Chapter 21
She kept that scarf, and she wore it too (although she'd somehow managed to invert it, so the stitches didn't show). She really was too clever for her own good.
It was late November, and, as we would soon be taking our NEWTS, the teachers seemed to be drowning us in homework. Of course, being the inhumanly smart wizard I was, I had no problem. Well, not exactly. One problem.
Defense Against the Dark Arts.
I know, I can almost see your eyes popping out of your heads. Me? Lucius Malfoy? Lucius Malfoy, problems, and dark arts did not fit in the same sentence.
I'd been doing perfectly well in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Or so I thought. Until that fool of a teacher, Garednon, called me after class.
"Mr. Malfoy," he said, rubbing his arms in that dreadfully irritating manner. "I'm afraid you will have to come for remedial Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons. You seem to be having trouble with the Impediment Jinx. Tonight, at seven then." He gave a little nod, as if he had been the one receiving the instructions, before he made a gesture for me to leave. The impediment jinx? I'd mastered that at age twelve!
And there was something else odd with that, wasn't there? Oh, don't tell me you haven't seen it yet. If I was having problems with Defense Against the Dark Arts, what of Crabbe and Goyle? They would have failed, surely. But, to my further infuriation, I found out that they hadn't been called by Garednon. I had been the only one.
And, even worse, I was supposed to meet Lily that night.
Damn that bloody professor.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
"It's okay Lucius, really. OWLS are getting to me too." She gave me a tired smile, and patted my arm. I stood there, taken aback. She actually believed Garednon? There was absolutely nothing wrong with my Impediment Jinx! Nothing! Just as I opened my mouth to speak, she continued, "Besides, I'm sure he made a mistake. It might be Crabbe, or Goyle." I let out a relieved sigh. Of course. Garednon was stupid enough to confuse the three of us. That must have taken a great deal of stupidity, though, to confuse a Malfoy for a Crabbe or a Goyle.
"Yes, of course it's just a mistake. The Impediment Jinx is simple." I said, to reassure myself as much as her.
"It's nearly seven, you'd better get going then. Wouldn't want you to be late." She leaned over to give me a peck on the cheek, before disappearing around the corner.
"Watch who you make friends with, Lucius," came a voice from behind me. I whipped around, only to see nothing. "You wouldn't want mudbloods tarnishing your reputation, now would you? The Great Lord has plans for you."
"The Great Lord? I don't know who you're talking about. Show yourself." I refused to acknowledge the sudden fear and jumpiness I felt. It would be ridiculous to, as the person was most likely wearing an invisibility cloak. Or using an Invisibility Potion. And that voice. Who did it belong to? It sounded hauntingly familiar. . .
"I've been watching you, Lucius. Honestly, I don't know what he sees in you. Maybe it's your money. Or you hatred for mudbloods. But you don't hate them any more, do you? Not since—" I reached forward, and seized an invisible arm. This hadn't just been a stroke of luck on my part; I'd been standing still, and listening to the voice ever since it had started speaking. I could tell it was pacing around me. If that was the arm, then the head was there—
"GAREDNON?" I couldn't hide my surprise as I pushed off the cloak's hood.
"Quiet, boy. And that's Professor Garednon to you." He pulled the cloak back above his head.
"What are you—"
"I thought you were smart. However, that may have been an overestimation on my part. Speak no more until we reach the classroom."
I walked ahead stiffly. I hated being interrupted, and, even more, being ordered. Who did that bastard think he was? No one ordered Malfoys around.
But here I was, listening to him? Then again, I reasoned, I was a prefect. It wouldn't do to disobey teachers, stupid though they were.
I entered the now-dark classroom, and, after a few moments, the door clicked shut behind me. Garednon removed his cloak, and leaned back on the table, observing me. Bastard.
"What? I take it you didn't call me for remedial Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"No, I didn't." He continued to look at me, like a specimen. Let's just say I didn't relish being looked at like that. I was the one who was supposed to do that.
"Then what did you bring me here for?"
"Have you ever heard of Lord Voldemort, Lucius?" Typical. A question for a question.
"The genius responsible for all those muggle killings recently?" I said coolly.
