Lucius Malfoy/Sirius Black (Harry Potter)
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ship_manifestoTitle: Sex and Supremacy – The War Games of Lucius Malfoy and Sirius Black
Fandom: Harry Potter
Author:![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fleshdress
Spoilers: Books 1 through 5, I think
Email: flesh_dress@yahoo.co.uk
Warning: The fanfiction to which I link in this essay contains a lot of adult material, and is not generally suitable for readers under 18.
Introduction
I’ve been lurking in the Harry Potter fandom for some months now and, though I am essentially a Sirius/Remus shipper these days, my first love was the Lucius/Sirius ship. It’s not a common pairing and before Order of the Phoenix, there were no reasonable grounds for it whatsoever.
As such, when I became a little more involved with the fandom online, I found myself immersed with writing, chatter and art concerning more popular pairings. My vague leanings towards Sirius/Remus were nurtured and, as I spent more time considering that pairing and growing to appreciate the complexity of such a relationship, my initial preference for Lucius/Sirius faded into the background.
But it never disappeared.
I’ve not come full circle by any means. I’m pretty sure that the closest thing I shall ever find to an OTP in this particular fandom will be Sirius/Remus. And yet, Lucius/Sirius will always have a special place in my heart.
I think it’s fair to say that there are several popular views of the supposed dynamic between the two characters, but I hope to be able to present an exploration of the most common interpretations in this essay.
Lucius Malfoy
Lucius Malfoy is one of the leading purebloods of the time. He is typical of his kind: generally well-respected, influential and with a decidedly corrupt edge. Just as his son Draco is the face of the evil Slytherins, Harry Potter’s school enemies, Lucius arguably represents the Death Eaters as a whole. None of the Death Eaters, except perhaps Peter Pettigrew or Bellatrix Lestrange, have played such a large part in Harry’s life.
His wife Narcissa is Sirius Black’s cousin, and the sister of Bellatrix Lestrange who is undoubtedly one of Lord Voldemort’s most loyal followers. As a young man, Lucius was heavily involved in Voldemort’s first attempt to take power. When Voldemort was rendered incorporeal by the Avada Kedavra he cast at Harry rebounding back at him, Lucius only escaped criminal charges and imprisonment by claiming that he was under the Imperius curse and was therefore not responsible for his actions. He claimed that he was constantly on the lookout for any signs of Voldemort’s return, but it is significant that he was among the Death Eaters at the Quidditch World Cup who fled when Bartemius Crouch Junior fired the Dark Mark, Voldemort’s own sign, into the air.
During Voldemort’s absence, Lucius seems to have led a reasonably quiet life. He was on good terms with Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, who was scandalised by Harry’s accusation at the end of Goblet of Fire that Lucius is a Death Eater. However, it should also be borne in mind that Lucius maintained contacts in Knockturn Alley, to whom he sold illegal goods that he did not wish the Ministry to find during one of their raids on his Wiltshire manor.
His noticeable deeds of this period include slipping Ginny Weasley one of Tom Riddle’s old schoolbooks, and thus triggering the events of Chamber of Secrets, and convincing a committee to execute Buckbeak, the hippogryff who injured his son.
When Voldemort returned, Lucius was among the circle of summoned Death Eaters and was present for Harry’s escape from the graveyard. He was suspected later of using the Imperius curse on one of the Order members in an attempt to gain entrance to the Department of Mysteries and find the prophecy regarding Harry and Lord Voldemort.
Lucius took part in the Minstry battle in which Sirius Black was murdered, and was among those caught and sent to Azkaban. It’s not generally expected that he will remain imprisoned though.
Opportunistic and ambitious, but with a very strong instinct for self-preservation, Lucius is an almost archetypal Slytherin.
Sirius Black
Sirius Black was, like Lucius Malfoy, a pureblood from a prominent family. However, unlike Lucius, Sirius threw his heritage aside and willingly went into disgrace. With Sirius’ death at the end of Order of the Phoenix, and the death of his younger brother Regulus some years previously, the Black family has itself died out.
It was expected, as the heir of the Black family, that Sirius would be Sorted into Slytherin house at Hogwarts. However, Sirius was Sorted into Gryffindor, where he became friends with James Potter, eventual father of Harry, Remus Lupin, a werewolf, and Peter Pettigrew, an eventual traitor.
At school, Sirius was, along with James Potter, one of the ringleaders of the Marauders, a group of friends who specialised in pranks and illegal extra-curricular activities. During his school years, Sirius demonstrated both a remarkable capacity for loyalty and a disturbing trait of thoughtlessness. On discovering Remus’ secret, Sirius broke the law and learnt to become an Animagus, taking the form of a Grim. However, at roughly the same time, Sirius betrayed Remus’ secret to Snape in a seemingly insane attempt at scaring the Slytherin away. Snape undoubtedly only avoided being killed by Remus in wolf shape by James’ intervention.
When he was sixteen, Sirius ran away from home and, after living a while with the Potters, he moved into a flat bought with money left to him by his uncle.
