It was not often that an emergency session of the Wizengamot was called, and in the aftermath of recent events, Albus Dumbledore had a foreboding feeling about it.
He had been expecting the missive that had arrived the previous day from the office of the Minister and its contents did not reassure him in any manner.
From his vantage point, he watched the various lords and ladies entering the chamber and paid special attention to a certain few. Lords Lestrange, Avery, Nott, MacNair, Yaxley, and finally, Malfoy. All those lords had lost their heirs in the attack, with Corvus Lestrange also losing his spare. As it stood, those houses did not have anyone to carry their names forward, and Dumbledore knew it would have a significant impact on the political sphere of Wizarding Britain going forward.
He was not surprised to see Harry Peverell among the ranks either, or his closeness with one Charlus Potter. They were family and considering how the young man was close with James Potter and his friends as well, it stood to reason that they would be allies. However, he could not miss something his keen eyes discovered easily.
Peverell was surrounded by the lords of House Potter, House Longbottom, House Prewett, and House Bones, and they all seemed to be discussing something. Peverell was the one speaking while the others listened attentively, their faces set in an expression of utmost seriousness.
Dumbledore did not know what was unfolding over there but he could see a formidable alliance brewing. All those lords were powerful in the political sphere in their own right and Charlus Potter seemed to have brought his circle around the young Peverell lord now. However, what surprised him was how instead of being the one in the spotlight, the Potter lord was also amongst those who were listening attentively to whatever Peverell was saying.
The arrival of the Minister brought him out of his musings and he gave her a cordial nod that was returned amicably. The woman looked a bit worse for wear as she took her seat to his right, with the head of the DMLE Bartemius Crouch Sr. already sitting to his left. His presence in that seat was evidence enough that this Wizengamot session was to be concerned with criminal law.
Millicent Bagnold, the Minister for Magic, accepted the stack of parchment and leafed through it. Once she was done, she gave him a nod to indicate they were ready.
Dumbledore nodded and banged the gavel on the podium. At once, the doors to the chamber shut as it was enveloped in silence. Dumbledore addressed the lords and ladies of the Wizengamot and all other members who were in attendance, as was customary.
"I call to order this emergency session of the Wizengamot and defer to the one who requested it. Madam Minister?" Dumbledore prompted.
"Thank you, Chief Warlock," Bagnold nodded and turned to address the Wizengamot with a grave look on her face. "I have called for this emergency session of the Wizengamot to address the heinous crime that took place in our country two days ago. I know we all are aware of what I am talking about and I believe you all would agree with me when I say that it cannot be allowed to go unpunished."
"Hear, hear!" A loud shout was echoed by almost every member of the chamber apart from a select few and Dumbledore's gaze swept over everyone, committing their faces to memory. He could not help but note that Peverell and his allies, as he believed they were now, were sitting stoically, listening.
"Before we begin, I would appreciate if we took a moment to remember the unfortunate victims of an assault of the most heinous kind. My lords, I know this token of remembrance is nothing in front of your grief and losses, but please join us all as we take a moment of silence to remember the lives of your brave sons," Bagnold continued.
Rage, sorrow, and devastation were written on the faces of all the lords who had lost their sons. They all were gripping the armrests of their chairs harshly, their teeth gritted and their tears barely held back, as the Wizengamot was enveloped in a chilling silence.
"Now then," Bagnold cleared her throat after a minute. "As you all must know already from the articles published in the Prophet, the heirs of six pureblood houses were viciously murdered in the Forbidden Forest this past Hogsmeade weekend. I will now ask you all to peruse through the official auror reports that have been made available to you."
Even though he had seen it already, Dumbledore could not help but grimace at the sight of the broken and mutilated bodies of those students with brutal curses and claw marks all over them. It was evident to anyone that the assault had been vicious and unrelenting. The sight could have sent a chill down the most seasoned person's spine and it was no surprise that a collective gasp rang around the chamber as all the members of the Wizengamot laid their eyes on the devastation those werewolves had wrought upon their victims.
The lords whose heirs had been killed sat, unmoving, as they glared helplessly at nothing in particular.
"That should tell you everything about the brutality of those creatures and the way they unceremoniously assaulted the sons of esteemed pureblood families," Bagnold continued. "Six of them were recovered, but it is with a heavy heart that I must announce that one of them is still unaccounted for."
