Malfoy's desires
Chapter three: Another day, another party?
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 entered his study in a right mood. Another summons with his Master had left him painfully aware of the price of failure. His last attempt to reach the Department of Mysteries had yielded nothing whilst removing one active follower from their group. Yardley had been forewarned not to touch anything that didn't seem familiar, but the damn fool had gone ahead anyway. Of all the things he could of removed from the shelf... Lucius shook his head in disgust.
Poor sap never knew what hit him; they had to use the most strenuous scourgify charms to remove the bits and pieces from their hair and clothes afterward. But Lord Voldemort didn't sympathize with their plight as he turned his wand on each and every one of them. His kindly reminder that failure was not an option highlighted this fact.
Lucius headed for his desk, taking a seat before rifling through the morning's owl letters. He quickly read through the pile until he came upon a small package. Lifting a brow, he studied it for a moment before taking his wand out. With a few passes of his wand, he deemed the package safe and opened it with a flick of his wand.
Inside the carefully wrapped package, he found a picture frame with a moving picture within and a handwritten note. Lucius grinned at the picture before reading the note that accompanied it. His grin stretched as his eyes followed the words.
'Miss Cardiff has quite the pedigree. Very nice, very nice indeed.' He whispered to himself, feeling quite interested by what he saw.
'Jasmine!' he bellowed, calling the elf to the room. With a sharp pop, the small being came to him in a deep bow.
'Master, what can I do for you?' she asked in a squeak.
'Draw my bath, Jasmine. Tonight I need to clean away my Master's touch.' he said dismissively. His eyes returned to the note and picture. 'Tomorrow, I'll be busy with other matters that don't involve Him.'
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Katherine stood against the doorframe of Arthur's office, eyeing him mutinously. 'I don't know why I should go to that wretched party. You know how I hate going to these things.'
Arthur looked up from the toaster he was examining, 'I would have gone myself, but our dear Minister decided that I had to go on a special fact finding mission this evening. God knows where he gets his information sometimes.' Arthur returned his attention to the toaster.
'Merlin's britches! Arthur... I swear, if Green and Garwood accost me one more time, I'm going to turn them into toads! Those two are just asking for trouble, if you ask me. Can't you have a talk with those two blokes... Maybe get them off my back?'
The senior Weasley chuckled warmly at her words. When had he become her surrogate father? "Come now, Katherine! I'm sure that a bright girl like you can make them understand the error of their ways.'
Katherine huffed at him, 'fine, don't help me. They haven't understood any of my messages up till now; what makes you they'll understand this time around?'
'Make your message crystal clear to them. Be blunt if you have to. They'll will get it this time.' Arthur turned the toaster around, poking and pushing all the buttons he could see. 'Be a good girl! You'll have fun, trust me. I hear that Bill will be there too.'
Arthur eyed her with some amusement. He knew that the young woman found her son attractive. And Bill had mentioned something about her being a luscious witch to behold. But Arthur hadn't mentioned any of this to Molly, since she would have tried to stronghold them into a date or meeting at the Burrow. He sighed under his breath; his wife was well meaning, but could knock the stuffing's out of anyone with her intentions. If she even sniffed the possibility of a permanent relation for one of her eldest sons, she'd turn the world on its axis to make it happen.
'Yea, have fun he says...' Katherine muttered under her breath. 'I'll go, but this is under protest. You'll owe me some days off next month.'
'Very well, Katherine. Just say when and I'll do what it takes to make it happen. Happy now?' He said with a small wink and a large fatherly grin.
Katherine crossed her arms over her chest, lips tightly pinched as she considered the offer. God, she hated these affairs. Even more so when she went unaccompanied; it seemed to attract the most obnoxious and lecherous wizards within the ministry.
'I hope this thing doesn't run too long. I want to be out of there by ten.' Katherine said through tight lips.
Arthur smiled up at her, knowing he had won this battle with her. Battle? No, not really. But Katherine never did things without it being well planned and calculated. She hated when things were loosely done and executed. Going to a ministry ball of any kind, fell low in her list of important things to do.
'It's just a presentation for the new wing at St-Mungo's. A very worthwhile endeavor, I can assure you. It shouldn't run too long.' he added quietly.
'Um, very well. I'll go, just to make you happy... Arthur-kin!' she dropped that last bit with a deadpan face, waiting for the reaction from the red-haired man.
Arthur got up with a jump. 'You little... imp! How dare you say that to my face? Only Molly is allowed to use that name.' he said in mock anger. He knew she was pulling his tail.
Katherine raise her arms to protect herself, 'Please! Don't hurt me. I meant no harm... Arthur-kin!' she said half-giggling as she backed away from the door, trying to make a hasty retreat.
'Katherine Cardiff, you are now in deep trouble! Come back here, this instant!' he bellowed as she turned, running away in a fit of giggles. She stopped running when she turned the corner, going toward the lifts. A small grin still hung on her lips as she thought about his pet name. She really liked Arthur, even if he did get obsessive about muggle objects. The hours he spent studying the wretched things, made her shake her head in disbelief.
She got on the lift, going down to the Atrium so she could floo home to change. The bloody party was tonight, to her greatest chagrin. She would dress appropriately of course, but wouldn't go with a light heart.
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Lucius stood at the small bar, slowly drinking his poison of choice. The amber liquid felt hot going down, but would soon afterward spread its warmth in the most delicious way.
He eyed the crowd lazily, wondering if any information would be discovered tonight. He doubted it, but orders were orders... A couple of young witches passed next to him, whispering excitedly to each other, as they eyed him in the most provocative way.
He simply smirked at them, raising a brow at such cheek. Too young, he thought lightly, without another glance in their direction. These young witches were becoming more brazen with every passing year. No matter... he'd find someone else to fill the void that Narcissa had left.
Finally, the object of his newfound interest entered the room. His heart started to pound heavily within his chest as his attention was fully drawn to the beautiful brunette. She was a dazzler, he had to admit to himself. He hadn't felt this excited by a conquest in years.
Her hair was swept up in a clever twist, leaving a few tendrils to frame her lovely face. Tonight she had opted for some make-up, to his greatest pleasure. Her full lips were deep crimson, slightly pouty as he remembered. Her eyes were rimmed in black, the lids colored in a dusky green tint. Her cheeks, high and well defined, had been gently kissed with some rose color. Very fetching, he thought to himself.
His eyes fell to her dress. It was a dark green affair with silver and gold trim, molding itself to her figure in graceful waves across her bust and hips. Lucius would have whistled if it were not completely out of character for him, not to mention so below his proper manners. He sighed instead, waiting for the moment he could actually talk to the young woman.