Lucius really did not have any destination in mind when he set off from his family's tent. Sometimes he did like to just walk. He enjoyed the time that he spent with Narcissa and Draco, but sometimes it was good to have time alone to just think.
Something had to be done about that Muggle at the gate. He needed to be taught a lesson. He needed to be put back in his proper place. No one, especially a filthy Muggle, got away with insulting Lucius Malfoy and his family. Lucius refused to tolerate and accept being so disrespected. He was better than that.
The Ministry had truly only been asking for trouble when they had come up with the "brilliant" idea of making wizards and witches interact with a stupid, ignorant Muggle. Did the Ministry truly believe that having a Muggle call every wizard and witch a "weirdo" would encourage the Wizarding World to be more tolerant and accepting of the Muggle World and its inhabitants?
As Lucius was walking, he unsurprisingly (considering how much time he spent at the Ministry) caught sight of many people that he knew or had at the very least seen before. Most of them nodded politely at him (even though he knew they didn't really like him), as none of them wanted to risk offending him.
Lucius smirked to himself. It was always good to know that his fellow wizards and witches still realized that he was one to be respected and feared.
Among the people that Lucius noticed was the Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt. Lucius could not help but sneer slightly when he saw how Muggle Shacklebolt looked. Shacklebolt, after all, was a Pureblood; and by dressing like a Muggle, he was disgracing his kind.
It truly was a shame that Shacklebolt was friendly with Muggle lovers like Dumbledore, as Shacklebolt was known for being an excellent duelist and strategist, along with also being cunning and resourceful.
Shacklebolt noticed that Lucius was looking at him. Both men exchanged polite, diplomatic nods before continuing on their separate ways.
The next person that Lucius caught sight of was Ludo Bagman. Lucius sped up his pace as quickly as he dared without losing his dignity. Lucius knew that Bagman was a fool with gambling problems, and he had tried to approach Lucius before for money, insisting that he would be able to find a way to pay Lucius back. Well, that was a laugh. Bagman never paid anyone back, and he was nothing but a moronic fool.
One would only have to go to Azkaban and talk to Rookwood to realize just how idiotic and gullible Bagman was. He had clearly taken way too many Bludgers to the head, even though Lucius truly believed that it would be safe to say that Bagman had lacked sense even before he had first gotten on a broomstick.
Fortunately for Lucius, Bagman was too busy taking with a group of witches (all of whom he was clearly flirting with) that he didn't notice the blond-haired wizard.
Not long afterwards, Lucius caught sight of Barty Crouch Sr., who had unsurprisingly followed perfectly the rule of dressing like a Muggle. Yes, Barty Crouch Sr. was very good at following the rules.
It truly was a shame that the same could not be said of his son.
Lucius began to make his way towards the other wizard, but Crouch Disapparated very suddenly.
Always the busybody, Lucius thought to himself with a slight smirk. No wonder he didn't notice what his son was up to until it was too late.
Lucius then noticed another familiar figure walking just a few feet ahead of him.
"Macnair," Lucius greeted.
Macnair stopped and turned. "Lucius," he greeted back. He then looked around. "I thought you were here with your family."
"I am," Lucius confirmed, "but I needed to take a little walk."
"Well, as much I like your wife and son," Macnair responded, "I'm glad to see that you are alone. There's something I was hoping to get the chance to talk to you about."
"Lucius, Macnair," a man's voice spoke.
"Avery," Lucius greeted with a curt nod of his head.
Macnair also nodded his head at their former Death Eater comrade.
"Can you believe the Ministry?" Avery said angrily. "A Muggle. They have a Muggle here."
"That's what I wanted to talk to Lucius about," Macnair commented.
"Well, you're not the only one, Macnair," Nott's voice spoke.
Lucius, Macnair, and Avery turned to look as Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkinson approached them.
Mr. Parkinson shifted uncomfortably. He was the only one among them who had never been a Death Eater.
