Legacy

I do not claim to own Harry Potter or any recognizable characters. I do, however own any unrecognizable characters, ideas etc. Please refrain from using any of my plot without my permission. It is the polite thing to do as I have worked hard on my creation of this story.















Legacy















Chapter 10









Lucius managed to maintain his cool façade all the way back to his quarters. He entered and swiftly crossed the penthouse to his study. He poured himself a tumbler of Fire Whiskey and tossed it back, ignoring the burning sensation in his throat.



He stared at the liquid in the bottle he held in his hand before hurling it with such force it shattered against the wall.



“FUCK!”



He shakily sat down in his desk chair, holding his head in his hands.



“Father.”



Lucius raised his head up at the cool tone from his son.



“Draco.”



Both Malfoy’s gazed at each other in silence before Draco broke it.



“What were you thinking?”



Taken aback at the anger in his son’s voice, the elder Malfoy barely managed to mask his surprise.



“And what are you referring to?”



“I’m talking about how you are being a bloody wanker!” Draco exploded.



“Do tell.” Lucius sneered as he sat back in his chair.



“How could you be so rude? So stupid? Hermione has every right to challenge you, and you know it! You have avoided her and refused to acknowledge what you did behind her back and now you are going to enter into a physical duel with her. A woman. Malfoy’s don’t hit women, it is uncivilized, or at least that is what you hammered into my head growing up!”



Lucius interrupted. “What I told you while you were growing up, is that wizards do not harm their pure-blooded women. Ms. Granger is above all else a mudblood.”



Draco stared in shock at his father. “What happened to you? She was your bonded partner. You were a team, no matter how reluctant. Why are you now casting slurs at her? Do you truly not care?”



“No. I do not.”



The younger Malfoy’s shoulders stiffened at the frigid tone of his father. “I see. I have nothing left to say to you, seeing as it will not do any good.”



He walked slowly to the door, his emotions a riotous mess. Before he left, he cast one more glance towards his father’s cold face.



“I do not know you anymore.”



Lucius watched with a look of detachment as his only son and heir left his study, ignoring the desire to call him back. He could not stop the whisper that escaped him.



“Neither do I.”













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Hermione shrugged out of her sheer shirt before braiding her curls tightly. She wound her braided hair into a bun before removing her footwear.



She stood in her crimson tank top and leather pants, barefoot, watching as Harry spoke to Master Chien. Her amber eyes scanned the stands in the dueling room, noting that they were filled to the brim. Ignoring the noise of the gathered crowd, she closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She let out practiced breaths allowing her body to relax.



“Oi! Mione!”



Her eyes flew open at Ron’s shout as he approached her, Ginny following hesitantly. While peace had been drawn between the two women, there was still a lot to forgive and it would take time for them to completely repair their friendship.



“So, you ready?” Ron asked.



She rolled her eyes. “Of course.”



Ron stared into her eyes a thoughtful look on his face. “Do you think he’ll go easy on you?”



Hermione snorted. “Not bloody likely!”



Amused, Ginny hid her growing smile behind her hand. “You guys were partners, doesn’t he know all of your moves?”



The curly haired witch shook her head. “No Ginny. We never sparred together unlike most other bonded teams. Also, we rarely got into any situation that would require this sort of physical prowess. Any situations we did get into, well, we were too busy fighting individually to pay attention to the moves of the other one. Just a glance here and there to make sure our partner was alive.”



The youngest Weasley raised her brow at that. “So you have no idea how good Lucius might be?”



Hermione shrugged. “I don’t need to know, because I know how good I am.”



Amazed at the petite witch’s confidence, Ginny couldn’t help but admire her. She was right of course. Hermione had a knack for martial arts much to everyone’s surprise. Too many people still associated the curly haired witch as the bookworm they knew back in Hogwart’s.



“Master Chien has agreed to officiate the match. He will hold it in the traditional style. You and Lucius will be in a circular pit of sand and the fight will not stop until one of you is unconscious or yields.”



