The Three Keys

A/N: PLEASE READ BELOW FOR SUMMARY AND DISCLAIMER INFO!*

Dear Readers, Please note, this story is FOR FUN! So please don't get all philosophical on me, just enjoy the fluff – think of it like cotton candy, a sinful little pleasure that you can indulge in… It's pretty and fluffy and it has a little bit of substance to it, and it's goes down easy!

THIS STORY IS RATED R – SO NO ONE UNDER 17 PLEASE!

Please note I do not own any of the Harry Potter Characters, just my humble Laurel and her family.

IMPORTANT NOTE AS OF 8/17 – THERE ARE SEVERAL CHAPTERS OF THIS FIC COMPLETED, SO GET COZY AND GET READY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH DRACO AND COMPANY. 37 CHAPTERS ARE COMPLETE – 38 IS BEING WRITTEN AS WE SPEAK.

A quick synopsis of the story as the caption just can't do my long ramblyness justice:

This is hopefully a fun (for you the reader that is…) romance/drama/action-adventure centering around Draco (dreamy sigh) and my O/C Laurel. (Oh yeah and a smidgen of romance for Harry and Laurel….Harry and Hermoine…Harry and Ron, no no scratch that…Hermoine and Ron, yes that's better – I haven't decided about those guys yet… Oh and I mustn't forget about Draco and Ginny once upon a time and Ginny and Blaise… So you see it will be fun! But, as with any fun you have to have some angst to go along with it, so you fully enjoy the good times….. Therefore Voldy and Lucius are around to shake things up. Oh yes and, Lucius does get, ahem, some 'good times' coming up pretty soon as well… - Looks up innocently and whistles -

*I must warn you my story has explicit language (I mean, come on guys, what teenager doesn't cuss?) *Some mild violence (I have a tendency towards a flare for the dramatic…)

*And sex folks! Sex – A-LA pleasing all of us reformed romance novel readers.

It will take a little time for Laurel to get to Draco, as any good love story does, so please get comfy, settle in and hang on for a fun adventure!

This story has many of JKR's fabulous central characters in it.

As this is my first fan fic I would love to get your reviews and comments.

Enjoy and thank you for reading! Lorett

CHAPTER 1 – THE DARK LORD AT CASTLE MALFOY

The Dark Lord stood, a solitary figure cloaked in darkness, the kind of darkness that left one devoid of peace, of joy, of hope. The kind of darkness that consumed one's soul – of course Voldermort had bartered his soul away long ago, so this void suited his hollow heart.

He surveyed now from the tall castle perched on a jagged, precipitous cliff overlooking the Scottish coast, the rugged landscape of heather clad moorlands, their tall stalks ebbing and flowing in the breeze like the ocean below and the glens that pocked the scenery gouged long ago, during the ice age. This desolate place both soothed and wore on his patience, now though, with each passing day he grew more and more weary and irritated. He felt his time to reclaim his rightful place as ruler of the wizarding world was upon him. His cold gaze flicked over the sparse, circular tower chamber with disgust and his servant Wormtail stood silently at the door, twitching occasionally and keeping his eyes cast down, waiting to be addressed.

The Dark Lord knew he had entered long ago, only now, as he turned toward the fire burning in the hearth did he acknowledge him. "Have my instructions been carried out?" he turned to face Wormtail, his red eyes gleaming in the glint of the fire, long fingers curled in anticipation. The Dark Lord's tone was light, but Wormtail knew better than to take his seemed calm for granted.

"We are awaiting a report back from our informants now my Lord." Wormtail's voice was low and respectful, though the respect never quite reached his eyes, they burned with resentment which is why he kept them cast down always.

"The time draws near Pettigrew. I find myself becoming less and less understanding with my servants when they cannot fulfill a simple request in a timely fashion." Voldermort's tone was silky and calm, but Wormtail's skin crawled just the same.

Wormtail jumped at once. "I live to serve your every desire my Lord," he said a little too enthusiastically. "I shall retrieve the informant and bring him to you at once, my Lord."

"Yes, yes Pettigrew," Voldermort said softly and nodded his gaze never leaving the fire, "I think I should speak with him directly."

Wormtail squeaked and scurried away, bowing, "Yes my Lord, at once, my Lord."

Voldermort turned back to the window now. Even in the heart of summer this part of the world remained cold, unforgiving. He was holed up in an ancient family castle built eons ago by a Viking ancestor of Lucius Malfoy's on the remote coast of Cape Wrath, between Scourie and the Kyle of Durness in Scotland.

The castle was a virtually impenetrable fortress, unplottable, unseen by Muggle eyes due to the many wards and spells cast about the extensive grounds. It was accessible only by foot or boat - if you dared approach the treacherous cliffs to enter the narrowly hewn cave hundreds of feet below at the crashing surf line. To say it was difficult to get to, even in the best of circumstances was an understatement.

It suited Voldermort's needs presently; therefore he tolerated the deplorable conditions and remote setting. He needed a quiet place where he could strategize his plans unhindered - this was ideal.

He turned eyes to the coastline that looked out to the endless Atlantic and Voldermort gazed at the ocean now, as he did often for hours at a time. He had plans for this world, yes – great, great plans. This place – this whole land and all the lands of the Earth would be his. 'Soon, very soon,' he thought. His eyes gleamed with desire.

"Once my obstacles have been removed from my path, and I have the final prophecy, all will be in place." His gray skin gleamed dully in the hazy sunlight filtering in from the window and he looked out again at the ocean sparkling and glittering at him like a sea of jewels waiting to be plucked by his very hand.

He laughed, if that's what it could be called. It was a sound of evil enjoyment, of pure malice. "Once I have rid my lands of the vermin Muggles and enslaved the Mudbloods as my indentured ones, I will begin my rule of perfection, for eternity." He hissed with the thought, cool pleasure and self-confidence settled over him. Nothing and no one was going to stop him from achieving his destiny. "Perfection," he said softly hissing again as he caught his reflection in the glass of the window and smiled.

A/N: Dear readers, please give the story a go past Chapter 3 and I promise the action picks up! You won't see much more of Voldy for the foreseeable future.

Please take a moment to review & also give me your feedback.

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