((A.N. Hi everyone!!! Have you ever just written pages and pages of total crap? Well that's what happened to me lately. Don't worry, I finally wrote some good stuff! (I hope) I'm really sorry about the delay, but school and some other crap(mentioned above) has been getting in the way of writing. WOO-HOO!!! *screams* 100 reviews!!! Yay yay yay!!! Thank you all of my reviewers!!! I REALLY appreciate your feedback, no matter how small or large! Keep it coming! This is a short, dark chapter with a different approach. Hope you like it! Read and review!))

Disclaimer: You know what Im gonna say... J.K. owns. Everything. Not the plot.





"The Dark Lord grows restless," said a sickeningly cold voice from behind Lucius. Lucius whirled around angrily, his cloak flowing across the floor.


"I understand that, Lemanus, but what is there that we can do? We have not yet found a way to infiltrate this. . . this Order that our Lord has discovered."


"There is only one way, Lucius. We must use your son to gain access into the Order of the Phoenix. However. . ." Lemanus trailed off, but Lucius knew by his voice what Lemanus was suggesting.


"What is it?" Lucius questioned, his temper flaring.


Lemanus slowly drew up the goblet that he was sipping from. "I question the boy's intentions, Lucius. Although the first time I met him I saw nothing amiss, there has been a fear growing inside of me. He would not look at me this night . . . obviously he has something to hide."


"Draco is my son," Lucius said threateningly. "Long have I taught him the Malfoy way, long have I implemented the proper thoughts into his mind. I fear that for once your suspicions are wrong, Lemanus. Never would Draco cross me. He knows the consequences well enough to think twice."


Lemanus seemed to consider that and took a slow, deep breath. " So it is, Lucius. So it is. However, there has been a growing idea in my mind for quite a long time. The answer to our problem lies in your hands, Lucius."


The tall candles in their sinewy holders cast a flickering glow upon Lucius's face. It was shadowed, all except the eyes, which seemed to glow malevolently in the darkness of the night.


"What is this. . . solution you speak so casually of?" Lucius whispered, not daring to hope. Lemanus's long oily hair draped across most of his face, hiding the foul expression Lucius was sure hid underneath.


"You will not like it, Lucius. You will not like it at all, and neither do I."


"I am sure, Lemanus, that I will like it far more than the Dark Lord having or heads for not thinking of a solution at all. Tell me now and I will ask no more."


Lemanus stared at the figure across from him, wondering if it was safe to tell Lucius his idea. He spoke softly, hesitantly at first, but as he continued his voice picked up.


"My idea involves the boy, yes, but it involves this. . . this Granger girl also." Lemanus paused, waiting to see Lucius's reaction, but there came none. So he continued, "Lord Voldemort would see it as a blasphemy if the girl were to be made a Death Eater, as would I, I assure you. The more I think about it, however, the more I realize that it is the only way. If Our Lord knew that the girl would die once her part was finished, perhaps he would consider it. After all, the girl is bound to you, Lucius."


Lucius's head snapped up dangerously, and Lemanus whispered, "You know of what it is I speak. . . or have you forgotten already?"


The Malfoy paused.


"I certainly have not forgotten. The ancient magic that lies in this house, in my blood, in my sons blood is never forgotten. I suppose that since the girl made her promise to me within the mansions walls, she is indeed bound to me."


"Then the spell has already set in, Lucius. Cannot you see that this is how Salazaar Slytherin intended his magic to work? She cannot betray you, she will not betray you. Whatever you say, she is obligated to do. This is the ancient magic of your family, is it not?" Lemanus leaned forward, his eyes shining with an unseen eagerness.


"The spell that you cast unknowingly this night in the presence of Draco will hold her to her word. It is in this way that we will use the people closest to Harry Potter to lure him into Lord Voldemort's web. It will not be simple, Lucius, but it will be easier than using the boy. He will still have a part, I assure you, and a large part at that. This is the answer we have been waiting for."


After Lemanus had finished, he waited for the onslaught of opposition that he knew would come from Lucius. To his surprise, none came. Lucius asked quietly, "When is it that you have thought of this?"


Lemanus replied, "Ever since I saw the girl. When I looked into her eyes, I saw a spark . . . a flame. I knew immediately that the girl would play some larger role in our plan."


Abruptly, through the open window came a gust. The candles flickered and in a snap had gone out. It had been a calm night; no wind at all except for that sudden gust.


In the darkness that prevailed, the half moon cast a cold glow into the shadowy room. A sinister air flowed from the window, and the two men stared at each other, ceasing to move at all. In a whisper that seemed like a shout in the immense silence of the night, Lucius said,


"We shall see. Indeed, we shall see."





((A.N. Hermione, a Death Eater? What do you think? Tell me in your review!))