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Chapter 27:- Schemes

**
A/N: Thanks Malehorntaildragon.
**

Harry looked up sharply as he heard a squeal coming from one of the other rooms. His hand automatically sought his wand and thoughts of Voldemort quickly ran through his mind. When no second sound came he calmly rose to his feet and slowly walked towards the door. He had been reading on his own this morning but the squeal now had his undivided attention.

Yesterday after his talk and lesson with Gabrielle and Ginny the day had sped past. He was still feeling the effects of not sleeping and eating and had retired to bed early but not before another large meal cooked by Mrs Weasley and Dobby who seemed to be united in the goal of fattening him up good and proper. On his way to bed he saw the looks both of the girl's gave him he and had felt himself go slightly weak but he had managed to continue on alone and get some much needed sleep.

This morning had been a normal breakfast to his mind, his friends and everything else had seemed just like school. Hermione had even pressed into his hands a book that she and Ron had found about wards and protection and he felt his sprits rise slightly. He had moved to the drawing room to read it in some detail as he felt comfortable in there. The loneliness didn't worry him he was beginning to enjoy working on his own and the room felt like his after the work he had put in to make it right.

Almost immediately both of the girls had tried to follow him but for once he didn't want them present. Whenever they were near he sensed he was different, it was something definitely to do with his new magic and just for the moment he wanted to think about it. The hurt look and Ginny's face had almost made him relent but the lost look on Gabrielle's tiny face had cracked his resolve and he gently nodded to the pair, so the two had quietly sat in the same room. He didn't know what they were doing but they did at least give his some space. So much in fact that it felt like that he was alone in the room. The squeal had changed that, subconsciously he noticed that as he had moved towards the door Ginny had moved from her place in one of the chairs to be standing next to him. He also spied Gabrielle silently following behind the pair observing everything around them.

He pulled open the door and looked the length of the hall, the door to the kitchen was partially open and he saw movement within. The rest of the doors were shut tightly. Still moving a little cautiously he approached the kitchen and peered in, he then saw the reason for the noise. Sitting on the table very much like his birthday was a collection of Owls. He instantly recognised Hedwig but the rest of the birds were new to him but they all looked to be school birds.

Hermione looked up from her place at the table but Harry could see that she could not speak. Ron also looked up and smiled a tight smile before saying.

"Results by the look of it."

"I heard." Replied a smiling Harry now understanding what had caused the noise.

"That was Hermione." Uselessly informed Ron.

Harry tried to laugh but found that he could not, sitting on the table was his future the one without Voldemort present and he suddenly felt very worried. A soft hand stroked his back and he heard a whispered comment from Ginny.

"It's alright Harry."

He glanced over his shoulder and saw the look on both Ginny and Gabrielle's faces. He felt his insides pull at him as he was looking at the faces and thinking about the future.

Taking a deep breath he moved forward towards the birds. Hedwig hopped forward and presented her leg. Harry saw that she had two letters tied and so slowly he untied them. He noticed that both Hermione and Ron were doing the same and that the two girls had quietly crossed the room and busied themselves with Mrs Weasley. He recognised the writing on the front of one of the letters but the other was a mystery yet he knew that it was that one which contained his results.

As he started to open the envelope he could see both of his friends out of the corner of his eye doing the same. As soon as Hermione had pulled her results out she had turned her back on everybody to hide her feelings. Ron just sat there and started to read the letter. Harry continued to pull the letter out but still did not look at it he was still busily watching Ron's reaction.

Ron's face was grim which slowly turned into a smile as he finished reading his letter. Harry braced himself once more and took the plunge looking down he started to read.


ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS

Pass Grades:

Outstanding (O)
Exceeds Expectations (E)
Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades:

Poor (P)
Dreadful (D)
Troll (T)

HARRY JAMES POTTER HAS ACHIVED:

Astronomy A
Care of Magical Creatures E
Charms E
Defence Against the Dark Arts O
Divination P
Herbology E
History of Magic D
Potions E
Transfiguration E


Harry finished reading and felt his insides sing for joy, seven OWLS that wasn't bad especially what had happened in some of the exams. The potions score was disappointing as he could see his career dissolving in front of him but the rest were good. He looked up and over to Ron and saw that his friend was watching him.

