Chapter Sixteen – Planning Part Two

After the introductions, everyone is sitting and enjoying their lunch, the conversation comprised of each telling what they knew about Harry's and Neville's story. Stephania listens with avid interest, and it fascinated her that two of the most influential families are now magically bonded and tied together by magic and fate. Stephania studied Neville and listened to his story noticing that there is no mention of his grandmother or her support. She wondered why that is? Augusta Longbottom is not the nicest person to encounter in public. Stephania can only imagine what it is like living with the woman. When there was a break in Neville's story, Stephania asks her question. "Caro Cuore, Neville, why is your Nona not here, hmm?"

A sad look passes over Neville's face, and Blaise reached out taking his hand into his and begins to caress it in encouragement. The table is quiet and everyone turned to Neville waiting for the answer to the question. The only ones that know the real reason why Neville's grandmother is not included as their trusted are Blaise and Harry.

"My grandmother does not care for me, Madam Zabini." Neville begins "When she looks at me, she wishes that she was looking at my father. I have always been a complete disappointment to her. My dad was perfect in my grandmother's eyes. I believe she still sees him that way even in his current state." He took a breath collecting himself. "I care for my grandmother, but I cannot have her in my life. She finds fault in everything in every aspect of my life; from what I want to do with my career choices to my love life."

"What do you mean, piccolo?" Stephania questioned.

Neville smiled at being referred to as little one the idea that at his sudden growth spurt he is seen as little. Harry chuckled and Neville glared at his brother.

"Aw, how cute," Harry says teasingly. "Little Neville." He nods his head. "I like that, thank you Madam Zabini." Nevilles bows his head and his shoulders begin to shake. Leave it to Harry to break the tension in the room.

"Abbastanza! Bambino, let piccolo answer Stephania's question." Harry gasped and Neville quickly lifts his head to see Narcissa scowling or trying to hide her chuckle. The whole table began to laugh at the pout on Harry's face.

"I'm not a baby," He murmured and crossing his arms over his chest. The smile on his face let everyone know he was alright with the banter.

"To answer your question Madam Zabini, I do not have a gender preference. As an Elf, I may have one or two mates and if I do the other could be a female. However, I do not feel the imprint of another mate so it is safe to say that Blaise is my only mate. My grandmother did not understand that I would live my life with another male if I so choose. Even though our society sees nothing wrong with two men loving each other, my grandmother finds it immoral that I am attracted to my own sex. My grand, no I cannot call her that any longer. Augusta has gone as far as to and write a binding contract with Lord Bellsmore for his daughter's hand in marriage behind my back."

Neville sighs before continuing. "Everyone see's a doting grandmother in public but behind closed doors, she is just as greedy and just as ambitious as the next pureblood. Lord Bellsmore bloodline comes from a wealthy stock; they are pure and gray. To tie our families together means the Longbottom will only become more prosperous. I only found out about it because Melissa Bellsmore and I are friends. Out of respect for me, she sent me a letter informing me what my grandmother and her father tried to do." Neville looked around the table and realized he has everyone's interest. "Another important reason she is not here is that she is Dumbledore's girl through and through. He has her in his back pocket. If Melissa and I were to bond, Dumbledore would use this opportunity to try and sway Lord Bellsmore to his side. I have stopped trusting Augusta long ago which is why she has no idea of my magical inheritance, my mating with Blaise, and blood relation to Harry. And I have no intention of do not intend on telling her."

All but two sitting at the table was stunned to hear such things about Augusta Longbottom. It was no secret she loved her son, but to compare Nevill to his father was a grave sin in their book. If anyone got to know Neville, they see a strong and independent thinking young man. Not a young man who follows the whims of others. "Sometimes others cannot get past their grief to see how they are hurting the ones that will love them beyond compare," Severus directs at Neville. But everyone noticed that while he spoke, he is looking at Harry. They could see that he was also sorry for the pain and things that he said to Harry over the years. Although, their relationship has improved over the past couple of weeks, they still had a long way to go. He might have Lily's eyes and look like his father, but he is just Harry, Thinks Severus.

