Before The Past

Ch. 57

"Severus, I was beginning to worry you had lost your way. Come, we've saved you a seat." The Dark Lord announced as Snape walked into the Meeting. 

He stood for several seconds before walked to an empty chair only two chairs down from The Dark Lord. His footsteps echoed throughout the already tense room. Some of the others looked rather irritated, while some looked more scared then ever. The newest member, who I didn't know the name of had a stone cold face on. 

I had never seen him before and he sat at the very end of the table, so he was just able to make it in. Generally the closer you sit to the Dark Lord, the closer and more trusted you are to him. Of course, this was most of the time. Bellatrix for example had the choice of either sitting directly next to The Dark Lord, like Matteo, or by her sister, Narcissa. She chose Narcissa for reasons I was unsure of. She was a heartless woman and yet still managed to have a warm spot for the Malfoys, even Draco. 

"You bring news, I trust?" The Dark Lord asked. 

"It will happen Saturday next, at nightfall." Snape responded. 

"I've heard differently my Lord. Dolich the Auror has let slip that the Potter boy will not be moved until the thirtieth of this month, the day before he turns sevente-" 

"This is a false trail. The Auror office no longer plays any part in the protection of Harry Potter. Those closest to him believe that we have infiltrated the ministry." Snape said, interrupting one of the others. 

"Well, they've got that right, don't they." Another Death Eater who was opposite of me commented. 

The entire table began to laugh. 

"What say you Pious?" The Dark Lord asked, prompting everyone to go silent once again. 

The man at the end looked down only with his eyes at the floor next to him before looking up again nervously. 

"One hears many things my lord, whether the truth is among them is not clear." He explained. 

"Ha, spoken like a true politician. You will prove most useful I think Pious" There was a silence before The Dark Lord turned back to Snape "Where will he be taking the boy?" 

"To a safe house, most likely the home of someone in the order.  I'm told it's been given every measure of protection possible, once there it will be impractical to attack him." Snape advised. 

The attention was then taken off of him and towards Bellatrix who let out a short cough. 

"My lord," she began, holding her hand up ever so slightly "I would like to volunteer myself for this task. I want to kill the boy." She whispered. 

Suddenly screams could be heard in the distance. This was a regular occurrence, but The Dark Lord generally didn't appreciate the noise during meetings. 

"Wormtail! Have I not spoken to you about keeping our guests quiet?" The Dark Lord yelled. 

My jaw tensed at the word 'guest'. Of all things to call those who were down there, 'guests' was the least suitable of them all. 

"Yes my lord, right away, my lord." Wormtail stuttered as he ran towards the dungeons. 

"As inspiring as I find you bloodlust, Bellatrix, I must be the one to kill Harry Potter."  The Dark Lord announced. 

Bellatrix retreated back and held her head down low. 

Why was it so important that The Dark Lord had to do it? 

Beyond that point I stopped listening to what was being said. My mind was racing about what was going to happen and if I were to even be mentioned today. I didn't think that my birthday was a big enough event to be mentioned, but being able to fulfill tasks freely now was. I was currently the only Death Eater at the table who had done nothing except one task. While that task was important, it was only one, and compared to all of the others it's glory was wearing off.