Chapter Fifteen: The Dark Lord Rising:

The old manor had been vacant for many years now, even the aged caretaker had died and left the manor completely empty. The only people who came were the landscapers once a month to trim hedges, mow the lawn and as needed paint the outside of the house. They would continue to do this for rumors had it there was a new owner though no-one saw anyone come or go from the house. Most people chose to stay clear of the haunted manor, haunted it was said by the family who had died there so many years before. That was probably why no-one saw the light of a fire from an upstairs room or took notice of a cloaked hooded figure making his way to the manor. The figure entered the house quietly and made his way up the stairs to where he was sure his master was waiting.

The man removed the hood of his cloak and the long sliver blond hair of the head of the Malfoy family was revealed. Lucius Malfoy was a smart man, he knew Voldemort was back by the fact his mark had hurt and turned darker. He knew his lord was weak and would need help as his mark had not turned red for a summons. He wondered how many more would come as the house was very quiet and no-one else seemed to be there. He saw a snake slither across the floor right by him and into the room ahead of him. The sounds of someone speaking Parseltongue came to him and he understood a few words of what was said. He knew Voldemort knew he was out here but he hesitated, fear rooting him to the floor.

"Come in Lucius," came the voice of Voldemort. Lucius entered the room and fell to his knees before the hooded form of his master. "Yet you have taken a long time to come to me."

"Master I despaired that you were lost to us." Lucius said quietly.

"He was not." Came a voice Lucius did not know well.

A young man clad in ragged black robes came into the dim light of the room. He was slender, very pale with short straw colored hair and pale blue eyes. Lucius did not know him very well, he had seen him only once or twice but it was clear that this was Barty Crouch Jr. The son of the minister of International magical relations. Or he had been until last week when Crouch was found in his home dead of a heart attack. Lucius wondered if he was dead as he remained on his knees before Voldemort who unknown to the Malfoy patriarch was under a disalusionment charm. He did not want his servant to see him in his weak powerless state, he could trust Barty as he served him out of true love and devotion.

"Yet here I am Lucius." Voldemort said coldly, "what of the diary I asked you to take care of?"

"I got it into Hogwarts as you asked master." Lucius said feeling more fear than ever before.

"Where is it now?" Voldemort said.

"Master I never expected the brat-who-dared-live to d-destroy it." Lucius said looking down at the floor.

"Is that why you despaired on my return Lucius?" Voldemort said softly.

"Yes master." Lucius said feeling the anger of Voldemort.

"Barty show him our displeasure." Voldemort said.

Barty stepped forward and leveled his wand at Lucius and Lucius braced himself for death. However he was hit with an expertly cast Crucio and he could not help but wreath and scream on the floor. It was left on him so long he thought he would go mad, but he would not beg for mercy, a Malfoy did not do that ever. Even if he was a man to do that he had seen enough punishments by Voldemort to know that just got him more angry and the punishment was extended out. Finally it was over and Lucius lay on the floor gasping in pain and wondering what was going to happen to him next.

"I do not know if I can trust you with anything important Lucius." Voldemort said coldly.

"Master please, I wished only to bring you back." Lucius said, "I was desperate, I confess I was lost, I know I am weak but I offer my services once more master."

"Yes you answer truthfully Lucius." Voldemort said. "You are weak but loyal, you are the only to come, you will tell no-one about my being back, is that clear?"

"Yes master." Lucius said.

"Good, now go, I will contact you through this." Barty handed Lucius what looked like a medallion. "Keep it close, keep it secret."

"Yes master." Lucius said rising and bowing low.

He walked from the manor and once outside the Apparation wards that had been set up he Apparated to his manor. He walked up the gravel path between the high hedges and raised his wand at the door tapping it on the door. It opened and he entered the house hanging his cloak up and heading upstairs. He wanted to tell his wife but knew he could not, not yet. He headed up stairs to where she waited for him in their rooms. He went in and saw her sitting by the fire clad in a floor length powder blue satin night gown and her long blond hair was down around her soft noble features. She stood up and helped her husband with his outer robes and lead him to the bed.

"Where were you?" Narcissa asked him.

"Hogshead, a meeting there." Lucius said as Narcissa began to remove his inner robes.

"You look stressed, hard meeting?" Narcissa said now working on getting off his shirt.

"Not too bad, a few tempers raised but nothing major." Lucius said nearly gasping as Narcissa traced her fingers down his pale strong chest.

"Well lets make the rest of the evening rewarding shall we?" She said kissing up his chest to his jaw.

"Rather." Lucius said.

Narcissa finished undressing her husband and got into bed with him. They made love under the covers most of the night and Lucius realized how lucky he was to have such a beautiful talented and strong willed woman as his wife. He had got the perfect woman in Narcissa Black Malfoy and he realized how lucky he was. He had nearly lost her when she had Draco, the healers at St. Mungos had done all they could to save her life and he owed so much to them. He knew he could not have lived with out her if she had died, he loved her that much. He fell asleep with her in his arms and woke alone in bed the next morning. He was startled for a moment then when she came into the room already dressed in a stunning gown of deep red and her blond hair was piled up on her head.

