17. Chapter 17

Lucius handed the letter from Dumbledore to Narcissa. She read it, looked at Lucius, then back to the letter. "Is he serious?"

"I believe he expects me to just agree." Lucius had been expecting the letter from Dumbledore since Severus and the Dark Lord had informed him of the events that occurred in the staff meeting.

The Dark Lord and Death had already arranged for Augustus Rookwood to be aware of the Dark Lord's return. Death, with some assistance from Lucifer, was able to provide the required memories for Rookwood to grasps the understanding of what could happen to him if he didn't agree. Death had enjoyed it. It was one of the few times he got to scare people. Lucius wondered if Harry and Lucifer were affecting everyone in some warped way. Lucius took the letter back from Narcissa. He read it again. Severus had informed him that Dumbledore had been warned to ask him. Lucius wondered if Dumbledore was a bit more Slytherin than the man would care to admit. Dumbledore certainly was daring.

Lord Malfoy:

Due to some concerns regarding young Harry Potter we are investigating some testing options. I do believe the Ministry has someone available to assist in the assessment testing of Harry during the next few days. Several different tests were mentioned. I have gladly arranged for the dates and times as I believe the sooner we test young Harry, the better we will be able to assist him in his academic needs. I have arranged for a tutor to assist Harry with any special needs.

I'm also a bit concerned about his wand. We will be testing his core. The results of all the testing will be forwarded to you as soon as they are available.

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

"I will need to visit the Ministry and rearrange the testing dates and times or see if Rookwood is available." Lucius had a feeling that Rookwood would be available no matter what time he arranged.

"That would be best, dear. You know if you wrote back to him, he would try and deny you want to aid Harry Potter." Narcissa took a sip of her tea. "That man is going to be rather bothersome."

"Going to be?" Lucius arched a brow at his wife.

Narcissa gave him a slight smile.

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Harry was pouting. He kept looking at his father who was curled up on Severus' couch. Lucifer was mumbling about finding a way to attend the testing. The two of them were working out how to get into whatever room Dumbledore was going to arrange for the testing. Severus, the Dark Lord, and Death were reviewing everything with Ruby. Death had visited Rookwood and obtained copies of all the testing materials. Rookwood put the more popular exams on the top but explained the Dumbledore might use some of the rarer ones.

It was Ruby's week and she was the one who was going to be tested. Ruby's demon magic was a bit stronger than Meg's so the level showing up on the magic usage was slightly above squib. They tested it a few times to make sure that Ruby didn't add too much of her magic to the wand. ~You know you can't be there.~ The Dark Lord hissed at Lucifer and Harry. ~We don't want to give Dumbledore any idea of something being wrong.~

~I know but it was my idea.~ Harry watched Severus. Severus was showing Ruby how they would start testing her magic using the first year basic foundation skills test.

~Harry, I promise Augustus or even Death will provide us with the memory. Severus might be able to attend the testing or part of it too.~ The Dark Lord sat down between where Lucifer was curled up and Harry. "I promise you will get to review the event."

"Can I-" Harry had an idea. The trio wasn't going to be busy during the testing. Perhaps he could arrange for them to be busy.

"No." Everyone replied, including Lucifer who was hissing.

"Fine." Harry got up. "I'll go and see what Draco is up to."

"Harry." Severus' tone had a bit of a warning to it. Harry wasn't going to give up that easily.

"I promise no one will get hurt." Harry smiled a bit too wide and almost ran from the room.

Severus groaned as Lucifer and the others realized Harry was going to see what he could do. Lucifer slithered off the couch and followed his son before anyone could grab him. ~Oh, fun.~ Lucifer squeezed through a crack in the wall.

The Dark Lord looked at Death. "I think we should worry."

"You think?" Ruby rolled her eyes. "You do realize the only thing that is stopping them from destroying this castle and everyone in it is their word?"

As Severus and the Dark Lord processed her words, Death sighed. "It's true but they are very good about keeping their word. If they weren't, I would never have any time off." The Dark Lord watched Severus for several minutes as Severus and Death worked with Ruby. He grinned. He needed to speak to Death.

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Dumbledore wasn't happy when he saw Augustus Rookwood arrive for the testing. Behind Rookwood was Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Augustus had two lower-level DoM people with him. Dumbledore recognized them as former Hufflepuffs. Lucifer was hiding in a crack in the wall and was excited to see Dumbledore's plans already crumbling. Lucifer and Nagini had spent the last two days working on creating different tunnels to the room they believed that Dumbledore would use. He knew Nagini was already in the big crack in the wall by the staircase watching. Lucifer saw Harry and Draco standing in the shadows of the stairwell to the dungeons. Lucifer smirked as the annoying trio of Gryffindors came down the stairs. Granger went straight to Dumbledore. "Sir, I'm sorry but I don't think Harry can read."

"Yeah, he just opened the book and that was it." Weasley added.

"Sir, it's true. I'm going to need more time to tutor him as there is no way he is ready to take any of these tests." Granger's voice was filled with self-importance.

Lucifer had to admit this idea of Harry's was a great one. He also knew that Dumbledore would check for spells on the trio but since Harry used Parselmagic it wouldn't be detected. "Sir, he couldn't even read how to float a feather. Nothing happened when we showed him how to do the spell." Weaslette added.

"Why was Ms. Granger tutoring my ward?" Lucius looked between Granger and Dumbledore. "I never gave permission for any tutoring nor did I approve of Ms. Granger being involved with my ward's education."

"It's just a slight misunderstanding. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, why don't you go back to your common room."

"Sir, we don't know where Harry went to." Granger felt like she let the Headmaster down. It was her job to get Harry ready for the testing.

"He is waiting for us." Dumbledore reassured Granger.

"Why, Albus? I want to know why you had Ms. Granger tutoring my ward. I want to know why my ward is already in the classroom. He shouldn't have even been made aware he was being tested nor was the information." Lucius wasn't about to allow Dumbledore to wiggle his way out of this new situation.

"I assure you it was a slight misunderstanding. Harry is waiting for us." Dumbledore turned and headed for the stairwell. Lucius, Narcissa, and Augustus exchanged a look. They were looking forward to the testing.