Lucius Malfoy And The Marriage Matching Law | By : ozarkmoon Category: HP Canon Characters paired with Original Characters > Het - Male/Female Views: 5696 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
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6 – DISCOVERING
Standard disclaimer - I own nothing in the Potter Universe and am making no profit from this work of fiction. See Chap 1 for warnings!
Now that the Minster for magic is involved, who else needs to know? More importantly: What the hell happened and where did those tattoos come from? And what will Lucius find out about those wards?
All three were seated - Kingsley in his chair across from the couple on the sofa. They each sipped a hot beverage - all wishing it was something stronger. Finally the Minister spoke.
“Why were you even in the pool of witches for the marriage matching law, Christina?”
“I was hoping you could tell me. Have you read every word of the law yet?” She retorted. He shook his head. “And who the fuck is making the matches - a Muggleborn with a grudge or a Pureblood with an axe to grind?”
The man looked sheepish. “Arthur got the Wizengamot to appoint Molly to the task, arguing that she had made good matches for her own children and many relatives and friends.”
“Fucking idiots, the entirety of them!” she exclaimed. “You need to address that immediately - there has to be an odd-numbered committee that first reviews the existing matches, then votes on the remaining ones made. We all know her malevolence knows no bounds.”
“So you wish to contest this match?” Kingsley looked at the two. “Things not going well?”
“On the contrary, Minister. Our match is working out rather well on both sides,” Lucius smiled and place his arm over her shoulders.
“He speaks the truth. For the last few days we have been meeting and getting along just fine,” Christina confirmed, blushing.
“And I was summoned here because?” The Minister stared at the witch.
“Well, the obvious answer is the disappearance of the Dark Mark. Add to that our tattoos - we each have a small one of unknown origin - which appeared after the mark was no longer visible,” she answered.
“Spontaneously generated tattoos? What the hell caused that?” he blurted out.
The witch blushed again. “We have memories in the pensieve from both of us. I thought it might be helpful to whomever you wish to consult. Discretion would be appreciated as it occurred at a rather private moment.”
“How private?” His brows drew together.
“We were both unattired at the time,” Lucius helpfully provided.
Kingsley chuckled. “It sounds as if ‘rather well’ doesn’t begin to describe how you are getting along.”
“Let’s say things are just spiffy and leave it for now, Kings,” the witch implored.
“For now.” He grinned at her. “I have an Unspeakable in mind - Mary White. Started as an Auror, worked her way up the ranks. Smart as a whip and has been in the U-Corps for over a decade. Very discreet, too.”
“I remember Mary. She was Head Girl when I was in my third year. Ravenclaw, if my memory serves. She assigned the most outrageous punishments, but hardly ever reported miscreants to Dippet,” Lucius told them. “She is acceptable.”
Kingsley went to call the woman and waited by the fireplace.
“How many of your punishments were outrageous, Lucius?” she quietly asked him.
“My dear, you wrongly assume that I did something against the rules, much less got caught doing so,” Lucius smirked.
“Yes, well. That will be filed away for discussion at a more appropriate time, shall it?” She grinned back.
Unspeakable Mary White had three shocks this morning, and it was still not quite nine. The Minister contacted her directly, told her to Floo to Malfoy Manor - of all places! - and now she was standing in the library of the manor house watching Voldemort’s henchman snuggled on the couch with the Minister’s best friend and laughing. At least her weekend just got interesting.
Introductions were made, another chair and cup of tea provided by the host. The Minister gave little away, just saying she was needed to investigate several phenomena.
“Well, what’s happened then?” Mary asked the couple.
Lucius smiled at her and rolled up his sleeve. The Unspeakable had seen several Dark Marks in the course of her duties, but never his. So it took a few seconds to process what she was being shown. She stood up and reached over the small tea table to touch the bare skin. Nothing - she felt no evil, no undulations beneath the skin, no trace of that evil leader. Her body plopped back into the chair.
“Bugger - this has never happened before. How did you do it?” This was directed at Lucius.
