Lucius S Malfoy

LUCIUS MALFOY continues working on a consulting basis for the International Confederation of Wizards and other international wizarding political organisations. He reconnects with Ari Baddock, who settles in Luxembourg, and together they successfully rebuild most of their fortunes in more socially-conscious markets. He and Narcissa travel extensively, both for his contracts and for pleasure, though usually if he is going through Cairo, Narcissa takes a side trip and meets him at their next destination.

He also writes books, including histories, international relations, and on various schools of magical theory. Some of these are co-authored with his brother-in-law, Headmaster Froissart of Beauxbatons. He reads texts on, but never again practises, Noble Arts. After Draco and Hermione's first visit, they settle into an awkward but somewhat pleasant tradition of occasional holidays. He and Draco also maintain a correspondence on politics and various other topics, sometimes agreeing, usually not.

He and his sister bury their mother, when the time comes, outside of her longtime home in Paris. After Pansy's son Louis is born, Lucius sends a small gift and gradually begins writing back to her.

It would seem you were right. As congratulations are in order, permit me to offer mine.

Is there anyone left in charge on your end with an idea of the terms they desire with the ICW? I am in a position where I might ... ease the transition, shall we say. Vouch for Albion's validity. It might speed along the process of reintroducing England to the world.



Your mother -

She will deny it, of course, but when she told me of your news ... the news that her cousin and her sister (and 'the werewolf') perished in the final act of this passion play, specifically, ... she related events with perfectly dry eyes, professed that she cared not a whit for any of the 'old battles,' as she put it, and then became so wracked with grief that she needed assistance to lie down.


So you may imagine that although we are removed from the direct repercussions, we are not immune to them.


I wish you well, my son.

Your

Father

Ari, received your owl. Have been working on arrangements at this end. Chiefly, just came from a meeting in Paris: ICW will extend emigration rights to those of our cohort who can manage to make landfall in Europe. No extradition back to England. We just have to produce evidence that you have not played a significant role in the events following the fall of the previous regime, or that you have been coerced to commit acts in the service of the current one. Simple enough.

On the topic of Ireland, Tosha, have advised them to recommend that it be completely removed from the ICW treaties for the present. No qualified representatives are in any position to negotiate there and it's unlikely there will be for some time to come. Uncertain they will follow my guidance but at least the head of the coalition for Irish Affairs was inclined to caution. Suspect they will drag their feet, if not comply altogether.

Oh, and Ari, you asked about the Secret Keeper for Dover: No, sadly, they were reasonably careful not to provide us with a name or face. We were blindfolded and he came into the room to tell us. Can confidently state it was not Diggory, however. Have you been chasing him all this time? You ought to have asked weeks ago.

If the situation has indeed devolved as far as that, then by all means, get out. It is the only sensible course.

If Dover is not available, you might try Penzance. The stone there was diamond. They likely have it under guard.

As for the territory here: We are both well, considering. Though it is quite a different landscape, in which increased interaction with Muggles is the norm. It is not without - benefits, however. One didn't realise all the things one missed.

Gentlemen, if you can escape, do. It may be the healthiest move any of us have made in years.

-LM

Happy birthday, my son.

We did not ... leave matters as I would have wished, but despite the awkwardness, permit me to tell you that I hope that you are able to celebrate without shadow. I pray you will believe me when I say that I understand, a little, what it must have cost you to stand where you are, without Harry by your side.

I do not invoke his memory lightly, or to torment you, but only to tell you something you might not have expected: I grieve with you. It seems I did care for him more than just in so much as his life affected yours; I find now, and am surprised to learn as you no doubt will be, that I miss him not unlike the way a father might miss a son who has suffered an untimely and grisly death.

So I can imagine how much more difficult it is for you to face the remainder of your days without him. I hope that you are allowing yourself time for the pain to lessen, and that on this day, especially, you choose to remember how well you and he loved one another. When the spectre of his absence strikes you, as it inevitably will, toast his memory, drink to the bond you shared and permit yourself to smile again until the next wave. Forgive the trite cliché but time is, in this instance, the only healer with any physick of worth.

That is probably unwelcome advice for one whose patience with himself or anyone else is in short supply in the best of circumstances. Certainly, it is evident you neither wish nor need comfort from this quarter. Nonetheless I hope you will excuse the impertinence, coming as it does from one who will never abjure the rights of a father to express concern for his son.

My concern for your well-being does not end with your emotional health, either. Let us turn then to more corporeal topics.

Your mother (who is out at present, by the bye) will no doubt decide I have behaved recklessly by writing to you. She would prefer we keep our heads buried in the St Tropez sands until this business is at an end, and believes that the moment my hand appears in the journals, we will be beset by her sister's assassins. I do not think Bella would bother, at this point, when it has been far too long in her estimation since our 'escape' without any offer aid for their cause. It would be a waste of resources to come after us now.

However, from what I have been able to read (in the brief intervals when your mother sees fit to trust me with a journal - no quill, mind you, as if she thinks I am a feeble-minded invalid!), it seems clear that until victory can be definitively claimed by one side or the other, your future is uncertain.

You will protest, I am sure, that your triumph is inexorable and you need no assistance. Just as well, for I cannot offer any - nothing practical, at any rate. Since the terms of our exile preclude direct intercession of the sort that would remit an immediate threat, and since we are half a continent and as good as an entire world away from your home, I shall have to trust to your training and that of your compatriots to save you as you put yourself in the path of danger.