"Swap?" called Ron.

Harry nodded and passed his paper across. He started to read Ron's results and saw that he had achieved seven OWLS as well. Ron's results weren't as high as himself but it was still seven.

"Well mate you got the same as me seven."

"Oh Ron that marvellous, Seven is more than the twins got, you did absolutely wonderfully." Called Mrs Weasley walking over to the three of them obviously listening in.

"Come on Hermione what did you get?" asked Ron to the still talking to the back of Hermione. When she did not move he walked up to her and leant over her shoulder. Harry could see him whisper something before giving her a very brief kiss which he was certain that Mrs Weasley couldn't see.

"Well I told you so, 10 Owls all of them O except Defence I said that there wasn't anything to worry about."

Harry smiled and was caught slightly unaware by Ginny as she walked towards him.

"Well done Harry, you're now a Sixth Year student." She said before stretching up and giving him a kiss. It wasn't a brief kiss on the cheek between friends it was something much more serious. As his lips started to once more explore this new feeling his mind suddenly told him that he was in a room with all of his friends and the mother of the girl he was kissing. He wanted to pull apart yet found himself that he couldn't, but then Ginny broke the kiss slowly. Harry felt the blush rise to his cheek and looked around the room.

His eyes first found his two best friends. They were standing together and Hermione's head was resting very slightly on Ron's shoulder. Her face was a picture of a smile and Ron's had a look of confusion but Harry could not see any anger there. As he continued to sweep across the room he saw Dobby standing at the back almost bouncing in joy. The next person was Mrs. Weasley, he feared what her reaction would be but what he saw was hard to understand. Her face had little emotion upon it yet he could see a little twinkle in her eye. The last face that he looked at was Gabrielle's her face seemed to lighten him up as she looked at the pair clearly happy for them.

"Well...um...congratulations Harry on your results." Said Mrs Weasley still a little taken aback at her daughter kissing Harry like that.

"What about the second letter?" asked Ginny by his side. She hadn't moved and Harry could feel the slight pressure along his side as Ginny pressed herself against him.

Harry picked up the second letter and felt its weight, it was much heavier than the normal Hogwarts letter. He sat in one of the chairs before opening it. As he sat Ginny immediately sat next to him and he felt her hand rest on his leg under the table. Initially he was shocked, but the touch was a source of comfort and it seemed to calm him slightly. Surprisingly to Harry Gabrielle silently sat close on the other side as she waited for Harry to open the next letter as well.


Dear Mr Potter,

I would like to congratulate you on your results in this summer's exams. From these results you are now eligible to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a sixth and then a seventh year student.

As you know these two years will help you develop the skills that you use once you have left the school and so I would like to remind you that you need to choose your lessons with great care. Below is the list of classes that you are eligible to take in these coming years. You are reminded to take no more than eight classes and are required to take a minimum of four. To assist you in your decision I have enclosed brief information about each course for you to read.

As normal myself or any other member of the staff is available if you would like to discuss any of the courses or would like advice on which ones would suite yourself. So please contact me for an appointment if you so wish to any further advice.

Please can your return the attached form on or by the 1st of September.

Yours Sincerely


Professor McGonagall.
Deputy Headmistress.

Harry placed this covering letter down on the table and started to look at the rest that he had been sent. There were pamphlets and information about various courses some of which he had never heard of, it was very much like when he had to choose for the third year but the lessons looks more difficult and varied this time around.

"You don't have to rush now dear." Called Mrs Weasley towards Ron. "You should take a few days to think about it."

"But mum I know what ...."

"Please Ron for me..." asked his mother.

Ron stopped trying to argue and just nodded.

Harry saw that Hermione was already engrossed in the additional information but he didn't know what he should be doing. He glanced down the list and saw that he was eligible for Potions and this surprised him, he had been told that Snape only accepted O students but this letter was telling him different. This meant that he could be the Auror he thought of becoming, but now sitting between these two girls and the talks he had recently with various people he wasn't completely sure if that was what he wanted to do.

"What you thinking of taking?" whispered Ginny.

