Sorry it took me forever the holidays were busy....and thats an understatement. However im glad to see new readers *waves hi at new readers*....this is not my strongest chapter but enjoy.....

Chapter 4- The Great Honor Part 2

With a smile on his face Draco walked into the drawing room and took a seat next to his Mother. The air was uneasy when he sat down which quickly caused his smile to dissipate but not before his Mother noticed. Lucius and Bellatrix were standing near the window arguing heatedly.

“We are on fragile ground, Bellatrix, You must let him do this on his own give him the chance to win the dark Lord’s favor or my family, our family, will parish.” Lucius said.

“Father I will complete the tasks assigned to me” Draco reassured his father. “ As to his favor I am not the only one wishing to win that.”

“Your prize is appealing then Draco?” Narcissa asked

Remembering Cassie’s fall down the stairs Draco’s smile returned “It has been factored in, however I do understand the gravity of our situation.” he stopped and the smile disappeared again. “I will not let down this family you have my word, Father. I need to return to London tonight.”

He contemplated the tasks in front of him for mere moments before looking at Bellatrix “Stop trying to read me, you taught me occulmancy and if I wanted your input on this I would have asked.” He stood up at kissed his mother on the cheek before turning to leave.

“Mother, ensure that she is informed gently. I feel that this may break her.” Draco added before walking out the door of the sitting room and into the great hall. Walking up stairs he thought of all the many things that had changed since the Dark Lord’s return. Draco knew that his service was expected and that his family’s lives were on the line if he should fail. Knowing all this gave him motivation to succeed.

Turning to the stairs he climbed up towards his room thinking of the danger that lay ahead. The challenge of keeping the favor of the Dark Lord is like trying to hold onto a Cornish Pixie in a windstorm.

Draco walked into his room which had changed little since his school days. His room was decorated in dark green brocaded walls with gilded moldings lining the ceilings. A heavily carved canopy bed was in the center of the room across for a sitting area in front of a grand fireplace. On his dresser to the right of the door was an assortment of old school trophies that were haphazardly pushed aside to make room for an elaborate apothecary set.

He walked into the closet and searched for his black messenger bag he intended to use for holding his change of clothing. After filling his bag with clothes he reached up to the top of his closet and pointed his wand at a painting at a painting of a lake and said “Altus dissendium” and the painting opened to revel a safe that held a dark velvet embroidered bag and a ornate inlayed box. It was the box he took out from the safe. In side the box was his most prized possession a wand made of elder wood.

After packing the wand and some vials that contained potions as well as some assorted plants Draco turned back to check that he had not forgotten anything. Walking down the stairs he turned to his mother who was at the bottom of the stairs and reassured her “ Mother, everything will be ok please do not worry about me. I know what is expected of me and I will succeed.” with that he walk out of the front door and apperated on the spot.