Chapter 34 - The Raven
What can I say? The title says it all. Sorry it is short, but here is the answer to just who that damned black bird is.
Thank you to those that are continuing to read, I appreciate your understanding. Please enjoy this, if you wish. It really doesn't progress the story too much, but it is important to what will come in the following chapters.
There will be another update in a few days. I am excited that it is finished and you are enjoying it. That is why they are coming thick and fast. This would have been up yesterday, but ff.net wouldn't let me in.
Please read and review.
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Dumbledore was a fool if he thought he was the only one with a spy watching his adversary. Voldemort also had trusted servants in position to spy on the opposition, and now he sat, waiting, while perhaps his most valuable spy returned with information.
Voldemort watched as the black bird landed on the floor in front of him before returning to human form, but he failed to notice the slight shudder of revulsion that passed through the wizard. The Raven, his true identity lost after so many years spent in animagus form, much preferred to pass his messages to the Dark Lord via an intermediary, rather than in person. This time Voldemort had insisted on his presence in person. The Raven prostrated himself in front of the snake-like wizard, his muscles and joints aching and stiff.
"You have newsss for me?" The snake-like man hissed.
"Yes Master. I have news of the traitor."
"Continue."
"It would seem he has returned to Hogwarts after your most recent meeting, with a Muggle child in tow. It would seem the spy has a new friend, and that he is quite devoted to her."
"Her? Sseverusss hass become attached to a female Muggle child." Voldemort said thoughtfully. "He mussst be getting sssoft in hisss old age - he usssed to cope with pain ssso much better when he was younger. Perhapss I went too far thiss time."
"Yes Master."
Voldemort chose to ignore the veiled criticism in the remark. "Tell me about her."
"Her name is Jane, Master, and she carries a silver dagger with a handle formed by entwined snakes with emerald eyes. The old fool read the previous holder's signature as I watched. It belonged to the one who was lost."
Voldemort looked at the Raven surprised by that last piece of information. "That iss very interessting, very interessting indeed - in fact it could have ramificationss for the final battle between that basstard boy and mysself." He stood and prowled around the room, thinking. "I don't know which I want more. The child, to punish the sspy, or the knife to punish the dottering old fool. In fact I think I want both. I shall have to conssider our optionss. Continue to watch, and keep me informed."
"Yes Master."
"You have done well Raven. You may return to your posst. I sshall arrange for Malfoy to work with you."
"Yes Master." The Raven transformed back into his preferred form and flew from his master's presence, glad to have survived another meeting with the short tempered wizard.
**********
Voldemort chuckled to himself and addressed the large snake by his side. "Nagini, it would sseem ass though the traitor iss weakening. We musst get that child though or she may provide him much needed ssupport. And we musst get that knife. If it iss what I think it iss, it will be invaluable in the final battle."
The large snake looked at the Dark Lord with its red eyes and flicked its forked tongue in and out.
Voldemort touched his arm. "Malfoy."
The Death Eater appeared before him almost instantly. "Master."
"Lucsiuss, the traitor hass a Muggle pet."
"Yes Master. My boy told me something of the girl."
"And you didn't ssee fit to inform me?" The Dark Lord raised his eyebrows, surprised at the blonde wizard's foolishness. He briefly considered punishing the fool before him, but decided he needed his cooperation first.
"I only just found out yesterday, and I have been waiting for more information." Malfoy answered quickly.
"And what elsse can you tell me about her."
"Draco tells me she is prepared to fight, and that she carries a knife that she doesn't seem to be afraid to use. He also admitted somewhat reluctantly that his magic didn't work on the girl, not that I know what he tried to do to her."
"That is no ssurprisse, he is only a child himsself, after all. Ass for the resst, the Raven hass jusst provided me with ssimilar information. I want that child and I want that knife. Work with the Raven to make it sso."
"Yes Master."
"Oh, and Lucsiuss, don't fail me again or I may find it necesssary to punish you."
Malfoy apparated away, sickened by his Master's threat.
