Epilogue
May, 1963
Lucius Malfoy and Arthur Weasley ran into each other in the hall on their way out the door. Their eyes locked, and ice grey met blue, levelly. Both were in simple dark travelling robes, no longer students. Finally, Lucius smiled. It was not a nice smile.
"Is there something you wanted, Weasley?"
"Actually, yes," Arthur said, making his mind up. "Why did you do it?"
"I did nothing," he said, very simply. "I just made the potion. Someone else gave it to her. If she'd accepted maintenance and faded away quietly it wouldn't have been necessary." And then he smiled. "I thought you'd want to know something more...interesting." His voice was experienced and laden with jaded knowledge. "Did you want to know who had her first, what she looked like...no, you don't need to ask. You saw the pictures, didn' t you. I can tell by the look on your face."
"Did you take the pictures?" Arthur asked, realizing the depth of what had happened. Rage welled in him.
Lucius laughed, a rich sound of amusement and tolerance. "My dear boy, how could I?" And he leaned in and whispered, "I had Adrian Mulciber's mouth stealing all thought from me at the time. But when I opened my eyes, the show was quite interesting. Did the pictures turn you on?" His breath tickled Arthur's ear, and Arthur felt his skin heat, unwillingly.
"You inbred piece of shit !" Arthur spat, stepping back, clenching his fists.
"Temper," Lucius said. "Going to jail for assault won't help your career in the Ministry, Arthur."
"Laugh now," Arthur said. "But know this. You will not do this to anyone else. I will be watching, Lucifer." In his mouth, the nickname was not a tender one, but a condemnation.
Lucius smiled at him, with cool superiority."Arbitrii mihi iura mei, Arthur. Catch me if you can." And he deliberately turned his back and walked out into a day that was entirely too lovely to suit Arthur. The sun shone on his hair, and he did not look back.
Author's Note: There is a sequel being written...Iolanthe as an Auror, Arthur and Molly as young parents, and Lucius....earning his nickname.