Come the Maëlstrom

Chapter 18

There were many words for it. Fate, fortune, chance, luck, karma, dharma, call it what you liked, but Lucius was sure of a few things about it; one was that it was more than likely a woman; two was that she was a sadist; three was that she was fickle; four was that she enjoyed watching him suffer like this; and five was that she was an outright bitch.

At the moment, he was sitting up in his hospital bed, watching the assistant Healer prepare his pain-killing draught. It was supposed to kill the pain in his back. That what it was supposed to do when his Healer last came to examine him; the only problem was that it didn't work and he'd started using expletives that became steadily worse until he brought down the threat of a curse on the 'inept Healer'. That had sent the Healer bolting from the room.

The next day, he found himself under Auror guard. Two Aurors actually; one was Tonks and some other woman who went by the name Okolo.

They were talking to themselves, glancing over occasionally. He scowled as the nurse handed him the small glass of potion. He reached for it stiffly and raised his arms, drinking it slowly so as not to make a mess. He handed it back and the assistant took it from him quickly before she darted from the room.

"...Do you really think that it's now Healer Sargad?" Okolo whispered. "I mean she usually –"

"Hey! I'm related to him!" Tonks protested loudly. "I don't want to hear that!"

"You are?!" Okolo glared at her. "How the bloody hell are you related to him?"

Lucius scowled, hearing the way Okolo said 'him'.

"He's my aunt's husband or something like that," Tonks frowned. "Hm, come to think of it, no one's been able to find Narcissa. She vanished as well as some other Death Eaters."

Lucius snorted; she'd probably vanished with the other Death Eaters. "If you wished to keep this conversation private," he began. "You may wish to not speak so loudly so others can hear."

Okolo and Tonks looked over, startled for a moment. At that precise moment, the door opened once more and a dark haired woman walked in briskly, looking over some parchment. Lucius watched her, realizing she could be no taller than five five or six.

"So, Mr. Lucius Malfoy... my, this is an honour," she looked up at him with an arrogant sort of smirk. "Conversing with your observers? I could hear your bitching from outside the door."

Both Tonks and Okolo swallowed their laughter but a few snickers escaped. Lucius scowled at them before turning his head to look squarely at the woman by his bedside.

"And did Healer Harrah send you in here?" he sneered.

"Yes and no," the woman snorted. "He seemed ready to piss his pants when I said he had to isolate your ailment. So I'll be taking over for him; all voluntarily too might I add. That bloody idiot owes me..." she gave a disgruntled sigh and placed the papers on the bedside table. "So, have you been given your pain killing potion?"

Lucius simply arched an eyebrow. "And you are who exactly?"

"Idun, Idun Sargad," she said briskly. "I'd shake your hand but I don't want to aggravate anything; you seem to have some trouble moving your upper body, correct?"

"Correct. Did you read that on my file?"

"No, I saw it in the way you moved your entire head to look at me. Most people simply swivel their torso. Honestly, how Harrah made it through Avalon Academia is beyond me..."

"Bloody incompetent fool..." he muttered.

"Never thought I would agree with a Death Eater," Idun snorted. "So, I repeat again: have you been given your pain killing potion?"

Lucius nodded his head. "It better work this time around."

"I have no doubt it will," Idun said absently. "Now, if you can manage it, I would like you to hitch up your gown and lay on your stomach."

"I beg your pardon?" Lucius didn't quite believe what he was hearing.

"You heard me. If you can't do it yourself, I'm quite sure that I can fetch an orderly or even do it myself. Now make up your mind; I haven't got all day Mr. Malfoy."

"If you think –" he began.

"Mr. Malfoy, if anything, you owe me this."

"I owe you?" he gave a derisive laugh. "I think not."

"Oh I think so. You and my brother certainly had your fun. But I'm the one who had to treat his tender ass every night."

Lucius narrowed his eyes.

"Oh, don't tell me you've forgotten Roth already. He'll be sorely disappointed." Idun murmured.

Roth S. meaning Roth Sargad. Fate really was a bitch; a sadistic, evil bitch who must have cackling insanely at him and getting one massive kick from this whole situation. He grumbled and started to turn onto his stomach.

"If you will excuse me ladies," Idun's voice sounded a touch too crisp for his liking. "I have a patient to diagnose."

