2. Showing Mercy

Somewhere far away hidden in an area scarcely seen by men before, a man was sitting in his study working through the information his minions had provided him with. It wasn't much however and it wasn't what he expected it to be causing his anger to spike. He had over fifty people working for him. How could it be that none of them was capable enough to do what he ordered them to?

It was driving him mad. Even the damned Order was working better than his Death Eaters were. By Merlin, they were leaderless seeing as Dumbledore had been killed nearly a year ago.

At least not all of their information had been fruitless and unimportant. The Lestrange brothers had been able to achieve a long thought to be lost book which he had been searching for many years already. It was one of the rarest books, written by the master of darks arts himself, Donatien Alphonse Francois Marquis de Sade, the very founder of sadism.

The book was just as famous itself, although not many knew it even existed anymore. There was, after all, a little catch to it. Most people who would read it would never be able to tell of its content. The rituals, curses and potions were just too cruel to do so. Many would lose their minds while reading it, only to stammer and stutter unintelligently afterwards.

Voldemort had not feared that this book might cause him to lose his mind. No, he who had done more horrible and horrendous things than others could even imagine, he who had made more horcruxes than all the other people together would not go crazy over a mere book.

No, he had ordered his Death Eaters to search and obtain this book as it was the only one featuring detail descriptions of the horcrux creation process and its consequences. It was the only book that he really was in dear need of. He needed more information and he needed it dearly.

Finally, with the book in his hands Voldemort had sent all of his Death Eaters away. He wanted to be alone, not disturbed by anything trivial or unimportant. He wanted to be able to concentrate on the book in his fingers and the book alone. He didn't need any stuttering and stammering incompetent idiots crawling at his feet. No, that would only disturb him.

What he read shocked him deeply.

He had had a bad feeling about the situation at hand for some time, but to see and read that his suspicions and fears were justified was another matter. Again and again he read those important three passages but they were not making any more sense to him the more he read them. He had known something was wrong and had been for quite some time but, honestly, he had never imagined it to be this.

He just couldn't believe it.

A few hours later he had finally managed to get a hold of his raging emotions and troubled mind again. Still breathing slightly hard Voldemort called for his Death Eaters. He had to investigate this situation further.

Tasks were ordered, people sent to investigate, others to observe and other again to spy. He would not have much time anymore, he had already wasted irresponsibly copious amounts of time. Snape, Malfoy Sr., Malfoy Jr. and Nott had been the ones to work the most. They, after all, had the best connections and best opportunity to use their influence.

Now, after several days of intense plotting was the day they when pulling it through. His Death Eaters had been gone for over an hour already. It was time for them to return.

An anxious feeling spread through Lord Voldemort's chest. It was of utmost importance that they fulfilled their task, so very important indeed. If they failed now, Voldemort was sure some of them wouldn't live to see the next morning. He would torture them into insanity should they fail. And he would feel no remorse over it.

Several loud popping sounds broke him free of his dark and sadistic musing. Several black cloaked figures suddenly appeared in his study, their cloaks masking their identities and bodies, their silver mask hiding their faces. His Death Eaters stood tall and proud like he had told them to do. Upon seeing him they immediately fell to their knees bowing deeply and never once meeting his eyes. A dark and evil smirk plastered Voldemort's thin lips.

Yes, having absolute power indeed was a great thing.

Letting his eyes roam freely they suddenly came to a rest on one of his Death Eaters kneeling in the background. The man had obviously some problems remaining in his kneeling position as he was carrying a small bundle in his arms. Though the bundle may not be heavy, it seemed to be enough to cause him some difficulties. Sighing to himself Voldemort went back to the middle of the room, straightened himself up and then addressed his minions in a firm and scratching voice.

"Stand up, Lucius and step forward."

The only sound echoing through the giant, dim hall was that of Malfoy Sr.'s robes ruffling while the man stood up. Once he had straightened up completely Malfoy Sr. went forward through the silent lines of watching and kneeling Death Eaters watching intently what the blond man was doing.

