Just a slip of the tongue

It was a slip of the tongue, of all things, that betrayed his predisposition to the newest death eater in their ranks. Of course, Lucius was loyal, but bias was not a good influence in war. (And Lucius knew, he did, but when it was toward one of their own? Less so, of course.)

Harry Potter was slightly confused as to why Lucius kept following him when he came to spy- was he suspicious? Did he know? 

Lucius and Harry's relationship was, of course, strife-inducing, but Lucius thinks it went pretty well. (Harry isn't quite in agreement. He'll come around, though, he thinks absently, pulling him in and kissing the top of his head, after all, a horcrux will always be useful and (relatively) safe.

That's all that he wants for him.