The sound of curtains being snapped shut came. Lucius was grateful for at least that. He managed to flop on his stomach. This time he felt absolutely nothing.

"All right, that will do Mr. Malfoy. I'll do the rest."

He didn't say anything as the blankets were thrown back to his feet and the tie at the back of his neck undone. The rustle of cloth came now as Idun opened the gown, with perplexed sounds coming from her throat.

"Do you know what curse you were hit with?" Idun finally asked, puzzlement in her voice.

"If I knew, don't you think I would have said so already?" Lucius hissed.

"Good point," Idun lapsed into silence for a moment. "How odd... there have only been textbooks examples of this."

"Textbook examples of what?" Lucius demanded.

"Give me a moment," Idun snapped. "I want to make sure. Now where did I put my wand?"

Lucius fumed in silence, staring ahead as patting sounds came now. He was certainly grateful for the curtains now. What a sight this must be; Lucius Malfoy on his stomach, ass exposed for the world to see, and waiting for a woman to do whatever thing she had planned to him with her wand.

"Lumina thyrsus,"

He could feel the wand tip just against his skin as it was dragged down to the top of his tailbone. Strange warmth followed the wand tip and when it left his skin, it vanished away.

"Well... this certainly explains the problem."

"And that would be what?" he demanded testily.

"Your vertebrae; all your thoracic and lumbar vertebrae; they're all fused together, the bone that is; the nerves and discs are fine. Be glad your cervical ones escaped, or you wouldn't even be able to turn your head. But the bone is all fused together, as well as almost the entire lower half of your ribs. No wonder you've been so stiff and bitchy."

"Bloody healing jargon; explain it in words any normal wizard could understand." Lucius growled.

"Basically your neck is fine and upper and lower back is immobile. You can't twist, bend anything like that; you do and break or even crack something and you'll paralyze yourself from that point down. Am I understood? I will leave explicit instructions with your Aurors. If you break your back, it's their heads I'll collect as trophies."

Lucius gave a genuinely amused sound at the sudden silence that came from the other side of the curtain. He felt his gown being done back up when Tonks' hesitant voice came now.

"Erm, may we have a world with you Healer Sargad?"

"Once I am finished with my diagnosis and explain the treatment." Idun replied. "You can turn back over Mr. Malfoy."

Lucius struggled to turn back over. Once he managed to right himself, he found Idun was just starting to open the curtain. At she let him keep what his dignity.

"Can we have that word now?" Okolo demanded.

"Have I said anything about treatment yet?" Idun mused as she turned and faced Lucius. "Now, I have a theory about how to solve your problem."

"Theory? Meaning hasn't been tested yet and you want to use me as the test rat."

"If you wish to look at it so bluntly," Idun shrugged. "Basically what will happen is that I will contact your personal Healer, if you have one, and get your medical records. Then we shall have to devise a potion tailored for your physiology."

"You've yet to say anything I didn't know or understand, Lucius said dryly.

Idun snorted. "What essentially needs to be done is to have your bones separate back out to their original state. We'll start with the lower ones so you can be semi-comfortable when you sit down. I'm guessing it will take only a week at most to deal with the paperwork and then about two to three weeks to develop the potion necessary before we can get started on the treatment."

"How long will it take?" Lucius asked; he didn't like the fact she kept skirting that; Healers were quick to tell you the expected recovery time.

Idun didn't say anything for a long moment. "This is a rough estimate, but the treatment should start around next week, heading into the middle of May. Given the extent of the fused bones and other things to take into account, you'll probably be out of here around late September. It might be less time or more time, dependant on certain factors."

"Such as?"

"Well your physiology for starters. Some people just heal faster than others, and the strength of magic is a factor as well. If a wizard's own magic resists and attempts to subvert the treatment, it can create a longer recovery time. That or if their magic is badly depleted. If it's agreeable, then you just might be out of here in early August, and that's if you're lucky."

"Small mercies..." Lucius muttered, wondering how fate would decide to screw him over again.

"And your personal Healer's name is..."

"Hansberry. Bruce Hansberry."

"Ah, well then, all that said and done, I shall take my leave now. I have an owl to send to Mr. Hansberry," Idun gave him a sardonic smirk. "Try to not go anywhere."

