The Death Eaters milled about the large living room in the Malfoy's home, talking quietly, but too casually for the disaster they brought upon themselves hours before at the Ministry. Voldemort sat in a large armchair by the fireplace, only burning with low green embers. Nagini lay twisted around his bare feet, silent from the moment they returned.

At least someone here recognized the severity of what had just happened. Half of his best men had been apprehended and even more significant, the Minister of Magic had seen him. His return shouldn't have been public for months yet, once he heard the prophecy and knew what plans Dumbledore had been scheming.

He let his gaze drift across the room as he pondered everything that happened at the Ministry. Only Bellatrix acted truly concerned over their defeat, glancing his way every few seconds, and raising her voice loud enough he could hear her berating the others who also failed, as though her anger overshadowed her share of the defeat. Beside her, Yaxley and Rodolphus spoke in whispered tones, posture shrunken and angled from him. Crabbe and Goyle hadn't taken off their masks for some reason. None of them had been told to wear them.

On the far end of the room, Narcissa kept her head down. Lucius had been fool enough to get himself taken into custody, and getting him out would take time they hadn't intended to spare. She was the only Malfoy at home at the present, and the only person in the room aside from himself not trying to carry on a conversation.

Lucius led this failure. That was twice now that his endeavors failed, and her only merit now lied in offering their home. What else did Narcissa have to provide?

He mulled over the idea of taking out her husband's sins on her. But for the Malfoy's supposed loyalty, they had the unfortunate trait of valuing family above all else. Any action taken against them would only result in a lesson learned if it put their son at risk. When the boy returned at the end of term, he could deal with the Malfoys.

The hushed voices filling the room faded when Severus came in through the floo. He stepped out right in front of Voldemort, and instantly knelt before him. He remained bowed until Voldemort addressed him.

"I take it they've run back to the safety of the school."

"They have, my lord," Severus said, raising his head when Voldemort gestured. He stood when Voldemort did, moving back a step so Nagini could unfurl herself. His anger hadn't died yet, and seeing the bodies scattered on the floor only added to it.

Together, they walked to the far end of the room, where the staircase wound upward to a walkway overlooking the room. They were quiet as they moved up the stairs. Nagini stayed behind when he offered her permission to feast on the bodies.

"Dumbledore will always come running to his side," Voldemort said once they had some semblance of privacy. "He avoided him an entire year, but still knew when to arrive."

"The boy goes home for the summer soon. Certainly there will be opportunity where he is unable to perform magic."

"He's untouchable in that house," Voldemort said. They had once tried. "And if his trial last summer is any indication, he's surrounded."

The conversation below them gradually resumed. Voldemort propped on the railing, wand under his hand. The urge to kill more of them grew stronger. He reminded himself too many had been lost to Azkaban tonight. For now, he couldn't spare more wands.

"If I'm to clear my path of obstacles, Dumbledore must die."

"I only just left a meeting with the professors," Severus said, matching Voldemort's posture beside him. "They are increasing the security around the school. Adding defenses and wards, closing off all ways in and out, even to the staff."

"And yet, to kill him, we will have to get into the school regardless."

Voldemort turned to Severus, who didn't look back at him. Already, it seemed as though he knew the command that would follow, and was plotting his defense to get around it.

"It will risk my position within the Order," he said.

"What other suggestion do you have to offer?"

Severus drummed his fingers on the railing. "We have access to other people in the school."

"No one of any significance."

Children couldn't lead to Dumbledore's death. Battling him in the Ministry proved that his age had done nothing to temper his strength. For Dumbledore to die, Voldemort needed to be holding the wand that killed him. He needed to get inside Hogwarts.

"What methods will be available to lower the defenses?"

"I'm afraid he's considered the possibility. Any attempt to tamper with the wards will immediately trigger the Aurors."

It presented a frustrating dilemma. Even if they were able to swarm the castle, getting out would be equally burdensome. Any spells learned by the children occupying the school were hardly a threat, but surrounded by hundreds of students? There would be too many spells to deflect.

They needed a way in that would also get them out, ideally, without triggering the Aurors.

"It's become abundantly clear if anything will be accomplished, I'll have to do it myself."

"My lord?"

Voldemort gripped his wand, the anger flaring brightly again.

"Not even Lucius could be trusted to get something as simple as a prophecy," he said, and channeled his anger into glaring at Narcissa, who hadn't moved from her spot against the far wall. "How can I be expected to assign someone to break past one of the most secured perimeters in the country and kill Albus Dumbledore?"

The more he considered, the clearer his path became. The Ministry knew of his return now, which already meant keeping a lower cover than before. It gave him the time he needed to get into Hogwarts, kill Dumbledore, and while he was there, Harry Potter.

