The ITALICS are thoughts and the BOLD is Parseltounge.
Chapter 3
Harry stepped out of the fireplace at Slytherin Manor and dusted himself off. I hate flooing. Once all of the soot was off, he strutted to the dining area where the meeting was to be held. He stopped outside the doors to collect himself. Letting out a breath, he reinforced his occulmency shields. The dark lord knew there is a spy somewhere in the inner circle. Can't have the traitor knowing who I am. With an impassive expression hidden under his mask, he turned the bronze handle and entered the dining hall.
In the center of the room was a long, ornate table where the inner circle was seated. The dark lord was seated in his throne-like chair at the head of the table, as he watched the inner circle through narrowed eyes. He noticed his apprentice and motioned for him to take the seat at his immediate right. After Harry was seated, he looked down the table and noticed his mother and father seating themselves next to Narcissa Malfoy. His father purposely sat as far as he could from the patriarch of the Malfoy family. Lucius Malfoy embarrassed his family name by failing to take the ministry with a handful of the best duelers in the death eater ranks. In the aftermath, the force ended up in Azkaban until the dark lord broke them out at the beginning of the summer.
Why the dark lord broke every death eater out of that prison is beyond me. Some of them are so daft that it makes me wonder if there's a brain in their thick skulls. But I will admit that their wand work is impressive. Then there are the cowards; they're only here out of fear not loyalty. Probably the worst coward of all the death eaters is Peter Pettigrew. That man has no backbone; it surprises me that he's in the inner circle. The only reason he's in the inner circle is that he can discreetly gather information in his animagus form, a rat. There's also another reason, but that topic is quite hushed up.
"Harry," the dark lord hissed in parseltounge. Harry faced his mentor when he was spoken to.
"Yes, my lord," he hissed back.
"Speak your mind."
"I was just thinking why you let incompetent fools be members of the inner circle. I know experience is important, but there are those amongst the ranks that are more cunning and power hungry than those before us. Just confusing is all it is."
The dark lord toke a moment to consider his response. "I know it's frustrating with the fools we have, but I assure you that these are the most talented and ruthless members of my ranks. Soon there will new servants that'll replace those who's usage have run their course." Harry nodded.
The dark lord continued. "After the meeting I wish to discuss some private matters with you."
Harry nodded his head as they waited for the final member of the circle. That greasy haired git, Severus Snape, was always close to being late. I'm amazed the dark lord hasn't killed him yet, but he's important to this society. He's a spy in Dumbledore's order and the most skilled of all the death eaters. He deserves to be the dark lord's right hand man after he proved his loyalty time after time again.
After a few moments the git finally arrives. The dark lord notices the presence of his most faithful servant. All the chatter quieted as the dark lord spoke.
"Severus," the dark lord said in English. "I was beginning to worry that you lost your way. Come we saved you a seat."
He waited impatiently as Snape took the seat across from Harry. "You bring news I trust," the dark lord continued.
Severus nodded, "The blood traitor, Bill Weasley, is due to be wed in a few days time. Most of the order will be in attendance, leaving the ministry virtually defenseless. Our ranks are awaiting your order to strike."
"Excellent, what other news does my inner circle bring."
"We have forty candidates that wish to join our ranks, my lord," the dark haired man known as Nott informed, "Some are recently graduated students from Hogwarts and Drumstrang. The rest are from America and the mainland."
"Excellent. It's good that we have new blood joining our ranks," the dark lord said, "my army is growing quickly, my friends. Soon it will be large enough to take over the entire wizarding world. One of the obstacles that are blocking my assurance to victory is that muggle-loving old fool Dumbledore and his nuisance of a protégé-"
He was interrupted by one of the prisoner's pain-filled scream. The dark lord narrowed his red eyes in anger. Most of the inner circle cringed when he shouted at the rat, who was standing by the doorway.
"WORMTAIL," Pettigrew cringed like the coward he is when he was singled out. "I thought I told you to keep our guests quiet."
"O-of c-course, my lord," the rat stuttered, "r-r-right a-away, my lord." With that he scurried out of sight.
Harry rolled his eyes at the incompetence of that man. Why the dark lord puts up with him? I'll never know.He noticed that most of the inner circle was thinking the same thing. For most were either rolling their eyes or slightly shaking his head. The dark lord was taking calming breaths before he continued.
"If there is nothing else to report, then we'll discuss our plans for the attack tomorrow. Now get out of my sight all of you."
Harry remained seated as the inner circle began to disperse from the room. Rodolphus looked quizzically at his son, but Harry gave him a look saying 'the dark lord told me to stay.' Rodolphus nodded and left with his wife. Once everyone was gone, except the dark lord, Harry pushed his hood down and took off his mask. Harry looked at his mentor, who smirked before he spoke.
"Walk with me," he commanded.
They both rose from their seats and exited the hall, and continued down the corridor side by side. Out of nowhere, Nagini slithered up to her master as they walked slowly. Harry felt Slick tighten around his neck as he saw the giant snake. Slick was scared of the 'self-proclaimed queen of the snakes' since she was bigger than him and can swallow her enemies' whole.
The dark lord broke the silence after they were halfway down the corridor.
"Bellatrix has informed me that you have come up with a new technique for your water powers. What have you accomplished so far?"
"I'm still having difficulty trying to make the subject bend to my whim, my lord, but I am slowly making progress."
"Excellent Harry. Hopefully you will achieve your task before end of this year, but this is not what I need to speak to you about."
Harry was confused. "It's not, my lord."
"No Harry. Remember what I told you about Dumbledore's protégé."
"Yes you told me about her, my lord. But what does this have to do with me."
The dark lord stopped walking and faced his apprentice. "Our spies have told me that Dumbledore's protégé has the same abilities as you do. She will be attending the blood traitor's wedding. Your father is taking a hand full of death eaters to disrupt it. I would like you to go with him and test her skills with her powers. Attack and observe only."
"Why not take her when she's away from Dumbledore's protection, my lord." Harry cringed when he saw the dark lord's anger.
"As Snape reported, half of the order will be there, including her mother, father, godfather, and the Weasleys. The order will try to protect her, but she is stubborn and headstrong. Provoke her enough to attack you and observe her fighting style. Do you understand?"
Harry was hesitant for a second but nodded his head in acceptance. "Yes, my lord. I understand."
The dark lord was obviously pleased with his answer. "Good." they continued walking down the corridor. "She is Dumbledore's little mascot. If she is defeated, then the order will fall close behind. Once they fall, we will rule the wizarding with an iron fist and no one will stop us."