“We, um, took out memories and put them in the pensieve on the desk. I would like to go in with you - to explain a few things - if it is agreeable,” Christina said.
“Of course, dear, a bit of context is always welcome when solving mysteries,” she smiled at the woman.
The two went to the desk and began speaking in low tones, leaving the men to their own devices. After several minutes of silence, the host could not hold his tongue any longer.
“Molly? Really, Minister, did you think she would not abuse her position to punish anyone who had ever dared to contradict her?” Lucius started in.
“Truthfully, it was fait accompli when I returned from a four hour visit to Durmstrang last month. Arthur - poor bludgered sod that he is - presented it all so nicely, with her prompting I’m sure, that no one even thought there would be a problem. Of course, I realized there was after a few of the matches were called to my attention last week,” Kingsley confessed.
“Possibly a correction needs to be made in that regard. It will take longer, but I would suggest a graduate of each house from Hogwarts, one representative of each blood status group - including Squibs - and possibly an Arithmancer. That will give you an odd number and a well-balanced group,” Lucius suggested.
“I believe some reformation may be needed to the law - possibly to address fertility status?” The Minister raised an eyebrow at him.
“Within minutes of first meeting with me, she was completely candid about that. We are serious about making the match work, even if there are to be no offspring for the Ministry to showcase from the marriage,” Lucius assured him.
“That is good to hear, since it is possible that you are already bonded in the eyes of the Ancients,” Mary advised, returning with Christina to sit down.
“Bonded?” both men asked.
“There are a few books on the old ways in the office which need to be consulted. Do you have a copy of Precor Filiolus?” she asked Lucius. He handed her the book from the side table. A small notebook and mechanical pencil were pulled out and Mary began taking notes.
“The Ancients - that is something I had not considered when searching for information,” Lucius said softly.
“Does that refer to Celtic and Pagan ancients, or the Greek pantheon?” Christina asked.
“There is an array of beliefs in our world, just as in the Muggle one. Our family as always subscribed to an amalgam that includes Greek and regional ancients,” Lucius told her.
The Minister and the witch did not miss the use of ‘our’ by the blond. It puzzled the dark man, who studied the now-beaming woman across from him.
“Did you both call upon these gods in the last few days?” Mary asked.
Christina nodded. “Starting right after I owled him the first time.”
Lucius stared at her, dumbstruck. Finally he answered. “Starting right before I received that missive.” His seatmate returned the open-mouthed look.
“Right, then. I need to go check a few other references. If you two would pull out memories of the first time you called on them - say five minutes before and after - I want to see those when I return. And I need to see your marks before I go.
“Minister, I need access to the file regarding their match,” she turned to Kingsley, “without Mrs. Weasley being informed.”
“Those are locked in her office. Why should she not be informed?” Shacklebolt asked.
“Are you having me on?” He shook his head. “I will be brutally honest since no one else has seen fit to. Anyone who dares ask even the most innocent of questions of that shrew is hexed or threatened with being matched to someone thirty years younger or older - no matter the gender of the questioner. Apparently my perfect match is a young man who is to graduate from Hogwarts next summer,” Unspeakable White informed him, her tone leaving no doubt as to her feelings on the matter.
“And your transgression which elicited such a response?” Lucius could not resist asking.
“Inquiring if the matches were being done by age or last name,” Mary told the group. “Now, I must be off. I apologize that it may take several hours to gather information. I will send you an owl if it will be later than tea time,” she informed the couple.
Lucius stood up and removed his shirt. The Unspeakable moved forward and did a quick sketch of the eagle tattoo, making a few notes beside it. Kingsley went to look over her shoulder and study the marking. Shirt back on, the blond beckoned the Minister to the fire.
Christina stood between the sofa and tea table, left foot resting on a cushion. She waited quietly, with skirt raised, while the woman again drew and made notes.
Kingsley promised to return with Mary when there was news. In the meantime, he needed to call the Chief Witch of the Wizengamot. They needed to contrive a plausible and face-saving reason for Molly’s sudden resignation - which would come today or he would hex her himself. Being privy to Auror-class magic did come in handy.