After Neville's tale lunch continued regularly or what was considered as normal with this group. Everyone seemed to be getting along, and no one seemed as if they wanted to move from the table. Harry sat back and observed the occupants around the table. Lucius, Remus, and Severus seemed to be in a deep discussion about some book they read. Neville, Blaise, and Draco were discussing the latest news about the upcoming Quidditch game; while Mrs. Malfoy and Stephania were talking about a double bonding ceremony. Oh, Merlin thought Harry, what have I gotten myself into? While he was watching everyone, he noticed that Lucius and Severus hissed and gripped their arm. That could only mean one thing; Voldemort is calling them. This is the perfect time to see how to break the spell on the mark. Harry got up from his seat and walked over to them.

"I know that he is calling you, Neville and I have been trying to find a way to break his hold on you," He said looking at both men. "Now that we are planning on getting rid of both Voldemort and Dumbledore, breaking his connection now would be a great start. Roll up your sleeve, I want to try something."

Lucius was the first to roll up his sleeve. When Harry looked down at his forearm and noticed that the snake in the skull was moving and hissing.

Snake {Danger, I must protect, you must hide} the snake hisses, the snake sounded worried much to Harry's surprise.

Harry {Who must hide?}

Snake {The one I protect, he is in danger. I am here to warn him of danger}

Harry {He is not in any danger, you are the one that is hurting him. Who told you this?}

Snake {The one who took my brethren's and I from where we slept. We are beings and protectors of the snake realm. We watch and protect our mother and goddess Minoan. And long ago we were called upon to protect humans of this world housed in the shell of the dead. He told us that when he calls his humans to him, it is because they are in danger.}

Harry {The man who said this lied to you and used you as a means harm the ones he asked you to protect. Do you know how you got here; is there a way for you to go home? Do you have a name?}

Snake {I do not have a name; we live to serve our mother. In our realm, we are shapeless and take the shape of the one that made us.}

Harry marveled at what he is hearing, one, this is the first time he was having an entire conversation with a snake. And, two, he felt as if the answer to all of this is staring him in the face. The snakes that Voldemort stole have a home and their job are to protect and do no harm to others.

Harry {Do you know how you were brought here?}

Snake {I was made from snake magic. Only those who can speak to snake can fashion us or change us to their will. I have tried communicating with our mother, but we cannot reach her. In our realm our spirit is free and of form we just exist.}

Harry {Does that mean since you were made out of nothing you can be sent back to where you came from?}

Snake {The magic that was used to create us is as old as time itself. We cannot be sent back to our mother unless the one that made us dies. However, another can change us for a different purpose. We were made by magic spoken in snake tongue; we can be modified the same way by adding the blood of our new master, and maybe one day we will return back to our mother.}

Harry remain silent and thought about what was discussed. He had a few issues with what the snake told him. Can I cross the line and conduct blood magic? Will I be the same as Voldemort? Harry looked away from Lucius' arm and then to his brother, they talked about many of the things and knew they will need to cross some lines this could be the first test to see if he could do it. He cannot justify what he is about to Voldemort lied to the snakes took them from their world and treated them as slaves in his purpose for bringing them here. Voldemort has lied and continued to lie for years. Harry looked back on Lucius' arm. {Are you prepared to serve another? Are you prepared to serve me?}

{Because you asked young speaker, I give my aid to you.}

Harry looked away from the dark mark on Lucius' hand and repeated everything he and the snake talked about.

"But what of the skull?" drawled Severus "That I believe, other than the snake, is the significance of the dark mark?"

Harry relayed the question to the snake.

