Poison Ivy | T. Riddle ✔

[61] Threatening Demand

Since the Whitburgs and Perseus had taken up Dumbledore's offer to join the Order, their current hideout was transformed into the Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, the protections and enchantments around it had been strengthened and the anti Dark Arts organization worked with zeal to eradicate the evil hanging over them.

Perseus and Nathan also took an active part in the Order missions, going undercover to track out the activities of the Death Eaters and helping out the poor victims that were targeted by Voldemort.

Eridanus too had joined the Order soon as he came to know of it, eager to take part in standing up against the evil his own father had concocted. 

With the passage of time, the organization which had started with merely five members, grew in number as more and more witches and wizards joined. Fresh graduates from Hogwarts were also encouraged to join, handpicked by Dumbledore himself. And in that way, the Order discovered some of its youngest but most valuable members.

And while the Whitburgs' hideout was used as a Headquarter for the Order, the Malfoy Manor was turned into one for Voldemort and his allies.

After the terrible deal Abraxas had to make with Voldemort in order to save his family from a harsh death, he had been bound completely to Voldemort's orders, having to abide by his every whim and desire, no matter how repulsing it seemed to his own self.

And as a repercussion of that deal, his son Lucius Malfoy too was bound to serve Lord Voldemort, being entrapped in the same chains that his father wished to break out of but couldn't.

After the commotion caused at the forest due to Eridanus's unexpected presence in the Death Eater meeting that was supposed to be held there and the aftermath that had resulted in making the school authorities even more alert, Voldemort had been beside himself with rage.

His plan to infiltrate the school had crumbled to ashes and he blamed Lucius Malfoy for that. No wonder, Bellatrix had given him a rather exaggerated account of all that had passed and as a consequence, Lucius was supposed to receive the sharper edge of the blade for it.

But the main cause to Voldemort's fury was discovering that his own son, Eridanus, had stood up to him once again and vowed never to let him succeed. He couldn't help but get outraged at the bitter irony of it all that his flesh and blood, his son, was so adamant to bring his demise.

He knew very well that Eridanus was far different from others of his age, he had a fire coursing through his veins that could be dangerous if provoked and yet how valuable he could have been to him if only he had chosen the path of his own father.

Contrarily though, Eridanus had chosen the path of an Auror and was standing at the front line of the side that was against Voldemort. His own son was standing against him in that war, among people upon whom he had inflicted his wrath.

"So you are telling me that Eridanus joined a Death Eater meeting, threatened to blow your cover and you simply left? Ran off like cowards? Like the stinking mice that prowl around the streets, vermin nonetheless, running for their lives when a minor threat lurks around? Pathetic... Cowardly... Repulsing... Such behavior is unacceptable!"

Bellatrix spoke up though her voice was trembling, "my Lord, your wrath is justified but Lucius insisted that we did not provoke the boy further."

"Provoke? Is he something to be afraid of when you serve under me?" Red irises narrowed into slits as his piercing gaze bored into Lucius, "is he a threat menacing enough when you have the Dark Mark on your arms signifying your allegiance to the greatest Dark Wizard in the history of wizardkind?"

"My Lord, he has abilities that are sinister to say the least," Rodolphus answered knowing full well that Lucius was having trouble articulating his words even, "a halo of mysterious energy had gathered around him back then. We all saw with our very eyes, it was almost as if he was lit up on flames but not getting burnt."

He paused for a while at those words, contemplating it all thoroughly. And even though it had been years since he had last laid eyes on Eridanus himself, he could vividly recall his outburst at the Malfoy Manor when Riddle had spiraled out of control and had almost hurt Demelza.

The account given by Rodolphus Lestrange had been hauntingly similar to how he had himself witnessed a very young Eridanus burning in anger years ago.

"Bring me the boy," his voice thundered and Lucius gulped, fear digging its claws deep into his heart, "bring Eridanus here as soon as possible or else the consequences will be devastating for you all."

"But My Lord..."

"Silence!" Voldemort's fist collided with the wall, his pale features burning in rage, "I have been tolerant enough to you blundering idiots, but no more. My patience has waned out and I want the boy here alive in as less time as possible. Do you hear me?"

 "Yes, my Lord," the three of them bowed down their heads before backing off.

"And you, Lucius," his commanding voice stilled Lucius to his very spot, "next time if you dare put your own decisions above how I have ordered, then your precious family will rest underneath the ground and not above."

He stuttered, "yes... Yes, my Lord. I will not disappoint you again."

"You better keep that in mind if you want Abraxas and Aquila to live," he sneered, "for in the other case it will be extremely easy for me to get rid of the three of you. And good riddance it will be for all you three have caused me is failure."

His features were ashen and pale blue eyes were struggling in conflict; he valued his parents' safety above all and in order to ensure that no harm came to them, he had to do exactly as the Dark Lord ordered him to.

"You will personally see to it that Eridanus is brought here by any means necessary," his threatening voice had dropped low to a menacing whisper, "the time has come to assess whether blood is thicker than water or whether the cause of inconvenience should be put to death instead."

"As you say, my Lord," Lucius bowed his head though he was near trembling in fear. He knew well that Eridanus was in terrible danger, due to the order which Voldemort had given just then, he was sure to get abducted and brought to their Headquarters at the Malfoy Manor.

And that once Lucius would not be able to save Danny or even take his side partially, unlike how he had done so earlier in the Forbidden Forest.

It was almost as if Voldemort had issued a death warrant for his own son. The only difference was that no one else would be allowed to hurt Eridanus other than Lord Voldemort himself. 

And judging by the wrath that coursed through his master's veins, Lucius knew well that he wasn't going to be anywhere near lenient, not even by knowing that Eridanus was his own flesh and blood. While all he could do was hope that Danny avoided capture because if the boy was brought there, he would no doubt meet a terrible end.

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