Nordi apparated inside of the Headmaster's office, holding the tied-up Luna in his arms. Her body was surprisingly light; he effortlessly carried her across the room and laid down on the couch.

Snape was awaiting them, very pale. Once he saw Nordi, he jumped off his seat.

'Exile, what happened there? Why are you covered in blood?!' he hissed.

Nordi pulled the locket out of his robes' pocket and handed it over to Snape. The Headmaster gasped; his eyes widened in horror.

'I took it from Potter, sir.' Nordi said. 'He's really on this assignment from the old coot. He, the Weasley guy and the Mudblood girl are on a campsite in the Forrest of Dean.'

'He's really… brainwashed enough… to have taken a suicidal assignment with zero chances of success… Not only him, but Weasley… and the Mudblood, too… unbelievable.' Snape whispered.

'I agree, sir, but brainwashed people tend to be really stubborn to reach their goals, sometimes even fanatical. The most important thing for us at the moment is to make all the Horcruxes safe. The old coot manipulated Potter and his friends into finding and destroying them, so they will do anything in their power to fulfill his wishes. If more Horcruxes are spread around the country, they are in danger.' Nordi said firmly.

'We are going to the Headquarters. Now.' Snape decided and grabbed Exile by the shoulder, preparing for side-along Apparition. Nordi looked hesitantly at Luna lying on the couch.

'What about her?' he muttered. 'Sir, I think it's safe enough to let her go for now.'

Snape looked at Luna.

'She can't do any damage anymore.' Severus agreed. 'She can return to her Dormitory, but, nevertheless, she won't avoid a punishment for today's behavior.'

'Relashio.' Nordi uttered, breaking the Magical chains that kept the girl tied-up. 'Go to bed, Luna.'

The blond girl eyed him cautiously, making her way to the door. Before she stepped out, Nordi stopped her.

'Oh, and Luna?' the girl turned her head back towards him. 'In case you have any trouble of the part of your…friends…for helping me tonight, please don't hesitate to come to me.'

He saw the girl nodding slowly, before he felt the jerk of side-apparition.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ten minutes later, Nordi and Snape knelt on the floor in front of their Master.

'Rise, both of you.' Lord Voldemort said.

The Death Eaters picked themselves up from the ground.

'What brings you here so late at night?' the Dark Lord asked.

Nordi pulled the locket out and handed it to him.

Voldemort's crimson eyes darkened. The expression of shock and disbelief changed his serpent-like face.

'My Lord, this locket was in possession of Harry Potter.' Nordi said. 'We believe that he was attempting to destroy it, acting under a command from Dumbledore.'

'Dumbledore?!' the Dark Lord hissed. 'Dumbledore is dead!'

Nordi opened his mouth to explain, but Snape put a hand on his shoulder, giving him a sign to be quiet.

'My Lord, please let me explain. I believe that Dumbledore had left a certain assignment for the Potter boy before he died. I haven't figured it out earlier like I should have, but now, all is matching perfectly. The old coot wanted the boy to destroy all your Horcruxes.'

Voldemort gasped in fury. Nordi was mildly scared that he might start throwing curses in his uncontrollable anger, but- fortunately- he managed to calm himself down by taking deep breaths.

'My Lord.' Nordi said silently. 'I believe the Horcruxes are in danger. Potter may be just a mediocre Wizard, but he is a fanatic, which Dumbledore made him to be. If the old coot told Potter to jump into the fire, he would jump. If he told him to hunt for the Horcruxes, he would do anything he can to do it. I think it's better to gather all the Horcruxes in one place, and keep them under some powerful wards to make them safe.'

The Dark Lord encircled his desk and came by to a small, heavily warded dresser, which Nordi remembered from the last year.

He opened it; Nordi was relieved to see the ring and the diadem, safe and intact.

'Bellatrix.' The Dark Lord hissed. 'Bring me Bellatrix, Exile.'

'Y..yes, my Lord.' Nordi uttered, surprised. He apparated away, appearing in front of Bella's bedroom.

Exile knocked at the door, and in a split second , he found himself tightly embraced by Bella's arms.