Presumably some time after leaving school, Sirius procured a flying motorbike. He also joined Dumbledore’s Order of the Phoenix along with his friends to combat Voldemort’s rise. When James, his wife Lily and their son Harry were forced to go into hiding, Sirius was commonly believed to be their Secret Keeper. This was only a bluff, however, to distract attention from the real Secret Keeper, Peter Pettigrew, who unfortunately turned out to be the traitor.
After James and Lily’s death, Sirius confronted Peter, leading to Peter faking his own death and the killing of several Muggles in the process. Sirius was falsely arrested for the crime and sent to Azkaban without trial.
In a feat never before accomplished, Sirius escaped after twelve years and secretly returned to Hogwarts to guard his godson when he learnt that Peter was also there, disguised as Scabbers the rat. Although Sirius succeeded in saving Harry, Peter’s escape rendered him unable to clear his name.
The next year was spent discreetly watching over Harry at Hogwarts, but the year after that saw Sirius sequestered in his family home to prevent his capture by the Ministry. The lack of activity and freedom, combined with a sense of impotence, drove Sirius into a less than stable state of mind. When Harry mistakenly believed him to be a prisoner of Voldemort and tried to save him, Sirius rushed to his rescue and was murdered by his cousin, Bellatrix, in the ensuing battle.
Although undoubtedly on the side of the light, there was a definite moral ambiguity to Sirius Black. He was a rebel and a thrill seeker and, although he was fiercely protective and loyal to his friends, his lack of understanding of the consequences of his own actions at times tended to cause trouble for those about whom he cared.
Lucius/Sirius in Canon
Though there are few slash pairings in the Harry Potter fandom that have strong roots in canon, the Lucius/Sirius ship has very weak roots indeed.
This pairing requires not so much the interpretations of subtext that a ship such as Sirius/Remus operates on, but an extrapolation of canon material. Like many rare pairs, a romantic or sexual relationship between Sirius and Lucius in canon is not an obvious suggestion. But, also like many rare pairs, the connection lies in the gaps in the text, and the implied affinity between the two characters.
Sirius and Lucius are almost perfect reflections of each other, equals yet opposites. They were the eldest sons, and as such the heirs, of the two most prominent and notorious pureblood dynasties in canon. Indeed, there are no other pureblood families mentioned that are as distinguished and traditional as the Blacks and the Malfoys; the Weasleys are known blood-traitors, and the matriarch of the Longbottoms, Neville’s grandmother, is a staunch supporter of Albus Dumbledore whose Muggle-friendly views are well-known.
Yet, while they apparently shared the same upbringing, their personalities could not be more different. Lucius is generally smooth and composed, slick enough to talk his way out of Azkaban when disaster struck the first time and loyal, it seems, only to himself. Against this, Sirius is rash, short-tempered and the owner of a flying motorcycle, (which is a statement of rebelliousness and flamboyance in itself). Sirius’ prime concern is the welfare of his godson, Harry.
In many ways however, the two men find themselves in much the same position. Though are they are both reasonably high up in the chain of command on their respective sides, neither of them are particularly high in favour with their masters.
While Lucius apparently acts as Voldemort’s second in command at the Department of Mysteries in Order of the Phoenix, he did not stand by the Dark wizard when he fell the first time. Peter Pettigrew, like Severus Snape, retains favour through his position as spy and traitor. Bellatrix, mirrored in some ways by Remus Lupin (or even by James Potter,) suffered but remained true in her allegiances. Maybe it was sheer chance, but it seems significant that it is Bellatrix who flees with Voldemort at the end of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, and not Lucius.
Likewise, it seems that Sirius has never been really trusted by Dumbledore and was even believed by the headmaster to be the spy who passed information to Voldemort that led to James and Lily’s death. After Sirius has broken free, Dumbledore disastrously orders him to stay at Grimmauld Place. Such inaction exacerbates Sirius’ worst traits but the decline in him is either ignored or unnoticed until it is too late.
Just as Voldemort finds in Lucius an acceptable public face, Sirius’ sole contribution to the war effort is apparently in providing a secure location for the Order headquarters.
Turning to the text itself, there are actually no moments of meeting between the two, which is fairly uncommon in a proposed pairing. The one time that they are both in the same scene, the Battle, there is absolutely no interaction.
In fact, there are only three times that one of them mentions the other, and two of these are arguably indirect mentions. I’m aware that this is hardly promising but these three comments actually provoke some rather interesting questions and ideas.
Firstly, there is this short exchange between Harry and Draco:
"`Thinking of trying to catch Black single-handed, Potter?`
`Yeah, that’s right,` said Harry offhandedly.
Malfoy’s thin mouth was curving in a mean smile.
`Of course, if it was me,` he said quietly, `I’d have done something before now. I wouldn’t be staying in school like a good boy, I’d be out there looking for him.`
`What are you talking about, Malfoy?` said Ron roughly.
`Don’t you know, Potter?` breathed Malfoy, his pale eyes narrowed."
(Prisoner of Azkaban, U.K. Edition, p.p. 96-97.)
