Thanks loads for the reviews and sorry it is taking so long between chapters! I can't give anything away yet but please keep reading and reviewing. I am working really hard on this story and once I get over the first few hurdles… yada yada yada bla bla bla!
This is quite a condensed chapter as I didn't want to ramble on so much about it, so I am sorry if it seems to fly through. These events will be elaborated and explained in greater detail later on in the story, have faith!
Forgive me for my spelling mistakes (again) I've spotted a few, albeit quite minor ones, but I blame that on the lack of a beta! Ah well, read on.
Christmas Break
Draco and Blaise sat in their compartment in silence as the Hogwarts Express pulled out of Hogsmead. It was snowing hard outside the window, fresh soft flakes of snow swept passed the window as the train picked up speed.
Draco sighed, "Why London?"
The Zabini's house was in the highlands of Scotland, a castle like manor set on miles of woodlands and forest, not much different from the Malfoy Manor. Normally Blaise would be picked up from Hogsmeade and take a portkey or apparate home.
"Father's on business there, with the Ministry." Blaise muttered, "I meet him there and then on to Scotland."
Draco nodded, naturally with most of the known death eaters in hiding having had their identity revealed, they had to use "side-liner's" such as the Zabini family to make sure things were going according to the Dark Lord's plans, "Will you be seeing your Eleanor?"
Blaise shrugged, "I don't know, doubt it." he said almost sadly.
Draco sighed and closed his eyes for a few brief moments, when he opened them he was met with Blaise's dark blue eyes, "The Blackwood's are a respectable enough family, pure blooded for the last few centuries at least. Keep a low profile, Blaise. Being attached is not a wise choice at this time…"
Blaise smirked, "Aye, but that's rich coming from you."
Draco laughed, almost well naturedly, "I know… but come the start of next term, Blaise, she'll mean naught to me."
Blaise nodded, "Merlin hold you to that, Drake…"
Draco groaned, "She's wormed her way deep into me, Blaise… she plagues me in my dreams."
"Aye, I know the feeling… Slytherins such as us… this is wrong." Blaise nodded as he stared out the window and then laughed, "It gets ye nowhere, like a paradox is how we lead our lives, schooled to be everything against nature. A man cannot live without knowing the love of a woman."
"I've had her - " Draco started.
"Aye, Polyjuice potion is a handy concoction." Blaise cut him off making Draco stare at him darkly, his eyes glinted dangerously, "I gathered as much, Drake - in your bed with your curtains drawn, you never bothered before." Blaise explained, "I knew naught 'til the end of last year, I saw your Weaslette leave your bed, when I knew it had been Parkinson who entered."
Draco sighed, leaning his head back in his seat, "Does anyone else know of this?"
"Nay, not to my knowledge." Blaise replied. "But curiosity gets me, how in Salazar's name did you manage and how long?"
"Almost three years now… some Hufflepuff in her year charged an insane price for strands of her hair that I started accumulating… some voodoo I wanted to put to the test… an experiment led astray. But you know too much about me, Blaise - it's a wonder I haven't put you on my black list to be Avada'd." Draco chuckled.
Blaise laughed, "I wonder myself, but I am your man, Drake - you're secrets are safe with me."
"I know Blaise, I know…" Draco muttered.
It was nice to know he had a confident, a confident who he could trust, a friend in every sense. Draco appreciated it, and this was a rare thing for a Slytherin - let alone a Malfoy to feel, as Malfoy's prided themselves of being independent.
"Will it be this break, Drake?" Blaise asked softly.
Draco knew what Blaise was asking, "I'll be damned if it is, Blaise, it would be too risky - being at Hogwarts with the mark… but then again, I wouldn't doubt my father, nor the Dark Lord for that matter."
Blaise nodded, "You are damned," he chuckled, "But there are a few complex concealment charms, as you well know…"
"Nothing can deceive the old man, Blaise - I'll be lucky if he chooses to ignore it." Draco snapped.
"Aye, I thought as much… my father wrote to me… Rowena save those who are ordered to the tip of your wand, Drake. I know that for you duty and obligation comes above all." Blaise said in defeat.