"Will you have me let you into the school?" Severus asked.

"Your position must remain secret. Tell me more about the wards in place."

"They are being set to prevent any entry without a professor to allow it. Anyone who crosses them without being allowed will trigger them. The floos are closed, except for one in Minerva's office. As always, there is no apparation in and out, even to the headmaster."

"Then I'll go in as a student," Voldemort said. "Once I'm through, I will find a way through the wards."

"My lord, the risk—"

"Do you assume me unable to accomplish this?"

"You would be going in alone, and finding a way inside isn't an easy feat. It may take time."

"What is the alternative?" Voldemort asked. "Waiting for Dumbledore to meet for a duel? Letting the world believe Harry Potter is some chosen one?"

The thought had him grit his teeth, and he added Potter's death to his list of what he would need to accomplish while at Hogwarts. The moment Dumbledore died, Potter would be defenseless. Having everything come together at once would take out all his greatest problems. Devoting a few weeks to breaking through the wards would pay greatly at the end.

He could spare the time.

"You'll pose as a student," Severus said, like he was trying to understand it. "Which student?"

"The Malfoy boy would be an obvious choice. I could take as much hair as needed for the polyjuice."

Severus could make sure no one got in his way. Slytherin house could provide the cover needed.

"My lord, while I'm sure Draco would be honored, you would need to be at Hogwarts for weeks. Polyjuice potion takes a month to brew, and a great deal of effort to brew if you intend it to last more than an hour at a time. There would also be homework assigned. Prefect rounds. The teachers may become suspicious."

That was an issue he needed to contemplate. While he was willing to devote the time needed to break through the wards, he refused to deal with those sort of trivialities. Severus would never dare assign actual work or hand out detentions, the other teachers wouldn't agree to offer preferential treatment.

And considering Lucius's arrest, Draco would already become suspect.

"If I might suggest, my lord," Severus went on, "Perhaps another student. I can arrange it to where you have a semi-private room."

"Not private?"

"It would draw attention. But if we found an exchange student to bring in, then there would be an extra student in the sixth year class, and some would need to move into an overflow room."

"Which student do we have access to?"

"One of the boys formerly in my house got into a spat with Potter back in his third year. After it, his parents thought best to transfer him to Durmstrang. But his father, Sean McGruder, is devoted to your cause."

Voldemort nodded, and watched Nagini attempt to swallow a leg whole.

"Who would you put in my room?"

"Draco," Severus said. "There will be no risk of him reporting on any of your actions. He is near the top of all his classes, and can handle your homework. He's also talented with potions. I won't be able to brew the polyjuice since it would take too much time, but I can teach him to make a brew sufficient for at least four hours."

"He wouldn't cause any trouble?"

"The only trouble he's ever gotten into is easily remedied."

"Which is?"

"Picking fights with Potter and his friends. One command and he will steer clear of them."

That was a simple enough issue to avoid, and having someone capable of doing the menial tasks would free his his time to pursue any avenue that might be necessary to get the Death Eaters into the school.

"Are you in touch with McGruder?"

"I can send an owl tomorrow and have him bring his son, Thomas, to meet with you."

Thomas.

"No one can know of this, Severus," Voldemort said. "If I'm walking into the school, word can't get to anyone of my arrival. You and I will be the only people who know."

"When will you tell Draco?"

"After I've gotten into the school," Voldemort decided. "You'll need to be our Bonder for the Unbreakable Vow."

Which also brought up another, very slight, issue.

"You and I will need to forge one as well. We'll need a Bonder for that as well."

He searched the faces in the room below them, weighing out who he might possibly trust enough for this. Anyone who knew would need to be placed under the bond. Perhaps whoever they used as a Bonder could be obliviated immediately following to keep the number of people included in the plan to the absolute minimum.

Bellatrix had yet to stop raging, and with her heightened emotions, he glanced over her, and settled on her sister. Narcissa would have a use if she acted as their Bonder, and she would have to devote herself to the cause if she wanted Draco to succeed.

"We have the summer to plan," Severus said. "There is always time to consider other options."

"Now that we spoke of this, the vow will have to be put into place tonight. Bring Narcissa up to the sitting room."

Waiting the summer only provided too many opportunities for words to slip out in unwanted company. Taking this risk meant betting his life on his own abilities, but a single slip could leave him isolated and surrounded by enemies. No one could be trusted.

It meant his mind had to remain closed this year. Instead of feeding Potter images that might expose him, he would have to entirely shut him out. An accidental slip of him at Hogwarts would give him away before he could finish.