So Draco knows about the personal edge to Sirius Black’s supposed crimes. On the surface this seems to be less than useful, but as Ron later points out, Draco’s source of information is almost invariably his father, Lucius. Considering that Rosmerta, the barmaid at the Three Broomsticks, hadn’t heard the full story but Draco had, Ron’s assumption that Draco has heard this not from the Daily Prophet but from his father – just as he knew what he did about the Chamber of Secrets due to a story Lucius had told him – seems correct.
As such, we are left with the rather intriguing question of just what precisely Lucius has told his son about the notorious Sirius Black. Furthermore, considering that, as Karkaroff points out, only Voldemort knows the identity of all the Death Eaters, it seems apparent that Lucius believes Sirius to have been, at least at one point, on the same side as himself.
The next two mentions are to be found in Order of the Phoenix, and are actually part of the same conversation but bear discussing in two parts.
In one of the many less than pleasant exchanges between Sirius and Severus Snape, Sirius asks this question:
"`Tell me, how is Lucius Malfoy these days? I expect he’s delighted his lapdog’s working at Hogwarts, isn’t he?`"
(Order of the Phoenix, U.K. Edition, p. 460.)
This is a fairly innocuous jab at Snape, clearly designed to remind Snape that Sirius knows not only which way Snape’s loyalties used to lie, but also that Snape was not in a dominant position then either.
However, I believe that it also offers subtext for those that choose to read it that way. As Sirius is apparently aware of the dynamic between Lucius and Snape - or at least he believes himself to be - it suggests a familiarity with either Snape’s situation or Lucius’ in the days before Azkaban. Now, while I don’t think it is more likely that Sirius’ familiarity is with Lucius, I do think that, considering Snape and Sirius have never been on good terms, it is just as likely.
Snape’s response to this question is the next point I want to mention.
"`Speaking of dogs,` said Snape softly, `did you know that Lucius Malfoy recognised you last time you risked a little jaunt outside?`"
(Order of the Phoenix, U.K. Edition, p. 460.)
As Sirius has earlier pointed out that Peter Pettigrew will have informed Voldemort of his Animagus form, it seems odd that it is specifically Lucius that recognises Sirius as Padfoot. And Lucius is so certain of his assumption, that he tells Draco even before the Hogwarts Express has pulled off, giving Draco the ammo he needs to make cryptic comments to Harry on their first encounter on board the train.
Now, arguably one could suggest that this is simply a plot point. I would probably agree with such an interpretation. But for the purposes of shipping Lucius/Sirius, such a small detail opens up many possibilities.
On one hand, maybe Sirius revealed his Animagus form to Lucius, or inadvertently revealed it to him at some point; both suggest a certain intimacy. I personally dislike this idea. However, one might also consider the idea that Lucius is so well-acquainted with Sirius’ character, that he is able to distinguish in Padfoot those notable traits of loyalty, exuberance and the like, to make a positive identification.
In conclusion, it is clear, as I commented earlier, that a sexual or romantic relationship between Sirius and Lucius is not the first concept to leap from the pages of the text. However, I hope that I have demonstrated the moments in canon where the possibility of such a relationship begins to give its first stirrings.
Lucius/Sirius in Fanon
In discussing how I believe a relationship between Sirius and Lucius would work, it’s necessary for me to draw not only on popular fanon portrayals of the characters, but also on my own subjective view of them both.
My own opinion of Lucius, and I might tentatively suggest that the opinion of many other Lucius fans, was greatly influenced by the casting of Jason Isaacs in the movie. The long hair and the serpent-headed cane are both missing in canon, but have been readily accepted by most fans of Lucius. Combined with the most prolific depiction of Lucius in fanfiction, the character has become something of a sensualist; a villain, but elegant, cultured and desirable along with it.
In pairing Lucius with Sirius Black, who is canonically handsome but reckless and somewhat egotistical, there are the grounds for a relationship based solely on sexual attraction. For Lucius – a man who apparently likes the finer things in life - Sirius is good-looking and well-bred. And consorting with an attractive, familiar enemy, like Lucius, is precisely the kind of thrill that I think would appeal to Sirius.
With both of them having a mind to their own personal gratification and happiness, their similar backgrounds gives them an understanding of what drives the other, while the essential opposition between them provides enough friction to keep the relationship interesting.
Needless to say, such a dynamic functions best when it is set in the time before Sirius is sent to Azkaban. Up until the deaths of James and Lily Potter, there is little to no canon evidence of Sirius being damaged by the war with Voldemort. He is as scornful of his family as they seem to have been of him.
Moreover, considering that Lucius and Sirius didn’t attend Hogwarts at the same time as each other, there is little personal conflict between them. Unlike Severus Snape, who is frequently on the receiving end of Sirius’ foul nature even as an adult, it is arguable that Lucius does not fall into the same category for Sirius as the Slytherins that he bullied and hated at school. It is quite possible that, existing at a remove from Sirius’ hated family and House rivals, Lucius and Sirius could have maintained not so much a friendship as an acquaintanceship that was not entirely hostile.
