Chapter 15
Sirius was stumped at Barty’s fast talking and topic changing. Before he could even react Barty had already left.
Sirius turned around only to find Barty gone. It hadn’t even been a minute since Barty’s departure, but he was already nowhere in sight. Sirius was astonished; he couldn’t understand how this could happen. After all, they had only moved a short distance from the Great Hall to a wide, open corner with no pillars or obstructions that could conceal a person.
As Sirius scanned the area, his mind raced with questions. Had Barty vanished using some sort of magic? Or perhaps he had slipped away unnoticed while Sirius was lost in thought. Regardless, Sirius went back to the great hall.
Entering through the big door, the first thing he noticed was that Barty was already sitting between Regulus and Evan.
Sirius was attacked by his friends, so he no longer had time to observe the Slytherin table as his friends were asking a lot of questions. Because of that, neither he nor any other students from the three houses noticed there was a slight change at the Slytherin table. Professors were busy watching the Marauders warily, so they failed to see the obvious change in the other house.
No one noticed that something was going to change until mid way through Regulus' plan. There was going to be a huge change in the Slytherin house that no one will notice unless they show it to you, you are a Potter or brocon.
Regulus quietly watched, it had been a month since he had successfully fished Lucius out, though it had taken quite a lot of time to persuade him.
Barty had been super hyped since his trip to the Guant mansion, considering his ups and downs adventure of stealthily entering the mansion under Tom’s nose. The level of danger in that mission was almost at a death level.
A month ago!
Under the cloak of night, Barty embarked on a daring mission to infiltrate the mansion of the dark lord, it would be hypocritical if he were to say he wasn’t excited but he was more thrilled, with silent steps and heart pounding with anticipation, he traveled through the shadows to find his target.
With Draco’s teaching of Dark Arts, Barty cast spells to conceal his presence- and bypass the mansion’s defenses. Slipping past enchanted wards so easily and patrolling Death Eaters with the skill of seasoned infiltrator, his movements swift and precise.
Finally, Barty reached the inner sanctum of the mansion, where the Dark lord kept his horcrux.
Barty’s eyes gleamed with delight as he spotted the object of his quest –a ring with dark magic swirling around it. With a steady and firm grip on his wand, Barty pointed it towards the ring and he casted leviosa carefully navigating the ring towards himself meanwhile with the other hand he took out a small box from his robe. It was a box specially prepared to hold a dark artificial, the box was created by Draco and according to him the box contains spells such as protect, conceal and suppress the magical aura on it.
Barty put the ring inside the box with a triumphant smirk on his lips.
Once the ring was placed and the lid of the box was closed at that moment the box disappeared. Barty didn’t worry or lose his cool as he knew beforehand that the box had teleported to Hogwarts, it should have appeared in Draco’s hand.
They made it teleport as soon as the lid was closed to prevent Barty from getting located because of the stupid connection between the ring and Tom.
But just as he turned to make his escape, a sudden chill ran down his spine -a warning of imminent danger. With reflexes honed by years of quidditch training, Barty swiftly dodged a curse aimed at him, his heart racing as he realized he had been discovered.
With harsh training he endured under Draco those past days, Barty unleashed a barrage of counter-curses and hexes, buying himself precious seconds to retreat. He dashed through the corridors, evading the death eaters who were now in hot pursuit.
At last, Barty reached the mansion’s perimeter, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he made a daring leap over the wards that surrounded the estate. Barty turned around and sent a smirk through his silver mask at the Death Eater chasing after him as he vanished into the night, leaving behind only whispers of his daring heist and a lingering sense of fear in the hearts of those who served the Dark Lord.
The Death Eaters knew they were in trouble as they couldn’t even protect the mansion and had let the invader escape, furthermore, they hadn’t even seen his face.
Barty let out elated laughter as he traversed the night and shadows before summoning Winky. Barty appreciated Draco even more for assigning him such an exhilarating and thrilling mission that had provided him with so much enjoyment. He relished the idea of engaging in such dangerous exploits.
As Barty awaited Winky's arrival, he couldn't help but revel in the adrenaline rush from his successful escapade. The thrill of danger coursed through his veins, igniting a newfound excitement for future endeavors. With a smirk hidden behind his silver mask, he was looking forward to the next plan of the Black cousins.
Winky appeared soon after she was called, and without saying anything she aparated Barty and herself to Hogwarts as she was instructed.
When Barty appeared inside his dorm a low laughter that sent a chill through his whole body greeted him, causing him to swiftly turn towards its source and There, seated in a chair, was Draco, clutching the familiar small box containing the horcrux ring.
Draco's expression sent a shiver down Barty's spine, triggering a primal instinct that screamed danger. It was a stark reminder that Draco, in that moment, was dangerous.
Looking at the youthful face filled with menacingly, a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes as a sinister smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. There was amusement etched across his features, a cruel satisfaction gleaming.
The box containing the horcrux with the sinister dark magic aura in Draco's hand, it made him look more like a villain than the dark lord.
Barty subconsciously took a step backward, startled by Draco's villainous aura. Scanning the room for his friends, he found them seated far away from Draco. Draco occupied the sofa near the fireplace, while Evan and Regulus were settled on the bed.
Barty without saying a word went towards two of them, to ask what is wrong with Draco.
From what he learnt from the two were that Draco had been like that since he got hold of the box. Barty didn’t hesitate as he walked towards the opposite sofa and sat down.
