ꜱᴇʀᴘᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ | ᴛᴏᴍɪᴏɴᴇ

Serpentine, ch. 10

CHAPTER TEN

A short, slender man with dirty blond hair and a sunken face folded out of his bow and stepped forward. His hands shook, but his voice was strong.

"We've found a way in, my Lord, but first our transportation will need to be repaired," he said. He glanced over at a man in long, elaborate robes whose face was shadowed. "Our insider will be able to fix it in a few months' time, to a year, and then we will be ready."

"Excellent," Master replied. Harmony knew he was pleased by the news when his fingers began to twiddle with his wand. The timbre in his voice made her think of the way he had sounded when he'd spoken to Snape before, and she realized he sounded different when he spoke to his followers than he did when the two of them were alone. The voice he used now brought back the familiar flicker of fear she'd had the first time she'd heard it. It was a voice that commanded the attention of every presence in the room.

"Four of you take shifts at the borders, and the rest of you resume your posts," he directed, then turned and left the group without another word. Harmony followed at his side, but stole a glance back at the Death Eaters.

The man in the elaborate robes stepped out of the shadows, and she immediately recognized Lucius Malfoy. He was one of Voldemort's most loyal followers, and father of Harry Potter's worst enemy, Draco Malfoy. His cold grey eyes rested on her as she turned and followed her Master down the hallway.

It wasn't until she was right behind Master that she heard footsteps behind her. She and Voldemort looked to see Lucius striding up to them, his platinum blond hair blowing back from his face.

Harmony's stomach clenched at the sight of the familiar man. If he were to see her face, or even hear her voice, he would recognize her immediately. The last time she had seen him face to face he had insulted her for being Muggle-born. She had wanted to curse him to oblivion.

"My Lord," Lucius said with a low bow.

"Lucius," Voldemort answered with a nod.

Lucius gave him an admiring glance and said, "I am honored with the task you have given my son. I assure you he will succeed within the year."

"See to it that he does, and he will be greatly rewarded," said their Master.

Lucius smiled for a moment, but then his sharp features fell and he asked, "But my Lord, I must know, when will you decorate him with the Dark Mark?"

Voldemort gave it some thought, and then said, "Bring him to the Slytherin Celebration next month. I will decorate him then."

He bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, my Lord." When he stood up again he gave Harmony a cold stare.

"This is Harmony Hangleton," Voldemort told him in a daring tone. "She has joined us recently."

"And has she been decorated with the Dark Mark?" asked Lucius with a sneer as he continued to look at her.

"No, she has not," Master replied firmly. "I have given Harmony my Serpentine charm, Lucius. I am sure you understand."

"The Ser-the Serpentine charm, my Lord?" he stammered as his gaze turned from the woman to the Dark Lord in astonishment. "Are you sure that is wise?"

"Do not question my motives, Lucius. I have never been more certain," Voldemort said with a colder stare than the one Lucius had previously worn. "Now leave us, and return to your duties."

Lucius gave a quick bow and hurried away.

Harmony and Voldemort continued to walk silently together. After a while she said, "I didn't know Lucius Malfoy would be here."