The most unforgivable solution

Seven people were in the room. Lucius was the only one standing amongst us looking outside the gigantic 18th century window as he spoke to the rest six who were seated around the table watching him as they listened to each word he spoke.

"It would be enormously difficult for us to gather our surviving mates after what happened last year. They are much more careful, cautious and changed now. In their terms, they would not want any relation with their past since their Leader is dead now." Lucius' expression turned hard. "Not that we'll persuade them or harm them if they don't associate with us. But there is no chance that their life would be simpler after this."

Few of the wizards squirmed with uneasiness. One, whom I recognised as Fenrir Greyback's distant relative, spoke up.

"But Lucius, to avenge a war against the Order we need to have a strong and decent army of skilled wizards. We cannot say that we have the sufficient fighters. Half the Death Eaters were dead at the War last year. Amongst the surviving ones only a few are present in front of our eyes today. Some others are in the Azkaban and the rest, as you have stated, have changed themselves for good.

Lucius smiled at the old man. "My dear Malbrick, when I have already said that I have done all the necessary considerations why do you still doubt? Are my words not enough to assure everything?" Malbrick opened his mouth to defend his intention and say that he doesn't doubt him but Lucius interrupted him.

"You see, my years as a Death Eater have got me acquainted to wizards who have sworn their service to me, especially to the Dark Lord. And it so happens, many a times the Dark Lord and I had done favours to them which solved huge problems for them. And there is a cent percent possibility that they won't reject." An evil grin flashed on his handsome features. "The only task left for us is to encounter them and give them an invitation."

I groaned and looked down simultaneously. That's where my role came in. All this time I had been extremely alert, expecting any indication that would imply my role in it. But the plans discussed held my entire interest and without knowing, I eased up while listening to all that he was saying. This last statement and his sly tone crashed me back to my former instincts.

"Tomorrow," said Lucius as he neared the table where they were sitting, "tomorrow my son and our recruiter, Draco, will move to wherever they are and welcome them amongst us."

My head flew up at once and my eyebrows imitated the same. What? Move where? And welcome whom?

"But," a voice spoke up, "why does Draco have to go and talk them into entering an alliance with us?" I turned to see who shared the same state of confusion as I. Apparently, it happened to be Sylvester Lautner.

Lautner was like an unknown figure in the War last year. He barely appeared in an important position for he feared the Dark Lord and somehow did not have enough pluck to make sacrifices as Lucius, Snape and Bellatrix made for him. He approved of his position as a mere Death Eater which distanced himself from the limelight that attracted the Ministry more and the Dark Lord less; one reason why he miraculously was able to escape a sentence to Azkaban.

Lautner had never been in his best moods with me. He never liked Lucius either. Detested would be the best word to define his emotions for that Malfoy. I guessed it was due to a minor incident that took place when Potty was making an escape from his so-called muggle family the year before last year. It was during this time that Voldemort had taken Lucius' wand to attack Har- sory – Potty. The escapade had been more complicated than expected for the Order people had worked out a clever plan to bring out seven identical Potters (with the help of Polyjuice Potion of course) to create a distraction amongst the Death Eaters and make it harder for them to get hold of the real Potter. Needless, it would have turned out to be a success if not for the Expelliarmus charm produced by Potty which gave the game away. Meanwhile, Lucius had forcefully taken Lautner's wand to take part in the "Seven Potters Affair" and Lautner was left with no option but to take a wand from one of the Snatchers which turned out to be a great mistake since for some unfathomable reason the wand did not work well eventually leading him to get severely injured in the flight against the Order (actually it was Mad-eye who was responsible for his injured state). The Dark Lord obviously showed no sympathy, instead tortured him for not proving himself to be a skilful Death Eater. Coward as he was, he did not dare blame Lucius nor face him for his present condition. Instead he nurtured a hatred for him but it was quite obscure to everyone, with the exception of me, since he had decided to join the Recruitment under Lucius Malfoy which he certainly wouldn't have done if his hatred would have been public. Only I, other than Malbrick, knew of this abhorrence (Malbrick being a very close friend to him.) but he shared the same likeness for me as he did for Lucius.

