Interlude VI

"Why couldn't you have told us earlier?" Molly asked desperately. "We could-"

She cut herself off with a sob, beginning to shake again.

Albus felt tears prickle in his own eyes as Arthur comforted his distraught wife.

In a way, Albus knew that this meeting was far more painful than his upcoming conversation with Xenophilius would be.

This was partially due to the more personal relationship he had with the Weasleys, but that was not all of it. Not all of it by half.

"It wouldn't have helped," Arthur said suddenly, his voice as thick and choked as his wife's. "We've been suspecting something like this for a while, dear. We just refused to admit how bad it could be."

Molly fluttered against Arthur's arms like a leaf in the wind, every one of her weeping cries cutting deep into Albus' heart.

Much of this, he knew, was his fault. Hogwarts was meant to be a safe haven for students, a place where they would suffer none of the ills that unfortunately awaited many of them in their adulthood.

Hogwarts was meant to be warm, comfortable, and loving; a place for children to be nurtured, to grow and learn and discover who they were and who they wanted to be.

It had been none of those things for the Weasley's only daughter.

First the Diary incident, where Ginny had been possessed by what Albus now knew to be a shard of Voldemort's soul.

For nearly an entire year, the girl had been manipulated by one of the darkest and most depraved pieces of magic Albus could think of.

If that had been all, Albus still would have felt a failure.

But that wasn't all.

It had happened before, cases of sexual assault at Hogwarts. As much as he wished it were not so, it would probably happen again in the future.

There was a very low rate of occurrence, true, but even a case every five years was unacceptable

And here was a situation worse than any that had occurred since he had become headmaster, at least as far as he knew.

Here was a girl who had felt that she had no-one to confide in, no-one to tell that she required help.

Here was a girl who had felt that she had no recourse but to use dark magic to commit murder, in order to rescue herself from a terrible situation.

After that, Crouch had stepped in, another failure to be laid at Albus' feet.

Yes, the girl had chosen her path, all the way along she had been given opportunities to change the direction of her life.

But Albus should have done more. As headmaster, it was his duty to ensure that the students were safe and protected and given room to grow in a healthy environment.

And he had failed.

"I understand your reasoning," Molly said, clearly making an incredible effort to speak evenly. "But we still deserved to know. We're her-her parents! We deserved to be told, you should have-"

Again, Molly's anguish rose, choking and interrupting her.

"I truly am sorry," Albus said, "I wish that I could have done something different. I wish that there had been more options available to me."

"You should have told us!" She cried, "How could you have kept this from us? We-Ginny-she-"

Albus shook his head sadly as another throe silenced her.

Now was not the time for him to explain himself or to attempt reason. That time would come, he knew, but it was not the present. Now was the time for him to simply be there for the people he had failed so badly, as he had failed so many others.

"I am sorry," he whispered, "So very sorry."

"Would it have helped," Arthur asked, clearing his throat and rubbing at his face, "if we'd told you we were worried about her two years ago? If-if we had spoken to the Lovegood girl, would it have helped? Could-could we have avoided this?"

"It is not your fault," Albus said sharply, "You must not allow guilt to plague you. If the blame falls on anyone besides Voldemort, it is I."

A part of him was hoping for them to cry out that he was wrong, that it was not his fault.

They did not.

"The Diary-"

"You checked her," Molly sobbed, "You said that there were none of the enchantments left!"

"I was unable to see the damage that had already been caused, not without possibly causing further issues. I was naively optimistic. I should have worried more."

Arthur shook his head, seeming at a loss for words.

There was a series of gentle knocks on his office door, and a moment later, Minerva stepped in.

Albus couldn't recall seeing her as shaken as she was now. Her eyes were distinctly damp and her face pale, her usual sternness absent.

"Albus," she said softly, "the Aurors will be arriving shortly."

At her announcement, Molly's weeping grew louder, the terrible sound of despair tearing at Albus' heartstrings.

"Arthur, Molly," he said, standing up, "I am afraid we will have to postpone the rest of our conversation. I believe a Calming Draught is in order before you are interviewed. Minerva will accompany you."

Nodding grimly, Minerva walked up to the pair and placed a hand on Molly's shoulder, speaking in a quiet, gentle tone.