"Mine wrote too… but I have my own reasons." Draco muttered, "What's yours?" both knew that it would be this Christmas break; it was evident from the letters. Naturally a Malfoy would be the first to join the ranks - since there was no longer anyone to the Black name, Nott, Crabbe and Goyle would join when they were proved worthy by the Dark lord himself.
The Malfoy name and family was an entirely different matter altogether, mainly because they were much smarter, more cunning, more ruthless and more deceiving than all others put together. Zabini's had always remained on the sidelines, this was a known fact among the inner circle.
Blaise grinned, "I told you, Drake, I'm your man."
"Stay on the sidelines, Blaise, you're no use to me if they reveal your wrist - there is no curse that a trained Auror can't break, even the darkest of magic's can be broken over time." Draco hissed, "You have a choice, I have none, and if I did this wouldn't be it."
Blaise shrugged and both Prince and Lord of Slytherin went into brooding silence.
.
.
As they drew into King's Cross Draco's only comfort was that his father was not a Legilimens, and although he had not completely mastered Occlumency, he knew enough to shield off his father's scrutiny with ease.
Stepping off the train Draco saw his mother, Narcissa was waiting patiently for him by the barrier and Draco headed towards her and bowed slightly - a Malfoy never showed signs of affection in public, this was how he was raised to greet respected elders, even his own mother.
Narcissa smiled faintly at Draco and led the way through the barrier heading immediately for the exit to the closest concealed public apperation point. And as Draco drew his wand he braced himself for his father before disapperating with a 'pop'.
Albert - the family butler was waiting in the foyer to greet them, "Milady," he bowed to Narcissa before turning to bow to Draco, "Master Draco, welcome home, Sir." And saw to Draco's luggage.
Narcissa turned to Draco, "Your father is waiting in his study, Draco… I'll see you for dinner." She smiled before heading towards the stairs.
Draco sighed and headed the opposite direction towards the west wing of the manor, where his fathers study was. Knocking on the door Draco was met with a gruff, "Come in." in the unmistakable voice of his father.
.
Opening the door and stepping through before shutting it behind him Draco bowed to his father who stood by the French windows at the other side of the study, "Father."
Lucius turned, "Draco," a cruel and cold smile graced his fathers gaunt but aristocratic face, "You've grown since I last lay eyes on you, son. Come, we have much to discuss." He demanded and pointed to a chair opposite his desk.
"Yes father." Draco replied before heading to the chair and sat down, waiting patiently for his father to begin.
"How much do you know about that pitiful Weasley family, Draco?" Lucius said slowly.
Draco blanked his mind instinctively to ensure his face revealed nothing to his father, "Nothing more than what I have witnessed and that you have told me, father."
"And the girl, the Weasley girl?" Lucius stared intensely at Draco.
"Nothing father, except of the events you revealed to me, those that took place in the Chamber of Secrets." Draco replied coolly.
Lucius nodded, seemingly satisfied before reaching for an old tattered book, which looked like it hadn't been touched for centuries except by the thick dust which covered it, "This, Draco, is the Weasley-Malfoy family legacy, in this book lies the history of our bloodline, and it is high time I reveal to you what you need to know - you must rid the world of this Weasley girl, Draco. She is a danger to our family."
Draco sniggered, "That girl, father?"
Lucius's eyes blazed dangerously, "That girl, Draco is here to fulfil a blood oath cast near 8 centuries ago." He hissed, "You'd be wise to listen carefully to what I say."
Draco bowed, "Yes, father."
Lucius shoved the book towards Draco, "I've little time to retell the tale, read it for yourself, the bottom line is that the girl needs to be disposed of."
"Yes, father." Draco said impassively.
Lucius nodded in satisfaction, "You graduate in June, isn't that so?"
Draco nodded, "Yes father, the end of June to be exact."
"And you are ready to take your place in the Dark Lord's inner circle?" Lucius asked almost rhetorically.
"Yes, father, I am more than ready to do my duty and honour the Malfoy name." Draco replied.
