Percy felt sick. He was staying at Malfoy Manor, and was currently leaning over the toilet, dry heaving. How far was he going to go to win this war? Voldemort… he was truly evil, and Percy could see that now. Oh god, he wasn't sure if he could do it. He had received news of the initiation ritual he was to perform. Percy knew that if he didn't, Voldemort would call his bluff. Even if Voldemort believed he was a son of Aphrodite, he didn't trust him. Voldemort also doesn't think he's much use, after all Percy claimed he didn't have many powers.

But killing mortals? He was supposed to protect them, not murder them for his own benefit. He needed a plan, and he needed one fast. He pushed his face in his arm and a muffled cry came out. He wasn't as smart as Annabeth, and she was always the one with the quick thinking to get him out of danger. All he could do was fight.

Percy looked up and stared at his reflection in the mirror. He turned the water on, and splashed some on his face. The redness on his cheeks faded away, and he stood up straight. He was going to bargain with someone who could kill him with two words. He took in a deep breath and tried to calm his racing heart. Voldemort didn't intimidate him, no, Percy didn't fear death. Percy was scared, however, that if he died he would fail the wizards.

Percy grabbed his wand and put it in his back pocket. He patted his pocket just to make sure his sword was there, and left the bathroom. He barely glanced at the bedroom he was staying in, before entering the hallway. He exhaled, feeling his heart calm down. He took even steps down the length of the hallway, descending down the stairs. He passed a few house elves and servants, none of them meeting his eye. He stalled outside the door to the room where Voldemort spends his days. He lifted his fist and knocked shortly.

"Enter." Voldemort's voice echoed around the room. Percy grasped the handle and opened it. He entered the room, shutting the door behind him. He walked a few paces before sinking to his knees, gritting his teeth as he did. He barely bowed to gods, yet here he was in front of this mortal. "My lord," he started, trying to keep his cringe out of his voice and posture. "I have some.. concerns." He kept his head down, and when Voldemort didn't respond, he continued. "I fear that if I take the mark, I could easily be discovered as a spy."

Voldemort paused for a moment before he replied. "My best spy and Death Eater carries the Dark Mark. Do you admit to your inability to hide effectively? Or are you trying to deceive me?" He questioned, his rage growing.

"No!" He almost shouted, he didn't want to start a duel. "No.. My lord. While Severus Snape is an effective spy, there are… rumors of his allegiance to Dumbledore being fake. I do not wish to take this chance." He finished, shutting his eyes, waiting for his response.

It was a while before Voldemort responded. "Very well, but your initiation must be carried out, however you will not bear the mark."

Percy had to stop himself from crying out in relief. He dodged a bullet, but there was still one more.

"Thank you, my lord. I will see that I carry out your task." Percy said, standing up and exiting quickly. As soon as the doors shut behind him, he broke into a sprint towards his room. He passed through the hallway and up the stairs in a blur. As soon as he was in privacy, he flopped against his bed.

He had never felt so truly alone than he did right now. He was a sheep in wolf's clothing, if you will. He couldn't use his powers, or he would be outed to the Wizarding World. No doubt, Voldemort might want to reveal his status, as he controls the Ministry. Even though it would benefit him to keep quiet, he didn't know what Voldemort would do. Most of the time, Voldemort was predictable. Percy could foresee what he would do, what he would say, and work around it. But sometimes, he liked to be spontaneous and impulsive, to keep everybody on their toes. Well, really only Percy. The Death Eaters just followed Voldemort's beck and call, didn't really think that thoroughly about what he was doing.

Percy thought back to Draco, one of his closest friends at Hogwarts, and probably the closest. Percy was currently staying at Draco's house- well, mansion, more like it- and Draco didn't even know. Percy would be returning to Hogwarts soon, but for now, Percy was missing after a raid by Voldemort. He didn't know how Draco felt. Well, he knew a little bit about what Draco felt about Voldemort. He didn't like him. Although he hid it carefully, Percy could see Draco's distaste for him, but he hid it, and he hid it well. Draco was overcome with the feeling to please his father and family, if not a bit scared of Voldemort and Lucius. So, Draco acted. He acted like a Dark wizard, and boasted to his fellow Slytherins about becoming a Death Eater, and how he would be Voldemort's best follower, and how he would usurp his aunt, and no one can compare to his talent.

But inside, Draco was afraid. He was on the edge, teetering, and Percy had to catch him before he fell to the wrong side. Draco was his closest friend right now, and he would be a useful ally. Yes, he had to contact Draco, and soon.

Percy sighed, rubbing his hands with his face. The next thing he had to do, was his initiation.


Draco sat across from the fire in the Slytherin Common Room, not in a good mood. It had been three days since the raid on Hogwarts, and Percy had been taken. Classes have been cancelled for the rest of the week, but Draco couldn't go home. Not like he wanted to, anyway. He didn't want to see Voldemort and play pretty, but he would do it in a heart beat if he knew that's where Percy was staying, which it probably was. Except, his parents wouldn't have him. Technically, no one was supposed to leave the castle, as it wasn't an official holiday, but there were exceptions. Parents could come collect their children by their own means if they wished, and many of them did.

But his parents didn't. They either didn't want him talking to Percy, talking to Voldemort, or they didn't have the time and would rather serve him instead. The first and the third option seemed the most likely. Even though Percy was a Slytherin, and he didn't express Muggle loving theatrics like the Weasley's, Percy also wasn't from a pure blood family, at least one here in England. English wizards tended to think of themselves better than any other country, which is why Draco thinks his parents wouldn't want him to talk to Percy.

Draco huffed, and crossed his arms. It was the dead of night, and no one was around, which was the only reason that Draco was allowing himself to behave like a child in the middle of the Common Room. He didn't want to go back up just yet, didn't want to fall asleep. He sat there for a few more minutes, his eyes starting to flutter closed. When he almost fell asleep on the couch, he got up. He glanced at the fire, and grabbed his outer robe, before trooping up the stairs. He silently entered the dorm room, glancing at Percy's empty bed. He didn't like to look at it, it just reminded Draco that Percy was gone.

What would Voldemort want with Percy other than to kill him? Draco thought to himself, frowning. He draped his outer robe on his trunk, and saw an owl waiting for him on his nightstand. He recognized it immediately. It was on of the owls that lived at his manor. It wasn't fathers owl, or mothers, and Voldemort would never write him a letter, so it had to be someone else. Percy, he thought, grabbing it from the talons of the owl. He ripped open the letter opener, and started to read it.

Dear Draco,

Hey.

Draco snorted quietly, feeling like smacking Percy upside the head. After three days of no contact, he couldn't have come up with a better greeting?

I'll be coming back to Hogwarts soon. I'm safe, don't worry. We need to talk. See you soon.

From, Percy.

Draco frowned and he placed it down, absentmindedly closing the window after the owl and getting ready for bed. As he settled into his sheets, his thoughts came to the surface. That didn't seem very Percy-like, but in a way, it did. It felt like he wrote it, yet something was wrong. It was most likely, about Voldemort, and Draco didn't know what. Anything could've happened in the last three days.

Draco sighed and closed his eyes. It would be of no use to him to worry about it now. Percy said he would be coming back to Hogwarts soon, and that was the best Draco would get. He fell asleep, dreaming of his future.