'Nordi-boy… Nordi-boy, I missed you so much…'

Nordi gave her back the hug; the tenderness towards her made his eyes filling up with tears.

Bellatrix let go of him and eyed him from head to toes; she frowned.

'Tell me, Nordi-boy, why do you always have to be covered in blood when I see you? Look; you've made your brand-new outfit dirty. Scourgify.' He waved her wand to clean Nordi's robes; he smiled.

'Thanks, Bella. But we'll catch up later; the Dark Lord wants to see you.'

Bella rose her eyebrows in surprise.

'Does he? If so, let's go, Nordi-boy.'

She grabbed him by the hand and side-apparated him back to Voldemort's office.

'Bellatrix' the Dark Lord said as soon as he saw her; 'I need the golden cup; the one that is stored in your Gringott's vault. Go and get it. Apparate to the Diagon Alley. Now.'

Bella's dark eyes widened in surprise, but she bowed her head.

'Yes, my Lord.' she said and disappeared with a crack.

That means that one of the Horcruxes is hidden in Bella's vault, Nordi thought.

'Severus.' Voldemort said. 'How did you find out about the assignment that Dumbledore left to Potter?'

Snape explained comprehensively what had happened that night in his office, when Luna attempted to steal the sword. He repeated everything she had said during interrogation under Veritaserum, and described Nordi's "visit" in the Potter's hideout.

The Dark Lord sighed and ordered them to sit on conjured chairs. He took his seat behind his desk and looked at them.

'Considering Dumbledore making that… unexpected move, I need to talk to you. I will disclose to the two of you a piece of information, that was not meant to be known by anyone.'

Snape and Nordi leaned forward on their chairs; Nordi could feel his palms sweating.

'My current priority is keeping the Horcruxes safe and intact, therefore, you should know the identity of the rest of them.' he said. 'Helga Huffelpuff's cup, which Bellatrix will hopefully bring here, is one of them. Another one lies within the body of my familiar, Nagini.' He pointed at the sleeping snake.

Nordi jerked. That was the reason Nagini was able to use Legilimency on Orion last year!

'Apart from Nagini, there is one more Horcrux. The last one. The one that I created unwillingly and accidently.'

Nordi's eyes widened. Unwillingly and accidently? Was that even possible? Creation of a Horcrux required an inbelievably complex Ritual.

'The last Horcrux lies within Harry Potter himself.' Voldemort finally said.

Nordi understood. Everyone knew the story of the boy-who-lived; probably that night, when the Dark Lord attempted to kill Potter, all the requirements to create a Horcrux were accidently met.

'Therefore' Voldemort went on. 'If Potter knows about it… If he knows about the Horcruxes… If the old coot knew about them… One of my priorities must be to get the boy. He must not be killed nor harmed. I want him safe and intact, in the Headquarters, as soon as possible.'

Nordi lifted his head suddenly, and looked straight in the crimson eyes. The idea he's just hit upon was crazy, but could prove itself brilliant.

'My Lord' he said. 'We could lure Harry Potter to Hogwarts.'

Snape and Voldemort looked at him surprised.

'I mean, he is a fanatic' Nordi hurried to explain. ' If we give him a false trail, saying that all of the Horcruxes are stored inside Hogwarts, he will come straight to our hands. He is well aware that Hogwarts is now our fortress, but in his blind loyalty to Dumbledore, he will disregard it. What is more, a trail suggesting that the Horcruxes are in the school, is believable and credible, because they are supposed to be there. I mean, Potter doesn't know that I found the diadem last year. The same goes for the ring; the old coot kept it at school, so Potter might believe that it's still there.'

Snape looked at his protégé in confusion.

'All of that is correct, Exile. However, I fail to understand what benefit do you see in luring Potter to Hogwarts.'

'I mean, we could always hunt him down in the forrest, that would be fairly easy' Nordi said quickly. 'However, following Potter's possible train of thought: Hogwarts is our fortress, so he won't be stupid enough to storm it alone. He will engage his friends of this so-called Order of the Phoenix in his mission. He will bring them to school with him. Obviously, we are going to have the high ground, and we will crush Order of the Phoenix into pieces. Getting rid of the Order, we will get rid of our most powerful and well-organized enemy.'

