The Other Potter

To Put Our Faith Into

Voldemort took his seat at the head of the table, and Lucius made his way to the seat on the left and Yaxley on his right. Snape who had followed them approached the end of the table where Regulus and Elijah were stood, taking the empty seat beside Avery. It appeared there was some hierarchy in the order in which people sat, which was explained by Peter had sat towards the end of the table. Everyone sat down once Voldemort took his place.

Elijah didn't care where he sat, as long as it was next to Regulus, someone who didn't want to be here as just as much as he didn't want to be. Someone who made this all more tolerable.

There were empty seats further down the table, and Elijah wasn't sure there had been that many Death Eaters in the Graveyard to fill all the seats, but there seemed to be more present now than there had been just a few nights ago.

"Welcome everyone, to our first meeting. You'll notice the empty seats around you, do not be fooled, those are the ones we are saving for our brothers and sisters locked away in Azkaban. When they are freed and rejoin our cause." Voldemort announced, looking down at the table.

Elijah pursed his lips and shrugged, looking to Regulus who seemed to have pulled on an emotionless mask since the meeting began. He wondered if should do the same.

"One less to free now though.." a voice muttered, Elijah couldn't place who it came from, but it stirred some mutters from the rest of the group.

"Ah yes. And he joins us tonight, does he? Where is he? Elijah Potter." Voldemort asked, looking down the table.

"Lupin-Black." Elijah corrected, hearing everyone turn to look at him.

"I'm sorry?" The Dark Lord said dangerously.

"It's not Potter. It's Lupin-Black." The boy said firmly.

"Taking the name of a half-breed. Honestly." Lucius hissed, shaking his head.

"And the filthy traitor. Sirius Black." Goyle added.

He felt Regulus tense beside him.

"Still better than Potter," Elijah grumbled, trying to defuse the situation swiftly.

"Very well, Lupin-Black, I'm pleased you were able to join us this evening. Thanks to Yaxley,  Malfoy, Avery, Nott, and Greengrass." He hummed, gesturing to each of the Death Eaters. "I'm sure you'll repay them for their hand in allowing you to walk free."

"Of course, my Lord." The boy nodded, clenching his jaw. He felt Regulus' eyes on him, so he too now masked any emotion with the same expression the other had just moments ago.

The next few hours were Voldemort coming up with plan after plan of attacks and ambushes he wished to create in build-up and distractions to the mass breakout. They needed time to get the Dementors on their side, time to put a formal plan into place for a big operation. It would take months to put together.

Finally, the meeting ended with Amber Yaxley being brought in and gifted the Mark for her hard work and effort. She had told Elijah she'd be given the Mark, and he had believed her then. Still, it didn't mean it didn't hurt seeing someone his age get the very same mark he wished he could erase from his body, take it so easily and eagerly. She took her seat, making Peter move down a chair so she could sit beside Regulus.

How long would it be until his friends were up there taking the Mark, sealing fates and futures because their parents had fucked up their lives and made all the wrong choices? Could he be excused from watching that happen or was that too the cost of protection?

The meeting ended with everyone making idle chitchat, even Regulus got into conversation with a couple of Death Eaters, which Elijah later learned was to keep appearances. He felt a little lost looking around the room, not knowing where to even start or what would even be worth talking about. He was too tired for an argument about his last name and who shared it with him. If he could erase a last time he would, because all the ones he'd worn never fit right.