Son Of Riddle

Chapter Twenty-Eight - Rodolphus in the flesh

  Riddle tentatively knocked on the expansive front door, bracing himself for any death eater to decide they weren't friendly.
  They waited in excruciating silence for a what seemed like minutes until a squat little man who wouldn't have seemed menacing if not for his the  snake tattoo on his left forearm and a facial expression that looked like he had been through war, and then some, answered the door.
The quartet stood in shock as he waited impatiently for an answer.
"I presume this is the place where we can find Rodolphus Lestrange...?" James said, hoping that would be enough for the death eater to know what he was there for. He didn't want to accidentally say something Rodolphus hadn't shared and give them away.
  The death eater studied them for a moment.
The quartet breathed a sigh of relief as he opened the door more fully and ushered them inside.
The inside of the mansion was even more vast than the outside, with a crystal chandelier hanging from the living room ceiling. Candles were floating here and there, very similar to the candles in Hogwarts, and the floors were covered in expensive looking carpets.
The death eater led them to a room that was filled with very dim cadlelight and a group of hooded figures were gathering around one non-hooded figure.
He motioned for them to get inside, all without saying a word, and he closed the door behind them as they walked in, cautious. They put their hoods up so as not to stand out, and walked closer to the figure in the middle in order to hear what he was saying. Though it was fairly dark in the room, James could see the figure's face, and his own face crumpled with disgust. Rodolphus hadn't changed much in the past 30 years, but he was definetly the same Rodolphus. He was tall and painfully skinny, that was obvious even from beneath his robes. His cheekbones were high, the shadows of the dark room rested on his cheeks and in his sunken eyes, giving him a ghostly appearance.
"-And I presume that's why you're all here." He appeared to have just finished speaking. "Those of you who'll follow us, you'll be promised as much power and luxury as your heart desires...but it does come at a price."
The hooded figures all burst into whispers, though none of the quartet could actually hear any of the words that were being spoken.
Throughout the whispers, no one else seemed to notice a small figure creep slowly inside the room as if invisible, whisper something to Rodolphus, and scurry out, as quietly as he came.
"Do you think we've been found out...?" Benjamin asked the others.
James was quiet, as if analyzing the situation. "I don't think so." He finally said. 
"It comes at the price..." The Rodolphus more loudly, speaking over the whispers. "Of merely your unconditional loyalty. You must follow this cause with your entire being, or you will be cast out and..well...the last person to double cross the dark lord didn't make it back home alive."
About half the audience audibly gulped.
"You may talk amongst yourselves, for I must step out for a moment. Be sure to let me know your descision before the day is out."He said. He walked hastily through the crowd and out the door.
"Should we follow him?" Adam asked.
"It's the best opportunity we'll have to confront him away from these poor people." James said. They all quietly slipped out, trying to remain unseen.
They followed Rodolphus down a dark hallway, and ducked behind a wall as he turned into a room and loudly shut the door behind him.
The quartet creeped up behind the door and listened carefully to what was being said.
"That's impossible!" Rodolphus was saying. "It's been 30 years!"
James bristled. He had a feeling he knew what this conversation was about.
"That's just what I saw, sir." Another voice said. "And he wasn't alone either."
"Bah! Even if it is he, I can deal with a bunch of brats."
"I don't know sir...If he is as powerful as you described..." The voice trailed off, as if imagining what kind of battle would ensue should Rodolphus try to duel this mystery person he was talking about.
"He is still a child." Rodolphus argued. He sounded like he had had this conversation before, and was getting tired of it. "I can deal with a child. I served under the might of The Great One for years! What is a child compared to me? Do not bother me with such news again, Blaise."
"Yes sir..."
Rodolphus slammed the door open with such force, a painting fell off the wall next to the door. The quartet scrambled out of sight as he walked back down the hall.
They looked at each other, fearful. It was now or never, and they all knew it.
James stood up. "Rodolphus." He called after the man. His voice carried throughout the hall and Rodolphus stopped in his tracks.
He turned around slowly, a small smirk forming on his face as he turned. "Well well...so the rumors are true."
James grinned and bowed. "Afraid so."
"What is it you want?" Rodolphus asked, trying to appear patient.
"I want" James started carefully. "To join your cause"
Rodolphus rasied an eyebrow, skeptical. "You want to become a death eater? That seems so unlike you...you were so determined to be your own person, all those years ago."
"I have...had some years to reflect." James said calmly. "And after being ridiculed and in other ways descriminated against during my time at Hogwarts, I have decided that perhaps my father's work was not...quite as bad as I had otherwise thought."
"And the others with you?" Rodolphus asked. "Why should they follow you?"
"Simply others who would like to join for their own reasons. Surely, you can't refuse having the sons of Voldemort and Harry Potter on your side?" James said.
Rodolphus nodded, as if considering them. "Yes, quite...and I sense the girl is a werewolf, that too could be quite...helpful. And the small boy with you...I can sense great power coming from him...yes you four would be quite useful pawns..."
"So you'll let us join?" James asked. He glanced at his friends. Benjamin looked nervous as to how anyone could sense his power, and Lucy's left ear was twitching. Adam stood right beside him, and appeared as unafraid, but if you looked closely enough, his pupils were dilated and James sense it had nothing to do with the dim light.
Rodolphus thought for a moment. A shadow crossed his face and his hand fell to his side and rested in his wand. "You would be worthy allies...if only you weren't spouting lies."
James swiftly moved into a defensive stance. "How do you figure we're lying?"
"Well, first, there's your stance. If you're trying to keep up a lie, you'd best act like it." He sneered. "And then there's Minerva...She could've had all the power in the world, but she chose to give it up to protect her puny little school."
"Wait, wait..." Adam choked. "Minerva...McGonnagle?"
"Oh yes, she walked away from this cause, and I promised her then and there that she would be sorry...looks like she'll pay by losing her most prized students." He drew his wand.
James waited to draw his, studying Rodolphus carefully. "You would lose the son of Voldemort as an ally...for a grudge?"
Rodolphus bristled. "It's not a grudge, boy. She chose wrong, and she must pay. BLAISE!"
The owner of the second voice they heard in the room came ruuning out, his wand drawn. It was the same wizard who'd interrupted Rodolphus' speech earlier. He was a small pale, and skinny wizard with mousey brown hair, and wild blue eyes. "Yes sir?"
"I have to get back to the recruits. Make sure these four get to the basement without any trouble, will you?"
He didn't wait for an answer, but whipped around with a flourish, his robes twisting and flowing behind him as he walked.
Blaise looked at the quartet cautiously. "Well, come on. I don't have all day." He started walking down the hall.
Adam looked at James with an incredulous expression. "Are we seriously going to follow this guy?"
James nodded. "We have to do what Rodolphus wants, for now at least."
Adam raised his eyebrow.
"Just wait, it's all part of my plan."