All\'s Fair In Love And War

Spending the better part of the past two years in Azkaban Prison has done nothing to enamour me of Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore, or any his sycophants.

One might think that being in prison, and being left there to rot by my Master would change my allegiances.

One would not be entirely incorrect.

For years I have served The Dark Lord most faithfully. I have done his bidding, followed his commands, set his plans in motion, and even killed in his name.

All of this I did proudly and willingly.

It was I who came up with the idea of using the Tri-wizard Tournament to get to Potter.

It was I who came up with the plan to have Crouch infiltrate the school.

It was I who came up with the idea to turn the trophy into a port-key.

And it was I who stood by my Lord’s side while he was reborn from Potter’s very blood.

But where was my Lord when it was I who was in need of assistance?

Where was my Lord while the dementors of Azkaban drove me to despair again and again?

Where was my Lord when I was left in a cold, dark cell, dressed in filthy rags and nourished only with fetid water and moldy bread?

You don’t know, you say?

Well, that makes two of us then doesn’t it.

And yet, when my associates broke down my cell door, when they led me, filthy and emaciated as I was, out of Azkaban to kneel at the Dark Lord’s feet, I did so willingly; grateful that he had seen fit to free me at last.

It didn’t last long.

No, I was to pay the price of my son’s betrayal.

I became quite familiar with the effects of Crucio. Also, with Macnair’s whip, Mulciber’s Imperius curse, and Pettigrew’s new hand.

And all because Draco defected to Potter’s side. And apparently his bed as well.

The defection I can forgive. My son is many things, but stupid is not one of them. He must have realized that the Dark Lord holds no fidelity to those who follow him. My lengthy incarceration proof enough of this fact.

Taking a male lover I can also forgive. Boys will be boys after all, and experimentation is a fact of life.

It is the identity of his chosen paramour, and the fondness he seems to have for him that I cannot forgive.

Unless it has all been a clever ploy to insinuate himself with the winning side, I am afraid I will have to take matters into my own hands.

You can imagine my shock when I saw Draco in battle, back-to-back with a Weasley of all people and protecting not only his lover’s best friend, but all the little mud blood children as well.

And Potter, well, he was certainly a surprise. I always knew the boy was strong; Voldemort would not have wasted his time in pursuing him if he was not. But the amount of power he wields is unprecedented.

I have never seen anyone out-duel the Dark Lord. I have never seen anyone manage to even curse him.

No one but Potter that is.

It was understood, at least by me, from the moment Voldemort apparated onto the scene that the Light side was going to win. And being the opportunist that I am, I made myself scarce and did not participate in the struggle.

Instead I observed.

I learned.

And when it was over, I fled before I was seen.

I admit that I can understand why Draco would join Potter’s side. I can even, somewhat, understand why he might choose to bed the boy.

Power has always attracted Malfoys, and power is something Potter has in abundance.

What still baffles me is the obvious affection, dare I say, love that Draco seems to feel toward the boy. I thought I had trained him better than that. Love is a weakness that Malfoys do well to steer clear of.

Obviously my internment has done more damage to him than I previously believed possible; I will have to remedy that.

The Malfoy line must continue after all.

Draco will marry.

He will sire the next Malfoy heir.

That is not negotiable.

I hear the Parkinson girl is now available. She may be used goods, but she is a pureblood at least.

As for my plans, well, I am not stupid enough to go after Potter; I saw him take down Lord Voldemort.

As much as it pains me to admit, I know I am no match for him. Especially as weakened by Azkaban as I still am.

No, Potter is safe enough from me.

Draco on the other hand…

Well, lets just say that Lockhart is not the only wizard who is exceptional at memory charms.

Now all I need is a plan to get him to come home.