Thanks a lot, to everyone that is following this fanfic and favourited it. My gratitude to Gurgaraneth and Krix27 for reviewing it. Your opinion matters a looooooooooooot to me. Looking forward to your feedback.

Voldemort ignored the boy's trembling dagger, nodding to his men,

"Relay these orders to Snape: Confiscate any cargo worth taking. Leave the ship and crew unharmed and with enough food and water to survive. The lady shall continue to Godric's Hollow. Unmolested."

As the men scurried out, followed by the sailor who had happily given up all the Phoenix's secrets, he gazed down at Albus Dumbledore's precious heir,

"Your journey shall be delayed."

The boy spoke,

"De—delayed?"

He was smooth-faced and slim, long-legged with startling green eyes. His shoulder length, unruly raven black hair screamed defiance and curled, damp with sweat. He'd missed a button on his dark waistcoat, and it hung askew above his white shirt and tan breeches. His black, square-toed shoes were surprisingly scuffed, white stockings bunched at one ankle. Red splotches flushed his pale cheeks. He was a pretty little thing and had surely been untroubled by hard work a day in his life.

"You're coming with us."

The woman cried out. Voldemort almost laughed as the boy screwed up his courage and lunged. With a simple twist and squeeze, Voldemort liberated him of the dagger, which was constructed of fine steel in a simple wooden handle,

"Don't hurt yourself, boy. Your mentor won't pay for a carcass."

He spied the dagger's sheath on the floor and held out an imperious hand for it. The boy bent and reluctantly handed it to him. Voldemort tucked the weapon into his belt. The woman sputtered,

"Pay? But he hardly has any money!"

Voldemort assessed her. Modestly expensive gown, yet paste jewels. He took a step forward, and they jerked back as one. He asked,

"And how did that come to pass?"

He likely knew most of the story, but perhaps these two could impart new information. She inched around to stand by the boy's side, clutching his hand,

"He's squandered everything on his dream for Godric's Hollow. He managed to win the governorship, but if not for the Crown's money to establish the new colony, he barely has a thing."

Bloody son of a bitch couldn't even spend my prize wisely after he stole it. The basilisk had been laden with spices, gold, and tons of uncoined silver. Voldemort still cringed when he remembered how proud he'd been to appear at the Court of Admiralty with his hard-won plunder those years ago. Ready to give England her share in accordance with regulations, doing his part in the war. What a fool he'd been. He pretended to mull it over,

"In that case, I'll offer him the fairness he denied me."

Both of them exhaled, shoulders slumping in relief. The girl said,

"Thank you, sir. Whatever it was our mentor did, I swear…"

"I'll give him a month to gather the funds before our arrival. A hundred thousand pounds."

As one, their jaws dropped. The boy gasped,

"It's too much!"

Possibly, but an arrogant man who valued his heir would find a way. Dumbledore's pride would demand it. Besides, Voldemort hadn't waited years for revenge to go easy on the swine now. Ignoring their dismay, he announced,

"Around about the night of the next dark moon, we will arrive at Godric's Hollow and announce ourselves. Your mentor will personally row out a skiff into the harbor. Alone. He will meet my ship. I will exchange his heir for the ransom. Simple."

They both locked gazes, hopelessness passing between them, tears slipping down the girl's cheeks. Voldemort understood their dread. Their terror. Remembering his own after being unfairly sentenced by their mentor, he reveled in their misery. She cried,

"Sir, have pity! Harry has committed no sin."

He laughed,

"Pity? Your mentor created me: The Dark Lord Voldemort. And I have become the monster he bore and so very much more. And your precious Harry will only be the first to suffer if Dumbledore doesn't comply. Tell your mentor that his precious Godric's Hollow will bleed and burn unless he meets my demands."

She opened her mouth to speak again, but he was tired of her calls for mercy and cut her off,

"No treachery, and he lives. But if Dumbledore plots against me…"

He kept his voice low. A calm utterance was sometimes more menacing than a shout. He peered intently at the boy, who had wrapped an arm around his sister's shaking shoulders.

"If your mentor defies me, this boy dies. Painfully. Slowly. I will gut him like a fish, slice him into pieces, and deliver them to your mentor one by one."

He had been so very patient in his revenge, and this was his moment. He grasped hold of it with both hands, giving no quarter. She gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth. The boy's chest rose and fell rapidly, but he kept his chin up. The woman's eyes overflowed with more tears.

"Please, I beg you. Let him come with me. He's to be married! We're starting a new life! He's never harmed another creature. He's kind and good."

Voldemort sighed to himself. Enough of this. He curled his tongue into his cheek and gave her a leering appraisal,

"If you prefer to take his place…"

The boy shouted,

"No!"

The boy's eyes burned with a fierceness he had lacked before now and made his eyes emerald eyes glow with unearthly beauty,

"I'll do whatever you say. Just don't harm Luna."

Voldemort's lips curled up. If he were a tender-hearted type, he'd almost be touched. As it was, well…

Breathing hard, the boy yanked the girl into a hug,

"I'll be all right. I love you, Luna."

She clung to him,

"Don't go. Don't let him take you."

Wishing he could roll his eyes, Voldemort hauled the boy from the cabin, dragging him out by the scruff of his neck. He didn't fight, apparently surrendering to his fate for his sister's sake, or perhaps having used up his shred of bravery.

Check out my other fanfic named "Ensnared". It's actually a Harry Potter Version of "The Beauty and the Beast" Let me know what you guys think. Just follow the link below or visit my profile. Looking forward your feedback

s/12845629/1/Ensnared

Check out my fanfic named "Elusion". Let me know what you guys think. Just follow the link below or visit my profile. Looking forward your feedback

s/12775290/1/Elusion

Check out my other fanfic named "No Escape." If you haven't checked it out yet. Just visit my profile or click on the link below

s/12572454/1/No-Escape

If you have the time, then check out my other Harry Potter fanfic labelled "Desperation" Just visit my profile or click on the link below,

s/12660747/1/