Authors Note: This Story was written as a Valentine for Shimmeree for the "Brew A Love Potion for Draco and Hermione" dmhgficexhance under my other LJ name nriveraortiz.

Shimmeree requested the following:

Describe your ideal valentine in as few words as possible: Angst. Dark. Smut is nice but not necessary.

Deal breakers (absolute no-no's): No pregnancies or children, please.

Special Thanks to my wonderful beta hafthand for her support and patience with this story. I am very nervous about this story it is only my second one and my first fan fiction exchange. I really hope Shimmeree likes it and that there is enough angst and darkness. Enjoy. Marie

xxxxxxx

Chapter 1

"Let go of me," Draco said as he shoved Snape's hand from his arm. "Where the hell are we, Snape?" Draco asked, not bothering to look around.

"Your home, Draco. Malfoy Manor." Snape said straightening his robes. Suddenly his demeanor changed as he pulled Draco by the arm to his side. Lowering his voice he firmly said, "Now, Draco, you must listen and listen carefully for I will only be saying this once. You have failed the Dark Lord in the task set upon you, for which you will harshly be punished. I carried out the task on your behalf as a request from Dumbledore and plea from your mother in order to save your life. The Dark Lord will not condemn you to sudden death, which I am sure of. What he will do is uncertain.

Closing his eyes Snape took a deep shuttering breath and Draco could see him choosing his words carefully. "Draco, know that I am first and foremost an active member of the Order of the Phoenix and therefore my loyalties lie with them. As a spy for the Order I have to appear that my service to the Dark Lord is unwavering. Once we enter the Manor my fate is in your hands, receive the Dark Lord's punishment or turn me in as a spy and acquire favor with the Dark Lord. The choice lies with you Draco. "

Snape released Draco's arm and started heading through the gates towards the front door of the Manor. Suddenly Draco's body went rigid and collapsed to the ground. "Snape, about bloody time you appeared with the boy," a rough voice firmly said.

"Crabbe," Snape said. "No need to curse the boy, he was not trying escape. "

"Dark Lord's orders, " Crabbe replied. "Now come along, he is waiting for you both in the ballroom." Pointing his wand at Draco's paralyzed body he said, " Liberacorpus. "

The two Death Eaters and Draco's floating figure made their way through the Manor's doors and into the Malfoy's formal ballroom. To say the room was luxurious was an understatement. The room took up the entire west side of the Manor. The floor was made of green marble; walls were adorned with silver sconces in-between each of the numerous stained glass windows.

As Draco's body entered the room, he remembered the many hours of dance and music instruction he had had in this room. The many times he regularly attended Malfoy parties and especially the many times in which he and his mother had danced the night away. It was only during these dances that he was able to feel his mother's caring and love for him. The only bonding between mother and son his Father would allow.

The room felt unusually cold, angry, and dangerous. "Draco! " Draco heard his mother scream as Crabbe led him towards the centre of the room and placed his floating body in front of Voldemort.

"Finite, " Voldemort said as he pointed his wand at Draco's floating body. "Lucius, restrain your wife! "

As he stood up Draco noticed his cruel father take his mother by her waist and whisper in her ear. Narcissa's body immediately stiffened as her pleading eyes made contact with her son's. Draco's eyes returned his mother's gaze. Turning, squaring his shoulders, and tightening his jaw, Draco finally directed his attention to the putrefying creature in front of him.

"You have failed me, young Malfoy. Have you anything to say for your incompetence? "

"No, my Lord, " Draco said defiantly, as his eyes made contact with Voldemort's red ones.

"What a brave response, Malfoy. I see your father has taught you well. For that his life will be spared." Lifting his arm, Voldemort pointed his wand and said, " Avada Kedavra ." His strong snake-like voice echoed through the ballroom.

Draco's eyes widened in inexpressible horror as he watched the dark green light emitting from the end of Voldermort's wand strike his mother's chest causing her to drop to the ground with a loud thump.

"You see, young Malfoy, " Voldemort said smiling, "those who do not follow my orders pay and they pay with their most valuable possession. Next time I may not be so merciful. "

Turning towards the ballroom entrance he said to his followers, "The party is over. Time to plan our next adventure. Oh, and Lucius, dispose of this useless mass." He spoke as he pointed a long bony finger at Narcissa's body.

One by one the Death Eaters exited the room leaving Draco, Lucius, and Narcissa's body alone in the center of the grand ballroom.

Lucius walked across to this wife's body and straddled it. Smirking he looked down and said, "What a pity. She was always a good fuck." Pointing his wand at her lifeless body he said, " Levicorpus " and proceeded to walk out of the room with it.

Draco stood there in shock, horrified at the events that had just taken place. He had made his unwavering decision, against his better judgment. He was keen to turn Snape in as a traitor to save his own skin, to bask in the favor of the Dark Lord. Yet the pleading look in his mother's eyes, made him switch his decision immediately. He could deny her nothing, not even her untimely death. She was the one that always had believed in him, the only one that he knew had honestly loved him, for him. She had made too many scarifies in her life for him to continue to be the selfish boy he was. She and Snape had generously given him an opportunity to save himself and he took it, unwillingly, but he took it, for his loving mother.

