"My most trusted allies."
Lord Voldemort stood at the head of Malfoy Manor's immense dining table, each chair filled with specially chosen Death Eaters. Core families. Walburga Black sat to the Dark Lord's right, her sister in law to his left, with their husbands next to them. Conversational etiquette for dinner parties but Tom was nothing if not a showman. So naturally, Ivan Rosier sat to Victoria's left at the other end of the table, Enoch Nott to her right. Huntley Avery sat with a slighted grimace just beyond Enoch’s wife, having not been given the honour of being seated beside the Dark Lord or his Lady on the basis that Victoria refused to sit beside him, despite him being Tom's new right hand.
"The eve of war is upon us, and to take our new world we must destroy the old one." Lord Voldemort continued, glass chalice in hand and raised in a toast high above the long table. “Long may we reign.”
Glasses rose in toast as the Dark Lord looked down his table. The grand room was why he liked the Manor. A display of wealth and heritage so elegantly arranged to only look humble. Normans sailed over with the King, claiming Britain for their own. Influence and wealth. Vital assets in the Dark Lord's plan.
"Our mission has already begun and you, my friends, are to thank." The Dark Lord spoke with a learned confidence that captured the attention of almost anyone he talked to, trying to ignore Victoria and her vacant eyes. "Ivan, Orion, Abraxas. Your influence in the Ministry will tear the corrupt system up by the roots from the inside. Excellent work removing that mudblood Minister. Enoch, Friedrich. You have instilled fear into the hearts of our enemies like no others. I can ask for no better generals in the fight to come. Now, we take a step of purpose."
Victoria's next sigh came out louder than she had anticipated. A heavy breath that sent a hush over the table, a heavy silence that stopped even the Dark Lord from breaking it. He took his time. Purposefully loosening his tight jaw so that he didn't sound angry.
"Am I boring you, my love?" Lord Voldemort asked, head twisting like an agitated snake.
“Boring me?” Victoria brought her cool gaze back to him, meeting the challenge against the obvious pleas of the table. “Not at all. Concerning me? Slightly.”
“What is concerning?”
“You speak of a next step,” Victoria said, straightening her back and speaking clearly. “A large one that will likely out more than a few of us as active supporters of something currently viewed as a terrorist organisation.”
“You do not wish your support to be known?” He asked, frown darkening his eyes as he placed his glass back onto the table. “Would you rather follow the crowd into the gutter?”
“Will you win?” Her question struck, pointed and sharp.
Eyes mainly stayed down on their laps, no one looking to tread the water Victoria was. Walburga rolled her eyes but didn't speak, Avery audibly groaned.
“My sister may be right, my Lord,” Abraxas spoke tentatively, “precautions may allow a firmer footing. If setbacks should occur then we do not want our entire infrastructure destroyed.”
“What a Malfoy response.” Orion clicked his neck but didn't bother to turn and look at Abraxas. “More than happy to profit but too scared to put your pretty boots in the mud.”
“We'll see who survives this war,” Abraxas retorted, glare heavy set in his delicate features.
“Is that a threat?”
“Enough.” Voldemort waved a hand and all their arguments ceased. He took his seat again, stiff in his reluctant movements. “This is what these meetings are for. Discussions are welcome but my word is final. Victoria, what is the nature of your concern? Is your loyalty wavering or is it simply worry for your family?”
YOU ARE READING
The Fearsome Name of Riddle
Fanfiction"I had to sit in this house and watch him destroy her. Do you really want to hear all of that?" ##### In the aftermath of the Battle of Hogwarts, an old photograph is found, revealing the life of a young witch that had been lost with the memories of...
