And so it began...

[lk]

The warmth of the summer day still filled the air as the blue sky dimmed and darkened. The Sun was slowly falling beyond the horizon to the East and the Moon began to take shape amongst the stars. It was at this time, inside a rundown and long abandoned London townhouse, that Lucius along with several other Death Eaters gathered. All sat waiting for instructions, orders or even news which the Dark Lord had told them would come.

Lucius sat in the only useable chair which was set next to the large fireplace in the upstairs room of the house. He rhythmically tapped his wand against his leg in an attempt to pass the boredom which had occupied the silent room. No one dared speak, or hardly even move. All could sense something important was about to happen and to speculate, Lucius thought, was 'counter productive'. As the room darkened, Lucius waved his want about him. The few candles dotted around the room lit up giving the room some, albeit petty, illumination.

The silence was suddenly broken as the sound of the front door opening came from downstairs. All inhabitants drew their wands and took position about the room to prepare incase this guest was an unwelcome one. Lucius followed suit by taking cover behind a bookcase which was slumped against a near wall. Footsteps tapped against the stairs followed by several creaking floorboards as the new arrival drew ever nearer. Lucius flicked his wand once more leaving the room in darkness before the door slowly creaked open.

[Bellatrix Black]

Lord Voldemort rose from his chair with a raised brow. He pointed his wand at the cowering figure of Severus Snape and said coldly, "It is not possible. First you barge into my residence and tell me such appalling news and you expect me not to take action. It is indeed impossible." The Dark Lord started moving around Snape, regarding him in silence as he pleaded for Lily Potter's life. Voldemort stopped in front of Severus and ordered him to get up. The Death Eater immediately scrambled to his feet, only to crumble again to the ground as soon as the cruciatus curse hit him fiercely in the chest. After lifting the curse, the Dark Lord said "I chose to follow your advice. Lord Voldemort will wait and if anything goes badly, you will pay Severus."

Snape simple nodded in agreement, not daring to speak or move. Voldemort returned to his chair and added, "Your arm Severus." The death eater stood up and made his way slowly towards his master, with his left arm extended in front of him. Voldemort dug his nails in Snape's flesh as he rolled up his sleeve. The Dark Lord stared at the dark mark, which branded all his followers, for a couple of seconds before pressing his long pale forefinger to it. A sharp pain shot up Severus arm and he cringed, trying to wrench his arm away from Voldemort.

At the exact same time, the others felt the same pain sear through her arms and immediately stopped what they were doing in order to join their master. Two hours later, Bellatrix Lestrange and her husband were still waiting for Lord Voldemort with the other Death Eaters. No one dared complain. Soon enough Severus Snape pushed the door open and barged inside the room. All death eaters automatically pointed their wands at him. Severus looked from one wizard to the other before saying, "He's coming." With that, he darted past them and hurried upstairs to inform the rest.

[lk]

A sense of panic gripped Lucius', as well as most of the others' faces. Snapes words were brief but they had the necessary effect. Immeadiately Lucius set about relighting the room and stood in rank alongside his fellow Death Eaters. His mark still prickled in pain, still feeling the effects of the sudden agony it had encountered several moments before but also in anticipation of its master drawing nearer.

Lucius caught the eyes of several other prominent Death Eaters as he stood to attention. He greeted Bellatrix Lestrange, a long time friend with a respectful nod, as his eyes passed across that of her husband, the Carrows and other followers of the Dark Lord. Snape stood uneasily to his left. A man usually calm and collected now mumbled and plotted to himself and tugged restlessly as the cuffs of his robes. Lucius, although feeling a small amount of pity for his comrade, relished this moment. He had always envied Snape's position as well as his standing in the Dark Lord's favor. "Now, now Severus. Is that any manner in which to greet our leader?". Lucius chose and timed his words so to cause as much damage possible to Snape's ego but in fact, it actually seemed to calm the man.

Momentarily a column of black smoke materialized before the mass of assembled Death Eaters causing all of them to stand up straight and watch intently at the man emerging from it. Voldemort stood elegantly before his subjects in his flowing black robes wearing a cold and unnerving smile.

"My loyal followers...I bring news to you. I have learned that there is a child who has been prophecised as my equal, as my nemesis. This child must be eliminated..." these words caused several pleased mumbles amongst the followers as not only was their adversary a child but they now had their master's permission to wreak havoc once more. Voldemort raised a pale hand to silence the chatter which instantly died away.

"...but not yet. Until I know the true power of this child and until he has been proven as a real threat to me he will remain alive!" The final word of the speech was emphasised in Voldemort's cold yet soft tone. Snape breathed a quiet yet hearty sigh which Lucius picked up on. Lucius' disappointment at the Dark Lord's words were mirrored by most of the others around him. There would be no war, no true victory until the boy was dead yet Lucius, and the rest of his band of sorcerers would be kept lurking in the shadows.

[Bellatrix Black]

As Severus hurried upstairs, Bellatrix stood up from her chair and stared down at her dark mark. She closed her eyes as if savouring the pain while her hand hovered over her left forearm. After a couple of seconds, her eyes shot open and she inhaled deeply. Bellatrix smoothed down the front od her dress and turned to her husband. Bella wasn't pleased to see that he was still seated, therefore she fixed him with a stern look until he finally stood up. Soon enough, the Death Eaters that had been upstairs joined them. Bella caught Lucius's eye and returned his nod with a smile. He was one of the few Death Eaters, she respected.

A smile appeared on her face when she heard him taunting Severus. However, she was disappointed to see that Lucius's words had the opposite effect on Severus. Before she had the time to comment, the Dark Lord made his grand entrance. Bella instantly dropped on one knee as a sign of respect. Many of the others followed suit and none of them stood up until the Dark Lord started making his speech. Bellatrix straightened her back and puffed out her chest as she listened attentively. She raised an eye brow, sure that no child would be able to defeat the Dark Lord.

Death Eaters around her started talking. She simply exchanged a look with Rodolphus and remained silent, believing that she will have the opportunity to share her thoughts with the Dark Lord himself. Once again, silence fell in the room and Bella turned her attention back to Lord Voldemort. Bellatrix gasped loudly and clasped a hand to her chest. She must have misunderstood. It couldn't be possible that the Dark Lord had decided not to take action. She could sense the uneasiness of her companions and finally said boldly, "What will happen in the meantime?"

A death eater at the back snorted loudly and started making his way roughly to the front, "We'll stay hidden like proper well behaved lap dogs. That's what will happen, Bella." He staggered and leaned against Rodolphus, looking obviously drunk. The man hiccoughed loudly and hatsily covered his mouth before looking at Voldemort and adding, "This is madness..." His next words got lost in a scream as he crumpled to the ground writhing in pain. Bellatrix had her wand pointed at him and she looked like she had no intention of lifting the curse.