It was a windless night in the dark forest. The atmosphere was thick and heavy, almost as the elements had all decided to prevent the girl inside the forest from advancing any further. Consequently, the girl was having a difficult time as countless tree roots made her fall and constant animal sounds, like howls made her look back in fear. She was still young, no more than 16 years old and her long light brown hair was dirty from hitting tree branches. Her blue eyes clashed with the darkness of the forest around her and with her tore black robes, but matched perfectly with her pale skin.
She continued to walk in an invisible path for an hour until she reached a large clearing. The sight of the sky full of stars made her feel better, and she slowly proceeded towards the center of the clearing. When she reached it she heard three loud crack sounds almost at the same time, and three hooded people apparated in a circle around her. Most wizards would be frightened if they ever found themselves in such situation, but for the girl, named Jianna McKenzie, this was a familiar situation. Since the return of the most feared wizard in Britain, Lord Voldemort, two years before, she had talked to him in person for three times and always managed to give satisfactory reports to him about the progress she had made. However, unlike many of his followers, known as Death Eaters, Jianna did not seek to be Lord Voldemort's right hand and be his most trusted follower. Her dedication came from a strange and strong sense that it was the right thing to do. To help the person that now stood in front of her. She looked for a while at Lord Voldemort's figure, hidden by the cloak he was wearing and then spoke:
"This wouldn't take so much time if I was allowed to apparate, my lord."
"You know that the ministry will find out if an underage person apparates in Britain. I do not wish you to attract any of their annoying attention. Anyway, you'll be 17 in a month and then you can use magic without any restraints" – answered Voldemort in a snake-like, high pitched voice. – "We have more important things to discuss tonight"
"I know, I apologize for any excessive eagerness." – said Jianna in an anxious voice. Lord Voldemort was not the ideal person to bother with questions.
"There's no problem in that. I'm pleased to know you don't content yourself with living like a muggle."
"My Lord!" – called the woman behind Jianna from under the hood. – "We should hurry, they'll be here in a few minutes"
Voldemort removed his own hood revealing his white face with red eyes and spoke again with a harsher and more irritated voice.
"I know Bella, but I thought I had made quite clear what would happen to those who interrupt me."
"No! I mean, my lord, I…I…I didn't mean to interrupt you, it was with the best of intentions." – said Bellatrix clearly alarmed at the sight of impatience from Voldemort. She lost her balance for a while and had to take a step back but immediately returned to her original position.
"I'll let it pass" – said Voldemort in a dangerous tone – "But just this time. Do not repeat it as I won't be so forgiving in the future. Now, Jianna, have you fulfilled your task?" – he asked turning to the girl.
"Yes I have, my lord. I've finished my study on her personality. I'm ready for the next phase of the plan." – she answered.
"Good… Bella and Severus will assist you. Severus, I want you to give her all the information possible."
"Certainly, my lord." – said the third person in the circle.
"But, my lord, if I may ask..." – started Jianna
"Usually, I wouldn't let you..." – interrupted Lord Voldemort – "but you have done well and deserve a reward. You may ask one question."
"Thank you. My question is: why not just kill Potter now that Dumbledore's gone?" – Jianna now looked excited, at the prospect of information from her master.
"I was expecting that question, I cannot deny it. After all these years, Harry Potter has no longer Dumbledore's protection and is now almost 17. His mother's blood protection will end as well. It would be much easier just to find him and kill him, wouldn't it? The answer for that question lies in the almost 15 years I spent without a body. You cannot possibly imagine how painful it was. I still carry the marks on my mind. During that time I almost became insane. Being near-death like that is one of the worst experiences imaginable. Consequently, I do not want Potter to have an easy death like his pitiful parents. I want him to suffer as I did, experience what is like to be without a body. Only after that will I kill him, and to achieve that I need you to perform your task without a single flaw."
"You can trust me, my lord. It will all happen as you planned. But…"
"One question, I said." – interrupted once again Lord Voldemort – "I must admit that your curiosity pleases me, but you don't want to push your luck."
"Of course. I apologize again for my words." – Jianna still looked like she was digesting Voldemort's answer.