The Dark Lord looked at Nordi; the boy could tell that he liked the plan.

'My Lord, of course when the battle breaks out, we will capture Potter, making sure not to hurt him. When the battle is over and Order is crushed, we will escort the boy to you.'

Snape frowned.

'There is one issue, Exile: how do you intend to give Potter the false trail? For him to believe it, he must be told it by someone he trusts.'

'Luna.'

'What?'

'Luna Lovegood, the girl who attempted to steal the sword, sir.'

'I know, Exile.' Snape snarled impatiently. 'But how do you want to convince her to go and lie to Potter? Do you want to cast Imperius on her again?'

'No.' Nordi answered. 'Sir, I think… I believe that I might convince her without Imperius.'

'That's to risky, Exile.' Snape said firmly.

'If I won't succeed, we can Imperio her, sir. However, I want to try. I want to give her a chance. I'm not so bad at making people switch sides.' Nordi said in a pleading tone.

'Yes, and Neville Longbottom is a prime example.' Snape said mockingly. Nordi blushed.

'Enough.' Voldemort cut them off. 'I made my decision: Exile will try to redeem said girl, and if he fails, he will use the Imperius Curse on her, or on any other friend of Potter. This person is going to present Potter with a false trail. I will wait for your report about the success of that mission.'

'Yes, my Lord.' The two Death Eaters answered in unison.

Voldemort nodded.

'My Lord' Snape said. 'If I may ask you about one more issue… Let us say, that Exile's plan succeeds. If we defeat the Order an capture Potter… My Lord, I must honestly admit, that the boy is problematic. He is infected with Dumbledore's lies and manipulations, and you, my Lord, are the one who he hates most. His only wish is to fight you. However, as a Horcrux, he cannot be killed or even harmed. I assume you will have to keep him imprisoned for the rest of his days.'

Nordi suddenly comprehended something; he looked up and met the Dark Lord's crimson eyes. In this moment, they understood each other without a word. Exile grinned.

'No.' he said shortly.

Snape frowned and gave him a surprised look.

'There is another way, Severus.' Voldemort said.

Snape looked at him sheepishly.

'Another way… my Lord?'

'Reversed Ritual.' Nordi explained.

'However, Exile, this is an unbelievably long and painful process. And requires an enormous Sacrifice.'

Nordi clenched his teeth.

'I know, my Lord.'

Snape looked at the two of them in confusion.

'My Lord, does that mean that there is a Ritual that can… extract the Horcrux out of Potter's body?'

'Yes, there is. A dangerous, painful counter-ritual.' Voldemort answered.

Snape eyed Nordi cautiously; he must have noticed a twinkle of determination in the boy's eyes.

'My Lord, do I assume correctly, that Exile is going to assist you during this Ritual?' he asked cautiously.

'A counter-ritual is impossible to perform by one person, Professor' Nordi explained. 'The amount of blood that is required as a Sacrifice makes it impossible. One person would bleed out before the Ritual was over.'

'Oh.' Snape said shortly, still in disbelief.

CRACK!

Bellatrix apparated inside of the office. She was cuddling a small, golden cup to her chest.

'I'm sorry it took me so long, my Lord!' she looked at Voldemort in fear. 'It turned out that Gringott's Bank is closed during nighttime. I had to wake the Goblins up! They were reluctant to open the building and let me inside, but they changed their minds as soon as they saw who I was!'

'It is not an issue, Bella.' The Dark Lord said softly. 'Give me the cup.'

Bella handed the cup over to him, and he examined for a while if it's intact. It was- Nordi could feel a Magical signature within it. Voldemort opened the warded dresser and carefully put it inside.

Having done it, he turned towards two male Death Eaters.

'I believe everything is clear? Severus? Exile?'

'Yes, my Lord.' they answered in unison.

'I expect a report about the Potter boy by tomorrow night.'

'Yes, my Lord.'

'You are all dismissed.'

