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Impertinent Brats

One could say that Lucius Malfoy was the epitome of arrogance. Well aware of his status, he never subjected himself to the presence of anyone he deemed unworthy of his time. It wasn't really that he didn't care that people saw him as a haughty and cold-hearted man, he did care, but among nobles these traits were excusable as long as the purity of your blood allowed you to act as such. In fact, being inaccessible to most was encouraged and individuals that valued their friendships above what was proper were frowned upon. Loyalty was a fickle thing and Lucius, like his father and his grandfather before him, knew better than to put all his eggs in the same basket. Family was all he respected and, since it was common to simply cast out the parents that dared bring dishonor upon themselves, he never had to associate himself to anyone whose beliefs were less than recommendable.

Power came from good reputation and it was all that mattered. Why chain himself to wizards from lower castes, when he could obtain what he needed much more quickly by flinging around his title of Lord Malfoy than by sweating blood trying to gain a respect that he deserved by birth? Besides, nothing gave him more of a thrill then having someone's will yield under his stare, their eyes flaring with suppressed anger before lowering in shameful defeat.

Maintaining the supremacy of the family was demanding. Malfoys were always to be affiliated with the right characters, the most influential ones, whose views and goals would allow Lucius' relatives to come out on top. It was something they excelled at, but even so, when Abraxas Malfoy, filled with pride and unusually flustered, had come back to the manor one night and told his son about his meeting with the Dark Lord, Lucius had been sceptic. He was aware that there were rumors and murmurs in tearooms about a man, a wizard whose power, reputation and ambitious deeds were of the same calibre of Grindelwald himself. Only greater. However, they were only rumors.

Upon hearing his father's excited rant about Death Eaters and Dark Marks, Lucius' doubts grew. Sure, he was all for an all-out war against muggles and mudbloods, the scum of the earth, who seemed to think the world was theirs for the taking, but to go as far as to brand himself? Malfoys didn't bow down to anyone. They didn't scorch their forearms with some ugly scar for the benefits of a man who was rumored to be unbeatable. It was gruesome, it was barbaric and above all, it was risky. What if this wizard, this Lord Voldemort, ended up being another disappointment? Then they'd be stuck with this undeniable proof burned into their skin, this permanent testament of their convictions displayed for all to see. How could they possibly defend themselves if they chose the wrong side of the war once the last curse was casted?

All of his hesitations, his reluctance, went up in smoke though, the second he found himself in the presence of the Dark Lord. That such an aura of raw power existed was so incredible that Lucius felt a chill run down his spine. This was it. Nothing would stand in the way for Lord Voldemort didn't care who he had to kill or torture; women and children were not safe from his wrath. With his strength and his disregard for life itself, the Dark Lord was an unstoppable force and, for the first time in his entire existence, Lucius Malfoy knew fear.

It was the price to pay to be a god among humans and he accepted it. His fear was, by any rate, nowhere nearly as great as the terror that gripped the blood traitors' and muggle-lovers' hearts. Soon after he joined the Death Eaters' ranks, they had started doing raids in small muggle villages, sowing death and despair in their wake. Dumbledore and some of his most trusted friends pitifully tried to oppose them, but they could do nothing against the faceless horror that overtook the magical community who, soon enough, were too terrified to even dare utter Lord Voldemort's name.

His followers' identities were kept a secret and that added to the general paranoia. Since your everyday wizards didn't know whom to trust anymore; they started to eye their own friends with suspicion. Moreover, keeping a low profile allowed Lucius to make it up the corporate ladder of the Ministry of Magic and the wizarding world. Having a few Death Eaters in positions of influence was essential to the Dark Lord's plan and Lucius was very dedicated.

The constant struggle for power was a difficult mind game and it also meant sucking up to people from time to time. Tonight's target consisted of the delicate and amiable Amelia Deauclair. The girl, with her perfect manners and her angelic face, was the faultless representation of what a Pureblood witch was supposed to be. Her family was incredibly rich and the purity of her blood was enough to make any noble lady green with envy. They had been introduced at the beginning of the evening and he was determined to charm her with his wits. If he managed to do so, the Dark Lord would be immensely pleased. The Deauclairs were, after all, legendary and with their support, the Death Eaters' cause would gain heaps of credibility.

Enthralling her was supposed to be a piece of cake, he was known to be amazingly smooth. At first, everything had seemed to work out just fine. She had smiled and laughed in all the right places, making it hard for him not to smirk in satisfaction, but then, just as he thought he had succeeded, she had disappeared. Pouf! For one second she was at his side, delightfully giggling, and then she was gone. In a blink of an eye. Hadn't he known the anti-disapparation wards were up, he might have started to panic right there and now.

Making his way through the crowd, dodging invitations to dance and battling with himself to keep his face pleasant, he started to look for her. Surely she couldn't have gone that far? When he finally spotted her baby blue gown, he swore under his breath. Of course. Of all the people she could have met by chance in this sea of Purebloods... It had to be him. Sirius Black. He reached them in a record time and quickly made his presence known. Amelia's back was to him so he didn't get to see the grateful relief wash over her as he expected it did, but the furious look on Black's face made up for it.