"The family tree has told me that Lucius is dead as well," Abraxas Malfoy's voice was barely above a whisper and yet it carried throughout the chamber, earning the man pitying looks from his fellow lords. He gritted his teeth in rage and his head shot up, glaring at the Minister. "I hope the repercussions will be worthy of their transgression, Minister."
Millicent Bagnold gave the Malfoy lord a firm nod and glanced around, glaring.
"The auror investigation has concluded that the assault was the work of Fenrir Greyback's pack," she announced, prompting sharp intakes of breath around the chamber. "Permanent transformation induced by substance abuse. The perpetrators have already been administered the Dementor's kiss."
"Much deserved!"
"Those filthy beasts should be put down!"
"Savages like them should have no rights!"
Accompanying cries echoed throughout the chamber as various lords and ladies slammed their hands heavily against the wooden surface in front of them and Bagnold paused, allowing the clamor to slowly die down.
"But I hope you all will agree with me when I say that it is not enough," Bagnold continued. "The aggrieved lords and several others have called for stricter actions against the werewolves, including tightening the regulations governing the creatures. In consultancy with the departments and the lords concerned, my government has drafted the following amendment to the existing Werewolf Administration and Control Act of 1883. You will find the documents under your desks."
Dumbledore sighed and reached under his desk, pulling out the small stack of parchment. He ignored the whispers that erupted throughout the chamber and began perusing through the proposed amendment. What he read made his blood run cold.
The proposal was straightforward, with five points of note, and he read through it meticulously, realizing that the overall description matched the initial summaries. Wide-eyed, he stared at the Minister before letting his gaze travel across the chamber to where Benjy Fenwick sat with a stoic look on his face. He met his old friend's gaze and found nothing but resignation, and it was enough to make him realize that the entire power bloc of the ministry was united on these legislations.
For over an hour, the members of the Wizengamot read the new legislation, discussing the points the amendment proposed.
"We shall open the floor for debates and discussions now," Bagnold called out.
"There is no need for any debates! Pass these legislations and treat those beasts exactly how they deserve to be treated!" Lestrange roared, shooting to his feet, his eyes red and maliciously glaring.
"We understand your emotions, Lord Lestrange. But the procedure has to be adhered to."
"To hell with your procedures!" Lord Avery joined in, and so did every other lord apart from Malfoy who had lost their sons. "These amendments are the least their kind deserves. Who here can even think of opposing these laws!?"
Dumbledore sighed and banged his gavel, earning furious looks from all the lords standing.
"My lords, everyone understands your emotions and we all empathize with you, but a law cannot be amended without conducting a vote. All the members of this august body deserve to have their say."
"The Chief Warlock and the Minister speak correctly," Lord Ogden nodded, meeting the glares firmly. "With such a severe amendment tabled before the Wizengamot, you can't seriously ask us to not even discuss this! There must be a discussion and a debate over the points proposed."
"Who disagrees then?" Lestrange shouted. "Stand up and tell me why this shouldn't happen. I dare you!"
"No one is agreeing or disagreeing already, Lord Lestrange. But there needs to be a discussion on the matter before we pass the proposal. Your emotions are volatile and we all understand it but please sit down, all of you. We will have a discussion now," Dumbledore called out firmly.
Lestrange glared at the old wizard, his fists clenched, but he finally relented and sat down. The rest followed suit, gritting their teeth.
Dumbledore regarded them for a few more seconds before he nodded toward Bagnold who took charge once again.
"I believe we are ready to deliberate on the resolution proposed now. As the one to put it forward, I believe it is my duty to explain the reasons behind each amendment."
Everyone gazed at the woman attentively as she began to explain the motivations behind the amendments and Dumbledore listened to it all with a sense of detachment, already aware that there was nothing he could do.
There was little that could unite an entire Wizengamot that was often divided on frivolous matters than an attack on the heir of one of them, and here, seven sons of pureblood houses had been brutally killed. As a result, there was little anyone truly wanted to say against the laws proposed. At least until a certain lord stood up calmly.
"The session recognizes Lord Peverell."
As one, the entire Wizengamot chamber turned to gaze at the youngest lord in their midst with mixed emotions. Several were expectant, friendly, or neutral, but there were eyes filled with suspicion directed at the young wizard who stood with his head held high.
He glanced over at Charlus Potter who nodded subtly.