Hermione nodded distractedly as she watched her Sensei change the traditional dueling platform into a sand pit. She knew from her lessons that once her and Lucius walked into the ring, a circle of fire would be lit keeping them there until the match had officially ended with the striking of the gong.



“Nervous?”



Hermione smile wanly to Harry’s whispered question. “No. Just regretful that it has come to this.”



He nodded in understanding. As much as he detested Lucius Malfoy, particularly now, he had to admit that Hermione and the blond wizard worked excellently with each other and were very well matched. That is, if one could get past all of the barbs that they flung at each other. He also knew that all was not as it seemed with the older man but it was not his place to interfere. If Hermione was blind to the true emotions of her former partner, so be it, for Lucius was just as hindered in his own perceptions.



“The match will be starting in a few minutes. Go on, get to your seats. I’ll be fine.” Hermione shooed her friends away as they gave her their well wishes.



“I’ll be just fine.” She repeated softly to herself.



She took a deep breath and entered the ring feeling millions of grains of sand under her bare feet. She bowed to Master Chien respectfully before turning and kneeling on one knee; her hand fisted resting in the sand. The sounds of the crowd fell away as she concentrated on finding her center. She closed her eyes and listened for the gong signaling the start of the match.



Her muscles were tense as she held her position. She idly wondered if Lucius was feeling a similar discomfort before banishing that thought. She planned on giving him more than ‘discomfort’ during this match.



The resonating sound of a gong being struck sent vibrations through her taught muscles. She gracefully leapt and spun around, eyeing the distance between herself and her opponent. She noted that the ring had been lit leaving them alone in a ring of fire. Slowly, they began to circle, their gazes fixed on each other. In the far recesses of her mind, Hermione became breathless at the sight of a bare-chested Lucius. His lithe muscular form was almost distraction enough for her to miss his first lunge.



She quickly spun out of the way and followed up with a high kick that he easily ducked. She spun low to avoid his next blow and swept her leg out with the intent of dropping him. He jumped back in a graceful move and waited, his body tense. She stood slowly as they began to stalk each other again. She was enjoying testing his abilities and from the feral grin on his face, she could tell he was as well.



He’s not supposed to enjoy this!



With an audible cry, she launched herself at him a flurry of kicks and punches. He successfully blocked them as he kept on the defensive, not having time to attack. She landed a blow to his cheek that knocked him backwards. He quickly regained his balance and jumped upwards and over Hermione’s small frame, landing a kick to her back in the process.



Both combatants were breathing heavily as the faced off again, ignoring the shouts from the crowd watching them. Realizing, that they were very evenly matched, Hermione began the process of feints and lunges, hoping to tire her larger opponent some. She quickly somersaulted away from a solid kick Lucius aimed at her, and continuing her tumbling maneuver, spun herself in the air and kicked out. The force of the impact snapped his head back and a trickle of blood was visible from the corner of his mouth.



She smiled in challenge as he growled audibly. This was going to turn serious. They faced off again completely focused on one another. This time Lucius attacked with a flurry of movement, each blow coming faster than the last. It was all she could do to keep him from actually striking her. She was now on the defensive and did not like it one bit.



She ducked low to avoid his next strike and used his body for leverage as she vaulted herself in the air, wrapping her legs around his neck to bring him down. They landed heavily, grunting at the impact. She recovered faster and was on her feet sending a devastating kick down on Lucius’s head. He rolled away quickly and stood only to be greeted with an uppercut to his eye. She quickly followed with a roundhouse to his sternum that caught him off balance.



She continued to press her attack, occasionally being able to strike various parts of his body. She drove him back towards the flames, intent on her soon-to-be victory. Suddenly, his arm snapped forwards and delivered a blow to her throat. She dropped to her knees gasping for breath. Out of the corner of her eye and saw his foot draw back. She barely had enough time to launch herself sideways before his kick came at her full force. He grazed her side and she visibly winced at her ribs absorbed the abuse.



