Politics
Sirius stood next to Relena's chair, dressed in his best robes. The bedroom was lit only by candles. Thirteen of them to be precise; the appropriate number for a wizard courting a younger witch of high station. The young woman took a dainty sip from a wine glass, her deep blue eyes looking up at him coquettishly.
Sirius inclined his head, hand over his heart. "Is the wine to your liking, my lady?"
Manners dictated solemnity, otherwise the courted witch could be offended thinking they were being toyed with, but Sirius couldn't help the playful grin that tugged at his lips. He always was shite at the etiquette lessons his family had tried to beat into him.
"Delicious, Lord Black," Relena answered. She set her glass down and settled her hands in her lap.
"Good." Sirius again broke the rules by brushing his fingers over her cheek. He felt his whole body warm as red followed his touch, Relena blushing prettily. He turned and took his seat across from his lover. Fine china and roses were laid out before them, and with a wave of his wand, the first appetizer appeared. "How was your day?" he asked, small smile still in place.
Relena sighed. "Dealing with the existence of a whole new race endowed with supernatural powers will take some time, of course."
"And quite a few headaches," Sirius quipped.
Relena laughed. It was a sound that Sirius had become quickly addicted to. "Yes. Sometimes it feels like there are two different versions of English being spoken. The Wizarding representative, Ms. Tonks, is quite difficult to understand at times. And I know she is often equally confused by our train of thought."
She studied the handsome man who was wooing her. It had shocked her to hear Tonks' descriptions of the prison her lover had escaped from. Azkaban was inhumane, and Relena would never cease her attempts to get the wizards to destroy it. Regardless of Sirius' crimes, no man deserved such unrelenting torture and spiritual rape for years on end. She felt breathless in awe of her lover's strength that he had come out of there with the ability to smile, laugh, and love still intact.
"I would be quite lost without your guidance. You have been invaluable to me," she admitted with soft honesty.
Sirius laughed. "Are we talking about politics or the bedroom?"
Relena blushed hotly, but she managed a sly grin. "Maybe I'm speaking of both, Lord Black."
For the next couple of minutes, they ate in silence, just enjoying watching each other.
"You will be careful?" Relena suddenly spoke up. She met Sirius' eyes and there was dark worry there.
Sirius rose and walked to her side. With a gentle hand, he pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her petite form. His breath tickled her ear. "I will come back to annoy you, Lena. I'm tenacious that way."
Relena tipped her head back and brought their mouths together. When they parted, she let her hands glide down his firm chest. "Let me see if I can entice you to hurry home."
Sirius growled and pushed the suddenly laughing girl toward the bed.
xXxXxXx
Quatre gave himself a final look-over in the mirror. The robes he wore were midnight black. The black slacks he wore sharp and perfectly tailored to his lean, muscular legs, while white lace embroidered the collar of his shirt. His shoes were exquisite, pointed at the toe with a two inch heal and adorned with a single white gold buckle.
"You're perfect."
Quatre turned with a smile. "You always think that."
Trowa inclined his head in agreement. He stood leaning in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. His attire was all black fatigues. Weapons adorned his hips, thighs, torso, and arms.
Quatre took a deep breath. "I'm ready. Let's gather up Sirius."
It was the big day. The day when Dumbledore would be put on trial for his involvement in Harry's kidnapping on top of the Eiffel Tower. Of course, Lucius still had no idea Harry was involved at all. Quatre had played his part perfectly. He'd given the man bare shades of hints to indicate there was more to the story, and Lucius always watched him like a hawk, ready to snatch up every tiny tidbit Quatre absently let slip. The stage was set.
Quatre strode regally down the hall. Trowa followed silently, already in full bodyguard mode. They came down the stairs to see their family lined up to say their farewells. Harry was sweaty, his hair up in a tight bun. Wufei also looked a bit overheated. Quatre graced them both with a smile. Clearly they had been sparring.
"Have fun," Harry offered, voice cheerful. His eyes betrayed his worry, however, and Quatre stopped to put his hands on his thin shoulders.
"I'll be fine." Quatre stared deep into emerald green. "I love you, Harry. It's going to be all right."
Harry nodded. Through his empathy, Quatre was well aware Harry wanted to give him a hug, but the teen knew it would mess up Quatre's nice clothes. He had to be satisfied with reaching up to gently squeeze Quatre's wrists.
"Be vigilant," Wufei advised, holding Quatre's gaze.
Quatre smiled. "Always."
Trowa, unlike Quatre, was able to accept Harry into his arms and hold him for a minute, so Quatre moved on to give them space. Duo and Heero were next in the line. Heero's expression was stoic as ever, while Duo's face was stretched in his usual manic grin.
"Give them hell," his braided-friend encouraged. "If it comes down to it, burn the place down and get your ass back here."
"I'll remember that." Quatre flashed his own dangerous grin and looked to Heero.
"You've got this," Heero said with utter confidence.