"Good morning Lucius." Narcissa said walking over to kiss her husband.

"Good morning, you look lovely this morning." Lucius said.

"I could say the same about you my handsome man." Narcissa said tracing her fingers down her husband's chest.

"Now this is the way every man should wake in the morning." Lucius said gently reaching up to take her hand in his and drawing it to his lips to kiss it. "To a perfect wife."

"You should get dressed, Draco will wonder what we are up to." Narcissa said.

"More like what I am up to." Lucius said smirking.

"Lucius! You will scar our son if you speak to him that way!" Narcissa said.

"Well he is at the age he has to be watched a bit more, hormones and all." Lucius said.

"I hope Severus did not have strengthen the wards due to our son." Narcissa said.

"Speaking of which he will be here today." Lucius said.

"Good, I need to see someone on my intellectual level." Narcissa said giving her husband a teasing smile.

"You Blacks are so arrogant." Lucius said getting out of bed heading to the bathroom.

"Thank you my love." Narcissa said.

Severus was already there when the Malfoys came down the stairs to breakfast. He was speaking with his godson Draco who was more relaxed as he was in his own home. Severus looked up and smiled as he watched Narcissa come down the stairs, she was as lovely as ever and was just as good a friend to him as Lucius was. He followed the Malfoys into the smaller dining room they used for everyday use and sat down at the table. The food appeared much as it did at Hogwarts on the silver plates, there was porridge, eggs, bacon, sausages, ham, potatoes, tomatoes, toast orange juice and for the adults lots of rich coffee.

"So I hear that the Triwizard Tournament is really going to be at Hogwarts." Lucius said.

"Yes, the heads of the three schools have finally after many years of talking agreed and it will be at Hogwarts." Severus said.

"It has not been done for over an hundred years." Draco said.

"Quite, it would be great to see it." Narcissa said.

"Yes it will." Lucius said. "I have heard this rumor that there will be extra security, not just the Centaurs but wizards and witches will work there as well. One of those wizards is Sirius Black."

"Unfortunately that is true, Sirius Black has been hired for the year as part of the extra security for the school." Severus said.

"He is dangerous and insane, surely the headmaster knows this?" Narcissa said.

"Yes, however he is loyal to the school and this will keep him where we can watch and see what he does." Severus said.

"I wish Draco did not have to be exposed to such a blood traitor." Narcissa said coldly, "he has no respect for the family, even if he had ended in Hufflepuff that would not have been as bad as where he chose to go."

"He made your life hell in school." Lucius said. "You can return the favor as you will be in part over him."

"I have thought that." Snape said, "however he is not as easy to control as Remus Lupin."

"The wolf does not have to depend on you for his very life." Lucius said, "I confess when I learned that he would teach at school I was worried, however as long as you control him it is better to have a monster like him where you can watch him than free and under no man."

"The main concern of course is Alastor Moody." Narcissa said, "He tortured you did he not?"

"Yes," Snape said.

Now Snape hated lying to his dear friends but he no longer believed in much of what they claimed to. He had not ever been tortured by Moody, disciplined yes, tortured no. He had scarred his own back with the lash when Lily and James had been murdered and it had been Moody that stopped him from doing far worse. Snape wished he could fully trust his oldest friends still alive but he knew that for now he could not. He did like their refined company as they were very nearly on the intellectual level he was. The only people at his level were McGonagall and Flitwick, Dumbledore was in a league of his own far surpassing Snape in skill and power.

Despite the fact that Voldemort was rising back to power Snape actually was looking forward to the new school year. He hoped that Hogwarts was represented by the best that the school had to offer. He knew the best students were in his house and then in Ravenclaw and he went over which students would do the best. He finished breakfast and with permission from Lucius ambushed Draco when he was not expecting it. Draco did him proud as he remained calm and repelled the attack, still Snape did not let up on him as that would only harm his godson's pride. Draco would be a fine wizard as he really was very powerful as he came from two very powerful houses, maybe just maybe young Draco would be allowed to put his name in and claim the title of champion himself. After all he was cunning, powerful and bright enough for the challenge of the Triwizard Tournament.

Some days I want to give Lucius a good swift kick between the legs. I don't care why he is doing this, he really is being evil and wicked. He is going to get what he deserves that is for sure when this is all over.

As always, I want to thank all who have reviewed so far: Tumshie, The Geeky Quill, graypheonix, Lady Clark-Weasley of Books, JWOHPfan, AllMightyPen, DeliaDee, Rainbow2007, Charcoal Hunter Winston, danielle72679, HarrySirius Fan, Auralia Mortimer, world peace, kloette, excessivelyperky, Blueowl, Tristan Cartier, Frost Merry Darkness Luver, miss sophie potter, Black Dragin, jabarber69, murdrax, panther73110, tlfsjs. Thank you all you rock! Oh and thank you all who have read and enjoyed this story too! You rock as well!