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“No,” Lucius said bluntly. “I was proud while I was in Azkaban that I kept my sanity. Now, I fear that I have lost my sanity while regaining my freedom.”
Harry smiled ruefully. “It’s a terrible lot to take in,” he said sympathetically. “You’ll figure out everything that’s been going on soon enough, regain your health and then everything will be back to normal.”
Lucius studied Harry contemplatively for long seconds. “I have the feeling, Potter, that not much will be normal,” he said quietly.
Harry nodded his head in acknowledgment, hoping that also meant that Lucius himself had changed. “Are you ready to go to the Manor now?” he asked.
Lucius inhaled deeply before nodding sharply. Harry stepped away, allowing Lucius to transform. He was startled when the little ferret scampered up his cloak and settled into his pocket. His head poked over the top of the pocket, and Harry stared incredulously for a moment, before he started laughing. Lucius appeared to be far more relaxed than Draco regarding the ferret issue.
He glanced over at Severus, seeing the warm, amused smile. “No, Harry,” Severus said. “You still can’t tell anyone.”
“I know,” Harry said, smiling widely. “But it’s made today more bearable at least, and surely I can tell Draco.”
“I said he would forgive you, but you push it at your own risk,” Severus warned.
“Ah, I can take Draco,” Harry said, his smile turning mischievous. “I have new ways to make him forgive me.”
“Indeed,” Severus said dryly.
Harry snatched up his rucksack and retrieved the Invisibility Cloak that they would be travelling under. With Lucius riding in Harry’s pocket, it was a simple matter for Harry to grip Severus’ arm for the Side-Along Apparition.
* * * * *
Chapter Thirty-Four
Lucius wasn’t to know it, but Severus was the one who had the authority and the knowledge to adjust the wards to admit them as Draco’s guests. No one would be the wiser, as no alarms would be set off by their appearance on the property. Severus had also given the orders to the house-elves.
Harry had no idea how exactly Severus knew that there would be no unexpected guests at the Manor, but he trusted Severus’ word. He still had no idea how Severus was managing to keep Pettigrew’s disappearance secret for so long, either. The man seemed to know, however, that Voldemort wouldn’t be calling his followers that day or that evening. It was one of the reasons they had to do what they were doing immediately. Harry wondered if Severus had directly arranged it somehow, but wasn’t sure how that was possible. Or perhaps his mind simply shied away from wanting to know what Severus had to do to make it possible.
Whatever the case, Severus Apparated them directly into Malfoy Manor while under the Invisibility Cloak. He rested a hand on Harry’s shoulder and swiftly guided them along marble corridors, clearly knowing where they were going.
Harry followed, but his eyes roamed over everything they passed. The place practically screamed money . . . and it was huge. He was a little fascinated that this was where Draco had grown up, but thought the place seemed rather cold. He wondered how much of that had to do with the fact that Narcissa and Draco had stripped so much from the place, as there was a distinct feeling of emptiness in the air.
Lucius, still in ferret form, stirred against his thigh, and Harry glanced down at him. The ferret was agitated. Harry was feeling rather jittery himself.
They entered a study and, after closing the door, Severus removed the cloak, swiftly warding the room as extra protection. Lucius scampered out of Harry’s pocket and back to the floor, transforming back to his human self.
Harry took in the expensive furnishings and the huge desk central to the room. Lucius also stood glancing around the room for a minute before he slowly walked over to his desk and sat down, rubbing his hand along the surface.
The desk and the room had many memories for Lucius, Harry was sure. He remained quiet, letting Lucius have a few minutes. Lucius checked through all of the drawers and eventually turned his attention back to Harry. He’d yet to really interact with Severus, believing him to be Remus.
“Potter, there is nothing here,” he said. “Can I presume that Narcissa has taken my things?”
“Yes,” Harry said, nodding. “Well, I’m pretty sure, anyway. I’ve never actually asked about your things,” he admitted. “But she and Draco packed away a lot of stuff from here. Amongst other things, they’ve got a couple of those magical trunks that they packed. I’ve learned that Draco and Narcissa are really quite resourceful.”
