Enjoy my lovelies :D

CHAPTER ELEVEN

As soon as Draco landed in the foyer he was engulfed in what could only be his mother's arms. The faint scent of wildflowers and her expensive perfume bombarded his sense of smell and while his face was shielded by her pale blonde hair he allowed himself to smile just a little. It had been a while since he had seen her and he had missed her. When she released him she held onto his shoulders, holding him at arm's length, scrutinizing him; he was just a bit taller, a smidge broader, but the Veela good looks had always been there.. He held her gaze, questioning her silently before he realized that tears were sliding down her cheeks.

It was just as weird and world turning as when he had sent Harry that drawing months ago. He had never seen his mother cry, not once had she ever done so in his presence. But however good he was with calming Harry he realized he had no idea what to do to help calm his mother. Awkwardly, Draco tried to pat her arm and turned to see who else was in the foyer.

His father stood beside his Grandmother Druella, the former looking none too happy and the later with a Cheshire grin. Druella Black nee Rosier was a formidable woman, a woman who made Dragons seem like puppies. Her preferences in curses tended to lean towards those that affected internal body organs. She was known to be able to disembowel a body faster than you could say 'Quidditch.' She also did not like Draco's father much, their relationship was that of grudging respect for one another.

"Hello father." Narcissa draped her arm her son's torso as he greeted the rest of the room's occupants. "Grandmother, it is wonderful to see you again. How do you fare?" Druella scrutinized her grandson for a full minute, taking in how much he had changed in the last year since she had seen him. He was no more than a boy then, one she knew had potential but had a long ways to go before he could even be considered for the Dark Lord's ranks. However now, now stood before her was a young powerful wizard. Before her stood a mated young man already in the Dark Lord's ranks, a young man who would soon take over some of Malfoy businesses. How…how had her grandson transformed so fast? A part of her grieved for the loss of her grandson's innocence but another, a larger part, was bursting in pride of this man to whom she could call family.

"Draconis," Draco's muscles relaxed at his grandmother's soft tone. "It has been too long my grandson; I fear I missed some crucial steps in your development. It seems as though yesterday I was tutoring you and your friends in Unforgivables and apparition, and now you are mated and joining our Lord's meetings." A rueful smirk lifted at the right corner of Draco's lips, he couldn't stop it. It felt as if he were preparing to flaunt his curses again, they would all be in shock…again.

"I concede you have missed much, but then again those who have been here have missed just as much so do not fear." Confusion was almost palpable but cut through it and continued. "I must thank you again for those lessons, they helped me far more than you know."

Druella could see so much of Cygnus in Draco, not in looks of course but in their demeanors. He held the aura of mystery, of hidden talent and secret aces. She would bet a shiny galleon there was a dagger somewhere on her grandson's person. It made her eyes water, thinking of how proud Cygnus would be of his grandchild if he could see him now.

She had heard of these powerful curses her grandson had created and their effects and to know that her lessons inspired him…yes he was most definitely Cygnus' blood. Druella broke out of her reverie and went straight to the questions her daughter and son-in-law wanted to ask.

"Oh, and just what has everybody missed?" Her voice was clipped letting her annoyance show. Druella loathed being the last to know anything, one of the reasons she had come all the way from her chateau in France.

Draco just let his smirk grow in answer and waived to the hall that lead to the meeting room. "Shall we not keep our lord waiting?" His molten silver eyes flickered to his grandmother's right, to his father. It had not escaped his notice that his father had barely said five words to him in at least six months and he wondered why the rift? Sure they had never been extremely close but his father's eyes were in the usual frosty glare reserved for those of lower status. Normally he would at least receive a warm welcome and then casual indifference set in.

And then Draco reassessed the situation. With a sudden clarity he observed the tight arm around his mother's waist, the subtle way she held his father's hand, her knuckles a tad too white for a casual embrace. It was because he was here…sure his instincts were prickling but…they were his parents. Would he feel the same way once Harry was brought to the manor?

He didn't have time to think about why the change as his mother had started to lead them all down the hall. The only noise was of the heels of the women's shoes on the marble floor. The adults all too filled with nervous anxiety and curiosity to fill the silence with meaningless chatter. There were two questions burning through them: Why was there a surprise meeting tonight of all nights and why was Draco here to attend it?

Draco on the other hand was filled with bittersweet emotions. He felt elated and excited, yet underneath he could feel…something? Something foreign…His mind was brought back to the meeting that was about to happen as the four made their way into the meeting room.

The Dark Lord sat on his throne at the front of the meeting hall, conversing with Nagini quietly. In the middle of the room stood his aunt and two uncles, Augustus Rookwood, Cassius Mulciber, Crabbe Sr., Goyle Sr., Anthony Avery, Devon McNair, Greyback and Thomas Nott who were soon joined by both of his parents and his grandmother. Draco was quite perplexed when the others had left him to create the formal crescent. Not quite knowing what to do, he did what was usual. He walked up to his lord and knelt down.

