The fire in the Riddle House was still roaring, and the shrivelled creature with burnt, blackened skin was still sat in its chair. The great serpent was rest in the corner. It had just finalliy finished devoring the rest of Frank Bryce, a muggle who had stumped upon them.
"So ... everything is set?" Lord Voldemort said to his servant, Lucius Malfoy.
"Yes, my lord," Lucius said. "We have confirmed that Barty Crouch Jr is alive and under the control of his father. It would be a simple matter to overcome him."
"Good, make sure it is done. And the Ex-Auror, Alastor Moody?" Voldemort asked.
"I have spoken with Corban Yaxley—he has been offered the Defence Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts," Lucius replied.
"Excellent, you have done well, Lucius ... better than I expected, but, of course, before I fully make my move, I want any who oppose us to be surrounded by my followers. Severus Snape remains at Hogwarts—we will see if his loyalty still holds. We will soon also have Barty Crouch Jr at Hogwarts. Now, tell me about Lockhart."
"He is a fool," Malfoy spat. "I dobut even half of what he claims is true ..."
"And yet he defeated my Basilisk," Voldemort said, thoughtfully. "He must have some talent."
"Perhaps," Malfoy admitted. "But he is still an easily-impressionable fool. He continues to take jabs at Fudge, undermining his authority. Avery Jr is his publicist, he continues to make suggestions that Lockhart continue."
"Good," said Voldemort. "A Ministry in disarray will make it easier for us to take control. If Lockhart topples Fudge—who is likely to become the new Minister?"
"According to Yaxley, Bones, Scrimgeor and Crouch Sr are the three favorites," Malfoy said.
"We can't go up against Scrimgeor or Bones yet—we lack the power. But if the imperius on Crouch holds ..."
"It will hold," Malfoy promised.
"It better," Voldemort warned. "Who are the other candidates?"
"Umbridge, Bagman and Cresswell are three names who have been touted," Malfoy replied.
"Tell me about Umbridge. Will she join our side?" Voldemort asked.
"I don't know," Malfoy said. "She is a Ministry loyalist who believes in law and order but she hates half-breeds and there is talk she is opposed to mudbloods. She may be pursuaded."
"We will keep an eye on her," Voldemort said. "The others?"
"Cresswell is a mudblood," Malfoy said. "Bagman is an idiot with a gambling problem. We can exploit that. Perhaps blackmail."
"That will be easy to carry out," Voldemort said. "We will keep it as an option. Now, to the rest of the plan. Dursley and Longbottom. Both will die. Let's go over it once more."