On a steep hill near the cliffs sits an old gray stone fort, Dommere (Doom-ere). Dommere had been placed strategically high on a hill to defend from attacks from the land, sea, and even the sky. The abandoned stone fort had been reoccupied, and the rock citadel at the center of the fort had been heavily fortified.
The smell of the salt of the sea and the roaring of the waves crashing against the cliffs can be heard even inside the fort. The night is pitch black as the stars and moon are blocked by dark clouds. On the ramparts of the fort, only a few figures wearing ghostly masks stand guard as their robes flap wildly about them in the cold wind. There are only a few guards out this evening guarding the primary entrance.
Inside the rock citadel, there is a large hall. Large iron-wrought candle chandeliers hang overhead, and occasionally, the hiss of wax dripping down can be heard. A deathly pale wizard with sunken cheekbones is clad in a dark robe and rests upon a great stone throne.
The figure of Lord Voldemort revealed in the candlelight is a horrifying visage of sunken crimson serpent eyes and slits for nostrils. Long, pale spider-like fingers stretch and dig sharp, blue-tinged fingernails into the stone armrest. Yet barely visible is a scar on the inner right palm of his hand in the shape of a locket with a coiling letter S shape, or rather that of a serpent.
With a cold, measured intellect, Voldemort studies the group of Death Eaters kneeling before him. The weak had been culled leaving only the strong and utterly devoted behind. Since then, there have been no further questions of his power, authority, or motives. Though at times, he did miss the rapacious nature of Dolohov, and the vibrant zealotry of Bellatrix.
An enormous green serpent as thick as a man's thigh leisurely slithered past the Death Eaters. Its diamond-patterned skin appeared to move on its own in the candlelight. The venomous serpent raises its pointed, flat viper head, flicking its tongue in the air. It flicks its tongue unhappily at failing to taste fear in the air; it was a terrible travesty!
"Nagini, come, " Voldemort crooked a spider-like talon to the bloodthirsty serpent.
"Coming," the Horcrux, Nagini rumbled grumpily and slid behind the throne before settling its head on the armrest to better gaze at the Death Eaters before them.
"Rise," Voldemort magnanimously motioned for his followers to rise to their feet.
"Thank you, Master," the Death Eaters whispered and rose to their feet.
"MaCann & Sirglide, step forth," Voldemort ordered and leaned back to rest against the stone seat. "What news have you to bring me?"
"Milord," two Death Eaters reverently said as they pushed back the cowl of their hood.
A Death Eater with a long scar across his face, MaCann spoke first. "I regret to inform, Milord, the coven has betrayed us."
Awaiting punishment for his failure, MaCann lowered his head, waiting for the Cruciatus Curse to come his way. After a few moments, MaCann hesitantly raised his gaze to meet the crimson serpent gaze of the Dark Lord. His face paled, and MaCann dropped his gaze first to the floor.
"Calm yourself, MaCann," Voldemort coolly said, "I expected as much. The coven was never to be trusted."
A spotted Death Eater, Sirglide asked in confusion, "Sir?"
"The vampires were merely the means to an end," Voldemort admitted with relish. "They have served their purpose and brought me time with the Acolytes."
"Of course, Milord!" "Simply Inspired!" MaCann & Sirglide sincerely sang the praises of the Dark Lord.
"Enough," Voldemort held up his spider-like hand for them to desist. The two Death Eaters obediently fall silent. "Tell me, what did the Ministry of Magic have to say this evening?"
MCann and Sirglide exchange glances, before Sirglide tremblingly says, "Milord, the International Confederation of Wizadry will permit any child of age, race, creed, or descendancy residing within the Isles to attend Hogwarts as is their magical birthright. As well as any child classified as Magical They in the world be permitted to attend a Magical Institution should an invitation be extended."
Sirglide and MaCann reflexively flinch and await the Cruciatus Curse as punishment for being bearers of bad news. Through clenched eyes, they wait only for the curse not to be inflicted upon them. They peek up at the Dark Lord only to find him pensive in thought.
Sirglide and MaCann exchange confused glances, but they dare not question the intentions of the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord was extending his mercy to them, for which they should be grateful. The two men remain obedient and patiently await the commands of their master.