"First, allow me to pay my sincere condolences to all the esteemed lords who have suffered a grave misfortune. I truly wish your sons rest in peace," Harry started with a small nod of acknowledgment toward the section where those lords sat and he was met with either glares, derision, or neutral looks. He kept his eyes trained on Abraxas Malfoy for a second more before he turned back to regard Bagnold. "Madam Minister, I do have a few objections to the amendments proposed and I would like to bring my concerns to the session's notice."
"Who the hell do you think you are, brat!? Our sons are killed by those savages and you think what we want is wrong?" Corvus Lestrange shot to his feet once again, spittle flying out of his mouth as he glared at a stoic Harry who regarded him as if he was a vermin crawling on animal waste.
"Lord Lestrange, calm yourself!" Barty Crouch Sr. spoke up firmly, making the man swerve toward him with the same glare. "Lord Peverell is a member of the Wizengamot and as such, he has every right to having his voice heard in this chamber. We have excused your lack of decorum several times today because of your grief but I would implore you to exercise restraint and behave in accordance with what your position demands! It is unbecoming of both your stature and what this body deserves!"
"You dare—"
Sighing, Abraxas Malfoy reached out and grabbed the man's arm, pulling sharply.
"Sit down, Corvus," he said softly. "They are right."
"Abraxas—"
"Now is not the time to lose restraint," Malfoy continued, his voice as soft as before. "Sit down."
Lestrange glared at the Malfoy lord for a few moments who refused to budge. With a final glare toward both Crouch and Peverell, he took his seat once again. Malfoy turned to Dumbledore and nodded curtly.
Dumbledore nodded and turned back to Harry, "Please continue, Lord Peverell."
"Lord Lestrange should know that I bear him no ill will for his frivolous remarks on my person and station but he should also remember that such insolence shall not be tolerated anymore. I don't think he would be so forgiving if our situations had been reversed."
Malfoy grabbed Lestrange's arm once again, forcing him to remain in place.
"Lord Lestrange will certainly remember your words, Lord Peverell."
"As he should," Harry said curtly before he regarded Bagnold once again. "Now, getting back to what I was about to say before I was unceremoniously interrupted, I have my concerns about the amendments proposed, Minister."
"I am sure the rest of the lords would be very interested in your concerns, Lord Peverell," Bagnold replied curtly and Harry knew she would be no ally of his. If the glances he had seen her sharing with Malfoy and his ilk proved anything, she seemed to have chosen her side in this case already. Not a Death Eater in any sense, but she certainly was a politician and knew she needed to appease the purebloods right now.
"I believe if these amendments are recognized as law, it would marginalize those werewolves even more. It should not surprise anyone if they get agitated and start attacking innocents, muggle and wizarding alike."
"Then they shall be put down like they deserve to be, as stated in the official documentation," Bagnold replied firmly.
"And how do you intend to respond to them so quickly? Is our auror force equipped so efficiently so as to prevent those attacks, Lord Crouch?" Harry asked.
"No, Lord Peverell," Crouch replied. "The auror force is already stretched thin with monitoring all remote locations and known werewolf hotspots."
"Then I believe the auror force would need to be bolstered with additional funding and recruitment so that they are able to combat any attacks," Harry replied. "Until it happens, we cannot take the risk of going ahead with these amendments."
"So what you are suggesting is that we don't do anything?" Bagnold asked sarcastically. "Forgive me, Lord Peverell, but that wouldn't be right either."
"I know it wouldn't," Harry nodded. "Which is why I am not opposing all the proposals here. But restricting werewolves from leaving certain zones with the penalty of death is extreme and I don't believe anyone here would agree with it. Furthermore, there are innocent werewolves who had no involvement in the attack and who have never taken any aggressive step towards anyone. Subjecting them to the same treatment as these werewolves who were frankly the worst of the lot would, as you said, not be right."
Murmurs and whispers rang about the chamber which were brought to a halt when another lord stood up.
"The session recognizes Lord Malfoy."
Abraxas Malfoy gazed coolly at Bagnold who stared back with a frown on her face.
"Lord Peverell seems like a kind person if he sees the good in beings like them, but he is not the one who has suffered at the hands of those creatures. A country is not run by kindness. Harsh decisions need to be taken if we are to ensure continued safety of our people. This amendment that has been proposed, although harsh to some, is one that should have been passed a long time ago. Because of our negligence, our houses have been affected irrevocably. What guarantee do we have that the werewolves whom Lord Peverell calls innocent won't lose themselves to their baser instincts and kill even more innocents like our sons? Today, our houses lost their heirs. Tomorrow, it could be anyone else. Do we need to wait and let them do irrevocable damage before we take actions? That would be the height of tomfoolery."
