Chapter 30 - The Rat

"You're back," called the portrait of Salazar Slytherin.

"We are," Harry called back as he and Daphne walked into the studying portion of the Chamber Library.

"What have you brought with you? I can feel our magic radiating from two items, one item in particular. From whence did you bring my Runestone? I'd thought it lost."

"Gringotts," Harry replied, removing the silver box again from his bag, placing it carefully on the main desk and ignoring the sideways look that Daphne gave him, "It had been moved there for fear of it being too old and unstable."

"So this is why the headmaster was here when you brought it back to my Chamber," Slytherin sneered, stroking the large cobra by his side, "And yet he found no problem with it, did he? I carved those runes myself."

"No," Harry chuckled, "He didn't."

"And you, Heiress Greengrass, I'm glad to see your back and safe. I hope you are feeling better. My heir did more than just fret over your injuries," said Slytherin.

"I'm feeling fine, thank you, my Lord," Daphne replied with a small curtsy.

"And is that a ring I see on your finger?"

"It is," Daphne smiled, "Harry and I are engaged."

"My congratulations, I'm sure your friends and family are very proud after they must have worried so much."

Daphne's eyes went wide. "Thank you, my Lord," she replied quickly and then turned to Harry, "Have you heard from Tracey?"

"I've kinda been keeping to myself, to be honest."

"Damn," she muttered, "I've got to gotta see her. Can you let me into the room? I'll meet you in there as soon as possible after."

"Sure."

Once Harry had unlocked the door to his room and let Daphne through, Harry had a long talk with Salazar, explaining everything that had happened.

"Well done for breaking the curse, Harry. As expected you have shown me you are determined and ruthless. Something we prize in the House of Slytherin " Salazar said, "As for Dumbledore, you did the right thing bringing him into the main Chamber but no further. I understand why the Headmaster would be worried, but the Runestone should never have been removed from the school in the first place. It was keyed into the main wards, the Lodestones as a backup in case they fell. Being away from the school for so long will have broken the connection."

"I see," Harry replied, "Maybe it wasn't a good thing I brought it back then."

"Of course it was," said Salazar, "Dumbledore's transmutation was ingenious and it will allow you to use it as a backup magical core. It should, however, be kept secret. Should the power fall into the wrong hands it could be disastrous."

Harry swallowed nervously, he hadn't thought of that.

"When is the next Wizengamot session?" asked Salazar.

"Five days."

"We must be prepared. The blood feud will be mentioned and we need a plan. You may even be challenged. I'll think on it."

"Sounds good."

"How are you getting on with your dual-wielding?"

"Pretty good, I can shield and cast through it now with both arms, though it's easier when I shield with my left."

"That's to be expected with your wand arm being dominant. You should start working on combinations of spells, spells that complement each other. You've worked on your element whip?"

"It's just about there, but I'm having trouble with the earth lash," Harry replied.

"Keep working on it, that one is harder as it uses more solid matter. Why don't you go and work on it now? Try combining the lightning whip with more water attacks. If you can channel the water as ice you can freeze your enemy in place and the electricity will conduct through it and make it all the more devastating. It will be of course a lot of drain on your magic and a last resort sort of combination but it's good to have in an emergency. The incantation is 'Heladaguamenti'."

"I should head back really, wait for Daphne."

"Trust me, you have the time. Tracey is her best friend, yes? After how she was imperiused and with the curse and her engagement, the conversation will take some time."

"Fair enough," Harry nodded, "A good time to get some practice in then."

"Exactly."

Daphne smiled when she stepped into Harry's quarters, realising now that they were hers as well. After a busy day, the bed was already beginning to look warm and inviting, but she had a best friend to find.

"Hey Millie," Daphne called as she stepped into the Slytherin common room, which was mostly empty, save for a few students doing homework from the other years and Millicent Bulstrode, who was sitting by the fire playing a game of chess against herself, "Where is everyone?"

