Sorry this chapter is so short, but I figured this was a pretty important part of the story, and it deserved it's own chapter.

Chapter 7

A Meeting

The whole room was Dark.

The curtains were thick and black, blocking out the sunlight and throwing eerie shadows across the room. The floor was black marble, cold and smooth beneath Draco's feet. The walls were bare spare for a dark stain or two.

Through the middle of the room was a long, thick marble table. Nondescript chairs surrounded it, all of which were currently occupied with an assortment of sour faced Death Eaters. At the end of the table stood a throne, carved out of stone. At first glance it was impossible to notice the intricacy of it, but if you looked carefully you would notice the snakes. Of all different shapes and sizes, they twisted and slithered around each other to form the chair. The armrests were two particularly menacing looking cobras, poised to strike, their still stone eyes watching over the room.

But the worst thing of all was hanging over the table like a centre piece. A muggle, held up in the air by magic. It was a man, though he was hardly recognizable anymore. His body was blotched and red, beaten and battered. His head was slightly caving on the side, and his whole face was bloody and matted. His head lolled to the side, and he would have been thought dead if not for the gentle but continuous moan coming out of him.

The occupants of the table turned to watch as Draco was escorted to the empty seat beside the throne. He didn't even flinch when the muggle let out a raspy gasp, his attention on the two people in front of him.

"Mother, Father," he said nodding his head at them. Lucius Malfoy, looking cold as ever, merely narrowed his eyes at his son. Narcissa gave her son a sad smile and patted her husband's hand.

"The Dark Lord will be here soon," said Lucius to the table. The Death Eaters diverted their gazes and nodded, none willing to look him in the eye. The air filled with nervous tension, and as the muggle man let out a last whimpering moan, the doors of the room were thrust open.

A clattering filled the air as seventy Death Eaters rose from their chairs, craning their necks to get a better look at their master. Draco however had a clear view, and cringed away from the sight.

The Dark Lord looked as he always did. His skin was pale and sunken, woven with clearly visible pulsing veins. His fingers were abnormally long and bony, poking out of his billowing black robes. His head was bald and smooth, but it was his face that caused Draco to cringe.

Voldemort's mouth was thin and dry, blending in with his skin. His nose was merely two slits in the centre of his face. His eyes were terrible, shiny and thin and cold, as if no happiness ever reached them. His presence filled the room, and he allowed the Death Eaters to adjust to the atmosphere before taking his seat on the throne.

"We have many things to discuss," the Lord began in his rasping voice. "But first, I think we should congratulate our young Draco on restoring one of Hogwart's oldest secrets." The Death Eaters around the table clapped but looked at each other warily.

"Because of his work, we will be able to carry out then plan," Voldemort said, and Bellatrix, who was seated a few chairs away, couldn't stop herself from letting out an excited squeak.

"Yes, my dear Bellatrix, I know you are eager to carry this out. But we must wait until the right time. We must get Dumbledore alone, with no one around to defend him. He must be weak," Voldemort said, and Bellatrix's eyes flashed angrily. "Never underestimate your enemy. Draco, dear boy."

"Yes, my Lord?" asked Draco expectantly.

"Find out what Dumbledore is up to, and when would be the best time to attack," commanded Voldemort. Lucius looked at his son proudly but Narcissa's mouth drooped.

"Is there a problem, Narcissa?" asked Voldemort quietly, though he knew no one would dare question him.

"Not at all, my Lord," the Malfoy woman said. "I'm just excited for Draco." Voldemort gave Narcissa a wicked grin before continuing with his speaking, and when the meeting was done he simply vanished from his chair. The whole room seemed to breathe out in relief.

"Oh Draco," said Narcissa, rushing forward and gathering Draco in an embrace. Draco hugged his mother back tightly.

"You've been doing splendid," his mother beamed at him. Lucius noticed them and broke away from the man he was talking to to walk over to them.

"The Dark Lord is pleased, Draco," he spoke, his voice icy and flat. "If you keep it up you might manage to get out of this alive. And it might help your case if you watch your tongue around the other Eaters." Lucius tilted his head towards Dolohov. Draco scowled.

"Whatever you say, Father," Draco said, knowing better than to talk back. He gave his son one more cool look before allowing himself to be pulled away.

"Come on, Draco, let's get you back to Hogwarts," his mom tugged on his arm, leading him out of the room. Together they marched their way through the many rooms of the Manor and stopped in the gardens.

"Draco, sweetie," his mom said suddenly, grasping his face. "You stay safe, you hear me? If you complete this mission we'll practically be sitting on the Lord's lap. I know it seems as though your father doesn't care, but we both really are worried for you. Okay? I love you sweetie." Draco snorted at the part about his father but nodded, allowing his forehead to be kissed. The last thing he saw before he apparated back to Hogsmeade was his mother's worried face and his father watching from the window.

So Draco is working with Voldemort? Interesting. I wonder what Hermione's doing...

xxxx,

malfoy-anonymous