Lucius smiled faintly. “That they are,” he said softly. He lapsed into silence again, and Harry waited. He wasn’t really feeling patient, as he’d just as soon get out of there, but he was willing to give Lucius as much time as he could.
There was utter silence in the room and Harry was startled when Lucius started speaking again, as his head was bowed.
“My wife and son are resourceful,” Lucius emphasized, raising his head to meet Harry’s gaze directly. “I am unaware of events in the Wizarding world that have occurred over the last year, but clearly things have taken unexpected turns for my wife and son to be living with you.” He hesitated a moment. “Have they truly switched sides in this war?” he asked. “You have not stated as such directly, but that is the definite impression I am receiving from you.”
“Yes,” Harry said solemnly. “They have made their choices freely, for reasons that they will have to tell you themselves. I refused to make the choice for them, just as I refuse to coerce you. I offered them protection to the best of my ability, which I now extend to you.”
“You are aware it is not wise to make such drastic decisions with incomplete information,” Lucius stated.
“I know that,” Harry said, nodding in acknowledgement. “You are aware that I can’t trust you.”
“You are forcing me to make an immediate decision,” Lucius said.
Harry sighed heavily. “It’s the circumstances forcing an immediate decision, not me,” he said. “Believe me, I don’t like it either.” He dropped unceremoniously into one of the chairs opposite the desk, rubbing his temples absently as he tried to come up with any better ideas.
He wondered again if Dumbledore had been right about Lucius. Harry remembered him saying something about Lucius possibly being grateful to be locked away in Azkaban, safe from Voldemort’s wrath. He had hoped that it might be true, and that it would help sway Lucius, but wasn’t counting on it. He had no idea what was really going on in Lucius’ mind, but family still seemed to be the key factor.
“If you stay here, you’re fucked because Voldemort will find out very quickly that you’re here,” Harry said. “And I can’t take you to where we’re living without a commitment, as there’s too much at risk. I honestly don’t know where to take you to give you more time to decide.
He glanced up at Severus hopefully, but the man just shook his head. He knew Severus had intended to simply Obliviate Lucius and let him fend for himself.
Harry sighed. “The best I can probably do is arrange for you to meet Draco and Narcissa somewhere tonight after we’re done here so you can at least talk to them before you decide,” he said.
“Potter, would you care to finally explain why I am here discussing this with you?” Lucius asked evenly.
Harry looked at him blankly, surprised at the change of subject and not understanding what he meant.
“You are Dumbledore’s prodigy, but surely he would wish to wager these types of negotiations himself,” Lucius said.
Harry stared at him, stricken by the realization that Lucius was unaware of Dumbledore’s death. He’d technically known that Lucius hadn’t been aware of events, but he’d somehow thought at least that news would’ve reached the prisoners in the last two months. They’d been isolated even more than he’d realized.
Lucius arched a brow. “I gather from your expression that you have, indeed, taken on this task yourself,” he drawled. “Why is that, Potter?”
Harry risked a glance at Severus, who stood stiffly, his face expressionless. Harry looked back to Lucius.
“Dumbledore’s dead,” he answered flatly, feeling certain that he’d just failed. He registered Lucius’ shock numbly. Lucius had been contemplating switching sides, but he’d obviously believed the Light side still had a real leader.
Harry didn’t overly care about Lucius, but he had hoped that for Draco and Narcissa’s sake that the man wouldn’t go back to Voldemort. Lucius didn’t even know he had a granddaughter. Harry wasn’t about to tell the man, either. There was no sense in putting Victoria at risk.
“When? How?” Lucius asked.
There was not a chance in hell that Harry was going to answer how. “Two months ago,” he said dully.
“You are the Dark Lord’s only opposition?” Lucius asked, still sounding shocked.
Harry nodded, sighing heavily. He slumped dejectedly in the chair, trying to figure out how he was going to explain things to Draco and Narcissa.
Lucius hesitated before speaking again. “When did Draco and Narcissa switch their loyalties?” he questioned.
Harry shrugged. “Well, Draco first came to me a month and a half ago, but they didn’t actually switch sides until a couple weeks ago,” he said. His brow furrowed. “It feels like a lot longer than that,” he muttered to himself.
Lucius stared at him, shocked once again. “So, you are saying that my wife and son chose to side with you,” he said.
