A/N: tink: haha I am going on a spree. Im stuck in a foreign city for four more hours so I have tons of time to kill :) I am also going to do the first few chapters of my voldemortXharry fic (: Im on a roll lol
Draco sat rigidly in the comfortable black velvet chair in front of his Lord's desk. Every ounce of skill was employed not to show his utter awe at being invited into his Lord's office, it was surreal and overwhelming and Draco couldn't help but feel incredibly proud of himself. "Drink, Draco?" His mouth was as dry as the desert as he nodded, "Wine please, my lord."
With a silent pop a house elf was standing before him with a silver tray that held a goblet of red wine. "Thank you, my lord." The Dark Lord waved it off nonchalantly as the house elf popped out. The wine was citrusy, reminding Draco of a grapefruit, but was pleasant as it rolled down his throat. "Tell me Draco, what else have you been working on." Draco took another sip of the flavorful wine before setting on the small table to his right. "Ever since your return, my lord, I have been using the Room of Requirement in Hogwarts to train. It has provided me with top of the line dueling equipment and rare books that have expanded my repertoire impressively. I knew the day would come when I would finally be able to serve you and I wanted to be a wizard of much worth to you."
Draco hid his light flush behind the goblet of wine when the Dark Lord raised an eyebrow at him. "Tell me, Draco, what is this plan you have put together for your task this year? I am intrigued by your confidence level." Another large sip of the wine calmed his nerves and warmed him, "My lord, I came across a book in Borgin & Burkes that had the perfect solution...er rather poison. It is called Morticaine-"
"That is why you went to Chile, for the Turquonias Seluriam." Draco nodded, not the least bit surprised the Dark Lord knew of the rare poison. "Yes my lord, it is brewing down in the brewery now."
"And how far along are you?" This was unreal; he was sitting in the Dark Lord's office, talking to the Dark Lord, and not being treated like an incompetent child! It was slightly bizarre but it was what he had strived for! It was why he had pushed himself so hard. "Just reached the half-way point my lord."
"I am impressed; it is highly unstable until the final stages before completion. You have been working hard." The only way to describe this was surreal; he was pleasing the Dark Lord! Draco cleared his throat and set the goblet back down, "Severus has taught me well my lord." The Dark Lord hummed and his eyes flickered to the fire. "This year will be vital for our cause Draco, you must be prepared for anything lest you fail something and our plans get ruined. You will keep a close eye on Potter, I need unbiased information and Severus is not capable of looking past old grudges." Potter? Draco grit his teeth silently, never letting his calm expression break. He would of course do whatever the Dark Lord needed but the idea of having to watch Potter like a hawk was not what he was expecting. "You will write me at least once a month, with any information you have acquired. When is your inheritance due?"
"November fifth, my lord." Draco watched the Dark Lord for what he didn't know, but it set him on edge because he knew where the Dark Lord was going. "And what do you plan to do if you find your mate is one of Dumbledore's followers?" Draco's posture stiffened involuntarily, if his mate was a Dumbledore follower all his work would be for naught. If he couldn't get them to switch sides...no he couldn't even contemplate that possibility, fate could not be that cruel.
"If my mate is indeed at Hogwarts and blinded by the fool I will do everything in my power to sway him to our side. I have worked tirelessly to please you my lord, whether my mate supports you or not will not affect my loyalty. I believe whole heartedly in our cause and I will do all I can to help, nothing can change my views." He hoped. The mating pull could be ridiculously strong from what he heard.
"I look forward to seeing who your mate will be, Draco. We will speak again before you leave for Hogwarts but for now I have somewhere to be." Draco stood and bowed, "Of course my lord." Draco turned to leave the luxurious office but was stopped as he opened the door.
"Draco?" Draco turned to face the Dark Lord, "Yes my lord?"
"If your mate happens to be a Weasley..." A nervous grin cracked through Draco's expressionless mask and he nodded to his lord.
"Of course my lord, if that happens make sure my father produces another heir to continue the Malfoy name." The Dark Lord's gravelly chuckle sounded and Draco made his way into the hall and shut the door behind him. As he made his way down the hall a large, smug smirk was on his lips. Today could not have gone any better.
xXx
"I'm so proud of you Drakey, continue to do well and you will be an Elite before you graduate! Be safe and torment the filth that pollutes that school." Draco was engulfed in a bear hug from his aunt and he relished in her arms, it wasn't often she hugged him. "I'll miss you aunt Bella, be sure to write." She let him go and kissed his cheek before he turned to his mother.