He had not expected anything different from his father with regard to his mother's death. He had always known he just used her and her family name to acquire even more wealth and power. Many a night after his father's tirades had he heard his mother's cries. He asked her many times during their private dances about it. She simplify smiled and told him she loved him refusing to answer his questions.

Suddenly he heard the door to the ballroom close and footsteps coming towards him. Turning his gaze he noticed it was Snape holding what looked like a small coin bag in his hands.

"Draco, " Snape said hurriedly. "Your mother asked me to give this to you upon her death. She knew you would make the correct decision. In the bag is a Portkey that was activated upon her death; it will lead you to the Black Family ancestral home in Scotland. Open the bag once Voldemort and your father have left the manor. "

"Where…?" Draco interrupted slightly confused.

"Everything will be explained once you get there, now the Dark Lord has summoned for you. Your father did teach you Occlumency, right? " Snape inquired as he handed the bag over to Draco and lead him towards the ballroom entrance.

"Yes, "Draco said confused as he placed the small bag in his robes.

"Good, " Snape replied in is usual drawl. "Now come along, one cannot keep the Dark Lord waiting. "

0

Draco entered his childhood room and collapsed on the bed. His meeting with the Dark Lord had not exactly been pleasurable. Voldemort also showed him once more, by use of various curses including the Cruciatus Curse, the consequences of his disobedience. As well as informing him the magical training would continue under the direction of Snape. According to Voldemort, Draco was of no use to him without completion of his magical education. He rolled over on his side, his muscles still twitching from the last curse he had suffered. Feeling a protuberance between his leg and the mattress he reached into his robes and pulled out the small bag Snape had handed him.

"Mother, " he said in a whisper.

He opened the bag and pulled out an elegant silver key, suddenly he felt the familiar sensation in his stomach of being transported by Portkey.

He landed on the floor of an opulent study. Standing, he looked around and noticed the walls were full of books and the hardwood floor was covered in spectacular oriental area rugs. The room was magnificently furnished in antique Louis XVI and Victorian furniture. On the west wall there was an elegant fireplace engraved with the Black family crest. On the east wall was a wooden desk with matching chair. Through the windows of the North wall he noticed opulent gardens and walkways that highlighted the beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

"Draco, darling, we have been expecting you, " said a sweet soft voice. Startled Draco turned towards the sound of the voice. Fixed above the desk he noticed a life-sized portrait of a man whose resemblance was very similar to Sirius Black and a lady whose resemblance was identical to his mother's except for her dark blonde colored hair.

"Druella, dear, please don't frighten the boy, " the man from the portrait said smiling down at Draco. "I believe it is time for introductions. I am Cygnus Black and this lovely lady is my wife, Druella. We are your maternal grandparents. Welcome to the Black ancestral home. "

"Our Cissy has passed on hasn't she? " Druella asked Draco with sadness in her voice.

"Now, now dear, we knew it was only a matter of time, " Cygnus said as he wrapped his one arm around his wife's shoulder and patted her gently.

"Yes, "Draco said uncertainly. "She was murdered tonight. "

"Oh dear! " Druella gasped. "Then the Prophecy is true. "

"Prophecy? " Draco inquired.

"Take a seat, son, your grandmother and I have a lot of explaining to do. "

"Would you like some tea first dear, " Druella said gently.

"Yes, thank you, " Draco said as he took a seat on the armchair closest to the desk. Immediately a tray of freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches, sweets and tea appeared on the table next to where Draco was seated.

"Draco, the Black family has been entrusted with a prophecy since the first Cygnus Black, my grandfather. It was during the birth of my father, Pollux Black, that the midwife attending to my grandmother, Violetta, prophesized the following: 'A dragon shall come from the dark and embrace the malice to help the phoenix. Only with the dragon's help and loss will bring balance and tranquility come to the wizarding world.'

"My grandfather began to research the prophecy, taking notes on all his research and conclusions. My father joined in the search as did I, as soon as I came of age. The contents of this research are found within the walls of this study. It was upon your birth that my father was able to decipher the prophecyAs you know I had died the year before your birth. My father gathered your mother and grandmother in this very room and told them of his discovery. "

"Pollux revealed to your mother and I that he had deciphered the prophecy. For upon hearing Lucius Malfoy speak you name for the first time during your naming ceremony he realized the impact the prophecy had on the black family. Draco, your were to be named after your grandfather yet your father suspired everyone even your mother by naming you Draco which stands for dragon therefore insuring the prophecy Pollux's father had heard upon your grandfather's birth would be realized. "Durella said with a hint of pain in her voice as she lookeddown at Draco "From that day on your mother and I did everything in our power to protect you and ensure your survival. For we knew you would be instrumental in the defeat of Voldemort. Your mother allowed your father to fill your mind with arrogance, selfishness, hatred and malice knowing the consequences it would have to your personality. For you had to have knowledge of the dark and evil and only with this knowledge would you be able to help the phoenix restore peace and tranquility. "

"You see, Draco, " his grandfather continued, "you are to continue your alliance with Lord Voldemort and become powerful in the dark arts. Have him trust you, become indispensable to him. Only then will he be able to be defeated. "

Draco let out a breath he had not realized he had been holding. "You are telling me that I should become friends with the creature responsible for the death of my mother? That I should follow everything my unloving father told me, everything I have decided not to believe in after my mother's death? " Draco stated as he looked at the portrait of his grandparents.

