Whispers of a Raven by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 17

The Dark Lord fought the urge to smirk as he exited his pensieve and re-joined Commodus Selwyn and his idiot nephew. The man was an ass; Peverell had spoken truthfully, though he had to be seen to be somewhat sympathetic at the very least. He wasn't, however, going to act against Peverell as the Selwyn's wished. As far as Lord Voldemort was concerned, Alexander got much less than he deserved.

"I do not see how this is my concern," he said with a shrug.

"Not your concern, my lord?" Commodus sputtered indignantly. "The bastard embarrassed my family in front of the entire alley!"

Alexander nodded dumbly at his uncle's side.

"No," Voldemort denied. "Alex embarrassed himself and your family by targeting a woman from a better family than your own."

"She is a filthy whore who cavorts with mudbloods!" Alexander spat.

"And yet, she is born of the Black family," the Dark Lord countered patiently, though he felt nothing of the sort.

The two men were beginning to test his patience.

"You spat on a woman and her child and expected no repercussions. That was a stupid thing to do. Not only that, you did it in front of perhaps the most sought-after lord in the country. You are fortunate he was merciful and only shamed you."

Had the Dark Lord been of such a disposition, he would have cursed Selwyn within an inch of his life. Alas, he cared not for others and certainly not enough to intervene on their behalf.

Peverell was certainly a different man to himself, but one he found himself respecting. He was strong, assertive and had handled the situation admirably whereas Selwyn had done so pathetically.

Not that he could truly blame the buffoon for his stupidity. From what he had seen of the family thus far, the trait was hereditary. Still, brash fools had their uses, and he did not wish to alienate them away from his cause.

"Lord Peverell is still finding his place in our world," the Dark Lord offered diplomatically. "He will learn our ways, but he should be guided on his path. I have some advice for you, should you choose to listen, of course."

Commodus frowned but nodded.

"Apologise," Voldemort urged.

"Apologise?" Selwyn blustered.

"Both of you, separately of course. Express your regret of how your nephew acted and you may well salvage a future, fruitful relationship with him," Voldemort explained before turning to the younger Selwyn, "and you, say that you have spoken to your uncle who helped you see the error of your ways. Offer your apologies and your willingness to repent for what you did."

"I won't apologise," Alexander mumbled petulantly.

"Then I have nothing else to say on the matter," Voldemort sighed.

The purebloods truly were like spoilt toddlers, unused to not getting their way. It was rather nauseating to deal with and something that became more irksome by the day.

"So, you will not help us?" Commodus huffed as he stood.

"Lord Selwyn, I have tried. It is you that is unwilling to put your pride aside for something much more valuable. I truly hope you change your mind and take the advice I have given."