DREAMS AND LIES: LOW

He stood in the room filled with his followers. His eyes scanned their bowed forms and he smiled. Things were moving along nicely.

"Lucius," He drawled out the name. "Come forward."

Lucius moved forward and bowed low on the floor before the figure in the black sable robes. He knew better than to disobey commands by now, knew the futility of it. But once again Lucius Malfoy found his heart in the cause that he had so long ago felt jaded in.

"Yes Master?" He asked still retaining his prostrating position. "How may I serve you?"

"Clear out the others," The Master commanded. "Except for you and Bella and Avery of course, you three I wish to have a word with."

"Very good Master," Lucius asked managing to stop the shiver from running up his spine at the words.

Lucius stood and turned to the other black robbed figures in the room. He loved the privileges permitted to him. His Master was so good to him, better than he deserved.

"All of you out now," Lucius passed on his Master's instructions. "LeStrange and Nott are to remain but the rest are to leave now."

In an orderly fashion the black clad figures left the room as quickly as they could. The Master looked on in satisfaction. The doors were closed behind them and locked shut. The Lord looked down at three of his most competent servants. They often pleased him more than they displeased him which was a good thing for them. And now he had another task for them.

"Lucius," The Lord turned to the silver masked man. "How many followers are there?"

"There are fifty from the old group Master," Lucius informed his Master. "Since recruitment on the continent we now boast nearly twenty-thousand Master."

"A good number," The Lord commented. "But send instructions to all the Chapters that they are to attempt to recruit more faithful followers to the Cause."

"Right away Master," Lucius promised.

Lucius stroked the silver mask he now wore all the time. It did not cover his eyes or nose or mouth but every where else was covered with silver. It hid the scars that had not yet been healed. Lucius was pleased that his Lord had given him the mask.

"Bella, the letter was sent?" He turned to LeStrange.

"Yes my Lord," Bella replied, a mad glint to her eye.

"Avery, I think its time you started practicing with your ax again," The Lord turned to Nott with a smile that caused Avery to almost take several steps back.

"Whatever you command my Lord," Avery managed to catch himself in time and bow instead.

'Avery,' The Lord thought to himself. 'So transparent and Bella so eager to serve me but Lucius is so utterly devoted. This will work nicely.'

"My Lord what of the remaining Weasley's?" Bella asked.

"Kill them," The Lord ordered. "I was never one of them."

But the red hair and few remaining freckles told a different story all together. At one time he had been known as Ron Weasley, one of the Golden Trio and Harry Potter's best friend. Now he was the Dark Lord in Germany who welcomed him in. The German Ministry of Magic knew who he was and where he was but they did not care even though they did not outright support him. All that would change when he was finally ready to declare war on the British Ministry of Magic. He only needed to wait a little longer and gain more followers and then he would strike.

"Reports from Britain Lucius and Bella," The Lord snapped at them.

"Draco has returned to Hogwarts," Lucius spoke first. "We discovered that he has been there for a month already my Lord but we did not learn of it until early this morning. It appears that Potter, Draco and Snape are still close my Lord."

"We also learned that an unknown person is staying at Hogwarts," Bella added. "But we can't get any information on who it is or where they are from my Lord. I will continue to look into it."

"Good Bella and Lucius," The Master purred. "So your spawn has returned?"

"Yes my Lord," Lucius nodded. "And I would like to kill him."

"Would you now?" The Master asked. "Well perhaps that can be arranged Lucius. I'll consider it."

"Thank you Master," Lucius bowed deeply.

'Always the faithful pet aren't you Lucius?' The Lord thought to himself. 'Well, my new mark would tell me if you were insincere. Perhaps I'll give you your chance after all.'

"Avery, you may leave," The Lord said.

"Yes my Lord," Avery bowed before hurrying out of the room.

The Lord stood from his chair atop the elevated platform and approached Bella and Lucius. The two bowed before their Lord. He lifted their heads and allowed them to stand before him. They were two of his most trusted. Bella was a little mad, this was true, but she was loyal and eager to please her Lord and that was something the Lord appreciated. His followers were all loyal to him and he marked each of them personally.

"Bella I want you to prepare a trip for me into Russia," The Lord said to her. "It's time we begin recruiting there. Perhaps some of the Durmstrang families will join our Cause? What do both of you think?"

"A wise choice my Lord," Bella replied. "Many dark wizards live there."

"Yes Master," Lucius agreed. "There will be many strong allies and followers in Russia. When will we be leaving?"

"I won't be accompanying you," The Lord sighed. "You and Bella will go alone to Russia and being the recruiting process. Both of you are competent and able to do this task for me. And you won't fail me, will you?"

"Never Lord," Lucius was vehement on that remark.

Lucius did not want to imagine failing his Master and Lord. It was an evil thought, a bad thought. Many of the other followers not in the Inner Circle thought that Lucius was stupid to do exactly as the Lord told him but he wasn't. This Lord was smart. And this Lord allowed him freedoms, if Lucius thought he had a better idea he was allowed to voice it.

"We are happy to receive such an important assignment Lord," Bella smiled. "We will bring you new followers to join with us and strengthen our numbers."

"Good," The Lord was pleased. "I know you two won't disappoint me. You may go but do not tell the others of this task."

"Of course not Lord," They murmured as they bowed and left their Lord in seclusion.

The Lord knew that Lucius and Bella would follow through and that his forces would multiply. He would find a way to reward the two of them.