Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the amazing J.K. Rowling. I own nothing but the plot.

A/N: Happy 27th Birthday to NSYNC's JC Chasez!!! (His single hits the radio on August 11th, so listen up!!) Yes, I know this was supposed to be up two days ago. But the weather has been so bad here, I've been afraid to put the computer on, lol. I swear, I cannot wait to see the blazing Arizona sun when I go on vacation. I'm sick of rain and lightning and thunder...Did anyone watch that new show on Fox, The OC'? I thought it was awesome. Maybe it's me, but doesn't Ryan remind you of Draco a little bit? Apart from the fact that they're both hot, they're the misunderstood badasses that you love to love. ::sigh::

Faith Maguire: I don't write it in the story, but if you want to, you can imagine Draco in leather pants. Nice mental image, eh? :) Thanks for the review.

treachery89: Happy Belated Birthday!! Hope it was a good one, and thank you for the review!!

Miko-Chan3: You're welcome!! I feel honored that this is your fave story. I felt so bad when I got your review and you said you couldn't wait for the 6th, and I hadn't updated. So this chapter was typed up with you in mind :)

To everyone else who reviewed: You are amazing!!! I love you all. Haven't decided when my 200th review party will be; I'll let ya know once you shoot me past that. LoL



The Pain Within
Chapter 14: Spy Kid



Draco knew something unusual was going on the moment he stepped off the Hogwarts Express. His father hadn't come to pick him up himself like he normally did to look like caring father. Instead, Draco found a man dressed in an expensive suit holding a sign with his name printed upon it. When the man saw Draco approaching, he pulled a portkey (a gleaming gold galleon) from his pocket. Ten seconds later, the blond and his belongings appeared in the foyer of Malfoy Manor. The sight that greeted him as he searched for signs of life was not one he had the chance to view in recent years. The normally cold dreary antique atmosphere of the Manor was now being replaced with expensive gaudy furnishings. Lacy curtains, oriental rugs, and diamond everything adorned each room as Draco passed by. The only time the Manor was dressed up like this was for Lucius' annual holiday party for the Ministry that he held a week before Christmas. Had the party been postponed? House elves scurried about, cleaning and decorating, and Draco stopped one to order that his trunk be carried to his room. Among the hustle and bustle, the clicking of heels on the marble floor echoed until Narcissa Malfoy appeared.

she cried, a smile lighting her face as she swept toward him.

Hello Mum, Draco smiled as she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

How are you, sweetheart?

Before Draco could reply, a cold voice entered the conversation.

Narcissa, please. He is a sixteen year old boy. There is no need for pet names. And get away from him. Affection is not appropriate.

Narcissa slowly stepped away from Draco as she nodded curtly at her husband. I apologize, Lucius.

Draco slightly glared at the man, but he ignored his son and continued. Yes, I am sure. Now go make sure that the house elves have the correct menu for tomorrow.

She nodded and disappeared down the hall. When nothing but a faint tapping of her heels could be heard, Lucius addressed his son.

Your aunt and uncle will be visiting and joining us for dinner tomorrow. I expect you to be on your best behavior, no matter how pathetic that is. I swear, I will beat you to a bloody pulp if you make a fool of me.

Draco's confusion peaked but he remained impassive. Aunt and uncle? There was no way in hell Lucius would allow Andromeda and her muggle husband in his house. That was absurd. Unless he hadn't meant them. Oh no...

And make sure you show your loyalty. Bellatrix and Donovan are staunch followers of our Lord. They are among his best and most loyal Death Eaters, like myself. So you better behave.

Draco nodded absentmindedly. The Lestranges were going to be in his house the next day. He would spend the evening with criminal fugitives. No amount of money or power would save his father if the Ministry found out. And the Order. Should Draco do something, somehow contact them? No, he decided, I'll be able to learn a lot of information from the Lestranges. Tonks' face popped into his head, the expression at the mere mention of Bellatrix's name. The blatant hatred, vengeance...A strong hand roughly gripped his upper arm.

Do you understand? his father hissed in his face.

Draco nodded again, albeit meekly, and said, Yes Father.

Lucius let go and stood up straight again. You better. Now go up to your room where you will find a brand new, and very expensive, dress robe. The tailor is here, so put it on so he can fit it for you.

The rest of the evening and next day was spent preparing for the Lestranges' arrival. Draco didn't see the need. Up until a couple of months ago, the pair had spent over fifteen years in a dingy cell in Azkaban; even a shack would have looked welcoming after that experience. He supposed Lucius was just trying to show off. When Voldemort had returned two years ago, Bellatrix and Donovan were highly esteemed by the Dark Lord because they had gone to Azkaban for him, while Lucius was scorned for denying his loyalty. This had not sat well with the elder Malfoy, but eventually he regained his high position amongst the Death Eaters. Draco rolled his eyes as he added more gel to his blond hair. When he was finished, he sat on his bed until his father sent for him.

