Disclaimer: Not mine.

The Ultimatum

Draco and Severus appeared out of the fireplace into a huge room that was furnished in more elegance then either of them had ever seen. Everything they could see was decorated in green, black or silver. Snape was positive that they had wound up in the right Manor. It was rumored that the house had at one time been home to Salazar Slytherin himself. There were windows along one of the walls and it was easy to see they had traveled quite a distance considering it was now nighttime outside and when they left Hogwarts it had been early afternoon.

Without saying a word, Snape pointed to three doors on the opposite side of the room. They both moved forward with wands drawn, ready for whatever might be behind those doors.

Draco whispered once they reached the doors. "It's not the middle one. I've been here once before. I was taken through there and up stairs to an office where a meeting was being held. That's the only place it goes."

Severus nodded motioning Draco to the right hand door while he took the left. They opened the doors at the same time half expecting something to attack, but there was nothing except two sets of spiral staircases heading down.

"We have to split up, Draco." Severus said looking over to the young man. "If you run into trouble, use the voice amplifying spell to call for help. I'll get to you as soon as possible."

Draco gave him a disdainful sneer. "And if you get into trouble?"

"Less cheek, Malfoy." Severus warned scowling and then started down his set of stairs.

Draco headed down his own set of stairs and even though he had been rude to Snape over his concern, it did comfort him slightly to know that help was there if he needed it.

Severus traveled down the spiral stairs in almost complete silence. He came to a landing leading off of the stairs and to a door. Severus watched as the door slid shut, but he had missed whoever had exited through it. It was time to make a decision. Logical thought told him that the dungeons would be on the lowest level of the structure, but was it wise to continue down the stairs with a possible enemy behind him? No it was not. He crept quietly to the door and pulled it open with wand at the ready. And there, standing maybe thirty feet down the hall was a figure he knew very well.

"Fenrir. It has been nearly a year now." Severus said moving out into the hallway.

"Why, Severus. My old friend. Still working for that decrepit old wizard I see." Greyback said leaning against a windowsill. The entire corridor had windows running down each side. Severus could see an immense courtyard to his left out the windows, and a lush forest several hundred feet to the right.

"I work for myself, Fenrir." Severus said snarling. "I wonder who you are working for these days though."

"I am just here to make sure an exchange goes smoothly this night." Greyback said idly looking out the window.

"I'm afraid no trade will be made this night." Severus said raising his wand in a threatening manner.

"How will you stop it, Traitor?" Greyback asked and turned his face to Severus. Severus could see a strange expression flood the man's eyes. It was an expression he had seen once before, in the eyes of Remus Lupin, on the night he had seen him transform into a Werewolf at Hogwarts.

Severus turned his face to the right and stared out the window at the brightest full moon he had seen in years. "Oh, hell." He whispered as he turned back to the beast before him that was no longer a man.

"Avada…" Lucius heard the click as the door to the left of where he stood clicked open and he stopped the words on his lips. He assumed it was Fenrir checking on his progress. "I'll be done in a moment."

"Done with what, Father?" A familiar voice asked.

Lucius spun around greeted with the site of his son standing on the landing with his wand drawn. He had not seen Draco in the flesh in nearly two years. His son had grown into a man it seemed during that time. "Draco." A broad smile crossed his face.

Draco did not return the smile as he took in the scene in the room. He could see the blood covering the examining table, and he could see it on his father's hands, clothes and face also. He saw Harry kneeling on the floor looking pale warn and half covered in blood also, and he could see Val in his arms, half conscious and trembling with convulsions. "You didn't answer my question, Father."

Lucius' smile faded as he saw the dark look on his son's face. "Preparing for the arrival of Lord Voldemort of course." Was his answer.

"Father, what have you stooped to?" Was the only thing Draco could think to ask. "Look at you. You're half mad. You're covered in blood and torturing a girl who you once called daughter."

"More like killing." Harry spoke up as his anger bubbled to the surface again.

"Shut up, Potter." Lucius snarled at Harry and then turned back to Draco. "Are you still looking to protect this girl, Draco? She is nothing to us. Her mother was a slut, and so is she." He said in disgust.

Draco gritted his teeth biting back the curse that immediately jumped to his mind after hearing the words. He looked to Val again and could see that she was starting to come around again recovering from the curse. "She may not be your daughter. But she is my sister." He finally said after controlling his anger.

Lucius stood for a moment lost in thought, and then seemed to come to a decision. "If you want her that bad, she's yours." Lucius said smiling malevolently. "Under one condition."

Draco had not expected his father's words. He turned and slowly started walking down the stairs giving him time to think about what his father might be up to. Once he stood but five feet away from his father he spoke. "What condition?"

"She is yours to do with as you please. I don't care it you keep her as a sister, a slave, or a whore, just as long as I never have to see her again, but you must join me. Stand with me, my Son, when I deliver Potter to Lord Voldemort." Lucius said in a slightly pleading voice.

Draco looked from his father's expectant face down to where Harry kneeled. He could see that the young man had very little fight left in him. Harry didn't look up to Draco. He was staring at Val. Val who Draco could see was completely lucid again. She was shaking her head, and he could see the utter fear in her eyes. Fear that he knew was not for herself, but for the young man that held her.