Their differences at this early stage are purely idealistic. In fact, I would go further to suggest that neither of them had the idealistic fervour that would render them too disgusted or outraged to enjoy the other’s company. Lucius had few qualms about denying his service to Lord Voldemort after the Dark wizard’s fall, while his sister-in-law went to Azkaban rather than renounce him. While I believe that Sirius undoubtedly is a good man, his alliance with Dumbledore has always struck me as being due to Sirius’ friendship with James Potter and his Muggleborn wife, rather than any strong feelings on the equality of wizards and muggles. His antagonism to his family appears to be personal, rather than in response to their views.
However, once Sirius’ best friend has been murdered by the Dark wizard that Lucius serves and Sirius has been incarcerated in Azkaban for twelve years, the dynamic between them must be irrevocably changed. Any relationship between Sirius and Lucius set after Azkaban must deal with the issues of Sirius’ emotional suffering and Lucius’ own change in circumstances. All this is not to say that the Lucius/Sirius ship is impossible after Azkaban, only that it must deal with the altered dynamic.
Lucius/Sirius in Fanfiction
Perhaps the most consistent aspect of Lucius/Sirius in fanfiction, and certainly the aspect that appeals most to me, is the potential for power-plays. There is a constant tension between dominance and submission, with both Sirius and Lucius manipulating and scheming for any advantage over the other. This is particularly significant when played out against the larger backdrop of the war, when any victory in the relationship can have knock-on effects into the larger conflict of Dumbledore and his Order, versus Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
On the most basic level, this sometimes manifests in Lucius/Sirius fanfiction as non-con or mind-games. Interestingly, in these scenarios, it is most often Lucius as the aggressor. Innimori’s Untitled Ficlet, Lucius rather brutally deals with a disobedient Sirius, and reminds him what is expected of him due to his place in society. Then, at the far end of the timeline, Lucius plays his game so successfully in eumenides1’s Spoils of War that Sirius is virtually destroyed. It is in pieces like this, with the subtle inferences and the contrived playfulness stripped away, that the inherent power struggle between Sirius and Lucius is most overt.
However, even in pieces where Sirius and Lucius are more evenly matched, or are playing by the rules, or are at least more restrained in their conflict, it is almost impossible to forget the underlying tension. It is not a relationship of love and affection, but one of sex and supremacy. There are frequently elements of coercion, dubious consent and teasing banter that’s only one step away from violent arguing. Mariner’s Rough Ride, (this link is to the archive’s warning page,) presents an encounter between the two that is essentially blackmail and payment, with Sirius quickly adjusting to the older and more experienced Lucius’ inferred demands.
Sirius does not fare so well incalixta9’s piece, Dangers of a Wanton Lifestyle in which Lucius clearly wins the battle. In all fairness though, Sirius only has himself to blame as it is his relentless taunting and attempts at one-upmanship that provoke Lucius in the first place.
And inyoukorei’s Dangerous Liaisons, Lucius takes advantage of a youthful and not yet battle-ready Sirius in an act that ultimately rebounds on himself.
I should also mentioninell’s take on the relationship between Sirius and Lucius, which is very different to how Lucius/Sirius is generally portrayed. In her Garden Theory, inell begins with the basis that Sirius and Lucius are involved in a purely sexual attraction. However, as the relationship progresses, genuine feeling enters the equation and massively alters the way Sirius and Lucius fight the war. I find it difficult to reconcile this to the characters as I see them, but it is a personal response and there have been some wonderful pieces of fanfiction that work on this premise.
Conclusion
In shipping Lucius/Sirius, the twin transcendental forces of sex and death are called into play, and the line between the two is heavily blurred. It’s not a relationship that inspires fluff, or even romance. It’s a clash of egos looking for selfish gains and risking not only their own lives, but the lives of the people on their respective sides of the war.
Lucius and Sirius together are dangerous and unpredictable; and therein lies the appeal.
Recommended Further Reading
For further character analysis:
gmth - idol_reflection essay on Lucius Malfoy
gaeta - idol_reflection essay on Sirius Black
Alongside the excellent fanfiction that I’ve linked to in the main body of the essay, I would also highly recommend these pieces:
eumenides1 - Black Roses: A sinisterly gothic piece that is a real classic for the Lucius/Sirius ship.
moshes - Cure for the Ache: A rare post-Azkaban Lucius/Sirius, that is gloriously dysfunctional and very compelling.
underlucius - Something About Him - A well-thought out and evocative AU with Sirius as a Slytherin under Lucius’ care.
I would also recommend these two pieces of artwork, which showcase Lucius/Sirius perfectly.
nassima - Lucius/Sirius
ani_bester - Lucius/Sirius
Communities
sirilu
luciusmarauders
sirius_lucius
Fandom: Harry Potter
Author:
fleshdressSpoilers: Books 1 through 5, I think
Email: flesh_dress@yahoo.co.uk
Warning: The fanfiction to which I link in this essay contains a lot of adult material, and is not generally suitable for readers under 18.
Introduction
I’ve been lurking in the Harry Potter fandom for some months now and, though I am essentially a Sirius/Remus shipper these days, my first love was the Lucius/Sirius ship. It’s not a common pairing and before Order of the Phoenix, there were no reasonable grounds for it whatsoever.