"Oh I don't know, probably those I need to become an Auror." Replied Harry not really thinking clearly for the moment.

"Don't rush Harry think about it, is that what you really want to do?"

Harry wanted to reply yes but something made him stop. What did he really want to do? The future was so far away; all that he thought about was stopping Voldemort after that, well after that he did not know. He didn't want to plan for afterwards as it might not come yet this letter was asking him to just that, what was he going to be afterwards.

"I...I..." stammered Harry suddenly unsure of what to say. Telling these people that he thought he was going to die wasn't something that he wanted to do, especially after that kiss, but within his heart that was what he thought was going to happen.

"Why don't you just read up on the lessons and then think about the future." Quietly commented Gabrielle feeling some of Harry's emotions.

Harry relaxed back into the chair and thought about everything. What did he want to do when it was all over? His mind easily conjured images of fantasies but he refused to look at them, getting distracted like that was not going to stop Voldemort.

Suddenly he looked at the girl next to him as if to shake the thoughts away.

"How about we look round the rest of the house, Dobby and I only looked into a couple of rooms." He said to Ginny but trying to include the rest of the table and a way to try and not answer what was being asked. Happy smiles answered Harry as he got up and so the small group left Dobby and Mrs Weasley in the kitchen preparing lunch for them.

**

The group walked into the hallway and looked round at the four other doors that where in front of them.

"So we know we have here a library, drawing room and front room. Has anybody been in that room yet, I know we cleaned it last year but what's it like now?"

"Its fine Harry I looked in it yesterday it's dusty but otherwise not too bad." Answered Ginny standing next to him.

"Alright then let's have a look at this last room then."

Harry approached the double doors that had always been closed. The paint was pealing from the frames and doors and it looked like this room hadn't been opened for years. Grabbing the handle he pushed the door opened and stopped in amazement. Never had he thought that this house would contain such a large room.

From the ceiling was large crystal chandelier, catching the sunlight streaming in through the large windows. It played across the room casting multitutde of colours on the floor. The floor was dusty but it could be clearly seen that it was a highly polished floor. Along one wall was a huge table. No where's near the size of the Hogwarts house tables but it would easily hold eight people down one side; far larger than Harry had seen in a house before. Scattered around the room were matching plush chairs but Harry could see that most of them were in need of repair. Along the walls were paintings, they were peeling but he could not see any people or anything in them.

At the far end of the room was a set of large glass doors that lead obviously into a conservatory which looked out into a garden.

"I would never..." started to say Ron but he stopped as he took in the majesty of the room.

"I had thought as much." Whispered Hermione.

"What?" asked Harry.

"The Black family, it's one of the oldest."

"So?" said Ron.

"This is its only recorded property."

"When did..."

"How did..." said Ron and Harry together.

"Well ....when we were staying here last year I looked them up."

"What did you find out?"

"They were one of the oldest families; they have been around for hundreds of years. This place has been in the family right from the start."

Ron looked at Hermione and then at Harry shaking his head at what she was saying. Harry wanted to join him but then his mind started to remember what Dumbledore had recently told him.

"This was their residence then." He whispered.

"But what are we looking at!" asked Ron still not seeing it.

"It's a ballroom." Quietly said Gabrielle.

"A what? ... How do you know?" questioned Ron

"We have one back at home, it is very similar to this."

Hermione looked closely at the girl before speaking.

"Yes it's a ballroom. They must have entertained for years in here but after Sirius was imprisoned .... It looks like it hasn't been used since his mother passed away maybe even before then."

"But the garden, the house it's too small." Said Ron gesturing to the room and the garden which could just be seen at the far end.

"Oh come on Ron, it's all charmed, the house, the garden, everything."

Ron opened his mouth to argue but closed it silently as he understood only a little of what Hermione was saying.

Harry took a step forwards and felt the polished floor slide under his feet. As he moved slowly forwards the rest entered the room, everybody seemed a little cautious moving on the slippery floor. All except Gabrielle, Harry could see that she moved about like she was born on it. Harry slowly walked up to the paintings and studied each one of them. Each had a plaque denoting the dates of some Black family member but none had a person in them which was curious to him.