Snake {With the addition of your blood you can change what I will become and what I will look like, my essence will still be that of a serpent but who I serve will change.}

Lucius hissed in pain once more; it seems Voldemort is getting impatient with his loyal follower. Harry had to believe that what he was about to do would work. Not only was he acting like a Gryffindor, jumping in without thinking of the consequences, but he also could not bear the thought of his soon to be father-in-law being hurt further by Voldemort. Harry searched the table for a knife that was sharp enough and asked Severus to sanitize it. He then cut his palm holding it over Lucius his arm he let the blood drip over the mark.

He then hissed, not knowing what he was going to say, he pulled something together. {You are no longer nameless; I'll call you Balthazar, your purpose is to guard and protect that which I hold dear. You are the representation of lion and snake.} He placed his bloodied palm on Lucius's arm; it started to glow with a bright white light and Lucius hiss in pain once more. Lights of bright white lights begin to branch off into tree-like branches on Lucius's arms. They traveled all the way up and around his arm. Sweat beaded on both Harry and Lucius forehead; Harry did not realize I would require so much of his magic. {You will become my shield and my sword}. Harry closed his eyes and poured more of his magic into changing the snake's appearance.

It had seemed like hours before Harry opened his eyes then lift his arm from Lucius' forearm reaching for a napkin he wiped away the blood. When the arm was clean what he saw made his eyes pop out of his head. Where the dark mark was now in it is an exact replica of Godric Gryffindor's sword with Balthazar wrapped around it from the hilt all around the body. Harry opened his mouth to say something but did not get a chance to say a word to Balthazar or Lucius because the next thing Harry knew was that he remembered was falling to the ground, and everything went black.

Harry woke up to hear Draco yelling. "I swear to all the gods, I am going to kill him. Why would he do something like this without talking to me first? Stupid Gryffindor!" Harry would have chuckled but knew how serious Draco is at the moment. It was not Harry's plan to pass out or use as much of his power as he did. Harry's plan was only to help those he now considered family. "Always jumping head first."

"We were all sitting at the table, Dragon, you had ample time to stop him." This came from Mrs. Malfoy. "No need to throw a tantrum." She huffs.

"And let's not forget this is Potter we are talking about – act first think later," drawled Severus. "How bothersome."

"See if I help you with your mark since that is the way you feel about me," Harry whispers. At least, he thought he whispered it because the whole room became very quiet. They must have heard him. Someone sit down beside him, and then the feeling of fingers running through his hair in comfort. He knew it was Draco; his mate will allow no other to touch him especially his hair. Harry sighed and hoped to delay what was to come; he knows his mate is upset with him, but Harry honestly did not know what was going to happen. Harry bolt up quickly, Draco's fingers slipped through his hair, and he looked around the room for Lucius. Harry gestured the elder Malfoy over to him; Harry needed to see the changes fully.

Lucius walked over to him rolling up his sleeves without being asked. It was not his imagination; the dark mark was completely gone. No longer a skull and a snake but a sword with a snake wrapped around it. He hissed at Balthazar {Are you ok?}

Balthazar {I am fine young master, because of your blood I will only answer to you.}

Harry {Thank you, but all I require is for you to protect him. I do not foresee calling you for help in the near future. But, thank you, Balthazar.}

Harry brought his eyes up to Lucius, "Do you feel Voldemort's call anymore?"

"No, the moment your blood touched the mark, I could not hear his call," Lucius replies in awe.

"Let's hope it stays that way." He glanced up to Severus "When I regain my strength we will get rid of your mark also." He says to his almost godfather. "We cannot have the new Headmaster of Hogwarts with the dark mark, spy or not."

The occupants in the room gasped, Severus' mask dropped. "The…"

"Don't you dare say another word about it!" Harry looked around the room and spies a very irate and pissed off veela mate. Draco spoke to the room not taking his eyes off Harry.

"Could you guys give us a few minutes, please?" Harry almost preened and shows his neck in submission but refused. Showing weakness right now would not be good for their relationship. "There are something's I need to discuss with my mate." Draco continues, it looks as if his lips did not move. Oh, oh, I'm in the doghouse now.