"Indeed!"
There were nods and murmurs of agreement around the chamber from several individuals and Harry stood in his spot, his face devoid of any emotion.
"We cannot take the risk of exposing innocent civilians to volatile and unpredictable, not to mention cruel creatures like werewolves," Malfoy continued. "It is my belief that the amendments proposed are not only needed, but have been delayed considerably. We would be foolish to delay it any further."
Harry let out a small sigh when everyone turned back to him, expecting a response.
"I am not foolish. I can see that a decision has already been reached and no matter what I say, it won't change. I would only implore you to rescind the order to kill werewolves if they are discovered outside the designated zones and to allocate the funds the auror department needs so that they can take care of matters with minimal, preferably no casualties."
"Duly noted, Lord Peverell."
Harry nodded and took his seat once again, glancing at his allies who gave him subtle nods. From his vantage point, Dumbledore frowned. He had frankly expected more from the young Peverell lord but apart from expressing his naïveté in political matters, he had contributed little of substance. He did believe that the lords might refuse to approve the killing of werewolves if they were found outside their designated spots as it was a step too extreme, but it seemed all other amendments were going to be approved. He could not help but wonder what Peverell's motive was here with his mere posturing.
His prediction was spot on. All the amendments bar one were recognized and with a heavy heart, he slammed the stamp on the document, watching it vanish.
Earlier, people didn't employ werewolves because of prejudice or skepticism. Now, it would be downright illegal to grant employment to werewolves.
Now, every werewolf would have to register as one with the new werewolf commission that would be constituted, just like an animagus, within a month of the first transformation or the date the commission came into existence, whichever was later, and failure would entail a life sentence in Azkaban.
If that was not enough, werewolves would now be forced to wear a band around their arm so that everyone knew what they were. If found without one, they would be earning a life sentence in Azkaban. It was the compromise the session had agreed on which, although better than not killing the werewolves on sight, was not right either, but there was nothing anyone could, or wanted to do.
Furthermore, werewolves were now restricted from carrying wands. Any werewolf discovered in possession of one would be carted off to Azkaban, pending trial. Anyone with half a brain knew the trial would be in name only.
As the session dispersed, Dumbledore gazed at Peverell and his allies who walked out of the chamber together and he reiterated to himself. Something was indeed brewing with them.
-Break-
His plans were coming along nicely. He knew it was going to be a challenging endeavor but he was very content with the progress he had made so far. It was slow, but he was gaining followers at a steady rate.
It had started with small-time criminals who wanted to climb up the ladder. They had been the easiest to seduce with only a hint of power, and soon followed the sympathizers—pureblood elites who had been steadily growing discontent with the increasing influence of the muggle world on their culture and their presence in their midst.
He had begun his foray by influencing the young heirs of several households—developing minds who were easy to be impressed. Dumbledore might have denied him the perfect position of influence when he had denied him for the post of the Defense professor at Hogwarts but he was neither one to lose heart so easily, nor lacking in resourcefulness to not think of alternative ways to gain what he wanted. Those young heirs were a gateway to their pureblood families, and it did not take long for him to establish himself with the lords of those houses.
Things had begun over a year ago and he was satisfied to have the undying loyalty of the esteemed houses of Malfoy, Lestrange, Yaxley, Avery, MacNair, Nott, and more. He was confident that their numbers would only increase. It had taken time but time was something he had in spades, for he was an immortal being. Be it a year or a decade, Lord Voldemort would establish his rule over the peasants one day.
The young heirs were promising, albeit a bit rough around the edges, but their performances on a few fun ventures he had taken them on had pleased him very much. He did not doubt that they would be deserving of the mark he had bestowed on their fathers if they continued on their trajectory.
His mark was a work of art and it only deserved to be bestowed upon the most elite of his ranks. He was looking forward to the day when his faithful—the Death Eaters—would descend upon their enemies and deliver his righteous judgment on them.
It had been almost a week since he had met his followers. The heirs had left for Hogwarts long before that and the lords had visited him, listening to his commands. Their foray into recruiting magical creatures would begin soon and he had instructed them to ensure the werewolves joined their cause. In the meantime, he had gone overseas to run a few errands.