A path which, I am certain, you are taking every opportunity to tread.

There is something I can offer, in the meantime. Consider it quid pro quo for the clemency which your mother and I received, I have no doubt solely due to our familial connexion to at least four of you architects of Albion. I can attempt to secure a similar promise from Antonin, Ari and a few select others of your opponents: That if they prevail, you will be offered exile instead of death. (And naturally, one must exempt your aunt Bellatrix from that list - though she may well want you alive for other reasons. I am aware she has assumed authority in the vacuum, but I suspect her rule is not absolute. There are those who could intercede, or who might at the least, hesitate before engaging you.)

The crux of this bargain will be obvious to you, I am sure. Your enemies are not fools; it would be a ridiculous prospect to agree to spare you if you give them no quarter. Consider, though, the advantage it would give you if they believed you agree. They will be trying not to kill you, while you will be under no such constriction.

This assumes two other facts, as well: That they will not reneg on their promise, if I can secure it; that you are not seeking death, whether consciously or no.

In any event, having written to you openly, I ought not now ignore Antonin, and this gives me a credible reason to write to him. It is up to you whether to use the advantage I will attempt to win.

Have already taken more of your time than I intended. Be well, Draco. Enjoy your day, and all that comes with it.

Always your loving,

Father

Dearest Sister,

Hard to know where to begin. You should know that since our last communication, there has been a breach of security at the Ministry. The journal archives, which were our only means of monitoring private messages, were destroyed. The Ministry are working as quickly as possible to re-build the spells over the existing network but it is ... unclear how long that may take, or if Ned's department will determine the only way to restore oversight is to force an exchange of journals again. But for the moment, we may speak freely.

No doubt - no doubt, you have seen enough through the public entries in journals to understand that Draco disappeared from Hogwarts just after his birthday, under suspicious circumstances. The unfortunate truth is that he stands accused of miscegenation and aiding in the magical education of legal nonpersons. It is impossible to say whether the allegations have any legitimacy but the case against him grows stronger with every day he does not return to explain himself. Early on, it appeared he had been taken prisoner by enemies of the state; whether or not that is actually the case, it is impossible to believe they will arrange a ransom within Our Lord's deadline.

You know the extents to which I will go to protect our family. Could not bear to see you destroy yourself, so many years ago, when you found your situation similarly precarious; cannot now bear to think Draco might perish due to a youthful misstep. Have agreed to stand punishment in his stead, a guarantee against his safe return, whether under his own power or at the hands of his captors (if, indeed, he is a captive).

Naturally, there can be no guarantees as to what may follow after. Am taking any and all necessary steps to protect the family interests, so much as possible. There is one absolutely essential component to the plan which, should it succeed, will require your co-operation. Let us say, for now, only that you may be able to introduce my wife to her nephew, after all.

One cannot help but ... reflect ... on those things one will leave unfinished. Unresolved. Perhaps it is ironic that the same flaw which drove us apart for so long has been visited again in my own son. That after so long promising he should not lose his father, it seems likely, and at the same age I was when we lost Father. That - that the wizard whose vision I have sworn to serve will be the instrument of my downfall.

But not my family's.

Things may move quickly, from here. I've barely a week to make all the necessary arrangements and it must be done carefully, without a hint, lest others derive the impression that I mean to run, rather than merely assure Narcissa's safety. If I can deliver her outside the wards and buy for Draco any measure of clemency, then I will consider the bargain well-struck at whatever price. But as there might not be time later for anything more than an urgent message regarding her expected arrival, this, my dear sister, may be farewell. Tell Mother - tell her, I have done all I can to preserve our legacy.

Take care, Amanda. I pray you remain happy, and safe and healthy.

All my love,

Scip

With everything that has transpired this week, forgot to mention to you: Rabastan's private service is to-morrow.

Trust you understand.

Would like to meet, however, sometime soon. Much to discuss. May not be able to get away much in the next few days but my diary has been more-or-less cleared for the family crisis.

Say when.

Milland has been located.

The real Milland, that is.

He does not appear to be in dire need of medical assistance but it would be prudent to have him checked by a professional. Madam Pomfrey, if you could join us at your earliest convenience. Tosha, we may use your office again?

Will be most interested to hear what he can tell us.

You'll need to come up to Hogwarts.

Draco is ... unharmed. Come and we'll discuss it.

Official Request. Confidential and Private. Prompt Attention Appreciated

At approximately 10:55 A.M. today Julius Avery, late of Our Lord's Council, accosted me in my office and challenged me to right of combat.

Please send investigators at your earliest convenience to inspect our wands and retrieve Mr Avery's remains. Have had my clerk clear my diary for the day in order to provide a full statement.

Plans proceeding at anticipated pace.

Beginning next Tuesday and going forward, replace three o'clock tea with AB. Here for now; do not wish a publicly affirmed reconciliation quite yet.


Also, obtain guest list for Lestrange party to-morrow night. The Razzer ought to be able to provide.


Next, need time with Rookwood, Bode and Bode's assistant early next week. Helpful if it is before Minister's visit to Cornwall (co-ordinate with Mavis Sewell to find out who his acting undersecretary will be; have it on good authority that Miss Robins has left the Ministry).


Next, understand young Avery was here this morning during my meeting with Fudge. Give him fifteen minutes to-morrow, whenever you can fit them in. If Ursula calls you may let her know how to find me.


Do not anticipate returning this after-noon.