"What? After the Order of the Phoenix headquarters, Hogwarts has been attacked as well?" Bellatrix Lestrange's voice rose sharply.
A Death Eater beside her nodded.
"Yes. It happened just minutes ago. My son wrote to me by owl… Hogwarts is in complete chaos. A strange mark still lingers in the sky, refusing to fade. The castle was nearly burned down by flames that turned into savage beasts… Albus Dumbledore is struggling to contain the situation."
"Master…" Bellatrix hesitated, then turned toward the man standing in the shadows, deep in thought. "Did you hear? Even Hogwarts…"
"Of course I heard," Voldemort said coldly. "Severus, what do you think?"
On the other side, Severus Snape frowned. After a moment's consideration, he spoke slowly.
"I must admit, your earlier speculation was correct. The Dark Wizard who was active fifty years ago—and his followers—have returned."
"It seems poor Dumbledore will have to face two troublesome enemies at once," Voldemort sneered.
"But… I still don't understand, Master," Bellatrix Lestrange said in a low voice. "The Order of the Phoenix headquarters should have been protected by the Fidelius Charm. And around Hogwarts, Dumbledore must have placed similar defensive magic. That's something that has always caused us great difficulty… How did that old Dark Wizard break through those protections?"
"There is only one possibility," Severus Snape said firmly. "The Fidelius Charm has failed."
"What?" Bellatrix's mouth fell open in shock.
"Severus's guess is the same as mine." Voldemort's flat, serpentine face twisted as he spoke. "Grindelwald has found a means to unravel the Fidelius Charm. That is why the Order of the Phoenix headquarters was attacked without warning. The situation at Hogwarts is likely the same. However, this attack was probably only a test. Grindelwald himself did not even come to Britain—which I find regrettable."
"How could that be… That's a spell even you couldn't unravel…" Bellatrix blurted out, then hurriedly covered her mouth. "Forgive me, Master…"
"It's nothing, Bella." Voldemort extended his long tongue and licked his lips. "To be honest, I would quite like to see for myself how capable the wizard once called the 'Dark Lord' truly is."
"He is certainly no match for you, Master!" Bellatrix exclaimed at once.
Voices around the room murmured in agreement.
...
Hurried footsteps sounded from outside the manor.
"Bad news, Master!" A Death Eater rushed in. Seeing the grim expressions on the faces of those gathered—despite it being a Christmas feast—he faltered. "Wait… has something else happened?"
"I'll tell you later, Nott," Bellatrix Lestrange said impatiently. "You said there was bad news. What is it? Didn't the Master send you to Malfoy Manor?"
"Yes, Mrs. Lestrange…" Nott nodded quickly. "But the manor was empty."
"Did the Aurors get there first?" Bellatrix asked, concern flickering across her face.
Nott shook his head.
"No… There were no signs of a struggle. The gates weren't even locked. The food on the table hadn't even been finished…"
"What do you mean? Are you suggesting—" Bellatrix's voice rose sharply.
"The conclusion seems obvious," Snape said coolly. "Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy have betrayed the Dark Lord and fled Malfoy Manor like common strays. I imagine they took little beyond a few ancient Malfoy family heirlooms. Is that correct, Nott?"
"Y-yes… Severus," Nott replied hurriedly, shooting him a grateful look.
"That's impossible…" Bellatrix cried out in agitation. "Lucius is a coward—yes, perhaps he would do such a thing. But Narcissa… my sister… she would never betray—"
"Enough, Bella," Voldemort cut her off sharply. "Severus has made the matter clear."
"They've defected to Albus Dumbledore?" Bellatrix insisted weakly. "Master… that would be… absurd…"
"Yes, they would not go to Dumbledore," Voldemort said softly, though anger simmered beneath his tone. "Which is why I suspect they have found themselves a new master."
He paused.
"But do not worry, Bella. A traitor will pay dearly. Think of Karkaroff's fate."
The Death Eaters fell instantly silent, hardly daring to breathe—including Bellatrix Lestrange.
...
After a brief silence, Voldemort spoke again, his voice slow and measured.
"Speaking of Lucius, that reminds me of something…"
"…We still have a loyal friend at Hogwarts, do we not? I believe it is time we had a conversation with him. Perhaps he can tell us exactly what is happening there."
"Master… you mean… but that would be…" Bellatrix stammered.
"Raise your sleeve, Bella," Voldemort instructed calmly.
Bellatrix obeyed. She pulled back her sleeve, revealing her bare left arm.
Upon it was a vivid green tattoo: a sinister skull, with a serpent emerging from its mouth like a living tongue.
Voldemort extended one finger and pressed it gently against the Dark Mark.
Bellatrix let out a piercing scream.
At the same moment, a sharp crack echoed outside the door—
The sound of Apparition.
A pale, trembling young man stepped into the chamber of the Death Eaters.
Every eye turned toward the newcomer.
"Draco." Voldemort paused for a brief moment. Then a twisted smile spread across his face. "Welcome… my loyal friend. You are most welcome indeed."