What if He had a Choice?

Lucius' Memory

Tom had been sitting with Draco in the library. Both of them had been going over darker spell forms, partially because Draco was curious about them and wanted to learn, not to mention the boy had been secretly studying them for quite some time without Lucius' knowledge. Though Tom doubted that Lucius would refrain his son from learning dark magic if the youth so desired it. As such, he could not quite understand the other's insistence that they keep the studying from his father. Though Tom was more then happy to study with Draco, after all, Dark magic was endlessly fascinating, and Tom himself would love to know more. Having free reign to the Malfoy Library was incredibly useful for this desire as well, as he was able to simply take whichever book suited his interests. Not to mention the Malfoy library was incredibly vast and had quite a bit on the subject of the dark arts. He would wager that the Black library was similar. Both families heavily remain involved within the dark arts. Had for generations and centuries. As such, the Malfoy library contained some rather interesting books upon the subject, and so of course Tom was not going to pass up such an opportunity.

He just could not understand quite why it was that Draco would be so intent and insistent upon ensuring that his father knew nothing of it. Yet, when asked Draco just elegantly shrugged one shoulder, and preceded to change the subject. Though Tom may not like not being answered directly, he would concede this once, just this once. For the understanding that Draco had helped him quite a bit out of his own fashion, and Tom would be able to better in debt the boy should he feel grateful he did not pursue the issue. 

It did not matter either way, Lucius had a House Elf call for him, and Tom had effectively excused himself from Draco's company to go to the other Malfoy. He desperately hoped that it would be good news. He had informed Lucius that he would not tolerate failure in regards to his task with Dumbledore. He would not grant mercy with such a thing, not with his entire plan riding on ridding Dumbledore of the headmaster position, at the very least. Anything less then that Tom would most certainly not approve of. He dearly hoped that Lucius had taken his words quite seriously in the matter. For it was one that he was most certainly not willing to compromise on.

"My lord," Lucius greeted him the moment that he walked through the door into Lucius' private study. Tom narrowed his eyes slightly at the elder, and moved to sit himself in the chair before the other's desk. 

"I take it that you have good news, as I was rather...engaged at the time of your impromptu calling." Tom said simply, eyes flashing dangerously. Something he disliked more then failure, was the act of informing him of that failure when he was already doing something and interrupting him in the processes. It simply would not do to have such a thing happen at the moment. He had been getting quite decently far in his research, and such an unfortunate circumstance would aggravate him much further.

"Yes, my lord, Dumbledore has been effectively removed from position of Headmaster." Lucius informed him, a smile upon his lips, blue eyes glittering with their excitement. 

"Is that so," Tom hummed, distant. He could not believe that it was true. That Dumbledore had finally...finally...been rid of his position in Hogwarts. 

"Yes, My Lord, though...Perhaps I could show you?" Lucius seemed rather hesitant at such a suggestion, but Tom was more then willing. He would love such a thing, after all.

"Yes, I think that would be best." Tom declared, and Lucius did not hesitate to bring an Pensive. 

"Dumbledore," the intoned voice of the head of the Wizarding Community, Cornealius Fudge, echoed among the chamber. Tom could not quite believe his eyes, as he walked through the throng of people, unafraid of being seen. After all, 'twas only a memory, he had no need to fear such things and he could see in full extent Dumbledore's fall from power. It would be quite wonderful. Tom was quite joyful at the mere idea, and he had not even seen anything yet, it was nothing he could help however, and he merely eagerly continued to watch. "You have been brought forth to the Wizemagont to speak on certain...claims which have been made." The Minister of Magic seemed to be unaware of quite how to state the precise reason as to why the powerful wizard was sitting before them. 

"Ah, my dear Cornealius, if there are any doubts of course I shall aswauage them, but is this entire fanfare truly necessary." The eyes of the minister of magic darkened slightly at the slight mocking ton which Dumbledore held. Tom always hated Dumbledore's voice. It always held this sense of superiority in it. 

"It would seem so." The minister said stiffly. 

"Dumbledore," Another took over for the Minister. "You have been called to the Wizemagont on claims of abuse of authority, power, as well as reckless endangerment of the students under your watch and care, and willful and unfair bias against certain students during your time as the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. How do you plead?" 

"Why, not guilty of course," Dumbledore stood, seemingly outraged. "What exactly is this?" 

"You were informed in your summons of the nature of your hearing." Lucius intoned...standing finally and making an appearance. "As all who are called to trial are. Did you...not bother reading the letter in full?" Tom smirked at Lucius' words. 

"Of course I did," 

"Well, then you should have no issue in understanding exactly why you are here, after all, it was all detailed quite clearly in the letter which you receive." Dumbledore grit his teeth but smiled.

"Of course not."

"The school council," yet another person informed. "Has brought these concerns to the attention of the Minister, and the Minister has desired a hearing and a trial to see and understand the exact nature of your time as Headmaster. Furthermore, not only has your time as Headmaster been questioned, but also as a teacher," Dumbledore was visibly outraged, but held his breath this time." 

"As the School Council has brought these concerns, the School Council will know elect someone to address them and provide the evidence necessary." Tom hummed. They must have gotten very good evidence. He knew that it would not be easy to remove Dumbledore successfully from Hogwarts, though that was the task that they had been given. After all the man was quite influential, and had a good amount of so called 'light purebloods' on his side. They would need quite damning evidence, and quite a lot of it. 

"The school Council," one of the people from the side behind Dumbledore, "Would like to elect Sir Lucius Abraxas Malfoy to speak on our behalf." Tom could see how the room tensed at the mention of the name. Watching as Dumbledore breathed, seemingly to think that it would be easy to circumvent anything Lucius threw at him.

Tom could not help but smile, a dark look gleaming through his eyes as he sat himself down, ready to watch the proceedings.