Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Other citations will be made where necessary.
A/N: Okay, so here's a new chapter for anyone who's reading this story. There are also no events on this one, they will start in the next chapter, which I'm working on right now, but this one is an informative chapter. Hope you enjoy, and please review! I want to know your opinions on my writing, since it's my first fanfic ever!:))
Chapter 2
Draco Malfoy would do anything at that moment to take that bloody smirk off that mudblood's face. How dare she? Sitting there with her two guard-dogs, probably having blast thinking about how she fixed his face a few hours ago. She didn't do much damage though, but the Weasel did, punching him in the same place again.
Draco was furious, but he could do nothing about it. Not now, at least. He was assigned to a mission, which if he valued his life, he had no right to fail. Of course, he knew it was going to be hard and understood all the difficulties of that assignment, but giving it up would mean giving up his life.
Draco remembered his conversation with Lucius a few weeks ago very well. He let his mind travel back to that dreadful day…
Draco was sleeping when the squeaky voice of his house-elf, Mimi, woke him up, telling him that his father was expecting him in his office immediately. When Draco entered Lucius's office, he was sitting at his desk, but once he saw his son he stood up and begun pacing the room.
"Draco, sit down," he ordered, as Draco did what he was told. The strange thing about his father's pacing was that it didn't seem to be caused by anger or fury, the way it normally would, but by… nervousness? Lucius was never nervous, but Draco knew of the one person that could make him.
"Draco," begun Lucius, "You, as the whole wizarding world in fact, know of course of the Dark Lord's aim and plans for the near future. He has been trying to accomplish them for the past five years, always unsuccessfully though…"
"Potter." he answered simply. Of course he knew, it was no big secret. Lucius nodded and continued. "The Dark Lord had had enough, and has no intention in failing once more. However, in order to finish what he started sixteen years ago, he needs help. In fact, a very specific person's help. This time, Draco, that person is you."
Draco froze. His eyes were wide open and he suddenly felt his whole body go numb, as he proceeded what his father told him. No… it couldn't be true. He hasn't made it even inside the circle yet, and he already wanted him to do things for him? Things that had to do with Potter? But… that must mean… No! No, he wasn't ready yet! Sure, he knew what was coming, but it wasn't supposed to happen until next summer! He still had time until then to adjust himself to the new life he would have. Finally, Draco seemed to regain his ability to speak. He tried to sound calm, as he spoke:
"Father, I thought my initiation ceremony was meant to happen only in a year," he said.
"I'm afraid the Dark Lord cannot wait that long. The situation requires urgency, which means you'll have to join the circle as soon as possible."
"Father, I…" he tried to argue, but Lucius ignored him.
"The initiation ceremony will take place in a week. I expect you to be ready by then."
"But – "
"I EXPECT YOU TO BE READY, DRACO!" Lucius yelled. "On the ceremony, the Dark Lord will confirm you as to what you are required to do. That is all. Now leave!"
Draco stormed out of his father's office to his room. He was furious. How could this be happening? That bastard was supposed to wait! He couldn't initiate him now, all of a sudden!
"URGGHHH!" Draco roared in anger as he was grabbing random objects and was throwing them against the walls and the floor. But why was he so furious? After all, he knew it was going to happen. This is what he was meant to become from the day he was borne. This is what he wanted…
'Is it?' a small voice in the back of his head whispered. He almost let himself ponder that question, but stopped himself.
"Of course it is!" he said loudly as he sat on the side of his bed. "What over choice do I have?" he said, more quietly this time. What was wrong with him? All these years he had felt so ready and well prepared to what was coming, so why now when he's a week away from that, he's so fucking scared? 'Because it never felt so real until now', the voice in his head spoke quietly again.
"Doesn't matter now… Dammit, Draco, get a grip for God's sake!" he snapped at himself. Great. Now he was talking to himself. Finally, he decided instead of staying locked in his room and going nuts, he'd better go and calm down his nerves by flying on his broom, something that always helped him get his mind off things. And indeed, after he came back to his room completely exhausted, and took a nice, long shower he drifted to a sleep.
A week later, right after the ceremony was over, Draco found out what is it that he had to do for the Dark Lord. Apparently, he wanted him to spy on Potter, and inquire into his plans.
"I want you to find out all you can about him: his weaknesses, his special abilities or knowledge of something particular, if he has any and most importantly, his plans which I'm sure he has. He'd be a fool not to. You understand what I need, don't you, Draco?"
Draco understood, but what he didn't understand was… how the hell was he supposed to do that? Without – being caught? Those little prats would know if he was up to something… As if reading his thoughts, which was probably what he actually did (Draco was well aware of the Dark Lord's legilimency abilities), Voldemort spoke again:
"You must be wondering how will you be ale to accomplish that assignment without causing any suspicions."
Draco only continued staring at the floor, as Voldemort continued.
"Well, Draco, think. You are a quite attractive young, pureblood wizard. I believe you don't experience any trouble getting a girl, do you?" smirked Voldemort. Draco was slightly taken aback by this question, but after a pause, realized the Dark Lord must have been waiting for a response.
"Um, no, my Lord, I don't…" he finally stammered.
"Thought so. And if you can charm so many young, pureblood witches, then I suppose one little mudblood won't be much of a challenge either, would it?" At that, Draco looked up, and regretted it after he met Voldemort's blood-red eyes. He knew what the Dark Lord was asking him to do. Of course! He couldn't become best friends with Potter all of a sudden. That not only was impossible, but also most certainly would cause suspicion. Granger on the other hand… Who said he couldn't have a crash on her, regret the past they shared and try to fix it by dating her? And while they're dating (as much as just the thought of that was a torture), he will make her fall in love with him, and trust him enough to share all the secrets Potter has, all of which he obviously shared with Hermione.
"Very well, Draco. I knew I wouldn't have to do much explaining." Said Voldemort in a satisfied voice, probably after reading his thoughts again. Yet, Draco couldn't seem to ignore that it what somewhat a rather too complicated plan for the Dark Lord to come up with, and frankly it was based too much on trusting Draco and his seduction abilities. He decided to ask carefully, "Um, my Lord, I don't mean to question your plan, but I just thought that, maybe it would be more easy and affective if I could make a Porkey and deliver Potter himself to you?"
"Well, Draco, I must say it sounds like you do question my plan," hissed Voldemort. "You are not sure whether I think over my plans carefully enough, or whether I foresee all the difficulties that might accure during them?"
"No, of course not, my Lord, I – "
"Silence!" snapped Voldemort. "I've foreseen every detail in my plan, Malfoy, including your stubbornness and lack of obedience to the Dark Lord! I believe there is no need in explaining to you what will happen as a result of your disobedience, Malfoy?" he eyed Draco who was now too horrified to even breathe wrong. "As to what you said, you should know that this plan failed two years ago, and I cannot allow myself to repeat the same mistake twice, especially not to make your life easier, Malfoy." Draco shivered. "So now, as I ran out of options so far, after so many failed attempts at getting Potter, I must play a fucking match maker, hoping you, Draco, won't screw this up." As a respond to what he said, a few Death Eaters let out small chuckles. "Now, you may leave, and I expect you will not disappoint me."
Draco didn't need to be told twice as he took the cue and he apperated back to the Malfoy Manor.
Finally, Draco got distracted from his thoughts by Blaise, who started talking to him about Quidditch, and Draco went along with that conversation, only not to think of the long year he had ahead of him.
