Devil May Care
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Harry Potter › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
22
Views:
11,278
Reviews:
74
Recommended:
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Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
22
Views:
11,278
Reviews:
74
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Failings and Flaws
Dedication: This chapter is for my friend Jen, for giving me the wonderful word oligarchy.
Author’s Note: Despite the decline in readers of this fic, I’m still updating. I have to. *I* want to see this piece finished. I love it, I really do. And no, I haven’t forgotten about Sirius, but it would make these chapters too cluttered. But he *will* be making a return, I promise, once it’ right and proper. And we may get a few glimpses into how other characters are doing…
And to clear something up, there is no solid proof as to whether or not Harry is dead.
Failings and Flaws
Meetings.
I’ve *never* liked meetings. And this one…good merlin, this one’s awful. It’s sort of like watching two of those big boy goats go at it. Or maybe it’s sheep. The ones with the curly horns. The one’s that are known for being really stubborn…well, whatever they are, that’s like what it’s watching. But with words instead of horns. Ideas. And we’re getting nowhere.
I haven’t said a damn thing yet. Why am I here? I don’t know. I’ve noticed I sort of stumble around in the dark *a lot*. Okay, forming a new government out of the ashes of the old one. Yeah, I get that. But why *me*? Lucius, I understand. He’s throwing out words like ‘majority’ and ‘dictator’ and ‘oligarchy’.
I’m listening to music in my head.
“…think, Ron?”
“Hmm?” Shit. Lord Voldemort’s looking at me. wan wants my opinion on whatever Lucius just said. Something about masses…and cows. Maybe. He could have said sows. But why Lucius is going on about farm animals, I haven’t a clue. I highly doubt he’d be discussing his sex life with Voldemort. Okay, so now I’m just being bitter. Lucius doesn’t do farm animals, he does my ex-girlfriend. I just really wasn’t paying much attention. Now’s the time to be *really* general.
“I think we have to be very careful.” I say, shrugging. “I mean, any new leader’s gonna have to worry about assassinations and…you know. Coos.” I know I say the word wrong, but they know what I’m talking about.
“But…to share power equally?” Voldemort raises an eyebrow. “I daresay Lucius, that is bordering on cause for suspicion…”
“No.” I shake my head, my mind working a mile a minute. Lucius has brought this to me before, I know what he’s talking about. “*You* don’t share the power. You’ve got it all. But you have to *delegate*. And it has to *look* like you share the power…”
That’s the key. It’s all *impressions*. It doesn’t matter what’s really going on, just what everyone *thinks* is going on. Okay, so it’s low down and shady, but we’re *death eaters*. Low down and shady is sort of part of the job description.
They’re looking at me. I ought to say something else, but I’m thinking. I don’t know how to put this, really.
“What exactly are you getting at:?” Lucius asks me.
“I’m not really sure.” And I’m not. I don’t have the fucking fine details, but I gave them something to work on! And *I* didn’t use big words. “Look…it’s…” I hate this. This isn’t strategy. Not the kind I’m used to. This is…I don’t know what this is.
“It’s all presentation. Get a little group together. Like…fiveple ple Call it a…a…thing! You know…!” I’m getting frustrated.
“A privy council?” Lucius offers.
“Like in the loo?” Okay, that’s it, Lucius has gone off the deep end. This whole domination thing has been way too much for him.
“No.” Lucius closes his eyes, and Voldemort laughs. And not *quite* an amused laugh. “Privy as in private. A closed council, Ron.”
“Oh. Okay. Then yeah, call it a Privy Council.” I shrug. Whatever works. “Look…politics are not my g.” g.” I explain. “Battle strategy is *simple*. It’s moving people around. It’s not…it’s not complicated.” That’s the best I can explain my view on politics. Politics is all foggy and nothing’s clear and it’s done in the head, not on the field. It’s a huge mess to me.
“As we are learning.” Voldemort says, a little bit indulgently. There’s more to that, but he’s not saying it. He’s just thinking it. I can tell, sometimes.
“Regardless…” Lucius continues, in that smooth voice of his. “The boy makes a strong point. A small elected body, a privy council, if you will…’ He looks at me really pointedly. “to put forth your orders and wishes. Allow the populace to believe that the council decides…they are not in the hands of one, but of many.”
Yeah, that’s what I was going for. But he says it better.
“Exactly.” I feel I have to validate my idea.
“An interesting concept.”
And that seems like all we’re going to hear on that. Voldemort dismisses us, and I book it out of there as fast as I can without looking like I’m running. I don’t want to deal with Lucius. Sure, he’s not awful to me, but he is damn smug. And that pisses me off. So he knows politics…big deal. He doesn’t know jack about strategy. I know strategy.
“Ron…”
I want to ignore him. But that would be stupid.
