Lucius Malfoy (wandholder) wrote in snitchers, @ 2017-08-27 21:03:00 |
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Entry tags: | char: lucius malfoy, char: rabastan lestrange |
Who: Lucius Malfoy and Rabastan Lestrange
When: Monday, August 28th, 2002.
Where: Ministry of Magic
What: Discussing what to do with their captive.
Warnings: None
Lucius had to admit that Rabastan had been correct in talking to Narcissa. He'd intended to sit her down at dinner and politely discuss the situation, but their conversation had escalated rather quickly over the journals and within the span of twenty minutes she had agreed to move out. Lucius wasted no time contacting his solicitor, having the papers to end their marriage drawn up within a few days. He was being more than generous, giving Narcissa nearly a third of his assets and their vacation home in the South of France. With any luck she'd flee there and ever come back.
Daphne moved in just days later and Lucius couldn't be happier. She was the perfect companion. She expected so much less from him than Narcissa had and Lucius was content to let Daphne do anything (and anyone) she wished provided she continued to be available to him and continue to adore him. The arrangement suited them both perfectly. There was no denying Lucius was in a better mood as he walked through the Ministry. Narcissa's son had nearly gotten himself killed and Lucius couldn't be bothered to care. Her son had made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with Lucius and, as such, Lucius felt no reason to give a second thought to the boy. There would be a new heir soon and a new Malfoy line to establish. Lucius was practically giddy at the thought.
With his personal life resolved, Lucius was able to focus on bigger issues. The Rebels almost seemed to be organizing, if the Weasley's comments in the journals were to be taken seriously. For awhile it had been enough to let them whine, but organization worried him enough to cause Lucius to act. It was, he decided, time to let their secret out to play. He headed up to Rabastan's office, Lucius was respectful enough to wait for Rabastan's assistant to show him inside.
As the door shut behind him, Lucius waved his wand, ensuring they wouldn't be overheard or disturbed.
"You look happier," Lucius commented. Rabastan tended to always look annoyed, but his features seemed less tired, his lips not set into a permanent frown. "Should I thank Miss Weasley for this?"
~~~
Rabas tan hadn't expected any appointments that day, instead, he was buried underneath a mountain of paperwork. He was working on a very intricate trade deal between Belize and England, and the foreign country knew full well that it had all the cards currently. They were one of the only producers of very rare, very prized potion ingredients, and the addition of their product into the Wizarding Market would do wonders. But all of the demands they wanted in return were utterly ridiculous. So much so that they had to be aware of it, and were only doing it to embarrass and annoy Rabastan. Currently, it was working. And yet, he didn't find himself quite as upset as he usually would be…
When Annabelle's note to him appeared that Lucius was waiting to be let inside, he had to admit he was a bit taken aback. But not for long as he smiled at his oldest friend as he entered his office. His words only made that smile wider, giving the other man a slight shrug in return.
"I'd be a lot happier if Minister Del Bosque wasn't quite blatantly trying to make dealing with them a living hell," he said with a shrug, snapping a folder of parchment closed and getting up from his seat.
"It's lovely to see you, my friend. I'm sure Ginny will be thrilled to know she's managed to cure my permanent scowl," he teased, though the joke was aimed at himself. "Would you like a drink? It may be mid day but… no time like the present, yes?"
---
"I'm never one to turn down a drink when offered," Lucius said and took a seat in one of the comfortable leather chairs in front of Rabastan's desk. It was easy to make himself at home with his friend. They had built their empire together and Lucius believed that what was Rabastan's was his as well. Just as what was Lucius' was Rabastan's. Even with their differences, Lucius trusted and respected his friend. If he were forced into honesty, a place Lucius never liked to find himself, Lucius would admit that he loved his best friend more than he had loved his wife or son. Rabastan was family. He was the brother Lucius never had.
Perhaps he had spent too much time away from Rabastan in recent weeks. They were both spending most, if not all, of their free time with the new women in their life. Lucius decided that must be the reason for the slight distance he felt between them. A distance easily remedied by some conversation and a good drink.