As such, when I became a little more involved with the fandom online, I found myself immersed with writing, chatter and art concerning more popular pairings. My vague leanings towards Sirius/Remus were nurtured and, as I spent more time considering that pairing and growing to appreciate the complexity of such a relationship, my initial preference for Lucius/Sirius faded into the background.
But it never disappeared.
I’ve not come full circle by any means. I’m pretty sure that the closest thing I shall ever find to an OTP in this particular fandom will be Sirius/Remus. And yet, Lucius/Sirius will always have a special place in my heart.
I think it’s fair to say that there are several popular views of the supposed dynamic between the two characters, but I hope to be able to present an exploration of the most common interpretations in this essay.
Lucius Malfoy
Lucius Malfoy is one of the leading purebloods of the time. He is typical of his kind: generally well-respected, influential and with a decidedly corrupt edge. Just as his son Draco is the face of the evil Slytherins, Harry Potter’s school enemies, Lucius arguably represents the Death Eaters as a whole. None of the Death Eaters, except perhaps Peter Pettigrew or Bellatrix Lestrange, have played such a large part in Harry’s life.
His wife Narcissa is Sirius Black’s cousin, and the sister of Bellatrix Lestrange who is undoubtedly one of Lord Voldemort’s most loyal followers. As a young man, Lucius was heavily involved in Voldemort’s first attempt to take power. When Voldemort was rendered incorporeal by the Avada Kedavra he cast at Harry rebounding back at him, Lucius only escaped criminal charges and imprisonment by claiming that he was under the Imperius curse and was therefore not responsible for his actions. He claimed that he was constantly on the lookout for any signs of Voldemort’s return, but it is significant that he was among the Death Eaters at the Quidditch World Cup who fled when Bartemius Crouch Junior fired the Dark Mark, Voldemort’s own sign, into the air.
During Voldemort’s absence, Lucius seems to have led a reasonably quiet life. He was on good terms with Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, who was scandalised by Harry’s accusation at the end of Goblet of Fire that Lucius is a Death Eater. However, it should also be borne in mind that Lucius maintained contacts in Knockturn Alley, to whom he sold illegal goods that he did not wish the Ministry to find during one of their raids on his Wiltshire manor.
His noticeable deeds of this period include slipping Ginny Weasley one of Tom Riddle’s old schoolbooks, and thus triggering the events of Chamber of Secrets, and convincing a committee to execute Buckbeak, the hippogryff who injured his son.
When Voldemort returned, Lucius was among the circle of summoned Death Eaters and was present for Harry’s escape from the graveyard. He was suspected later of using the Imperius curse on one of the Order members in an attempt to gain entrance to the Department of Mysteries and find the prophecy regarding Harry and Lord Voldemort.
Lucius took part in the Minstry battle in which Sirius Black was murdered, and was among those caught and sent to Azkaban. It’s not generally expected that he will remain imprisoned though.
Opportunistic and ambitious, but with a very strong instinct for self-preservation, Lucius is an almost archetypal Slytherin.
Sirius Black
Sirius Black was, like Lucius Malfoy, a pureblood from a prominent family. However, unlike Lucius, Sirius threw his heritage aside and willingly went into disgrace. With Sirius’ death at the end of Order of the Phoenix, and the death of his younger brother Regulus some years previously, the Black family has itself died out.
It was expected, as the heir of the Black family, that Sirius would be Sorted into Slytherin house at Hogwarts. However, Sirius was Sorted into Gryffindor, where he became friends with James Potter, eventual father of Harry, Remus Lupin, a werewolf, and Peter Pettigrew, an eventual traitor.
At school, Sirius was, along with James Potter, one of the ringleaders of the Marauders, a group of friends who specialised in pranks and illegal extra-curricular activities. During his school years, Sirius demonstrated both a remarkable capacity for loyalty and a disturbing trait of thoughtlessness. On discovering Remus’ secret, Sirius broke the law and learnt to become an Animagus, taking the form of a Grim. However, at roughly the same time, Sirius betrayed Remus’ secret to Snape in a seemingly insane attempt at scaring the Slytherin away. Snape undoubtedly only avoided being killed by Remus in wolf shape by James’ intervention.
When he was sixteen, Sirius ran away from home and, after living a while with the Potters, he moved into a flat bought with money left to him by his uncle.
Presumably some time after leaving school, Sirius procured a flying motorbike. He also joined Dumbledore’s Order of the Phoenix along with his friends to combat Voldemort’s rise. When James, his wife Lily and their son Harry were forced to go into hiding, Sirius was commonly believed to be their Secret Keeper. This was only a bluff, however, to distract attention from the real Secret Keeper, Peter Pettigrew, who unfortunately turned out to be the traitor.
After James and Lily’s death, Sirius confronted Peter, leading to Peter faking his own death and the killing of several Muggles in the process. Sirius was falsely arrested for the crime and sent to Azkaban without trial.
In a feat never before accomplished, Sirius escaped after twelve years and secretly returned to Hogwarts to guard his godson when he learnt that Peter was also there, disguised as Scabbers the rat. Although Sirius succeeded in saving Harry, Peter’s escape rendered him unable to clear his name.
