Chapter 20: Malfoy Manor, a dark supper, and a trip home.

Friday, May 3rd, 2019

Lucius Malfoy quickly stood from the desk in his study, opened one of the French doors leading to the veranda, and stepped outside for some fresh air. After the - what did they call it again, a "vi-day-oh" at the Hogwartian's Ball - he thought, he was a nervous wreck. He let out a hesitant sigh, left the veranda, and started walking across the grounds toward the gazebo. Mid-way, he paused, and with a shaky hand, he withdrew a flask from the inside of his robes, which he took a long pull of Ol' Ogden's from, before he screwed the cap back on.

Once seated inside the gazebo, Lucius tried calming his nerves, as he looked out over the grounds, and at the garden, where he enjoyed watching his white peafowl strutting about. Here, though, flashes of that vi-day-oh, along with the music from it, flew through his mind, in memories, making him shudder. He knew what the group was, now. They were the ministry's mercenaries, and there was nothing off the table with them. Even the Dark Lord never trained his inner circle like the MDOCS were, and that scared the shite out of him.

The Potter's intelligence group was extremely dangerous, Lucius thought, and they had uncovered many hidden things after the war. Lucius knew that he was lucky, and he knew why, because he had grassed out his old colleagues. His son and wife had helped the young Potter heir, as well, in the end, and now, his son was the bloody Boy-Who-Lived's brother-in-law, and, even worse, his grandson carried the Potter's blood, along with his mother. That did make both of them a powerful witch and wizard, for which he was grudgingly grateful, as he knew their magic had been weakening over the generations. Inbreeding would do that.

What really bothered him, though, was the black letter that he had found laying in the middle of his desk, and upon his leather writing pad. Nobody, inside the manor, had admitted to receiving it, and he knew, without doubt, that Narcissa, Draco, nor Astoria had placed it there. No, he thought that an unknown owl must have made its way inside, but he didn't know how.

The letter was similar to a howler but lower in volume, which was known as a "dark squaller," and no magic, that he knew of, could destroy the blimey thing, since he had tried, so, he only opened it after closing the doors to his study. When the letter was opened, what came from it sounded almost like a children's song, and he could not forget the words, no matter what he tried.

.

.

Got a secret,

Can you keep it?

Swear, this one you'll save.

Better lock it, in your pocket,

Takin' this one to the grave.

If I show you, then I know you,

Won't tell what I said.

'Cause two can keep a secret,

If one of them is dead.

.

Why do you smile,

Like you've been told a secret?

Now you're tellin' lies,

'Cause you have sworn to keep it.

But, no one keeps a secret.

No one keeps a secret.

Why, when we do our darkest deeds,

Do we tell?

They burn in our brains,

Become a living hell.

'Cause everybody tells.

Everyone tells.

.

Got a secret,

Can you keep it?

Swear, this one you'll save.

Better lock it, in your pocket,

Takin' this one to the grave.

If I show you, then I know you,

Won't tell what I said.

'Cause two can keep a secret,

If one of them is dead!

.

.

There was no sender's name, nor seal, and Lucius had wracked his brain while trying to determine who had sent it. He could think of only three sources; a drug and illegal potions cartel, that was run out of Cardiff and Bristol, which he still received money from; the MoM, itself; or the MDOCS. Crabbe and Goyle, the imbeciles that they were, had both worked at the docks in Cardiff and were members of that same cartel. Lucius had been one of the cartel's founders, along with Mallick Mutter, a squib, and it operated between both the muggle and magical worlds.

Lucius had noticed the cocaine bricks in the vi-day-oh, and the markings on the outside. "OO7" was the marking, and Draco had explained the significance of that, which he knew the Potters would take a great insult to. MI-6 would as well, and Lucius knew that the Potters worked with them through Her Majesty's Royal Navy. This was getting too hot to handle, Lucius thought, especially after the Prophet had revealed the bust that happened in Liverpool and Birkenhead that coincided with the one that was run in the US. Lucius had almost honked, after all, during the ball, when he viewed the aftermaths of the US raid.

