The howl of rage that came from Voldemort as Harry summoned the Goblet of Fire and disappeared with Cedric's body put a chill down the spine of all the assembled Death Eaters.
Voldemort clenched his fist and shouted to the dark sky "I will have my revenge. I will.."
But whatever dire fate he had planned was never heard. There was a flash of green light and Voldemort crumpled to the ground.
All the Death Eaters turned as one to a lone figure, Lucius Malfoy, who had his wand still pointed at the now dead Voldemort.
"Yes, I killed him, the fool." He snarled at them. "He couldn't even kill a child! Do you want a repeat of what happened last time? Do any of you look forward to the next PDQ? Be honest!"
The Death Eaters muttered, stared at their feet, and remembered. They remember the last meeting they had attended of the Pan-Dimensional Quarterly Meeting of Evil Henchmen, Hirelings, Understudies, and Wanna-bes – PDQ for short. They had been a laughingstock. That their "great" leader didn't even check for a death-spell reversal field on a baby had been a great source of amusement to the others. "Diaper Eaters" was the kindest term they had been called. Not one of them could help but cringe at the memory. The next meeting was next month (a quarter year in the meeting's host dimension being somewhat longer than this ones) and the start of this night had given them great cause for hope for a triumphant return. But now…, mutterings of social engagements and brewing potions that needed watching could be heard on the cold night air.
"Exactly!" said Lucius as if uttering a curse. "We need a new leader!"
At that everyone took a step back.
"I'm not asking for volunteers, you fools! And no, I have no desire for the job."
Lucius Malfoy shook his head – if only ten years ago they had accepted that offer to lead them from Bill Gates.
Voldemort clenched his fist and shouted to the dark sky "I will have my revenge. I will.."
But whatever dire fate he had planned was never heard. There was a flash of green light and Voldemort crumpled to the ground.
All the Death Eaters turned as one to a lone figure, Lucius Malfoy, who had his wand still pointed at the now dead Voldemort.
"Yes, I killed him, the fool." He snarled at them. "He couldn't even kill a child! Do you want a repeat of what happened last time? Do any of you look forward to the next PDQ? Be honest!"
The Death Eaters muttered, stared at their feet, and remembered. They remember the last meeting they had attended of the Pan-Dimensional Quarterly Meeting of Evil Henchmen, Hirelings, Understudies, and Wanna-bes – PDQ for short. They had been a laughingstock. That their "great" leader didn't even check for a death-spell reversal field on a baby had been a great source of amusement to the others. "Diaper Eaters" was the kindest term they had been called. Not one of them could help but cringe at the memory. The next meeting was next month (a quarter year in the meeting's host dimension being somewhat longer than this ones) and the start of this night had given them great cause for hope for a triumphant return. But now…, mutterings of social engagements and brewing potions that needed watching could be heard on the cold night air.
"Exactly!" said Lucius as if uttering a curse. "We need a new leader!"
At that everyone took a step back.
"I'm not asking for volunteers, you fools! And no, I have no desire for the job."
Lucius Malfoy shook his head – if only ten years ago they had accepted that offer to lead them from Bill Gates.