Surprisingly, Lucius offered a few believable suggestions. Odd that; the one with the most animosity toward the entire family was being most helpful. The two departed, leaving the couple with one last bit of advice - under no circumstances were they to touch the marks until the origin was known.
They both retrieved their memories and placed the new ones in the pensieve.
~~~~~~~~~~
Deciding to knock out two Chasers with one Bludger, Lucius escorted his witch to the kitchens. “You can meet most of the house elves and we can have brunch,” he told her.
Their stools at the island in the kitchen allowed a perfect view of Tiddler, Badger’s younger brother, preparing several dishes under the direction of Nanny. It was good he thought to bring her here, because in the course of conversation about favorite foods she mentioned a few food allergies. This was something Lucius never thought to ask. He was happy to order cucumber sandwiches never be served again in the manor. From now on they would have a plethora of pickles, but no plain cucumbers would be served.
After an excellent meal of omelets, fried potatoes, fruit salad and scones the couple were in need of a walk. Deciding to finally head out to the dog pen and stables, they decided to change. Christina put on jeans, trainers and a black t-shirt emblazoned with ‘Can I Ride Your Broom?’ across the front. She was pulling her hair on top of her head when Lucius exited the closet and caught sight of her reflection. He nearly pounced on her, chuckling.
“Any time witch,” he whispered in her ear.
“What?” She followed his finger to her reflection and smiled. Her gaze travelled to his image in the mirror, which prompted her to turn around for the full view.
Her wizard stood still for inspection. Her eyes took him in; fit body, toned legs, tight ass - all poured into full-seat black riding breeches, black knee-high riding boots, charcoal gray fitted dress shirt. She finished walking around him and stopped in facing the man.
His eyebrow lifted. “Yes, you pass inspection - almost too well,” she informed him.
Lucius studied her a few moments. “What are you not telling me?” he finally asked.
“I find this outfit appealing and am imagining you in full dressage costume with riding crop.”
“And?” he prompted.
“Just wondering what it would be like if you were dressed in it, with me over your knee being lightly spanked by the crop. Too bad we are under orders to behave ourselves. Let us head out to the stables, my lord,” she teased and grabbed his hand.
His lust-muddled mind didn’t clear until they were at the foot of the stairway in the foyer. He pulled her to face him and planted a kiss on her lips. “You are a naughty witch, and some day very soon I will fulfill that fantasy for you,” he promised.
Christina smiled and pulled him outside. First, they visited the dogs, who were ecstatic to have company during the day. As each threw toys for the dogs to fetch, it was decided to have Badger introduce the canines to life inside the manor. He could train them easily and other than needing one good romp a day to burn off energy, they were rather lackadaisical.
“How friendly are your Abraxans?” she asked on the way to the stables.
“None of them are used to strangers, one even spooks when Badger or his uncle, Dropper, come in daily to care for them,” he warned.
“Regarding our little tiff this morning, let me go in first - alone. It is better if I show you rather than tell you,” she requested.
He thought for a minute, wondering what in the world she had in mind. The horses were large and could easily injure her. “Only if you promise to call me if you even feel in danger - I will be right outside.”
She walked into the stable and began talking quietly. He stood there almost five minutes, hearing nothing but a few snorts and her low murmuring. Finally he heard a large hoof slam against a stall door, and ran into the barn, panicked.
Lucius stopped three steps in. Jupiter, his favorite stallion, was nuzzling against her shoulder as she stood at the stall door, facing away from the animal. Thunder, the unruliest of the lot, had broken his stall door open and was kneeling in front of her - the breed’s signal of supplication.
“Extraordinary,” he whispered.
“Thunder, up,” she ordered. The horse stood and was rewarded with a hug around his massive neck.
“How did you know his name?” The question startled both stallions. Thunder started to move towards him.
“Stop,” she commanded, still holding on, and he complied. “I told you, boy, no one is going to hurt you anymore. You are safe here.” Her hands moved up to scratch his ears.