Lucius laughed in contentment, "The Dark Lord will be pleased, he joins us soon and we shall then put your faith to the test."
Draco clenched his jaw in anger, he had such little time to prepare, "I'll not fail you, father."
"We'll see about that," Lucius smiled cruelly, "Now go."
Draco stood and bowed before taking the old book and left his fathers study, finally he reached his room and placed the book on his desk before changing his clothes to something more comfortable and suitable. Draco was angry but chose to keep control over himself, it wouldn't do him any good if he let his emotions loose when his father had just promised him a visit from the Dark Lord himself over Christmas.
Dinner passed by in complete silence as they ate, his father at the head of the table, his mother to the right and himself to the left of his father. Albert and Mrs. Higgs, their cook, stood by waiting patiently to serve them - the Malfoy's had always had servants but since the loss of Dobby had employed more staff for the manor. They had also acquired Kreacher, who Draco took an immediate disliking to, the old Black family house elf took to serving his mother alone. Draco couldn't care less with what the house elf did.
.
Later that night Draco lay in his bed reading through the book his father had given him, it explained the Malfoy family tree dating back as far as 900 BC., lots of boring stuff that Draco just scanned through up until 1200 AD… it was from there that Draco read fully absorbed throughout most of the Christmas break, it was from 1200 that the Weasley's came into the Malfoy history. Towards the end of the holiday Draco knew everything there was to know about the Malfoy, Weasley and Black families.
.
As per usual Christmas passed by without much fussing over in the Malfoy manor it was frowned upon as a pointless and stupid muggle celebration, every magical person knew that Jesus was a wizard. Though on the eve of Christmas Draco secretly made sure that a barn owl and not his own eagle owl delivered a beautifully wrapped package to "The Burrow" which contained the warm deep forest green "all seasons" cloak he had bought in Hogsmeade, it was charmed to adapt to all climates. He didn't attach a note and chose the more common brown barn owl so that it remained anonymous.
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The night after New Year, 4 days before Draco was to return to Hogwarts he entered the dining room to find his mother sitting alone at her seat at the table waiting for him. Draco sat down in his seat opposite her after greeting her with a bow to find that tears welled in her eyes which were full of fear.
"Mother?" Draco asked quietly.
Narcissa tried to smile but without success, "Your father requests you to the dungeons after dinner, Draco."
Draco nodded, "Thank you, Mother." He replied calmly, though his blood had run cold in his veins.
Narcissa got up abruptly and fled the dinning room, Draco could hear her sobbing as she ran, ignoring the urge to go to her Draco continued eating, the food tasteless in his mouth. Pushing his plate away he stood up, "I've finished, Albert." He said quietly to his butler and left the room.
As he walked passed the drawing room his mother stepped out and blocked his pathway, "Draco, come with me, darling." Narcissa whispered.
Draco nodded and followed his mother into the drawing room, on the table lay an empty crystal bowl which Narcissa gestured to, "I - I took the liberty to buy you this… it's a Pensieve Bowl… please - don't tell your father… call it a late Christmas present." Narcissa uttered almost fearfully.
Draco stared at the bowl for a few moments and then to his mother, a silent wave of communication passed between them, and for the first time in his life Draco finally understood and realised how much she meant to him. A ghost of a smile graced his face and he embraced his mother tightly, "I'll not forget your kindness, mother… know that this is not my choice." He whispered softly into her ear.
Narcissa hugged her son back and stared at her son in amazement, "I know, darling, but I am proud of you - sometimes you have no choice, but you're so brave." She smiled at him thrusting the Pensieve bowl into his hands, "Go now, and be quick."
Draco nodded and grabbed his mothers hand, raising it to his lips he kissed it softly, and taking the pensieve bowl he strode to his room. Deeply grateful towards his mother in an unexplainable way.
As his back disappeared out the door Narcissa collapsed in to the closest chair and sobbed into her hands, "Merlin give you strength… Dear Godric guide my son…" she whispered.
.
.
