Katherine Parkinson stood a short distance from my grasp in the oak and red-silk wallpapered library. Her icy-blue eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight as she took in the night sky through one of several large windows.

     As I ran my eyes down the length of her profile, I couldn't help but admire the shape of her fingers. I remember them well.

     "It was Potter and Jenkins," I stated confidently, surprised at my tone when everything in me was jittering like I was sitting in a car going down a pothole infested road.

     Disappointment tainted the air like smog as she spoke, "I'm guessing that the Ministry sent them?"

     I sagged. "Yes, I believe Potter was secretly sent there by Severus Snape to look into the Granger situation."

     A micro-sized twitch at the corner of her mouth let me know that was something she expected. But the tension in the room seemed to intensify the longer she remained quiet. 

     I tried in a happier tone, "On a positive note, nothing was disturbed or found. They only skimmed the perimeter."

     "Skimming is too close for my comfort," she said with a scowl making her ageless face look like an ancient map with the sudden appearance of all the wrinkles. 

     I opened my mouth to try to fix this fumble when her hand flew up to silence me. 

     "Did any of your old schoolmates know about that piece of property?"

     I knew where this line of questioning was going and cleared the lump that had formed in my throat at her suspecting I messed up when clearly this was that hideous Fawley's fault. "No, none of them. And Malfoy most certainly doesn't have a clue. He was always too self-involved to notice anything but himself or Potter's activities," I spat, unable to keep the venom from my tone. 

     Some best friend he was.

     She turned abruptly, her icy gaze peering into my soul. "You're sure?"

     I moaned with the desire to give her any and everything to keep her happy with me after such a close call with Potter and Jenkins. "Of course, Grandmaster. Not even Pansy is aware of all my family's holdings."

     A smile pulled at her beautiful light-pink lips. "I'm pleased to hear that. The last thing we need is for knots to tangle up our plans."

     Her light floral perfume tickled my nose as she neared. Drinking her in, I said as I bowed my head, "I'm your loyal servant Grandmaster and will protect you with my life, never allowing anything to harm you or your family."

     "I know and appreciate that." She touched my cheek lightly, making my eyes roll behind my closed lids and purr in ecstasy. "We will remove all the evidence connecting you to the Circle at the earliest convenience."

     My eyes snapped open, and I protested, "There's no need to react hastily unless inquiries are made at the Ministry. I will know the minute it occurs... if it does."

     "Will you?" She didn't sound convinced.

     "I have a loyal contact employed there." The memory of me flirting with the four-eyed, nerdy blonde when I'd first approached her made me cringe.

     "I'm aware of Miss Sullivan."

     I smiled at Katherine's cleverness; it was the most alluring thing about her. "Then, you are also aware of her love of designer footwear that her working wage can't afford."

     "I love a good shoe myself." Her light chuckle tickled my ears. "Very well, I will allow you to handle this... for now."

     "I will tell you immediately should anything happen, good or bad," I swore while leaning closer to her.

     "Where did Fawley end up?"

     "He's off complaining about his new lab in Bangladesh."

     "Complaining?"

     I rolled my shoulders to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling that thinking of the crazy man and his body odor always managed to evoke in me. "Yes, apparently, his new accommodations are too clean for his needs."

     "Fix it."

     I nodded and reassured her, "I had him take a walk-about, and we will transport all his belongings to any new location he deems worthy." 

     She chuckled with a pleased smile pulling at her mouth. "Very good." Moving to the bar nearby, she poured two drinks and brought me one. "I want you to know how important you are to me."

     My heart burst with joy at her words. The amber liquid she gave me burnt going down but left a sweet taste in my mouth.

     "Do you remember me suggesting that you become a permanent member of my family?"

     I sucked in a shocked breath; those words are what I have been striving for ages to hear from her. "Yes, Grandmaster."

     "You know how important it is that a Parkinson maintains good social standing and what it will take to rectify the current blemish to our name."

     "Yes, Grandmaster. I will never rest even after this whole business is nothing but a faint memory."

     "Good." She pressed her soft lips to my forehead before whispering, "Promise me that you'll take the best of care with my precious Pansy."

     The need to be further rewarded by her quaked through me. "I will treat her like the Queen, her beautiful grandmama is."

     "No, you'll do better!"

     I leaned closer while drinking in her intoxicating smell. "Of course, I will do anything, even die for her."

     Katherine's smile warmed me. "She can never learn about any of this."

     "No one suspects me of being involved, Grandmaster. I will never tell a soul and will even make the unbreakable vow." I willingly offered her my hand.

     She smiled. "No need to do such a thing, I'm positive that you'll never utter a word of this to anyone."

     "Yes." I cooed at her praise.

     "It's time for her to come home."

     My heart caught in my throat at the exciting news, and I bowed. "I'll go and fetch her at once."

     She waved her hand in dismissal.

     As I reached the door, her voice caressed my ears, bringing a smile to my face. "You are a very good boy, Theodore."