Dispassionately, he gazed at the wizard bleeding out in front of him.
"Dinner, Nagini," he said softly, smiling when the massive serpent descended from the ramparts, shooting straight ahead for the corpse. "Be quick. We have places to be."
Fifteen minutes later, he vanished with a swirl of dark smoke and appeared in the middle of a darkened room. He tapped his wand against a serpent motif as he took his seat at the head of the table. Barely ten seconds later, he heard the telltale sounds of apparition as his followers began arriving.
Silently, they took their seats and he frowned when none would meet his gaze. Their faces were set in anger and sorrow as they kept their eyes firmly on the table.
"I had hoped for a bit more… enthusiasm upon my return," Voldemort began silkily, his crimson eyes traveling from one lord to another. His lips curled when he received no response. "I remember assigning a task to you all. How goes the progress with the werewolves?"
At once, everyone jerked. Their expressions shifted, sorrow giving way to rage as they gritted their teeth, glaring at the table.
"Hmm? I sense something brewing here," Voldemort whispered. "Pray tell. You do not need to fear for my response if they have declined. I might be unforgiving but I am not unfair."
"Those creatures will not be joining our cause," Abraxas Malfoy whispered, his voice shaking, and Voldemort did not miss how tightly the man was gripping the wooden arm of his chair. He would've easily broken it in his grasp if he'd been strong enough.
"I see," Voldemort replied. "Unfortunate. I am certain you all must have tried your best. I had a feeling it would not be easy to recruit them."
"We did not go to recruit those savages!" Lestrange spat venomously. "There is no way any of us would ever lower ourselves to cater to those barbarians!"
Voldemort remained silent for a moment, his crimson eyes fixated on Corvus Lestrange who had still not looked up. The man was glaring hatefully at the table.
"Even if it was your lord's command?" Voldemort whispered, a hint of malice seeping into his tone. "You will let your prejudices impede on your duties to your lord, Corvus? Everyone?"
Voldemort trailed his gaze from one lord to another, none meeting his eyes. His lips curled in a sneer and he hissed maliciously, "I seem to remember you all proclaiming with every bit of passion in your hearts that you would adhere to every command of your lord, no matter how heinous the task might be. What happened to that conviction? Was it all for show?"
Everyone remained silent, fists clenched, teeth gritted, and their eyes glaring darkly at the dark table.
Voldemort sneered, "I find myself… disappointed."
"WE DIDN'T GO TO THEM BECAUSE THEY KILLED OUR SONS!" Corvus Lestrange burst out, his eyes red and glaring madly at his lord. "EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR SONS IS DEAD! THOSE SAVAGES TORE THEM APART AND FEASTED ON THEIR CORPSES BEFORE THROWING THEM AWAY LIKE GARBAGE! ABRAXAS' SON HASN'T EVEN BEEN FOUND! WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED TO HIM!? AND YOU WANT US TO RECRUIT THOSE BEASTS IN OUR RANKS!?"
Voldemort sat stoically, the man's words registering with him. Silent and utterly calm even though there was a magma of rage bubbling underneath the surface, he regarded each lord sitting around him. Their rage and sorrow were palpable, their loss and pain screaming at him.
"How did it happen?" He asked finally, his voice one of utter calm.
"They were attacked after the Hogsmeade weekend…"
Voldemort listened silently as the man explained what had happened to all their sons and how the truth had been discovered. Nothing had been left unexplained and by the time it ended with the amendments to the legislation, Voldemort could only sigh in disappointment.
Things had started splendidly for his cause, only to suddenly evaporate in smoke. The future of his cause was destroyed. Those heirs were rough but they showed promise and he had been confident that one generation had been secured for his cause. However, they were all dead now, which meant he was all but back to square one. These lords were of little use to him apart from being his voice in the legislation. It was not as if even one of them was a capable wand, all having been given everything they wanted in life. They were cruel, Corvus in particular, and they were politically well-established, but being a combatant was too much of an ask.
'Would they be politically strong anymore though?' Voldemort wondered to himself. With no heirs, the future of their houses was up in the air. Their alliances would be fragile now, and he would not be surprised if everyone had started working on cutting their losses already. And if everyone truly had, then what need did he have of them?
He eyed them dispassionately, his expression neutral to give nothing away.