Draco entered the cold and dimly lit dungeons quietly, his wand at the ready, under the Malfoy manor held a maze of catacombs that had once been the playground of his forbearers for torturing muggles, witches and wizards alike. Draco heard the curse before it hit him and went flying through the air, hitting the wall with such a force he was amazed his bones hadn't broken.
Getting up quickly Draco ignored the pain wrecking through his body and turned to where the curse had been uttered, his eyes flashing dangerously.
He was met with a cloaked and hooded figure already muttering another curse his way, Draco immediately cast a protecting charm around himself making the curse bounce off the protective shield that surrounded him.
The figure laughed and pulled back his hood to reveal Lucius, "Draco, I've waited a long time for this, my son, this is what I have prepared you for your whole life." Lucius said sternly, his eyes roamed over his sons face as if searching for something.
Draco remained impassive as he stood in front of his father, "It will be my honour to join you in the Dark Lord's ranks, father, I am ready to be tried and tested, you'll not find me wanting." He said quietly before placing his wand back into its sheath on his belt.
Lucius nodded seemingly satisfied with his son's response, "There will indeed be a test of strength and a test of will, Draco, we'll see if you are lacking." He said pointing to a door beside him.
Draco nodded in full understanding and pushed the door open, he was met with pitch darkness, and even the light of the torches along the wall didn't give any impression of what the room was like within.
Draco stepped through boldly, his hand was ready on the hilt of his wand as he ventured further into the dark chamber.
Suddenly the door behind him slammed shut, the magical force blew out all the torches in the room, Draco smirked as his hand swiftly whipped out his wand, he knew the curse before it had fully left his fathers lips and quickly pointed at where he knew his father stood and rapidly muttered the same curse back putting all his hatred and anger into it, "Crucio!"
He heard his father screaming in the darkness and crumple to the floor writhing in pain. Draco broke the curse after a few satisfying moments and quietly uttered "Lumos." Pointing his wand at where his father lay on the floor, "Forgive me father…" Draco said coldly as he stood by his father and offered his hand, which his father took and stood up, his eyes were blazing in fury but even so they shone with pride.
Without warning Lucius had his wand on Draco again and yelled, "Imperio!"
Draco frowned, feeling the effects of the Imperius curse take over his mind, "Lie down Draco… sleep." The voice said soothingly to him.
Draco smirked as he fought off the curse with ease, throwing his father against the wall as if his mind had sent off a protective blast. Casually Draco muttered, "Petriculous Totalus." And his father went rigid, slamming back onto the cold stone floor.
"I couldn't have you performing the last unforgivable on me." Draco smirked, not at all feeling sorry nor wanting any forgiveness.
A laugh sounded behind him, a high pitched shrilly laugh that made Draco's hair stand on end and his blood run cold. Slowly Draco turned and knelt on one knee bowing his head low, evidently, the time had come for him to meet his future Lord and Master.
"Lucius, am I to truly witness a Wizard that surpasses your expertise?" Voldemort laughed, before releasing Lucius from the binding curse.
Lucius bowed as he knelt beside Draco, "I've taught him all I know my lord, to serve you as you will."
"Come, young Malfoy and bear your arm to me." Voldemort hissed, Draco did everything he could to avoid the Dark Lord's gaze without causing any suspicion, relieved that Voldemort took this as a sign of respect, obviously him having performed an unforgivable on his own father was enough for the Dark Lord. "Tonight I start a new generation!" Voldemort cackled as Draco rolled back his sleeve confidently without any hesitation.
Draco stood and bore his forearm to Voldemort, holding back the sleeve of his robe as he did so, the pain was excruciating, and he had to clench his teeth to stop himself screaming as he smelt his own flesh burn in his nostrils. The dark mark marred his skin, as black as coal, blood seeped through from the wound, scarring his skin with its darkness, the worst was hearing Voldemort's and his father's laughs of glee drumming in his ears, piercing his soul with evilness.
.
.