"Oh hiya Daph, it's nice to see you're back," Millicent said, getting up and hugging her friend, "Erm, most people just aren't back from Hogsmeade yet."

"Weird. I didn't see Tracey," Daphne replied.

Millicent clasped her hands together at her waist and frowned while she chewed her lip.

"Oh…well…Tracey will be in you guys' room. She's been really broken up since what happened and hasn't really left the room apart from classes. She's barely eating and had quite a few detentions given for missed homework. The Professors weren't being harsh though, I think. They've not taken any points and Pansy told me Tracey told her that McGonagall just had her sit with her as she caught up while McGonagall did her marking."

"That's good of them, at least," Daphne replied sadly. She should've known Tracey would react like this, especially when she didn't reply to any of her owls, "I'll go find her, thanks Millie."

"No worries."

Daphne quickly made her way down the underground corridor to the fifth-year girls' dorms and knocked three times upon their shared bedroom door.

"Go away." A strained voice called.

It wasn't a request for entrance though, just to let her know she was coming in and Daphne pushed open the door to find Tracey face down on the bed wearing just a nightie, her hair lank and greasy.

"That's not a very nice thing to say to your best friend," Daphne said softly with a kind smile.

Tracey's head shot up, and then her worn, puffy eyes burst into tears. Daphne darted to her bedside, laid down next to her and wrapped her up in a hug, holding her while she cried.

"Shhh," she said, "You don't need to be sad. I'm alright."

"Daph, I'm so sorry," she said into her shoulder, sobbing.

Daphne pulled away and looked her friend right in the eyes.

"Don't you dare be sorry. This wasn't your fault."

"Of course it was, I sent you to your death. If I wasn't so careless -"

'He snuck up on you," Daphne interrupted, cupping her friend's face, "You didn't have a chance."

"I know but I should've known, should've had quicker reflexes but you know I'm no seeker," Tracey replied, the strained, croaky tone of her voice showing days of emotional torment.

"I know Trace, but you can't beat yourself up about this. I'm okay."

"You promise?" Tracey replied, her lip beginning to tremble again.

"I promise. I'm okay."

Tracey wrapped her arms again around her friend and cried a little more before pulling away. Daphne wiped the tears from her eyes, which suddenly went wide.

"Wait…what's that…on your finger?" Tracey asked, her face beginning to portray positive emotion.

"It's my engagement ring," Daphne replied airily, "Harry and I are getting married."

Tracey bolted upright and slammed her hands on the bed with a very wide-eyed grin.

"Shut up! It's beautiful!" she replied, snatching Daphne's hands towards her so she could get a better look.

"It was his mum's," Daphne said as her friend traced a finger across the small emerald leaves.

"That's amazing. What happened? Tell me everything."

Daphne smiled, sat up to join her friend and began explaining what had happened that day and just how much work Harry had been doing behind the scenes to cure Astoria. They'd gotten to the part about how it became clear that to get married, she'd need the Entwined Marriage curse to be cast on her.

"And then he asked you to marry him!" Tracey beamed, "Of course he did, I knew you had a good one there, Daph."

"He didn't. Even though he had what was gonna be another life debt he was still adamant it be my choice. I asked him."

"Oh God's, he's just so damn perfect for you." Tracey grinned with a roll of her eyes, "I'm so happy for you both. You're going to be Lady Slytherin Potter, with all that it entails and keep your independence."

"I know, and guess what, that entails getting to stay in Harry's room! Well, it's our room now, I guess," Daphne replied with a gleam in her eye. "'Lord and his betrothed' privileges. It means I'm getting swapped into his classes, though. Dad was adamant about that."

"So you won't be in ours, that sucks," Tracey replied.

'I'll be in the electives, and Gryffindors have plenty of classes with Slytherins. It's just so Harry can protect me if he needs to." Daphne finished with a slight frown.

"You don't look too happy about that."

"I can protect myself. Rookwood ambushed me too, otherwise, I'd have managed to get out of there okay even if I might not have been able to win. I'm not weak."

