A/N: Sorry I haven't updated. I was on holiday in Lanzerote with only my IPOD Touch and couldn't update.
Draco was scared. Not in a bone chilling, horrifying scared. No this was a freaked out, unbelievable kind of scared.
Draco had been to the Dark Lord's meeting.
He knew that the Dark Lord was insane. Everyone knew he was. What with the killing, torture of his own followers and his obsession with Potter. However no one could have prepared him for the meeting last night. The Dark Lord had taken his insanity to a whole new level.
Instead of a usual meeting, the Dark Lord had declared that he wanted to see each of the inner circle individually and for some reason, myself. In fact it was Draco who he wanted to see first which immediately put him on edge. Why would be want to see them separately in the first place. He usually punishes those who have disobeyed or angered in front of others so they would not make the same mistakes as the one being punished.
Draco started to think through everything that Draco had done in the past months, trying to figure what the Dark Lord could be angry at him for.
What he did however was not what Draco was expecting.
Draco walked cautiously in to the room, and the Dark Lord raised a speculative eye brown before sighing softly and offering the free seat on the opposite side of his desk. He stared at Draco for a short while, speculating his thoughts and the way in which he would deliver the conversation.
"Draco," he started "There are a few things I would like to discuss. There are going to be numerous changes to the Dark Order and the first thing I would like to clarify is that there is to be no more torture, death, destruction, torture of any kind. Is that understood?"
Draco nodded wide eyed at the information. He would no longer have to kill or torture. He would not have any death on my conscience. This was something Draco had dreamed for but he knew there must be something wrong if the Dark Lord was the one proposing the new regulations. He was after all insane. He was the one this liked death and torture more than anything. Something was happening to the Dark Lord and if it helped Draco then who was he to interfere?
"Good," the Dark Lord continued. "I have decided to change the Dark Mark. I have currently done this to both Severus and Pettigrew. However yours will be different from theirs."
Draco brightened up at this point. A change to the ugly black stain that was on his arm was welcomed. If Sev and the rat had already had it done and Sev didn't look to be in any pain when he had last seen him, then he believed it would not hurt too much.
"Yours however will be different Draco. And not for a good reason."
Shit. What did he do? He didn't remember doing anything against the Dark. However before he could voice any concern the Dark Lord carried on.
"It will not hurt. However it will serve as a reminded for what you have done. Which of course I will tell you once I have changed your mark. If you would like to hold out your arm."
Draco did so shaking, fearing what was to come. However the Dark Lord's string of parseltongue did not hurt him in the slightest. There was a faint tingle on Draco's forearm, which seemed to shrink as the Parseltongue progressed. However Draco dared not look down in fear of what he would find.
"You can look at it now Draco" the Dark Lord stated as he withdrew his wand from Draco's arm.
Draco looked slowly down and rather than fear, he only felt humiliation. Where the Dark Mark once resided, now sat a fuchsia pink fluffy ferret which was approximately three inches in size and was apparently sentient as it was currently licking its paw. Flushed red, he looked towards the Dark Lord questionably.
"Your mark is different because of what you did to Harry. Your little stunt almost lost my communication with him, which I dearly love. If you attempt to harm him again, your mark will be a pittance to what I will do to you."
So this was about Potter. But why would Potter be writing to the Dark Lord and why would the Dark Lord even care about Potter? Hadn't he been trying to kill him since he was a baby? Why would be care now?
"I want you to be NICE to Harry in future Draco. Both publically and privately. Call him Harry, not Potter. Befriend him. And Luna Lovegood too. I want you to ensure that all the Slytherins are kept in check and that no harm comes to either of them or there will be consequences. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my lord." Drao replied, my mind whirling with reasons for the sudden changes.
"Now, I would also like your advice on something. This will remain confidential and you will tell no one of this. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my lord"
"Good, now, what would be the perfect gift for Harry?"
"Gift, my lord?"
"Yes, gift. I wish to get him many gifts and I need some ideas. It does not matter about the cost. I however do not know what would be an adequate gift to buy him."
"He likes quidditch my lord. I can find out more about him if you would like and send you a list of ideas. I know he likes muggle music, of which I can not tell you at the current time but I could compile a list of both his tastes and his sizes if you would like to buy him clothes. God forbid he needs some new ones." Draco started rambling. He had no idea what to buy Potter as a gift. If anyone would know it would be Loony.
The way the Dark Lord was talking about Potter and gifts. It would seem like the Dark Lord was an infatuated boyfriend. That would be next to impossible for the Dark Lord and Potter, wouldn't it? He knew that although Potter was never seen without Lovegood, they were not dating. In fact they seemed more like family than lovers.