Harry heard Lucius' words and he knew that if Draco chose to accept his father's offer Val would be safe. He most certainly would be dead, but Val would be safe. "Take his offer, Draco." He said still looking down at Val who immediately looked him in the eye. She tried to argue but her voice came out as a squeak after all of the screams.

"Always the hero, Potter." Draco said with a small ironic chuckle. He looked to his father then and shook his head slowly. "Not this time, Potter." He said circling around his father until he was standing in between him and the captives.

"What are you doing, boy?" Lucius asked in surprise.

"I'm being foolish." Draco answered. "And for once, it feels good."

"So this is your answer." Lucius said angrily.

"Yes, it is." Draco said as a grim line of determination crossed his face. Draco watched the emotions play across his father's face. His father was a cruel man. He had done many things during his years as a Death Eater that Draco hated to even think about. But he had always put his family first in the past. Anything Draco had ever wanted had been his. His father had always done whatever it took to make sure Draco had the best. He felt deep in his heart that his father could not intentionally hurt him. He counted on that feeling to bring him safely through this situation.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Son." Lucius said, closing his eyes for a moment and then opened them again. "Sectumsempra." His voice rang out loudly through the room and a bolt of red light flew from his wand hitting Draco in the chest.

Draco had no time to react. He was shocked and horrified as he realized what was happening. And then there was nothing but pain. He had felt this pain before. It was the worst feeling possible as his body fell backwards landing just inches from Val and Harry. Blood began to pour from several deep wounds.

Val summoned every bit of strength she had left to get to her knees and crawl to Draco's side. Harry also made his way to Draco's other side.

Lucius stood unmoving and unflinching as he watched the scene before him.

"Draco, oh Merlin no." Val whispered placing her hands on one of the wounds trying to stem the flow of blood.

Harry watched helplessly knowing the only thing that would save him was the counter curse. He looked up to Lucius. "Your own son." He said in disbelief.

"He needed to be taught a lesson." Lucius said smirking.

"What lesson? What it feels like to die." Harry suggested, looking back down to Draco and noticing something.

"He won't die, if I use the counter curse in time." Lucius said nonchalantly.

Harry reached out as if he would take Draco's hand, but then turned facing Lucius with something in his hand. "Expelliarmus." He called out and Lucius' wand flew from his hand landing near Val.

Lucius looked in surprise at Draco's wand being held in Harry's hand. Val reached out taking Lucius' wand in her hand. "Do you know the counter curse, Harry?" She asked her voice a little stronger then remembering that Harry had once used the curse on Draco himself.

"No, I don't. I could not hear what Snape said." Harry admitted not taking his eyes off of Lucius.

"Well aren't you in a situation?" Lucius said chuckling slightly. "I am the only person in this room that knows that counter curse, and I will need my wand back to perform it. Now won't I?"

Harry began to shake his head violently. Val looked down to Draco, and could see the immense pain in his eyes. He was bleeding to death. "Harry, he'll die." She said reaching out and placing her hand on his arm.

Harry looked down to Draco and it seemed as if he was reliving the year before when he had used the same curse on him. Only this time there was no Snape to fix things and he for once in his life wished to see the hated Potions Master. "Val, if you give that wand to him, he can kill you just as easily as cure Draco." He said looking her in the eyes.

"That's a chance I'm willing to take." She said steadily. Harry was shaking his head again glancing wearily back at Lucius and then back to Val. "Harry, if he dies I won't want to live anyway. He is still my brother." She said still grasping Harry's arm.

Harry held her gaze for one moment more and then turned to Lucius again. "If you try anything, I will kill you."

Val moved back letting Lucius kneel next to his son. Harry stayed where he was within a couple of feet of Lucius with the wand directed at his chest. Val reached out handing the wand over to Lucius, who gave her a half smile, which sent chills down her back. He then leaned over Draco holding the wand, with his head bowed.

From the position Harry was in he could not see Lucius' eyes. But Val was to his side and saw as his eyes averted towards Harry instead of Draco. In that brief moment she realized that Lucius had no intention of healing Draco. She dove towards him as his mouth opened and the wand rose pointed at Harry instead of Draco.

The curse missed Harry by inches as Val landed on top of the man pushing him over. They struggled for a moment until Lucius was finally able to throw Val off. She landed on her back just inches from Harry. Lucius brought his wand up again. "Avada…"

But he was too late. "Sectumsempra." Harry called out pointing Draco's wand at Lucius, and watched as the man fell backwards screaming in pain. He was on top of Lucius within seconds. "Now listen to me. You have very little time. If you want to live, you'll tell me the counter curse. I'll heal Draco, and just maybe I'll save your wretched life too." He demanded.

Lucius was beginning to choke on the blood rising in his mouth. He opened his mouth and Harry was sure he'd be told the words to the curse, but instead a high cackle was heard.

Val had crawled back to Draco and could see that his eyes were closed. He didn't have much time left. "Oh Draco, it can't end this way." She said as she took his bloody hand in hers. "We promised to take care of each other. You can't leave me now." She said choking on a sob.

"Tell me, you Bastard." Harry said pulling Lucius up by his shirt and slamming him back to the floor. "He's your son, damn you. Tell me."

Author's Note: Ah well I guess this is as good a place to leave off as any. So who wants to use a curse on me now? So, will Draco live? Will Lucius tell Harry the counter curse? And what of Snape and the werewolf? Guess you'll just have to read the next chapter to find out, won't you?