“You really think he understands you?” Lucius asked.
“Of course he does - most animals do. I am afflicted with the Animal Affinity.” She watched for his reaction.
He scoffed. “That is a myth.”
“Right. Like calling on the ancients and spontaneously being marked with tattoos is a myth?” she reminded him. After a moment’s thought, he had to concede.
He approached and held his hand out to Thunder. The animal first looked to Christina, and after being reassured, moved to him for attention. “I have not been this close to him in ages. We thought he might be feral or worse,” Lucius commented.
“When you first acquired him, did you slap his flank and hip?” she asked.
“Of course - as I do with all of them.”
“Whoever had him prior to you left an injury from a fall unattended. It was still sore when he arrived - that is why he was so wild. He thought everything you did would hurt,” she explained.
“Does it still hurt him?”
“Not as much now, but I still think you need to call a MagiVet to see to him and make sure there is no permanent damage. He wants me to ride him, but I won’t until he is completely healthy,” she answered.
“I agree with that. We will call the healer Monday.” He turned to her. “How do you know this? And their names?”
“All domestic animals can communicate their names to me - that is what I had done with Holly. I did know of Hickory because I was at the dog show in Seattle - I have friends in the States who breed Great Danes and they had two in the show.
“As to the rest - it is a combination of pictures and feelings. Thunder showed me the slap, then limping, and then fear. Each species is a bit different, and some like birds I have a terrible time understanding.” Christina walked over to Lilith’s stall - the shyest of the herd - and was greeted with a loud whinny.
“That one always hides from us,” Lucius commented.
“She is a bit unsure of herself. Thunder tried to bite her when she rubbed against his bruised side, and she is a bit scared by him. Pumpkin is her favorite companion - maybe he can be encouraged to bunk with her, now that the dogs are coming in the house,” she suggested.
“Your charity towards four-legged familiars does not extend to my feline?” he teased.
“Dot’s fertility status is not known to me since she is a rescue. Something tells me Pumpkin has not been gelded and we do not need extra felines. It is a tricky thing, introducing cats, and will take weeks for them to acclimate. In the meantime, I thought he might enjoy staying with Lilith.” Christina walked up to him and planted a kiss on his cheek, then turned to Thunder and did the same. “Now, big boy, you need another stall and will stay there for two sunrises - until the healer can see to you.” She walked to an empty stall and threw the door open.
Lucius watched fascinated as the huge animal followed like a duckling and went into his new home.
The pair strolled back towards the manor. “Who else knows of your abilities with animals?” He finally broke the silence.
“Kingsley, of course. Hagrid suspects something is afoot, but is unsure exactly what it is. I think Mary knows, but you know how Unspeakables are - one is never completely sure what they know. Lastly, Charlie Weasley - the second eldest of Arthur’s boys.”
“Why Weasley? Isn’t he the one working with dragons?” he asked.
“Yes, in Romania. I was on holiday in Istanbul and got a note from Kings asking me to stop in there on my way back - they were having terrible problems with one of the Horntails. It took five minutes to sort out,” Christina replied, sounding pleased with herself.
“The problem you so easily solved?” Lucius was curious.
“Most reptiles are difficult to understand, but dragons scream.” She laughed. “She had lost her egg. The keepers had it under warming, cushioning and protective charms after it was left alone for a day. She thought it had been taken by a predator. After I finally convinced them to release their spells on the egg and let me in-“
“You went into a pen with a Hungarian Horntail!” he yelled. Christina stopped and gave him a tight hug.
“I was never in danger - she pleaded with me to help her find it. I took her to where the egg was and between us, it was placed back in the nest. No problems,” she gently told him.
“Gods, witch. Do not ever do anything like that again. I do not wish to suffer apoplexy any time soon,” he demanded, hugging to her tightly.
“I will try my best not to be the source of such afflictions. Let’s go sit on the patio and enjoy a cool beverage,” she pulled him to the table set up for outdoor meals.
The elves had served light salads, soup and ice water for luncheon. The two started on their soup.
