Chapter Twenty-One – They All Must Die
Thicknesse sat in the darkened room, considering what the messenger had revealed to him. Neither that message nor the darkness improved his mood. This had been his favorite room of this little cottage, normally so light and airy. The need for security now shrouded the room's natural cheeriness under a thick shroud of heavy dark draperies. It was simply too dangerous to draw them aside and throw open the windows for a little light and air. The trapped dust and cat hair from Spike, he had no idea why that woman persisted in calling the beast 'Thicky', were not doing his sinuses any good. Nor was the forced idleness doing his temperament any good. He had always said that as soon as he got a break from his Ministry chores, he would indulge his passion in reading. Now, he had all the time in the world, but couldn't read more than two sentences without losing interest. His mind was too unsettled to read, or even to think clearly. A panic was always creeping around the corner, disturbing his thoughts. This was bad, because he had to plan. The situation was bad, but it wasn't yet totally lost. It wasn't yet time to act, but when that time came, action must be virtually immediate. He still had resources and people to command. One of those people was upstairs in the guest room, banished for an hour, lest he learn the identity of the messenger. But now was the time to talk things over and get a plan in progress.
"Barty!" the wand-assisted voice echoed through the cottage. Almost immediately, he heard advancing footsteps and heard an insufficiently submissive "I take it I am allowed back into your presence, Sir."
"Please don't take that attitude, Barty. Compartmentalization is vital, in case one of us is captured. Surely you must understand that I must take precautions against losing both you and my contact inside Hogwarts, should one of your trips unhappily end in your capture. I assure you, I'm not locked up in this cottage by choice."
"What have you learned from Hogwarts?"
"I shan't keep that from you, Barty. Unfortunately, the Daily Prophet is correct, Delores Umbridge is McGonagall's prisoner. It would not be good if she talked, and she will talk. She is not one to fall on her sword to save the rest of us. It also seems that our initial efforts at Hogwarts have failed. Things are happening quickly. There is to be an election for Minister in 79 days. Those fools, Shacklebolt and Weasley, are going to run. That may be our enemy's undoing, although I have little faith in the allies whom we have been forced to choose. Still, buck up, we need to let our fellow Wizards know that there are still a few Death Eaters left in this world."
"Yes, Sir, I look forward to a little action. Lying low does not agree with me. Have you picked a target?"
"I think the Malfoy traitor would be a good example for any friends who might consider abandoning our cause, but that might not be of greatest importance. I think Shacklebolt and Weasley cannot be allowed to become public heroes. Potter is hiding at Hogwarts. If he decides to become more active, I think we can rely upon him to precipitate his own destruction. McGonagall could be a problem. She is a very bright Witch, and she wouldn't be shielding the Malfoy's if that weren't part of a plan to attack us. All remaining Wizard blood is precious, but frankly, I think they all must die.
"Barty, you are as brave and dedicated a soldier as I could ask for, but you are too impetuous. Before you leave, promise me that you will remember what I am about to say. We cannot afford to turn our enemies into martyrs. If we are to prevail, our fellow Wizards must see the Dark Lord as the only true martyr, and our enemies as the criminals who murdered him. Never forget: I am the only true Minister of Magic, chosen by the Dark Lord, himself. All others are criminal usurpers. We must kill our enemies, but first we must destroy them. You must never return to this cottage – you know the protocol for our next meeting. Here is your target."
Thickness handed Barty a single piece of paper. When Barty had finished reading, Thickness pointed at the blazing fireplace.
"One cannot be too careful. The world is full of nosey ears. Now, go and do not fail the Dark Lord or me. Our supporters will lose faith if they don't hear from you. I know that you can do this."
"Don't worry, I won't fail. I've done far more difficult deeds for the Dark Lord. You should make greater use of me. Strut as you will; it is clear to me that I am very close to being the only soldier you command. If I feel disused or misused, I can find another leader. I warn you not to exclude me. I am not one of the mindless thugs whom the Dark Lord used and discarded. I was his intimate - almost as much as you. I gave him his body back."
As the door closed behind Barty, Thicknesse muttered softly "it's really come to this. I am dependent upon a mad man to accomplish my great purpose.