Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Series (1997-2007) and any characters and original locations within the books belong to JK Rowling. I own my original characters and my plot twists. I am not trying to pass any of these characters or copyrighted ideas off as my own and therefore it isn't plagiarism or copyright infringement.

Chapter Eighteen – Called to Arms

The Nott family home was located in the heart of Liverpool. It was more cared for than the Black Family home, but it also was hidden from prying muggle eyes and was also under the Fidelius Charm, as Theo had to whisper the address in Leo's ear before he could see the home. Leo scoffed, "What are all ancestral homes so heavily warded?"

Theo shrugged as they went up the steps to the front door, "My father and I are the two secret keepers. I plan to remedy it though as soon as I'm of age. I'd much prefer if he no longer had the power to locate the home."

"You'd be safer that way, I presume," Leo looked around taking in the sights of the home. They walked down a long entry way covered in bookshelves, filled with old leather bound books. The staircase was up ahead, which Leo surmised lead to the second story bedrooms and the attic. He looked around, "Wow, this resembles the Black family home."

Theo's gray eyes fixated on Leo, "You've seen the Black Family Home?"

Leo nodded, "I was close to my cousin Sirius Black."

"So, his death must've affected you greatly." Theo's eyes locked with Leo's for a long while before he cleared his throat. "Come let me show you to the guest room, where you'll be staying."

The room was of average size and decorated in green and silver. There was a four poster bed in the center and the green velvet curtains in the windows were closed. He raised an eyebrow, "So, I'm guessing that you're family has several generations of Slytherin much like the Blacks and the Malfoys?

Theo broke eye contact, "Yes, well I come from a family of purebloods, what do you expect?"

Leo smiled, "The Weasleys' are purebloods and the Potters' were until James married Lilly. Of course I don't believe in those limiting beliefs."

Theo fidgeted nervously, "I have to admit that I've never really had guests over before. I've always preferred being alone. When my father's had guests, I've always avoided them. I'm not really that fond of Death Eaters."

Leo reached both of his hands into his bag and pulled out his school trunk. He knew he had to be careful not to use magic outside of school. "How about I get changed and we go down stairs and read for a bit. Have you ever read up on Animagi?"

Leo stood in a dark room he recognized as the dining room of the Malfoy home. Narcissa and Draco were sitting at the table with Voldemort and Bellatrix seated across from him. Leo quickly made for Draco and slipped in as if he possessed him. He was soon feeling every single emotion running through his twin. Draco attempted to hide his fear behind a face of calm indifference, but his Occlumency wasn't strong enough yet. His fear was still slipping through and Leo knew the Dark Lord could smell it.

"Lucius has failed me twice now, but I always reward my faithful servants. So, as the only Malfoy heir, Draco, I am humbly giving you the opportunity to redeem your father. So, I have a mission for you. Will you serve me better than your father before you?"

"Of course you will Draco, it's a great honor," Bellatrix smiled, which caused Leo's stomach muscles to clench even though they were miles away.

Draco knew exactly what the opportunity he was being given meant. He understood the underlining threat. If he didn't accept the mission and succeed his father would pay the price for his failures. He covered his fear with a bow, "It is my pleasure to serve you Master."

His crazy aunt praised him, "That's a good boy."

Leo wasn't sure if he was feeling the knots in his own stomach or if he was feeling Draco's. Draco looked up, "What's the mission? For what task have I been chosen?"

"You're to kill Albus Dumbledore." Voldemort fixated his red serpent eyes on Draco as if waiting for him to plead or mention it as an impossible task.

Draco's eyes widened as the words sunk in, "I accept."

The snake-faced man concentrated on Draco, "You will succeed as I will not tolerate your failure. Bellatrix will train you."

Draco licked his overly dry lips, "I understand."

Leo quickly disappeared from the scene and felt his body spasm as he rolled onto his side and threw up. The reality of the situation left him feeling sicker than he'd ever felt before. He continued to feel his brother's fear. They were only sixteen, how could he be given a mission like this? "Unless," he jumped from the bed, "That bastard is using Draco as a bloody punishment. He's punishing Lucius for his failure by giving Draco this task hoping he'll die in the attempt, that bastard!"

Theo came into the room looking a bit disheveled, "Why are you yelling?"

Leo felt his heart beating quickly against his ribcage, "Draco, that bastard has assigned him something he cannot possibly succeed in doing. He's hoping my brother will die and I've got to figure out what the hell I'm going to do to prevent it."

"You're only sixteen, you can't possibly take on the Dark Lord," Theo admonished.

Leo ran his hands through is loose platinum locks, "I know that. Believe me I know, but there's got to be something I can do. He can't succeed, and I think he knows it as well." He looked at the clock, "Hey is your fire place a part of the floo network?"

"Who are you going to contact at this time of night?"

"So, I'm taking that question as a yes. Well then, may I borrow your fireplace please?"