"Some thought my decline of your position was foolish at the time, but seeing you with an endless stack of parchment only proves how bright I really am," Lucius teased lightly. He appreciated Rabastan, far more than he said. Lucius neither had the patience or the tact necessary to be Minister and if he had taken the position it would have ruined their plan all together. Rabastan was the right man for the job and Lucius was continually impressed by how well his friend managed it all.
"Vodka, if you have it," Lucius requested and unbuttoned his jacket to make himself more comfortable. "Chilled, naturally."
---
Smiling at Lucius' request, Rabastan turned his back for a moment, waving his wand as a ornate chest opened, revealing crystal glasses and a variety of expensive liquor. Grabbing the top shelf bottle of vodka, that he would admit he truly kept around for the other man in the room, he poured him a class and tapped it with his want, instantly cooling the drink to Lucius desired temperature. They had known each other long enough that Rab knew exactly what drink, and what temperature was desired by his best friend. Turning around he handed him the glass before taking a few more moments to make up his own. Once finished, he settled back in his chair, taking a slow drink of his bourbon, neat. Appreciating the smooth flavor, he was happy with himself he had went with such a finely aged bottle. There was nothing quite like it…
"I will admit, you always make good business decisions for yourself. Giving me this position…" he shrugged, looking around for a moment, "It's tiring, I won't lie, but also rewarding. Eventually I'll find a way to cut the Minister of Belize down to size, and that, my friend, is what makes it worth it. It's just a never ending game of logic. Keeps my mind young," he teased, taking another sip and putting down his glass before leaning forward on his desk.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, my friend? Not that you need a reason to drop in, it's nice to see you regardless. But there's something in your eyes, if you don't mind me saying, that tells me you have something on your mind." In all of their years together, Rabastan had come to know Lucius like another part of himself. They could read each other like an open book at most times. And while sometimes it irked the other to no end, it was also nice to have someone in his life who knew him just as deeply as he knew himself, if not more.
---
Taking the glass from Rabastan, Lucius took a sip and smirked as the perfectly chilled vodka touched his tongue. After decades of drinking together, there were few who could pour him a drink the way Rabastan could. Lucius would have to teach Daphne how now that she was living at the Manor. He suspected his new fiancee wouldn't mind doting on him a single bit.
"Always too perceptive for your own good," Lucius teased. He took another drink before continuing. Sitting across from Rabastan, there wasn't a single hint of anything but ease and comfort coming from Lucius. He had no reason to stress or worry, not in the presence of his best friend. Rabastan was one of the few people… no. He was the only person Lucius trusted completely and that trust was evidence in his relaxed state.
"I spent my morning contemplating our situation. It appears, if our sources and the communication on the journals is any indication, that the rebels are starting to organize. Obviously any attempt to overthrow us will fail, but I don't enjoy the idea of them getting the opportunity. We've held her back for years now, biding our time and I think we've reached it. Better to cut them off before they become a bigger problem."
Lucius was ready to devote his time and energy to finding the Hallows. They'd built a new government, created a world that people loved, created new laws, new policies and now was the time for the next phase. They needed to obtain the hallows and together he and Rabastan would rule the magical world, not just in England, but throughout the world.
----
"My perceptive nature is why I've managed to make it this long, I'd say," he said with a small laugh. It was true as well. Rabastan had always been a master of self preservation, even while locked away in Azkaban. He had, of course, suffered psychologically, just like the rest of them that were locked away for years, but he had managed to find small ways to keep himself going, to keep his wits about him. And once he finally found freedom again? Well, he wasn't rash and stupid enough to throw that away, even after the downfall of the Dark Lord for the second time. He was far too rash in his actions, Rab had seen that the moment he tasted his first breath of free air again, but it would have been suicide to say as much. No, biding his time had worked out to be a much better option.
