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The Dark Circle	By : SisterGryffindor Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > General Views: 4815 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Chapter List
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When he had arrived home he had immediately shucked off his clothing and hobbled into a therapeutic bath to try to undo some of the damage he had undoubtedly done to himself today. He’d been here over an hour now and had already fallen asleep twice. Suddenly Jerrod gasped in pain, clinging a moment to his left arm, staring at the myriad of scars interlaced here from every binding that had been placed upon his body and soul.

He gazed at his arm and it seemed that the newest binding scars were writhing, burning with pain. He knew what that meant; he’d felt that many times when he was bound to Malcolm Parkinson. He hadn’t felt it yet with Lucius Malfoy, but there wasn’t any difference at all. The one who had bound him was demanding his presence and if he did not comply he knew it would only get worse.

Bloody hell.

Had the plan been exposed so quickly…? Damn that McGonogall, she had to have been the one to stop Erik. Such a picky old hag even while he had been in school; he had been afraid that this would happen, but the Dark Prince’s He had been sure that everything was going to work. It was all so precisely planned…

He needed to get moving, no matter how much he hurt right now. Jerrod dragged himself out of the still steaming therapeutic hot tub, forcing his throbbing ankle to support his weight one more time. He could not say no to the summons of Lucius Malfoy, regardless of how much he wanted to.

Without bothering to dry off, he reached for his robes and dragged them on with his hands shaking with pain and exhaustion. He had overdone it today, that was clear to him, but he could not help it. He fumbled with the fastenings for several moments in his haste. The pain on his binding scars was intensifying with the level of Malfoy's fury at him.

Underlying the pain from his scars, he also noticed that his right shoulder was hurting. The mark that used to be the Dark Mark and now was some stupid flower, changed by Harry Potter, was aching badly. Someone in the circle was very angry as well.

Finally he got them his robes on and staggered out of his bathing room and snatched up the modified crutch he used to help him to get around on really bad days. He hobbled toward where the summons originated, even though that summons could mean his end.

As he expected, he was drawn to the study. Pushing open the door, he immediately saw exactly what he had feared to see; Erik was seated on the divan with his arms lying flaccidly in his lap, looking uncharacteristically defeated. George was standing near the window, looking a bit confused. Jerrod hesitated at the doorway; perhaps he was really not supposed to be here…

"Oh no, Jerrod.” Lucius stated in a dangerously soft tone. “You’re a very important guest at our little party.”   He was seated beside the fire in his overstuffed chair, eyeing the new arrival and keeping an overview of everyone in the room. "Come in and sit down. Its clear you’ve overdone things today."

"I'll fall down if I stand here much longer anyway." He grumbled, hobbling forward and leaning heavily on his cane with each step, trying to mask his expression of pain as he moved, finally sinking into a chair. He knew he was in trouble and there was absolutely nothing he could do to change it.   At least he was fairly sure he wouldn’t be beaten within an inch of his life or crippled further for his behavior.

George was instantly concerned, he moved over to Jerrod’s side. “Why are you limping like that? What did you do to your ankle?" George asked worriedly.

Jerrod closed his eyes, telling himself to simply bear with the attention and not to snap. He was just tired and hurting, all he wanted to do was go sleep now. "Nothing important; I used it too much." He answered blandly.

"The medi-witch told you not to overdo it. You were supposed to come directly home and put your leg up for the rest of the day." George scowled at him.

"I had something I needed to do, I couldn’t follow the doctor's instructions this time. It's not like it's the first time I ignored them." He commented. "Oh come on, George, stop acting so surprised!"

A moment later Narcissa moved in, guiding Mallek, Alyssa and Erin into the room ahead of her. "Here they all are, Lucius."

Mallek froze the moment he saw Erik. "No, you're not supposed to…"

"Not supposed to be here?" Lucius finished for him. Mallek looked at his father, face growing pale at Lucius’ stony expression. "Sit down, Mallek. You too, Alyssa." He growled.

Mallek moved to a seat beside Erik and Alyssa slipped over to stand between her father and Mallek, as far as she could from Lucius in the small room. Erin slipped in behind the couch behind Mallek.

“I’m sorry my Prince. I tried.” Erik murmured in a defeated tone. Erin put a comforting hand on his shoulder; if anything it made him look more defeated.

“Look, Lucius, let’s get this over with.” He said, squaring his shoulders. “There’s no reason to pull the kids into this or draw it out; it was my fault." he said in a firm tone. "Let the kids go on with their day, Lucius. They're only children and could never have done any of this without my help. I'm the only adult involved and I'm the one who took Erik to Hogwarts. Ask Ronald Weasley or his daughter, they both saw me there..."

"Oh I've no illusions about your involvement in this entire scheme, Warrington…" Lucius said in a low growl, his eyes narrowed. "I can't believe that you encouraged this foolishness."

"It wouldn't have been possible without me. It’s entirely my responsibility and I accept whatever punishment you desire…" he repeated; it was what he wanted them to believe.

"So you're telling me that your daughter had nothing to do with your so-called cooperation?" Lucius demanded, knowing that Jerrod was bound to be completely truthful to him.

"I’m telling you that it really doesn’t matter…!" He began.

"That’s not what he’s asking you and you know it, Jerrod! Did she influence you? Did she use her siren powers on you?" George demanded, irritated by his evasion of the question. Jerrod shot him an angry look; he didn’t want those questions asked!

