how it feels to be alive {tom riddle}

epilogue part two: voldemort

epilogue 2/3: VOLDEMORT

"I assume everyone has made precautionary arrangements should this not go as planned?"

Lucia nodded grimly, Tobias had been informed nothing but that she would be engaging in a risky work assignment. She had told Mel that she was to look out for Kasper should things go pear shaped. Mel had assured her that was a given.

She looked down at the gold chain that drooped across her shoulders and around across all those standing in the circle with her. The time turner charm was between the fingertips of Theodore Nott, who was now counting his turns of the jewellery.

The man took a deep breath, raising his eyes to the other four in the circle. "We are all appropriately briefed with the plan?"

The circle nodded. Lucia noted the shaky hands and perspiring brows of those around her.

"And do I need to remind you of the importance of not altering history?" Theodore noted as he stopped turning the time turner, seemingly having reached the time he required.

The group shook their heads.

With a cautious expression, Theodore accepted their responses. Finally, he triggered the time turner and Lucia felt the world around her begin to blur.

***

The first thing she felt was a thrumming on her chest, but it was only a split second before she realised it was not the beating of her own heart.

It was her necklace.

Her hand darted to her chest to grasp the cool metal between her fingertips. For a second she allowed herself to indulge in the magical mimicry of his heartbeat. 

She only let herself get caught up in it for a second, because she knew that the version of him that existed at this time was not the man she fell in love with. Not really.

As she looked around the office, she noticed some major changes from the few seconds ago that she had last witnessed it.

Everything is just that bit more vintage, traditional even. This wasn't surprising considering it was now 1998.

The next thing she noticed was the chaotic aura that fizzled around the ministry office. The noise outside the door was not the calm chatter and harmless hustle and bustle that she was used to hearing.

The voices were panicked, people were on the move.

"Our time is limited. Once we are outside the Ministry we will apparate to the agreed upon place almost instantly. Is everyone clear?" Theodore spoke assertively. Once receiving nods from everyone, he tucked the time turner away and headed towards the door with his wand drawn precautionarily. 

When the door was opened, they divided into smaller groups to go their separate routes. The last thing they needed was to draw more attention to themselves than necessary.

Lucia followed closely to Ralph as they kept a brisk pace down the winding hallways. When they stepped out of the elevator into the Atrium, Lucia felt the first rush of dread cascade over her. 

There was a darkness to the Ministry that she'd never felt before. Everything had an aura of evil and gloom.

The Fountain of Magical Brethren in the centre had been replaced by a large sculpture showing a witch and wizard on ornately carved thrones. When Lucia looked closer, she saw that these thrones were actually made out of carved muggles. Naked men, women and children were twisted around at the mercy of the magical folk to hold them up, with dull and ugly expressions etched on their faces.