Disclaimer: Do not own and never will...

A/N: Wow, managed four days in a row so far! Though this tablet typing is slow going, there is one advantage... I can dance around the child and play keep away more easily than I ever could with a computer! XD lol

Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed or reviewed! I really appreciate it and I would love to respond, but I get the feeling some of you would prefer my typing efforts be directed towards chapters rather than responses XD lol Could be wrong...

Though I would like shout out to Majix. Trixx! You are right my friend, those "Bitch Pens" are indeed a product of the Weasley Twins. You were the first one to comment on that XD lmao

Beta: Do I really strike you as the type who can keep a beta? No? Didn't think so lol

oOoOoOo

:12 Days of Christmas:

oOoOo Day 4 oOoOo

Voldemort felt like a kid attempting to figure out the contents of a present before Christmas day. Not like he'd had such an experience as a child, but if he had he was sure this is how he would have felt.

He turned the bag -that had been delivered a good thirty minutes past- every which way while he examined it. As he rubbed it between his fingers for the umpteenth time he felt safe to say the bag itself had been created from a silk of some type, be it Muggle or Magical.

The color was exquisite -a deep emerald green- and the embroidery was breathtaking. It was as if the threads themselves were liquid silver. The unique threads caused the creatures they created to come to life, constantly dancing and shifting with even the slightest movement.

But the pouch wasn't his present, merely the container. It was the fourth day after all, so his true gift was four...somethings...hidden within.

'So help me, if this has an expansion charm on it and I pull out four calling birds I will hunt him down.' Though he SERIOUSLY doubted his admirer would do such a thing.

After Lucius's comments yesterday, he was inclined to believe his admirer might truly care for him -and as a person no less!

$ Are you going to admire it all day or are you actually going to open it? $ Venom's comment brought the Dark Lord out of his musings.

He still wasn't pleased with the cocky -not so little- bastard, but the arse was starting to grow on him.

And Venom made his Nagini happy, so he could live...

$ Anybody in there? $

...or perhaps not...

$ Ooooh! I hope it's more birds. Those last ones were quite tasty. $ Nagini chimed in.

Well damn. It wasn't like he could kill the python in front of Nagini, and those two were practically connected at the hip...er, tail.

$ So... What's in the bag? Or are you going to wait until everyone is finished making bets? $

$ Making bets? $ What in the world was the python going on about this time?

$ Ooooh, add one to the "four calling birds" pool for me. $ Nagini yelled out the door before she moved further into the room.

$ They can't understand you, love. $ Venom chuckled, as much as a snake can at any rate.

$ I know, but they can't say I didn't place a bet. They HEARD me and Master can translate. $

$ How do you even know what betting is? $ Voldemort asked -his curiosity getting the better of him- and didn't quite register Nagini's comment.

$ ... You'd be surprised the things one learns when among Humans too long. $

$ Point taken. $ Even his lovely Nagini had picked up some -unsavory- things from Humans.

And then Nagini's comment came to mind and his eyes widened slightly.

$ What did you mean by "they heard and Master can translate"? $ He wasn't sure he really wanted to know.

$ Some of your Inner Circle are outside taking bets as to what your admirer got you this time. $ Venom answered and Voldemort was on his feet in an instant.

'Why those little...'

oOoOoOo

Well he had been right about the expansion charm. The contents however...not so much. In fact, of all the things he had envisioned, the four pretty stones hadn't once crossed his mind.

They were lovely though. More like gems than stones with the way they had been polished to perfection. Even the small hole that had been created near the edge of each one did not detract from their beauty, instead it merely added a slight air of mystery.

Each stone had a symbol -which looked Japanese in origin upon closer inspection- engraved into it. Gold seemed to have been poured into the etchings until the creator had produced a flawless, following surface without fault.

$ Are they edible? $ Nagini inquired.

$ Afraid not. $ Voldemort chuckled at his Familiar's disappointed sigh.

$ How disappointing. He had better send something for us tomorrow. $ She huffed and slithered over to Venom. $ Come along, nothing to see here. $ And soon they were gone, most likely to terrorize the Lower Ranks until someone wizened up and gave them a "peace offering."

Voldemort just shook his head before he turned his attention back to the stones. Green, blue, purple and brown would be their categories in the most basic color spectrum. Though they were far from simple. It was as if only the most pleasing shades had been chosen for their creation and the maker had been a true master of the art.

