Who: Adelaide Selwyn & Lucius Malfoy What: Adel meets with Lucius to discuss her induction into a dark group. Where: Hogwarts entryway, following to the Slytherin Head Boy's room. When: Friday evening, 9th March Status: Complete log Rating: G
Only a short while before the designated time, Lucius was standing before the Great Hall doors, a sheaf of inconspicuous parchment in hand with a charmed quill crossing off little notes here and there as he dictated to it. There were so many duties involved with being Head Boy that at times, he didn't have a chance to properly enjoy dinner. Luckily, that evening he would have the house-elves serve him in his personal room, likely a more extravagant meal than was usually served for dinner to the other students. Yet another perk of being Head Boy, he mused to himself while grey eyes glanced over the parchment approvingly.
Most of the to-dos on his list were completed, including schoolwork and other, less academically inclined pursuits. Those particular notes were hexed against any eyes but his own, sent off as progress reports whenever each set was completed. That was one of the drawbacks of his position in the ranks: all of the bloody paperwork. However, for the cause, Lucius was willing to do what he needed to, and he knew that to become a powerful leader in the Wizarding community, all of this was necessary.
Finished with his musings and his lists, Lucius neatly rolled up the sheaf and tucked the thick parchment within his robes, removing the enchantment on his quill before it also joined the parchment. Placing his hands before him, he observed the perfect condition of his nails idly as he awaited the appearance of his next 'appointment' in a long line of things to do.
Adel had been looking forward to her meeting with Lucius all day. It took all her strength to actually sit down at the Ravenclaw table and force herself to eat something. She knew if she didn’t keep with her daily routine she would just be sitting in her common room watching the minutes tick by. She ate only a little of the food, finding she was too excited to really get much down. She played with her food, her chin propped up in her hand. She had looked over at the Slytherin table, but didn’t see the Head Boy she was supposed to meet up with. When she glanced down at her watch she saw that it was just about time to meet him and sprung up from the table. She hurried down the rows of house tables, happy to beat the usual rush out the door. She smoothed down her robes in hopes that she looked presentable.
She had thought herself early to meet him, but found he was already waiting for her. She gave him a curt nod in greeting. “Thank you for meeting with me,” she said. “I look forward to what this conversation will bring forth.” She looked around the deserted hallway, then back at Lucius. “Did you have a place in mind to talk?”
Putting on a perfectly polite smile, Lucius offered a little bow in greeting, embodying every bit the gentleman that he was raised to be. When he drew back up to his normal stance, he glanced toward the corridor leading down to Slytherin territory before returning his steady gaze to Adel.
"My room is just within the Slytherin dungeon, Miss Selwyn. Would you care to accompany me? We shall have more than enough privacy to discuss matters." With little further ado, he offered his arm in a respectful show of escorting her. The sleeve of his robe graced his arm luxuriously, purring of wealth and taste.
Adel only nodded her head to his offer, taking the arm he held out to her. It was strange to think she had just walked around the lake with Dominic in the same fashion but with a completely different purpose and feel. She didn’t think much of him inviting her back to his room, her mind set on the business at hand. This was what she had wanted this whole time and she would be able to do it without her father’s help. It was her goal to rise in worth in her father’s eyes on her own, not always depending on him as she tended to do. And with the journal conversation with Bellatrix Black the other day, she could only feel giddy about the opportunity to study underneath such a prestigious witch.
When they reached his room she wasn’t surprised to find it lush and with an air of elegance. It seemed to suit Lucius Malfoy, someone she had never quite liked before. He always gave an arrogant air whenever she saw him, something she was not fond of. Between him and Narcissa Black she could have gagged, but she held that opinion to herself. It seemed he was the person to speak to on matters of this dark wizard within the school and she needed all the information she could get before he graduated. Perhaps she could even take his place within Hogwarts and be the go to on situations such as these. The idea made her smile as she waited to be invited to sit.
Upon reaching his private room, Lucius placed a silencing charm and locking ward on the door, as well as magically sweeping away any detritus from his desk and locking it away before he offered her the desk seat. Brows lifted in question as he approached a neatly organised armoire that held some of his best drinks from all across Wizarding lands.
"Care for something before we begin?" Lucius asked, pulling out a crystal decanter with a vermillion coloured liquid that glittered like a blazing fire was trapped within. He returned to his desk and pulled up an extra chair before setting the drink down, keeping his wand neatly held in his hand as both arms leaned against the desk as he sat across from Adel, watching her most carefully as he did all potential recruits. She seemed to be able to hold her own, but he would find out for sure in a few moments.