"We will meet again soon," Albus promised. "And whatever help I can give, anything I can do, I promise, I will."

Harry sat in the armchair, staring straight ahead and trying to shake off the numbness.

The past four days, since it had happened, had been some of the worst he could remember, even worse than the time following Voldemort's return.

He hadn't slept more than a few hours at a time since then, and when he had, he'd revisited Hogsmeade over and over again, seeing that green light wipe the life from Luna.

His waking hours were no better. He had been in an almost dreamlike daze most of the time since it happened, feeling like he was just watching a video of himself going about his day.

The short bursts where the numbness wasn't present were almost as bad, with sudden rages or black depression coating him from nowhere.

He knew that his mood changes should worry him. It wasn't normal, that much he was sure of.

He knew that he should be talking to someone about them, that he should at least tell someone what was going on.

He just couldn't work up the energy.

Besides, even if he could tell someone, there wasn't anyone available.

Since the summer holidays, Harry had become quite used to confiding in Ginny. That, obviously, wasn't an option any longer.

Ron had barely been around the last few days, and when he had, Harry hadn't heard him say more than a few words.

Almost every time Harry had seen him since it had happened, Ron had been with Fred and George, the three of them with thunderous faces. Either with them or, much like Harry was doing, just staring into space with a lost and confused expression.

Even if Harry had been given the chance, he didn't think he would have been able to talk to Ron about it.

Hermione was suffering as well, though it wasn't quite the same as he and Ron. He'd tried explaining what he was feeling to her, but whenever he'd opened his mouth he'd seen Luna's accusing eyes, the way she'd looked just after the Killing Curse had hit her.

With the mail being searched and the Floo patrolled, talking to Sirius was out of the question.

Dumbledore had barely been around, and when he had, he'd given Harry no more than a glance.

McGonagall had actually tried to talk to him. He'd tried to respond, but the same way as he couldn't with Hermione, he found himself unable to talk to her.

In his desperation, Harry would even have tried to talk to Snape during Occlumency.

Well, he might have, if Snape had been around.

The day after Valentine's, Snape had vanished.

And he hadn't been back since.

All Potions classes had been cancelled to the joy of everyone besides the Slytherins.

Harry couldn't quite feel the curiosity that had filled him so often before. He did wonder if Voldemort had figured out that Snape really was on Dumbledore's side, it just didn't give him that burning need for the truth that questions so often had in the past.

It felt, like almost everything lately, as if he had been wrapped in thick cloth and his emotions were happening somewhere on the outside.

He'd even debated going to Madam Pomfrey to discuss the numbness, but had decided against it.

After Hogsmeade, he'd been taken to the Hospital Wing. It had been there that he'd recounted the story while Madam Pomfrey looked over him. And it had been there that Luna's body was brought.

He'd caught a glimpse of her face when her body had been levitated to one of the private rooms; for a moment, the sheet covering her had slipped.

Her eyes had been empty and dull, but they were staring at him accusingly all the same.

Luna was dead, all because of him. Because he'd been stupid enough to get hit with a Body-Bind, because he'd been weak enough to let Ginny drag him all the way up to the Hog's Head.

Someone stepped up to him and he spun, drawing his wand and jumping from the armchair.

For a moment, Ginny's face was before him.

He came within an inch of casting a spell before the image dissipated, revealing a pale-faced, wide-eyed Hermione standing there with arms spread and empty.

"Harry," she frantically said, "Harry, it's me, its-"

"Sorry," he muttered, dropping back into the chair but still keeping a tight grip on his wand.

"Harry," she said softly as she pulled up a chair of her own, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he said, harsher than he had meant.

Based on Hermione's expression, she didn't believe him at all.

"You need to talk about it," she urged, "Harry, if you keep bottling everything up...I'm worried about you. Ron at least talks to Fred and George. You-you were there. She tricked you. You need to talk about it."

Unbidden, Ginny's voice sounded in his ears, Ginny as she'd been when they were in Grimmauld Place.

'You should talk about it. After my first year, I spoke to McGonagall about what happened. It helped. You need to get it out.'

Ginny had sounded sincere, she'd been someone he trusted, someone he could bare himself to in a way that he never could with Hermione or Ron.