What can I say? The title says it all. Sorry it is short, but here is the answer to just who that damned black bird is.
Thank you to those that are continuing to read, I appreciate your understanding. Please enjoy this, if you wish. It really doesn't progress the story too much, but it is important to what will come in the following chapters.
There will be another update in a few days. I am excited that it is finished and you are enjoying it. That is why they are coming thick and fast. This would have been up yesterday, but ff.net wouldn't let me in.
Please read and review.
********************************************************************
Dumbledore was a fool if he thought he was the only one with a spy watching his adversary. Voldemort also had trusted servants in position to spy on the opposition, and now he sat, waiting, while perhaps his most valuable spy returned with information.
Voldemort watched as the black bird landed on the floor in front of him before returning to human form, but he failed to notice the slight shudder of revulsion that passed through the wizard. The Raven, his true identity lost after so many years spent in animagus form, much preferred to pass his messages to the Dark Lord via an intermediary, rather than in person. This time Voldemort had insisted on his presence in person. The Raven prostrated himself in front of the snake-like wizard, his muscles and joints aching and stiff.
"You have newsss for me?" The snake-like man hissed.
"Yes Master. I have news of the traitor."
"Continue."
"It would seem he has returned to Hogwarts after your most recent meeting, with a Muggle child in tow. It would seem the spy has a new friend, and that he is quite devoted to her."
"Her? Sseverusss hass become attached to a female Muggle child." Voldemort said thoughtfully. "He mussst be getting sssoft in hisss old age - he usssed to cope with pain ssso much better when he was younger. Perhapss I went too far thiss time."
"Yes Master."
Voldemort chose to ignore the veiled criticism in the remark. "Tell me about her."
"Her name is Jane, Master, and she carries a silver dagger with a handle formed by entwined snakes with emerald eyes. The old fool read the previous holder's signature as I watched. It belonged to the one who was lost."
Voldemort looked at the Raven surprised by that last piece of information. "That iss very interessting, very interessting indeed - in fact it could have ramificationss for the final battle between that basstard boy and mysself." He stood and prowled around the room, thinking. "I don't know which I want more. The child, to punish the sspy, or the knife to punish the dottering old fool. In fact I think I want both. I shall have to conssider our optionss. Continue to watch, and keep me informed."
"Yes Master."
"You have done well Raven. You may return to your posst. I sshall arrange for Malfoy to work with you."
"Yes Master." The Raven transformed back into his preferred form and flew from his master's presence, glad to have survived another meeting with the short tempered wizard.
**********
Voldemort chuckled to himself and addressed the large snake by his side. "Nagini, it would sseem ass though the traitor iss weakening. We musst get that child though or she may provide him much needed ssupport. And we musst get that knife. If it iss what I think it iss, it will be invaluable in the final battle."
The large snake looked at the Dark Lord with its red eyes and flicked its forked tongue in and out.
Voldemort touched his arm. "Malfoy."
The Death Eater appeared before him almost instantly. "Master."
"Lucsiuss, the traitor hass a Muggle pet."
"Yes Master. My boy told me something of the girl."
"And you didn't ssee fit to inform me?" The Dark Lord raised his eyebrows, surprised at the blonde wizard's foolishness. He briefly considered punishing the fool before him, but decided he needed his cooperation first.
"I only just found out yesterday, and I have been waiting for more information." Malfoy answered quickly.
"And what elsse can you tell me about her."
"Draco tells me she is prepared to fight, and that she carries a knife that she doesn't seem to be afraid to use. He also admitted somewhat reluctantly that his magic didn't work on the girl, not that I know what he tried to do to her."
"That is no ssurprisse, he is only a child himsself, after all. Ass for the resst, the Raven hass jusst provided me with ssimilar information. I want that child and I want that knife. Work with the Raven to make it sso."
"Yes Master."
"Oh, and Lucsiuss, don't fail me again or I may find it necesssary to punish you."
Malfoy apparated away, sickened by his Master's threat.