Chapter 24 – Unbeta'd
Malfoy Manor
Taking the letter from Flyyboi Narcissa read the parchment that her godchild sent her. Pansy made an excellent point. The Dark Lord had lost Snape, and for Pansy to become something special to his son would be a large coupe for their master. Moreover, if Sloan was being raised as a true Snape he would want a pureblood witch to marry. Pansy was perfect for the boy. She would have to bring grades up to the Snape level, but that shouldn't be a problem. Pansy was very smart she was just a bit lazy when it came to schooling. Knowing that she would be marrying into a pureblood family it was not required to pass her classes at Hogwarts just attend for the prestige.
Sloan and Pansy would make a very good couple. The Dark Lord was also looking for a way to get his hands on the traitor what better way than through his son. It was an excellent idea, one that Narcissa was not going to waste any time taking to the Dark Lord for his approval. She gathered her robes and left the manor.
Unknown Location
Voldemort sat on his throne thinking of how to get Draco Malfoy to befriend Sloan Snape. He was in the perfect position and the boy was constantly showing how valuable he was. Getting information on Potter that no one else had. Draco of course was not looked on in suspicion because of his age, but the Boy was clever and gotten him a lead on the Potter boy. True to Potter's word, he was leaving the magical community of Britain alone. Draco found out that Harry is enrolled in an American Wizarding School to finish his education. In his thoroughness, he also discovered that boy was working on a fast path plan to finish school as soon as possible. With the knowledge of his whereabouts, he was ready to take care of the traitor.
Just as he was about to summon Draco to him Narcissa appeared in his throne room unexpectedly. "My Lord," bowing deeply "my goddaughter owled me when it became known that Lucius was planning on matching Draco with someone other than her. She has shown an interest in Sloan Snape. I was thinking that Severus would have warned his son from mine, but Severus would not think to warn him against Pansy because in your infinite wisdom women are very low in ranks until they provide an heir. Girls that don't even have betrothal contracts are not even allowed to claim any affiliation to you. As Pansy is now considered on the market she is in the perfect position for us."
Voldemort sat back on his throne, and contemplated the truth to Narcissa's words. It was true that there were few women that reached hi in his ranks. Bella was the only exception to the rule of producing an heir to be noticed in his ranks. Bella's vileness put her above the rest; her thirst for violence even surpassed his own. Severus would definitely suspect Draco, but Pansy Parkinson was only good for breeding purposes, and Severus would never suspect. "Narcissa that is a brilliant idea. Send a letter to the Parkinson's stating that I have something very important for their daughter to do for me. Then have Draco come to me. I will use him as the Decoy to make Pansy's advances more acceptable. Narcissa if this works out I will reward you accordingly. I may allow Lucius and you that second child you have always wanted."
Narcissa bowed low and started to slowly walk backwards out of the room, "As you wish my Lord." Her plan had worked, and if all goes, well that little girl that she had always dreamed about having was on the way. She quickly drafted a letter to the Parkinson family, and sent a house elf to summon Draco to her. Things were turning out well for the Malfoy family.
Privet Drive
Sloan opened his other letter from Hogwarts. He quickly read its contents and then promptly fell into stupor.
Dear Mr. Sloan Bishop Snape
It has come to my attention that you will be working towards your mastery in several subjects, one of them being Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hogwarts currently has to masters in that area in residence. One is your father the other is myself. Unfortunately, this year we will not have one who has achieved their mastership, but this person has great knowledge and experience in the area. I am writing this letter to offer you an apprenticeship while you are still attending your seventh year. If you accept this apprenticeship, you will be involved with an advanced defense group. This group has many excellent duelers, and experience battling against the dark. To be a great leader and master of D.A.D.A. one must know responsibility, and I feel that even when put into the unknown that a master will be able to accomplish the task I am to assign you. With the help of Hermione Granger, you and she will run what is to be known as the Knights of Hogwarts. You individuals will be rounding with the prefects. Also there will be allotted time for training everyday. You will be the school's second defense. To defend Hogwarts with the teachers should the worst happen and Voldemort attacked the school or the students in Hogsmeade. Hogsmeade visits would be for the Knights to stand guard. Other weekends would be for Knights only and on those occasions, the teachers will be your chaperones. Please consider this still your responsibility Sloan. As a personal favor to those who know who you were, and to those who need a leader that can give them hope.
While the letter was a little unexpected he knew that the Headmaster had something up his sleeve. Old man never knew when he was ahead though. It was obvious that this being his last year and Voldemort soon believing that Harry was definitely out of the way temporarily Hogwarts was his for the taking. Sloan resolutely accepted that last bit as the decisive factor in bribing/blackmailing letter. The old man was crafty he would give him that. He retrieved his parchment that he was about send off, and included his agreement to the apprenticeship that he knew that many would envy him for many years to come. Albus Dumbledore was to be his D.A.D.A. mentor. He still needed to figure out what his father opinion was of the master he should study under for Potions. Was he allowed to study under his father? The others had also completed their letters, and they left to owl them off.
