Daisies and Dark Lords
-August 27 1991-
“Why is this still a problem?”
Narcissa winces at the enraged hiss of her Lord. She stands next to her husband in the meeting hall of her Lord’s castle, and she sends a sympathetic glance at the poor sod delivering his report. Corban Yaxley is clearly terrified, his eyebrows drawn together as he looks at the Dark Lord in fear.
“W-We are still searching for them, Milord,” he stutters out, his eyes flitting between the ground and their Lord’s face as he searches for a way to get himself out of the torture that is bound to follow. “But their forces continue to evade.”
“Continue to evade, you say?” the Dark Lord says, and his glare intensifies. “Tell me, Yaxley, how they continue to evade you? They are nothing more than street rats, and you are telling me that you cannot find them?”
Yaxley trembled where he stood. “Y-Yes My Lord.”
Narcissa sighed minutely as the Dark Lord raged. The tension in the room spiked the longer the Dark Lord seethed silently, paralyzing Yaxley with his death glare. The only noise that could be heard was Yaxley’s terrified breathing.
It had started off as a normal report day. The Dark Lord had summoned the heads of each department in the New Ministry and demanded they give him the reports for the month. All had been going well since the Lord’s ascension to power.
The war had been won eleven years ago, with the Dark Lord gaining the Ministry. It took a few years before the people settled under the new influence of power, but the Dark Lord had changed the laws to be more fitting for everyone involved.
About five years ago or so, the Dark Lord changed. Where he was once an insane, powerful dictator, the Lord became more of a leader. His laws, more fair and fitting for the society that they lived in. Narcissa had barely concealed her surprise when her beloved husband came home one afternoon to tell her that Muggleborns were still allowed to attend Hogwarts.
Narcissa had expected them to be thrust from their society entirely, or stripped to second-class. But instead, their Lord made it a law that they be introduced into their society as children so that they might learn their traditions---their muggle heritage must be left behind. Muggle parents should be fully integrated into the Wizarding World to live as squibs and several Muggleborn orphanages began to pop up.
But Narcissa would have to concede that those laws helped sway what little resistance was left to their side. The Dark Lord’s previous regime of Pure-Blood Supremacy shifted to focus on magic instead. All magic should be free---and anyone who could wield it was welcomed.
Their Ministry was fully successful and there had only been one uprising since the Dark Lord took power, and it had been easily quelled.
But the true surprise to Narcissa---more so than the equal rights movement for Muggleborns and Werewolves---was the headmaster of Hogwarts. For some reason, Albus Dumbledore remained the headmaster.
It was no secret that Dumbledore was head of the Order of Phoenix---the leading rebellion group against the Dark Lord and the New Ministry. Her Lord had signed a peace treaty with the old wizard at the end of the war, and Dumbldore’s continued employment at the most prestigious school of Wizardry was a part of that.
Narcissa had honestly expected the Dark Lord to kill Dumbledore, as everyone knew how much the former despised him. And yet, the old man remained alive and well, and still in the powerful position as always.
However, the Order of Phoenix continued to fight against the Dark Lord. Their efforts, more subtle now that the masses had settled into the Dark Lord’s power, continued to invoke the most terrifying rages of her Lord.
And because her Lord could not arrest Albus Dumbledore (The reason being the new laws in the New Ministry that focused on double jeopardy and the justice system prevented the prosecution of a previously reformed and contracted rebel. Another clause of the peace treaty signed by the two powerful wizards, in order to ensure the security of Magical Britain.) the Dark Lord was attempting to find another way to end the rebels.
Trying, yet not succeeding---as Yaxley had the misfortune of pointing out.
“I want this dealt with!” the Dark Lord seethed, finally breaking the tense silence.
“Of course, My Lord,” Yaxley said, trying to sound confident. Narcissa narrowed her eyes at his trembling hands. “It shall be done.”
“Shall it?” the Dark Lord asked, staring at Yaxley with an unimpressed expression. “I’ve been expecting this to be solved for several months now.”
