LANCE

A grey, snowy morning had never been so cheerful. I grinned as I got dressed, pulling on a clean set of forest green robes. I combed my dark hair before going down to breakfast. The newest house elf wasn't a terrible cook, and the food on the table actually smelled good. Mother and Father were already there, eating silently.

"Good morning," I said, sitting across from Mother and accepting the plate of eggs Benedict.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Mother said, giving me a weak smile. I added sausages to my plate.

"Have you heard from Aunt Bellatrix yet?" I asked. Aunt Bella was supposed to be teaching me sometime this week. What, I had no idea, but anything she knew was also worth me knowing.

"She said she won't be able to see you until Thursday," Mother said, setting her cutlery down on her empty plate. "She has work to do for the Dark Lord until then."

I nodded, processing the information. "That's quite alright. Work for the Dark Lord must come first, after all."

I finished my meal, keeping my thoughts to myself. I had nothing to say to Father, even after Mother had left. He had failed the Dark Lord, and I wasn't about to make the same mistake. I needed to be in the best graces possible. And besides, neither of my parents needed to know about my victory. Not yet, anyways. Certainly, Mother would want to see me happy, but I couldn't risk anyone finding out about Jennifer or my plans until I had her firmly under my control. Only then would it be safe to tell Mother. Father probably wouldn't care.

In my room, I let the glory of my victory wash over me again. I had done it. Diggory had left Jennifer. Though, perhaps I should have kept the game going a little longer. Disguising myself as him had had some… unexpected rewards. I couldn't deny that I had enjoyed taking her, even if she thought I was him. It was a shame really that I hadn't been her first. I was clearly more adept at fulfilling her needs. The way she had melted under my touch, like chocolate on a warm day…

Though there was little I would like to do besides lay in bed and daydream, I had business in Knockturn Alley to attend to. I finished getting ready, pocketed my wand, slipped on boots and a cloak, and slipped out the front door. I had to walk all the way out the front gates before I could Apparate, so I took up a brisk pace, snow crunching under my boots as I passed a few of the peacocks. I waved my wand to open the gates, and I was finally on my way.

I hadn't been into Diagon Alley since the incident involving Mr. Fortescue. I wouldn't have bothered with a more public entrance to the Alley, but Aunt Bella seemed to think it a good idea that I present my face to the world. I would inspire admiration or fear, but both would be best. The pub was empty, and I swept through it without a second thought. No one of consequence would be here.

The Alley was just as quiet. In fact, I couldn't tell if most of the stores were even open or not. The apothecary seemed to be, as was Flourish and Blotts. I looked inside as I passed, but didn't see Jennifer. It wouldn't surprise me if she had chosen to take today off – she was rather upset about the whole thing. I made a note to stop in after my chore was finished. I instead took a left down Knockturn Alley. There were hardly more people here, just a few stragglers, but they were quiet. I ignored them as I opened the door to Borgin and Burkes.

I had never cared for Borgin – his excessively greasy manner around anyone of my status repulsed me, but it couldn't be helped. He had always been this way for as long as I could remember. Though now he certainly treated me with promptness, when before he attempted to sell my Father half the store. The Dark Mark had certainly seen to that.

"Mr. Malfoy, the usual today?" Borgin asked, entering the shop from the back room the moment he heard the bell chime. I made my way to him immediately, having no interest in the wares of the shop. I had been here so many times I dare say that I knew the stock just as well as Borgin did.

"Yes. I'll need at least an hour," I replied, bored. Borgin simply nodded and I followed him behind the counter and beyond. He left me at a private room, once used for bookkeeping, but now housing a tall cabinet. He bowed and left, shutting me in the room. I removed my cloak and sighed. This whole exercise had been tedious, but it was the only way to really achieve what the Dark Lord wanted. I pulled out my pocket watch to check the time. Draco had said he would be ready at a quarter after ten, and it was nearly time. Hopefully this time the tests wouldn't take as long. Last time, there had been quite a mess to clean up from the birds.

At exactly ten fifteen, a small swooshing sound came from inside the cabinet. I opened it to find a note in Draco's handwriting.

Attempting more birds today. Should have all the kinks worked out this time.

I snorted. I highly doubted Draco had fixed the problem in two weeks time. The cabinets had been broken for years.

Flapping and tweeting came from the cabinet now, and it didn't sound distressed. I opened it to find that the small bird was unharmed, zooming around in and out of the cabinet. I snatched it out of the air, placing it back inside and shutting the door quickly. Then I pulled out my wand and tapped the side of the cabinet.

