The other One
-By E.G.R. Woods
Disclaimer: Original storyline, characters, events and places belong to the wonderful J.K Rowling. I'm just borrowing them.
Warning: Contains spoilers of 5th and 6th book.
Author's note: New characters and our favourite familiar ones will appear in the future.
-Prologue-
"They are here, master."
The figure sitting on the chair before the fireplace opened his eyes. He did not turn to the source of the voice, but he gazed into the crackling fire on the hearth, his thin lips curling into a smile.
"Send them in. We have business to attend," he said, his low voice close to a hiss. He waited for a moment, listening to the sound of the door to the room opening and closing, and footsteps approaching him from the left.
"My Lord, we have come to do your bidding. We have what you have asked for," one voice said.
The figure moved his gaze slowly to the side, glancing at the two cloaked figures bowing to him, half hidden by the shadows. They were afraid to come any closer. There was a long silence, but then the figure spoke up.
"Pity," he hissed. "What should I expect from you if, to do my bidding, you have had to become traitors?" The face turned back to the fireplace. "You have betrayed those who have given you all their trust, those who have placed their lives in your hands. How can I be sure that you will not betray my trust? How can I know that you will not turn your back on me? How will I know where your loyalty really lies?"
There was a whimper from one of the two cloaked men standing near the chair.
"My Lord… our loyalty lies with you and you only…" the one who hadn't spoken yet replied after a prudent pause.
"We will see about that," the figure answered, the smile reappearing on the pale face. The hands gripping the arms of the chair came together in front of him, long fingers touching at the tips. "Well… I am waiting."
One of the men came forward. "Wormtail, my Lord. I have been trusted with the location of the Potters," there was a tremble in the man's voice as he spoke. "They are just outside the village, in Godric's Hollow, hiding in the cottage of the forest clearing."
"Very well, Wormtail. This is most satisfying," the figure responded, then turned to the other man. "Come forth."
"Ignatius Black, my Lord," the man came from behind Wormtail and stood in the light of the fire. "I had been made secret keeper of the Longbottoms."
"Ignatius Black," the figure repeated. "I see. I had no doubt that you would cross over to the other side in no time."
"Indeed, my Lord. I am at your service," the man continued, feeling reassured by his master's words. "The Longbottoms are hiding in Godric's Hollow too. They have settled in the cottage at the very edge of the forest, near the village."
There was another long pause, the only sound being the crackling of the logs in the fire. The hands retook their places on the arms of the chair.
"I am very pleased with you two," he said, and the two men bowed low to him. "Once I have fulfilled the prophecy, I will look into your cases. You shall be rewarded greatly."
"My Lord, you are too kind," the two cloaked figures said almost at once.
"You may leave."
"Thank you, my Lord." With that, both men backed away from the chair and exited the room. The man who had been standing next to the door all the time came forth. He stood beside the chair.
"What now, my Lord?" he asked.
"Now we wait. I must plan my approach with caution." The hands came together at the fingertips once again.
"Shall we appoint a guardian to watch over the Potters's hideout till then?"
"No, Avery. The Potters's are no longer my main focus."
"You mean…"
A face emerged from behind the backrest of the chair, half-hidden by the shadows. "Yes. Inform Lucius and Bellatrix that I will be making my move on the Longbottoms. It shall not wait until after Hallow's Eve."
"Master, are you sure?"
"Are you questioning my judgment?"
The voice revealed certain anger in the tone. The man gave a slight tremble.
"No, my Lord… but with all due respect… you said it had been your judgment that had driven you to target the Potters… and I do not understand… what made you change your mind?"
The figure in the chair seemed to be somewhat satisfied by this inquiry.
"I have decided to not underestimate the other potential. My instinct tells me I should not do so. What do you think, Avery?"
Avery hesitated. Of course his master did not care for what he really thought. In his mind, it made no sense whatsoever to make this change of plans. The Potters's son had from the very beginning seemed a much larger threat, as big a threat a one-year-old baby could actually pose. Nevertheless, he found it quite odd that his master would change the plans so suddenly. But it was not his place to judge.
"I think… you are very wise, my Lord."
End prologue. Hope everyone likes this, and most importantly, understand where I'm going with this.
As for Ignatius Black… well, let me get back to you on that one.