The Dangerous Dai Llewellyn

"Now you get out, too," Abraxas ordered his son Lucius after Luna and the others had Disapparated.

Lucius gave Allen an apologetic look. He knew his father's temper—stubborn and unbending. Lucius had no idea what his father would say to Allen Harris after he left; he could only hope the other party, for the sake of their relationship, would show some understanding toward a gravely ill old man.

He could read no expression on Allen's face. Lucius left the room and gently closed the door behind him.

"Mr. Abraxas Malfoy." Only then did Allen step forward to greet him with a bow.

"I regret meeting you under such circumstances, Mr. Allen Harris." Abraxas's hands were folded together, lying weakly on his legs. He looked at Allen's attire with some suspicion, as though recalling something, but then he shook his head and laughed self-mockingly, seeming to abandon the absurd guess in his mind. He continued, "I have long heard Draco speak of you. The boy admires you greatly."

"Draco is my father's godson, and my relationship with him is quite good as well." Before coming, Allen had looked through some of the Ministry of Magic's personal records on Abraxas Malfoy. Like other wizards who knew of his conspiratorial deeds, no one trusted him, but at the very least, they all held a certain respect for him.

Abraxas stared at Allen, his expression suddenly turning somewhat more imposing. The unreasonable, commanding posture from moments ago vanished, and his gaze no longer resembled that of a gravely ill old man near death. It revealed the bearing and shrewdness tempered by years of experience. "You and Lucius put on a fine performance. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has been kept completely in the dark by the two of you. You have Lucius dancing on the edge of a