As soon as Malfoy Sr. had reached the front row, only mere meters away from his Master, Lucius slowed down. Finally reaching his Master Lucius stopped, his head bend so that he wouldn't look directly in his Master's glimmering purple eyes, holding tightly on the bundle in his arms and lifting it up a little so that his Master would be able to see the bundle better.

"Show me the boy, Lucius."

Pale and thin spidery fingers carefully stroked the boy's cheeks. It was a sight to remember. Voldemort, the one who had had no problem with killing his father and torturing small children and pregnant woman, was carefully stroking the fragile boy's cheeks.

He acted as if he cared for nothing more than his safety, something that was definitely wrong and caused many Death Eaters to raise their eyebrows in confusion and narrow their eyes in suspicion. They had been told not to harm the boy but instead to kidnap him and to bring him to their Master. But only so the Dark Lord could torture him into insanity, surely. The boy was his most feared and hated enemy after all.

Suddenly Lord Voldemort stopped and glared at his followers. "Leave!" He ordered viciously. "All expect for my Inner Circle leave. The others do what I told you to do. And don't disturb me for the next few days except if it is urgent. Otherwise the consequences will be deadly. Now, leave!"

Without daring to contradict him all those Death Eaters who didn't form part of the Inner Circle left the hall. Their eyes were narrowed in suspicion, never leaving their Master and the small boy held by Lucius so dearly. Why was he holding him this way at all? Why didn't he just drop him to the ground and stomp on his too thin and weak body?

It just didn't make sense. Their Master was about to destroy his last remaining enemy, the last one to hinder his everlasting victory over the light side. Why wasn't he demonstrating his greatness by killing him in front of their eyes?

Bellatrix who was walking next to her husband and his brother narrowed her eyes in suspicion. After the disaster in the Ministry Halls two years ago she had been removed from her Master's Inner Circle and placed between those common Death Eaters. She understood her Master's reasoning; she had failed him dramatically after all. His wrath had been like a force from hell. There was nothing she could do to regain her old grace than redeem herself through her actions. From this day on she had fulfilled her task with perfection and glory though her Lord still kept her waiting.

A flash of fury short shot through her eyes. She wasn't the only one who had failed him this fateful night but she was the only one to be punished. Lucius who had led this catastrophic mission was still in her Master's good grace and was now officially acting as his right hand.

Narcissa, her intelligent and beautiful sister who never once moved a finger to participate in her Lord's plans was standing next to her husband in the ranks of the Inner Circle. Not only Narcissa but Draco, her dim-witted and weak nephew who had failed to kill the already weakened and dying Headmaster was standing beside them.

Next to them was standing Snape, the one who had never provided them with useful information and who had kept spying for both sides. Those traitors were glorified by her Master's presence whilst she, his only faithful remaining Death Eater was sent away like some disturbing buck.

It just wasn't fair.

A firm grip on her upper arm prevented her from doing something she would probably regret later. Stern looks from her husband forced her shut her mouth again and follow him out of the room sullenly. She would prove her usefulness and be it the last thing she would be doing. It wasn't her place to stand outside the hall together with the Lestrange brothers, the Greengrasses, Notts, Zabinis, Alectos and the represents of the magical creatures. She was so much better, so much more useful than them. Why couldn't her Lord just see it?

Inside the hall Voldemort was sighing lightly.

"We are already late, nearly too late." He addressed his followers, though his gaze as mostly resting on Severus Snape. "We can't afford to waste any more time. Every passing hour endangers the success of this mission. And it is of utmost importance that we succeed. All of you know this, so don't you dare disappoint me."

Straightening up Voldemort closed his eyes to think. He knew his Death Eaters were still present but none of them would dare to interrupt him. They feared him too much to do so, after all.

Three of them were still kneeling. Their knees must be hurting badly by now, the floor was cold and hard but none of them moved an inch. They would never utter their discomfort or pain to him. Lucius was still standing in front of him, the precious boy held firmly in his arms and closely pressed to his chest. He wouldn't dare to question how long he had to stay this way. He was loyal and he was intelligent, he knew what was good for him and his family.