Severus bowed before going down the steps, and Voldemort tracked his movement through the grand hall, across the marbled floors, under the ornate crystal chandelier that never drew anyone's gaze. He sidestepped the corpse that held Nagini's attention, robes sweeping grandly as he walked with express purpose.

People watched him approach, but gave him a wide berth. Severus gestured toward the stairs, and Narcissa inclined her head before following.

Voldemort turned, letting his robes flow behind him while he went into the sitting room off the top of the stairs. He occupied Lucius's house long enough to know every hall and hidden room, but made use of very few of them. As often as reasonable, he spent his time planning with his followers. They were still bound by trivialities such as eating and sleeping, and during the times they tended to their physical needs, he withdrew to the room Lucius arranged for him, near to their personal library. The library kept him at the Manor as much as the convenience.

He stood by the window, staring out at the grounds and the peacocks strutting about, watching with little interest. He held his wand loosely behind his back. Footsteps echoed down the hall, one step sure, the other light.

"My lord, should I close the door?" Severus asked.

Voldemort turned to them both, and nodded once. He chose not to speak until the door closed and Severus cast a quick charm to muffle any sound from the outside.

"You have use of me, my lord," Narcissa said. Despite her bowed head, her back remained rigidly straight.

"Tell me of your son."

His order drew a flinch his presence had not, and Narcissa closed her eyes.

"Draco is talented for his age. He excels in his studies, and his exceedingly able."

"I intend to make use of him in the following year," Voldemort said. "Would he devote himself to any assignment given him?"

If the question stunned her, she didn't let on. She raised her head only enough to incline it again with her answer, hands loosely folded in front of her.

"He would be honored at the opportunity to make himself of use, my lord."

Her response skirted his answer, but he felt confident enough that if she thought him incapable, then she would have said something to discourage him. Her qualms likely came out of concern for Draco's safety. He chose to let her resistance to him pass in favor of getting on with the vow.

"The three of us will enter into a bond to ensure no one learns of my plans with Draco," Voldemort said. "You'll oversee my bond with Severus."

She took out her wand, and Voldemort waited for them to cross the room. He and Severus joined their right hands and Narcissa stood beside them, the tip of her wand resting on their hands.

"Severus," Voldemort began, "Do you swear to maintain the complete secrecy of all conversations relating to our plans for the coming year?"

"I do," Severus said, his hand tight in Voldemort's.

A thin stream of almost-fire drifted out of Narcissa's wand, wrapping around their hands, binding them together.

"And do you swear never to speak of any plans relating to it with anyone outside of this group, with the exception of Draco Malfoy?"

"I do."

Another stream of fire came out, crossing over the previous and joining them further. Voldemort didn't look away from Severus. If there was any doubt, he would only catch a glimpse of it in his eyes. Severus's mind always remained closed off.

"And do you swear to aid our mission in whatever method is required of you?"

"I do."

The third string of fire connected to the rest.

Voldemort nodded to Narcissa, and with a flick of her wand, the vow was sealed.

"And now, you and Severus will form the same bond."

Narcissa lowered her wand and gracefully moved into the position Voldemort had left. He raised the wand and began their vow, reciting the same words so that Narcissa and Severus were joined in the same oath. She didn't ask what plan they were setting out on, or what part her son would play within it. She agreed to every oath and stepped back when the sign of the bond faded.

"Not a hint of this will be allowed out of this room," Voldemort said. "As I'm sure whispers will spread when I step back from the public eye, the story will be that Draco has an assignment to make up for his father's failure."

"Will his assignment be made public, my lord?" Severus asked.

Voldemort appraised him. Dumbledore would ask him for information, and when Severus was unable to tell him anything, it would draw unwanted attention. Whatever their lie was, Dumbledore needed to believe it.

"Draco will be tasked to kill Dumbledore."

Horror flashed through Narcissa's eyes. The flinch from before paled in comparison.

"Alone?" Severus asked.

"Yes. If he succeeds, he'll earn forgiveness for his family. We'll speak of it to no one, but when Dumbledore asks you, that is what you'll tell him."

Voldemort would be in the school looking to do the same, but not that alone. Before doing anything, he had to get the entirety of the Death Eater force into Hogwarts, so when he went to kill Dumbledore, and then Harry Potter, the student body and faculty would be no trouble. If he found a way to take down the anti-apparition wards, he could move much more quickly.

One thing at a time.

"You'll spend the summer preparing Draco," Voldemort said. "Teach him what he will need to know, and begin to secure the supplies needed."

Polyjuice potion took extensive effort, but also rare ingredients. They would be difficult to get into the school, and Severus had the most reason to acquire them and keep them. They had to get everything ready, because when Voldemort went back to Hogwarts, he would be unable to return until the work was completed.