"I see," he said softly. "It seems things have taken a sudden downturn in my absence. It begs the question though. Why did those werewolves attack your sons?"
"They're mad beasts! What reason does a mad beast have?"
"So they're mad," Voldemort mused. "Doesn't that mean they acted on their urges and not under Greyback's commands? Doesn't that make Greyback innocent of this attack?"
"Mad beasts only obey their mad master!" Corvus hissed. "Innocent or not, the legislation has passed and Greyback's pack is marked. He better hope he never shows his face."
"You seem to be ignoring the point here, Corvus. You do not know for certain if Greyback was involved. Instead of letting your emotions cloud your judgment, you need to be rational at a time like this. We have lost a significant number of allies. The future of our cause," Voldemort replied calmly as he stood up and turned around, facing his familiar who slithered up his front and rested on his shoulders. Eyes trained ahead, he started to absentmindedly stroke her head, smiling when she hissed in contentment.
Corvus Lestrange remained silently seething as Abraxas Malfoy stood up, staring at him.
"The Dark Lord has a point, Corvus," he said emotionlessly. "As much as we hate it, we do not know if Greyback truly did order the attack."
Corvus Lestrange glared at the Malfoy lord with utter revulsion. "You lost your son, and you want to grovel in front of those beasts!? Do it if you want, but don't expect me to be with you when that bastard tears your throat out!"
"We have suffered a massive setback, Corvus. The last thing we want is a divide between us," Malfoy said firmly. "Deep down, you know what I want. You know what the Dark Lord truly wants!"
Corvus was breathing heavily, his nostrils flaring as he listened to Malfoy spew his drivel until he couldn't listen anymore.
"I don't give a fuck what the Dark Lord wants!" He shouted.
Malfoy recoiled as if struck and there were sharp intakes of breath from every other lord sitting around them, their eyes wide. Meanwhile, Voldemort paused mid-caress, his hand mere inches above Nagini's head as his head snapped up, crimson orbs glowing maliciously as he gazed in the distance.
Ever so slowly, Voldemort turned around and his malevolent gaze fixed itself on a glaring Corvus Lestrange who was staring at him heatedly. Voldemort's nostrils flared in rage and Corvus' glare slowly quelled as his instincts buried his ire. Fear overtook him and his features morphed slowly, his eyes drifting down in subservience as his lord regarded him.
"M-My Lord, I'm sure Corvus did not mean that," Abraxas tried. "He is grieving, we all are. Please, believe me. Corvus, tell him you didn't mean that!"
"I-I didn't m-mean that," Corvus whispered, his eyes firmly down as he shook his head, shivering. "I-I d-didn't m-mean that. I didn't m-mean t-that…"
Corvus kept repeating his mantra, never raising his eyes, and Voldemort kept his hateful orbs trained on the man.
"M-My Lord—"
Abraxas was cut off when Corvus Lestrange was suddenly launched in the air with a violent gasp where he remained floating, as if possessed by a vengeful spirit. His mouth was open in a silent scream, his limbs were stretched far and wide, and his head was knocked back so that his unseeing eyes were visible to them.
"You dare!" Voldemort hissed and everyone gasped as suddenly, Corvus' body lurched, his back arching painfully. All his limbs were brutally pulled off, blood pooling on the table before his head was severed from his body in the same manner.
With a thud, Corvus' corpse fell right on top of the pool of blood and his limbs followed suit, arranging themselves in place in a grotesque heap of carnage. His sightless eyes were open and everyone stared at the mutilated corpse and the expanding pool of blood in muted horror, frozen in place by the sheer brutality on display.
Voldemort seemed utterly unmoved by the atrocity he had just committed. A cruel sneer played across his lips as he surveyed the carnage.
He eyed each lord, all of whom stared shakily at the corpse of their former ally. Turning toward his familiar, he smiled cruelly. It seemed it was her lucky day.
"Nagini… dinner."
The massive serpent uncoiled from around his frame, descending on the table as the lords slid back in their seats fearfully. Nagini's maw opened wide, her massive fangs glistening with blood and venom as she lurched forward, launching herself against her meal.
"Let that be a lesson to anyone who dares disrespect Lord Voldemort," the Dark Lord whispered, his cold voice cutting venomously through the sickly silence.
TBC.
Check out the link on my profile for early access and more of my work. Chapters 25, 26, and 27 are already up.
Thanks for reading.