Hope is your survival,
A captive path I lead.
No matter where you go,
I will find you.
If it takes a long, long time
No matter where you go,
I will find you.
If it takes a thousand years.
"I will find you" - Clannad
The tall figure stared into the fire, deep in thought. He sighed as he heard the knock on his door. 'Enter,' he said as he continued to stare into the embers. The door opened and a fair-haired man entered the room silently. He stood in the middle of the room waiting for the other man to shift his attention away from the fire and focus it upon him.
After a few moments the figure at the fireplace turned to him, and the fair-haired man bowed as soon as the eyes of the other man fixed upon him. 'Ah Lucius,' the man said, 'What news do you have for me?' Lucius shifted nervously and cleared his throat. 'My Lord, we are still working tirelessly to find her and we have some promising leads. But–but as yet we have nothing conclusive.'
Voldemort's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the man. 'My patience is wearing thin.' Lucius shivered inwardly as the cold voice became increasingly angry. 'I want this girl found, and soon. You have been responsible for finding her for some time now. Tell me, are you incapable of fulfilling this task I have given you?' Lucius knew he was in dangerous territory.
'Of course not, my Lord,' he replied smoothly, hoping his voice did not betray his unease. 'I will find this girl for you, and I am anticipating the leads I have to bear fruit any day now. I shall not rest until she is found, and I shall not fail you, my Lord.' A cold, cruel smile crossed Voldemort's face. 'Pray for your own sake that you do not. You have witnessed first-hand what becomes of those who fail me.' Voldemort continued to smile as he saw Lucius' eyes widen in fear. 'Yes, my Lord.' Lucius remained still, awaiting further orders or dismissal.
'Crucio!' Lucius fell to the floor screaming and writhing as the white-hot daggers of the curse shot through his body. As the curse finally stopped being directed at him, Lucius shuddered and drew in rasping breaths. Voldemort stalked around his prostrate body 'Get up!' Voldemort yelled. Lucius tried to raise himself from the floor, but his legs buckled beneath him. 'I said, get up!' Voldemort shouted at him and dealt a sharp blow to his face. Lucius winced at the contact. He succeeded the second time, despite his legs feeling like they could not support him. He stood shaking and cowering, his head bowed.
'F-forgive me my L-lord'….Lucius felt a sharp sting of pain against his cheek, as if an invisible whip was struck against it. He bit his lip in pain and felt the sting throb and the blood begin to pour from the wound. 'Did I give you permission to speak?' Voldemort roared, his pale face leaning close to his. Lucius shuddered in terror, as Voldemort raised himself up and began to circle around him.
'You really are a useless, spineless fraction of a man Lucius Malfoy. Such servants I have to deal with.' Lucius swallowed down the sting of humiliation and tried to still the tremors in his body. 'Now that I have suitably chastised you,' Voldemort continued, 'I will be a merciful master and give you one last chance to prove your usefulness. What say you to my generosity?'
Lucius stood mutely before Voldemort, his expression unsure, causing Voldemort to smirk. 'Have you been struck dumb?' He laughed, as Lucius stared at him, resembling a terrified animal caught in a trap.
'Oh, forgive me Lucius', he continued sarcastically, 'I forgot to say you now have permission to speak again.' Lucius let out a breath and started to gabble, 'My-my Lord, I am unworthy…. I-I thank you for the opportunity to prove myself…' Voldemort looked at him witheringly. 'Enough Lucius!' he barked, and the man silenced himself.
Voldemort moved away from the snivelling, cowering figure of his servant, resuming his earlier place of staring intently into the fire. After making Lucius wait for a few moments, he turned his head around, 'You may go Lucius,' he said, waving his hand in further dismissal. Lucius uttered another shaky "My Lord" and fled the room.
Damn it all! He wanted this situation resolved and had thought it would be so simple, yet this wretched girl continued to elude him. For five years she had kept herself hidden from him. He would not have it! He was the Dark Lord, he had cheated death, defeated his enemies and now had most of the Wizarding world under his control. He could not have his omnipotence undermined by a mere girl!
He cursed himself for not having some of his forces acquire the girl sooner, and she would not be such a damnable frustration to him now. He conceded to himself that the Potter boy had taken up most of his time the past few years and he had put the issue of the girl to one side. Firstly, he had rejected the idea completely. Then after reconsidering the issue, she was not top on his list of priorities and she was something he would deal with later. He had assumed her acquisition would be a mere formality. How wrong he had been. He grimaced at the thought...he did not like being wrong.
He smiled darkly to himself. Ah well, he thought, I shall retire for the night. Perhaps sleep would bring some small consolation and ease his frustration. If he was fortunate the girl may have let down her defences again. He loved to invade her dreams. He loved seeing both terror and arousal in the depths of her intoxicating eyes. Ah yes, what pleasure will be had when she is finally under my control!