And it had all been a lie.

'Are you crazy? This is Hermione!'

Still, he couldn't force himself to speak. When he tried, his tongue cleaved to his throat.

He just nodded.

She stared at him for a while with a sad expression before saying and asking: "Have you been practising Occlumency? Maybe it could help…"

He nodded again, ignoring the tiny twinge of guilt his lying caused.

"I've been thinking," Hermione said. "About the DA. I don't think we should use the Galleons anymore. Ginny might have hers, and then they'd know-"

"I don't think we should carry it on."

Hermione stared at him in befuddlement, her mouth hanging open.

"You don't...why?"

"It's stupid! We're like-like kids, playing at being soldiers! They all think that the great Harry Potter, the great Boy Who Lived," his lips twisted into a sneer at the name, venomous scorn dripping from his word, "is teaching them how to fight Death Eaters, and they're-they're going to take what I teach them and they're going to die! It's all useless! There's no point!"

"Oh, Harry," she said softly, shaking her head and looking distraught. "It's better than nothing."

"No, it isn't!"

He stood up, barely aware of what he was doing, sudden tears making Hermione's face shimmer.

"Luna thought she could fight! She-she tried, because I made her think that she could fight! She tried, and she died!"

"It's not your fault," Hermione said, "You can't-"

"IT'S USELESS!" he bellowed, not caring in the least that everyone else in the Common Room was staring at him.

"It is not," Hermione hissed as she moved closer to him, gripping his arm tight "Harry, they might have to fight whether they want to or not! It's better that they know something, even if it isn't enough! It's better, Harry!"

In his mind, he saw Luna again, waving her wand and trying to save his life while he lay helpless on the ground.

'It's all useless. There's no point!'

He tore himself free of Hermione's grip and fled, running out of the Common Room with the memory of Luna's yells sounding in his ears.

Sirius sighed as Arthur entered the sitting room, rubbing his forehead with a grimace.

He hadn't expected them to just carry on like nothing had happened, true. They had suffered a great shock, not to mention the intensity of the emotions they must have been experiencing. He hadn't expected them to just carry on, but he also hadn't expected Arthur to arrive with the numb, aloof expressions of someone taking regular Calming Draughts.

Not that he could blame him. If it had been him, he would definitely have turned to something to make everything manageable.

He sighed again, glancing momentarily at the half-empty glass in his hand.

The brandy helped, but it was certainly hypocritical of him to worry about Arthur looking for liquid courage with the amount he drank.

He drained the glass in one sip and wordlessly refilled it with a tap of his wand, idly wondering whether Remus was going to berate him again.

Remus was certainly right; he shouldn't be walking into Order meetings with anything but a clear head.

And yet, Sirius was quite sure that if he had to sit through many more of Snape's snide comments he would absolutely lose his mind.

It was bad enough that he had to rely on other people to tell him how Harry was doing; listening to Snape, of all people, talk about James' son as if he were an arrogant, useless slob, made Sirius wish that he could just curse the git again.

Although, if Harry didn't remember about that damn mirror soon, Snape wouldn't be the only one getting cursed.

The door opened and one of the people he'd been waiting for walked in.

"Minerva," he called, her first name still feeling odd on his lips, "good to see you."

"And you as well," she replied, walking toward him.

From close-up, he could see the fresh wrinkles and age lines on her face, how she looked older and more tired than he'd ever seen her.

'You're not the only one under stress,' he reminded himself, 'Idiot!'

"Is everyone here?" She asked.

"Mostly. Still waiting for Bill and Dumbledore."

"Molly and Arthur…" she asked, letting the unspoken question hang on the edge of her sentence.

"Arthur's here," he sighed, "Calming Draughts, if I had to guess. He's very out of things."

Minerva nodded sadly, terrible grief crossing her face for an instant before her usual resolve blotted it out.

"I will have a word with him," she said. "We can't allow them to sink into it. They still have children to care for, even if there were no other considerations."

He exhaled slowly, bringing the glass up to his lips again.

It was terrible, brutal, and unfair, but Arthur and Molly couldn't just stop their Order work. The Order was short-handed enough as it was, and even with Arthur taking a leave of absence from work and a possible Auror investigation surrounding him and his wife, every person helped.

