The Unviable Duty

"But why ME?"

If only my eyes would turn red instead of grey for the moment. I was always partial to my eye colour for everybody found it unmistakably suitable for my personality. But now was not the time to decide the right colour for my eyes. A huge part of my brains were still trying to figure what this mad man, with blonde hair, standing in front of me was saying.

Lucius Malfoy sighed impatiently. Can't blame him. I already asked this question at least a dozen times till now. He seemed as if he'll stomp his feet and start jumping up and down as if a five year old has been denied his favourite flavour of ice-cream.

The rest of the people around us watched the scene, amused. It was after a long time that they were seeing the father and son together. Added to that the topic being discussed at the precise moment itself held their interest. They were waiting to hear my answer hoping it would be positive.

Hell no!

The moment he had entered the Manor I got the signal. A series of problematic trouble will start any moment soon when he'll be back to business. But nothing implied my participation in it.

Now that I think of it, there was one sign of it. Entering the Manor, Lucius gave a brief glance to every object and human body present in the hall. But the longest glance he gave was to a handsome, tall, pale boy standing in front of him looking at him with shock and fear who was also supposedly his son. (Did I mention it before? I love addressing myself in third person.)

I had absolutely no idea what was going on in the cunning mind of his as he stared at me. Nor did anyone around me, who also noticed him scrutinizing at me. But no one dared to ask.

A few minutes later, we were all toasting him in the celebration of having him back home amongst us. The discussion that followed was of all the day-to-day activities by his mates and the current affairs of the wizarding world. But all these news fell into deaf ears I noticed. He wasn't paying any attention to what they were saying although he nodded and replied in one word when possible. Mother noticed his behaviour him too. But unlike me, she wasn't surprised or curious. She was (I hope I saw right.) a bit fearful and it was with a great attempt that she put her food into her mouth.

What was going on?

It was only after everyone had finished and had their champagne that he diverted his interest to me and looked at me with a smirk (Oh no! Red alert!). Then he addressed to everyone as he held his glass of champagne.

"My dear mates. I find it genuinely difficult to express my happiness in returning back to my home amongst you all. Twelve months in Azkaban has been exceedingly a torture. Everyday when I opened my eyes I would thinking of the warmth and comfort of my house and feel terrible about it. But life in Azkaban has not been a total waste after all. I got," he stood up and started walking around the table, "my own sweet time and space to think of a proper way to get my revenge for my then condition and defeat at the hands of the Order of the Phoenix." He paused and watched as everyone glanced at each other knowingly. "I see that this is no surprise to you that I plan to take my revenge. But how? How do I that when the Ministry has informed me of them watching each and every step of mine even after my release? How will I defend my Pride and Honour which I lost in the face of the public in the Battle of Hogwarts?"

Everyone looked at each other as if they had been hit with a realisation; they had never thought of that before. The Aurors would be surely guarding everyone from the Order in case of a surprise attack from the Ex-Death Eaters. Also half the people in this room are on the run and did not appear for the trial as there was a hundred percent guarantee that they would have been given a lifetime sentence in Azkaban.

Lucius laughed. He was expecting the response.

"You all look as if we now have a huge problem amongst us. Do you think I am that stupid that I would care less of what the Ministry would do? Of course not. A plan has been made." He looked triumphantly around the room. "Based on all the necessary precautions and cunningness I have decided how best to divert their attention from our plans for revenge.

"You see, many strong contenders for the post of the leader, other than the Dark Lord of course, have met their fate in the War. So all who is left is me. And I suppose I deserve to be the leader?" He asked questioningly. Everyone nodded in approval. "But of course, that is obvious. But not only for us. Even the Ministry is aware of the fact that I have the highest possibility of being the recruiter. So what to do? Remove myself from the post? NO! But if," He said more softly, "I recruit I become the leader but a puppet should recruit and carry out the orders of mine as if I am the Advisor and He is the king. But now the main question arises. Who will be that puppet?"

He looked around for a response. Everyone was watching him intently following his words. All were looking calm and modest but inside all these bastards were hoping that their name would be called. But the next words nearly gave me a heart attack and made my mind go blank.

"Draco Malfoy.

"Draco this will be the last time I am explaining to you. You are the last person they will suspect and you also have the cleanest record. Added to that, you are very young to be considered a Recruiter. But we have chosen you to camouflage my role and actions. You don't have to do much but carry out my orders."

Lucius' voice brought me out of my reverie. I realized that we were still debating on my duty. I tried to retort again.

"But-"

"No more buts." He said sternly. "You must understand that you have been honoured with a very important duty and post. On the contrary you should be delighted about it. I have to say I am very disappointed with your response. I expected better. Nevertheless, I am giving you a choice. You may take my offer and meet me tomorrow at breakfast to inform that you have accepted it. Or else you may simple reject it and never show me your face and I too will gladly forget that you are my son. Good night. You may retire to your room."

There was a note of dismissal in his voice. He wished to hear no more. I looked at him helplessly but he returned only a cold stare. Feeling more frustrated than ever, I stood up and walked out of the dining hall wishing more than ever that he should have never returned.