"I guess so."

Leo had his knees on the threadbare rug in front of the fireplace in the Nott's drawing room. He grabbed a handful of floo power, "Headmasters office, Hogwarts." He stuck his head into the fire and it disconnected from his body. It had been a while since the last time he communicated through floo powder, but he quickly remembered the sensation.

He was a little shocked when he saw both Snape and Dumbledore in the office deep in conversation. He knew it was rude to interrupt but he didn't wish to eavesdrop, "Professor Dumbledore."

Snape's draw sounded, "I believe there's someone in the fire who shouldn't be there."

Dumbledore walked toward the fire so that Leo could see him, "What can I help you with?"

Leo sighed, "First let me start off by stating that I'm Leo and not Draco, however Draco needs your help. He's just received a mission that he cannot possibly complete. The Dark Lord has assigned him to-"

Dumbledore quieted him, "Leo it's not safe. The floo can be monitored. Please come through."

Leo nodded, "I will just let Theo know." He backed out of the fireplace and noticed Theo was standing behind him. "I'm going to visit with Dumbledore for a bit. I need you to promise not to tell a soul about what's going on."

Theo nodded his head, "I promise."

He stood in the fire place. He threw it down, "Headmaster's office at Hogwarts." He soon walked through the fire and stepped into the headmaster's office.

Dumbledore's blue eyes looked at him as if he were trying to peer into his mind, "How do you know of this assignment?"

"Wait, you know about the assignment given to Draco?"

Dumbledore looked at Snape, "I have my sources."

Leo looked from Dumbledore to Snape and back to Dumbledore, "I guess I can answer your previous question, but we're sure Snape is strong enough to protect my secret from the Dark Lord?"

Snape sneered, "I play my part well."

"Well then. You see there are two different types of identical twins. Most identical twins have two different magical auras and a very rare few have the same. I don't know why, but I have my theories. You see Draco and I are the latter, and the connection allows me to visit Draco in my dreams. I can walk around in a spirit form. This happened last night when I visited Malfoy Manor. I entered Draco and I felt his fear. I know this will be the death of him or the breaking of his soul. I cannot allow it and I'm willing to be a spy for the order. I will take his place and send him to someplace safe. However, it means I will have to tell him the truth about me."

Dumbledore and Snape shared a knowing look before Dumbledore spoke, "You see frightened boys can cause more harm, at times. We will need to know what's happening. If you can truly visit him while you sleep then we can know what's going on and protect the students."

"Yes I can do that, however what's going to be done about his mission?"

"Don't worry about that. We'll figure it out. Now did I hear you correctly before when you said you had to speak with Theo, did you mean Theodore Nott?"

"Yes, I'm staying with him right now. He's alone since his father's been imprisoned," Leo furrowed his brow wondering why it was such an important thing.

"Ah, so you two have become friends?"

"Yes Professor, he doesn't share his father's beliefs much like I don't share mine. I befriended him last year. He knows my secret," he crossed his arms in defiance.

"Well, I don't think it's advisable for two sixteen year olds to be left to their own devices during the holiday. I highly recommend the two of you arrive at the Burrow. I will advise the Weasley's of their expected guests and have the Ministry set up a onetime floo connection between the two locations. I suggest the two of you travel there first thing in the morning. Harry will be joining you two the morning after. I have plans to make to put all of my affairs in order."

Leo gasped, "You're going to sacrifice yourself? You plan on dying soon, don't you?" At that moment he looked down at Dumbledore's hand and noticed it was black and dead, "What happened to your hand?"

"It's nothing for you to worry about," Dumbledore reassured him as he ushered him back to the fireplace.

Leo took a handful of floo powder, "Canterbury Street." He soon was popping out of the fireplace in the drawing room of the Nott family home.

Theo jumped up, "What happened?"

Leo smiled, "We should go back to sleep. We'll need to pack tomorrow. Apparently we'll be spending the rest of our break with the Weasleys."

Theo's gray eyes widened, "What?"

"You really do prefer being alone, don't you?"

He sat back down on the couch, "Yes, only because I'm used to it. Are you sure they'll be okay with a Death Eater's kid in their home?"

"They've accepted me, haven't they?"

Theo gulped, "Well yes, but you weren't raised by one."

"Don't worry about it. You'll have me there and I'll protect you. We should get back to bed."

It didn't take too much time in the morning for Leo to place his trunk back into his bag. He also took Theo's school trunk and placed it in his bag as well. So, he just had his shoulder bag on and Theo standing next to him, when he grabbed the floo powered and announced, "The Burrow."

They stepped out of the kitchen fire place where Mrs. Weasley was busy preparing lunch, "Ah Leo, Dumbledore told us that you and a friend would be staying with us. Could you introduce us?"

"Molly this is Theodore Nott, Theo this is Molly Weasley," Leo introduced and Molly's eyes widened.

