Chapter 6. Whatever It Takes
Astrid found herself captivated by Lucius' touch, the way his thumb caressed her lip sent shivers down her spine and left a tingle on her pink pout. She breathed unsteadily, almost having the urge to close her eyes and lean into the man, but something brought her back from her euphoric state and made her jump away from his touch as if she'd gotten an electric shock. Lucius' brows furrowed, confused by the girl's reaction, the man thought he'd won her over oh so easily, slowly he leant his cane against Astrids mahogany desk and raised his hands as if he was approaching a wild animal. Astrid shook her head no as Lucius began to step towards her, but he halted, heading her warning.
"No," Astrid whisper, "Uh-uh no, whatever your reasons… I do not trust them, I do not trust you," Her voice was but a cracked whisper. Lucius moved towards her now, determination in his step he quickly grabbed the young woman by the wrists, she had fear in her eyes now and Lucius almost got a sting of pleasure from it, seeing her scared beneath him. Despite the fear she pulled against his hold, trying to free herself from his strong grasp.
"You can trust me Astrid, that first day, its water under the bridge, I just want us to be friends," Lucius cooed.
"You're hurting me Lucius," The young lady whimpered. Lucius released his hold immediately, he hadn't realised how much he had tightened his grip on the girl, leaving white fingerprint marks around her slender wrists.
"Leave," The girl ordered shakily, but Lucius did not listen.
"I will not,"
"Get out!" Astrid shouted this time, with no faltering in voice she stood firm, arm outstretched pointing at the door. Lucius felt as if he'd lost control, and he needed to gain it back quickly, again he moved towards the girl, quickly snaking one arm around her back and the other grasping her hip he leaned in to kiss her his lips hitting hers roughly, she struggled against him at first, pushing hard on his chest, but eventually the fight left her body and Astrid kissed the man back. She almost went like jelly in his arms. Lucius' tongue licked her lips asking for permission and at that moment the realisation of what she was doing washed over her. She broke the kiss away turning her head to the side abruptly and wriggling out of his arms.
"No, no, no," she said to herself as she put her back to him, she rubbed her hand across her lips, as if the action could erase the kiss all together. Running a hand over her scalp and through her blonde waves she breathed heavily, resting a delicate hand on her heart. Lucius observed her a moment as she regained herself, he tried to look into her mind, he only saw a fleeting glimpse before he found himself quickly blocked off.
"Stay out of my head!" She cried, leaning against one of the students' desks. After calming down and find her courage Astrid turned back towards Lucius, he was still standing exactly where she left him, his face was not how she imagined, she thought him to be angry, seething, but the reality was he was calm and composed, almost patient.
"You are married," Astrid exhaled. Lucius licked his teeth, glancing away for a moment before he responded.
"Married for show, we live very separate lives," Lucius explained, he didn't need to, not to her, but for some reason he wanted to.
"You are a parent of one of my students," Astrid scolded, her nose wrinkling.
"Draco needn't find out," Lucius spoke, the corner of his mouth upturning slightly.
"You're a governor of this school," Astrids eyes narrowed on the man.
"Our involvement doesn't have to be public knowledge," Lucius spoke. Of course, he knew it was inappropriate for a governor to be fraternising with a staff member, for obvious reasons of clouded judgement and bias, but Lucius did not care. He thought himself above the rules.
Astrid looked away, she smiled and chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief at his arrogance. Astrid looked to Lucius once more, she dropped her smile, a stern look now replacing it.
"You're a death eater," Astrid stated starkly. Lucius exhaled deeply, pressing his tongue to his cheek. Holding out his hand casually his cane flew into his clutches at Astrids surprise, she hadn't realised he was so proficient at wandless magic. Lucius' face was hard as he stepped towards her, his cane tapping ominously on the floor of the classroom as he approached. Astrid backed away, but found her path blocked when the cheeks of her arse collided with a desk. Her hands shuffled for her wand, but before she could pull it out of her pocket Lucius cane was under her chin, forcing her eyes up to his.
"Spoke to old Mad Eye did you?" Lucius sneered, "I told you he'd have some tall tales about me,"
"I haven't spoken to him since before I arrived at Hogwarts," Astrid explained almost too hastily, she didn't want to implicate her father, especially since truthfully, she hadn't discussed anything with him. But you don't need to listen very hard round here, to hear about your involvement with you know who, Mr Malfoy," Astrid finished, she eyed him, a glint of fight in her eye that made Lucius' crotch twitch with excitement. Lucius gritted his teeth and tightened his fingers around his cane, his knuckles turning as white as snow.
"You, Miss Moody, are a fool, a traitor to your blood… just like your father," Lucius spoke low and slowly, his cruel words cut her deep, she had never been on the receiving end of such words, she was lucky to have sailed through school without being the target of bullies. Astrid's eyes welled as Lucius stared down into her with intense scrutiny. A knock at the door suddenly broke the tense atmosphere, Lucius jumped back grasping his cane tightly with both hands, he shot the young lady a look of warning before glancing towards the door.
