A/N- Sorry for the long wait. I was participating in this Nanowrimo thing--which I didn't complete--and now I am participating in a challenge that was self set. It's what I call "National Finish Your Fan Fics Month!" From now to Dec. 31, if you've got a fic that's close to being finished, finish it. Abandon all else and finish that fic! There's no set number to finish, just finish as many as you can! One shots count as well--we'll take your word that you've been planning them for a while, wink, wink--but we're mostly looking for chapter fics. As for this story, it's on the list but it's a big if. It's slated to have eleven chapters and, as you can see, it only has four. Can I do it? Find out!
Chapter 4- The Fiendish Plans of a Dark Lord
Voldemort's lipless smile twisted upward as he stared down upon his Hogwarts contact. He had employed the services of this person as soon as confirmation about Snape's true loyalty had been given to him. Now, he was more pleased with this contact than any before.
Pansy Parkinson dared to look up into the eyes of her Dark Lord. His hand came down and cupped her chin. Gently, he lifted her to her feet.
"I hope this can be of some use to you, my lord," she said, her voice quavering.
Pansy knew that it was rare that Voldemort allow a woman into the ranks of the Death Eaters. She had been shocked when he had accepted her into this fold no longer than three months ago. Voldemort smiled as the girl tried to discreetly control her trembling. Pansy was still a novice, but she was learning fast. She watched ever word she said around Voldemort--or away from him--and brought him every scrap of information that she could scrounge. This latest bit of news had opened up a world of opportunities to him.
"Oh, it can be, my dear. And rest assured, you will be rewarded. However, I require yet another task of you," Voldemort said, motioning for his surrounding Death Eaters to rise to their feet.
Pansy took in a deep breath and held it for a moment. As she exhaled, she said, "Anything, lord."
"That's right, my dear. Anything. However, the time for that is later," he said, guiding her off to her spot in the circle before him.
He looked around at the circle, grinning darkly at the few new recruits, who trembled under his stare. Finally, he addressed them all.
"Your Dark Lord is pleased! This latest from Hogwarts will turn the tables to our favor, permanently! But now, I take on yet another crusade. The muggle-lovers time will come, but first I must rid us of another affront. The mate of Slytherin has sullied his name!" he said.
The sound of questioning murmurs reverberated around the foyer of Riddle House. Voldemort allowed it to last a few moments before finally raising his hands to call for silence.
"She bears another child! The child of a traitor to our fold! The child of Severus Snape!"
He was pleased when angry hissing filled the room. His snake, Nagini, twisted her way around the feet of his followers, hissing her disgust as well. Instead of Voldemort calling for silence, it was Lucius Malfoy stepping forth that did so. Voldemort glared down upon him. He had been heavily punished under Cruciatus for his son's defection to Dumbledore's side of the battle.
"My lord, if I may, I would like to offer my services in any plan you have formed for the revenge of Slytherin's name," he said, bowing low in front of the Dark Lord and careful not to look up at him.
"Of course you shall play a part, Lucius. And your role is soon. Now, allow me to share with you our course of action…"
End Notes: Okay, so, short chapter and not much happened. However, I have set the stage for a big event that is to happen later. Please review!