Disclaimer: I do not, under any circumstances, own any characters or really much of anything in this story. You have J.K. Rowling to thank for the wizarding world.
A/N: HI GUYS! I am the first to admit that I can't believe I'm writing another story, but I have been reading some seriously good fanfics lately and it made me remember how much I loved writing them. First off, obviously school is in session and it will be hard to update during the week. BUT, I will try my very best to update weekendly. And second, I really really really want and would love to have… a beta reader. I understand if you don't have enough time to help me with that, but if you do, then PLEASE I would love to have you be a part of my story. All I ask is that you make this process easier, not harder, on me and that you give me time to read your work eventually. It doesn't matter to me if you've never done it before, only that you know something about punctuation and are a Harry Potter lover :) Thanks so much for reading my last fanfic Taken and I hope you enjoy this one as much as you seemed to like that one. –TheSlytherinMarauder (Yes, I'm sorry I did change my name for reasons I cannot mention ;)
Prologue
Ron's Betrayal
The cloaked figures circled around the frightened boy.
It was obvious he had been beaten; his wounds were as severe as the few scratches on his face to the deeper wounds on his arms and back. His clothing was so ripped, they appeared to be see-through and his eyes were cracked and dry from tears. One shadow moved closer, wand out-stretched and rigid, but eyes calm and even though he knew it was worthless to flinch, the immobile boy did.
"I'm so sorry to have to meet you like this, but I'm afraid you gave me no other choice," the dark wizard whispered. "I know Lucius tried to contact you before, but when you decided to run I knew I would have to meet you face to face." His voice rough as gravel. Voldemort inched closer and the petrified child could only stare.
"My Lord, let me explain to him. Let me tell him why I must do this to my son," Lucius rasped. "Please, he must understand."
"Very well," Voldemort agreed. He reached down and removed his gag from his parched mouth. As soon as it left his lips, he screamed in protest.
"Please! Please let me go! Don't-" he struggled to get out before a cruel looking witch gasped.
"How DARE you interrupt the Dark Lord! Crucio!" Bellatrix screeched. The victim opened his mouth and let out a howl that could heard from all about the house. He writhed on the floor violently, blood trickling from his mouth.
"Bellatrix! Enough! I need him conscious and healthy!" Lucius demanded. Her smile vanished and she lowered her wand; a grim sparkle in her eye. Lucius met the captive's eyes once more and began to explain the reasons for why he had done this. "I need to you to know I wouldn't do this if there wasn't any other way. I need you to understand that I wouldn't make you do this to help anyone else but my family." He waited calmly for the boy to nod. When his head didn't move he sighed and pressed on. "My son Draco, as you know, has been a part of many of the Dark Lord's plans in this war. So many, in fact, that his only option is to join us, or to be killed for he knows enough about us to be a threat if he so desired. My son, unfortunately, refuses to follow in my footsteps and become a Death Eater. However…" He paused to check and see if he was still listening. "The Dark Lord has decided that I may go to extreme lengths in order to get Draco to join our side for he has valuable insight that could be pertinent to destroying Harry Potter. I want you to frame my son for murder. If he realizes that he is in danger of going to Azkaban, that he could be killed for being on your side, he will want to have an initiation. I'm sure of it."
He looked into Ron Weasley's eyes, which had gone wide from a mix of horror and shock. "Still, one murder will not be enough. My boy is smart and charming and I'm positive he will be able to escape his sentence if it is only one life that is taken. The catch here Mr. Weasley, is that I need you to kill five people in order for the public to truly believe that he is a dangerous serial killer. And then, when he agrees to join us, you will take his place and serve his sentence in prison." The answer from Ronald was astounding and even he didn't know where his bravery came from.
"No! No way! I'm not going to Azkaban for Malfoy. I wouldn't even give him the time of day if he asked!" he sputtered. Lucius chuckled without humor.
"I feared you would feel this way… Mr. Weasly, let me make one thing clear. If you refuse to do this job for me or if you tell anyone of this meeting, we will hunt down and kill every last one of your family members. Yaxley will kill Molly and Arthur. Fenir will murder Fred and George. I will kill Percy and Bellatrix… Bellatrix will murder Ginny."
"I swear to you if you touch them I'll find you. I'll kill you myself. I'll make sure you die you vile, son of a-" Ron's threats echoed through the halls.
"SILENCE!" Voldemort roared. After a lengthy pause, Lucius spoke again.
"I don't want to have to hurt your family Ronald, but I will if I must. I promise," Lucius said. "Once Draco becomes a Death Eater, you will take his place in prison. No questions asked. And if Draco still refuses to join our side, I will ask you to kill him. However I am positive that it will not come to that. Do we have a deal?" Ron's face was wet with new tears and he suddenly found it hard to breathe. "Do we have a deal?" he asked again. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, fearing he had couldn't say no.
"Yes. I don't have much of a choice, do I? He asked stupidly. Lucius shook his head.
"I'm going to ask one more thing of you. Forgive me, but I need to ask you to make the Unbreakable Vow." Ron cringed and had hoped with all his life that it wouldn't come to that. He could have run with his family, saved them from these harsh truths. But he nodded curtly and Fenir helped him to his feet roughly. They both made eye contact and slowly crept their forearms closer to each other. They gripped the opposite limb and Ron closed his eyes. Bellatrix positioned her wand above were they held each other and suddenly two strands of light wrapped around their arms.
"Do you, Ronald Weasley swear to follow Lucius's and my orders, to kill five victims in order to save Draco's life?" Bellatrix hissed.
"I promise," he choked out.
"And do you, Mr. Weasley promise to kill Draco if Lucius so asks you to do so?"
"I will."
"Finally, do you swear to keep this plot a secret from everyone that is not present in this very room?"
"I will." The bonds of light gripping them tighter until they were finally released and the indentations were prominent. Before Ron let go, Lucius leaned down.
"There's always a choice Ron. Always. Thank you for making the wrong one."
Bellatrix perked up again when the spell had been completed and awaited Lucius's command. He sighed, letting all his tiredness show on his aging face. "Alright Bella, you can take him." She jumped with joy giggling slightly, and seized Ron by the hair against his protests, pulling him back into the dungeons of Malfoy Manor. As soon as they were out of sight, Lucius turned to Yaxley.
"Yaxley, I need you to watch Ron. Take care of him. Make sure he doesn't get into trouble or be killed for any reason unless by my command. "
"Of course, sir. I'll look after the blood-traitor." Lucius nodded and watched Yaxley scurry around the corner. He had almost forgotten Voldemort was there until he spoke.
"I'm proud of you Lucius. Your courage is inspiring," He told him.
"That's hardly true my Lord," He insisted. Voldemort shrugged.
"I will leave you to your thoughts." His cloak billowed out behind him and he turned and walked away from him, through the Manor. After he left, Lucius walked over to the far corner of the room. One might think he was there to use the parchment on the desk or to send a letter with the owl perched on the shelf next to it that whimpered quietly. But Lucius instead, turned his back to the corner and sank to the floor. He said a quick silencing charm and then he put his face in his hands. He couldn't control his sobs anymore and he let his emotions seep out of him like he had wanted them to the moment he saw Ron Weasley.
"What have I done?" He asked himself. "What have I done?"
A/N: I really hope you guys like this! Please give me your feedback and IF ANYONE would like to be my beta reader, PM me ASAP. Thanks so much!