Well, I hope everyone had a happy, healthy and Merry Christmas, and that Santa / Father Christmas was very good to you this year!

I'm in therapy for my shoulder, which is only slightly better (ugh) so yea, this is going to be really, really slow going for a while. Sorry about that…

Anywho, I decided to get this chapter out for you, it's a little on the short side, but I decided not to make you wait too long!

And as always, I do not own either HP or Bleach.

Chapter 3

Severus stayed at the Kurosaki manor until it was time for them to head for the meeting, at which point he brought the now artfully decorated Draco with him. Snape had to admit – Draco had the look down to a science. A slight smear of mustard on a lapel, some strategically applied dirt, the skillfully worn threads…definitely the look of someone who has not been living high on the hog as he was used to.

When they appeared on the lane, they took a few moments to look around to make sure they were not being watched. A few seconds later a third figure appeared out of nowhere, causing Snape to draw his wand and point it at the figure, while stepping in front of Draco protectively as the young man still had the Trace on him and could not fight back without giving himself away to the Ministry. He relaxed his stance when he saw the other do the same.

"Any news?" the second man asked him.

"Yes," Snape nodded, "the best."

"As have I," he peered around Severus. "Is that young Malfoy? Your Aunt will be most pleased to see you. She's been extremely concerned for your welfare."

Draco nodded at the man, whom he recognized as Yaxley. He had some doubts as to how concerned his aunt truly was about him, but he said nothing.

"I was afraid I was going to be late, getting here was trickier than I thought it would be. But I think the information I have will please him. You?"

Snape simply nodded. He knew the information he had was correct; it came directly from Remus Lupin and Mad Eye Moody themselves. He had also been directly involved in the planning. Any information Yaxley had on the same subject was incorrect, and planted by them for the benefit of the Death Eaters to discredit whoever got the information and to give Severus more credibility in Voldemort's eyes.

Quietly the three walked down the lane, which was boarded with a high hedge on both sides. The wrought iron gate did not slow them down as they simply passed through it as they walked quickly to the handsome manor house that loomed up at them out of the darkness, lights dimly glowing from somewhere inside.

The door swung inward without being touched, welcoming Draco home into a large, sumptuously decorated hallway. The portraits watched them pass suspiciously as they continued towards a heavy wooden door. He hadn't realized until now how uneasy they made him, as they were never welcoming – unlike the portraits in the Kurosaki Manor, which were always smiling genially. The atmosphere was also different – the Malfoy Manor was a showplace of wealth, the Kurosaki Manor one of comfort. Draco found himself preferring and longing for the latter. The trio paused in front of it, all three of them hesitating, before Snape reached out to turn the handle.

They entered a room full of silent people seated at a long, dark ornate table. A fire roared in the fireplace, and provided the room's only source of light.

Above the table hung a woman, slowly turning as if she was on a spit over a cooking fire. Draco's eyes widened briefly when he saw her. She appeared vaguely familiar to him.

"Yaxley, Snape, and young Malfoy," a voice addressed them, "You are nearly late."

Draco shivered despite the heat of the fire as the neared the table, and Voldemort came into focus. He was even more snakelike than the last time he'd seen the Dark Lord: hairless, pale, slit nostrils, red eyes.

"Severus – here, beside me. Yaxley, next to Dolohov. Young Malfoy – next to your Aunt."

Dutifully they took their allotted places, and it was to Snape that the Dark Lord spoke first.

"So -?"

"The Order of the Phoenix intends to move Potter from his current place of safety on Saturday next, at nightfall."

Some stiffened, as interest in the subject sharpened.

"Saturday…nightfall…" Voldemort repeated. He stared at Snape intently. So intently some onlookers turned away, fearful they would find that gaze upon them. Snape appeared unperturbed, however. Voldemort finally smiled, and when he did, Draco shivered. He never wanted that smile focused on him.

"Good, very good. From the source we discussed?"

"Of course."

Yaxley leaned forward. "My lord."

All turned to look at him.

"I have heard differently."

When Voldemort did not speak, Yaxley continued. "Dawlish, the Auror, let slip that Potter will not be moved until the 30th, the night before he turns seventeen."

Snape smiled contemptuously at Yaxley. "There are plans to lay a false trail; this must be it. No doubt a Confundus charm has been placed on Dawlish. He is particularly susceptible to them."

"I assure you, Dawlish was quite certain…"

"Of course he was certain, if he was confunded," Snape said dismissively. "I can assure you, the Auror's Office has no role to play in moving Potter, save for those few that are members of the Order. The Order believes that we have infiltrated the Ministry."

"They aren't wrong there," someone down the table said with some humor.

Yaxley persisted. "This is an agreement between the Ministry and the Japanese Ambassador –"

"Smoke and Mirrors," Snape said, cutting him off with a curt motion of his hand. "Oh, I am quite certain the Japanese will be present in force – but it will be Yamamoto's group, not any force procured by the Ambassador."

Voldemort stared at them all, apparently deep in thought.

Yaxley started to speak again, but stopped when Voldemort held up a hand. He was looking at Snape still, and this caused Yaxley to subside resentfully.

