Disclaimer: See chapter 1 and 2 for all disclaimers

Many thanks to my Triumvirate of Muses…

Wyall Jared – You won't have to wait long to see the Malfoys. Read on, my friend!

Mercury Gray – I like Ron. He is dense sometimes, but he means well. You may, however, need to work out a timeshare for Oliver with Evenstar Elanor but I trust you can both play nicely in the sandbox.

Evenstar Elanor – Did you think I would disappoint you and leave Oliver out? I would never! I was intending for McGonagall to sound slightly out of character (which I explained in my other email)… sometimes something that shocks you makes you say unexpected things.

Chapter 4: An Ill Wind

The Malfoy mansion was hidden from Muggle eyes in the Knightsbridge area of London. It was a large manor, too large – really – for a family of three, but the prestige it brought was worth the extra space and the dozens of rooms that went unused. Lucius Malfoy was an important and well-connected man and he made certain people knew it.

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's parents, were wealthy and influential in wizarding circles. Lucius was well-versed in the Dark Arts but made sure not to flaunt it. That would bring too much attention and to accomplish what he wanted, he needed to be subtle. Lucius' younger brother, however, was another story. Flamboyant and impulsive were two of Malificus Malfoy's key qualities and the ones that got him into trouble quite frequently.

The trouble from earlier in the year wasn't so easily swept under the rug. Malificus had tried to drain Serena Castleton-Black of her magical power by encasing her in a Dominatus Crystal. Severus had broken the spell and it had recoiled on Malificus. He was still in St. Mungo's Hospital for magical maladies.

Lucius thought his brother to be an unfocused, spoiled playboy, but he was his brother nonetheless, and the eldest Malfoy had promised himself that Serena would pay the price for her interference and the harm she'd done to his family.

The flutter of wings announced an owl post arriving and a moment later a piece of parchment sealed with a drop of embossed wax shot in through the mail slot. Narcissa picked it up, unfurled the scroll and scanned it. Lucius looked up from the book he was reading and waited expectantly for his wife

"It's a note from Draco. He says that Severus Snape is going to MARRY that Castleton-Black creature…"

"Really?" There was a purr in Lucius' voice that wasn't lost on Narcissa.

"Lucius?"

"Nothing to fret over, my dear. This just presents an opportunity that I don't think I can pass up. An opportunity for a small bit of payback. What else does he say?"

"Not a great deal," she answered. "He says that Dumbledore announced it at the first dinner, and that he thought we would want to know. That you might find the news… useful."

Lucius nodded absently, pleased with his son's perception of the possible opportunity as he sat down for dinner. The quiet scrape of silver on fine bone china was the loudest noise at the dinner table. Once the meal was cleared by a scurrying House Elf, Lucius dabbed a linen napkin against his lips. A snap of his fingers brought the Elf running with his cloak.

"I'm going to take care of some business this evening, Narcissa. I should be back within a few hours."

Narcissa gave her husband a kiss on the cheek. "I'll wait up for you," she said. He disappeared out the front door and Narcissa watched him walk down the front steps of the mansion. His long silky blond hair floated over the back of his cloak.

I used to watch Malificus leave like this… She had – quite unexpectedly – found that she missed her rendezvous with her brother-in-law after his accident that summer. It wasn't that she didn't love her husband, but Narcissa also loved the danger, and Malificus was quite an energetic lover.

Across town, at St. Mungo's, Lucius tapped his fingers impatiently on the top of his walking stick. He looked down at Malificus as he lay unmoving on the bed. Except for the puckered, scarred hand print on his face, his brother didn't look any different. Finally, the private physician Lucius had hired walked in.

"I hope you haven't been waiting long…"

"Just wake him and get out."

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy, but…"

Lucius ran his finger over the silver snake-head cap on the end of his walking stick. "How is your brother, Doctor? That was such an unfortunate… accident… that he had."

The little color in the doctor's cheeks drained away. "He's much better. If it hadn't been for your assistance with getting him a room here at St. Mungo's, he would have died."

"Think nothing of it. I'm just glad I could help. It is such a devastating blow when tragedy befalls a family, and so random too. You never know when an accident might happen."

"No," said the doctor softly, "you don't. I'll wake your brother for you." The doctor swished his wand over a vial of pale yellow liquid. After the spell, the liquid began to pop and fizzle and the doctor poured it into Malificus' mouth.

"He should be awake in a few moments," said the doctor and before Lucius could say anything, he hurried out of the room. Lucius' smile was lazy; how he enjoyed having that kind of power over someone. To know he could make someone do whatever he wanted fired his blood. I'm glad Narcissa said she'd wait up for me tonight…

A squeak of bedsprings made him turn back to the bed. Malificus sat up slowly, glanced at his brother and then out the window at the night sky. He slowly ran his fingers over the ravaged skin of his face. There was an odd coldness to the skin. That bitch disfigured me…

"How long has it been?" he asked. Lucius didn't look any older.

"Only a few months."

"Tell me, Lucius, is it time for me to pay the piper? Are you taking me to the Dark Lord?"

"No, not yet," said his brother. "I have a little bit of revenge in mind first."

"Serena?"

"In part, yes. I'm more interested in Severus Snape. He's finally crossed the line. If he thinks he can leave the Death Eaters so easily, he is bloody well mistaken."

"He's leaving the Death Eaters?" Malificus chuckled. "I didn't think that was possible."

"It isn't." Lucius' voice was sharp.

"So, what punishment do you have in mind? And how does Serena figure in?"

Lucius was silent. Even now, Malificus couldn't keep Serena out of his thoughts. He turned around with a cold smile. Tapping his younger brother on the chest with his walking stick, he said, "They're getting married, you know."

"Who is?"

"Severus and Serena, you oaf."

"What! Married? You're lying to me." Malificus' eyes flashed.

"Not this time," laughed Lucius. "Draco sent a note home today. Dumbledore announced it at dinner tonight."

"She's going to marry that cretin?" Malificus was appalled.

"Well, you didn't think she was going to marry you, do you? Bloody hell, Malificus, you couldn't even get the little slattern to sleep with you!"

Malificus came off the edge of the bed fast. Faster than Lucius anticipated, but it wasn't fast enough. In an instant, he drew his wand out from where it was concealed in his walking stick and cursed his brother with nothing less than the Imperius Curse.

"What are you doing…?" Malificus'

"Silence!" snapped Lucius. "We have an opportunity here, and I don't trust you not to get distracted with Castleton-Black. Working under the Imperius Curse will ensure you stick to the plan."

Malificus glowered at his brother, unable to retort because of Lucius' command for silence. His brother raised his wand one more time.

"Veritas malados."

There was a burning sensation in Malificus throat, tongue, and lips. It felt as if he'd eaten a dish made of nothing but hot peppers and curry.

"That," smiled Lucius, "is my own addition to the Imperius Curse. It will compel you to tell the truth when I ask you a question unless I've instructed you on how to answer. Now you'll say what I need you to say, rather than letting that impulsive tongue of yours run rampant. And if anyone checks, it will appear as if you're telling the truth. Come, we're going to stop at the manor to test the success of the spell and then we have an appointment at the Ministry of Magic."

Malificus followed his brother obediently out of the room, his impotent rage at his brother snarling deep down in his gut.

I hope everyone has enjoyed this chapter. I promise much Malfoy mischief for Serena to contend with. Please read review…!