A/N: Clueless is almost entirely a fluffy filler. It introduces one of my side pairings! It switches to Draco/Rial further on. BTW, Rial is pronounced Rye-all. I think you can figure out who the 'clueless' ones are! And thank you to the reviewer who mentioned the bit about the UN, I hadn't thought of it that way.

Chapter Nine- Clueless

Lucius Malfoy stood on the back porch of Malfoy Manor, leaning on the elaborate screen railing. For early November the gardens were still a spectacular riot of fall color. Rich oranges, browns, stubborn dark greens, yellows, pinks. The fragrant fall grasses and the smell of cut grass were more attractive to him than any perfume.

As silver eyes scanned the gardens he reflected quietly on more serious matters. One was the third side mentioned by Rial Black. Sirius Black's heir had hit on the situation perfectly. What he had argued for was exactly what they needed. With people like Albus Dumbledore and James Potter on the Light there was no way Lucius would help them. At the same time, he wished for Draco to avoid the life he'd been forced to lead.

Lucius Alexander Abraxas Malfoy was the epitome of pureblood class and power. He was everything a pureblood Lord was expected to be and more. Perfect control over his expressions, flawless appearance, cultured elegance and refinement defined him. Yet he had done the one thing no pureblood Lord ever did.

Lucius unconditionally loved his heir. Draco was everything he'd been at that age with the vital difference that he had not grown up knowing he would have to serve an insane Dark Lord. Lucius had spoiled his son near-rotten as a child, only realizing the mistake after he started school. Draco was his source of love, laughter and fond memories the past 15 years. To Lucius, the idea of warm-hearted, elegant Draco being forced to serve a half-blood who acted like a pureblood was a thing of disgust, not honor.

He was pulled from his thoughts when a house-elf appeared behind him with a crack. Turning, he smiled. It was Dobby, one of his favorite house elves. Dobby had been given the honor of following around a young Draco and had brought Lucius many amusing stories until the day Draco had turned 10. After that he'd served Narcissa up until her death last summer.

It was a strange coincidence to many that the same dragon pox that had killed his father Abraxas Malfoy had also brought down the lovely Narcissa, formerly a Black. Lucius' enemies had nastily suggested that it wasn't a coincidence at all. Lucius had coldly destroyed that opinion with the acidic comment that he would hardly risk himself or his heir with something as dangerous as dragon pox.

Abraxas' death when he was 20 had been a thing of relief. The elder Lord Malfoy had almost destroyed their family name and respect. What made a young Lucius truly happy about his father's death had been the sense of revenge. For Abraxas had killed Lucius beloved mother, Lady Belladonna Elpis Malfoy.

Belladonna had been an elegant woman of Greek heritage. She had been gentle and sweet and loved Lucius, being far more affectionate toward her son than her Lord. She had never approved of the Dark Lord, though her opinions were kept to quiet teas with her son. Lucius had been 16 when she died. It was said that she had taken a small tumble down the stairs of the North wing. Lucius had been devastated. He'd been brought home from school the day of her funeral and sent back that evening.

Thus Lucius had felt little grief and much bitter satisfaction when his father had died of something as small as a vicious bout of dragon pox. It had taken Lucius 10 years and a marriage to a woman from a well-bred family to restore their name. Lucius nearly shuddered at the last. The marriage between himself and Narcissa Black had been one of convenience and she'd known it. He supposed he'd been lucky about the matter, Narcissa had doted on Draco. She could have been awful toward the child created from duty and not love.

Bringing his thoughts back to Dobby he said, "Do you have a message, Dobby?"

"No sir, your guest is here. He is in the main sitting room."

Lucius blinked. He'd distracted himself enough with his thoughts that he didn't remember whom he'd invited to the Manor. "Describe him, please."

"Brown hair, amber eyes, he is being very kind to Dobby," Lucius nodded.

"Remus Lupin," he said aloud, resisting the urge to grin. "Dobby, have one of the other house elves escort him out here and bring a pot of tea out with a small afternoon snack."

"Dobby is on his way, sir!" the house elf squeaked before disappearing.

I can't believe I almost forgot that I'd invited Remus out here today! He carefully smoothed his expression and went back to gazing out on the gardens. It wouldn't do for Remus to note his uh, acquisitive expression, now would it?

