The Dark Angel

The Dark Angel

By: Tim H. Smith

Chapter One:

The boy leaned against the windowsill. Where are you dad? he thought as he watched the sun rise behind the thick trees of the forest. He hadnt been able to sleep more than two hours. It was almost two days that his father hadnt come home, leaving him alone in the large Manor with only two house elves to keep him company, and they were bloody annoying with the worried looks and glances they exchanged, the worst part was that they wouldnt tell him anything. He had requested, asked, demanded, threatened and even hexed them but hadnt gotten any thing more than, "Fiddy is not knowing, sir." And, "Lotty can not tell Master Angel." This all gave him the feeling that something was seriously wrong; he only hoped that dad was safe.

"Your highness," a voice from behind startled him. He turned back wand in hand, ready to curse any auror that had managed to break in. But there were none, instead there were three Death Eaters bowing respectfully.

"What do you want?" he answered trying to keep his voice cold and steady, like his father always demanded of him, regardless of emotions.

"We have bad news, your highness."

"Take off your masks." As they complied, Angel recognized their faces. Aeneas and Lavinia Lestrange, who were both high in the ranks and also the only people aside from his father who knew the location of the Dark Manor, and they had brought with themselves a nervous looking Lucius Malfoy.

Lavinia was the one to talk first, "it is about his lordship," after a respectful (or maybe fearful, he thought) pause she continued, "the night before last, his lordship went after the Potters. He insisted on going alone, and said it was all about an old prophesy which he didnt allow us to know. But he never came back, we all felt a sharp sensation in our arms and the Dark Mark glowed green and then it went invisible."

"What do you mean?" Angel said, his brain refusing to believe what she was implying.

Aeneas was the one to make the last strike, "they say that his lordship killed James and Lily Potter, but when he tried to kill their infant son, Harry," he stopped, looking helpless. "Go on." Angel cried impatiently. The Death Eater said in a low voice, as if not wanting to be heard, "the spell back fired. The boy is intact except for a scar on his fore head." No body talked for a while.

"You mean a baby killed the Dark Lord?" Angel said quietly, still not believing what he had been told.

"Definitely not," Lavinia said. His head shot up hopefully. "The Mark is invisible but we can quite sense its presence. Our lord might be weakened, or maybe he has fallen into a trap, but he is certainly alive. We have already started to search for him. Well try to be as discreet as possible but we wont hesitate to set on action if necessary. We will find Lord Voldemort." She rose her head and looked in his eyes; black curls half hiding her determined dark ones. Angel only nodded.

"Meanwhile we have plans for your safety." Lucius Malfoy talked at last, "we will put you into an enchanted sleep, giving you a potion which will preserve your present mental and physical status. When the Dark Lord returns, well wake you up." Angel decided he didnt like this idea very much but just as he opened his mouth to protest, Malfoy talked again, his face even paler than usual. "We can not guard you, as many of us are under pursuit and might even be arrested and sent to Azkaban, and."

He couldnt end his sentence as Angel started to talk sternly, now with more control over his voice, "how very disrespectful of you to interrupt me, Lucius." Malfoy flinched visibly under three glares being sent his way. Angel breathed in. Control yourself. Theres no time for lordship shows right now, he thought and continued in a more subdued voice, and just what, pray tell, am I supposed to be protected against? As long as I know, nobody knows the location of this Manor."

"It is not unspotable, and if they know where to look they may find it. Many of us are arrested and some of them may have some information. It might not be of great use to Dumbledore and the Ministry but we dont want to take any risks."

Angel glared at the Death Eater who had talked, honestly Aeneas, do you think anybody is foolish enough to betray my father?"

Aeneas bowed lower to the floor, "Im sorry to say, your highness, that unfortunately most of them are."

Why do you think so?"

Many have bought the Ministrys lies about our lord. Some have surrendered themselves to the Ministry, claiming that they had been under Imperius curse. Some even," the mans voice turned into an angry snarl, "some, like that coward Karkaroff, even had the nerve to openly suggest to give away names and all other kinds of information they have. We are sure the Ministry knows about your existence by now. If so, you are in great danger. The light side has proved to be able to do things than giving a child the Dementors Kiss."

"I see your point," replied Angel, he still didnt like the idea but remembering the screams that had filled his head when he had once faced a dementor, he decided not to argue. He had too much on his mind to remember to make an angry remark to Aeneas for referring to him as child."

"When shall you start?"

"The sooner, the better. We could do it right now if you do not object."

"That is alright with me. Where will I be sleeping?"

"In one of the secret chambers in the dungeons, we already have one in mind but the final choice is left to you." Answered Lavinia respectfully.

"Where is Snape when you need him?" said Lucius with frustration as he tried to chip the gilly weed and not let its worms run away at the same time.

"Azkaban," said Lavinia placidly as she stirred the thick purple liquid in the silver cauldron clock wise, "and you will pray you were there if you dont stop whining." Lucius glared at her, before getting back to work muttering under his breath.

"If only I got my hands on that Pettigrew rat," snarled Aeneas.

"Pettigrew? Is it the same one who was killed by Black?" Lucius asked.

"Yes, the traitor was too lucky Black only blasted him off. I would do it slower, letting him regret the moment he betrayed our Lord till the end of his sodden life, not that it would be too long anyhow."

"You mean that coward Pettigrew was a Death Eater? And how could he possibly betray his lordship?"

The couple exchanged meaningful looks.

"I think we can tell him, there is little this small piece of information can change now anyway." Aeneas said.

"Not that we have much choice now that you chose to open that big trap of yours," Lavinia snapped.

"Alright," Aeneas continued, completely ignoring his wifes comment, "the Potters secret keeper was Pettigrew not Black. They switched it the last minute, something about fooling us; not even Dumbledore knew."

"But they didnt know that Pettigrew was a Death Eater and would give them away to the Dark Lord," said Lucius thoughtfully.

"Or maybe," interrupted Lavinia, "they knew, and had meant it to be a trap. It apparently didnt work very well though, as three of them got killed in the process," Lavinia smirked.

"I see now," said Lucius quietly and went back to his chipping work.

Angel entered the cold dungeon room, wearing a gray cotton robe. The tree Death Eaters bowed. Malfoy stepped forward and knelt before him, holding a silver plate with a goblet on it for him to drink. The potion looked a disgusting light green. Angel grimaced but picked the goblet and drank the liquid. To his surprise it didnt taste foul, if a little bitter. A moment after he had drowned it he felt an icy sensation go through his veins and he shuddered involuntarily. Now please lie on the bed, your highness." Lavinia said. He did so and took a last look at every thing in the room before shutting his eyes and going to sleep, the last thing he heard was the three voices muttering meaningless incantations. Please be safe dad, was his last thought as he surrendered to the charm.

To Be Continued