The next year was spent discreetly watching over Harry at Hogwarts, but the year after that saw Sirius sequestered in his family home to prevent his capture by the Ministry. The lack of activity and freedom, combined with a sense of impotence, drove Sirius into a less than stable state of mind. When Harry mistakenly believed him to be a prisoner of Voldemort and tried to save him, Sirius rushed to his rescue and was murdered by his cousin, Bellatrix, in the ensuing battle.
Although undoubtedly on the side of the light, there was a definite moral ambiguity to Sirius Black. He was a rebel and a thrill seeker and, although he was fiercely protective and loyal to his friends, his lack of understanding of the consequences of his own actions at times tended to cause trouble for those about whom he cared.
Lucius/Sirius in Canon
Though there are few slash pairings in the Harry Potter fandom that have strong roots in canon, the Lucius/Sirius ship has very weak roots indeed.
This pairing requires not so much the interpretations of subtext that a ship such as Sirius/Remus operates on, but an extrapolation of canon material. Like many rare pairs, a romantic or sexual relationship between Sirius and Lucius in canon is not an obvious suggestion. But, also like many rare pairs, the connection lies in the gaps in the text, and the implied affinity between the two characters.
Sirius and Lucius are almost perfect reflections of each other, equals yet opposites. They were the eldest sons, and as such the heirs, of the two most prominent and notorious pureblood dynasties in canon. Indeed, there are no other pureblood families mentioned that are as distinguished and traditional as the Blacks and the Malfoys; the Weasleys are known blood-traitors, and the matriarch of the Longbottoms, Neville’s grandmother, is a staunch supporter of Albus Dumbledore whose Muggle-friendly views are well-known.
Yet, while they apparently shared the same upbringing, their personalities could not be more different. Lucius is generally smooth and composed, slick enough to talk his way out of Azkaban when disaster struck the first time and loyal, it seems, only to himself. Against this, Sirius is rash, short-tempered and the owner of a flying motorcycle, (which is a statement of rebelliousness and flamboyance in itself). Sirius’ prime concern is the welfare of his godson, Harry.
In many ways however, the two men find themselves in much the same position. Though are they are both reasonably high up in the chain of command on their respective sides, neither of them are particularly high in favour with their masters.
While Lucius apparently acts as Voldemort’s second in command at the Department of Mysteries in Order of the Phoenix, he did not stand by the Dark wizard when he fell the first time. Peter Pettigrew, like Severus Snape, retains favour through his position as spy and traitor. Bellatrix, mirrored in some ways by Remus Lupin (or even by James Potter,) suffered but remained true in her allegiances. Maybe it was sheer chance, but it seems significant that it is Bellatrix who flees with Voldemort at the end of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, and not Lucius.
Likewise, it seems that Sirius has never been really trusted by Dumbledore and was even believed by the headmaster to be the spy who passed information to Voldemort that led to James and Lily’s death. After Sirius has broken free, Dumbledore disastrously orders him to stay at Grimmauld Place. Such inaction exacerbates Sirius’ worst traits but the decline in him is either ignored or unnoticed until it is too late.
Just as Voldemort finds in Lucius an acceptable public face, Sirius’ sole contribution to the war effort is apparently in providing a secure location for the Order headquarters.
Turning to the text itself, there are actually no moments of meeting between the two, which is fairly uncommon in a proposed pairing. The one time that they are both in the same scene, the Battle, there is absolutely no interaction.
In fact, there are only three times that one of them mentions the other, and two of these are arguably indirect mentions. I’m aware that this is hardly promising but these three comments actually provoke some rather interesting questions and ideas.
Firstly, there is this short exchange between Harry and Draco:
"`Thinking of trying to catch Black single-handed, Potter?`
`Yeah, that’s right,` said Harry offhandedly.
Malfoy’s thin mouth was curving in a mean smile.
`Of course, if it was me,` he said quietly, `I’d have done something before now. I wouldn’t be staying in school like a good boy, I’d be out there looking for him.`
`What are you talking about, Malfoy?` said Ron roughly.
`Don’t you know, Potter?` breathed Malfoy, his pale eyes narrowed."
(Prisoner of Azkaban, U.K. Edition, p.p. 96-97.)
So Draco knows about the personal edge to Sirius Black’s supposed crimes. On the surface this seems to be less than useful, but as Ron later points out, Draco’s source of information is almost invariably his father, Lucius. Considering that Rosmerta, the barmaid at the Three Broomsticks, hadn’t heard the full story but Draco had, Ron’s assumption that Draco has heard this not from the Daily Prophet but from his father – just as he knew what he did about the Chamber of Secrets due to a story Lucius had told him – seems correct.
As such, we are left with the rather intriguing question of just what precisely Lucius has told his son about the notorious Sirius Black. Furthermore, considering that, as Karkaroff points out, only Voldemort knows the identity of all the Death Eaters, it seems apparent that Lucius believes Sirius to have been, at least at one point, on the same side as himself.
The next two mentions are to be found in Order of the Phoenix, and are actually part of the same conversation but bear discussing in two parts.