A needle could have dropped on a floor with a cushioning charm and still have been heard. Those behind him waited with baited breath while Draco was being made to wait. Honestly, they acted as if the Dark Lord would kill him for kneeling. They had to know the backlash that would create; the Dark Lord was a genius and would never do something so stupid. Maybe this was how he got his kicks? Maybe the Dark Lord reveled in melodramatics? It was an amusing thought.

"You may rise Draco," Draco pulled himself up and stood tall, "have you any new news to report?" Many gasps were heard but from the look on the Dark Lord's face he was to ignore those behind him.

"Apart from more absences from the old fool, no my lord. I know he knows he is sick and yet still he says nothing. On another note, my mate is not happy about staying with his…relatives…" Draco ground out the last word as if it were physically painful. "But has agreed, he seems particularly worried by your promise at your last meeting and would like to put those fears to rest." The Dark Lord said nothing instead looked away, out the window where the trees were being swayed in the hard wind.

Finally after what seemed years he stood and waved Draco by his side. Draco was there in an instant, enjoying the gob smacked expressions he was getting and not suppressing the smug, satisfied smirk that curled his lips.

"My faithful inner circle, tonight I announce the addition of another. As of late September Draco has held the status as Elite. We have kept this secret from everyone; he was and is my secret spy and my ears within Hogwarts. While it has not been done since Bellatrix, Draco has been promoted of his own merit.

"You all know of his twin curses, they were what first attracted my attention. However even given a near impossible task Draco has persevered even when he himself doubted how much longer he would live due to the recent discovery of his mate's identity. Soon Dumbledore will die, by Draco's hand. This summer he found a way and has been poisoning the old fool for months." Draco silently wondered if one of their jaws would fall off completely. His Grandmother and Aunt were the only two not gaping; in fact they had identical Cheshire grins. It was a scary sight, to see both terrifying women smiling like that but he shrugged it off.

"My lord," Draco watched his Aunt Bellatrix ask the question no one else had the nerve to ask. "Who is young Draco's mate? Our newest family member?"

If Draco thought his grandmother's and aunt's smiles were terrifying the Dark Lord's lips turning into the large smirk that graced them was nothing short of petrifying. "Our Draco has chosen one very special mate." Looks of relief were on every face making Draco's lips twitch in a cruel smirk. Oh Harry was very special indeed.

"The newest member of the House of Malfoy shall be none other than Harry Potter." Yup, Draco was absolutely positive that the Dark Lord used his followers to entertain his boredom with their melodramatics. His mother fainted while others shouted and started arguing amongst themselves. However his aunt just stood there, gazing at him but it was more as if she were staring through him, lost in thought.

"It is going better than expected young Draco; they have not even tried to curse you yet." Draco only chuckled quietly, almost distractedly as he watched his aunt. Her expression had become pained. Why was she not reacting? He had thought she would surely try to hex him before all facts were out, yet she simply stared beyond him. As if she didn't hear his father arguing with his grandmother, beside her. As if the shouts of the Elite were not echoing off the walls.

"Quiet." Draco wished he had that power, the power to utter a single word and have all chaos cease. "Throughout the year Draco has noticed Harry Potter becoming more and more…disinterested in the war. In late September when he found out Draco was his mate Harry Potter declared himself neutral. He is no longer participating in the war and will be spending all future holidays here as would happen if Draco's mate were any other. From now on the Death Eaters do not attack Harry Potter. However his sidekicks are fair game, am I correct Draco?"

Draco didn't understand why he needed confirmation but he hurriedly replied, "Yes, my lord." His mother, who had been re-enervated, was glancing between Draco and the Dark Lord. Her gaze was unlike the others, full of complete acceptance and…was that eagerness? His father's eyes were calculative while some of the other Elite's were in awe. However Mulciber looked furious.

'He'll be the one to call you out. He'll be the one to challenge you.' Draco wanted to argue with his gut but the expression on Mulciber's face he couldn't. It happened in what looked like slow motion to Draco. Mulciber's foot took a step forward, heads snapped in his direction, and then the other, until he was in front of the others. Every set of eyes snapped in his direction but he didn't falter.

"I challenge this decision, my lord."

The room exploded again, this time into angry shrieks and outraged yells in protest that bounced off the domed ceiling while Draco stood, holding Mulciber's gaze unflinchingly. They were not outraged over him; they were outraged someone had the nerve, the audacity to openly go against the Dark Lord in something such as this. The older, the wiser Elite knew they would be briefed, knew they would not be left in the dark about the situation, however Mulciber seemed to outright reject it without even waiting for the background information, or even a thought of how this could benefit them. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the Dark Lord raise a hand to silence them.

