The night was so dark that day. More muggles had died. More wizards had died. More witches had died. The muggles had no clue of how the death occured. But there in a house at the Spinner’s end, one was aware of the deaths. Severus Snape read the daily prophet to himself.
‘He-who-must-not-be-named didn’t show up last year but we have seen many attacks from last year by the death-eaters, maybe its all just a show made by the death eaters. Albus Dumbledore the Headmaster of Hogwarts was killed last week by none other than a Hogwarts teacher Severus Snape who was once a death-eater himself. “Severus Snape was the teacher most trusted by Albus Dumbledore and we never thought he would betray us”, says Professor Minerva McGonagall the new headmistress of Hogwarts’
Snape read the daily prophet and smiled to himself. He is going to meet the Dark Lord the next day and he is going to be showered with blessings. Draco Malfoy was there along with his mother Narcissa Malfoy. Draco was so pale that night, he had been pale and frightened for the past one week. He couldn’t forget the horrible moment with Dumbledore. Snape however felt happy.
“Excited to be going to meet the dark lord, aren’t you Draco?” , asked Snape
“Yes Professor Snape” replied Malfoy. Indeed it was not true. He didn’t expect to meet the Dark Lord so soon.
“Will the Dark Lord punish my son?” asked Narcissa
“I am afraid so” replied Snape
“Will you stop the Dark Lord from doing so, Severus?” asked Narcissa. She was almost in tears.
“I can’t stop the Dark Lord, Narcissa…”
“Yes you can” interrupted Narcissa.
“We will see tomorrow”.
The next day morning was bright as usual. Malfoy’s face looked more pale in the morning sunlight. He was more worried about meeting the Dark Lord. But he felt bold enough to ask the question “are we not going to meet the Dark Lord?”
“Yes we have to wait for the signal”, replied Snape.
“What signal?”
“Malfoy you are now a death-eater. You have been already told about the signal!”.
“Yes Professor Snape”
“If you can see I am not a teacher anymore. So call me ‘Sir’!”
“Yes sir”
Malfoy waited for what seemed like hours. Then he felt a burning sensation on his left arm. The Dark mark on his right hand was burning. Snape showed signs of glee on his face. He turned to Narcissa for approval and Narcissa nodded.
“Hold one of your hands with mine and the other with your mother!” commanded Snape.
Malfoy did so. The three of them clutched their hands tightly and Snape counted “1”, “2”, and “3” and the world turned upside down for Malfoy. He had already apparated with Snape. He never liked this feeling. The place where they appeared was a spooky place. There were inside a house that was sealed outside the gate. Outside the house was what seemed like garden to Malfoy. No muggles were near the house. Malfoy wondered why. When they entered the door, Malfoy read the sign ‘The Riddle House welcomes you’. Malfoy recognized where they were. He had heard the story from his mother. Narcissa knocked at the door. The door unlocked and they were welcomed by a short, bald headed guy with watery eyes.
“Move aside Peter! Give way!” shouted Snape.
Peter Pettigrew gave a disgusted look and led them inside into an enormous hall. There was a fireplace that had no fire burning. There were ashes in it. Malfoy could see many people standing there, talking to each other. They were Death Eaters and Malfoy for the first time felt happy. There was a sudden pop and Bellatrix Lestrange made her appearance.
“It would have been indeed wiser to knock on the door Bella” Snape beamed at Bellatrix.
Bellatrix gave a fake smile and saw Malfoy “You have made us proud my son!, much like your mother, aren’t you?” Narcissa gave a fake cough at this statement.
“Are you pointing out my husband, Bella?”
“No Cissy.. I was not”
“Yes you were..”
Narcissa stopped talking as did everyone else. The silence was too long to Malfoy. He was about to ask, “Why is this silence?” But his question was answered. He saw a man coming down the staircase which was in the middle of the hall. Malfoy trembled when he saw his face. It was pale blue with red marks. He have never seen a man like this before. He knew who it was. He had Goosebumps all over his body. He never expected to see him that day. Till then he thought it was just a joke. The Dark Lord sat in the only chair that was in the middle of the hall.
