Who: Lucius Malfoy & Daphne Greengrass When: Wednesday, June 14th, 2002 Where: Chief Warlock's Office, Ministry What: Lucius requests Daphne's services; Daphne is a little shit Warnings: (brief) torture
"All right," Daphne started as the door to Lucius Malfoy's office closed behind her. "I'm here."
One hip cocked, her hand settled comfortably at her side, Daphne looked astonishingly at ease considering where she was. Then again, she had known the man-- and his family-- for most of her life. That certainly helped. At least she wasn't yawning, clearly keeping herself mentally occupied by instead lazily twirling her wand between her fingers.
"What do you need?"
&
The Chief Warlock's office was not a cheerful place. Lucius's desk was imposingly large and placed in the middle of the dimly lit room. The walls and floors were obsidian. Glass windows behind him looked out into the largest court room, currently empty, and there wasn't a piece of artwork or photograph to be seen. Instead, the only form of decoration were the shelves living the room, each containing thick volumes of books on magical law and records of all the trials he'd overseen.
When the young blonde appeared so casually in his doorway, Lucius looked up and withdrew the cigarette from his lips. Crushing it into a glass ashtray on the corner of his desk, Lucius stood and raised his wand. With a jab in the air, the door slammed shut behind Daphne, forcing her into the room properly.
"When you are summoned before me, Miss Greengrass, it would bode well to show the proper respect. I've no time for your flippant attitude and outright insolence."
He sat again and gestured to a very uncomfortable chair in front of his desk. "Please. Sit."
&
Merlin help her, she actually rolled her eyes. Subtly, but still. And yet, she nevertheless made her way to where he was indicating and moved to sit, crossing one leg over the other as she leaned back in her seat. Mm. This wasn't bound to break her back at at all.
It really did help him that he still looked good for his age.
"Well, sir, I can only assume that you brought me here not to waste your time with pleasantries, but for a purpose. I imagine that it's for one of two reasons. Either it has to do with the fact that I knew your son fairly well and you think that I have some kind of information that could help you, or you could use my help obliviating someone's memory since I'm very good at my job. So." She smiled, leaning forward in her seat somewhat. "Which one is it?"
&
Rude children would be the death of him, Lucius thought to himself. Between his fingers he held the most powerful wand ever crafted and this witch still thought it appropriate to sass him.
It irritated him more than anything. The curse he cast her way was half hearted at best, but a half curse with the Elder Wand was nothing to ignore. The blue light shout out of his wand and cast the feeling of thousands of thorns piercing her skin.
"I do not owe you explanations, Miss Greengrass."
&
Her nails dug into the arms of the seat, Daphne gritting her teeth. Well. At least it was evenly distributed, huh?
"Fine," she ground out through clenched teeth. "Then-- I guess-- I'm just-- gonna hang out-- here." Each bit punctuated by a sharp breath in or out. And still she was sassing him. But honestly, what was the point in summoning her here and then not actually telling her why she'd been summoned? He was wasting both of their times, and she was less than amused.
&
The curse only lasted a few moments longer before he broke it. A smug smirk crossed his lips and he folded his hands together, the Elder Wand vanishing down his sleeve.
"Despite your mouth, you have a talent that I am collecting upon." There was no question in his tone, no indication that he was asking her for anything. She was a Ministry employee and, as such, his to do with as he wished.
"There is a Disciple in my care at the moment who is proving most vexing. And while I could easily torment her until she bled out, I find that she is more use to me with a smile on her face. You are going to assist me in recreating Hermione Granger."
&
The relief that struck her when he released her was almost excessive, endorphins flooding her body as she realized that this was not entirely unlike certain BDSM scenarios. Well then. Now she couldn't help but wonder if he didn't have a thing for inflicting pain. Maybe not to the point that Cass did, but... that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Hermione Granger, though... now that was interesting. He wanted her compliant? Daphne had been in the same year as Hermione, had seen what her mind was capable of. The trick of it would be erasing and implanting just the right memories whilst also avoiding anything... vital. It would be so disappointing for her to lose bits of her intellect.
"All right. When?"
&
"Soon," Lucius replied. "However, I have certain... shall we say, expectations of those under my employ," he said before picking up his silver cigarette case and drawing out a hand rolled cigarette. It lighted with a snap of his fingers and Lucius inhaled slowly. As he exhaled, the smoke was tinted a soft shade of green and curled and spiraled more than the average cigarette.
