Contrasted against the burning sky of the setting sun, dozens of dark figures on brooms circled above the manor. The dark mark ceased burning as he crossed the main gate to the property. The magical threshold transfigured his disheveled and dirty clothes into a suitable outfit for the occasion.
Black high-collared suit with polished calf-high boots and a knee-length outer robe. He knew they would be traveling, but the hood and mask told him it wouldn't be a business trip.
The doors opened as he strode with purpose to the inner hall, lower-ranked members ceasing their hushed whispers and bowing as he passed.
"Sir," a voice called from a doorway ahead of him, bowing as he approached and extended an arm to the room, "Our Lord requests you to come with me."
Without breaking stride, he entered one of the many studies. The walls were lined with bookshelves, statues, and relics. The fire burned brightly behind the large wooden desk in the center of the room.
"On the desk," he pointed, "when you are ready."
Closing the doors behind him, Severus was left in the office alone. He moved to the desk and took his black leather gloves off. Running his fingers across the beautiful wooden carvings of the small chest.
Runes spelled his born-again name in the flames of a dragon.
ᛘᚩᚱᚾᛁᛝ ᛋᛏᚪᚱ
The lock clicked open as his thumbs touched the edges of the lid. Whispers of dark magic escaped as he slowly lifted the lid, echoing voices of an ancient language.
"Ignis… Mortem…"
His hands slowly reached up to his face, removing his mask and placing it softly on the desk beside the open chest. He carefully lifted another mask, holding it to the light of the fire.
A golden mask unlike any other stared back at him. It had mostly human features, deep eyes, and brow, a sharp nose with a defined cheek and jawline. Two large horns with a smaller one next to each came out the top. Where lips should have been, a grotesque smile of fangs.
Turning it slowly, he ran his thumbs over the finely engraved runes lining the inside, recognizing very few of them. Taking a calm breath, he brought the mask to his face. Feeling it pull to him and tendrils of magic seeping into his temples.
"Ignis mortem," the dark whispers of magic echoed as they bonded to him.
The old black and silver mask he previously removed vibrated quietly on the desk before combusting into a whisp of black smoke and ash.
He could hear whispers and low voices throughout the home, footsteps of people and creatures moving around the manor. The smell and taste of body odor, food, fire, and tobacco. The overwhelming senses brought sweat to his brow and increased his breathing pattern.
"Tranquillitas."
His eyes concentrated on the fire, fists tightly gripping the desk. Slowly the noises faded, and his breathing cleared. He stretched his neck from side to side and slid his leather gloves back on.
"Ad dominum."
Turning to exit, the doors to the study opened. Making his way once again down the hall. This time the whispers didn't cease as he passed upon seeing the golden mask.
Ornate black doors with gold designs of twin basilisks opened as he reached the end of the hall. Closing quickly behind him as curious eyes tried to peer in to get a look at the faces of the arguing voices inside.
"We need to see results."
"You said you would bring solutions Grindelwald did not possess."
Careful not to interrupt the ongoing meeting, he quietly greeted with a bowed head, covering his heart with his right fist. With all the seats taken, he stood near the head of the table behind the Dark Lord's chair with his hands clasped behind his back.
Unmasked faces of politicians glanced at him cautiously as the Dark Lord spoke, "Ladies and Gentlemen, your concerns are heard. I assure you; I've not invited you to my home on false promises with no action."
"Then how do you intend to recover stolen land and resources from the muggles?" the older Russian asked from the table's end.
"Have you tried asking?" he smirked. His joke was poorly received.
"We can't openly attack without starting a war!"
"We nearly lost our political backing to the war crimes of Grindelwald."
He held a hand up to silence them, yet they continued to speak over each other. Severus stepped forward and quietly placed gloved fingertips at the edge of the stone slab table. Those touching it hissed and whimpered in pain as it burned them, and goblets of drinks boiled over; hissing as the liquid hit the hot surface.
Silence and fear cross the faces of those sitting around the table.
Rising to his feet, his master walked the length of the table, "I'm tired of being compared to a failure. Grindelwald was a smooth talker with a hand in political espionage. Yet, those skills provided…" he paused and put his hand out for someone to answer the open-ended question.
Seeing no one able to meet his eye or speak up, he continued, "Have I not solved Finland's werewolf problem? Denmark, Norway, and Sweden are grateful for that as well. Were they not at your doorstep threatening to stop trade and travel?"
He waved another hand to another Prime Minister, "Russia's mining industry is reignited because I discovered untapped deposits of magical minerals. I've created jobs, established trades, and soon will be able to provide free manual labor."
A magical map with dimensional terrain and landscape replaced the goblets and pitchers of spoiled wine, covering most of the stone table.
"You asked how to recover what is rightfully yours," previously set borders on the map smoked and glowed as they expanded across the map. He rounded the table and continued to walk the other length back towards his seat.
"Same as you would with most undeveloped land, clear the terrain and the remaining wildlife will vacate or be rehomed." Like a forest fire devouring everything in its path, the muggle territories burned and crumbled, leaving black barren land.
"Cleansing the soil of its impurities and technology. Factories will no longer pollute our world. Providing room for the advancement and growth of our children."
Sprouts of green appeared through the black landscape. Large stone structures of magical architecture rose from the ground.
"I provide efficiency and confidentiality. Therefore, I cannot tell you how I will get it done, just know that I WILL get it done. Nothing will be traced back to you, and all you must do is act naturally for the betterment of your country in response."
A voice from across the table spoke up, "How long will this… project… take?"
"Handling an entire species takes time, but I assure you the results will be well worth it," he gave them one of his cold award-winning smiles and continued pacing.
Pausing in his steps he placed a hand on a woman's chair. The large-jeweled necklace resting on her chest unclasped and lifted into the air, landing in his other waiting hand. "We can get started immediately, with proper funding of course."
Positive voices and praises began to fill the room. He smiled again and bowed, "I will send the order to begin immediately. Whilst I do, please indulge yourselves." The map melted into the table and a feast of food and replenished drinks appeared.
The dark whispers returned, echoing in Severus' mind, "Copias mittere..."
Bowing once more, he strode out of the room. Raising a fist in the air as he walked, black smoke took the semi-corporal form and floated quickly ahead of him and out the back doors. Rising to the sky, taking the form of the dark mark inside the circling riders.
Dozens of metal carriages with barred windows hooked to Thestrals began to move down the pathway in dual formation. The riders above the manor broke off a few at a time to accompany each mobile prison as it took to the skies.
Mobile units of men stood in formation on the lawn, waiting for their commanders to give the signal to. Severus saw familiar masks of his childhood friends mixed in the crowds, yet he did not acknowledge them.
Raising another fist in the air, the black snake and skull above the manor bust into a bright flame. Portkeys activated simultaneously and he disappeared in a bloom of black smoke.