Lord Voldemort surveyed the half-ring of Death Eaters before him, all with heads covered and half bent. These were the loyal ones. These he would keep close. He paused, eyes lingering on a particular hidden body.

There was still the shameless one... dedicated as he was.

"Malfoy, step forwards." His voice slid softly across the meeting hall. The cloaked figure by the hissing lanterns took two steps, and kneeled with his eyes fixed on the floor.

"Remove your hood."

Lucius' head emerged and his ice-blue eyes flicked up momentarily. Voldemort paused, mildly curious.

"Where is your mask, Malfoy?"

The other Death Eaters glanced up to see the mistake for themselves. Lucius swore inwardly and refrained from putting a hand up to his face, to feel for himself. The heat of the flaming torches dried and burnt his skin - he hoped the light would disguise the rising colour in his face.

Damn it all, how could I forget to replace it?

"It was touched by the creature's filthy blood, my Lord. I didn't care to have it touch my face." He adlibbed, and eyed the Dark Lord cautiously. There was a silence, and Voldemort took the time to stare around the room, an indication for the other members of the Dark Mark to return their gaze downwards and remain humble in his presence. Lucius ground two incisors together uneasily.

"You're lying to me, Malfoy."

Lucius blinked slowly and grit his teeth harder. He would have to be more careful in future. If there was going to be one for him...

"I wanted the Mudblood to see my face." He offered, truthfully. "I forgot to replace it after our meeting."

The snake-like eyes burned into him before his master was satisfied his first follower was telling the truth. Lucius felt something disappear from the back of his mind, and realized Voldemort had been assessing his thoughts, although in an unusually conspicuous manner.

"Consider that a warning." Voldemort clarified slickly. "However, I seem to recall the girl's discomfort from this evening, as I had my attentions on her throughout your session. I'm pleased that when you left, she was in a state of despair, and suitably confused. Single emotions are too quickly overcome, and I would have been more than disappointed if you had been able to do no more than confuse her."

Lucius nodded in agreement. Single emotions were much easier... he stopped himself, shocked. His duty was to his Lord. This was no time for dwelling on family matters.

"I want you to return, and finish the first stage. Then we can send others in, and begin to generalize her fear, allowing us complete control."

Another Death Eater shuffled forwards uninvited and bowed low. "But my Lord, why must Malfoy be allowed to see the girl twice? We have all been waiting-"

"Silence, Crabbe, and return to your place. You will get your chance - I trust you have not forgotten your duty to me, and you are not impatient for personal gain?" Voldemort wet his lips, and gave the Death Eater a challenging look.

Cloaked head shaking back and forth, Crabbe slunk back into the shadows with his peers.

Liar, thought Malfoy, maliciously. He had never liked Crabbe, or his half of the Death Eater social circle. It was almost a pity the split was so even between them, otherwise he might have had a good reason to dispose of a few without causing... concern.

Filthy serfs.

"Gentlemen, tomorrow night. Return to your quarters." He detected several negative thoughts at this as the line filed past him, bowing in succession. Granted, the old headquarters were not ideal since they had abandoned them over a decade before - the 'quarters' were now derelict and filled with graffiti - but these were wizards, and they were loyal.

He smiled at this thought, and raised his head as the last few left the room.

"...And Malfoy?"

Lucius halted in the doorway and turned towards the pale body on the far side of the room, which shifted comfortably. Voldemort raised a skeletal hand briefly.

"Remember what you are here for. The half-blood race could be the death of any Eater, and that is not something I wish to anticipate."

You are speaking from experience, of course.

Lucius bit his tongue, horrified, though it did little good. He was going to have to watch his train of thought from now on, having already aroused the suspicions of the Dark Lord. He gave the smallest of nods and let the cool air of the unlit corridor entice him out. Whatever the cause of his personal turmoil, he doubted very much that a Mudblood would put an end to his work with the Mark.

Nothing will get in my way.

Narcissa's face hung in the back of his mind. Kicking over a metal candleholder outside the door, he stormed back to his room and vowed that she would get nothing more from him.

Nothing.