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Interlude: The Serpent Bites
June 6th, 1996
Dear Lord Voldemort:
I write this in haste, and yet out of a desire to be as complete as possible. I also shed some of the conventions that have guarded our speech before this. I ask that you forgive me. Since I will use the incantation to send this directly to you, I think there is little chance of any of our enemies seeing it.
Potter has just sent me a letter in which he asks for my help at Midsummer. It is addressed Dear my ally rather than with my name. I fear that means he has sent his other allies letters, asking for their help, and has merely scribed the same words several dozen times. He may have excluded those he does not trust completely, but the fact that he is writing me suggests his scope of trust has widened. It is possible that many powerful wizards and witches could face you at Hogwarts on Midsummer.
I am unsure how much you know about this already, my Lord, so forgive me if I repeat information you already hold. Potter's letter stresses that he expects the battle on Midsummer to be difficult and long, and he expressly calls it a battle, rather than merely a skirmish, or a confrontation or duel between the two of you. He assures us that he has plans in place, which he will explain when we meet him in person. We will be meeting inside Hogwarts, and he has confidence in the strength of its wards. He ends his letter with the words, "With your help, I plan to defang Voldemort." I will send a copy of the letter along with this message, in case you wish to see it yourself.
Burke was a fool, a convenient prop to take my fall. When I found copies of his 'Serpent' letter, I adopted his pseudonym and wrote to you as him, though I knew you would notice the difference in handwriting when you broke the concealment charms. I was not, then, ready to declare my allegiance. Now I am. What Potter plans is mad. He cannot face the most powerful Dark wizard in the world in open battle and survive, however many allies stand with him. And especially since the escape of your loyal servants from Tullianum, my Lord, I know that you protect those who serve you, and draw them back to you.
I ask you now only what you think I should do. Should I come to you and take the Mark? Or should I answer Potter's letter and remain in his counsels as a spy to give you what information I can? It will be too dangerous to send letters from the castle, if you prefer the latter course, but I may use the spell that bends winds inside out to carry Potter's plans to you. Only tell me, my Lord, and you will have my obedience and my faith.
The Serpent.
June 6th, 1996
My Dearest Serpent:
Ah, I do so prefer it when you write with your left hand! You are right, Burke was a fool. And he did not even realize that the information he passed was of little use, or that he would inevitably be found out while carrying the Mark. You have proven more useful in both your letters.
For now, our Lord—and all honor to his name—wishes you to answer Harry's letter, and go to Hogwarts. It is best that you go as soon as possible. Harry will not confine his plans to one day or one hour or one meeting. The Dark Lord wishes to begin hearing them immediately.
If you are close enough to cause trouble and inconvenience to Harry and his allies, then do so. No killing—not yet. It would reveal you in such a close environment as Hogwarts is, and our Lord has particular reason for not wanting Harry's adoptive father, brother, or partner touched. Remain in the background, and stay ready to bite, like the serpent coiled at the breast that you are.
I think we shall be seeing each other very soon.
Regards,
Indigena Yaxley.