Another update because I am lovely and I managed to write this fairly quickly. Hope you like it. :D

Zellxx

He arrived ahead of schedule, though he never would have admitted it, even to himself. The school day was still in progress, lessons were being taught and knowledge learnt. It made Him disgusted. The sort of things students were told went entirely against His personal guidelines; what he considered to be the Correct Information.

He stood in the shadows of the forest. Though not yet a convicted criminal, His actions were carefully monitored and considered to be dark, dangerous and underhand. However they were yet to find anything to pin on Him. He had an uncanny knack of being able to find a perfect alibi for getting out of situations that had His name written all over them. It was almost as if He could read their minds…

Nevertheless, the Ministry kept a very close eye on Him and He was certain that Dumbledore for one would not be too pleased with seeing Him again. Especially after he'd turned Him down from that job position a year ago. That still made Him riddled with fury when He thought of it.

He stepped back further into the shadows as, with a shrill whistling sound, the end of the day was signalled. A torrent of students spilled out of the doors onto the grass, some stepping perilously close to where He was concealed.

He wondered what He would do, should a student spot Him there. Would He curse the innocent, yet foolhardy, child? Or would He simply ignore it. The first option seemed most likely. He just wasn't one for taking chances.

Although, this whole venture was a rather big chance indeed.

To go to Hogwarts at all, especially in broad daylight, was breaking all the careful boundaries he had set up, the moment the ministry became too inquisitive. And to come here with His intentions in mind was, if it had not been thought up by Him and so was therefore perfectly calculated, pure insanity.

And it was perfectly calculated. He had timed it exactly, His arrival, to coincide with the ending of the school day. This would ensure minimal time would be wasted in the monotonous part of the whole thing. The next part… well, that was the bit He was really looking forward to.

He would not kill Lucius Malfoy… at least, not instantly. However, if he once again refused to join Him- well, perhaps He would see fit to dispose of the boy. But first, first he wanted to show Lucius Malfoy exactly what happened when you disobeyed Lord Voldermort. He wanted to show Lucius Malfoy the reason His name was feared across the country. And this would coincide quite perfectly with what that other boy, the ridiculous one, had requested.

Briefly, He wondered the boy's motive. Wanting Lucius Malfoy to feel pain, He recalled, had been the boy's request. What was it, He wondered, that Lucius Malfoy had done to upset the boy so? He hoped it was something terrible. Something really… vicious. It would make Him terribly proud.

He would find out soon enough, He smiled at the thought of how smoothly His plan was all sliding into place.

Like the pieces of a charmed jigsaw puzzle.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jethro walked alone, skulking nearer to the forest than the other students, half hidden by the gloom of the trees.

He didn't feel like company, he didn't feel like anything. All he felt was hollow- empty. Ever since the visit to The Dark Lord he had been on tenderhooks, apprehensive, waiting to hear the news, the dreadful/wonderful news of Lucius Malfoy's-

His what exactly? Not his death, he hadn't asked for that. In fact he had really been rather vague in his request. Something he was sure the Dark Lord hadn't failed to notice and ha used to fit it entirely into his own plans. That man gave Jethro the shivers. And to think- he's sworn into a lifetime of servitude! He just hoped it wouldn't be too taxing. A few murders would be acceptable, but anything that would tarnish his family name didn't bear thinking of.

Jethro passed a group of fifth year boys laughing under a blossoming tree. They were having fun, free and cheerful. One of them, Jethro remembered, was Narcissa's cousin. His lip curled at the thought of her. Maybe he's go and give that kid a kick, just for the hell of it.

But, no. He had to keep a low profile, lest on word of… whatever was going to happen, be connected in any way with him. Lucius would probably figure it out, but with the company he kept no-one would believe it was Jethro who was at fault, rather than say, the dark-magic dabbling, devious Bellatrix Black. No, he was safe enough, for now.

Jethro inched his way deeper into the forest. It was the end of the school day, lessons had finished and there was no-where he desperately needed to go. He didn't want to head back to the common room, didn't think he could bear looking at Narcissa and Lucius's faces…

"Well, well, well. My new recruit."

Jethro jumped and spun around, feeling the hair on the back of his neck rising as, with a jolt in his stomach, he registered the voice.

"wha- You!"

"Yes- me, dear boy." He stepped out of the shadows and approached Jethro soundlessly. Jethro gulped and stepped back. "Are you afraid? Are you not pleased to see your new master?"

"I-" Jethro looked around in panic, but he was too deep in the forest, no one could see him. And he knew, deep in his heart, he wouldn't, couldn't call for help. "I- yes, yes I am, m-master."

