Author: Cugami
Rating: PG13
Pairing: Ron/Draco
Summary: There's a way to get Draco out of Death Eaters' hands and right under Voldemort's very nose, even. And Ron has to. Distribution: For archiving, yes.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter Series copyrighted to JK Rowling and Warner Bros.
Notes: The cliff-climbing is inspired by a French Legend, The Cliff of the Two Lovers (La Cote des Deux Amants). Setting: Post-Hogwarts, they just finished their 7th year. Fact is still a one shot. But, a lot of eyes were watching the one event. And, some of the owners of these eyes began to talk in my head.
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Lucius sees himself as a very dedicated and thorough man. No one gets anywhere in life if he does not possess the eye for opportunity, the gut to take it and the mind to exploit when it comes. And he, Lucius Malfoy, is a very successful man indeed. There are setbacks, sometimes; minor but setbacks, nonetheless. The prime setback is his son, at the moment. Not for long.
The plan was perfect. All things considered, everything should work to his advantage.
He may be Lucius but above all, he is a Malfoy. His son is also a Malfoy. And Malfoys do not lose in anything. In wars, there are very few winners and the victor isn't necessarily the hero or the villain. The two main players of the current war are Harry Potter and Voldemort, everyone else serve as pawns. Though Lucius wholeheartedly agrees and believes in the power of his Dark Lord, he has his own set of rules to live with, also. Said rules insist that a Malfoy should be victorious. What can be more reassurance than to have a Malfoy investment?
It sounds as if he is placing all his trust to his son. In truth, he doesn't. He loves the boy and sometimes, the boy even makes him proud but often, the boy is more trouble. However, the boy is still a Malfoy. Hogwarts has quite an influence in his poor son and the changes had been evident as the young man grew. It is only a matter of time before the Dark Lord himself took notice of it. Having a dead son is quite useless if the boy is to die a traitor and in a shameful way. Taint the proud name of the clan? As head of his house, Lucius will not allow it.
Though he thinks low of the man before him, it is a rule to never underestimate a foe. "I'm quite sure you know the odds and ends of this matter we are dealing with, Weasley."
A curt nod, a barely controlled temper, and expressions an extremely gifted artist will never be able to paint are on the paternal Weasley's face but no words are said. Amazing.
"And as expected, the likes of you risk all for something you are not even sure of."
"Contrary to your expectations, Malfoy, any youth to be saved from the grasps of your kind is worth it, even if it is your son."
"Touched. I suppose it is the Harry Potter who will perform the impossible climb?"
And with great effort, Arthur Weasley breathes his reply, "My youngest son."
Lucius blinks, the only sign of surprise. Quite a setback this makes. If it had been the Potter to perform that climb, the boy is sure to die. His son, as well, but there can never be a more glorious death than to bring the enemy down in the process. Even if Potter does succeed in the climb and his son lives, then a Malfoy is on the other side of the war to bring the others down or lift them up, it doesn't matter. A Malfoy will certainly be alive at the end of the war be it of the opposition or that of the Dark Lord's. But if it's a Weasley who is to make the climb . . .
The simple task has just turned into something personal. The youngest Weasley's death is quite the satisfying ambrosia for a grudge of old. His son's death will not be a total waste. He is quite sure he can get around the explanation to Voldemort in case the Dark Lord berates on losing a possible Death Eater to someone menial. Lucius clears his throat as his mind shifts into a different gear, "Very well."
It's likely that the other side wants Potter safe for a battle against Voldemort. Understandable. He should have known. As for why the youngest son, Lucius doesn't know but it does make an interesting bet. "Should I even bother to ask why you are sending off one of your spawns? Too many mouths to feed? Does the lad eat too much?"
The Weasley turns and walks away.
Lucius raises an eyebrow at the unexpected twist of events. He leaves the point of rendezvous as well. It's a long day ahead of him and much negotiation to deal with concerning the recent changes.
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The long wait has reached its end, and now Lucius stands by the edge of a cliff, watching the youngest son of Weasley attempt to climb six-hundred feet. The young boy's wand waits by Lucius' feet, marking the end of the long agony. His son's wand waits with it.
A magic-less duel between wizards, but a duel nevertheless; two wizards, a set date, equal grounds and high stakes are all it needs to make a duel worthy of notice. Though this one was designed to murder Potter in the guise of helping his son, some things just don't work out according to plan. Workable. The feud between the Malfoy and the Weasley had been so popular that the Dark Lord let slide the disappointment on not having Potter's sure death on this day.
Lucius inhales deeply, basking in the stiffness caused by the gathering of
known families from both sides. In all honesty, Lucius is torn between seeing
his son live through this or watching the Weasley youth fall apart, along with
his son. It isn't so hard a decision to make, come to think.
"Hmm . . ."
They quip and jest that the boy is insanely strong if he is to finish this. Whistles and low hoots to mock an obviously staggering lad grow louder. Sarcastic cheers come constantly. But as the boy crosses halfway up, murmurs begin to spread from behind him and he knows that some of the jests from the Death Eaters are bordering on genuine cheers.
Lucius only raises one hand to warn his company to halt their talks and know their place. It is more than enough of a warning, most of the time. However, the silence did not last as the mutterings returned.
Not one to waste more effort, Lucius lets them do as they please. He casts his eyes downward, watching the boy struggle. All it takes is for that lad to stop long enough and the rocks will smoothen themselves. The whole cliff had been cursed that only the worthy can reach its top. To give up, after all, is a disgrace. And that is why very few dare use this cliff as a test of courage.
Seconds turn to minutes and minutes to hours. Lucius, despite himself, is frankly amazed that the boy is still climbing. He made sure that the two young men did not have an ounce of spell cast on them before ascending and yet, that lad is currently working a miracle.
Finally, pale and dirtied hands grab on to the edges and Lucius has to restrain himself from stepping on the fingers. An official duel need not outside interference.
"Hm."
Ronald Weasley does not reach the top completely, however.
Lucius eyes narrow as his own son's hands grip those of Weasley's failing ones, holding on to the same rocks so that they will not slip. He can't hear it but his traitor of a son had whispered something. One last boost of energy forces Weasley to swing his leg over and Draco hurriedly leaves the back, beginning to pull Weasley up.
Once on flat ground, the redhead collapses. Exhaustion. If he did not die while climbing, the fatigue will finish him.
"Father."
Lucius looks at his son without emotion, "I am no longer your father."
With that, Lucius turns away from his son. The crowd of black robes and white masks part to make way for the Malfoy. Without looking back, the rest of the Death Eaters slip away into the mist portal that someone has created.