INTERLUDE VII

His spy, the most reliable of his Acolytes, stood across from him on the other side of his desk. His arms were folded behind his back as he gave his latest report, even though they were (from his perspective) of the same rank.

The Dark Lord's favour of General Cushing was well known, and his spy didn't want to offend his master by offending her.

"Potter and the other Cadets reported that Dolohov escaped with Project Prometheus." The seasoned Auror gave a frustrated growl. "I've had my best Aurors looking into it, but there hasn't been a single sign of him since, even though it's a near certainty that he survived his encounter with Captain Solace."

Tom hummed. He'd already known all of this, but he needed to be certain before he came to a decision. This was why he'd asked his spy to reiterate all information regarding this case to him once more.

He'd taken his eyes off Dolohov years before the last war ended. His progress had stalled and his research had failed to provide concrete results. That was why he'd given him so many difficult missions in the final years of the Sixth Great Wizarding War; he'd hoped the Aurors would prove themselves useful and get rid of him.

However, Dolohov survived every mission. Time and again he had returned to accolades from his comrades and praise from his master, although Tom had only provided it through gritted teeth. He had wished to simply do away with the failure, but he continued to prove himself useful in ways outside of research, so Tom was resigned to keeping him on.

Then the failure at the Siege of Koldovstoretz occurred. Tom had gladly taken the opportunity to humble the failure.

"The children?" He asked suddenly, aware that his spy had been waiting in silence as he mused.

"All dead." The Auror grunted. "Their bodies weren't strong enough to withstand the strain of the transplanted Mana." He grimaced. "Theirs was not a pleasant death."

Tom repressed a sigh. He'd hoped for a silver lining in all of this, but it seems even that was denied to him. "Return to the London Citadel before you are missed." His spy bowed deeply before swiftly exiting the room, eager to return to his duties.

Turning to the Imperiused servant that hid in the shadows of the room, Tom ordered, "Find Agarwal and bring him to me." The servant bowed and hurried out of the room. As quick as it was, it still would have been quicker to summon his disciple through the Dark Mark, but that would only reveal himself.

Yet another reason why he couldn't wait to do away with this wretched body and build himself a new one.

Soon, he promised himself, before the year ends.

He was jogged out of his plotting by a strong knock on the door. "Come in."

Agarwal stepped inside and approached the desk, bowing when he came to a stop. "You asked to see me, General?"

Tom didn't beat around the bush, as there was no need to with his followers. "Yes, I require you to locate Antonin Dolohov."

Agarwal nodded. "Should I infiltrate the Witch-Hunters Guild?"

"No. The time for reconnaissance had passed." Tom said firmly. "Find him, then kill him." Though he was visibly disturbed at the idea of fighting an Acolyte, Agrawal nodded dutifully. Tom wasn't exactly pleased with the idea either, but not one of the remaining Twelve was trustworthy enough to see this through. They would be displeased at one Acolyte daring to order the death of another. Even if he was a traitor. Some further motivation would be required here. "Should you prove successful, you may take Dolohov's position amongst the Twelve."

Agarwal breathed in sharply. "Truly?"

Tom nodded even though he knew Agarwal lacked the necessary strength and skill for the rank. "The Dark Lord has already given you His blessing."

Agarwal was normally a shrewd man, seeing the obvious where others could not, but few people were capable of clarity when they were given exactly what they desired.

Before he could dismiss Agarwal, a thought occurred to Tom. "Terminating Dolohov takes priority above all else," he reiterated, not wanting his Knight to return a failure. "But if you can locate and return Prometheus to Him intact, the Dark Lord will reward you beyond your wildest dreams."

Agarwal nodded excitedly this time as he left the study. Tom leaned back into his seat, happy to relax now that he didn't have to put on a show of intimidation before his men.

Prometheus didn't align with his ultimate goal, but he knew it was best to have as many tools at his disposal as possible, and an Artifice that could make as many soldiers as he needed from fragile Muggles was as versatile as tools come.