That seems to have brought Draco out from whatever he was thinking. Two of them stare at each other for a long while before they let out identical sinister low laughter make the other two at bedside shiver as they look at each other in despair.
Having finally realized Barty and Draco weren't a good combination. They dread the future that is coming.
Regulus shook his head to get out Barty and Draco’s facial expressions at that time. Regulus watches as Draco shifts towards Lucius' right side as if it was a normal thing. That was one mystery Regulus couldn’t solve, why does Draco always shift or go and stand beside Lucius?
From what Regulus noticed was that Draco himself didn’t seem to know nor noticed it.
Regulus was having a talk with Lucius about the future dream of the Malfoy family, Lucius seems to be shocked and needs time to comprehend so he keeps his mouth shut while observing Lucius.
Lucius was indeed shocked to hear what the Malfoy family had become in the future.
Regulus gave the memory he had gotten from Draco when Lucius asked for it. Draco and Regulus shared a victory smirks when Lucius left. Everything was going smoothly and steadily.
It was night after they ate dinner and just sat down in their bed when Draco told them shocking news. “I will be going to gringott to get the last horcrux.”
“Why?” Regulus asked as he didn't understand why Draco was going to take the horcrux ahead of time, not follow the plan they all agreed on.
Barty and Evan also looked at Draco confusion, they didn't know what Draco was thinking of at all.
“I have a bad feeling for some reason.” Draco said with a frown, his eyes were sharp and deep as he looked at them.
After that he swiftly waved his right hand from Regulus to Barty’s bed. The three of them suddenly felt sleepy, they tried to fight for it but it didn’t work as they gently fell backwards.
Draco couldn’t take those three with him as he was sure that there would be a fight between him and his beloved aunt. He was willing to bet his entire fortune that in this time the vault is more or less heavily protected after getting his ring stolen. So he couldn’t let the children go with him.
Draco took out the marionette he made, possessing it he appeared away.
As soon as Draco left the three children *sleeping* awoke, they actually were just acting. They shared a smile, how could they let Draco go there alone knowing that it will be
harder than Barty’s mission.
That is what the other two were concerned about while Barty wasn’t going to miss out on a thrilling event.
They started to prepare for their night out, they casted the spell they learnt from Draco like; how to make an empty bed look like there is someone sleeping on it. Because it was their first time casting it, took quite while;
Draco quietly appeared inside gringott shocking the goblins, before any goblins act Draco took out a silver token and sent it to the nearest goblin, who caught it.
The goblin stared at the silver token of Black family heads in shock, he couldn’t believe that Orion Black would just give the token to anyone who isn't important, that is why he hurriedly brought the man to the Black family vault.
Draco holds back the smirk that is threatening to come out.
It was a good thing that he decided to come today as the goblin leader was out today.
He couldn’t wait any longer as he was sure that the Gaunt ring incident had alerted Tom. He must move now or face Tom directly, because once Tom realises that his horcrux has been discovered and collected he will do anything to keep the last one safe.
Draco doesn’t wish for Tom to get the last piece while he can just take it.
Draco waved away the goblin, once he was sure that no one was there Draco walked into Bellatrix’s vault. Taking out his wand Draco in low voice casted accio and in his other hand appeared a brown box.
It took one minute for the hufflepuff cup to appear in his eyesight. Without further ado, Draco locked it in the box that was solely created to contain horcruxes. That was when he heard loud footsteps of a big number of people coming towards the vault.
If you think Draco came without preparing then you must be stupid.
Draco casually left his marionette appearing as his ghost form and then with a wave of his hands the marionette disappeared. Draco smirked smugly as he disappeared to where Regulus was, the last thing he saw was enraged Tom.
Draco’s smirk fell as he locked at the three boys who were trying to convince Willy to take them to gringott.
He was speechless at their fake sleeping stunt they pulled on him. Then amusement filled him as he realised he was a bit naive to think three teenagers will sit still without getting into trouble.
‘Hah, to think I would forget that at their age, we were also troublemakers!’ Draco shook his head in amusement before clearing his throat loudly to get the troublesome three barts attention.
Draco smiled widely as the trio stared at hiḿ with wide eyes.
Regulus gulped as he stared at his cousin who has a wide smile that is saying y'all are in big trouble. Barty and Evan were also nervous at getting caught by Draco.
If it was their parents then they might not give zero cakes but Draco was a different matter, he was like a parental and adult figure in their life. They expected to get scolded or reprimanded but not expecting advice. “Next time don’t waste your time with making a bed, instead leave first and think of the solution later.”
Regulus nodded his head seriously as he felt that was the most efficient and time saving method.
There was relief in his chest as Draco didn’t blame them which was only Draco’s way. Considering if it was someone else then they would have at least warned them of the danger they were putting themselves into.
While Draco would give the piece of advice with the implication of if there is danger I will protect you three and I'm confident of my ability.
Showing how insane yet sane of his cousin’s mind is currently.
Barty and Evan seem to realise that by how they shared admiration(B) and incredulity(E). No Evan you aren’t imagining his cousin truly meant it.
Regulus sighed as Draco once again ushering them to sleep.
In the morning Draco told them what had happened, Regulus was relieved that Draco was safe and glad that they had yet another horcruxes of the dark lord. Only the ones left were the locket and snake(?).