"Ah Mister Malfoy, I thought for a second that I had lost you." said Amelia turning around to greet him with a smile. Lucius felt a twinge of irritation. Honestly, if she had simply stayed with him instead of going off on her own, this situation would not have happened. He cursed women's frivolity and their airheaded behaviour, but he grinned back nonetheless.

"Funny, I thought it was me who had lost sight of you. I have been looking for you everywhere Amelia." he replied, internally seething. The nerve of the girl!

"Really? Why, I was here all along Mister Malfoy." she retorted. Her features had remained affable, but the sudden coldness in her eyes and the slight edge in her tone as she spoke his name didn't go unnoticed. He almost winced. What had he been thinking, referring to her by her first name? It wasn't like him to treat a lady with such intimacy, especially one he had just met a few hours ago. Apparently, she thought so too. Time to backtrack.

"I see. I might have bypassed you by mistake then. My apologies Miss Deauclair. Only, since I am the one hosting this ball, your mother asked me to take care of you and I assured her I would show you round, so you understand my concern when I realized you were not standing next to me anymore. I am sorry. I did not mean to appear overbearing." he told her suavely.

"All this dancing had exhausted me and I was incredibly thirsty. I am sure I had informed you of my intention to get a drink, but of course with all this noise you might not have heard me." she replied snootily. For a brief instant she reminded him of a spoiled child. Yes, there was definitely something brattish about her, but he guessed that came with the fact probably very few dared to deny her. He almost expected her to stomp her foot and turn her head away from him in order to pout. He forced himself to stay calm. She would not get the best of him.

"That is perfectly understandable, but I am nonetheless your host and, since you fall under my responsibility, I would feel awfully guilty were you to cross path with inadvisable company." he insisted carefully, feeling like he was walking on eggs.

"How thoughtful of you. However, no matter what my mother seems to think, I am perfectly capable of manoeuvring my way across a ballroom. Besides, I doubt I'd find any disputable characters among your guests, milord." she smiled up at him making Lucius grit his teeth in anger. She phrased it in such a way that contradicting her would make him appear as a fool, but, the very fact that Black was standing there, sneer in place and obviously aware of his discomfort, was proof enough that there was indeed less than recommendable people present tonight. Damn her for making him acknowledge that infuriating reality.

"Well, it is amazing what good connections and sheer daring can accomplish. Astonishing, really, how someone can get to places if he has little to no consideration for other's reputation and no respect for what's proper. Some people have no decency it seems." Lucius hissed finally allowing his disdain to show.

Black, who until now had remained silent, content with observing Lucius' interaction with Amelia, shifted and straightened, a leer darkening his traits. "If you have something to say Malfoy, don't hold yourself back. Out with it." the fallen from grace noble snapped.

"Am I missing something?" asked Amelia innocently, blinking in faint surprise.

"Let me enlighten you. I assume this man has not revealed his identity to you." Lucius drawled motioning to the black haired wizard who had the audacity to roll his eyes. Acknowledging Amelia's small nod of approval he continued on. "This is Sirius Black." he spat with venom. As he had foreseen, Amelia gasped in recognition, before disgust overtook her features, her meeting with Mrs Black clearly coming back to her full force along with the woman's angry rant about her good-to-nothing son.

"I never would have thought that appearances could be this deceiving. I am appalled such a person dared enter your home without invitation." Amelia said dryly, her gaze resting briefly on Black before shifting back to Lucius. Her reaction must have amused Black in some way for he chuckled softly at her words. Thoroughly offended, Lucius offered his arm to Amelia which she took immediately, obviously eager to leave Black's undesirable presence.

"He must have begged Mrs Potter to bring him along. I wouldn't put it past him. The younger Potter and him are friends, you see. He probably intimidated her too, she must not have had the heart nor the strength to deny him. The poor woman is getting old, Merlin bless her." Lucius added, gloating at Black's enraged expression and tense shoulders. Without another word, Amelia and he walked away and the evening went on.

They waltzed, they laughed and they smiled profusely, all thoughts of blood traitors and their degrading behaviour long forgotten. All was well.

Lucius pushed open the door from the study room, but didn't venture much further than a couple of steps beyond the threshold. The guests were long gone and the rest of the house was sound asleep. Earlier in the evening, his father had informed him of the Dark Lord's wish to meet with him once the ball was over. He had expected to find his master waiting for him, but silence was what greeted him. The air in the candle lighted room seemed to weight on his shoulders and soon a bead of sweat ran down his back. As far as his memory went, this part of the manor had never felt this oppressive, but, devoid of the usual light pouring from the mullioned windows, it lost the lively atmosphere to which Lucius was accustomed to. Suddenly, a quiet rustle attracted his attention and his gaze landed on the armchair facing the hearth on the right side of the room. The temperature seemed to grow colder for a second before a voice rung out in the darkness, its slight higher pitch adding to the eerie feel. The murmur seemed unwilling to die out, the words still hanging in the air well after they had been whispered, like the image of a flame burned in one's retina and still apparent to them even once they closed their eyes.

"Come forward, Lucius."