"Very good." He purred, moving over to Jethro and lifting his chin. He smoothed his pale finger over the boy's cheek, as Jethro stood motionless in terror.

"Now, you have something you need to tell me."

"I- I do?"

"Regarding your request."

"Oh… what is it?" Jethro gulped, trembling now. What could he want from him? He hoped he wasn't in trouble. Had he done something wrong? He didn't see how he could have; he hadn't done anything since their first meeting. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe…

"In order to carry out your request I need to know where Lucius Malfoy is going to be- tonight. Can you find that out for me? I would be so grateful."

Jethro frowned. Tonight? Well that was soon. He wasn't sure he was ready for the kind of punishment the Dark Lord would deal out. Perhaps he had overreacted.

"Well?"

Jethro sighed. He wouldn't disobey.

"Yes, master."

"I expect you back here with the news in an hour."

And with that, Jethro staring open-mouthed in front of him, Lord Voldermort promptly vanished.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You seen Lucius?"

Another shake of a head. Another curious stare as Jethro tore frantically through the corridors, barging past students and teachers alike. But he didn't care. Half an hour had already gone and still he was no closer to finding Lucius Malfoy, or even someone who knew where he was!

He had already checked the common room, the library, the quidditch pitch- all the usual haunts. He had even considered asking Narcissa, only to find that she had vanished also.

Perhaps they had gone off to have some little date or something, but he couldn't even bring himself to feel disgusted; he was so terrified. Oh what was the Dark Lord going to do to him if Jethro didn't complete the task?

He had to find Lucius!

Just then, up ahead, he saw someone who gave him a glimmer of hope.

"Bella! Hey, Bella, Bellatrix black!"

The girl stopped and turned slowly, her large dark eyes appraising him scornfully. Jethro halted in front of her, hands on his knees, breathing deeply from running so far.

"What are you and how dare you call my name like that."

Her voice was cold, disinterested. Jethro took no notice- he was desperate.

"Bellatrix, um, Miss Black? My name's Jethro, and I was wondering if you wouldn't happen to know where Lucius is? Lucius Malfoy?"

Her gaze hardened and she glared at him fiercely.

"And what if I did? What business is it of yours?"

"Only that I need to know his whereabouts, urgently."

Bella glared at him for a moment longer, before sighing.

"He's at the party."

"The party! Oh thank god, he's at the party. Okay, thanks, I just-" Jethro stopped. "What party?"

"Narcissa's sixteenth birthday party, if you must know," Bella frowned suspiciously, "Sadly, you're not invited."

"Fine, fine," Jethro was giddy with relief that he didn't pick her up on the put down. He rarely let himself be spoken to this way, but desperate times called for desperate measures and she was damn scary!

There was just one thing he needed to clarify.

"This party," He caught her arm as she turned to leave, before letting go quickly at the look of hatred she threw at him, "It goes on all evening, yes? He, Lucius, he wont be anywhere else?"

Bella sniffed.

"As a matter of fact he will. I don't really see why you are quite so interested. I assure you I will be informing Lucius immediately."

"He will!" Jethro exclaimed in dismay. Just when he thought he'd got him pinned! "Could you, I mean could you tell me, um… where he is going to be? Please?"

"Why."

"I need to speak to him about something, urgently-ish."

"I'm afraid he will be otherwise occupied," Bella smiled slightly, the first smile Jethro had seen, "But if you'd like I can pass on a messa-"

"Please!" Jethro begged, abandoning any attempt at retaining his dignity. "Please, I need you to tell me, I need to. I'll do anything, I'll-"

"Anything?" Bella's eyes gleamed wickedly and she smiled again. But this wasn't a good smile. This was a scheming, devious smile. Jethro abruptly felt worried.

"Well…. Not anything. Within reason, of course."

"Of course." Bella stepped closer to Jethro. "How would you like to do me a little favour?"

"N-now?"

"No, not now. Just…. Whenever I feel like it, hmmm?"

"Will it- will it be breaking any rules?" Jethro hated how frightened he sounded. Bella's smile curved wider.

"Of course not."

"O-okay then." Jethro agreed in his desperation, signing himself into his second contract in a week and feeling distinctly like he'd dug himself into a big hole. Any duty given by Bellatrix Black was bound to be riddled with danger and quite possibly illegal. But how could he say no?

"Excellent." Bella clapped her manicured hands together and turned away. She was halfway down the corridor before Jethro got his wits together enough to yell after her.

"Hey, where's Lucius going to be?"

