Magus Destructus

Magus Destructus

Chapter1: Kidnapping...

Draco Malfoy sat, crossed legged, in a high backed chair on his fathers right hand side. Soft chatter could be heard over the sound of thirty odd Death Eaters finishing off the main course. Lucius, as the number one Death Eater currently in Voldemort's ranks, was given the dubious honour of hosting the annual Death Eater convention and, under the supervision of his wife, Narcissa, the conventions were almost civilized. So far the evening had gone off with out a hitch. Draco had been forced into his set of the family robes and had been waiting in the library as Narcissa had greeted the guests. They had then been shown to the library where Draco had greeted them in order of importance and his father had arrived, fashionably late. An hour of polite chatter consisting of the most successful raids over the past year and new tactics that could be put to good use had been followed by dinner.

Draco was sure it had been the most boring night of his life.

He'd graduated from Hogwarts school of Witch Craft and Wizardry a month ago, and was waiting, not so eagerly, to be inducted into the exclusive club known as the 'Death Eaters.' He sighed and swirled the dregs of wine remaining in his glass. He wasn't allowed to leave the dining room until Lucius had finished his meal, which didn't look like happening soon. His father was currently engaged in a debate with someone about five seats along the table. His mother was also still eating. As the wife of Lucius, Narcissa was allowed to attend these meals, but not to follow the conversation. He tilted his head back slightly and drained his glass.

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"Ginny! Ginny, It's time for breakfast! Come on!"

Ginny sighed and rolled over, successfully pushing her quilt off the bed. It was holidays, and that meant sleep-ins. It did Not mean getting up at six in the morning to wish Ron and Harry good luck at their Quidditch tryouts. Her brother and his best friends, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, had graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry two months ago. Hermione had, of course, been in the top of their grade and was studying to become an Auror with both of the boys. Harry and Ron, however, had still insisted on pursuing a career in Quidditch, so it was off to the Chudley Cannons at six in the morning.

"GINNY!" Bellowed Ron. "COME ON!"

"Alright, Alright," Ginny muttered to herself, stumbling towards her closet. "I'm coming."

She pulled out a pair of faded tracksuit pants and a dark red hand me down jumper and ran a brush through her red and golden curls quickly. Harry had been staying with the Weasleys since his graduation and, contrary to popular belief, Ginny did not have a crush on him anymore. She'd realized in her fourth year that she hadn't really ever loved Harry, just 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' persona, and had promptly gotten over her childish crush. Now he was just another of her brothers, albeit without the red hair.

Taking the steps two at a time, Ginny entered the kitchen to smell of bacon, eggs and pancakes. Harry and Ron were just finishing their own breakfast as she sat down across the table and started piling her plate with food. "Well, look who finally got up!" said Ron fondly, taking his plate over to the sink. Ginny grinned up at him. "I was studying," she said grumpily. "Because, unlike some people, I have to go back to school."

"Potions with Snape!" Harry pulled a face.

"I definitely do not envy you!" Ron said as he laughed. "Come on, Harry. We'll be late soon." Harry took his plate over to the sink and grabbed his broom.

"See you later Gin," he said, giving her a quick hug.

"See you!" she replied before saying goodbye to Ron. Her mother said her goodbyes and together they wished them luck.

"Now Ginny," began her mother once Ron and Harry had left. "I have to go to Diagon Alley to get some supplies and pick up some things your father wanted. You'll be right here until about five, won't you?"

"Sure, Mum. Anything you want me to do?" Ginny asked. Her mother smiled.

"No, dear. I'll be right. If you need anything just get your father. I'll leave some powder by the fire just in case." Ginny nodded and kissed her mother goodbye before trudging back up the stairs to bed.

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"Lucius," said the voice. "I am disappointed. You have yet to bring me the Potter boy. I wish to know why."

Draco watched in disgust as his father groveled before the figure of Lord Voldemort. Malfoy's did not grovel, and they did not serve anyone, even if that anyone was the most powerful Dark Lord since Grindlewald.

"My Lord, I am truly sorry that our efforts have been in vain, but I assure you it will not be much longer before we have him." said Lucius, quivering.

Voldemort sneered. It wasn't a bad attempt, thought Draco, but it was a far cry from the Malfoy Sneer. Then again, he supposed it would be a bit difficult to do a passable sneer when your face was half rotted.

"And how exactly will you get him, Lucius? Why will you succeed now when so many other attempts have failed?" asked Voldemort.

"Well, Sir, We've been.... Keeping an eye on him. He graduated with my son, Draco, and is currently staying at the Weasleys, an old wizarding family that associates with Muggles and Mudbloods. We know that it would be pointless to try and take him out-right, for he has eluded us in the past, but if we take something dear to him he will surely try to reclaim it." replied Lucius, still on the ground. Voldemort seemed interested, and motioned for him to continue.

"Both the boy and his friend are participating in Quidditch trials until late this evening. The Weasley...residence, I suppose you'd call it, will be empty until tonight except for one young girl. Virginia Weasley. Draco has informed me that she and the Potter boy are quite close."

For the first time that evening Voldemort seemed to notice Draco's presence in the room.

"Then he shall take her tonight," said Voldemort. "He will keep her somewhere they will not be found. Make the Potter boy believe she is somewhere here, and we will kill him. When we do, you must kill her."

Draco didn't move. This, then, would be his challenge. In a way he was disappointed. It was so simple a task there was no way he could fail it. Not that he wanted fail, of course. It was just that he, well, he was a Malfoy, and Malfoy's did not serve, they ruled. Then there was the point of actually killing someone. He wasn't the nicest person the world, but Kill someone? However, Standing in front of Lord Voldemort surrounded by Death Eaters was definitely not the sort of place to be having second thoughts, so he simply nodded and faded back into the shadows.

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Ginny sighed. It was one o'clock and she had nothing to do. She'd finished her copy of 'Obernewtyn' and was currently sitting on the couch staring into space. Her mother wouldn't be back for another four hours, and her brother and Harry would get home at eight at the earliest. The only assignment she had left to do was her Herbology one. She had to find an example of the plant Trillium, complete a diagram of it and write a ten page essay on its magical and healing properties. She turned and looked out or the window. She didn't know where the plant grew, but outside was as good a place to start as any. She jumped off the couch and grabbed her wand; glad to have something to do.

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