"Yes, he is. Actually, I'm quite surprised you think of him as a genius. Most would call him eccentric, others would go so far as to call him mad. But, yes, he is a genius."
"What's your point?" My patience was running thin. Garednon
seemed to sense this, and his lips curled into a thin smile.
"He's gaining followers now, you know."
"And?"
"He'll take over the wizarding world." I raised an eyebrow. The wizarding world was still convalescing from Grindelwald, it wouldn't be able to take another one like him so early in its recovery.
"That wouldn't be too hard to do. Followers, loyal ones, of course, a great deal of money, and a worthy cause." I shrugged this all off. It was true. If my father chose to do so, he could have 'taken over' the world right now, so to speak. Unfortunately, he was inclined otherwise.
"The Great Lord has enough of that. But he wants to take the Wizarding World at the height of its power. Many don't believe he exists yet, simply because they don't wish to. They believe muggles are dying more, every day, from wars. Can you imagine it? Muggles aren't smart enough to start wars. Or, ones worth fighting, anyway. The Ministry of Magic is too focused on rebuilding our world, restoring it to its former glory. They believe My Lord is a petty annoyance. They will pay."
"Is this supposed to have something to do with me?"
"I've already answered your question, Lucius. He's gaining followers. Some follow them, because they have to, some because they want to. You are being chosen by Lord Voldemort, Lucius. Do you understand that? Chosen?"
"Why? There are plenty of others—"
"The only one that shows the smallest bit of promise would be Severus. Bellatrix as well, I suppose. But they're too young. They don't understand. But you do. You are well versed in the Dark Arts. You hate muggles, mudbloods," he paused at this, and looked at me to see if I reacted. I kept my expression as stoic as possible. "You are very similar to Lord Voldemort, in many ways. With the proper training, you could—" He winced in pain and rubbed his forearm furiously. "My Lord calls. I must leave you. Make your decision, Lucius. Soon." He fumbled for something in his robes, and disappeared.
A portkey, obviously. Anyone who bothered to read Hogwarts: A History knew that disapparation and apparation was all but impossible here.
So, Lord Voldemort wanted me to join his little group?
Unconsciously, a smirk formed on my lips.
We would see. We would see.
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A/N: I just noticed how much Lucius sounded like Hermione. . . . 'Anyone who bothered to read Hogwarts: A History knew that disapparation and apparation was all but impossible here.' Well, he's as smart as she is, anyway :D And yes, I finally read OotP!! Well, no, I didn't get the book, I had to download it L And so I spent 10 hours in front of the computer, destroying my already destroyed eyes. Oh well, certain sacrifices have to be made ;D *shouts out* I STILL LOVE YOU LUCIUS!!! He was such a bad boy, wasn't he? :D The book got me quite annoyed at James though, he was so mean to Severus!!! *sob* Poor, poor, Severus. . .
Nan/Dwen—Glad you liked the chapter! ;D Nanneline sounds like a cool Pen name. But if you're looking for the faerie nymph elf effect, Dwen is more faerie nymph elfish. Okay, that was a very very strange sentence. School has fried my brain, and left it out to dry. *sob* Ignore me :D
Emily—Thanks for reviewing! I'm touched you found it so exciting :D It'll take a while to really finish it, plus I'll be working on the sequel too, so just expect random posts ;D But I post at least twice a week, unless I have a really bad case of writer's block, or midterms has reared its ugly head. :D
Ecilla—yes, I hate school, I hate it I hate it!! L I've been telling Lucius to hex those teachers for a while now, but he still won't. He says school helps me with grammar, which will, inevitably, produce a nicer biography (his, of course, who else's? :D). Humph. Talk about self-centered (I STILL LOVE YOU LUCIUS!) :D
Erenriel—fluff, or semi-fluff, is always the best ;D Ah, don't worry, Elves have an annoying habit of looking nice in everything (even bucket hats and flip-flops :D) Unfortunately, I'm a particularly short hobbit, so I can only stick to. . . well, I can only stick to whatever it is hobbits wear :D
Sarah—sure you can put something about Lucius and Lily in your story! :D Tell me when you write your fic, then I'll read it ;D I read any fic that mentions Lucius/Lily ;D Thanks for reviewing :D
