It was well into august, just after the Quidditch world cup had ended. The small town of little Hangleington was dark and murky. The streets were empty and silent. The place resembled a ghost town. The only lights were those of Riddle Manor that flickered beyond the graveyard. A single window emitted a kind of glow that suggested firelight was being used.
The one room were the light came from was occupied by three men. Two had been there for a few months now, but the third was new. These men went by the names of Wormtail, Barty Crouch Jr., and Lord Voldemort. Lord Voldemort sat on one of the large cushiony armchairs that faced the fire in that room. Wormtail lay cowering in a corner, reluctant to look at his master. However, Barty crouch Jr. was at his side, staring at his lord like there wasn't a thing he wouldn't do for him.
"Do you understand what is required?" said the snakelike voice that sent chills rippling around the room.
"I do," Barty Crouch Jr. said, "It will be an honor to carry it out my lord!" he then bows his head very low.
"Good. Good… but there is a complication." Lord Voldemort said to him. Barty Crouch Jr. looked up at him in confusion.
"A complication my Lord?"
"Wormtail, bring me the newspaper."
Wormtail looked up with utter fear in his eyes. He scrambled over to a small table and picked up a paper labeled "The Daily Prophet." He then gave it to his Lord and returned to his corner with haste.
"It says here that at the Quidditch World Cup, a nameless young woman that they called 'Dumbledore's Apprentice' almost captured you before you could carry out the noble act that you preformed." Voldemort said softly.
"Oh, yes my lord, but I managed to escape in time. All she saw was the Dark Mark I had conjured into the sky." Barty Crouch Jr. replied.
"Did you see who she was?" Lord Voldemort continued. Barty Crouch Jr. turned pale.
"I-I managed a glimpse of her my lord."
"and?"
Barty seemed to be groping around for words.
"She was… quite beautiful my lord. I had never seen her before… I had rushed off into the woods before I could get a better look. I figured she was someone from the ministry…" He finished.
Lord Voldemort sat quietly, not saying anything. He appeared to be thinking.
"I had not planned for this apprentice to be part of the plan. It is the first I've heard of her." He finally said, "I fear, if she is anything like Dumbledore, we must be extra cautious…"
"Of course my lord! I will do everything to make sure the plan goes through." Barty said with utmost loyalty in his tone.
"Good. But I want reports on this… apprentice… tell me everything about her. If she is of any threat to us, she must be disposed of the moment she leaves Dumbledore's sight."
"Yes my lord," Barty repeated.
"Go then. Begin the plan. Wormtail, I need feeding."
"Y-yes my lord. R-right away," said Wormtail. He took shaking steps as he went off to find Nagini.
"Dumbledore's apprentice… " Voldemort thought aloud. "Who are you?"
