Disclaimer: I do not own HP. Kahl (whose name may change) is my character, as well as Sarah and some of the spells and books, namely Magick of Warfare. Please respect that.
Author's Note: Sorry it took so long. I went on a trip, among other things. But here are two chappies, which are, of course, subject to editing. Please tell me whatcha think!
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Chapter 6
The Path to Death
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It was long since dark when the train bearing students home for Christmas break pulled into Platform 9 ¾, and it was close to midnight when Draco and his father finally arrived home. As they entered the vast hall, the maid appeared. Draco handed her his bags, and she vanished. Lucius headed for his study.
Draco breathed deeply. "Father."
Lucius turned back. "Yes?"
"You said you'll be gone tomorrow evening. Can I come?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because you're not ready." Lucius's hard eyes glared at Draco, and the older man started walking away.
"I am."
Lucius heaved a sigh and turned around. "I would hope so, but I have my doubts. Are you really prepared to shed blood?"
Draco squared his shoulders. "Yes."
Lucius regarded Draco. "You had better be sure by tomorrow night." He walked off.
Draco shivered suddenly in the cold, torchlit hall. He shook himself, rolled his eyes, and went up to his rooms.
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Kahl watched the masked Deatheaters entering the ballroom from the corner by the staircase. She snorted softly to herself. Fine use for a ballroom.
There was one more person than normal. The face was unmasked except by the shadows thrown by the black hood. The frame was square and straight, male. Kahl's brow furrowed as she noted the man's height, width, and gait. It was very familiar.... He was the same height as the Deatheater on his other side, but slimmer. He held the same haughty bearing as his companion, as well. Kahl's breath caught in her throat. She shook herself. Great. Another Deatheater to be prepared for.
As Draco looked the other way, talking to his father, Kahl stood and left, striding rapidly down the hall.
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Draco stood in the center of the room, Deatheaters around him in an incomplete circle. He swallowed hard as Voldemort walked towards him. Red eyes stared out of the wizard's scaly visage. "This boy seeks to become one of us?" he said.
No one answered. After a minute of silence, Draco bowed. "Yes, master."
"Are you willing to shed blood?"
"Yes, master."
Voldemort laughed dryly. "We shall see. First you must prove yourself."
"I stand ready to follow your commands."
"Not now. The time is not right." Voldemort studied Draco. "Once we have an appropriate trial prepared, I shall summon you. You are dismissed."
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"Servant."
Kahl groaned softly. She rolled out of her bed and bowed. "Yes, sir?"
"The Dark Lord desires you to deliver this message."
Kahl took the scroll from Wormtail's silvery hand. "Yes, sir," she said. Wormtail left, and Kahl checked the scroll's seal. It was the seal of the serpent under a bush, fangs bared. Kahl rolled her weary eyes. Rubbing a hand across them, she shrugged on her leather vest and jean jacket, and strapped on her back harness. She slid her sheathed sword into place, put the scroll in a pouch over her right shoulder, and left.
Outside the decrepit mansion, the night sky glittered with stars. Kahl's breath streamed out in a cloud before her. She shoved her hands into her jacket pockets and struck out down the road.
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It was the next afternoon when Kahl finally arrived, emerging from the woods onto the side lawn. She walked across the grass to a side door, and she knocked firmly. Sarah opened the door, and she smiled. "Kahl."
Kahl nodded. "Sarah. Is Master Malfoy home?"
"No, he's getting the young master from the train."
"I'll have to wait for them, then."
"Of course." Sarah stepped back, and Kahl entered the kitchen. "Are you hungry?" Sarah asked.
"A little, thanks." Kahl sat down. "So young Master Malfoy is coming home from school?"
"Yes. He graduated this year."
"Good for him."
Sarah set a sandwich and glass of milk before Kahl. "There you go. I need to get some work done, so..."
"Understood, and thank you."
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Draco entered the house behind his father. "I'm sure they'll take you at the Ministry. I'll speak with Fudge on Monday," Lucius was saying.
Draco suppressed a sigh. "Yes, sir."
The maid appeared, and she curtseyed. "Master Malfoy, young Master Malfoy, the courier is here."
"Where?" Lucius said.
"In the kitchen. I'll get her." The maid vanished. A minute later, the courier walked into the entrance hall. She bowed and held out a scroll. Lucius opened the message and read it. He pursed his lips. "Eight o'clock. Can you?" Lucius said.
Draco met his father's cold eyes. "Yes."
"Very well." Lucius stalked off; Draco bit his tongue. He turned to the courier; she was studying the wallpaper. The sound of the study door slamming echoed down the hall. Kahl's green eyes met Draco's.
"You had better be sure of this, Master Malfoy."
He narrowed his eyes at the courier. "I am," he said.
"I'm sorry, sir. I meant no offense."
"Then don't say things that you are in no position to say."
Her eyes hardened, and she bowed. "Of course, sir." She left.