New Beginnings

Chapter 2

Voldemort sat on his throne, watching his death eaters make up stupid excuses as to why they didn't join him in the graveyard.

Truth be told, he only summoned those most loyal last time round, but making his followers sweat was always fun. He wouldn't curse them, not yet, believing only in punishment where it was deserved. Something he'd clearly forgotten towards the end of his stint as Dark Lord.

This time round he was saner and, thankfully, smarter. Able to see where he went wrong and what he needed to fix from the damage caused in his insanity.

At some point during the meeting he'd been lightly skimming the minds of his followers. Nothing was particularly interesting, mundane things or ways to kiss up to him, until he hit mini-Malfoy. The younger blonde was busy thinking about Harry Potter and the events that had happened on the Hogwarts Express.

A small flame was born in mini-Malfoy's mind, that maybe there was more to the Chosen One than a Hero complex and sassy remarks about teachers, (Voldemort was going to lord the 'no need to call me sir' comment over Snape's head for eternity). If Potter was truly dubious on which side to chose Voldemort would need to make the Dark appeal to him. Spelling the child to join him was an amusing idea, but corrupting him would be much more entertaining.

First he needed to find out what after effects came with using Potter's blood.

Then he needed the address.

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Meanwhile...

Dumbledore sat behind his desk, wizened fingertips under his chin as he conveyed the appearance of a wise elder. Someone to look up to.

The Weasleys were seated in front of him, going on and on about existing plans instead of what could be done past that. The youngest one in particular was trying to argue against being betrothed to his weapon, somehow thinking she had an opinion in this. That he hadn't spent years planning for this moment and every single event to come.

Although, if it hadn't been for the cursed life debt he owed to Molly Weasley, he would've happily had his weapon killed immediately after destroying Voldemort and then Dumbledore could come out the ultimate victor. The power gained through the glory of being victor and not meaningless violent acts like Voldemort would have him marked down for centuries, solidifying his power over generations.

That was only if he couldn't find Flamel. Find the alchemist and the Philosophers stone would be his, not the cheap copy from three years ago. That thing had been lure Voldemort and test his weapon properly, but the stone had been utterly useless beyond bait.

There was the brief wonder if Death Eater meetings were similar to this. Tiring and utterly draining. After all, there were only so many evil plans that could be made.

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A shorter chapter I know, but I wanted to do switch Povs to Dumbledore and Voldemort before going back to Harry.