Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Never was mine / Never will be mine I am making no money from this story. Everything belongs to JK Rowling and Warner Bros.
A little Spy and an Empty Painting
Christmas. A Holiday that the whole world celebrated to chare their respect of the birth of Christ. (AN: in this AU I think Christ was a Wizard) In the last few weeks, after the reinforcements of the Dark Lord has arrived, was quiet except for the few meetings the Master had gathered. Everyone commemorated even the DE with their family and the rest of the world, but not for a blond haired grey eyed Slytherin who was at the very moment a guest at the Galatea Castle.
Yes, Draco Malfoy has received his Christmas present from the Dark Lord himself and he wasn't very happy about it. Not that he didn't like the idea of Voldemort to purify the World of its diseases, but having the Dark Mark on his left arm made he doubted. When he was younger he was so thrilled of following his father's footstep and now… he would do anything to change that. A talk with the potion master can lighten him up or some advise regarding this situation. Maybe he can become a spy, just like Snape and work for the Light side. Draco grimaced. All the odds were against him.
"Potter was right all along." He muttered. The blond boy was walking down the aisle of the Castle not really knowing where to go. He passed the giant staircase and gave a few moment to himself of observing a large angelic like statue. Who puts an angel in a dark castle like this...? Beautiful craftsmanship I must say. Leaving the figurine behind him, he made his trek through the castle. He must say that this castle was very impressive. Needless to say, he was living in a big manor himself and that was all big enough. But compared to this, there were no words to describe it.
Draco took a passageway with was suddenly lit by torches. Ignoring the sudden scare, he made his way to the other side which lead him to an open area full with sculptures and paintings. The blond haired boy stopped precisely in the centre of the room and looked around in awe. Who ever lived here must be very rich indeed… I wonder who they were. A sudden growl jerked him from his musing. Draco whirled around and came face to face with a black wolf. The Malfoy boy, out of instinct, took a step backwards. Casting his head around him to find any exit and none came into view; Draco gazed back at the beast before him. Ok, Drake, take this nice and easy… Good Doggy…
The black wolf hadn't moved from his spot but looked to the human and registered every move it made. Making a soft snarl, he saw that the boy flinched and took another step backwards. If this wolf could smile he certainly did.
Draco moved his hand to his inner pockets to remove his wand when suddenly a voice stopped his movement.
"Are you lost?" A cold voice said, coming from one of the corners. Draco turned around and faced from where the voice came but still kept on eye on the wolf. The grey-eyes teenager watched as the man came towards his and snapped his finger. The wolf came in to motion and trotted to the man who patted his on his head.
Draco kept a blank face but inside he was relieved, until the figure came closer. Shadows moved by each step he made and stopped a few feet away from the young boy. Now Draco could study the man face. He was a few inches taller than him, dark short hair, and a diagonal scar between his eyes. Draco winced when he saw his eyes; it was quite similar as his Master. Crimson eyes were staring back at him with a smirk plastered on his face.
"Are you lost?" he asked again. Draco straightened his posture and smiled the infamous Malfoy sneer.
"No, just looking around. Why?" Draco replied coldly. The man before him sniggered and came closer. He placed his hand on Draco's left shoulder and squeezed it gently. The blond boy flinched by the share power in the man's grip.
"My, you look exactly like your father, Draco Malfoy. A new minion of the Dark Lord, fresh from the market or do you have doubt?" The dark haired man sneered.
Draco pushed away the hand and took a step back. To surprised that this man knew who he was and his state of mind. One thing was sure; he didn't know where his loyalties lie.
"Why do you care?" Draco said grimly, the other guy was just staring at him. The dim light of the room was playing on his features and his crimson eyes flashing in anticipation. The boy narrowed his eyes when the man actually laughed.
"Follow me, Drake, there's something I want to ask you." He said, moving towards the exit. The wolf trotted behind him and Draco just stared at the spot where the man stood. "C'mon, what are you waiting for!" he said, behind his words there was power and Draco sighed and followed the man.
The walk towards their destination was quiet. None of them spoke which got on the nerve of the blond one. Draco was tailing behind him, not daring to come closer. Many questions came into his mind; who was he? What is he doing here? And many more. But something clicked in his head; maybe just maybe he was his ticket way out of here.
When Draco looked up again, he was in a well lit chamber mostly decorated in green colour. It was almost like home which means the Slytherin Common Room. He lost track of that other guy while he seated himself in one of the chairs. (AN: yep we are in Night's quarter hihi) He was still thinking; his arm was still hurting from the Mark until a sound brought him back out of his musings.
The blond boy looked up and saw him staring at him. Draco had to admit, this man was quite a sight to look at. He was just wearing a white shirt and a black trouser. Damn, he looks handsome… Did I just say 'handsome'? Draco had to blink and saw the guy smirking at him.
"So, what is this you want from me?" Draco asked formally.
"Straight to the point, hé. I like that in a person." The man said. He took the chair near the hearth. "Where does you loyalty lie, Drake?"