In one of the many less than pleasant exchanges between Sirius and Severus Snape, Sirius asks this question:
"`Tell me, how is Lucius Malfoy these days? I expect he’s delighted his lapdog’s working at Hogwarts, isn’t he?`"
(Order of the Phoenix, U.K. Edition, p. 460.)
This is a fairly innocuous jab at Snape, clearly designed to remind Snape that Sirius knows not only which way Snape’s loyalties used to lie, but also that Snape was not in a dominant position then either.
However, I believe that it also offers subtext for those that choose to read it that way. As Sirius is apparently aware of the dynamic between Lucius and Snape - or at least he believes himself to be - it suggests a familiarity with either Snape’s situation or Lucius’ in the days before Azkaban. Now, while I don’t think it is more likely that Sirius’ familiarity is with Lucius, I do think that, considering Snape and Sirius have never been on good terms, it is just as likely.
Snape’s response to this question is the next point I want to mention.
"`Speaking of dogs,` said Snape softly, `did you know that Lucius Malfoy recognised you last time you risked a little jaunt outside?`"
(Order of the Phoenix, U.K. Edition, p. 460.)
As Sirius has earlier pointed out that Peter Pettigrew will have informed Voldemort of his Animagus form, it seems odd that it is specifically Lucius that recognises Sirius as Padfoot. And Lucius is so certain of his assumption, that he tells Draco even before the Hogwarts Express has pulled off, giving Draco the ammo he needs to make cryptic comments to Harry on their first encounter on board the train.
Now, arguably one could suggest that this is simply a plot point. I would probably agree with such an interpretation. But for the purposes of shipping Lucius/Sirius, such a small detail opens up many possibilities.
On one hand, maybe Sirius revealed his Animagus form to Lucius, or inadvertently revealed it to him at some point; both suggest a certain intimacy. I personally dislike this idea. However, one might also consider the idea that Lucius is so well-acquainted with Sirius’ character, that he is able to distinguish in Padfoot those notable traits of loyalty, exuberance and the like, to make a positive identification.
In conclusion, it is clear, as I commented earlier, that a sexual or romantic relationship between Sirius and Lucius is not the first concept to leap from the pages of the text. However, I hope that I have demonstrated the moments in canon where the possibility of such a relationship begins to give its first stirrings.
Lucius/Sirius in Fanon
In discussing how I believe a relationship between Sirius and Lucius would work, it’s necessary for me to draw not only on popular fanon portrayals of the characters, but also on my own subjective view of them both.
My own opinion of Lucius, and I might tentatively suggest that the opinion of many other Lucius fans, was greatly influenced by the casting of Jason Isaacs in the movie. The long hair and the serpent-headed cane are both missing in canon, but have been readily accepted by most fans of Lucius. Combined with the most prolific depiction of Lucius in fanfiction, the character has become something of a sensualist; a villain, but elegant, cultured and desirable along with it.
In pairing Lucius with Sirius Black, who is canonically handsome but reckless and somewhat egotistical, there are the grounds for a relationship based solely on sexual attraction. For Lucius – a man who apparently likes the finer things in life - Sirius is good-looking and well-bred. And consorting with an attractive, familiar enemy, like Lucius, is precisely the kind of thrill that I think would appeal to Sirius.
With both of them having a mind to their own personal gratification and happiness, their similar backgrounds gives them an understanding of what drives the other, while the essential opposition between them provides enough friction to keep the relationship interesting.
Needless to say, such a dynamic functions best when it is set in the time before Sirius is sent to Azkaban. Up until the deaths of James and Lily Potter, there is little to no canon evidence of Sirius being damaged by the war with Voldemort. He is as scornful of his family as they seem to have been of him.
Moreover, considering that Lucius and Sirius didn’t attend Hogwarts at the same time as each other, there is little personal conflict between them. Unlike Severus Snape, who is frequently on the receiving end of Sirius’ foul nature even as an adult, it is arguable that Lucius does not fall into the same category for Sirius as the Slytherins that he bullied and hated at school. It is quite possible that, existing at a remove from Sirius’ hated family and House rivals, Lucius and Sirius could have maintained not so much a friendship as an acquaintanceship that was not entirely hostile.
Their differences at this early stage are purely idealistic. In fact, I would go further to suggest that neither of them had the idealistic fervour that would render them too disgusted or outraged to enjoy the other’s company. Lucius had few qualms about denying his service to Lord Voldemort after the Dark wizard’s fall, while his sister-in-law went to Azkaban rather than renounce him. While I believe that Sirius undoubtedly is a good man, his alliance with Dumbledore has always struck me as being due to Sirius’ friendship with James Potter and his Muggleborn wife, rather than any strong feelings on the equality of wizards and muggles. His antagonism to his family appears to be personal, rather than in response to their views.
However, once Sirius’ best friend has been murdered by the Dark wizard that Lucius serves and Sirius has been incarcerated in Azkaban for twelve years, the dynamic between them must be irrevocably changed. Any relationship between Sirius and Lucius set after Azkaban must deal with the issues of Sirius’ emotional suffering and Lucius’ own change in circumstances. All this is not to say that the Lucius/Sirius ship is impossible after Azkaban, only that it must deal with the altered dynamic.
