Torn

Nott & Plot

Lucius Malfoy sat behind an ornate, ebony desk in his study, watching as the flames in his floo came to life. A man stepped out, seemingly unaffected by the turbulence of floo travel, maintaining his dignity and decorum above all else, just as he should.

"Nott. Right on time," he said, standing to greet his guest.

"Good evening, Lucius," said Nott, and then stood awaiting further instruction.

"May I offer you a drink, or would you prefer to get right to business so that you may be on your way back to your son's early birthday festivities?"

Nott heaved a sigh that Lucius could not discern the impetus of.

"I'd be grateful for the drink. Friends of my wife are in town. Americans. I can't say I care terribly for their company," he said, striding over to the armchair adjacent to the desk.

Lucius nodded, crossing over to his small reserve of bottles in crystal decanters. He didn't trust the elves with these particular elixirs.

Pouring a neat glass for his fellow "former" death eater, he turned and handed it to the man swiftly before returning to his desk.

Nott took a sip, eyebrows raising in delighted surprise and said, "What's the occasion?"

Lucius positioned both elbows on the desk and clasped his hands together, omitting his forefingers, which he pressed to his lips as he pondered what to say next.

"I have a plan," he said, and let that ring into the quiet corners of the room for a few moments before continuing. "A plan... to see him returned, if all goes well."

Nott's eyebrows lifted higher still, and he took another sip of his drink. After a beat, he said, "Lucius, if this is about my time turner I assure you, the ministry has a collection of far superior devices."

Lucius smiled, looking down at the black leather-bound book in front of him. "It's nothing to do with the time turner, old friend, though I maintain that I am grateful you confided in me about the object. I thought it was time I returned that favor," he said, quirking a single brow on the word "time."

Nott cocked his head, missing the pun entirely, and turning his attention to the book as well.

"I was reluctant to share it, but I will need your assistance in carrying out the plot, you see," said Lucius. "Our master left this diary in my possession before he disappeared. He bade me only use it in an extreme circumstance."

He held up the book, and Nott's eyes widened with reverence as he gazed upon it, open mouthed.

"What is its significance?"

Lucius considered the item for a moment before speaking.

"I do not fully comprehend the function of it, however I do know that it is a key."

"A key. To open...?"

"The Chamber of Secrets," said Lucius.

A slow, wide grin spread across Nott's face. "How excellent," he said. "But what do you need of me?"

Again, Lucius paused long to consider his words. "I need Theodore to act as spy from within the walls of Hogwarts. I need someone to ensure all is going to plan."

Nott finished off his drink as his brow furrowed. "Theodore? Any reason to choose him in particular? I would think you have a perfectly good spy here in your home that would be willing to carry out any mission set forth by-"

"Between you and I, Nott," Lucius interrupted, "I am not so sure of his willingness."

Nott gazed back at Lucius, a look of utter befuddlement on his face.