A/N: A very short chapter, in which we discover what Orochimaru has been up to since arriving in England.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Harry Potter. Also, any sentences that are the same as in Chamber of Secrets do not belong to me. All dialogue is J.K. Rowling's.

Chapter 2: Lucius Has a Visitor

"Thank you, Borgin, that will be all. Come along, Draco," Lucius Malfoy snapped at his son, who was reaching toward a cabinet in the far corner of the store.

Lucius swept out of Borgin and Burke's like royalty, which he very nearly was. Everyone in the Wizarding Underworld knew of his reputation among the Death Eaters of old, and his wealth and standing gained him legitimacy in even the most aristocratic circles. High or low, there were few wizards that didn't know and respect the name of Lucius Malfoy.

He navigated Knockturn Alley's narrow, cramped streets with the ease of familiarity, Draco by his side.

"That concludes our business here. Is there anything you need for school besides books?"

Draco pursed his lips, thinking.

"I need a new pair of dragonhide gloves. And a broomstick for Quidditch this year," he added, eyes lighting with greed.

"Yes, you'll have the best," Lucius agreed. "It might be wise to make an investment for the Slytherin team this year, as well. It would be a smirch on the honor of Slytherin House if you lost to Gryffindor… again."

"I'll be on the team this year, sir. We won't lose!"

"Make sure you don't," said Lucius firmly. "If you disappoint me, you'll regret it."

They turned a corner and entered Diagon Alley, heading for Madame Malkin's. Draco got his pair of dragonhide gloves, and because Lucius was feeling generous he got a new set of robes as well.

Draco didn't know why Lucius was in such a good mood today, but he wasn't inclined to ask questions.

The reason that Lucius was in such a good mood was that the next stop was Flourish and Blotts. At last he could rid himself of the most dangerous magical artifact in his collection, and watch with satisfaction as it wreaked havoc this year at Hogwarts. The old fool Dumbledore wouldn't know what hit him, and if by chance he managed to discover the diary, there would be no way to link it back to Lucius.

In front of the bookstore was a large poster of a blond wizard flashing brilliant, white teeth. Underneath it said, "This afternoon only, Gilderoy Lockhart will be signing his autobiography Magical Me."

It was a mob scene inside, as a seemingly endless throng of witches fought to get a better view of Lockhart. Lucius looked around for a likely wizarding family to receive the diary, but found himself drawn to the commotion going on in the back of the store.

It seemed Lockhart had grabbed someone from the crowd, and was pulling him back up on stage with him.

It was Harry Potter.

Lucius ground his teeth furiously. The Boy Who Lived… and who ruined all of Lucius' dreams of power and glory.

If it wasn't for this insignificant child, Lucius would now be one of the most powerful men in the world. Instead, a child of one had brought down the Dark Lord, and Lucius had been forced to grovel before wizards not fit to lick his boots.

It was because of Potter that do-gooders like Albus Dumbledore could go around preaching about Muggle rights and equality between all wizards. It was because of Potter that a weakling like Fudge held the post of Prime Minister. It was all Lucius could do not to whip out his wand and use the Killing Curse right then and there.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Lockhart announced, flashing his white teeth, "today is a lucky day! In the same room, we have two of the greatest wizards of our time! The Boy Who Lived, and the man who… well, I'm sure my books speak for themselves."

Another gleaming smile, and a round of applause from the witches in the front row. Lucius noticed a group with bright red hair, and felt himself grin almost as widely as Lockhart. The Weasley family. How perfect. The filthy blood-traitor would drive himself to distraction searching his manor for dark artifacts, when in fact the darkest item in Lucius' collection would be right under his nose. The irony was too great to resist. However, that meant he would have to wait for Lockhart to end this ridiculous publicity stunt before he could make his move.

"…and so," Lockhart said, "it is my honor to present Mr. Potter with a signed copy of my autobiography Magical Me, free of charge."

He handed the stunned-looking Potter a thick book, and pulled him close for the photographers.

That's it? Lucius thought incredulously, he just gave him a free book? How desperate IS this man for attention?