The noise stopped. I could only assume I was successful. I conjured up a chair to sit and wait in while Draco formulated some semblance of a reply. It took some time, and I wondered again why I allowed myself to endure a task that was so dull. Beyond Mother's request, it was only the willingness to please the Dark Lord that made me do this. Draco's problems were his own. Had I still been at Hogwarts, this task would have not only been entrusted to me, but would have been done already.

The noise let me know another note had arrived.

Splinched again. What the bird okay when it got to you?

I sighed and grabbed the quill I had left on a shelf when this whole endeavor had begun.

Yes, it was fine. Something is still wrong when going back from Borgin's.

I sent it back to him, already anticipating his response.

It must be your end then. Are you certain that the cabinet in Borgin's is in perfect condition?

Yes.

I sent that note back with a conjured bird. There was something about two trips, not my end that was creating this issue. Whatever magic had created this set of cabinets (and broken the twin) wasn't as safe as maybe it had been intended to be.

Loud thumping and distressed cries told me that the test had yet again been unsuccessful. The bird was thrashing, getting blood and feathers all over the interior of the cabinet. I killed it in an instant and sent it back with another note. I told you, the double trip isn't working. You need to do more research.

I sat down, irritated again. Did Draco think I was going to solve this problem for him? To his credit, all that was technically required was a one-way trip. The second trip would be handy if for some reason an escape route was needed. It would be most unpleasant if we were Splinched in the middle of an escape.

I waited and waited for a reply. Draco was certainly being slow this morning. I leaned against the back of the chair, allowing my mind to wander again. Though, it probably shouldn't be considered wandering anymore since the same topic always came to mind. I hadn't checked in on Jennifer since last night when she had left her flat. I closed my eyes and concentrated, my methods so perfected over the last year that it didn't take much to enter her mind, especially in her current weakened state.

The first thing to hit me was an overwhelming wave of pain so deep I felt it in my chest. I couldn't discern a single, well-formed thought in her mind. I nearly felt guilty for causing her this much pain. I knew it would hurt her to break her away from him, but I had no idea the depths of her feelings. That wasn't something I had been able to pry from her mind. But no, this was for the best. She could only get stronger from here.

I tried my best to make sense of her thoughts, to figure out where she was, what she was doing. She hadn't gone back to her flat, at any rate. I doubt she would. It seemed to be a fact in her mind that she never would return. Though there had been no words finalizing it, she clearly understood that whatever she and Diggory had called a "relationship" was over. This was distressing to her, and I searched for any thoughts concerning me. I turned up empty, however, and I soon left her mind. It was putting a damper on my spirits.

I needed to give her a sign, some sort of token that would let her know that she should come to me, entrust her care to me…

Finally, a note arrived from Draco. Same time and place, three weeks from now.

I pocketed the note and then c

leaned out the cabinet. I vanished the chair, put my cloak on once more, and left the shop, not bothering to indicate to Borgin that I had left. I had one final matter I wanted to attend to, and then I needed to go home and rest. Searching Jennifer's mind was not a physical task, yet exhausting all the same.

I passed out of Knockturn Alley and felt in my cloak pocket for an object that I had been carrying around for some time. I didn't know quite why I had put the ring in my pocket in the first place. I had a vague idea at one point in time of giving it to Jennifer. It had, after all, been my grandmother's, so it seemed fit that when I married Jennifer, she should wear it. Though why exactly I carried it, perhaps hoping to give it to her in secret or at our next meeting, was ridiculous. Today, there would finally be a reason.

I entered Flourish and Blotts, pulling the small bag containing the ring out of my pocket. Mr. Blotts was behind the counter, pouring over a record book. He gave a start when he saw me, his face growing pale.

"Mr. Malfoy, what can I… is there some business I forgot we had today?" he asked nervously.

"It's a simple request, I assure you." I set the bag on his book. "When Miss Potter returns to work, do see that she receives this. It's not dangerous, and I will know if it doesn't make it into her possession." He nodded, swallowing and sweeping the bag under the counter. "And, there will be no need to tell her who it's from. It's somewhat of a surprise, and I'm certain she will know who gave it to her."

"Very well, Mr. Malfoy."

"That is all." I swept from the shop without another word, satisfied that Jennifer would know the origin of the gift. She was far too intelligent to not understand its meaning. I smiled as I left the Alley, at peace with my plan. She would be mine. Fate dictated it, and I demanded it.

And I always, always received what I wanted.

Appologies for the late upload. I'm traveling/on a mild vacation, and I only have my tablet. Writing and uploading on here has been an interesting challenge.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts, and thank you to everyone who has sent me reviews! They help me move forward with my writing.