Author: enchanted nightingale

Beta Reader: pussycatadamah

Timeline: Book 4, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Pairs: Harry/Lucius

Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I merely use them in my plot for fun.

Chapter 34 – Taking about Intentions

Albus could only stare at Severus, his Potions Master stood on front of him. The office was quiet and the Headmaster felt a headache building.

"Severus... I... This is big."

The dark haired wizard dipped his head slightly in a nod.

The Headmaster continued staring at the man who had delivered the news of Voldemort's defeat. It was so sudden and so underwhelming and overwhelming at the same time. In the end it apparently took a so called 'Slytherin' approach to counter the problem of the Dark Lord.

"You and Lucius Malfoy poisoned Tom," Albus repeated, hoping that saying it aloud would make it easier to believe. "Since he got a body back you have been systematically opposing him. Frankly, I expected this from you and I'm happy for all the steps you took to stop Voldemort from rising to full power but I would have never thought that Malfoy would back you up in this."

"Circumstances changed," was Severus' stiff reply.

"Is this change of heart connected to Lucius Malfoy's divorce to his wife?" Albus inquired. "Because I had no idea you and he were so close."

The expression on Snape's face was so comical that Albus realised his blunder easily. It was the pure disbelief and bordering disgust that made the Headmaster's answer easy to receive.

"That's a no, I believe," Dumbledore mildly mused.

"Don't mention it. Ever again."

"Still, if Lucius did not change his spots for you..."

"I'm not answering that one, Headmaster," Severus replied. "If you wish to know more about the plan, then I'm in your disposal. Otherwise..."

The Floo flared and Sirius Black's face appeared at the flames.

"Albus!" he called out, making the Headmaster and Snape turn and face him.

"Sirius, what happened?" Dumbledore asked, noticing how frantic the last male Black was.

Snape stood a few paces behind the blue eyed wizard, waiting to hear the reason the mutt had disturbed them.

"It's Harry," the dog Animagus said.

"Yes, he has a birthday party today," Albus mused.

"Forget about the party Albus! He collapsed, scar bleeding and everything! We called Poppy..."

Albus and Severus shared a look with each other.

"Sirius," Dumbledore said. "Step back. Severus and I are coming through..."

"Use a Portkey," Sirius told him, "The emergency one I gave you. Floos been weird since the last storm."

"We are coming," Albus told him.

With one last nod Sirius' face disappeared from the flames and the white bearded wizard turned to the Potions Master.

"Severus, are you coming?" he asked the younger wizard.

Snape nodded and watched as Dumbledore produced a Portkey, the figurine of a small dog. Severus had no time to show his disgust at this when he scrambled to touch the trinket as Dumbledore spoke the password that activated it.

"Poodle Cave," Albus said with a straight face and any other day Snape would have found it funny, not that day though.

They arrived to a cottage and a vast backyard filled with green and colourful, exotic flowers. There were decorations that betrayed a birthday party had been taking place. The food and drinks were all under charms to stay cool and fresh. The guests were thinning out as they arrived, taking Portkeys to leave the island. Severus caught sight of most Gryffindor's, a number of Hufflepuff's and Ravenclaw's yet not one Slytherin, though he knew Harry had invited Draco. The Weasley's were all over the place, Longbottom, his grandmother and Granger as well. The werewolf was the first to notice them and called for them, earning them the attention of all loitering wizards and witches. Lupin jogged up to them.

"You're here, good," he said. "Siri is at Harry's side with Poppy. We moved him to the terrace, on a couch."

They could see from their spot where they were supposed to go so they followed with long strides.

"Albus!" Poppy seemed surprised to see him and then her eyes fell on Severus. "Good, you're here as well. I need a bit of help. I've run every diagnostic I could remember on him yet I cannot find why the scar started bleeding." She turned to the teen. "Mister Potter, Harry, are you feeling any better? Did your headache abate?"

Severus watched as Potter struggled to sit up, insisting he was feeling OK. It was a battle of wills between the teen and the medi-witch and Harry won, earning Snape's eternal debt over the fact that he got a healer to back down. He was allowed to sit up and got the glass of water he wanted.

