Standing tall, not displaying an ounce of fear or shakiness, Draco sauntered towards the Dark Lord's chambers. His head held high, he had the instantaneous respect, admiration, awe, and maybe a small bit of envy from every one of the Death Eaters he passed. He was royalty now, and in technicality the equal of the Dark Lord.

Well there's one true equal and he's in Surrey somewhere. Not that I have any intention of implying that Harry Potter is a better wizard than I am. EVER.

His lips slanting in a cruel and twisted way, Draco's most sinister laugh escaped him. Merlin, if the Dark Lord only knew. Draco proceeded to make his way past innumerable paintings, artifacts, and bones. It appeared as if everyone in this compound was transported literally back to the Middle Ages and this is just another part of daily life. Forget electricity (You know that class wasn't as boring as you pretended it to be. You love the telly.) and cars and trains, forget technology.

This, my friends is where destinies lay. You can make or break yourself with one false move, a single pirouette. The dance is exciting, fascinating even, but Draco was raised for probably this very position for Merlin knows how long. And oh how he would play it. He shall play it to the best of his abilities. And when everyone is looking the other way, well Draco Malfoy will plié right the fuck over everyone's heads. Another satisfied smirk appeared at his lips until he reached the doors of the Master Suite.

The door had no handle except on the middle panel there was a needle and a small square of parchment pieced together with a ribbon. It looked thumb-tacked on there, but Draco knew how nasty the outcome was if you tried to remove it. He pricked his finger, dripped a spot of blood on the parchment, and the doors opened slowly, groaning with the effort. Draco peered around until he found his "Master" sitting at the left of an onyx table behind him, a roaring fire crackling viciously in the background.

"Ah, Draco, my pet, just the person I wanted to see," Voldemort purred. His eyes were so calculating, so cold; it was almost like he was a complete reincarnation of a snake, and all were his mice to play with before enjoying. It was a sick and twisted metaphor, but Draco never believed something so sincerely in his entire life. Draco plastered on a satisfied smirk and sauntered his best over to the man's chair.

Depositing himself demurely at his Lord's feet, he replied to the man's greeting. "Ah but my Lord, it is I who longed and sought, not the other way around." The Lord looked at him, inspecting something and laughed jovially. "I do suppose you would, pet. I see that you are starting to take to your surroundings, yes? I heard you were terrorizing that house elf that I installed you with. Kreacher has been with us but a short while, and is very loyal to the cause. I cannot have you torturing him to the point of incapacitation now. Be moderate in your torture. You will learn, my pet, that one moderate episode of torture will stick to minds a lot more than your worst everyday."

Draco smiled and laughed, "Ah but my Lord, isn't it you who strives to do his worst everyday? Do you not fulfill your torture and suffering quota daily? I would be put out if you withhold from me your best. After all, you are the most powerful wizard in the last century."

Voldemort looked pleased with the gentle ribbing and the compliment from Draco. He lifted his bejeweled hand and petted the soft platinum locks, only gently tugging on them before he responded to the taunting.

"But it is you who dare defy and taunt the Dark Lord, little one. Not many live to tell the tale, never mind share his bed afterwards." Draco, without flinching, looked up at the Dark Lord with half closed eyes, knowing what a temptation he must be.

"And I eagerly await for the pleasure that will be mine when we finally do take that step. Since I was willing, you have graciously wizard oathed that you would not rush or put harm to me. Besides," Draco tossed in a saucy smile "Don't you think the chase is more thrilling?" Voldemort's eyes simmered with lust, "Yes, yes I do believe I like not having to wrestle flailing limbs and see the dead look I get when I brutally rape a breeder, although I will miss that." An almost imperceptible sigh escaped his mouth as he looked past the door, deep in memories.

Draco forcibly pushed back the bile that had risen in his throat. He looked up at the Dark Lord and touched his knee, jolting the older man out of his thoughts. "I'll let you tie me up and scream really loud if you'd like, but only if I can tie you up after." Tom's eyes widened slightly and pulled his head back to laugh heartily. "You, Draco Malfoy, will be the death of me." Not missing a beat Draco sighed only to respond, "I suppose I'll let you write out your will first."

The dinner date was passed with pleasure and without incident. Draco obligingly played the piano for his Master, relaxing the both of him as he slipped deep into the rhythm of Mozart and Beethoven. After an hour, Draco was summoned to the bed, divested of most of his clothes and lounged about while the Dark Lord conducted some meetings from his bed. Although this was a rarity, no one would question him.