Harry had never seen adults move so fast before in his life. Once everyone left the room except for him and Draco, he was expecting to be yelled at what shocked him was when he was engulfed in strong arms. Harry mewled and buried his face in Draco's neck sniffing his mate and at the same time, it calmed him.

"Do you know how much you scared me today?" Draco whispered in Harry's ear. "I thought I lost you when I just found you. Please, Harry, I know that we have wars to fight, and I know of your desire to save everybody, but the only thing I am asking you is to let me stand beside you. Talk to me before you jump head first. I cannot lose you, my mate. In the short time, we have spent together, you have become my life."

Harry did not know what to say so he just held on to his mate. And kept his face buried in Draco's neck. Draco is right he should have stopped and thought before he did what he jumped head first. Would it have been better to do more research? Ask more questions? Maybe it is because I cannot help but feel that this was the last time we would have seen Lucius.

They sat like that for a while just holding each other, not saying a word to each other. Draco pulls Harry's head up and smashes their lips together. Pulling a desirable moan from his throat. Draco nipped his lips and growled licking Harry's lips. "You taste so damn good all I want to do is eat you up," Draco whispers against his lips.

"I'm all yours, my Dominant." Harry said kissing Draco's chin and down to his neck and began sucking on his neck. Draco tilted his head to the left giving Harry more access. Their lips connect one more time, and Harry started lying back pulling Draco with him.

A knock at the door brought them back to the present "If you too are done snogging in there, we still have lots to do," Neville said wryly.

Sighing, their moment was interrupted. They pulled apart from each other "I guess we better get back out there?"

Draco nodded his head "I guess." He pulled Harry close and pecked his lips a few times "How much longer do we have to deal with this, I want to be alone with you." Draco says this placing kisses on Harry's lips, chin and lastly his neck where he sucked on it, leaving his own mark.

Harry was panting for breath, "If we can get every…. mmm…things worked out today. We will have all day tomorrow to ourselves." Nestling Draco's cheek, he moved his hand to the base of his mate's neck pressing him further into him. Draco moved from his neck up to his lips kissing him passionately. Harry moaned into the kiss, which encouraged Draco more. Another knock sound at the door.

"If you two do not bring your arses out here this instant I will come in there!" Narcissa yells from the other side of the door. "Besides you two are not bonded and should not even so much as hold hands and if I find out you are doing anything more there will be consequences," she continued.

"She does know we live together right?" Harry asked when they stopped mid-kiss, lips still touching, opening their eyes looking at each other.

"Shh, don't say that out loud. She might hear you." Draco smirks.

Harry looks Their feelings were growing faster each moment they spent together, their mating bond was forming. He closed his eyes and enjoyed having his dominant mate take care of him. Harry sighed for the first time in his life he was happy. He had someone who worried about him, even if it is over the smallest thing. He had a brother who loved him and two father figures who it seemed would so much as rip the head off the next person who looked at him the wrong. He wanted to keep this happiness to make sure no one he cared about got hurt.

They jerked away from each other when the door banged open; a very unhappy Narcissa Malfoy walked in. "Now I told you, boys, to get out here, and here I find you two snogging. I hope you have not had sex yet because Draco if you give me grand kits before you're fully bonded I will hex you both."

Both Draco and Harry flushed red at her mention of sex if she only knew the things they have already done.

"Besides I am too young to be called grand'mere, granted..." she stopped mid rant seeing how red the boys' faces are. "It seems I am a bit too late to stop anything other than just kissing and holding hands." She tsked. Who would have guessed Narcissa Malfoy was a mother hen? Harry wonders.

