To all of my ever faithful readers,

I know you are all going to hate me for this, but I have been thinking for a while that I don't really know where this story is going, and that I ought to go back and reread through it, correcting things, and adding things, and generally making it better. I hope that you all will choose to stick with me through this.

This idea has been a long time in the running, for the fact that when I first started writing this, it was something of a drabble, inspired by something I read, and wanted to imitate, whilst I know that this is not a good starting point for a story, I believe that along the way I have made it somewhat my own.

Despite this fact, I yearn to make this story completely original, and one that may be eligible to be more than just the average Harry Potter fan fiction. I gather so much of my inspiration from other writers that are amazing, that have won awards, and that show their work on more than one website. This is the kind of HPFF writer I want to be, someone to inspire others.

The other reason for this change in circumstances is that I have been finding it hard to write the rest of this fic lately, not only because of the lack of time I have had, but because of something I think of as writing block, but that is really more lack of imagination and care for it. I am currently in the middle of constructing a plan that this story will follow, and that should ensure that chapters are written and up quickly.

I hope that you have all taken the time to read this, because it is a personal note to all of you that have waited so patiently for me to get my backside into gear and give you all what you want. I hope you continue to do so, and if any of you have any further questions, then I urge to send me a message, I will not hesitate in my reply.

Yours,

Lucy

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J., Bloomsbury, and Warner Bros. I'm playing in their playground.

Warnings: Rated T for strong language, violence and scenes of a sexual nature, although I don't mind reading explicit slash scenes, I don't covet writing them.

Convenient Arrangements

Prologue

I stepped through the tall grass, avoiding the brush of nettles by my feet. These meetings that were occurring more and more often were growing tedious. The Dark Lord had left plans to be put into action, and despite the fact that I had no wish to be a part of them; I had no choice in the matter.

Malfoy Manor loomed before me, eerily foreboding in the darkness. I hadn't been here in a long time, and not just out of personal choice. The Dark Lord chose many different places for his meetings, when he had lived, and although we had attempted to find them, we had failed in our task. So it was here that our gatherings occurred.

Lucius Malfoy had perhaps taken the loss of his master the worst. He no longer had anyone to tell him what to do, and was at a loss. He had taken it upon himself to organise these meetings, where he would impart to us the knowledge and plans of our late master, and expect us to fulfil them.

It wasn't as difficult as one would have thought, although lying low was on the cards. The ministry had enhanced their methods of finding those of us who had followed the Dark Lord, and were increasing the force behind their raids and searches. We could not be caught.

I tried not to snort as I saw a majestic white peacock strutting across the sweeping lawns, it was so ostentatious, and so like Lucius Malfoy, to have creatures as pretentious as those. I barely noticed the thunder crackling overhead as I followed the path to the old oak of the front door.

When I reached it, I knocked lightly, having to wait mere moments until the door swung inwards to admit me. Narcissa was at the door, her skin as white as a swan's feathers, owning the aristocracy of old blood. Her hair was the typical Malfoy blonde, platinum as that of her husband's.

She looked tired, with faint purple circles beneath her eyes, and the appearance of one that had not eaten in a while. "Severus," she greeted me, her voice raspy and nervous. I nodded in response and stepped across the threshold, strolling to the dining hall where I knew the meeting would take place.

I had known Lucius and Narcissa almost my whole lifetime; I had attended Hogwarts with both of them, and had once considered Lucius a brother. This was a fact he liked to remind me of, often.

I let myself into the dining room, taking my customary seat beside the head of the table. The meeting was full, there were followers there that I would never have expected to return, and yet, here they sat, cradling tumblers containing a generous amount of amber liquid.

Lucius sat beside me, at the head of the table, one hand wrapped firmly around his the silver serpent head of his wand. It wasn't unusual that he would punish us, although sometimes I wonder if perhaps he has not been driven a little mad by the loss of his master, and if he was trying to take his place.

I didn't bear it much thought as I took my drink from Narcissa, the woman who had once been loved and prized above anything else had fallen to the level of a servant, bringing drinks to her husband's acquaintances, and saying nothing.

I took a sip, letting the substance warm my stomach and giving an inconspicuous nod to Lucius, signalling him that it was time to start the meeting, despite our differences, we still had trust, and we were brothers as we always had been.