Opening his eyes, Lord Voldemort focused his eyes on his Potions Master. "Severus, you will be the boy's personal Healer. I expect you to keep him alive long enough to discuss all of this with him. I need his approval by this evening. Make sure you convince him, otherwise your punishment will be most severe."

Narrowing his eyes Voldemort locked his gaze with Severus'. He knew that the man disliked the child greatly, but he couldn't show consideration to any of his Death Eaters' wishes and needs. They were his, his minions, his to order and punish should they fail. He didn't care for the useless grudge Severus held against the boy over the boy's dead father. He had ordered him to keep the boy safe and keeping him safe Severus would. His Master had ordered him to do so, every disappointment would only send his Potions Master to an early grave and the pale man knew that.

"Bring him to the vacant room down the corridor at the end. The house-elves have already prepared everything for him and his arrival. A shelf full with potions and creams is already there." Lord Voldemort instructed the still kneeling, pale man.

"Should you need anything else, order the house-elves to provide you with whatever you need. Your task is to keep the boy alive and heal him as best as possible. I don't want you to fail me, understood? The boy is too important to just let him die."

His head still bent Severus Snape rose from his kneeling position. With firm steps he approached his Master and his friend only to take the still unconscious boy from his arms. The boy was light; he recognized with a feeling of utter surprise that he didn't seem to weigh anything at all.

A slow glance at the boy's face and body structure proved Severus's suspicions. The boy was weak and absolutely ill. Keeping him alive for the next days and healing him would be an utter miracle and a demonstration of all his knowledge and skills.

Bowing lightly to his Master Severus murmured a small "Yes, my Lord." and then vanished through the door behind him. His light footsteps could be heard fading away in the long and vacant corridors.

While the dark Lord was still pacing up and down the front part of his hall Lucius had bent down again into his kneeling position. It wouldn't do him any good to just remain there standing. Their Lord was stressed and very nervous. His plans were complex, yet perfect.

The only problem was that he would need the boy's approval to bring his plans to an end. The boy, however, didn't look as if he was strong enough to survive this very evening.

And there lay their problem. The Dark Lord's plan was depending on this boy's life. The very life Severus was currently trying to save. The very life the Dark Lord could do nothing to save.

It was driving him mad.

"You all know I wanted this boy alive, something that disturbed quite a lot of you. You expect me to kill him, to torture him into insanity, to make his life a living hell. But nothing this way will happen." Lord Voldemort stopped his pacing and glared at his Inner Circle.

"I did not send you to retreat with this boy alive just to kill him here. He is to be kept safe, no harm shall befall him and I bestow you, my Inner Circle, with this task. Keep him safe. Should something happen to him this will be the last time you ever have failed me." The threat hung ominously in the air.

When he stopped in the middle of the room Lord Voldemort turned around to glare at them fiercely.

"The boy will be kept safe." He repeated, his words slightly hissed. "I won't let some stupid Death Eater of mine kill him just to prove his or her loyalty to me. I want him alive not dead. If killing him was what I had had in mind, I would have gone to Hogwarts myself and killed the boy there. He has no power that I don't possess. Killing him would have been easy."

He turned his gaze towards the door through which Severus had vanished with the boy. "No, he shall live.

His gaze wandered through the room. "I want you to have a closer look at you sister, Narcissa." He addressed the current Malfoy Mistress. "She seems to feeling that she has not done enough to redeem herself. Most likely she will think that by killing the boy I would provide her with another Inner Circle place again. Stop her from doing this. I will hold you personally responsible should she succeed."

With a swift look over his Death Eaters Voldemort saw the hints of confusion on the Malfoy Heir's face. The young man was trying to figure out desperately what his Master wanted them to do.

"The boy will not return to school." Lord Voldemort informed his Inner Circle. "No, I wish for him not to be subjected to the bad influence of the so called light side again. Dumbledore may be dead and from what I saw in your sister's mind and memories, Narcissa, Bellatrix made sure his friends and closest family were, too."

Lord Voldemort hissed lowly and narrowed his eyes on the blonde uninvolved woman. "I did not wish for this to happen. Those children would have been of use for me. But now it has all been in vain. She went against a direct order and shall be punished for this. But Potter will not return to this school. No, Potter shall remain by my side."