"I'm proud of you Draco, please be safe. Write often and make sure you inform us if you find your mate. I love you son." She too wrapped him in a warm hug and Draco squeezed her hard, "Don't worry mother, everything will be fine. I love you too." Eventually she let him go but there was still worry in her eyes, "Don't worry mother, I'll be home for Yule." Then he turned to his father, "Father."
"Draco, I expect you're best this year, especially after your performance at the duels. Potter's mudblood best you in Arithmancy; do not let it happen again. Be safe my son and we will see you at Yule." Draco nodded and took the satin ribbon portkey from his father and held it out so his mother could grab hold. Once she placed a finger on the ribbon Lucius waved his wand and it turned blue before Draco felt the familiar pull at his navel. He was spinning through the air before he landed gracefully on his feet next to his mother in the middle of Platform 9 3/4.
"Draco darling, be safe. I will see you soon." Draco nodded and kissed her cheek lightly, "Goodbye mother." Draco headed off to the luggage spot to drop off his trunk which was shrunk in his pocket.
"Draco," Draco turned around after his trunk was secured and saw Crabbe and Goyle making their way over. "Good evening boys, shall we find Blaise and Pansy?" As expected both boys grunted in affirmation and fell into step behind him. They boarded the train and made their way past a group of first years and passed by Hufflepuff compartments.
"Eh, Draco, are we gunna mess with Potter?" Crabbe asked hopefully and Draco bounced the idea back and forth, "Yes, I think we'll make a quick appearance." Both boys behind Draco high fived and grinned. It was another ten minutes before they found the three sitting in a compartment. Draco opened the door, sneering at the Gryffindor's.
"Oi! What do you want Malfoy?" Draco's sneer grew as he regarded the blood traitor.
"What happened to your robes Weasley? They look like you just got done shoveling dragon dung. Have you got yourself a summer job so you could continue to stuff your face like swine?" His sneer morphed into a cruel smirk as Weasel went red as his hair. Draco's eyes went to Potter who hadn't even looked up from his book since he entered the compartment.
"Piss off Malfoy." Draco's eyes never left Potter, "Language Weasel, are you as dumb as you sound or is it just your lack of proper upbringing because your blood traitor mother couldn't keep her legs closed and had more children than she could manage?" Still Potter didn't even glance at him, but the cover of his book was shimmering like mirage. Why would Potter glamour his book? Draco didn't have time to contemplate it as Weasley launched himself across the compartment towards him. Draco easily dodged Weasley who went head first into the wall.
"Get out Malfoy, we don't want you here." Draco's head snapped to the bushy haired filth who sat across from Potter glaring at him. "No one told you, you could speak mudblood, learn your place." Still Potter didn't acknowledge anything going on, he just sat there and stared at the same page. What was going on with him? Where was Potter, king of the pride? Where was the hot head that would get up in his face while his emerald eyes flashed in anger?
"Malfoy I'll-" Draco cut the Weasley off, "Well as...entertaining as this has been I'm afraid I have to go. I don't want your filth to permeate my robes." And with that, they were gone, and even with the compartment door closed he could hear the two yelling.
xXx
"What do you mean Draco?" Pansy's eyes were wide in disbelief. "I'm just saying charms homework is the last thing on my mind this year. I have more important...tasks that I have to complete." Blaise was chuckling at Pansy's gob smacked expression as Draco fingered the small pendant that hung around his neck. The small vial in the little dragons hand was magically enlarged inside and held the Morticaine he had brewed over the summer.
"Why don't we leave the girls to gossip, would you care for a game of chess?" He nodded and stood, leaving Daphne, the twins, and Crabbe and Goyle behind to sit on the other side by the opposite window. "October 28th and November 5th, are you ready?" Draco sat down and waved his wand over the board and set the pieces right. "I am more than ready Blaise; I have waited six years for this. How about you? Your demon inheritance will be far more painful than my Veela."
"Yes but I won't turn into a crazy bird when I'm pissed." Draco snorted and moved his pawn. "No you just grow horns and have disturbing eyes when you have sex, fight, or get upset." Blaise moved his knight before replying, "Touché."
