Chapter Text
The air within the Department of Mysteries crackled with an energy that felt almost alive. Lucius Malfoy stood in the Hall of Prophecies, his heart pounding against the confines of his chest. He had entered seeking knowledge, but what he found would change everything: The Golden Trio, his enemies were his Veela mates. But that couldn’t be.
Hermione is of dirty blood, with her muggle-born status, representing everything he despises about the changing world—a world where blood purity is no longer important. To him, she embodies the encroachment of those he considers inferior, individuals who, in his mind, should not have access to the same power and privilege that pure-blood wizards like himself have long enjoyed. Her academic achievements, something he hears of often through Draco, are the highest. Her heroic ones are equal to that of someone much more experienced. These achievements are an affront to everything he stands for. She who is of dirty blood doing better than those of his status.
Harry Potter, on the other hand, stands as a living testament to defiance against his master, Voldemort. The prophecy that binds them casts Harry not just as an adversary but as a symbol of hope for those who oppose the Dark Lord. The mere thought of Harry's success is an affront to his family's legacy and a direct challenge to his ambitions. He is also a result of the intermingling between a pureblood and a mudblood.
And then there is Ron Weasley, the final member of this infamous trio. The Weasleys are notorious in their own right, a family that has become synonymous with blood traitors in Lucius's eyes. To Lucius, Ron's very existence is an insult—he is the embodiment of everything that threatens the purity and superiority of his lineage.
All three being his mates? It was awful, he hated the Golden Trio. He had fought against their side for decades but they are fated to him?
This revelation leaves Lucius reeling. The mate he had envisioned for himself was an elegant and powerful woman who would complement his status and enhance his legacy, someone like his wife, Narcissa. Instead, he finds himself confronted with a bizarre fate where his destined partners are not only twenty-five years younger than him but also firmly entrenched on the opposing side of a war that has consumed so much of his life.
It feels like a cruel punishment for his unwavering loyalty to Voldemort and the dark path he has chosen. In this moment of profound realization, he grapples with the implications of such a union. Is this truly his punishment for allying himself with The Dark Lord?
The notion that he has drawn the worst match out of all the veelas who came before him weighs heavily on his mind. Historically, Veela are known for their beauty and allure, often pairing with those who can elevate their status or bring them power. Yet here he stands, faced with a horrific twist: instead of gaining strength through this bond, he feels as if he is losing control over his destiny, losing status and power, and being forced to confront the ideals he has spent his life defending.
“Was he wrong all along?”
This question echoes in his mind like a haunting ghost as he considers whether his lifelong commitment to blood purity has led him down a path devoid of true significance or fulfillment. The very principles that once guided him now appear fragile in light of this new reality—a reality where love and fate transcend bloodlines and societal expectations. As Lucius wrestles with these thoughts, he begins to wonder if perhaps true strength lies not in lineage or status but in courage and understanding.
The Dark Lord’s strength had been waning, doubt encroaching on many of his loyal followers. After His revival, he has been twisted, commonly snapping at his followers punishing his son Draco for his actions, and threatening his wife. His once charismatic persona and his thankfulness for those who follow him are gone. He has taken things too far and the revelation of who his mates are makes him realise how awful his master has been. And he thought long and hard. he had to protect the Golden Trio- his mates, and his son from the things Voldemort wanted him to do.
“It’s time” he decides, “It is time to change and go against Voldemort”
It’s not too late. Since Lucius had gotten to the Department of Mysteries before any of the others, he could take his prophecy about his mates and warn them about the trap Voldemort had set.
Lucius rushed, fleeing from the Ministry before the others could get there. He ran down the prophecy-lit halls of the Hall of Prophecies and metallic floors to the bright golden elevator. He reached the Floo network floor. He flooed immediately from the ministry. “Time is slipping away,” he muttered under his breath as he dashed through the emerald flames of the Floo Network, shouting “Hogwarts!”, the green fire enveloping him and leaving a thin layer of ash. He could not waste a moment.
The second he entered Hogwarts through the floo, he had a wand pointed at him. He composed himself wiping off the ash before he spoke, “I am here to warn you of a trap, set as a dream that will be sent from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to Mister Potter and soon. It is an attempt to lure him where the prophecies are in an attempt to steal the one that tells of his demise. So please put the wand down Severus.”
The Dark Lord still believed that Severus Snape was loyal but Lucius knew he was on the other side.
Snape put the wand down,” And why am I to believe you?”, He says eyes narrowed the death eater.
Lucius met his gaze steadily—here stood an ally born from shared suffering beneath Voldemort’s iron rule. Lucius answered, “I am your friend. You know how HE has treated my family. But also while I was at the Department of Mysteries, a prophecy called to me. It showed me who my mates are. I wanted to protect them and they are on the opposite side. This may be my Veela instincts driving me but I must defect from the Death Eaters and protect them and my son. He will try to show Potter’s godfather in danger to lure him. We have to warn him before he tries to save someone who is not even there.”
The flicker of doubt in Snape's eyes softened slightly; something shifted behind them—understanding perhaps—but they did not have time for further deliberation.
