“That’s your boy?” asked the barkeep.
“Of course I am,” replied the blonde creature. He sauntered his way to the bar and took a seat close to Lucius. “I look like your son. I talk like your son. I act like him too. So it must mean that I am your son.”
But Lucius knew otherwise. In a cruel twist of fate, the boy who used to be his son was now known as Lord Voldemort. “So good to see you, my Lord.”
“Oh, cut the crap, Lucy. I know you are as sincere as Nagini during feeding time. It hurts me, father.”
Lucius hated to hear the word father. It made him cringe whenever his master spoke it in that taunting manner. Voldemort knew he held Lucius’s son captive by possessing his body. So the Dark Lord knew that Lucius was powerless to hurt him cause it would essentially kill Draco…or what was left of him. Considering how long Voldemort has been in possession of him, Draco was more than likely lost.
“I meant no disrespect, my Lord,” he said to his master, straining under his own temperament. From looking at his half appearance, he could see that he was wearing the invisibility cloak. He could also see the necklace that still had the cursed stone latched to it. He could even see the elder wand being held tightly in his clutches.
Ever since he’d retrieved all three of the Hallows, Voldemort considered himself “The Master of Death”.
Now he wanted to be considered “The Master of All Time”.
“You left so quickly, mother didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.”
Lucius stomach turned at the mention of his Inferi wife. He doubled his efforts in reigning in his anger as the face of his son smiled menacingly into his. “Again, I meant no disrespect, my Lord. I only strive to serve you since you have acquired my son’s body.” He made every effort to pour on the charm, lacing his words with honey. “You know how I love my son.”
“Yes, that I do know. Which is why it is interesting to see you are here.”
“Of course it is,” he reiterated, scrambling to find the right words. He decided to take a different approach in the conversation. “As omniscient as you are, you must have been aware of the plot to de-throne you.”
“Of course I’m aware. That plot has been going on for years.”
“True. So you must have realized that when they heard of your plans for this piece, they would dispatch their spies to follow.” He could see a flicker of detest within his master’s eyes. Ever since Voldemort returned to life, he had been extra paranoid around the company he kept. Snape’s betrayal had left him leery. Lucius knew if he could feed into this, it might throw him off course.
“My spies had told me that you were taking this course in time to find what I’ve been searching for.”
“They were only part right, my Lord. I heard of the plot that would destroy you, and hence my son. So fearing for Draco’s safety, I came here to head them off. Luckily, I was able to dispatch Alastor Moody before he got to this place. He and the New Order had every intention of taking this to undo your reign.” Lucius searched hard within Voldemort’s eyes to see if his words were taking effect. “I know that securing your supremacy safeguards my son’s safety. That is why you have blessed me with my life, because you know I would do anything to keep my son safe. To keep you safe, my lord.”
He thought he would pass out as he held his breath for a response.
“You’ve done well, father. Now it’s time to leave and continue with my conquests.”
Lucius gave a gracious bow before he followed behind his master. He looked back to the bar keep, who kept a solemn gaze as he watched him leave. However, within his eyes, the man was able to say a few words before he left.
Two turns.
As they stepped outside, Voldemort turned to Lucius and said, “Since you were able to retrieve it, why don’t you give it to me?”
“Of course.” Without hesitation, he went to his pocket to pull out the piece. “I’m sure you will be able to defend yourself when they realize you have the item.” He could feel the wheels turning in his mind as he artfully manipulated his words. “As soon as we step back into normal time, they will come at you with their wands blazing. I will defend you to the best of my abilities, as always.”
Again he waited for a response. As many attempts that had been made on Voldemort’s life, he knew Voldemort feared doing battle on his own. Even with all the Hallows at his disposal, Lucius knew his master was too arrogant and too self absorbed to risk his own life valiantly.
“I’ll let you hold onto it for now, Lucius. If they see that you have it, they’ll go for you first.”
“Of course, my Lord.”
Voldemort looked in the direction of Lily and the child. “How goes it, Lily?” He asked with mock concern. But she didn’t respond. Her sad expression spoke for itself.
As Voldemort kept taunting Lily, Lucius gathered his strength, for he knew he had to move fast. He used the distraction to take hold of his master’s cloak. With his other hand still on the piece in his pocket, he moved his fingers over the hourglass to turn it just once.
“Well, we should be off now. It’s good seeing you, Lily Potter. Give your son my regards, should you ever see him around.” Voldemort’s cackle echoed through the place. The vile sound had a strange reverberating effect, causing the stars to grow dim under the noise.
Lucius chanced a glance at Lily, who still kept the same expression. As he caught her eye, she gave him a slight wink, like she knew what he had to do next.
"Auld Lang Syne."
As soon as Voldemort said the words, the same shower of lights came and took them back to the dark room. In one quick motion, Lucius snatched the cloak and took off running. He could hear Voldemort’s screams as he realized that he couldn’t properly curse him, since magic had no affect in that area.
“FATHER!” The wretched sound of his master’s shrieks shook the room and Lucius soul.
After much stumbling, Lucius was able to make it to the outside. As he stepped on the street, he was soon greeted by a fury of sparks hurtling in his direction.
Voldemort’s army had been waiting for him to appear.
Still feeling the cloth in his hand and the piece still in his pocket, he quickly got under the cloak and turned the object once more. Knowing what was at stake, it wasn’t hard for him to concentrate on where he needed to go next.
Bright lights burst forth and the stars looked as though it were falling from the sky. The scenery around him morphed in to a plain field with trees outlining the perimeter.
It was still night, but from the fire in the sky, he knew he had shown up in the right place and time.
“Draco!” He set off running into the forest. He knew he only had one chance to get it right or else it would be the end for all humanity.
As he got closer, he could see his son standing in that fateful spot that would change their lives forever.
“DRACO!”
The boy didn’t hear him at first - at least, not the boy he’d wanted.
A pain ripped at Lucius’ side as part of his flesh fell to the ground. He wondered why Lord Voldemort didn’t just kill him, but with his gaping wound Lucius realized that he needed to be seen in order for his master to do the curse properly.
“YOU FOOLISH MORTAL! DID YOU THINK YOU COULD GET AWAY SO EASILY?” Lord Voldemort’s eyes glowed with intensity as he stormed towards Lucius.
“I was never trying to get away, my Lord. I was only trying to get to the end.”
With one last breath he sent a spark towards the boy - his son who was about to pick up the stone. The spark hit the boy, who was so startled that he took of screaming in the other direction.
“NOOOO!” Voldemort’s cries were like a sweet symphony to Lucius ears.
Aside from his wife’s voice and the cries of his son when he was first born, nothing had sounded as sweet as his master being defeated…and destroyed.
It was over.
As Lucius hit the ground of the soft forest floor, he didn’t greet death, but oblivion.
For he knew that what could have happened would never occur.