When Severus had mentioned getting Rial's idea out to Remus he'd jumped at the chance. Starting waaay back at the Yule Ball the previous year he'd started taking notice of the shy, intelligent werewolf. Okay, if he was being honest with himself he'd started being rather interested in the lycan after Draco's third year, when Severus had mentioned Draco's appalling behavior toward the professor.

Noting how wary the lycan was towards a great deal of the wizarding world and relationships in general Lucius had moved with his typical and admirable pureblood poise and slowness. Concern for Remus' welfare had caused him to step it up recently after reading about the newest restriction added to the Werewolf Edicts. The Edicts themselves were ridiculous.

Werewolves themselves were not dangerous. What was dangerous was the general wizarding opinion toward them. The prices placed on the Wolfsbane potion and its ingredients made their transformations worse than they already were. Lucius was a firm supporter and financial backer of the LRS, commonly called the Lycanthropy Relief Society. They helped lycans find jobs and afford their potions along with promoting the truth about the magical race to the general public.

Hearing the echo of soft footsteps on the marble floor behind him Lucius turned around. Remus stood just on the beginning of the porch, looking around at the expansive grounds with wide eyes. Very few people knew or realized how large Malfoy Manor was. Fewer still ever would know as Lucius was a firm protector of his family's privacy. What Remus didn't know quite yet was that Lucius intended to add him as part of their family.

Intelligent, expressive eyes met his and Remus said quietly, "I see why you dislike the crowds. Your home is very peaceful."

"Thank you and yes that is one of the reasons why I like to avoid public outings," Lucius replied.

Gesturing to the chairs and the small table he said, "Have a seat, Remus. I know you've probably been kept quite busy recently."

"Only getting busier of late," he murmured, sinking into one of the chairs with a slight sigh. Amber eyes glinted a little as he said, "The latest of the Edicts makes life a great deal more difficult."

Lucius snorted. "The newest Edict is ridiculous, plain and simple. Placing a curfew on those who follow the Registry and Edicts isn't going to solve the problem. Going after Fenrir and his lieutenants is the only way to stop the outbreak of attacks."

Remus' eyes darkened in remembrance as he said, "Going after Fenrir isn't as easy as you might think. He's far more clever and violent than people think. His control over his lieutenants and pack is absolute and unchallenged."

"You spent some time amongst them a few years ago, didn't you?" Lucius asked.

Remus looked at him sharply. After a moment he said, "Yes. I would like to know where you get your information from, as far as I know the only ones present for that meeting were Albus and –"He trailed off, eyes narrowing.

"Severus," Lucius finished with a small smile. As he poured a couple cups of tea he continued smoothly, "My friend tells me a great deal, which I return in like form. My information is mostly topics that come up after he's dismissed at summoning, but sometimes it turns out useful."

Remus was silent through placing a couple cubes of sugar in his otherwise black tea and stirring it to his satisfaction. Lucius noted that he'd received some sort of education on etiquette; he didn't stir roughly enough to make the small spoon clink against the china.

"You had mentioned something Severus brought up," Remus said finally.

"Actually, the idea was Rial's; Severus simply brought it to the attention of Sirius and I. He mentioned forming a third side, one combating the Dark Lord and the prejudices being put forward by the Light."

Remus blinked and thought for a moment. "The idea has merit. I know several people who would be interested in the idea. Rial doesn't act like a child much, does he? His intelligence and logical thinking are phenomenal."

"He has something to prove to himself," Lucius stated.

"What do you mean?"

"Just think about it for a moment. For the first 15 years of his life he was ignored, belittled and blamed for something that was his mother's fault, not his own. He had his magic suppressed and was told he'd never amount to anything. Then he breaks free of the suppression and finally gets to attend his brother's school. The last thing he was about to do was fade under Zachary's limelight like they wanted him to. He is Slytherin through and through, he wants to prove that he's worth the effort."

"You sound like you understand his point of view," Remus commented.

"In a way I do. When I gained control of the Malfoy name and Lordship at age 20 I had to prove to society that I was not going to be the uncouth, arrogant man my father was. It took a great deal of time and persuasion to repair my family's name, along with the marriage to Narcissa, which was entirely arranged. She and I were more friends than spouses. She doted on Draco however, in that I was lucky."