A small gasp could be heard, followed immediately by a light snap of a closing jaw. The Malfoy Heir was staring at him with wide eyes, fear and horror clearly visible in them. He may not have said anything but his actions had been enough.

His Master knew what he was thinking about his plan, something that was very dangerous to do. Looking shyly up from the floor Draco was greeted with the most horrendous sight he had ever seen.

The Dark Lord's maniacally smirk.

"Yes, Malfoy, Potter will live here. Where else would he be safe? I know this must all be very confusing for you. Potter has to be kept safe, at all cost. He is in possession of something dear to me that only Potter can guard. Therefore he won't be killed. What he has and what this is, is of no concern to any of you." His sharp words were cutting through the tense air like a fork through warm butter.

"You need not know more than that. Should I one day have the feeling that I could trust you with this information, I shall think about informing you." It was clear in the way he spoke that Voldemort was disregarding this thought as soon as he had voiced it. This moment would never come to pass.

"For the time being I can only advise you to let it be." He glared at the trembling form of the Malfoy Heir, his purple eyes gleaming dangerously as another thought crossed his deranged mind. "And don't pester the boy about it. He will know and I will know. And that shall be enough. Should I find out you went against this order, I will execute you the most horrendous and painful way possible."

A firm gaze at his youngest Inner Circle member made the young man squirm under his gaze in uneasiness.

Lord Voldemort paused and tilted his head to the side in thought. "Malfoy, I want you to return to Hogwarts as soon as possible. No one should notice your absence. It would only hinder and complicate my plans."

He twirled his hands between his spidery fingers and relished in the waves of dread emitting from his minions. "As Potter will now be living here, he will need what possessions he has at Slytherin Manor and not at Hogwarts." He addressed the Malfoy Heir.

"Go back to Hogwarts and then return as soon as you have gotten everything Potter owns. Make it look like someone raided his things." Lord Voldemort added as an afterthought "This way they will think some Death Eater of mine took revenge on him. How you get a hold of his things is your problem. Just make sure no one sees you, is that understood?"

A quick nod answered his question. The boy's jaw line was set firmly, his brows knitted in thought. The boy was thinking about how to fulfil his mission to his Master's approval. Good, he better learn to think that way soon.

"Then go, Malfoy, and return as soon as you have obtained Potter's possessions."

Again the boy nodded to him before he stood up, bowed quickly in farewell and then apparated out of the hall. Lord Voldemort was pleased. The first step of his plan was set into motion, now he would have to make the others work out, too.

Turning around Voldemort levelled his gaze on his two remaining Death Eaters. Narcissa was a very intelligent woman who tried with all her might to keep the family and their name clean. It was fortunate to have her in his ranks.

The mind of a woman does, after all, work differently. With her help he had been able to archive a lot of goals that masculine brute and power would alone not have been able to provide him with. That was why she was in his ranks after all. She was useful to him.

Her husband was intelligent, too, but more importantly he was cunning. He knew what he wanted and how he would get it, no matter how difficult or impossible it may look to be. His position in the Ministry was a very valued one. With Lucius' influence the actual Minister of Magic and most Head of Departments were nothing more than puppets in his hands. May it be blackmail or buying their morals Lucius always succeeded in what he was doing. Hopefully he would do so this time, too.

"Lucius, go to the Ministry and collect all of Potter's papers." He addressed the Malfoy Patriarch. "His birth certificates, his school reports, reports about his childhood and articles in the newspapers. Just everything that has his name on it. I need them by tomorrow evening so don't take your time but hurry. It is important you come back with all of them."

A small silence stretched between the three of them. Lucius had inclined his head in understanding but was still remaining in his kneeling position. There was something on his mind, after all, that he wanted to know.

"My Lord, may I ask what you need all those papers for?"

It was a dangerous thing to do. No one ever questioned the Dark Lord expect for those who had an unyielding death wish.