Meanwhile, Bellatrix Lestrange started to move nervously, but without leaving the spot where she was standing.
"Yes, Bella? Do you have anything that you'd like to share with us?"
Bellatrix flinched when she heard the impatient voice of her master.
"Sir, it's just that they are almost here. They've already reached land and will apparate in no time. We should go."
"You do have some reason hiding in your words. Severus, do you have the Portkey?
Snape nodded and took a dirty bag from his pocket. From the inside fell a small plastic glass. He then spoke to Jianna:
"Take this Portkey. It will take you to the house where you'll stay until I finish telling you what you need to know. I and Bella will join you in a few minutes. Wait for us to apparate in the living room. Do not explore the house."
Jianna threw Snape a despising look and grabbed the glass. She vanished instantly. Only a few seconds later, there was another loud crack and three more people apparated in the clearing. There were two hooded men holding the arms of a kneeled blond wizard. This wizard was in a lousy condition, with shredded clothes and scratches all over his arms and legs. He had the exact appearance of a usually well fed person who had starved for months. On his left arm, showing under a hole in his robe there was Lord Voldemort's mark, the Dark Mark.
"Lucius…" – began the Dark Lord talking – "I see you finally got out of Azkaban." – he then made a sign to the other two men, who immediately dissaparated. – "Did you find your stay pleasant?"
"My Lord" – gasped Lucius Malfoy, trying to get up on his feet – "I'm eternally thankful to you for taking me out."
Voldemort interrupted Malfoy abruptly.
"Don't be. This was not sympathy or anything like that. My anger is not yet attenuated. Your failure to retrieve the prophecy from the Department of Mysteries is unacceptable. Your own son proved to be more effective at fulfilling my orders than you, despite not having the guts to finish them."
"My... my son?" – Lucius voice was now showing shock.
"Yes, Lucius, your son Draco was more than happy to have a useful role in the path towards my final victory. I trust you didn't do a lot of reading in Azkaban. If you had you'd know that he managed to set up the necessary scenery for Severus Snape to kill the protector of muggles and mudbloods, Albus Dumbledore. He will no longer interfere with my affairs. But enough of this pleasant chat. You will have time to catch up with the events which occurred during your imprisonment. As you probably imagine I had you taken out of Azkaban for a reason. I like to compare it to a second chance for you, only that the punishment if you should fail will make you think of Azkaban as a top quality hotel."
"I assure you that I will not disappoint you ever again" – said Lucius
"I hope you don't, for your own sake." – Voldemort looked almost as the frightened look in Lucius's face amused him.
"And what do you wish me to do, my lord?
"I'm sure you're familiar with the protection Lily Potter left to her son, how it saved the boy from the Avada Kedavra curse and how it keeps him safe from me possessing his body."
"I know about it, my lord. Her blood protection saved him."
"Precisely. He lives protected by his blood and by that pathetic feeling that weakens people, called love. Your mission is to sabotage that protection. I want you to lead Potter into hating his parents. There is no margin for errors. Unless you do a perfect job everything else will fail. If that happens, your punishment will be the destiny I have reserved for Potter. Are we understood?"
"Yes, my lord but… I need some time to regain strength. My condition is deplorable."
Voldemort looked at the trembling man before him for a while in silence, judging him with his gaze.
"You have two weeks. After that time I expect you to dedicate your time to your mission. Severus, Bella, I'm counting on you to help both Jianna and Malfoy. Oh, and just one more thing. I hope that after this summer's events no one will ever doubt my ability to judge the loyalty of my Death Eaters again." – Voldemort looked straight at Bellatrix, who swallowed and then spoke to Snape.
"I apologize for doubting you, Snape. I guess if you are able to give satisfactory answers to the Dark Lord I should also accept them." – she said, though clearly speaking against her will. Snape grinned and accepted Bella's apologies.
"Touching… I expect regular reports from you Lucius. You are dismissed." – and with these last words they all disaparated at the same time.
The clearing then fell in total silence, as if it was recovering from the evil presence that had just stood there, and the events that had been set in motion.