It was silent for about half an hour before Blaise caved, "So how did it go?" Draco raised one eyebrow, smirking at Blaise's frustrated expression. "Well, he no longer sees me as just revenge, that's for sure." Blaise nodded, moving his rook forward, and dropped the subject. As he knew that was about as much as Draco was able to say. "Have you seen Potter yet?" Draco hadn't thought much on Potter, he'd gotten distracted by his house mates and Pansy's relentless curiosity. What was going on with him? Potter was usually the first to jump down his throat, well maybe after Weasley. Draco had literally offended Weasel, the blood traitor matriarch, and his mudblood; yet he still didn't so much as glance at Draco. And now that he thought about it when he saw the three in the square Potter hadn't glared, he just kind of stared. And what in Merlin's name could Potter be reading that required being charmed to look like a school text? Didn't the mudblood and Weasel notice what was going on? Perhaps all was not well within the Golden Trio?
For some reason the lack of response from Potter didn't sit well with Draco. Potter was his constant, no matter how crazy his life got or how much things changed; Potter was always there to toss insults back and forth. Seeing him so...unresponsive was unnerving. He would no doubt have to inform the Dark Lord of this, but should he wait until he had reasons why or just send what he observed? "Draco?" Blaise's voice snapped Draco out of his thoughts.
"Sorry Blaise, I was a million miles away. Yes I saw Potter, he was...different." Blaize nodded in agreement, "Yes, he seemed...Inferi like. Just there, no will of his own. Did you see his book?"
"Yes, he didn't even glance at me while I insulted Weasley and the mudblood. And why would he need to glamour his book? Doesn't he know that anyone with a brain will be able to detect that shitty glamour?" If Draco could tell at first glance did Potter really think that it would fool the teachers? "Tell me you subtly dissolved the glamour and got a peek at what it really was."
Draco scoffed at Blaise who looked disappointed. "I would have, had Weasley not attacked me like some filthy muggle barbarian. Like father like son I assume."
"The only thing that I can possibly think of is that it was a dark arts book, but that's ridiculous because Potter despises anything dark. The day he reads a dark arts book is the day I pledge loyalty to Dumblefuck." Blaise looked sickened by the mere idea of siding with the prejudice old man and Draco smirked humorously. The day the Black Widow's son allied with Dumbledore was the day Draco married a muggle...never. Not even over their dead bodies.
"Yes well we'll have to keep our eyes open. Let me know if you see anything else odd." With Blaise on the lookout Draco wouldn't have to watch Potter so closely meaning more time to formulate a plan to slip Dumbledore the poison around his neck.
"Will do."
Lapsing into silence again they took turns commanding pieces silently. Blaise ended up winning the game, Draco's mind was just too preoccupied with Potter. It was unsettling, as much as he disliked Potter for his rejection first year and his stupid light side ideals, he didn't hate him. Draco could see why Potter had shied away when he offered his hand first year, he had been completely tactless and was arrogant; he went about it the wrong way.
The only reason he was so rude to Potter now was because he was such a threat to his lord, before fifth year it had just been petty school rivalry, Slytherin Prince versus Gryffindor Golden Boy. No doubt Potter hated him, well at least that was what Draco assumed...but now Potter just looked defeated. What had happened? He didn't know but he was going to find out, Potter just wasn't meant to look like that.
Pansy sat on his left while Blaise sat on his right and Crabbe and Goyle were directly across from Draco. Dumbledore's speech had created a fearful atmosphere amongst the other three houses, talking about impending war and possible students who were headed down the wrong path. If only they knew what Draco had planned for this year, it made him want to laugh at their stupidity but he kept his emotionless mask on.
Pansy looked amused at the Gryffindor's reactions; they had all looked solemn and slightly terrified. While Blaise talked to Flora, Draco turned his attention to watching Potter from across the Great Hall. He wasn't eating, just picking at his food while staring at it like he wished he could eat it. What was holding him back? From the look of his gaunt face he could use several decent meals and maybe some nutrient potions. Was he starving himself? Surely his two sidekicks would notice something. But as Draco continued to watch both of Potter's friends barely glanced his way and when they did they were glaring. He had never felt so confused. It was like the answer should be obvious, but he was missing pieces of the puzzle...crucial pieces.