Lucius glared at her as she walked out of the room with a definite spring in her step. Both Tonks and Okolo followed her out similar expressions of amusement. He was starting to remember why he didn't like this place.

Six hundred and fifty six; well, he'd reached the end of counting the small tiles on the ceiling above his bed and had managed to waste four hours. And now he had absolutely nothing to do. There was nothing to do and he bored out of his mind. Besides, counting the tiles had helped distract from the worried feeling that had developed in the pit of his stomach. He shifted a bit in an effort to make himself comfortable. His treatment was due to start in a day and he honestly couldn't wait. The sooner he didn't have to suffer this pain, the better.

Okolo glanced in his direction but didn't say anything. Tonks had gone to get them lunch. His lunch sat on its tray on the wheeled table, still covered. He had no appetite to eat with this incessant worry needling at him. And he certainly didn't feel like eating when that blasted Auror looked his way every time he shifted or made a slight motion. At least Tonks was much more... affable. The sullen silence in the room was disturbed when a knock came on the door.

Okolo rose and answered the door, blocking the entranceway. "And you are?"

"Valerian Slean Nihilare, barrister for a Mr. Lucius Malfoy; a pleasure to meet you Miss..."

"Okolo, just Okolo."

"Ah, a pleasure to meet you Okolo. I'm wondering if I might have a word with my client. There are some pressing matters I need his decisions for. This is his room, correct?"

He watched as Okolo stepped aside. There was Valerian in his usual navy blue robe, slacks and white shirt and gloves. Sometimes he wondered if there was anything else in the man's closet.

"His trial, I presume?" Okolo asked.

"Among many other things," Valerian said cheerily. "This isn't a problem today is it? I can come back tomorrow. Or the day after that and so on..."

"Just get it over with now," Okolo said in a disgusted tone as she waved him in. "But I'll be keeping an eye on you. And no whispering."

"As you wish, ma'am."

Lucius' lip curled into a sardonic smirk as Valerian gave a little bow before making his way over to Lucius' bedside, pulling up Tonks' chair. "How kind of you to visit."

"I figured you'd enjoy the company," Valerian said as he opened his briefcase on the small bedside table. "There are a few things that need to be discussed."

"Well, I suggest we start. It looks like Okolo is dying to curiosity," Lucius mused. "And when do they want me in the courtroom?"

"Well, it was immediately, but once I learned of your condition, I immediately petitioned the judge to hold off on that until you can at least sit somewhere for a few minutes. She's asking that you show your face during the proceedings at least once if you able. Should you make a complete recovery during the trial, you will have to show up each day."

Lucius nodded. "So they've started without me?"

"Yes and the prosecution has a good amount of evidence stacked up against you. Unless you can provide evidence to refute their claims..."

"Perhaps I should hear the list of charges against me."

"Here," Valerian reached into his briefcase and handed him a sheaf of paper. "A full breakdown."

Nothing sounded in the room save for the sound of paper being turned. Blackmail, murder, fraud, everything was written out clearly. Lucius curled a lip as he continued reading. Well, he certainly would be walking a free man with a tarnished reputation.

"The problem of furtive plans..." he murmured.

"Pardon?" Valerian asked.

"Nothing."

"Well, if you know of anyone I can subpoena for testimony in your defen–"

"Don't you think I've ruined enough lives as it is? Dragging someone unwillingly to the trail of an infamous Death Eater certainly won't help," Lucius said abruptly. "Leave them be; if they want to testify, they will."

"But Lucius –" Valerian began.

"I believe I've made myself perfectly clear." Lucius said as he handed the sheaf back to Valerian.

Valerian took it reluctantly and placed it back in his briefcase and pulled something else out. "Now, I have another matter; a matter concerning Grimmauld Place, Sirius Black's final wishes and Harry Potter."

Lucius gave Valerian a guarded look. "And it may be?"

"As per the instructions in Sirius Black's will, it has full three years since he last contacted me and so I must disperse his estate. Harry Potter is supposed to own Grimmauld Place however; there is a slight problem with that."

"And that would be..."

"Sirius Black is the full owner and his will was made a few days after the Potters' demise. That makes the will legal and binding. His prisoner status though, stripped him of anything he might own. So Sirius Black did not own Grimmauld Place the minute he stepped foot in Azkaban. But because his will was legal and binding, that left Grimmauld Place in trust to Narcissa Black until Harry reached the age specified in Sirius' will."