“To the Dark Lord who would have already heard this news. Dumbledore is dead my Lord”, said someone.
“Yes I know..” Voldemort hissed. “..and I appreciate the one who did it. You will be rewarded Snape”
Snape gave a bow and said, “Its an honor my Lord”
“It is surprising to see someone who has not done his job making an appearance here”, said Voldemort. This time his voice was a bit sterner than before.
Narcissa caught her son’s shoulders as if he was about to fall on a cliff. Voldemort’s head turned to see Draco.
“You ought to get a reward too, shouldn't you my boy?”
Malfoy couldn’t answer. He didn’t know what to speak.
Narcissa came for his defense, “Please my Lord…he was and is too young to kill”
Voldemort hissed again, “The Betrayal is what I don’t bear Narcissa”
Snape interrupted, “My Lord, he has done a great job. He mended the cabinet to make a passageway for our fellow death-eaters my Lord”.
Voldemort turned to Draco again, “I never expected more from you. But you shall be rewarded”
He beckoned Draco to come to him. Draco didn’t expect this in his life. Narcissa pushed him from behind disheartedly. Draco slowly moved towards the chair whereas everyone was about ten inches away from the chair. Draco moved towards Voldemort. Voldemort gave no expression. He took something from his clothes and picked out a book. The book was thick and dark. Above the book was written: “Dark Spells: Basic and Advance”.
“Learn these spells!” said Voldemort in what sounded more like a command to Draco. Draco moved away as fast as he could.
Voldemort then beckoned Snape to come to him.
“You have indeed done a great honor Snape”, hissed Voldemort. “But I never expected the old man to die so soon”, he added.
“I showed my honors to him my Lord”, said Snape.
“There is something suspicious about his death. Why didn’t the filthy bird come and save him as it did last year when he was inches from his death?” asked Voldemort.
“Victory favored us my Lord”
“What was he upto? Why didn't he counter attack? He can do it with his eyes closed”, Voldemort interrupted giving no expressions.
“I saw two broomsticks..”, shouted Malfoy and looking at the others’ expression added “my Lord”.
Voldemort gave a satisfied expression and asked, “Who was using the other?”
“I don’t know , my Lord” said Malfoy.
“I believe Rosemerta was under the imperius curse. Why didn’t anyone ask her?” said Voldemort with anger dripping from his words.
Everyone trembled. “We had no time to meet her, my Lord. Her imperious curse would have been countered by the ministry by now”, said Snape boldly.
“Yes yes” Voldemort hissed again. He once again placed his hands inside his cloak and pulled out something. It was a blue sphere and glowed everytime. Snape’s eyes gleamed at the new treasure.
“You shall have this as a reward”, said Voldemort again giving no expressions.
“An honor, my Lord.”
Everyone looked amused and shocked.Draco saw Bellatrix and Peter glowing with jealousy. He was sure that the blue sphere was something more special.
“And also I appoint you as the chief of my servants”, said Voldemort this time with a smile.
Snape bowed his head and moved away. He gave a proud look at Bellatrix. Bellatrix however turned away.
Voldemort said, “With Dumbledore gone, Harry will have no mercy” and he laughed.
Peter Pettigrew spoke for the first time unlike others who never spoke, “Why can’t we make him join us, my Lord?”
Voldemort gave a sickening smile. “Your pity for the boy has been growing these days. Feeling so generous these days, aren’t we?”
Peter gave no reply and shook his head.
Draco turned towards Snape who was still looking at the gift he had received.
Bellatrix had a look as if she was betrayed. His mother however felt no more sad. She was happy now and was talking with her fellow death eaters. Draco had still the same thing in his mind , “What is the use of the blue sphere?”
“Dismissed everyone! Let us rise,greater and more powerful than ever before, let us crush the ministry”, Voldemort shouted and added after a pause "We shall vanquish harry from the face of this world,just like we killed Dumbledore"
Everyone shouted, “To the Dark Lord”
Draco had the urgent feeling to leave that place! He couldn’t understand what was going on there! The blue sphere? What does it do?
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