Moving Quickly
((December 20th, following http://community.livejournal.com/_levicorpus_/301460.html ...open to Lucius, Voldemort, and possibly other DEs.))
Draco still disguised to look like Lacey, hurried away from Sipps and out of Diagon Alley. He apparated to his room at the Riddle House, before changing back into himself. After a few slow breaths, he ( Read more... )
Draco still disguised to look like Lacey, hurried away from Sipps and out of Diagon Alley. He apparated to his room at the Riddle House, before changing back into himself. After a few slow breaths, he ( Read more... )
"I do not know you, so unless you want my own elves to force you out, state your business quickly."
"He does not remember, but then someone like him wouldn't remember Kreacher. Kreacher remembers Lord Malfoy, though, and was happy to see him married to a daughter of the Ancient House of Black,"
Lucius vaguely recalled an elf who served his wife some time ago, but such beings had little permanent meaning to him.
"You still have not said why you are here, Kreacher. Be quick."
"Master bids me tell you that Pansy Parkinson has returned her father to human form, and asks that you gauge the Dark Lord's mood. He also wishes to know how the Dark Lord plans to proceed in this matter, if you can find out."
Things began to click into place in Lucius' mind now, and he smiled. He had almost forgotten about his son's...shall we say good fortune, in getting the old Black Manor.
"Tell my son I shall look into the matter, but that I will have to proceed delicately. Gauging his mood on the matter is easy enough, getting his plans from him will be far more difficult. Inform him I can have some of the information by this evening, if he would care to join his father for dinner. You are dismissed."
Kreacher bowed low to Lucius, then disapparated.
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"Kreacher, thank my father for his invitation, but tell him the matter is urgent. Suggest that he convey the news directly to the Dark Lord and allow you to trail along. If the Dark Lord ask for Mrs. Parkinson to be brought to him, my father can send you to fetch her. If the Dark Lord comes here, I need you to come warn me, so I can make the exchange."
Draco chewed his tongue. It was risky to admit to Lucius that he had traded Mrs. Parkinson for a common rat, but not as risky as other things he had done. And Lucius might not debate with him so long if he understood the little corner his son had worked himself into. "Kreacher, you may also tell my father what I did to safe guard Mrs. Parkinson, but I wouldn't volunteer that unless he seems reluctant to move quickly."
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"Very well, come along then. I was on my way to see the Dark Lord in any case, and having you along will not greatly hamper me."
With that, he made his way quickly to the rooms the Dark Lord was using as his quarters, assuming Kreacher was following, but not bothering to check. The fact that the ancient elf had trouble keeping up with the brisk pace Lucius was setting was of no consequence to the Malfoy patriarch.
When they reached the lavish chamber doors, Lucius reached out and knocked firmly, but with a polite rhythm that was particularly his own. He then waited patiently for a response.
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Voldemort could not helop but raise a brow of curiosity seeing a decrepid house elf behind Lucius. Voldemort he satated before that he would not allow "filth" in his chamber, but held his tongue to see Lucius' next move as he motioned him to enter.
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With that, he entered the chamber, and closed the door on Kreacher, whose bow was utterly ignored by Lucius.
"My Lord," Lucius began, bowing respectfully, "my son asked that I bring the news to you that Miss Parkinson has managed to restore her father to his proper form."
Lucius waited at this point, keeping his eyes averted, but listening intently for the tone the Dark Lord responded with.
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"Raise your head Lucius, only soldiers bow for that long for they are not worthy to stand tall. I have more respect than that for my lieutenants." he said with a grin. "Be blunt Lucius, it will be interesting to hear you speak without your silver tongue stroking everyone's ego" he said smuggly but not insultingly.
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"Perhaps that has become too much of a habit, I suppose. I've been stroking people's egos for so long, I may have forgotten how to get right to the point," he drawled, resisting the urge to wink.
"In any case, let us see if I remember blunt honesty, and I'll not spare the details. My son has performed quite admirably in the conversion of the Weasley girl, however, he has neglected Miss Parkinson, and I believe that needs to change. Working closely together can lead to some intense emotions that I do not wish my son to have towards the girl, which means drastic measures may be called for. I approved of Miss Parkinson as a match for my son long ago, when he first met her, but he has been neglectful, and though he may say otherwise, he has had the time to reinforce and comfort Miss Parkinson. To that end, My Lord, I would propose a plan to you that would simultaneously turn my son's eyes back where they belong, and allow you further opportunity to re-educate the Longbottom boy. Do I surmise correctly that your interest in the Longbottom boy goes in that direction?"
Lucius was speaking quickly now, allowing his mouth to go from point to point as fast as his mind. It was a somewhat dangerous shell game he was playing, but if he had read his son's messages correctly, Draco had already taken steps to protect Mrs. Parkinson, which is why there was an immediacy to his son's request. If that was the case, Lucius had to, at all costs, keep Voldemort from looking in on the girl's mother. While quickly cobbled together, Lucius was speaking only the truth, though only partially, and if he could move fast enough, he could pull his son's feet out of the fire.
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"Continue" he said not moving and continuing to stare.
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"Assuming that is the case, there is a major impediment to that re-education in the form of his supposed romance with the mud blood. So long as that relationship remains intact, it will be nearly impossible to bring Longbottom into the fold. Now, no pure blood could ever actually love a mud blood, but the little minx could definitely turn him around into believing it. The boy doesn't have much in the way of social acumen, and is easily manipulated, especially by a pretty face, or a well placed snogging. The key, then, is to break up that relationship in such a way as to paint the girl in the worst possible light, to prove to Longbottom that such filth is not only not worthy of his time, but in fact, worthy only of his contempt. The girl, as I understand it, has a rather long streak of jealousy, and it would likely take only the hint of impropriety on the boy's part, whether his fault or not, to inflame that jealousy, and make her leave him, for what to him will seem to be no good reason. To that end, I propose another test for Miss Parkinson that falls more within her skill set. Have her pursue the boy. Whether she is successful or not is immaterial, as the filthy mud blood girl will naturally assume it is all Longbottom's fault. At the same time, the fact that Miss Parkinson is paying attention to another should inflame my son's own jealousy, and turn his head back to the girl I find more acceptable. It furthers both our ends in every case, whether Miss Parkinson is successful in the task or not. Lastly, given the delicate nature of this particular plan, I would ask that my sister-in-law not be the message bearer. She lacks the tact and diplomatic skill to pull this off."
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"Bellatrix has a set of very useful and unique skills that are very important to us. You will refrain from speaking ill of my officers and your family unless I ask you to." he said standing straight. "I assume you want your son to send the message?"
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Lucius' speech pattern started settling back into its familiar drawl now, as his plan settled more firmly into place.
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"I must say Lucius I am impressed. Then again you were always the best of my officers to plan, execute and succeed. It is good to see the Lucius I remember so well return to me." he smiled.
"Tell me Lucius, who do you suggest delivers this message?" he said tilting his head.
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