Quatre felt his cool crack under a hot blush. He remembered vividly the first time when Heero had said something similar. It was toward the end of the war when everything had gone to Hell. Heero had given a much younger and less confident Quatre command. Told him he could handle it. Heero had been right, Quatre had thrived as he took on the position of leader, and in the end they had won the war. Better yet, they had come through alive.
Duo chuckled at his expression and Quatre shot him a glare before pulling on his political mask. He turned toward Sirius. "Are you ready?"
Sirius grinned. "Let's kick some Death Eater arse!"
Remus, who stood at his friend's side, rolled his eyes. "Don't screw this up, Siri."
"I'm wounded by your lack of faith!" Sirius exclaimed dramatically, hand over his chest and blue eyes wide.
Harry slipped between them to hug Sirius around the waist. Sirius stared down at him in happy surprise. "Be careful," the slender teen whispered.
"I've got this, pup," Sirius reassured.
Quatre scanned the group one last time before turning to the door. "Move out."
Sirius transformed into a big black dog and barked, Trowa became his shadow, and together they made their way to a safe Apparation point. The summer sun was beating down on them, but compared to the desert it was still relatively cool. The further they got from the relatively beaten down neighborhood that housed Grimmauld Place, foot and car traffic picked up. Thankfully due to charms that Quatre had cast himself, rather proudly, no one looked twice at their strange and intimidating attire.
"Do you expect Lucius to make his move before or after the trial?" Trowa asked lowly.
It was a good question. If Lucius cornered them before the trial, their meeting might be cut short due to the necessity of arriving at the Ministry of Magic on time. However, if he waited until after the trial, and they lost the trial, Quatre would be angry and unwilling to share information.
"Before," he answered. Quatre's understanding of the man told him Lucius would try to use the time constraint to his advantage.
Sirius transformed into a human and quickly grabbed them, Apparating to a safe point. As soon as the world stabilized around them, Sirius was melting into his dog persona once again. Quatre stared into the deep green eyes of his husband. Trowa stood patient as his love drew his Wizarding persona more firmly around him. After a few minutes, Quatre broke eye contact, now fully ready to confront the dangerous man waiting for them. In fact, as the blond's heart beat a smooth, powerful rhythm in his chest, Quatre could feel a singing anticipation slip through his veins. This would be the start of a very deadly game that Quatre looked forward to winning.
xXxXxXx
Lucius grabbed his son's jaw and lifted his face, forcing Draco to tilt his head back in order to hold his gaze. Having just turned fourteen, Draco stood at an average height, his head coming even with his tall father's shoulders.
"Watch carefully, son. Important events are moving once more, and I won't have my heir ignorant," Lucius ordered, bare hints of threat tinting his voice.
"Yes, father," Draco answered immediately. His heart thrummed in his chest in anticipation. This was the first time Draco had been allowed to witness anything in person.
"Go." Lucius released him. "Do not disappoint me, Draco."
Draco felt a chill of fear. He practically scrambled into the corner of his father's office that was draped in charms. They would keep him hidden from whoever his father was meeting today. The fear upsetting his father slowly lifted as his excitement returned. Draco knew something really interesting was going to happen. His father had been working obsessively ever since Draco had returned from school. He was dying to know what had the usually composed Lucius Malfoy so keyed up.
A tap at the door had Draco's breath catching. Lucius waved his wand, opening it without standing from his seat behind his massive desk. Julia stood in the doorway. She gave a slight bow, hands clasped demurely in front of her.
"Mr. Winner to see you, sir."
"Send them in. See that we aren't disturbed," Lucius answered, grey eyes flashing in warning.
"Yes, sir." Julia bowed once more before turning. She beckoned to someone standing outside, and a moment later a man dressed in expensive robes strode into the room with a big black dog.
Draco's eyes widened. The man was younger than Lucius by at least ten years. Draco was surprised. For some reason he expected someone older, someone frightening. This Winner guy was young and handsome. He had large, dark blue eyes, sharp features, and glossy, thick golden hair. He looked like someone who could model for Witch's Weekly, not someone who could capture his father's attention and set him so on edge.
"Lord Malfoy," Winner spoke, voice smooth but otherwise unremarkable. He settled into the seat across from Lucius and that was when Draco noticed the other man in the room.
Draco's fists clenched as he felt a spike of fear. The man stood to the right of the office door, cattycorner to Draco's position. He wore all black, and metal gleamed on every limb of his body. He stood so still that Draco wondered if the man was even human. Maybe he was a spelled doll, a homunculus of some kind. Certainly there was no expression on the man's face. Not that Draco could see much of it with the brown hair falling to cover half of it.
"The day of anticipation has come," Winner was saying. Draco pulled his attention from the bodyguard. His father would kill him if he missed a single detail. "Are we prepared?"