"Now," Lucius muttered, "what do I do?" Was the letter a threat, he wondered? Would the cartel, the ministry, or the MDOCS invade the manor when he least expected it? He didn't think it would be the ministry, nor the MDOCS, over Draco, his wife, and his grandson. No, he bitterly thought, it was more of a threat from the cartel, which the MDOCS was, most probably, almost ready to bust up. The cartel must know that they're now under investigation, he reasoned.

The more Lucius thought about it, he should probably invite the Potters to Sunday supper, which made his skin crawl, even though they were protecting he and his family, after all. He would tell them of the dark squaller and try to glean any information that they might reveal. Potter traveling to the US, South America, and Spain was his wake-up call, as the young man now rubbed elbows with the main movers and shakers, which was something that Lucius had only dreamed of doing. Fudge was as high as he was ever able to influence.

How wrong he was in his reasoning, though, and if he only knew. Lucius was merely a new pawn in the king's new game since the real king was not Kingsley Shacklebolt, the new minister.


Sunday, May 5th, 2019

It was now two after seven in the evening at Malfoy Manor, where Lucius found himself sitting at the head of the table, with Narcissa to his right, Dame Daphne Potter to his left, and beside her, her husband, Sir Harry Potter, who had more bloody titles than anyone in magical Britain. To the right of Narcissa, was his son, Draco, and beside her was his wife, Astoria, who was, literally, a blood sister, now, to both of the Potters.

Lucius noticed that the two elder Potters wore the very best of clothing after their arrival, for a Sunday supper. Potter wore a black muggle tuxedo, of the finest wool, with a black bow tie, and, Lucius noticed, the black and highly-polished patent leather oxfords he wore. His wife, he noticed, wore a long and flowing light blue silk dress, which was low cut at the neck, but not revealing, and she also wore a very expensive, 7-strand "Festoon," natural white pearl necklace with a silver and diamond clasp from Tiffany & Co., according to what she had told his wife. Potter had it commissioned, and it was an exact copy of one that had been auctioned at Christie's Geneva for $9.8 Million in November 2013. Worse, they had arrived in a very expensive silver-gray muggle auty-mo-bile, that Potter had called "The Beast." Their chauffeur, whom he didn't recognize, was patiently waiting outside. It was, Lucius had to say, a very beautiful horseless carriage, and it was fit for royalty. Worse, it hit him, that the Potters now controlled the rum market in magical Britain, which was something that he had always wanted to control, himself!

While they were dining on their "Top Round Roast," roast beef supper, with "roasties, carrots, and "Yorkies," a black raven sailed into the Malfoy's dining hall, where it quickly dropped another dark squaller, which made Lucius drop his silverware with a clatter, and grimace.

As Lucius looked up at his guests, Draco spoke first.

"What in the bloody hell is that, father?"

"Mind your manners, Draco," Narcissa scolded her son before she glared at Lucius. "Lucius, care to explain?"

"Ahhhhhhhh," Lucius shakily sighed, as he reached out with a trembling hand to pick up the new letter.

"I found one of these, a dark squaller, waiting for me the day before yesterday, after the ball, in my study," Lucius explained. "That was what I wished to ask both Sir Harry and Dame Daphne about."

Before Harry could reply, Daphne laid her hand on his and studied Lucius for a moment before she spoke. "And what did it say?"

Here, Harry gently placed his silverware upon his plate and sat back, as everyone else followed.

"It was..., it sounded like a children's song," Lucius commented, as he looked at everyone at the table, "but it was a dark one." Here, Lucius rattled off the three verses, since he couldn't forget them.

Harry studied Lucius for a moment, with a raised eyebrow, before he spoke. "That sounds like a threat, to be honest."

"Yes, it does," Astoria piped up, sounding worried, as she gripped Draco's hand, who was frowning.

