Watching

We all bow low before him as he enters the hall. One by one, we crawl forward to kiss the hem of his robes. They are black with silver snakes around the hem.

When the Greeting is finished, we kneel and he sits on his thrown. We are all masked and hidden from each other, but I know Draco is on my left, and my father on my left. I don't even know the names of many of the people in this room.

"What news from Dumbledore," Master asks my father. My father, the Spy, I couldn't be prouder. I love it.

"Nothing has changed, my Lord," he answers. "He is still looking for people to help in his precious Order."

The Order of the Phoenix is the only threat to my Lord's rise in power. Well, that and Harry Potter.

"Does he not think I am a threat?" he asked outraged. "Does he truly believe I will do nothing?"

"Yes, Master," my father answered.

"Mab," he said harshly.

I nearly jumped. This was highly unexpected, as he never talked to me. He used the name he gave me when he burned the Mark into my arm. He gave us all a name when he made us Death Eaters. Only he knew who we were. He called me Queen Mab, I don't know why.

"Yes, Master?" I asked slightly afraid of him.

"You are the sister of one Harry Potter, are you not?"

"Yes, Master," I answered.

"Does he know?"

"Yes, Master."

"Come here, Mab."

I crawled to him, making sure that I kept both eyes on the floor in front of me. I stopped only when I saw the snake on the floor that was in place to tell us when to stop. The Dark Lord seldom let us look up at him and this was no exception.

"Stand and look at me," he requested.

Okay, this is an exception.

I obeyed, seeing Him for the first time.

He was hideously beautiful. His red eyes glowed with and inner fire, he radiated intelligence, he gave off an aura of power. Seeing him, I could not understand how so many thought this being cruel, evil, and sadistic. He seemed too beautiful to be evil.

"Do I frighten you," he asked softly.

How do I answer? The truth? He does not frighten me. Yet all of those Death Eaters that are waiting with bated breath behind me are expecting me to say that he does.

"Answer me truthfully," he requested in the same soft voice.

"No," I answered just as softly. It was as if he knew what I was thinking and if that was so, how could I lie to him?

He tilted his head to the side. "No," he asked, still nearly whispering. "Why?"

I told him. I told him how I saw him, his frightful beauty, his radiated intelligence, his aura of power. I'd forgotten the other Death Eaters.

"Take off your mask," he requested when I was through with my speech.

I obeyed, causing some of my black hair to fall into my face.

He reached a long, slender, cold white hand to brush the hair out of my face. My anger flared instantly, but I controlled it. It does not do well to be angry with your master. In this world, that can get you killed. This was my Dark Lord, my Master. Who am I to tell him no?

"I've angered you," he stated.

How does he know these things? How does he know what I am thinking?

"You don't allow others to touch you without permission. Your name fits you well. The war goddess had the same attitude, the same values. You have my respect, and I envy the one you allow to touch you.

"I have a job for you, Mab," he said changing the subject. "As Harry Potter's sister, you give us an advantage. I am going to ask of you something similar to what I asked of your mother. You can deliver me Harry Potter. Get close to him, and then get him away from Hogwarts. Bring him to me."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Do not fail me."

"I will not fail, my Lord."

He left us then, ending the meeting.