But Lucius knew his Master. The Dark Lord didn't like his minions to questions him, be it in public or in private. But that didn't mean that they weren't allowed to show any interest in his plans. They were the ones to set them into motion, after all, and it was important for them to know what they were to do and why they needed to do this. That way they would be even more motivated to fail their Master less knowing the importance of their doing.

At least, that had been what Lucius had argued the last time a fellow Death Eater had found himself facing the green light when he had asked an innocent question.

Lucius licked his dry lips behind the mask and tried to hide his worry at his Master's out of character silent stare. Finally, Lord Voldemort broke the silence.

"I want to know all that there is about Potter." He explained dangerously low and coldly. "I wish to bind the boy to me. He shall soon become one of my most trusted followers. But I can only convince him to stay by my side when there is nothing the boy can hide from me."

His purple eyes stared viciously into Lucius' grey ones. "All of his wishes, desires and fears are important to me and this task. The more I know about him and the better I can pretend to understand his feelings regarding certain topics the easier it will be for me to convince him that I'm not as bad as Dumbledore and the light sight pointed me out to be."

For the first time the Dark Lord was showing emotions. Instead of his stoic calm face or the fearful sight of his angry features, the most feared wizard of their time was looking disgusted and revolted. It was a sight to behold. No one would believe them what they were seeing.

"By no means will I cuddle or hug this boy." His features contorted into a revolted expression. "He shall live here and be protected, but I will not act and be a companion to him. This is a task for one of the younger Death Eaters, preferably your son. They will introduce him to our world and customs. I will only be there should I have something to do for him. Nothing more. I will not be a parental figure to this boy, nor will I be his person of trust. Others will have to take this place. But I want know everything about him. This way he will trust me more. And this way I will be able to control and foretell his actions."

Still confused, Lucius stiffly inclined his head. Why his Lord ever thought to have to act like the boy's parental figure was incomprehensible to Lucius. But who was he to question his Master's thoughts and plans?

Nodding again Lucius rose from his kneeling position. With a swift motion he vanished his Death Eater attire. It wouldn't do him any good to appear in the Ministry wearing this black, hooted cloak and the silver skulk mask. It would only grant him a special invitation to Azkaban. Not even his money could buy him out of this. Bowing lightly in farewell Lucius turned around and was about to depart when the stern and hissing voice of his Master called him back.

"Remember, Lucius, I need everything there is about the boy. Everything. And find out as much about his history and his past as you can. I have the feeling something may not be as we all think it to be. Don't disappoint me, Lucius."

With a loud cracking sound Lucius disappeared. Only Narcissa and Lord Voldemort remained, the former still in her kneeling position, her black, hood-less cloak hiding most of her figure and her long, blond hair falling lightly into her face. The later was still standing in the middle of the room, his head titled and his eyes slightly narrowed. Minutes passed with none of them moving or speaking, until finally Voldemort sighed and directed his gaze at the Malfoy Mistress.

"Narcissa, I know you normally never participate in any of my actions and plans and I always accept it. But tonight I have to request your participation in one of my plans." Lord Voldemort stressed. He wouldn't order her to participate, but he wouldn't stoop so low to ask her to do as he wanted either.

"Potter will soon be very vulnerable. As he will remain here, there will be no one here for him to keep him stable and help him through this phase of his life. As I have seen, his friends have been killed. This must weigh even heavily on his shoulders." Lord Voldemort wouldn't pretend to understand the emotion, but he had witnessed often enough what the death of a friend could do to another person to know what to expect from Potter.

Closing his eyes in obvious annoyance Lord Voldemort continued.

"The boy will stay with me. As for why or how long I might tell you later. The boy may have my presence, but I don't think it will be soothing for him. The boy will be lonely and he may soon get depressed if no one is there to listen to him." Lord Voldemort opened his eyes and glanced at Narcissa. "And that is why I need your help."

His gaze became intense, however, it didn't become hard or cruel. It wasn't his way to make pureblood women suffer. No, they were too important to just waste that way.

Once he knew that he had Narcissa's undivided attention, Lord Voldemort continued. "Potter will need someone to confess his feelings and wishes to, someone he can trust and rely on, a female human being to guard and lead him. He will need a mother in other words."

