Another Monster

Casus Belli

August 1st of 1980 saw the Inner Circle hold their breath as they finally got news of the prophecy depicting their Lord's demise. It was made in January that year and they had been anxiously waiting to see who would be born 'as the seventh month dies'. Two children were born on the 31st of July and it was Rodolphus' job to determine which was the child of the prophecy."And you are certain that it is the Potter's child that the Prophecy is about?"

"Yes, my Lord. They have refused you three times now, the child exhibits powerful bursts of accidental magic already, and he was born on the 31st of July. The other child has just enough magic not to be considered a squib."

"Thank you, Rodolphus. You may rise."

"My Lord?" Severus stepped forward from his place with the Circle, Narcissa eyeing him with suspicion as he questioned their Lord.

"Yes, Severus?

"Will you spare the mother?"

"Oh, Severus. I was not planning on killing the boy as his parents. No, I will turn the lights only hope of defeating me into my weapon. What better than to have the one prophesied to kill me, be the one to ensure my victory? To have him be loyal to me, kill for me, love me."

"You will kidnap the child?" Bellatrix had a gleam in her eye as she asked this. Tom decided then that she would have very little interaction with the child until he was old enough to curse her back.

"I will. Then I will raise him as my own. I will not hide that I took him from his parents, but he will be made aware of how vile they are. I will admit, at one point I would have undoubtedly killed them all without a second thought."

After a rather pointed, and quite frankly scary lecture from Narcissa about his sanity, or lack thereof Tom had gone on a search for a way to absorb some of his horcruxes without being required to feel remorse for the kill. After two and a half years of searching he had found a ritual that allowed him to absorb them, it was essentially a soul-bonding ritual. He absorbed the diary, Slytherin's locket, Hufflepuff's Cup, and Ravenclaw's Diadem leaving the ring. As he absorbed each piece of his soul he looked considerably younger. When he finished absorbing the horcruxes he looked to be around 30.

"How do you wish to do it, my Lord?"

"This is need to know Severus. And I find that you do not need to know. Narcissa, Lucius Rodolphus, and Arion step forward. The rest of you are dismissed."

Tom waited for his wards to tell him everyone that was dismissed had left before addressing four of his five Court members.

"I will require Lucius to prepare Skye's ritual room for a blood adoption. Narcissa as you have experience I would like for you to turn one of the rooms by mine into a nursery. You may use my vaults to buy the necessary toys, clothes and whatever else the child will need. Buy him the best. Rodolphus, I want you and Arion to find out where the Potters are, once you do, me, him and you will conduct the raid. Send a message to Regulus, I want him back here immediately. Tell him to bring the ring."

"My Lord, do you want me to prepare the room now or when Rodolphus finds their location?"

"When he finds their location, Lucius. I want the room to be perfect for the blood adoption."

"And the nursery? Would you like it done now? And would you like it done here or at Skye as well?"

"Do it when you have time Narcissa, just make sure it's done sooner rather than later. Skye Manor, please. All the Death Eaters have access to the Willow Ridge properties and I would like to keep most of them away for the first few years."

"My Lord, it will take a few days to get the message to Regulus. Would you like me to go get him? I believe it would be quicker."

"Rodolphus, can you handle getting their location yourself?"