"How's Harry?" He asked, smacking his lips and lowering the glass.

Minerva shook her head, not meeting his eyes.

"He's struggling," she said frankly, "If I had to guess, he's barely been sleeping. He seems very upset. I don't know, Sirius. He's exceptionally angry and hurting badly. I tried to get him to talk, but he's...not very responsive."

"Does he talk to his friends?"

"Granger says that he doesn't. I had her in my office the other day, she says that she's been trying to get through to him with no success. Weasley, Ron, he's been spending much of his time with the twins. He's not avoiding Harry, but if he talks about his feelings, it's with his brothers, not Harry."

Sirius winced, mentally berating himself.

He'd been so focused on Harry, he hadn't thought about what his godson's best friend was going through.

"How are they holding up?"

"Terribly. If it wasn't their respective OWL and NEWT years, I would advise them to leave school for a time."

She looked around for a moment, dropping her voice.

"There was an incident this morning. A Slytherin seventh year was found beaten within an inch of his life, and had various hexes applied to him. There were no witnesses, but a portrait of Serena Moon hangs just around the corner. She heard the student mentioning someone's sister, but did not hear names. That is all we know."

"Can't say I blame them-"

"Don't be stupid," she hissed. "Poppy will wake him tomorrow, and what will happen if he names his assailants? They'll be lucky if they don't have charges laid against them, never mind expulsion!"

"Charges? For a school fight? C'mon-"

"Poppy thought the boy might have to be taken to St Mungo's. And, may I remind you, the twins are both of age. We can only hope that the boy is too frightened of them to finger them, or that he is too dazed to recall what happened."

"If it's a Slytherin," Sirius said, hating what he was about to suggest. "Can't Snape talk to him? Maybe-"

Minerva's face dropped, the worry lines on her forehead cutting Sirius off as easily as if she had Silenced him. He just stared at her for a minute, trying to find his tongue in a dry mouth.

"He's still not back?" He whispered.

"No. Albus managed to convince Horace to take the job for the moment, but it was a very close call. Albus says that he is still alive, but…" Her face fluttered for a moment, terrible, uncharacteristic fear showing. "The Ministry almost put someone else in, another one of their paper-pushers. It's been bad, Sirius. Albus acts calm, but he's barely managed to retain his position at Hogwarts. The Ministry is putting a lot of pressure on the Governors, and if they convince the Board..."

He shook his head wordlessly, anxiety gnawing at him.

"I would like a chance to speak with Arthur before the meeting begins," Minerva said with a gesture to the sitting room. "If you don't mind?"

"Wait. Minerva, could you tell Harry something for me? Just-tell him to remember the gift I gave him."

She stared at him, face unreadable.

"What gift?"

"It's just a two-way mirror. I have the other one. So that I can talk to him. Or at least try."

A suspicious dampness glistening in her eyes, Minerva nodded, her voice as strong as usual.

"I will tell him."

"Harry? Are you awake?"

From behind the curtains of his bed, Harry grunted.

Hermione sighed heavily, walking further into the gloomy room with Ron just behind her.

It was the middle of the day, and Harry was lying in bed with the curtains drawn and the lights out, blocked away from the world.

"I'm going to let some light in," She warned, a moment before pulling open the drapes.

The curtains around Harry's bed suddenly opened, revealing him sitting there with a thunderous expression.

"What do you want?"

His eyes widened slightly when he took Ron's presence in, a grieving look flickering across his face.

"Just to talk," she said quickly, "Harry, we're worried about you."

"I'm fine-"

"You're fucking well not fine," Ron said harshly, "And that's fine. Just stop pretending like everything's alright, ok? It isn't, and-"

Ron's voice grew thick and he shook his head, muttering: "Nothing's alright."

Harry stared at them, looking like he was either going to burst into tears or start shouting.

"I don't want to talk about it," Harry said, "So just-"

"Tough luck, mate. You don't get to take this harder than me."

Harry winced at Ron's words, his eyes slamming tightly shut.

"You don't understand-"

"So help us understand," she begged, "Please, Harry, you can't keep hiding away!"

"It helps to talk about it," Ron said in a slightly softer tone.

