Ice

Neville Longbottom felt the danger in the air before nearly everyone else. Seeing as how his close friend, Ginny Weasley, had dark energy around her on a regular basis. 

"The world.." Luna began as she, Neville, and Ginny sat in the compartment.

"I feel his presence. He is..." Ginny started looking around the room "here." 

Neville wanted to deny. That the world was not as dark as it was, that Ginny was not correct in her belief that the dark lord- her version which Ginny had written since mid summer- was back.  Luna, on the other hand, seemed to act as though she had the same feelings as Ginny. 

"I feel him.." Ginny repeated. "He is how I saw him.. all those years ago. I fear that if people see the handsome Riddle in place of the Dark Lord that they will fall for him as I had. As nearly everyone- women and men- had since the Dark Lord was in school..." 

Neville could not say anything.

"I..." Luna began "I believe that you are right. After all, Ginny, you know this version better than (gestures between herself and Neville) will ever know." 

Ginny shot a beholden smile. 

Then was silence. Not the awkward, I can't wait for it to be over kind, but the no words needed kind. 

xxxxx

Pansy Parkinson had seen the Dark Lord, her parents had both joined willingly and had been stunned. It was not the snake like creature that had been described but a rather handsome man. Pansy had written to all of her friends, who had all invited them to the Parkinson's London Home to set their sights on the man. 

He had been smooth with each of the them but none had caught his attention. Pansy's mother, Violet, had told Pansy "He speaks of Ginny Weasley, I have feeling that if we are to be important to him. It would be through her." 

So when a day before leaving to return to Hogwarts, The Dark Lord had called Draco Malfoy (Lucius had crowing smirk when he heard Draco's name) and Pansy Parkinson (Violet and Scorpio Parkinson had a gloating smile at hers). 

Inside the small office, Draco and Pansy had gotten the directions.

Watch Ginny! 

Pansy, after leaving the meeting, had turned to Draco and asked "Why her?" 

Draco had said nothing in return as though he had a feeling.

Pansy had allowed the meeting to roll through her head. 

You know Ginny well? 

Yes, my lord, she and I are on Friendly terms. That is all.

Yes, I know. That's why I believe that you will be helpful

That is all. Pansy had thought that it was dismissive, not comprehending why this girl- this blood traitor- had somehow captured the Dark Lord's attention.  But after thinking it over and over again those three words: That is all. As though ensuring that the Dark Lord was aware that nothing happened. 

Ginny... and the most powerful Dark Lord of our Generation somehow know eachother enough that testing the loyalty of Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy through her.

Pansy kept silent as her friends, Millicent Bulstrode, Daphne Greengrass, and Tracey Davis laughed.

xxxx

The first sight that Draco had of his friend was when he overheard the conversation between Neville, Luna, and Ginny. All of them kept going back to the fact that they felt like the world was a little darker and the presence of the Dark Lord was there. This comment would not have been as important but then Ginny talked about the handsome dark lord. Draco had to admit that three of them talking about it was brave. 

Draco wrote to his lord.

My Lord, 

I had overheard a conversation on the train. Ginny Weasley was speaking to Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. Ginny fears that you have returned as 'the handsome man who everyone-men and women- have fallen for since his time at hogwarts'

DLM

Draco knew that his lord would enjoy seeing that.

xxxx

Bellatrix Lestrange was excited see the terrified faces of her new students. The Dark Lord had sent the new professors up to capture Hogwarts knowing that it would be cripplingly for the Moral of the Order. 

It was a stealthy attack that had placed the future of the Wizarding World in the hands of the Dark Lord. He had wanted it done when the school was not on high alert, so they did it a week before the students. He was insistent on the fact that  nobody should be killed or seriously damaged. 

"You know.." Rodolphus teased at Bellatrix "He is in love." 

Bellatrix had heard about the request of watch Ginny Weasley. But in love ha, Bellatrix thought. If anyone were to catch his attention, it would be her. His loyal servant who married the doofus Rodolphus only for the sake of looks but who everyone knew even the Doofus knew was in love the Dark Lord.

Ever since 1969, when Bellatrix was a newly wed and new to the Death Eaters. 

"No." Bellatrix said arrogantly "there most be something else." 

Rodolphus just shakes his head. 

xxxx

Narcissa Malfoy watched Lucius pace the small room that was going to be their room at Hogwarts. He was groaning with a deep dislike that seem to leak out of every move.

"I can't believe we have to live..." Lucius began "here."

"The Dark Lord proclaimed it." Narcissa responded warily. 

Lucius glared.

"I can be soo much.. do soo much.. in London that I can't do here."

Narcissa disagreed. 

"You can infleunce people through your teaching, You can watch the Dark Lord's girl until he calls her to him. You can build a reputation among the students. You can build a reputation with him." 

Narcissa may have enjoyed the luxury that is Malfoy Manor but she had wanted to keep an eye on Draco. 

Plus, she wanted to know more about Why Ginny.