The three of them stepped outside; Nordi was quickly explaining Bella the events of the night.

'Unbelievable, what this old coot was capable of!' she hissed with outrage when he was done.

'We all reacted the same way when we found out, Bella.' Nordi admitted.

'So, you believe you will make somebody at Hogwarts turn to our side?' she asked.

'I can't be sure, but I hope it.'

'Exile' Snape said impatiently. 'It's three o'clock in the night. Say your goodbyes; we are heading back to the castle.'

Bella frowned.

'I see you've gotten kinda uptight as a Headmaster, Severus.'

Snape sighed.

'I did not mean to be rude, Bella; only that night was rough, and I really need some rest.'

'I see. So is Nordi-boy. Alright, off you go.' She smiled.

'See you later, Bella! Take care of yourself! ' Nordi yelled before he felt Snape's hand on his shoulder and a jerk of side-apparition.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

'But you didn't reject me' Nordi was speaking softly and quietly. 'You didn't even try to throw me out of your mind. I really had an impression that you were willing to help me.'

Exile was sitting on a couch in the Headmaster's office, between Alecto and Amycus. Orion stood by their side next to Snape. In front of them, on a simple, conjured chair, sat Luna Lovegood.

Despite her laid-back personality, the girl was visibly tense and anxious.

Nordi has already explained her a plan to lure Potter into the castle. Now, he tried- in a most gentle, sensitive and patient manner he could- to reason with her and convince her to his rights.

'I did try.' She whispered. 'Not many people are able to fight the Imperius Curse…'

'You were the one to fight it during my classes.' Nordi noticed calmly. 'Besides, I did a little consultation with Professor Carrow here: you are one of the most skilled Mind Magic users in your age group.'

Amycus nodded.

'Yup. That's right.'

'Give it a thought, Luna: are you really sure that you couldn't have overcame the effects of the Veritaserum and my Imperius curse? Are you really sure that… deep inside… you didn't wish to cooperate with me?'

Luna looked at the five Death Eaters, her eyes were filled up with tears.

'N…no, I…'

'Look, Luna.' Nordi said softly. 'They sent you to Headmaster's Snape's office to get the sword, all alone, without any backup. You were chosen only because you were the best at casting Glamours. They didn't even bother to send any help, when you didn't come back for so long. Aren't you under an impression, that you have been used?'

Luna looked at Nordi; her huge eyes said it all.

'Luna, back in the forrest ,you've told me, that you stick to the "Dumbledore's Army", because Longbottom, Potter and the others are your friends. Is that correct?'

'Yes.'

'That is very human and natural to seek friends. Did your friendship with those people develop when you were meeting, as a "Dumbledore's Army", two years ago, during the rebellion against Professor Umbridge?'

'Yes, that's right.' Luna said in a more confident voice; it seemed that "Dumbledore's Army's" meetings used to be a very important part of her life.

'And do I recall correctly, that you told me, that those people were the first friends you had in your life?'

'Yes.'

Nordi exchanged meaningful looks with Snape. Everything was clear; Luna, a lonely girl abandoned by her peers, had found a support and acceptance within this group. Of course she would stick to them, despite of the fact that they weren't connected by a common idea. It was a simple, human need of affiliation and a sense of belonging that made Luna stick to Potter, Longbottom and their friends.

'Tell me Luna' Exile went on. 'Have you ever tried giving a deeper thought to the idea behind your… friends' actions? Do you know why do they do what they do?'

'Uhm…I'm afraid I don't understand the question, Professor Exile. Do you mean, why do they fight… err…you guys?'

'Yes. Exactly.'

'Er…'

She gave a hesitant look towards everyone in the room.

'It's okay, Luna. You may speak freely. Nobody is going to judge you and nobody is going to punish you.'

'It's because…' she hesitated for a while. 'It's because He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named… They want his failure, they don't want him to rule the Wizarding World.'

The atmosphere inside the office became more tense.

'And what about you, Luna? Do you agree with them?' Nordi asked gently.

'Yes.'

'Because they are your friends?'

'…Yes.'

