Chapter 250 – Conversation with Lucius
The meeting wasn't held in the grand hall, but in a private reception room on the second floor.
The first floor of Malfoy Manor was mostly decorative—meant for show. True discussions, especially important ones, rarely took place there unless entertaining large groups.
Lucius led Phineas and Sirius into the reception room and broke the silence with practiced grace.
"Welcome. I've already asked the kitchen to begin preparing lunch."
Phineas smiled.
"Then I'll look forward to it."
Lucius returned the smile and motioned for Phineas and Sirius to sit. As they settled, Lucius hesitated for a moment, debating whether to summon Draco. Though the boys were in different years, they were both in Slytherin and could be considered classmates. Perhaps a shared discussion would help build rapport.
Phineas leaned back comfortably and crossed his legs.
"Let's get to the point first, Mr. Malfoy. We'll have time later to catch up."
"Please—call me Lucius."
"Of course... Lucius," Phineas said with a slight nod. "I imagine you already know why I came today?"
Lucius paused, then said carefully,
"I've heard certain speculations... especially regarding the incident on the Hogwarts Express last September."
Phineas nodded.
"That's part of it, yes. Since you mentioned it, let's start there."
Lucius leaned forward slightly, signaling for him to continue.
"You must've heard the details from Draco?"
"I did. I also know what the Parkinson family was trying to do."
"The Malfoys may be few in number, but your legacy still carries weight. That legacy is likely why the Dark Lord sought your allegiance in the first place."
Lucius's expression tightened. His past as a Death Eater was an open secret, though never spoken aloud in polite society—especially not among pure-blood elites. But Phineas was not one of those who feared naming things directly.
Despite the discomfort, Lucius gave a small nod.
"And the link between Malfoy and Parkinson was forged through that connection, wasn't it? The Parkinsons are newly ascendant, but they lack the pedigree. Compared to the Malfoy family—once sworn to the Elder Council—they fall short."
Lucius inclined his head.
"Parkinson has long proposed a marriage between his daughter and Draco. He's mentioned it more than once."
"But you never agreed."
"Indeed. While their influence has grown, their background remains shallow. No Council ties, no direct seats at Hogwarts. A union would not benefit us—it might even harm us."
Phineas understood. That disparity in status explained why, in the original timeline, Draco married Astoria Greengrass rather than Pansy Parkinson.
The Greengrass family, though not powerful, were part of the Elder Council and held its protection. In contrast, the Parkinsons were little more than nouveau-riche upstarts.
That union between Malfoy and Greengrass had been calculated. The Malfoys brought wealth and politics; the Greengrasses offered Council backing. It had made sense.
Phineas's thoughts wandered briefly to other pairings from the original timeline—Ron and Hermione, for instance. Although in this version, things were less intense between them, the match still bore scrutiny.
Hermione, a Muggle-born witch with political ambition, likely dreamed of becoming Minister for Magic. But in a world driven by bloodlines, a Muggle-born would struggle without pure-blood allies. Marrying into the Weasley family—pure-blood, respected, and close to Harry—was one of her few viable options. If she hadn't chosen Ron, she might have chosen Harry. But Ginny had long been marked for Harry. That pairing helped cement ties between the Potters and Weasleys, restoring finances and strengthening legacies.
By contrast, Ron, while loyal, always seemed beneath Hermione in terms of ambition and intellect.
Phineas shook his head slightly, refocusing.
"It was your hesitation that made the Parkinsons anxious. Whether it was Pansy's own decision or her family's scheme, if I hadn't intervened, things could've gone much worse for Malfoy."
Lucius's expression grew grim. He knew the truth of it. Had Draco pushed Harry tu the side of the Muggle wizards—it could've marked the Malfoys as traitors to the Elder Council and be abandoned.
He picked up a teacup and raised it slightly.
"For what it's worth, Phineas, I am grateful. Had you not acted, the consequences would've been... difficult to recover from."
Phineas waved it off but met Lucius's gaze.
"Let's not pretend that was the only reason I'm here today."
Lucius nodded, wary now.
"I'm listening."
Phineas smiled calmly.
"I want the Malfoy family to publicly align itself with the Black family—to declare yourselves part of our camp."
Lucius froze. He had expected a request for resources or political support—perhaps quietly, behind the scenes. But this... this was different. This was a declaration that would bind Malfoy's fate to Black's.
Phineas continued, his voice steady.
"Of course, Lucius, you know what that means. Black's allies will be Malfoy's allies. Black's enemies... will be yours too."
Lucius nodded slowly, finishing the thought himself.
"But why should I do that? So far, the Malfoys have benefited from the Black family's protection without needing to declare sides. More allies, fewer enemies."
Phineas's expression turned colder.
"But how long do you think that balance will last? If the Dark Lord returns, what then? You—who sold much of your wealth to avoid Azkaban—won't have enough left to appease him. And he won't forget disloyalty."
Lucius looked away.
Phineas pressed on.
"At best, he uses your home as his base. At worst, he takes your wand. Or your son."
"Join us now, and that future disappears. With Black and Selwyn beside you, even Richie and Lestrange can't threaten you. More than that—you might reclaim your status as a sworn family."
Lucius sat in silence, eyes distant. He knew Phineas wasn't wrong. But allegiance to the Elder Council wasn't without risk either. Politics among pure-bloods could be bloodless but ruthless.
"May I... consider it?"
"Of course," Phineas said, standing. "It's your choice. I'm only offering you a path. Narcissa is, after all, still a Black. For her sake, I'm offering it."
Lucius studied him. Phineas didn't seem impatient. He wasn't trying to pressure him. In fact, he seemed entirely indifferent to Malfoy's decision.
Why?
Lucius didn't realize—like many in the wizarding world—that Black's true power now extended far beyond Britain. Phineas's investments in the Muggle world, starting with the collapse of the Soviet Union, had paid off handsomely. Through economic maneuvering and strategic trade, he had turned worthless rubles into magical gold, laundering Muggle assets into wizarding power.
More importantly, those investments were ongoing. Phineas had used his future knowledge wisely, placing money in industries that would explode over the next decade.
In short—he didn't need Malfoy. He just wanted leverage when the time came.
And if Malfoy didn't join the Elder Council, the seat could go to someone else.