The deal

Down in the main living room, Scorpius saw Voldemort with his back towards him, looking into the fireplace. He was bothered by something, though Scorpius couldn't understand what that might be. From what he knew, everything was going Voldemort's way at the moment. Brutus was also present, leaning against the left side wall. He did not look happy either, but when Scorpius entered he narrowed his eyes and seemed to study him thoroughly.

"You called me, my Lord?" Scorpius said with a bow, ignoring Brutus for now. He suspected what he had been called here for, but he didn't want to start the meeting with open hostility, if he could help it.

Voldemort turned around to face him.

"Ah, yes. Young Mr Malfoy. I presume you know who this is?" He waved towards Brutus.

"Brutus Malfoy. The man who claims to own this manor," Scorpius replied, with a dark look in Brutus' direction.

"I do own this manor. Your father forfeited all rights to it when he betrayed our family," Brutus retorted.

"That is what we are here to discuss. I don't want disunity in my ranks. So, I need you two to come to an understanding," Voldemort said. "Now, Scorpius, will you accept that your father has betrayed his family legacy?"

"I have already said so, my Lord. I am ashamed to be his son. But he could not take that choice away from me. I have made my choice," Scorpius replied respectfully.

"You chose correctly," Voldemort agreed. "That does, however, leave us with a conundrum. Brutus, I understand you have no sons of your own? So, who is your heir?"

"That is correct, my Lord. I have not named a specific heir, but my nearest relative is a female cousin. This is the main argument the traitor Draco uses against me in the wizard court," Brutus replied, still staring at Scorpius. There was possibly a sense of jealousy or longing in his eyes.

"Well, then we have a simple solution. You will name Scorpius here your heir, and he will agree that the manor is yours for as long as you live. Are those terms acceptable for both of you?"

"Yes, my Lord," Scorpius and Brutus replied together. Brutus with a small smile, Scorpius while trying not to show anger. This was a good deal for Brutus. It was exactly what he wanted. He suspected Brutus had suggested just such an arrangement as soon as he learned that Scorpius was among Voldemorts followers.

"Good. Let us not waste any more time on such trivial matters. It is time to turn to more important things."

Five more Death Eaters walked in. These were clearly the most trusted of the Death Eaters. They arranged themselves in a semicircle with Voldemort at the top. Brutus hesitated, but at a look from Voldemort, he left.

"Get Severus down here when you leave, Brutus," Voldemort said as Brutus got to the door. Brutus nodded reluctantly.

"We need to decide what we will do to the creature downstairs," Voldemort said once Brutus had closed the door. "She has forfeited her life many times over. She is a Mudblood who has dared to raise herself over those of purer stature than her. She led others in rebellion against me. She ruined a piece of my soul. For that last, especially, she deserves a painful death."

Voldemort relayed his plan to the others, as Albus came in and joined them. Neither he nor Scorpius enjoyed what they were hearing.

"But what about the girl? Her daughter? Wouldn't it be even worse for the Mudblood if she saw her die first? You saw how she reacted when she heard her last night," Goyle asked, once Voldemort had finished.

Scorpius stiffened. He had been afraid this might come up. He had to prevent Rose from getting killed!

"Perhaps," Voldemort said. "But the girl is still useful. She has much information she can tell us. Besides, she is Malfoy's girl now. Isn't she, Malfoy?"

"You- you gave her to me, my Lord, but she is at your disposal, of course. I would like to be the one to deal out any punishment though, if that is possible, my Lord. It will help her remember what happens if she disobeys," Scorpius said. He needed to tread carefully here, but he wanted to avoid any more danger to Rose, if it was at all possible.

"Maybe we could just torture her?" Lestrange suggested. "That will be just as painful for the Mudblood to watch, but it means we won't lose her. And we can threaten more torture if the Mudblood does not behave."

"Yes, an excellent idea Rodolphus," Voldemort agreed. "I would prefer not to take her with us, prisoners who need to be guarded will just distract us. But a session with torture before we leave will be useful indeed. We don't need to tell the Mudblood that her daughter is not with us."

This statement was met with agreement from most of the Death Eaters. Albus and Scorpius had no choice but to nod along with them, though the very idea horrified them both.

"You, Malfoy, will get a very special task," Voldemort added.

"Me, my Lord? Name it. I will do anything," Scorpius said. He instantly regretted it, remembering what Albus had had to do when he proclaimed that he was willing to do "anything". He was still put out after hearing what was in store for Rose, he wasn't guarding his tongue like he should have.

"You, my boy, will get to kill the Mudblood yourself," Voldemort told him, as if giving him a great reward.

Scorpius looked up, shocked. "Me, my Lord? But I don't… I mean, I haven't yet mastered the Killing Curse." Why had he said "anything"? He was usually better at thinking before he spoke.

"Well, this is an excellent time to try. But if you are unable to do the spell, this will do. It will also make it more prolonged." Voldemort handed Scorpius a long, ornamented sword. An executioner's sword. He took it, shaking slightly. What had he gotten himself into now? And how would he explain this to Rose?

"I will try my best. I will make you proud, my Lord!"