"Where will they hide the boy? In Japan?" Voldemort would not be able to reach him there.

Snape shook his head. That of course was a last resort… "At the home of one of the Order, which will be hidden and protected by a combination of our magic and Japanese. We will have little chance of taking him once he is there, unless of course the Ministry falls before next Saturday, which might enable us to discover and undo enough of the enchantments to break through."

"Well, Yaxley," Voldemort turned to the Death Eater he had silenced earlier, "Will the Ministry have fallen by then?"

Yaxley straightened. "My Lord – I have, with some difficulty – succeeded in placing an Imperius Curse on Pius Thicknesse."

"It is a start," Voldemort admitted, halting the subdued congratulations. "But that is only one man. The Minister must be surrounded before I act. A failed attempt will set us back." He paused. "I should like an attempt to take the Japanese Ambassador, as well. If you cannot Imperius him, then kill him outright."

"Of course, My Lord," Yaxley nodded, "but remember, Thicknesse has regular contact with the other Heads of Departments…it should be easy for the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to subjugate the others."

"As long as he is not discovered first," Voldemort frowned, "As it is, it appears the Ministry will not be mine before next Saturday. If Potter cannot be taken at his destination, he must be taken while he travels."

"We have enough people in place so that if Potter tries to Apparate or use the Floo Network, we will have him."

"He will do neither," Snape said with a shade of contempt. "The Order will not use any form of transport that is controlled or monitored by the Ministry. They mistrust it greatly."

"Then he will have to move openly," Bellatrix said eagerly, "He'll be easier to take that way!"

"The boy is mine to attend to; I shall take care of him personally. There have been too many mistakes in the past, where he is concerned; I have made some myself. Potter continues to live because of those errors."

Voldemort stared thoughtfully at the body still slowly rotating above them, one hand rubbing his side. This action was not lost on Snape; nothing he'd done had been able to fully cure the wound dealt to Voldemort by Ishida's Quincy arrow. Yamamoto had wanted him to try, to see how deadly the two Quincies were to him.

Very, apparently, even while he was nothing more than a streak of dark smoke in the sky. They were a promising weapon. He had reported his findings to Yamamoto and Professor Dumbledore with some feelings of encouragement. With his wound, Voldemort was not at his full strength.

"Yes, I have been careless. I have been thwarted by both luck and chance. But I know better now, and I understand better. I shall kill Harry Potter, I must be the one to do so."

No sooner had he finished speaking than there was a wail of pain from somewhere below them.

"Wormtail," Voldemort said in a soft, sibilant voice, "have I not requested that you keep that prisoner quiet?"

"Yes, m-m-Lord," the person so addressed scurried from the room quickly.

"There, then. Now, one more order of business." Voldemort turned back to Snape. "Will you be ready to take your place when the Ministry does fall?"

Snape bowed his head. "Of course. You know there will be – objections."

"They can be quelled. Most important will be to keep the Japanese from returning to Hogwarts."

Snape frowned and stroked his chin as if in thought; there was a faint murmur from Bellatrix's direction.

"What was that, Draco?" Voldemort looked directly at him.

Draco gulped; he hadn't meant to speak out loud.

"Um…"

"Go ahead, speak up. You'll be returning with your teacher, please tell us your feelings."

"Just – if they aren't at Hogwarts – we won't know where they are," he whispered, "Wouldn't it be better to – to keep them where we can watch them?"

"The boy has an excellent point," Snape put in, his eyes giving Draco an approving look before he turned back to Voldemort, even as Bellatrix patted her nephew on the shoulder with pride. "They can't be tracked when they travel; they aren't on our grid, not even Kurosaki and his sisters. We can't keep them out – or in, for that matter."

Voldemort frowned, the first emotion he'd shown all evening. "I see. Then by all means, let us allow them to return where they can be closely monitored by you. A most excellent suggestion, Draco. You do your Aunt proud." He paused, giving Bellatrix a chance to preen, before adding, "Yes, Bella, you must have a great deal to be proud over this week."

Bellatrix gave him a confused look. "My lord?" she queried.

"I am referring to your niece, Bellatrix. She has only just recently been married – to a werewolf, I believe. How proud you must be."

The jeering laughter that erupted caused Bellatrix's face to turn an angry blotchy red, while Draco kept his head down low and his expression hidden. The snake, Nagini, reared up, hissing at the noise.

"The chit is no niece of mine, and if Cissy were here and not rotting in a Japanese prison, she would say the same!" Bellatrix protested. "We have not set eyes on our sister since she married that mudblood!"

"And what say you, Draco?" Voldemort's quiet voice carried through the loud catcalls. Draco gave him a startled look. "Will you babysit the cubs?"

The laughter escalated.

For a moment, Draco looked like a deer caught in headlights; his eyes darted to Snape, and then his Aunt, before back to Snape. Seeing the veiled warning in his teacher's eyes, he slumped down and stared at the table.

"Enough," Voldemort said, calming Nagini down by stroking her head. "Enough." Silence descended on the room.