Draco had noticed changes in Potter since the start of the school year. How could he not considering as it was his rival. He never hung out with the weasel and the book worm any more. The golden trio, as they were labelled, had collapsed over the summer and everyone in school had wanted to know why. Potter was very secretive also. He received and delivered many secret letters which when receiving he burnt as soon as reading. He had been deliberately cold to the headmaster and he had been going to the room of requirement too often to just get some 'alone time'.
The Dark Lord's voice dragged me out of Draco musing.
"That would be acceptable. You shall also be the one to deliver my first gift which I shall give you before you are to leave. My final thing to give you however is this invitation." The Dark Lord handed me a cream coloured envelope which had his name printed in an emerald script. "It is an invitation to Avery's SURPRISE birthday party and so I do not want you to let anyone know of it as those who will know will be keeping it a secret also. It will be on Friday evening and it is casual so you can just come in anything, as long as it is not plainly atrocious! Now, my gift for Harry is just in here" The Dark Lord stood and opened a cabinet retrieving a dozen roses of various colours and a box of what seemed to be very expensive chocolates. "These are to go directly to Harry and I will know if he has not received them," he warned.
"Yes, my lord. I will deliver them as soon as I reach the castle."
"See that you do. And Draco, make sure you remember to be nice to Harry and Luna."
Draco left.
And here he was now walking up to the castle to deliver a dozen roses in an assortment of colours, the main colour being red, and a large box of chocolates. He just hoped Potter, no Harry as he would have to call him, knew what he is doing. Maybe, he would have to talk to Sev about this.
Draco found Harry by the lake, sitting under his usual tree with Luna reading a book on ancient runes. That was strange. Harry didn't take runes. Shaking the thought out of my head, he continued towards him and stood waiting for him to notice his presence. He didn't.
"Harry," Draco started, startling Harry out of his comfortable reading.
"Draco," he replied calmly, looking at him indifferently.
"My lord asked me to bring his 'gift' to you."
Harry's face brightened with a large smile that graced his features.
"Really? What did he get me?"
Draco held out the gifts that the Dark Lord had given him and Harry's smile grew wider than he thought was possible. Harry carefully took the gifts from Draco and cradled the roses lovingly in his arms. He then looked at the gifts carefully before turning back to address Draco.
"Thank you Draco. However can you tell him from me next time you see him that ever gift must come with a card."
Draco stared at him in shock. He knew that the Dark Lord was going to give him more gifts? He knew who had sent him the gifts and hadn't even freaked out. Just ordered him to make sure he got a card next time. Next time! How did he know?
Still in shock, Draco turned and walked back to the castle, intent on finding Sev to figure out what the Fuck was going on.
If Draco Malfoy believed he was having a bad day, it was nothing compared to Lucius Malfoys day. Lucius had been the last of the inner circle to be called before the Dark Lord and from the looks on every face that had exited the room, there was something going on with the Dark Order. He had seen many appearing glassy eyed, others frightened and others bewildered. Draco had emerged with a bouquet of roses which he was going to demand answers from, Severus had emerged with a roll of parchment and almost every death eater, other than Avery had emerged with a cream envelope which they refused to give details on.
Lucius Malfoy waited until Nott left the room, carrying the same cream none script envelope and the glassy eyed look with the bewildered expression upon his face. Sighing, he stood from his chair and carefully opened the door to the Dark Lord's office before entering slowly, keeping a close eye on where his Lord sat behind his large oak desk.
"Come in Lucius, take a seat." The Dark Lord offered in a pleasant tone. That alone sparked a warning.
"Of course, my lord," Lucius started as he walked elegantly towards the chair opposite the Dark Lord, after all what other way would a Malfoy walk?
"There are a few things that I wish to discus with you. The first of which I have disclosed to ALL of my death eaters. There is to be no more killing, torture, maiming of any sort.
There will be no harm to Harry Potter at any costs and none to Miss Luna Lovegood or her father.
Is that understood?"
"Yes my lord," he replied, in shock at the revelations that his lord had just commanded.
"Now, each Death Eater has been given specific tasks however yours will be different. I would like you to find me a tailor. I want the best of the best! No matter what expense. I would like them to be brought as soon as possible.
You are also in charge of changing and updating the prison cells. They are inadequate. Prisoners will be given individual cells with proper beds, full meals, snacks when wanted, ensuit bathrooms, and various forms of entertainment. Those who are muggles will have TVs and any other muggle amenities that they ask for.
