The Malfoy Chronicles: A Witch in Time

Yay!!! I have a new reviewer!!! Welcome aboard, goldentrio, and I hope you\'re in for the long run. I have some interesting stuff planned for this one, and I\'m taking on another story located in Draco/Hermione. Check it out! And I always give a shout-out to Dawnangel, who has been so very faithful. Enjoy the story,

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Severus took Tobias by the arm and Apparated to an undisclosed location. To say Tobias wasn’t nervous would have been an outright lie. Tobias was terrified. He watched nervously as his father pulled a magically reduced bundle from his pocket. He restored its size, revealing two sets of Death Eater robes and two masks. Severus pushed the other set of robes into Tobias’ hands.



“Change quickly.” He said, before swinging his own black robes around his shoulders. He fastened the seven serpent clasps, and then pressed his mask against his face. Tobias slipped off his own outer robes, shrank them, and stored them in his pocket. He replaced them with the Death Eater robes, and secured the clasps with shaking fingers. He then took his mask in his hands, staring down at it apprehensively.



“You must show no emotion. If the Dark Lord speaks to you, refer to him as ‘Sir’ or ‘Milord.’ Do not speak unless spoken to. Do not look him in the eyes unless he tells you to. Keep your eyes to the ground. Any questions?” Severus asked, straightening his own robes nervously.



“When do I get to be his bitch?” Tobias asked sarcastically. His father grabbed him roughly by the front of the robes.



“It’s comments like that one that will get both of us killed. Keep your fucking mouth shut!” he hissed angrily.



“Put your mask on, and I’ll Apparate us both to the meeting ground.”



He let Tobias go, and stood stiffly as he waited for the boy to comply. As soon as Tobias’ mask was in place, he took the boy by the arm, and Apparated again. This time he appeared directly in his place in the circle, and fixed Tobias to stand by him. He lowered his head, nudging Tobias to do the same. Tobias lowered his head, using his ears to take in information. He could still hear the ‘whoosh’ of Death Eater Apparition, and murmuring as other members caught sight of him.



“My most loyal and faithful followers…”



The hair on the back of Tobias’ neck prickled when he heard the voice. It was high, and cold, and made him feel as if he’d taken a plunge into the Black Lake in the middle of winter.



“We have a guest here tonight…”



Tobias stiffened slightly. No emotions… The advice flitted through his mind, and he quickly shut down his mind, closing off his emotions, leaving only a stony darkness inside. It felt strangely liberating not to be bound by his emotions…



“Only a few days ago, we were enthralled by our Severus with the story of the three time-travelers. The son of Harry Potter, a daughter of the Malfoy house, and Severus’ own son… Well…one of the three has graced us with his presence. Young Tobias….step forward.”



Tobias took a step forward, his head still lowered. He felt an almost palpable coldness surround him, and saw the edge of a black cloak coming near him. Something was bothering him, as if he needed to do something….

Tobias went down on one knee in front of Voldemort, and the inexplicable feeling faded.



“Such respect for one so young. Apparently, Severus, you have done a good job with this one. Stand, Tobias.”

Tobias rose to his feet, his head still held submissively down.



“Take off your mask, so I may see your face.”



Tobias reached up, and pulled off his mask, lowering to his side. He tilted his head up, but kept his eyes downcast.



“You look so much like your father… Look at me, young Tobias…”



Tobias’ eyes were raised, and they locked with the vibrant red eyes of Lord Voldemort. Tobias held his emotions firmly under control, not allowing so much as a flicker of surprise cross his face as he looked upon the creature his father had served for so many years. The face was thin, whiter than bone, and flat like a serpent’s. His eyes, red and glowing, were perhaps the most shocking feature of all. Tobias was aware of the scarlet eyes boring into his own.



“Your memory has been wiped….” The cold hard voice sounded disappointed…and angry.



“James Potter wiped them. He said it wouldn’t do for information about the future to get out.” Tobias said, his voice calm.



“Tell me about this James Potter. Is he anything like the man for who he is named?”



“No, Milord. James is very much Slytherin. Ambitious and cunning.” Tobias said.



“He is an Auror.”



“His father saw to that. He wanted to keep James out of….unsavory activities. James is drawn to Darkness. His….nature draws him to Darkness, Milord.” Tobias added, his own dark eyes still locked with the glowing red ones.



“Yes…the little beastie is quite Dark… Tell me, Tobias…should you be here when you become of age, would you consider joining my ranks?”



