As he sipped a goblet of pumpkin juice, Harry surveyed the students sitting around the rectangular table that had been placed in his private apartments. Bellatrix had seated herself opposite him at an end of the table and was in the process of conversing with one of the Parkinson girls. Harry did not recall ever seeing Bellatrix's acquaintance in the future, but he did recognize a lot of the others sitting around the table. Some of them were talking to each other while others didn't seem anxious to socialize.
Harry didn't know enough about the entertaining of guests to assess appropriately whether Bellatrix had seated the guests well, but he wished that she had not seated Lucius Malfoy at his left and Rodolphus Lestrange on his right. Rodolphus and Lucius didn't seem to be very pleased with the arrangement either. Oddly, they were directing their uncomfortable stares at each other rather than at Harry.
"Tell me Professor," Rodolphus said in a low, silky voice, "how well do you know the Malfoy family?"
"I've only recently made their acquaintance," Harry admitted candidly. "I'm afraid I can't say that I know Lucius or his mother very well, but I've shared a few drinks with Romulus."
"I see," Rodolphus intoned, his eyes briefly flickering in Lucius's direction.
"I look forward to acquainting myself further with the Malfoys," Harry lied smoothly, attempting to extend the conversation. To bolster the statement he turned his head to Lucius. "You'll be leaving Hogwarts in just a few months, Lucius. Do you have any plans for what you're going to be doing when there is no more homework to do?"
"I think Lucius has political aspirations," Rabastan Lestrange announced from his seat which was had been placed next to his brother, Rodolphus.
"Really?" Harry asked, pretending to be surprised and intrigued. "The Ministry or perhaps even the Wizengamot?"
"The Wizengamot," Malfoy ground out from between clenched teeth.
Harry supposed that Lucius must be insulted that anyone could think he would associate himself with the plebian Ministry bureaucrats. He hid a small smile. "Is there much you can do with the Wizengamot if your father is actively holding your family seat?"
"A family seat is a family affair," Lucius replied.
"I suppose it is," Harry acknowledged, wondering just how much Lucius 's ideals paralleled with those of his father, Romulus. Will Lucius become a problem even while his father is still alive? Harry wondered. Or will the old man keep Lucius on a leash?
"Tell me," Rodolphus said, "has the Ashworth family enjoyed their time in Australia?"
"More or less," Harry replied glibly. "Some of us have found more success than others. Every family seems to have those who are lacking in… ambition as well as those who reek of it."
"Where do you fall?" Rodolphus asked, perhaps a little too boldly.
Harry twisted his lips into a crooked smile. "I don't lack ambition. What I lack is what you might call an outlet for my energies. Australia is a rather dim place. Most folks are there to find ways to make money. There just isn't a sense of heritage-no respect for the old ways. I'm hoping to find a richer culture-as well as some good career prospects."
"Is that what brought you to Britain?" Rabastan questioned.
"Pretty much," Harry said.
"I don't think you're on the right track," Rabastan announced while Rodolphus frowned. Apparently he felt that his brother was being too familiar with Harry.
"Oh?" Harry said.
"Unless Professor Slughorn dies before returning next year, you're automatically out of a job, aren't you?" Rabastan said.
"Yes, that's the sum of it," Harry agreed, trying to think of a way to give off the impression that he might have talents that Voldemort's future followers could appreciate. "I am skilled though. It's a shame that the Defense post won't be open for some years yet. In my travels I've come across all sorts of things that would be useful. I'm quite good in that area."
"Better than at Potions?" Rodolphus asked in what Harry construed to be a slightly snide tone of voice.
"Much better," Harry said. At this point, he decided that it would be better to end the topic at hand. It was enough that the Lestranges and Lucius knew that he was interested in opportunities ; he did not want to leave the impression that he was desperate. "I've heard so much about you two, Rodolphus and Rabastan, but I've never heard a word about either of your parents. What do they do?"
Rodolphus's lips thinned and his face tightened. "They travel."
"I see," Harry replied slowly. Apparently it was a sensitive topic. He really was curious, but he didn't need to make the Lestrange brothers unhappy.
The remainder of the evening passed without incident. Harry had managed to talk to each guest for a few moments, asking about their families, their ambitions, and their interests. Bellatrix had suggested that he do that and then pursue conversation any that he thought might be key to his plans. Unfortunately, Harry had not been able to go the extra step with any but the Lestranges and Malfoy. Crabbe and Goyle had been potential candidates for conversation, but after Goyle couldn't seem to remember precisely what his ambitions were, Harry decided that neither would be worth his effort.
Eventually, Bellatrix was able to escort the last guest, Crabbe's clingy sister, out the door. She closed the door and let out a sigh of relief. "Having guests is delightful, but seeing them finally leave is often just as wonderful," she declared.
"I don't know if all of this was worth it or not," Harry said tiredly as he moved toward one of his couches and sat down on it. "I mean, I was able to strengthen my acquaintance with the Lestranges and Lucius Malfoy, but I'm not sure I accomplished anything else."
Bellatrix walked to the table that had held their dinner. The remains of the meal had disappeared, but a pitcher of wine remained. Harry could not recall ever seeing the house elves serve wine, but he supposed Bellatrix must have ordered it specially. "You accomplished much," Bellatrix countered as she poured herself a goblet of wine. "The students will tell their parents about tonight. They'll be flattered that a professor took personal interest in their child. At the very least, it will give you room to claim acquaintance with them because you singled out their children."
"That's true," Harry admitted thoughtfully.
"You might want to write a few notes about tonight while you can remember everything," Bellatrix said. She placed her goblet on a table next to the couch and walked over to a small desk. In a drawer, she found writing utensils. "They'll come in handy later-at least if you have any forewarning. Everyone loves nothing better than being remembered."
Harry sighed. "You make it sound so mercenary."
Bellatrix returned from the desk and sat down on the couch next to Harry. "That's because it is, Harry."
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