AN: Not much plot development. But still, I'm too attached to my chapters
to throw one out. Hope you like it more than I do. *wink*
~~
While his friends were having the time if their lives at James and Lily's wedding, Peter was in a completely different atmosphere.
The tattoo that had been burned into his left forearm when he joined the ranks of the Dark Lord was normally clear, but this time it burned painfully black.
He had to leave without an excuse, or his absence would be noted. The Dark Lord called whenever he wanted to, and gave no warning.
He apparated to the cold dark cave where they had started meeting with a slight twinge of fear at what might have happened, or even worse, what information the Dark Lord needed.
Lord Voldemort remained silent until the spaces in the circle of Death Eaters were filled. Finally, when everyone had arrived, he spoke in that high cold voice. "My friends."
Everyone bowed. "Master," came the reply. Peter knew what was coming. He was Voldemort's new target for information, being the only member of the Order of the Phoenix in these ranks.
Sure enough, those red cat-like eyes rested on him expectantly.
"News, Wormtail?"
Peter jumped slightly. Voldemort had never called him that, and he had never told him of his school nickname. The Dark Lord's lips turned upwards in a sneer as he noticed Peter's alarm at his sudden insight into his memories.
Peter shook his head. "No news, my lord. They have not discussed much in their meetings lately." A few Death eaters chuckled at this.
Voldemort nodded. "That is because they have nothing to discuss. Names, then? I daresay if one of their numbers winds up dead, they'll start discussing more important matters."
Several of the Death Eaters laughed, and turned to Peter for an answer. Names, they wanted names.
But several of the names brought a pang in his heart. Many of them he did not want dead. Fortunately, the Dark Lord was not piercing him with his glare, so he would not notice this sudden surge of emotion in his servant.
Peter gave him the name of the person he knew the least. "McKinnon. Marlene McKinnon. I believe she has a husband and children."
Voldemort took a moment to consider this. "Good, Wormtail. Best to start with someone insignificant. Just to give them the idea."
"Travers." A Death Eater stepped forward, his hood hiding his face from view. "Yes, my Lord?"
"Do it quickly. The whole family."
~~~~~~~~~~
The cold winds of October swept through, and along with it came the mysterious deaths of Marlene McKinnon, and her family.
Only two weeks after the Order had been made official, one of their members was already dead.
"We're too open, Albus," growled Moody. "We need at least a few precautions."
Dumbledore nodded gravely. Everyone was silent and pensive as they searched for the perfect solution.
"We need to change headquarters constantly," Elphias Doge contributed with an uncharacteristic frown.
Dorcas Meadowes shook her head, "That'd be too difficult for everyone. Not different, just unplottable."
Remus's head shot up. "My house is unplottable and fairly large, and my parents moved out of it a while ago. It's pretty hidden right on the edge of some woods."
"Right," said Gideon. "But that's not enough if it's only unplottable. Members can still be followed."
Fabian nodded, "And any information can be overheard, or leak out." Peter shifted in his chair uncomfortably.
There was a moment's silence as everyone considered what could be done.
"Fidelius Charm," Dorcas said finally.
Several people nodded in agreement, and others shook their heads.
Moody was one of them. "That would require a secret keeper, and as we can already tell, any one of us can be attacked next."
"Make it Dumbledore, then. No one would be stupid enough to attack Dumbledore," Lily said, finally speaking up.
Most people seemed to agree strongly with this idea, and Dumbledore smiled, but only briefly.
"In the mean time, we will direct most of our efforts to finding more people to join," he said, with a sad look. "Before our numbers dwindle."
~~~~~~~~~~
Just a little note to DragonPrincessNikki: I never imagined Dorcas as an airhead. It's just that, before, she was only seventeen. I wanted to make some room for character development. I really really like the idea of having her as a spy for Dumbledore. At first I wanted to do that - but then I stumbled into Peter. I figured it'd be impossible for Dorcas to be a death eater and not know about Peter. The same applies for Snape. *hits head on desk repeatedly* Oh no! How am I going to write about Snape?