"How so?" Remus asked.

"She knew it was more out of necessity than any actual affection. Still, she could have been awful toward a child borne out of fulfillment to her station than actual love. Instead Draco grew up with two parents who rather spoiled him," Lucius' expression was rueful.

"I didn't realize exactly how much we'd spoiled him up until Severus came and visited me toward the end of his 3rd year. He keeps an eye on Draco and lets me know about any of his behavior problems. At the end of that year Severus told me Draco had been 'less than polite' to one of his teachers."

Lucius looked Remus directly in the eye, holding his gaze as he continued. "I have always been a firm supporter of the lycans and hearing how badly my son acted toward one who was a Professor no less was unacceptable. My family is not made up of the uneducated rabble who believe werewolves are dangerous."

Remus looked away from him. He seemed embarrassed as he said softly, "I have become used to being untrustworthy to most. It doesn't mean that I like it, I've found over the years that I'm rather thin-skinned. I do not like being something people fear."

"Remus," Lucius said softly, drawing the amber gaze to his silver eyes. "You are not some creature. The magical races are a gift, most simply do not appreciate them the way they should. Werewolves are exceptionally powerful and your sense of smell, touch, hearing and eyesight are phenomenal. But you pay a terrible price for those gifts."

After a moment of silence he continued. "I have educated myself somewhat about your kin and I know enough to know that you haven't been taking the Wolfsbane potion. I also know you feel somewhat unwelcome around the rest of your Order. I would like to offer you a place to stay and the potion you require."

Remus' eyes widened and he looked like he was about to protest. Without even thinking about it Lucius placed a finger on his lips to stop him. "I am not doing this out of pity, nor is it any form of trick or plot. I find myself rather lonely in this large place on my own with Draco in school. Quite frankly, Remus, I find you both intriguing and complex and I would appreciate the opportunity to get to know you better."

Remus' amber eyes darkened and he flushed slightly. Turning his face away from Lucius' intense gaze he said, "All right, Lucius. However, if I am any inconvenience to you I want you to say so."

Sitting back in satisfaction Lucius could feel a trademark smirk make its way onto his face as he almost purred, "I highly doubt you will be an inconvenience, Remus Lupin."

Draco Malfoy was sitting in the Great Hall for lunch, chatting quietly to Terry. It was simply amazing how much they had in common. Everything from Quidditch teams to favorite books. The Ravenclaw was much more than his bookish intelligence exterior and was an incredible kisser. They'd shared the previous afternoon in Hogsmede together, walking around the quaint little town before stopping in the Three Broomsticks.

He looked up and down the table a little, momentarily catching dark green eyes with his own. Rial's warm expression flattened as he glared daggers at Terry before turning back to his conversation with Pansy and Theodore. Torian and Blaise sat across from them discussing their Charms essay. Draco frowned, what's Rial's problem? It was highly unlike his fellow Slytherin to act that rude toward anyone but Zachary and his little followers.

Making a decision he said, "Rial, are we going to finish that Charms essay today?"

Flat green eyes stared at him and Rial said coldly, "I already finished it last night while you were," his eyes flicked derisively to Terry, "otherwise occupied. Sorry," the thin-lipped smile said he wasn't really apologizing.

Draco was taken aback at his friend's tone of voice. He was distracted when Terry said at his side with a small smile, "I'll help you finish it, Draco."

Locking grateful eyes with Terry he smiled back and said, "Thank you, Terry. Shall I meet you in the Library after Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

Rial abruptly gathered his things, stood and stalked off. Draco watched with startled eyes as Terry said, "He's very moody, isn't he? And yes, I'd be glad to meet you then. Our usual spot, right?"

Draco gave Terry a distracted smile and a quick kiss on the cheek as he said, "That will be perfect."

Terry smiled and glided off toward the Ravenclaw table. Two seats to his right Pansy gave him a rather disgusted glance.

"What?" he snapped still confused as to Rial's abrupt departure.

She looked him in the eyes for a moment and snorted. "You are so dense sometimes, Draco Malfoy."

Gathering her things she walked off after Rial.

Well that wasn't helpful, he thought in annoyance. Looking toward the Head Table he saw Severus looking in his direction. Shaking his head, the onyx-eyed Professor stood and departed with his usual flare. What's up with everyone today?