Harry was impressed. Lucius's mind was covered in a haze of red pain, but his occlumency shields still held. Harry could only get muted emotions off the man. Pain, shock, anger, and fear leaked from behind the iron clad will that the blonde possessed. Harry gathered his magic and slammed it against Lucius's mental shields. They held, so he repeated the action.

Beneath Harry's glowing hand, Lucius screamed. The aches of his body were swept aside by the splitting pain in his head. His back arched and he gnashed his teeth.

"Dobby," Harry ordered, avoiding the man's thrashing. "Hold him still."

With a snap, the blonde froze. His muscles tense, his eyes focused on a point far away. Harry gathered his magic together again and thrust if forward, pinpointing a small spot that seemed weak. A groan escaped from Lucius as Harry continued to press his mental attack.

A rush of emotions slammed into him as he penetrated the man's mental landscape. Pushing past the sensations of pain and ignoring the anger, he began to search his memories. He combed for interactions with Voldemort, looking for information he could use. He flew past Lucius's first meeting with Voldemort, when he received the Dark Mark, to a raid that Lucius had taken part in.

"While not as useful in combat," Voldemort said, wand pointed at a helpless man levitating in front of him, "it sends a strong message to any who oppose us."

The Dark Lord jabbed his wand forward and the man screamed, the skin being stripped from him. It fell to the ground with soft, wet thuds. Voldemort weaved his arms through the air, conducting the man's symphony of pain.

Dropping out of the memory, Harry made a note to look for other dark spells that could give him an edge. Magic swirled along his right arm, slowly moving towards his hand. The blue glow illuminated eyes that had rolled back as he continued his plunder of Malfoy Senior's mind.

"What separates us from the Mudbloods, Draco?"

A young Draco looked up at his father, "Our blood?"

Lucius smiled, "Not just that Draco. While our blood can be traced back centuries, it is our traditions that we uphold that truly divide us. The knowledge of previous generations grants us power. The Mudbloods look down on us because of this."

Little Draco tilted his head, "Why?"

"They don't understand it," Lucius answered. "They think us backwards."

Harry frowned as pulled himself from the memory. Checking Malfoy Senior, he poured more magic into the man to keep him conscious. Fainting would cut the connection and he didn't plan on returning to Malfoy Manor.

"Dobby, secure Junior," he said.

Ropes were conjured around Draco, who grunted as he was shifted about. Narcissa stared at Dobby from where she had stooped next to Draco.

"He never removed you from the wards, did he?" she asked.

"Dobby doesn't know," Dobby replied, glancing back at Harry.

"Stupid man," she muttered. "I won't let his foolishness kill my child again."

Harry dove back into the mind of Lucius. After several minutes of hunting, he found what he was looking for.

Malfoy entered a small study, and bowed, "My Lord."

"Lucius," The Dark Lord said, standing from his chair, "I have a task for you. One that will require more subtlety than normal."

"I can accomplish it, My Lord."

Voldemort smirked and pulled a blank book from a small bookcase. Holding it out to Malfoy, he said, "That is why I chose you."

/\/\/\/\

Severus Snape strode forward, cloak billowing behind him. He swept past the guard at the door and entered the room. Behind a desk sat Voldemort, reviewing plans for a raid. The fire lit behind him reflected off his pale skin, while hiding his features. Now that he was in the open, the war to conquer Magical Britain could begin in earnest.

Severus knelt when he reached the center of the room, "My lord."

Voldemort shuffled some parchment and made a note, "You have information for me, Severus?"

"Yes, my lord." Severus said, still kneeling. "Dumbledore has lost the Potter brat."

Voldemort looked up, red eyes almost glowing, "Explain."

"The boy's guardians are either dead or unresponsive. The boy's cousin was found five kilometers away, having collapsed from running. Potter was nowhere to be found."

Voldemort leaned back, bringing his hands together.

"The Order of the Phoenix guard stationed there was attacked as well." Severus said, ignoring the ache in his knee. "The Ministry of Magic thinks you have hired foreign wizards to kidnap Potter."

"And what does the Order think?" asked Voldemort, standing. He walked to a wall holding an almost complete map of the Ministry of Magic. Next to it was a list of options to capture Hogwarts.

Severus rose and followed next to him, "The Order have no idea what to think. The guard lapsed into a coma shortly after discovery."

Voldemort turned to face him. Severus resisted the urge to flinch as the Dark Lord stared into his eyes. Red eyes searched his face as he felt Voldemort brush over his mind.

Satisfied, the Dark Lord turned back to the map, "And what do you think happened, Severus?"

"I believe the boy has gone rogue," said Severus, still reinforcing his mental shields.

"Interesting. It took time to point the boy towards the Hall of Prophecy. Perhaps there were more severe side effects."

Voldemort returned to his desk, "Speaking of, fetch Lucius. He has to answer for his failure at the Ministry still."

Severus bowed, "Yes, my lord."

He fled from the room, ignoring the door guard. Deep in the barracks of the abandoned Irish castle he was in, he could hear Fenrir Greyback howling and pumping up his pack before a raid. He encountered Bellatrix Lestrange as he headed for the front entrance. She favored her left side, hiding the tremble in her limbs.

"What has you in such hurry, Snape?" She asked, glowering at him. "Forget to grade homework?"

"Direct orders from our lord," he answered, walking past her. "Lucius cannot hide in his home any longer."

Bellatrix flinched and clutched at her left arm. Her disapproving gaze followed him out the door.

/\/\/\/\

Harry straightened himself, stretching his arms and cracking his back. His hand had gone numb from all the magic he had been pushing through it.

"What is your plan now, Potter?" asked Narcissa. She had her wand pointed at the ground, while her open hand stayed on Draco.

"I need a better place to stay," Harry answered, taking in her defensive posture as he stood.

"And then?"

"Then I'm taking down Voldemort."

Narcissa glanced between him and Lucius, "What will happen to Draco?"

Harry moved closer to her, stopping next to Dobby. "Depends on what you can offer me."

"I know a safe place. A Black family property."

Harry tilted his head, "You want protection then?"

Draco mumbled something through his gag, and she squeezed his shoulder. "Draco too. I never took the Dark Lord's mark, but I can give you the information I have."

Harry folded his arms and put his fist underneath his chin. Narcissa saw a complicated blue pattern pulse along his arm.

He broke the silence after a minute passed, "How do we get there?"

She pulled out a small black pendant that hung around her neck, "This is an emergency portkey given to me when I took the Malfoy name. I started wearing it again after Sirius died."

"Why didn't you wear it before then?" asked Harry, the magic along his arm pulsing faster.

"The Head of the Family would know I used it. I couldn't take the risk that he would alert the Order of the Phoenix."

Harry nodded, "Let's go then."

Narcissa pocketed her wand, and held out her hand, keeping a firm grip on Draco. Harry accepted it, and the group disappeared.

Lucius Malfoy relaxed, and his arms flopped to the ground. Unseeing eyes stared out the hole in the ceiling.

A/N

Thanks to 2D for helping to beta

Posting updates for this story and others on my Minds blog