Harry Potter and the War of the Wands

Harry Potter and the War of the Wands

By Kung Fu Monkey

Chapter 1 - The Faithful Servant

The Dark Mark on Severus Snape's left arm was burning black and the Dark Lord was an impatient master. Unable to sleep in any case, he climbed immediately out of bed and dressed quickly in his Death Eater robes and hood and stepped out into the crisp night air. He had enchanted his current dwelling - a less than comfortable shack in the middle of nowhere - to prevent any unwelcome visitors from apparating straight into his bedroom and exacting revenge while he slept. Once outside he spun on the spot and with a flourish of his cloak, disapparated.

He reappeared in a forest clearing where sinister dark trees loomed ominously above him. Many hooded figures surrounded him in a vast circle, all of whom appeared to be awaiting his attendance. The chill of the wind through the trees prompted Snape to draw his cloak more tightly around him.

"Ah, my dear Severus," said Voldemort immediately on Snape's arrival in the circle. "So glad you could be present at this little gathering." Snape bowed to the Dark Lord and joined the rest of the group. Turning away from the new arrival, Voldemort rose to full height and addressed the circle of devoted Death Eaters.

"My friends, look upon my loyal subject and do him honour," Voldemort began. "I am aware that many of you were insecure with the trust I had placed in him, but the service he has provided me has proven his worth." The Death Eaters murmured their agreement. By the dim moonlight a slight sneer could be seen on Snape's face at this assent. He knew none of them would dare challenge the Dark Lord's statement.

Voldemort paced slowly around the circle, eyeing each of his army in turn.

"The reason I have summoned you all here is obvious. The champion of Muggles and Mudbloods, Albus Dumbledore, is finally no more!" Voldemort pronounced this with relish. "It has taken some time to finally rid myself of this tiresome burden but now that it has been removed my plans will flourish without encumbrance. My enemies will tremble before me as the wizarding world falls to its knees to pay homage to me!" The circle of Death Eaters began to cheer but Voldemort raised his hand and silence fell immediately.

"Wormtail! Bring the boy forward," hissed Voldemort softly. His red eyes gleamed eerily in the shadow of his hood. From out-with the circle, Peter Pettigrew emerged, pushing in front of him a young man also dressed in Death Eater robes. The boy's steps faltered and he seemed reluctant to move into the centre of the ring, as though he already suspected what was going to happen. They stopped directly in front of Voldemort and Wormtail placed a silver hand on the boy's shoulder and forced him onto his knees.

"Death Eaters, the boy you see in front of you was a most instrumental tool in Dumbledore's downfall." Again, the circle cheered. "However!" hissed Voldemort; the rabble quieted once more. "His nerve failed before he completed the task I had most graciously assigned him!" The young mans head hung down and if his face could be seen, a single tear rolling down his cheek would have betrayed his emotions.

"Draco," said Voldemort, addressing the kneeling figure. "You should know I do not tolerate disobedience!" The words escaped Voldemort like the hissing of a snake. "You had the opportunity to destroy a particularly challenging obstacle to my plans and yet you hesitated, according to your fellow Death Eaters."

"CRUCIO!" Voldemort suddenly raised his wand and Draco Malfoy howled in agony. The white hot pain of the curse ran through his body causing him to shake violently and claw the dirt with his fingernails. The wand lowered and the pain disappeared leaving Draco panting on the ground.

"Please Master, forgive me!" sobbed Draco. He dragged himself back onto his knees. "I would have done it, I swear I would have! Before the others burst in I was just about to finish him" His sleek blonde hair was hanging lank around his face, there was sweat dripping from his brow.

"Silence!" whispered Voldemort menacingly. He moved closer to Draco and placed a long fingered hand on his head as he looked down at the cowering boy who shuddered at the cold touch. "You are young and have much to learn, but realise that the mercy of Lord Voldemort is not to be tested!" Voldemort raised his wand once more and the pain shot through Draco as before, making him scream. He felt as though the very blood coursing through his veins was on fire but then as suddenly as it began, the pain was gone. Voldemort raised his head to the other Death Eaters. "Young Master Malfoy here has proved useful in the past and therefore he has been given a reprieve," said Voldemort. "However, this reprieve will prove short lived if he dares disobey me once more."

Wormtail stepped forward once more and dragged the boy to his feet and guided him to a space in the circle. The Death Eaters now murmured amongst themselves, as Voldemort signalled to Snape to come forward. He swept from the circle and knelt before Voldemort, who, with a casual flick of his wand, had conjured himself a magnificent throne to sit in. Snape bowed his dirty greasy head in respect. The wind had gotten colder and was now biting at him till he was almost shivering.

"Yes, my Lord?" said Snape in a low voice which was steady in spite of the cold. He deliberately avoided looking directly into Voldemort's yellow cat-like eyes but he could still feel the malevolence in him. It was pure evil and was emanating from every inch of his skeletal thin body.

"Severus, your service of late has pleased me," Voldemort said. His thin lips curled into what could not possibly have been considered a smile but merely an attempt at one. "If you continue in this vein you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams." He waited for some display of gratitude from Snape, but receiving none, continued. "Over the coming months you will be entrusted with various... 'tasks' which I expect to be completed efficiently and without question. From the assembled Death Eaters, you will select a group, who you will command on my behalf and who will accompany you on any mission you are assigned. Be aware that failure will not be tolerated and that you will be responsible for your entire group. Therefore, I would advise you choose carefully," he hissed, his red eyes gleaming.

"I will my Lord," Snape replied silkily. "I am honoured to be able to serve you." As he resumed his place in the circle, Voldemort rose from his chair and called the gathering to an end. With a flash, he disappeared from the clearing and the rest of the Death Eaters, Snape included, followed suit.

Miles and miles away in a sleepy suburb of Surrey, Harry James Potter awoke with a start.