As he slowly walked round the room he felt Ginny's hand slip into his. Silently the pair continued to walk. Unknown to the pair, they were being closely watched by the rest. Gabrielle was keeping close so that she could be ready in case she was needed. She made sure that she was far enough away that they didn't notice her but she kept pace with them. The room did indeed look very much like the one back at home and as she walked her mind easily brought up images of the balls that she attended when she was younger. They had been wonderful and a small part of her mind wondered if this room would see anything like them.

Both Hermione and Ron were closely watching the new couple. Ron still did not know what to make of it his emotions were being torn in two over the pair. He wanted to run towards Ginny and pull her away from Harry. She needed protection and it was his duty to protect her, the other was the look of happiness on the pair. He was beginning to look for these things, now being able to see them in himself. The pair was obviously happy together and in fact it was the happiest that he had seen both of them for a long while.

Hermione was closely studying them as well. She was happy for them knowing that this was exactly what Ginny wanted. Hermione remembered all the evening talks that they had shared about boys, but through those talks she had never said her true thoughts about Harry in that he just wasn't interested in Ginny. He had never really shown any interest in girls. The thing with Cho was just that to her mind, a thing, a new experience but afterwards he moved on, but now seeing Ginny and him together he seemed different. But was it all due to the little girl discreetly following them around the room.

"It's all so strange." Said Ginny quietly as she continued to walk with Harry oblivious to those who were watching her.

"What do you mean?" asked Harry fearing that what he was seeing was not real.

"We never knew about this room, the first floor everything. It seems such a different house."

"I think it is. When we were here last we only saw small parts of it."

"But we never knew."

"I...I...think it was Sirius."

"Sirius?"

"Yes I think he didn't want to come into these rooms. They reminded him of his family. Everything is open to us now that all the magic is fading and me taking possession. He was ashamed of these rooms, the painting everything. Aside from Mrs. Black's portrait and the one hanging in the bedroom Ron and I shared last year, I think Sirius either took them down or destroyed them; he wanted to remove anything that reminded him of the past. These ones still up are probably so because he hadn't gone into this rooms yet."

"But it's such a beautiful room." Replied Ginny in a far away voice, her mind could almost imagine spinning and twirling in the centre of the room.

"Yes it is." Mused Harry looking around once more.

Eventually all of them stood in the conservatory looking out into the garden. They could see that it was overgrown but that couldn't hide its size. It was nowhere near the size of the Burrow's garden but was far lager than that of the Dursley's.

"That looks like it's going to take a lot of work." Called Ron seeing lots of weeds.

"Not as much as you think." Replied Harry absently, he could already see what the garden would look like. Ron had been right that it would take work but that was all he had done during the summer.

"So that's everything on this floor?" asked Hermione.

"Yes...we cleaned the front room last year; we've seen the drawing room, this ... ballroom and the library/study."

"Study, I never saw a study in the library." Said Hermione

Ron chuckled slightly.

"You were a little busy with the books Hermione."

"Can we look?" asked Hermione looking at Harry.

"Of course, Ginny and Gabrielle haven't seen the library yet anyway." replied Harry.

They left the room in silence and crossed the hall into the library. Hermione took an involuntary step towards the bookshelves but paused and waited.

"Dobby said the door's over there it should be unlocked." Said Harry indicating one of the side walls. He hadn't actually been in there yet himself. Dobby had told him about the room when he was first in here but they had never entered.

Harry watched Ron lead Hermione off towards the study but the two girls just stood next to him.

"I bet Ron couldn't get Hermione to leave this room."

"I imagine it was difficult."

Gabrielle's magic and instinct was telling her something's about Ron and Hermione that obviously Ginny and Harry hadn't seen yet.

"Oh I don't think it was that difficult." She quietly mused.

"What do you mean?" asked Ginny turning round and looking at her friend.

"It's not just books that Hermione loves."

Ginny bit back the immediate retort as she looked at the retreating forms of her brother and friend. There was definitely something different happening with them but all she was concerned with was Harry. She had thought at first she had made a mistake kissing Harry in the kitchen but seeing the look on everybody's faces she just knew that it was right. That didn't mean that she wouldn't be getting a "visit" from her mum sometime today but at least she could be closer to Harry now.

