Chapter 40:

Dinner Parties, Promises and Vows

Lucius had asked Regulus to come over to his house the day for dinner. He hadn't told him why but Regulus had a feeling that it wasn't good. As much as he'd been on guard he hadn't expected to find Voldemort sat at the dinner table, "ah Regulus, it's good to see you."

Regulus bowed towards the Dark Lord. "And how is Potter's friend… what's his name? Philip? Phallus? Phyllis?"

"Peter, my Lord," Regulus answered.

"Ah, of course," Voldemort's eyes shown with excitement, "the weak are so useful… he will be very useful indeed."

"I think so, my Lord."

"There is no doubt about it," Voldemort smiled cruelly, "I have a great honour that I wish to bestow upon you; but I am concerned that you are very young…"

Regulus tried to look excited, rather than nervous, "I won't fail you, my Lord."

"I don't doubt you," Voldemort told the boy, "but there are those who are older than you…"

Voldemort considered the boy in front of him, "I need to know you have the authority for the job."

"How can I prove myself to you, my lord?" Regulus asked feeling somewhat panicky.

Voldemort flicked his wand and suddenly there was a woman curled on the floor before them. She clung to herself, begging quietly to be allowed to return home. "You know the spell Regulus," the Dark Lord said quietly.

Regulus lifted his wand and opened his mouth. For a second he thought that he wouldn't be able to get the words out, "AVADA KADAVRA!" There was a flash of green light and Regulus looked away from the lifeless, crumpled heap on the floor.

"Well done," Voldemort smirked, "I knew you could do it… I want you to take on the responsibility of recruiting Hogwarts students."

"Yes sir," Regulus nodded, "thank you, my lord."

"If you succeed before the year is out you will join the ranks of my most loyal followers; you will have the mark… if you fail… well it would be such a waste so let's not dwell on that."

Regulus only nodded, he really didn't know what to say. Voldemort considered him once more, "ambition is not a trait only found in Slytherins, remember that Regulus. You will find ambition in every house at Hogwarts; use it to your advantage."

"Yes, my lord."

"Now, I must ask… I've heard a little rumour, that there is a girl."

Regulus was suddenly scared, he didn't want anything bad to happen to Rebecca. He merely nodded his head.

"You understand that I cannot encourage a relationship with a blood traitor…" his words were cold and they cut through Regulus, "however I will make you a promise; I will give you everything you could possible want Regulus. If you succeed at your mission, you will receive everything you ask for. I will arrange for you to have a thousand girls, each ten times more beautiful than…" Regulus felt Voldemort search his mind, "ah… Rebecca. You will have power… but if when you have achieved what I ask, you still want her, the blood traitor, I will give her to you."

Regulus' heart was beating quicker than it ever had before. "But fail me Regulus, fail me and she will pay for your failure. I will end her llife without a second thought."

Charlus Potter had hoped for a quiet holiday but his wife had insisted that life continue like normal even if she were in St Mungo's. Charlus and James visited Dorea every single day and their evenings were spent hosting dinner parties for their many friends and family members. One such night found James sat between Lily and Sirius at the dining room table. Lily looked amazing in a pretty green summer dress that matched James' dress robes perfectly. Lily was happily talking to Nancy Lovegood and her husband Xenophilius. Xenophilius had recently started a new wizarding paper, The Quibbler, and Lily was struggling to keep a straight face as he told her all about the different articles he was working on. Dorian Jackson, Nancy's younger brother was telling James and Sirius all about his new quidditch career with the Chudney Cannons. Doreen Jackson, a Ravenclaw fourth year was happily listening to her big brother's boasting. The Jackson's youngest sister, Cynthia was telling anyone who would listen about how excited she was about starting Hogwarts in September. Minerva McGonagall for one was listening happily, encouraging the young girl to work hard. "If you work hard and devote yourself to your studies, perhaps you will be Head Girl, just like your big sister Nancy was…"

Doreen smiled, "don't forget Dorian – he was Head Boy!"

"Of course, how could I forget, he was a very boisterous head." Dumbledore laughed at McGonagall's words before adding, "although Doreen, it won't be long before it's your turn."

"Just a couple more years," Doreen laughed.

Alicia McKinnon was talking animatedly to Lucretia Prewett about something that had happened at the ministry the day before, whilst her husband talked about sport with the other men around the table. "I can't see the world cup happening if we continue like this," Andrew McKinnon was saying.

"I hope you are wrong," Charlus frowned. "I'd hate to not have at least a few minutes of distraction from this war."

When the guests finally left the dinner table, James and his friends escaped to the den. James and Lily crumpled onto a sofa. Lily put her legs up, resting her head on his shoulder. Marlene and Sirius were mimicking their behaviour on the next sofa. "So Dorian," Sirius began, "found yourself a nice witch yet?"

Nancy giggled slightly when her brother turned pink. She was sat on her husband's lap on one of the armchairs by the fire, "now, now brother, there's nothing to be embarrassed about."

Doreen and Cynthia sat with their brother lounging on the floor, "tell us; won't you Dorian?"

Alice and Frank were the only ones not paying attention. They were stood by the window, whispering to one another. James poked Lily and pointed towards them. "He's finally doing it," he whispered.

"Doing what?" Lily asked.

"What do you think?" James teased. At that moment, they witnessed Frank Longbottom get down on one knee. They couldn't hear what romantic words he used but they knew that Alice had said yes as soon as they saw him put the ring on her finger.

Please REVIEW - I can't believe how long I've been writing this story. Feels like forever... Since April 2012...