"The abandoned Manor House." She called back and as she turned the corner Jethro heard the sinister cackle of her faint laughter.

Jethro paused to take in everything that had happened. That had been… odd. He wondered what Lucius would be doing in the abandoned house. He knew exactly where Bella meant. His master would be pleased.

His master!

Jethro slapped himself on the forehead and glanced at his watch. While he had been standing, dawdling, twenty minutes had passed. He only had three minutes left!

Jethro dashed to the nearest staircase and threw himself down, startling professor Flitwick, carrying papers. Jethro yelled an apology back up the stairs as he hurtled to the bottom in record timing. Well, he wasn't the Schools Sport Captain for nothing.

Bursting out the main doors onto the fields, Jethro dared a glance at his watch once more. He had under a minute. He scanned the forest trying to remember exactly where they had met earlier. It had been somewhere near the caretakers hut-

Remembering, Jethro ran towards the spot. He arrived at a familiar place, there were even the marks left by his scuffed trainers, on the ground. But there was no sign of The Dark Lord.

"What the…?"

"Very good." Jethro jumped and turned to see the Dark lord standing behind him, leaning against a tree, where he was certain he wasn't standing a second ago. "I was beginning to think you had abandoned me." Of course this wasn't true, He was merely attempting to seem more approachable, to calm the boy. It didn't work.

"N- never my Lord."

"You have the information."

Jethro nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

"And?"

"I- er, I found Bella, you know her? Anyway, she said, err, she said that tonight Lucius was going to be in the old abandoned manor house in town. You know it?"

The Dark lord nodded thoughtfully. The abandoned manor house? That was odd.

"Has this something perhaps to do with their charming little club, hmm? I was rather flattered that they'd dedicated it to me."

"I- I don't think so. I mean, I'm pretty sure Bella's in charge of the club and she wasn't going with him. It was just him."

Nodding carefully He turned away from Jethro. He did remember that girl, Bella, now he came to think of it. She had been with Lucius. Very eager to join ranks, or so He recalled. And gave up information willingly too, it seemed. Perhaps He should consider her application once more.

"He will be alone?"

Jethro began to nod, then stopped himself.

"I'm not sure actually. It's Narcissa's birthday so perhaps he'll be with her."

Was it His imagination or did Jethro's hands curl into a fist as he said those words? He looked closer and, sure enough, there was a blush staining Jethro's cheeks. Curious. Perhaps he would discover the motive behind Jethro's request.

"An amour?"

"It would seem so."

Yes, Jethro's tone was definitely bitter. The Dark Lord's mouth curled into a smile as he thought how he could use this potential weakness against Jethro, and Lucius too.

"This is excellent news."

"Are you- what are you going to do?" Jethro sounded frightened.

"I am going to fulfil your request."

A second later and Jethro was alone once more, feeling that everything was going horribly, completely wrong.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jethro was alone for approximately seventeen seconds before he realised that he'd made a truly terrible mistake and had to do something about it.

He checked his watch. It was only just six o'clock. Bella had said that Lucius wasn't going to be there until the evening, which gave him plenty of time to fix the situation. But if the Dark Lord found out…

He shook off those thoughts. However much he disliked Lucius Malfoy, he knew he didn't want him dead… or anything else the Dark Lord was likely to do to him. Hell, he wished he'd just punched the git in the first place- dammit! So now he had to fix things.

To do that, he would need to find someone who understood a little of what was going on. Very reluctantly Jethro headed back up to the castle to find Bellatrix Black once more, before it was too late.

He stared up at the building impassively. It must have been quite spectacular once. It was large, shadowy and grand, with an enormous oak doorway, which creaked loudly as He placed His hand on it.

The place was in complete disrepair, He thought idly as he strode into the entrance chamber. Someone had been here earlier the same day; there were footprints in the dust and an effort had been made to clear the rubble to the sides of the room, leaving a path to walk through.

It was strange; the damage was of an odd sort, not just general falling apart and collapsing that came with age and ill use. Many items of furniture looked quite as though they had been ripped, shredded and smashed purposely.

He glanced around the room once before moving over to the large, albeit rickety, staircase. The footprints led up here.

In a few steps he was at the top, careful not to leave any telltale footprints as the other foolish entrante had. He moved over to the door opposite and pushed lightly.

It swung open soundlessly and he smiled as he looked upon the room. This was going to be perfect.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"So you're saying that you have made a deal with the Dark Lord to have Lucius tortured as a result of your childish reactions and you think there's a chance that my sister, Narcissa, may be harmed too? And all this is likely to take place tonight?"

