The Three Keys

Ch 11 - DRACO’S BARGAIN – Part 1

“Draco?” It was Narcissa’s voice that broke the strained silence in the room. “I would hope that with the…complicated situation that we are in, you and your father would try to behave civilly toward one another.” She spoke to Draco, but her eyes never wavered from Lucius.

Draco’s eyes narrowed and flicked over to his mother. He was quickly running possible reasons and scenarios through his mind as to why she’d be here with Lucius and not one of them made any sense. What was this ‘complicated’ situation? Draco knew her presence was meant to distract him, he was sure of that – but distract him from what exactly? His eyes were drawn suddenly to his left arm and it literally twitched…..

He felt an uneasiness settling over him, his body began to tingle with alertness, his mind shouting…’Danger Draco! Pay attention, don’t let your guard down…Focus…Focus…Think…The only way to beat Lucius is to think like Lucius.’

He suddenly knew that was the key…to think like Lucius. ’If I was Lucius and I needed my willful heir to do my bidding, what would I do? What…or who would I use to get my way? If I wanted him to get the Dark Mark and he wouldn’t do it…What would I do?’ Draco swallowed inadvertently and his eyes ran over his father’s. He was glaring at Narcissa. Draco took this opportunity to quickly scan the room, he was getting more uneasy by the minute, he had the distinct feeling that the noose was tightening around his neck …

Lucius, since breaking out of Azkaban had been pressuring Draco to receive the Dark Mark and he’d flatly refused. Narcissa had somehow convinced Lucius that Draco was still a boy (at this thought Draco gave a quiet snort, he’d not been a boy for years.) She said he would not, not give himself completely to the Dark Lord until he was 18. That was final. Lucius had for the most part honored her decree, but when alone with Draco he became insistent, demanding.

Draco fearing some kind of ambush had been more and more agreeable with doing small tasks, little requests that would not compromise himself entirely. He would not be caught only to go to Azkaban for some stupid, futile errand that Lucius was either too bored or nervous about doing for the Dark Lord. Uh-uh, if Draco was going down, by Merlin, he’d go down blazing and no way was he going to Azkaban, no matter what.

At this Draco’s mind snapped into place, he became aware of all the small sounds of the room, unnatural, out of place sounds…like the ones made by someone moving about silently, present but unseen perhaps?

A chill ran down his spine and he looked up slowly, eyes turning to stormy grey – wary, straining his ears for any movement near him. Draco glanced over to the fireplace hearth; it was a massive piece of white washed, tumbled granite elaborately carved with snakes gliding from the base all the way to the soaring crown of the ceiling and at the center of the fireplace chimney hung a huge Malfoy family crest embossed and gilded in gold and silver with emerald jewels sparkling and winking at each point in the crest.

He knew the spot he wanted to get to at the hearth, he just had to do it carefully. ‘Slow Draco, don’t look anxious…steady.’ Draco moved from the chair and sauntered to the mantle of the hearth, hitched his shoulder against it, arms crossed over his chest looking relaxed, but every muscle in his body was tensed – he was ready to fight if he had too. Draco knew every secret passageway in this house and from this spot he had a clear view of the three in this room and could see anyone entering through the doorway before they saw him…He ran his hand easily along his waist, checking the wand in his pants pocket, it hummed quietly at his touch, reassuring him.

‘Mine as well get this over with.’ Draco thought and set his shoulders straight. He’d been silent long enough and now that he had himself placed in as secure a spot as he could get, he was impatient. “Well?” Draco said in an annoyed voice as his eyes scanned the room once more.

“Well what?” Lucius snapped, he was looking at Narcissa again…

‘What is with these two tonight?’ The way Lucius was alternating between openly leering at his mother and casting distrustful glances at her, as if she was about to strike out at any second made him very nervous. She on the other hand, looked serene, composed and completely in control.

‘FOCUS DRACO!’ he snapped to himself, “What are these turn of events?” Draco spoke slowly, as if addressing small children while speaking big words.

Lucius eyed Narcissa warily and pulled his gaze from her, heaving a sigh – “Draco” he began, as he strode to stand before him, placing two strong hands on Draco’s shoulders. Draco was taken aback by how tired he thought Lucius looked. For the first time he could see small lines creasing the corners of his eyes and mouth.

‘I guess being the Dark Lord’s lap dog isn’t great for the completion.’ Draco mused.

