After a while, the children had picked out the books they needed (and if they added a few extra books to the stack... well, Narcissa was more than wealthy enough to cover the cost), and the family was once again on the move, Narcissa and the children moving at a brisk pace a little while in front, while Lucius lagged behind somewhat, before coming to a stop in front of a small, shabby-looking shop. It's door swung open, and two figures stepped out, dressed in long, flowing black robes, their faces hidden by wide-brimmed hats, though their eyes were still visible, their glowing red light shining through the shadow that lay across their faces. One of them, slightly shorter than the other, spoke, his voice deep and throaty, almost a bestial growl, "Well, well, well. Look who it is. The guest of honor"

Lucius paled slightly as their crimson eyes raked over his form, wilting a little under their scrutiny, even as he gestured to his family to continue on without him, and turned back to the two shadowy figures. The taller figure spoke, his eyes cold and analytical, "Prove your identity...", he demanded, his voice hoarse and raspy. "...Or die", the shorter one completed, pulling out a short, thick ebony wand and aiming it at the Malfoy Lord's heart.

Lucius merely rolled his eyes, before lowering his head and flicking his right hand a little, releasing a hidden blade that had been kept within the silver ring on his middle finger, "This was my wedding ring, you know ? Black artifact", he spoke as he brought the gleaming blade over to his left forearm, wincing a little as he drew it across his skin, releasing a few fat droplets of sanguine blood, "Say what you will about them, the Blacks sure knew how to design their artifacts. Two-inch blade, Ukrainian Ironbelly tooth, set in a ring forged from the purest fairy silver. Banned in forty Wizarding provinces, and would cost you an arm and a leg on the black market... literally"

The taller one leaned forward, capturing the droplet in a small tube-like container, made from silver, an ornate emerald serpent wrapped around it, before raising it, examining the top carefully, "100% match for the Malfoy family. He's who he says he is, Dolohov". The other man turned to the first, a look of indignant horror on his face, "Don't reveal my name so flippantly, Snake !"

Lucius snorted, "That disguise was doing you no favors, Antonin, my friend. I could tell who you two were the second I saw you. Isn't that right..", he leaned forward conspiratorially, "...Snape ?"

"Spare me your foolish theatrics, Malfoy", Severus Snape drawled in a low, sarcastic tone, as he Vanished his hat, releasing his long, greasy hair, and removed the enchantment on his eyes, letting their naturally black color through, "The disguises were his idea", he gestured to Dolohov, who had by now, also removed his disguise, "Of course, they'd be as foolish as he is"

Dolohov snarled at the Potions Master, even as the other man ignored him completely in favor of eyeing Lucius like he was a particularly disgusting Potions ingredient, "Will you please explain..", he began, his voice almost mocking, "Why someone who looks exactly like you just gave a speech to the rest of the faithful at Flourish and Blotts? ...and why he chose the least-tactful words in the universe ?"

"What on Earth are you talking about, Severus ?", the other man scoffed, "I know of no man named Perfidus"

"And yet he clearly knew you", Dolohov interrupted, his mouth twisted into a leering sneer, "When you were mentioned as not having arrived yet, he looked like he'd seen a ghost !"

"...Indeed", Severus said, his lips thin, his voice curt, as if holding back emotion, "In fact, it almost reminded me of how I... never mind. Just know this, Lucius, he seemed almost... disdainful.. of you"

"Did he ?", Dolohov asked, turning to the older man, "I thought he looked furious"

Snape lips curled up into what could be called a smile... the kind of smile a snake would give, if snakes could smile, "Well, a mix of both, then"

Lucius jerked back a little. This was... bad, to say the least. Someone who was powerful enough to hack into the magical matrix that connected all Dark Marks.. and then use said matrix to summon all the faithful... was not someone you wanted as an enemy. He gulped a little, his throat suddenly dry, before continuing, "Did he say something... anything... about me ?"

Snape nodded slightly," About you ? No... well, not particularly, other than a sharp "He does not need to be here" at someone questioning your absence, he said nothing. About your family... all Pure-blood families ? Well..."

"The fool had the gall to call us stagnant and outdated !", Dolohov raged, spittle flying from his mouth as he near-shouted at the Malfoy Lord, who merely gestured forward to create an invisible umbrella in front of him to shield himself from the saliva droplets, "He called us.. he dared call us.."

"Weak-minded fools who wouldn't know real power if it stabbed them in the arse..", Snape completed, a thin smile spread across his face, "It was quite entertaining, I must admit, to see the assembled Lords fly into a rage at that"

Lucius' eyebrows raised in shock, as his mouth twisted in amusement, "And the Lords let him leave ?"

"The Lords had no choice", said Snape, almost gleefully, as opposed to Dolohov, who looked like he was having a stroke at the memory alone, "He merely stood up when they drew their wands, bowed slightly, and disappeared in a burst of shadow. Quite impressive."

Impressive to Snape, perhaps, but to Lucius ? It was just another powerful ability his maybe-enemy possessed. He swallowed hard, trying to compose himself and organize his thoughts. Snape looked at him questioningly, as if asking what his plans were now.

He muttered, "As the poets say, Severus..", he turned to the other man, his eyes filled with sharp determination and his natural Slytherin-cunning, "A dagger in your hand is better than one aimed at your heart"

"You intend to sway him to your side ?", Snape remarked incredulously, one eyebrow raised in skepticism, "Good luck, even if I doubt that you will succeed"

"I am the Knave of Slytherin, Severus", Lucius grinned, sharp as a blade, "I always succeed, old friend", before lowering himself into a small, respectful bow, one that was returned by neither Snape nor Dolohov (Pure-blood culture truly had been lost, he mournfully thought), and turning and walking off in his family's direction