well, here it is, last Chapter of ACT 1. Hurrah! It's done! Right around now, I'm hating Lilith to the hilt, it's a pity I can't kill her off just yet. Well, read and review, guys! And thanks again for reading the whole ACT 1! It means so much to me, thank you. Oh, I'll ask you to read and review right now, because I put something in the end that would make an A/N look totally uncool…
ACT 1: THE COMING OF THE DARKNESSCHAPTER 12
"Look here she comes now
Bow down and stare in wonder
Oh how they love you
No flaws when you're pretending…"
~Everybody's Fool by EVANESCENCE
The dungeons were as dark and damp as the last time Lucius had been in them. There was still that ominous echo of something dripping. Their footfalls bounced off the walls, and a few bats squeaked here and there. Lucius, however, paid them any heed. He was determined to just get it all over and done with. The less time he had to spend with his Aunt Lilith, the better, he decided.
They arrived at the brick wall, and Lucius opened it the way he did only 2 days ago. He stepped through first, then held out a hand to support Lilith through. Lilith took it, and gracefully stepped through trying to catch Lucius' eye. Lucius, however, turned away. Lilith couldn't handle the tension between them.
"I understand your love for your wife," she whispered as Lucius began to march her up towards Voldemort, who was seated where he usually was, "But understand that these feelings I have for you are just as real." There was a second's silence between them, then finally Lucius answered, "You are not in love with me, Aunt Lilith. You are in lust. That is all."
Lilith had no more time to answer as they had reached the Dark Lord at his throne. "You are welcome at our gathering, Lady Malfoy," Voldemort greeted in his hiss-like voice. "And you at ours, Lord Voldemort," Lilith answered, trying not to look so preoccupied and thus untrustworthy. "You have been informed of the purpose of our meeting by Lucius, I'm sure," Voldemort remarked. Lucius caught the faint smirk that had formed at the corner of Lilith's mouth, and was sure her answer was not going to be good. "Lucius has informed me of many things, Lord Voldemort," Lilith replied, "and I must say I'm quite…dissatisfied with your choice of messenger. Too much play and not enough work on his mind, I'm afraid."
Lucius felt his cane was twice heavier than it should be, and he suddenly wanted to pound the thing onto Lilith's head for her remark.
"Then Lucius has been no less effective with his purpose than usual," Voldemort answered, "I presume you have arrived at a decision." "Naturally," said Lilith, who had spared Lucius a sidelong glare at Voldemort's defense of him, "My people, those who have wisely decided to remain loyal to me, have given their consent, and we will join you. But…" and here she trailed off.
For the second time during that meeting, Lucius wanted to strike her. He balled his free hand into a fist to prevent himself from doing anything rash. She was making him look bad, whether she knew it or not, Lucius did not care. He just wanted to strangle her.
"You have a condition?" Voldemort asked threateningly. Lilith seemed undeterred. "If any one, only one, of your Death Eaters harms, in any possible way, one of my Vampires," she said, her chin held high despite the murmuring of the Death Eaters surrounding them, "We will defect. Without hesitation."
Lucius narrowed his eyes at her. He had picked on the underlying intent of Lilith's condition, and by the slight smirk she so expertly discreetly gave him, he guessed that that was exactly what she wanted to happen.
Voldemort seemed to ponder on her condition for a while, and once Lucius thought those imposing red eyes of his flicked to him for at least a second. "A fair compromise," the Dark Lord said at long last, "and not without reason." This time, Voldemort fully turned his gaze at Lucius, and the latter could not help swallowing for lack of breath. Then Voldemort fixed his eyes on Lilith once more. "We are agreed then?" Lilith asked. A faint smile formed on the Dark Lord's half-hidden face. "Certainly. We will meet again for a discussion soon." Lilith and Lucius bowed low, and they turned to leave, but then Voldemort called Lucius to him.
"She's a clever wench," Voldemort hissed when Lucius was at his throne. "I'm not so proud to say that it runs in the family, my lord," Lucius answered, glaring at Lilith. "Watch your step, Malfoy," Voldemort continued in a dangerous tone, "Her people are valuable to us. Do not do anything I shall make you regret later."
Lucius glared at Lilith's retreating figure. So Lord Voldemort knew all about her, perhaps more than Lucius could fathom. You want to play, Vampire? He thought to himself, Let's play…
"Swear upon your blood, Lucius," Voldemort said. Lucius understood only why his master was making him do so. The Vampires were strong, and fast, and underestimated. They were probably the most fierce warriors that wizardkind failed to see. "You have my word, master," Lucius assented, never removing his eyes from Lilith, who was waiting at the portal for him. And with that, he walked away, and together they returned to the Malfoy Manor, only one thought running through Lucius' mind: And so it begins…
END OF ACT 1: THE COMING OF THE DARKNESS COMING VERY SOON: ACT 2: THE WRATH OF THE DARKNESS