Clarissa Snape [incomplete]

thirty

— The Meeting —

This chapter/scene is very short and we all know it but it's vital to the story so bare with me.

My father and I flew into Malfoy Manor, landing and walking through the gate and up to the meeting room.

I wasn't surprised when I saw Charity Burbage floating over the table.

"Severus," the Dark Lord whispered, "Clarissa, I was beginning to think you lost your way. Come, we saved you seats."

Dad grabbed my wrist and pulled me to the two empty chairs beside him, dad closest to the lord.

"You bring news I trust?" the Lord asked.

"It will happen Saturday next at nightfall."

Yaxley spoke up, "I heard differently my lord. Dolly the Auror had let slip that the Potter boy will not be moved until the thirtieth of this month. The day before he turns seventeen."

"This is a false trail," I said, "The Auror office no longer plays any part in the protection of Harry Potter. Those closest to him believe we have infiltrated the ministry—"

"They got that right then," a man laughed. All the other Death Eaters laughed as well and the Lord asked, "What say you Pious?"

"One hears many things my lord, whether the truth is among them is not clear."

The Lord laughed, "Spoken like a true politician. You will prove most useful Pious."

The man smiled faintly and asked my father, "Where will he be taken, the boy?"

"To a safe house. Most likely the house of someone in the Order. I'm told it's been given every matter of protection possible. Once inside it will be impractical to attack him."

"My Lord," said Bella, "I would like to volunteer myself for the task. I want to kill the boy."

As she spoke there was a scream and the Lord yelled, "Wormtail! Have I not spoken to you about keeping our guests quiet?!"

"Yes my Lord," he squeaked, "Right away my Lord."

"As inspiring as I find your bloodlust, Bellatrix, I must be the one to kill Harry Potter." She shrunk in her seat.

"But I face unfortunate complications that my wand and Potter's share the same core. They are, in some ways, twins. We can wound but not fatally harm one another. If I am to do it, I must kill him with another's wand," he said, walking behind the Death Eaters.

"Well, surely one of you would like the honour," he said.

He looked to Draco's father, "What about you Lucius?"

Draco and I met eyes and I don't think I had ever seen him so frightened.

"My Lord?" asked Mister Malfoy.

"My Lord," Voldemort mocked, "I require your wand."

Lucius nodded and handed him the wand.

"And the core?"

"D—," he paused to clear his throat, "Dragon heartstring, my Lord."

"For those of you who do not know we are joined tonight by Miss Charity Burbage who until recently taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her speciality was Muggle Studies. It is Miss Burbage's belief that Muggles are not so different than us. She would, given her way, have us mate with them."

All of us looked at her in disgust and made gagging noises. Besides my father.

"To her, the mixture of magical and Muggle blood is not an abomination but something to be encouraged."

She looked to my dad and rasped, "Severus. Severus please, we're friends!" He looked at her blankly while I made sure she saw how much of a disgrace she was to the Wizarding World.

"Avada Kedavra."

I saw Draco jump and my dad look down sadly.

"Nagini," said the Dark Lord, petting his snake, "dinner."