So far, he had only been hit once; across the face after the tailor had left for being impatient while the man had been marking measurements. The same impatience that now paced him across his floor in boredom. His aunt and uncle were expected between three and four, and he would be called as soon as they arrived. Draco couldn't sit still that long. As he passed his trunk, he stopped. He checked that the door was locked and then bent over the trunk. The house elves had unpacked everything for him. Except for one compartment, he smirked. The one they don't know exists. After accidentally reading a Muggle book in his second year, Draco had gotten the idea to build a secret compartment at the bottom of his trunk that only he knew how to open. After researching a few charms, he installed the compartment. He used it to conceal his sketchpad and pencils while at school, since such items could ruin his reputation if seen. Now though, he lifted the thin board on the bottom of his trunk to reveal a small rectangular cavity in which something soft and shiny laid atop his sketchpad. With Harry's Invisibility Cloak in hand, he moved in front of his mirror. He wrapped it around his body to find that his head now floated by itself in midair.

he murmured at his invisible body. It was strange to look in the mirror and see the bed where his stomach should be. He quickly yanked it off when a knock disturbed his awe.

One moment! he called as he stuffed the cloak back in its secret cubby until he needed it. He opened his door to find a gangly looking house elf.



Sir, Miffy is here to tell Young Master Malfoy that he is requested downstairs, sir. The guests are here, sir.

Draco nodded in dismissal and glanced one last time at his reflection. Sighing, he exited his room. It's showtime, he thought grimly.


As Draco elegantly ate his potatoes, he concluded that the Lestranges were creepy. Both may have been gone from Azkaban for a while now, but their eyes still held a gaunt hollowness. Bellatrix, who Draco thought was at one point quite beautiful, resembled the Muggle portrayal of a witch. Her once silky midnight black hair was stringy, as if no amount of hair care products could reverse it back to what it once was after all those years in prison. She was very thin like his mother, but instead of looking ladylike and delicate like Narcissa, she was disgustingly bony and her pale white skin hung on her bones. She was dressed in simple velvet black robes and sat rigidly in her seat. Her voice, however, contrasted with her gothic appearance. It sounded light and feminine but was laced with uncanny evil. The combination made Draco shiver.

I cannot believe Dumbledore and that Potter think they will be able to stop us. An old man and a little boy against our Lord? Fools, she spat as she sipped lavish wine from the diamond encrusted glass in front of her.

Oh yes, Lucius drawled. I've always told my wife and son that Dumbledore was the worst thing to ever happen to that school.

Narcissa dabbed at her lips with her napkin before speaking. Honestly, the man has no respect. It's enough of a disgrace that he allows mudbloods to attend the school, let alone be treated as an equal with my son, she said, feigning disgust. Draco was the only one who knew she was faking, but the others bought her act. Go Mum!

I couldn't agree with you more, Narcissa, Donovan spoke. Like his wife, he was very gothic in appearance. He was tall with broad hunched shoulders. His hair was also dark, streaked with gray, and his skin was ashen colored. He rarely smiled, and Draco was glad, because his teeth were crooked and yellow. His voice was very deep and rough, and occasionally sounded monotone.

And who the hell does Potter think he is? He tried to put the Cruciatus Curse on me, she said with a harsh laugh. Of course, it didn't work, she smiled superiorly.

Draco blinked into his glass of wine. Harry Potter tried to do the Cruciatus Curse on a Death Eater? He marveled silently to himself. What the hell had she done? He set his glass back down on the table. Strange, he thought. She must have done something terrible to him. Maybe that's why Tonks hates her; she tried to hurt Harry, or perhaps another of the Golden Trio.

Ah, don't worry about Potter, Bellatrix. He always tried to play the hero and save the day. It's his weakness, as we all know, Lucius smirked. And someday that will be his downfall. And our Lord's triumphant repossession of his rightful throne.

Here, here, Donovan toasted, raising his glass. Along with the others, Draco followed suit with his glass, trying desperately to comprehend what they were saying, but their comments were so evasive. He needed to find an entrance into the conversation, and fast.

I think he's trying to do it again, the stupid git, he spoke up casually. All four adults turned their attention to him.

Do what, Draco? Lucius asked impatiently.

You know, be the hero and save the day, Draco said. He really had no clue where he was going with this; it had been the first idea that popped into his head. Shit, he thought, I'm going to look suspiciously stupid if I can't come up with something.

How so? his aunt inquired curiously.

