Silk Roads

Chapter 7

Chapter 8: Malfoys, Malfoys... Oh and look, more Malfoys!

August 1966
Location: Ministry of Magic

They both walked towards the Minister's office contemplative silence. Marcaunon didn't bother trying to guess what the old coot was thinking about –probably the makings of Lemon Drops or what rot.

He didn't notice that they have arrived until they were ushered into the office by a blushing secretary. She was staring lecherously at Dumblewhore and Marcaunon had to hold back a grimace –she should learn occlumency and keep those thoughts to herself.

"Albus, I'm glad you could make it." Nobby Leach, the Minister of four years greeted with a broad smile. The man has bags underneath his dark eyes, laughs lines all over his face and goatee. He looked rather fit for a fifty something year old man with a desk job –though there was a bald spot on his greying head.

"Nobby! How are you, my friend?" They took a seat by the fireplace (different seats!) with Leach directly in front of them.

"Sadly tiring. Too many howlers for my liking."

"Pardon me, Minister. Lord Malfoy and Head Auror Moody have arrived." The secretary announced after knocking on the door.

"I hope you don't mind having them with us, Albus. Abraxas is here to represent the Wizengamot, and Moody is the Head Auror."

"Of course not, Nobby." The Headmaster's twinkle had dimmed a little. Marcaunon would've smirked at the old man, but he was dreading the encounter.

"Send them in, Ms. Sina."

The door opened and Leach greeted the newcomers with a smile. They were ushered to their seats, with Malfoy sitting to the left of him, and Mood to Bumblebee's right.

Abraxas was a tall man with long blonde hair and grey eyes. The blond was more muscular than his son, Lucius, and has the same handsome face that all other Malfoys have. He wore an elegant dark colored robe (the material looked expensive) that fit his body, showing how fit the man is. The canes all Malfoy Lords had was by his side and Marcaunon held in a snort at the design –a silver snake, how original.

He observed the Head Auror next, noticing that he looked very similar to Mad-eye. His father perhaps. The man was at an average height, and has average looks –one that he'll forget soon (the only reason why he remembered Mad-eye was because of his scars). The man wore the standard Auror uniform as he slouched in his seat, unlike the other men in the office.

"Gentlemen, let me introduce you to the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, and... I'm sorry young man, but I never got your name." The men turned to him and Marcaunon brought out his Hufflepuff friendly mask that basically shout out 'I'm innocent and defenseless'.

"That's because I have yet to be introduced, Minister."

Dumbles at least had the decency to look sheepish and cleared his throat to gain attention.

"Nobby, Lord Malfoy, Auror Moody, let me introduce to you my Potions' Master, Marcaunon Gaunt. Marcaunon, this is Nobby Leacher, Abraxas Malfoy, and Arastor Moody."

Marcaunon discreetly scanned their expression, noting no change apart from the Minister –there was doubt in his eyes. When his scarlet eyes landed on Abraxas, there was a small (too tiny to be noticed if one were not looking for it) expression of confusion in the blonde's eyes. He recalled that Abraxas Malfoy was infamous for his cruelty and known to be Voldemort's right hand man in the early 70s.

"I do not wish to be rude, young man... Albus... But isn't he too young –this is an unknown poison and –"

"Do not be fooled by his youthful face, Minister." Dumbles cut the Minister off with a chuckle.