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

A/N: I am truly sorry, I'm not gonna bother with excuses; let's just leave it at the fact that I suck. But thank you so much for all your sweet and eager reviews - I feel so honored. This story shouldn't be too much longer - my estimations say 5 more chapters, give or take. ::sniff:: Enjoy the chapter, I'll try to update before I see POA at 12:01 am on June 4th, but I can't - I won't - guarantee anything. Please enjoy the chappie :)

The Pain Within
Chapter 23: Preparation

The next day, Draco was summoned to his father's office to for the raid on Thursday. It was of utmost importance that his performance was perfect; not because Lucius wanted to prevent pain for his son, but prevent his own humiliation and shame.

Joining Draco and Lucius that day was a tiny little house elf called Posey. Draco pitied the pathetic creature, but at least it wasn't a human he had to practice putting under the Imperious Curse. As the trembling creature stood meekly between father and son, Lucius raised an eyebrow at Draco.

Well, go on already. I haven't got all day.

Draco drew a deep breath and pointed his wand.



A bright blue blaze shot from his wand to the house elf, and immediately, its eyes glazed over. Its stance was loose as it awaited Draco's command.

Tell it to tug violently at its overgrown ears.

Draco nodded and ordered the house elf, Tug violently at your ears.

It did so obediently, and Draco had to marvel at the surge of power he felt at the action. The house elf was in his total control. He understood in a clearer light the appeal of the Dark Lord's cause. Who wouldn't want to feel this power, this control? Draco snapped back to the present.

Lucius smirked. Tell it to repeatedly slam its head into the fireplace wall.

Draco glanced at the brick fireplace. Go slam your head repeatedly into the fireplace wall, he commanded.

The house elf practically floated over to the fireplace and began to slam its head continuously into the bricks. Draco stared in disbelief and concentrated on steadying his wand. To think that they commanded human beings to do horrible things like this shook the joy of power right out of Draco's veins. Lucius had the audacity to laugh when cuts and bruises formed on the house elf's head. Draco forced a smirk.

Now you make it do something, Lucius demanded.

Let's see, Draco thought, perusing the room around him. What cruel and inhumane thing can I pull out of my arse?

Hit yourself on the forehead with the fire poker.

The house elf swayed uneasily from its place in front of the fireplace to the side where the tools to handle the fire were stored. It began to poke itself with the poker, creating new cuts on its head. After about a minute, Lucius sighed.

You are not cruel enough, Draco. That better change. Remove the curse.

Draco nodded and did what was requested of him. The house elf collapsed to the ground, weak and trembling. A series of cuts and bruises bedecked its head, sticky rivers of blood flowing from the deeper ones. Lucius eyed the creature in disgust before levitating it and banishing it out the door. Then he faced his son.

Draco, I want you to review the ideas and commands outlined in The History of the Imperious that I bought you last year. Take a good look, would you, for you are to use harsher orders than what I observed today. Do you understand?

Yes, Father, Draco replied, mentally sighing. That book was extremely graphic, even for his liking; but he would pull it off the shelf to appear like he read through it again.

Lucius nodded and then motioned the office doors with his cane. Good, now leave. I have more important matters to address than wasting my time watching your weak attempts at dark magic.

Draco suppressed a glare and wordlessly approached the door. Lucius followed behind him, striding regally. The younger Malfoy exited as the elder watched him aim for the stairs.

Draco, study hard. My warnings are to be taken seriously, young man. The Dark Lord will hurt you if you are in any way displeasing to him.

The young blond turned and eyed his father. Yes, I am aware, Father. I will be sure to review that novel at once.

Lucius nodded and Draco disappeared up the stairs. Lucius turned in the general direction of the kitchen area of the manor.

Gubby! Get your filthy arse here right now, he called.

Tiny feet could be heard scurrying toward the study door.

Yes, Master, Gubby is here, sir. Whats can Gubby gets for sir? the little elf asked, trembling easily detected in his voice.

I want a glass of my fine Italian vodka, mixed with nothing else. Get it, and get it here quick you stupid creature, for I have an important appointment, he ordered arrogantly.

