The dark lord sat, listening absently to his followers constant blabbering, all intent on being heard by him –seemingly not minding the fact that he looked bored out of his mind. But then again, they were but simple sheeps –listening to what he said and following it to the letter, or the good ones did –mudbloods did not. In fact, he simply couldn't see the use for them other than simple entertainment and servitude in the simple matters, such as cleaning and dusting. They'd be like house-elves, the thought brought a small smirk to his lips.

He was quite satisfied with the way his plans were going however, despite the minor bump in the road that was in the form of the young Malfoy the experiment was successful. However, he had started to doubt the alliance of the once so young Severus, as he had acted quite odd ever since his return –even more after the youngest Malfoy visited.

Perhaps he had gotten sentimental, he would have to make sure that his potion master realized the mistake of that –perhaps he'd do it more kindly this time. He'd gotten his old 'look' back for a reason after all, they were getting short on allies and this form and pleasant voice had already assured dozens of new alliances with young and unexperienced houses.

"-and that annoying potter boy is making the hugest ruckus, probably needs more attention." Bellatrix continued snidely, a slight sneer at her lips –her distaste for the boy obvious. She had been quite sore over the fiasco that was the fifth year of the Potter boy, even the death of her cousin had done nothing to appease her. It was a pity, he did enjoy the company of Bella much more when she was happy.

Alternatively, a screaming mess on the floor but only when he was in a mood.

"The boy is mine to kill Bellatrix, I do hope you know that." He stated coldly, eyes staring at her blankly (the only part of himself that had stayed the same after the transformation, still red as blood) though with a silent threat in them.

Once she had stuttered out an apology and cowered for what was the appropriate time he waved her off, fixing his eyes on the next one to be heard. The Malfoy's, or actually –Malfoy as he now was, he'd heard that the divorce papers had arrived not too long ago.

"And you Lucius, what news do you have to bring?" The Malfoy in question paled and shook at the sight of his lord, haven been properly punished for his family's failure. "My lord, I'm afraid I have no idea what you speak off…."

"None? I see that you have yet to learn Lucius, how are you to expect forgiveness when you do nothing to deserve it?" He questioned lazily, watching his terror with a casual eye.

"O-of course, I apologize. I shall do my best." Voldemort found it amusing how Lucius had no clue of what he would lay upon him, he was unsure if he would succeed –if he did, it would be wonderful. If he failed, it would be disappointing, but expected.

"I have a task for you, something which will earn my forgiveness." Voldemort paused long enough for the Malfoy to perk up, hope marring his drawn but elegant features. "You must kidnap the potter brat, I expect you to do this alone with no help from fellow death eaters. No one shall know of it, do this and I will forgive you." The hope disappeared as quickly as it had appeared to the dark lord's pleasure, a shiver running down his spine.

The seeds had been planted, now he'd just wait for them to grow –occasionally watering them of course, to assure they grew correctly.


Lucius had seethed in rage when he realized that his son had gone against their lord, and once he found out that not only he but Narcissa had escaped instead of facing their punishment like true Malfoys he had been struck dumb. He almost didn't see the hours full of torture coming, almost.

Still, he was a true Malfoy. He admitted his failure for his lord, grovelled at the feet for a chance at forgiveness –however little it may be.

Then he'd spent a week being tortured. It was all his bloody's heir fault, if he'd only listened and obeyed him and Narcissa would be making love as a celebration of their newest accomplishment and the joy of serving under the dark lord.

Which was a lot different then having to have one of the most challenging (it was just a boy, how hard could it be?) tasks for himself and no one else to succeed at. He could of course hire lackeys, pay for their mouths to stay shut –but the times were hard, and the Malfoy fortune suffered for it.

Still, there had to be someone willing to do this –perhaps he'd make some muggles do it? Did he even have a deadline?

So many questions, so little time.

The worn Malfoy hurried through the streets on his way to gringots, quickly taking place at the top of the line –ignoring the others in line- where he demanded to see his bank manager.