"I suppose if it worked for Louis the fourteenth?" Draco cast and upshot eyebrow and Voldemort just smirked. "You caught that did you?" He settled further into the lush down pillows supporting his back. "I thought it would be rather witty. It works well too. Keeps the bottom feeders on their toes."

"The bottom feeders? I thought all of your loyal minions were precious, each and every one of them." Voldemort laughed at that insinuation and patted Draco's butt rather affectionately. "Until they've served their purpose, slave. And only when I've sucked every useful thing out of them."

Several hours later, following some intense kissing and a little petting, Draco decided to coyly pop the question he needed permission for. "Tom? I have a question for you." Tom popped one eye open lazily, and waited for the question. "I was wondering, since I have become your consort, why couldn't I be let into the Inner Circle meetings? I mean, I am second in line now. I wouldn't want any uprisings occurring because I wasn't informed. It just wouldn't be the Malfoy way. This way I can find an acceptable way of manipulating the Inner Circle to my liking, considering they view that they are above me." Draco added a nasty sneer at the end of that for added effect. A number of agonizing moments later, Voldemort looked thoughtful and smiled viciously at Draco. "Yes, yes I do believe you will be the one. Of course you may enter the Inner Circle my pet. You are perfect, do you not realize that? You will raise my heir and be a driving force of the mission. With you by my side, the world shall be ours." At that, Voldemort shooed Draco back to his rooms after a few more stolen kisses with the assurance that the next Inner Circle Meeting will take place in a fortnight.

Draco padded idly into his room, and lay down. Well that wasn't so bad, now was it? I didn't expect him to just readily agree like that. Hmm. Draco closed his eyes, and let himself drift, not ready to actually sleep, but enjoying the lush bed. He picked up a soft solemn melody, the fiddle. He searched for the tune, but found he could not quite hear it. It was like a buzzing in his ears. He reached for it, and found there was a slight jolt at his tattoo. Draco grinned, Okay link, time to do some serious spyage. He gently pressed his hand to his hip, and after a few minutes of experimentation he was jetted along the link to his Link.

Their eyes were closed, but the sad Celtic tune came in beautifully, and Draco had the worst urge to sing along with this song. What is it? Oh yeah. My Lagan Love. Draco's mother had used to sing it when they entertained. Although there was no actual Celtic background, Draco prided himself in his ability to sing a range of different styles, including Celtic, which was a personal favorite of his. For now, though, he just quietly listened to the music pulsating off of the fiddle. This music, this sad melody, moved such a part of him, yet calmed him in a way he hadn't been able to do in a long while. He drifted off, listening to his amazing Link, playing their heart out.

Draco sat straight up in bed, covered in a clammy sweat. The magically dimmed blue fire cast an eerie blue light in the apartment, turning everything that was dark that much darker. Draco was feeling again, not just his feelings but his Links. They were desperate, needy feelings. Thoughts and images drifted through is head as he fought to regain control on himself.

'I just want them to like me. Is it so hard? I'm trying so hard to be good. I just want to be loved. Am I that horrible a person? Merlin. I feel so empty so ALONE! How can someone live like this? Do they have to not include me? Am I that bad? Am I? I don't know anymore. I want this feeling to stop….to just….stop.'

'I thought they were my friends. I guess not. They leave me out, laugh, enjoy themselves. They all talk to eachother, they are friends! Of course they do! But forget about little old me though. I'm not good enough. I'm never good enough. Gods I feel so lonely. I wish there was someone there. Anyone, really. Just…someone who would love me. Of course they are my friends. They just enjoy themselves without me. Just hang out. They just don't think of inviting me. That's because they don't like you, remember? You have "personality clashes" sometimes. You can't forget that. You don't forget that.'

'Everyone hates you. Just admit it to yourself. Even your family thinks so, don't they? They hate you, and you can't do anything about it. Because it's who you are. You just aren't a likeable person. They'll never call you up to hang out because no one likes you. You have no friends. All of them. They all hate you. And you know what? You're pathetic. You are a pathetic piece of slime. That's what you are.'

Draco battled furiously against the over-powering depression and sadness that came in waves. He was very groggy and sleep clouded his consciousness. What in Merlin's ----

He paused, unsure of what to do. After the next wave of heartbreaking loneliness he felt his tattoo and sped along the emotional highway that was the link.

Hello? Hello?Draco felt weird talking through his head, but he tried anyway. Hello? Link? Are you alright? I'm picking up some pretty heavy emotions over here. You going to be okay?