There will also be a common room for the prisoners to interact. We are not animals and neither are they. They will be treated with respect. After all if we want information then they should be treated kindly in order for us to receive it.
I want you to organise a blood bank for the Vampires. It is a muggle idea, however instead of donating to science and health, it will be used to feed Vampires so they will not have to attack people off the street. You will look in to the idea and create exactly what we need. No matter the cost. I want the best of the best for our allies.
Furthermore, Severus will be brewing Wolfsbane Potion for all Werewolves with some help and this will be allocated to any Werewolf that asks for it. It is not to be held back from any one. The Werewolf prisoners will all receive it and will be taken to a secure forest during the full moon. They did not choose to become Werewolves and should not suffer for another person's mistakes.
Now I have been updating the Dark Mark and everyone who already has it will have a new mark. Tell me Lucius, what colour would you like?"
"Lllilac my lord," Lucius uttered out in shock.
The Dark Lord, for what seemed like the hundredth time that evening, pressed his wand to my skin and uttered parseltongue to the mark. The tingles were not painful and when the Dark Lord finally drew his wand away from my left forearm, he gasped in shock and delight.
The mark was beautiful. It was an elegant but powerful basilisk that was detailed in lilac and gold. It shimmered in the light as it moved down to my wrist where it sat curled around as though acting like a bracelet.
"It's beautiful" Lucius breathed.
"Of course it is," The Dark Lord started. "Now, go retrieve the tailor."
As he made for the door the Dark Lord called out.
"Oh and Lucius, my name is Tom. Use it."
Lucius nodded and almost ran out the door, tripping on the rug as he went, which caused the Dark Lord to let out a amused chuckle.
Lucius returned half an hour later with a tailor for Tom and entered the Dark Lord's study.
"My Lord, I mean Tom; I have brought the tailor that you asked for."
"Thank you Lucius. I forgot to give you something before you left."
Tom held out his hand which contained a cream envelope within it. Lucius took the envelope off him softly and looked at him questionably.
"It is an invitation to Avery's birthday party. It is a surprise however so no one can know about it. You can not talk about it to others also as he may find out. You may stay here while the tailor does his work as I need to plan a raid once he has finished."
"Of course, Tom."
Lucius walked over to the chair he previously occupied and Tom walked up to the tailor looking both regal and eager.
"Good evening. I am sorry to bother you at this time; however I am in need of some new clothes. I need both wizarding and muggle attire, in a variation of colours. However I must have at least one set of bright pink robes. None of the robes are allowed to be plain black and they must contain at least one other colour. Not all green, preferably an array of colours."
"Of course Tom, My name is Ethan Harrow, tailor. I believe that just all black would contradict your features. May I ask about formal attire?"
"Yes, I would like both formal and casual attire. That is in both Wizarding and Muggle clothing. I would prefer all styles, of course. Also if it is possible, I would like around twelve cloaks to be made in another variation of colours that would compliment my outfits."
"Of course. If you would like to stand in an open space, I can start with the measurements."
Lucius watched as Tom was measured and carried a conversation with the tailor as though he was, well… normal.
It was after the tailor had finished however that shocked Lucius the most.
"You are all done Tom; I will have your robes ready for you within two days. I can deliver them personally, if you would like me to?"
"That would be preferable Ethan. I also have another request. I would like to send you to Hogwarts, preferably tomorrow. I would like to measure Mr Harry James Potter and to create him robes the same as mine, without the pink set. They are to be charged to my account also. Would that be viable?"
"That would be completely fine. And you say to charge them to yourself? You wouldn't be, by chance, courting young Mr Potter now would you Tom?"
"That would be a question I would rather not answer Ethan." Tom replied with a smile.
"Then I will see you in two days time and I will stop by Hogwarts tomorrow morning. He should be out of classes as it is a weekend."
"Thank you Ethan"
With that Ethan the tailor left and Lucius sat in shock.
His Lord was courting Harry Potter. That was the reasons for the changes. Granted the changes were more than preferable to Lucius. He didn't like to kill and torture. He wanted to practice Dark Healing Arts but with the current laws, he was unable to do so. That was why he had joined the Dark Order at a young age.
However Tom was changing everything for a boy who he wanted to court. He was treating his followers better. But why? Potter surely did not like any of the Dark Side in the first place. He was the Gryffindor golden boy and Dumbledore's pet. Tom had no chance in winning over the boy.
So why was he trying.
There had to be something missing and he wanted to find out.