“Thank you,” she said, taking the seat and crossing her legs. She took another look around the room, trying to get a better sense of her host. Unfortunately it seemed like Lucius was the kind of man he put out for everyone. She had not seen a room so decorated before; it screamed wealth and power. Still, he seemed the kind of person she would want to stay in close contact with and develop a good relationship. While she may not like him as a person, he could still help her achieve what she wanted in life.
“No thank you,” she said, holding up her hand to turn down the offer of a drink. She rarely touched it and wanted to have her wits about her during this conversation. She met his stare full on, giving him a small smile.
“How do we proceed from here?” she asked. “Is it an interview process? Do you need to test my worthiness for this cause?” She would do anything he asked to prove she was a perfect addition to their little group. She always hated being out of the loop, but knew this was the step she needed for her future.
Lucius nodded in response, summoning a small glass for himself and pouring a respectable amount. The liquid fire twisted in on itself before he casually knocked back half of it. He then approached the topic with the pleasant warmth placating his hunger for the time being.
"Why from here, I must ask you several questions about your motivations, allegiances, that sort of thing. However, first and foremost, I should enquire as to your assumptions about this group you initially approached me about. What is it that you think they do?" Steel grey focused on Adel before he crossed his arms, leaning deceptively casually against his chair.
"Furthermore, what do you think you could gain from even being a part of a group? Any sort of membership comes with risks and conditions, surely you realise." What he didn't say was that these risks weren't for the weak-willed or minded. He allowed himself a free appraisal of her, taking in her constitution and general appearance. Certainly she looked far from a delicate waif, but he needed to see much more of her before he would so easily divulge any information.
Adel raised an eyebrow as she watched Lucius consume the liquor, but did not make a comment. She was a guest in his room and she would not deny him the pleasures he so wanted at the moment. She thought about the questions, having run them through her mind as well. Why was this so important? Of course for her father; to make him proud and to show him she could do all of this on her own. She wanted to stand by his side as they cleansed the world of blood inferiority just as she had done when they had tortured that muggle girl. The memory brought a smile to her lips and her attention came back to the present, her eyes looking into Lucius’.
“I must admit that there is little I know about the group,” she said. “I know the name of it, as I believe my father to be a prominent member. He told me about a dark wizard that was rising to power, one who would help create a better society for the wizarding population. No more half-breeds or mudbloods. A world of purity and strength.” Her eyes glistened as she spoke of this world, the one she hoped to help make a reality.
“I would gain the honor of being a part of a movement so big that it will go down in history,” she said. “I will be one of the few who stood up for what they believed in and will do anything to make this world a better place.” Perhaps the last part came out a bit too corny, but she did believe in it. Her family would be secure in their place in society forever and she would have helped be a part of that; not her husband, but her.
Throughout her rather impassioned speech, Lucius found himself suppressing a smirk at her idealism. If only she knew the reality behind the tasks that Death Eaters had to do, she may not be so very willing to walk into this like she was. However, he resisted the urge to show her a taste of the truth, instead opting to finish the rest of his drink and allow it to settle for a bit before responding to Adelaide.
"All very nicely presented, Miss Selwyn, truly, but groups such as these have very little time for poetry and flowery descriptions of your ideals. What it really comes down to is keeping your nose to the ground, taking strict orders, and being able to take the heat when it presents itself; and I guarantee you, it will present itself." Lucius was not speaking of idle threats nor games, he merely spoke facts that belied the full truth behind the Death Eaters. What remained unspoken was that once one was inducted, it was for life. Traitors and those who no longer wanted to serve the Dark Lord were not tolerated.
He allowed the silence to surround them while he watched her, appraised her a bit more closely than he did before, wondering just how well this girl would fare amongst men and the very rare strong witch who could hold her own. The smirk finally broke through as he thought of Bellatrix and her zeal; could Adel prove herself as devoted?
Adelaide frowned at what Lucius had said. While it may have been flourished a little, it was truly how she felt. She did not want to have it mistaken for something she may have said because it was the right thing to get into his good graces. Really, she didn’t care what Lucius Malfoy saw in them, as long as the right person knew that she was adamant and true to those words. Unfortunately for the moment, he seemed to be that person. If she could convince him, she would be able to speak to others higher up than him. She loathed to think he was the highest rank within the Death Eaters.