"So many of our oldest family trees have become – diseased – over time," he continued as Bellatrix stared at him, "it is time for you to prune yours to keep it healthy. You must cut away those parts that threaten the rest." He continued to stroke Nagini.

"Yes My Lord, of course My Lord," Bellatrix whispered, tears in her eyes, "At the first chance!"

"And you shall have it," he said with a nod, "In your family, and in the other old families. We shall cut away the canker that infects us until only the true blood remains."

Voldemort indicated the slowly revolving figure. "Do you recognize our guest, Severus?"

Snape glanced curiously at the figure, who gasped out his name. He nodded briefly, once.

"And what of you, Draco?" he asked; Draco shook his head jerkily, unable to look. "Of course, how silly of me to ask that of you. You would not have taken her classes. For those of you who do not know, we are joined here by Charity Burbage, who was until tonight a Professor at Hogwarts."

There were several noises of comprehension.

"Indeed. Professor Burbage taught our children about Muggles - about how they are not so different from us." The mumbling became angry. "Yes, indeed. And not content with just that, she wrote a column in the Daily Prophet that was in defense of Mudbloods! We must accept these thieves of our knowledge, and of our magic. The dwindling of purebloods is actually a desirable thing – she would have us all mate with Mudbloods, or even werewolves!"

There was no laughter at the anger in the Dark Lord's voice. Everyone stared at Charity Burbage, hatred on their faces, except for two: Draco, who was looking everywhere except for her, and Snape, whose expression was impassive.

"Avada kedavra!"

The green light illuminated the room and the body fell to the table with a loud thud, causing a few of the Death Eaters to jump, so that Draco's flinch was not noticeable.

"Dinner, Nagini," Voldemort said softly. He looked down the length of the table. "You all know what you need to do, now go." He then turned to Snape. "Stay a moment, Severus."

"Of course, My Lord."

Bellatrix took Draco with her – "to get clean clothes," she told him.

When they were alone, Snape asked, you have further instructions for me, My Lord?"

"Questions, Severus," he replied. "You were able to defeat the young Kurosaki in May –"

"Barely. He is quite powerful."

Voldemort nodded. "This magic of theirs – they call it – what?"

"Kido. Wandless magic. It is – primal. Forceful. Elemental. And they are learning to combine it with our magic, their wands, to create a new, hybrid form of magic. This magic can bind, destroy – or heal."

Voldemort frowned thoughtfully as he watched Nagini feeding. "Is there more?"

"Some of them are able to move quickly, without Apparition or a broom," Snape told him, "They have learned how to solidify the very air molecules under their feet, enabling them to walk or stand in mid-air…"

"Ah – Kurosaki's arrival at the Astronomy Tower."

Snape nodded. "A technique they call "flash step." Yoruichi Shihoin is most likely the fastest, having earned herself the nickname of "Flash Master" or "Goddess of Flash." Her three protégés would be right behind her in speed: Byakuya Kuchiki, Soifon, and Kurosaki."

"How fast can they travel?"

"Quickly enough to mimic Apparition," Snape responded, watching the Dark Lord closely for his reaction. He had permission to give out certain information…

"I see. They are going to be trouble, aren't they, Severus?"

"I shall endeavor to make sure they are kept under control."

"I am counting on you, Severus. Please do not disappoint me."

Author's Notes

Confundus Charm: The incantation for the charm is Confundus; the spell is used to confuse a target. In GoF, one of them was most likely used to confund the goblet of fire. http colon/harrypotter dot wikia dot com/wiki/Confundus_Charm

Imperius Curse: The incantation for the charm is Imperio. It is one of the three Unforgivable Curses. It puts the victim under the complete control of the caster. The Imperius Curse was put on students during Harry's fourth year by Barty Crouch, Jr. in the guise of Professor Moody, with the explanation that they should be "taught what it feels like". After some practice Harry Potter learns to resist the curse, even when used by Voldemort. Crouch said that resisting the curse took "strength of character". Similar abilities used in resisting the curse are used in Occlumency, but Harry is inept at it. http colon/harrypotter dot wikia dot com/wiki/Imperius_Curse

The Killing Curse is a spell that causes instantaneous death and is one of the three Unforgivable Curses. There is no known counter-curse or cure for it; however, one may dodge the green bolt or use a physical barrier to block it. An explosion or green fire may result if the spell hits something other than a living target. Voldemort was famous for using this curse regularly and indiscriminately. The incantation is Avada Kedavra. The Killing Curse is described as a jet of blinding green light, which causes the victim instant death. There are no secondary effects; the victim simply "drops dead" for no biological reason. It is possible that the victim's internal organs cease function, or that once the spell hits a person's body, it completely turns the body functions "off". A death caused by this curse may be physically painless; "echoes" of previous victims have asserted the death felt "quicker and easier than falling asleep". However, upon waking up from his near-death experience, Harry Potter felt the curse's after feel and described it in a similar manner to that of a sledgehammer shot to the chest. http colon /harrypotter dot wikia dot com/wiki/Killing_curse