DISCLAIMER: The wonderful JK Rowling owns these characters and the universe. I do not. I am using them for a story not associated with the canon universe.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

As Draco walked out of the castle with Theo, Blaise and a tied up Longbottom, he searched for the bushy hair. Theo was looking for blond hair while Blaise was finding the fiery red. Those were side searches as they continued forward towards Voldemort. Draco's attention was soon sidetracked by the girl he was looking for. Running towards a side hall was Hermione Granger.

"I have to go for her. Wish me luck," Draco said.

Neville laughed. "Damn right you're gonna need luck. It would be amazing for Hermione to believe you without evidence."

"We'll wait by the main entrance for you," Blaise told him.

"Just tie her up and gag her if she is being stubborn," Theo suggested. The three boys gave him a strange look. He shrugged. "I know we are trying to go for the friendly route but face it Draco, we know the plan, and a willing Granger was never foreseen."

Draco took off after Hermione. You just had to play hero, he thought to himself. You just had to decide to not be a coward for once. After several turns, Draco caught up with Hermione at a dead end.

"Granger!"

Hermione whipped around, her wand up. "I come in peace, Granger. Hear me out before you hex me."

"What do you want Malfoy?" She barked. "Come to rub in the win?"

"Believe me or not Granger but I come to help you." Hermione stared at him before bursting out with laughter. "Granger, I am serious. You take one step out there with the wrong people and you are done for. I'd have to bind you but I can make sure you are safe."

She studied him before shouting, "Stup—"

"Expelliarmus!" Her wand flew into his hand. He sighed and met her gaze. "I'm really sorry that I have to do this Hermione. Incarcerous."

Ropes wrapped around Hermione's body. "Malfoy! What is the meaning of this? This won't help me. Let me go!"

Draco shook his head. "I can't do that Granger. I told you I am sorry and I repeat it again for my next action. Silencio." Hermione was now quiet but her mouth was still rapidly moving. Draco sighed as he grabbed onto Hermione. "Granger, you'll understand in time. I made a promise to keep you safe, Granger, and I am going to do just that. You just have to trust me. I know that is hard for you because I am me but you must."

Blaise, Theo and Neville were still standing at the door when Draco arrived with Hermione in tow. Hermione tried to lurch towards Neville but Draco restrained her. "Don't fight it Hermione. You have to go along with it. Be your resilient self but know these three are trustworthy," Neville explained.

"Theo and I came up with a plan while you were busy. We just hope things go our way first," Blaise said. Draco nodded not wanting Hermione to know anymore.

"Let's go before it is too late," Draco said. He grabbed Hermione and dragged her outside. Theo grabbed Neville and Blaise walked behind them. Each walked with confidence whereas their prisoners showed fear.

Voldemort was in the middle of a victory speech when he noticed the three boys. His attention was on them. "What do we have here? Young Malfoy explain yourself."

Draco deeply inhaled as they continued towards him. Hermione was still struggling in his arms. "My friends and I have come to wish you congratulations on your stunning victory, my Lord. We have also brought two opposing members: Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom."

Theo shoved Neville forward. The Dark Lord grinned. "How wonderful. Well done boys. There is certainly hope still left for you. Young Malfoy, what are the names of your friends?"

"I am Theodore Nott, Jr."

"Blaise Zabini at your service."

Voldemort turned to Draco. "You just might redeem your family after all."

Draco smiled. "I have ideas about that my Lord. If you would hear my friends and I out, we have some ideas to help run your new world." Theo and Blaise nodded along.

Voldemort thought about this offer. "Take the prisoners to your dungeons. We will discuss your plans over dinner. Have the elves prepare a victorious meal for us. We will eat when I arrive. I must assess the casualties first."

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

Draco removed the silencing spell off Hermione when they were in the dungeons. Before she could scream, Neville hugged her. "Thank god you're okay Hermione."

Hermione hugged back but kept her eyes on the three Slytherins. "Neville, why do you trust them? They serve Him."

"I'm going to go talk to the elves. I'll be back," Blaise said and exited. Theo and Draco glared at their leaving friend. He left them to explain.

"I don't know much. They thought it best for I to know little but trust them. The three are under an Unbreakable Vow. Listen to Theo, Hermione. He can explain." Neville explained.

Hermione met the chocolate eyes of the tall boy. She still had a small amount of trust in him. Draco watched the silent exchanged confused. Theo sighed. "I'll only tell you a base of the plans because the rest isn't set in stone. Blaise, Draco and I are trying to get on His good side. This dinner is going to allow us to bring plans up and hope he accepts them. Neville is going to use his blood status to his advantage. You are going to be thrown into a situation that sounds horrible to you but will get you to a safe place. You won't be alone. We promised to win."

Hermione took the information in. "That's all you can tell me? You can't tell me the situation for me?"

"Hermione," Theo sighed, "This isn't set in stone. The plan could go awry. We can't tell you our plan till certain things go our way."

"And now is the time to find that out, gentlemen." They turned to see Blaise Zabini walking down the stairs. "Dinner is ready and our esteemed guest has arrived."

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

The Dark Lord was seated at the head of the table when the boys entered the dining room. "Are the prisoners comfortable?" He questioned.

"They are in the dungeons just like you asked, sir," Blaise said.

He nodded. Plates of food appeared in front of each person. "So boys, what ideas did you think would be beneficial that must be brought to my attention?"

Theo and Blaise glanced at Draco. This was Draco's area. "Well my Lord, we are the next generation. Theodore, Blaise, myself, and many others our age are the future. The majority of those who fought under your command are getting up there. In the ministry the positions are filled with adults who still enforce the beliefs of their generation, not that we don't agree with some of those beliefs, but a few are outdated or maybe new ideas should be tested. I know some people who would be interested in these positions."