Narcissa frowned as Yaxley’s trembling increased. Yes, the Order of Phoenix had picked back up again after several years of silence. No one had been able to figure out why they decided to show their faces now, after so many years of nothing. But whatever the reason, the Dark Lord wanted them dealt with.
“M-My Lord I---”
“You told me that it would be fixed at the last meeting as well, did you not?” the Dark Lord asked, standing up from his stone throne. Nagini hissed at the movement and Narcissa flinched as the Dark Lord hissed back. Her Lord’s familiar merely coiled around herself as she tried to find a comfortable position without the Dark Lord to perch upon.
Yaxley winced and attempted to step back, only to freeze at the Dark Lord’s enraged hiss. “Y-Yes My Lord… I did…”
“Then tell me why it has yet to be solved!” the Dark Lord hissed.
“I.. I.. My Lord I…”
Narcissa winced at the pathetic display in front of her. Yaxley was bound to undergo horrific torture any moment now. However, just as the Dark Lord raised his wand to fire, the grand doors to the meeting hall were pushed open.
For a moment, horror ran through Narcissa’s veins, as she whipped her head to the side to see what suicidal idiot had dared interrupt the Dark Lord’s meeting, only to sag slightly in relief.
Little One had arrived.
The toddler Inferius walked swiftly to the stone throne where the Dark Lord stood and crawled up into the chair. Nagini hissed for a moment---in delight, Narcissa was sure---and positioned herself so that she could wrap around the child.
Little One looked up at the Dark Lord, emerald eyes full of wonder and child-like innocence. Instantly, the Dark Lord’s rage seemed to melt away. He glanced at Little One for a quick second, and Narcissa was in the perfect position to see the fondness in the Dark Lord’s gaze, before he turned back to face Yaxley.
The terrified man---much less, now that Little One was here---was still standing in a rigid position as he waited for the Dark Lord to say something.
“I want this issue fixed. Now.” the Dark Lord said with finality. And that was that. Yaxley gave a curt nod before he bowed, and then returned to his seat in the semi-circle of chairs that surrounded the Dark Lord’s throne.
Before Little One, the Dark Lord would have tortured Yaxley for his failure, and then proceed to hand out punishments for anyone else who dared displease him until the meeting ended and everyone returned home in some form of agonizing pain. Now, however, the Dark Lord merely fixed Yaxley with a glare before he adjusted the snake and Inferius on his throne so that they might both sit comfortably on his lap.
The meeting continued, each department head standing up and giving their presentations to their attentive Lord. The Dark Lord watched with intense attention, his hand coming to pet Little One’s shaggy, black hair absently as each head spoke.
Little One sat there, content to curl up in the Dark Lord’s protective hold while the meeting commenced. Nagini was coiled around the toddler, her head resting on the Dark Lord’s knee and Little One pet her scales gently, almost in a soothing gesture as he slowly fell asleep.
It was until the meeting ended that the Dark Lord roused the child Inferius. After most of the heads were dismissed, the Dark Lord gently woke Little One, who opened his eyes and smiled brightly at the Dark Lord.
The Dark Lord hissed something in parseltongue at the Inferius---how the Inferius understood it was a mystery, yet Narcissa had some theories---and Little One nodded. Little One then lightly embraced Nagini’s head before he reached into his drawstring bag that Narcissa had never once seen him without, and pulled out a red Spider Lily. The Dark Lord took the flower, a fond grin creeping onto his face, and patted Little One gently on his head before sending him off.
Narcissa smiled as Little One walked over to her. Narcissa bent down to smile at the child, and was rewarded with a pair of Daisies. Narcissa took the flowers, used to the greeting. Little One gave flowers to everyone he met with as a sign of friendship and goodwill. Narcissa found it adorable endearing.
“Hello, Little One,” she cooed. “Are you here to spend time with me?”
Little One shook his head gently, showcasing the tiny stitches that ran up the length of Little One’s spine to the top of his nape before curling around slightly to the left and tapering off just by his ear. Little One only smiled at her again before he pulled out a single orange Tulip and handed it to her.
