ꜱᴇʀᴘᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ | ᴛᴏᴍɪᴏɴᴇ

Serpentine, ch. 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

Harmony sat on the sofa by Master's chair as she watched Barty set the table for their dinner. Voldemort had excused himself for a few minutes to wash up and thus left her alone with him.

But Barty must have assumed he was still within earshot of his Master because he kept his hands to himself and didn't try to talk to Harmony as he worked. He stole several glances in her direction, though, and Harmony was starting to get annoyed. While ignoring him, she stood up and went over to a small bookshelf beside his bed and read the titles. She noticed several of them were actually storybooks, and she wished she could take them to read herself. He even had a copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, one she had never had the chance to finish.

When she heard the bathroom doorknob rattle she went back to her seat as Master came out. His jet-black hair was damp and tousled. He was wearing a green velvet bathrobe and his face was clean-shaven. He sat in his chair and said to her, "You left your towel on the floor again."

"Did I? I thought I hung it up. I swore I did."

"No, it was on the floor. I nearly slipped on it and broke my neck. Is that what you want? To have your Lord with a broken neck?"

"Of course not, my Lord. I'll be more careful next time. I promise."

Master took a sip of his tea and noticed Barty staring at the two of them, gaping. "What are you gawking at? Hurry up with our meal, Harmony must be famished."

Barty looked away and quickly set out two plates, two goblets, silverware, and the rest of the food. Finished with his chore, he bowed to them both and departed.

Harmony reached for the wine but was surprised when he took it first and poured into her goblet before pouring his own. She cast him an uncertain glance as she started to eat.

Although she was certain it annoyed him, Master did not comment when she ate with her face scarf still in place. It took her a bit longer that way, moving her fork beneath the fabric, but she couldn't risk exposing herself by removing it.

"Tomorrow I will show you another spell I suspect you will like," he announced as he wiped his mouth with a green linen napkin and tossed it onto his empty plate.

Harmony nodded for him to continue.

"This one is called Glacius."

"The freezing spell," she said with a nod.

"It is usually used to create ice or put out fires, but when used on a wizard, it can be quite dangerous."

"I've never thought of using it defensively," she said thoughtfully.

"I have the book right here," he said and went over to the shelf she had examined earlier. "This book focuses solely on its dangerous attributes." He opened it to the correct page and motioned for her to join him by the fire. She sat down at his side and he placed the book in her lap.

She hadn't realized how long the two of them had been reading until Voldemort was unable to stifle a yawn. She looked over as he stretched his arms. Then he stood up in front of her and held out his hands. It took her a moment to realize he was asking for the book, and she gave it to him a bit reluctantly.

"I must tell you," he said as he walked her to the door, "that in addition to accompanying me to the festival, you must participate in a traditional piece of entertainment. All of my women followers and who are relations of the Slytherin family must perform for the attendees."

Harmony pulled a face at this announcement. "What usually goes on at these celebrations?" Her voice was tinged with worry.

"Most everything. Buffet tables loaded with food and drink from around the world. Staged performances. In years past, my women held a play, sometimes a dance. Often, duels are held. If you tire of the stage, there is music for dancing. They used to have long speeches in honor of Salazar Slytherin, but nowadays those have been excluded. The celebration is nothing more than a party of raucous witches and wizards."