Chapter Two- Another Prophecy
Lord Voldemort looked up as his Inner Circle flooded into the room. He was seated in a large armchair, in a grandly decorated room. His followers were silence with respect as they bowed before their master. Voldemort rose from his chair and stood in front of a crackling fire. Shadows danced along the walls, despite the fact that it was day. The windows were shuttered carefully, so that no prying eyes could spy upon the meetings of the elite of evil.
The Death Eaters stood at once, eyes riveted on their leader. Fear shone in some of these eyes, respect in others, and still envy seared in pupils.
To Lord Voldemort it did not matter what emotion gleamed brightest of all. It just mattered that the Death Eater did not demonstrate the emotion they were feeling. His followers were trained to be perfect in their task of purifying the wizarding world, and the Dark Lord would not allow petty things such as feelings to get in his way.
He finally spoke, his voice commanding.
"Are there any reports on the situation at Hogwarts?"
A few stirred at the mention of the school. The place that held the most resistance to the job that the Dark Lord was trying to accomplish. For there, Albus Dumbledore reigned, safe and alive, teaching the future generations to abhor the ideas that Voldemort dreamed of. And there.... was also Harry Potter. The wizard that was predicted to be able to defeat the Dark Lord. He also was at the school most often, being forever protected, and kept just out of Voldemort's reach.
The spies that had been strategically placed around Hogwarts, bristled as they were called upon to give their knowledge of what was going on at the school. Each one had been unable to attain any new findings to add to their cause. And each one would be promised a dosage of pain later on in the meeting for their failure.
Though the powerful wizard would never admit, Voldemort was getting worried about the ways things were working at Hogwarts. For three years he had been at nearly full power, and still Harry Potter was alive and well, and no more closer to being dead then he had when he was one month old. And he was growing stronger as well, as his magic abilities were becoming more and more well tuned.
He sighed as he listened to the rambles and apologies of the wizards the surrounded him. He dismissed them with a wave of his hand, and watched as stunned looks came upon each wizards' face. He couldn't understand why they were so surprised; they obviously didn't have any valuable news to tell him.
The Death Eaters began to file out of the room, as quietly as they had come. Robes swishing over the floor was the only sound that could be heard, until the Dark Lord's voice broke the silence once more.
"Malfoy."
Lucius and Narcissa froze and turned to face their master. The other Death Eaters passed around the pair, thanking Merlin's Beard that they hadn't been called upon.
The couple went back to the Dark Lord, bowing as they did so.
"Rise." Voldemort commanded, turning to face the crackling fire as soon as he was sure that the others had left.
"My Lord?" The two echoed together, as they stood.
"Your eldest son... When shall he be joining our ranks?"
"Draco has been...ahh, hesitant about becoming one of your great followers. I have not felt the need to push him into it, so that he shall not resent it to spite me." Lucius replied, his voice quivering.
The three in the room all knew quite well what Lord Voldemort was truly asking about. They all knew that Draco was truly unsure about what side he wished to join, and that made them all nervous with good reason.
"The Prophecy, my Lord, do you believe it to be true?" Narcissa whispered.
"The Prophecy that spoke of your son..." Voldemort hissed, turning to face them, his eyes blazing. "I am wary of Prophecies... It does not matter whether I believe it or not. This is none of your concern. However, your son is turning into a fine and strong wizard that should not miss out on the chance of learning what being a pure blood truly is. I wish for him to enter my service."
There was an uneasy silence that hung in the room from the Malfoys for a moment. They knew that it was a command for them to give their son up to the darkness.
"It shall be done tonight, my Lord." Lucius replied, bowing.
"Very well." the Dark Lord answered, turning back to the fire as the two Death Eaters left the room.
Narcissa pulled off her mask as soon as she had left the room, anger flushing her cheeks, pale hair in disarray.
"Lucius-"
The man grabbed her arm, and silenced her.
"Not here. Let's go home."
Narcissa took his meaning. He didn't want Voldemort hearing them discuss Draco... or the Prophecy.
With a small pop they were in their enormous bedroom back in the Malfoy Manor.
"Lucius! Draco will never become a Death Eater if he is forced to!" Narcissa pointed out, angrily.
"I know, Narcissa, I know. But we have no choice. The Dark Lord obviously does believe in the Prophecy about Draco."
"Do you believe in it?" the female asked, her voice a hushed whisper.
Lucius looked up, his eyes meeting hers. They were silent for a moment as no words were spoken.
"Do you believe that Draco could be the end of this war? That if he joins the Dark side, the Light will be defeated, but if he joins the Light, the Dark shall die? Do you believe it Lucius?"
Her husband was still quiet, as he began to change his robes. Narcissa stood there, staring at him in disbelief.
"You believe it.... That our Draco could be the way to winning this war?"