"Lucius," Narcissa hissed, "what have you gotten our family involved in?"

Lucius flinched at her tone before he glanced over at the elder Potters. "I would say that this one will be similar," he said, as he quickly broke the seal. When he did, another song started to play, which put everyone off their Sunday supper.

.

.

There's a reckoning a'comin,

And it burns beyond the grave.

With lead inside my belly,

Cause my soul has lost its way.

Oh, Lazarus, how did your debts get paid?

Oh, Lazarus, were you so afraid?

.

When the fires, when the fires have surrounded you,

With the hounds of hell comin' after you,

I've got blood,

I've got blood on my name.

When the fires, when the fires are consuming you,

And your sacred stars won't be guiding you,

I've got blood,

I've got blood, blood on my name.

.

Not a spell gonna be broken,

With a potion or a priest.

When you're cursed you're always hopin',

That a prophet would be grieved.

Oh, Lazarus, how did your debts get paid?

Oh, Lazarus, were you so afraid?

.

Can't you see I'm sorry?

I will make it worth your while.

I'm made of dead man's money,

You can see it in my smile.

Oh, Lazarus, how did your debts get paid?

Oh, Lazarus, were you so afraid?

.

When the fires, when the fires have surrounded you,

And the whole wide world's comin' after you,

I've got blood,

I've got blood on my name.

When the fires, when the fires are consuming you,

And your sacred stars won't be guiding you,

I've got blood,

I've got blood,

Blood on my name.

.

It won't be long, 'till I'm dead and gone.

It won't be long, 'till I'm dead and gone.

Watch the fires rise, burn through my skin.

Down to the bone, scorchin' my soul,

Nowhere to run.

Nowhere to run.

Nowhere to run.

.

When the fires, when the fires have surrounded you,

With the hounds of hell comin' after you,

I've got blood,

I've got blood on my name.

When the fires, when the fires are consuming you,

And your sacred stars won't be guiding you,

I've got blood,

I've got blood on my name.

.

When the fires, when the fires have surrounded you,

And the whole wide world's comin' after you,

I've got blood,

I've got blood,

Blood on my name!

.

(Next, there was a pause, and the ghostly voice of the letter sang out):

.

Don't ever laugh as a hearse goes by,

For you may be the next to die.

They wrap you up in bloody sheets,

To drop you six feet underneath!

.

They put you in a pinewood box,

And cover you up with dirt and rocks.

It all goes well for about a week,

And then, your coffin begins to leak!

.

And the worms crawl in, the worms crawl out,

The worms play pinochle on your snout.

They eat your eyes, they eat your nose,

As you begin to decompose!

.

A slimy beetle, with demon's eyes,

Chews through your stomach, and out your sides.

Your stomach turns to rancid grease,

And puss pours out like melted cheese.

You spread it on a slice of bread,

And that's what you'll eat when you're dead!

.

And the worms crawl out, the worms crawl in,

The ones that crawl in, are lean and thin.

The ones that crawl out, are fat and stout.

Your eyes fall in, and your hair falls out!

.

Your brain turns into maggot pie,

Your liver starts to liquefy.

And for the living, all is well.

As you sink further into hell!

.

And the flames rise up, to drag you down,

Into the fire, where you will drown.

Your skin melts off, as you descend,

And Satan tears you limb from limb,

Your suffering will never end!

.

And the worms crawl in, the worms crawl out,

They'll eat your guts, and then shite them out.

And when your bones begin to rot,

The worms remain, but you do not!

.

So, don't ever laugh as a hearse goes by,

For someday, you'll be the one to die.

And when Death brings, his cold despair,

Ask yourself, "Will anyone care?"

.

.

Two things happened at once, as Draco exclaimed, "Fuck me," just as Narcissa, with a quiet whimper, fainted, and collapsed against Daphne, who was now standing and walking about, which caused Astoria to scream. Here, Draco quickly stood, and called out, "Dinky!"