They were not overly large either, the size of a pendant perhaps, and...that's about all he could deduce on his own. He'd tried, but there were more questions than answers and that did not sit well with him. No, he would take advantage of all the tools at his disposal and that meant using the letter to answer his many questions about the stones.

"On the fourth day of Christmas, your true love sent to thee...

Four Calming Words.

And the hell I'm sending duplicates, triplicates or quadruplicates of the rest. Honestly, that sounds more like something one would do to their enemy, not their love. What was that Muggle thinking?

Then again, perhaps the excessive gift giving was a good thing back when the song was written? I will not draw any solid conclusions until I have the facts, but at first glance -in this day and age anyway- this song would be a great way to torture someone if followed to the letter...

Fret not my love, because I will be sure to twist this song into something extraordinary.

As for the "Calming Words," you will find four very special stones within the silk bag the owl delivered with this. Why do they each have a hole strategically placed near their edges? You will have your answer come tomorrow... For now, allow me to explain these stones.

They are extremely rare, hand crafted stones from a brilliant Master in Japan. The Wizard rarely likes company -sadly- otherwise I would encourage the two of you to meet.

These are Power Stones and each one is created with a different word and ability behind it.

The green stone is "Balance." Self explanatory, right? When worn, this will help you balance your emotions and think clearly in just about any situation.

The blue one is "Truth" and one I believe will be an asset. When worn, this stone compels everyone within a ten meter radius to speak the truth. More subtle than dosing them with truth serum that's for certain.

The purple one is "Humor" and one that shall provide you with a few laughs. The wearer is unaffected by the compulsion, much like the blue stone, but this one must be activated. Merely rub the stone in a circular motion three times to engage or disengage. It tends to make those within a five meters of the wearer think of something silly at random and bust out laughing for seemingly no apparent reason.

And last, but not least, is the brown stone. This is "Protect." I know you don't need it, but it will give me some peace of mind. There are some powerful -possibly ancient- wards built in. The man's family has practiced the art longer than the Ollivanders have been making wands so I cannot begin to fathom how much knowledge they have accumulated throughout the generations. All I know is this will protect the wearer from harm...

Though I do not suggest throwing yourself in front of a Killing Curse to test the stone's limits. I know you are extremely intelligent, but just remember that curiosity killed the cat..."

"Ah, but knowing brought it back.". Voldemort chuckled.

" ...And "but knowing brought it back" doesn't justify reckless behavior."

Crimson eyes widened slightly before they scanned the room.

'Is he watching me?' Or did his admirer truly know him that well? Or were they making reference to their own experience?

Voldemort did not know how he felt about those possiblities, but he did know one thing... If he finds out his little admirer has been spying on him, there were several "punishments" he would happily deliver once he got ahold of the minx...

"You must have noticed the pattern that these stones are intended to be worn. Do not worry, I've got that covered. In the meantime, if you just happen to find a box in the pouch with a necklace forged from Goblin gold... Well, I have no idea how that ended up in there. Certainly doesn't go with the song, that's for sure...

Until tomorrow!

Love,

Yours Truly."

Sure enough, when Voldemort dug a little deeper he found a box containing a finely crafted gold chain. One which was both masculine and elegant, and something he himself would have chosen should he have had to pick out his own necklace.

"Well done." He had to give credit where credit was due, but this brought up several questions about his admirer aside from "who are they."

Questions such as, "how does he know me so well," and "is he one of my Death Eaters?"

He didn't have a clue. It was impressive that his admirer had managed to keep his identity secret for so long but also extremely frustrating.

"He has to give me a hint sooner or later." Because twelve days of gifts and letters is too long for someone not to slip up and reveal something about themselves which would ultimately lead to the recipient learning the truth.

Voldemort would just have to be patient and take in every detail.

'And then, when the time is right, I will find my little admirer and make him mine.'

oOoOoOo

A/N: His admirer is so screwed XD lol Not that either would complain! Unfortunately I can't get certain...scenes...out of my head and it's making it difficult to focus on the other eight days lol Oh well, back to writing! Can't promise tomorrow's update will be on time, I might end up writing a "Christmas Special" chapter instead XD lol