Chapter 10

The Sun had finally set and the moon slowly creeping over the burrow had started to cast it's silvery light down upon the land. Harry Potter and the Weasley family were fast asleep in their beds and all was silent. Well almost...

Far across the land in a more dark and secluded area , dark things were happening. Evil plans and evil meetings were taking place right under the very nose of the ministry of magic. A new era was set upon the wizarding world and already it's dire effects were coming into action. Numerous deaths were occuring across the world. Scores of witches and wizards were being murdered in their beds many putting a fight but in the end being out-numbered by the Dark Lords allies. There would a meeting tonight.

" Wormtail hand me my wand."

The small watery eyed man nodded and quivering presented the wand to his master. "Here you are my Lord."

Voldemort nodded and watched his servant as he crawled across the ground.

"You fear me still?" he asked. "Even now after I have given my mercy to you when you so wilfully abandoned me like the others? You still fear me Wormtail?"

"No!" cried Wormtail and he clutched his robes. "No my Lord! I am eternally grateful. You have my word."

"LIAR! DO NOT LIE TO ME PETER PETTIGREW!" cried Voldemort his voice cold. " I can see the fear in your eyes, hear your heart thumping wildly. I can even sense the panic in your very own voice."

Wormtail inhaled deeply and knew not what to say.

" So" said Voldemort. "I will ask you one more time. Do you fear me now" he questioned his red eyes gleaming horribly. "Do not lie to me. I know what you are thinking. I know your mind Wormtail. Let you not forget that!"

"I...do...my Lord" spluttered Wormtail.

Voldemort smiled cruelly. "And so you should. I am the Dark Lord! Those who do not fear me are indeed foolish and will meet death swiftly." He bent down towards Wormtail who crawled backwards. "And since I am the one who has overcome death and gained immortality. It is " he gave a nasty sneer. " An obligation of mine to award life and death to those as how I see fit."

"You would not kill me my Lord?" said Wormtail his voice barely audible. "I strive to help you. I am yours to command" he cried falling into a bow. "Only ask and I shall obey!"

Voldemort looked down. "No Wormtail. Your time has not yet come. And as worthless a creature you are...you do in fact prove some use to me. No...I have use for you yet" he laughed. "You will meet your trickiest task yet my snivelling friend. You will meet it yes. Ah they are here!"

There was a sudden crash of thunder and many figures robed in black descended upon Voldemort. As soon as they caught sight of their master they all bowed accordingly.

"The plan failed yet again!" said Voldemort in a high cold voice. "POTTER IS STILL ALIVE!"

Many quivered at the sound of his voice.

" I am sorry my Lord!" begged Bellatrix. "There were many defenders there that night. Dumbledore must have protected the boy. He was not to be seen when we killed Dumbledore.

" I am tired of your excuses Bella. I am not satisfied. Once again you have disappointed me and once again I remain thwarted by HARRY POTTER! I want the one who failed to carry out his task brought to me! The boy who didn't kill Dumbledore like I said. Instead another had to carry it out."

Malfoy raised his eyebrows. "My Lord he is no more than a child. I ask you...to take mercy upon him. He is knew to this business. It is not something any young man could have taken upon himself so lightly."

"Your pleas for your sons life are unmoving Malfoy as were your wifes before I assigned him this task. I myself had to face difficulties when I was young and I did! He failed! He will pay the price. Where is the boy?"

A death eater stepped forward. " Snape took him my Lord. When we escaped. He grabbed the boy and fled. At the time the Aurors were closing in on us. We had no other choice but to run."

"Ah yes Severus my faithful servant. No doubt he is waiting for my call!"

Bellatrix frowned. "My Lord. Snape is not as trust worthy as you may..."

Voldemort turned around sharply. "YOU WERE GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RETRIEVING THE PROPHECY! PRESENT IT TO ME NOW AND THEN I WILL LISTEN TO YOUR RESENTFUL WARNINGS!"

Bellatrix fell silent and hung her head.

"Snape will bring me the boy!" said Voldemort. " I have no dount there."

Bellatrix shook her head. " Snape has plans...he has not left Dumbledores side!"

" DUMBLEDORE IS DEAD!" cried another death eater.

" Yes" said Bellatrix. " However Snape is following a plan. I know this...he is still under Dumbledores wing. How do we not know that Dumbledore sacrificed himself for the Potter boy? That ancient magic , love how do we not know that Snape on Dumbledores actions did not do the same thing?"

Voldemort fell silent and a look of shock creased his face for a moment.