Losing Faith
Chapter Thirty-Five : Celebrations
"A third Quidditch match?" Lucius Malfoy repeats with a confident voice as he raises his eyebrows with stun, surveying Gene Avery with a critical ice-blue eye. He reclines in his chair, his right hand grasping his snake-staff and fingers running along the smooth silver of the long tongue. "Avery, I'm surprised that you would ever suggest such a thing."
Gene leans forward in his seat, gripping his hands together. "Why is that, Sir?"
Deep frown lines appear over Lucius's eyebrows and mouth as his face hardens to stone. "Our last game never did end on a satisfactory note," Lucius readily reminds Gene, recalling the scene with bitter nostalgia and much abhorrence. "If I remember correctly, a griffin interrupted. A griffin that was permitted to escape because of the incompetence of a few Death Eaters!" His staff bangs on the stone floor, causing Gene to blink as the sound ricochets through the office.
"Maybe the idea of a game isn't confounded. Is there a better way to prove to the Last Alliance that you are confident in rule?" Gene asks.
Lucius remains silent, his magnificent black robes shuffling as he turns in his seat and rests his right leg over his left knee. "Will everything be prepared by you?" he asks eventually, his cold eyes pointedly staring at the stacks of parchment on his oak desk and eagle quill he has magicked to sign his signature upon them.
Gene simply nods. "I've already taken the necessary steps," he explains as he passes Lucius a few sheaves of parchment. "I've contacted the four house captains, and they were willing to gather their teams. Lucrece Lestrange has offered once again to referee and to oversee the renovations to the Pitch and balls."
Lucius smirks, amused. "You expected that I would allow this, did you not, Avery?" Taking the papers, he tosses them on top of the always-growing pile on his desk, the quill groaning as he does.
"It is within your graciousness, Sir." Gene inclines his head into a small bow.
A tide of joy washes over Lucius as an idea comes to form in his mind, the gears working together to cast despair upon the lowly prisoners. To remind them of their place in this world and who died to place them there. "Yes, it is, isn't it. We will have this Quidditch game on July 31, in honour of our victory two years ago!
"Now get out, this conversation bores me."
-
The Shadow Moon Congregation Hall of the ancient castle is made from polished obsidian stone. Seven claw-like torchbearers line the black walls, the fires casting shadows that resemble monsters about the chamber. One table enhances the meeting hall--long, and made of black birch, it rests impressively in the core, and an assembly of thirty Death Eaters march in and consecutively sit around her; those of superior rank occupy that nearest the massive throne seat of Lucius's.
Five minutes pass without their leader before the black metal doors to the hall open with an echoing bang, and in strides Lucius Malfoy. He glances over his assembled Death Eaters, then he stops and shakes the hands of those he has known for many years before taking his seat at the front. Dark circles encompass his eyes, and crow's feet dabble at the corners; his white-blond hair is pulled back tightly and tied into place with a black ribbon. Clearing his throat, he commands the undivided attention of his faction; he changes his mind and stands. "As we grow stronger, our enemies lessen!
"Three assemblies set forth yesterday from the Northern Tower, each travelling the three directions. The first, Hades-Zero, will arrive in the Dwarven Mountains in the early morning. Pluto-Five awaits their minotaur guide by the moonlight. Loki-Three drinks with the new allies we have found in the trolls! If the talks proceed as hoped, we shall have allies in both the minotaur and dwarf!
"The assassination of Tahirah Nefertari has caused the Ministry to act quickly and most profoundly. We know that, because of Miss Raventon, the Last Alliance has refused an ally with the Ministry. And though this proves to be quite the obstacle in our path, an efficient leap over it may be found--we shall send Death Eaters into our neighbouring countries of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Norway for simple, two week surveillance missions.
"While the lord of the Last Alliance is wise and brave--"
Twig Raventon's head slants sharply towards Lucius. "How can you say that?"
Lucius glares, shifting papers as he quickly realises his mistake. "You must never underestimate your enemy, Raventon. It is one thing to be a fool leading an army to victory and another to be a wise man leading them to death. Their commander is indeed intelligent and valiant, but it does take more than that to win a war.
"Now, getting to matters of a separate note: there will be a third Quidditch match July 31--the anniversary of our enemies' downfall!"