Chapter 24 It's in the Blood
No. It wasn't possible, Lucius thought. He must be seeing things. The Dark Lord was dead.
Granted, Lucius and Narcissa had fled Hogwarts before he died, but they knew the end was coming for him. And if not, if by some miracle Voldemort survived, then they weren't going to stick around. Lucius and Draco had fallen out of favor with Voldemort and everyone knew it. They were going to take Draco and hide if need be. It was time they considered what following the Dark Lord would mean for Draco. Their ambitions had put them all in danger and they wanted out.
But he had fallen, and that evening, several Death Eaters came by, on the run, looking for a place to hide. Lucius turned them all away. He was washing his hands of everything. He knew in the cold light of day they would scrutinize him and his family for their relationship with the fallen wizard. His wealth would protect them, to a point, but he knew it would be best if they left Malfoy Manor.
Euphemia Rowle came to them in the wee hours of the morning with an infant girl sleeping in her arms. She shockingly informed them the child was their niece and she needed a place to raise her. Delphini was the infant daughter of the Dark Lord and Bellatrix. Her birth had been a closely held secret to protect her. Now, she was an orphan, and the Malfoys wanted no part of bringing her up. They allowed Euphemia to stay at the Manor while they moved elsewhere, and paid her a fee to watch the girl. They promised to make two trips a year to ensure her care was sufficient, but otherwise, they had no interest in her.
Delphini stood before Lucius with her father at her elbow. It was not possible. Nearly two decades had passed. Lucius had found true peace and he relished in it. Some might say he had softened in his old age, but he had found happiness away from his old life. He wanted no part in what stood before him.
"I see I have rendered you speechless," Voldemort said. "Delphini, you were right. I think we surprised him."
Lucius swallowed hard. "You died."
"I did, didn't I? But that doesn't mean I can't come back. My daughter needs her father. What fun we all shall have together."
"But how? How is this possible?" Lucius pulled up his left sleeve. When Voldemort died, his tattoo faded until it was barely visible on his pale skin. Yet another sign the Dark Lord was no more. It faded more with each passing year until it was no longer visible. He glanced down and found his forearm was pale and smooth. The mark was still gone. He held his emotions in check. If it was possible Voldemort could return… No, he couldn't allow that. He had to stop them.
He started with surprise when he heard the sound of shattering glass. He turned his ear towards the basement dungeon. Yes, the sound came from down there.
He looked at Delphini with his brows arched in his imperious manner. "You have company?"
"Yes," Delphini replied. "Harry Potter."