Standing behind her father, Alyssa swallowed hard and took a deep breath. She couldn’t allow her father to take the blame though it was clear he was trying to.   "Yes, father George and Lord Malfoy, I did use my siren influence." She said quietly, her voice trembling slightly. Her face drained of all color with her fear of what was going to happen to her. She did not raise her eyes to look at either Lucius or George.

"No! It was my idea to cooperate, my idea, not hers…!" Warrington started immediately.

"I can’t let you take the blame for everything, daddy; I did use my influence on you and I know you were aware of it. We're not babies anymore, we're nearly grown up…" she slipped her arm about him and kissed his cheek, tears in her large expressive eyes. "And I really am sorry that I needed to do that to you."

Jerrod stroked her cheek, trying to get oher to understand. "That's precisely what I’m saying, Alyssa." He insisted once more. "I know you were trying to use your siren powers to manipulate me into doing what you wanted. It didn’t succeed because you had me under your spell; I bloody well knew what was happening. I could have fought it.” He turned his eyes on Lucius challengingly. “I didn't fight it because I WANTED to do what they asked of me!"

Lucius was not moved by his statement, he’d guessed as much. "I’ve no doubt that the master of this little plan was our young Mallek, I've no doubt. I'm assuming an aging potion was involved…?" Lucius inquired, steepling his fingers, his eyes focused on his fingers instead of anyone else in the room with him.

“Don’t even insinuate that they stole that potion! Erik and Erin made it themselves in potions class with me a month ago!" Warrington retorted.

"I never insinuated such a thing." Lucius answered.

"What the bloody hell would they need an aging potion for…?" George asked, confused. He had not been filled in on all the details of what had happened that day.

Lucius glanced at him. "Mr. Weasley, they had to find a way to get Erik into the school. He was born too late for entry this year. The child must be eleven years old to enter Hogwarts. The rule about age is almost immutable…”

"So Erik has been aged how much? A full year…?"

"No, don't be daft. Nine months is all that was needed to get him equal in age to Alerick." Jerrod grumbled.

George rubbed his forehead, beginning to understand the scheme. "So after he aged himself, you took the Floo network…?"

"Erik wouldn’t have needed me for that. We apparated there, of course.”

Weasley scowled angrily at him for that offhand comment. "You apparated. With your ankle? That madman Parkinson nearly crippled you and you're intent on finishing the job, aren't you? You've probably done it irreparable damage!"

"If I have done it, it was by my own conscious choice! I will pay the price I must to keep these kids safe. It doesn’t matter if I’m harmed, as long as they are safe. Whatever it takes, I will do. Lucius knows how serious I am about that. He knew it before he took me on to be bound as his manservant." He growled back at George. "I will give my very life's blood to keep them safe!"

“I want them safe too, but you’re going to lose your bloody feet, man!”

“If that is what it takes then that is what it takes.” He repeated.

"As lovely as that sentiment is, Jerrod, now the entire wizarding world believes that I have no control whatsoever over my own household!" Lucius broke into that conversation with an angry comment. "That is not acceptable, especially when the one who brought Erik home was that insufferable busybody Minerva McGonogall."

Jerrod actually looked relieved to be interrupted. "What's done is done." He responded, feeling somewhat calmer. "No one can undo the past, you know that as well as I. So now what?"

Lucius stroked his chin a moment in thought. The silence in the room was palpable; the children worried about what they would face for their actions. "For punishment, you four are restricted to the mansion. No movies, no parties, no friends over at all. No visitors for an entire four weeks."

Mallek looked shocked at the announcement. "Four weeks…? But Lord Father, I had been invited to Uncle Severus' house for…" Mallek began.

"It is unfortunate, but the answer remains. No.” Lucius said firmly, eyes narrowing slightly. “None of you will be enjoying any extracurricular activities, including going riding and most especially attending birthday parties. There will be no extra playtime for any of you." Lucius said.

Narcissa spoke up now, looking at each of the four Dark Circle children as she spoke. "That is not all, children. For your audacity in forming such a plan, I feel more correction is due to each of you.” The children looked at her now, each face showing surprise, for she was very rarely the disciplinarian. “When Lucius and I go to visit Angel and Alerick at Hogwarts next month, the four of you will not be coming. You will remain here." She said.

Mallek paled visibly but kept his mouth shut, bowing his head. It was going to be forever before he could see Alerick again and the realization was more than painful.

"That's not fair!" Jerrod immediately objected. "Narcissa, surely you can't be serious about that!"

"I assure you, Jerrod, that I am serious. And it is also final." Narcissa said coolly, frowning at him.

He didn’t see any reason to back down. She was hurting the kids by keeping them apart!   "But you're punishing Alerick too and he did nothing!"

"Your statements aren’t going to change anything. And don't forget; we've not gotten to your punishment yet, Warrington." Lucius cautioned.

"I don't care what you do to me; I still don't think it’s smart to leave Alerick there all alone." Warrington grumbled, his arms folded.

"It doesn't matter what you do anyway."

Lucius looked at the children then smiled at his wife. "If you will take these children back to their rooms, my love?"

"Of course, Lucius." She said, "Come, children…” The other three rose, but she had to touch his arm before he reacted, looking up at her. He seemed dazed, almost like he was in shock. Narcissa gently slipped her arm about him. "Come along, Mallek. It is time to go back to your rooms… perhaps a bit of a nap would help you feel a bit better." She suggested. She helped him to his feet and guided him out, trailed by Erik, Erin and Alyssa. The redheaded girl was gazing back worriedly at her father as she was led out of the room.
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The Dark Circle