"The Prophecy didn't say he was the key to winning the war, Narcissa." Lucius replied calmly. "It said: A child of pure darkness shall come into the world around the time that the one that may be able to defeat the Dark Lord is born...This child shall be given the chance to fight for the Light... or remain in the Dark... Which side he chooses shall be granted an advantage...this child born under the star of the Dragon... the key..."
Lucius recited the Prophecy without falter, while Narcissa stared on in horror.
A sudden noise below jolted them both out of their thoughts. The sound of a door closing, meaning that Draco had returned from his Quidditch practice. Lucius finished dressing in his casual wizard robes and started for the door.
"Are you going to make him become a Death Eater?" Narcissa whispered.
"It would come to that eventually." Lucius stated, and walked out.
Draco was downstairs, putting his broom carefully away, when Lucius found him. Draco looked up, a slight look of surprise crossing his face as he saw his father was home again.
"Hello Father." Draco spoke as a greeting.
"Draco, we need to talk." Lucius replied in a stiff tone.
Draco stared as his father for a moment, a little unnerved by the look in his father's eyes, but he nodded without complaint and followed the older Malfoy back into the living room.
His mother was already seated on a couch, emotions of sorrow reflecting out of her. She smiled as he walked in though.
Lucius seated himself next to Narcissa, as Draco took the couch opposite them. There was a silence for a moment, as Draco was sure he felt his heart stop beating. There was only a few reasons his parents would have to talk to him, and he didn't like any of the possibilities.
"Draco...Today the Dark Lord extended his hand to you. He wishes for you to become one of his followers."
Draco felt a lump rise in his throat, and his breath still. His eyes widened in shock. He would never have seen this coming. The Dark Lord didn't go handpicking Death Eaters. He didn't need to. Almost anyone could join. All they had to be able to do was cast the three Unforgivables.
Narcissa put her hand on Lucius's.
"We know this must come as quite a surprise to you, Draco. However this is a great honor for you."
Draco felt his body spring back into action as hatred surged through his veins. He hadn't had enough time to think. He wasn't ready to be a Death Eater, if he wanted to be one at all.
"I'm not ready." he whispered weakly. "I can't be..."
"The Dark Lord thinks you are, so you must be. This is an offer you can't refuse Draco." Lucius replied. "Now let's get you ready for you initiation."
Lucius stood, looking at his son pointedly.
"No!" Draco found himself yelling. "I don't want to be a Death Eater now."
His parents stared at him for a moment.
"Don't be silly Draco. If you tell the Dark Lord, no, he will destroy you." Lucius hissed.
Draco clenched his fists, and bit down his lip. This couldn't be happening to him...
"I can't Father... I can't be a Death Eater."
"Why not Draco dear?" Narcissa asked from where she was still seated.
Draco desperately wanted to reply that it was because his heart was telling him not to join right now, but Draco knew if he said that, his parents would probably tie him up and drag him to initiation.
That was one thing that was never done in the Malfoy house. They never spoke about her.
Lucius seemed to know what his son was thinking though.
"Don't let her influence your decision Draco. She messed up her life, don't let her mess up yours too."
"She didn't mess up her life!" Draco yelled, now officially mad. "She choose what she wanted to do and did it, instead of cowering and doing the dirty deeds of a wizard stronger then her!"
Lucius whipped out his wand, his face turning red.
"Watch your words boy."
"Because they're true?" Draco sneered. "You would lick the mud off of the Dark Lord's shoes if he ordered you to. She on the other hand, could destroy the Dark Lord if she wished."
Lucius dove at his son, wand outstretched.
"Lucius!" Narcissa screamed, scrambling to her feet.
Draco ran as fast his could. He raced through the hall and then towards the steps. His father was faster though. In a blur of speed, he grabbed the younger Malfoy, and threw him into a father clock that stood near the bottom of the stairs.
Wood and glass splintered underneath his weight, and were sent piercing into him. Draco winced in pain as he struggled to his feet, but didn't allow himself to cry out. His father was after him again in an instant. Draco made another desperate attempt for the stairs. He made it halfway up, when a curse was sent roaring after him. It ripped through him, and sent him catapulting into the place where the rail ended. He lay there for a few moments, trying to breath, but it was only coming in painful gasps.
His father was coming he knew. He had to get up. He had to get away. He had to...
Lucius was suddenly leering over Draco. The seventeen year old didn't move. The older Malfoy reeled back, and planted his foot in the Slytherin's stomach. Draco's eyes widened, as he was sent spilling down the stairs. He struggled to stand, and grabbed for the rail, half standing, half tumbling. He tried to turn to stand up, and felt pain surge through his left ankle, and a crack echoed throughout the hall.
Draco fell in pain on his broken ankle as he finished falling.
"Now get out." Lucius hissed. "You can join her."