The Dark Prince

Chapter 1—Decisions:

On the 25th September 1944, Slytherin Common Room a small cluster of boys sat near the fire and talked about their future plans. In their middle was seated their uncontested leader, 17-years old Tom Marvolo Riddle jr., better known to his friends as Voldemort.

"What are you plans after getting your NEWTs", asked Abraxas Malfoy, his platinblond hair gleaming in the semi-darkness of the room.

"Cygnus and I will be introduced to the Wizengamot and replace our father during the summer sessions.", explained Orion Black.

"Marvolo, what are you plans?"

"I haven't any finalize, yet. Why do you ask, Abraxas?"

"I have spoken with my father about you, he was enraged that the old coot send you back to those disgusting muggles."

"There is nothing, what you can change, nobody cares what the old coot does. They all think the sun shine out of his arse."

"But you're the heir of Slytherin. I've got an idea. At the next Hogsmead-weekend we should go to Gringotts and you'll take an inheritance test."

"He would never let us go."

"But Slughorn never says no to you, Marvolo."

"Maybe, and what do I have to lose."

"Nothing, but so much to gain."

"I will be bonded to Walburga on my 21st birthday, have I already shared this news with you?"

"No, why the long wait?"

"Our fathers thought it better to wait, we have to secure our social standing and who will take over which company."

"Make sense and what about Cygnus?"

"I will be bonded to Druella as well, when I turn 21, it's practically tradition in our family that the males have to wait four years after reaching their maturity."

"Better as to behave as a reckless Gryffindor."

"Hear, Hear.", agreed the boys.

"And you Marvolo, do you have a sweetheart?"

"It's complicated, there is a girl I like, but her parents wouldn't agree, as long as I have nothing to my name. I'm only a half-blood, even if I'm heir of Slytherin, at the moment I have no means to support a family."

"But if you got the funds, which girl would caught your fancy?", nagged Orion smirking.

"Eileen Aurora Prince. She is my light in the darkest of nights."

"Yes, she suits you, but the Prince heiress will be difficult to capture."

"I know, let's wait what my visit at Gringotts will show, before trying to capture a dream."

"Augustus Severus Septimus Prince is not an easy man, but you can convince him to be the best for his daughter, I have no doubts about that.", said Abraxas nonchalant.

"Have you seen either of the Lestrange Triplets?"

"No, I haven't seen them since DADA, why did you ask, Orion?"

"It's strange, there usually the first ones in the common room after the end of the afternoon lessons." "Maybe they got an important meeting with Sluggy." "You really think, that there is nothing else?"

"What else could it be? Not even the brashest of Gryffindors would be stupid enough to harass one of them."

"True, for that they are too good duellists." "Yes, Helix, Dextro and Nucleus Lestrange knows how to wipe the floor with their opponents.", smirked Cygnus.

"But they weren't so lucky with their names."

"Yes, alas what is to expect, the Lestrange Matriarch was always abnormal to the usual Purebloodstandards."

"Then why did the bonded at all?"

"If I got the facts straight Ajax Lestrange owned a life debt to the Rosiers, which would resulted in a marriage contract to an unborn daughter. They claimed that Lionel Rosier saved Ajax from a rogue werewolf. He killed the werewolf, before he could injured Ajax."

The clock sounds 10 times, Tom Riddle jr. stand up and said: "It's late we should better go to bed. When do we meet on Saturday?"

"How about 9 a.m. then we would have more time for the appointment at Gringotts.", suggested Abraxas.

"All right, I'll talk to Sluggy after Potions and we meet here afterwards to speak about the results."

"Fine for me, Marvolo." smirked Orion. It was a sign of honour to their leader, that they called him by his middle name. His friends know how much he despised his Muggle heritage and supported him willingly. Silent they went to their dorms to get some sleep, and to be prepared enough for the new day.