Jethro nodded, dreading the look on Bella's face. Saying it like that made it all sound dreadful.

"I know, I'm so, so sorry. I know she's your sister and-"

"So this means that the Dark lord is at Hogwarts?"

Jethro looked up in surprise.

"What?" He said, disbelievingly. Bella didn't sound the least bit worried about her sister, instead she sounded… excited?

"The dark Lord is at Hogwarts? Tonight?"

"Um…" Jethro floundered, not really sure what she was talking about. "Yes, yes I think so. Well, I mean to say, I'm not sure exactly where he disappeared off to but-"

"Wow!" Bella breathed softly, her eyes lighting up in excitement. Jethro backed away slightly, nervous.

"Aren't you… aren't you worried or- or something?"

"Worried?" Bella snorted derisively. "Why should I be worried?" She stared at Jethro speculatively. "Hey, Goyle is it? How would you like to be a member of our little gang, huh?"

"What?" Jethro was stumped. This was completely not going the way he had planned.

"I think you have the right sort of spirit. If you and Lucius could get over your little fall out, or course."

"I- I just… I don't, I- there won't be any Lucius left to fall out with if we don't do something soon!"

Bella blinked. "Oh yeah…" She said slowly, as if the idea had only just occurred to her. "So what do you propose we do?"

Jethro paused. He hadn't really thought past the notifying someone stage. What were they going to do?

"I- I suppose we'd better… go help them."

Bella nodded slowly, crossing her arms.

"Do you think I should tell the others? Solou 'n' Rookwood 'n' all?"

"No," Jethro shook his head decisively, "No it'll take too long."

Bella grinned. "Rookwood's gunna be so pissed he missed another chance to meet the Dark Lord!"

Jethro smiled weakly.

"You know…" He ventured, "Working for the Dark lord… it isn't all you'd expect, you know? It's… scary."

Bella smiled as she began to stride along the corridor towards the staircase down. "I think I'll be alright."

"I'm serious," Jethro had to job slightly to keep up with her. "I'm regretting joining him myself."

Bella said nothing and there was silence for a moment aside from Jethro's ragged breathing.

"How long have they been down there?" He asked Bella as they climbed down the stair.

"The party ended at six, so he would have left just after that." She glanced at her watch, "I assume they've been there ten minutes or so, maybe less."

Jethro gulped. Ten minutes… you could do a hell of a lot of torturing in ten minutes.

"Do you think he's, you know, attacked them yet?"

"How should I know, you're his little assistant," Bella said, "But I'd assume he isn't going to jump out and say 'Boo!' His methods are always more sophisticated, less obvious, more menacing…"

Jethro gulped as they burst through the exit into the cool dark night.

He studied the layout of the room, checking the angles and the lighting. Searching for the most aesthetically pleasing position for Him to wait. He wanted to get the full effect of Terror!Panic!Pain! that He was so successful at inspiring in people.

The objects in the room, a surprise for the girl, He assumed, had been deemed a hindrance to His plans at first, until he decided that he really oughtn't let all Lucius's careful preparation go to waster. He would make sure it all got used…. Somehow.

He settled back in position, eyes half closed; and waited.

After a few minutes He tensed. Someone was approaching. He resisted one of his last few remaining human urges to go and look through the window and remained perfectly still, head tilted, listening.

Someone was talking, muttering. Lucius? They hadn't yet entered the house, why were they hesitating?

A few moments later he heard the minute sound of the front door swinging open. He tensed his fingers, lips curving up cruelly at the thought of His plan, as the sound of footsteps crunching up the stairs greeted him.

They stopped outside the door; He could practically smell their excitement, their happiness, their innocence. He couldn't wait to rip that all away.

He shrunk further back, concealing himself immediately. He heard the sort mutter of Lucius's voice. The voice He had only heard once before yet was ingrained into his memory forever.

A hand touched the doorknob, and it rattled.

He held his breath, forgetting that he no longer needed to. He heard the sort words outside:

"Three, two…"

He tensed, in position.

"One."

He heard the sounds of the door hitting the wall, and the satisfying shrill of a girls scream.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

So, this was different. I know it wasn't what you wanted, and I know that you are probably frustrated but I thought that the last chapter needed something to go with it, to help explain the whys and hows.

It kind of jumped around point-of-view a lot and I'm sorry about that. I just wanted you to have an insight into the situation. Hope you liked it.

I should be able to update pretty soon on as I know more or less (probably less) what I'm going to write next chapter.

Please, please review!

Zellxx