"Come in," Astrid barely managed to shout, her voice a cracking mess. The unmistakeable head of Harry Potter rounded the door. Lucius snorted at the site of the young man, typically it would the boy who lived to interrupt. Harry looked from Lucius to Astrid, and then from Astrid to Lucius. Nervously he stepped into the classroom, his History of Magic text book grasped tightly in one hand. The other hand in his pocket squeezed his wand tightly, ready to pull it out at any moment.
"Is everything okay Professor?" He asked, eyeing the blonde-haired man suspiciously. Harry felt sick to his stomach seeing Lucius, the first time since that night in the grave yard. His hand shook with anger… and also fear, as he spied the welled-up eyes of his young professor.
"Everything's fine Harry, Mr Malfoy was just leaving, do you need help with your assignment?" Astrid asked, nodding at his textbook.
"Yes, yes I do," Harry nodded. Lucius took this as his opportunity to leave, he turned abruptly, his caped robes swooshing as he dramatically strode towards the door his pace suddenly came to a halt when he reached Harry however, Lucius stopped in tracks and looked the boy up and down with a sneer.
"Still always around to the save the day I see Potter," Lucius snickered, he tore his eyes from the shaggy haired boy and looked to Professor Moody who was still glued to the same spot, he looked her up and down dangerously "Do take care Professor Moody," Lucius quickly took his leave through the large arched doorway. The door slammed with a loud bang behind him and Astrid finally let out the breath she didn't know she was holding.
"We need to speak to the Order," Harry swallowed. Astrids legs grew weak and she slowly lowered herself to the floor, she clasped a hand over her mouth tightly and closed her eyes, nodding in agreement.
That weekend Dumbledore allowed Harry and Professor Moody to use the floo in his office to attend a meeting at Grimmauld Place. Astrid stepped out of the fireplace to be greeted by a table full of Order members. She glanced among the faces, some smiling softly at her, some sternly staring her way, her fathers face was not among them.
"Astrid, Harry," Sirius greeted us from the head of the table, "Come, sit," Sirius motioned to the two empty chairs on his right-hand side. Harry and Astrid walked nervously to their seats, feeling the stares of the other members on them as they did. Astrid plonked herself down in the chair, a nervous sigh escaping her lips. Tonks took Astrids hands in her and gave it a reassuring squeeze, Astrid was glad to be sat next to one of the more approachable members of the Order.
"Where's my father?" Astrid asked, searching down the table again for her father's face, as if she could have missed him the first time.
"He's up north, on Order business," Remus informed the young woman from the other side of Tonks. Astrid nodded, understanding. He had been away on Order business most of her young life.
"So straight to it then, what's the situation at Hogwarts? Harry?" Sirius asked his god son.
"Where do I start?" Harry joked awkwardly, he ran his fingers over the scar on his left hand, 'I must not tell lies' still faintly legible. Harry looked to Astrid worriedly.
"Professor Umbridge has taken over the school, she's using medieval torture tactics in detention, using black quills on students! She's assessing and firing staff members, altering the curriculum. She's denying the return of you know who and punishing anyone who speaks out in belief," Astrid told the order. "Look at Harrys hand!" She exclaimed, grabbing Harry's wrist and holding up for all to see. Sirius' eyes grew said as he saw the scar that permanently marked his god son's skin.
"That is barbaric," Molly spoke with great worry, "Has she done this to my babies?"
"No, Ron, Ginny, the twins they are fine, but with the way she's snowballing their time will come," Astrid told the woman sadly.
"She's a nasty piece of work that Umbridge," A man she recognised as Kingsley Shacklebolt chirped up.
"She and the ministry believe Dumbledore is teaching the students to rise up against the Ministry, she thinks he's brainwashing them all," Arthur informed the Order.
"Until we can prove with undeniable proof you know who is back there is no way to remove her or diminish her power, Dumbledore said it himself," Remus interjected, the table fell silent, frustrated that they had their hands tied behind their back. Harry decided he needed to get something off his chest to Astrids dismay.
"Astrid had a run in with Draco's dad," Harry told the table, "I just happened to be there to stop it,"
"Harry, I was handling it," Astrid muttered to the boy, unimpressed with his hero act. "It was no big deal, I wasn't in any danger," she announced to the table, she didn't want them thinking her weak, or incapable of helping herself.
"No big deal? Did he threaten you?" Sirius questioned, narrowing his eyes.
"No, yes, I don't recall," Astrid had tried her hardest to forget the happenings of that afternoon in her classroom. "I just remember… he tried to kiss me," Astrid cringed, as she remembered how she kissed him back just for a few moments, despite her disgust a blush still crept onto the young lady's face.
Sirius' face twisted as she spoke, Molly screwed up her nose at the thought of Lucius putting his hands on the girl. "And when I rejected him… he was very cruel, he said things, told me to take care, I think it was a threat," Astrid told the table.
"Why on earth did he try to kiss you?" Remus questioned, not realising he spoke his thoughts aloud.