She continued to roll away gaining enough distance to allow her to flip to her feet. Now she was pissed! That last kick would’ve done a nasty job has it impacted fully. She narrowed her eyes seeing the smirk on his face.



“Oh yeah, this bastard was going DOWN!”



Adopting a look of pain, which was not very hard to do, she backed up slowly. Lucius advanced as he walked further from the flame at his back. Gauging the distance, Hermione stopped her retreat and ran at him. Just feet away, she did a one-handed handspring vaulting her up and over him. She landed firmly and lashed out with a violent kick to the back of his knees, causing him to drop down in pain.



She quickly wrapped an arm around his neck tightly. She wasn’t expecting him to fall flat sending her tumbling. Before she could right herself, he had covered her body with his.



“Enough!” He hissed.



“Never!” She spat.



“Do you yield?” He asked firmly holding her writhing form.



She fell limp and looked him squarely in the eye.



“No.”



He had no time to avoid it as her knee came slamming upwards, her aim true. Moaning, he cupped himself and fell to the side. Hermione scrambled to her feet. She looked down at Lucius before delivering a vicious kick to his ribs. He rolled with the force, grunting.



She approached slowly, a lioness stalking her prey. She lashed out again with her foot sending him rolling. He grasped his arm, and unsteadily rose to his feet. Just as he was trying to speak, she launched herself at him, her foot thrust out.



He disappeared. Unable to stop her momentum she crashed to the ground with a cry of surprise.



The crowd roared in shock and concern. Hermione did not hear any of it as she thought fiercely.



“SONOFABITCH!” She screamed out.



Harry and Ron came raced over to her side. “It was Voldemort. He called them. He was able to force them to apparate to his side.”



Hermione snapped her head to the side and looked at Harry. He looked very worried.



“It was not their choice to answer the summons. Severus, Draco and Blaise were literally pulled to Voldemort’s side.” The green-eyed wizard said.



She exhaled heavily and got to her feet. “Well that’s new. I figured as much.”



Ron nodded. “I expect the same happened to Lucius.”



She huffed. “Stupid, fucking Voldemort!”



“Hermione!” Ron said shocked.



“What?” She snapped. “I’m not allowed to be upset that Lord Idiot had to call his servants to him? I was this close!” She measured with her thumb and pointer finger.



She stormed off, avoiding the crush of witches and wizards who wanted to compliment her.



“Damn Voldemort! He better return Lucius in one piece or so help me I will kick his arse to hell! Lucius is mine to make suffer, and I will not stand for that snake’s interference!” She muttered darkly.















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The sudden change of climate caused Lucius to shiver. He looked down and was surprised to see himself in full Death Eater regalia. Through his mask he looked off to his side where more of the Dark Lord’s supporters were appearing into the isolated glade. A tall figure made their way over to the blond man.



“Lucius.”



“Severus.” He returned the curt greeting. Lowering his voice so he would not be overheard, he asked.



“Since when can he do this?”



Severus smirked behind his mask as Lucius gestured to both of their Death Eater attire. Although he was at a loss to the answer, he was enjoying the blond man’s irritation.



“Just be lucky he can bring us to his side. A few more moments in the ring and you would’ve been beaten. By a woman.”



“Not likely.” Lucius hissed, refusing to acknowledge that his long-time friend was right.



Before Severus could respond and few more of their comrades approached the pair.



“McNair. Lestrange.” Lucius greeted before turning his attention to the third person. “Dolohov.”



“Lucius, how nice to see you. I trust you have been taking care of yourself since your lovely wife has been occupied elsewhere.” Dolohov said silkily hoping to get a rise out of the blond man.



“I’m getting along just fine. Thank you for your concern.” A steely edge entered Lucius’s voice.



Severus interrupted smoothly. “And to what honor have we’ve been called to the Dark Lord’s side?”



Rodolphus answered. “Dear Bella tells me that our Lord has come into some interesting information that he will reveal tonight. No one is clear on the details.”



