A/N: Now, to my faithful readers. This story is a far cry from my usual. There will be little humour, and as far as I can tell, no fluff. If I can help it, there will not be any Ocs, and the characters' personalities will be as canon as possible. I just wanted to try something new. Yes, I was looking at pictures of Tom Felton.

The Prince of Darkness

The nightmare tore Draco Malfoy from an already fitful sleep. It wasn't the first time he had had that particular vision. And just like normal, it left a sour taste in his mouth and a scowl on his sharp features.

The lines between Draco's eyebrows deepened as he looked over to see Snape sleeping soundly. How did he manage it? The man had killed Albus Dumbledore. Just having seen the man's death was giving Draco nightmares, yet still the Death Eater slept on.

Draco stood and moved about restlessly, unconsciously smoothing his blonde hair. (A/N: Yes, his hair is naturally fabulous.) He would tell Voldemort that he, Draco, had killed Dumbledore. It was worth his life. More than that, it was also worth his mother's life. Lucious was in Azkaban, so the task of Narcissa's protection lay on her son.

"Stop pacing, boy," an irritable voice snapped.

Draco's silver eyes narrowed as he looked at the murderer. Then his face relaxed into its usual handsome lines. "Sorry," he muttered, leaning against a tree.

Severus Snape was loyal to the Malfoy family, more strongly even than to the Dark Lord. He was faithful to Narcissa and treated Draco like a son.

The Unbreakable Vow was strict. Severus must watch over Draco and keep him from harm. He had never wanted to kill Dumbledore, but he agreed to help Draco because of the guilt he would feel if the boy failed his task to die at the Dark Lord's hand.

"Professor," he said. Old habits die hard. "If you would like to leave—find somewhere safer…"

The ironic smile in the man's eyes made Draco trail off. The token Slytherin smirk—softened—tugged at his lips. "Draco, my fate is tied. My task is to keep you from harm." He paused, thinking over his next words, then decided against voicing them. Instead, he looked at Draco for a long minute and nodded, as if to himself. Draco, used to the dark man keeping his own council, didn't ask. Snape sighed and gathered his hair into a horsetail. "Let's go. The Dark Lord awaits us."

.xXx.

Draco kneeled, head bowed, the absolute posture of submission. Some may find it funny—Draco's attitude. He strutted around as if he owned the world—until he was in the presence of people he respected, feared.

The Dark Lord had his back turned to the trio—Snape, Narcissa, and Draco. Snape stood on Draco's right, just behind him, Narcissa was on Draco's left.

"So you tell me that Albus Dumbledore is dead by your own hand, Draco Malfoy?" hissed the snake-like voice.

"Yes, My Lord." Was the quiet, yet firm response.

The Dark Lord turned to face the small triangle. "Look at me." Draco looked up. Those silver didn't lie. They spoke of fear, anger, and was that hatred? Did Lucious Malfoy's son hate his Lord? The thought amused Voldemort.

"And the rest of you?" He looked to the Death Eaters who had witnessed the murder. "You saw it?"

"Yes, My Lord," they chorused. Death Eaters didn't betray each other. Either way, Dumbledore was dead, so it didn't matter.

"Well then. You have redeemed your family's honor, Draco. No more will I remember your father's… embarrassment."

"You are too kind, My Lord," the boy murmured.

"Probably," the Dark Lord agreed. "But know this, Draco. If I ever catch wind of a breath of rebellion from you…" his eyes flickered to Narcissa, then back to Draco. "Use your imagination."

"Of course, My Lord."

Voldemort smirked. The expression wasn't nearly as attractive as it was on the young blonde Slytherin. "Watch yourself. You are dismissed."

The room cleared obediently.

.xXx.

Harry looked down at the crumpled paper in his hands.

To the Dark Lord,

I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more.

R.A.B.

Could it have really been who Harry thought it was? Had yet another Black betrayed his roots? Maybe Sirius was wrong about his younger brother. Either way, Regulus Black had already paid his life, and perhaps his destruction of the Horcrux had been the cause.

Growling, Harry looked up at his parents' graves. "Reckon you were right about Snape, Dad," he told them. "Nasty git, he is. Of course, I could have told you that. He killed Dumbledore. I saw it with my own eyes." Harry paused. "He sold you out. To Voldemort, can you believe it. Probably. He and Pettigrew. I swear, I will use every last breath in my body to track down the filthy git. He owes me blood. When I find him, he will pay for the both of your lives. Sirius and Dumbledore's, too. Voldemort will pay for more than that. And if Malfoy gets in the way, too bad for him." The young wizard nodded with finality. He leaned down to arrange the bouquet of lilies between the graves. "I swear," Harry Potter whispered.

Harry returned to Ron and Hermione, who were waiting a respectful distance away. "Hermione, I need you to do me a favor."

.xXx.

Ginny looked up when the owl tapped on the glass window. She opened the window to let the bird in, frowning when she realized that it was Hedwig. The snowy owl dropped a letter and left, causing Ginny's frown to deepen.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione had disappeared soon after the wedding to avenge Dumbledore. No one had heard from then since. She opened the letter, her eyes stalling on the familiar handwriting.

Gin—

You said that I would never bee happy unless I was hunting Voldemort. You were nearly right. I was happy with you, too. But now I can't fail. Ron and Hermione—they know. The prophecy, Ginny, it said that Voldemort couldn't live while I did, and vice versa. It's even more true now. I can't say if we'll meet again, but if we do, the world will forever be free of Voldemort. Say it for me, will you? Voldemort. If we meet again… everything will be fine. It will be okay, Gin. And if it isn't, then promise me you'll go on. It's the best defense we've got.

Love,

Harry

Ginny's eyes widened when she realized what he was saying. An Unbreakable Vow. He had sworn to kill Voldemort.

The price of breaking the Unbreakable Vow? Was death.