Harry's face grew stony, just for a moment before cracking.

"I trusted her," he said.

"We all did. You weren't wrong to trust her."

His ears bright red, Ron nodded wordlessly, his hands opening and closing.

"I-it seemed so right. And even-even when Snape told me, I barely believed it. And then-I was helpless, I couldn't do anything, and Luna-"

Harry shook his head, tears forming in his eyes.

"I couldn't do anything! I couldn't stop it-I-Luna, she tried to save me, and-"

His voice cracked as he shook his head again.

"She just killed Luna, Luna was just trying to save me, I couldn't do anything, I shouldn't have-"

He broke off, beginning to actually cry, his shoulders shaking.

Before Hermione could do anything, Ron was sitting on the bed beside Harry, his arm over Harry's shoulders.

"It's not your fault," he said, his voice catching. "It's not your fault."

"It's not," Hermione said before Harry could respond, moving to the bed herself and sitting on his other side. "You can't be blamed for what someone else does. It's not your fault."

"I still-Luna was only there because of me, she only tried to fight because of me-"

"And if it had been someone else? Luna had a chance to survive because of you!"

Harry's hands rose to his face, a muttered "no" escaping him, as if to negate the truth of Hermione's words.

"Harry, it's not your fault! It's not!"

"It isn't," Ron added, "it's hers. It's G-Ginny's fault, not yours."

"It was all a lie," Harry whispered, tears making his voice heavy and thick, "I keep-it felt so real, I can't-it was all a lie. It was all just an act. But I still-I still keep thinking that there was something real."

"She fooled everyone," Ron growled. "I-I keep thinking that there must be some mistake, that she must have been under the Imperius or something. But she wasn't. She isn't. She's-she's one of them."

"You feel like if you hide away from everyone you won't have to deal with it," Hermione said, beginning to understand, "And that you won't be betrayed again. Harry, you can't live like that. You just can't."

"Hiding up here won't help you face the world. Stopping the DA won't help our friends survive."

Harry shook his head furiously, snarling: "Luna thought-"

"Luna almost managed to Stun her," Ron said, "Moody said that she even managed to block one of her spells. That's more than she could have done otherwise."

"We're going to carry it on," she said. "Even without you, if we must. But, Harry, you're the only one of us who knows what it's really like. You're the only one of us who has actual experience."

"And it'd be good for you to be doing something," Ron added. "Other than classes. You need something to take your mind off of things. And this way, you could be helping to save lives."

"I'll think about it."

"Harry-"

"I said I'll think about it," he snapped.

"You do that," Ron said, looking furious again, "But it's not fair for you to run away from us. You're not the only one having a hard time, you know. You're not the only one she betrayed."

Fuming, Ron stormed out of the room.

Sirius settled back into his chair, looking around the room and ignoring the growing pit of nervousness in his belly.

Everyone present was muttering to one another, anxiety drawn on their faces.

He was quite sure that, like him, they all at least suspected why it was that Albus had called an emergency meeting.

At their last meeting, two days previously, Albus had been insistent that Snape was still alive. Even so, he'd placed them all on high alert.

No matter how brilliant Snape was, Voldemort would be able to get information from him if he set his mind to it.

Across the table from where he was sitting, Arthur leaned over and whispered something to Kingsley.

As far as Sirius could tell, Arthur was off the Calming Draughts. Sad as it was to see the usually jovial man looking so...broken, it was definitely better for him than to end up addicted to those potions.

If Calming Draughts were taken regularly for long enough, a wizard could end up just like uncle Cygnus, unable to feel any emotions at all.

Beside him, Remus finished whatever he was saying to Bill and started talking to Tonks and Fleur, both of the women looking as wary as everyone else.

"How's your mum?" Sirius asked quietly, leaning closer to Bill.

Bill sighed and shook his head, the dragon's fang earring wobbling dangerously.

His eyes never left his father, Sirius noticed.

"Not great. She's gotten out of bed, at least, but she-I don't know. She smashed our clock yesterday. Ripped Ginny's hand off of it. Then she tried to fix it. Dad had to call me for help."

Sirius winced, the burned spot on the tapestry that had once showed his name flashing before his eyes.

