Lucius stepped out, fully into the moonlight. Draco lowered his wand, not far, just low enough so that he could see Lucius over the glare the spell.

"Nice to see you again father." He fought to keep his tone light, to hide the fear that he felt rising in him as he looked into his father's eyes. "What precisely did you want to talk about?"

"Don't be flippant Draco. You know full well what I want to talk to you about." Lucius drawled.

Draco, laughed, trying not to panic, trying to pretend that this was just a normal conversation. Lucius would talk down to him, he would cower and that would be an end of it. He lowered his wand completely. 'Look passive, he's in charge here, not you.' The old game, the one he had learned to play with his father over the years returned to him automatically. "How would I know father? You haven't told me yet."

Lucius turned and started to walk slowly around the clearing, circling Draco. Draco fought hard to stop himself turning to keep facing him. Lucius wouldn't expect him to be that defensive, not right away. 'This might not be it,' he thought in a desperate attempt to remain calm, 'Voldemort might not be after you yet. Play the game, play it his way and you might get out of this with your skin intact.' Draco ground his teeth but tried not to let the tension show as Lucius moved around behind him. His senses told him where Lucius was, the hair on his neck tingled as he sensed his father's agitation.

"I know I haven't told you Draco," there was no trace of Lucius' emotions in his voice, "But the fact remains that you do know what I am talking about."

'Cheeky, be cheeky. Let him slap you down.' "Afraid I don't father. I have no clue as to what you want to discuss. Unless it has to do with your recent…holiday that is."

"Be silent Draco!" His tone was exactly what Draco had expected it to be. Despite himself he still shivered at the sound. He didn't respond. Lucius continued to walk around him, he returned to his original position in front of him. His eyes locked onto Draco's with the same cold stare that had broken him so often before. After the summer he had just gone through, Draco was not even close to being scared by those eyes anymore. Still, he was playing a role here, the easiest role he could play, he was being himself. He held his father's eyes for a second before looking away. Lucius laughed. "You have changed Draco. I must admit that when The Dark Lord informed me of your value I doubted that it was possible, but I see it now. You feign compliance while your mind remains defiant, an impressive display to be sure, but not really convincing. Shall we dispense with it?"

Draco's heart sank, Lucius was not one to play the game like this. He was telling the truth; he could see through Draco's act. 'Fine, if that didn't work, try something else.' He looked up, staring into Lucius' eyes, letting his full spirit show. He held the stare for almost thirty seconds without flinching before Lucius broke off and resumed his almost casual stroll, circling him. Again, Draco didn't turn.

"Fine, no more games," he said, "So why don't you drop the riddles and just come out and say what you came here to say." He forced his tone to show more confidence than he was feeling. His stomach filled with butterflies. Now he was improvising, praying that Lucius wouldn't call his bluff.

Lucius seemed amused, he chuckled again. "It is abundantly clear to me that you have had a very interesting summer Draco. Did you really think that The Dark Lord would fail to notice the change in you?"

'Interesting summer?' Draco paused, 'What does he mean by that?' He shrugged, "To be honest, I don't really care what The Dark Lord notices and what he doesn't." Draco had gone out on a limb and it started to tremble as he felt the wave of anger emanate from Lucius, but it was too late to retreat now. Now he had to push on, it was his only chance. 'Make him mad, make him overreact, then run!'

Lucius' tone filled with ire, "How dare you?"

"I dare because I choose to father. What else am I supposed to do? Just sit around and wait for Voldemort to come get me?" It happened quickly, Draco didn't even see Lucius raise his wand. His instincts kicked in as the spell shot at him. He saw it slow and ducked under it. When it passed he stood up, turning to point his wand at Lucius. For once his father seemed truly speechless.

Draco smiled, "Nice try father."

Lucius look of surprise was replaced by a tiny smile, "If I hadn't seen it, I would not have believed it. Well done Draco."

"What?"

"You have just proved beyond all doubt just how useful you could be to The Dark Lord. He said you would, he always knows." Now Draco was confused, this wasn't how this was supposed to happen. Wasn't Voldemort supposed to want him dead?

"Useful? How?"

"The Dark Lord knows your potential Draco, he has seen it. He wants to help you Draco."

"Help me?"

"Yes, he wants to show you just how far your abilities can take you. With his help you could be great Draco, truly great."

"And why the hell does Voldemort want to help me?" He felt it again, the wave of anger as he said the name.

