Chapter 12.

Special Thanks to Hurricanehairandemeraldeyes who has come on line as my Beta.

A Good Little Slytherin?

Weaving through the students in the hallway, Severus made his way back to his common room. He had finally uncovered the information that Malfoy had demanded and he needed to share the news. Lucius was starting to get tetchy about the lack of progress and was making everyone's lives miserable. Severus stopped facing a stone wall, muttered the password and the wall slid open to reveal the passageway into the common room. A quick glance around the room failed to reveal the pale figure he was seeking. However, Avery and Nott were lounging on low backed green armchairs in one corner of the room. They glanced up as he approached.

"No luck then?" said Nott in a superior voice, assuming that Severus had failed his task.

It was always like this; the constant jockeying for position. The vying to be the boss of their age group, and to be the one accepted into the leadership circle of the house. From there Lucius would bring them to the attention of the group his Father was associated with. It was this that he sought, to be included in something greater than himself which would nullify his pathetic upbringing. It wasn't as if Severus had never been accepted before, after all Lily had always included him, never judging his past, but he wanted something more and this new group of Lucius' promised power.

Severus drew himself up haughtily and giving his best impression of Lucius said "My information isn't for your ears."

"You don't have none! Worse than a squib you are, hanging round that Mudblood," Avery sneered, "You've no shame."

"Who I hang round with is none of your business," Severus replied.

A voice drawled from behind him "Ah, but young Severus, in time it may. This dalliance is all well and good, but it will soon become a hindrance and need to be cut short," the words were clipped.

Severus turned to face the taller boy. "I have discovered the information on Aubery and Gudgeon," Severus uttered without further preamble.

"Well, then do tell," Malfoy arched one eyebrow in a show of interest.

"Both are second generation half-bloods, with muggles for one set of Grandparents but witch and wizard for parents."

"And how did you come by this information?"

"I was in the library and overheard them, swapping family histories as they did their homework."

"Hmmm, well they are certainly not the targets we are looking for. However you shall cast the curse instead of Mulciber, think of it as a reward for your investigative efforts." Mulciber hissed with annoyance while Severus could barely contain his groan.

It wasn't what he really he wanted. He knew Lily wouldn't approve of him cursing someone and he didn't want to push his only true friend away but Lucius' command was hard to refuse. Ever since his magic had manifested, Severus' Mother had started to make contact with the world of magic again. She had been meeting with friends of her Father's that she remembered from her youth and had heard interesting rumours. Rumours about a Dark Lord that his Mother had then whispered to him. Rumours that might link back to Lucius. Things were going to change, wizards were going to be in charge, the Muggles would pay for their arrogance, and he would have to choose a side. His mind immediately thought of Petunia and his father, he wouldn't mind them paying, and it was this thought more than any other that led him to nod his head ever so slightly.

"A Mudblood is still the best target," Lucius mused.

"How about Lexi Turpin?" offered Nott. "She's in our year and I heard her commenting that she doesn't know a Chimera from a Sphynx. That screams Mudblood to me!"

"What other information do you have?" Lucius turned his cold eyes to Nott.

"Blonde, Hufflepuff, quiet, often jinxed by Potter's crowd."

"Perfect," Malfoy grinned broadly. "We have our….target. I'll advise you further when the plan is fully formed."

The 3 boys surrounding him nodded and headed to their dormitory. Checking the time Severus, picked up his transfiguration book. There was an hour before dinner, he could at least start the latest essay.

Meanwhile out on the grounds one Slytherin had escaped from the stifling confines of the dungeons. After pleading the a need for fresh air she had left her sister behind and was now walking towards the forbidden forest. As she made her way out of the castle, Andromeda had spied a friendly face emerging from a nearby stairwell. She had given the boy a shy smile as she passed in hopes that he would follow. The dark haired girl knew a spot that was secluded enough to not be seen from the castle while open enough that no-one could sneak up on her without being seen. A spot where a Slytherin could meet with a Hufflepuff without being observed. A handsome, wavy haired Hufflepuff. A kind and unimaginably sweet, chocolate eyed Hufflepuff. A Hufflepuff like…

"You're a long way from the dungeons," a deep voice interrupted her thoughts. Andromeda turned quickly and looked up to see a friendly face, a smile twisting upon her lips.