Shit, shit, shit, Draco chanted in his head as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. The Order's going to kill me. Wait a minute, the Order....

I think he is part of some defensive group, he said, folding his napkin, I heard him, Weasley, and the mudblood talking in the library. They were sitting in a secluded corner and were speaking in hushed voices, he lied smoothly. I caught bits and pieces of their conversation. They said, he paused and lowered his voice, hopefully not too dramatically, they said our Lord's name.

Oh, the disrespectful little brats, Bellatrix hissed.

What else did they say? Donovan voiced the question that was on everyone's mind. Draco was pleased to see that even his father seemed eager to learn what was said. Right, now what was said...

I heard something about a meeting, Draco said, thinking quickly, defense tactics, some kind of dueling practices, and they mentioned Dumbledore a few times, he finished.

The three Death Eaters glanced uneasily between each other, while Narcissa stared at her son. The sneaky little slimeball...she couldn't have loved him more at the moment.

And you think that this is a group against our Lord? Bellatrix questioned.

Draco shrugged. I would assume so. We don't have any extracurricular clubs in school for them to attend meetings for, and everything else that I was able to hear led to that conclusion.

It sounds exactly like the one Potter started last year.

Draco looked at his doubtful father, who, he hated to admit, was right. He thought quick. Yes, it does, he said firmly, Except I think this one is more official and Dumbledore's probably actually involved. He has to be, with the amount of times they mentioned his name.

Lucius nodded slowly, processing the information. Draco waited nervously, heart pumping furiously in his chest, but his face remained calm. He half-expected his father to say something that would prove his story false and blow his cover, but instead the blond man turned to his fellow Death Eaters.

Rather interesting, don't you think? He raised an eyebrow. They are persistent, I'll give them that. Stupid, but persistent. To think they still believe they will defeat the Dark Lord, how ludicrous.

Donovan's mouth twisted into what Draco assumed was supposed to be an evil smile. Let them think that, Lucius. It's not possible after this week.

Draco's ears perked up. He knew there had been a reason the Lestranges were visiting other than to share a nice family dinner. Voldemort was plotting something.

He looked between the Death Eaters before asking, Why? I didn't think it was ever possible.

Donovan's smile' widened and Bellatrix's thin lips also curved. Even Lucius slightly beamed. Draco on the other hand, felt sick at how much he sounded like his father.

We're taking a business trip for the Lord, Bellatrix informed him. Only a few of us are going, so unfortunately you cannot accompany us. But with your loyalty, you could probably come on one of the next ones.

Draco smiled in what he hoped was eagerness, and not sarcasm.

Keep eavesdropping on Potter and his little friends, Draco. Find out as much as you can. The information is invaluable to the Lord, Donovan urged.

Draco nodded. I'll eavesdrop all right, he smirked inwardly. Just not on Potter.

We could probably tell Snape to snoop around Dumbledore a bit, Lestrange said turning to Bellatrix and Lucius. That might put him back in good graces with our Lord.

Yes, it might, Lucius said simply. He shot his wife a pointed look. She stood up gracefully.

Well, I am glad that both of you are finally out of that awful prison. Unfortunately, Draco and I must get up to bed now, as I'm sure you three have business matters to discuss before your early departure in the morning, she said. It was a pleasure to have you here for dinner; you are welcome any time you need a place to stay. She walked around to her sister and took her hands. Bella, dear, it's good to have you back. Take care, you hear?

Draco caught a glimpse of the beauty Bellatrix had once possessed as a small genuine smile graced her lips.

I will, Narcissa, do not worry.

You too, Donovan, she said as she and Draco neared the dining room exit. Her brother-in-law nodded. And Lucius, I don't think I need to remind you, do I?

Lucius smiled a fake, cold smile. Of course not. I will be fine. Good-night, love.

Draco's blood curdled at the pet name. What an arrogant, hypocritic bastard. Instead of voicing that pet name, he opted for, Nice meeting you, Aunt Bellatrix, Uncle Donovan. Good-night, and good luck on your trip.

They all nodded and as Draco left the room he heard his father speak.

Shall we take our tea in the parlor? Then we can discuss a few details before we turn in for the night.

Draco only smiled.


Ten minutes later, Draco was seated uncomfortably on his parlor floor behind a sofa under Harry's cloak. His father was sitting regally in an armchair while Bellatrix and Lestrange each occupied a sofa. All three had steaming cups of tea in their hands and, at the moment, Draco was the subject of their conversation. The Lestranges were very impressed with his loyalty and information'.

He's going to accelerate rank very quickly, you should be proud, Lucius, Donovan said.

Hmm, I suppose. What can I say? I taught him well.

Draco rolled his eyes and stifled a snort.