The look at the amount of money they had made him pale even more then usual, trying to ignore the grinning goblin. "These days seem to wear on the Malfoy fortune, the divorce didn't help." The goblin deadpanned, grinning with its pointy yellow teeth at full sight.

"Do try to hide those disgusting things you call teeth." He snapped, irritable and upset. "Our investments-" "-Gone to the blacks as the contract demanded, magick itself demanded it."

Lucius Malfoy had always been proper, had always tamed any vile urges he had, as he tamed the demanding urge to knock his head into the table.

By the goblin's grinning it seemed that his expression revealed what he wished to do.


Harry Potter was having a perfectly (when did he ever?) normal day, in fact it was so normal that he was paranoid that someone would jump out to attack him. Hermione and Ron had of course questioned him at his jittery behaviour, and once he answered ('Well it's been so quiet and normal lately that I've come to expect someone to jump out and kill me') they laughed at him, muttering something about 'only you Harry' before continuing on their merry way.

Harry however was not able to do that, in fact Harry was quite right in his paranoia, as he was now witnessing some serious incest while talking about Malfoy action.

"But imagine Draco in a dress-"A man-like squeal interrupted their….Dirty talking.

"Harry-" "-are you-" "-snooping on us?" At this they waggled their eyebrows, clearly suggesting that he had enjoyed their…..words.

"I-uh was just walking. And then you –uh, y'know." He made a vague gesture at them, blushing wildly, the tan he had doing little to hide it.

"Aww, itsy bitsy Harry-" "-is still so itsy bitsy-" "stop." The word came unbidden; blush haven quickly disappeared leaving him pale. The twins stopped grinning once they saw the effect their words have, confusion marring their faces.

"Uh, Harry we don't mean to pry but-" "-we don't really know what we're doing wrong now." Harry heard the words despite him trying desperately to block everything out, as if that would stop his pain. "Bellatrix. She called me that." Harry didn't see it, but regret shone in the usually mischievous eyes of the brothers, both haven given each other a glance before walking over to give Harry a hug and a good and proper talk.


Draco was unhappy, very unhappy. His father had remained gone from their lives, there was no word of the dark lord, and Harry bloody Potter was relaxed.

It all meant one thing, in his mind. Things were going to go wrong, fast, hard, and no one would be coming out of it unscathed.

You could call him paranoid, sensible, logical, tired –many things, but it mattered not. He was uneasy, he was jumpy, he was right.

Something, which showed when after much noise and panicking students, were ushered into their common rooms, Draco amongst them. The dark mark was hanging over the tower, Draco had managed a glimpse of blonde hair which could only be his father when they were attacked, haven spent the night sneaking out with the twins and coming upon something which he had been dreading for so so long.

Dumbledore was dead, his job was long since done, only he had not –but his Professor had. And now the slytherins, young and old, all sat in uncertainly as their prefects discussed amongst themselves. Their head of house gone, their only safety barrier –their caretaker, chosen to leave and take their headmaster with him as he did so.

The future of all students were uncertain, but none more so then the house of snakes. "Settle down now students!" McGonnable demanded, although the house was already quiet and nervous –not at all like the panic she must be more used too from her own house. "We have decided that you shall continue as usual without the head of house until next semester, please prepare yourself for the night and arrive at the great hall in the usual time of breakfast." With that she left, swift but nowhere near the style that their previous head of house would have.

"The dark lord-" "-What are we going to do-" "-There is no choice with Dumbledore gone, the only option-" Was the whispers that came out as soon as the door closed safely behind the professor.

Their whispers and fears made him sick, and he longed for the comfort only the twins could give him.

This was a changing point, he was fully aware off. Draco wished he could say he didn't know if it was for the worse or good, but the truth was too obvious; Laying in front of him with every nervous whisper.


AN: Hey folks, so this one was early. But good news, or not I guess if you don't like it? If you read the old version you'll be happy to know that we're officially moving on from that and on-too new territory. Which might mean better writing? Or worse? Or like ok? Idk, Review? Please? I'll write faster if you do!