Lucius' suggestion though, the topic he brought to the table, made him pause. It was… a conversation he hadn't been looking forward to having, if he were being honest. Part of him had truly wished they killed her long ago. The idea of letting her roam freely once more.
Ginny was going to hate him forever.
The turmoil was clearly evident on Rabastan's face then. He had no reason to hide. This was difficult waters for him, especially after his recent conversation with George Weasley. For a brief moment, he had held onto the possibility of peace. But letting Bellatrix go? What would that say about him? About any progress they hoped to make? And it wasn't like he could tell his friend of the nature of his conversation with the rebel, because it would mean Rab had done something he was certainly not supposed to do.
"What would your plan be, Lucius?" he finally managed, taking another pull from his own drink. "Let her go just to cause chaos? Or do you have something more intricate in mind?" He truly was curious, and his voice was solid in that regard. If his best friend had a solid idea, then perhaps, he could support it. But Rabastan was a man who needed specifics first. He always had. He merely couldn't live by rash actions.
---
Like Rabastan, Lucius wasn't rash. One could argue that in recent months he was far more reckless than he had been in the past, but even at his most reckless, Lucius was hardly Gryffindor like in his actions. Letting Bellatrix out was a risky move and one Lucius wouldn't have considered until Narcissa failed him so miserably. But, perhaps, when one Black sister failed another would succeed.
"The rebels are going to continue to fight us," Lucius pointed out. "And sooner or later they'll make some progress, though I don't believe it will be enough to undo all we've done. My concern is that they'll stop our ability to go further, my friend. We have Britain, but what of France? Germany? Russia? What of the world? We could unite the magical worlds with the Hallows, you know this. And to do that, we need the people of Britain to be united, truly united."
He sipped at his drink, visions of world domination and control playing out in his mind. The magical world was bigger than most thought. But never before had anyone tried to bring it all together. Countries operated autonomously, only working together when it suited them. But together? United under one leadership? The power they could wield was undeniable.
"Bellatrix can eliminate the most vocal of the Rebels. Those who have voices which carry. I'm hardy suggesting she make it obvious who is doing it. For what she lacks in subtlety she makes up for in skills. And she follows orders well, if they are coming from me. We remove the threats, silence them once more and we move forward with the next part of our plan, Rabastan. It's time. You've proven yourself an impressive and worthy leader. Why shouldn't you share that with the world?"
And while some may have thought Lucius was merely stroking the ego of his friend, that was hardly the case. Lucius believed in Rabastan's leadership. He believed in his intelligence and his abilities. Without Rabastan, well. Without Rabastan there was no plan. Just one man with a thirst for power.
----
Rabastan was quiet as Lucius spoke, but it was obvious he was listening. But his mind needed to work through the words, to comb through the suggested plan of action and look for flaws, for other avenues. Not because he wanted to throw any of his friend's advice of ideas out the window, but because it was important to make sure they acted smart, just as they had done to get them in their very positions currently.
And while Rabastan still wanted power, he also had to ask himself if killing more was truly worth it. They had come so far without the use of much violence. Killing Potter was easy enough, and he didn't even get his hands dirty. Dennis Creevey had made that even easier. Two lives was all it took to catapult them into their positions slowly but surely. But in the last several months? The count was mounting, and he wasn't sure if even more violence was the best solution.
"I will not deny you Bellatrix. It would truly be best if she was no longer living anywhere near my home. But my friend… is more death truly the answer? It is no doubt that the rebels have an ability to draw young, pliable minds into their grasp, which would be bad for us. But some of them are not so loud, brash, or stupid as the others. And having some of those names on our side… it could help us as well."
Taking a breath he scratched at the scruff of his face, obviously still deep in thought, but getting it all out. He wasn't demeaning Lucius' plan by any means, and he hoped his friend understood that, he was merely opening an honest dialogue about what could be best. All the options they possibly had.
"Could we not talk peace first? Or at least try? And if that fails… Bellatrix, your proposal, can commence?"