"I'm sorry," he said, "it must be terrible. You holding up alright?"

Bill shrugged, the corners of his mouth tightening.

"As well as can be."

His throat worked, making him look like he wanted to say something.

"My brother was a Death Eater," Sirius said, "it was different for me, obviously, with my parents supporting him. But I know a bit of what it's like. If you want to talk…"

Bill nodded curtly, and may have said something, but the door opened and Dumbledore walked in, looking more tense than Sirius had seen him since James and Lily went into hiding.

Dumbledore strode over to his seat, increasing the fear of everyone around the table when he did not pause to greet them.

He sat, steepled his hands on the table and, with no preamble, announced: "Severus is dead."

Immediately, everyone around the table burst into conversation, quickly falling silent at a gesture from the old wizard.

"How certain are you?" Kingsley asked.

"Absolutely. When Severus first retook his position as a spy, the possibility of Voldemort,"

Almost everyone around the table winced or flinched at the name, but Dumbledore continued blithely on.

"The possibility of Voldemort murdering him was raised. We set in place certain mechanisms whereby I would be informed the moment he ceases to live."

"Can't you do that for the rest of us?" Remus asked.

"Not entirely. It would not have been possible, not without Voldemort being capable of circumventing it, if he were not a Professor of Hogwarts. The specifics do not matter now. What we must concern ourselves with is the fact that we can safely assume Voldemort knows everything Severus knew."

Sirius ignored the strange emotions swirling within him, the uncomfortable mixture of pity, guilt, and schadenfreude.

"Haven't we been working under that assumption since he disappeared?"

Dumbledore nodded to Moody, grimacing slightly.

"Indeed. However, until now, there was always hope that Severus would return. That hope is lost. If Voldemort has a plan, for the moment we have no way of finding it out. We must increase security as much as possible."

He turned to Arthur, softening his voice slightly as he continued.

"Arthur, your family is at the greatest risk. How much longer does Charlie need before he can return?"

"He-he said he has another meeting with Moldoveanu on Tuesday. After that, he's coming home."

"He must be on his watch," Dumbledore warned, "The dragon sanctuary is relatively safe, but it would be an easy target for Death Eaters. Likewise, you must try to alert Percy again, even if he ignores you."

"You can't think that G-Ginny-that she-"

"In the past," Dumbledore answered sadly, "Voldemort had forced his followers to prove their loyalty, to show their dedication. We must assume that he will do so again."

Bill shifted next to Sirius, taking a shuddering breath.

"Alastor," Dumbledore said, "I would like you to devise security questions. The chance of Polyjuice being used is too high. Remus, it is best if you stop your work with the packs. Greyback will know all about you, and he will be spreading the word. Guard duty will have to be changed, I believe in the future we should have teams of two at a time. And we should all avoid being alone in public, except where we have no other choice."

"Teams of two? Albus, we barely have enough for-"

"I am aware," Dumbledore said, overriding Bill's attempt. "But being alone there is too dangerous now. And I do not think we should cede the prophecy to Voldemort. Do you?"

Bill held his gaze for a moment before looking down with the tips of his ears bright red.

"Once we can prove Voldemort's existence," Dumbledore said, "it will be easier. Until then, we must be as careful as we can."

The meeting continued for another twenty minutes before Dumbledore announced that he had to leave before his absence from Hogwarts was noticed.

Sirius hurried after him, catching his arm just before Dumbledore exited the house.

"You need to speak with Harry," he said, "You can't keep him in the dark any longer."

"I know, Sirius," Dumbledore replied wearily. "I know."

"So why haven't you-"

"The connection to Voldemort still very much exists. Even so, I would take the chance. But the Ministry is watching my every move. The Aurors placed at Hogwarts for the investigation spend half their time with Umbridge. I dare not risk it. Not yet. Harry will have to wait another few days."

"Can he?" Sirius demanded, "Can he really? He barely talks, he's struggling, and-"

"I am entirely aware of this," Dumbledore said shortly, "Do not take me for a fool. I am aware of the urgency. But at the moment, I need to ensure that they do not try to arrest me or Harry, and that Voldemort does not strike at us. Another few days, Sirius. The Aurors will be gone within a week. Once they are, I will talk to Harry. I promise."