"I fancied a walk. And you?"

"I fancied a chat and saw you walking across the grounds, I hope you don't mind? We never did get to Hogsmeade." He leaned against the trunk of a tree with his arms folded across his chest, seemingly at ease.

"Mmm," she agreed with a slight frown. "Cissy won't let me alone. She has been following me everywhere."

"She isn't here now though is she?" he made a show of looking around, feigning concern.

"No, she's not," Andy shook her head. "Exchanging quick glances and vague pleasantries with you in the corridors is not enough. Merlin forbid we sat and studied together or have a meal, she would become apoplectic. Thank Merlin she isn't here because she would never allow me the time that I want to get to know you."

"You would like to get to know me ?" he said as he gave her a lopsided smile. "And why is that?"

She laughed a little awkwardly, "I honestly don't know," her voice grew quiet and she dropped her gaze to the ground. "There is just something about you, like I recognised you the first time I ran into you."

It was his turn to laugh lines crinkling round his chocolate brown eyes, "The first time! Has there been more? I certainly don't remember them, and I am sure I would. Running into someone as beautiful as you doesn't happen to me every day."

"You… you think I am beautiful?" she blushed.

"How can you not know how beautiful you are?" he mused.

"Well, my big sister Bella, she was always the beautiful one, and all the boys like Cissy well with her pale complexion and blonde hair…."

He looked at her quizzically, "Bella? As in the same Bellatrix Black, who graduated two years ago?" she nodded. "Well I can't say there isn't a family resemblance there but well she…" his voice dwindled into silence as if he were unsure about how to go on without being offensive.

"She's stark raving mad," Andromeda said bluntly, looking him straight in the eye.

"Yes, that is definitely one way of putting it," He said as a smile pulled at his lips again. "I didn't follow you here just to talk about her though."

"Oh what did you want to talk about?" the shy smile graced her face again as she lifter her eyes to meet his.

"Well there is a Hogsmeade trip today and your sister is in the castle so….?" he hinted hopefully.

It was still for a moment in that little clearing at the edge of the forest, as Andromeda contemplated the consequences of the action her heart wanted to take. Deciding the potential benefits outweighed the risks, she reached out and grabbed his hand with her eyes twinkling.

"Well what are we waiting for?"

Ted grinned down at her as the pair walked off towards the village.

Back in the dungeons Narcissa had become impatient waiting for Andromeda to return from her walk, so she left the dungeons and the pile of waiting homework she had been ignoring, to search for her sibling. When supper time came, she was frustrated by her lack of success; surely someone couldn't just disappear in the castle. As Narcissa exited the staircase that led from the dungeons towards the open castle doors she was caught in the incoming flood of the students returning from Hogsmeade. A familiar laugh caught her attention. Scanning the crowd she spotted Andromeda's dark curls amongst the crowd of heads to the side of the doors near the Great Hall. Approaching her sister, she noted the boy with whom she was talking, his tie indicated that he was a Hufflepuff, but his handsome face was not familiar. Not that Narcissa would admit to paying attention to the residents of that disgrace of a house. In any case this was not someone with whom Andromeda should be speaking. Questions such as how Andromeda had met the boy, briefly danced across Narcissa's mind before she summoned the courage to interrupt their conversation.

"Andy?" She called out.

A blush colours Andromeda's cheek which was an incredibly unusual response from the typically stoic Black sister. The boy smiled, nodded to Andy, and then walked away to enter the Great Hall.

Andromeda's eyes followed Ted until he was hidden by the crowd. She soon turned her attention to her sister acknowledging her with a nod, "Cissy.".

"I've been looking for you everywhere, where have you been?" came a quiet but determined query from the blonde.

"I went for a walk and then fancied a trip to Hogsmeade."

"You know you are supposed to go with one of us!" Narcissa hissed.

"I'm 18 already Cissy.I'm older than you. I don't need to be treated like a child," and without so much as a backwards glance Andromeda stalked into the Hall and walked towards her seat at the Slytherin table. Narcissa chased after her knowing that their Mother would want all of the details.

"Who was that boy, Andy? I demand to know." If she had been standing still Narcissa would have stamped her foot.

"That boy is none of your business Cissy," the tone was harsh and defensive,one that Narcissa had never heard issued from Andy's mouth before.

