Lord Voldemort paced in front of the fire in the small, dimly-lit room. He had to get rid of Harry Potter. How could he hurt him most? He had tried physically but that hadn't worked. He had to try something else. 'What was that damn boy-who-lived close to? Or who? What about that girl? Potter probably thought he was in love with her.'

"Malfoy!"

"Yes, my lord." Lucius humbly entered the room.

"I want you to kill that mudblood girlfriend of Potter's."

"My lord, with all due respect, I am already suspected of murdering a muggle. Maybe another could..." There was a pause. None of the other living death eaters had ever refused an order from their master.

Then Voldemort had a brilliant idea. "Yes." he said "Your son, Draco will do it. It will be his initiation. Tomorrow night you and Lestrange will bring the girl to the Circle. I will be there."

Lucius choked. His son? His only heir? Would he put his beloved son in this danger? But he couldn't refuse. Anything for his master.

"As you wish, my lord."

Draco was sitting with his feet on the arm of his chair reading a book of Shakespeare's sonnets in the library of Malfoy manor. His father walked in. Draco looked up and put the book down.

"Hello Father," He said rising to his feet.

"Sit down. I have exciting news. Our lord has set a date for your initiation. Tomorrow night you will kill a mudblood and then get your dark mark. I'm proud of you, son."

When Draco heard 'mudblood' he thought of Granger. Of her spunk that he so admired. Of her marks that he envied. Of her smile... 'Draco Malfoy! Stop thinking about that mudblood. You are going to be initiated. You've been waiting for this for years.'

"Really father? I've been looking forward to joining you."

"Remember to be respectful to the dark lord."

"Of course, father."