By the time Gubby returned with Lucius's drink, the elder Malfoy was seated in his high-backed chair, facing the fireplace. Instead of his expensive silk robe and tailored suit, he now wore a long, plain black hooded robe.

Place the drink on the table at my right and then get out, he barked from underneath a mask, drumming his pale fingers on the aforementioned table.

He listened as the pathetic elf did as told as quickly as possible. The crystal glass barely touched the wooden surface before Lucius had snatched it and began sipping it slowly. It would be a disgrace if he were drunk for this meeting with this particular visitor. He listened as the house elf hastily scurried toward the door. He slammed his glass on the table when it fell and landed flat on its arse with a loud thump. He turned to glare at the creature; unfortunately, it couldn't be seen under the intimidating mask.

Get up you clumsy piece of shit, and get your pitiful arse out of here now. See to it that nobody interrupts my meeting. If they do, assure them that they will hear from me.

Rubbing its bottom, the house elf nodded. Yes, Master Malfoy. Gubby will sees to it, sir. He nervously scrambled out of the room, closing the door behind it with an ominous click.

Moments later, the fire in front of Lucius roared and the gaunt face of Lord Voldemort appeared within its flames. Lucius knelt on the floor in reverence and bowed, whispering, Welcome, my Lord.

Good evening, Lucius, the Dark Lord greeted indifferently. Sit, as we have many matters to discuss and I do not feel it appropriate to speak to the crown of your head.

Yes, my Lord. Thank you, Lucius murmured, picking himself up and stiffly sitting down in his armchair.

The blond man respectfully lifted his head slowly to look at his master. Voldemort nodded and began the conversation.

Young Draco has come home, I presume?

Yes, Master, he arrived yesterday.

Voldemort looked to the ceiling, in a pensive manner. Mmm, has he any more information on Potter and his friends?

Lucius nodded his head somewhat eagerly. Not on Potter and his friends, my Lord, Voldemort's face twisted into a sour scowl, but on Potter alone.

Voldemort's eyebrow raised in interest. That's good, very good. Has he further weakened from what Severus told us last?

Yes, Lord. His grades are slipping, even with that little mudblood spoon-feeding him. According to Draco, he is paler and quieter, and seems to have lost that bloody brazenness he's known to act upon. He zones out, and Severus has been adamant about torturing and punishing him.

The thin line that was Voldemort's mouth curled upward into an evil sneer. Perfect. The boy is falling into quite a depression, no doubt due to the events of last year, he analyzed proudly. Whatever shall the wizarding world do if their beloved hero isn't able to save them all? he mocked. Which, I can promise you, he won't.

Lucius nodded his head, and one could imagine the confident smirk present under the mask.

Of course not, my Lord. The world doesn't stand a chance against you.

Voldemort nodded in satisfaction as he reveled in the idea of future victory. Growing serious once again, he changed the topic.

Raiding will begin on Thursday at 10:00 p.m. in Surrey, as planned, Lucius. We'll be able to surprise many people. They won't be expecting it, and all will die in their beds.

Sounds wonderful, my Lord, Lucius purred.

The Dark Lord peered at one of his most trusted followers with his hollow red eyes. Young Malfoy is ready, correct, Lucius?

Of course, my Lord, Lucius answered. He knows what is expected and the consequences if he does not meet your standards.

He paused, but not out of hesitation. It produced more of a sinister effect than anything else.

Do not worry, my Master. He will be prepared.

Voldemort smirked in satisfaction.

The red eyes scanned the room. You are positive you are alone, Lucius?

Yes, Master. My wife and son are upstairs in their respective rooms. I am completely alone.

The Dark Lord once again scrutinized the room, his blood red eyes lingering on a spot beyond Lucius's chair. His thin eyebrows furrowed together as he peered skeptically at the wall. Lucius shifted in his seat to see what his master was bothered about, but he saw nothing but the dark wall. He raised an eyebrow in confusion and slight worry, and turned to face Voldemort again.

Would you like me to cast a scanning spell, my Lord?

Voldemort frowned and his eyes darted around suspiciously one last time. No, that is unnecessary. I know you would not lie to me.

Lucius bowed his head at the admission of trust.

