Price of Peace

Chapter Fifteen

Unhinged

Malfoy Manor

Lucius sat alone in the dark. The new elf had tried to light the fires and candles a while ago, but he had sent her away, rather violently. Now he regretted not allowing the fire to be lit because there was a chill in the air. He couldn't be bothered to light it himself or summon the elf back into the room. Just another thing, he mused, that was really Narcissa's fault. Had she not released his staff he would be warm. They were smart enough to return and do their jobs unlike the new one.

Nothing had gone right today, which was the cause of his foul mood. He had gone to the Ministry again, to insist that they leave his son on the rolls of Hogwarts. He was told that in the end that would be up to the Headmaster and the Governors however without proof the boy was alive they doubted the school would hold his place.

He had then once again gone to the Governors who had insisted that the boy would not be attending, even if he was somehow still alive, he wouldn't be returning. He was either hidden so completely that there was sign of him, or he was dead. They like the Ministry leaned toward the second answer not believing the boy could be hidden so completely, however either way the was no chance he would be returning.

Lucius may have broken a few things on the way out of the office, including the noses of three of the men who had agreed to meet him. They swore they would have him arrested, but he wasn't worried he had enough pull in the Ministry. No, he was angered that they dared to threaten him! Then they removed him from the list of Governors. They said he was unstable. He scoffed at the idea. They would be begging for him back soon enough.

He had considered going to Dumbledore and demanding answers, but he had heard the rumors. The last time he had seen the older wizard was over a year ago now. No one seemed to see him on a regular basis. Still, if anyone could give him answers on how Narcissa managed to hide his son, it was Dumbledore. Well, Snape would be the best option, but he was missing along with his wife.

He growled into the dark grate, angered again over the thought of it all before he stormed out of the room, intent on finding the house elf and demanding she do her job. As simple minded as she was, she certainly could manage that much. His uncharitable thoughts on house elves aside, he also needed to get to Hogwarts, because the more he thought about it, the more he realized the Professors were likely all involved in this whole thing. How else could she hide so well, unless they knew exactly where she was and were reporting otherwise?

He stormed around the Manor in search of the elf, intent on taking his rage out on the poor thing when there was a knock on the door. Annoyed that she hadn't bothered to answer it, Lucius yanked the door open to find a team of Aurors waiting on the other side. He frowned in their direction before stepping back. "It's a bit late in the evening, isn't it?" he smirked at them.

"I'm afraid the time is irrelevant." Shacklebolt frowned as they entered. "We are here to bring you into the Ministry."

" Don't be ridiculous." Lucius scoffed at the idea. Clearly those idiots had contacted the Ministry after all, as if they had the right to question him!

"I am afraid you haven't a choice in the matter Mr. Malfoy. We have an official order."

"I will have your job for this." He said snidely, even as they drug him away.

Ministry of Magic

Auror's Office

Kingsley had a headache. Alastor promised to handle the questioning of Lucius Malfoy since he had managed to miss the arrest. Moody had been after Malfoy since the war, convinced Malfoy had been in You Know Who's inner circle, but hadn't been able to find anything to prove it. Malfoy had been pegged as a Death Eater, but had given some sob story about being controlled, which was impossible to disprove. Adding in the man's youth and the Ministry was inclined to believe him despite Moody's protests.

So, Kingsley knew Moody had it out for the man, but on the other hand they did have proof of his behavior tonight. All three Governors were surprisingly willing to file complaints against him, something that had always been a problem before. Alastor was positively gleeful as he prepared to go into the room to speak to the man who had been harassing them all for weeks to locate his son.

Kingsley did wonder if perhaps Dumbledore knew what had become of the boy and his mother. From what he could gather it was entirely possible she had taken the boy and fled. However, it seemed just as likely he had done something to them and was trying to cover it up. He decided to ask the man if he knew anything about it after they cleared up this mess as he followed Alastor into the room silently.

Lucius Malfoy sat in the chair waiting for the with an air of impatience, as if he was busy and they were simply running late on a meeting instead of arresting him on multiple charges. Alastor scoffed at the man before he sat down across from him. "You can not possibly think you will be walking away from this Malfoy. You may be as slippery as an eel, but you seem to have used up your goodwill with the Ministry."

"Please do not embarrass yourself Moody, we both know I will be home tomorrow at the latest." Malfoy scoffed.

"Not this time. You may have managed to convince everyone you were innocent when it came to your master, however no one is believing you weren't completely yourself when you attacked the school governors today. They are insistent that we bring charges, as is the school. Minister Fudge would not cross Dumbledore even for you. Not if he wants to retain the man's aide." Moody said practically crowing with delight. "Just make this easy on yourself and wave the trial."

"I think I'll take my chances. No one is fool enough to attempt to send me to Azkaban over a simple argument." Malfoy scoffed.

"Argument?" Kingsley interrupted, "Two men were sent to St Mungalo's."

"An overreaction, I'm sure." Malfoy waved away.

" This conversation is pointless." Moody stood as he waved for the guards to take Malfoy away. "If you are insisting on carrying on with a trial then we shall see you there."

"You cannot expect that I will stay here overnight!" Lucius demanded.