Okay, boys, let's get down to business, Bellatrix ordered. Let's go over the plan detail by detail.

Yessss, Draco cheered in his head. Jackpot!

We, along with Nott and Avery, apparate into Bloomsboro, Germany tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. and stay at Turner's place.

Jack Turner was an English Death Eater that fled from Aurors a few days after Voldemort's fall, Draco remembered. He always wondered where the man had ended up.

Then, for the next week, we gather the old German gang to increase our numbers.

We just have to convince Heinrich, Bulthaupt, Hochsteader, and Remlich. Once they're by our sides again, the rest won't be a problem. We scare the others into coming back and kill those who refuse, Donovan snickered.

Bellatrix confirmed. Once that's done, the Lord wants to attack the French Ministry of Magic on January 1st at 9:00. We leave after two hours of invasion. The Lord only wants to give the world a reminder of what he is capable of doing.

The world will be devastated. How sad, Lucius remarked without a trace of sympathy in his voice.

Draco sat paralyzed. An attack on New Year's Day? He was going to have to contact the Order; he returned to school on January fifth. He would be too late.

They have the weakest defense, especially without the aid of the British, German, and Spanish. It also helps that it's New Year's Day; they will be too busy celebrating. We'll shock them, seeing as they have no advanced warning, Bellatrix continued.

That's what you think, Draco thought smugly.

Donovan chuckled heartlessly deep in his throat. Then we return to hiding and lie low until the Dark Lord unveils his next plan. It's perfect.

I think he will go after Potter again. Better to get him out the way now then later, Bellatrix commented.

I agree, Lucius said. The boy has been lucky to be alive for the last 15 years; I cannot wait to see the Lord finally get rid of him.

Mmm. He would have succeeded last year had Dumbledore and his crew not shown up, Donovan stated.

Draco had not been told much about the battle down in the Department of Mysteries that occurred last spring; just that it had not gone as Voldemort expected.

The sound of china being placed on glass was heard as the person sitting on the couch Draco was leaning against stood up.

Oh, Lucius, that reminds me. You have to see the item I found in my cousin's pocket after I killed him. Donovan and I find it hysterical.

Bellatrix killed someone recently? Her cousin no less? Draco knew that his father rarely went on raids since Voldemort's return. It was part of the Dark Lord's plan to keep a low profile. He suddenly heard his father's haughty laughter.

A mirror? Of all things, a mirror? he asked in disbelief. I always knew Sirius Black was a vain bastard, but who knew how vain? What, was it supposed to protect him?

The two men broke out in harsh laughter, but Bellatrix didn't.

Did you hear that?

Hear what? her husband asked.

Bellatrix frowned. I swore I heard someone gasp.

Draco's eyes widened and clapped his hand over his mouth. He hadn't meant for his gasp to be that loud, but he had been momentarily shocked. Sirius Black was dead? Bellatrix had killed him? Why? Hadn't he been evil, killing all those people fifteen years ago? Weren't he and Bellatrix on the same side? Millions of questions swarmed his head as blood rushed loudly through his ears.

I didn't hear anything, Lucius said.

Draco let out a silent sigh.

Are you sure? Bellatrix asked dubiously.

Yes! Draco silently shouted.

Positive, Bella, Donovan said. Anyway, I refused to let her throw the mirror out until she showed you.

Lucius must have been smirking. Thank you, that made my evening. Why don't I show you to your rooms since we have a busy week ahead of us?

Lestrange said. We need our energy for this trip.

Bellatrix made an affirmative noise in her throat as Draco heard her step around the couch. He held his breath as she peered suspiciously right at him before shaking her head.

Yes, I must be tired, so sleep sounds like a good idea, she said.

Of course, Lucius drawled. Why don't you leave the mirror on the table with our dirty teacups? A house elf is bound to take it. The stupid things like keeping our garbage.

Yes and I'm sure the mirror is familiar with ugly faces anyway, Donovan sneered.

As cold laughter and footsteps retreated down the hallway, a bodiless hand reached out and stole the mirror. Two seconds later, both hand and mirror vanished into thin air.








~*~*~
No one seems to know what Lestrange's first name is - even the Harry Potter Lexicon doesn't know - so I just made it Donovan. It means Dark Warrior' in Gaelic. ::shrugs::

Expect Chapter 15 sometime next week, I'm not sure when since I'll be busy getting ready for vacation. Here's what's gonna happen:

***Draco spends a relaxing Christmas with his mother....finds out that the mirror isn't that ordinary...contacts Order members...and finally sees the shape his Patronus takes...***

Please REVIEW. Brownie points to anyone who can spot the two Pirates of the Caribbean references. Answer coming in the next chapter. ^_~