"I'm a Malfoy for nothing, you know." He growled. "Besides I don't know your name?"
The man sneered. "Call me Nuitari or Night if that suits you better."
"Nuitari? Night? What a weird name." Draco smiled, rubbing his left arm.
"The first part of my name comes of the French word 'nuit' which means 'night'. But that's beside the point. The reason why I asked you here is whatever you want that mark," Night indicated that spot on Draco's arm, "or some plane tattoo like everyone else."
"That's impossible." Draco muttered. He pulled his sleeve over his arm and left it alone.
Night smiled evilly. "Everything is possible, my friend, besides you don't really want to become Voldemort ('Draco flinched') lapdog or any kind of follower. I want you to become my spy."
The blond boy winced in surprise. Did he just read my mind, he thought. "You want me to become you spy?" Nuitari nodded. "What do I get?" Draco was maybe blond but not stupid. He eyed the dark haired man with caution. Nuitari smiled.
"I free you from that cursed Mark." He replied sternly, rubbing his hands together. Draco couldn't believe his ears. Free him from the Mark, but that's would be nearly impossible. Only the Dark Lord himself could remove that Mark. Draco looked up with confusion in his eyes. Nuitari had got up and was walking towards him. "Well? What do you say?"
"Does that mean I don't have to work for him anymore, I mean… he would kill me."
"He doesn't need to know. We will just play along. He will see his precious Mark, but it doesn't have any effect anymore, doesn't that satisfied you?" Night said. Draco was pondering about it. What would he do? Anyway, if you joined the Dark Lord which meant only one thing: death. Slowly Draco realised that this person would help him.
"This is against the Malfoy rule, but screw it; I would gladly become your spy." Draco smiled evilly.
"Good. Extend you arm." Draco obeyed and gave his left arm. Nuitari took his arm with his left hand and placed his right hand on the mark itself. The blond one watched in fashion while the other one was working. Night chanted under his breathe which created a dark blue glow under his hand palm. Suddenly Draco twitched when a burning sensation ran through his arm. He clenched his teeth together while Nuitari tightened his grip around the boy's wrist.
Draco's knees started to shudder and felt on one knee. It was even worse than getting the dark Mark itself then removing it. But if this was the price of his freedom he would gladly to take it. His body was aching all over until al the pain went to his arm right into the Mark. Night lifted his right hand and Draco saw a blue thread forming from his skin to the hand of the man.
Nuitari stopped chanting and broke the connection by breaking the thread and let go of the hand. Draco stumbled to the floor, rubbing his arm. While cursing under his breath, Draco found his footing and stood up and faced the dark haired man.
"Did I hurt you?" Nuitari sneered not bothering to help the young man. Draco gave him a sour look and stumbled to the chair.
"You're worse than him." The blond muttered. Night looked pleased and put his hand on the boy's shoulder. All of a sudden Draco felt good and the pain was gone. He looked up in confusion and opened his mouth and closed it again.
"You don't need to thank me. Your loyalty is more important. I hope we are still agreed on this?" Night looked him in the eye and the boy nodded. After a few moment of silent between the two Draco hadn't had the nerve to talk and neither did Nuitari who sat there like a statue watching him. The grey-eyes teenager sighed and looked up to the man before him.
"Who are you?"
Night arched an eyebrow and smiled. "You wanna know?" The boy nodded and stood up. Night watched him walking to the window and kept smiling. He placed his hand on the window bay while watching outside.
"Yes," the boy said, "My farther ordered me to take the Mark, but… I never had really a choice. All my life I have lived under his rules, his iron fist, and his curses and now… (sigh) …Now you gave me a choice." The boy turned around. "I want to make my own decision from now on and I hope I can do it with your help. Even in this bloody war!"
"Sure, if that makes you comfortable." Night stepped closer. "Let me tell you a little secret." He pulled the boy closer and whispered something in his ear. Draco'eyes became like big round saucers.
"WHAT?" he hastily took a step back.
Night put his finger to his lips. "Shhhh… Don't tell anyone." He said mischievous. "Now as my new assistant, let's visit some friends-o-mine."
The two of them walked down the archway which leads them to the grand entrance of the castle. While walking Draco was thinking about what just has happened back there. Instantly he put his hand over his marked arm, now he knew that it is a plain tattoo. Too caught up in his own thoughts, he almost dashed into Nuitari when the man stopped at the railing, looking over the two big double doors at the other side of the entrance hall.
Draco came standing besides him and looked at the same direction. At the other side of the room, two men were chatting in the shadows. Who are they? The grey-eyed boy looked at the man besides him and saw that the man was grinning. Draco shuddered, still not used to the secret that this man had told him earlier. Looking back at the two men in the distant he suddenly saw Nuitari walking towards them. Gazing back besides him, finding it was empty. Damn, he was fast! But how? Blinking twice, he followed the scene before him.
Night saw the two men chatting silently in the shadows, not even knowing his present. Brainless idiots, really. Still sneering he stepped closer. Priceless, what was Lucian thinking sending these two bloke heads here? Night stepped out of the shadows and addressed them with a low voice.