"Have you seen our dear Astrid?" Molly spoke up from next to Arthur, "She's a beautiful young witch with pureblood, I warned your father you would be desirable to him,"
"He probably thinks you naïve, easy to manipulate against your father and this order," Shacklebolt spoke, rubbing his chin in thought. Just then green fire and sparks emitted from the fireplace, and a black cloaked figure stepped through into the room.
"Snivellus, you're late," Sirius eyed the potions professor disapprovingly.
"I was caught up in a meeting, unless you wanted Dolores Umbridge to join us as well?" Severus scoffed, taking the furthest seat he could from Sirius.
"We were just discussing your pal, Lucius Malfoy," Shacklebolt stated, eyeing up the professor.
"Ah," Severus said simply, leaning onto his elbows and interlocking his fingers. He looked to Astrid, whose face was still scarlet with embarrassment "Malfoy seems to have developed a fascination with our young beautiful professor here," Severus stated, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"Why?" Sirius hissed, "What does he want her for?"
"He will manipulate her, use her to extract information about the order," Remus said, agreeing with Shacklebolt theory.
"No," Snape's deep voice cut through the air like a knife, "He knows the girl knows nothing, is told nothing, she holds no strategic value to him… he wants her as a play thing, an escape from his boring marriage," Astrid instantly was hit with a wave of nausea, her stomach flipping violently. Tonks squeezed her hand and eyed her sympathetically. She closed her eyes and shook her head, not wanting to hear any of this.
"What a disgusting excuse of a man if I ever get a chance to lay my-" Molly started, balling her fists rather tightly for a woman as gentle as she.
"His… infatuation opens an opportunity," Severus announced. Astrid opened her eyes, peaking a look at Professor Snape as he eyed her darkly.
"And what opportunity is that?" Sirius asked, leaning back in his chair, an uneasy, sceptical look plastered on his face.
"To get another on the inside," The potions professor stated. "Lucius does not divulge everything to me, he knows more, he is the dark lords right hand man, an opportunity has presented itself… to insert a spy into the life of Lucius Malfoy," Severus didn't need to explain the details, everyone in the room read between the lines and their faces screwed up in unison at the idea Severus was suggesting, "A spy he will disclose his deepest darkest secrets to, even wise men are fools when in love," Severus finished. How ironic, the man she was meant to be spying on was wanting her to spy on another, Astrid thought to herself, trying to take some humour from the proposal, if only her father was here, Astrid would have given anything to see his reaction to Snapes words.
"That is out of the question," Sirius's voice boomed over the worried chatter of the order members.
"You have to admit Sirius, it's a good plan," Shacklebolt sighed.
"No, don't even think about it, we are not sending that girl into the vipers nest!" Molly shouted above everyone. Astrid shrunk back into her chair and watched the chaos unfold around her.
"It is acceptable for me to risk my life as a spy in the dark lords circle, but not her?" Snape spat.
"You signed up for that! And only after you joined the death eaters by choice Severus," Remus yelled, his hand hovering over his pocket ready to pull out his wand.
"You think she is strong enough for that kind of mission?!" Arthur questioned, "Her father will not allow it,"
"She is strong enough, mentally, physically, magically, you doubt Alastor's raising of her?" Severus' words erupted the table into a shouting match. Astrid took a deep breath, gritted her teeth and jumped up from her chair, slamming her hands down onto the table as hard as she could and shouted:
"Everybody be quiet!" Her outburst brought everyone to silence instantly, she took a sharp intake of breath and eyed every member around the table before settling her eyes on Severus. "I will do it,"
Meanwhile… out of the city and in the countryside a glow emitted from the drawing room of Malfoy Manor. A thin, almost skeletal figure sat in an arm chair by the comfort of a roaring fire.
"Have you secured the girl?" The voice spoke in almost a whisper. Lucius Malfoy stepped out of the shadows and into the glow of the fire, bowing his head he lowered his eyes to the ornate rug that clothed the cold wooden floor, he spotted the coiled body of a large snake at the foot of the chair, sending a slight shiver down Lucius' back.
"Regrettably… not yet My Lord, but I am close," Lucius spoke lowly. The ghost like figure sighed disapprovingly.
"We need her Lucius, she is our way into the order," Lucius nodded along as the voice spoke.
"You doubt Severus' loyalty, My Lord?" Lucius questioned carefully.
"No," breathed the figure, "I doubt the orders trust in him, they are keeping Severus at arm's reach, keeping him from the information we need,"
"Of course, they will have their suspicions, my lord," Lucius agreed.
"I have complete faith in you Lucius, you will melt and mould her, have her eating out the palm of your hand, now go, your wasting time," The voice chastised the blonde man,
"Yes of course, I will take my leave, thank you, My Lord," Lucius spoke softly and backed out of the room.
"Whatever it takes Lucius," The raspy voice whispered. Lucius glanced once last time through the open double doors at the figure in the arm chair before apparating from sight.
So this is something I've been working on on my wattpad and AO3 whilst I dealt with mental blockage on Wild Flower, it was only supposed to be a little play about and not for publishing but here we are, please let me know your thoughts, criticisms (constructive) and ideas, thanks as always for reading!