Bi-Weekly Response: Animal I have become
Who: Lucius Malfoy, Matthias Heim and Ellen Houis
What: Lucius encounters a monster
When: More or less now in GrownHP
Why: Because for Heim this is personal
“Mr. Malfoy.”
“No comment. Keep walking, Ellen…”
“Mr. Malfoy, just a moment of your time.”
“I said no comment.”
“How do you respond to the rumors that the Wizengamont is investigating you and other former Death Eaters?”
The Malfoy patriarch paused on the steps of Ministry, his hand freezing on his companion’s back. Ellen Houis turned, her mousy brown hair shadowing her thin frightened face, as she retreated deeper in Lucius’ arm at. The reporters, smelling blood, clustered forward.
Lucius Malfoy’s face was stony and perfect, his blue eyes running over the assembled party. He seemed aware of all the eyes that were focused on him at that moment. He seemed aware of the frightened girl on his arm. But for the life of him, he couldn’t seem to put emotion into his features.
Everyone was watching.
“…I was unaware I had done anything to warrant such an investigation.” Lucius finally managed, smoothly. It was then he smiled; it was then his eyes danced. He could have been talking about a Quidditch match.
“Then you shouldn’t be concerned, should you, Mr. Malfoy?”
It happened a little too quickly for anyone to notice. Heim had appeared, and his smile was classic and controlled, his tone welcoming. He crossed the distance between them, pushing back the reporters and guards, his eyes focused intently on Lucius.
And Malfoy took a step back. He seemed to realize he had retreated a moment later because his eyes turned cold.
It only served to deepen Heim’s grin. “Courage does not fear crime, or honesty authority isn’t that the quote? If you nothing to hide, you shouldn’t be concerned with an investigation.”
“I was unaware the Dark Lord had returned and sent out Snatchers again.” Lucius countered, “The ideology must be similar and I’m confused.”
“Still call him Lord, do you?”
The girl on Lucius’ arm gripped his wrist, mumbling for them to retreat. Malfoy didn’t budge. There was something strange about the older man’s eyes. It was like staring into a mirror: placid and unfeeling. Heim continued to smile, around them the reporters shifted and moved.
“I intend to have the records of everyone with a similar background as yours investigated, Mr. Malfoy.” Heim said slowly. “The Lestranges. The Rosiers. Snape. As well as Lupins, and Ms. Houis’ here… and if I find the slightest whisper of impropriety…you can rest assured it will be handled.”
“On what grounds give you the right to investigate me?”
“I though we established that the innocent have nothing to fear.” Heim said, raising a hand. “The truth is, I’ve asked the court to assist Hogwarts’ governors with the investigation of how the grounds were breached…and well, the Death Eaters have a history of being able to sneak in and out of the school undetected, don’t they? From Fenrir Greyback and his like…to the Headmaster himself- and of course…your son.”
“You have no right…”
“I think when it comes to the security of England. I have every right.” Matthias leaned in then, his lips brushing Lucius’ ear. “I told you what I was going to do in that hallway, Malfoy. I am going to be bury you, but first…I am going to take away what you hold dear. All this clout, all your so-called power…everything that you’re using to protect these monsters. I will break it down…and then you’re going to prison for a long time. You, and those like you. I’m going to show everyone exactly what you are…” Lucius hadn’t moved. He had found a corner of the floor and was staring hard into that corner as if it held some secret. “…a frightened, powerless old man.” Heim pulled away then, just in time to capture Lucius’ eyes with his own. “Then who will protect them?”
“…Mr. Malfoy? Luci?” It was Ellen speaking, her slender fingers cold against Lucius’ skin. “Let’s go…please…”
Lucius looked over once more at Heim, and the reporters. His hand readjusted on his cane, before curling closer to Ellen and following her down the stairs. The rage, and hate would come later.
Right now, all the Malfoy Lord felt was fear.
And when the Mark burned, he answered.
What: Lucius encounters a monster
When: More or less now in GrownHP
Why: Because for Heim this is personal
“Mr. Malfoy.”
“No comment. Keep walking, Ellen…”
“Mr. Malfoy, just a moment of your time.”
“I said no comment.”
“How do you respond to the rumors that the Wizengamont is investigating you and other former Death Eaters?”
The Malfoy patriarch paused on the steps of Ministry, his hand freezing on his companion’s back. Ellen Houis turned, her mousy brown hair shadowing her thin frightened face, as she retreated deeper in Lucius’ arm at. The reporters, smelling blood, clustered forward.
Lucius Malfoy’s face was stony and perfect, his blue eyes running over the assembled party. He seemed aware of all the eyes that were focused on him at that moment. He seemed aware of the frightened girl on his arm. But for the life of him, he couldn’t seem to put emotion into his features.
Everyone was watching.
“…I was unaware I had done anything to warrant such an investigation.” Lucius finally managed, smoothly. It was then he smiled; it was then his eyes danced. He could have been talking about a Quidditch match.
“Then you shouldn’t be concerned, should you, Mr. Malfoy?”
It happened a little too quickly for anyone to notice. Heim had appeared, and his smile was classic and controlled, his tone welcoming. He crossed the distance between them, pushing back the reporters and guards, his eyes focused intently on Lucius.
And Malfoy took a step back. He seemed to realize he had retreated a moment later because his eyes turned cold.
It only served to deepen Heim’s grin. “Courage does not fear crime, or honesty authority isn’t that the quote? If you nothing to hide, you shouldn’t be concerned with an investigation.”
“I was unaware the Dark Lord had returned and sent out Snatchers again.” Lucius countered, “The ideology must be similar and I’m confused.”
“Still call him Lord, do you?”
The girl on Lucius’ arm gripped his wrist, mumbling for them to retreat. Malfoy didn’t budge. There was something strange about the older man’s eyes. It was like staring into a mirror: placid and unfeeling. Heim continued to smile, around them the reporters shifted and moved.
“I intend to have the records of everyone with a similar background as yours investigated, Mr. Malfoy.” Heim said slowly. “The Lestranges. The Rosiers. Snape. As well as Lupins, and Ms. Houis’ here… and if I find the slightest whisper of impropriety…you can rest assured it will be handled.”
“On what grounds give you the right to investigate me?”
“I though we established that the innocent have nothing to fear.” Heim said, raising a hand. “The truth is, I’ve asked the court to assist Hogwarts’ governors with the investigation of how the grounds were breached…and well, the Death Eaters have a history of being able to sneak in and out of the school undetected, don’t they? From Fenrir Greyback and his like…to the Headmaster himself- and of course…your son.”
“You have no right…”
“I think when it comes to the security of England. I have every right.” Matthias leaned in then, his lips brushing Lucius’ ear. “I told you what I was going to do in that hallway, Malfoy. I am going to be bury you, but first…I am going to take away what you hold dear. All this clout, all your so-called power…everything that you’re using to protect these monsters. I will break it down…and then you’re going to prison for a long time. You, and those like you. I’m going to show everyone exactly what you are…” Lucius hadn’t moved. He had found a corner of the floor and was staring hard into that corner as if it held some secret. “…a frightened, powerless old man.” Heim pulled away then, just in time to capture Lucius’ eyes with his own. “Then who will protect them?”
“…Mr. Malfoy? Luci?” It was Ellen speaking, her slender fingers cold against Lucius’ skin. “Let’s go…please…”
Lucius looked over once more at Heim, and the reporters. His hand readjusted on his cane, before curling closer to Ellen and following her down the stairs. The rage, and hate would come later.
Right now, all the Malfoy Lord felt was fear.
And when the Mark burned, he answered.