Disclaimer: Although it might appear so, The Better Two Thirds do not, nor ever will, own Harry Potter.
A/N: The Better Two Thirds would like to tell you that this story follows Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and that this is not a derailed Half Blood Prince, but a story of its own. Any similarities are due to previous direction from the first five books.
Enjoy!
Prologue:
The Ceremony
The night was young and the air was relatively warm as two figures strutted quickly along the cliff's edge. They seemed to wander aimlessly for several moments before the taller of the two looked toward the sky. His voice came out high and cold and seemed to pierce the very air into which he spoke. "Lucius, three planets will align tonight—soon—and the ceremony can begin."
"Ceremony, my Lord?"
"Oh, yes, because ritual has such a negative connotation, and this is a beautiful event. And you will help me with it." His red eyes remained fixed to the stars above. "You shall be rewarded extremely well, my loyal Death Eater."
Lucius immediately began to think of the power he would have as Lord Voldemort's right-hand man. His excitement must have shown, for Voldemort's gray lips contorted into a wicked smile and he said, "I see you like what I have proposed."
"Oh yes, my Lord," he said eagerly.
Voldemort once again looked into the sky. "As you know, I have always sought immortality. I have tried so hard to attain it, Lucius. It has taken me years to come up with this plan. Ever since we started using Dementors in our war, I have had this idea of how to become immortal in my head. Because you see, Lucius, Dementors are immortal. Nothing can kill them. After tonight, nothing will be able to kill me, either."
Malfoy gazed admiringly at his brilliant master as he rattled on about immortality. He spoke so passionately. After minutes, Voldemort said, "It is time."
He quickly instructed Malfoy of his role. It was simple, but very necessary. "I need you to wake me up; a simple rennervate should do the trick. However, if you do not, I will fall into a deep sleep and lay comatose indefinitely. Remember the power and authority you will have, Lucius!"
Malfoy sensed that the Dark Lord was using Legilimency on him, but he didn't mind. He had nothing to hide—he was merely dreaming of the wealth and power he would have in due time. Again, Voldemort smiled and said, "Good."
For the last time, Voldemort looked to the sky and closed his eyes. He began muttering an incantation while waving his wand. His dark, heavy cloak swayed with him as he continued to gesticulate. Eventually, a snakelike object emerged from the tip of his wand. Out of the snake's mouth came a bright orange light that shot away from the cliff's edge and into what looked like a small town where Lucius could see cloaked people wandering the streets. The light seemed to illuminate the small population, but they paid it no mind. It was as if they couldn't even see it. Soon, the bright orange light receded and the snake seemed to eat it. Then, the snake rotated and twisted into the air, and shot the same orange light directly into Voldemort's chest. The Dark Lord gasped and his eyes shot open, though they did not see. After several long agonizing moments for Malfoy, as he wondered of his master's wellbeing, the light once again receded. Voldemort's wand stopped moving, and as the snake turned skyward, towards the aligned planets, Voldemort fell backwards, landing stiffly on his back. To Malfoy, the snake seemed to stare into space for hours, though it was probably minutes, until it finally rotated downwards and burrowed into the ground, leaving no physical trace of its existence.
Malfoy waited for a long time, to ensure that nothing else would happen and that the ceremony was, indeed, over. He then shakily raised his wand and said, "Rennervate!"
His master's eyes fluttered open, and he smiled wickedly. "It worked. I can…feel it," he whispered, not speaking to Malfoy. He quickly stood up and turned to the loyal and trustworthy servant at his side.
"Ah, Malfoy. You shall officially receive your reward when you are married to Narcissa Black."
"In just two weeks then?" Malfoy asked eagerly.
"Yes, Lucius," Lord Voldemort replied. "In two weeks…" Voldemort slowly raised his wand as he felt the newly acquired power surge through him. He no longer required the services of the one who called himself a Death Eater. Lord Voldemort smiled as he lifted and aimed his wand at Lucius Malfoy, who stood directly before him. A look of confusion shot across the poor man's face before his master shouted, "Obliviate!" And all he could feel was the overwhelming sensation of loss.
Lucius Malfoy awoke from his dream with a start. He looked down at his wife, sleeping next to him. His hand instinctively went to his head. "I…remember."