Voldemort's Tea Party
"Hurry up Wormtail! Severus and Bellatrix will be here any moment! Lucius and Narcissa already are here! Don't worry about Dolohov and Yaxley, they'll be late. They're finishing up some… business. Truly, I can see why Severus got sick of having you around. Terribly insubordinate. Maybe I should take your feet like I did that hand. You don't seem to be using them."
Wormtail zipped around the corner, nearly falling in his hurry to get in the room. Voldemort smiled in satisfaction and glanced lazily over at his guests.
"I must say, you've got a very nice house, Lucius. I may have need of it again." He ate a single grape from the tray Wormtail had brought in.
"Yes, m'lord," Lucius said with a slight nod of the head. A moment later, the doorbell rang and Narcissa began to get up to answer it.
Voldemort raised his hand. "No, no Narcissa. Wormtail will get it." His voice sounded so terrifying that the little man practically ran to the door. "Faster!" the dark lord screeched and Wormtail broke into a run. Moments later he returned, Severus Snape and Bellatrix Lestrange in tow.
Voldemort smiled an eerie smile. "Ah, Bella, Severus! I see we've made friends after all."
Snape smiled back grimly. "I'm afraid not, my lord. Rather, by an unlucky coincidence we arrived at the same time.
Voldemort nodded. "Very well."
Bellatrix ran to his side, talking to the ground at his feet as she collapsed there. "Oh, my lord! Please forgive me! If you wish me to be friend with Severus, then only say the word and we will be the closest of friends. I live only to please you, my lord, and I would never-"
Voldemort held up his hand. "Enough, Bellatrix! We have a purpose today. Remember that. Always remember that."
Bellatrix faltered and fell back. "Y-yes, my lord."
"Good. Very good. Now take your seats. We are only waiting on Yaxley and Dolohov, but I am well aware of the reasoning. They shall not be punished. Not today." As he said this, a mysterious look spread over his face and he stroked the neck of a snake hanging on the chandelier. "I've need of them still…. Now, the tea Wormtail! I always think better with tea and I mustn't fail this time. So, think. How do we kill Harry Potter?"