For the next week, preparations for the party were in full swing. Wormtail had managed to recruit Rodolphus, Rabastan, and Fenrir to help him, and everything was going seemingly according to plan. Though it had been a little annoying trying to explain to Fenrir that garlands weren't edible, and explaining again and again to everyone that they couldn't eat the gingerbread houses, he was feeling good.
XxX
Wormtail sat down in his seat at the next meeting, pleased that it was already going better than the first. He'd handed out flyers about the party to everyone as they'd walked in the door. Though most had crumpled them up or held them at arm's length, and Bellatrix had even blown her nose on hers, they'd all accepted them reluctantly, as the Dark Lord was watching.
"Death Eaters", said Lord Voldemort after the meeting, as everyone was beginning to stand. They all sat, and waited patiently for Voldemort to continue.
"I see you all know about the Party", he said, gesturing at the lurid red flyers. He picked one up. The Death Eaters nodded with faux enthusiasm. "I have decided that everyone must go", he continued.
Everyone's mouth, including Wormtails dropped open practically simultaneously. Wormtail was thrilled, but he gathered that he was one of the only few who felt that way.
"…, and Wormtail have all been preparing, and I've decided that we all need some sort of morale booster", the Dark Lord continued, looking around the table.
Bellatrix leaned towards him. "Of COURSE, I'll be there, My Lord", she said, quickly un-crumpling her flyer, and smiling.
"Thank you for your enthusiasm, Bella", said Lord Voldemort with a tiny smirk. "Also, I have decided that everyone must bring…..what are they called…..uh….GIFTS, to this "party"", he finished.
The Death Eaters exchanged confused looks, then quickly followed suit, promising they'd show up, some of them shooting death glares at Wormtail when the Dark Lord wasn't watching.
As Dolohov made throat-slitting motions in his direction, Wormtail made a mental note to set a few extra protective spells around his bedroom that night.