In the row of reporters came a woman's high voice, easily carrying over the hubbub in the store.

"Mr. Lockhart!"

"Yes?" he responded genially. "Always happy to answer a question from my fans in the press!"

The woman nudged her glasses farther up her nose with long, lacquered fingernails. Her quill was poised over an open notebook, looking like some bird of prey ready to strike. It was a look that mirrored the expression in her sharp, beady eyes.

"Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent for the Daily Prophet. Is there any truth to the rumors that you were offered the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts, but you were then replaced a few days later without explanation?"

Lockhart's smile remained, but it looked slightly slickly and his face gained a greenish tinge. He gave Harry a nudge away from the platform, though it was more like a shove.

"Not at all, not at all," Lockhart said, though this time with less airy confidence. "The Headmaster was kind enough to invite me to teach at his august institution, but I had no choice but to turn it down. I'm in the middle of writing my next book, and I'm afraid I simply don't have the time."

"Is that so? But according to an anonymous tip—"

"No more questions!" Lockhart almost shouted, a thin sheen of sweat visible on his tanned face. He almost ran to the back door, while Ms. Skeeter's quill scribbled furiously in her notebook, unguided by her hand.

The crowd dispersed, and students wandered indiscriminately amongst the shelves, chatting furiously and comparing long lists of schoolbooks.

Lucius began to head towards Potter and the Weasley children, only to see that Draco had already left in that direction. It would give him an excuse to get close to the girl's cauldron, but he was still a little disappointed in Draco. Public confrontations would not get him anything, and it was likely he was just acting out of petty jealousy.

A Malfoy did not pick fights in a bookshop over a few photographs, a lesson which Draco had better learn soon. The world was not forgiving to fools.

"Famous Harry Potter," Lucius heard Draco sneer. "Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."

"Leave him alone, he didn't ask for that!" said the redheaded girl angrily.

"Oh look, Potter's got himself a girlfriend!" scoffed Draco.

Lucius decided it was time to step in.

"Now, now, Draco, play nicely." He put a hand on his son's shoulder.

"Lucius," said Arthur Weasley, who had headed over after seeing Draco talking with his children.

"Arthur," Lucius responded, curling his lip with all the disdain he could muster. "I see you're still scraping for cast-offs," he began, looking pointedly at the patched robes worn by the Weasley children. "What's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"

"The Ministry has rather a different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy."

"Clearly," Lucius said dryly, moving next to the girl's cauldron. He took out a second-hand book with a patched cover, one large enough to keep the diary from being seen. He slipped the diary surreptitiously out of his sleeve, holding it behind the textbook so it didn't show. He dropped both textbook and diary back into the cauldron, holding Arthur's eyes with his own.

"And I thought your family could sink no lower—"

His distraction worked, as Arthur Weasley hit him square in the face. Lucius fought back, cursing the necessity for such crude tactics. Malfoys did not brawl! Unless the situation demanded it, of course.

There was an outcry of raised voices. Lucius heard two voices shouting together, "Get him, dad," as well as a woman's concerned shriek of "Arthur!"

Then an enormous hand grabbed the scruff of his neck and separated him from Arthur Weasley. It was the halfwit Groundskeeper, the one his son told him had tried to raise a dragon last year.

After Hagrid put him down, Lucius straightened his robe and sneered.

"Treasure that book, girl," he snarled at the youngest Weasley. "It's all your family can afford. Come, Draco."

Lucius congratulated himself mentally on a job well done. He looked forward to the owl that he knew would be coming in a few months, to inform him that the Chamber of Secrets was open once again.

Behind him he heard the conversation that began with his absence, growing fainter as he walked away.

"Shame on you, Arthur," a woman's voice said, "starting a fight like that!"

"He started it, Molly. Let's change the subject. Do you think Gilderoy Lockhart was really going to be a Professor at Hogwarts?"

