Chapter nine

Heated Snake

Note: This is a very tiny chapter, more like the runt of a story/litter containing lots of larger chapters/siblings. What am I talking about?? Anyway, I'm planning on writing a biggish chapter real soon (hopefully) With Ginny looking back on her father's death, expanding her new powers and perhaps bonding with Harry. Also more Draco (what do you think of him so far?) More info about Snape and Sarah and of course more dastardly Voldemort. Will Ginny's powers be a good thing…I think not (cue evil cackle)

Thanks you for the reviews! Please do it more!

Voldemort's reptilian face hung in the flames, the fiery heat licking at his features. Yet nothing could burn more brightly than those horrid red eyes, the eyes, which at that moment, were focused on a silver haired boy.

Draco Malfoy knelt before the fire, his eyes, ever so often, flicking around the common room, reassuring himself that he was alone. He was alone. How could three words be so frightful and yet so desperately comforting at the same time?

"Are you sure this is safe? You might be caught" Draco muttered, the sight of the burning head disturbing him to the core.

"Safe?" Voldemort heckled, letting out a soft, deadly chuckle "The fools couldn't even detect a sledgehammer striking them, never mind catching one of the greatest wizards ever to live" he said in a voice without vanity, only certainty.

"What have you to report?" he asked, eyes narrowing.

Draco let out a deep breath and told him what he had seen; he spoke of the faerie, the unearthly creature with the bright red hair and beautifully intricate wings. Draco had watched her with an almost childlike fascination, his usual cynical edge dampened slightly as he observed her from afar.

When he told Voldemort of Ginny Weasley's apparent powers, The Dark Lord didn't look surprised or even overtly happy, he just seemed…satisfied, like something he had always known was coming had finally arrived.

"It's not true of course" Draco finished firmly, yet a trace of doubt shadowed his former confidence as he looked at The Dark Lord's smug smile.

"Isn't it?" Voldemort replied playfully "Why do you say that? It is because she's just a girl…" he drawled, dragging out the words. "I know your pathetic excuse for a mother is a dismal example of the female gender but I assure you not all women are idiotic whores"

Draco grimaced but didn't argue, how could he? Draco had not yet met one woman, young or old who defied that description.

"So it's real? She really does have powers!? Draco asked each word weighted down by scornful disbelief.

"Hmm…" The Dark Lord replied, evading the question "So a forest creature is aiding her you say? How interesting, how very intriguing, I expected as much but still…" he trailed of, unwilling to share his thoughts with Draco.

"I suppose the little runt was warning Ginny about me? Warning my Ginny away from me…Ha! As if such a thing was possible. When she comes into her own, Ginny shall be begging to join my cause, pleading to stand at my side, hand in hand. That day will be glorious; the very heavens shall scream at the power we shall evoke, the angles shall cry out with pain, they will screech at the injustice of it, me taking what is rightly theirs. Everybody, mudblood, muggle and wizard alike, shall bow down to us and beg, beg for the mercy they shall not receive. Together, me and my girl, will rule for eternity"

Draco stared at the hellish face, speech failing him. He believed now, oh did he believe. Nobody could doubt the frightful conviction in that high, cruel voice; nobody could look into those gleaming eyes and see lies. Madness there was, but no doubt, no questioning if it would happen, it was only a matter of when.

"Do you see now boy? Do you see why she is so important?" Voldemort demanded sharply. "It is your job, no, your duty, to look out for her. Watch her every step, nothing must come between her fulfilling her dark destiny, a destiny pre-planned long years ago"

Draco, although still shocked, managed to ask in a strong voice "What about my father? I have done what you asked, now tell me where he is?" his mind was wishing he had never spoken so roughly, so dangerously, but his heart demanded answers.

Voldemort's face screwed up, the flames contorting to further enhance his wretched features. "You dare speak to me thus?" he said in a cold voice, a bone chilling tone "I have told you what you must do. Follow this and I will tell you. If not then you shall never know."

His voice changed into a perverse distortion of gentle kindness "Remember my dear boy, I wish to help you. You know that. Lucius was very…important to me. I intend to treat you with the same respect he showed me"

To Draco's ears this did not sound like a friendly warning passed down from boss to employee, it sounded like a threat. A threat he could not easily escape.

"Fine" Draco said, in a tone barely above a rough growl. "I'll keep watching her"

Voldemort smiled, his wrecked face at odds with the satisfaction it showed. "That's a good boy" he cooed "Now I must go. I have business to attend to. Wait for me to make contact"

Draco nodded reluctantly, a bitterness shining in his eyes. How I would love to destroy you… he thought, glad the dark creature couldn't read his mind the pleasure I would gain from bashing your face in… skewering out those demonic eyes…breaking each twisted hand, finger by finger. I despise you… But once again I shall follow your bidding. When my father is found, he will no longer be your servant, you disgusting, depraved bastard! I will make sure he never bows down to you again.