Author's note: It's hereby proven that excessive amounts of tea don't enhance my writing skills, and are very bad for my coherency. This story seemed so plausible at the time... -peers suspiciously at the tea leaves- Maybe I should start getting my tea in a store, and not from that guy on the corner? -winks-

Voldemort's Mistake

Shifting slightly in an attempt to find a more comfortable position on the large pillow, Voldemort closed his eyes in meditation. This would be the moment that decided the future, the moment that truly crowned him the indisputable ruler of Britain. All he needed to do was reach into the Abyss and the Darkness would be his…

A fit of mad giggling disrupted his meditation, but he soon subdued it by clearing his mind with the ease of a trained Occlumens. Snape wasn't the only one with that skill, thank you very much.

Just as Voldemort's patience began to run out – exactly six minutes and forty-one seconds after he sat down – he felt the shift. The ordinary darkness of his mind became something else, something that hummed with power, and he gave a triumphant cackle as he jumped to his feet.

"I did it! The Darkness is mine! Just try to fight me now, you snot-nosed brat!"

So busy congratulating himself, the wizard almost didn't hear the other voice.

"You are mistaken."

Whirling around with a speed that flared his robes dramatically before he tripped over his own feet, Voldemort faced the one who dared to gainsay him. The sight made him forget that he was more or less kneeling and simply gape at the creature. It was definitely female, mostly humanoid, but it had fur for hair and sheathed claws, a fawn's tail and a tiny spiral horn. Blue eyes stared down at him, cold and contemptuous. The latter emotion infuriated him.

"What are you?" he demanded as he struggled to his feet, pleased that (when standing) he was taller.

The female smiled. "I am Witch."

"A witch?" Voldemort laughed. "A simple witch? How dare you question me? I am Lord Voldemort, master of the Abyss!"

"You are tainted." Her smile widened. "I have no power in your world, and I am less than I was in the Realms, but here… You are prey."

Voldemort fumed. "I order you to leave! I have no use for you!"

Witch stepped closer. "I have no mercy for the tainted," she whispered.

The self-named Dark Lord had no time to scream as Darkness rushed up from the depths of the Abyss and tore his body and mind to shreds.

A silvery laugh filled the void.