"Of course we are," Lucius answered with an empty smile. "However, there is one last detail to see to before we leave." He picked up his wand and a ghostly image of a clock appeared. "I believe we have ample time for a quick question."
Winner tilted his head in curiosity.
"We've organized our witnesses and perfected our stratagem," Lucius drawled. He was leaning back in his chair, affecting a casual pose. "I merely wondered if you had a better idea behind Dumbledore's motivation. This is the last chance you have to disclose such pivotal information."
Draco's mouth gaped open, excited beyond measure. This was a plot against Dumbledore? But he wasn't so distracted that he missed the way Winner stiffened, his blue eyes darkening a fraction.
"I assure you I have given you all the information available," Winner returned smoothly, but it was too late. He had already given himself away. Draco smirked; his father had obviously caught the man out.
"Really." Lucius ran his thumb thoughtfully over the arm of his chair before sitting straighter. "I have to say I'm disappointed, Mr. Winner. I thought we were past such mendacity. Let me be blunt. I refuse to enter the courtroom without having every available weapon at my disposal."
Winner's expression darkened into a glare of disgust. "Had I known you would be incapable of finishing the task you were hired to perform, I would not have wasted my time."
Lucius' return glare was much more icy and forbidding. "Careful, Mr. Winner." Draco shot a nervous glance at the bodyguard as the magical pressure in the room increased, but the man hadn't moved an inch. "I do not tolerate failure, and without the full disclosure you agreed to when I accepted your case, our chance of success will be dramatically reduced. So I ask you one last time, Mr. Winner, or all this will be halted. Why did Dumbledore attack you? What do you have that he does not?"
"There is no way to know another man's motivation," Winner answered, still glaring.
Lucius slapped his hand down on the desk, causing Draco to jump and his heart to race. "Try again, Mr. Winner. I no longer buy that pathetic line."
Winner's glare became nearly as cold as Severus'. "I assure you that this knowledge will not benefit our case."
"And why would that be?" Lucius asked sweetly. "I must insist on judging this knowledge for myself. Or we can call off this whole arrangement. Your choice, Mr. Winner."
Winner didn't seem like he was going to answer, when all of a sudden the dog at his feet began to melt and expand into a man. Draco stared, absolutely shocked. The man was pale with pale blue eyes and wavy black hair. And for some strange reason, Draco thought he saw a slight resemblance to his mother, but that thought disappeared as the man gave a feral grin, madness shining in his eyes.
"It would be because of me, Malfoy." The man gave a deep rumbling laugh. "Though it's not going to do you any good to know. Seeing how I'm an escaped convict." Still grinning that dangerous smile, he leaned forward so both of his hands were pressed to the top of the desk. "And I want Dumbledore to burn for what he did to me. This is only the beginning of my revenge, Malfoy, and if you stand in my way, I'll tear you apart."
Draco's eyes shot to his father to see his reaction, but Lucius looked calm and unimpressed.
"The Lord Black. How did you come to associate with Mr. Winner?"
Black? As in Sirius Black? Draco felt a wave of accomplishment. The man was related to his mother. They were first cousins, to be precise. Sirius Black was the only man to ever escape Azkaban. Draco grinned. Cool!
"None of your business, Lucy."
Draco choked at the nickname and shivered. His father was going to be furious when they returned home.
Black leaned even closer to his father, putting their faces level. "You know very well I wasn't guilty of what I was accused of. That I was left to rot in that hellhole. Without a trial. Without a single visitor. And I will not rest until I tear Dumbledore and his little Order down into Hell with me."
Lucius flashed a dangerous grin, showing teeth. His fingers linked together in front of his mouth to partially hide the bloodthirsty expression. "Well now. This is interesting."
Winner lifted a single eyebrow, a chilling smile gracing his features. "Isn't it?"
"I believe we can work this to our advantage." Lucius stood and offered his hand.
Black straightened. He stared at the offered hand for a long moment before looking up into Lucius' eyes and taking it.
Draco wasn't one hundred percent sure what was going on, but he figured it was good if it led to the downfall of the Muggle-lover. His eyes drifted over to the bodyguard and his heart plunged painfully down into his acidic stomach.
The man hadn't moved a muscle. His face was still forward, his body straight, but the single visible eye had shifted to stare directly into Draco's corner. Heart beating rapidly, Draco held his breath, terrified of being caught, but the man said nothing. He merely stared at Draco as Black returned to his dog form. As Lucius and Winner prepared to depart for the Wizengamot. The bodyguard in black didn't move or speak until Winner and Lucius walked out of the room past him. Then he turned smoothly like a well trained panther, and stalked out after them on silent feet.
Draco drew a deep breath, legs shaking and palms sweating. He had a lot to think about.
Chapter end.
A/N: Sorry it's so short. I promise I haven't dropped this story. Any thoughts about the characters or direction of the story, any requests, please feel free to leave me a message. Every little bit helps and you never know what small spark will fuel the fire of my imagination! Thanks so much for the support and help!