"Yes, " his grandmother said softly.

"And this phoenix, who is it? " inquired Draco.

"Your mother, with the help of her close friend SeverusSnape, discovered the phoenix to be Mr. Harry Potter, " replied Draco's grandfather.

"Bloody Hell! " Draco said as he stood up from his seat and started pacing in front of the portrait. "Potter! Well just my luck. "

"Do you know him, darling? "

"I do, I go to school with him. He and I are not exactly what one might call friends. We actually hate each other. "

"Oh my! " expressed Druella.

"Draco, " his grandfather interjected with importance, "we will deal with this Harry Potter when the time comes. For now you must work closely with your mother's friend Severus. He is aware of the prophecy and took an unbreakable vow to help you should you decided not to follow in your father's footsteps. Our research has uncovered the method in which the Dark Lord will be destroyed and peace restored. You need to study and determine the steps needed for this method to be executed. Use the key which transported you to this study to come and perform your research. Your grandmother and I are here to help answer any questions on the research performed so far. It is however, imperative that you continue to follow Lord Voldemort and demonstrate your loyalty. Do you understand? "

"Yes, grandfather, " Draco replied once he stopped pacing and faced his grandparents.

0

During the next year Draco immersed himself in completing his magical training and research at the Black Manor. He's loyalty to the Dark Lord was tested without relent. He was ordered to capture, torture and murder - and he did so, all the while knowing there was a greater cause. Slowly he was becoming indispensable to Voldemort, gaining his trust and feared by fellow Death Eaters, including his own Father.

He continued to live at Malfoy Manor, knowing it was the best way to keep an eye on his father. Early on Draco had come to the realization that in order to gain absolute and complete access to Voldemort his father needed to be removed from Voldemort's inner circle.

Draco was sitting in the Black manor study reading one of the many journals his grandfathers had documented their research in. He had made amazing progress in the research and had been able to put together concepts his grandfathers had been unable to understand.

'Not again,' Draco thought as the mark on his left arm started to sting. Setting the journal down he stood up and disapparated to the Dark Lord's side.

Draco bowed and said, "Master."

"Young Malfoy, I have a task that will prove your ultimate loyalty to me and earn you the position of my most trusted advisor. You are to kill Lucius Malfoy within the hour, " Voldemort said in his snake-like voice.

"Yes, Master, " Draco said and then disapparated and appeared in the entry hall of his childhood home.

Proceeding towards his father's study, he opened the door and found his father speaking to Voldemort. 'He's checking up on me,' he said to himself. 'Bastard.'

"Draco, what is the meaning of …" Lucius started to say as Draco entered the room.

"Avada Kedavra!" The words flowed easily from Draco lips as he pointed his wand towards his father's chest.

A flash of green light emitted from his wand and hit his father squarely on his chest. Lucius looked at Draco in disbelief as the green beam hit his chest and he fell backwards onto the study floor.

"Master, " Draco said coldly facing Voldemort. "Your will is done. "

"Malfoy, you have earned my trust and respect. "

Nodding in understanding Draco place a hand in his robes and clenched the key to be transported to the Black Manor.

Landing in the study, he sank to his knees. He removed all the blocks holding in his inner most thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and cried for the first time since his mother's murder.

"Draco? " Druella said cautiously.

Draco looked up into his grandmother's eyes, his own seeping in tears. "Grandmother, Lucius is dead. I have done as the Dark Lord asked and gained his unwavering trust. Can I not sink any lower than to kill my own father, bastard that he was, but he was still my father? I will lose my soul before this bloody prophecy is fulfilled. "

"No Draco, you will not lose your soul…" Druella stated trying to comfort her grandson.

"What soul will I be left with then? A soul which has never truly loved, a soul that has tortured and killed? All in the name of peace. "

"Draco, you cannot ignore your fate. " His grandfather said.

"I know that grandfather! I just want to be vulnerable for one fucking second. Shielding my mind against Voldemort takes all the energy I can muster. I killed my own father for Merlin's sake, not that I cared or loved him but he was still my father. "

"We understand, Draco. Yet your work is just beginning now that the Dark Lord trusts you. Contact with Mr. Potter needs to occur as soon as possible, as you have deciphered. Offer him your help and allegiance. "

Draco stood up and snorted, "You are so confidant he will accept me. "

"He and his friends will, I assure you. Now grab the seventh book from the seventh bookcase on the seventh self. It will instruct you on how to contact him. Quickly now we do not have much time. "

Draco sighed. "I do hope you know what you're doing, " he said to his grandparents as he headed towards the bookcase to retrieve the book.

tbc