The group of wizards landed gracefully enough on the snowy white beach. Straightening their rumpled robes, they turned as one and began the journey along side the gentle lapping of waves. Each wizard was lost in thought as they slowly climbed the well worn path from the beach, their footprints smoothly washed away by the current. As they climbed upwards and way from where they were deposited, the vegetation grew denser. Their master's paranoia prohibited apparated onto the island, only portkeys were permitted and than only to the outermost edges of the island. Anyone wishing to approach, must traverse through the labyrinth of traps first.
Draco shivered as he stared up at the winding dirt path as it disappeared into the a thick forest of trees. Fae lanterns bobbed gently in the cool breeze, illuminating the way ahead. In the distance he could hear the cries of wolves, echoing in the serene world. He couldn't comprehend how a place could be so tranquil and inviting during the day; and so unsettling at night. Though the ground beneath his feet was unplottable and indeed did not appear even on Muggle maps. He briefly wondered if Voldemort had had such a place for his headquarters, if victory would have been so easily won. Shaking his head, he knew that one of Riddle's greatest weaknesses had been his pride. Had he not insisted upon claiming and utilizing a Muggle connection, especially one of his own ancestry, it would have been far harder to smoke the dark order out. The Head of Slytherin marveled at the cunning that his master had used in moving both orders around like a skilled puppeteer.
The wizards drew their cloaks tighter around there bodies, shrinking in on themselves as they traversed the steep and winding path before them. The Malfoy heir jumped slightly as a tree branch clung to the edges of his cloak, pulling him backwards mid-step. Cursing softly, he touched the tip of his wand to the offending wood. The tree screeched, pulling it's scorched limb back to it's trunk. Sneering at the offending tree as it's upper branches thrashed wildly at the empty air, he quickened his pace not wanting to be left behind. The island's master was known to own some of the world's deadliest plants, spread across the small island. Valuing his privacy, the wizard expanded his collection into new creations; adaption from pre-existing magical and muggle plant life. In addition to the volatile vegetation, there was other security measures installed to prevent an invading force from reaching the heart of the island. Magical wards hummed through the air, crafted by the world's top masters in Charms and Dark Arts.
As the group passed by a naturally formed boulder wall, they were careful to keep their feet on the rich red earth to avoid awakening the slumbering creature. The Ishi-sukin had been imported from Japan and bound to the island. Once aroused, it was a terrible sight to behold. Yet the Ishi-sukin was just one of many rare magical creatures that inhabited the island, but it was by far one of the hardest to kill due to the toughness of it's exterior skin. In between meals, the creature was content to sleep; conserving it's energy. The island was littered with such creatures, camouflaged as ordinary, non-threatening terrain until triggered. Regardless of what the trap was, the only thing that was certain; once sprung, death followed. The chokingly thick trees abruptly gave way to a wide open space blanketed in soft, short grass.
As they entered the open meadow, Draco could barely make-out the faint lines of the vast army sent to patrol their master's third line of defense. During the reign of Voldemort, their master had forged unshakable alliances with all those deemed persona non grata by both sides of the conflict. Now as he was slowly expanding his empire, more and more of these allies were finding their way to the island sanctuary. Shiny copper twinkled intermediately in the darkness from the light cast by the Fae lanterns. The soldiers hugged the night, keeping themselves cloaked from the light illuminating the wizards' path, their eyes watching the progress through their domain.
At length the group made their way through the last several layers of security before emerging into a tranquil glade. The musical serenade of water greeted their tired ears as they slowly made their way up the cobblestone path. Waving their wands in turn before the stone guardians, they crossed the heavy wooden bridge. Draco eyed the avenue of rock wearily, knowing he was walking through a line of defenders. A sudden breeze rustled the wizards' hair and as one, they crouched low to avoid the invisible assailant from above. "Moon Moth, she's new."
"Things must be advancing much better than we thought if he is already increasing his security measures." An auburn haired wizard muttered to himself as he followed his brethren across the drawbridge.