Lord Voldemort paused and considered his next words. "I wish for you to care for the boy, to be his mother in everything but blood. I know you have a son, Narcissa, and you care for him deeply. He never had to share your love with anyone and so he might react badly to it. But I still implore you to do your best and try to be there for the boy."

Narcissa was staring intently at her Master. It was the strangest mission her Master had ever given her so far. It would be difficult, but not impossible. It might even do Draco some good to realize his mother was not only living for him. He might even learn to become more independent this way.

Narcissa inclined her head. "I will do my best, my Lord." She promised.

A curt but satisfied nod was the only answer she received. Lord Voldemort, however, still didn't seemed entirely satisfied. A little stressed the most feared wizard of their time paced the lightly dimmed room. Suddenly he turned around and stared at Narcissa.

"There is one more thing." He informed her. "Potter will receive several rooms in my Manor. I don't have the time or the patience to arrange and decorate them myself. The house-elves won't do. They always do too much and would only stuff the room to an extent that the boy wouldn't be able to breathe in it."

Lord Voldemort waved his hand dismissively around and narrowed his eyes in thought or displeasure, Narcissa couldn't tell. "Arrange the boy's room, Narcissa. Don't fill them too much. The boy merely needs some rooms where he can enjoy spending his time and living in. It will probably be the only place he will value being for the longest time in the near future, after all."

Again, Narcissa nodded. It actually made sense. She just couldn't imagine her Master to decorate the boy's rooms himself. He was, after all, organising and leading a war and preparing to take over the wizarding world. He had neither the time nor the patience for trivial things such as decorating a room.

Smiling inwardly to herself at the image of her Master trying to decide on how to colour the boy's rooms, Narcissa inclined her head. "Yes, my Lord, I shall arrange the boy's rooms."

Not receiving further information or mission, Narcissa saw herself as dismissed and started to raise from her position on the floor. She bowed elegantly to her Lord and was about to turn and leave when a small, but curt movement of her Master's hand caught her attention and called her to stay. Waiting for him to tell her what he wanted her to do Narcissa stayed quiet.

"I know you already have a lot of things to care of. But there is one last thing I wish for you to take over." The Dark Lord's purple eyes narrowed dangerously, almost causing Narcissa to gulp in fear.

"Keep an eye on your sister. I have the distinct feeling that she will not react positively to the boy staying here." He surmised. "Although Potter will not stay here in his actual form, I suspect Bellatrix will see him as a threat. She might even try to kill him. I care not for her nor for her well-being as she has been nothing but a thorn in my side for the last three years. But I care for the boy's well-being."

His gaze became maniacally for the first time since he was talking to her. The enormous fear that suddenly spread through Narcissa's body made her gulp lightly to loosen the pressure on her throat. Her Master would be very displeased should anything happen to the boy. And his wrath would be destroying and all-consuming.

"He shall not be harmed, Narcissa." Her Master hissed in threat. "I place his safety in Severus' and your family's hand. Should anything happen to him, I will hold the four of you responsible for it."

With a last dismissive motion of his hands Lord Voldemort sent Narcissa away so that she could fulfil her tasks. With a long sigh Lord Voldemort sank down on his armchair.

A silent hiss resounding through the otherwise perfect silence informed him of his familiar's arrival. Slowly Nagini curled herself around her Master's legs and chest until her head rested on his shoulder. Her dry tongue flicked against his cheeks causing a sudden tickling to spread through his body. Another hiss escaped her mouth causing the Dark Lord to chuckle lowly.

Turning towards the giant snake, Lord Voldemort regarded his familiar intently. "Indeed, Nagini, Potter is lying in a bed at the end of this corridor. And, no, Nagini, you shall not poison, nor bite him, nor choke him. To make it clear, you will not harm him in any way possible."

His long nails scratched over her dry scales eliciting a pleased hiss from her. "The boy is mine to keep." He informed her his fingertips stroking soothing circles on her head. "He will stay with me and nothing will change this."

He stroked Nagini's head with slow motions. A strange and terrifying glint crept into his red eyes.

Nothing would ever change this.