If Hogwarts had a cold climate but a warm atmosphere, Malfoy Manor was not much different; both were equally icy.
Voldemort called for an early meeting of the Death Eaters and gathered them from their warm chambers.
The Malfoy Manor's hall remained as luxurious as ever. Hundreds of candles adorned the chandelier, burning silently. The fire in the hall's fireplace blazed fiercely, making people sweat from the heat.
However, for many, it was difficult to distinguish whether the sweat running down their bodies was cold or hot.
The origin of all this sat in the head chair: the noseless man. His face was even paler than usual, and his eyes were filled with an intense red color. His casual movement exposed his burned left hand, which resembled a tree charred by fire. At a glance, it seemed irreparable.
Although some found this unusual, the Death Eaters remained submissive, avoiding looking at the charred hand.
Lucius Malfoy, the owner of the mansion, had been relocated from the seat of honor to the end of the table, next to Peter Pettigrew.
This pure-blood aristocrat who once dominated the wizarding world now looked old and unkempt. His skin lacked luster, his hair was no longer as smooth, and its ends were frayed.
Finally, Voldemort "forgave" Lucius. After a night of reflection in his own dungeon, Voldemort was lenient and spared him, though the price was being excluded from the inner circle of the Death Eaters.
A Death Eater's status was determined by their proximity to Voldemort during the "meetings." The closer, the higher the status. However, after Lucius was deposed, his seat was not filled by anyone else; Voldemort deliberately left it empty.
The present Death Eaters eagerly awaited their lord's words. They had all heard rumors and knew their leader was furious.
The Ministry of Magic had only announced that dark wizards had attacked Azkaban, without mentioning Voldemort at all. But those present knew that only Voldemort would have the courage and ability to launch such an attack. Who else could have faced the Dementors?
Voldemort did not keep his followers waiting for long, and shortly after everyone had taken their seats, he began to speak.
"You must have heard that I failed at Azkaban." Upon hearing Voldemort begin like this, all the Death Eaters lowered their heads, not daring to utter a word.
"I do not deny this. The Great Voldemort has no reason to disguise anything, and Dumbledore, his assistants, and the King of the Dementors are admirable opponents. I admit their skill."
"In the end, I did not achieve my goal of freeing my loyal servants, but Dumbledore also lost one of his important assistants." Voldemort spoke calmly, but between his tranquil words, the Death Eaters could perceive his relentless anger.
For Voldemort, the confrontation at Azkaban was not a complete defeat but a draw. The Death Eaters present thought that Voldemort had fought against three enemies and emerged from Dumbledore's ambush with a small cost, having managed to kill one of them.
However, some Death Eaters who were more familiar with the Ministry of Magic were confused: Was Dumbledore's assistant really Dolores Umbridge? She seemed too reserved to possess such magical ability! According to Voldemort, Umbridge's weather spell was astonishingly powerful.
Some of the Death Eaters instinctively felt that something was amiss, but they dared not speak.
After restoring his honor, Voldemort began to attend to the internal affairs of the Death Eaters.
"Lucius!"
Lucius Malfoy trembled when he heard his name and straightened up to look solemnly at Voldemort, at the other end of the long table, waiting for his instructions.
"How is the progress of your son's mission?" Voldemort asked a question that made Lucius's hairs stand on end. He knew that his son's progress was practically nonexistent, but in front of Voldemort, he couldn't give that answer. If he angered Voldemort, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"The mission is progressing in an orderly manner. Draco has already had contact with Tom Yodel," Lucius replied, trying to make it sound good.
Voldemort nodded without delving further into that topic.
"Maintain contact with Tom Yodel and ensure his incorporation into our group as soon as possible." Voldemort paused, looking at Lucius playfully, as if he had something important to say.
Lucius tensed; he knew the worst was coming, Voldemort was about to punish him for losing the diary.
"I hope Draco Malfoy can find the opportunity to kill Dumbledore."
Voldemort uttered a surprising sentence, leaving Lucius paralyzed in his seat.
"Kill... Dumbledore?" Lucius doubted his ears.
Voldemort nodded. He needed an opportunity to distract Dumbledore, and Lucius's son could be a useful pawn.
Voldemort didn't even consider the possibility of the mission being successful. He just needed Draco Malfoy to draw Dumbledore's attention to gain some time and protect his plans.
"My lord, Draco is just a child..." Lucius was on the verge of kneeling before Voldemort. How could a child like Draco succeed in killing Dumbledore? With his level of magic, he couldn't even break through Dumbledore's defenses.
It was an impossible task!
"This is my order." Voldemort's words left Lucius desperate. He could feel the gazes of the other Death Eaters, some gloating, others compassionate.
Lucius kept his mouth shut.
"If the mission is exceptionally completed, you may reclaim this seat." Voldemort pointed to the empty seat beside him, tempting him with the possibility of regaining his position.
"But for now, someone is occupying that place. Enter, my most loyal servant." Voldemort raised his hand, and the door of Malfoy Manor's hall opened, revealing a figure in the doorway.
The Death Eaters looked on in amazement: the person who appeared at the door was none other than Bellatrix Lestrange, Voldemort's most loyal and insane servant.
She had returned from Azkaban.