Chapter 24

The next death eaters meeting had been called to order, and it was a large one. After the attack on the ministry, Voldemort had brought together all his death eaters to congratulate them all. It was the very first meeting that everyone was together, including Severus and Catherine. Chairs had been conjured around the dark clearing, and Draco and Catherine had just slipped into the last two.

"Good evening my followers." Voldemort spoke, stepping into the middle of the circle. "It is wonderful to see that all of you were able to make it, even with all the work you are doing." He paused, "I would like to welcome our new, younger death eaters now." A sly grin spread across his face, a few of the older death eaters laughed menacingly. "We have Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, Theodore Nott, and of course, Draco Malfoy and Catherine Snape." A few heads bowed down the slightest bit when the last two names were mentioned, as they had high respect. "Lucius!"

"Yes, My Lord?"

"Would you like to do the honors?"

"Of course, My Lord." The man stood up, picking up what appeared to be a branding tool from beside his chair.

"Draco, Gregory, Vincent, Theodore, come to me." The four seventeen-year-olds stood up, walking over to Voldemort.

"Not miss Catherine?" Lucius questioned.

"No, she already has the full mark." Voldemort pulled out his wand, lighting a fire on the ground. "Go ahead." He instructed.

Lucius dipped the brander into the fire, holding it there until it glowed white with heat, a sly grin spread across Voldemort's face

"Roll up your left sleeves." Malfoy instructed, as soon as they did, the man pulled the brander out of the flames, and pushed it onto his son's arm. The young man's legs gave out slightly, for, he crouched down only a little. His face withered in pain, but no shouts were let out.

"Impressive." Voldemort muttered to himself. With the next three new comers, he wasn't so impressed. They withered around on the forest floor, some withy tears streaming down his face until the brander was removed from there arms.

"Anything else, My Lord?"'

"No now Lucius." The man slunk back to his seat, Voldemort brushed away the new comers, they too took their seats. The Dark Lord watched the four of them, seeing how much pain they were going through, and how much they were letting loose. His eyes fell on Draco, he was showing no sign of anything. He looked perfectly happy sitting next to Catherine, their hands entwined between the chairs.

"You all did a wonderful job with the attack on the ministry. Just to see all those worked killed was enough, but the minister too, it was fabulous." His voice shone with glee. "Next, we will move on to attacking muggle villages throughout the county, then wizarding areas, and then . . . " His hands clasped in joy, Voldemort's gaze was directed toward Hogwarts, "We will attack the school . . . and finally be rid of Dumbledore, Potter, and all their followers."

"Master . . . " A small voice came from the corner, where an untidy, scrawny man emerged, "What about the rest of the world?"

"What do you mean Wormtail?"

"Other countries . . . we have not ventured there before. No one would be expecting it, they would never have heard of you there."

"That is an idea Wormtail!" Voldemort pondered for a moment, "And we will do it. They will have no time to gather forces to fight us with. The world will live in an entire peril." He laughed to himself, thinking of the havoc he would cause. "Wormtail?"'

"Yes My Lord?"

"Why do you only speak of this now?"

"A numerous amount of Hogwarts students have disappeared from the school Master. I think they have been sent to other countries."

"Good work Wormtail." Voldemort then left Wormtail, to his other death eaters, he spoke, "We will attack the world as soon as Potter is dealt with." He paused, "And if, in some miraculous way, Potter manages to defeat me again, Draco will take my place, and he will lead you on."

"What happens if Draco is defeated?" A man asked from the distance.

"He will have an heir." Voldemort replied, "We may have to wait a while, but we will win."

"Who will supply this heir?"

"Miss Snape." Voldemort turned to her, "Do we have an heir preparing?"'

"No My Lord." Draco and Cate replied, shaking their heads.

"We need one by the end of May. Do you understand?"

"Yes." They both replied. Severus glanced over at his daughter, there was no way Draco's child was going to be carried by her.

"Now that we have that settled, we will move on. News has reached my ears that The Order of the Phoenix has been brought together again." He sneered. "Have any of you heard of this?" At first, not a soul moved, but as the Lords menacing glare overpassed them all, a few hands went up, including Catherine's, Severus and Draco's. "And why did you not tell me of this sooner?"

"There wasn't a safe time, My Lord." Severus replied, "Anyone from that side could have been listening. It was only a few days ago that you put the enchantment on the forest."

"Fine." Voldemort spat, "But if any of you hear of any new things about The Order, you MUST tell me immediately!" The group nodded quickly, not wanting to go against him. "That is all for now, you may go." Voldemort then vanished, along with many others. Soon enough, only Draco, Catherine and their parents were left.

"Severus, I've got to say, your daughter turned out to be more like you than anyone thought." Lucius commented.

"Thrilling I supposed." Snape replied dryly.

"It must be nice to have a daughter." Narcissa sighed happily. "All though, I will soon enough have a daughter-in-law." She smiled.

"That's right." Lucius stated firmly, "Now, you heard the Lord, he wants an heir by May, make sure you have one."

"Yes Father." Draco replied, squeezing Cate's hand tightly. The nineteen-year-old glanced over at him, he winked at her, a smirk on his face. "We'll start working on that very soon."

They then left the forest, Catherine trying hard to get ahead of Draco, though, he pulled her back each time, curling his arm around her tightly.