Disclaimer: As much as I wish I could say otherwise, I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters in it.

Authors Note: This is the first multi-chapter fanfic I'm doing, so I'm not the best at it right now. Hopefully this'll be alright. By the way, this follows the 6th book (I have slightly destroyed the time line for the 7th one, as you'll see in future chapters) so keep that in mind when reading.

Chapter one: Incapable

Draco had never been more terrified than he was now. Not when he had unwillingly had the Mark branded into his arm. Not when Potter had almost caused him to bleed to death. Never. As Draco walked into the dining hall of his own home, he knew that he could be dead in less than 5 minutes, and could do nothing to save himself. The only person who could decide if he was to be forgiven was sitting at the end of the room Draco had stepped in to. Unfortunately, he was not the most forgiving of masters.

All of the death eaters were in a circle around the Dark Lord, who stood motionless. Nothing but his slit-like eyes moved, tracing Draco's path as the young boy made his way into the circle. Draco kept his wand in his robes, longing to finger it but knowing it would be taken as an offensive gesture.

He knelt when he reached Voldemort, sure that the snakelike man could hear his heart pounding.

"Rise." The word was hardly a whisper, but no one failed to hear it. Even when he was standing, Draco still stared at the floor, terrified of looking up. "Tonight has been a historical night. A triumph for all who stand on my side, the side of justice." Voldemort announced. He looked around at his Death Eaters, as though daring them to argue. When no one said anything, he returned to his speech. "Yes, tonight my second-greatest enemy has fallen. Murdered at the hand of one of my ranks. Severus, you have done well." Snape nodded his head very slightly in acceptance of the praise, but no other movement was made. "I wonder, however, why it was necessary that Severus complete this mission, when it was not given to him, but to another."

Draco knew exactly where this speech was going, and did not like it at all. He remained standing in the center of the Death Eater's circle, unnoticed by Voldemort. He didn't want to think about what would happen when the Dark Lord's attention turned to him.

"Although Severus behaved admirably given the circumstance, I am not pleased that it was necessary. Why is it that you could not do what I asked, Draco?" For the first time, Voldemort turned to face the pale boy standing in front of him. "I don't believe that you were unable to corner him, or had trouble getting my followers inside the school. From what I hear, you were doing quite well at first. Why is it that you could not kill him? Were you afraid, or did you simply not wish to do as I asked?"

Draco didn't know what to answer. Admitting that either of these were true would have been an awful move, so he chose to remain silent and hope that Voldemort wasn't expecting him to say anything.

Draco had just come to this conclusion when he felt the wind being knocked out of him as though he had just been run over by the knight bus. He felt as though there was a flame engulfing him, and the pain was so great it was all that he could do to not cry out. Some rational part of his brain told him that screaming would only give Voldemort more satisfaction, so he writhed in silent agony on the floor of the dining hall.

Just as suddenly as the pain began, it stopped. Draco took a shaky breath and slowly stood again. "When I ask you a question, I want an answer!" Voldemort snapped at the boy he had just tortured.

"I…I…couldn't………."

Draco's stuttering was cut off by a voice from the outside of the circle. "You heard the boy. He couldn't do it. He hasn't got the stomach for it-"

"Silence, Rowle!" demanded the Dark Lord. "I do hope, Draco, that your not killing the old man was meant to be a sign of disloyalty. You know exactly how traitors are dealt with, and I have used up all of my patience with the Malfoy family.

Draco worked hard to prevent himself from hyperventilating. He had been afraid Voldemort would say something like this. It was true that being in the Dark Lord's service was not exactly his goal in life, but Voldemort needn't know that. Draco hoped that Voldemort saw no reason for Draco not performing the task other than being scared to kill Dumbledore, which was perfectly true in itself.

"I do, however, have a way for you to prove your loyalty to me, which means a way of sparing your and your parents' life's."

Draco's heart leapt. He no longer knew if he wanted to be loyal to the dark lord, but that didn't matter to him. At least, it didn't matter right now, because he planned on taking this chance if it meant his family could live.

"I want you," said Voldemort, "to bring me Harry Potter." Quickly stifled gasps could be heard around the circle. "and if he is not dead in less than a month…..you will be."

Author's note: Well, that's the end of chapter one! I don't know what's going to happen next, to be honest. At first I sat down and tried to plan everything out, but I realized it's more fun to write when you're as surprised as the reader. Please review this story! It'll really help tell me what my readers (If I even have any) do or don't like. I'm fine with constructive criticism (although positive reviews are obviously preferred) so please tell me what you think!