Of Missions and Destiny



When Voldemort realized that Father, his most loyal follower, and I were in the room, he barked, "Lucius, bring the boy to me and leave."



"Yes, master," Father replied and guided me over to Voldemort. Then he left.



Even though there was blackness behind the hood, I could tell that Voldemort was studying me. "Draco, just like your father, aren't you," he commented thoughtfully in that hideous voice of his.



"Yes, Sir," I answered with pride. Back then, I was pleased when someone compared me to Father.



"I am sure you have realized that Lucius and I have big plans for you, Draco."



"Yes, S-" I started to say, but I was interrupted by Voldemort's voice.



"And you have been told about your role?"



"No, Sir."



"No? Lucius did not inform you of your role?" Voldemort roared.



"No, Sir," I replied again, trying to stay calm.



"Insubordinate fool. Well, I will explain the situation to you. When you meet Harry Potter, befriend him and persuade him that he wants to be in Slytherin. I will handle the rest. If you succeed, you will be rewarded. Don't fail."



"Yes, Sir," was all I replied, and then I left. Father came to meet me, and we went back home.



All that night, I remember having nightmares about Voldemort breathing down my neck. But even back then, I knew not to go to my parents. Fear is a weakness, they'd have said.



After a couple of weeks, Father said it was time to go get my Hogwarts supplies at Diagon Alley. He mentioned that Potter might be there. I ran through what I was going to say to him in my mind. Mention racing brooms, Quidditch, and, of course, Slytherin. Maybe I should inquire about his family. And I should probably try to pretend that I don't know who he is. To be on the safe side.



Father, Mother, and I got to Diagon Alley and decided to split up. Father would buy my books, Mother would look at wands, and I would be fitted for my black Hogwarts robes. I entered Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and went to the back of the shop. I stood on a footstool, and a witch started fitting me. Then someone entered the store. It was him. This is my chance, I thought.



Looking back, I realize that Harry Potter saved his life by not liking me. I don't remember what was said in the conversation we had, but I do remember the look of dislike in his eyes. I also remember the feeling of knowing that I had failed my first mission. But what I remember most was the pain the punishment caused me after Father found out I failed. That, and the shock that Father had beaten me. Me, his own flesh. His own heir. I was shocked then, but in the years to come, I would have to get used to it. The punishments became more and more frequent.



All my respect for Father was lost from that point on, and he knew it. So he hit me to show that he had power over me. And he did have power over my body. But not my heart or mind. He had no power over my thoughts, feelings, beliefs, powers, or conscience. Thus, while he was striking me through my body, I was striking out with my thoughts. To absolutely ruin the first mission, I went out of my way to be a git and teased Potter and his friends mercilessly. Though I must say that they aren't people I like, I had no ill will against them. It was just a plan to save their lives for the time being. I was pleased that I saw hatred in their eyes very early on. I may have failed Voldemort's mission, but I accomplished my own with flying colors. However first impressions are crucial, and while I am certainly not a perfect entity that the Dream Team make out to be, nor am the spoilt little rich kid that was my reputation. Nonetheless, the whole school saw me as a bully from then on. A blessing and a curse as it turned out later.



I was - and still am - very surprised that Voldemort hadn't punished me more severely. All he did was put a short Cruciatus Curse on me and tell me how disappointed he was in me. This was a tame punishment for failing. The usual punishment was five very strong Cruciatus Curses and a long visit to the dungeon. I had gotten off easy.



It was three years later that I got my next real assignment. Father was summoned to Voldemort. When he returned, he informed me that I was to watch over Virginia Weasley, a second year who was the sister of the famous Ronald Weasley. She was the one who helped Riddle open the Chamber of Secrets. Father also told me that if I failed this mission, I had a good chance of being killed despite being his son. I had already been warned of this, so he had not gotten the pleasure of seeing my facial expression turn to one of horror.



Before I started the mission, I thought that I'd be watching over a ditzy fool who lived in the Dream Team's shadow and drooled over Potter. Oh, how I was mistaken.