Can You Keep a Secret?

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Title: Can you keep a Secret?

Authors: kusanobabe05 [kusanosakura] and socia0307

Pairing: DracoxHarry, implied RonxHermione,

Fandom: HP

Notes: Compatible up to the bathroom scene between Draco and Harry in Half-blood Prince- minus the Ginny interest. After that is completely AU…

Warning: drarry gets rather aggressive so be warned.

Chapter 36

Knowing that Dumbledore was likely aware of his horcruxes, Voldemort retrieved all of the ones he could find but was distressed to find that Lucius had allowed the destruction of the oldest of the horcruxes, his mother’s locket was replaced with a fake and his grandfather’s ring was missing.

This left only Nagini and well the diadem, that is if the diadem was where he left it still…

It wasn’t that hard to convince Nagini to send some of her Ashwinders to retrieve those memory phials, after all Albus nearly always had a fire burning in that office of his.

Voldemort chose one last test for Severus to prove his true loyalty, the retrieval and return of the diadem…

If Severus was sincere in choosing him, then Voldemort would be far more at ease despite their alliance with Andromeda.

Surprisingly, once he came to this decision Severus appeared.

Severus bowed slightly, “My Lord…”

Voldemort accepted the proffered letter and skimmed it before he instructed Severus in his newest task.

XooooooX

Nagini knew both her place and her duty, her bond with her master made her quite aware of his wishes spoken and unspoken.

It took little effort call up ashwinders and charge them to retrieve as many of those memory phials as they could and deliver them to that despicable Rita Skeeter.

Nagini despised Skeeter but loathed Dumbledore more and a little theft for 'the greater good' didn't bother her at all.

If this brought her master a greater degree of freedom then so be it. Her poor master had suffered so, she wanted some degree of happiness for him and if possible a family of his own.

XooooooX

Albus fretted and fumed.

His plans were falling through, that thankless Potter boy!

He had allowed him serious leeway, allowed him to provide worth as the Boy Who Lived and this was how he was repaid?

The boy would regret choosing that Malfoy, as if a Dark Wizard could be loyal or feel love. It was likely a trap and Potter would lose both his life and his child and for what? A fantasy?

People like himself and Potter were icons, they weren't meant to bestow their hearts at a whim to save Dark Wizards.

Romantic attempts in that vein were as worthless as fending off a dementor with a stick and just as effective.

Potter would crawl and admit his mistake in disobeying the great wizard who only had his best interests at heart.

He and Potter were meant to be icons and martyrs rather than family men.

It would be impossible for Potter to duel Voldemort while pregnant or even as a young parent, the idiot boy would distracted by thoughts of his child.

Albus clenched his fist, Potter knew that Voldemort was dangerous and wanted to lay waste to the world.

Malfoy had sworn allegiance to Voldemort, so how could Potter trust him with his life or that of their child?

That was ridiculous!

Clearly the idiot boy had no idea that there were sacrifices that good men were required to make to keep others safe.

Albus clenched his fist, he’d pay. That ungrateful boy would pay….

XooooooX

The Ashwinders stayed hidden in the flames until the target went to bed.

Only Nagini and her master could direct them out of the fire with orders not to set fire or lay eggs.

The only snake more powerful than Nagini herself was a basilisk and all fled them as well.

The Ashwinders slithered out of the flame with one objective to retrieve those memory phials.

The only trace they would leave would be a sooty trail to and from the hearth.

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?