"I know you're not." Tracey replied, reaching out and holding Daphne's hands, "I won't say I'm that upset about the idea of you being protected, but I know how stubborn you are. Try not to worry about it, I'm glad it means you won't get hurt.

"I'll try," Daphne sighed.

"So," Tracey said, hopping up on her knees excitedly. When's the wedding?"

"Samhain. This Samhain."

"Wow! That's soon!"

"And you're going to be my maid of honour," Daphne added with an excited smirk.

"Yes!" Tracey cheered, pumping her fists into the air, "I'm so excited. Do we get to throw you a bachelorette party?"

"I don't think there's time, but we'll get you a lovely dress and I'm sure we will need your help with the planning, though it's just gonna be a small one at my house in the grounds."

"Gods! I can't wait!"

"You won't have to, but enough about me for now, how are things with you and Nev?

Tracey frowned and looked dejected.

"Not great I'll be honest. I've been really cut up about what happened so we haven't really spoken."

'You really should you know, I bet he's worried about you, and he's not brilliant at speaking up at the best of times."

"I know, I hope he's not gone off me."

Daphne rolled her eyes, "I'm sure he hasn't."

"I know, but things were just getting physical, we've done it absolutely not enough times…oh Gods."

Tracey's eyes suddenly gleamed with excitement for her friend once more.

"What?" Daphne replied, cocking her head.

"Tonight you and Harry get to have an engagement, slash 'The Boy Who Lived saved my entire family' night tonight."

Daphne blushed.

"We do."

"You know you're gonna have to have an incredible outfit in mind, and a plan."

"I don't really have anything, only what I wore last time. I didn't get to order anything from that catalogue you got me yet."

"Ah Daphne," Tracey said playfully, getting up to open her trunk, "Why must I always bail you out?"

"Thanks, Trace," Daphne replied as Tracey began to rummage in her 'special' compartment. A few minutes later she'd laid an outfit on the bed and had outlined her plan for Daphne's look.

"I can't wear that!"

"Of course you can," Tracey grinned, "Just think, you could be in charge, for a little while at least. Thank him properly."

"You're a bad influence, Trace, you know that right?"

"What are you on about?" Tracey scoffed. "I'm the best influence. Come on, let's get you dressed and ready now, I'll do your makeup and well cast a glamour so it doesn't show until you want it to. Then when you come back from the feast you'll just need to do your hair, just ask him to wait in his bathroom or something."

Daphne rolled her eyes, but agreed, a bubble of anticipation already welling up in her chest.

After spending over ninety minutes exhausting himself in the Chamber working on Salazar's suggestions, Harry went back to his room and settled in to wait for Daphne. It had been difficult to concentrate after everything that had happened that day. There was no way he could've known that he'd work out how to solve the curse. He'd been planning to work on it for as long as it took, but he'd thought that once he'd taken the Soul Revealing potion he'd simply tell Madam Pomfrey the results and that they'd start working on something, and unfortunately, their efforts would probably in vain. He was elated for being able to cure Astoria, but when it became apparent that marrying Daphne would break the curse entirely he almost felt like he didn't know what to do with himself.

That girl, who'd fallen into his life had changed everything, had given him something to fight for. Her being fiercely loving, smart, and incredibly beautiful paled in comparison to the effect she had on who he was and who he wanted to be. She made him feel confident and driven to grow not just to defeat Voldemort, but to give her a future she deserved, a future Harry desperately desired. He was starting a family and the Greengrasses had accepted him into theirs. Dare he say it, this was almost certainly the best day of his life.

He didn't have to wait for very long in his room in the end and had only just opened up his Defence textbook when there was a knock on the door. Harry grabbed his wand from his bedside and opened the door with a flick of his wrist. Daphne's form appeared immediately, carrying several bags slung over her shoulders and dragging her trunk behind her.