"Where else would you stay? Azkaban?" Moody shot over his shoulder as the two aurors left the room.

Hogsmeade

Three Days Later

Kingsley met with Dumbledore after the trial in the Hogshead. Dumbledore insisted on the more rundown tavern in town as usual. Kingsley knew the owner was a member of the Order having seen him in meetings, so he assumed that was the reasoning behind the choice.

It certainly wasn't the welcoming atmosphere, the bartender seemed to completely despise Dumbledore, or the prices which always seemed twice as high when Dumbledore was around. Kingsley waited patiently for the drinks to arrive before he began. "I assume you heard about the Malfoy trial?"

"I did. I am afraid I felt I should abstain from the vote as a conflict of interests were involved." Dumbledore said calmly as he sipped his tea.

"Of course, I did want to ask you a question if I may? It would never have to go further than you and I." Kingsley nervously took a sip of his own ale while he waited for Dumbledore's response.

"You may ask, though I cannot promise to answer." Dumbledore sat back calmly, folding his hands in front of him as he often did in his office to give the air of gentle authority in an attempt to soften his words.

"Do you know what became of the Malfoys? The wife and child?" Kingsley pressed forward, he wanted answers and was attempting not to be intimidated by the older man. He recognized the tactic, a warning to not ask too many questions.

"I have suspicions" Dumbledore answered carefully, notably relaxing when nothing about the Boy or the mess that surrounded him was coming into question.

"Do they live?" Kingsley was honestly afraid of the answer. He didn't want any harm to have come to them of course, but the evidence was not in their favor. Somehow not one, but two future students had disappeared so completely that they were either dead or hidden by powerful magic. He hoped that the second boy was hidden by whatever spell had hidden the first.

"…Yes." Dumbledore hesitated to answer. He didn't want this to circle back to Harry. Somehow, he had already lost the loyalty of two members of the Order once they met Edward Elric and he refused to give up anymore. As it stood, he was considering the possibility of sending in another spy but was uncertain who would be the best choice. Someone who was unwaveringly loyal to him. Perhaps a bit slow witted would be best.

"Was the father involved in the disappearance?" Kingsley needed to know. Should he manage to find a way to prove Malfoy's involvement, he could get the man put away for longer which would work in the Order's favor. You Know Who was gone, but as long as his group had agents walking free the people would never truly be safe from him.

"…No."

"Do you know who was?" Kingsley wilted, disappointed and relieved at the same time.

"Yes, but I will not say." Dumbledore said shortly, tired already of the conversation. Sitting in the bar was beginning to bother him. His brother would not serve him anything other than water or tea, even if he attempted to order it, but the smell of alcohol was getting under his skin. He needed to be free of the conversation and hopefully slip away to the next closest village for a couple of hours before anyone noticed his absence.

"Are they safe then" Kingsley asked hopefully, though his goal of locking Malfoy away forever was not aided by the conversation he was still happy to learn the child was unharmed.

"I hope they are but cannot know." Dumbledore frowned, fidgeting with his cup and trying to end the conversation naturally. "What was the sentence? I haven't asked yet."

"Four years, in Azkaban." Kingsley frowned. Clearly the conversation was over as far as Dumbledore was concerned. Dumbledore nodded, already halfway out of his chair.

"If I were to write Severus, would he know how to pass on word? I know he's the boy's godfather." Kingsley asked before Dumbledore could go further than the edge of their table.

"I wouldn't know. Though that may be the best option. I'm afraid I must be going; I have a rather busy schedule today." Dumbledore nodded as he walked away, already thinking about the best place to go where no one would look for him.

Kingsley frowned as he watched the man disappear through the front door, before nodding at the bartender. He briefly considered asking the other man if Dumbledore seemed off to him as well, but Kingsley was newer to the Order, and despite the bartender's obvious distain he didn't trust the man would keep his questioning to himself.

With a sigh he made his way out to the edge of town, at least he confirmed the boy was indeed alive and probably safe. He would write Severus and hope the man would respond, or at least pass on the information. Then, it was time to move on from this search before he ruined his own career with it, since wherever they were, they were safe and free from Malfoy.

Undisclosed Location

He overheard that Lucius Malfoy had been sent to Azkaban, and nearly jumped for joy. Yet another of his Master's lieutenants gone. It improved his own position once he was able to locate either the Dark Lord or the Boy, whichever proved to be an easier feat.

He still had time then. He was beginning to worry one of the others would make a move before he was given the chance, now he could relax and begin the next stage of his plan. For now, he would continue to wait and watch.

He had hoped to slip into an Order meeting earlier this week but was caught just outside the door before he could sneak inside. No one suspected anything still, which was a relief. It would be a shame to have to find a new hiding place now. He had truly lucked out to have managed to hide under the Order's nose this long.

He had started back up the stairs, ready to sleep for a few hours before finding something to eat, when he overheard the next part of the conversation, and his blood ran cold. Someone was once again attempting to speak to the Prisoner. Should they manage it… his cover could be compromised! He felt the edges of panic begin as his mind raced, before the next sentence made him relax once more. The request had been denied. For now, at least, the risk was minimal.