Lucius/Sirius in Fanfiction
Perhaps the most consistent aspect of Lucius/Sirius in fanfiction, and certainly the aspect that appeals most to me, is the potential for power-plays. There is a constant tension between dominance and submission, with both Sirius and Lucius manipulating and scheming for any advantage over the other. This is particularly significant when played out against the larger backdrop of the war, when any victory in the relationship can have knock-on effects into the larger conflict of Dumbledore and his Order, versus Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
On the most basic level, this sometimes manifests in Lucius/Sirius fanfiction as non-con or mind-games. Interestingly, in these scenarios, it is most often Lucius as the aggressor. In
nimori’s Untitled Ficlet, Lucius rather brutally deals with a disobedient Sirius, and reminds him what is expected of him due to his place in society. Then, at the far end of the timeline, Lucius plays his game so successfully in eumenides1’s Spoils of War that Sirius is virtually destroyed. It is in pieces like this, with the subtle inferences and the contrived playfulness stripped away, that the inherent power struggle between Sirius and Lucius is most overt.However, even in pieces where Sirius and Lucius are more evenly matched, or are playing by the rules, or are at least more restrained in their conflict, it is almost impossible to forget the underlying tension. It is not a relationship of love and affection, but one of sex and supremacy. There are frequently elements of coercion, dubious consent and teasing banter that’s only one step away from violent arguing. Mariner’s Rough Ride, (this link is to the archive’s warning page,) presents an encounter between the two that is essentially blackmail and payment, with Sirius quickly adjusting to the older and more experienced Lucius’ inferred demands.
Sirius does not fare so well in
calixta9’s piece, Dangers of a Wanton Lifestyle in which Lucius clearly wins the battle. In all fairness though, Sirius only has himself to blame as it is his relentless taunting and attempts at one-upmanship that provoke Lucius in the first place. And in
youkorei’s Dangerous Liaisons, Lucius takes advantage of a youthful and not yet battle-ready Sirius in an act that ultimately rebounds on himself. I should also mention
inell’s take on the relationship between Sirius and Lucius, which is very different to how Lucius/Sirius is generally portrayed. In her Garden Theory, inell begins with the basis that Sirius and Lucius are involved in a purely sexual attraction. However, as the relationship progresses, genuine feeling enters the equation and massively alters the way Sirius and Lucius fight the war. I find it difficult to reconcile this to the characters as I see them, but it is a personal response and there have been some wonderful pieces of fanfiction that work on this premise.Conclusion
In shipping Lucius/Sirius, the twin transcendental forces of sex and death are called into play, and the line between the two is heavily blurred. It’s not a relationship that inspires fluff, or even romance. It’s a clash of egos looking for selfish gains and risking not only their own lives, but the lives of the people on their respective sides of the war.
Lucius and Sirius together are dangerous and unpredictable; and therein lies the appeal.
Recommended Further Reading
For further character analysis:
gmth - idol_reflection essay on Lucius Malfoy gaeta - idol_reflection essay on Sirius BlackAlongside the excellent fanfiction that I’ve linked to in the main body of the essay, I would also highly recommend these pieces:
eumenides1 - Black Roses: A sinisterly gothic piece that is a real classic for the Lucius/Sirius ship.moshes - Cure for the Ache: A rare post-Azkaban Lucius/Sirius, that is gloriously dysfunctional and very compelling.underlucius - Something About Him - A well-thought out and evocative AU with Sirius as a Slytherin under Lucius’ care.I would also recommend these two pieces of artwork, which showcase Lucius/Sirius perfectly.
nassima - Lucius/Sirius ani_bester - Lucius/SiriusCommunities
siriluluciusmarauderssirius_lucius
no subject
Date: 2005-03-26 03:17 pm (UTC)The presumption that *Lucius* is from a wealthy background isn't canon-stated although it is canon-interpritation. It's just as likely that he was from a Weasley-like pureblood-but-poor family, and obtained any money from marrying into the Black family. I write about this a bit in my "Emma"-inspired fic on AstronomyTower.org - and it would explain his animosity towards Arthur Wealsey as well as his familiarity with Nocturne Alley, if he didn't have wealth and power while at Hogwarts.
Second, I just wanted to note that there were a lot of fics with a long-haired Lucius before CoS images were first distributed. Now it's more universal, but it was a trope in 2000 and 2001 too.
But those are tiny quirks in the overall splendidness of it.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-26 10:26 pm (UTC)It's a very interesting point you make about Malfoy's background, and you're perfectly right that it's not canon-stated. I know other people (
I think the only counter I could make that canon would support is that Lucius has `Malfoy manor,` which suggests an ancestral home. Of course, he could just have been incredibly tacky and named it himself. *g*
Second, I just wanted to note that there were a lot of fics with a long-haired Lucius before CoS images were first distributed. Now it's more universal, but it was a trope in 2000 and 2001 too.
I didn't know that. That's absolutely fascinating. I came to fandom via the books, but I think CoS the movie had already been released. I wonder why Lucius was already seen as having long hair. Maybe it's part of his pureblood status.
Once again, thanks very much for the feedback.