Ginny and Gabrielle took a small step forward and looked at the books. Harry suddenly felt concern for the two girls.

"Wait." He called out to stop the girls for getting any closer to the books. He wasn't exactly worried about Ginny but Gabrielle was something different. He remembered that he had had only looked at a few of the book titles last time and some of those should not be read by "nice" people and definitely not by someone of Gabrielle's age.

"Why?" asked Ginny looking over her shoulder.

"The...the books, I think..."

"What about the books Harry?" asked Gabrielle now turning as well.

"Sirius said that they weren't safe, we should be careful."

"They're only books." stated Gabrielle but felt Ginny's hand on her arm.

"No Harry's right we should be careful." Replied Ginny catching sight of some of the titles, these weren't normal books found in house libraries.

Forsaking the books the three of them skirted the shelves and walked towards the study. The room wasn't large and in fact with the five of them now in the room it was full. There wasn't much in the room except an empty open chest, a large desk, some draws and a single bookcase not much bigger than a door. Harry was a little disappointed at what he saw and compared it to the rest of the house but small simplicity did appeal to him it just fitted in his mind. As he glanced around at the bookcase something caught his eye, he thought that it moved slightly, but at a second look it was clearly up against the wall.

"Not much here is there mate."

"Of course not Ron..." Hissed Hermione before Harry could say a word. "...this would have been emptied when the Blacks finally passed on, before even Sirius had returned."

"Oh."

"So is this everything now on the ground floor?" Asked Ginny.

"I think so, how about we start at the top of the house and work downwards." Said Harry.

Hermione looked very closely at Harry before replying. She had suspected they would work upwards and so investigate his floor next, from what little she had seen on that first day she suspected that it held a few secrets of it's own.

"Fine." She replied still looking at Harry.

**

Harry led the small group up the very narrow staircase at the end of the 3rd floor. Each step was announced by a large creaking as the wood protested to the weight. As he neared the top Harry's nose detected an unusual smell. As he walked out into the large room he could see the reason of the smell. Sitting neatly in the centre was a huge nest easily large enough to hold all of them inside.

At once he understood what he was looking at, this was obviously Buckbeak's nest slightly fearing the large animal he looked round for any sign of him, apart from the collections of bones scattered round there was no sign. Obviously the Hippogriff hadn't been here for a long time.

The large room was dark and he couldn't see the extremities, looking round he tried to spy a switch or something to shed more light but couldn't find anything.

"A bit dark isn't it." Called Ron from the back.

"I can't find the switch. You?" He called back.

"Boys!" Exclaimed Hermione shaking her head at how absurd the male species was at times.

"Lumos." She intoned pulling her wand out casting a yellow glow around them, illuminating the far reaches of the loft.

"But...but...we can't."

"As long as your mum's here we can. I bet they can't even detect little usages of magic like this here."

"Yes...but Harry got a letter at Privet Drive for a small hover charm he didn't even perform Hermione, explain that!"

Hermione paused a moment and looked at Harry. Last year he would fly at almost anything, for the moment he looked calm but what she was about to say, might set him off and she was certain that she didn't want that to happen.

Harry caught Hermione's glance and realised she had paused for his benefit, but it wasn't needed he already knew.

"Hermione's right Ron. Dumbledore told me if we stay in the house we would be fine to perform magic."

"But Privet Drive?" insisted Ron.

"It was obvious when you think about it. I...I was....being watched, even more closely than I thought and not just by the Order. I think the Ministry was trying to keep a close eye on me. I think they still are but Dumbledore said it would be alright. Anyway let's have a look around up here."

The group walked round the loft space slowly, there was little for them to see. There was indeed a number of old tea chests and boxes but they found these all empty. In the corner they also found under a large sheet was a small collection of paintings but like the rest Harry had seen so far these were all empty.

"This is getting strange." Commented Harry as he looked at the empty picture.

"What do you mean Harry." Asked Ginny looking round the dark room.

"The paintings."

"I've noticed them too." Called out Hermione.

"What do you mean?" asked Ron as he peered at the dark portrait.

