Fifteen-year-old Draco Malfoy was resting naked in the warm, bubbly water. He was inside his enormous private bathroom at the Malfoy Manor.
Just two months ago, Lord Voldemort had risen again in a graveyard outside Little Hangleton. Lucius Malfoy had been reinducted into his service and now the Dark Lord was heading over to the Manor. Draco had to look his best for the Dark Lord if her wanted to bring honor to his family, which was why he was now in the bath. Of course, he could hardly be in the bath when the Dark Lord arrived. Very reluctantly, he climbed out of the comfortable water to walk, dripping wet, towards his bedroom. On the way, he cast a Drying Spell on himself.
A few minutes later, Draco stepped out of his bedroom, wearing his sharpest silken black outfit. Getting downstairs would be difficult. Draco's father had always gone overboard with the security, but Draco was used to it. The real challenge would be not damaging the expensive clothes he was wearing. He took one of the safer routes, so that he would only have to neutralize a slicing door, magically deflect poison arrows, and avoid the bottomless pit. Navigating Hogwarts was nothing next to making it through the Dark enchantments which filled Malfoy Manor.
Draco found his parents, Lucius and Narcissa, in the foyer downstairs. Narcissa looked scared, but proud. Lucius also looked proud, but he betrayed no sign of fear.
"Stand with us, son," he said strictly. "And don't speak unless you're spoken to — you will not embarrass me in front of the Dark Lord." Draco did as he was told.
"He should be here any minute," said Draco's mother. Just a few moments later, the Manor doors opened. Lord Voldemort entered, followed by Wormtail. With his chalk white skin and glowing red eyes, the Dark Lord looked absolutely terrifying. Draco tried to make the fearful feeling in his stomach go away by reminding himself that he was on Voldemort's side. Draco had chosen the right side, unlike that fool Potter. He would pay, of course.
"My Lord," said Lucius, inclining his head. Voldemort smirked.
"Everything is going according to plan," he said. "Soon Azkaban will be broken open and the Lestranges will join us again. Lead me to your drawing room, Lucius."
"Yes, my Lord," replied Lucius. "Shall I send my son away?"
"Oh no, Lucius," Voldemort said with a sinister smile. "In fact, it is your son to whom I wish to speak."