"Sorry I took so long," she said as she awkwardly manoeuvred the various items she was carrying through the small space of the doorway arch, her long blonde hair annoying her as it obscured her vision, "I was packing up my stuff, and I couldn't be bothered waiting for the elves to bring it all through. It's a good job I learned the featherlight charm though. Where should I put it?"

"Anywhere you like, you can unpack your stuff later. I was always gonna wait for you, but you know the feast started five minutes ago, right?"

"Thanks," Daphne replied. At the word 'feast', her stomach made a loud rumble that made Harry grin. "Merlin, I'm hungry."

"I can tell," Harry smirked, "Come on then, if we go now we probably won't be the last ones in. Oh and by the way, Salazar told me he's keyed you into the entrances to this room. You just have to hold your hands to the tapestries or snakes, he copied your magical signature."

"Nice!" Daphne grinned.

It turned out that Harry was right, quite a few people were still only just getting back from Hogsmeade, so both he and Daphne were glad that they didn't draw too much attention to themselves as the last ones entering.

"Will you sit with us?" Daphne asked, "It's our engagement meal after all."

Harry grinned and nodded and she led him down the Slytherin table. Tracey had made sure to leave a space for the pair of them.

"Daphne! I was so glad to hear you were back safe," said Pansy as Daphne and Harry sat, "I'd heard you were in the sticks when I got there but then you were on up the stairs with your family."

"Are you feeling alright?" said Blaise, "I heard Rookwood really did a number on you."

"I'm fine," Daphne replied with a smile, "But yes, he tortured me and threw me off the astronomy tower. Harry caught me, he and Pomfrey saved my life."

"And then Harry eviscerated him, the cunt," Tracey added, "No one's gonna wanna go to that open casket."

"He was still a pureblood and deserved to be treated with respect," said Nott.

"He tried to kill a pureblood from a Most Ancient and Noble House," said Draco, "Lord Slytherin-Potter's girlfriend to boot. Regardless of the Dark Lord's vendetta against Scarhead, it's still the attempted murder of one of our own."

Tracey coughed exaggeratedly, obviously deliberately concealing the word "Fiance" within it.

"Wait what?" said Millie, "Show me your hand!"

Daphne proudly showed off her engagement ring for all to see.

"Congratulations!" said Millie, "Future Lady Slytherin-Potter, wow!"

"Ah, so he called in the Life-Debt," sneered Nott from across the table, "I'm not surprised. The Dark Lord won't be pleased."

"The Dark Lord can shove it," said Daphne proudly, "He's a half-blood, everyone knows it now, even his sycophants. Plus, Harry didn't call in the Life Debt. I asked him."

"Wow," said Pansy bewildered, "That's a really big decision."

"I knew want I wanted, why wait?" Daphne said with a grin.

"So when's the wedding?" asked Blaise airily

"It's a secret, for now."

"Well congratulations you two," he replied.

"Thanks, Blaise," said Harry, ignoring Nott's daggers glaring at him from down the table and focusing on his chicken.

"Daphne, have you seen Astoria?" Draco asked, frowning from a little way down the table, "I've not seen her since Hogsmeade. We had plans."

"Oh, sorry Draco," Daphne replied, "I guess you're going to have to reschedule. My father had to conduct some urgent family business with her away from school. She should be back tomorrow, I hope."

"I see," Draco sighed. He'd been looking forward to spending the evening with her.

"So what's the plan for tomorrow?" asked Tracey, changing the subject, "I love a good Sunday."

"Why don't you bring Neville and the four of us can go to the lake and do some homework?" suggested Daphne.

"Yeah I'm pretty behind," Tracey replied.

"I've heard."

"Okay," said Tracey, "I'll talk to him after the feast."

"Well, we're going to the library tonight, I'd rather have a lazy day tomorrow. Any plans for tonight girls?" Pansy asked, "What are you gonna do?"

"Harry," Daphne said with a wicked grin.

Harry, who was mid-swallow, instantly started choking. His eyes went wide and started watering quickly as he struggled for breath. Daphne gave him a big slap on the back and the carrot and mash lodged in his throat spattered onto his plate in front of him. Harry blinked and wiped his eyes while everyone stared.