"Has anyone seen a person in any of these?"

"Now you mention it no. In fact I haven't heard that old hag in the hallway either." Replied Ron.

"Does anyone know why? Hermione?"

"Why are you all looking at me, I don't know everything!"

"It just seems so." Muttered Ron making sure that Hermione could not hear.

"I'll ask Dobby he may know."

"Great! I think its lunch time anyway." Said Ron.

Slowly the left the loft and walked the length of the third floor towards the staircase. Gabrielle noticed Harry's very slight pause outside of one of the rooms. It didn't look too bad, it looked dust free and clean obviously it had been used recently. She reached out and touched Ginny to get her attention as the older girl looked at her she nodded towards the room that Harry had paused outside of. Ginny's face fell slightly before she mouthed one word "Sirius." Gabrielle instantly understood, that was his room, this house would hold many more memories for Harry and not all of them would be good.

**

Lunch was another large affair to Harry. He still didn't feel like eating too much but the glances that everybody kept giving him forced him to keep eating. After everything was finished, mainly by Ron, they all turned to Dobby. Harry could see the elf almost wilt under the combined looks.

"Dobby can I ask about the paintings."

The house elf instantly looked worried he started to wring his hand and began to shuffle his feet. He had thought that he had done the right thing but now looking at the faces of all those wizards and witches looking at him he was no longer certain.

"Sir?" he replied now looking around for some form of retreat.

Harry could see the nervousness of his elf but pressed on never the less.

"Why haven't we seen anybody in them?"

"I...I...told them to go." Whimpered Dobby now moving backwards slightly.

"What?"

"I'm sorry sir I thought it was for the best!" wailed Dobby now moving backwards more quickly.

"Wait." Commanded Harry.

Dobby instantly stopped moving but the fear was clear to everybody.

"Harry, he's scared." Hissed Hermione.

"I can see that." Quickly replied Harry annoyed at the interruption.

"It's alright Dobby I'm not upset but why did you do it?"

"They...they were abusing you and your house sir. They were also being used."

"Abusing my House?"

"They were saying very bad things. They were trying to learn your secrets."

"and you stopped them?"

"Yes I ordered them to the basement."

"They went just like that?" queried Harry never hearing of something like this.

"Yes sir this is your house they have to."

"Oh..."

"I'm...I'm...sorry sir really I should have asked but..."

"No it's alright Dobby you did fine, you did brilliant actually."

Dobby dropped his head again and moved his feet slightly. Harry could see his ear's twitch slightly as well.

"I think you've embarrassed him." Said Ginny.

Harry just nodded as he retook his seat.

"Oh thank you sir!" Dobby said gratefully as he looked up, but the diminutive creature continued to stand there wringing his hands, and shuffling his feet.

Harry peered closer at the house elf. "Is something wrong Dobby?"

"Wrong sir? Um...Dobby isn't sure sir, perhaps sir, Dobby could tell you in private sir?"

"What now?" he asked thinking that there were many things still happening around him that were being kept from him.

"Oh no sir, it is nothing pressing sir, just perhaps private sir. Dobby is unsure whether or not Harry Potter sir would want to discuss it with so many people around sir." Said Dobby glancing fearfully around at everybody.

"Harry?" said Gabrielle in a quiet voice.

Harry looked at the girl and saw the look on her face and understood the unasked question. He looked at his watch and confirmed the time.

"Yes your right. If you don't mind everybody I need to study; Dobby if its not pressing then would it be alright if we talked about it later?"

"Oh yes sir, of course sir, anytime sir wishes, just summon Dobby." The elf said relaxing visibly.

"What are you learning." Asked Hermione interrupting Harry and finally seeing her opportunity to finally find out what was happening.

Harry was still a little shy at revealing what he was learning and so simply replied.

"Something Dumbledore told me about."

He got to his feet and started towards the kitchen door. As soon as he moved both Gabrielle and Ginny got to their feet and followed him. Silently the three started the walk to the drawing room but the girls paused with Harry as he stopped in front of the curtained painting in the hall. He reached out his hand and grasped the fabric, in a sharp movement he pulled the curtains apart. Blessed silence greeted the three, the frame, like the rest, was empty. Harry briefly wondered if he or Dobby could take the portrait down now that all the magic was failing.