"Yes, Master," Dinky asked, as the elf gazed around at the entire scene.

"Dinky," Draco ordered, "bring us all a very stiff Gin and Tonic, and use the Beefeater London Dry."

"Yes, Master," Dinky replied before apparating away.

"Mother?" Draco questioned, but noticed that she was just coming around after Daphne had quickly used the Reenervate spell, and was slightly patting Narcissa's right cheek with her fingers to bring her around. Lucius was staring at his plate, while Harry was still studying the man with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, dear," Narcissa muttered, as she tried to right herself.

"Hold your head down, and take a deep breath, Narcissa," Daphne stated, as she patted the elderly woman on the shoulder. Daphne's instructions, the elder witch followed. After Narcissa had somewhat recovered, she shot a glare at Lucius, which promised a very bad ending that night. Before she could say anything, though, Dinky was handing her a glass of gin, which she took a large gulp of.

Here, Harry stood, himself, and started pacing alongside the table. After his second pass, he stopped, and lay his hand on Daphne's shoulder, before he addressed Lucius.

"We know about Mallick Mutter and his associates, Lucius," Harry stated, "and have since the end of the war."

"Oh," Lucius replied with a low and hollow voice before he winced.

"Yes," Daphne said, "but we allowed it to keep going, as we needed contacts in the black market. I've had my team investigating them, you see, and they have crossed the line by pushing muggle drugs into our society."

"Lucius!" Narcissa scolded, making her husband wince, again.

"I have no control over that," Lucius muttered.

"No, you don't," Harry said, as he took his seat. "However, they know that you know, and they're afraid of what you may let drop."

Here, Lucius, shakily, picked up his Gin and Tonic and downed half in one go. Finally, he placed both elbows upon the table, surprising his wife, son, and his younger wife. Next, he placed his face in his hands, shook his head, and sighed out. "What do you want me to do, Po - Sir Harry?"

"Here," Harry said, as he removed a long and thin box from his jacket, and floated it across the table to Lucius. "Put that on. It's an emergency portkey that can pass through wards. If anyone shows up, unexpectedly, gather Narcissa, Draco, and Astoria to you, and state the trigger word, which is, 'Lord Help Me.'"

Lucius nodded and opened the box. Inside was a tasteless and cheap, gold-plated, men's bracelet, which had been engraved with the Initials "L. M.."

"We'll be sending Bill and Fleur Weasley by tomorrow to add some of our wards," Daphne said, which made the elder Malfoys flinch while knowing that they couldn't do anything about it. Draco, they both heard, chortled.


Out of the gates of Malfoy Manor drove a long, silver, 1933 Duesenberg Model SJ, extended Town Car. After it made a left at the end of the drive, which was sided by high hedges, the automobile built up speed, disappeared, and went airborne.

Daphne lay her head on Harry's shoulder and sighed out. "That bloody bird couldn't wait to the end of supper."

Here, Harry chortled. "That was Morgana, I believe."

"I swear," Daphne complained, "I should have never allowed Jimmie to raise that nest of ravens. Smart, though they be, they only answer to he and Goodnight."

"You know our son, dear," Harry said, as he kissed the top of Daphne's head, "Jimmie loves a good joke."

"But, I'm still hungry!" Daphne exclaimed.

"What about having Ernie to take us someplace nice," Harry said, "once we reach Exeter, or eat after we get home?"

"I know where," Daphne said, "let's go to Bill's Exeter."

"Close by the Royal Albert Memorial Museum on Gandy Street?" Harry asked.

"That's the one," Daphne chirped. "I like the atmosphere, there."

So, a late supper it was, then.


A/N: The three songs are:

Secret

Blood On My Name

The Hearse Song

The playlist, Lucius, is at: youtube dot com forward slash playlist?list=PLAed9m_G6uj9JMo0Akkur7uo5qDAzL83D