"In any case, do not forget your conception charms, boys." Then stops her rant and looked at her son and Harry. "Make that potions as well, me a grand'mere so young. Not likely." Narcissa says further embarrassing Harry and Draco. "Come along I believe we have other things to discuss." With that she swept out of the room, Harry and Draco did not argue or plead their case, followed behind her. Still embarrassed that the other heard her berating them. When everyone reassembled in the sitting room, the discussion consisted of how to defeat Voldemort and Dumbledore ridding the world of both Dark Lords. The first on their agenda is finding a viable way to get Dumbledore out of Hogwarts. That will be a very hard task, his magic as Headmaster is tied into Hogwarts wards.

The only good news is that over the many years Dumbledore has been Headmaster the magic tying his magic to the wards began to weaken. Since Harry and Neville claimed their inheritance the wards have started to change, just not enough to evict Dumbledore. It seems Dumbledore's death will be the only way Harry and Neville will be able to keep Hogwarts safe.

"Dumbledore's focus has strayed from the safety of the students. We are at war and Hogwarts is not the most safest place." Harry says to the group. "Each year Voldemort has found a way in the castle, the safest place other than Gringotts itself. Add to that, students who have died while in his care, and those he has stolen from. Do you think the goblins would be able to help us with the charges? After all, he not only stole from me but he violated the goblins trust?" inquired Harry.

"Actually, that is a very good question," Lucius adds. "The goblins will have the right to prosecute him first. We know that Dumbledore has members of the Wizgamont in his pockets and will use them as the means to stay out of Azkaban," Lucius continues.

"Harry, why don't we get in touch with Griphook, he might be able to help us," said Neville.

It occurred to Harry as he got up to send an owl that it might not be the smartest idea. Dumbledore and his spies are watching his every move. Instead, Harry sent Magnus off with a message to have the goblin contact him as soon as possible. They tabled talks about Dumbledore until they hear or spoke with Griphook. Their focus is now on Voldemort. Finding and destroying his missing souls.

"If only we knew exactly where the Horcruxes were it would help us." Severus begins. "It is easy to assume the Dark Lord will hide them where no one would dare to look." He continues.

"He trusted Lucius with the diary, who was a part of his inner circle. Do you think he would trust another member?" Remus asks. "We now know thanks to his inheritance, that Harry no longer carries one of his broken soul an-,"

"What in the bloody fuck are you talking about?" Draco yells interrupting Remus. Harry was one of what?" Draco turns and looks at Harry confusion and anger expressed on his face. "I feel like I am missing a very big piece of the fucking puzzle, and my mate better starts explaining things right now," Draco demands.

"Draco, language!" Admonished Narcissa.

Shit, I knew there was something I forgot to tell Draco. "How do I put this?" Harry says.

"Just spill it out Harry and hold nothing back." Harry did not take his eyes off Draco.

It was evident that most of the people in the room knew exactly what a Horcrux was. "I had part of Voldemort's soul inside of me when he tried to kill me as a baby," Harry blurts out, he did not give Draco the chance to ask any question and continued speaking. "I honestly don't think he meant for it to happen. We do know that including me, he created six others." Harry pauses before he said more. "The diary he gave to your father for safe keeping was one of them. According to Lady Hogwarts, when I came into my inheritance the piece that was inside of me was destroyed. So that leaves four more. Then there is the Slytherin locket, Ravenclaw diadem, the Hufflepuff cup, the Gaunt ring and Nagini."

"Wait you said including yourself that was only six what is the other one," said Draco

That question seemed to stump everyone then it hit Harry. "Quirrell!" Everyone looked at him as if he lost his mind.

"What does our first-year defense teacher have to do with this?" ask Blaise

"Don't you see he was one of the Horcruxes? During our first year, at Hogwarts, Voldemort lived on the back of his head before he killed him by snapping his neck."

"How barbaric!" Exclaimed Narcissa, voicing everyone thoughts in the room.

"Harry." He turns around and sees Salazar standing in his portrait looking at them. Harry was not sure how they are doing it, but the background of their painting changes. Right now all four in the painting stood in a replica of Hogwarts library. "The others and I have been listening," Salazar says. "If the locket I am thinking of looks like this," Salazar put his hand in the pockets of his robes pulling out a silver chain pendant with an emerald crusted "S" in the middle of it. I've seen that before. Where, come one think. Harry closes his eyes trying to remember exactly where he say that similar locket.

