Author Notes: For the ever lovely Annie and much love to my beta this chapter, Laura. You are the best and to give it back to me sooo quickly to post! I love you! Also to two of the new ones, I am forever in awe of you Luciology and Raven

Chapter 5

Lucius sat at his desk for a long time after Draco updated him, lost in thought. Draco's report affirmed that everything was going according to Lucius' plan, but was Draco letting his own feelings get in the way? His plan was running smoothly, though he was shocked when Draco approached him about distracting Harry. He already knew that Draco preferred men and he was fine with that, as long as there would be an heir to follow in his footsteps. He told Draco long ago, that all he had to do was marry a suitable pureblooded girl and have one son. Other than that, he was perfectly content to ignore his son's choice of partners.

This, on the other hand, created a solution to another problem. If Draco were to become involved with Potter, then Potter would become putty in their hands. Lucius knew that he could still have another child. There was no need for Draco to procreate if this other problem was taken care of. He was still young enough to mold the next heir into all he wanted him to be.

He gave his approval and started revising his plans, plans that Draco knew nothing of. After all Draco always had a way of messing things up, so he wouldn't put doing the same here past him. With Potter and Draco safely ensconced in Scotland at Hermitage Castle, Lucius could now begin his more devious strategy to turn the Wizarding World into His for the Taking.
A knock sounded at the door. "Yes?"

A stately looking house elf came in. "Master Lucius, the gentleman is here you wanted to see," he said.

"Send him in, Adolf," was the terse reply the house elf received, before quickly leaving the room.

'This is perfect,' thought Lucius. 'Everything is falling into place.'

The door to the study opened and in walked a nervous looking redhead. "Mr. Malfoy, you wished to see me?" The man sounded unsure.

"Why, yes, Mr. Weasley. I have a proposition for you," Lucius said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"What kind of proposition?" the man questioned. He looked even more unsure of himself as Lucius gaze swept over him.

"Rumor has it that you are quite a good Quidditch player, Mr. Weasley. A keeper, if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes, that's correct sir," he replied hesitantly, not sure of where this line of questioning was going.

"I do believe there may be an opening on the team I have just acquired. The Chudley Canons, have you heard of them?" Lucius questioned easily. He watched the boy's eyes grow wide at what was just said.

"Yes, sir, I am a huge fan of the Canons, but I didn't hear about any openings on the team."

"Oh well, no bother. The keeper wasn't exactly happy when I fired him. The man had no backbone. But you have a backbone, don't you, Mr. Weasley? You aren't afraid to stand up for what you believe in, are you?"

He looked shocked at this statement, "What exactly are you getting at, Mr. Malfoy?" Never quick on the uptake, he wasn't quite sure where the questioning was going, but he did know that questions about his beliefs could be dangerous.

"Settle down, Mr. Weasley. I have a proposition, as I said before. Would you like to be the new Keeper for the Chudley Canons?" Lucius let the offer roll out of his mouth, almost as if he were offering the young man some pumpkin juice.

The man jumped out of his seat. "I would love to be on the team!" he replied quickly, then had a second thought. "But…what is it you want from me?"

"I can see you are a wise man, Mr. Weasley. You don't like sitting in the background, never being recognized for all the hard work that you do. Always being second-best to your friends must grate on your nerves at times."

"What are you suggesting?" His face went hard; he looked as if the candy being held before him was poisoned.

"Simply, if you come to work for me, then all of your dreams will come true. You will be keeper on a world famous Quidditch team. Girls will throw themselves at you, for who you are and not because of whom your best friends are." Lucius was weaving his words carefully, each designed with the sole purpose of pulling the redhead in to his plans. . He could see the wheels grinding in the simpleton's mind, it was so very easy..

'Harry' was the one thought that penetrated through the thick skull. 'Harry is the one that always gets the fame, the girls, the interviews.'

"Yes, Mr. Weasley, isn't it time you came out of his shadow? Weren't you standing with him through many trials? Didn't you get him to the Philosopher's Stone? He would never have got past the chess game without you, would he? Did you receive recognition? What about all of the battles? Didn't you battle Death Eaters, as well? You were in the midst of the war. Did you receive any glory? Did you get statues put up in your honor? Work for me, Mr. Weasley, and you will become as well known as your friend." Lucius felt a maniacal glee, he loved this part of the game.

"Do I have to answer now?" he questioned.

"No, Mr. Weasley, not at all. I would like your answer by the end of the week, if that is possible."

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. I will get back to you soon."

"Adolf will show you out, Mr. Weasley."

Ron followed the house elf out of the room. If possible, he looked more confused when he came out than when he went into the meeting. He was learning to control his impulsive nature, but this offer just sounded too good to be true.

"How did it go with my brother?" the beautiful redhead asked as she wrapped her arms around Lucius' torso.

"My dear, Ginevra, he was as easy to manipulate as you claim, putty in fact. The mere mention of money and fame was all it took. Granted, he did surprise me when he said he would get back to me. I, however, have faith," Lucius said calmly as he plotted out the next few months. They would be essential in his bid to insinuate himself into the highest position possible in the Wizarding World.

"I'm so thankful he is as thick as he ever was. I have never had any doubts when it came to Ron. He will be loyal to a degree, but if you wave fame and fortune in front of his face and he will turn his back on you. I'm personally surprised that Harry is still friends with him, especially after all the times Ron has turned his back on him," Ginny said.

Lucius pulled Ginny down into his lap and kissed her softly next to her ear. "Now, my pet, I do believe I am in need of a new heir. As a woman of strong opinions, I am sure you have one on this also."

Ginny looked him in the eye, her gaze unwavering, "Everything is falling into place, I believe it is exactly the right time for a new heir." Her cold smile mirrored his own.