Malfoy's desires
Chapter one: The fundraiser.
All names and placed associated to Harry Potter, belong to JKRowling and associates. I'm just borrowing its world for fun… no money is to be made from this.
Lucius Malfoy stood next to minister Fudge, a smirk hanging on his mouth, as he listened to the inane speech he was giving to a reporter from the Daily Prophet. Lucius hated to attend these functions at the ministry, but his orders were to attend any and all of them.
He only wished Narcissa were still alive to help him out with his quest to find information on the Order and future developments at the ministry. She always did know how to milk the juiciest rumors and hear-says from the female heads of departments and their underlings. The way she'd cajole and skillfully extract even the tiniest bit of information was a sight to be seen. He had been proud of his wife in those moments... but that was no more. Lucius stifled a sigh before returning his attention to Fudge.
"We expect to raise quite a few galleons for the poor widows and orphans that this war has left in its passage. Some have been left bereft, without homes or any means to feed themselves. It is our responsibility to..." Fudge went on with his speech, not noticing how Lucius had quietly removed himself from his entourage.
Malfoy was bored out of his mind by now, listening to the outpouring of simpering, dimwitted condolences people offered to widows and widowers in attendances was more than he could endure. True, he had lost his wife six months ago in a botched attack in Hogsmead... but he was over it now and didn't need the constant reminders from the well-minded idiots that he crossed. Narcissa had been culled ruthlessly in an explosion at Mme Malkin's shop, one that had been planned to kill mostly students arriving to get their school uniforms.
Had he known that Narcissa was planning to go there that day, he would have stopped the ill-fated trip in an instant. But to his great chagrin, he never discussed the coming attacks with her and she left that morning without any knowledge of the coming trouble. The blast could be heard for miles, flames had erupted soon afterward, consuming all that was within the building. Everyone inside the shop had perished without exception... Mudbloods and their parents, as well as a few traitors to their kind, had been eliminated swiftly.
Their Lord had demanded that all families that was their own, be not allowed near the shop that day. Draco was not in the village, since he had gotten his school things the day before with his mother. What made Narcissa return to the village, he would never know.
"Lucius!" a low voice intoned next to his ear, getting the senior Malfoy's attention. He turned around to find himself almost face-to-face with a dour faced Hogwarts teacher.
His eyes flickered over the pale-faced man before he answered suavely. 'Severus... nice to see you here. Didn't know you were coming today. What brings you out of that den of yours?"
Snape sneered as he looked over his shoulder, 'Dumbledore dragged me here, saying it would be a good idea for me to fray with people. That old bugger seems to want me to meet people that could help the Order. Get visible, as it would seem. '
Lucius grinned without thinking. 'Poor Severus, still having to follow that old, dawdling mudblood lover. You have my sympathies!'
Snape groaned as he threaded his fingers through his hair to push it off his face. 'You can't believe the things I have to go through to keep him appeased.' He looked over his should again, a deep scowl marring his face. 'Guess I have to get back to his side; he's talking to Weasley senior now. See you later...'
Snape left him quietly, meandering his way through the throngs that were in attendance tonight. Malfoy chuckled to himself, happy that he wasn't the one chosen to run to that old fool at a moments notice. With a shrug of his shoulders, he moved off in the direction of the balcony a few feet away.
He walked elegantly toward the end, nodding to some wizards and witches, while murmuring vague greetings to others. He wasn't much company tonight; he knew that, so he isolated himself in a dark corner. He summoned an elf, demanding a Firewhiskey without another thought. After being served, he quietly looked over the crowd for potential candidates for his information gathering.
He spied a few people from the Wizengamot, as well as a few dignitaries from other wizarding bodies. None were of interest for now, but he'd talk to them later just to keep in touch. He saw Snape and Dumbledore talking to Weasley. He cringed at the thought that this buffoon was part of the ministry. Mind you, muggle relations weren't a top priority to anyone, but still... he was in charge of the branch for some unfathomable reason.
Snape moved over to whisper something to Dumbledore, letting Lucius see someone he hadn't noticed before. Whomever it was, stood tall and had a rather slim physique. His or her hood was up, covering the face, hiding their identity for the moment. Lucius waited patiently to see what would turn up from their conversation. The figure nodded to Weasley, before taking Dumbledore's hand for a quick handshake.
The old wizard's face beamed at the person, leaving Lucius perplexed about who it might be. Maybe he could get closer and get a quick look before he or she departed... because they were obviously not here for the proceedings. He started to walk toward the group, not quite noticing the wizards trying to get his attention. As he came close enough to get a good look, the figure raised their hand and removed the offending garment from their head.
Malfoy stopped walking and almost bumped into an elderly witch walking ahead of him. He gazed at the woman that had materialized before his eyes. She had long, dark brown hair, which curled gently at the ends. Her eyes were dark and topped with well-arched brows. A rather large smile, with a seductively pouty feel to them, adorned her face. Her skin was fair without a hint of make-up. To tell the truth, Lucius felt that she didn't need any of these female ploys to attract men. She was a lovely thing all on her own.
He came closer, eyeing the girl discretely as he came to the group with a smirk on his face. 'Dumbledore! Never thought you'd be here tonight. Nice of you to come by.'
Dumbledore simply turned to Malfoy with his hand extended and a gentle smile on his face. "Lucius, nice to see you too. Lovely evening for a fundraiser, don't you think?'
Lucius took his hand briefly, 'very good evening indeed. We've raised nearly fifty thousand galleons tonight for such a good cause. I'm happy you could join us since many of our orphaned children are attending Hogwarts. Hope they are adapting well after their loses?' Malfoy added to appear sympathetic to the cause.
"As well as possible I suppose. Time will tell how they will adapt to the their new family situations.' Albus finished with a note of sorrow. He turned to the rest of the group, 'you know most of us except one... may I introduce you to Miss Katherine Cardiff. She's a junior aide to Arthur here.'
Lucius turned his steely eyes toward the woman while extending his hand for his greetings. 'Miss Cardiff, Lucius Malfoy... at your service.'
The woman eyed him cautiously for a moment before reaching out to shake his hand. But instead of a handshake, he gallantly bowed his head and kissed the tips of her fingers, while keeping his eyes on her. A faint blush tinted her cheeks before she graced him with one of her stunning smiles. "Mr. Malfoy, it's an honor to meet you. I've heard of all the generous donations you have given to the ministry's appeals this year. Much good will arise from these donations. '
Lucius straightened up to smile to the woman. 'It's nothing I can assure you. We must all do our utmost to help those in need.' His demure speech didn't impress the audience, but no one begged to differ.
Weasley cleared his throat before turning to the girl. 'Would you like something to drink and eat, my dear? Since you have been quite busy tonight, I'm sure you haven't had time to dine yet.'
Katherine smirked at him. 'Well... no, I haven't eaten anything since lunch. I might do with a small snack, if you don't mind.'
Arthur put a hand on her shoulder. "Very good! Come with me and we'll find you some adequate sustenance. Good evening gentleman...' Arthur said with a smile and departed with the girl in tow.
Malfoy's eyes followed the couple as they went toward the buffet table near the entrance. He more than noticed the way the girl's hips swayed gently under her robes, giving him a glimpse at how graceful she might be without any robes to hide behind.