Remembering, Harry jumps from his seat to study the locket. It was beautiful, and Harry felt drawn to it even in the painting as if it belonged to him. Then it hits him. "Kreacher!" the instant he called the elf name he appears in the room.

"What can Kreacher be doing for Master Slytherin?" The disgruntled elf attitude surprised Harry, a vast difference from the one that cursed and called him a half-blood. Harry steps closer to the elf. "Kreacher do you remember when we were cleaning out Grimmauld Place. There was a locket you refuse to let us throw out, where is it?"

Kreacher nervously begins to wring his wrinkled hands together trying not to look at Harry or the other occupants in the room.

"Tell me Kreacher where did you put it?" Harry prods. "I promise not to get angry," He assures Kreacher.

"I hid it so that no one would find it," Kreacher says. "I did not want anyone to throw it away." Kreacher went from his hands to worrying his ears lifting them from the ground. "Master Regulus wanted Kreacher to get rid of it, b-but Kreacher could not do it." The poor elf upset himself, and Harry needed to find a way to calm Kreacher down.

"Kreacher I want you to listen to me" The elf bobbed his head. "I want you to go and get the locket for me," He tells Kreacher, who is beginning to show signs of relief. "Remember Kreacher everything within Grimmauld Place, belongs to me and so does that locket." Harry soften his voice. "And so do you. Now please go and get the locket for me." Without another Kreacher popped out and popped right back. Kreacher hands the locket to Harry, who took it from him. Harry thanks, Kreacher and told him to start cleaning and fixing Grimmauld Place. He also instructed him not to say a word about what he saw.

Harry waited for Kreacher to leave, but the little elf stayed, and he seemed as if he wanted to say something to Harry but was not sure if he should. Harry looked at the other occupants in who appeared just as confused as he is. Harry cleared his throat. "Is there something else you needed Kreacher?" Harry asks. Kreacher bobs his head.

"Please, a name?" Kreacher whispers.

"What was that?" Harry asks. "I did not hear that."

"I's want master Harry to give me a new name." The little elf stated with a louder voice. "And, I's want to look like Magnus and Sprite." Harry would have laughed, but the look on the little elf face made him realize how serious he was.

"Magnus," Harry called out. Magnus appears in front of Harry. "Take, Moby" At his new name the once named Kreacher's face lit up and that made Harry smile. "Take Moby and with a uniform." He tells Magnus, then turns to Moby. "The Black family crest will appear on your uniform. Do a good job Moby, make the house of Black proud."

The Moby and Magnus popped out of the room, and Harry did not miss the pleasant look on the once-disgruntled elf's face. Holding the locket out for everyone to see and Harry could feel the power coming from it. It made his skin crawl, with displeasure yet he felt the need to keep it safe. Harry walks back over to his seat, then put the locket on the table conjuring a metal box. He places the cursed locket on the cushion closing the box looking up at the others in the room, "One down, and a few more to go. Let's hope we find them all before Dumbledore knows what we are up to."

For the rest of the day, Harry and his group planned how to search for the other Horcruxes. During dinner, a regal owl arrives with a letter from Gringotts. It was a response from Griphook informing Harry that they have been waiting to prosecute Dumbledore for his crimes if he survives whatever Harry had planned for him. The message also let Harry know that he had the backing of the Goblin Nation.

Discussion of Dumbledore and Voldemort was put to the side for the remainder fo the meal. Narcissa and Stephania broached the subject of bonding ceremonies. Harry, Draco, Neville, and Blaise sat in shock looking as the elders argue over what robe and colors they should wear. Harry had never known the stoic potion master could become so passionate about anything besides potions. It's a bit scary.

