Chapter Five

It was early. Maybe four o'clock. It was still dark. Lord Voldemort was awake. He had been watching the fire. Now he turned and looked at Felicity, naked underneath her crumpled robes. He smiled to himself.

Another conquest.

And he didn't mean as a lover. Voldemort had always been able to win friends and favour, but now he was finding that his abilities were bringing him followers. Wizards and witches who would die carrying out his work. And now another one. An extremely powerful one. But an extremely lonely one.

He had sensed that in her. Lonely, and hungry for her own place in the world. If he had to promise her an equal place with him so be it. Promises can be easily broken, and she could be so useful until he had to kill her.

Carefully Voldemort got up and dressed himself. The mirror and the locket were carefully stowed in one of the pockets, safe from harm. He sat and poured himself a glass of wine, considering his next step. The girl needed to be used. Perhaps he could place her somewhere in the ministry. Her skill and lineage would open many doors, maybe even the Department of Mysteries. As for himself, he had to find something of Godric Gryffindor's – which was going to be easier said than done.

As Lord Voldemort sat musing time passed, Felicity began to stir. Slowly she opened her eyes. She sat up and jumped at seeing Voldemort, part of her had thought it all a dream. She smiled and moved over to him.

"Good morning," she purred.

Voldemort ignored her. He had important things to think about. Felicity moved closer. She put her arms around him and moved in to kiss. Voldemort pushed her away. Anger flashed in his eyes.

"Do not touch me." He ordered, and then resumed his thoughts.

Felicity sat, cold and uncomfortable she felt foolish. She reached for her clothes.

"I want you to join the ministry for magic." Voldemort suddenly said. "I think it would be most advantageous to have a contact inside the ministry." He glanced up at the grand gilt-gold clock on the mantle-piece. "But first you must come with me." And evil grin slipped across his face. "I think a train wreck may happen in a couple of hours."

Felicity felt her stomach lurch. The repulsion she had felt but ignored the night before flooded her. And the way he spoke – ordering her. Last night it had seemed as though she knew him, was his equal. The man in her sitting room no longer seemed warm and strong, and – the world forgive her – right. He seemed cold, and malevolent. All the handsomeness in his face gone and replaced by evil. Felicity felt sick.

"No thank you." She said, trying to muster her dignity. "I don't recall ever agreeing to join your group, and I don't intend to. I ask you to leave my house, and return my property."

Felicity stared straight into his eyes. This time Legilimency would not work, she was ready.

Voldemort stood up slowly.

"That is extremely unpleasant news." He took out his wand and twirled it. "But nothing that would upset my plans. Is this your final words?"

Felicity didn't say anything. She didn't like his use of words.

They stood staring at each other for a moment.

"Accio wand!" Felicity screamed flinging herself behind a chair as Voldemort yelled "Crucio".

The spell missed and Felicity's wand landed flatly in her hand. Flinging her arm in the air she aimed blindly and shrieked "Expelliarmus" and heard as is bounced off Voldemort's shield.

"Reducto" he almost whispered, blowing the chair she was hiding behind to pieces.

Felicity rolled, and stood. "Stupefy".

Blocked.

"Stupefy" Voldemort hissed back. Felicity blocked the jinx and flew the same one back.

Voldemort quickly twisted to one side missing the jinx and bringing his wand up to strike. "Crucio" he cried.

Felicity feel to her knees screaming. The pain racked her body and seemed unbearable. She was crying, and soiling herself. Unable to think of anything but the pain.

Voldemort stood over her. He felt nothing as he watched the woman he had made love to hours before writhe with pain on the floor. He contemplated using the imperius curse. But that might be too suspicious.

Voldemort flicked his wand ending the woman's pain. "I know you think you won't help me, and it's a shame to waste your power, even though it's not as strong as mine," he whispered into her ear. "But think on this – you're about to help me take a step closer to immortality."

Felicity gasped and tried to reach her wand. Voldemort plucked it off the floor and place it inside his robes. He took out the Ravenclaw mirror as he did so.

"You really are beautiful and powerful, Felicity, and you would have been an asset. Goodbye."