"I think I'll return to your tent, Lucius," Parkinson spoke, "to go get Pansy and my wife."
Lucius nodded his head at the other man.
The group of former Death Eaters watched as Parkinson walked off.
"I'm surprised by you, Lucius," Avery spoke in a rather loud voice. "Aren't you planning on doing anything about that Muggle?"
"Why don't you go ahead and shout that for everyone to hear?" Lucius hissed in a dangerously low voice. "In case you haven't noticed, Crouch is here, and he would like nothing more than to get another chance to send all of us to Azkaban. And there are also several Aurors here, including Kingsley Shacklebolt. He may be still new, but he is no fool and he is not one to be taken lightly."
"You're always been a cautious one, Lucius," Nott remarked, "even though I can't help but wonder if you're afraid."
Lucius had to struggle not to pull out his wand and curse the other man.
"There's no one at the Ministry that scares me, Nott," Lucius sneered. "And weren't you the one who wet your pants when the Aurors came to question you after the Dark Lord's fall?"
"I didn't wet my pants," Nott snapped.
"That's not what I heard," Lucius smirked.
The other gathered Death Eaters snickered slightly.
Lucius had to resist the temptation to roll his eyes. How easily they turned on each other. How quick they were to laugh at the misfortune of their fellow comrades.
Then again, loyalty had never been a strong Slytherin or Pureblood trait. If stabbing someone in the back was what was required to get ahead or to save your own skin, then so be it. Loyalty only lasted for as long as it was profitable.
"Enough of this nonsense," Lucius snarled. "We all did what was necessary when the Dark Lord fell. We could hardly continue his noble work, after all, if we were in Azkaban. So, to answer your inquiry, Avery, yes, I intend to do something about that Muggle. The Ministry must learn to accept that Muggles have no place in our world."
"What are you planning on doing, Lucius?" Avery asked excitingly, drawing closer to the blond-haired wizard along with the rest of the former Death Eaters.
"What am I planning on doing?" Lucius inquired. "What about the rest of you? Aren't the rest of you going to do something about the Muggle as well? Or are all of you the ones that are really afraid? Are you all big words but no action?"
"We're with you, Lucius," Macnair spoke. "You know how far I'm willing to go to make a point. What is your plan?"
Lucius smirked. "We're going to show the Ministry that they are not in much in control as they have deceived themselves into believing."
Lucius then began to lay out some of his thoughts.
"I take my words from earlier back, Lucius," Nott said. "What you're suggesting is so bold."
"Does that mean you won't be joining us, Nott?" Lucius sneered.
"No, of course not," Nott said quickly. "I'm in. I want to put that Muggle in his rightful place."
Lucius suddenly noticed a familiar man approaching them from over Nott's shoulder.
"I'm afraid, gentlemen, that we're going to have to continue this conversation later," Lucius drawled. Then, in a louder voice, "Fudge, how are you?"
"I'm doing very well, Lucius, thank you," the Minister of Magic smiled. "I'm very excited about this match." He then nodded his head at the rest of the gathered wizards.
"I was told you wanted to see me, Lucius," Fudge then said. "What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to talk about my recent donation to St. Mungo's," Lucius replied. "I think it would be a good idea if we went there personally, so that I can make sure that my money is put to its best use. I really feel like an important institution like St. Mungo's deserves some personal attention."
"Of course, of course," Fudge responded. "I shall make time in my schedule to go to St. Mungo's with you."
"Good," Lucius returned. "Thank you for taking the time to speak to me on this matter. I won't keep you anymore. I know that you have many important things to do before the match starts."
"Indeed I do," Fudge said. "Crouch is probably looking for me. I shall see you later in the Top Box, Lucius."
"I'm looking forward to it," Lucius smiled warmly.
Fudge nodded his head at all of them before walking off.
"Smooth as always, Lucius," Macnair grinned. "Shall we meet you at your tent after the match to start our celebrations?"
"That sounds good to me," Lucius smirked.