“You have another stable,” she stated. “Where is it located?”
“Near the estate boundary. It is much easier to lend out breeding stock if Muggles can bring vehicles for transport.” Lucius looked up and finally pointed off to the area. “It is about a half mile that way. That is also the area we raise livestock.”
“You cannot use elves - who tends to things?” She had wondered if he employed any humans.
“I have two caretakers with families who live down there too. One is a squib and the other Half-Blood - both excellent at what they do. You will meet them next week. Before you ask, they are well taken care of. Each lives in a house, rent free. Both families are provided with all the mutton, beef, pork and poultry they need - as well as produce grown on the estate.” He returned to his meal.
“You are a good man, Lucius. The positions much be highly coveted.”
He nodded. “In the case of the Squib, it is inherited. His father worked for mine, then for me. By the time he was ready to retire, the son was ready to step in.”
“I look forward to meeting both families.”
“Do you have plans tomorrow?” Lucius asked.
“I suspect my time before noon will be commandeered by Kingsley. He gave me a few looks best interpreted as ‘you will explain this situation’ earlier,” she told him.
“That is fine. Draco and Astoria are coming for their weekly brunch, and I promised them a family discussion on the marriage. They will be gone by noon, so you can return here when you are done. Bring some clothing and toiletries when you do.” He smiled at her and winked.
“Yes, from what Mary said, I might as well get ready to move.”
“Mary. You knew her before today.” The casual interaction between the two women had not gone unnoticed by him.
“Yes, we met the first year or two after I moved the London. Aurors, Unspeakables and Donald Drummond’s group were all working with Muggle law enforcement world-wide - well those who the Ministry could spare. I was asked to act as liaison to the non-wizarding world, and my contact was Mary.”
“Interesting that you know of Drummond’s little crew. They are akin to Black Ops in the States, correct?” She nodded. “1998. I was otherwise occupied the majority of that year.” He said nothing else.
“Two U.S. embassies were bombed on the same day in Africa. The entire world went on alert - it was ‘all hands on deck’ across the globe.” Christina was quiet for several minutes, busy wiping her eyes with her napkin. “After meeting with several contacts, I warned him. Hell, I warned them all what was coming.” She got up and walked out into the garden.
Lucius was confused for several minutes, trying to connect things. Narcissa had died in 2000 around Mabon. For at least a year, he was a hermit - only going to work and returning home. There was next to no contact with anyone. Something was on the periphery of his memory; a moving photo of large buildings collapsing. Holy Hecate! Was she referring to that?
A Ministry owl landed on the adjoining chair before he could go to her. Lucius pushed his plate of chicken salad to the bird and took the parchment to read. Their guests would arrive in two hours - apparently the Minister was having difficulties with a personnel matter. He smirked - at least that harpy was going to be out on her duff today. He stood up and went to his witch.
Arms encircled her and a kiss was planted on her neck. “The aeroplanes,” was all he said. She nodded. “When you are of a mind to tell me about it, I will listen.” She turned and hugged him back.
“Meanwhile, our guests are returning in two hours. Apparently your friend is having a few employee problems.” He smiled down at her.
Christina laughed. “Was there any doubt that bitch would not go down without a fight?”
“Someday you will also share the source of this loathing and disdain.”
“Oh, it is quite the tale - one that will require several cigars and mixed drinks. Maybe some weekend?” She released him and walked to the table for another glass of water. “I sense there is something else you want to talk about.”
“Yes. We should prepare for our guests and retire to my study. If Mary is correct, there is much information for us to share in preparation for news of our bonding to be leaked,” he told her.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Mabon is the holiday of the autumnal equinox - a Pagan ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and the God during the coming winter months. It is the middle of three Pagan harvest festivals which end with Samhain.
There was some discovery, and some plotting, mostly against the red-headed menace doing the matchmaking for the new law. Not. A. Fan. But you figured that out already, right? Muse wants to do terrible things to her, but I argued that being brushed aside and summarily ignored would be far worse. I confess, we both chuckled like evil villains.
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