AN: Special mention to iMnOtReAlLYcRaZy for being my 100th reviewer. But thank you to everyone else as well.

It wasn't long before another owl flew in. Lucius Malfoy's eagle owl. Realising that the bird would sit there until he took the letter, he did so. He'd never liked that vicious owl, he thought, as it tried to take a bite out of his hand. Draco moved back, having taken the letter, and glared at the bird. It appeared to glare back at him. Gingerly, he opened the letter. He'd have preferred a Howler – you couldn't put nasty substances like Bubotuber Pus in those, but his father thought they were crude. Unfolding the sheet (top quality parchment – he expected nothing less from Lucius Malfoy), he read the short missive quickly.

"Draco,

I am exceedingly disappointed that you have not returned home. As I am sure you are aware, your initiation ceremony is scheduled for January 1st. I expect you to be at the Manor that morning.

Lucius."

He felt Ginny wrap her arms around him, and couldn't help but flinch. He wasn't used to people giving him hugs. She seemed to realise this, and didn't let go.

"What are you going to do?"

"I can't go to the manor, Gin, I just can't. I knew he'd try to force me into the Death Eaters, and it's the one thing I can't do."

"Talk to Snape. He'll help you."

They heard the front door open, and went to see who was there. As luck would have it, the visitor was Snape. Unfortunately, he looked to be in a foul mood. Surprisingly, everyone was called together in the kitchen for an emergency meeting, including Ginny and Draco. They waited nervously at the table as the rest of the Order members arrived.

"This had better be good, Severus. It is Christmas, after all." No-one was happy about being dragged away from their homes so late on Christmas night. When everyone was assembled, Snape stood up.

"Voldemort is recruiting Hogwarts students to his ranks, mainly the sons and daughters of his current followers. However, the one he particularly wants has refused to join. In fact, he's sitting right there." He indicated Draco, and a gasp went round the room. It had been assumed by many that he would follow in his father's footsteps and become Voldemort's next right-hand man.

"He is under our protection, and that is where he will remain. Draco, have you heard from your father recently?"

Draco nodded, and held out the letter with a shaking hand. Snape took it, thanked him, and glanced at what was written.

"So we can expect him to storm Hogwarts looking for you on the 1st of January. You'll be staying here, it's the safest place. I do have some good news though. Voldemort's current location."

He pulled a large roll of parchment out of his robes and tossed it on the table. "That's a map of the surrounding area."

Hermione Granger pulled the parchment towards her and unrolled it. No-one objected to this, even the experienced Aurors. She'd proved herself useful and capable several times. Harry, sitting next to her, looked at the map as well. So did Ron and Ginny. Mrs Weasley had given up trying to forbid them from joining in Order business – they didn't listen to her anyway.

Snape moved round the table, and handed Draco a quill, ink and parchment.

"I need you to write down the names of all the Slytherins who have joined or are going to join the Death Eaters, along with anything they've said about it."

Draco nodded, and began immediately. There were plenty of names, and the initiation had been the talk of the Slytherin common room for weeks. Many had been eagerly anticipating it, looking forward to their first real act of violence, whether that be rape or kill. He shuddered. No doubt his beloved sister had been used in someone's initiation, maybe even several. He couldn't bear to think about it.

AN: If you've made it this far, you know what to do.