nothing you say will release you [Open]

[malificence]

The Ministry

It's not the most unreasonable appointment, Lucius thinks as he eyes his new desk for a moment. He's smart, he's organized, Central had still been under control of one of the few department heads who weren't unswervingly loyal to the cause. That doesn't mean he doesn't know this is a kind of punishment for the, ah, lackadaisical performance since he'd joined the Ministry proper. The department of paper trails, he thinks, before he flops into the chair and leans his elbow on the desk. Still, he'll make the best of it. He's already gotten the assistants running to bring him reports of the current interdepartmental communication practices. He's already got the mid-level bureaucrats simpering to get in his good books.

They don't yet know that he doesn't really have any good books to get into, he thinks as he crosses one ankle over his opposite knee, his black robes spilling down the back of the chair. His finger taps a rhythm as he looks at anyone who comes into his office with raised brows.

"And you're here for...?"

It's not like Central is the DMLE, or the DMAC. It's not even Mysteries. There's an extremely limited number of reasons to be in the office of the chief bureaucrat.

Malfoy Manor

Central isn't the only vaguely unpleasant pill he's swallowed today; Lucius knows an order when he hears one, even over M.I.A.V.I., even in the mild and politic tones of the MFM. And so when he leaves the Ministry for the day - several hours later than normal, and after a pleasant interlude with Chande - Lucius doesn't take the floo to Lestrange Manor, as has been his wont for some time. No, it's home he goes, to Malfoy Manor. He doesn't let the irritation show on his face until he's there and settled in in the main sitting room. Alone, for the moment, though he's well aware that it's not likely to long be the case. He's there as a glorified babysitter, after all, and whoever enters the manor next will get a level look - whether it's Scorpius, Albus, or a friend or colleague.

"So I should tell the elves there's more for dinner, then."

Comments

[engorgimpressed]

Albus, please, the tiniest amount of subtlety would be greatly appreciated right now...

"You're right, it'd be very nice to know if anyone we know has shown up. If the Ministry throws another such event, we'll be sure to go." Scorpius replies amicably, following after Lucius at a sedate pace. "What were you considering for dinner, if you don't mind my asking?"

Food is a perfectly neutral topic. Nothing dangerous there.

[secondpotter]

Albus sincerely hoped none of his immediate family had suddenly found themselves in this mad time, but he couldn't be certain. There didn't seem to be a real reason why any of them had shown up. He and Scorpius had found little that gave them much in the way of an explanation.

He wisely keeps his mouth shut for the moment, letting Scorpius change the topic. He made a mental note to look through his MIAVI later in the evening. Perhaps Lucius knew something Albus didn't, and that thought concerned him.

[malificence]

The Lucius Malfoy Scorpius actually knows would know to point out that a Weasley-Potter is never going to be a bastion of subtlety. This one only knows that he's hit a nerve with the suggestion that there might be family wandering around out there. He doesn't, of course, know for sure. He can check the registry, but they're all well aware that there are plenty of people avoiding that.

"I believe Sunny," Sunny being the kitchen house elf who works enough magic with pastries to attract a variety of Ministry officials to brunch, "has made rack of lamb with gorgonzola sauce tonight and roasted vegetables." And a chocolate trifle, because she knows well who she's dealing with. "No doubt more than enough for all of us."