In a castle in France that Voldemort was using as his hiding place, a meeting was taking place between him and his Death Eaters.
Voldemort sat at the head of the long, shadowed table, a smile spreading across his serpentine face as his red eyes swept over the gathered figures.
"I have the best of news for you," he hissed, his voice smooth and venomous. The smile widened, sharp and cruel.
"The new pure-blood, one of our youth, has joined our ranks." He deliberately turned his gaze on the cowering Lucius Malfoy, savoring the flicker of dread in the man's pale eyes.
"Draco Malfoy will be joining our cause."
Bellatrix let out a delighted laugh, clapping wildly as the doors opened. Draco entered the room, head bowed, his steps small and hesitant. His face was pale, bloodshot eyes betraying sleepless nights and strain.
Voldemort rose gracefully, gliding across the room with a predator's ease. As he passed Lucius, he glanced down at him, enjoying the way the older Malfoy tried and failed to mask his despair.
"Come, my boy…" Voldemort said softly, almost kindly, as he patted Draco's back and drew him to the forefront of the gathering.
Bellatrix leapt from her seat, embracing Draco with a laugh of manic glee. "Your life has a higher purpose now!" she declared, her voice rising in feverish adoration.
Voldemort nodded in approval, turning back to the others.
"We now have a loyal acolyte within Hogwarts," he announced, his tone swelling with triumph.
"I cannot share the details with you yet," he continued, his voice dipping into a dark whisper, "but he will be opening a path for us to strike at the very heart of our enemy. We will take the castle… and kill Dumbledore." Voldemort spat the name as though it burned his tongue.
"Dumbledore, however, is no longer my equal," Voldemort said coldly. "Not after my ascension."
As if summoned by his words, Nagini glided into the chamber, her massive form hovering unnaturally in the air. The temperature dropped instantly, a chill slithering across the room as several Death Eaters shivered in terror.
"It is not only Dumbledore who must fall," Voldemort hissed. His crimson eyes flared as he snarled, "It is the blood-traitor family of Simon Hawthorne!"
A crushing pressure descended over the room, suffocating and heavy. The Death Eaters whimpered and bowed their heads lower, trembling under the weight of his fury.
"He will help us bring that family to justice," Voldemort said, drawing a sharp, steadying breath. The oppressive magic receded slightly, allowing the cowed figures to breathe again.
Draco stared fixedly at the ground, forcing his mind into a cold, disciplined calm. Every ounce of Occlumency training he possessed was being pushed to its limits, layer after layer of mental shields slamming into place to hide his true thoughts.
Voldemort did not notice or perhaps, did not care. He leaned close to Draco, his voice a silken whisper meant for his ears alone.
"Go, son. Bring me that boy."
A collective breath seemed to release from the room. Several Death Eaters looked at Draco with admiration and envy, their gazes filled with twisted reverence.
All except Lucius.
Lucius sat rigid, his fists clenched so tightly the knuckles had turned white, his eyes squeezed shut. He understood perfectly. Voldemort was punishing him for losing the Horcrux by humiliating him and endangering his only child.
Lucius forced himself to look up, desperately smothering the tears that threatened to surface. He would not could not give the Dark Lord that satisfaction.
"What of Harry Potter?" one Death Eater ventured timidly.
Voldemort's lip curled in disdain. "His protections are gone. He will fall soon after Dumbledore."
No one dared speak further.
Voldemort's gaze slid to Barty Crouch Jr., who stiffened, shrinking back as if he could make himself invisible.
"And what of your task?" Voldemort asked softly, dangerously.
Barty dropped to his knees instantly, his forehead pressing against the ground.
"Forgive me, my Lord," he babbled. "Moody had taken the protection of the Hawthornes and escaped me. I failed you."
Voldemort studied him with cold disinterest before flicking his hand.
"No matter. There is little value in impersonating him now. Draco will suffice as my eyes within Hogwarts."
He waved his hand lazily, and Barty's spine bent backward with an audible crack, pain lancing through his body. Barty gasped soundlessly but did not scream, clutching the table as Voldemort's magic held him.
"Thank you, my Lord," Barty croaked, the words trembling with both agony and gratitude for sparing his life.
Satisfied, Voldemort released him. With another wave of his hand, the ceiling above them dissolved, revealing a star-scattered night sky.
Nagini rose higher, and Voldemort lifted himself into the air beside her, the pair of them cutting a terrifying silhouette against the moonlight.
As he ascended, Bellatrix fell to her knees, her voice breaking into a wild, ecstatic hymn of praise. The other Death Eaters followed suit, their bows deep and trembling as the Dark Lord vanished into the night.
A/n: please give me your thaughts.
Power stone and reviews please.