the snake, the soul and the lovers

Horror Crux

"Lucius." calmly called Lord Voldemort, and his servant was at his side in a moment, knowing well that tone of voice. Without having to be asked, Lucius Malfoy gave his arm to his Lord. Voldemort took Harry's hand in his, both holding on the yew wand, and pressed onto the Dark Mark tattooed in his forearm. Both their magics touched the mark, and it felt suffocating to be at the end of both their powers. He didn't even question why Potter was able to call upon the mark. The dark snake squirmed and moved, and Lucius gritted his teeth at the unpleasant sensation.

After two, three, four seconds - the wards of Malfoy Manor flared up, signalling the entrance of Peter Pettigrew onto the property. Another three, four, five, six seconds, the main door opened. Then, six, seven, eight, Peter was there on the door. The man was fat, short and bald, with dirty clothes and a silver hand. Harry loathed him, hated him with all his core. Even now, even after all he uncovered, knowing that Peter had the power to save his parents and choose not to - made his blood boil and anger rose from the inside of his core. A mirror on the wall cracked, and Peter looked, wide-eyed, at his Lord and at Harry Potter. His mouth curved into a surprised expression, and into something else - traitor. He will do it again. He's thinking about doing it. He knows now where you live, he will give you to the Ministry for his life.

"Peter... is this how you greet your Master?" said Voldemort, voice cold and commanding. Immediately, like he forgot where he was, Peter squirmed and knelt, bowing deep with his head touching the floor.

"I am sorry my Master, what do you need from your loyal servant?"

Voldemort sneered, and put a hand on Harry's shoulder, casually and full of pride. Harry looked at him, " 'Show off." hissed, and the Dark Lord sneered again. Peter was too occupied in bowing to notice the interaction.

"I am glad you came so quickly, there is something only you can do for me, you see?" Voldemort gently pushed Harry forward. Wormtail then raised his head, an understanding light made his dull eyes twinkle - and Harry felt bile in his mouth. He reminded him of Dumbledore, of all people.

"I see my Lord, I will gladily take him to the dungeons."

Not contradicting him, Voldemort hummed, amused.

"Oh, will you?"

"Of course my Lord. And then what should we do with the boy?"

"Why don't you tell me, Wormtail."

The servant seemed honored by the implicit trust his Lord put onto him, and bowed again.

"It would be wise to torture him, my Lord, to get all the informations he has."

"Hmm, keep going. This is a sound suggestion."

Harry could taste fear in the air, his snake told him so - from the Malfoys, from Wormtail. No one knew what would happen next, well, beside Harry. His magic thrummed, impatiently waiting to be released.

"T-then we could kill him, my Lord. You will kill him of course."

Voldemort blinked so slowly, the gesture unsettled everyone. His big eyes, almost without eyelids, were glowing red from a deep hunger for violence. Harry hoped to sate it that night.

"Very good, Wormtail. Proceed." with an elegant gesture, Voldemort presented Harry. Wormtail got up, and looked around, confused.

"Are you asking me to... to do it, my Lord?" the rat was good at being pathetic, that much Harry owed him. He had just the face. How his parents could be friends with someone so disgusting, no one knew. Voldemort remained quiet.

With a deliberate gesture, Harry started playing with the yew wand, so white and smooth under his fingertips. It always reminded him of a naked bone. Peter noticed the gesture, noticed how Harry had in his hands the wand of his Lord.