Chapter 6

Plans in the Making





Andrus Dakin had spent the last several weeks planning. Everything was now set and ready and he was prepared to make the move that would secure his place as the most powerful wizard in the world. He laughed out loud as he pictured his family, all of them certain he would be the biggest loser of the bunch, cringing in fear of him. He'd make them pay, make them suffer for the years of neglect and abuse. First his parents, then his brothers. All of them would die at his hands, his leering grin their last vision of life. The very images of them begging for mercy then dying painfully sent shivers of physical delight through his body and he used the image often to relieve himself when he felt need of some release. The closer his plans came to being complete, the more time he spent caressing himself while thoughts of mayhem and death spurred him on. The climax was always sweet, powerful. It made him feel strong when he touched himself, so much so that he rarely desired the touch of another person. Lately, however, he'd been wondering what it would be like to take Black's woman. Oh, yes, to force himself upon her ample body would be nice. Very nice. Maybe he'd consider it when it was all over. A little treat for a job well done.



He pushed those pleasant thoughts aside as he surveyed his handiwork. The tiny windowless room in the heart of the damp cellar was made a perfect cell. The chains hanging from the wall gave it a nice homey touch. The manacles clinked pleasantly when he shook them, testing their strength. The moldy hay scattered on the floor added to the dank stench of the place and made his nostrils flare with pleasure. Dakin had purchased the abandoned building for next to nothing. The muggle owner had been glad to part with the crumbling hulk and Dakin was glad to have it. It was not too far from Diagon Alley and not too far from the countryside home of his biggest challenge. He grinned at Voldemort's vanity, thinking he could possibly hide from the great Andrus Dakin. Dakin had figured out where he was hiding the first month he'd been in England. So much for being all powerful. The man, if he could still be called that, couldn't even hide himself. It was a wonder none of the other wizards figured it out. Well, not really a wonder. After all, wasn't Dakin the most powerful of them all? They'd find that out as soon as Harry Potter came home for the holidays. Dakin chuckled as he crossed off another day on his calendar. Only three days left, then the world would be his.



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Glynnis stood back and gave the mantel a critical eye. The evergreen boughs were artfully arranged and the bright red ribbons were evenly spaced but something was missing. She tapped a finger against her lips as she thought about it. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't hear her husband come up behind her.



"You look very serious," Sirius said as his arms gathered her close from behind.



Glynnis yelped and jumped away from his embrace. "Sirius! You scared me! Don't DO that!"



Sirius held his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm sorry, my love. I thought you heard me coming. I mean, dragging this Yule Log down the hallway isn't exactly a quiet job."



Glynnis' eyes fell to the large log that lay on the floor beside the fireplace. She smiled at her husband. "I'm sorry, Sirius. I didn't hear you. And thank you for bringing it up here for me. I'm just trying to figure out what this mantle needs. It's a bit bare, don't you think?" She stepped back to face the fireplace again.



"What do you usually put there?" he asked, his arm around her again.



"Well, I've always put the creche there. But I didn't want to put it there this year because I didn't want to offend you and Harry. I mean, I'm not sure what it means to you and all and I . . ."



Sirius interrupted her rambling with a gentle finger to her lips. "My dearest Glynnis, just because we are wizards doesn't mean we all still worship river gods. By all means, put the manger scene on the mantle. It is Christmas after all. Some of the holiday's traditions might be pagan but the reason for the season is still the reason for the season."



Glynnis beamed up at him. "Have I told you that I love you recently?" she asked with a sly grin.



Sirius pretended to think very hard about this. "Hmmm. I'm not sure. I think you told me this morning. And perhaps after lunch, but recently? Not that I can think of." He grinned back at her and took her in his arms for a very thorough kiss. When they broke apart, Glynnis melted against him with a sigh. "I do love you. And Harry. And our little soon-to-be. Oh, Sirius, I'm so happy! And I'm so afraid at the same time. I feel as if we're living each day on borrowed time."



He shook her gently. "Don't say that! We're going to get through this. All of us. Our faction is growing stronger every day. We'll defeat Voldemort once and for all by the time this is done and then we will live our life fully and happily ever after. I promise." Sirius reached up with a hand and gently brushed away the tears that were forming in his wife's eyes. He knew she was worried. He was worried, too. But he also knew it wouldn't help them any to dwell on the possibilities. They needed to just enjoy the time they had. He'd been given a month off by Dumbledore to be home with Glynnis and Harry. He was looking forward to this time so much. Harry was coming home tomorrow and the next day they were going out to get a Christmas tree, something Glynnis had insisted on. "I know just the place," she'd said. And he was looking forward to it as much as she was. It had been a long time since either of them had had family to share the holidays with.



Glynnis laughed and wiped her eyes. "You're right, Rover. No use borrowing trouble as my mom used to say. Actually, she still says it!" Sirius laughed. "Your mother is right about one thing, then, isn't she?" he teased. It had been their personal joke that Glynnis' mother considered herself always in the right about everything. She hadn't much liked her new son-in-law and, unfortunately, the feeling was mutual. Still, Glynnis didn't see much of her parents so it worked out. Happily, Hermione and her parents didn't share her parents' opinion so they spent a lot of time with the Granger's when they could.



The couple quieted as Glynnis took the small manger scene from it's box and together they settled it into place at the center of the mantle. When they'd finished, Sirius pulled her down to sit on his lap and together they admired the small twinkling lights she'd hung around the living room. Through the window, they could see snowflakes begin to fall. The crackling fire and the warm glow soon had them forgetting their troubles and they sat in companionable silence, each wrapped up in thoughts of the wonderful holiday to come.

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