Harry stopped mid-sob, shocked to the core. He mustn't know it's me yet. What the hell.

Yeah, I'm here. Sorry about that. I'm just having a bit of trouble. I'm terribly sorry.

Hey. Don't worry about it. You sure you don't want to talk about it? I'm here you know. After all, you are saving my life right now. It's the least I could do.

Nah. I'll….I'll be okay. I guess. I'm not all that sure yet. You doing alright Draco?

Draco laughed surprised. I keep forgetting you know who I am. I'm guessing you went to Hogwarts because you know me by name. Dear god, you're not a Weasel, are you?

Harry laughed brokenly. No worries. I'm not a Weasley. Although I could be a mudblood supporter so watch out.

Draco grinned at this. Okay, so he's definitely not a Gryffindor. But who is he? Wait. How do I know it's a he? Mehhh. I can feel it. Definitely a guy. It's only fair Link. I think I should know who you are. After all, Dumbledore sent you the book, right? So I'll be able to find you soon enough. Especially when we go back to Hogwarts.

You're coming back? I'm a little surprised. I thought you were going to stay with Voldielocks and his gang. Tired of playing the Death-Eater? Unfortunately for you, it's not that simple to get out of. How come you're there anyway? I can feel it you know. You're disgusted by him.

Draco was alarmed and more than surprised, he was shocked. You can do Occlumency? You must be rather good at it then. Hmmm…Link this does narrow things down a bit.

Harry grinned and portrayed that through the link. Yes, I bet you if you tried to pick me out of a crowd you'd have no luck. I'd bet you a million galleons you have no idea who I am.

Draco and Harry continued in this light-hearted banter deep into the night. Right before they went to sleep, they discussed a plan of action.

flashback

A sizeable brown owl with the Hogwarts insignia about its neck tapped on the window gently and hooted with Hedwig whilst waiting for Harry to read his letter and write a reply.

Harry kept looking down at the letter, and scrubbing his face. He was trying to believe if this was real. But there it was Dumbledore's signature. And there it was the seal of the Headmaster. Harry checked and double checked for any plagiarism spells, but came up empty. He read it hopelessly again, hoping it would finally sink in.

"Harry!

My boy! How are you doing? I have written to tell you that I know what you are dreaming about and not to worry! Now don't get your knickers in a twist, I'm not talking about the dreams all young men get, I'm talking about your dreams of a one Draco Malfoy perhaps?

Inquiring minds would probably like to know, there is no easy way to put this, you are embarking on a brave and perilous journey! You my son are bonded! Now in the wizarding world, this is a very special bond offering protection, faithfulness, and companionship.

The reason for the said bond was because you have been chosen, by magic and your very own souls that out of everyone on this entire planet, you would be the best match for Draco Malfoy.

Now I know you have been seeing visions, quite regularly now, and your identity is not known as of yet. I would like you to keep it this way, especially until you return to Hogwarts, since it would cause needless strife for Malfoy, who is a spy, in a very delicate position.

I have sent you a Journal, to catalogue what happens in your visions. Private chats need not be logged. You will have to contact Malfoy through his side to experience and see all that is going on. This way, Malfoy cannot be missed. It is the utmost in safety that we are charging you with. This is another life, even if you two haven't gotten on that famously before. He is in your hands. Would you risk another life because of petty fights? Think hard on this thought.

Anywho, I'd love for you to come and visit if you'd like, seeing as how the Ministry has finally landed that law of student travel for fifth years and above. Dobby says hello, and Remus is padding about here somewhere complaining about not being able to see his cub.

Warm regards,

Dumbledore.

end flashback

How about I send you a blast of energy on my side, to let you know exactly when? Harry was busy contemplating that, when a moment of realization popped into his head. Draco? Don't bother shielding me. I don't need to. I am familiar with Death Eater protocol. Don't hold back. We need to get accurate information to Dumbledore. Agreed?

Agreed. So about six thirtyish? I'll let you know. And how are you feeling now?

Harry smiled. Much better thanks. You best rest up. Night Draco.

Night Link.

Man…things couldn't get any weirder, could they? Harry shook his head in amazement and drifted off to sleep.

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a/n excitedness ne? All done! Whoo! This chapter anyway. It took me a bit to decide how this went. I was going to add an angsty harry potter cutting element, but then nixed it and allowed draco to ease the pain of being a man. :D fun stuff!