***

Voldemort kept his eyes closed as his mind continued to work. It was going to be the first meeting here in his new school but that didn't worry him this was his future his insurance. No the lack of action from Dumbledore was beginning to worry him, whatever plan the old man had in place must be the most complex, as he was yet to see it or even imagine it or was he giving that old man too much credit?

"What are you doing old man?" He whispered as he continued to think.

"What master?" asked the soft quiet voice near his feet. He knew that it was Nanette he had kept her close since that night yet hadn't let her do anything important but knew that he was going have to send her out soon. Her body was too good at getting the type of people he needed to run this place.

"Quiet." He hissed.

Silence descended once more. He let a small smile creep across his face; it was that simple wasn't it? Had the old man finally lost it? It made sense, the man hadn't concocted a complex plan the old man didn't have a plan he was just reacting. He, Voldemort, had won had beaten the man at his own game.

Opening his eyes he looked along the length of the great hall. It was still empty he was certain that his most faithful were waiting for him outside. Looking down and the form of Nanette his eyes took in the now regular view. She was lying at the base of the throne. Her robes open and pulled low so that he could see her naked breasts. The small part of him that was still man still reacted to the sight but he refused to do anything about it, yet.

He had made her dress like that since that night. It would remind her and him what exactly women should be used for but she did have some skills and he was going to use them. Of course that wasn't the only change since then, he mused. The other change was the fact that she often let her Occulmency shields down completely when they were alone. He of course had taken the time to view her memories, her secrets, everything about her became an open book to him. He was surprised at first, especially since she knew how he would treat her. She, however seemed determined to have him, to be his only one.

In a sense she was, he knew she was loyal, to him first and foremost, not one of his other Death Eaters could truly say that, they were only loyal to him because it served their own purposes first. Except Bella, but she was older and now somewhat different. Her beauty was still there but nothing compared to Nanette also she was married and therefore forced to be submissive to her husband first and not to him, that was the old ways the true ways. Nanette came baggage free. He knew that in time he would turn her want for him into an obsession, Oh yes, she could truly be the perfect follower. He would spend some time with her teaching her, and perhaps give her a taste before he would send her out, yes that would be what he would do.

"Show them in."

"Yes master." Instantly replied Nanette gracefully getting to her feet, she knew better than to cover herself up. Her insides churned at the thought that this might be the night. The night the faithful would take her.

"Cover yourself, but leave your robe open." Commanded Voldemort.

As Nanette walked to the large doors she pulled the robes up so that they covered her nakedness, she cast a few sticking charms to ensured they stayed, she wasn't about to give anybody except her master a free view of what some could only dream of. Grasping the handles she pulled the doors open and led the assembled back towards their master.

"It is time to move forward with the next plan. That fool of a muggle lover is finished now we have the freedom that we require. McNair have you found the boy."

"Not yet sir but we have some information. The Ministry is trying to contact him, they need his help."

"Go on."

"My contact in the records department, Burbour, say's he is now of age. He was the sole beneficiary of the Black estate, but he doesn't know where he currently is."

"Simpletons. Mr. Harry Potter is in the one place that he thinks is safe from me, and unfortunately for the moment he is right. Isn't that so Snape?"

"Yes my lord."

"The wards should start to fail soon and then I'll have him." Chuckled Voldemort "Continue at the Ministry McNair but you no longer have to be worried about the Order."

McNair nodded and started to calculate what he could now do no longer having to worry about spies at the Ministry.

"Everyone I want my Mark to be seen, everywhere, see to it. I want the Ministry and everyone to see who now really controls the night"

Everyone in the room nodded. For most of them this is why they joined, they could now do anything they wanted in the name of Voldemort. This was the freedom that the Ministry would never give them.

Voldemort studied the faces as he gave his faithful the news that they wanted. Controlling people was just so easy, everyone thought that they were now free to do what they most wanted to do. Rape, murder, steal he knew what drove each one of them but they would all be following his plan.

"Snape it's time for you to return."

"Are you sure?"

