Harvest Moon

Please forgive the brevity of this and not replying to individual reviews. I lost two grandbabies this past week and needless to say, my head has not been in this. But since it was already mostly written I thought I\'d post it.



***



Lucius glared at Dobby as he kept trying keys only to have none work on the lock.



“Dobby is trying, Sir,” the little elf squeaked sounding just as frustrated as Lucius felt.



“I know that,” Lucius groused. “Bubble, I don\'t suppose you can “see” if any of those keys Dobby has will actually work.”



“One works. In three more keys,” Bubble said. “And by the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.” Bubble took several steps back and seemed to fade into the shadows of the room.



Dobby gave Lucius a look that he hoped was reassuring before scrambling off to hide himself as well.



The door banged open and a very cheerful seeming Liren walked into the room.



“Wearing your own face for once, I see. Or should I say “our” face,” Lucius sneered at his twin.



Liren snorted. “At least I don\'t look as though I\'ve been ridden hard and put away wet, dear brother. I suppose that is one benefit of having been in stasis for so long. None of that nasty aging to deal with. Still, I suppose you must have done something right considering you managed to capture a witch half your age. Even if she isn\'t very pretty.”



Lucius glared but bit back what he\'d been about to say. He\'d be damned if he\'d give Liren any more ammunition.



Liren chuckled nastily. “Really, Lucius, Father would be even more horrified than usual at your choice of companions.”



“Father is dead, he doesn\'t get to disapprove of my actions or inactions anymore,” Lucius growled.



Liren settled on hip onto the rack Lucius was stretched out on. He leaned forward until they were almost nose to nose. “Really, whatever possessed you to be even vaguely interested in a plain Jane little mudblood like her. At least the blond you\'ve been playing with is stunning enough to grace any man\'s arm.”



“I\'d not expect you to understand about Mine even if I explained it all to you in small words, Liren.”



A frown creased Liren\'s unusually smooth features. “Ah well. I do have a warm welcome planned for your little Griffindor princess and the boy who lived. That is, provided they can manage to survive the caves. Don\'t worry, brother dear. I\'ve taken precautions to make certain Draco doesn\'t get caught in the crossfire. Wouldn\'t want my son to be injured, after all.”



Lucius ignored the dig. He knew Liren well, knew if he got no reaction from his victim, he\'d get bored in short order and leave. He wanted him to leave so he could go about the business of getting the bloody hell out of there. Then somehow saving Mine and Draco. He supposed he\'d have to help Potter too or Mine would never forgive him.



Lucius was brought from his musings by Liren snapping his fingers in his face.



“Really, brother dear, you\'re just too boring. One would think you would have gotten at least a bit interesting over the years. But alas, still the same old Lucius. The only thing about you that\'s extraordinary is your ability to be a doormat for so many years,” Liren said, turning away from him.



“I have a question for you, Liren.”



Liren turned. “Oh? And whatever might that be?”



“Does Narcissa know what you\'ve been doing? It\'s obvious she knows you\'re alive and has been hiding you. I just have to wonder if she has any inkling as to what you\'re really up to.”



“Oh, she\'s perfectly well aware.”