A Dance Through Thyme (Harry Potter)

Ausgetrickst Part 5

Part 5: Lily and Marlene

The door opened to reveal a shabbily dressed house-elf. His body was crouched over almost as though he was bowing, but his head was projected upwards gazing at the unexpected visitors with curiosity and fear.

"Yes, misses," he said in a high-pitched voice. "How can I be of service?"

Marlene was the one to speak, whilst Lily stood by her with a look of defiance on her face.

"We are here on behalf of the Minister of Magic, Theodora Frances Warnock with a verified warrant to search this dwelling, as belonging to Mr Abraxas Malfoy."

The complexion of the house-elf paled to the colour of lumpy porridge.

"One moment, Miss," the house elf began to stammer. "I-I will just get the m-master for you."

Lily could not help but feel pity for the house-elf, as he shut the door in their face. She waited at the front of the mansion, with Marlene by her side, and their back-up dutifully waiting behind them.

The door opened again, and this time the face of an elderly gentleman appeared. His white-grey hair almost seemed to blend into the equally pale skin of his forehead. The expression on his face belied the arrogant look of his features.

"Abraxas Malfoy," he said, stretching out his hand for the girls to shake. Lily and Marlene reciprocated, somewhat reluctantly. They did not want to get too friendly with the person they were here to incriminate.

Yes, they were here to search for the horcrux, but if they managed to find a few other items of contraband, what was the harm in killing two birds with one stone?

"Pleasure," Marlene squeezed out from her forced smile. "If you don't mind, we have some business to attend to here. Minister of Magic, Theodora Frances Warnock has verified a warrant to search this dwelling and the surrounding property on the grounds of potential contraband items."

The senior Mr Malfoy laughed, and stepped to one side.

"Oh, that will be my son, Lucius. He is always bringing home some new toy, or another. You are free to search the house, and take away whatever you feel is necessary. Perhaps it will teach that boy a lesson."

Lily could hardly suppress her smirk at how Mr Malfoy spoke about his son. The man was twenty-four years old – hardly a 'boy'. However, she did not complain. The Malfoy's were being somewhat obliging to a search warrant of their house.

Not giving any person the chance to protest, Lily stepped over the threshold and into the house. Feeling Marlene and the others follow her, they immediately set to work. Quickly flitting their eyes about the entrance hall, they searched for anything that might be of immediate danger to them. Almost instantly, Lucius Malfoy appeared from behind a pillar.

"What is this mudblood and her friend doing in this house?" his tone venomous as he edged closer to them. Lily could see his hand itching to reach into his jacket, no doubt ready to pull his wand from it; however, she kept her resolve.

"We are here under the order of the Ministry, so I would thank you to stay out of our way."

But Lucius was not ready to give in that easily.

"The order of the Ministry? I would like to think that they ought to know better than to pry into other people's affairs, especially when we work to benefit them so much."

"Lucius!" Abraxas hissed at his son. "Just sit down and let them do their job. The quicker they start, the quicker they will finish."

"Thank you, Mr Malfoy," replied Lily coolly. "I suggest you listen to your father more often, Master Malfoy. Mister Weasley and Misters Prewett will stay here as your guard while we search the rest of the house. Is Mrs Malfoy present in the house?"