What followed, after the end of the Lestrange line, was a rather pathetic attempt to impress a fourteen-year-old boy by adults at least twice his age.
"And that my Lord, is how I came to inherit my families controlling stock over the largest soybean producing farm in England."
The boy-who-lived was considering just assigning someone else to choose who would actually be useful in the future, but a slight glance to those he trusted most showed that they had long since passed the 'bored out of our minds' stage.
Hermione and Fleur were reading, Sirius and Ginny were eyeing the former Death Eaters as if deciding which ones would be the most amusing to prank, Remus and Luna had fallen asleep, Snape was actually grading papers, and Draco had long since started working on his own summer homework.
Why did he have to always be the one to act like an adult?
"… from there it was child's play to take over the Department of Agricultural reform!" the man finished in his 'boasting' before smiling brightly, as if his story had been impressive.
"So in summary, it took you a decade in order to take over a section of the Ministry that contained you and two other individuals…"
The adult's face froze, "Uhm, well you see…"
"Fine, whatever you still have political ties so stand with the others."
"B-b-but… I thought that with my connections I would be higher up, perhaps sitting at the long table?"
Harry quirked an eyebrow, "This is reserved for those truly loyal or useful to me… you are neither."
"B-but… that blonde girl is there!"
"Who, Luna?" Said teen promptly sat up, as if being called on in class. The remaining Potter continued on as if he hadn't just woken her up from a nap. "Luna is my most loyal follower."
"I thought I was your most loyal my Lord…" the Malfoy heir cheekily replied, although there was a certain tone in his voice that implied he was being serious to a degree.
Harry stared back for a few moments, before nodding in acknowledgment, "You believe so Draco?"
"Of course my Lord, I would not hesitate to follow any order that you give."
"Very well… Draco, kill your father for me." The boy froze in shock, his eyes shifting over to where his father had also frozen, albeit in more acceptance that surprise.
"I… I uhm…"
"Well? You did say without hesitation Draco."
"I… I just thought that… well he is useful to us still my Lord and…"
The raven-haired boy gave a comforting smile, "Relax Draco I was merely kidding, I did not actually expect you to do it."
Letting out a sigh of relief the two Malfoys relaxed a bit, that is until Harry glanced over at the Lovegood heiress instead.
"Luna dear, the next time you see him, kill your father."
"Okay my Lord."
Now it was the entire room's turn to stare in shock, with more than a few mutterings about how there had been no hesitation in her voice what so ever.
"That, Draco, is why Luna is my most loyal. To her a request from me is a command. There is nothing to be upset about, I keep you not for your zealous loyalty but for your political ambitions and cunning, just as Hermione is intelligent and organized. Even the adults have their reasons for being in my trusted confidences. Professor Snape, for example, is a Potion master, expert spy, and skilled duelist. Everyone has their own reasoning for being at my side, even if you do not see it."
With that the boy gestured for his newest followers to approach, "It is time to give you all your mark. Voldemort had his and I have mine, the difference being I am not stupid enough to make them visible and otherwise useless. They are a means of communication, a way of locating each other, and to ward away Dementors should it become necessary for you to do so."
As they began to step forward the boy did pause to consider something, "Before this, however, I do need to reinforce something. I have a few… rules that you will all be required to follow, nothing major like your former Lord had, I assure you but some things that you need to keep in mind." With a flick of his wrist a list appeared on the nearby wall, pitch black lettering standing out against the ornate stone structure.
...
"You have information for me?" It had been a simple message written on a nondescript letter, 'If you want information on Harry Potter, meet at the alley behind Hogs Head, Thursday at ten. Come alone'. Dumbledore was weary of a trap, but knew he had little to lose and potential information to gain.
The student nodded, fighting the urge to smirk horribly. Soon vengeance would be wrought on his classmate, the so-called Lord of Darkness .
"I do, word has it that professor Snape has pledged his loyalty, Potter knew he was a spy the entire time."
Dumbledore let out a sad sigh, "I see, and the others?"
"Most have bowed as well, the few that didn't either failed to return or, in the Lestrange's case, were killed. Word has it that Bellatrix was very eager to join him."
The older Wizard gently pressed the issue, "How good is your information?"
"Good enough, Draco might be clever but not enough to check everything for spying Charms, especially on items only accessible by his 'loyal' Slytherins."
"I see, I must admit I am rather surprised that you would come forward and help our cause. What do you get out of this?"
'I get her ' he internally mused, before merely shrugging. "A return to the natural order I suppose. I hate having to bow down to someone just as much as anyone else." With that the boy turned and departed, leaving Dumbledore to question whose side the teen was truly on.
....
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