Chapter Two

Draco woke as he was pulled from his bed abruptly. He looked around in confusion, his eyes trying to adjust to the darkness. He was roughly forced into a robe and a mask was placed over his face. Then the room vanished and they were standing in the hall of a neglected mansion. Or at least he thought it was a mansion judging by the size of the room.

He looked around at the people surrounding him. Death Eaters, he realised. He was probably wearing the same garb; he looked down at the black robe he wore through the slits in the mask. Make that definitely wearing the same clothes. He swallowed, he knew what this meant.

He didn't even try to resist as two of the Death Eaters stepped forward and each grabbed a hold of one of his arms. They brought him to the front of the group, manoeuvring him to kneel about two metres from the stairs that led up into the belly of the house. As Draco watched, a man floated down the stairs.

He knew him from his dreams. This was Lord Voldemort, his liege lord. The one to whom his life would be pledged from this day forward. Draco forced back the fear and hatred he felt in his heart, showing the calm facade he'd perfected during the 16 years and 364 days of enduring his father's tyranny.

Voldemort reached a stop before the boy, "Greetings Draco Talon Malfoy. I trust you know the purpose of our meeting tonight?"

Draco nodded and smirked, the words his father had drilled into him spouting forth, "Tonight is the night of my seventeenth birthday, the night I pledge my life in full to the one true Lord."

Voldemort smiled, "Yes, my boy." He motioned for the Death Eaters holding him to move away. He moved closer to the boy, studying the prone form, "Ahh Draco, how you have grown into a perfect young man. You shall be a favourite of mine, I can sense it now."

Draco looked up, directly into the eyes of his soon-to-be master. Instead of averting his eyes as his father had drilled into him, he continued to search the hollow depths of the Dark Lord's eyes.

Voldemort threw back his head and laughed, before looking back down at him, "Yes, we shall get along famously. Stand now boy."

Draco stood as gracefully as he could manage which, even in his sleep deprived state, was a sight to behold. "I am ready Master." he said, looking Voldemort in the eye.

Voldemort sobered and reached forward to take Draco's left arm. He pulled back the sleeve of the robe to expose the pearly flesh. Voldemort placed a soft kiss to the inside of his forearm and Draco felt a deep warmth spread from the spot. Then Voldemort bit the skin, tenderly. Draco sighed, his eyes closing, he felt no discomfort. Voldemort drew himself erect and smiled, "Do you take me as your Lord?"

Draco's eyes fluttered open, "Yes." He said, the word echoing in his ears.

Voldemort grinned then laughed, "Welcome to the fold my boy."

He held Draco's forearm up so he could see it. The skull with a snake instead of a tongue stared back at him. He couldn't help feeling a sense of horror that he quickly stamped down.

He was a Death Eater.

- - - - - -

Harry woke with a gasp, breathing heavily. He checked his left arm, it was unmarked. He laughed reflexively. Of course, it was just a dream, albeit a very realistic one.. Harry rubbed his scar and got up, getting dressed before gathering his things for the trip to London. He dragged them out to the front yard and left them there while he grabbed a piece of marmalade toast and a cup of Milo. Vernon, Petunia and Dudley had gone on a holiday, leaving him to his own devices, which he was utterly grateful for. But he couldn't stay here for a minute longer. He was going to stay at the Leaky Cauldron until the new school year started.

Finishing the makeshift breakfast, he washed up and walked out of the house, locking the door and dropping the key through the mail slot. Checking the last item off his mental list, he smiled and walked to the curb, sticking his wand arm out to hail the Knight Bus. It loudly popped into existence in front of him, screeching to a stop.

Stan hopped off the bus and grinned widely, "'Ello 'Arry. 'Ow are ya?"

Harry smiled. "I'm good, Stan."

"Come on Stan 'urry up will ya?" One of the shrunken heads yelled.

"I'm gettin' there!" Stan yelled back, beginning to pull Harry's trunk, a couple of bags and Hedwig onboard.

Harry grinned and pressed the fare into Stan's hand. "The Leaky Cauldron." he said and went to find a bed.

After a couple of stops Harry finally got off the bus in front of the Leaky Cauldron. He waved goodbye to Stan and Ernie and hauled his bags inside.

Tom saw him. "Harry! I've been expecting you!" he said, clapping Harry's shoulder, "I'll show you to your room."

Tom ushered Harry up to a room, magicking his things up before them. "Feel free to explore Harry; you remember the pass to Diagon Alley I trust?" Tom winked.

Harry nodded affirmative, "Thanks Tom."

Tom beamed and waved, "Got to get back to the counter, yell if you need anything!" He bustled out of the room.

Harry sat on the bed and looked around. This was definitely the right choice. He lay back on the bed, his body sagging into the bed with a sense of relief.