When the Phoenix Cries

Chapter 1: The Meeting of Death

The house was dark when the Dark Lord and Wormtail arrived, causing it to look older and more mysterious than ever before. When the two of them walked into that oh-so-familiar parlour on the second floor, they felt at home immediately. It had been a year since they had taken residence in the Riddle House; Voldemort was now risen, and could walk around freely. "Incarnum Inflamara," he whispered. After a small fire was lit in the hearth, he walked over to the window. Dusk had arrived on the hilltop, but the grounds were still visible. Taking in the sights and landscapes of the outdoor gardens, he realised that they, just like the rest of the manor, had become overgrown and shabby. He smiled with childish delight as he remembered why the gardens were overgrown . . . "Wormtail...come here...and give me your arm..."

"Y-Yes Master," Wormtail stuttered. He walked over to Voldemort, rolling his left sleeve up to his shoulder. Voldemort's finger pressed the mark, making it turn a bright green colour.

"The Death-Eaters and Dementors should be here soon," Voldemort mumbled to himself. "...Yes...They have arrived," he said aloud, smiling. Men in masks were apparating into the room randomly, and when they had all arrived, Voldemort spoke again. "My friends," he said, sitting in an armchair by the fire. "It is good to see you all again. It has been quite a short while since we last met. Three months to be exact.

"As most of you know," Voldemort continued, glaring towards the door, where Snape was standing, "Harry Potter ceased to die during our last meeting, slipping away by a mere lucky chance. Next time, however, he will not get away."

"But Master, how do you plan to carry this out?" Lucius Malfoy asked loudly.

"That, Lucius," Voldemort replied, "will be a surprise for you all." His red eyes glinted with malice. "You will be...quite involved."

The circle of Death-Eaters seemed to tremble with excitement; Dementors nodded their hooded heads.

"Master, what's that sound?" Wormtail said from across the room. He was sitting beside Voldemort's chair, breaking rat bones with his silver hand. Nagini circled him silently.

"Sound? What sound-" Voldemort was interrupted by children's laughter. They were running down the corridor towards the room, like many children before them. "Muggles," he snarled. The Dark Lord stood up suddenly and walked across the room to the door. He pushed Snape as he opened it, and he walked quietly into the hall.

* * *

Who is that? Chris wondered. He had just been playing a little game of tag with Jamie, when a skinny bloke walked into the hall where they were playing.

"Hello Muggles," the man had said. He most certainly didn't look like a man. His red eyes and pointed face made him look like a snake or something. And what was a 'Muggle'?

"Who're you?" Jamie asked slowly.

"Who am I? Oh I'm just wondering who you are, Muggle. What are you doing in an old, rotting house such as this?" He sneered an awful smile, and pulled a long stick out of his odd looking dressing gown. "Imperio" he'd said twice. He and Jamie were immediately pulled into a dreamy state, and the next thing they new, they were inside a large untidy room. The walls were a deep red. There were pictures on the walls as well. Pictures of a man, and what looked like his parents. They stared at the pictures for a moment, but then the man spoke again.

* * *

"Wormtail. Put them in chairs and tie them up," he said lazily.

"Yes, My Lord," Wormtail replied. He stood up and walked across the room to the children, one of which was playing with her hair.

"Stop, Jamie!" whispered the boy. He looked frightened, but she looked worse. She was trembling uncontrollably. They were shoved into chairs, and tight ropes were tied around them.

"Please don't hurt us, sir!" Jamie screamed. She was sobbing now, and the boy called Chris was attempting to calm her down with soothing words.

"Crucio!" Voldemort said suddenly. He watched with satisfaction as they screamed, twitching in pain. The pain stopped suddenly, and they were left shaking uncontrollably. Voldemort chuckled softly to himself. "Do you want me to do that again, do you Muggles?"

Jamie shook her head slowly, a petrified look dawning in her eyes.

"Avada Kedavra" she heard him say, and the last thing she saw was a flash of green light, before Voldemort killed her and her brother.