Lucius frowned; this was why he couldn't be bothered with wizarding law. It was full of so many conflicting things; it was best to bother only with what he could make useful. "And what age would that be?"

"Seventeen. If Harry reached the age of seventeen and I had not heard from Sirius for three continuous years, I was to assume that he had died and to disperse his estate."

"So what is the problem?"

"Sirius forgot to fill out a form when he sent me the paperwork. What this means is that Harry Potter only owns Grimmauld Place in name, not in actuality. Narcissa is the one who does."

"My, my..." Lucius mused in amusement. "The mutt never could do anything properly. Just how did you come by information?"

"By going through Sirius will and by the attention of a Miss Hermione Granger. Have you ever had the distinct pleasure of meeting her? She was quite concerned about some of the legal issues concerning Mr. Potter."

"I have no doubt..." Lucius said, curling his lip.

"She's quite a brilliant young witch. Doesn't miss a flick of the wand. It was quite fascinating to discuss the subtleties between estate law and ministry law with –"

"If you can halt the praise and adoration and continue on..."

Valerian's face went a slight red. "Well, I won't get into it any further but once Ms. Granger was informed of this, she asked what could be done to clear it up immediately."

"And?"

"Did you know that there is an obscure Wizarding law that says the husband has complete control over anything the wife inherits during the marriage?"

Lucius arched an eyebrow in surprise.

"It's a obscure bit of Wizarding law that hasn't been changed since the thirteenth century. No one really knows about it aside from lawyers."

"So what do I have to sign?"

"If you can sign it; it's just this affidavit that states you sign over complete ownership of Grimmauld Place to Harold James Potter," Valerian smiled. "And then little headache is almost over with."

Lucius' eyes cast around for quill. When he looked back at Valerian, the man already had one out and had stiffened the parchment. He picked up the quill and signed, ignoring the massive protest his shoulder decided to mount against him.

Valerian looked at the parchment and gave a satisfied sound and nod of his head. "Now for the last thing; in regards to your wife, she has –"

"Her again?" Lucius groaned with a disgusted tone.

"Already filed a petition for divorce."

"As she is currently missing?" Lucius looked at Valerian incredulously. "And she filed?"

"She filed on the day of the sixth; it only reached me today," Valerian explained. "Here are the basics of it. I'm guessing you'll just want to out and out leave her. She has made her stance very clear.

Lucius didn't say anything as he looked over the papers. He gave a dry laugh as he handed them back to Valerian. "I think you know exactly what to do."

"What you specified before?" Valerian placed it back and closed his briefcase with a snap and a grin. "How fortunate for you that you signed a prenuptial agreement, hm?"

"The wisdom of foresight and knowing Narcissa has a sometimes shoddy memory. I do suggest that you request a different lawyer to represent Narcissa if you can."

"And why is that?"

"As I recall, she was sleeping with her current one. Doesn't that create a conflict of interests?"

"In a way but I'll do as you suggested. The less I have to see of her, the better." Valerian chuckled as he picked up his briefcase and rose. "Try to get better soon. For some reason, suffering your trial isn't as much fun without you there to mutter snide things."

"How you flatter..." Lucius snorted.

Valerian grinned as he walked out of the room with a wave. Lucius didn't say anything as Okolo rose, closed the door and settled back down in her seat. The sullen silence in the room came back once more and he found himself wishing he had a book to read or something. He didn't know how long it was but when Tonks came clattering into the room, he felt a surge of momentary relief before the worry overpowered it.

"What, you're not eating?" Tonks asked when she glanced in his direction.

Lucius simply curled his lip which had come to mean a shrug. Tonks tutted as she came and sat in her seat in the bed.

"Healer Sargad said we have to make sure you don't have to break your back and I intend to do just that."

"How? By force feeding me?" he said derisively even as Tonks reached over for the tray.

"Yup. Can't have you getting weak on us; that'll just increase the chances. So either shut up and eat or bitch about it while I stuff it down your throat. It's your choice."

He scowled at Tonks as she removed the cover from his lunch with a flourish and Okolo broke out into peals of laughter. Fate, for all he cared, could burn to death in the deepest pit in hell.