Chapter 2

50/50

Lucius and Severus stood stiffly outside a large ornate door. Before Lucius could knock. A voice beckoned. "You may enter."

They entered and stepped up before a large desk in the end of the room. Books lined the walls left and right. On the wall opposite the door was a large window that looked out onto the manor grounds and it was in a chair facing this window that sat the owner of such an study. Lord Voldemort.

"I trust you have been successful if you have returned."

Lucius took a slight tense step forward. "My Lord, we have located a large area of concentrated magic. However-"

The occupant of the chair rose up to its towering height and turned to face his followers. His blood red eyes bore into them from a face more creature then man. Some would compare his features to that of a snake. His large hands rose his wand. An obvious threat.

Both men dropped to their knees.

"There was a barrier. We attempted to bring it down however it was as if there was nothing TO bring down. The wards. The wards are like none I've seen or read of." Severus spoke quickly. Strengthening his occlumency shield to rein in his feeling of fear.

"I am sure you will find what you seek within its walls my Lord. The magic was thick enough to shatter the searching rune stone." Lucius said head bowed.

"Where?" There Lord demanded.

…..

He was… a bit irritated. To say the least. It was a simple errand. Retrieve a flower. The only reason he had sent two of his best was Severus had the knowledge enough to harvest something so delicate and Lucius had the skill to defend him as he did so. After all who knew what creatures could lurk in such a highly magical area and why should he do it himself? He had followers for a reason and he was much too busy putting together different plans for taking over the ministry. Not just influencing it. No. He wanted real change. Not the chaos that they displayed as order and justice. But first he must remove his largest obstacle. Dumbledore.

Upon his apparition to the location he was met with a dense tree line and a substantial amount of magic. Curious. It put the Forbidden Forest to shame.

The day was pleasantly warm. He had plenty of time to find the blue delphiniumsie. Perhaps time to clear his mind of his irritation and focus on a simple task.

Entering he was met with no barrier as described by his subordinates. They wouldn't have lied. No. So why was he let in? A trap? Perhaps he wouldn't be clearing his mind after all.

…..

How long had he been here? It was still light out but the sun was getting low in the sky. Past noon at the least from what he could see through the high tree tops. How deep had he wondered? Surly the flowers would be at the center. The point of greatest concentration. But where was he in relation? He was NOT lost. Perhaps it would be best to apparite the next several meters? A small experiment to see if he could reach his destination sooner rather than later.

Raising his wand he tried to apparite past large fallen tree in his path. Save him the trouble of going around or over it. Only to find he had gone absolutely nowhere. How incredibly bothersome.

"Are you lost?" A soft voice asked to his right. Turning quickly he leveled his wand ready for attack.

His eyes landed apon a small lithe creature. Who gasped at the sudden rush of possibly being attacked. The creature took a step back. Its ears twitched slightly. It's ears were far too long. A elf? It's eyes, blue, so deep soft innocent, widened and it took a step closer.

"I never thought… I never thought I'd ever find someone like myself." It spoke.

He sneered. What was it babbling on about? "I can assure you we are nothing alike." His eyes narrowed as it stepped closer. Seemingly unafraid of his raised wand or the dark magic that sparked around him.

It was soft and small. It wouldn't even be tall enough for its head to reach above his chest. Perhaps just under. The air around it gave a soft warm drift of magic. It looked him in the eyes so unafraid of his frightening appearance. He knew he was unsavory to look at. He had once been handsome but now... He lacked a nose, hair and was paler than anything alive should be. Severus had produced a potion to try to restore him but all it had achieved was the removal of black and blue veins, his skin was no longer transparent, the restoration of his voice, and the broadening of his shoulders. His appearance had suffered soon after leaving Hogwarts and as such there had been little nothing to restore to. Yet this little thing looked at him in such great wonder. He.. he was.. unsure.

It raised a hand as if to try to touch his face in fascination. He quickly grabbed it. The small hand had claws? Elves have no such thing.

It's voice held such happiness as it spoke. "But we are. Magic has changed you. I can feel it from you. Around you. Magic has gifted you so strongly she has changed you herself. It has changed me as well. I.. I have been alone so long believing I had no equil." It reached up with its free hand and lay it up upon his chest.

He threw its hand down and stepped back with a scowl and narrowed eyes. The woman. That's what she claimed to be. Stepped back as well.

"I am sorry. I have invaded your space. I have been here a long time and it has been even longer since I have seen another. To see someone, someone such as myself nonetheless, after so long… please forgive me. I am Alina."

"I am The Dark Lord Voldemort." Unwilling to give much of anything. This was all too strange. This Alina claimed they were the same. Yet such a pretty thing was nothing like him. Magic or no.

"It is obvious you did not come here in search of me." Her demeanor turned playful. Smile turning up one side of her rosie lips revealing a small fang. "What is it you seek? I know the forest very well. Perhaps I can be of assistance."

He lowered his wand securing it for quick access. Not that he needed it for all magic. He would need to stay on guard but it at least appeared she means him no harm. He would take her up on her offer and see where it leads.

"I am in search of blue delphiniumsie. What would you want in return for your guidance?" There is always a price.

She gave off a sudden laugh like the delicate ringing of bells. "In return?" She gave a soft smile. "I hadn't even thought of asking for anything in return but since you have asked I suppose I would ask for a bit of time in your company after we retrieve the flowers."

"Very well." He answered. She could have asked for a favor in return. He has come out on top of this deal.

"It seems we're a bit off course. We will have to go this way." She said pointing to his left and a bit north of him.