Their arms burned with the force of a wildfire. Five hands reached up and simultaneously clasped their upper arms. The pain was so great; it was difficult to stay conscious. Bella, Severus, Peter, Lucius, and Igor struggled with the continual fire on their arms as they attempted to continue their work. Ever so slowly, as the pain diminished, the five former Death Eaters began to understand. Nothing of the like had happened for over seven years so, even though they knew the day was approaching, when it finally was there, it caught all five of them by surprise.
Their Dark Marks had burned again.
At the height of Voldemort's power, he had needed a way to keep his followers always in touch with him. Owls wouldn't work; Aurors were always on the watch for suspicious activities. Instead, Voldemort had cast a Protean Charm in the shape of the Dark Mark on the arm of all Death Eaters. If Voldemort touched his Dark Mark, all of theirs would burn, summoning them to him.
Bella, Severus, Lucius, and Igor had taken up normal wizarding jobs after the fall of the Dark Lord 21 years ago. They were unprepared to return to the past, but knew they must. It was their duty, even though they had not been required to perform for seven years.
Bella sneaked out of the Ministry of Magic and then Apparated to the graveyard behind the Riddle house. Severus waited until the end of classes for the day and then made his way to the graveyard. Lucius cancelled his business deals for the afternoon and went to serve the Dark Lord instead. Igor had to wait until the end of the school day, but then arrived, as well, at the Riddle house. The only Death Eater that chose not to come was Peter. He was still too frightened to show his face, ashamed at what he had done. He knew that Voldemort would punish him when he was found, and Peter wanted to prolong that punishment for as long as possible.
Voldemort was getting impatient. He had expected his Death Eaters three hours ago, but Severus and Igor still had not arrived. Voldemort waited for no one, not even if his eternal plan depended on them.
Pop! Pop! Igor and Severus Apparated into the graveyard just as Voldemort began announcing his plan.
"Harry Potter must be killed," Voldemort stated, "so that I can return to my full potential. Dumbledore will die also; he loves Harry too much." Here, Voldemort became more forceful. "I will not deal with traitors or the scared. Anyone who does not listen to me will be killed. Peter Pettigrew, as it is, will be punished."
Lucius, Severus, and Igor stared in disbelief, but Bella just smiled.
"Severus and Lucius, you will go to the Ministry. Harry Potter is in Auror training there. You know what is expected of you and what must be done. Harry Potter will not return to me alive." Voldemort stopped and turned to face Igor and Bella. "Igor, you will hunt for Dumbledore. He trusts you as a friend, but you are none of his. He shall no longer remain living. Bella, I have a special mission for you. Harry Potter's best friend, Ronald Weasley, is playing Quidditch for the Chudley Cannons. You will kill him in Harry Potter's view. When I next summon you, neither Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore, nor Ronald Weasley shall be alive."
Bella, Severus, Lucius, and Igor Disapparated. The last thing any of them saw in the graveyard was not Voldemort's menacing face gazing after them, but a thin, gray tail of a rat scampering across the ground….
"Peter!" screamed Voldemort. "You traitor! You deserve to be punished! However, I will give you one chance to redeem yourself, since you aided me in my return to my body. Search for Hermione Granger. She works in Muggle Relations at the Ministry of Magic, but she is dating Ronald Weasley, Chaser for the Chudley Cannons. Do not kill the girl, but merely bring her back here to serve me. If you can do so, you will be forgiven."
"Yes, master, I will do so. You will not be sorry, I promise. Hermione Granger will be brought to serve you." With one last, desperate look, Peter Disapparated.
Voldemort looked around the graveyard as if there was something hidden that he could not see. "They had better obey me," he muttered, "or they will pay."