Lucius continued, “The Dark Lord’s plans are in motion. His return to power is inevitable and will be swiftly upon us.” Lucius paused to let those words sink in. “However, there are some…er, glitches that we need to address immediately. Lord Voldemort has entrusted me…us with these,” he cleared his throat, looking pale “problems.”

Draco blinked, two words stuck in his mind, we and us, these were Lucius buzzwords for me, as in singularly Draco. His eyes grew cold and he arched a golden brow at his father. “Us?” his tone was incredulous, “What do I have to do?” If it was a problem that could get Lucius into trouble or get his hands dirty he knew this would be all Draco. Lucius would never risk putting himself in another compromising position. He’d slipped up once and got his arse landed in Azkaban, Lucius didn’t make stupid mistakes twice.

Lucius cocked his head, dropping his hands from Draco’s shoulders to rest on the hilt of his wand belt. “We are in the process of retrieving a second prophecy – Did you know there was a second prophecy yet boy?”

Draco shook his head ‘no.’ He did know, he knew a lot, but he’d never admit anything to anyone ever. Your secrets are your leverage – sometimes the very thing that could save your life, sometimes the very thing that could end your life, it was always a gamble.

Lucky for Draco he was a gambling man…and he always won. “What is the prophecy?”

Lucius shook his head, “We know where it is, we know generally what is said, but we can’t get to it…not yet.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“Son, you need to pledge yourself to the Dark Lord…now.”

“I’ll not get the Mark.” Draco’s voice was flat, eyes defiant.

“You don’t have a choice, boy.” Lucius eyes flared now, he was frustrated. Draco took note instantly, when Lucius was frustrated he became dangerous – he too was not used to losing, ever.

“Father, I’ll do what you ask, but I won’t be some lap dog at the beck and call of Voldemort.” Draco was fighting to keep his voice level and his eyes steady on Lucius. Showing any weakness now would be a fatal move.

Lucius’ eyes narrowed, “Are you implying that I am a lap dog, boy?” his voice turned suddenly cold.

Draco considered him as an ugly sneer curled his lips, “I thought you controlled the lap dog’s Father…But, you do bring up a good point; on the up side there can only be one king of the lap dogs right?” Here Draco snickered a little and shook his head, “Oh wait, sorry, that’s not you either is it?’”

Lucius flung himself around and strode to the couch standing beside Narcissa, his eyes blazing with loathing. “You will receive the Dark Mark and begin serving your Master. Your destiny was decided long ago Draco, you will take your rightful place beside me as we bring the Dark Lord’s dominion back.”

Draco’s voice was quite. “No.”

Narcissa had been silent during all this; she was looking into the fire, her face unreadable. She turned to look at Draco now as he spoke.

“I will NOT receive the Dark Mark while attending Hogwarts.” Draco’s voice remained calm, but his insides were beginning to quiver with dread. “That fool Dumbledore will be all over me. He’d know, not to mention Snape.” Lucius’ face contorted into an angry scowl as Draco spoke Snape’s name. “If you needed me at all during the year I would be of no use. I’d be under constant surveillance…you know that.” Draco shrugged a shoulder in what he hoped was a nonchalant gesture. “They already don’t trust me, any hope I had of being useful would be gone.”

Lucius nodded, “You’re quite right boy.”

Draco felt a surge of relief flood over him.

“Then it is settled.” Lucius’ eyes were gleaming manically, triumphantly “You’ll not go back for your final year.”

Draco felt his knees go weak, if he had not been leaning against the mantle he would have fallen. The careful façade he’d had all evening slipped away momentarily, ”WHAT?” he croaked, unbelievingly.

“I said you’ll not go back. You can be more useful to the Dark Lord under my watchful eye.” Lucius smirked.

Narcissa stood so quickly Lucius jumped back a step. She turned cold eyes to him and when she spoke her voice was soft and menacing. “Draco will indeed return to Hogwarts to finish his final year, Lucius.” She took a step toward him now. Lucius’ eyes flicked to Draco for a moment, then back to Narcissa as she took another step toward him, their faces so close.

Lucius regained his composure instantly. “No, I don’t think so.”

Narcissa shook her head, her blonde mane catching the firelight, glimmering and shining. “Lucius, Lucius,” Narcissa purred, “What am I going to do with you? Twice today you’ve put yourself into very dangerous territory with me.”

Lucius’ mouth was set in a grim line, his face flushed with anger, “How dare you address me like that woman!” he hissed, forgetting for a moment that Draco was with them, he was so irate. “You will show me respect Narcissa, if you wish to see the dawn!” Narcissa laughed at him and his hand shot out to hit her.

