Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

For & Against

???

Late 1976.

"You know why I summoned you."

"Yes, My Lord. Of course I do."

"Then let's begin."

With the two of them seated across from one another in the darkened room, she nods and quickly flicks her wand. At this, the photographs lined up neatly on the centre of the table lift up and into the air. As they begin slowly orbiting through the space between them she sets her wand back down again and tips her head deferentially.

"Emma Mardella Vanity."

"F?"

Pausing, he considers her. The F stands for 'for,' attributes the individual possesses that he feels are most beneficial to him, to his needs.

Finally, he waves his hand impatiently, "Blindly loyal, with a marked preference towards obeying authority."

As he speaks, a magic quill records all. For a few seconds, the room is completely silent other than the scratching of the quill onto the parchment.

Finally, she clears her throat, "A?"

The A stands for 'against,' qualities he believes to be their biggest mark against them, attributes that constitute a potential liability to him and his agenda.

"Absolutely average in absolutely every way."

Their eyes meeting, they nod in agreement.

"Amycus Carrow."

"F ..." His dark eyes scan the air before finding and zeroing in on the photograph of the boy now in question, "... Calm and steady."

"And A?"

"... Not aggressive enough. Perhaps simply not hungry enough."

"Alecto Carrow."

"F: extremely intelligent."

"... I would point out to My Lord that Ms. Carrow never makes top marks. Among these, she's decidedly always middle of the pack."

His eyes flashing down from the photograph to his confidante, he shakes his head, "So what? She's the most intelligent of the lot, marks or not."

"Very well My Lord. A?"

"A ... A ..."

Steepling his hands together he closes his eyes and concentrates before finally murmuring softly, "Extremely intelligent."

"... My Lord -"

"I know. I realise what I've just done. It is what it is. On to the next one."

"Pandora Selwyn."

"F: intuitive."

Actually, intuitive is quite an undersell. He's long suspected Ms. Selwyn to be gifted in the mystical art of divination. And if that's indeed true, she'd be an incredible boon to him, to his aspirations. But he hasn't been able to prove it - not yet. Whenever he attempts to read the girl's mind, he never can. It's very rare, someone being able to block him, though not entirely unprecedented.

"... A?"

"The temperment's all wrong. It's always been all wrong. Far too kind, too empathetic, too compassionate. She's not moldable like the rest."

No, any use he'd have for her would hinge purely upon the divination ability - if it's real.

... Time will tell.

"Bartemius Crouch Jr."

"Now there's an interesting one, Bella. Because he's quite a new addition, quite the delightful surprise, isn't he?"

"Mmm."

"F ... his dedication, his penchant for extreme action. I like his lack of scruples."

"Any A's, My Lord?"

"... He wasn't brought up like the rest. Wasn't brought up in the innermost circle. And yet, perhaps that only serves to make him hungry ..."

"Henry Mulciber."

Shaking his head at the mere mention of the name, the man betrays himself for the briefest instant when the ghost of an amused smile flits across his face.

"My Lord?"

"Mmmm. Where to begin? Henry ... Henry ..."

Sighing, he shifts in his seat, one leg crossing over the other, finger lightly tapping at his lips. Finally, he nods and speaks, "F ... Dominating. Extremely capable. Vicious; unyielding."

"A?"

"... A tendency towards obsession, a propensity for fixation. And ironically, such obsession may lead to distraction from his work. Extremely power hungry. Which is, naturally, something I tolerate only to a point."

Until it threatens him directly, he means. But as long as Henry stays far below him, it's actually quite an asset.

"Very well; understood, My Lord."

Two remain now.

Two names, two faces.

For a moment he stares at the both of them as they circle slowly above him. Finally, he murmurs softly, "... Regulus. Regulus Black."

Across the table, the witch perks up instantly. She's been waiting to hear this.

"F ... family; his name, his birthright. But perhaps most importantly ... he seems tough. I've long felt he demonstrates himself to be much more mentally resilient than the rest."

He favours Reggie.

Henry's a close second; Henry reminds him of himself when he was young.

Henry and Barty both, actually.

But Reggie ...

This time she doesn't ask for an A. She won't. Not for Reggie. She's not about to offer up any opportunities that might work against him.

But he just shrugs and continues, "A ... I think he's far more cunning than he lets on."

She narrows her eyes at this but resists the urge to say anything. Nodding stiffly at one another, he turns his eyes upwards once more, "... Evan Rosier."

"My Lord?"

"F: brave, strong. Best leadership potential of the entire group. Quite necessary; it's lacking among the rest of them. Henry would, but they always seem to lean towards Evan over Henry in the end, don't they?"

"Indeed. And A?"

"... Temperamental. Prone to brooding. Moody."

"He is a teenager, My Lord."

"... He's Evan."

"Very well, My Lord."

For a long moment they sit in silence. Then, just as she's about to rise up and leave, he lifts one finger in the air.

"My Lord."

"Circle back to Mr. Black once more."

"... My Lord?"

"Make one last note. Mr. Black ..."