Narcissa smiled. “Would you like me to tell my husband you said hello?” she asked, knowing that Little One only gave Tulips to Lucius. Her husband had left with the Lestranges---off to talk about some business Narcissa had no interest in. Little One nodded happily. “I’ll be sure to give him your love, darling.”
If Inferius could blush, Narcissa was sure Little One would be doing so. Little One gave her one last bashful smile before he turned around and ran off. Narcissa smiled fondly at the inferius before she walked off to find her husband.
Lucius would be glad to have yet another Tulip to add to his collection.
The Death Eaters parted as Little One ran by them, only stopping to hand them their respective flowers and smile. It was clear to them that the Dark Lord’s Inferius was on a mission of some kind, and they wouldn’t stand in his way.
It was only when Little One ran into a group of eleven-year-olds standing by the common room, did Little One slow down.
Draco saw him first.
“Little One!” he called, smiling slightly as the baby Inferius beamed at him. Theo and Blaise ceased their conversation about the better Quidditch team, choosing instead to grin at the approaching child.
“Hey Little One,” Pansy smiled, leaning down to accept the handful of Lavenders that Little One offered her. “I haven’t seen you in a while.” Little One only shrugged at her. Pansy, used to Little One’s silence, merely continued. “I’m going to miss you when I’m gone.”
Little One frowned at that, tilting his head slightly in confusion. Draco winced slightly at the move, and carefully tilted Little One’s head back. The last time Little One had done that, he ripped his stitches.
(The Dark Lord refused to allow Little One out of his sight for weeks after the incident.)
Little One handed Draco a red Carnation before pointing at him, a pout resting on his face. Draco took the Carnation and placed it in the lapel of his robe before he sighed and crouched down so that he could be eye-level with the Inferius.
“Pansy, Theo, Blaise and I are going to Hogwarts this year,” he said, ruffling Little One’s hair with a fond smile. “That means we won’t be around very often anymore.”
Little One pouted, and let out a silent huff. Blaise chuckled, drawing the Inferius’ attention. He quickly handed Blaise a handful of Geraniums and pointed at him, an eyebrow raised in an obvious question.
Blaise let out a full on laugh and nodded. “Yes, Little One, even me.” he said. “Don’t worry, though. I’m sure that we’ll see you over the hols.”
Little One frowned but nodded, a small sad expression resting on his face. Draco felt the tug on his heart strings and instantly drew the Inferius in for a hug. It was unlike the Malfoy heir to let down his masks in such a place, but something about Little One just demanded vulnerability.
Everyone, and Draco meant everyone, even his crazy Aunt Bella, loved Little One. The Inner Circle fawned over the toddler almost as much as the Dark Lord. Little One charmed everyone he met with his powerful cuteness. It was going to be weird, Draco supposed, to go more than a week without receiving a red Carnation.
“What about me?” Theo asked with mock offense. “Don’t I get a flower, Little One?”
Little One quickly jumped out of Draco’s arms then, racing over to a smiling Theo so that he could give him a single Cone Flower with an apologetic smile. Theo took it gratefully and placed it behind his ear. He then framed his face with his hands and looked down at Little One mischievously.
“What do you think, Little One, am I beautiful?” he asked. Little One giggled silently at Theo’s antics before nodding. Theo smiled and patted Little One on the shoulder. “You’re too kind,” he said. “I really am going to miss you.”
All too soon, it was time for them to leave. Draco waved one last time at Little One before he disappeared into the floo, Pansy, Blaise and Theo following shortly after.
Little One stood in the common room for a few seconds longer before he wandered off to the Dark Lord’s office. Voldemort raised an eyebrow when his door opened, only to smile at Little One.
Little One walked in, waving happily at Voldemort, and walked quickly to his favorite armchair. Voldemort smiled fondly at the sight of Little One curling up beside Nagini by the fire. Voldemort spared one last glance at his most precious, before he occupied himself with the dreadful paperwork that plagued him.
It would be another two hours before Voldemort would look up again, and he would be greeted with the sight of Nagini coiled around Little One in a protective manner, while Little One slumbered peacefully in her hold.