Author's Note: For this story, I will be subscribing to the percentage theory of Horcruxes. For example, when you split your soul once, HALF of it goes into the Horcrux you've created. So Book Tom is 50% of Voldemort's soul (not 1/7). As the original Voldemort began to split more and more of his soul, he carved off fractions of each (the second Horcrux, for example, would only have 25% of his soul and so on and so forth), which is why the Diary was so much stronger than the other Horcruxes (though they too had their effects). So for the purposes of this story, realize that the eventual Voldemort who was "vanquished" at the end of the First Wizarding War was significantly weakened and warped because of it.

Chapter 3: Servitude

When Lucius finally opened his eyes, he was no longer on the floor of the Slytherin Common Room and his Master was nowhere to be seen.

We have a link now, Lucius. I shall speak with you in this manner from now on.

Lucius groaned and looked around for the source of the voice but found none.

I am afraid that in my enthusiasm to learn about all that I have missed, I may have overdone it. If I have caused you any pain, I truly regret doing so.

The whispery voice did not sound sorry. In fact, its high, cold inflections sounded almost rueful that Lucius had not experienced more pain.

"Master…" he whimpered quietly.

"Is Master Lucius all right?" Dobby's large, batlike ears and bulging eyes appeared over him. He was holding Tom's diary.

"Give me that!" Lucius tried to regain his composure, narrowing his eyes and quickly grabbing the leather diary from the House Elf's bony fingers.

"Is Sir angry?" Dobby squeaked, his eyes growing huge with tears, "Dobby will punish himself! Bad Dobby! Bad! Bad!"

He began to ram into the closest wall and pick himself back up only to do so again and again. Lucius rolled his eyes.

"That is quite enough!" he said angrily, "Instead of ruining my walls, you can make yourself useful in the kitchen and help prepare our evening meal!"

"As Master commands!" Dobby replied wringing his hands and disappearing with a small pop.

Good. Now, where were we?

"I am sorry, Master. Had I known you were here…" Lucius trailed off and hoped that he hadn't betrayed his thoughts to the young version of Voldemort that had awakened and was now apparently tied to him through his Mark.

I saw the cushy life you've built for yourself, Lucius. Very Slytherin. Very convenient. Do remember that I've just walked through your memories. I saw the other me...the reduced version of me. That...thing...I am more than he was. And I am far better suited to following through with my ambitions for the Wizarding World than he ever could.

"How shall I serve you, my Lord?" Lucius said, still feeling somewhat stupid for talking to thin air.

What I require….is a body. Not yours, of course. You are Marked, which links us but makes you a poor vessel for my soul. What I need is a body that is young, unblemished…

Lucius did not like where this conversation was going, but held his tongue.

Like your son. Draco, was it?

"No!" Lucius cried out, throwing the book at the wall as hard as he could. The book let out a horrible scream as it slammed against the stone.

Interesting...I didn't realize that I could feel pain if my current vessel was harmed. Oh, by the way, before you get any ideas, this book is both flame-proof and waterproof. I've also added wards to make sure that anyone who tries to tamper with it will suffer a horrible, slow end. Now, come and pick me up. We have work to do.

"No!" Lucius cried out again, "Not until you give me your word that you will not harm my family. I may be a heartless bastard when it comes to most things in my life, but I will not allow you to hurt them. My wife never took the Mark- she was too young and you...well...the Other You...was uninterested in witches as a part of your army. And Draco….he is my son, and more precious to me than myself. I would give anything, even my life if needed, for his safety."

Witches make terrible soldiers. It makes sense if you just think logically about it. Females are more likely to betray a movement because they think pragmatically about the here and now instead of looking towards the bright and glorious future to come after the pain and strife of war. The fact that you have only one son is a disappointment. Perhaps if you had better prepared and sired another, you would be willing to offer up one to my glory. No matter. We are connected, Lucius, which means that not only can I give you pleasure, but I can give you the worst pain you've ever felt, five thousand times worse than a round of the Cruciatus Curse.

"I will not budge, Master. You may end my life or make me suffer as you have promised, but I shall not yield in this."

There was silence. Tom seemed to be thinking, and though Lucius could feel the sweat beading across his forehead, he stood firm. He would die for them, of this he was certain. He would do most anything to avoid the pain before his last breath, but he took comfort in the fact that regardless of whether Tom called his bluff, there were few other Death Eaters who would be able to help him, which considerably increased his odds of survival.

I have considered your words, and believe them to be true. Your father was the same sentimental way about family, so I have no reason to believe that you feel any differently about your own. You look so much like an older version of him, though I knew you were not the same when I touched your mind. Your stance is helped by the fact that the chances of finding another of my Marked followers to assist me is quite low indeed. I shall, therefore, accept your terms, Lucius Malfoy. I give you my word that your wife and child shall not be harmed as long as you help me find the body I need. You will not need to do much. You merely need to find me a young host who has a strong magical signature. Male is preferable, but female will work if she's strong enough. One of the Pure-blooded blood traitor families would probably work best...yes…and I shall teach you the detection spell. I used it to make this vessel, after all.

"Yes, but my Lord, where shall I begin to look?" Lucius replied, trying to appear more oblivious than he actually was. The gears were turning in his mind and he was beginning to think of what he might do to rid himself of this burden and make it someone else's problem. The trouble with this was the fact that he wanted not to make appear like he was doing so, lest it come back to bite him in the arse again.

This is why I am the Master and you are but a servant. Must I spell it out letter by letter? From my foray into your mind, I know that the school year will be starting within the next couple of weeks. Don't you go to Diagon Alley to purchase supplies for your child?

"Well, normally, Narcissa-" Lucius began, before he was interrupted by a loud hissing whisper.

NO! It is YOU who must go so that I may approve of your choice!

Lucius narrowed his eyes until they were practically slits.

"As you wish, my Lord," he said stiffly.

You shall take me with you. I have many things I shall have to impart upon you before we leave. And you still have so much to tell me about this brave, new world.

Lucius nodded curtly and picked up the book, which felt warm like a living thing. Suppressing a shudder, he tucked it into his robes where it lay against his side, its cover thrumming with energy and strode out of his study with a stomach filled with nausea and dread.