HP: Harry From The Ancient House Of Black [ Chapter 62 ]

"It meets expectations, though I find the curriculum to be lacking."

"Well of course." Lucius drawled. "Dumbledore's disapproval of the Dark Arts leaves us in an unfortunate situation."

"The Dark Arts are not for everyone, Lucius." Cassiopeia's dislike of Malfoy had been much more venomous than Aries had been able to figure out.

There was a missing clue there that no matter how hard he pressed, she would not give up.

"Hogwarts allows for what is needed and the last thing we need is for more blood-purists like you to fill the Ministry."

"You mean people who follow the Old Ways?" Lucius sneered at the Black matriarch. "You would see us compromise with those mudblood loving fools."

"A society built by like-minded individuals cannot grow." Aries interrupted. "It may prosper, for a time, but it will not progress. Those mudblood loving fools, as you call them, help our society to improve for all of the Wizarding World."

"At the cost of our traditions." Lucius countered. "It-"

"This is an argument you can have another time." Cassiopeia's stern voice silenced them both.

"I invited you both here for a friendly get-together, not a political debate." She gave them both a glare before turning back to Narcissa.

"I hear you have few designs that Madam Malkin will be creating. Do tell." The women carried most of the conversation with Aries and Lucius adding in a polite word here and there.

Their tension did not go unnoticed by their companions, but they chose not to comment on it.

Aries had never truly liked or disliked Lucius Malfoy. His mother had gone into hiding in France shortly after refusing Lucius' offer to join the Dark Lord, thanks to the help of his father.

Regulus had done much to keep her location in Paris a mystery but due to the war no one was ever sent after her. Aries had always partly attributed that to whatever kindness Lucius was still capable of.

He vaguely remembered his mother's and uncle's reunion but what he did remember was that Regina had been far more interested in seeing her nephew and sister-in-law than her brother.

Since Regina's death, Lucius had been far colder to Aries than ever, no doubt he saw the Black heir as the reason for his sister's death. Aries could not blame him, seeing as he blamed himself as well.

"It's been so good to see you both again." Narcissa hugged him tightly, placing a kiss on each cheek. "You had better visit this summer Aries. Draco will be bored out of his mind without someone to play Quidditch with."

"Of course, Aunt Cissy." The three made to leave but Aries stopped them. "You two can leave," He said to Cassiopeia and Narcissa.

"I need a word with Lucius." The obvious dismissal seemed to rub Cassi the wrong way, but he gave a slight shake of his head. He would have to explain later.

"I have some important meetings Aries." Lucius' glare might frighten many within the Wizengamot, but Aries' answered it with one of his own. "Perhaps another time."

"You would do well to do as I say Lucius." Power rippled underneath Aries' skin and his wand screamed to be unleashed at the challenge of authority.

Narcissa had paled considerably, but after a nod from Lucius she left with Cassiopeia who gave Aries' a look that clearly demanded answers.

They sat across from each other, hazel with green flecked eyes meeting vicious grey. "I am very curious to hear your thoughts on the incident that occurred here at Hogwarts two years ago."

"The one with the Weasley girl?" Lucius hid his surprise well. "A rather unfortunate event. Luckily Potter, how did he put it? Oh yes, saved the day."

"Yes, yes he did." Aries leveled him with another glare, resisting the urge to rip into his mind.

"Perhaps you would like to tell me how an eleven-year-old girl came into the possession of the diary of Lord Voldemort?"

"You will not say that name around me boy!" He had flinched at his master's name, but not anger returned in full force. "I had nothing to do with that."

"Sirius, and Potter's memories, have something very different to say. Do not lie to me Lucius. I will rip the truth from your mind and give you a reminder of what your master was capable of." Lucius paled instantly.

While he had never been on the receiving end of his master's Legilimency he had seen the effects and knew very well that his nephew was incredibly gifted in the art, perhaps as gifted as the Dark Lord.

"The summer prior the Ministry had been conducting raids thanks to the Muggle Protection Act. If I remember correctly it was partially written by one Arthur Weasley. A coincidence then that such a powerful artifact ended up in his only daughter's cauldron."

"Why do you insist on this pointless interrogation when you already know the answer?"

"Because I want to hear you say it." Aries answered. "I want to hear how you endangered the life on an innocent girl, a pure-blood. One that had just begun to experience the beauty of magic. You could have targeted Arthur Weasley himself, instead you nearly killed an innocent eleven-year-old girl."

"What does it matter to you?" Lucius countered. "The Weasleys are blood-traitors! Trying to change our world into something it isn't and washing away the traditions that our ancient families hold dear."

"They can be convinced!" He was suddenly immensely thankful for the silencing curse Cassi had cast before she left.

"They are not made of stone. Perhaps one of the older Weasley children could have been convinced to be less closed minded but now because of your actions they become another vote that cannot be swayed."

"You worry about votes and politics" The venom in Lucius' voice was palpable. "You have power! Power that could have served the Dark Lord, if not power that could make you a new one! Instead you choose to play the Game. We should wipe them all out, just as the Dark Lord would have wanted."