Lucius obeyed, carefully navigating his way around desks and low tables, cautious as to avoid stubbing his toe against any of the furniture. When he finally reached his destination, he bowed lightly and kept his eyes on the floor in a show of respect.

"I hear this evening's little soiree has been a resounding success." said Lord Voldemort. The man's head was bowed slightly, hiding his eyes from view and forcing Lucius, who had by now straightened, to stare at his master's crown of dark locks. Had the Dark Lord consented to look at him, Lucius would have find himself transfixed by a pair of red orbs and rendered incapable of any movement, as a bird trapped by a snake's glare.

"Indeed it was, my Lord."

"I expected nothing less from you, Lucius." added Voldemort in a condescending tone. His voice was full of malice and Lucius was well aware the comment was more of a mockery than a compliment, but, yet he said nothing. Only fool with a death wish would engage the Dark Lord in a battle of wits. "Were the Deauclairs among your guests by any chance?"

"Yes they were, Master." replied Lucius. He knew better than to question his lord as to how he had learned the arrival of Amelia's family. He had accepted long ago that Lord Voldemort had means to get the information he needed. "Mr. Deauclair couldn't make it to the reception as a lot is still to be done to ensure they get settled comfortably, but his wife and daughter attended the ball. I took the time to introduce myself to Miss Deauclair and I thought she was charming."

The Dark Lord let out a chuckle. "You thought she was charming, Lucius? Have you gotten tired of Miss Narcissa Black already?" laughed Voldemort before shaking his head. If he noticed Lucius' balled fists, he didn't mention it. "I can't say I blame you though. In light of what happened, a better man than you would have broken the engagement immediately. Apparently, even the purest family aren't safe from the occasional rotten apple."

"I only assumed, my Lord, that given the Deauclairs' status, you would be interested in them. I live to serve." Lucius said, viciously biting his tongue not to lash out in anger. Such an indiscretion would have him killed.

The Dark Lord met his gaze for a second and Lucius' heart stopped briefly for he was certain his master knew perfectly what he had been thinking. Voldemort smiled mockingly before his face grew serious once more. "So devoted... You did well though. The Deauclairs would be a decisive asset in the war we fight against the decline of the wizarding world. However, their departure from France was sudden and I am intrigued as to why they felt they had to move so quickly and more importantly so inconspicuously." mused Voldemort.

"Mrs Deauclair mentioned that her husband had wanted to expand his business to the British market for a long time and that, as soon as an opportunity presented itself, he seized it." provided Lucius eager to please. "Besides, they wanted their daughter to reacquaint herself with her roots. Apparently Mrs Deauclair's family originated from here."

"No. I do not believe a word of it. It seems more of a deceit in my opinion. It doesn't fit with the information that has been relied to me and if that's the story they feed the most gullible ones with, they are definitely running away from something." whispered the Dark Lord staring into nothing. Then his eyes snapped upwards and found Lucius'. "I want you to discover what they're hiding Lucius. Once you do, I'll decide whether I'll reveal myself to them or not."

Lucius shifted nervously from foot to foot. "My Lord," he swallowed and licked his lips. "I do not think you will need this kind of leverage with them. I mean... They are one of the oldest Pureblood families of Europe, surely they don't..."

Before he could continue, Voldemort interrupted him, looking livid. "Fool! Status and blood purity isn't a guarantee of pride and righteousness anymore. Did you already forget the Potter disaster? They, who descend from Ignotus Peverell himself, are completely blind to the menace the muggles represent! What about Andromeda Black? Getting herself knocked up by some filthy mudblood that's not worthy of looking at her, least touch her! And let's not mention Orion Black's oldest son. His betrayal and his apparent disdain with what we are trying to accomplish is inacceptable! We cannot afford having people thinking they can turn us down. I will have the Deauclairs joining me, whether they want it or not."

For Lucius, this was the first time he got to witness his master losing his cool. Voldemort's irises seemed to glow briefly and his magic filled the room, making it almost impossible to breath. "Of course, I understand my Lord." Lucius spluttered, incapable of controlling the tremor in his voice. He was aware that color had drained from his face, but that was all he could to do not to run out of the room screaming in terror. His reassurance seemed to calm his master's temper though and for that Lucius was grateful.

"The mother would be hard to approach. She had years to master the art of masking her feelings, especially if she married well. Wives of noblemen so important are expected to be well versed in Occlumency, these people have a lot more to lose after all. She will be particularly cautious now, alone among the sharks, but her daughter... Her daughter is young and probably still foolish, as girls her age usually are, she may be easier to manipulate." said Voldemort thoughtfully.

"She did seem a bit infantile." agreed Lucius.

"She will be attending Hogwarts I assume?"

"Yes, Master. She will be in sixth year I believe."

"It's a shame you have already graduated, Lucius. Having someone in the inside, watching her every move, would have been useful."

"That is not a problem, my Lord. Words of your great deeds have reached the ears of many and I am certain to find someone among the faculty's students that will be more that eager to assist you in your goals. I have ways to penetrate the school's grounds and make your will known."

"Ah, yes. That might just work." Voldemort smirked in satisfaction and waved his hand at him in dismissal. "Well, you know what to do, Lucius. Do not disappoint me."

"I won't, my Lord."