“Would you like some kind of presentation?” she asked, raising an eyebrow and carefully looking back at him. “Or some kind of proof of my loyalty? I will be happy to oblige.” Being able to take the heat. Her mind turned it over, wondering what it meant. If it meant mistakes, there would be none. If it meant loyalty, they would find no one more devoted than herself.
She hated that smirk and wanted to wipe it clean off his face. Instead she managed to smile, nodding her head. “I will do whatever it takes to prove my worthiness to you or any other that demands it.”
"A presentation?" The question came out languidly, as though Lucius had already thought about it and was merely affirming the fact to Adel. "I do in fact have something in mind for you."
Without further clarification on the matter, he took up his wand and aimed for a set of drawers beside his desk, summoning a roll of parchment to his outstretched hand. He didn't need to unravel it to know what it held. Severus had offered up this newest dark spell of his to be tested, and Lucius had just the perfect plan for it.
"You shall practise this hex and then you will choose a target. Anyone that your eye deems worthy of it. You will bring them to a designated location and administer the hex. Only one person knows the proper counter, which happens to be a very powerful healing spell, and he will administer it after I have observed your results. Then you will Obliviate your victim to ensure that no one is the wiser to this little demonstration." Lucius held out the parchment toward Adelaide, within which was the 'Sectumsempra' hex that Severus had been working on for the better half of a month.
"Any refusal or failure on your part will indicate to me and to the group that you seek how lacking in ambition you are." The glint in Lucius's eye held a note of danger as he leaned forward, voice low and serious.
"You will also not reveal the identity of the person who will administer the counter-spell. In fact, I may have you leave the room entirely or perhaps even Confund you to ensure secrecy. Do you agree to these terms?"
Adel took the parchment in her hand, her eyes never leaving his. His tone had changed to one of seriousness and she could only nod her head in response. She was interested to know what this new spell was, but would not open the parchment until she was out of his room. She would perfect it so he would have no doubt in his mind how dedicated she would be to this role.
“I will let you know when I am ready to show you my worthiness,” she said, her eyes trailing down to the roll in her hand. “And I will not disappoint. I agree to all of these terms.” She nodded her head again and pushed her chair back, standing. “It may take a day or two for me to perfect this spell. I hope that will be all right.” She had great confidence in her wand work and was sure it would be something she could easily master.
“I thank you for your time and look forward to the next time we meet. You may even be impressed.” It was the only teasing she had done that night, but she hoped that he would be. She was beginning to get the sense that he was the one she would really need to make an impact on to join this group.
“If you don’t mind, I shall excuse myself. I would like to look over the spell tonight and even practice.”
Standing with Adel, Lucius returned his chair to its place in his room and walked to her side, offering his arm in escort. The wards were released from his room and he gave her a brief smile that could barely be called one for the fleeting effect it had on his otherwise stony features.
"Quite all right, Miss Selwyn. You may come to realise how complex the spell is, and as such, I will not expect a response so soon. I assume that I need not tell you not to divulge even the slightest whisper of this meeting to another soul." Another serious look was given to her as he guided her down the stairs and back through the common room. As soon as they reached the entrance to Slytherin's sanctuary, he released her and leaned against a wall, arms crossing over his chest while he looked on casually.
"It was a pleasure to speak with you. If you have any future concerns, please do consult with me." An actual smile graced his lips. Lucius had a fair hope for this one. She may yet prove worth the effort of recruiting her.
Adel gave him a small smile and another nod of the head before she headed out of the common room and was back in the hallways of Hogwarts. She began to walk back to the Ravenclaw common room, their meeting replaying through her mind. She knew this was a task she could not fail at and had a feeling she would not be getting much sleep that night.
She stepped behind a pillar, not wanting to wait all the way to her room. She hastily opened the parchment, her eyes scanning through the spell. She couldn’t help but smile when she saw what it did. The spell did look very complex and she had the smallest amount of doubt in her mind. Lucius seemed to be right about it taking more than a few days. Even so, she knew she could get it with a little bit of practice. It really was a delicious spell and she was quite curious to know who had come up with it. Perhaps if she was good, Lucius would allow her to meet this expert spell weaver. She rolled the parchment back up and tucked it into her robes, heading back to her room. She couldn’t wait to find a special pet to test it out on. There were so many to choose from, who should the lucky student be? Several names made their way through her head as she began her ascent to Ravenclaw Tower.