This time Lucius managed to control it. "He wants you to be his ally Draco. He has foreseen that between you, you could command a power that would be without equal."

'I guarantee you Voldemort doesn't want to play happy families, he won't suffer a rival.' Etean's voice sounded in his head, almost on cue. Draco hesitated. Was Etean right, or was Voldemort really not interested in fighting him? After all, if Draco was to be as powerful as Voldemort someday, then together they would be unstoppable. The uncertainty mounted in Draco's mind, who was lying, and who was telling the truth?

"So Voldemort wants…wants me to be…his partner?"

"Yes, that is one way to put it." Lucius didn't flinch, he didn't so much as twitch as he said the words but Draco saw it, the momentary flicker in what he was sensing from his father. Lucius was lying, Draco was as certain of it as he was that he was standing there. This was a trap! He pushed his senses out further and noticed that they were not alone. He could feel someone else, a small presence approaching silently from behind him. Lucius' sense changed again, he was tensing, preparing for something. Draco marvelled at how well he could hide it. There was absolutely nothing in the way he acted to give him away. Draco flexed the fingers of his right hand, tightening the grip on his wand. Lucius noticed the movement, Draco felt him tense again. Draco smiled at him.

"You know father, I might have believed you, but you are such a bad liar." Lucius opened his mouth to respond but Draco didn't give him the chance, he sensed the figure behind him prepare to attack and spun round, aiming into the gloom between the trees.

"Stupefy!" he roared. He saw the spell flash and light up its target but he didn't have to time to watch it hit. His senses told him that behind him, Lucius had attacked again. Trusting that he was slowing the incoming spell he turned again, and ran out into the forest. Once inside he was instantly lost in the darkness. His senses couldn't make out the trees any better than his eyes could without light. He slowed his pace, blundering and stumbling forward with no idea where he was going. He heard voices, the sounds of pursuit behind him. He broke into a run again, desperate to escape.

Running in the dark in a forest is never a good idea. Draco found that out quickly enough when he met the harder side of a tree. He hit his head and he was dazed, he could feel blood trickle down into his eyes. Or was it sweat? He couldn't tell in the darkness but whatever it was, it stung his eyes and blinded him even worse than before. He started to stumble forward again when a flash of light to his right lit up a Death Eater between the trees launching a spell at him. He didn't feel it this time, his head hurt too much to concentrate. His normal instincts kicked in, he ducked behind a tree and turned away from his attacker.

He hadn't gone far when another appeared to his left, again he dodged and turned, running now in blind panic. He could hear the shouts all around him, they were surrounding him, herding him in. He paused for breath and looked around him, it was too dark. He could barely even see the trees that were right beside him. He heard a noise, a breaking twig and he spun, launching a stunner at the sound. He saw the flash of light as his spell as it detonated against a tree trunk, inches from a masked Death Eater's head. The man spun, he had been surprised by Draco's attack. Then he raised his wand and bellowed.

"Avada Kadavera!" In the moments that followed the spell, the green flash burst from the Death Eater's wand and shot at Draco. The sudden threat focused his mind, he felt the world shift but the spell came on, as fast as normal. He only had a moment to turn away before it hit him!

Everything stopped!

And started again. Death hurt it seemed, it hurt a lot. Draco felt a flash of pain in his right hand. His wand flew from his grip as he fell howling to the floor. The pain was so severe that it made him nauseous, he looked down in the darkness, expecting to find his arm gone, torn off by the spell, but it was still there. He knew that he should be dead but he was still alive, it hurt too much for him to be dead. He heard his father shout and a second green flash lit the forest behind him as his attacker fell dead where he landed. Draco didn't see this, fear and panic drove him forward again, cradling his arm he stumbled through the trees. He continued to hear the Death Eaters behind him shout and yell to one another. Amidst it all he heard his father's voice repeatedly order the others not to kill him. Draco ran on, ducking left and right as fast as he could in a desperate bid to escape. He reached a steep embankment but couldn't see the edge in the darkness. Over he went and down, rolling and bouncing down the slope, colliding hard with bushes and rocks as he fell. He hit the bottom and remained conscious just long enough to crawl a few feet to the base of a large oak tree. The pain faded, then it got darker.

