*** 1983 ***
The young wizard snapped for breath as he left the tight corridor leading
up to the cave. He straightened his robes and tightened his mask, removing it from his
face. In this room no one would care about the way he looked. No one here would ever leave
long enough for it too matter.
The plates were still floating in front of him and he could smell the magic coming from
them, from the potions inside the food. He ignored most of the beings in the cages around
him. The smells, the stench, he tried not to notice it. A true wizard wouldn't let
something as insignificant as an unfavory scent bother him..
Griffons, dragons, elves, vampires, ... and most of all the werewolf. They
all shrunk back in their cages, trying to get away from him, from the wizard that ran
freely through the cave. He trembled trying not to look at the werewolf. Shivering at old
memories that came with seeing the beast.
He moved past them all, turning right next to the mermaids pool. A few unicorns were tied
up next to it. The creatures rose up at his arrival. He bit back a curse as they nearly
stamped on him.
Some muggles sat trembling in a cage on the left. Shaking as they noticed
his dark robes. He smiled wryly at their fears.
Unsure why it made him feel so unsettled.
Screams rose up from behind him, someone or something was in agony. He swallowed and moved
on. Ready to face the Dark Lords latest acquisition.
He froze as he saw it. It was magnificent, incredible how much it had the
shape of a man, but he could see the fire playing under it's skin. The lightening dancing
in it's blood.
At first sight it would be nothing more than a good-looking dark haired Muggle, but he
knew better than that.
As soon as a wizard came near, the fire flared up, leaving the manlike
creature to feel them coming.
But even now, only a true wizard would be able to see it.
He stared at the glittering white skin, and the way it reflected the mage light above him.
The young wizard forced himself to move. He touched the body through the bars using his
wand. Prodding him for further life signs.
The creature moaned in response.
It curled up, cradling its legs.
The wizard held up his wand and floated the plate into the cage. Close
enough for the creature to reach it. He gulped as it nearly inhaled the food. Severus
shivered thinking about their first meeting with the creature. Several of them had died
just attempting to capture the magical beast. When they finally had it, it had been
covered in wounds but the master had just ignored them all. That should have been a sign.
Severus had been surprised to find out why as it's wounds healed out of their own accord.
It crawled away, waving in a slow staccato, barely reacting to the cool breeze that
continuously cooled up the cave. It's lean body seemed thin, but strong as it's muscles
tightened up.
The body of a swordsman, one of the 'swordsmen'.
"Magnificent. Isn't it?"
"Yes." Was all Severus could bring out.
The Dark Lord just stood there, holding a long leash in his left hand.
Severus bowed out of the way as the master entered the cage. The manlike creature inside
backed off against the bars, trying to escape.
"Crucio!"
The masters words were about as calm as if he hadn't just spoken one of the unforgivable
curses. Just a word, but yet not.
The Swordsman crumbled in pain, screaming pleas of mercy in some unknown but undisguisably
ancient language.
"Do you see how easy it is boy? How much pain I can hand out at will?"
Severus eyes fell on the body that was stall shaking in small bursts of pain.
"I won't even need to use the Imperatio curse now do I?"
The creature crawled up to the Dark Lord and kneeled down on elbows and knees, bowing down
his head, showing the leather collar around his neck.
Voldemort attached the leash and touched his skin.
"That's the way Methos. Just like that."