"Is your father Brian Nott?"

Theo looked down at the floor, "Yes, my father took part in the Ministry battle where many of your friends were hurt and Sirius died."

Molly pulled him into a hug, "Now, don't think we blame you Theo. We have no control over who we are born to; it is the decision we make that is most important."

Leo could tell instantly, by the way Theo stiffened in Molly's hug that Theo wasn't used to physical affection. He cleared his throat, "Molly, I think he's a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps you could show us to our room?"

She let go of Theo, "Ah, yes you'll be staying in Fred and George's room."

Leo raised an eyebrow, "Where are they?"

"Oh well they have a flat over their store. They've been living there since they left school," she smiled.

"Ah, so apparently their joke shop is doing well then?" Leo couldn't help but smile, as he knew his statement was true. After witnessing the many Weasley products last year the two proved themselves to be talented inventors.

"As you know, I didn't approve of it at first, but they really do seem to have a flare for business," She allowed them to put their stuff away in the double bedded room. There were still plenty of Quidditch posters hanging around. They were still big fans of the Irish and apparently the Tornados as well. Many of the posters were of Beaters. A bunch of boxes were stacked along one wall, which made the room look more like a storage room than a bed room.

Theo looked around the room, "Are they always that loving?"

Leo chuckled, "Well, Molly and Arthur must've loved each other very much to have seven kids."

He sat down on the bed, "I don't know if I can get used to being around a family like theirs."

"Well, we should probably head downstairs. I think lunch will be ready soon," Leo didn't know what else to say. He'd seen the lash marks on Theo's back while staying with him, so he knew the type of discipline he received. He could only assume that he'd seen the other end of the Cruciatus Curse, as well. They made their way downstairs and into the kitchen. Leo was more than happily surprised to see Fleur on the arm of Bill Weasley.

She quickly recognized him and spoke in French, "Leo, I'm so surprised to see you. Gabrielle was so worried when you didn't return to school last year. Why haven't you written her?" She hugged him and kissed him on both cheeks.

Leo smiled, "Gabrielle was asking about me?"

"Oui, you should write her. She'd love to receive an owl from you." She smiled again and quickly introduced Bill. "I don't know if you've met my fiancée Bill?"

Leo looked over at Bill, "Yes, I met him last year. I didn't realize you two were getting married." He held out his hand to shake Bill's hand, "I'm happy that you two have found each other."

Bill looked over his shoulder and noticed Theo, "Leo, who's your friend?"

Leo chuckled and pushed Theo forward, "This is my friend Theodore Nott. I call him Theo, but I've never really asked him if he likes the nickname. He's a Slytherin, but doesn't prescribe to the Death Eater beliefs."

Bill took his hand and gave it a good shake, "Theo, it's great to meet you. I hope you enjoy your stay."

Draco was in the family's drawing room with his aunt Bellatrix. She was muttering, "You must close your mind Draco. We don't need Dumbledore finding out what you're planning. So, close your mind and I will enter." She attempted and it took a bit before she broke through but Draco quickly recovered, "Yes, I see that you've been practicing. Now we should move on to the Unforgivable Cruses. You have to mean them Draco and you will need them if you're to succeed."

Soon Draco was wreathing in pain on the floor of the room. Leo felt his anguish and hoped she'd end it soon. He soon stopped screaming and stood as sweat dripped from his brow, "Yes, I'm familiar with that one. Father's favorite for punishment."

"Perhaps you should practice on an animal. Your father is quite talented with the Imperious Curse as well and you may need it to perform your task. Lastly, you'll need the killing curse and you know the reason for that one." She opened up a case containing a cat and smirked, "Just imagine it's a lion, the symbol for Gryffindor."

Draco pointed his wand at the cat and spoke the incantation loudly and filled with hatred. The cat screeched and wreathed in pain. He let up as tears formed in his eyes; however Draco forced them back down. He pointed his wand and spoke the next curse and soon the cat was doing everything he told it to do. Lastly he pointed the wand at the cat and a green flash quickly killed it.

Leo sat up in bed breathing heavily. He couldn't believe that he just witnessed his brother performing all three unforgivable curses on a cat. He could feel with dread that he was losing his brother to the dark side. Soon Draco would be past the point of saving. In that moment he noticed Theo was sitting up staring at him, "What's the matter?"

"Draco's learned how to perform all three Unforgivable Curses. Bellatrix had him practice on a bloody cat." Tears started to form in his eyes, "I fear I've already lost him."

A/N: Okay kind of off but soon we'll be following a bit of the book. This time around though Leo will be seeing more of what Draco's up to. Also, I've just found out that Gabrielle was supposed to be seven in the Goblet of Fire but I declare alternate universe and thus she's the same age as Ginny. I have caught up to the chapters I have written so it might be a bit of a wait before I start updating again.