"That's if he doesn't die first," said Tracey, to raucous laughter.

"Let's have a proper look at this ring then," requested Pansy and that was the rest of the meal, girly talk about plans for a wedding. Harry ate in silence thinking about what Daphne had said. It had been a given that he'd been thinking about tonight ever since he knew she'd be coming back to Hogwarts. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't dreamed and daydreamed numerous times at the various trysts the two of them had found themselves in, but they'd only actually had sex twice. It was their engagement night. Should he have planned something special?

Once they were all properly fed and watered, Harry and the fifth-year Slytherins all made their way out of the Great Hall, apart from Tracey, who walked around the room to speak to Neville. Harry waved to Hermione as they passed and she replied in kind, while Ron gave him a glare and went back to stuffing his face. Inwardly, Harry shrugged. It seemed like there would be no love lost between them after all, but he decided not to let it darken his day, he had a night with Daphne to get to.

"Harry, Daphne, wait there a moment," called Blaise, who'd fallen into step a little bit behind them.

Semi-reluctantly, the newly engaged couple stopped just outside the Great Hall doors while the rest of the Slytherins passed.

"Sorry guys, just didn't want to mention this at dinner, but I didn't want too many questions," Blaise said, making sure they were out of earshot of the others before continuing, "I don't know if you remember, but in the summer I said my mother and I had discussed the idea of proposing a potential business opportunity with you. She's been working with someone back in Italy on developing some rather good protective jewellery and wanted me to ask you about meeting her regarding a potential deal."

"Yeah, I remember," Harry replied with a smile.

"What kind of deal?" Daphne asked shrewdly.

"I'm not sure of the ins and outs, but I think she'd like to put the Slytherin name on them in return for a share of the profits. With my mum's…marital past some of the Zabini products haven't been selling as well recently.

"We can meet with her, that's not a problem," Harry replied.

"Hold on a moment, sweetheart," Daphne said, glancing at Harry and then back to Blaise, "We're not putting the family name to anything without having a look at the product first, there's no point in even meeting her til after that point."

Harry raised his eyebrows at her. For a second, he felt a little bit taken aback at Daphne overruling him a little bit there but then remembered how well she'd fared with the Goblins back at Gringotts. He nodded, he should defer to her, she definitely had a lot more business acumen and experience dealing with purebloods than he did.

"I thought you might say that," Blaise replied, "She just asked me to check with you whether or not you were still interested. She said she could have a prototype proof of concept with you in the next week. Should I tell her you'll expect her owl?"

"Yes you can do," Daphne replied, "But no promises Blaise, and make sure you double check with your mother regarding this. You know the Zabini corporation, multinational or not, if it sells with the Slytherin-Potter name attached in Britain it could make you and your mother a target."

"We're aware," Blaise answered, nodding, "Me reopening this offer with you comes after weeks of a lot of debate among the wider family about our neutrality, but there are other things that have come to light. It's getting to the point where we're starting to have no choice about choosing a side and, well…you know I like Hermione…"

"So aligning with us would also give your family some protection from our houses regarding a relationship with her. Does Hermione feel the same?"

"We've…been spending a lot of time together in the library," Blaise replied sheepishly and glanced at Harry, "If that's okay?"

Harry laughed, "It's Hermione's choice who she spends time with," he replied, "I'm just annoyed I didn't know too much about it, Hermione and I haven't had the opportunity to spend that much time together recently outside of classes.

"Yeah, she said," Blaise replied, "She misses you a bit, I think."

"I'll try to make a bit more of an effort," Harry said.

"And yes," Daphne added, "Tell your mum she can correspond with us directly and we'll get back to her when we've had the prototype appraised."

"Very good," Blaise replied, straightening his robes "I'm actually going to meet Hermione now at the library if you want to join us?"

"Not tonight," Daphne replied sweetly, "But soon, we'll see you later, Blaise."