The night of the return to Hogwarts from the Christmas holidays found Draco staring darkly at Ginevra Weasley again… out of necessity over the Christmas period he had managed to push her out of and sight out of mind, but now that he knew she was in his presence he could do nothing but watch her again. He couldn't help but notice that she looked happier and freer than she had ever been since he had started watching her in her second year. Her brother was obviously paying more attention to her, and by the looks of the Weasley King, he was suffering for it, being privy of his sisters torment was evidently taking its toll on his mind. But he smiled at her from where he sat with Scar head and Mudblood.
The last four days had been excruciating for Draco as he spent it almost constantly in the presence of the Dark Lord. Voldemort had not been merciful as he had trained him to a near sharp perfection. In confidence from his father Voldemort had revealed to Draco that he needed a leader among the Death Eaters, that this responsibility would fall upon Draco, that he would be anonymous among the inner circle and feared by the lower ranks.
Draco's first assignment was the gain as many supporters at Hogwarts as possible and also to watch Snape. The Dark Lord had also taught Draco a concealment charm for the dark mark, a form of dark magic that simple revealing charms would not penetrate. Even now 5 days later Draco still felt the pain of his flesh burning, excruciating as it travelled up his arm and through his whole body, and finally scorching his heart.
Most of the Slytherins seemed oblivious, as Draco had looked at the members of his house one by one he knew that none of them had either received the mark nor knew of him receiving his. All except Blaise, but then Blaise knew everything there was to know, he had a talent of being able to extract information without uttering single word. Draco chuckled softly to himself, with only seven months left of Hogwarts he had little time to prepare himself. Nothing was above him, there were no limits he would not reach… he had too much lose and staring at the Weaslette he knew that he breathed for her existence.
.
"So…" Collin trailed a bit nervously, "How did Christmas go?"
Ginny grinned, "Oh, it was great, Bill and Charlie came, Fred and George's shop is doing really well considering the circumstances, they took Christmas as an opportunity to test out some of their new products - don't even get me started. Mum went nuts! We got our usual sweaters and of course Harry came over and stayed until we were due back."
Collin sighed, "We just have a muggle Christmas at home, but hey, I got a few cool presents - all muggle stuff, camera, printer and a new computer."
"I got a cloak from someone, it's absolutely gorgeous! I think it might've been from Harry, you know how he can be sometimes, especially when he doesn't want to outdo anyone…"
Collin nudged Ginny gently cutting her off and making her turn to face him, "He's watching you." He whispered.
Ginny shrugged, "I know, and personally I think he can take his ugly eyes and shove them up his arse." She muttered.
Collin grinned, "Despite everything he is, Gin-bean, I have to admit that Malfoy does have exceptionally beautiful eyes, don't know how you can deny it."
"I beg to differ." Ginny snorted, "There isn't an ounce of goodness or beauty in a Malfoy, nothing will change my mind." She hissed, slamming her fork down on the table making everyone around her jump.
"Such harsh words, Weaslette." Draco sneered, making Ginny look up to see Draco standing on the other side of the table, Collin seemed to shrink in his seat.
Ginny glared at Draco, "Nothing less than you deserve!" she spat.
Draco smirked, "I insist you allow me to change your views on me in due time, little girl, as I said, nothing is what it seems."
"You are what you are." Ginny seethed through clenched teeth, "And I know what you are now, Malfoy." Her eyes never breaking contact with his.
Draco stared back into the fiery brown eyes his face impassive, she knew, dear Merlin she saw right through him. Smiling cruelly Draco bared both his seemingly unblemished wrists for her to see, "You're quite mistaken… for the moment, little Weaslette." He chuckled, "But then again… nothing is ever what it seems…" he whispered softly before turning on his heel and strode out of the great hall, his dark cloak billowing out behind him which reminded Ginny greatly of Professor Snape.
Collin let out the deep breath he didn't know he had been holding, "What in Rowena's name was that all about?" he turned to Ginny.
"He's evil to the core, and I won't be intimidated by him." Ginny replied darkly, her eyes flashing dangerously. Glancing up the table Ginny met Harry's inquisitive green orbs, smiling quickly she nodded and turned away.