"I have always allowed for the Elite to challenge the newest members, they too must prove themselves as you all have long ago. Mulciber, on which grounds do you wish to challenge?" Draco knew that the Dark Lord was angry, just the tone of his voice was furious, however his demeanor was bored. But his mother and aunt were giving glares that rivaled his grandmother's. Yet there was nothing they could do. If Draco wanted to be a top dog he would have fight like one. Damn Harry and his stupid muggle sayings…if that ever came out of his mouth in public…

"He is nothing but a spoilt child, my lord. Let me show you he is not worthy of the title of Elite."

The idea of being challenged made him bristle in displeasure, only one of the Elite he knew had been challenged, Thomas Nott. It used to be popular back in the day but now it was a rare occurrence. For it to be on him just naturally made him mad, nobody ever stood in the way of a Malfoy. Sizing up Mulciber, Draco began to plan.

xXx

Once the dueling lines had been set Draco bowed as any respectful wizard should, however Mulciber decided to take the first shot instead and as Draco leapt out of the way he mentally shook his head. While Mulciber may not be following protocol this was a duel to the death and he needed to remember that. Harry's face as he told Draco he couldn't lose him flashed through his mind and it only hardened his resolve.

Mulciber was light and quick on his feet, with a lithe frame making him a harder target than someone like say Crabbe or Goyle. Dark purple spells left his wand in rapid repetition and while Mulciber leapt he threw a few ones that were a nasty yellow color. Just as he had with Rowle he managed to slice open the back calf of his opponent, a move he had worked relentlessly on last year. This however, did not deter Mulciber, didn't even make him flinch.

As Draco ducked and dodged gracefully he racked his brain for some sort of arcane magic he'd picked up in the RoR. Dueling Mulciber would require something unique and completely original. This would be his public outing, him creating his feared reputation. If his family were to take him seriously he needed to make this duel swift, cold, and cruel.

A series of multicolored spells came sailing towards Draco and almost as rapidly as they were cast Draco leaped out of the way aiming his wand at Mulciber. He didn't bother with wand movements, the spells left his wand in rapid succession and soared threw the air. Draco didn't pause to see if any struck he used the time to spin, his mind concentrated solely on gathering the magic, producing fire.

Both wizards looked at each other, a moment of stillness as Mulciber realized he was in for a barrage of fireballs that now circled around Draco. With a flick of his Draco felt a bit of his magic drain as he directed it towards the older wizard. One after another Draco sent them flying, watching them destroy walls and physical shields that Mulciber conjured. As he went to send another the air changed, the heat of the fire was cooled and Draco had only time to look before a nasty brown curse struck him over his left pectoral.

Draco stumbled back; the gasps and noise from the Elite seemed to fade as shock pulsed through his body. Draco looked up at Mulciber, who looked shocked, and then down to the hole in his chest. It was pouring blood like a monsoon. Draco knew he didn't have long before he passed out from blood loss. With a wave of his wand tight bandages appeared, which bought him time but also seemed to kick Mulciber out of his shocked stupor.

The fire had long since dissipated but Draco didn't care, the edges of his vision were tinted red and now he was out for blood. A barrage of spells went flying to Mulciber and towards the right, there was little power behind the spells but they were only meant for distraction. As planned Mulciber jumped out of the way and Draco grabbed the opportunity; dizzy and shaky Draco blasted Mulciber back and watched in glee as the man's wand went flying from his grasp.

Mulciber hadn't collected himself by the time Draco made his way over and the man gravelly gasped as Draco dug his polished boot clad foot into the man's throat.

"Gu-guess you really are an Elite huh, b-boy?"Mulciber choked out, his hands attempting to shove away Draco's foot. Draco pressed harder and watched the man squirm.

"You-" Draco ground out, the pain rocketing through his body was making him light headed. "You pathetic drunk think you can insult our lord by challenging his opinion? You think you better than a Malfoy?" Draco pressed harder for a second before he relieved most of the pressure. Mulciber's left arm fell back and rested on the marble floor while his right dropped down.

"You challenged my capability and my place as an Elite and now I will show you both." Mulciber's blue eyes went wide as Draco pressed his foot violently into his neck, and sent a burst of magic to the man's left wrist, binding it to the floor.

Silver eyes met crimson and the Dark Lord nodded. Turning back Draco waved his wand and watched as the skin on the man's forearm was peeled off. Choked, gravelly, blood curdling screams pierced the air and Draco was sure he would have a headache for days to come. When the whole piece of skin was severed Draco flicked his wrist and it sailed to the feet of the Dark Lord.

Draco turned back to a sobbing Mulciber, sneering at the red puffy face, and pointed his wand one last time.

"Magna Mortem,"

Cassius Mulciber gave one hell of a blood curdling scream before a delicious pop was heard, and then all was quiet.