“Busy man, Lucius…” I say, turning with a grin. Yeah, I’m busy heading back to my room to screw your son. So make it quick.
“Of course.”
I don’t like his tone of voice. It’s a little more self stuffed then usual. He’s not like that with me. Or he hasn’t been in a damn long while.
“so what is it?” I push, not wanting to be standing in the hall dealing with a smarmy Lucius.
“Oh, nothing. Forget I mentioned anything. Only…” He pauses, then shakes his head and gives me this really weird smile. “Oh, I’m sure you and Draco will work things out…”
“What?”
Work what out? There’s nothing to work out! What’s Lucius talking about? What the hell has Draco told him? I’m getting ready to go into panic mode now. Since when are we having problems?
“Hmm? Oh, nothing.” Lucius acts all taken aback now. “Oh, certainly forget I’ve said anything…”
This is *really* weird. Lucius does not act this way. He’s confident and cruel and cold, but he’s not…so obvious about it.
“Okay…”
I could press for details. But I’m not going to. Not from him. I’m going back, I’m throwing Draco on the bed, and I’m demanding answers from him. He can’t go running to daddy when we’ve got relationship problems, I can’t fucking deal with that! I have enough fucking trouble dealing with what’s going on right now without having to worry about my love life!
What fucking problems?
Problems. I have problems. I want to know what the fuck happened to Harry, but I don’t have the bullocks to ask. And no one’s let it casually slip…
No, but Lucius can casually slip about relationship problems I didn’t even know I had. I thought everything was fine. I did everything he wanted, now what the hell is this about?
I’m in a real rage when I get back to the room. I kick open the door, real impressive. And Draco’s not there. The little snake’s not even there. I could kill him! I get all worked up, I’m all ready to lay into him, and he doesn’t even have the decency to be here.
I throw myself down on the bed. I’m not going to be pissed by the time he gets back. Not like I am not. I’ll be sulky and sullen, not full of righteous vengeance. And I want to be vengeful damn it! I don’t get anywhere when I’m sulky, I never have.
Where is he, anyway? I told him to be naked in bed when I got here. Of course, I told him I wouldn’t be back until late. So he’s probably taking a bath or something.
I shouldn’t be all worked up over this. What if it’s nothing? What if Lucius was just referring to the whole Harry incident? That’s been resolved. But…
I shout get get so worked up over this. *I’m* going to take a bath, I’m going to calm down, and then when I’ve got Draco alone we’re going to talk this out. Talking. I have to talk to him, not yell. Yelling gets us no where but into bed for hot make up sex.
If lucklucky, I’ll run into him in the bath…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author’s Note: Despite the decline in readers of this fic, I’m still updating. I have to. *I* want to see this piece finished. I love it, I really do. And no, I haven’t forgotten about Sirius, but it would make these chapters too cluttered. But he *will* be making a return, I promise, once it’ right and proper. And we may get a few glimpses into how other characters are doing…
And to clear something up, there is no solid proof as to whether or not Harry is dead.
Failings and Flaws
Meetings.
I’ve *never* liked meetings. And this one…good merlin, this one’s awful. It’s sort of like watching two of those big boy goats go at it. Or maybe it’s sheep. The ones with the curly horns. The one’s that are known for being really stubborn…well, whatever they are, that’s like what it’s watching. But with words instead of horns. Ideas. And we’re getting nowhere.
I haven’t said a damn thing yet. Why am I here? I don’t know. I’ve noticed I sort of stumble around in the dark *a lot*. Okay, forming a new government out of the ashes of the old one. Yeah, I get that. But why *me*? Lucius, I understand. He’s throwing out words like ‘majority’ and ‘dictator’ and ‘oligarchy’.
I’m listening to music in my head.
“…think, Ron?”
“Hmm?” Shit. Lord Voldemort’s looking at me. wan wants my opinion on whatever Lucius just said. Something about masses…and cows. Maybe. He could have said sows. But why Lucius is going on about farm animals, I haven’t a clue. I highly doubt he’d be discussing his sex life with Voldemort. Okay, so now I’m just being bitter. Lucius doesn’t do farm animals, he does my ex-girlfriend. I just really wasn’t paying much attention. Now’s the time to be *really* general.
“I think we have to be very careful.” I say, shrugging. “I mean, any new leader’s gonna have to worry about assassinations and…you know. Coos.” I know I say the word wrong, but they know what I’m talking about.
“But…to share power equally?” Voldemort raises an eyebrow. “I daresay Lucius, that is bordering on cause for suspicion…”
“No.” I shake my head, my mind working a mile a minute. Lucius has brought this to me before, I know what he’s talking about. “*You* don’t share the power. You’ve got it all. But you have to *delegate*. And it has to *look* like you share the power…”
That’s the key. It’s all *impressions*. It doesn’t matter what’s really going on, just what everyone *thinks* is going on. Okay, so it’s low down and shady, but we’re *death eaters*. Low down and shady is sort of part of the job description.