Draco woke up. He was still lying by the base of the tree. It was brighter, just after dawn by the light. His whole body was awash with agony, except for his right arm, he couldn't feel that at all. He tried to move but the pain stopped him, he grimaced and shut his eyes until the pain subsided. He opened his eyes, squinting in the light. Darkness and shadow swirled before his eyes. He struggled to focus. The first thing he saw as his vision cleared was a pair of black boots. Draco eyes moved up to look at the owner of the boots. His heart skipped a beat. Standing less than five feet from Draco was the unmistakable shape of a black clad Death Eater. Draco didnt recognise him, but that was hardly a comfort. Every instinct that he possessed was screaming at him to flee, but the pain kept him paralised. It took several long seconds for Draco to realise that the Death Eater wasn't looking at him, his back was turned. Draco was confused, again he tried to sit up, then he heard a voice bellow in his head. 'DON'T MOVE! HE CAN'T SEE YOU!' It was Etean's voice. Where was he? It was clear that the Death Eater couldn't see Draco, how could he miss him if he could? There was a rustle of feathers somewhere above in the trees. The Death Eater looked up briefly before his head snapped round. Something in the trees had drawn his attention. Raising his wand he headed off, disappearing from view. Draco was still afraid to move, how far had he gone? Would he hear him?

There was a second rustle of feathers as a large eagle flew down out of the treetops to settle on a low lying branch in front of Draco. For a minute it just sat there looking at him, then it turned and looked in the direction that the Death Eater had gone. It spread its wings and fluttered down onto the ground. Draco watched as, with the slightest groaning sound it change and grew into a figure in a black cloak. He recognised Etean when he lowered his hood and ran toward him. He put a hand over his mouth to silence him before he could speak.

"Shh," he whispered, "they are really close. They haven't given up looking for you yet." He started to prod and poke Draco all over, prompting stifled groans. "OK, this is going to hurt, try to be quiet. Ready?" He took a hold of Draco and waited for him to nod before hauling him upright. Draco had to bite his lip hard to keep from screaming in agony as he moved. Etean held Draco with one arm and with the other he pulled his cloak up to cover both of them. Draco felt a blast of wind hit him then he was somewhere else. Etean was lowering him onto a bed. He moaned in agony and this time Etean didn't silence him.

"Next time Malfoy, when I tell you to stay put you STAY PUT!" The anger in his voice was clear. Draco started to answer him but a second voice cut him off.

"There will be time for blame later Boy, leave us. I must work now." Poliakov appeared beside the bed and looked down at Draco. He started to examine him, running his fingers across his wounds. Etean turned to leave, he walked out of the room without a word. Poliakov continued to examine Draco, mumbling under his breath as he did. Gradually the pain subsided. Poliakov turned his attention to Draco's right arm, it was still completely numb, his expression changed as he examined it, it became far more serious.

"W…what's…" Draco started but Poliakov shushed him.

"Relax, you need rest." He placed his hand on Draco's head and darkness took him.

Etean watched through the open bedroom door as Poliakov continued to tend Draco's wounds for several minutes. The Old Man finished in silence and joined Etean in the outer room. Etean started to pace by the fire as the old man entered.

"How is he?"

"Resting! He is in shock. I have tended most of the wounds. The arm will be another matter though."

Etean sighed, "Given that he is only the second recorded person in history to be hit with the killing curse and live, I'd say his arm is a minor concern. If he hadn't been wearing that cloak… How badly was he hurt?"

"Badly! The necrosis is near total below the forearm. I have arrested the decay but I fear the tissues will never recover."

"Is there anything you can do for him?"

Poliakov nodded, "Yes, I can return the use if his arm to him but it will take me some time to prepare the treatment."

"Whatever he needs." Etean turned and started to pace the floor. "I shouldn't have left him alone."

"You had to," Poliakov sighed, "Dumbledore insisted on meeting you. You had to meet him and there was no one else available to watch the boy. If he had stayed here, like you told him, he would have been safe, they wouldn't have found him."

Etean stopped pacing and rounded on the Old Man, "How did they find him? They were supposed to be too busy running from the aurors."

Poliakov sighed, "I don't know what happened. We tipped off the aurors and they did launch an attack. Several members were eye witnesses to the raids. They were efficient and accurate, but somehow the Death Eaters slipped through the net. We were in the process of tracking them down again when we realised that they had Draco."

Etean was about to speak when a familiar, if not pleasant voice filled the room. "What the hell is going on here?" Both men turned as the source of the voice appeared by the door. Lord Menai stepped forward, his eyes were burning with rage. Etean stood and faced him.

