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Chapter 70: A Devil's Bargain
Lucius Malfoy had always considered himself a composed man. He prided himself on his ability to maneuver through political minefields, on his silver tongue that could get him out of nearly any situation. But as he stood in his own study, staring at Harry Potter—a boy barely into his teens who had just disarmed him with casual ease—Lucius felt something he hadn't felt in years.
Fear.
His wand was back in his hand, but the idea of using it again didn't even cross his mind. He forced himself to remain calm as he asked, "What are you talking about? What friends?"
Harry's expression remained unreadable, his green eyes sharp as a blade. His answer was simple, yet it sent a chill down Lucius's spine.
"Your Death Eater friends. The ones who just broke out of Azkaban."
Lucius's mind raced. So he knows. That was troubling. But he wasn't a fool—he wouldn't simply confirm it. He straightened his posture, forcing an indignant look onto his face.
"Potter, you misunderstand. I was never a follower of the Dark Lord," he said smoothly, slipping into the well-rehearsed lie. "I was under the Imperius Curse, just as I testified after the war. Surely, you don't believe everything you hear in—"
Before he could finish, an invisible force struck him like a hammer.
Lucius was lifted off his feet and slammed into the wall behind him. He gasped in pain as the impact sent a shock through his spine. His vision blurred momentarily, but when it cleared, he saw Harry still standing in the same spot, his wand lazily twirling between his fingers.
"That," Harry said, his voice unnervingly calm, "is just a taste of what happens when you lie to me."
Lucius coughed, trying to regain his breath. His head throbbed, but he forced himself to think. If the first lie didn't work, perhaps another approach—
"Yes," he said quickly, "yes, I was a Death Eater. But I have no idea where they are. Why would they come to me, the man who turned his back on the Dark Lord?"
For a moment, Harry simply stared at him.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, there was a sickening crack.
Lucius screamed. His left hand snapped at an unnatural angle, sending agony shooting up his arm. He clutched it against his chest, his breaths coming out in ragged gasps.
"Come on, Lucius," Harry said, his tone still unnervingly casual. "We both know they contacted you. They just got out, they don't have any resources, and the Ministry is watching their vaults like hawks. You're their safest bet."
Lucius bit back another scream, his body trembling from the pain. He gritted his teeth, his mind frantically looking for an escape—but there was none. He could feel the weight of inevitability pressing down on him.
Harry was right.
Lucius had indeed been contacted. It was subtle—just a small pulse from his ring, an old enchantment meant to alert Death Eaters of each other's presence. A relic of the past, one he had never truly discarded. He had ignored it at first, debating whether or not to respond. But now, it didn't matter. Potter knew.
Lucius exhaled shakily, his pride shriveling under the crushing reality of his situation.
"What… what do you want me to do?" he asked hoarsely.
Harry's lips curled into a smile, and for the first time, Lucius understood why people whispered that Harry Potter was dangerous. This wasn't the naive child he had once dismissed. There was something else inside him—something cold, calculating, and terrifyingly efficient.
"Get in touch with them," Harry ordered.
Lucius hesitated for only a second before raising his right hand, tapping his ring, and whispering the activation phrase.
The connection flared to life, and a familiar voice filled the room.
"Lucius?" Bartemius Crouch Jr.'s voice was sharp, demanding. "Why are you contacting me?"
Lucius licked his lips, glancing at Harry. The boy gave him a slow nod.
He swallowed.
"I have something for you," Lucius said carefully, keeping his voice steady. "A gift, you might say. Something that will make all of your struggles worthwhile."
Silence on the other end. Then—
"…Go on."
Lucius took a deep breath.
"I have Harry Potter."
A sharp intake of breath from Barty's end. Then a delighted, manic chuckle.
"Well, well," Barty purred. "That is interesting. We'll be there soon."
The connection cut off.
Lucius let out a slow breath, his entire body tense. He turned back to Harry.
"There. I've done what you wanted. Now let me go."
For a moment, Harry simply observed him. Then he sighed and shook his head.
"You should have thought of that before you released a cursed diary into a school full of children," Harry murmured.
Lucius's eyes widened.
Wait—
A blinding flash of blue-white light filled the room.
A bolt of lightning, summoned with terrifying precision, struck Lucius Malfoy square in the chest.
He never even had time to scream.
Lucius Malfoy was dead before his body hit the ground.
Harry flicked his wand, vanishing the corpse instantly. He had no need for it. The real show was just about to begin.
He turned toward the large windows of the Malfoy Manor study, looking out at the moonlit grounds. Somewhere, not far from here, five of the most dangerous Death Eaters were making their way toward this very house.
Harry smirked.
Let's finish this.