Lucius didn't respond. Instead, an older looking woman stepped forward next to the Lord. Harry didn't recognise her from either this life or his last, but he recognised some of her features and wondered if she was related to Justin Smith's family.
"Actually Albus, it was Lord Black who brought our attention to the matter we wish to discuss with you. From this it was our decision as a body to hold a full meeting. The fact you would accuse us of being so weak willed that we could be manipulated is offensive, and to do it so publicly not only insults Lord Malfoy but also us."
Harry wanted to laugh as he knew just how easily they could be manipulated but instead nodded his head. He could have clapped when he saw a few students looking disgruntledly towards the headmaster and guessed they were related to the members Harry didn't know.
"I apologise. That was not my intention and, like you say, this is not the place for such a conversation," the headmaster said, his voice now soft and genial, the tone not matching the anger his magic was pulsating with.
After they left the Great Hall broke out in whispers and Harry held back a smirk when he noticed most eyes were on him and Draco.
"Little Bird, you wouldn't happen to know what's going on would you?" Fred asked, seeing Harry's expression.
"Yes, you have a look which just screams hidden knowledge—"
"And we should know, we have often had the same expression."
Harry allowed himself to smirk then and allowed his eyes to fall on Lockhart, who, as though sensing his gaze, looked up and allowed his blue eyes to lock with Harry's own. "I may have an idea," he said. The twins followed his gaze and nodded.
"We see," they said. They knew that Harry was behind the articles by Rita Skeeter and they had caught on quickly.
"My Lord, I do believe that rabbit and peacock go very well together," Luna said, staring at Lockhart with large eyes.
Harry tilted his head. "Are you sure? That is a rather gruesome end result," Harry asked. He knew Lockhart needed to pay, but he was having doubts about giving him to Aithusia - being eaten by a basilisk was a bit extreme and the man hadn't targeted Harry or his friends personally. "It's not the 21st yet," Luna said as though it explained everything—then again, Harry supposed it did.
Harry hummed and wondered what the man was going to do to make Harry feed him to Aithusia. He wasn't too worried as he knew Luna wouldn't let him or somebody he loved to get hurt, but he was curious as to what the man would try.
"Does anybody have any idea what they're talking about?" Pansy asked, looking between the two with open concern.
"Not a clue," Draco said.
"Barmy, the pair of them," the twins added, "but we love them anyway." Luna smiled at them and nodded, happily going back to her breakfast.
~
Meanwhile
The Headmaster's Office
"Now, what can I do for you?" the headmaster asked, looking around the room and smiling.
Sirius held back his snort - the tone was so humble and deceiving.
"Headmaster, have you not been reading the owls we have sent you?" Lucius asked straightaway.
Albus bit back his snarl at the tone and hoped to look benign sitting behind his desk.
"I'm sorry to say that sometimes things get on top of me. Your owls must have built up in the pile of mail I have yet to get through. As I'm sure you're aware, I've recently been under some strain."
Sirius once again struggled to remain composed. "I'm sure. I gather you simply missed our floo calls as well then?"
"Yes, my boy. Being headmaster I am often out of my office dealing with the children and other issues." Sirius shook his head. "Undoubtedly, however, as headmaster, it's your duty to run the school and to provide your students with a happy, safe environment and, most importantly, a quality education. You have staff and, as deputy, it is Professor McGonagall's duty to deal with students and any behavioural concerns, as well as their Head of Houses. This makes me wonder how seriously you're taking your duty."
Albus bristled at the words. How dare Sirius Black of all people tell him how to run his school.
"A simple oversight, my boy."
"Indeed," Lucius said. "Now, what is the matter that is so important that you felt the need to intrude on our breakfast?"
"Intrude? You make it sound like we're not welcome," Lilian Freemont said. Sirius remembered her family from one of Lucius' speeches - they were Light-Neutral. He vaguely recognised her as being from Ravenclaw and a few years older than him.
"A simple slip of the tongue, my dear," Albus said, exasperated. Never before would they have questioned him and it was leaving him flustered.
"I'm sure you've read about the investigations into your current Defence teacher?" Lucius asked. Albus wanted to growl. "Yes, well, if we believed everything written then we wouldn't know who to trust," he said. He had tried to bury the fool's incompetence, but even he could only do so much. If it wasn't for the fact he owed the man for saving his reputation he would have left him to hang.
It was five years ago when a busy body reporter had found out about his connection to Gellert and their relationship; he would have been ruined until Lockhart had literally stumbled in on their meeting. When he saw what was happening, Lockhart had Obliviated the man and, from that point on, he had Albus in his backpocket.
As such a public figure, Albus hadn't wanted to risk getting rid of him, but now he was questioning his actions.
"I'm sure," Lucius said, "however, you undoubtedly also know that the ministry has looked into Mr. Lockhart's claimed feats of magic and heroism and they have found nothing. He is a fraud and the ministry is, as we speak, finalising the order for his arrest. It will be done in a matter of days, if not sooner."
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