The worktable was piled high with books, parchment and empty plates and goblets. Under candlelight, a gaunt figure in black and gold robes consulted several volumes at once occasionally writing notes down on a piece of parchment. On another table, a cage full of white mice stood next to a large earthen bowl filled with a dark, syrupy liquid that bubbled softly. The cage shook slightly as the mice clawed at the sides frantic to escape. The scholar paid the mice no mind even as their squeaks increased in intensity as another sound invaded the quiet - a hissing, scraping slithering rasp against the bare ground. It was Nagini coming to rest after a night of hunting. Skirting around a huge pentagram carved into the ground, it slowly made its way to its master's side.
Seeing his familiar's hugely distended body, Voldemort ran a tepid gray hand over distinct bulges in the snake's body and said "Ah, a fruitful night, it seems you have rescued yet another runaway, Nagini. Go on and rest, my friend, I will need you to do something for me soon. You should be well rested." Voldemort returned to his study.
A respectful knock at the door brought Voldemort to his feet. He waved the door open and Lucius Malfoy and Peter Pettigrew walked in like two mismatched bookends - one tall and elegant the other hunched and scruffy. Both bowed deeply to their lord and master.
"What do you have to report?" Voldemort asked.
Malfoy held out a thick scroll of parchment. Malfoy stood at ease as he addressed the dread lord, "My son, Draco, has confirmed your suspicions, my lord. The ancient magic of the Hogwarts founders is indeed waning. He has been running tests for several months now and each time the results show a small decrease of overall protection every month. Here are his readings."
Voldemort's thin lips thinned even more as he scanned the notes. He sat back on his stool deep in thought. "Give your son my compliments, Lucius. Well done. I am quite sure that the old man is just as aware of this as we are."
"Draco has not reported any unusual activity about the castle. He has included his observations in the notes. What could Dumbledore do? He alone cannot change what is happening and there are no other wizards or witches with the power of the founders or the old ones to help him. Save for you, of course, my lord."
"I underestimated him once. I will not do so again." Voldemort looked intently at Malfoy. "Have your son discontinue his testing. However, have him step up his recruitment efforts."
"He will not be as effective as Snape in that area. I do not understand why he is not called upon to do more in your support. What has he done to merit your continued trust?"
Voldemort faced Malfoy. A true pureblood this one, Voldemort mused, and a jealous one. He crossed his arms and leaned on the worktable. "All that I have asked Severus to do, he has done superbly. What that is stays between him and me involving no one else. I am not blind to his faults, Lucius. I value him for his irreplaceable utility. But I am loath to waste his time or talents for something that others may do as well or infinitely better. You will agree that Severus is not the most social of creatures and would more likely turn away potential recruits by force of his very personality."
This seeming insult got a laugh out of Malfoy defusing his incipient jealously. Voldemort thought that Malfoy was so transparent in his ambitions yet so crippled by his vices and misdirected virtues. Such a waste! But his son showed great potential. He could see Severus' influence on the boy in the meticulous detail and ordered, disciplined approach of his notes and observations. Yes, he had to keep Malfoy pacified for now until the boy was secured. He turned his attention to Wormtail and said, "Well, have you better news for me, Wormtail?"
Wormtail sniveled. With effort he forced his spine to straighten. "My lord, we have found the Grangers. I can get a group together to eliminate them tonight."
"No, Wormtail, no. The Grangers are far more valuable to me alive. It is enough that we know where they are," Voldemort grinned but on his garish face it looked more like a twisted smirk. He gathered up a pile of black and cream envelopes. "You've done well, Wormtail."
"Thank you, my lord. I live to serve you," Wormtail bowed hugging his silver arm to himself.
"Now, go and have these invitations delivered." Voldemort handed the envelopes to Wormtail. " Lucius, here is yours. I will deliver Severus' invitation myself."
"Invitation to what, my lord?" asked Lucius carefully opening his envelope. He took out a small postcard and read it. His face blanched pale. Wormtail hurriedly opened his and let out a gasp.
Voldemort anticipating their reactions started to pace to and fro as he explained. "It has been some time since my first ascension to power. I feel that a rededication to our mission is necessary to better focus our energies and efforts to that victory which is so close at hand. This Friday night we will all gather and celebrate our cause together - as one. All Death Eaters shall re-sanctify themselves with a new black mark emblazoned over the old. Now go, it's late. Rest and prepare yourselves for something truly glorious!"
Satisfied with their lord's reasoning, his two acolytes left with their eyes gleaming in almost feral anticipation. Nagini hissed at him from her sleeping nest by the fire. He hissed back and she settled back to sleep. Voldemort returned to further study Draco's notes and results. Silently, he vowed that the old man wasn't going to stop him this time. At the very least, he would not suffer his descent into hell alone.
Back at Hogwarts just before dawn, Professors Flitwick and Vector were busy directing an army of house elves cleaning, fixing and rearranging several demolished classrooms. Many of the volunteers had suffered from insomnia last night. Several thought that a quick game of Spell Tag would be a good exercise. Many of the participants were today sporting slings and assorted bandages as well as much better control over their spell casting.
Over breakfast nothing extraordinary happened. People ate. People drank. People talked. People got their mail. The Weasleys got letters from their mum and siblings. Harry got a letter from Remus Lupin which he avidly read over and over again. Hermione got her latest subscription to Academic Portents Quarterly. She eagerly flipped through promising herself a good read in her dormitory that night. Draco got a large bundle of goodies and a letter from home. He distributed the sweets to his tablemates keeping the letter for later reading.
At the High Table, the headmaster was introducing several newly arrived graduate students to the staff and faculty. He was at the same time assigning and pairing off students with professors. Dumbledore led a familiar young lady to his resident potions master. More of a matter of courtesy than anything else, Severus Snape stood up and greeted Eve Delacour. She was Fleur Delacour's older sister and his new teaching assistant. They both sat down to breakfast and conversation. The activities at the high table did not go completely unnoticed.