Chapter 2: Suspicions

Bang!

Lucius' retrospection was abruptly interrupted by his cell door being flung against the stone wall. He instantly cleared his mind. His body tensed with wariness. His face assumed a vacant stare at the floor. He let his hair fall forward over his face and watched through his long eyelashes. A guard sauntered in followed by a minister official holding a handkerchief to his nose. A minister official with thinning red hair who came to a halt near Lucius' cot and motioned for the guard to leave them.

The guard said over his shoulder, "Be careful sir. This one's not right in his 'ead and prone to violent outbursts. 'e requires constant discipline. Best keep your wand ready."

"Thank you. That will be all." The minister impatiently waved the guard out. He then cleared his throat.

"Malfoy?" he said quietly trying not to gag on the smells of the dank cell.

"Arthur?" Lucius croaked, his voice rough from disuse. He stood up and towered over the man.

"Lucius," replied Arthur with a nod. He held his ground unwilling to be intimidated by Lucius' close proximity.

"To what do I owe this auspicious visitation?" Lucius' eyebrow rose and a slight sneer formed on his lips.

"There has been certain pressure put on by upper Ministry officials to reopen your case. Apparently new evidence and witnesses are being brought forth to repudiate your testimony. Many of these officials are clamoring for the Death Chamber. My sources have shown a connection between certain investments in these Ministry officials businesses by former suspected Death Eaters. You are being sacrificed for some unknown objective. I smell a rat.

I want to figure out the connections here. I also expect your ex-wife may be in the middle and may be one of the sources providing new evidence and testimony against you. I suspect that she wants to obtain full control over the Malfoy assets. What I do not know is who is the mastermind behind this push?"

"And why would you, Arthur, a man of opposing philosophy care about my demise or my fortune?" sneered Lucious, inches from Arthur's face.

"Ah, yes. Lucius. I have bore your many insults to my family and me over the years.

You have indirectly threatened my daughter with Riddle's Diary. You directly threatened my son and daughter and friends in the incident at the Ministry. You represent all that is wrong with the pure blood racist mentality. Yet, something stays my hand in my judgment of you."

"And what could that be Arthur? Certainly it isn't pity," A disdainful look appeared on Lucius haggard features.

"No," smiled Arthur, "it is simply doubt. And something Harry said."

"Doubt?" echoed Lucius, "What do you doubt?"

Arthur took his wand out and flicked his wrist mumbling under his breath, "Muffliato!" He put his wand away, glanced towards the guard leering through the cell doors then said quietly, "I have many doubts.

Number one: why you, Lord Voldemort's right hand man, was left to rot by his army when less strategic Death Eaters were freed by Lord Voldemort?

Number two: why you, during the many occasions where you had access to kill Harry and my children, managed to avoid it at all costs?

Number three: why you never betrayed your friend Severus to Lord V oldemort even when you knew he was a spy for the Order?

Number four: Why your wife, who reportedly was hiding in shame, is suddenly visible within the Ministry itself?

Number five: Why the sudden pressure from the Minister for your head?

All of this leads me to believe, Lucius, that you are the key to a mystery in the Ministry and someone wants you stopped before you open that Mystery. I am prepared to help you in return for information. I have a feeling there are some of your former colleagues behind this suspicious activities. Think it over Lucius. What do you have to loose at this point besides your life? But don't take too long. The public is clamoring for more arrests and final results. I think you will be the next sacrificial lamb."

Lucius stared into Weasley's eyes and thought, "Hmm, I believe I have seriously underestimated the muggle loving Arthur. He has caught on faster in one year than Cornillus or Scimgeour did in 10!" A smirk formed on his chapped lips. "Well, well. well Arthur. You seem to be coming out from under the shadow of the "great" Dumbledore and have grown wings. If I am in such danger as you imply, more so than the usual guard bullying, how can I trust that my information will be passed on to you without alerting my enemies?"

Arthur casually reached inside his robe and turned and walked to the cot. He sat down with a slight curl of his lip and adjusted his robes around himself. He then set a coin on the blanket.

"This coin will alert me when you wish to meet. Just stroke the Wizard's nose upwards 5 times. If he sneezes, I have gotten your message and will contact you soon either by coming myself or sending a messenger who will have a similar coin. If that person's coin burps than don't tell them anything. They are not the real messengers. If their coin starts cleaning out his ear than you can trust the messenger. If your coin goes to sleep it means I am unable to respond and you are on your own."

"A charming method Arthur. I can only wonder if the Minister is on the way what the coin will warn me with - some other bodily function?"

Arthur blushed. "Ah, well, you see my sons run a joke shop and they also provide surveillance supplies to The Order and they do like their crude humor. So no doubt the coin will, er, fart"

"I am sure to be entertained in here no doubt." Lucius said as he gestured expansively around him.

"Do think it over Lucius before we run out of time." Arthur implored.

"I shall indeed. Good day Arthur."

"Good day Lucius. Arthur flicked his wand towards the guard. "Guard! Let me out." called Arthur as he hoisted himself off the cot and walked towards the door. He did not turn to look back over his shoulder before leaving. If he had he would have seen Lucius studying his retreating figure, a ghost of a smile haunting his lips but not touching his cold grey eyes.