----
"Peace?" Lucius's face went dark in response. What peace could be had? His family had betrayed him, walked away from him when he needed them the most. Narcissa's son hadn't even given him a chance to explain what they could accomplish and his wife… ex-wife… was more interested in running after the ungrateful shit than supporting him. No, Lucius had already sacrificed enough and he wasn't going to lose more.
"What peace can we possibly have? Shall we subject ourselves to their disdain? Bow down and kiss their feet and beg them to come back? They don't want progress, Rabastan. They only wish to be right and there is no room for righteousness. Not after everything we've done." Lucius set his glass in the air, the glass hovering with ease. He leaned forward with his arms on his knees and looked intently at his oldest and dearest friend.
"You have beloved. I have never… well. I do not possess the same charm that you do. Peace with the rebels will only come if we bow to their demands. They'll demand we change, demand that I step down. I can see it now, as clear as I see you before me. I will not turn over to these children. Not now. Not when we are so close."
It worried Lucius that Rabastan could even consider peace. These rebels were the enemy, they were the obstacle in the way of their dreams. And an obstacle which could easily be neutralized with just a few waves of Bellatrix's wand.
"No one has to know we held her," Lucius pointed out. "She gets loose, kills people, and then we bring her in and executed her. But rather than having her locked away we might as well make use for her."
---
There was no winning this. Rabastan could see that now, and it tore at him. No matter what decision he made, he felt as though he was betraying someone. If he agreed to Lucius' plan, then he was condemning the Rebels who he had been trying to work with, to death. And if he rebuked Lucius' plan, he would earn the contempt and anger of his closest friend. There was truly no middle ground, no way he could see to navigate these treacherous waters.
Lucius was so blinded recently by his hatred for his own son, the decisions he had made, the betrayal he felt. And while he truly had empathy for his friend, for the losses he had suffered, lashing out and everyone, even those who were truly good among the ranks of the rebels would do them no favors. Even if no one knew they were responsible for Bellatrix Lestrange, wouldn't it be their duty to hunt her down and capture her? And for a Ministry that prided itself on being on top of its game, wouldn't continually letting her cause chaos and letting her slip through their fingers make them look incompetent?
Sighing, Rabastan shook his head for a moment. He truly looked exhausted in that moment in time. Worn down. Lost. It was not a look he particularly liked having, but couldn't even try to hide it in that moment.
"You do what you believe needs to be done, my friend. All I ask is that you give me the chance to speak with my Fiance before the knowledge that Bellatrix is alive is made public somehow. She may be young, but she's not stupid. She will put two and two together, and if I don't tell her I had knowledge of her life before she finds out elsewhere… well." He shrugged, knowing even when he told her, it was going to be a disaster. All of this was. But at least he wasn't condoning it. Rabastan never said he agreed with the plan, and that was the stance he would take if it ever came down to it in the future. This was Lucius' idea, and it would remain his idea from here on out.
----
An eyebrow moved up a fraction of an inch, but otherwise Lucius's face didn't change. He could, when needed hide the majority of his feelings and thoughts. Lucius had known Rabastan for too long and been through too much with him not to read between the lines. The sigh, the shaking of his head and the passing off permission… well it all spoke volumes about Rabastan's opinion. And rather than press his friend it that moment, Lucius needed time to think. He needed time to replay their conversation several times over, viewing it from all angles.
There was a distance Lucius felt growing. A fraction in their union. Whether or not it was intentional or not, Lucius couldn't deny that it existed. The man he had swore to stand with through the highs and lows in life seemed to be further away than ever. It didn't seem possible that Rabastan would follow the path Narcissa and her son would take, but Lucius could see his friend at the proverbial fork in the road.
"Of course I will give you the time you need to speak to Ginevera. I had no intention of pulling Bellatrix out of your home tonight, my friend. These things take time and I respect you far too much to force you to bend to my will." And though his tone held no malice, Lucius couldn't deny reminding Rabstan of his capabilities. Should he desire, Lucius could remove his wand right there and force Rabastan to do anything he wished. He wasn't foolish enough to think he would walk out of the office unscathed, but in the end, the Elder Wand would win. Lucius would win.