At this moment, though, I couldn't help feeling amused that both us could be in the same mind with Lucius' declaration. Not only us, but it seemed that everyone, except for Malbrick who favoured a knowing look for the moment, was astonished as it had never been requirement for any of the Death Eaters to call upon one of their mates' house to inform them of a meeting or recruitment. They simply had to cast the Dark mark which would warn them of the need to meet the rest of the Death Eaters.

Lucius studied the onlookers for a moment and then sat on the empty chair at the head of the table. He then said in a very serious tone, "Let me remind you that The Dark Lord was not exceedingly helpful to anyone when he was alive. Yes, he did carry out some of their favours but he did offend them in a few cases. That was the main reason why we did not witness their participation in the War. Do you all not believe that we did not cast the Dark Mark at the time of need? Of course we did, a lot many times. But did you ever see them present amongst us?" He looked around questioningly and saw the shaking of a few heads.

"How do you expect them to answer this time then? I know them quite well from my last encounter and their egos are the size of a Quidditch pitch. It would be better if we send one of us over their places to persuade them to join us."

At this point I decided it was time for me to intervene. Although it was true that I had to give in Lucius' request (more of a command likely), the new post still had not been quite digested in my system. Recruiter. Recruiter of the Dark Arts again. Involvement in the Dark Arts again. Oh why? WHY? Why did father ever come back? And why me of all people? And more importantly, why was I born a Malfoy?

True that only yesterday I had walked out of this room itself. But when fifty people who have called on your house are glaring at you daggers, and your mother giving you a half an hour lecture to you as to how to best serve your father and why is it necessary, Do you expect yourself to stay put?

It was today morning, after a lot of thinking yesterday and hatching up a plan, that I, with great difficulty mentally, resigned myself from rejecting the forceful offer to my father. He looked terribly pleased but he did it well to hide it and merely gave me instructions to attend an important meeting in the Hall at ten today. Everyone who attended the meeting today gave me glances of pride and pleases except for Lautner who looked like he had a sore tooth. Surely, it does surprise you how one's reaction can change quickly towards you by a fraction of 12 hours just because of a mere submission. Mere submission. Only I understood how mere it was for me and my coming days.

Presently, I had opened my mouth and started, "But father you definitely can't expect me to-"

At once Lucius snapped his head towards me and his narrowed. "Expect what exactly Draco?" He said in a cool voice.

I looked at my father for few moments. He definitely didn't want a 'no' for an answer. How do I say to him that he definitely couldn't expect me to go from door to door giving invitations for a grand Recruitment Party! But he looked dangerous enough to throw me out the Manor. I changed the formation of my statement.

"You can't expect me to go tomorrow can you father? I don't even know where they live and I obviously need time to put myself into this whole scheme." I said these words really very carefully.

"My dear son," he said with a sneer. "Being a Malfoy, are you trying to say that you need a whole day to know the addresses of my people? That you don't have to worry about for I will give you the necessities and it is my belief you would be ready to move out tomorrow. And about your problem of needing time to put yourself into the scheme, I expected you to have done that till now. I really find it disappointing and infuriating too. Nonetheless, I will give you a chance. You get a day plus to warm yourself up, lets say. You will get the list today and you would be moving out the day after tomorrow. And I suppose that will please your mother too." He waved his hand in dismissal. I understood that he wanted a word with the rest without my presence.

For the second time since yesterday, I moved out of the Hall in frustration. But this time I knew exactly well what to do. I had today and tomorrow's time. I had to pull myself out of this whole scheme. And for that I have to do something that would have been the most impossible thing in the world a few years before.

I need to meet the Golden Trio.

I know I am real late in updating this chapter. M really sorry. Was busy with all the preparations for New Year. I'd like to give a lot of kisses and hugs to BelleOfSummer who is sweet enough to review after each chapter. Thnx a lot dear!

In my last chapter I could not edit any mistakes or give an author's note so I am sorry for that.

Okay, to those who are wondering when is The Golden Girl going to appear, I am happy to inform you that its in the next chapter. And this time, I'll try to update fast okay.

Till then, pleeeeeaaaaasssseeeeeeeeeee do review! It would be like a New Years gift for me and be a great start for this year. I would more encouraged to write better the next time.

Happy New Year to all!