Author's Note: For all you Jonathan fans out there, I promise his backstory will come in due time. Here's another little glimpse!

Also, a note of warning. I know there may be some plot holes...and an element of this that might not make sense...namely who Jonathan is, but please for the sake of this story, suspend your disbelief! I wasn't very good at planning my stories ahead of time when I began this over 10 years ago...so Jonathan's age and origins don't really fit 100% into the world of Harry Potter. I'm in the midst of working that all out now so thank you for your patience and understanding! Onwards to the chapter!


Chapter 51

Jonathan

I'm nervous. I don't get nervous very often, but today, I am. My heart pounds in his chest as I step into the Vanishing Cabinet. I've been dreading this meeting, ever since Malfoy interrupted me and Lucia a few days ago. I haven't heard from her since and part of me dreads that Malfoy really did sabotage the whole mission. In any case, I need to seem absolutely confident for this meeting. So I breathe and then compose myself. And then I'm there.

There was no greeting when I step out of the cabinet this time. On my right are the Vladimirs—Mother and her husband, Mr. Vladmir. On my left were the Malfoys. And He is directly in front of me. I shudder.

"I'm getting impatient, Jonathan," hisses the voice. I force myself to stand up tall and look straight ahead at the figure.

"It's still all going according to plan," I say. My voice seems steady. It sounds almost foreign to me—completely confident. "It will all happen as expected."

"Then tell me why," hisses the voice, "you can't seem to make it happen faster. You made it seem like you already had her in your grasp the last time you came."

I don't let his anger get to me and I keep my face composed. "There's still a few," I steal a glance at the Malfoys when I say this, "nuisances."

"Like what?" hisses the voice.

"Draco Malfoy...and Alex Cayden." I speak quietly and carefully. I can hear the Malfoys' intakes of breath when I mention their son.

"Both of those can be dealt with easily," hisses the voice.

"Please let me deal with them," I respond. If it were up to the Dark Lord, Malfoy and Cayden would be killed. I don't want Lucia to choose me because she has no other options. I want her to choose me in spite of everyone else—over everyone else. I want her to choose me and then discard all of them. She will. I'll convince her. I know I can accomplish this mission.

The Dark Lord seems impatient today.

"Please, do not worry at all, my Lord," I finally say. "If it comes down to it, I'll take care of them myself. But I know I will have Lucia by winter," I say, trying to sound confident. To go along with my actions, I take the gleaming silver object out of my pockets and flick it at the Malfoys.

"Is the Vladimir family ring to your liking? It's an emerald set in diamonds."

Narcissa's eyes widen. "She's only in her first year!" she hisses.

The Dark Lord holds his hand up and her eyes widen. "Silence!" It doesn't matter how old she is. Eventually, when the time is right, it will all fall into place. She'll be of age when it finally happens. I have already assured you that, Narcissa." His words are all hisses and Narcissa shrinks back. Lucius glances at the ring and then flips it back.

"It doesn't matter what we think about it, does it." He doesn't ask. He just states it. Because he knows. I smirk and then turn my back on all of them. I glance at the Dark Lord one more time and bow low. "Goodbye, Father," I say. Then, I turn around and vanish back into the cabinet. When I make it back to Hogwarts, my skin has broken out into sweat and my body is shaking. I manage to take one step out of the cabinet and then collapse onto the floor, sliding down against the side of the cabinet. Because…what if she doesn't? …What if Lucia doesn't choose me? It will be so much easier for her and for me if we both want us. But if she doesn't… I've just volunteered to seal her fate. Permanently. And the fate of her brother. And of a stranger. And no matter how many times I tell myself better me than Him…the knot in my stomach gets tighter and tighter.