A/N: All right, since I haven't updated this in a while, here's a little refresher: Regulus, Bellatrix, and Lucius have just escaped from the Aurors and used the Floo network to get past the anti-Apparition boundaries.

Also, since I know someone is bound to ask about this: I mention something regarding a 'new Secret-Keeper' in this chapter. I needed that for the plot; I am not saying that it something which actually happened canon-wise. Also on that note, I'm not sure if the Carrows were Death Eaters during the First War, but I read on wikipedia that "they were one of the many who believed the Dark Lord to be gone".

The three Death Eaters hurried down the darkened hallway, their footsteps echoing off the cobwebbed walls as they approached a large wooden door. Lucius reached out, grasped its snake-shaped handle, and pushed it open. Regulus and Bellatrix followed after him as he crossed over the threshold and strode into the dimly lit room.

Regulus blinked, his eyes not yet accustomed to the darkness, and looked around. Stretched out before them in a semicircle, stood a multitude of silent, cloaked figures, their silhouettes illuminated by the flickering candlelight. And there, standing behind a high-backed armchair in the center of the gathering, was Lord Voldemort. He glanced up in acknowledgement as they entered, but did not speak; instead, he averted his gaze downward, watching something that was out of sight beyond the mass of followers.

Stepping forward and bowing, Regulus, Lucius, and Bellatrix took their allotted places in the throng of Death Eaters. Regulus was surprised at their easy entry; he had expected Voldemort to question them about their tardiness, but then he realized that Snape and Macnair must have already explained about the Aurors.

It was then that he noticed what his master had been looking at; a petrified man was kneeling at the foot of the chair, and even through the faint light, Regulus could see that he was trembling.

"My Lord…please…"

"Enough," said Voldemort. "Get up, Avery. I have given you my answer."

The Death Eater stumbled to his feet reluctantly, and resumed his position next to Regulus.

"Please, Master, if I could have another chance," Avery begged, but Voldemort ignored him, turning his attention instead to Lucius.

"Well? What is your report?"

"The Order is planning the meeting for Thursday night," replied Lucius Malfoy. Regulus realized it wasn't a lucky coincidence that Lucius had been impersonating an Auror: he had been spying on Voldemort's orders.

"Thursday night," Voldemort repeated. He stepped out from behind the armchair and began to move around the room. "And you are sure this information is reliable?"

"Yes, My Lord, I heard it from the Auror, Frank Longbottom, himself. I managed to slip a few drops of Veratiserum into his drink."

Several of the Death Eaters appeared impressed at their companion's accomplishment, although none of them dared to break the silence. Voldemort, however, offered no congratulations.

"You have forgotten the most crucial piece of information, Lucius," he said.

"My Lord?"

"Where is this meeting taking place?"

Lucius hesitated.

"I-I was unable to get a response when I questioned him about the location—" He broke off as the Dark Lord's eyes flashed with anger.

"Of course…"said Voldemort, and he seemed to be speaking more to himself rather than to the others. "Dumbledore must have already chosen a new Secret-Keeper for the Order… That would be the only explanation as to why the Veratiserum failed… He has acted sooner than I expected—It seems I was badly advised that he would not perform the Fidelius Charm until Saturday…"

He fell silent for a few minutes, and his followers watched him apprehensively as he paced before them, sliding his wand through his fingers, evidently lost in thought.

"We must revert to the original plan then," Voldemort continued. "I will need one of you to track a member of the Order as he or she leaves the Ministry Thursday night. If this little gathering of theirs is indeed scheduled for that evening, then we should have no difficulty pinpointing their headquarters."

"My Lord," Avery stepped forward eagerly, "I will do it."

Voldemort paused, tilting his head a little to one side in amusement.

"You, Avery? Send you?" he asked.

A few of the Death Eaters snickered; Regulus saw Alecto and Amycus Carrow exchange a gleeful jeer.

"Tell me, why should I place a matter of such importance in yours hands? Your incompetence has shown that I can barely trust you with your own wand."

"But, Master—please, I-I wish to prove my loyalty—"

"—And you will get another opportunity to do so," replied Voldemort. "But not this assignment. Even one mistake at this point will set me back a long way."

He peered around at the rest of the assemblage.

"No other volunteers? What about you, Rookwood? Being an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries certainly puts you in an ideal posit—"

Avery had opened his mouth to protest.

"I have told you, no!" Voldemort turned, his robe swishing behind him, and his red eyes glinting menacingly through the darkness. Avery flinched and took a hasty step backward, tripping slightly on the hem of his cloak. "Interrupt me again, and I promise you it shall be the last breath you take."

Voldemort let the silence drag on horribly before continuing.

"So it is decided then—I will send you, Rookwood."

"Yes, of course, My Lord," a dark-haired man to Regulus' right answered, bowing respectfully. "It would be my honor."

"Your orders are to summon me once you have found their headquarters. I shall send for the rest of you afterward. "

"But My Lord," Rookwood said, "what if the member I am following Apparates or uses the Floo network instead?"

"Then the easier they will be to track," Voldemort replied. "The Floo network can be monitored, as well as all Appartition within certain boundaries. If you would rather it so, I shall send someone else to pursue them on foot, while you remain at the Ministry to watch over the transportation systems."

Rookwood nodded.

"And then," Voldemort addressed all of them, "with the Order of the Phoenix finally destroyed, we will have a clear shot at the Ministry of Magic."

Sorry to interrupt again, but I'd like to mention that I might take suggestions as to what you guys would like to see in some of the upcoming chapters. I may or may not use some of the ideas, but I'd like to hear from you guys out there. Afterall, we only know so much about what Regulus did during his last two years, and the rest we have to fill in the gaps for. What better way than to listen to reviewer input?

-PurpleArmadillo