Et in lacum leonum missi sunt

Draco stood by the fireplace like he always did during what felt like mandatory Death Eater gatherings. He had stood here before he had been assigned the task of killing Albus Dumbledore. He had been a different man back then. He let out a silent chuckle. He had been a kid.

He had stood there when news of Mad Eye Moody had reached them. He had leaned against the wall next to the fireplace when someone had come back with Moody's head in one hand and his prosthetic eyeball in the other. The Dark Lord had used the old wizards head as a pedestal for his feet while he watched his faithful followers play with the crystal blue eye.

He had been furious to have been so close to Potter but the head of Moody had cooled him down somewhat. We knew where Potter was now but with the full force of the Ministry still protecting him there was no use wasting time and energy to go after him. When the ministry fell the Dark Lord would have his fun.

Today was that day. The Weasley's were having their son's wedding today and while they were distracted the head of Rufus Scrimgeour would be sawed off and put next to the one of Mad Eye Moody which was being preserved by dark magic. By the end of the day Pius Thicknesse would be minister and Draco would be gone.

He figured he could fit his wand in his pocket and a small enchanted knife meant to poison anyone it cut. He had spoken with his mother briefly after Snape left and he had burned the piece of paper with the address on it.

"Do you know?" He had asked hoping his time with Snape had not been imagined. He doubted his mother would ever agree to let him go on by himself. She nodded in response. "Where will you go?" He asked already knowing the answer.

She shook her head sadly. "It's better you don't know. You'll be safer that way. We'll help the Death Eaters keep off your track. He can't win this war Draco." Her expression hardened. "He'll never stop. You would be dead if you weren't your father's son. If you weren't branded." She looked down at Draco's arm. His mark burned brighter than ever.

"You want redemption too?" His mother nodded.

"I saw your thoughts Draco. While he tortured you even though it was too late. I knew I would never be able to stop you if you went seeking revenge. If you even lived I knew, I knew what you would become the longer I stayed but I didn't listen to myself. This is better. It is better if I give you my blessing and make you promise to leave if it's too much."

"I won't." Draco held on to her hand. He had to do this. He would die trying to set his wrongs to right. He wouldn't run away again like a coward.

"Please be safe." There was no way to be safe he thought. He figured he would go to this place Snape had told him about and then try to measure up how the wizarding world was holding up. After he would find a member of the order and surrender himself. He hoped they would believe him but if he was being honest with himself, he didn't know what he could do to prove himself. But he would try. Dammit he would.

There he was. His parents, Pettigrew, Snape and the Dark Lord awaiting news that the ministry had fallen. He turned to look out of his front door which was open. A few feet behind the manor gate stood about 20 Death Eaters awaiting their queue. As soon as word came they were to disapparate to the Weasley's and make as much mayhem as possible. They weren't supposed to kill anyone of interest. Only bring Potter. The Dark Lord didn't want purebloods to die. But if they found the mudblood – the girl...Hermione Granger they were to have some fun, the prize would go to the highest bidder.

He wasn't sure when he would take his leave but he figured it would be at the same time as his parents. Beyond the gates was the only place they could do it. He had his wand and his knife in his pockets. Both of his hands were crossed against his chest as he leaned on the wall. He closed his eyes in concentration. He had avoid making eye contact with the green slits that were the Dark Lords eyes. He could feel his parents presence beside him and Snape's gaze upon him across the room.

A gust of wind blew his hair out of his face and he felt and heard a Death Eater pass him. The smell of blood strong in the air. He was carrying the body of Rufus Scrimgeour by the mane of the old man who resembled a sleeping lion even in death. Outside he heard the calls and yelps of the death eaters celebrating accompanied by 20 pops of apparation.

He knew the name of the Death Eater who brought the body in but couldn't remember at the moment. The only thing he saw was his face. He memorized it and recorded it. He was on a list now. Draco's hand twitched toward his wand but then he caught Snape's eye.

"Congratulations my lord," the Death Eater who brought in the late minister said as he deposited the body at the Dark Lords feet.

"Have you set the trace?" The Dark Lord asked without looking at Scrimgeour.

"Yes my lord. We'll have Potter in no time." With that said Draco looked back out at his gate and found it empty. Surely if someone had caught Potter they would be back now. How many people were at the wedding? Or did Potter have time to escape? Something he never thought he would feel was hope. Hope that Potter was still alive somewhere. It was such a foreign feeling he forgot what was happening around him.

Draco glanced at his parents then at the Dark Lord. Snape was speaking with him. It was now or never.

Be safe his mother mouthed grabbing his father's hand and leading them out towards the back. They went unnoticed. The Death Eater who brought the body in was busy working on the head of the deceased minister and Snape was thanking the Dark Lord for making him Headmaster of Hogwarts.

With determination Draco walked toward his gate. He looked back once to see the Death Eater whose name he now remembered, Gibbon, realize he was gone. He was starring at Draco dumbly. Then his wand hand pointed at him and he was shouting.

"He's escaping my lord! He's escaping!"

Draco took off sprinting. He had the gate open when a green flash hit his mothers rosebushes. What a crap aim Gibbon had. That's why he had been charged with bringing back the body, not killing it. Draco turned in his spot and vanish before any other curses could be sent his way. He vaguely recalled hearing a similar pop from behind the house. His parents had made it out too. There was no mistaking the sound apparation made.

*Title: In The Lions Den

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