The question caused quite a few murmurs to start. The Dark Lord was asking a sixteen-year-old to join his ranks. This boy was unproven…



“I would be honored, My Lord, to serve you. But I do not have to wait… My wand is unTraced, as the Ministry has lowered the edge of magical restriction…” Tobias said.



“Very good. But first…I must ask you to prove yourself.”



“I would relish the chance.” Tobias replied.



“A two part test has been prepared for you. The first part will test your skills. I wish to know if you are good enough to join my ranks. You will duel one of my most loyal.”



“Anything you ask, My Lord.”



“Step forward, dear Bella.”



Bellatrix Lestrange stepped from her place in the circle, a mad gleam in her eyes. Her face had been hidden by her mask, but she vanished the silver mask so that she could sneer at Tobias. Voldemort stepped aside, and the Tobias and Bella stepped in front of each other, taking up the dueling stance.



“I’ll put you in your place, you little runt…” she snarled viciously, showing her teeth.



“Who knows? When this duel is done you might be in your place…on your back, like the bitch you are…” Tobias hissed. The comment was quite worth seeing the absolute look of shock on Bellatrix’s face, and hearing the wolf whistles and howls of the Death Eaters. He even puffed up a little when he heard a mirthless chuckle from the Dark Lord himself.



“You….you little…” She sputtered. She drew back her wand, and cast the first spell.



They continued the dueling dance, each seeming to be a match for each other, much to the dismay, and interest, of the others. Bellatrix’s eyes were glazing over with a demented spark. No curse had yet to hit either one of them, and it was visible that the Dark Lord was becoming impatient. He wanted to see results. Tobias decided to pull out a trick that he hadn’t tried in a duel yet. He cast a non-verbal spell, and he was lifted a few inches off of the ground, a shimmering black cloud dancing under his shoes. He moved forward, pushing his legs as if he were on roller blades. Bellatrix’s eyes widened, and caught off guard, she took a painful stinging hex to her left arm.



She yelped, and cast a particularly nasty jinx at Tobias. He dodged easily, his feet crossing nimbly over each other as he made a near hair-pin turn, catching Bellatrix with a knockback jinx. She was thrown backwards painfully, and struck the ground. Tobias banished his cloud-skates, crossing his arms smugly as she struggled to her feet. She stood shakily, pointing her wand.



“Expelliarmus!” he snapped, and her wand flew from her fingers. He flashed a winning grin, and turned to look at the Dark Lord.



She charged him from behind, wrapping her arm around his throat. His wand dropped from his hand in surprise, but he recovered moments later. He grabbed her arm firmly, and flipped her completely over his shoulder, slamming her against the ground.



“Told you I’d have you on your back by the end of the duel…” he said. There was a small clapping sound, and Tobias looked up to see the Dark Lord applauding politely.



“Very good, young Tobias. You have taken down one of my most fierce warriors. And Bella…I’m quite disappointed in you. You must be losing your edge… Oh…and Tobias…You have passed the first part of your test.”



Tobias stood tall, and then bowed to the Dark Lord.



“And now…part two.”



He snapped his long, skeletal fingers, and the circle parted between two of the members. Two other Death Eaters brought forth a bound and struggling man, and threw him at the feet of the Dark Lord. The man, presumably a Muggle, looked around in terror, trying to slip his hands out of the magically tied knots.



“This Muggle…is a Muggle…”



There were a few scattered chuckles, several members unsure whether the Dark Lord had just made a joke or not. Could a creature with no soul be humorous?



“I want you to…dispose of him…”



The Muggle man’s terrified gaze turned to Tobias, his eyes wide. A slight tremor of fear ran through Tobias’ belly. Dueling he could handle….but he wasn’t sure that he could handle murder…



“Is there any particular reason why you haven’t made the slightest move? If I didn’t know better, I’d say that you weren’t too happy about your second assignment.”



“No! No, Milord…I was just…thinking…about the best way…t-to go about this…” he said, summoning his wand to him wordlessly.



“Good…I would hate to have to punish you for disobedience…”



“That won’t be necessary, My Lord.” Tobias said. He knew the Killing Curse. He and James had practiced it together on dungeon rats out in the Forbidden Forest. They couldn’t practice it in the dungeons, because the Hogwarts wards would have gone crazy the moment the deadly curse was muttered. In his concentration, he didn’t notice the Dark Lord’s crimson eyes widen slightly.



