A/N: Sorry for the long time between updates, got a lot going on. This chapter is longer than the last. Also, I'm a bit stumped on ideas, feel free to leave suggestions if you want :)

Chapter 6

"Why did you stop me?" Harry asked over his shoulder. He was standing in the dungeons, overlooking the Death Eaters who had betrayed him, now locked in cells. They were all still unconscious, but Harry longed for the moment they would wake up.

"I fear that killing them now would not work in your favour, my lord. It might provoke even more of them to rise against you." Harry turned to the blond Death Eater.

"Then what do I do to make them trust me, Lucius? I have rarely had dealings with the low-rankers in the past, so they are not familiar with me. They don't recognise my rank." Lucius lowered his head. He didn't say anything for a while.

"You do understand why the Dark Lord chose not to reveal who you really are, do you not?"

"Of course I do", Harry snapped, and started pacing in front of the cells. "But it really doesn't help me now. His departure cannot become known at the moment. He needs more time. And with Severus now at Hogwarts…" Harry paused, dragging a hand through his hair. "It's imperative that they know to take orders from me until he returns."

"I understand", said Lucius. He stepped forward. "I cannot tell you what to do, my lord. But I would advice you to gather them to a meeting, and explain the situation." Harry nodded. "Of course I would also advice you to summon Severus and have him by your side. They recognise him and know he will report to the Dark Lord." Harry nodded and turned to leave the dungeon. He had a lot to do it seemed.

Severus,

Life here at the manor is not quite as I had hoped. As you know, my Father has left due to some new information concerning his… more prized possessions. He has also left the Death Eaters under my command, and although I've had no real trouble yet, they are not yielding to me as easily as I had hoped. They do not seem to recognise my rank.

My Father has chosen to not declare me his son to his subjects, fearing they will see it as a weakness. A man holds only power as long as he has followers, and unfortunately this applies as much to the Dark Lord as any other man, despite his considerable power.

I very recently had a run in with a few low-rankers, who, as I'm sure my Father predicted, did not want to accept that they were to take orders from me. I very nearly ended their petty lives, had it not been for your old friend Lucius' most timely appearance and, might I say, quite wise words. He advised me to summon all the Death Eaters to a meeting to clarify the situation, although how I am supposed to do that without revealing my Father's absence I haven't the faintest idea.

Severus, I am at a loss for what to do, and in desperate need of your council. You know I would not ask this of you had it not been of extreme importance that I succeed. I understand your situation with the old took is not ideal, but I ask you to arrive here at the manor as soon as you are able.

Best regards,

Harry

Severus read the letter again. He could understand Harry wanting him at his side, but much like the young man, Severus had no idea how to approach the Death Eaters so they might accept Harry as a leader, at least not without revealing his true status as the Dark Lord's son. Nevertheless, he could not deny Harry's request. As for Dumbledore, he still seemed to believe Severus. He would not be a problem.

Harry brought his wand down to his left arm. As soon as the tip touched the skin it was like his blood caught fire. The burning of his mark brought him a sense of comfort. It was the true connection to his Father. Not four minutes later the Death Eater's started trickling in through the ball room door. They all looked around excitedly, expecting to see their dear Lord in the throne at the head of the table. Harry was standing in a corner, enclosed in the shadows, watching them look around in confusion. He stepped out of the darkness.

"Take a seat", he said. The Death Eaters all turned their heads as he stepped forward. All of them immediately looked suspicious, some even angry. Harry spotted Lucius at the back of the room.

"Malfoy", he called. The Death Eater was at his side in a few strides.

"My Lord."

"Has Severus arrived yet?" Harry's voice was controlled, but his eyes were scanning the room for his Father's most trusted.

"If he had he would be at your side already", the senior Malfoy said.

"Very well." Harry could not fathom what was keeping Severus, but this could not wait any longer. He had gotten Severus's reply a few days earlier, and the situation had become even more dire during that time. The Death Eaters were starting to feel like a tide rising and rising, trying to drown him. He had to take control, he had given his Father as much time as he could.

"I said, take a seat." His voice rang strong in the grand room. For a moment it seemed like they would not obey, but one by one they all sat down. Harry sat himself in the throne and looked over the table. The Death Eaters looked back.

"It has come to my understanding", Harry began. "That many of you are wondering why the Dark Lord has suddenly started refusing audiences, stopped calling you to his side to serve." A murmur started rising from the crowd gathered around the table. Harry raised his hand to silence them, but that only seemed to infuriate him even more. So, Harry felt it was time to call for reinforcements. Slowly, barely noticeable, he started hissing. The Death Eaters closest to him reared back in fear. Harry kept up the hissing until he heard an answer, and felt Nagini enter the room. The giant snake slid under the table, over people's feet. When she reached the throne she started sliding up the side to settle around Harry's shoulders, Harry raising his hand to stroke her head. By now the room had gone silent. The threat was obvious and efficient; they would not dare interrupt him again.

"As I was saying", Harry continued. "There have been some…. objections. Understandable. Who would trust the word of a young boy?" The glares intensified. "At the moment, however, you do not have a choice." The Death Eaters looked like they were going to start shouting any second. Nagini's head shot forward in a hiss. Harry continued to stroke her head.

"The Dark Lord is not in residence at the moment. I'm sure you are all curious to know his whereabouts, but know this; should any one of you ask, the consequences will be dire."

Suddenly the door to the ball room opened. Harry's head snapped up. At the door stood a bowing figure.

"My Lord", said Draco. He could feel the mocking glares the other Death Eaters were giving him, but he could not bring himself to care. He had seen them defy Harry time and time again. Many of them were just tossed around, but some were taken to the dungeon. Draco had shuddered when he found out one of the low-rankers had not returned. The night in the dungeon, the torture, still haunted him and he was not about to cross Harry on a whim, simply because the Dark Lord was not present. Over the last few days Draco had done all he could to stay out of the others' way. It felt like they were watching him, waiting for him to give them a reason to hex him.

Draco straightened from the bow and looked to Harry.

"Draco", he said "Join us. I was just informing these… people… about the changes around here." Draco went to sit at the end of the table, and when he had taken his seat Harry continued to speak.

"As I was saying, the Dark Lord is not in residence at the moment. But before he left he entrusted this manor to me." Harry watched as the meaning of his words sank in. As long as Voldemort was away, the Death Eaters were to answer to him. They did not like that one bit. Despite their fear of Nagini, they all rose from their seats and started shouting, some even drew their wands.

Suddenly, an earsplitting screech filled the room. The Death Eaters clutched their heads and started toppling, one by one falling to the floor. The young man, who claimed to be the new Lord of the manor, had stood from his seat and was now looking out over them with cold eyes. The screech didn't stop for several minutes, during which a few of the gathered actually lost consciousness, the pain in their heads becoming too much. When it finally did stop a chilling voice replaced it.

"Despite your repeated disloyalty, I'm going to give you all a piece of advice; do not cross me."