The Italian Slytherin nodded and took his leave and Harry turned to Daphne and took her by the hand.

"Let's go," Daphne said, "I've got a surprise for you, a little engagement present."

Narcissa Malfoy sighed as she unlocked the door to her office with a wave of her wand and opened the door to step inside.

"Mother wait!" a voice called from the Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom behind. She smiled and held the door.

"Draco," Narcissa said as she held the door for him, "Is everything alright?"

"It's fine, Mother, but I wanted to speak with you regarding something. Something important," Draco replied, his sleek blonde hair looking slightly dishevelled from rushing after her up the corridor.

"You look like you've been running."

"I know you like to have a bath after dinner, I didn't want to have to wait to speak to you."

Narcissa raised her eyebrows, this did sound important, but he'd never chased her down the corridor before, that wasn't Draco's way. What had gotten him so worked up?

"It's not…incredibly urgent or anything but I've made a decision today and it will turn rather a few heads and I wanted your advice."

"Okay, Draco, let's sit. " Narcissa replied with an encouraging hand on her son's shoulder before she removed her cloak and hung it on her door. She made her way over to her small seating area and gestured for him to join her.

"I can't…I need to stand to talk to you about this, Mother." Draco, said, awkwardly pacing back and forth.

"Alright," Narcissa frowned, "What's gotten you so worked up?"

"I've decided something rather difficult. Father won't be happy with it."

Narcissa rolled her eyes. She doubted what Draco was going to say was going to be that big of a deal. Draco was the apple of his father's eye, there was little her son was going to request that Lucius wasn't going to be happy with.

"As long as you aren't going to ask for Lord Slytherin-Potter's hand in marriage as well," Narcissa teased, "I saw Daphne showing off her ring at dinner."

Draco blushed.

"Well… it's about that…you know I've been spending a lot of time with Astoria. I wish for us to be betrothed."

Narcissa stared at her son, judging his serious expression and his unwavering gaze, then sighed. She had to admit, she'd been worried something like this would happen. They'd even had the younger Greengrass girl visit the Manor over the summer before the Dark Lord had settled in, but this was before they knew of any blossoming relationship between Daphne Greengrass and Harry Slytherin-Potter. It had been her main source of worry regarding her son ever since, but seeing the way Draco and Astoria had been with each other at school was something she couldn't bring herself to stop. He was different when he was around her, happy.

"I was afraid of this," Narcissa replied, "You're right. Your father won't be happy. The Greengrasses are on the wrong side now. Disabuse yourself of the notion, Draco, it's not going to happen."

"I can't, Mother," Draco said with gritted teeth, pacing back and forth behind the armchair in front of her with his hands in his pockets, "You think I haven't tried?"

"You're still very young. There are plenty of other good, pureblooded girls at the school Draco and plenty outside of it. Ones whose families align with the Dark Lord and his values."

"The Dark Lord is a half-blood," Draco sneered, "He lied to us all."

"He's the most powerful wizard in Britain," Narcissa replied, pouring herself what was quickly becoming a much-needed glass of elf-made wine from a bottle on the small table in front of her.

"If he was so powerful then it wouldn't have taken Harry to bring him out of the shadows, he would've been confident enough to declare himself openly.

"A snake strikes from the shadows," Narcissa replied tightly, "And since when were you and Lord Slytherin-Potter on first-name terms?"

"Since he offered them at the party and has been cordial with me ever since. He treats me with respect, is a Lord of the Seven, the Lord of Slytherin itself and proved he is capable of incredible power. Unassisted flight mother. Only the Dark Lord has been seen as being able to do that."

"I'm aware," Narcissa nodded, taking a sip of her wine, "But this is a dangerous path you are considering leading Draco.

"Astoria would be joining our family. I won't be becoming a Greengrass."

"But Lord Slytherin Potter would be your brother-in-law. What about Heir Parkinson? I know she likes you."

"She's a sycophant who just wants our gold and our name. I love Astoria, mother."

Narcissa paused.