"He's got to be the single most paranoid person I know of," a sandy haired wizard mumbled to himself as he crossed.
The heavy oak door rose before them, slipping from view within the ceiling compartment. "He has waited for two decades to rise to this point, I'd be concerned about making sure no one mucks things up as well, Donovan." A silvery voice drawled from within the shadows of the keep.
Nodding their heads, "Malfoy." After greeting the reigning patriarch, they filed quietly into the Entrance Hall.
"Wipe your feet, cretins." The older Slytherin sneered, "what do you think you are, a bunch of rowdy schoolboys?"
Trying to blend in with the rest of his party, Draco stiffened slightly as he felt the weight of a hand fall casually onto his shoulder. "Father?"
"Why are you late?"
"I couldn't get away tonight. Hagrid was removed from the school and Granger is convinced that McGonagall is addicted to sleeping potions." The younger wizard shuffled his feet, "is she?"
"It is not our place to question what is going on. His plans are too intercut for everyone to understand, that is the reason why everything is on a need to know basis." Lucius Malfoy said as he guided his heir down the hall. "Less opportunity for him to be betrayed as well."
"I understand, Father."
"Do you, my young Dragon?" The elder wizard glanced at his son, "if what we have all been working towards for the last twenty years comes to pass, our family's honor will be fully restored. The Malfoy Family will stand second only from him in the new world order - shared, unfortunately with another. But they are a worthy family as well, their Head is highly valued by our master."
Stopping in the middle of the hallway, the Potions instructor turned to his father and noticed the hard lines from his previous life under the thumb of Riddle. "Would we still be following him if Grandfather had not supported the Dark Lord?"
"Yes. My father made the mistake of pledging our souls to that monster out of fear." Sighing, "you must understand. It is not because of our master that our world is now in the darkest peril that it has seen in a thousand years. It was already crumbling when Dumbledore defeated his partnerGindelwald. It was only in the ashes of this lingering darkness that Riddle was able to pull himself up to be the pompous and sadistic dark lord that he wished to be. It was Voldemort's ambition to rule through fear and tyranny to protect himself from those that surpassed him." Indicating to his son to continue, "this has been the way of dark wizards since the first discovered magic. What you can control, cannot harm you."
"Slytherin said that."
"Indeed."
"And our master? Why did you pledge our family to him?"
"Ah, I did not bind our family to him as my father did with Voldemort." Pinching the bridge of his nose, "I pledged myself to our master when we were still in Hogwarts. Despite his blood status, he has always been beyond what I could have become had it not been for my father's actions." Brushing a lock of blonde hair from his son's face, "unlike Riddle, our master has the strength to help heal our world. With the way things are going now, child, wizards will be exposed to the Muggles. The world that we grew up in will be no more and we will find ourselves having to defend ourselves against the Muggles once again."
The Head of Slytherin was quiet as he thought over what his sire had explained to him. He had shuddered as the memories from his sixth year History of Magic class rose to the surface. The early winter term had begun with the exploration of the Dark Ages, where Muggles had surged in a mass hysteria - hunting those with the magical gene. Amongst all the carnage left over by the Church, only two witches and one wizard had actually been burnt at the infamous stakes. But the mass murder in the disguise of religious protection had been enough to freeze the blood in his body. Afterwards, it was quite easy to continue playing the part of a Death Eater in-training. "Not that I'm really questioning, Father. But way all the new laws surrounding the movement of the people?"
"These are necessary restrictions, Draco. Containing every magical person in our world, helps to ensure that there are no accidental slip-ups. It is easier to cover up things if you don't have to get directly involved. By keeping everyone out of the Muggle sphere, it will be easier for us to concentrate on rebuilding our world. Just as the new sorting of reproducing Purebloods will help strengthen our world. With more births, there are more variations to add into our gene pool - which will in turn cut down on the inbreeding. Your Aunt Bella is an excellentexample of what happens when families inter-marry and reproduce too much without adding new blood."
"That's why everyone's parents have been re-assigned partners."
