Welcome new readers!
Old readers, thank you for sticking around!
Things are about to get serious! I hope you're ready!
Number 12 Grimmauld place was perhaps most dreary place Hermione had ever been in. She couldn't tell Draco where she was but she could crib about how horrible the place was. She had written to Harry that she had arrived and told him that they were honestly stuck cleaning the house instead of doing anything useful. She hoped that kept him from feeling like he was missing out. Despite trying to ask Dumbledore why Harry couldn't come here sooner, she got no response. She was surprised to see Snape come to the meetings but again they couldn't tell Harry any of it or for that matter Draco. Though Draco did have some great tips on how to clean old houses, that was so out of character it surprised her the first time he gave her a tip. He might not have been the spoilt prince she thought he was after all.
Then harry fought off Dementors and received summons. It was time to go get him. Luckily Hermione didn't have to go as they were flying, but she was happy Harry was going to be here soon. Once Harry arrived, he was understandably upset that he had been stuck at the Dursley's for a month while Hermione had been on vacation and Ron had been at the Order. The hearing was worse. Apparently Dumbledore had been ignoring Harry as well and he'd been upset about that.
Once Harry got home from the hearing, Hermione almost felt guilty about having those two weeks of heaven. She told Draco a lot but never things that were important. It was the same with him. They both agreed it was for the best, after all if the diary was discovered either of them could be in danger.
Draco's home was a beehive of activity but the life of the manor had gone. The Dark Lord had taken up residence in the west wing. There were Death Eaters going in and out of the house all the time. They were definitely planning something. He wanted to talk to Hermione about it. He could sense that she wanted to talk to him too. They couldn't write about it. He was missing her a lot. In the meantime his pet project had begun. He was spending hours upon hours in the library. His mother seemed happy that he was out of the way so it worked in his favour. When he found out that Hermione wouldn't be going to Diagon Alley to buy supplies, he told his mother to have his supplies delivered as well. His mum had the elves pick up supplies for both Draco and Blaise. Blaise as usual sent her an everlasting narcissa with a warm note thanking her for stepping in for his absentee mother and Narcissa added it to her collection from her unofficial foster son. It was the night before he had to leave for Kings Cross that Draco happened to hear his parents arguing
"I won't let him do that to my boy Lucius… Not our only son…" Narcissa was upset
"I don't want that either, so ensure he keeps up appearances and hope that we don't mess up this mission… He is very serious Narcissa… You know what he is capable off.." Lucius said
"I know, but you must convince him… Not my son…" Narcissa sounded on the verge of tears
"He doesn't listen anymore and Draco is my son too… I will do whatever it takes to make sure he doesn't have to get marked…" Lucius said "'Cissa, I love my family, but you know once he comes to power, you know the glory that awaits us… maybe he even knows a way to lift the curse…"
"Glory! What glory are you talking about Lucius? He's a raving lunatic who wants to kill a 14 year old boy and subjugate the entire population that isn't pureblood. You know what that leaves us with, a handful of families and no muggles… I don't think he's trying to bring glory… he's trying to end the magical world as we know it…"
"Yes 'cissa to build a better one…" Lucius parroted
"No, it's not! How can you not see this? You are a smart man Lucius Malfoy. Think about what he's doing. He doesn't care about anything or anyone except his own immortality. He would take the life of every being that walked the earth if that was the price for it!" Narcissa snapped
"What choice do we have 'cissa" Lucius said sighing in defeat
"I love you Lucius but if that means a death sentence for my son, then I choose him over you…" Narcissa stormed out of the room just as Draco ducked to hide behind a suit of armour.
"'Cissa wait!" Lucius followed…
Draco was shaken and a little lost. He was aimlessly walking along the halls of the manor and before he knew it, he was in the west wing.
Before he could turn back he was stopped by Peter Pettigrew
"You boy… The Dark Lord will see you now" Peter said stepping out of the shadows
Draco nearly jumped out of his skin but managed to keep his face composed. He was terrified of coming face to face with the Dark Lord. He remembered what his godfather had told him in all those Occlumency lessons. He had built up walls upon walls inside his mind. In fact from the moment a certain muggle born had been plaguing his thoughts he'd built a fortress to keep his memories of her there. He had been studying Occlumency for over 5 years now. He was pretty decent at it too. He took a deep breath as he stepped into the room. He kept his eyes on the ground.
"Draco Malfoy… A pleasure to finally make your acquaintanceeeeee…" The Dark Lord Hissed
"The honour is mine my Lord…" Draco said bowing and still keeping his eyes on the ground
"Are you afraid of me?" Voldemort asked
"It would be foolish not to be…" Draco replied evenly
"And you're not foolish are you boy?" Voldemort asked as Nagini slithered off her master and circled Draco like her was prey
"No my lord… I try not to be…" Draco said his eyes still firmly on the ground
"Congratulations on becoming a prefect… am I to assume you are one of Dumbledore's chosen onessss" Voldemort spat out
"That old fool couldn't tell a bezor from a rock my lord…" Draco said brining his trademark smirk to grace his features…
"Dumbledore is a lot of things but a fool he is not… short-sighted… but a fool no…"
"My apologies my lord"
"Thisssss is your firssssst and lasssst mistake… now… tell me about joining your father at the table?" Voldemort asked
"I'm honoured that you think me worthy my lord but I believe I would like to earn my seat at this table… I'm not just my father's son, I am my own man…" Draco said evenly
"I see… well, I shall keep that in mind…. You may go…" Voldemort said dismissing Draco and Nagini slithered back to her master
Draco bowed and turned to leave just as he was at the door Voldemort said "Oh and Draco… No one needs to know I'm back just yet… "
Draco paused and nodded without turning around and left.
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