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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except for the OC.
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Well rested, Voldemort strode out of his room with purposeful strides, black cloak encompassing his ever frail looking body. By his leg, Nagini was slithering after him at a lazy pace. As he neared the Malfoys' hall, the great oak door silently swung wide open with a mere flick of his wand. Instantly, all discussions, all murmuring, stopped upon his entrance into the hall.
Every eye was on him as if drawn by an unknown force and something prevented them from tearing their gaze away. As Nagini curled up comfortably beside a chair situated at the head of the long table, the death-eaters hastily stood and bowed respectfully to their master. With a lazy wave of his hand, Voldemort dismissed their greeting and they sat back down.
The Malfoys' manor usually change their décor, and today, the floor-to-ceiling windows were covered with curtains of deep shades of scarlet, and the marble walls black, Voldemort blandly noticed. The wall was adorned with an art piece, an abstract painting of a house situated by a turbulent river that reflected the waning light of the moon that hung in the sky that was mapped with stars, something he considered an improvement compared to the rather tasteless sight of a stag's head he saw previously. However, rather than note the décor of the manor, there were more pressing matters at hand.
He took his time to slowly consider the death-eaters. As usual, the room was filled to the brim with a flurry of emotions that failed to be hidden.
Excitement. Respect. Adoration. Reverence.
And nervousness. And fear.
His crimson eyes drifted to Lucius. Oh yes, Voldemort knew that there were those amongst his ranks that followed him not out of true loyalty but out of fear. However, as long as they prove to be useful, the dark lord was willing to let it slide.
He pulled the chair back before taking his place at the head of the table, Nagini lounging beside him. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, his thin lips twisted into a cruel smirk. He could feel it in the disturb air that seemed to be teeming with activity.
There was a disturbance, a change, a shift in the balance of magical powers, and it was as if a restraint has been removed and now the dark powers are now free, surging through the very air around them.
He could feel it in the air. Dumbledore's magic -good, white, pure magic- was gone, his life snuffed out.
Ah, this just goes to show that he was truly dead.
"Alecto, you are to find Snape and carry out the plan. You know what to do. I want Hogwarts under my control by tomorrow midnight. Report the situation to me when you are done."
Alecto murmured his understanding.
"Bellatrix, I'm sure you remember the item that I passed to you previously, the one that is of great importance to me. I require you to remove it from your vault, and I want it to be within the safety of these walls by tonight."
A grin formed upon her face as Bellatrix eagerly nodded her head at the important task entrusted to her. She won't let her lord down.
"And the rest of you, my good friends, spread the word. Let everybody, the giants, mermaids, wizards witches, and even gnomes if you will, know that Dumbledore is dead. That a similar fate will befall them, should they chose to oppose my rule."
"As much as I would like to rejoice for the death of that muggle-living fool, there is something else that I must personally attend to. It is crucial that I remind you- "Voldemort's eyes scanned his followers carefully, and some of them visibly shivered, "-that only under the most important, most dire, circumstances, that you are to summon, to call for me. If this expectation of mine is not met, the offender will rue the day he was born…"
Voldemort let his voice trail off as he watched his words sink in. The death-eaters were speaking in low voices, saying that they never dare dream of going against his will. Satisfied by their response, Voldemort stood up, a signal that this meeting have ended, that this was yet another meeting they have all managed to live through.
He strode through the elaborately decorated garden, and Nagini slithered after him. A few more steps and he'd be able to apparate himself -and Nagini- out of this place. The moment he stepped out the gate, Nagini lunged at him, and in the same moment, he spun deftly on the spot.
A loud crack, and he was gone.
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Standing atop the cliff, Voldemort looked at the sea below, hardly aware of the droplets of water that rained down on him. It has always been the same. Every time this day arrives, he would come here, if his current condition allow. One time, he even went to the extent to ask Wormtail to leave him for a little while, just so that he could make his way, and at least spend that single day in this place.
And every time, it never failed to rain. Just like that fateful day that haunts him, even now.
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Somewhere, in a small sea-cave at the base of the cliff, a body stirred. The crashing of the waves was loud and filled her ears. And for the first time in 57 years, she took her first breath and opened her eyes.
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Yay~! Thanks to Avrilavril for replying! Love ya lots! :P So far, I think the story have been progressing quite smoothly, but ofcourse, if there is anywhere that needs correcting, just tell me. Please review! :D