The presented change posed no imposition to the Dark Lord. Magical creatures rarely intermingle with wizards and witches, and vice versa. As far as he was concerned, the creatures mentioned never mixed with muggles. In his opinion, they were far more stancher than wizardkind in this respect. He saw no reason not to make them allies.
"Go and rest, you have done well," Voldemort finally said, much to the shock of Sirglide and MaCann, who nearly fell to the ground in worship of the Dark Lord. The two Death Eaters bowed deeply before departing from the presence of their Master.
Voldemort's crimson serpent eyes raked the group for any sign of weakness. Satisfied by what he saw, he addressed the married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Lee (the parents of Barnaby Lee). "How goes the custody battle with your brother, Cecil."
"I have no such relation with such a blood traitor, Milord," Mr. Lee spat out in rage. "The farce of a proceeding continues, but I will have my son, Barnaby, returned to our care. Forcefully, if needed, to the great cause of the Dark Lord."
"Please forgive my husband, Master, for his tone of voice," Mrs. Lee pleaded. "He is merely frustrated at the inept proceedings of the Ministry of Magic."
Voldemort does not respond, but the grip on his wand briefly tightens for a moment before relaxing. "I shan't be so lenient next time."
"Thank you, Master, for the mercy shown to such unworthy beings," the Lee couple falls onto their knees at the mercy shown to them.
"Go," Voldemort dismissed the couple, who kept bowing to him as they left.
A single hooded Death Eater remains as Voldemort says, "Lestrange, what have you to report?"
A tall, thin, dark-haired wizard with gaunt cheeks bowed to the ground causing his robes to pool around him. His dark eyes are frigid as ice, and burn with the deadliest of fires are cast onto the floor. "Our spy was able to successfully forge papers and have them stationed Dementors at Hogwarts as guards. The plan failed as anticipated but ultimately revealed the fallibility of the Ministry of Magic," Rodolphus Lestrange reported.
"And the Acolytes?" Voldemort inquired through narrowed crimson slits.
"The Acolytes continue to move towards their objective," Rodolphus said raising his gaze slightly to the mid-drift of Voldemort's stomach. Dropping his gaze to the ground, he meets the yellow gaze of the serpent, Nagini, who is intently gazing up at him.
Satisfied by the response, Voldemort dismisses Lestrange, who swiftly departs from the presence of the Dark Lord. The Horcrux, Nagini flickers her tongue in the direction of the departing form of Lestrange. "The wizard that burns with fire and ice smells of a cold, triumphant victory."
"A traitor?" Voldemort asked with a dangerous glint in his crimson serpent gaze.
"No," Nagini flicked her tongue, "but as always I trust him not."
"I know," Voldemort leaned back in the stone throne. His Horcrux had said as much countless times before. He had grown weary of the constant moaning of Nagini on the tiresome subject.
Slithering closer, the head of Nagini rose to the armrest of the chair and lay there on. Tongue flickering, Nagini grumbles, "You've been most merciful and forgiving. It is most unbecoming."
"Oh?" Voldemort arched his brow at his Horcrux. "It is not leniency; Rather, I am in full possession of my faculties rather than raging like a madman, who is weak and ruled by his lesser emotions." He reached up to his neck to feel the leather cord from which a dark stone pendant hung. The pendant is engraved with Norse runes, but the pendant itself feels cold against the warmth of his flesh.
Before putting on the pendant, Voldemort had verified that the pendant was not bewitched nor tampered with before wearing the pendant. These days, he felt more like himself than ever before. The cloud of rage and madness within him grew less with each passing day. His mind felt clear and fresh as in his youth.
Voldemort was rarely appreciative, but the quick actions of Gibbon and Quilliam Arnold had garnered his appreciation. The two, without question, obeyed and completed their task. The two Death Eaters had journeyed to the far north and sought out the Völva (Norse Sorceress/Seers). There, they had found a willing Völva to forge the rune pendant that they sought. A round rune pendant carved with the Algiz rune representing balance of mind for calmness and stability.
Voldemort had not felt such clarity since he had created Nagini, the Horcrux. Nagini was a living vessel to contain his madness, but a living vessel could not fully contain his madness and leaked. Therefore, he needed other means to counter the leaking madness.