"I'm better now, honestly Sirius," the teen told his godfather.

"We were worried," the dog Animagus told him.

"And I believe I may have a reason as to why this happened with Harry's scar," Albus said. "Severus brought to my attention some wonderful news."

Snape shifted under the brunt of so many curious eyes. He absently noticed that Longbottom and his grandmother were close by, ready to hear what Dumbledore had to say.

"There is reason to believe that the Dark Lord is well and truly dead," Albus announced and Harry's eyes went wide.

"I thought he already was," Augusta Longbottom commented.

"He got a body back, Gran," Neville said. His voice was timid but he did not stutter or look away. "Just after the Third Task. Only difference was that he did not get his hands on Harry."

"Well spoken," Albus commented. "And to our luck, he was not strong enough to maintain the body and with a bit of help from some unexpected friends..."

Sirius snorted. "You mean Snape and Malfoy."

Albus blinked. "Why yes, how did you know, Sirius?"

The Dog Animagus glared at the Potions Master, the man who had known about his godson and Malfoy before he and Remus had a clue. "Lucky guess. Sorry to interrupt, sir."

"That's alright," Albus replied.

Meanwhile, the Weasley's, most prominently Arthur and Molly heard the news but Bill beat them to it.

"So, Voldemort is truly gone?" the Curse Breaker asked.

Dumbledore seemed to hesitate for a moment before he offered a wide grin and nodded. "It seems so, my boy."

"Hopefully for good this time," Arthur Weasley commented.

"Well, does this mean I can just stand now?" Harry asked them. "Lying down like this is annoying and it's supposed to be a party."

"Most of the guests are gone, you know," Bill told the green eyed teen.

"Are you staying?" Sirius asked Dumbledore. "There are plenty of sweets."

"Well... I suppose I have time for a piece of cake..." the Headmaster mused.

Poppy Pomfrey was instantly alert. "Albus! No more than the one piece. I'm serious! You need to watch your blood sugar!"

"Bleeding you said?" Lucius asked.

They were at Malfoy Manor again. They had been meeting in Lucius' study more than ever before lately and usually it was to plot something. This time was no different. It was hours since Snape had returned to Britain and the first thing he did was relay to Lucius the news from Dumbledore and the man's boyfriend.

The dark haired wizard nodded at Lucius words. "He was. They called Poppy from Hogwarts not wanting to chance a healer. No one wanted this leaked to the press."

"I should visit," the blond wizard commented, not hiding his worry about the teen.

"You'll have time," the Potions Master stated. "Dumbledore wants to talk to you, gauge your reaction to the Dark Lord being dead and probably grill you about your intentions."

"Still recruiting?" Lucius said with a bit of disgust slipping in his voice.

Severus shrugged. "Did Bones want anything more than a statement?"

"Not really. The Unspeakable's have the body, trying to determine whether it really is the Dark Lord." Lucius sighed. "I hope they get this over soon."

"Did the other Death Eaters meet with him? Do they know he's dead?"

Lucius lifted his sleeve in reply. There was a Dark Mark there, still. But it was so pale, like a tanned skin. It was certainly more faded than the last time Voldemort disappeared.

"Have you checked your Mark?" the blond asked Snape.

"There has not been enough time," the dark haired wizard replied. He eyed the indentation on Lucius' arm. "This is odd."

"What do you think this means?"

"I'm not sure," the Potions Master admitted.

"But Dumbledore might," Lucius guessed.

Snape nodded. "You need to meet with him."

"And get interrogated."

"And read between the lines," Snape corrected. "The old man is crafty with words. It is difficult for me to outright confront him but..."

"I'm in a position equal to his," Lucius mused. "He will listen and answer my questions, even if to use me and find out what I know."

"He hates not knowing and right now, your involvement with taking the Dark Lord down has thrown him for a loop," Severus commented.

"When?" Lucius asked.

"Tomorrow," Snape offered. He arched an eyebrow. "Are you planning to visit Potter? All that bouncing back and forth with Port Keys can't be good."

"I'll see you tomorrow at Hogwarts," Lucius said and Snape sighed.

