Close Or Far From The Law

Chapter 34 : 33. Their (first) meeting

Voldemort pushed open the door to his meeting room. There were really only five Death Eaters he wanted to introduce to Harry, people he could go to for safety if necessary. More than ever, the safety of his little lion seemed important to him and there was no question of his followers failing. More than their lives were at stake, Voldemort would not hesitate to do much more than torture them if they failed to follow their instructions. His young lover entered after him warily, a good thing in itself, the teenager was always ready to protect himself, which was better in their world. Too many things seemed to blame Harry Potter.

-Good, gentlemen, here is your protégé. Harry, these are your protectors.

Harry fixed his green eyes on Lucius Malfoy first and held back a sneer as they locked gazes. The older man didn't look angry but rather annoyed and Harry could tell the same. He had no desire to trust this man and he wondered how Voldemort could still believe in him. He then encountered the features of a man in Auror uniform, looking determined and calm. Harry had always assumed that Voldemort had people all over the Ministry but the realization was a little disturbing. Why and how Dumbledore didn't... No, the old headmaster had to know, he just couldn't do anything, hadn't been able to find the words for these people to come to his camp. This thought also left Harry confused. Why did he necessarily think in terms of camp. Did he really want a civil war to happen?

-Of course, you know Lucius. In public, he will always be unpleasant to you, such is the decorum that you both must display. But in case of real danger, he will protect you. Next to him, Corban Yaxley, an Auror generally dispatched to the scene of dark magic incidents.

Harry didn't feel any surprise, he just nodded. He looked at another man whose face was rather hidden by his hood. He gave off that Unspeakable thing, that same unhealthy side. A foot in the Department of Mysteries also then. Which couldn't be a bad thing since he intrigued the people who worked there. Or at least one, Harry couldn't tell if the others were aware of its connection to the various prophecies contained in one of the halls on this floor. Under a Voldemort sign, the wizard finally showed his face. So common, with brown eyes and short hair.

-This is Nicolas Devoye, half-English, half-French. An Unspeakable as you might have guessed, which could come in handy on occasion.

Fourth character, a woman. Harry was almost surprised as she smiled at him. Except that he didn't find anything reassuring in that smile. He would bet she was doing it on purpose as Voldemort introduced her too.

-Ophelia Greengrass, a distant cousin of your Wizengamot representative. She works in the Department of Magical Creatures and Magical Transportation. The two are linked like you can use a Thestral to move for example.

-I see…

-And finally, here is Barty Crouch.

Harry looked at a young man with a rumpled look who still smiled at him. The most reassuring of the five in a way. The youngest too, in his impression.

-For Barty, we will talk about it later. The most important thing is that you know who your allies are.

Voldemort went on to communicate to them a code that they would say to each other in case there was any doubt about the identity. Harry was familiar with Polyjuice Potion and this guarantee wouldn't hurt. He also sensed a sort of curiosity from all of them. Wouldn't Voldemort have told them how he lured him into his trap? Harry realized he couldn't define it himself. At the same time, it was a mixture of blackmail, kindness, demands, tenderness... Love, even. Corruption. Yes, Harry was corrupt but he was not alone in this boat that was going he didn't know where.

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Voldemort still felt his little lion thinking as they left his headquarters. It was tempting for him to delve into the youngest's mind but after having taught him so well to protect him, Harry would not take it kindly. He slipped his hand through the hair then along the nape of his companion's neck who looked up at him. This way they had to shine, this shy and blind trust that Harry had towards him without really understanding him. Voldemort put his arm firmly around the younger man's waist with a beautiful smile.