"But-'"

"I must go," Albus said, pushing open the door, "Already I have tarried too long. Goodnight, Sirius."

"How did you find out about this?" Fudge demanded, standing up in shock.

"I'm sorry, Minister," Lucius replied smoothly, "But you know that I must protect my sources. Suffice it to say that not all at Hogwarts are in Potter's pocket, nor Dumbledore's."

"Surely Draco-"

"My son is no part of this gathering," Lucius said. "But my source feels that some of the students at these meetings were treated...rather unfairly. Unfairly enough for it to fester and explode."

"Galloping Gargoyles," Fudge said, his eyes wider than Galleons. "You mean the Weasley girl-"

"I can say no more than I already have," Lucius said, shifting his weight slightly and letting his pockets jingle. "My source did not wish for the Ministry to find out, and so did not turn to Madam Umbridge. But I knew that this was something you should be told. It is a shame that I discovered this too late to prevent...what already occurred."

"I-thank you, Lucius. You could get an Order of Merlin out of this, if it's what it seems. At least third class."

Lucius held his lips back from curling into the sneer they wanted, forcing a pleased smile onto his face.

Sometimes, he almost wished there was a more competent Minister for Magic, if only so he didn't feel like he was meddling with an infant.

"A most generous offer," he said, placing the slightest hint of emphasis on the word and making his pockets sing once more, "But one I would, regretfully, be forced to refuse. You know how Dumbledore and his ilk view me, Minister. I will draw no more attention to myself then is necessary."

"Yes," Fudge said absently, reading the parchment again, "Yes, that is wise."

Lucius just watched as Fudge read, making no effort to interrupt.

He knew the contents of the document. After all, he had written it himself, taking the information the girl possessed and phrasing it in the best way to rile Fudge up.

He repressed the shiver that tried to arise in him at the memory. The Dark Lord had been staring at him throughout the entire time, wearing that particular expression that told Lucius that he had not been pardoned, but that his punishment had only been pushed off for as long as he was still useful.

Lucius had to admit, he was lucky to be alive. It was during his first private meeting with the Dark Lord after his return that Lucius discovered just how lucky he was.

He could not hide his shiver at that memory. The Dark Lord had been furious, as enraged as when Snape's treachery was discovered, if not more.

Giving the Dark Lord's diary to the girl had been the stupidest thing he had ever done, no question.

'Done is done,' he reminded himself. 'My mistake was believing that he was dead. But I cannot change that, I can only ensure that I remain too useful to be killed out of hand.'

That, Lucius knew, was his only chance of survival. As it was, he'd spent two days blind, deaf and unable to move, all the while suffering excruciating agony when the Dark Lord had punished him.

The pain had not been quite that of the Cruciatus, but it was more than enough for him to know that he would do anything, anything at all to avoid experiencing it again.

But if he played his cards right, he would be able to come out on top.

If he just obeyed his orders to the full and showed how only he could do so, he would not have to face the Dark Lord's fury again.

"Minister, I must get going," he said, making a show of looking at his watch. "Especially if I want to make this donation before the day ends."

"Of course, of course," Fudge said, bounding out of his chair, seizing Lucius' hand and giving it a vigorous shake. "Lucius, I can't thank you enough. With this, we can finally deal with Potter, maybe even Dumbledore as well. Anything I can do, anything at all, just say the word."

He placed a thoughtful expression on his face and stroked at his chin.

"Well," he drawled, "there is one thing...But no, it would be an imposition."

"Not at all! Not at all! What can I help you with?"

"If," he said, carefully modulating his tone, "I could have a few minutes in the records room…I know this is most unorthodox, but one of my cousins is convinced that someone has had his holiday home registered under their name."

"The records room?"

'Yes, you blithering fool.'

He nodded.

"Well," Fudge said, his cheeks coloured, "I don't think anyone has to know that a civilian was allowed in."

Lucius gave his most winning smile.

"Thank you, Minister."

'Granger, Dr and Dr,' he reminded himselfas he followed Fudge out of the office. 'And Percy Weasley. Everything I can find on them.'

Yes, the path forward was clear.

He simply had to do whatever the Dark Lord wanted, with no hesitation.

And he would.