Chapter 1
Frank Bryce was the caretaker of riddle mansion. It had been abandoned for many years and plants had begun to overtake it. But one night Frank was up due to his bad leg. He saw A dim light coming from a tiny window at the top of the mansion. Grumbling, Frank made his way over to the house. He, of course, thought it was the meddling kids from down the block. He suspected no danger, no danger at all
Making his way up the dusty stairs, Frank began to hear voices. At the end of the long passage Frank had come through, a door stood ajar.
" there is little more in the bottle my lord, if you are still hungry."
The voice sounded timid and fearful as if this "lord" was a huge threat. Then Frank heard a high pitched voice that sent a shiver down the old man's spine.
" later, move me closer to the fire wormtail" the high pitched voice commanded.
Frank heard the dull clink of a bottle being set down and the scrape of a heavy chair being dragged across the floor. Frank briefly saw the back of a small, short man in a long black coat before he disappeared once again.
" Where is nagini?" the cold voice questioned.
" i-i don't know, my lord" said the timid voice. " she set out to explore the house, i'm sure she will be back soon.."
" you will milk her before we retire." replied the cold voice. " This journey has tired me greatly and I will need feeding."
With a frown on his face, Frank leaned in with his good ear a little more. There was a pause until the scared voice spoke again.
" my lord, how long will we be staying here?"
" a week" came the reply. " Perhaps longer,it would be foolish to act before the Quidditch world cup. This place is also moderately comfortable."
Frank's frown seemed to grow even longer. He was certain he heard a word that sounded like " Quidditch."
" b-but my lord! Why would we wait until the world cup?" the timid voice said.
" You fool! Because witches and wizards are pouring in from all over the world! Everyone working for the ministry of magic will be on duty, checking and double checking identities! They will be obsessed with security! So we wait."
Frank paused and his frown deepened more. He had heard words such as " ministry of magic," " witches," " and wizards." He could only think of two types of people who would use words like that. Lunatics and criminals.
He gripped his walking stick tight. He needed the police. He did not trust them, but it was important.
" it could be done without skyler potter my lord.." the timid voice spoke once again.
" NO! The girl is everything!" the cold voice screamed.
The other person began to sputter uncontrollably for a few seconds before the cold voice spoke again.
" silence wormtail, i have my reasons for using the girl. I have explained to you, I have waited thirteen years. A few more months won't make a difference."
" m-my lord i must speak! All through the journey I have been re-playing the plan in my head! My lord, bertha jonkins disappearance won't go unnoticed for long, and if we proceed, if i murder-"
" if?" interrupted the second voice, " if you follow the plan wormtail no one in the ministry will know anyone has died. One more death and our path to skyler potter is clear."
Frank tightened his hold on the walking stick. These lunatics were murderers! Now he knew he needed the police.
" quiet wormtail, i think i hear nagini."
Frank sensed something behind him and he froze in fright. Something was slithering towards him on the ground. As it got closer he realized it was a gigantic snake. At least twelve feet long.
Terrified, Frank stood, transfixed at the huge creature drawing nearer. He watched as it slithered into the room with the voices before disappearing behind the door.
Inside the room Frank could hear hissing. An impossible idea came to mind, this man could talk to snakes.
Horrified, Frank stayed glued to the ground as the conversation abruptly turned back to english.
" Nagini has an interesting news wormtail," it said. " There seems to be an old muggle standing right outside this doorway, listening to our conversation!"
Frank had no chance to hide himself before the door flung open. He came face to face with a short balding man with watery blue eyes.
" invite him inside, wormtail. we must be nice to the new guest!"
The cold voice came from an old, revolting armchair. Frank could not see the speaker but the large snake was curled on the hearth rug in front of the fire.
Wormtail beckoned Frank inside the door and Frank, filled with fear, stepped inside.
The fire was the only source of light in the room and it cast long spidery shadows over the walls. Frank stared at the armchair but saw no head, the man sitting on it must be short.
" you heard everything muggle?" said the voice coolly.
" What are you calling me?"
" a muggle. It means you have not one drop of magical blood in your body, you are not a wizard."
" I don't know what you mean by wizard." said Frank, his voice growing steadier. " But I do know I have enough information to inform the police! You've committed murders and you're planning more! And i'll tell you this to," he added, inspiration suddenly coming to him, " my wife knows i'm here and if i don't come back-"
" You have no wife." said the voice quietly, " do not lie muggle, for lord voldemort knows, he always knows."
" Is that right? Lord is it? Well I don't think much of your manners, my lord! Face me like a man, why don't you!?"
" But I am not a man, muggle," whispered the voice, " I am much,much more. But fine, I shall face you. Wormtail came and turned my chair around!"
Slowly, Wormtail approached the chair and began to turn it around. The great snake lifted its head and hissed as a corner of the chair snagged its rug.
Frank almost screamed when he saw what was seated in the chair. His walking stick fell to the ground with a clatter and his eyes widened in fear. The thing raised a long stick and pointed it at Frank, whispering something before a bright green flash hit Frank square in the chest. He fell to the floor with a thump and he lay, unmoving.
Two hundred miles away, a girl called skyler potter woke with a start.