Later that night Harry and Drac lay cuddled in bed, Draco is on his back with Harry sprawled over him, who was lacing his fingers through Harry's long silky raven hair. Harry was so comfortable he was purring, literally. "Baby, I love your hair. Promise me you will never cut it."

"Mmm…."

"I was thinking, how about tomorrow we spend the day together?" Draco says to Harry. "No talk of Dumblefuck or Moldyshorts. Just me and you, we could go flying or something. Have a proper date."

Harry opened his eyes, moving so that he was fully positioned on top of Draco. In this position, he was able to see into his mate's beautiful eyes that he loved so much. He leaned down, kissing his mate soundly. Pulling his lips just a little bit away but still touching, "I think that is a splendid idea." He went back to kissing his mate forgetting about everything and everyone else.

"Crucio! How dare you come here only to tell me you cannot find Potter?" The Headmaster yells at his victim. "I give you one job, and that is to keep tabs on his every move. And now you tell me you have not seen him all day." Dumbledore sent another Curcio at Hermione as she withers in pain. Ron, who stands in the background, could do nothing to help his girlfriend. Where the hell did Harry go? He could not have left the castle. Thinks Ron. Hermione and I looked everywhere; he had been missing since yesterday.

Dumbledore finally lifts the Curcio, not having any strength Hermione fell to the ground. Dumbledore walks over to her; Ron expects him to touch her soothing her aches or hit her with another Crucio, but the Headmaster did neither things. He looked at her with disdain and Ron wonders if the kind hearted man the Headmaster portraits is nothing more than a façade. "I do not care what you do, Ms. Granger. I better see Potter sitting at the Gryffindor table having breakfast by Monday morning, if not a twenty-second Crucio will seem like a walk in the park." He spat out his words. "Now get out of my bloody office and don't let me see you again until Potter is found. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Master," Ron answered for both him and Hermione as he tries to help her off the floor and out of the Headmaster's office before Dumbledore tries to curse them again.

"Where do you think he is, Hermione?" Ron asks, Hermione's body is still shaking, and he pulls out the potion he has in his pocket. Anti-nausea potion mixed with pain reliever. Hermione stops them and leans against the nearest wall drinking the potion slowly. Ron watches her with worry. He does not know how long he can continue to be Dumbledore's punching bag.

"I don't know Ron," Hermione finally answers. "But when we find him I am going to Avada Kevada him for general purpose," She says trying to keep her shaking under control.

Voldemort sat in his throne room in Riddle Manor; something was not right. Lucius failed to show up today when he was called, and the blinding pain occurred again. No one knows my secret. I made sure of that. Lucius has always been the perfect little follower, doing as I say without question. What could have happened to stop him from coming to me when I called?

"Wormtail, come to me you fool." Wormtail crawls over to Voldemort. "Give me your arm." Without protest, Wormtail stretches out his arm with the dark mark. Voldemort watches the snake slither from the skull. Even beings from another realm can be fooled into doing my bidding. Voldemort touches his wand to the mark on Wormtail's arm and watches with pleasure as the simpering fool scream in pain. Voldemort could call his followers without causing pain, but he so enjoyed watching them hurt. The pleasure he had from hearing Wormtail scream when Lucius did not respond to his call. Lifting his wand Voldemort paid no heed when Wormtail grabbed his arm and crawled away from his throne.

"Bella my pet, I need to you to do something for me." Voldemort purred.

"Yes, my lord, anything. I am here to serve you and you alone," she said with a bow showing her cleavage hoping to catch her master's eye.

"I want you to pay a visit to your sister," Voldemort tells her from his throne and walks over to her. With the tip of his wand, he traces her open cleavage. Bella shivers and licks her lips. "Lucius as not answered my summons. Find out why." He instructs her, Nagini slithers besides him and coils herself around him. Bella gets up from her kneeling position and starts to walk out of the throne room. "And Bella, do not fail me."

"Yes, my Lord." Bella walks out of the room to do her master bidding.