Draco moved like lightning, jumping between his parents and shot his own arm out to block Lucius’ hand, his eyes snapping with a dangerous glint in them. “Now, now Father, where are your manners? You never raise a hand to a lady.” Draco’s voice was low, menacing.

Lucius tried to pull his hand free but Draco’s grip tightened, like a steel band coiling around his arm. Lucius’ face turned another shade of purple with anger – “How DARE you cross me, boy!” he roared.

Narcissa stepped in now, her voice crisp – “Stop! Stop this at once!” She put her hand on Draco’s arm and spoke soothingly, “Draco, it’s all right – let him go….Draco…” His breath was fast and it was taking all his will power not to throttle Lucius on the spot. Slowly he released Lucius’ arm.

Instantly Lucius tore himself away, grabbed his wand and pointed it at Draco’s heart, he was so angry with Draco his hands were trembling. Draco, having thrown caution to the wind moments before, had been expecting this and had his own wand leveled at his father’s chest. They stood there – father and son, two sets of silver eyes blazing with contempt and anger toward each other, so very much alike and so vastly, completely different.

“Lucius, why do you continue to annoy Draco with your ridiculous rantings?” Narcissa snapped.

Draco’s eyes never left his father as she spoke; he was fairly certain now that there was no one hidden under invisibility cloaks waiting to whisk him away to the Dark Lord, for surly they would have jumped in to Lucius’ defense. Slowly he began to let his taut nerves relax just a bit. Dealing with an irate father was bad enough, but doable, as long as he didn’t have to battle several Death Eaters on top of Lucius.

Narcissa continued, “We already came to an agreement.” Her look was imperious, one perfectly shaped brow arched as she gazed at Lucius. Much to Draco and it appeared Lucius’ surprise she too raised and leveled her wand at Lucius’ heart.

Draco could not believe his eyes. He had NEVER seen his mother raise her wand to Lucius, as a matter of fact, he could not remember ever even seeing a wand with her. ‘When did she get a wand?’ He thought for sure Lucius would have confiscated something like that long ago. (Draco did not know his mother at all.)

Once again the dread began to build in him. Whatever bargain she had made on his behalf (which he did NOT like at all!) was very, very bad.

“Narcissa,” Lucius began with a cautious laugh, “put that down. You don’t want to do anything…rash.” Lucius’ words trailed off, his eyes darting between Draco and Narcissa’s wands.

“I would think,” Narcissa paused, chuckling softly and looked between Draco and herself “that at this particular moment, the last thing you need to be doing is giving me orders.”

Lucius was incensed; this evening was NOT going as he had planned! He was grasping at the final threads of his composure, his temper bubbling just below the surface – ready to explode. Lucius knew Narcissa knew there would be severe repercussion for this behavior and the knowledge of that left him fearful of the wand pointed at him, so steady and sure. He was not the least bit worried about the boy; Narcissa would never let him hurt Lucius. She would rather kill him herself, not only for the satisfaction of killing the bastard she had been bound to for so long, but to protect Draco. For the first time in his life he was regretting very much how terribly he had treated his wife all these years. (Not of course, because he felt bad for her, no, no. Simply because he now realized that everyone has their limits to which they can be pushed…even his Narcissa.)

Lucius was a fighter, and every good fighter knows when to retreat. “Yes, yes Narcissa.” he said, throwing his hands up and holstering his wand. “You are, as always, thinking clearly for both of us.” He gave her a simpering smile and turned to Draco, eyes flat, gunmetal grey. “Draco, your mother and I discussed the situation at length earlier and Narcissa has spoken on your behalf.” Lucius watched as Draco’s eyes narrowed but otherwise he remained composed as he lowered his wand from Lucius’ chest, but kept it gripped tightly in his hand.

Lucius continued, “The bargain has been agreed, you are pledged to take this burden from me,” here he glared at Narcissa, “and in exchange you will not receive the Dark Mark until after you have graduated from Hogwarts, upon your 18th birthday.” Lucius walked briskly back to his desk and sat with an exaggerated flick of his billowing cape, his expression blank, “Only you can do this for me Draco, my son, you must not fail me.”
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A/N: Oh WEE! I DO so LOVE Draco and Lucius arguing with each other…it just makes me all tingly inside! Oh and GO-GO GIRL POWER for Narcissa! - COME ON YOU GUYS, this was a GOOD chapter – leave me a review and tell me what you think!