A handsome man with a noble bearing strolled through a delicate garden adorned with intricately carved marble serpents and a grand banner of his ancestral house, Salazar Slytherin, at its center. The man appeared lost in deep thought, his bright red eyes contemplative as they surveyed the decor, yet his focus remained on his own musings.
Things were becoming even more vexing than they already were. One particular matter was causing disruption: the Wolf Shepherd, as they called him. His ranks of Death Eaters had suffered massive losses and were currently struggling, though manageable as long as there were resources to sustain troop recruitment and hire wizard mercenaries. After all, there were plenty of fools willing to perform certain tasks for a meager amount of gold galleons. However, one of his most significant financial sources had been abruptly taken away from him.
His steps led him to the center of the garden where moonlight glistened off silver statues of serpents, their eyes seemingly judging him, as if demanding great deeds. He proceeded to the center, where a marble table and finely adorned chairs made of Muggle leather were arranged. He sat down, finding the seat comfortable. It was as if he could hear the muffled cries of the Muggle who had generously donated the leather for decoration. The leather, expertly treated with magical methods, seemed to conform to him, providing enhanced comfort. Letting out a sigh, he gazed at the large silver moon in the sky and called, "Zhpa, come here."
In a few moments, after being summoned, a disheveled house elf appeared with a pop. "The master, the Dark Lord called... Zhpa?" He nervously inquired of the man before him.
"Dim-witted house elf, prepare me a proper tea," he requested, disdain flashing in his eyes as he regarded the elf. The creature was highly expressive with its enormous eyes and ears, and diminutive stature. They were intriguing beings, no doubt, but to him, they were merely useful servant creatures, nothing more.
Zhpa tightly pulled down his large ears in fear and answered, "Zhpa will bring tea... to the master... Dark Lord," before vanishing with a pop.
As he waited, he drew his wand and pressed, sending a message to one of his servants: "Severus Snape, come." The Malfoy situation needed to be addressed personally.
Severus promptly responded to his master's summons and Apparated nearby with a pop. Swiftly, he noted the intricately carved serpents, heavily enchanted with protective spells; their shining silver eyes seemed to judge him, hinting that any disrespect to the man before him would result in death. "You called for me, my Lord Voldemort?"
"Good of you to come, Severus. We have much to discuss," Voldemort said with a gentle smile, indicating one of the leather chairs. "Sit, Severus, Zhpa is preparing a fine tea."
Severus made his way to the intricately adorned seat and sat down calmly, but a sudden wave of agony and sorrow washed over him. His spine shivered, and he swallowed hard. An aura of pain, misery, and damnation seemed to emanate from that seat, a dark magical artifact that exceeded the bounds of cruelty. Despite understanding the horror it exuded, Snape mustered his courage and sat. He knew what fate awaited those who defied the man before him.
"Comfortable, Severus?" Voldemort inquired as he observed Snape's visibly pallid complexion.
Before Snape could begin to respond, the elf finally returned with a pop. He brought with him an elegantly designed teapot and delicate porcelain cups, serving a single cup and handing it to Voldemort. "Zhpa brought tea... for the master, Dark Lord," he said, behaving so his eyes were lowered, avoiding direct eye contact with the master.
Voldemort gracefully enveloped the delicate porcelain cup and savored its distinctive aroma. He closed his eyes, focusing on the scent, detecting a subtle sweetness. Then, he took a sip with finesse. The delicate flavor of the tea slid over his tongue, gracing every taste bud with fruity notes and mild floral undertones.
"Darjeeling Tea... fitting, Zhpa," he commented. He then redirected his attention to Severus and asked gently, "Would you like a cup, Severus?"
"No, thank you!" Severus replied, clearly uneasy. He wasn't in the mood to enjoy any food or drink, especially while sitting in that chair.
"Very well, you may leave, Zhpa," he said dismissively.
Voldemort turned his eyes back to Severus, probing his mental defenses. They were as impressive as ever, and he realized that Severus wouldn't easily yield his defenses. Thus, he provocatively said, "Impressive mental defenses, Severus."
Severus, highly uncomfortable and feeling cornered, tried to deflect in some way. "Your guidance has helped me enhance them, though I believe we are here to discuss the Malfoy Case?" He maintained a carefully impassive expression.