"Sloan, I know that the tall fellow took you to London your first year for your supplies. I was just kind of wondering where we will be getting our supplies for the upcoming year."
"Cassius, I keep forgetting that you are new to the wizarding world. Let us first send off our replies to the school, and then we can go down to the kitchen again and ask dad when we can make the trip to Diagon Alley."
"Diagon Alley?"
"Yes, it's the shopping district in London that wizards and witches buy the supplies that they need. There are smaller wizarding/muggle villages scattered about, but none as comprehensive as Diagon Alley is." Luna handed her letter to Sloan to tie unto the owl's leg and returned to her explanation of the wizarding shopping districts. "Diagon Alley as I said is what most Londoner's use. There is another more dark and sinister alley attached called Knockturn Alley. Most things found there dark or harmful." She turned towards Sloan with a sudden epiphany. "We will need more time than usual. Cassius and yourself will need to be completely outfitted as befitting your names as Snapes." She then hurried down the stairs to talk to Severus and Remus. The trip needed to be planned for as soon as possible.
Malfoy Manor
Draco walked into his mother formal sitting room. "You wanted me mother?" He drawled as he took in the way she was dressed. His mother had been out while he was sleeping off the late night he had.
"Yes Dragon, I have just returned from visiting the Dark Lord, and he requests your presence immediately. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised with your next mission. You will probably not find it as taxing as your last has been." Draco stood swiftly and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek as he ran to make himself presentable and get to the Dark Lord in a timely manor before he lost what little patience he had.
An hour later, the Parkinson's paid a visit to Malfoy manor. All three were rushed into the sitting room where Narcissa had an elf lay out a light repast. She immediately addressed her goddaughter. "Pansy dear, your idea was a great hit with our master. He agrees to our plan of you capturing the Snape are with a marriage proposal. The boy will be the doorway for our master to punish the traitor. It is a great honor he is bestowing on you, and you should feel grateful. Now it is up to your parents and I to make you look more attractive to the Snape family. The first thing that we will need to do is to make sure that your appearance is not only one of dignity, but of modesty."
Pansy's mother readily joined in the conversation on what types of clothes that Pansy would only be allowed to wear while trying to catch Sloan's eye. The discussion could have lasted much longer if Pansy's father did not clear his throat. "What else do you suggest that Pansy do to catch Severus' boy?"
"Well the Snape's have always valued knowledge as an attractive attribute in all the women they have courted. There has never been just an ornament or breeding stock added to their family. Pansy's grades will have to improve. She might even approach Sloan for help with her schoolwork."
"Pansy is a smart girl. We just never made her apply herself to her studies the way we should have. We took it for granted that she would be taken care of when she married Draco. Moreover, since the Malfoy's and the Parkinson's have not mixed blood in at least twenty generations we did not see any complications coming forward. Who knew that the master would promote Draco early in his ranks opening him up to bring in a predominate family that has for many years stood against us. We will get her tutors for the rest of the summer, and when the Hogwarts letters come she will be taking only the most challenging of classes."
"That is good. Right now, I think that is all that we have to do. You may want to go and talk to our Lord over what is to come. He wants to see the whole family."
"Thank you, Narcissa. We will go at once and discuss this plan with him." The Parkinson's quickly left. Not only Narcissa help them save face in front of other Death Eater families when they set aside their daughter, she has helped them rise in the ranks of the Death Eaters by having the master use Pansy to capture the Snape heir.
Narcissa smiled as her guest left. The plan was set, and things were progressing nicely. Voldemort would get her revenge on the traitor, Severus Snape. Draco and Pansy would both be leaders with in the Death Eater ranks for their generation just as planned. Things were looking very good for the Dark side of the war.
Privet Drive
"Severus, Remus we need to plan a trip to Diagon Alley. The boys need new wardrobes and we need to get our supplies to school."
Severus and Remus heads started to nod in agreement, as Luna came downstairs. She was ready to fight for the trip, but it seemed unnecessary. "You're right Luna, but why don't you wait until we can get a large group of kids together. There is safety in numbers."
"How about I send out letters to Order kids and D.A. members?"
"An excellent idea, Luna" Remus said. "The order is having a meeting later on today we can discuss this at the meeting tonight also. We may get some volunteers to escort you kids for the trip. It will also allow for Cassius and Sloan to make some friends before school starts."
"There is an Order meeting tonight? I need to get ready." Luna turned to return upstairs. "I can't let the others see me as normal. Where did I place those radish earrings?" Severus and Remus were able to hold in their laughter until they were sure she was on the second level.
There is a lot of Luna in this chapter for you. I know it is shocking to get an update so soon. I am once again looking for a beta for this story. My muses are now happy to work on this story, and I am not fighting them. I will keep the muse train rolling as swiftly as possible. Please review.