"You can't. You can't love her. You can't Draco," Narcissa said, her lips going very small, very quickly.

"You think I haven't tried to stop?!" Draco replied loudly and gestured wildly at her, "You think I don't know that associating with the Greengrasses would put a target on my back? That this could get me killed?!"

"And it is for that very reason that it has to be a no, Draco. I will not discuss this with your father. Disabuse yourself of this very notion entirely. Astoria Greengrass is off-limits. You will cease any relationship you have with her. Go and see her now and tell her it is over. I'm not going to have my son die over some schoolyard crush."

"It is not a crush Mother! I love her and she loves me. She makes me happy!"

"You can't be happy if you're dead" Narcissa shouted now, her wine glass in danger of breaking from her tight grip, "Break up with her."

"I won't. She's the only other person who made me feel like there was anything more to life than power, prestige and the Wizengamot. She cares for who I am, my idea, not those that you and Father have foisted onto me. Lots of ideas are just about keeping power, our boot on other's necks. The Dark Lord is powerful and you all still follow him, so why are we still putting down half-bloods and muggleborns? If you don't realise that's more important than sucking up to a half-blood who has been defeated by Lord Slytherin-Potter three times now, then I've got nothing more to say to you."

The door to her office slammed as Draco left and Narcissa put her head in her hands. Yes. It looked like she'd need another glass of wine. Or three.

He tried to snarl away the horrible, scratching nervousness that had built up in the pit of his stomach on the way to the Shrieking Shack. The guidance he'd received in the recent missive from his contact had been accurate, thankfully, and the overly aggressive behemoth of vegetation that was the Whomping Willow had been placated by a simple stick levitated to press into a knot at the base of its trunk.

Seeing Slytherin-Potter and Greengrass at the Slytherin table had given him the last bit of courage he'd needed to act on the missive's instructions and make his way to the shack that night. Just looking at the young Lord who'd killed his father set his blood boiling and now seeing that he and Daphne were engaged and looking so disgustingly happy had made him want to start throwing curses at them right there and then, but no, he was Slytherin, not some poser who'd lucked into the name like Lord Slytherin-Potter had. He'd requested help, and now his plan would soon grow into fruition. He just wished that the contact hadn't requested the most haunted building in Britain as the location for their first meeting.

The wintery wind howled through the cracks in the dilapidated walls, floors and boarded-up windows and Nott pulled his cloak tighter around him. Loud creaks sounded from beneath his feet with every step that he took, the light of his Lumos only serving to make the damaged walls and furniture look even more creepy with the many scratches and what looked like teeth marks etched into them. He rounded a small corner in the darkness and saw an eerie blue light coming from above at the base of a fragile-looking spiral staircase. Tentatively he made his way upstairs.

He took three loudly creaking steps up towards the light, when a snivelling, reedy voice sounded from above him.

"What is your name?"

"Theodore Nott."

"Enter."

Nott took the last eight steps towards the light and entered to see a short, stooping dishevelled man in a long black cloak standing next to a very beaten-looking table laden with a small crate and a tiny jar of bluebell flames. His face was pock-marked and dirty and his thinning hair and large front teeth made him look like some sort of rodent.

"You may call me Wormtail," said the disgusting-looking man, staring at him with his wand clutched in a shining silver hand and running his dirty fingernails with the other like it was some sort of pet, one of those fingers was missing, "The Dark Lord will be pleased you agreed to his summons and met me here."

"The letter said he would help me get Potter," Nott said calmly. As pathetic as this man looked, even Nott knew the Dark Lord wasn't in the habit of keeping weaklings in his circle. It wouldn't do well to show fear, as unnerved as he felt.

"The Dark Lord said he would offer you his services to help against Potter, but you will not directly harm him. His reckoning is at hand."

"I thought you were going to give me the cursed items I requested. I've brought the gold," Nott tried, the hope he'd used at finally giving Potter his comeuppance sinking in him like a lead balloon.