The house was empty, the last of the guests and Harry's friends were gone. Remus had finally convinced Poppy to leave, assuring her that between himself and Sirius Harry would be taken care of and that should anything new come up, they would call her. Magic helped clean up the place as the two adults took turns cleaning up and keeping company to the teen. When Lucius arrived it was to the front door and Sirius was there, looking tired but calm.

"Oh," the Black Lord said. "You."

Lucius barely held back from rolling his eyes but his lips did curl into a sneer. It was a natural response really. Neither wizard liked the other and in front of Harry neither of them would make a scene. This meant that behind the green eyed teen's back they were free to detest each other, glare and be snide to their hearts' content, never coming down to the point where spells were exchanged but close enough.

"I'm here for Harry, Black."

Sirius glared. "He's asleep."

"Is he? I'm going upstairs anyway..."

"No need to, we have this handled," the dog Animagus told the blond wizard.

Right on the dot, Remus arrived.

"Lucius," he greeted the Malfoy wizard. "He was telling the truth. Harry did fall asleep but he just woke and wanted something to eat so I came to get him a sandwich. You can take this to him," he gestured at the plate in his hands. "And Sirius, don't start. He might hear you."

Both men stepped down.

Then Lucius took the plate from Remus and left the pair. He knew the way to Harry's room. He found the green eyed wizard on the bed, covered by a sheet and looking bored out of his mind. It was enough to make the blond smirk. It was cute, how the teen was glaring at the wall opposite from him. He knew Harry hated being thought less than capable and that he probably wanted to get out of bed. He was also willing to bet that Harry was complying with the medi-witch's orders to avoid angering the woman and worrying the werewolf and the ex convict. Harry's sullen look rapidly changed as soon as he saw the older wizard.

"Lucius!"

"Bad time?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Get in here! And that sandwich... I've never been happier to see you."

"I came to keep you company and wish you a happy birthday."

"If you killed Voldemort then congratulations, best birthday gift ever," the Gryffindor teen quipped.

Lucius smiled and walked over to Harry's side. He bent and kissed Harry's lips even as he noticed with worry that the scar seemed faded, much like his skull and snake tattoo. He filed it away in his mind for the future and focused on his cranky, hungry and bored lover, asking questions about the party and answering Harry's questions about what he and Severus had done to take down the Dark Lord until the green eyed teen curled up against Lucius' side.

"Can you stay?" the youth asked.

"I have to be back to Scotland by morning, I'm meeting with Dumbledore at Hogwarts before nine," Lucius said.

"And Siri might have a stroke if he sees you here."

Lucius grinned, unable to help himself.

"I saw that," Harry muttered.

"Sorry."

"Liar. But that's fine," the teen said. "Can you come one day, stay longer too?"

"I'll make it happen," Lucius promised. "Everything for you." He touched Harry's skin and felt the magic tingling.

Harry offered him a smile. "Ten more minutes?"

Lucius nodded. He would cuddle with his temptation for ten more minutes.

Dumbledore's office was clustered with knick knacks. The portraits were all forcibly asleep, the only way the aged Headmaster could ensure their silence and discretion and the one demand Lucius had made before walking up to the man's office where Dumbledore and Snape were waiting for him. Albus had offered tea but that offer had been turned down as the former Slytherin had not been in the mood for games. He had wanted to know about one thing only, whether the Unspeakable's and Bones, and thus Dumbledore by extension, were sure that he and Snape had finished Voldemort off for good. Harry's happiness and wellbeing depended on this. So when it seemed to Lucius that the old wizard was stalling, he hardened his face and asked the burning question.

"Now, let's talk about the Dark Lord," Lucius said. "There was no pulse and the poisons were quite powerful but he cheated death fourteen years ago. I want to be sure. It's my neck hanging on this, Dumbledore."

"Call him by his true name, my boy..."

"I'm not your boy, Dumbledore and I'll call that... wizard whatever I want," Lucius sneered.

Albus sighed. "What is it that you want to know Lucius?"

"Is the Dark Lord truly dead and gone?" the blond wizard demanded, making Snape stare at him.

End of chapter.