~~
While his friends were having the time if their lives at James and Lily's wedding, Peter was in a completely different atmosphere.
The tattoo that had been burned into his left forearm when he joined the ranks of the Dark Lord was normally clear, but this time it burned painfully black.
He had to leave without an excuse, or his absence would be noted. The Dark Lord called whenever he wanted to, and gave no warning.
He apparated to the cold dark cave where they had started meeting with a slight twinge of fear at what might have happened, or even worse, what information the Dark Lord needed.
Lord Voldemort remained silent until the spaces in the circle of Death Eaters were filled. Finally, when everyone had arrived, he spoke in that high cold voice. "My friends."
Everyone bowed. "Master," came the reply. Peter knew what was coming. He was Voldemort's new target for information, being the only member of the Order of the Phoenix in these ranks.
Sure enough, those red cat-like eyes rested on him expectantly.
"News, Wormtail?"
Peter jumped slightly. Voldemort had never called him that, and he had never told him of his school nickname. The Dark Lord's lips turned upwards in a sneer as he noticed Peter's alarm at his sudden insight into his memories.
Peter shook his head. "No news, my lord. They have not discussed much in their meetings lately." A few Death eaters chuckled at this.
Voldemort nodded. "That is because they have nothing to discuss. Names, then? I daresay if one of their numbers winds up dead, they'll start discussing more important matters."
Several of the Death Eaters laughed, and turned to Peter for an answer. Names, they wanted names.
But several of the names brought a pang in his heart. Many of them he did not want dead. Fortunately, the Dark Lord was not piercing him with his glare, so he would not notice this sudden surge of emotion in his servant.
Peter gave him the name of the person he knew the least. "McKinnon. Marlene McKinnon. I believe she has a husband and children."
Voldemort took a moment to consider this. "Good, Wormtail. Best to start with someone insignificant. Just to give them the idea."
"Travers." A Death Eater stepped forward, his hood hiding his face from view. "Yes, my Lord?"
"Do it quickly. The whole family."
~~~~~~~~~~
The cold winds of October swept through, and along with it came the mysterious deaths of Marlene McKinnon, and her family.
Only two weeks after the Order had been made official, one of their members was already dead.
"We're too open, Albus," growled Moody. "We need at least a few precautions."
Dumbledore nodded gravely. Everyone was silent and pensive as they searched for the perfect solution.
"We need to change headquarters constantly," Elphias Doge contributed with an uncharacteristic frown.
Dorcas Meadowes shook her head, "That'd be too difficult for everyone. Not different, just unplottable."
Remus's head shot up. "My house is unplottable and fairly large, and my parents moved out of it a while ago. It's pretty hidden right on the edge of some woods."
"Right," said Gideon. "But that's not enough if it's only unplottable. Members can still be followed."
Fabian nodded, "And any information can be overheard, or leak out." Peter shifted in his chair uncomfortably.
There was a moment's silence as everyone considered what could be done.
"Fidelius Charm," Dorcas said finally.
Several people nodded in agreement, and others shook their heads.
Moody was one of them. "That would require a secret keeper, and as we can already tell, any one of us can be attacked next."
"Make it Dumbledore, then. No one would be stupid enough to attack Dumbledore," Lily said, finally speaking up.
Most people seemed to agree strongly with this idea, and Dumbledore smiled, but only briefly.
"In the mean time, we will direct most of our efforts to finding more people to join," he said, with a sad look. "Before our numbers dwindle."
~~~~~~~~~~
Just a little note to DragonPrincessNikki: I never imagined Dorcas as an airhead. It's just that, before, she was only seventeen. I wanted to make some room for character development. I really really like the idea of having her as a spy for Dumbledore. At first I wanted to do that - but then I stumbled into Peter. I figured it'd be impossible for Dorcas to be a death eater and not know about Peter. The same applies for Snape. *hits head on desk repeatedly* Oh no! How am I going to write about Snape?