He needed something to hate this Muggle man for. He could hate the dungeon rats because they were always getting into the Slytherin possessions. The little buggers were forever chewing through shoes, and nibbling at belts. But this man…he had never done anything to Tobias personally… But he was a Muggle. These filthy creatures had stolen freedom from the magical world. The bastards had burned his ancestors at the stake in the name of their God. They used their fancy technology like some sort of replacement for magic. Although….TV was nice…and MP3 players weren’t so bad. Computers were fun…



The Dark Lord cleared his throat impatiently.



“I’m not a very patient man. You have one minute before I take your pause as insubordinate behavior.”



Tobias drew his wand back, mustering all of the hate he could for the foul Muggles. “Avada Kadavra!” he hissed. The bright green spell struck the Muggle man in the chest, and he fell back, lifeless.



“You were walking the razor’s edge with my patience. And you might want to watch what you think. Some of those thoughts were bordering treason…”



Tobias lowered his head. “I apologize, My Lord. It was…my first kill…” he said softly. “I was…a bit nervous.” He added honestly.



“It gets easier. Now…you have proved yourself worthy in my eyes. Do you want my Mark?”



“I will not waiver in your service again, My Lord.” He said. He felt the overwhelming iciness of the Dark Lord’s presence beside him.



“See to it you don’t. Now present your left arm.”



Tobias unfastened the shirt cuff of his left sleeve, and bared his arm to the dark lord. Voldemort drew his wand, and pressed the tip to the pale, unmarred flesh.



“Morsmordre.



The pain was almost unbearable. But he clenched his jaw tightly, biting back any sound he might have made. But as soon as the pain came it vanished. Tobias looked down at his arm, studying the fresh Mark. The gaunt skull stared up at him, and the snake undulated on the skin, its dark tongue flicking periodically.



“I will wear it with pride, My Lord.”



“See that you do. Go now, young Tobias. You will be the most use to me in the same manner as your father. Gain the trust of the Order. Use it against them. Be my spy. And your friend…the Malfoy girl…she would make a wonderful addition to my team…”



“I will see what I can do, My Lord.” There were several murmurs behind him. Tobias felt the Dark Lord’s eyes boring down on him.



“How old are you, Tobias?”



“Sixteen, My Lord…”



“Your youth has saved you this day, young one. I am never to be addressed in that manner. You will not ‘see what you can do.’ You will obey me until the breath leaves your body. That is the pledge you made when you took that Mark. Your every thought will be dedicated to furthering my Cause. Your formidable dueling skills will be honed so that you may accompany your brothers on Missions. You leave my service the day you die. And you very well may die during an active mission. Consider yourself honored to have given your life for something important. Remember this, Tobias, and you will go far. I have high hopes for you. Your father is one of my loyal. I want to see great things from you. Never make the mistake of speaking to me in such an abhorrent manner, or you will feel the business end of my wand. Is that clear?”



“I apologize, My Lord. Let me amend my statement to you…” Tobias begged softly.



“Very well…”



“I will see to her conversion personally.”



“That’s more like it. Now…this meeting is officially over. Everyone is dismissed….except you, Bella…I need to speak to you about your dreadful dueling skills…”



Tobias felt his father’s hand on his arm, and the familiar tug of Apparition. They were back at the spot that they had changed at.



“You’re a lucky little son-of-a-bitch. Had anyone else said what you did to the Dark Lord, their insides would be squirming with the effects of the Cruciatus. Learn to watch your tongue…” He said hotly, slipping off the Death Eater robes. But Tobias’ attention was far from his father. He was looking down at the Mark on his arm, an unreadable expression on his face.



“Did I really kill a man tonight?” he asked softly. Severus paused, taking his son’s words in.



“Yes.” He said softly.



“Shouldn’t it….you know…feel worse?” Tobias said, guilt eating away at him that he didn’t feel guilty. Severus was quite unsure how to react to this question. He hadn’t regretted his first kill at all…



“Erm…different people react differently…” he said.



Tobias slipped off his Death Eater robes, and replaced them with his regular robes.



“How am I supposed to deal with the Draca crisis? She’ll never go to one of those meetings. What…what will he do to me?” Tobias asked, fastening his robes. Severus met Tobias’ gaze for several moments.



“There is a virtual plethora of punishments that the Dark Lord employs. Just hope he’s in a good mood when you take that information to him.” He said. Tobias grinned suddenly.



“There’s the old man I know. Brutally honest and a sarcastic bastard to boot. It almost feels like home…” Tobias said, a wistful look on his face. The corners of Severus’ mouth twitched slightly, and he shook his head.



“Come now, you scalawag, dear old Dumbles will want a progress report…”

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