Standing, Lucius wrapped his fingers around the drink and finished it off with a smile. "You'll let me know when you've had the time to speak with her?"
-----
It seemed, unlike Lucius in that moment, Rabastan was being far more honest in his feelings. He made no attempt to hide them, because he didn't see the point. Were they not best friends? Were they not nearly brothers? Because if he gave Lucius what he wanted, his agreement, his encouragement, his friend would see through the boldfaced lie. So this was his only option, and in his mind, it was a good once. At least then there was no lying. There was no backstabbing, there was no mistrust. The truth was out there in the open.
But like Lucius, Rabastan was beginning to notice subtle changes in his own friend. The way he tossed aside his son and wife, the two people he fought tooth and nail to save during Voldemort's second reign. It didn't make any sense. Yes, Draco had broken his heart, but Narcissa still loved her husband. She still stood by his side when he cast his son out of his sight. His prodigy. His heir. The boy he was so proud of, regardless of his weakest moments.
Even in his heartbreak and anger, Rabastan never expected Lucius to care so little about his son's possible death. To nearly delight in the fact Draco had nearly been killed by his wards. To encourage slaughtering every single one of their enemies without even considering other options. None of it sat right.
And while yes, Rabastan knew he was growing soft in regards to the rebels, he didn't expect his best friend to take the complete opposite path. Violence was how the Dark Lord handled things, not them. And yet… the look in Lucius' eye recently, the cold glint that he tried to hide, was becoming more and more prominent. And it was beginning to unnerve Rabastan more and more. There was a dark aura that followed Lucius around, and Rab couldn't for the life of him remember feeling it before.
He still loved him though. He was still his friend, no matter what. And whatever this was… they would figure it out, right?
"I'm sorry, my friend. I know… you wanted more from me today. Perhaps I am clouded by things happening in my life, and for that, I apologize. It doesn't help… I'm tired. And that may be translating into being tired of fighting. And starting this war with the rebels… I just don't see it being as simple as we'd like." He shrugged then. At least, that was the truth. Most of it. Some of it. Enough that he sounded entirely convincing.
"I am glad to see you though, even if it was a surprise. Perhaps… we could do dinner soon? I know Ginny enjoys seeing Hermione, if you would allow it."
---
"Yes, of course," Lucius agreed with no intention of following through. He felt his heart harden in that moment. Rabastan was being honest, Lucius knew that. But his honesty suggested that Rabastan's heart and desires were beginning to lie somewhere else. He was turning away from violence and turning towards peace. Compromising with the Rebels was signing Lucius up for execution, there was no mistaking that. Because no Rebel, no matter how compassionate they claimed to be, would ever forgive Lucius for what he had done. If the truth of his deeds came out, Lucius would lose everything he'd fought so hard to hold onto, to gain.
He began to leave, but Lucius stopped for a moment and looked down at his friend. For a moment, the briefest of moments, Lucius considered agreeing with Rabastan. He could stop plotting, stop scheming and fighting. Lucius could simply live without worrying about his own life or livelihood being taken from him.
But then who would he be? An aging man long forgotten as the next generation benefitted from all his work, his sweat, and his blood. No. Lucius wouldn't allow that. He couldn't. So much had been sacrificed, so much of his heart and soul had been chipped away to build the world they all lived in. And Lucius' reward would be to rule it, once and for all.
"I believe," Lucius said with a sigh in his voice. "That what has happened in our lives dictates how we see the world. Perhaps you and I no longer see it the same way, my friend. It does please me that you've found such happiness in the world, Rabastan. I… I hope for the best for all of us."
With that, Lucius walked out of Rabastan's office, his face set in stone. Rather than returning to his office, Lucius headed straight home, summoning Daphne to join him at her earliest convenience.
It was time to prepare.