His Dark Queen ✅

~ Chapter - 2~ {E}

~ Don't Let Your Past Dictate Who You Are But Let It Be A Lesson That Strengthens The Person You'll Become 

- Unknown ~ 

As Azalea took the portkey back to the arena after their wands disconnected, Voldemort stumbled around with the force the connection broke. He stood silently for a few moments. It wasn't clear from the expression on his face whether he was shocked or angry or even what he was feeling. His face was blank as he stared at his death eaters.

"You are dismissed. Lucius, stay." He commanded them, and they bowed and walked a little away before there were sounds of an apparition.

"My Lord," Lucius said in a tone underlying with question and curiosity. If he had been the man before he became a spirit at the end of the last war, he would have cursed the man.

"I have a question for you, Lucius." The Dark Lord said with an air of nonchalance that wasn't mirrored in his tone or his body the way he was tensed. "What did you do with the diary I gave you to safeguard?" Lucius stilled with fear and paled beyond what should be possible for the already pale blonde. He looked paler than a ghost, with slight tremors that an untrained eye wouldn't notice.

"My Lord, I am sorry." He said and told him the story and how he expected the Diary to reach the unspeakable from whom he was about to get it back. He told him how he was given the destroyed Diary by the headmaster even when he denied any knowledge about it and how he still had it back at the manor even though it was damaged.

"It was a very Grave mistake Lucius but also a great boon. You will be punished for this error in your judgment and or putting an entire school in danger where your son studies along with countless others. You will be punished for going against my orders to guard it with your life and use it for your gains." He spoke evenly with a charm. Lucius was startled to see in his Lord that he didn't see since the war reached its peak, and his Lord lost more and more of... himself. He nodded solemnly.

"Let us proceed." And they walked to the decrepit-looking muggle manor standing alone on the hill, haunted for all intents and purposes, to the muggles living in the village.

The Dark Lord placed his palm against the door, and they opened to an elegant-looking lounge. The contrast between how it looked outside and inside was huge. It was beautiful, elegant, splendid, and rich and had an air of grandeur.

He led Lucius to the study and motioned him to take a seat. "We have much to discuss, Lucius. I am also waiting for Severus to make his report to me. I want you to summon Narcissa once Severus makes his report, and I have a task for her." "Of course, My Lord."

Severus appeared fifteen minutes later to a scene he wouldn't have been able to believe if he didn't see it himself. The Dark Lord was reading a book while Lucius was sitting in the Lord's study, looking comfortable at the fire as he read a book himself.

"My Lord," Severus said as he bowed to him. They put their books down and concentrated on him. "Barty is dead. The Minister had him kissed as soon as he knew who was in the room. Dumbledore had a chance to interrogate him before that, though. He has been rapidly removing subjects from the curriculum with the only protest from Lucius, as he is your only supporter on the Board of Governors. Everyone else had been supporting him in removing the subjects." He stopped and looked thoughtful.

"Go on. What has you so thoughtful and hesitant, Severus?" He asked.

"Azalea Potter. It seems every year she was at Hogwarts; something happened. Dumbledore is testing her, preparing her without letting anyone know. she is so.. naive that she believes in everything anyone has to say, and she follows the headmaster's plan to a 'T' without missing a step without her knowledge." He answered truthfully.