2.Rivality

When one looks at the mass manors own by the richest, and oldest wizarding families in the United Kingdom one would wonder the happenings inside. The Malfoy Manor was one of them, surrounded by acres of forest it was the perfect distination for the Dark side. Steeped in dark magic it's lands were well protected from both the light side and muggles, and unplottable on any map made. Cassandra placed her hood over her head as she walked into the manor, ignoring the other men and women inside. She went through a set of French doors, that led to the throne room, or rather the private rooms of the Dark Lord. "Mistress Cassandra..." A nasty sound whispered behind her, she turned her head and gave the man a sneer.

"Pettigrew, still alive?" He hiss at her as he moved around, his back scooped from all that hiding, a waste of life. He left her for a bit and came back beckoning her to follow him. She did, her hood still on as she made her way towards her master she watched a pair of death eaters leave. One of them limping heavily, the other supporting.

"In here." He snapped, as he opened the door for her making sure her cloak billowed into his face as she entered shutting the door behind her, the lock behind made a loud snap. She glanced around the room ignoring the few people in there, it was furnished with old furniture. The candles that gave light floated around the ceiling in orbs, illuminating the paintings of half naked men and women. The room was dark and held the smell of evil, if there is a smell attached to it.

"Cassandra..." A tenor voice echoed through the large room, she slowly turned. Lucius Malfoy, his time in Azkaban seemed to have drained him immensely. Just like herself he had donned his robes. "I wonder if Potter is still missing his lap dog." The sight of him made her want to gag, looking around she noticed that the Dark Lord had summona few of his closest servants. Also known as the inner circle.

"Malfoy... Back from Azkaban I see, what did you do kiss their arses?" She watched Malfoy for any sudden movements, he may be a great deal older then her but she was a wonder in dark magic. Stepping more into the light she glanced at the other figures in the room.

Bellatrix, Narcissa, and Severus.

"Cassandra..." The whisper filled the room like nails scraping across a china dish. She slowly took off her hood and followed the source to a chair in front of the fireplace. "Come..." She did as she was told, taking steps to the chair so that she stood in front of it. "Kneel." Slowly descending her eyes fixed on the ground, as it is when you face his lordship. "Look at me." She eyes moved from his foot slowly up his leg and then his torso. She noted he too was wearing all black. Finally her eyes landed on his face, which widen in surprise.

"My Lord... Your face... You look..." She couldn't find the right words. Older? Dead?

"You have not been in my company for a long time, if this is new to you Cassandra." He sneered as he looked down at his servant. Cassandra shuddered at his eyes, still red, as they drank up her appearance.

"I am sorry my Lord, but as your agent I have been doing my duty as a spy. I have foregone meetings with other death eaters... I only come when summon... Only by you... My Lord." She bowed her head, his new face still lingering in her mind.

"And what news do you bring?"

Still staring at the carpeted floor she told him about plans, conversations, and certain wizards to look for. When finished Cassandra waited for his reply. After a few moments she tensed as she watched his hand reach out for her chin, his fingers wrapped around her lower jaw as he roughly pulled her face towards him. Gasping at the sudden change of her position she grabbed hold of her Master's front robes, her knees were no longer touching the ground.

"Malfoy," Cassandra couldn't help but look at him standing there with his smirk on that face. "Believes that you're lying to me..." She glanced back at her master, getting herself ready, if he wished to dive into her thoughts. "Now why, do you think he would say such a thing?"

"Because unlike me, he hasn't brought you anything worth your time." She took a breath as his grip tighten. "He's jealous my Lord, he's jealous! I would never lie to you!" His eyes bore into her as she felt him swarm through her mind. Images of Potter and herself, Ginny, hundreds of wounded wizards and witches, yet she buried the importants deep within her memories. He pulled back quickly making Cassandra nearly fall back, but his grip around her jaw grew tighter.

"But you know what happens to anyone that double crosses me, don't you?" He whispered into her ear, his hot breath against her skin.

"Ye-Yes My Lo- Lord." She answered, it seemed that she satisfied him with her choice of answering his question because he let go. She fell back, right hand rubbing her lower jaw, it was going to be bruised with his fingertips tomorrow morning.

"You're letting her go unpunished my Lord?" Malfoy stepped in, glaring at Cassandra as she got up on her feet. "Surely you'll punish her for allow-"

"Are you questioning my actions Lucius?"

"No my Lord." At once Cassandra and Lucius bowed before him, "Never my Lord."

"Come gather." He said a little louder, at once the Bellatrix, Narcissa, and Severus stood on either sides of Lemercier and Malfoy. "I am fully aware that I am changing but I am still as strong as ever. The war is coming to an end... I can feel Potter getting weaker," Cassandra stilled for a moment, but kept her emotions at bay.

"My Lord what of Potter's child? Has Lemercier not told you of it's birth?" Bellatrix whispered, her eyes like daggers aimed directly at Cassandra. She frowned and turned her gaze at their master who still sat straight backed before them, his elbows on the chair's arms as his fingers were laced together before him.

"Do you think I have not thought of that Bellatrix? I have made plans, such that does not include you!" He spat the last part, he was still angry at her last mission which she failed miserably. "If plans go on the way they are set up... Harry Potter will be retriving something... Something that isn't his... Cassandra," Cassandra perked up at her name and bowed her head a littles way. "Go now before you are missed... I will send for you in time." Bowing again, she backed away from the group and turned towards the door opening it to find Pettigrew stumbling at her feet.

"You little sneak!" She hissed, shutting the door and dragging an overly active Pettigrew to the drawing room. "If it weren't for the Dark Lord, you would be tortured everyday for the entertainment of the death eaters." Throwing his against the wall she aimed her wand at his face.

"It seems they don't take a fancy to you! Better watch your back!" He sqeaked, sniffling his eyes darting side to side for a way out.

"Who does?" At that she whipped him around and pratically threw him out of the room. Pettigrew was right, if she didn't watch her back, she just might be the next dead thing on their list.