"Exactly, Draco." As he spoke, the older Malfoy stepped into the Great Hall with his heir at his heels. "It is through our positions with the master, amongst other things, that has kept us from being added to those breeding lists."
"I am glad that our family has been spared."
"While we have never allowed Muggleborns to marry into our family, we have introduced fresh blood every four generations." Smirking, "that at least meet with approved by your grandfather as well."
"Let the spirit of that deluded fool rest, Lucius."
Turning to address his friend, "indeed. Draco was simply curious on a few matters, Dominus.
Nodding his head, onyx eyes focused on the younger wizard. "Yes, your heir. You are grooming him well, my old friend. If he continues down this path, and doesn't degenerate back to his spoiled childhood, he will succeed you as one of my captains. For now, he will remain a one of my most trusted lieutenants."
"Thank you, Dominus." Both Malfoys inclined their heads as the wizard walked away. Twin pairs of silver eyes followed the figure move quietly around the hall before ascending to the slightly raised platform. "Quickly, take your place."
"Father, my place?"
"Dominus has just raised you in rank to lieutenant, honestly Draco, pay attention." Lucius Malfoy hissed as he hurried to take his place on the left-hand side of his master. Nodding dumbly, Draco hurried to the left-hand side of the hall and secured a place in the front, near the head.
"My dear friends, welcome. Since we are all gathered here, finally." Glancing sharply at the Potions instructor, "we can begin." Turning to his right side, "report?"
A brown haired wizard stepped forward and nodded his head, "Dominus." Clearing his throat, "the Department of Magical Creatures is working in conjuncture with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to round up the centaur herd in residence in the Forbidden Forest. Once the herd is relocated to the Ministry, the unicorn herd will follow. The Acromantula nest in residence have been captured and transported outside of the forest as well."
Leaning back in the ornate ebony chair, "progress indeed." Pursing his lips, "how soon will the merefolk be moved?"
"Within the week, Dominus."
"Hmm, keep me appraised."
"As always."
Turning to a familiar bald headed wizard, "your report?"
Bowing, "candidates for Hogwarts' staff members are being interviewed by the Board and the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is running background checks as we speak. Rubeus Hagrid; Groundskeeper, Keeper of Keys and Care of Magical Creatures professor has been removed from the school. He has been shuffled through the Department of Magical Creatures, St. Mungos' and back into the holding cells - and is now waiting your pleasure."
"Excellent, Kingsley. See that he's brought to court tonight."
"As you wish, Dominus." The auror bowed stiffly, pivoted and hurried from the Great Hall.
A/N This chapter has been a bit of a challenge to write. That said, I truly hope that you enjoy this chapter.
Ishi-sukin literally translates to English as "stone-skin".
The Moon Moth was created by Piers Anthony, Incarnations of Immoratlity series.
Dominus - Latin, orgional meaning -master; owner; master of the house; the title or common address common (non-nobles) for the Roman Emperor.
suchrandomness : You're quite welcome. The Hermione I remember from the books (perhaps it's wishful thinking) is one that is constantly "seeing" more than that's right in front of her nose. In the case of the Hermione of this story, it certainly seems that way. The "birth" of Hermione and Draco's friendship - now that was an interesting event all of it's own. I'm glad that you like my new Care of Magical Creatures' professor, he's...an intriguing character.
Decimare - welcome to the story! don't fall off that seat just as the plot hasn't begun yet. As for the mental wellbeing of our Headmistress - I don't think that anyone working in the castle is completely sane, especially after what I've already put them through. But hey, I'm getting ahead of myself.
Her Royal Goddess : So far things have been a little on the dark side and I wanted to squeeze in a little sunshine. I figured who better to use then a pair of opposites that some how, despite open anomisity (and sometimes hostility) during their formative years, matured and was able to put past grievences if not completely in the past - than enough to at least move forward.
Greyfalcon : I love building slowly, teasing about what might happen and than throwing in a curve ball (or two) and watching the chaos.