"Oh, I wish he had been!" came the woman's voice again. "He would have made such a good Professor…"

After leaving Flourish and Blotts, nothing remained but to buy his son a broom, and to place an order for six more Nimbus 2001 racing brooms to be delivered to Professor Snape at Hogwarts. He enclosed a short note, which read:

Dear Professor Snape,

I would like to show my appreciation for Slytherin House with this gift to the Slytherin Quidditch team. I trust that my son Draco will prove an apt member of the team, and look forward to seeing you at Slytherin's first match.

Regards,

Lucius Malfoy

Then Lucius and Draco flooed back to Malfoy Manor. Draco went straight outside again, to try out his new broom. Lucius went up to his room to relax, and put some ice on his aching cheekbone. Arthur Weasley had a decent right hook.

Lucius turned to close the door behind him.

"Welcome home," a cold voice hissed over his shoulder.

His hand went for his wand, but found nothing there. He whirled around, coming face to face with a nightmare.

His uninvited guest was deathly pale, with black hair down to his shoulders. His eyes were amber and had slitted pupils, which seemed to hold Lucius in thrall. He couldn't have said a word, even if his own wand hadn't been pointed directly at his throat.

"What, no greeting? Where are your manners, wizard?"

Lucius tried to speak, but his throat was so dry that only a squeak emerged. He swallowed, and tried again.

"Who… who are you?"

"Tsk, tsk, still rude. How lucky for you I'm an understanding guest. You may call me Orochimaru. I already know who you are, Lucius."

Lucius' eyes widened at the sound of his name. Orochimaru laughed, a cold, slithering sound that made Lucius shiver.

"Yes, you'd be amazed at what it's possible to learn just by listening. About wizards, and magic. Such a wondrous world I've found myself in. I almost don't miss Konoha at all."

Lucius had no idea what his captor was talking about.

"Ah, I'm confusing you. Let me get on back on track. We were talking about you, and your… affiliations. I've heard from many sources that you were one of the most feared followers of Voldemort. He sounds like an interesting man, this Voldemort. I hope I get to meet him one day."

Orochimaru licked his lips, looking so like a snake that Lucius wondered if this man was even human. Was he a magical being, some powerful denizen of darkness?

"You're quite resourceful, Lucius," Orochimaru observed casually. "Your master is gone, yet here you are, rich and influential still. How prudent of you, to abandon your master as soon as you thought yourself free of him."

It can't be. Was this… him? Those eyes, slitted and evil, could they be his eyes?

Lucius dropped to his knees.

"Forgive me, Great Lord!" he pleaded. "I never denounced you in my heart, it was only so that I might serve you when you rose again!"

The pale man chuckled, but his eyes were not amused.

"You think I'm Voldemort? I'm insulted. I thought you were at least somewhat intelligent, and had initiative. I hope I was not wrong."

Lucius got back on his feet unsteadily, but with profound relief. If this wasn't Voldemort, he might live out the night.

"Indeed, the idea of it! I, Orochimaru, Snake Sannin and Destroyer of Konoha, mistaken for a pitiful failure defeated by a baby? It is laughable. But I will give you a chance to redeem yourself in my eyes. I'm in the market for a new body. One that will grant me access to the species of magic you use on this world. Until I choose my new vessel, you will be my interface with the world. Do well, and I will not kill you or your son. You may even be rewarded."

Orochimaru reached out and grabbed hold of Lucius' right sleeve, moving so quickly that Lucius didn't even realize until his sleeve was pulled up. On his forearm was his Dark Mark, the tattoo that was his only remaining connection to his former master.

"So this is the Dark Mark. It's artistic, I'll say that. But worthless in the end, just like your precious Voldemort. How would you like me to give you a mark of my own?"

And then, Orochimaru's neck… stretched, and he opened his mouth to reveal sharp fangs. Lucius gaped in horror, but before he could make a sound the creature of nightmare sank its teeth into his neck. First came a rushing through his veins, then an intense heat, then pain unlike anything he'd ever experienced.

Malfoy Manor echoed with the sound of his agonized screams.

A/N: What did you think?

Next time Harry has his first Defense Against the Dark Arts class. See you then!