"Good evening, gentlemen, ladies," started Lucius, nodding to the respective groups, "Tonight we have much to discuss. Firstly, I would like to alert you to our lack of publicity. In the days of our Lord, we were in the Prophet daily, with the momentous news of our attacks, wreaking havoc on the wizarding world. Whatever happened?" he asked, and it was clear from his tone that it was a rhetorical question.

No one said a word, and this was what I had feared, if the attacks started again, then we would be discovered, and shipped to Azkaban.

"No answers?" he asked, again, rhetorically, "Then we shall start again, Saturday night, I am stationing Avery, Crabbe, Goyle, Dolohov and Greyback on the east side of Wilmslow, and the Lestranges, Nott and Rookwood to the west side, you are to attack from either end, I want muggle children captured and brought to me, their parents killed, and any witches or wizards tortured and captured. Destroy buildings, kill creatures, and have fun doing so," he instructed.

I didn't frown, although I should have, it was clear from his instructions that he wanted to go back to the old ways, even if it was without Lord Voldemort as his master. I looked upon the faces of those mentioned, and they were proud, with savage hints of excitement in their eyes. They certainly would have fun with their duties.

"Secondly, Yaxley, Rosier, I want the new candidates for minister placed under the imperious curse, it is about time we have some control over what goes on in our shambles of a ministry," he stated, to the delight of the aforementioned. I resisted rolling my eyes.

"Thirdly, I have a plan to kill Harry Potter once and for all, he brought about the downfall of our master, it is about time we bring his," he said, and immediately, muttering started around the room. Harry Potter, something I attempted to keep as far from my thoughts as possible, and I remembered the reason why when people started darting glances at me.

I finished the rest of my drink, and took to staring resolutely at the wall, at least until Lucius spoke again, "I shall adopt him," he said, and it took a moment to hide my shock, others weren't so well adapted, and let their mouths hang open.

"Yes, it is with what good intentions I shall project, and with the prospective ministers under the imperious curse, it will be no issue in being allowed. Harry Potter will be my son, and then I shall kill him."

I didn't say anything.

"That is all for this evening, I expect my instructions to be put into immediate action, and, until the next time I call, cause mess for the muggles," he said, and with that, he stood and left the room, followed by Narcissa, and then myself.

"Dumbledore will never stand for it," I said, as soon as we were out of earshot.

"He will have to, with the ministry on side, he'll have no choice," stated Lucius, turning angrily on his heel to face me. "He will have no time to make other arrangements, Severus, unless someone within our congregation feels the need to inform him of our plans," his eyes burned with unabashed fury, aimed directly at me, and I doubted for just a moment, whether it was true that he trusted me.

It certainly seemed that if anyone would admit their plans to Albus, then in Lucius' opinion, it would be me. I glared at him, "You know perfectly well of my alliance, Lucius, if he should find out, then let it be known that I would not be the one to inform him," I growled, the anger clear in my voice.

It was then that Narcissa stepped between us, a hand reached out to each of our chests. Lucius roughly pushed her hand away before turning and walked as quickly down the hallway as he was permitted to with his injuries.

I scowled after him, before looking to Narcissa; she cradled her hand in her other, tears clouding her eyes. "Is this what he is resorting to now?" I asked, my tone carefully distasteful. "Does he hurt you?"

"He doesn't mean to," she whimpered, her voice fragile. She patted me on the arm, "You are a good man Severus, I envy the woman to gain you as a husband," she said, avoiding my eyes. I nodded once, unable to tell her that my affections did not lie with a woman.

I bent my head and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "If you need anything, you know where I am," I said, hating that I had no desire to do more. How I would love to avenge everything Lucius had caused by taking his wife, and yet, I could not bring myself to want her, in any way. She was more of a sister.

She nodded; gracing me with what I was sure was a rare smile these days. I looked at her for a few seconds before turning and walking out of the mansion. I didn't dwell on the fact that I hadn't seen Draco, nor did I dwell on the fact that a village was to be destroyed on Saturday eve. The thing I was worried about was the potential adoption of Harry Potter.

I figured that since the last time you all read this, before it was rewritten; most people were asking me for reasoning as to why Severus and Harry had to marry. So, this is part of the reasoning, and the rest has been included. Sorry this has been added after the event, but I just found it on my computer and figured that I should put it up. It works with the story. The next chapter is half written and will be up soon.

Until next time,

Lucy