Author's Note:

My dear, dear readers. I am sincerely sorry for the fact that it has been over three YEARS since I have updated this story. Life has been life and I won't bore you with excuse as to why I have been unable to write in so long. I am promising you now, though, that I am going to try my hardest to update more frequently. I actually have three more finished chapters to come after this one and I am currently working on finishing up the last few so that this story will be complete. Thank you to all of those who have stuck with me through my extended hiatus. And to those of you who are just joining in on this journey, welcome!

With all of that being said, undoubtedly my writing style has changed in the last three years (I am hoping for the better!). I apologize if the transition from previous chapters to the newer ones seem a bit off. Pieces of this chapter and the next were already written and may seem less different. But for chapters twenty-two and beyond, those will be completely new chapters and I am hoping that the tone will still flow properly.

Anyways, happy reading. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 20

Draco wasn't sure why he had been summoned to the manor, but he had a sickening idea that it had something to do with Cait. He couldn't stop himself from believing that it was entirely his fault that she had left him last night. He should have forced her not to go. Should have given her something to stay for. But he hadn't. He had stupidly fallen asleep and actually slept peacefully for the first time in weeks. He had used her for comfort and now she was gone.

The manor was quiet when he arrived, but he could hear the low din of murmuring voices coming from the dining room. The lighting was dim as he made his way towards the voices, sending up a silent prayer that Cait wouldn't be waiting for him behind the closed doors. He had always dreaded these meetings, always hated the way they all lined the table looking towards their Dark Lord for leadership. And every one of them followed out of fear.

His heart nearly stopped when he entered the room and saw Cait sitting to the right of the table head. He was now the one with fear coursing through his veins, his worst fear confirmed. As he drank in her appearance, she appeared to be unmarred, but he couldn't be sure from this distance. She hadn't noticed him step quietly into the room, lurking in the shadows of the door.

"Ah, Draco, so glad you could finally join us." the Dark Lord drawled when he spotted him.

Cait's eyes instantly snapped to his face and he thought he could see an apology in them. He ground his teeth before putting letting a cool mask slip over his features.

"My Lord," He responded as he stepped more fully into the room. All of the chatter had ceased and the death eaters were now beginning to take their seats silently.

The Dark Lord gestured to the empty seat on his left, the one that was opposite of Cait. It was the chair that his father normally took. Slowly, Draco made his way down the long, full table, glancing at his fellow Death Eaters as he went. He knew each of them by name-had known most of them his entire life.

"It seems, young Draco, that we have found our escape artist." The Dark Lord began, looking nearly gleeful. "This time though, there won't be any chance of elopement."

Draco let his eyes slide to Cait-even up close she appeared to be unharmed. She looked exactly as she had when she came to him the night before. He had to focus to keep his thoughts from straying to the way her hair had looked fanned out across the pillows of the bed, the way it had felt to have her soft lips pressed to his own. He could have shook her for having been caught, though he was glad to see that the Dark Lord hadn't deemed her worthy of a punishment, but he feared what that might mean that he had in store for her. He didn't miss an opportunity to torture someone unless he had a reason behind it.

"There is one final mission that I have for the two of you," The Dark Lord smiled frighteningly and then projected his voice to address the entire room while keeping his eyes trained on Draco and Cait. "You see, many years ago, I asked Nott to keep two things safe for me. One of those things was young Caitlyn, here. The other was a powerful artifact. An artifact that will ensure that if I am to perish, that my soul will live on one last time. In order for that to happen, well... that is where you come in Draco."

Draco watched as Cait's face paled. She had put something together, though he wasn't sure what. She looked like she wanted to bolt from the room-like she wanted to vomit. He had an urge to reach for her, but he couldn't do so without attracting more unwanted attention.

"Caitlyn, you look as if you may have pieced things together," the Dark Lord smirked. "You and Draco will create a child, and through this artifact, the child and I will be my death, my soul will be transferred to this babe, and they shall finish the work that I have started."

The Dark Lord once again gave a toothy, frightening smile. "Let us take a short recess while Thomas retrieves the artifact so that we can proceed with the ceremony."

As soon as Thomas was gone, the chatter resumed within the hall. A house elf appeared with a tray of refreshments and began to make rounds, as if this were just some cocktail social engagement and not a meeting of darker significance. Draco quickly made his way around the table and to Cait's side. He pulled her to him, kissing her temple softly and inhaling her soft scent.

"Thank merlin you're safe," he muttered against her hair.

"All this time," she whispered, a slight tremble shaking her from within. "All this time I thought that it was meant for Teddy, that it was Teddy that they wanted. I never even once thought that it would be me..."

Slightly confused, Draco tried to soothe her ramblings by holding her closer. He didn't have time to even tell her that things would be okay, that they would figure something out, before Thomas reappeared with a grim look on his face.

"My Lord," he began, sounding defeated, "The ring is gone."

"WHAT?" The Dark Lord shrieked.

Thomas shot a look at Cait-his eyes trying desperately to tell her something-just as the green light hit him in the chest and he crumpled to the ground. Draco felt Cait suck in a sharp breath and hold it. She made no noise, but when he looked down, her eyes were wide. There were no tears, no visible signs that she was upset, but he could feel the sorrow that radiated from her. He knew that she and her father had never gotten along, that she blamed him for her mother's death, but he also knew that he was still her parent. He knew his Caity well enough to know that this would wound her deeply even if she would never admit it out loud.

Chaos seemed to break loose as the Dark Lord let out a bellow of rage that seemed to shake the entire room. As several nearby Death Eaters dodged a chair that the Dark Lord had thrown in his rage, both Draco and Cait felt themselves be grabbed roughly on their upper arms.

"You two won't be going anywhere." The Dark Lord bellowed once more. "Not until my artifact is found! LUCIUS!"

"Yes, My Lord?" Lucius asked, materializing beside them.

"Lock these two in a room. And this time, make sure they do not escape." He seethed, venom dripping from his every word.

"Yes, My Lord," Lucius bowed before he grabbed the two and apparated them to a small bedroom suite.

"You are to stay here until someone comes for you." he sneered, barely acknowledging them. "And don't even think about trying to apparate. This room has been altered to resist all magics. And I will be taking that," he sneered once more as he wordlessly summoned Draco's wand.

He gave them one last look that dripped with disgust before disappearing to leave Draco and Cait to stare at each other, heads still reeling from all that had happened in the last few minutes.

They were still holding hands as the door slammed shut with finality-leaving them alone in the small space.