31st August 1997
Lucius strode across the lobby of the Ministry with as much confidence as he could muster, hoping that the sneer and the swagger would deter awkward questions: from those of the original staff who still remained and who knew that he had been sentenced to a term in Azkaban which had yet to end; from his fellow Death Eaters who knew the Dark Lord preferred to keep his disgraced servant on hand at the Manor; from officious lackeys who might demand proof of his Magic. He entered the lift without incident, but aware of the sheen of nervous sweat covering his body.
He just hoped that Percy was still working in the same office, despite the fact that his boss had changed. He hoped that Thicknesse had kept on Scrimgeour's staff. He looked through the glass paneled door to the anteroom where Percy's desk had once been.
A middle-aged witch sat where Percy should have been. She was engrossed in cross-referencing two thick, leather-bound journals, so Lucius stepped back smartly before she noticed him. His stomach clenched. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he opened them again and cautiously began walking along the corridor, peering into every room he passed. He was running out of time; he did not know when his Lord would return to the Manor, expecting to find him there. He ran a hand through his long hair, which he knew was not as sleek as it once had been.
Then he saw him. He saw the back of him as he emerged from a room several yards ahead. Lucius' heart jumped and for a moment he froze. He gazed on that long, slim back and the freckled neck above it. Fortunately his catatonia was brief. Then he said, "Percy," just loud enough to be heard, but not loud enough to attract anyone's attention but his lover's.
Percy turned. Then it was his turn to stare, shocked, for a few moments, before he hurried towards Lucius.
"Where have you been? What happened? You didn't come back. Are you allowed to be here?"
"Is there somewhere we can talk? Just briefly?"
Percy sighed. "You have to hurry away again I suppose?"
"Please?"
Percy grabbed hold of Lucius' sleeve and pulled him sideways into a cupboard. The space was small and they ended up pressed together. Percy looked as though he was going to speak as he closed the door on them, but then he sighed and Lucius felt warm, moist lips against his own dry, cracked ones. He kissed back enthusiastically and relief swamped him for a few moments. Then Percy pulled back and rested his forehead on Lucius' shoulder for a while, before casting Lumos.
"So?" Percy asked.
"I was obliged to lend my master my wand."
"I see."
"I have been unable to leave the Manor. I can't Apparate, of course, but the Floo network is being monitored, too."
"I thought you were going to come back."
"So did I, my dear. I promise you that was my intention. It took me so long to find out where you were living, only to be rendered incapable of visiting the place again."
"How long do you have?"
"I don't know. Look, my love, this will not last. I am working hard to prove myself to those in authority. I am not at present in a position to recommend you to anyone, but I will be. When all this is over I promise that I will be back in power. Together we will be a force to be reckoned with."
"But will we be together?"
"Oh yes. Undoubtedly. We will command our own leisure time again, and we will spend it making sweet love. Have faith."
"I have faith."
"I have to go now. One last kiss before I go?"
"You know you don't have to ask."