They’re looking at me. I ought to say something else, but I’m thinking. I don’t know how to put this, really.
“What exactly are you getting at:?” Lucius asks me.
“I’m not really sure.” And I’m not. I don’t have the fucking fine details, but I gave them something to work on! And *I* didn’t use big words. “Look…it’s…” I hate this. This isn’t strategy. Not the kind I’m used to. This is…I don’t know what this is.
“It’s all presentation. Get a little group together. Like…fiveple ple Call it a…a…thing! You know…!” I’m getting frustrated.
“A privy council?” Lucius offers.
“Like in the loo?” Okay, that’s it, Lucius has gone off the deep end. This whole domination thing has been way too much for him.
“No.” Lucius closes his eyes, and Voldemort laughs. And not *quite* an amused laugh. “Privy as in private. A closed council, Ron.”
“Oh. Okay. Then yeah, call it a Privy Council.” I shrug. Whatever works. “Look…politics are not my g.” g.” I explain. “Battle strategy is *simple*. It’s moving people around. It’s not…it’s not complicated.” That’s the best I can explain my view on politics. Politics is all foggy and nothing’s clear and it’s done in the head, not on the field. It’s a huge mess to me.
“As we are learning.” Voldemort says, a little bit indulgently. There’s more to that, but he’s not saying it. He’s just thinking it. I can tell, sometimes.
“Regardless…” Lucius continues, in that smooth voice of his. “The boy makes a strong point. A small elected body, a privy council, if you will…’ He looks at me really pointedly. “to put forth your orders and wishes. Allow the populace to believe that the council decides…they are not in the hands of one, but of many.”
Yeah, that’s what I was going for. But he says it better.
“Exactly.” I feel I have to validate my idea.
“An interesting concept.”
And that seems like all we’re going to hear on that. Voldemort dismisses us, and I book it out of there as fast as I can without looking like I’m running. I don’t want to deal with Lucius. Sure, he’s not awful to me, but he is damn smug. And that pisses me off. So he knows politics…big deal. He doesn’t know jack about strategy. I know strategy.
“Ron…”
I want to ignore him. But that would be stupid.
“Busy man, Lucius…” I say, turning with a grin. Yeah, I’m busy heading back to my room to screw your son. So make it quick.
“Of course.”
I don’t like his tone of voice. It’s a little more self stuffed then usual. He’s not like that with me. Or he hasn’t been in a damn long while.
“so what is it?” I push, not wanting to be standing in the hall dealing with a smarmy Lucius.
“Oh, nothing. Forget I mentioned anything. Only…” He pauses, then shakes his head and gives me this really weird smile. “Oh, I’m sure you and Draco will work things out…”
“What?”
Work what out? There’s nothing to work out! What’s Lucius talking about? What the hell has Draco told him? I’m getting ready to go into panic mode now. Since when are we having problems?
“Hmm? Oh, nothing.” Lucius acts all taken aback now. “Oh, certainly forget I’ve said anything…”
This is *really* weird. Lucius does not act this way. He’s confident and cruel and cold, but he’s not…so obvious about it.
“Okay…”
I could press for details. But I’m not going to. Not from him. I’m going back, I’m throwing Draco on the bed, and I’m demanding answers from him. He can’t go running to daddy when we’ve got relationship problems, I can’t fucking deal with that! I have enough fucking trouble dealing with what’s going on right now without having to worry about my love life!
What fucking problems?
Problems. I have problems. I want to know what the fuck happened to Harry, but I don’t have the bullocks to ask. And no one’s let it casually slip…
No, but Lucius can casually slip about relationship problems I didn’t even know I had. I thought everything was fine. I did everything he wanted, now what the hell is this about?
I’m in a real rage when I get back to the room. I kick open the door, real impressive. And Draco’s not there. The little snake’s not even there. I could kill him! I get all worked up, I’m all ready to lay into him, and he doesn’t even have the decency to be here.
I throw myself down on the bed. I’m not going to be pissed by the time he gets back. Not like I am not. I’ll be sulky and sullen, not full of righteous vengeance. And I want to be vengeful damn it! I don’t get anywhere when I’m sulky, I never have.
Where is he, anyway? I told him to be naked in bed when I got here. Of course, I told him I wouldn’t be back until late. So he’s probably taking a bath or something.
I shouldn’t be all worked up over this. What if it’s nothing? What if Lucius was just referring to the whole Harry incident? That’s been resolved. But…
I shout get get so worked up over this. *I’m* going to take a bath, I’m going to calm down, and then when I’ve got Draco alone we’re going to talk this out. Talking. I have to talk to him, not yell. Yelling gets us no where but into bed for hot make up sex.
If lucklucky, I’ll run into him in the bath…
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