Golden Age by black_blade

Chapter 31: Chapter Thirty-one

"They do," Lucius agreed. "Even if Andromeda lowered herself to marry a muggle."

Harry started at that and glanced at Lucius.

"You didn't know?" Lucius questioned with a sneer. "The child is about five."

"I'm surprised that she's still close with Bellatrix," Harry observed.

"It's an interesting relationship," Lucius consented as he glanced around.

"How are the wedding plans going?" Harry asked to keep the conversation going and the front as they stood close together.

"Very well," Lucius answered with a light in his eyes. "Narcissa has been taking care of most of the details. Is that what you really want to talk about?"

"Sure," Harry said and gave the blonde a smile. "We're all friends here."

"At least you look the part at the moment."

"Severus may have said something along the lines of a 'black headed Malfoy'."

Lucius snorted at that with an amused light in his eyes. Harry was reminded of Draco in that moment and he felt a prang of lost at the thought. He knew what the Malfoy family was capable of and the lengths they would go to for family.

"What can you offer?" Lucius questioned and rubbed his left arm.

"Many things," Harry replied and glanced around, he took note of the people that were paying them attention.

Lucius eyes locked with him and held his for a long minute. Harry just stared back, neither giving or taking and Lucius nodded slowly. He gave him a nod before he turned away and melted into the crowd.

"Mr Swift?"

Harry turned to see Frank Longbottom looking at him with Alice next to him. They looked so young standing there and yet Harry knew of their talents and their fate in his time. He hoped that wasn't in their future this time.

"Frank Longbottom," Frank introduced himself as he held his hand out. "This is my wife, Alice. We didn't have much time for introductions last time."

"You could say that," Harry agreed with a smile. "Nice to meet you both. Congratulations on your promotions."

"I have a feeling that we have you to thank for that," Frank remarked with a calculating look in his eyes.

"I work for the Department of Mysteries and not the Aurors," Harry retorted with a laugh. "Your promotion was on your skill and not me."

"Thank you anyway," Alice remarked, not believing him. "Kingsley looked embarrassed by the attention."

"Which was worth dressing up for," Frank laughed. "Let me introduce you to a few other Aurors."

Harry let himself be drawn away as he took everything in.

xXx

The corridors of the Ministry were quiet around him while Harry made his way down to the Department of Mysteries. The alcohol that he's consumed burned in his stomach and he could still hear the music in his ears. The awards had gone off without a hitch and Harry had clapped along as Kingsley and his team had moved through the ranks. His conversation with Lucius and others ran through his head as he picked them apart. He would rate the night as a success as he stepped into the circular room and watched the doors spin.

"Department of Mysteries, Alexander Potter's office." Harry ordered.

He opened the right door once they stopped spinning and stepped into Alexander's potion lab. He looked over the long tables before spying the Horcrux sitting in the golden bowl. He picked up the ebony ball, the magic of the wards on the bowl running over his hand. Anyone beside Harry or Alexander would have been screaming on the ground from the wards. Harry slipped the ball away in his pocket and left Alexander a note on the table.