"Andy, you know you can only date boys the family knows and approves of, and I DON'T know him," Narcissa's voice raised an octave.

"Who are you?" Andromeda whipped around to face her sister, hands on her hips. "Our Mother? You don't know everyone! And you do not have the right to tell me what to do!" A long thin finger pointed at the blonde. "One day Narcissa you will fall in love and then you won't give a damn who tells you whether or not you can marry, as you would give your life just to be with that person for just one moment."

"Love! This isn't about love," Narcissa hissed "This is about family, and the family will decide who you are to marry."

Andy glanced around to see if anyone was watching their disagreement before continuing in a tightly controlled voice, "I am of age now so I can make that decision for myself, thank you very much. Why can't you just be happy that I have found someone I like! Bella is the oldest, she is marrying for the family, and you like Lucius Malfoy. I think you could even grow to love him, I see it in your eyes. Yes even as young as you are and that is good, because when the family eventually arranges the marriage you will both be happy. I have found someone who I believe I could grow to care about, who might care about me in return. I don't know what will come of it yet, it may be nothing, but at least let me be happy for now," frustrated Andromeda turned her back on her sister and walked the rest of the way up the table to her seat.

Thinking on her sister;s words, Narcissa followed after her and took a seat next to Lucius, who was deep in thought.

Ignoring the food on his plate, Lucius was deep in thought, changing and tweaking the plan, until it was perfect. He hadn't foreseen the difficulty caused by Severus' bond with the Mudblood. The boy might only be eleven but as a half-blood he would need to prove himself and it was time for the boy to start thinking about the direction his future would take. If he was serious about gaining power, and what Slytherin wasn't, Severus was going to need to break that attachment. Well, Lucius considered, at least he was there to guide the boy.

The Blonde's thoughts returned to the plan, a few notes should manipulate all the players into position. He had selected a secluded spot in the castle which was usually free of teachers and... well the rest would work itself out. It was a simple test really. The Dark Lord had come to Malfoy Manor and spoken with his father, Abraxus. His father in turn had informed him of the Dark Lord's wishes and instructed Lucius to seek out talented students, who could be trained to become a valuable supporters of the Dark Lord's cause. Although they had suffered a disappointed with Sirius' defection to Gryffindor, they still believed his family ties would prevail, and were happy Lucius had been able to find a talented replacement in Severus, who agreed so readily to being trained.

"A Knut for your thoughts?" Narcissa's sweet voice interrupted him. He looked up at her as she continued, "Or are they more valuable than that? A sickle perhaps?"

"Nothing important, certainly not worth a knut," he smiled at his girlfriend. She was a gentle soul, knowing the viciousness of the politics he hoped he would be able to keep her separate from it. "And how was your day?"

"Boring," she sighed. "I spent most of it in the dungeons and then I went looking for Andy and I found her with barely enough time to make it here for tea," she frowned.

"And what was her excuse for running away from her favourite sister?" In Lucius' opinion Narcissa should be everyones favourite, after all she was beautiful, Andromeda appeared to be nice enough though plain to look at and who in their right mind would say Bella was they favourite anything.

"She went to Hogsmeade with a boy," Narcissa replied the frown still marring her looks.

Lucius raised his eyebrow "Heaven forbid she strolled around the village with a boy!" he smiled before noticing her furrowed brow. "Don't worry over it, it is probably nothing, she can go on a few dates here and there as long as she knows that when she goes home at the end of the year, she will be marrying whoever your father tells her to," he reasoned.

"You know, I'm not sure that is what she wants."

"Well she will have to accept there is no escaping it.." Desert had appeared while they were conversing and Lucius selected a piece of pie.

In a tremulous voice his girlfriend asked, "What if I'm told I can't marry you, what if I have to marry that Goyle boy or…."

Lucius turned and looked into her eyes for a moment before bending his head to whisper in her ear. "I have already spoken to Father about it; you have no cause for worry." Finally noticing the movement of the other students departing the hall Lucius straightened up and said, "Still that is a while off yet and things might change before that happens".

While Narcissa smiled back at him, reassured by his words she couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if she hadn't given her heart to the man at her side. The two finished their meal in comfortable silence and then headed back to the dungeons.