"Fascinating idea young Malfoy but is that all you have to offer?"

Draco shook his head. "Theodore came up with an idea. He will explain."

Theo was going to hex his friend at a later date. The Dark Lord's eyes traveled to him. "This idea has to do with everyone. Its main focus will be for the traitors of the war but it would be a little unfair to exclude others. Call it a parole system if you will. Blaise and myself could visit families of the Sacred Twenty-Eight and other traitor families weekly to make sure they are in line and falling the laws the system comes up with."

"Why do these people not deserve Azkaban or death?"

"The population of the wizard world here in the UK has now dwindled from the tragedies. Putting those people to death or in prison would deplete the numbers greatly. That's not what you want, my Lord," Theo explained.

Voldemort focused all of his attention on Theo. "Tell me Nott Jr., what do I want then?"

"You want power. You want control. You want immortality. Our generation can guarantee you that. We can be loyal without the mark. Your dear followers of now will eventually grow too old to function. My father is a dear follower of yours and he is very up there in his age. He can not do anything to secure your position."

"Your system sounds intriguing and promising. You are a part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight and I do not doubt your loyalty but you said there would be no exclusions. How would your family be checked?"

Theo pushed his plate to the side. "Zabini would keep my family in check and I him. We would each take half of the Sacred Twenty-Eight and then divvy up whatever other families we need to."

Voldemort turned to Blaise. "Your family is not of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. You are a half-blood, correct Mr. Zabini?"

Blaise nodded. "Yes my lord, I am a half-blood. According to my mother, my father was the son of the Italian Minister of Magic in the late 70s. He cannot be found no matter how hard anyone looks. Zabini is his last name. My mother is Elara Selwyn."

"How did your mother stoop low enough to have relations with a half-blood?"

Blaise snorted but then an apologetic look quickly crossed his face. "Mother doesn't care so much about blood as she does money and social stature. My father happened to never be one of her unfortunate marital deaths but that didn't stop him and his family from completely disappearing."

Voldemort nodded. "What of your two prisoners?"

Draco took the lead on this. "Longbottom, if he agreed, would be filtered back into society under the new regime and since a traitor and part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight would take part in the parole. If he doesn't comply at first, threaten his grandmother and shell parents. He'll agree then. I have a request for Granger."

The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed. "And what might that request be young Malfoy? That mudblood deserves death."

"I want her under my custody."

He laughed. "What could you possibly need with her? Unless...you don't find yourself taken by the mudblood, do you young Malfoy?" The seriousness and disgust dripped with every word.

Draco gulped. "No my Lord but a boy does have needs and I will need house help. A house elf can't do everything."

The Dark Lord nodded. "I accept your request. She is yours and only yours. No need to share your newly acquired toy. Try not impregnate that mudblood either. I like your ideas, boys. You are the next generation, and your ways of thinking is what this new regime needs. I expect you to contact those you had in mind for positions of laws. I want the bases of the parole drawn up. I want this secured. Nott Jr., I want you to talk to Longbottom tonight and have an answer to me by the morning when I arrive with a list of families not in the Sacred Twenty-Eight I want watched. Divide that up between you and Zabini. Besides the one thing for the morning, I ask for you to have theses tasks completed upon our meeting here next Saturday same time as this one. Do you boys have any other requests? I'm feeling generous after your brilliant work."

"A house," Draco spoke up. Blaise and Theo glanced at him. They didn't discuss this. "A large estate for us. The three of us will be working close but we are also getting older. We will soon marry and produce families but we are also close personally and in business. Each gets their own wing that is practically a house but then a central area for us all. A grand estate."

"That sounds reasonable enough. I shall comply to your request and find a suitable area for your estate. It will be ready for Saturday. Be ready then," The Dark Lord stood. Draco, Theo, and Blaise followed suit and bowed. He apparated away.

The boys scurried to the dungeons when they were sure Voldemort wasn't returning. Hermione and Neville were curled close together. "Did it work?" Neville ask. "If it worked you know I'll comply but say I wouldn't at first for good measures."

"It worked," Theo whispered. Neville sighed in relief. Blaise and Draco let out breaths they didn't realize they were holding. Hermione looked between them confused.

"What worked? What is going to happen to us?" She demanded

"Granger, you remember how we said we'd give you answers if this worked and that you would be placed in a position that you wouldn't favor so much?" Hermione nodded. "Well," Draco continued, "It's time for minimal answers. You are not going to die. Thank me later. You are, however, given the title of my slave. Before you freakout and start going bat shit crazy on me, know that I am going to keep you safe. In front of others I may have to call you mudblood and do other actions but it will keep you safe. If it helps, we won't be here starting in a week. Just one week in the dungeons. Maybe we can see how long we can keep Longbottom here but no promises. I can try and give you your wand back too. Just don't hex me when I do. It'll all work out."

Hermione was going to punch him till he brought up her wand. He saw the flash of anger and then confusion in her eyes. "I promise I will do my best to keep you safe. I know this doesn't sound right coming from me but it's true. Not all of us want a madman running everything."

She met his silver eyes, which seemed to be the only light in the dark cell except for the bit from the other side of the door. "What are you going to do about that?"

She could see the outline of his smirk. "Leave that to us. You will know soon, when you are safe. Trust us. Trust me, Granger."

"Do you even have a plan?" She asked in all seriousness.

"Of course," he replied.

It was a complete lie. They were flying by the seats of their pants till the foundation was set. Then, hopefully, they could build a plan. Hope was all they had at that moment. They didn't know what events would take place—the crazy events that would take place and extend the length and time of their plan. All they had was a hope that couldn't afford to be destroyed.