Dinner ended much too quick in Draco's opinion, he still had no ideas on the enigma that was Harry Potter. But he led the way down to the common room, his group following behind him. The fifth year prefects were taking care of the first years, as Draco had no intention of showing them around. All he wanted to do was draw a warm bath and be left alone with his thoughts before bed. When they entered the common room Flora was still chatting happily with Blaise as she led him over by the fire, so Draco didn't even bother with a good night as he headed towards his dorm.
As he drew his bath he debated about writing home tonight. Surely the Dark Lord would want to know these current developments, but would he prefer Draco to wait until he had a little bit more to go off of than just this. For all Draco knew it could just be some petty argument between the three and mean nothing significant. As he relaxed in the steaming water mixed with vanilla oils he decided not to report anything yet, not until he knew what exactly was happening. There was no need to waste the Dark Lord's time with petty teenage fights that would undoubtedly be resolved within the next few days.
Draco sighed wearily as he relaxed his head back. He needed to put Potter out of his mind for now and concentrate on how to poison Dumbledore. The headmaster's office was heavily warded, everyone knew that. Draco had no chance at setting foot in the place without Dumbledore's notice. Even if he did somehow break down the heavy wards the portraits would rat him out in a heartbeat. Not to mention Dumbledore would notice the wards being ripped down. No, sneaking in would be impossible. So he somehow needed to poison the bowl of lemon drops without stepping foot in the office. Damn impossibilities...Draco wouldn't give up though. No, he loved a challenge.
Draco tuned out McGonagall's speech on starting human transfigurations. They would be studying how to change ear, noses, etc.; then briefly covering Animagus transformations. Draco already knew his form, he had brewed the potion last year but had gotten side tracked and never started the transformation process. He would have to remember to use the room for that this year. McGonagall turned her back to the class to wave her wand over the chalk board and Draco took advantage, pulling out his wand and pointing it at Weasley. 'Adesse,' the silent spell hit the grotesque red head just as McGonagall turned back to the class, causing him to raise his hand. McGonagall looked shocked that Weasley would willingly participate in class, but the red head just looked confused. "Yes, Mr. Weasley."
"Uh, I- uh," His face was red as he stuttered; causing most of the Slytherin's to laugh.
"Mr. Weasley, if you have no questions or anything knowledgeable to add please refrain from interrupting my class." Draco let a pleased smirk play on his lips as the red head turned to glare daggers at Draco. He simply raised an eye brow in question before the mudblood scolded Weasley for not paying attention. Boredom set in once again as time passed, Transfiguration was a double block today and Pansy always copied her notes for him in this class in return for help in Arithmancy so he had no need to pay attention. He looked around for something else to occupy his time. Longbottom was flushed as he struggled to scribble fast enough and Brown was making eyes across the room to Thomas, no surprise there she was known as Gryffindor's slag. Draco's eyes landed on Potter who was staring absent mindedly out the window, not paying attention to whatever McGonagall was on about.
Grabbing a piece of parchment, Draco smirked; it had been a while since he had drawn Potter a picture. Maybe this would get a rise out of him. He drew a crude drawing of Potter standing beside his sidekicks with an outrageously large lightning bolt on his forehead. Picture Draco stood opposite of him with Crabbe and Goyle flanking him, his wand was pointed at Granger. A little blurb appeared with the word 'Crucio' and then the spell went flying, hitting Granger square in the chest. She fell to the ground twitching violently while Weasley went mad and pulled out his own hair. Below the picture Draco wrote in his most flourished handwriting, 'My prediction of the near future.' Carefully, so as not to damage his artwork, Draco folded it into an origami bird and waited for McGonagall to turn around before sending it flying to Potter.
The origami bird landed on the desk in front of him, making Potter jump. He watched anxiously as Potter looked around before finally catching Draco's eye. The later smirked and raised a brow, as if challenging Potter to say something. He didn't, instead he turned back and started to open the bird. Draco watched as he stared at it for a minute before his shoulders started to shake. Had he made Potter cry? Draco wanted to scoff at the idea, but the way Potter's shoulder's shook it looked like it. Confusion gave way to brief relief when he saw Potter look back with horribly masked humor in his eyes. He really was bad at hiding his emotions. But his relief was short lived and faded into disbelief, Potter was laughing at the mudblood getting Crucio'd? Had he stepped into some weird alternate reality where the Dark Lord promoted peace with muggles and Potter laughed at pictures of his mudblood being tortured? Draco spent the rest of class in shocked confusion and barely noticed when the bell rang signaling the end of class.