Severus Snape bursts into action. He knows Veela cannot lie about their mates and he has seen Lucius and his family’s treatment by Voldemort. He sends a patronus to headquarters with the message then He automatically dashes down the halls from his office with Lucius following him. Harry had not started his O.W.Ls just yet. The Potions master knocked on the Gryffindor common room door and the door shook under the force. To their luck, it was Harry himself who answered the door.
“Professor Snape, what are you doing here? I was just getting ready to head to my O.W.L. exam.” He said with confusion and a bit of annoyance
“I have been notified of a trap set to lure you to The Ministry of Magic by the Dark Lord. I assure you that your godfather, Sirius Black is safe and at Headquarters. What you will see will look quite real and I think this may be a true threat so we will be heading there to protect you. I will need you to grab Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, and some clothes as you may need to be in hiding for a while.” Snape replies.
Harry’s eyes widen and he nods, yelling for his friends and packing important items and clothes. The two came down in a rush and the Trio talked in hushed tones before they all grabbed their packs and wands. The two older wizards sat patiently at the door but their minds were racing.
Soon they all were at the door with their bags, and cloaks over their shoulders, ready to go. That's when they noticed Lucius. They shouted in outrage, “What is he doing here?” shouted Ron incredulously. “He's a Death Eater!” Hermione added vehemently. “He’s evil! He better not be coming with us!” Their voices were filled with indignation as they confronted the man who had long been an emblem of darkness in their lives.
Snape waved his hands motioning for them to calm down. They stopped curious about the answer. “He told us of the trap. He has defected from the Death Eaters. Now we need to go.”
While still confused, they followed Snape feeling his sincerity. They made their way to his office quickly and used the floo one by one shouting “12 Grimmauld Place”
Snape of course went through first to explain the situation to the others. Needless to say, The Order of the Phoenix was angry, paranoid of Lucius’s intentions, and even suspected Snape had switched sides. Some were yelling that Harry could be in danger because of this threat. Then Harry came through to assure everyone he was safe, then Ron, then Hermione, and finally Lucius at the back of the pack.
The Order went to another room with him and Snape and Lucius spoke of the entire plan that he knew of. He spoke of how he found a prophecy about his Veela mates and how he had realized Voldemort had gone too far. He apologized and asked that they protect his son and his wife from the vengeance HE would seek when it came out that Lucius had betrayed him.
There was still suspicion and doubt rolling around the group but it ceased when Lucius brought out the prophecy of his mates from his cloak. Whispers of awe and shock rang out. This was proof. Once a mate is known to a Veela, the Veela cannot and will not cause them harm. Usually, though, a mate is found through touch after they have reached the age of 17.
They left the room and The Trio waited close by. While Severus, Lucius & the Order were discussing things in the room, The Trio were discussing why to trust Lucius.
Harry Potter leaned against the cold stone wall, his green eyes narrowed in contemplation. Beside him stood Hermione Granger, her brow furrowed with worry. Ron Weasley paced nearby, hands shoved deep into his pockets.
“He’s still a Malfoy,” Ron muttered, glancing toward the door as if expecting Lucius to burst in at any moment. “How do we know he won’t turn on us?”
“I don’t know,” Harry replied cautiously, glancing toward the closed door where Lucius had disappeared moments before. “But if he knows something about Voldemort’s plans and is willing to share it and risk his life… we can’t ignore it.”
Hermione's brow furrowed in thought. “We have to keep an open mind,” she urged gently. “People can change.”
“He came here to warn us about Sirius,” Harry countered, his emerald eyes reflecting a mix of determination and doubt. “We have to give him a chance.”
“What chance? That he’ll turn on us at any moment?” Ron interjected, skepticism heavy in his tone.
Just then, Lucius emerged from the shadows beyond them—his silver hair catching what little light filtered through stained glass windows looking like an angel —and their gazes locked for a brief moment filled with unspoken questions.
Lucius emerged from the meeting room with an expression that masked his turmoil. He was met with three pairs of scrutinizing eyes—their distrust palpable as they examined him like a curious specimen under glass.
“I’m not your enemy,” he declared sharply, breaking the thick tension. “I’ve come to protect you… all of you.”
“That’s rich coming from you,” Ron replied incredulously. “How do we know this isn’t some elaborate ruse?”
“Because I am risking everything by being here,” Lucius shot back, his voice strained with sincerity. “Voldemort will not take kindly to my defection. If he learns I’ve betrayed him…” He trailed off, leaving unspoken horrors hanging in the air like unlit wands.
Harry stepped forward, emboldened by something deeper than suspicion—a flicker of understanding ignited by their shared fate. “What do you want from us? How can we trust you?”
Lucius hesitated; words caught in his throat as he considered how much he should reveal about his feelings for them—the fear of rejection gnawed at him fiercely. Instead, he chose honesty over bravado. “I wish only for your safety… and perhaps to find redemption.”
Lucius wanted the comfort that veela received from their mates but his mates didn't trust him to even sit with them let alone touch them. They were a unit and he was alone. At least they’d talk to him.