Voldemort's wand was instantly in his hand and pointing towards Snape. Everyone could see the tip glow slightly. What drove Snape was still a mystery and these constant questions from him was annoying.

"Don't ever question me."

"I wasn't...."

"Silence! Now is the time to listen if you question me once more you will feel my ultimate displeasure."

Snape swallowed once. He hadn't meant to make the mistake and knew that he was close to losing what he was playing for. A threat from Voldemort was never idle.

"Return to that school and find me my students."

"Students my Lord?" asked Snape not fully understanding.

"Yes find me students to fill this school you know what to look for."

Only by immense effort did Snape stop any emotion from showing on his face when he heard Voldemorts answer. Fate had never been this kind to him before yet this order was perfect, just perfect. No matter what happened to Voldemort Snape knew that his destiny now awaited.


***

Draco looked up as a knock on the door announced itself. For the past few days he had done little more to his plan. He was certain that the Weasel and the Mudblood had spotted him yet nothing had come about it. He had prepared for the inevitable questioning but it never transpired. As this night drew on he started to think about the next step in the plan and not what had happened in the alley that day. Every time he thought back to his meeting he got the feeling that something was different, he couldn't place his finger on it, it just didn't feel right to him.

The knock had interrupted his thoughts, he was trying to think through the second part but was still having great problems with it. Only slightly annoyed he called enter, a small distraction may be just what he needed to get himself over his mental block. At the thought of a distraction he felt his lower body instantly react, that was something else that was beginning to hurt. After what his Aunt had shown him he wanted more yet he had done nothing, but what could he do?

He looked up and saw Butt leading a tall well groomed man. Draco's mind brought forth an image of long ago. It was during his second year at Hogwarts he was back home for the Christmas holidays and was annoyed at the pitiful presents that he had received. As he stormed around the house he had caught sight of a man being ushered into this very study by his father. Nothing was said about the meeting and even when he had tried to ask he was told he had drunk far too much or something because there had been no visitors to the house. He didn't like being lied to so that night had snuck down to the study and looked around. He could find absolutely nothing out of place and so did indeed put it down to him seeing things. He had forgotten completely about that incident until now, now that the very man he had seen was in front of him.

"Mr Smith, master." Introduced Butt bowing low and backing out of the room quickly.

Draco was a little suspicious, Butt never left unless ordered too but the elf had acted as thought it was the right thing.

"So you're the boy?" said the man. His voice was soft yet cut through the room.

"And you are?"

"Mr Smith as your elf said."

Draco could feel his insides churn and fight. This man was on the verge of being insolent to him in his own house.

"So why are you here?"

"Ah I thought you would know...Now I understand."

"Understand what?"

"My reception, the lack of contact, no direct orders or direction."

Draco swallowed once as his mind fought to try and make sense of this meeting but kept silent.

"So you have read that book." said the man indicating and journal on the table. Draco had been reading it that very night was this man the answer to its enigma?

"Yes I've read it."

"Do you mind?" asked Mr Smith indicating one of the chairs.

"Please."

The man crossed to the chair and lowered himself into it.

"So what's your connection to the journal?" asked Draco as the man sat himself down.

"Where do you think the information came from?"

"You?"

"That's right, me."

"Why?"

"Oh a lot of reasons, money mainly but a few other trifling reasons as well."

Draco was not as fooled as this man may think, those trifling reasons were indeed the sole cause of why this man was doing this type of work and if he wanted to continue using him he would have to find them out and fast!

"So what have you brought me?"

"Not much just a little background on some of the senior ministers." Replied the man brandishing a thick package and slowly placing it on the table.

"What now?" asked Draco glancing once at the package and then back at the man.

"That's up to you. What would you like me to look into next?"

Draco mind sped through what he had been planning. This person was obviously someone on his or rather his father's side and so how was it best to use him.

"Azcaban?"

"Why am I not surprised!"

A flash of anger tore through Draco at the man's flippant remarks.

"Surprised or not! You will do what I ask...I want to know about that place, everything about it."

"It won't be cheap." Replied the man

"But you will do it or those trifling things will become a little more pressing!"

The man swallowed once, he had thought that with the father gone his secrets would be safe, could his research have been so wrong!

***