Severus felt his blood freeze. Information? What is it? Voldemort usually informs his closest supporters of his plans. Neither Draco, Lucius or he had heard anything.



“Come. The meeting is starting.” Dolohov said briskly walking towards the ever-growing circle of black-robed Death Eater’s.



Severus and Lucuis took their places nearest to the Dark Lord who was seated in a throne like chair.



“Today is a good day.” Voldemort said in his icy voice. “ As you all found out, I now have created the ability to call you directly to my side as desired. I am sure that you have noted your altered attire. If I have need of you in battle, you will come fully clothed no matter what sort of entertainment you were occupied with at the time.”



“Tonight, we have the honor of admitting a valuable member of the other side who can provide us and has provided us much desired information. An unknown spy in our enemies own ranks.”



Murmurs of excitement rippled through his followers. “Wormtail, please bring our guest forward.”



The silver-armed man escorted a cloaked figure through the throng of Death Eater’s. They stopped at Voldemort’s feet, bowing in fealty.



“My dear, please rise and show yourself to my most faithful supporters.”



Calmly the figure stood and faced the masked Death Eaters drawing back their hood.



Severus hissed between his teeth as the delicate figure of Fleur Delacour the wife of Bill Weasley was revealed.



“Bloody hell!”





Her beautiful face was marred by painful looking pus-filled boils, which he knew was thanks to the devious mind of Hermione Granger. If it hadn’t been for her insistence that all Order of the Phoenix members sign a blood contract not to reveal the other members and certain information regarding them, he would already be dead at Voldemort’s feet.



Lucius stiffened beside him, the same thought apparently crossing his mind. For now the spell would hold, but how much time did they have before Voldemort broke through it? The knowledge that the Dark Lord could call his servants to his side at any time was in no way a comforting thought. The next time he was summoned could mean his death. Or Severus, Draco and Blaise’s death as well.





Time was running out. They had to locate Rowena Ravenclaw’s mantle, the last Horcrux that had eluded them for the past six years.



“As you can see my faithful ones, dear Fleur here has been cursed with a very intricate and strong spell preventing her from informing me of some very important things. No matter. I will find a way to break this curse, and when I do, the war will be won!”



Cheers surrounded his announcement, and praises were lavished on his brilliance. He held up his hand for silence.



“Fleur has been given the honor of playing with my next guest, though she is not to kill them. Yet.” He nodded towards Wormtail who brought another cloaked figure struggling heavily to stand before the Dark Lord.



Voldemort looked over to where Fenrir Greyback stood with his pack. “This will be most beneficial to you my friend.” He said with an evil smile.



Wormtail flung back the hood of his captive revealing the shivering form of Nymphadora Tonks.



Oh Fuck! Not good!



Severus thought faintly. A bold move for Voldemort make. Fenrir and him had been trying unsuccessfully to turn Lupin over to their side. Knowing that the werewolf was fond of Tonks, they would use her as leverage.



“Meeting adjourned. Feel free to join my lovely new follower in her torturing of this Auror, but remember, she is not to be killed or harmed beyond repair.” The Dark Lord said severely.



He apparated away with Wormtail as the circle of his followers closed in around the helpless Auror. Severus and Lucius made their way to the back of the throng where Draco and Blaise were waiting.



“We have to go.” Lucius said firmly, ignoring the blood-curdling scream behind him.



With nods of assent, the foursome apparated away, unnoticed by the excited Death Eaters who were occupied by their new toy.











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A/N: Well how’d I do? I know that Lucius being called in the middle of the duel with Hermione sucked, since I know a lot of you readers were hoping for some great ass-kicking. Namely, Hermione beating the crap out of Lucius. I hope I made their fight realistic since I know squat about that sort of thing.



Show of hands for how many people though Molly Weasley was the new DE.



Don’t worry, she will be back at some point in my story. Remember this is a LLLOOOONNGGG story, so I have a lot of ground to cover.



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Thanks for reading.



F.L.