The Speaker and His Wraiths

Through Your Eyes - 1

Chapter 41

A Second Look
Watching his Horcrux appear out of thin air was both infuriating and amusing. It was vexing how easily his little Horcrux could disappear-leave-escape him. If only He'd learned about his Horcrux sooner... what a wonderful weapon his little Horcrux could have been...

"I wasn't sure you'd come." A lie. He'd known his Horcrux would show-appear-meet with him. His Horcrux may be independent, but He was absolutely sure his little Horcrux felt the same pull He did.

His Horcrux approached on silent feet, looking up ever so slightly to meet his eyes. Green met red. Green, the color of murder-death-Avada Kedavra. Ever since He found out about their connection, He was sure He grew stronger with his Horcrux nearby.

"I meant it when I said I wanted this alliance to work." His Horcrux said quietly, "So, what did you have in mind for this particular meeting?" His little Horcrux seemed to be expecting a certain answer. How oddly interesting-intriguing-compelling.

"I wanted to, foremost, know what prompted you to send such an ominous and cautionary missive." The note had been messy and unclean, nothing like his Horcrux's usual messages. It was unexpected.

"Hogwarts is under new management. Dolores Umbridge. She's certainly a piece of work." His Horcrux's face twisted with loathing in a way He'd never seen before. It was delightful. "Umbridge took the liberty of monitoring every mode of communication in and out of Hogwarts. Owls, Floo, the whole nine yards. She attacked my owl, Hedwig, and I couldn't risk Umbridge intercepting anything from between us." He wondered if his Horcrux enacted revenge upon the 'new management' for hurting what belonged to him. From the anger-loathing-spite on his Horcrux's face, He'd guess yes.

"I see." Despite approving of his Horcrux's anger, it was indeed worrying that Dumbledore was now, presumably, unaccounted for. "I understand. Perhaps we need to move up our... schedule."

"If you mean the reabsorption ritual, we're ready to perform it tonight, if you wish." His little Horcrux said, and He was surprised-startled-stunned to see satisfaction on his Horcrux's face. His Horcrux had anticipated the request, and was properly prepared. The cunning and forethought required for that assumption was almost enough to make him smile.

"If you're sure in your preparations and readiness, I am willing." He replied easily, "However, I will be sending all but two of my Death Eaters away. I have a feeling this will be a slightly... unpleasant experience." Whoever stayed and witnessed his pain would suffer-scream-regret it. But He was merciful, and would let his followers volunteer their agony willingly.

"I can't deny that, it will definitely be painful." His little Horcrux gave a small shrug, and then withdrew. "Alright then, I'll get everything set up." After watching the mysterious-unnerving-ominous Wraiths gather in a circle around his Horcrux seemingly without cue, He turned away to approach his own followers.

Scanning their masked faces, He tucked away the anger-betrayal-hatred that grew as He thought of his unfaithfuls. So many liars following him... as soon as He regained his full strength He would march on Azkaban and execute the plan He'd been putting off for months. The diversion-distraction-redirection caused by his little Horcrux would soon be over, and He would make his move.

"It is time." He said softly to his followers, watching their reactions closely. "When we meet again, I will be made anew with power I have not possessed since before my destruction. It will be a new beginning for us, friends, I promise you."

His followers whispered their thanks and portrayed a variety of groveling behaviors, and He felt adored-respected-feared as they trembled and refused to meet his eyes.