"The Dark Lord doesn't need your pathetic gold, but he does need your assistance. He's offering the opportunity for you to replace your father in his ranks and restore your family's legacy if you complete this task. You won't directly harm Potter, but this will make good progress in the Dark Lord's plans."

"So…Heiress Greengrass then," Nott replied, stepping further into the room, trying not to look too hard at the eerie way the blue light reflected off Wormtail's beady little eyes.

"No, like I said. Potter's reckoning is at hand, Should it fail, he will need…leverage," Wormtail replied, stepping behind the table and beckoning for Nott to come closer.

"We have two other contacts at the school that I'm sure you are aware of. Severus Snape and Narcissa Malfoy. What do you know about goblins?"

"Horrible, hoarding creatures who deserve to be eradicated," spat Nott, "What of them?"

"The upcoming festival, Samhain is the start of their 'holy period' in their calendar. At the equinox, it's when the sun begins its descent, the days get shorter until the shortest day, their holiest day. The only day when the goblins venture outside on mass and make a pilgrimage to their sacred place in Eastern Europe. The day is the shortest and the whole world becomes their cave, they say. On Samhain, it is their tradition to give gifts to three of those closest to them."

"I see." Nott said, "Wondering where this was going."

"Filius Flitwick, the half-goblin still follows this tradition as well as the tradition of also giving gifts to those same select three when it is his birthday. He chooses to combine the two so his presents are a little more…lavish. He has been Imperiused and will be giving some rather special drinking goblets of the Dark Lord's design that he believes are from his family's vault."

"So…you want me to give them to him? Plant them somewhere?"

"No, don't be stupid. You would almost certainly be caught," Wormtail spat, "The goblets are still being created, as they must appear like goblin silver, but like goblin silver taking on that which makes them stronger, they will temporarily absorb a potion's effects, and thus they will be undetectable, even transferring them into water. You are to deliver the ingredients for some potions to Narcissa Malfoy and when you receive my next letter, come to collect the goblets and do the same.

"Potions ingredients? I thought you said Professor Snape was on our side."

"Severus Snape is not to know of this plan and the potions are a Malfoy family recipe, akin to a truth serum but much more subtle. The Dark Lord has only allowed me to discuss it with you in hopes that his honesty will show you he is willing to trust you. The youngest Rookwood has told us of your wish to aid in our efforts or at least your hatred of Potter."

Nott went white.

"Yes," Wormtail said with a cruel smile, "He is alive, "In fact, he's become rather...more than what he was, a gift from the Dark Lord. He was the one who volunteered to enact revenge if you were ever to betray our Lord after vouching for you."

"I won't betray you," said Nott quickly, "And the Dark Lord will let me become one of you?"

"If you are successful and all goes according to plan you may join our ranks in December."

"But why not send the ingredients and goblet via owl?"

"Are you stupid boy? Do you not think that Dumbledore is having the wards scan everything that is delivered into the school, especially items delivered to Lady Malfoy? You must bring the items to her on foot. The goblets will look like they've come from Gringotts themselves and she will be preparing the potions."

"So why ask me? Why not just ask her to come and get them?"

"Crucio."

Pain, unimaginable pain tore through Nott's very being. He collapsed and writhed on the dirty shack floor as a hundred thousand white-hot needles seemed to pierce his bones, but the horrendous feeling disappeared almost as quickly as it came. The wind howled in his ears and Wormtail sneered in silence as Nott dazedly got to his hands and knees.

"Do you have any more stupid fucking questions?" Wormtail spat as Nott vomited her just-eaten dinner on the floor below him,

"No," Nott replied breathily, swallowing the last dregs of the vile acid, "I'll do as you ask, I swear."

"Good, Lady Malfoy is expecting you with the potions in half an hour. Now get going and try not to act like your failure of a father and get yourself killed."

There was a pop and Nott looked up to see that Wormtail had disapparated. He staggered to his feet, walked over to the small crate, still illuminated by the bluebell flames and smiled. He would make his father proud.