"What are you doing here, Menai?"

"I am here to find out just what the hell you are doing, Etean. Why did you rescue the boy?"

Etean rolled his eyes, "Why? What do you mean why?"

Menai glared at him, "I mean why, Boy. I was under the impression that we wanted Voldemort to capture him."

Etean couldn't stop his voice from growing louder as his tone turned to anger, "Don't call me 'Boy', Menai."

Menai advanced on Etean, "I will call you whatever I choose to, Boy."

Etean stepped forward, only inches remained between them, "I said don't call me Boy!"

As they faced each other a shrill, keening wail filled the air. The silver rings that both of them wore burned bright as it did. Poliakov stepped between them and shoved them apart, the noise died.

"ENOUGH!" he roared. Menai glared at Poliakov, Etean turned to face the wall. "We have enough problems to deal with without being at each others throats." He shook his head and turned to Menai. "This isn't helping. You know full well that Robert had to rescue the boy, Victor. As we discussed, Voldemort cannot be allowed to attempt the ritual until the boy is ready. If he did it now, the boy would die and all that we have invested in this will have been for nought."

"Well if that's the case, Lord Poliakov, why did Etean leave him alone? He may as well have just handed the boy over to Voldemort."

"He…"

"I was doing my job, Menai." Etean interrupted. "Some of us actually attend to our responsibilities you know."

"And what is that supposed to mean? Exactly what responsibilities have I been neglecting?"

Etean set his hands on his hips, "Well the Dementors for one thing."

"The Dementors?" Menai's tone was getting icier by the minute.

"Yes, the Dementors. You know the ones you are supposed to be finding? How long have you been at it now, six months? How hard can it be to locate a whole fucking army of Dementors, Menai?"

Menai stepped forward again, "Don't you presume to tell me how to do my job, Boy." Etean turned to face him again.

"And don't you presume to tell me how to do mine," Etean snarled in response, "And DON'T call me BOY!"

Poliakov raised his hand, "Do I have to separate you two again?" Both of them stepped back once more. Poliakov paused and sighed before turning his attention once again to Menai. "He does have a point Victor. Things would be much easier in the coming months if we didn't have the Dementor army to worry about."

Menai straightened up. When he spoke, his voice was calmer but it still had the anger in it, "I am more than aware of the situation. But as you two, and so many of the other Council members fail to realise, finding something which Voldemort has hidden is not an easy task."

"We all realise that, Victor, but the fact remains that it is necessary to find them and deal with them."

"I know full well what is necessary, my lord, but this situation is fast becoming untenable. I am not the one that is making things harder than they need to be."

"That's as may be. But the Council, yourself included Victor, agreed to this course. We must stick to it."

"Indeed. It seems we must." He straightened his robes and turned to leave. "I must return to other, more important business but I feel I must make myself clear. My patience with the Council's decision in this matter is nearing its end." He turned and bowed slightly to Poliakov. "Good evening, my lord." And he was gone.

Poliakov turned to Etean, "You shouldn't provoke him like that."

Etean kicked out, sending a chair flying to smash into the wall, "Why the hell not?" He shouted, turning to face Poliakov. "I'm not afraid of him."

"I know you're not, but you are in the minority in that regard. Have you ever thought about why?"

"I don't care what the rest of you think about him, one of these days…"

"What? You'll attack him? You know you can't do that."

"That doesn't stop me from wanting to. Every time I see him, I want to smash his face in."

Poliakov nodded, "Yes, I can see it in your eyes. But that is not your fight. You are a lot like your father in many respects, but you are not your father. His fight with Menai is not yours."

Etean shrugged, "Menai doesn't seem to make the distinction, why should I?"

"Because, you have far more important things to worry about now. Your only job is to make sure that Draco is ready for when the time comes. Do you understand me, Boy?"

"Yes, Old Man, I understand." Etean turned and faced the door to the bedroom and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as he took a series of deep breaths. His eyes snapped open, his head raised. "Shit," he said, "He's awake!"

A/N: Just something feel I should point out. Harry is the one who, according to the prophesy, has the power to destroy Voldemort. This story DOES NOT contradict that. The question you should be asking is, does The Circle know about the prophesy? Even if they do – Harry can destroy Voldemort, Draco can replace him – the whole heir thing just means that Draco could go down the same road as Voldemort did when he became the Dark Lord, not necessarily that he can kill him.

Anywho, keep reading, you should get it soon.