"Whimpering like savage dogs, really. Didn't Lucian teach you anything about manners?"
Both Werewolves startled out of their discussion and bowed their head immediately towards their visitor.
"Milord, forgive us." The first one said, Race. The other nodded, still looking down. Nuitari waved it away.
"Well? What is the real plan? I hope Lucian has agreed with me?"
"Yes he has, this was only a decoy towards the Dark Lord. We are at your command." Race said, giving him a file which Night took it with grace. The crimson-eyed man opened it, read it and gave them a nod of approval seeing the handwriting of Lucian with his seal underneath it. While folding it back up, he looked towards the man.
"Keep up the act, until the time comes." He ordered them. Race and his companion nodded in agreement and parted leaving Nuitari behind in the shadows.
On the balcony, Draco watched them seriously. He was wondering of who he should be scared of; The Dark Lord or this man. A Malfoy isn't afraid of no one. The blond boy sneered, at least he know that he will be save. But what was he discussing with these men? Draco frowned. It must be very big, something what still has to come, but what? He shook his head, looking back at the where the man stood only to find it empty.
"Are you coming?" A voice said behind him. Draco startled and turned around. Nuitari stood behind him with a smile on his face.
"Don't do that!" Draco piped in, catching his breath.
"I'm sorry Drake; I'm good at sneaking behind someone." Night sniggered.
"I've noticed." Draco thought for a moment before he asked; "What is going to happen, later I mean?"
Nuitari frowned but it was replaced by a smile. "When the time comes, I tell you. But now my little spy, I have something say." Draco nodded. "Do your job well and inform me about what is happening at Hogwarts."
"How will I contact you?"
"I'll contact you. Don't worry." Nuitari nodded and looked over the boy shoulders. Draco met his eyes and turned around to see what was so interesting, but saw nothing. Turning back around Nuitari was gone. Draco was about to call his name when he suddenly heard his name in the distant.
"Draco, Come we're going."
Draco sighed. Father. He looked at the spot where Night has stand, turned around his heels and followed his father towards the double doors.
In the shadows, Night watched his spy leaving with his father. After the doors were closed, Night made his way back towards his quarters. But taking his normal route, he took the long way. Taking the second big staircase and made his way to the big room where Ginny has found during her stay. Opening the door which was decorated in Victorian style, he stepped in to the dusted room. Looking around, Night stepped towards the couch which was centred before a huge hearth. Mumbling a little spell, the wood in the fireplace lighted up which gave the room a warm sphere.
Sighting again, he seated himself on one of the couches and watched the fire dancing in the hearth. His eyes went back to normal and looked up while sitting back. Above the fireplace, there was a painting. Not just a painting, but an empty one. The only things you good see was a landscape, but you could tell that something was missing. There was an other one with the same landscape except there was something else on it. This painting was a very famous one in the World of Art.
Nuitari smiled at the painting before him, but it faded as quickly as it came. "So long it stays empty, the world will be fine." He paused, putting his hands to his face. "But it will not be for long anymore." He said through his fingers.
"So, do you think Harry will ask you out to the Ball?" Hermione asked the red haired girl. Ginny at the other hand arched an eyebrow while looking to the bushy girl.
"Well, honestly, I don't know but I hope he will." She said. Both of them started to giggle in their room which was located at 12 Grimmauld Place. Everyone has agreed to celebrate Christmas there, but it was hard to convince Harry to come. But at the end he had agreed to come along. Now both girls were chatting in there room while the boy, Harry and Ron, were playing chess in the Living room.
At the end of the semester the Headmaster had agreed to plan a Masked Ball at the start of the New Year. Everyone was happy about hearing it and the Great hall busted out in noises. The ball was panned at the first weekend when the school started again and everyone had to come with a partner. He also has hired the Weird Sister to play that day and they have agreed but on one condition; the theme had to do with the Latino Music. Something totally different than what they were used to. Dumbledore had agreed and was excited about it as well.
Now the two girls were chatting about what to wear. Back in the Living Room, the two boys had similar thoughts about it.
"So, mate. Who are you going to ask?" Ron said, moving his knight to B5. Harry watched the move with some concentration and moved his pawn one step forwards.
"I don't know. You?" Harry looked up only to see his friend was smiling like a Cheshire cat.
"Hermione."
"Really? Good luck."
"Thanks. Say why don't you take out Ginny. She is desperately waiting." Ron said while moving his Queen. "Check."
Harry frowned. "Really. I didn't know." He moved his King.
"You're an idiot Harry. If you not going to take this opportunity you forever lost." Ron grinned. "Checkmate."
I need REVIEWS please! Let me know something!
Finally it took a while. I lost my story line and had to think it all over but don't worry everything is just fine.
By the way, I've changed the title to 'Angels and Demons' because when this story ends there will be a sequel but that has to wait.
I hope you and joined it.
A little hint for the next chapter, ok; Masked Ball and an unexpected visitor….
20 point who finds out who the visitor is… and can somebody guess the painting I mean?
TBC
