Lucius Malfoy regarded himself as a pragmatist. He had joined Lord Voldemort because the man espoused the beliefs he had been raised to believe in and his father who had been a school chum of the Dark Lord's and told him to. He had enjoyed his place of importance as financial and political advisor and had only seen advancement in his future when the Dark Lord took over, despite his distaste for some of the required activities as one of his followers.
Then the Potters had happened, unlike many he didn't subscribe to the theory that baby Potter had done something. No if anyone had done something it had been the mudblood mother. Her cleverness at school had surpassed even the best of the pure bloods, as loathe as he was to admit it. Lucius had been forced to pay large sums to cover his mistake in believing the Dark Lord invincible. Life had gotten considerably more challenging a couple years later because of the stoppage of income from Narcissa's dowery. The matter that Sirius knew he was a marked Death Eater had been a blip on the horizon as long as Sirius was a fugitive.
But now Sirius was, if Lucius was any judge, to be declared a free man. All his seats and all the seats of his godson would revert to his control. He had just effectively pulled ninety percent or more of Albus Dumbledore's power away from him, all without saying a word. The House of Malfoy was not far from being impoverished. Minister Bagnold and Corneilus Fudge had taken his original bribe, but after a few years of high living had gone through the money. They had been blackmailing him since. It had been a vicious cycle thankfully Bagnold had died in her sleep a year ago, and with Fudge's extradition Lucius was in the clear except from Lord Black or more accurately His Grace Duc du Sable.
Lucius was certain that the Dark Lord would return, but how he would regard Lucius' betrayal was another question. Lucius figured he could lie his way through it. But the question was should he, or should he not believe his darling Cissa's instincts and throw himself on the mercy of His Grace. He remembered Sirius' character well from their school days. The man was a Gryffindor through and through. Which meant if Lucius threw himself onto His Grace's mercy, he could probably be trusted to protect Lucius more than Lucius could trust a Slytherin or a Ravenclaw. But would it be enough?
As the day's session drew to a close, Lucius grew more uptight he only had two more hours to make this decision. His family or his political ideals?
The session ended just after Sirius was declared innocent of all charges. Lucius stopped him on his way out, "I wish to speak with Your Grace this evening if I may?"
Sirius' blue eyes met his own gray. "Of course, how about you bring your family to Grimmauld place and dine with us this evening. You have an old friend's journal in your possession, be sure and bring it with you."
Lucius felt his heart lurch in his chest. "Which friend would that be?"
"Tom Marvolo Riddle."
Lucius fought the urge to shudder. If he did this and the Dark Lord returned to power there wouldn't be a safe place in England let alone Europe for him. But even now he was hovering on the edge of disaster, life without Narcissa's dowery while being blackmailed had put him in that position. Of course the final months before the defeat of the Dark Lord had also left him feeling like he was on the edge of disaster. The Dark Lord's demands had sickened Lucius. He hadn't minded dealing in finances or politics but torture and pain were not his preferred recreation, he far preferred horse racing and quidditch. Maybe taking a chance and trusting family could redeem them. "I understand. I'll bring it."
"Wonderful. Dinner will be at seven and since it's family only it's casual. Come a little early and we can take care of business"
"I'll pass that on to Cissa. Is Draco included?"
"Of course."
"We will see you then."
....
The Malfoy's were surprised that Sirius greeted them immediately on their arrival. He was accompanied by three security personnel who ran a cursory check then they went to Sirius' den. They were followed by two of the guards
With out being asked Lucius handed Sirius the Riddle diary. "You realize that by giving you this I sign my death warrant if he returns don't you? If not warrants for my whole family."
"I do, but he will find it considerably harder to return than you might think. And I do understand, he was responsible for Reg's death you know. The reality is this is one of six horcruxes, and one has already been destroyed. I have two others and I know the locations of two more.
"Are you ready to give your oaths?"
Narcissa and Lucius both drew their wands, "I, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy swear on my life and my magic for the rest of my life I will never draw my wand on another person except in defense of the lives of myself and my family." Lucius could see in Sirius' eyes that particular wording left something out in his eyes. So he reluctantly added. "And I will only use it against the one threatening me and mine."
Narcissa echoed Lucius' vow.
Lucius swallowed hard, Narcissa said that he should take this one step further than what Sirius had asked. She said it would create a true peace and end any suspicion between themselves and His Grace. The Malfoys, although wealthy, had their roots in the bourgeois class of the French Revolution. They had managed a magnificent climb socially during England's industrial age to a baronet status. But they lacked sufficient ties to the noble class and a long enough line to make it to the highest echelons of power. Lucius had once dreamed of being Minister. Narcissa was convinced that by making an oath of fidelity to Sirius, their family could gain protection that would secure their future. He took a deep breath and spoke.
"By Merlin and Magic itself, I, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy will to Sirius Orion Black-DuSable be true and faithful, I will love what he loves and shun what he shuns according to the laws of men and Magic itself. Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him on condition that he will hold to me as I deserve, and hold to his own agreement that he makes to me this day when I submit myself and mine to his will." Lucius finished giving his oath and prayed Narcissa was right.
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