Disclaimer: Do I look as though I own Harry Potter?

Rain lashed down upon the darkness, darkness so intense that it seemed almost alive, devouring each raindrop that fell. A flash of lightning illuminated the landscape for one brief moment, but it was in vain that it tried to penetrate the vespertine horrors that lay in the forest below. The deep roll of thunder followed, but the sound cowered against the unrelenting rain.

Deep in the forest, a small light suddenly flared up, and a nervous voice said: "Impervious".

"Very nice, Wormtail. You may sit down now." This voice was harsher and higher-pitched than the first. It had almost an unnatural feel to it.

"Thank you, master." It was the first voice again, but this time, it carried with it a tone of relief.

"No, Wormtail, the pleasure's all mine." But the voice didn't match the words - it lacked any sort of gratitude and beneath it, it carried a laugh, the laugh that comes with watching the humiliation of others. "However, it was you that brought me my latest weapon. And for that, I am thankful for."

Near the two voices, another was heard. But unlike the two before, it was incoherent and it was muffled.

"Master, what are you going to do with him?"

There was a small pause before the high-pitched voice answered, with a trace of irritation at the question. "Well, since the world now knows that I have returned again, I can't exactly waltz into the Ministry again can I, Wormtail? No, I have to go in quietly, so that menace Potter will not be able to get in my way again."

"Of course, master." There was nervousness in the first voice again.

There was silence again, broken only by the muffled cries that still sounded.

"Untie him, Wormtail. He's starting to irritate me."

The light from the fire that was burning appeared to flicker on and off as a person moved across it. Then, the incoherent cries started to get louder until suddenly, it made out a word.

"HELP! SOMEONE HELP! HEL-"

"Silencio"

There was a moment of silence before the high-pitched voice spoke again: "There really isn't any point in screaming you know. There is nobody for miles. No-one will be able to hear you. And do you really want to know what happens to people that irritate me?" The words were cold and menacing, with every syllable drawn out to have their full effect. "So why don't we try again? Finite."

"-P ME! HELP! HELP! HE-"

"Silencio"

There was no pause this time, and when the voice sounded, there was anger. "So you have decided not to co-operate. Well, by all means, scream all you want. But this time, let's add something to it shall we? Finite. Crucio."

The screaming started again, but there was no panic in it this time. There were no words. All that came out were screams of pain and anguish. Sudden erratic movements made the fire flicker on and off. Above this, a high- pitched laugh sounded, drowning out the cries.

"Finite. Well, it seems that you still do not want to co-operate. Too bad, because what I have planned for you will go ahead no matter what you think of it. Imperio. You will remain in your position in Fudge's office, and you will keep an eye on both him and your family. You will report back to me with any information you happen to get. Understand?"

The voice that had been screaming before replied, but it carried no emotion this time with its monotonous sound. "Yes."

Then there was a loud crack, and silence took over again. Then the high- pitched voice spoke, but this time, it was as if it was thinking aloud, almost ruminatively.

"Yes...he could be very useful indeed...that Percy Weasley..."

The fire suddenly burnt out. Darkness reigned once more.