Voldemort's eyes returned to rest on his servant.

Now, Lucius, what we are about to discuss is not to leave this room. Do not even discuss it with the Lestranges unless I summon you all, and we are in a safe, private location. You never know who is listening, he instructed, covertly scanning the study again before continuing.

I have conceived of another ploy to destroy Harry Potter once and for all. He will not be able to triumph this time.

The black hood of Lucius Malfoy's robe bobbed forward. That is marvelous, my Lord. I will do whatever you request of me to ensure that this arrangement goes according to plan.

I know you will, Lucius, thank you, the Dark Lord nodded. This time, it will go according to plan. Speaking of plans, was it ever discovered how my January plan was foiled?

Lucius slowly shook his head. Unfortunately, my Lord, we cannot figure out how the information leaked. We are working on it, my Lord.

Well, hurry. I want to personally torture the bastard that ruined my work.

Of course, my Lord.

Voldemort smirked. This next plan will shock all, Lucius. Raids will persist weekly, to scare both the wizarding and muggle worlds, to prove my power. No muggle town will be safe. Ahh, but tell me, Lucius, where is the one place that the wizarding world believes is safe?

Lucius frowned under his mask. Many are under the impression that Hogwarts is a safe haven, my Lord.

Voldemort's thin lips twisted into a malevolent smile. Precisely. They believe that as long as that pathetic boy and that crackpot old headmaster are there, it is safe. That is where we will attack.

Brilliant, my Lord.

I know. The attack will come at the end of May, on the last day of the month. By that time, news of our raids will have become normal occurrences. People, the students especially, will not be as defensive and on guard as they will be at the commencement of our raids. The students will also be busy preparing for final exams, making them even less wary.

Very true, my Lord.

Most people will not be prepared for such a blow so soon after the raids start. Potter and Dumbledore will not have time to plan a defense; they shall fall to me. This time, Potter will not win.

My Lord, he has no chance.

Voldemort sneered. He doesn't. What's better, Lucius, is that at Hogwarts, I will have the extra effort of your son and his fellow Slytherins on my side along with you Death Eaters. The only people that remain to defend the school are the students of the other three pathetic houses, and the faculty. The odds of them winning are slim.

Not slim, my Lord. Nonexistent, Lucius flattered.

The Dark Lord nodded in appreciation. How correct you are, Lucius, how correct. Especially since we will arrive at Hogwarts before dawn; I doubt many students will have the chance to wake before we blast through the building and kill them all.

Imagine, my Lord, Lucius began, all the little slain Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Gryffindors in their beds.

Such a shame, isn't it? Voldemort mocked, he and Lucius both erupting into malicious laughter.

It's brilliant, my Lord, positively brilliant. Harry Potter will meet his downfall for sure, Lucius stated.

Voldemort nodded. Of course. Now I must go. I need to contact Bella and Donovan to inform them of my plan. Make sure your son is prepared for Thursday. And remember - do not breathe a word of this plan to anyone, Lucius. No one.

Lucius rose from his seat and kneeled at the floor, bowing his cloaked head toward the bust of his master in the flames.

I understand, my Lord. Not a word, he murmured.

With that, the vindictive sneering face of Lord Voldemort vanished from the fireplace.

Lucius stood and removed his black robe and mask. Stating the password, he folded the robe and neatly placed both it and the mask in the section of bricks that swung open to reveal the hiding spot. He closed it, and stalked over to where his drink sat abandoned on the table beside his chair. He smirked as he picked up the half empty glass and threw back the rest of its contents. He left the room with more of a confident stride than usual and shoved the glass into the hands of the first house elf he laid eyes on, and proceeded to journey the route toward his bedroom.

A pair of eyes followed him, filled with determination. They watched - glared - at the man until he disappeared up the staircase.

I wouldn't be so confident if I were you, you arrogant bastard, the air whispered.

It will be your downfall. Mark my words. It will be your downfall, the air mocked.

A/N#2: Yea, review if you want; tell me off if you want; do whatever you want. And make sure you Americans have a few blank tapes handy, cause Daniel Radcliffe is gonna be on quite a few shows this coming week :)