"I don't doubt your abilities, Miss Greengrass. I make it a point to consult with the heads of each Department. However, your attitude is as well known as your talent. And though I can.. appreciate.. a strong personality, I must urge you the importance of doing exactly as I say in the exact manner in which I say it."
&
Daphne had to resist the urge to chortle. "I know how to take orders and be obedient." She couldn't help but smirk as she leaned forward in her seat a bit. "I might be... a bit... sassy while doing it, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't get done."
Okay, so maybe a bit was putting it likely. But still. The point stood.
"I wouldn't have gotten to this point in my department if I didn't know where and when I needed to behave myself, regardless of how good I am at my job."
&
There was a time, Lucius thought, when one did not sass their superiors. He reminded himself that the vast majority of the people weren't so quick to run their mouths and it was their obedience that saved Miss Greengrass from having her tongue painfully removed from her mouth.
"You could go further," Lucius pointed out. "With friends in the right places, with a generous benefactor with substantial influence... well, just imagine how far you could move within, not only your department, but the entire Ministry. I'd hate to see you limited by just one department. Is that the sort of young witch you are?"
&
"My last name is Greengrass; what do you think? I've certainly got the right breeding... so from there it's just a matter of applying it. If, say, I had a reason to apply myself... I think I'd rather enjoy myself while doing it."
She leaned forward with a grin, her foot swinging back and forth from where her legs where crossed, elbow perched atop her knee. "I'd say I'm the sort of girl who does things because she wants to do them, first and foremost."
&
"I think a name is only that. A name. We exist in a world beyond bloodlines these days. This is a world built around power and influence, not purity. A smart witch would grab onto any power she could."
Standing from his desk, Lucius walked around it, his predatory eyes fixed on the young woman in front of him. She was overtly obvious in her intentions which amused him more than anything. Still. It was always helpful to have options.
"What it is it that you want? And do not bore me with obvious answers."
&
"I'm not that concerned with power. I'm more concerned with enjoying myself." With the-- potentially-- little time she had left. After all, weren't his excessive grabs of power what had driven his family away? Not that she was about to say that to him-- no, she quite liked her life, thank you very much.
"As much as I'd like to believe that a name is just a name, for me it has more negative connotations than it does positive. It meant more expectations, it means genetic inconveniences... my parents expect me to be this very specific person, just because I'm 'insert-name-here' Greengrass. I think that's stupid. So I only do what I want to do. Which just so happens to be enjoying myself."
&
"All a matter of perception," he said with a wave of his hand. "No name matters until you tell people how it should matter. Allowing yourself to be tied to a name without changing the narrative is accepting the fate others have chosen for you."
It was rare for Lucius to be so conversational with anyone but Rabastan, but he was starved for attention. His wife barely looked at him. His son... Lucius felt a dull ache in his chest which he quickly pushed aside. Dwelling on his family would do nothing to better his situation.
"There will be plenty of chances to enjoy yourself if you do what I expect of you. Any ample gestures of my appreciation."
&
She cocked her head, a small smile coloring her features. "Then I guess I'm the one changing the narrative, huh?"
Okay, so she'd absolutely been hitting on Lucius. That wasn't an uncommon thing for her to do, after all. But now it was starting to sound like he was doing the same in return, Daphne's grin turning far more self-satisfied and smug. "Like I said, I'm good at following orders. Just tell me what you need... or want me to do. And I do mean anything at all."
The only question would be whether or not he'd actually take the bait she'd so lovingly laid out for him.
&
"That remains to be seen," he said with a smirk. Plenty of witches and wizards had disappointed Lucius and he had no doubt Daphne would be another in a long string of let downs.
The cigarette between his lips burned slowly as Lucius looked her over in silence. He didn't need as many words as she did to convey her thoughts. His icy blue eyes traveled the length of her young body, a body that reminded him a great deal of Narcissa many years ago.
"Begin your preparations for Miss Granger," he said and nodded towards the door. "I will summon you soon, Miss Greengrass. I expect you to be ready."
&
She was about to ask him what preparations he really thought she would need to make in preparation, but just this once, she decided to keep her snarky comments to herself, which probably was in her best interest even if it was a whole lot less fun than the alternative.
Besides-- it wasn't like she had a good deal to be disappointed about. After all, she'd more or less gotten what she wanted, judging by the way he was now looking at her. Or... at least for the time being. Which was precisely why she looked pleased as punch as she moved to stand before making her way to the door.