Nordi caught a glimpse of Snape rising his eyebrows.

'Luna' he said. 'Do you know where they got this idea from? Do you know why don't they want the Dark Lord to rule?'

'I..I…' Luna stuttered. 'I know that …Professor Dumbledore…'

'Exactly.' Nordi was satisfied; they were finally reaching the point. 'Look, Luna. Have you ever seen how the old c… Professor Dumbledore was approaching the students? How he smiled to them, looked them in the eyes, spoke to them gently? I'm sure you've been a witness to such a situation at least once.'

'Yes, I've seen him always being kind to the students.' Luna admitted.

'You are a Mind Arts prodigy. I'm sure you have heard about Legilimency.'

'Yes, I have.'

'Did you know that the old coot… I mean, Professor Dumbledore, was a Master Legilimens?'

'I… didn't know that.'

'I leave it to your imagination, Luna, to think of what he was doing while making an eye contact with all those pupils.'

'Did he …read their minds?' Luna asked cautiously.

'Oh, no. He was too "important" to be interested in the petty students' thoughts. What he did was much worse. He implemented his own thoughts and ideas into their minds. Gently, softly and subtly, in a sophisticated manner. Almost nobody was able to notice it. Do you know why your friends, Longbottom, Potter, Weasley siblings, and the Mudblood…' Luna flinched on her seat. She must have not liked this word. '… Muggleborn girl, are so blindly loyal to him, even after his death? He was a master manipulator, Luna. He toyed with people. Messed their minds up and made them his pawns. Unfortunately, your friends are ones of his countless victims.'

'Professor Exile' Luna said, looking in Nordi's eyes. 'Did Professor Dumbledore tried tampering with your mind as well? Have you spotted his Legilimency attempt?'

Nordi exchanged sad looks with Snape. He didn't want to bring this topic up, but when the girl asked herself, he decided to tell her.

'No, Luna.' He answered. 'You see, I've never been an ordinary student. When I arrived at Hogwarts for the first time, I was already a fairly developed Dark Wizard. For my kind, Dumbledore had different "treatment". As you know, he was the most powerful Light Wizard out there. If a person possesses such a strong Magical Aura, which is a polar opposite to your own… this person can cause you an unbelievably strong physical pain. That was Dumbledore's approach to me, and to Professor Snape.'

'He… caused you pain?' Luna asked in disbelief.

'I didn't want to bring this up, Luna, because it doesn't concern neither you nor your friends, but, yes, he caused us pain. Repeatedly.' Nordi answered.

'Like the Cruciatus Curse?'

'Stronger.' whispered Snape.

Luna turned her head towards him in utter shock.

'Luna, Luna, believe me, he is not the person your friends want him to be. He is not your savior, your hero, your role model.' Nordi's eyes begged Luna to understand. 'What reasons do you have to follow him, other than your friends' words?'

'I… I have none. But… I don't want to lose my friends, either.' She whispered.

'I know. But you must see that they put you out to fight for their cause, a cause that isn't your own. That is not your fight, Luna. You have no reasons to get involved. Other reasons than maintaining your friendships, I mean. But this is not a good reason, not good at all. If they use you, like they used you yesterday, if they put such a pressure on you, they have no right to call themselves your friends.'

Luna wasn't able to withhold her tears anymore; she let them run down her cheeks.

'Luna, back in the forrest, you watched me spilling my blood to take a ward down. You told me that I seem to be really determinated. You see… I am, because I have something that I fight for, something worth my determination and sacrifice. Each person you see in this room can tell you the same about themselves. None of us had joined the Cause for to please our friends or families. Look, Luna, you can also have something worth fighting for, something worthy of spilling your blood. You don't need to be stuck in a place you don't even want to be in, only to please a bunch of people that don't even really care for you.'

Luna sobbed with her head down. Her skinny shoulders were shaking. Snape and Nordi eyed her carefully, Amycus started wriggling in his seat.

At last, the girl lifted her head and Nordi met her huge, light-blue eyes.

'Professor Exile.' She whispered. 'Tell me again what should I say to Harry Potter.'