"As you must know, I have received recent news of the events concerning Malfoy, one of our most dedicated supporters," Voldemort paused, taking another sip of the tea, which seemed to calm his spirits. With a soft voice, he continued, "It is of utmost importance that we deliver justice to the Malfoy member."
Severus pondered Voldemort's words and couldn't help but furrow his brow. Lucius Malfoy was one of his closest "friends," having even served as the godfather of his son, Draco. Lucius was imprisoned in Azkaban, memoryless, and his arrest had uncovered incriminating documents linking him to Voldemort's factions. The Dark Lord was far from pleased. He needed to tread carefully, yet he couldn't withhold anything, as falsehoods would be detected.
"I understand, my Lord, and I believe I can help clarify some of the events," Severus Snape took a deep breath, calming his nerves, and continued, "Shortly before the incident, three days ago, Lucius sought my assistance to brew a Memory Potion for his wife, Narcissa. I believe his memory had been erased due to the same potion, though I don't comprehend how it occurred."
Voldemort considered this, magically sensing if everything he said was true. Additionally, he compared the information with what he had already uncovered and inquired, "Does this align with my information. Was Lucius preparing for a ritual involving something shared by our friend Avery!"
Voldemort waved his wand toward the dungeons of his residence. "Accio, Avery." The man came floating, restrained and immobile, toward him and Snape. Then, he asked, "Do you know of Malfoy's interests, Snape?"
Severus observed his other "friend," Avery, nearby in a sorry state that indicated he had endured a period of brutal torture. Furthermore, he noted Voldemort's shift in tone, addressing him by the name he disliked due to its connection with his father, Snape. He was treading on thin ice here.
"Yes, my Lord, I spoke with Lucius about it. He was dissatisfied with Draco's magical nature, as he deemed it too weak. Lucius suggested a ritual that could rectify the issue, but as we know, such a ritual would be costly."
Voldemort interrupted, saying, "Yes, a sacrificial ritual." It made perfect sense. "I believe he would sacrifice his eldest daughter for it, which conflicted with Narcissa's interests. Lord Avery, kindly share the ingredient list."
Turning his attention back to the man floating nearby, Voldemort said, "Apologies, Lord Avery. Finite Incantatem."
The magic that kept Avery immobilized was canceled, causing him to plummet to the ground abruptly. He then looked up, meeting Voldemort's shining red eyes. His body trembled with fear, and his voice wouldn't escape his throat, sinking him deeper into despair.
Voldemort, realizing the servant's futility, employed Legilimency on him. "I see... Avesa root, purification salts, phoenix feather, blood of... And an animal for sacrifice, a unicorn."
Seeing no further use for Avery, he decreed, "Lord Avery, you know what you've done wrong. You betrayed the cause's trust, denied our purpose, and betrayed us, disclosing secret locations to our enemies, resulting in the downfall of many of our cause's followers. I sentence you to death, Avada Kedavra." He concluded with a soft voice, as if he weren't ending a life, and a faint spontaneous smile indicated his satisfaction with the act.
The Killing Curse struck Avery like lightning, killing him instantly in a swift and lethal manner. This left Severus even more tense.
Voldemort returned his focus to the tea and took a generous sip, relishing the rich flavor. As he calmed himself, he turned to Severus. "We know what happened. The ritual failed, and he lost his magic in the process. This leaves us with the question: how did this happen? What do you think, Severus?"
Severus, who had barely recovered from the shock of witnessing one of his school friends, someone he had shared a dormitory with, being murdered before his eyes, was momentarily in shock.
Voldemort, noting Severus's inaction, commented, "He betrayed our cause, Snape. It was necessary. Are you dissatisfied?"
Severus, snapping out of his shock-induced fear, quickly replied, "No, my Lord, it is perfectly understandable. Your judgment was just!" Severus spoke, his demeanor altered. Even Occlumency couldn't alleviate the weight of seeing a close friend being murdered right before him. "Regarding your question, my Lord, Narcissa clearly received external help, likely from a powerful individual."
Voldemort smiled and poured a second cup of Darjeeling tea, handing it to Severus with delicate gestures. "Take a sip, Severus. It will make you feel better, and it's good tea," he said, satisfied with his servant for reining in his impulses. He had plans for Severus, but first things first. "I want you to find Narcissa and the responsible party, using any necessary means."
Severus accepted the tea this time and responded, "It shall be done, my Lord." He then returned to savoring the tea, which was at a pleasant temperature thanks to the magic of the teapot.