The Cupboard Series 4: The Fourth School

Chapter 33

A swirling mist of steam rose gently above the giant, man-sized cauldron, exactly the light shade of blue that it was supposed to be. The long-haired man sighed with relief. He'd hate to think what his punishment would be if things had gone wrong while he was away, even if the reason that he was away was his Master's orders in the first place.

This was, without a doubt, the most complex potion that he'd ever attempted to create. The fact that he'd been working on it for close to five months already and that there were still another four months brewing time indicated as much. And it still wouldn't be complete until the final three ingredients were added at the very last second.

Having assured himself of his work here in the basement, the man took a deep fortifying breath and ascended through the ancient, dilapidated house to find his Master. For once, thankfully, the snake was elsewhere, most likely out hunting.

"What news, my slippery friend," a high, cold voice asked as he entered the room.

"Everything went exactly as planned, my Lord," he replied, having dropped to one knee the instant that he'd heard his Master's voice.

"Good. Good. Tell me all," he was commanded.

"I was able to slip into Hogwarts with ease," he relayed. "The aurors at the gates registered my wand, but as I was using a ... procured one, that wasn't a problem. They also searched for and confiscated anything that could be used to hold any sort of liquid. My polyjuiced form deceived them sufficiently for entrance. As you commanded, I immediately found a place in which to disillusion myself before settling into position beneath the stands.

"Once I felt the polyjuice wear off, I placed heavy glamours on myself before cancelling the disillusionment charm and taking my seat in the stands themselves. The Task was another proof of Dumbledore's stupidity; we stared at the surface of the Black Lake while all of the action took place under water. The only entertainment came from the blood-traitor Weasley twins. They have a real flair for joke items that I think could be easily adapted for our own purposes.

"After the Task, it was a simple matter to walk out of the gates and to return to your side," he concluded.

"Not directly to my side, I trust?" and the warning was clear – if he had, punishment would be swift.

"No, my Master. As you commanded, I made half a dozen apparition jumps across the country to confuse anyone trying to follow me," he quickly assured his Master.

"And the potion? You have checked it since you returned?"

"It was the first thing that I did," he assured his Lord. "It remains exactly as it should be. It will be ready for the ritual at the correct time."

"You have done well, very well. What of the boy?"

"Neither Potter nor his friends attended the Task," he replied.

"As expected," his Master mused. "Potter continues to distance himself from the old fool. Soon they shall be too estranged to be able to work together when the time comes, not that both of them shall be alive by then, of course."

The kneeling man could only smile. His mission had gone well, his Master's plans continued apace and soon, oh so very soon, he would no longer need to hide. Soon, he would have his revenge.

-oOoOo-

Hermione was nearly buried in books. Tomes of all sizes and ages surrounded her, filling not only the desk that she was working at, but also one of the chairs beside her. A notepad was by her hand, ready to record the most pertinent and important information. And a host of parchment and scrolls in front of her guided her study.