Cardinal Number Ⅲ

Fluffy snowflakes obscure the landscape surrounding the small muggle town of Sharmourn. High on the hills the ancient Gibbon's manor arrogantly stands above the peaceful muggle village down below. The snow-covered, dark manor's metal gates are covered by frozen stiff, dead vines. With almost no sound a pale, tall, skeleton-like man in dark robs appears on the winding pathway up to the manor.

The swirling snow whips the dark robes of Lord Voldemort about him. An almost disinterested expression appears on his face as his crimson serpent eyes peer through the snow and gloom. His flat, snake-like nostrils flare as if almost smelling the decaying trees on the grounds and of the graves that lay behind the manor.

Sensing no one about, Voldemort passes up the path unperturbed as even the rigid metal gates open for him without any promotion. The manor lights grew brighter as he drew closer. He pursed his lips in a frown of contempt. The manor was supposed to be abandoned and yet here was an abandoned manor brightly lit. Even the fools at the Ministry of Magic would be able to ignore that which stared them directly in the face.

Pressing forward, Voldemort climbs the stone steps as the door swings open before him in greeting. The doors crash loudly against the wall startling the Death Eaters that await their master's return. Instantly, the followers of Voldemort fall to the floor in a reverent bow. A frigid draft of window and snow follows in the Dark Lord's footsteps. A few Death Eaters wearing thin robes shiver at the plummeting temperature in the entrance hall.

Voldemort pays no mind to his follower's discomfort, who kneel on the cold floor, but rather his crimson serpent eyes expectantly peer into dark corners. "Nagini," he hissed petulantly waiting for the serpent to respond. There is a lapse of silence causing his lips to deepen into a frown before a heavy sliding sound is heard echoing further down the hallway.

The kneeling Death Eaters are immediately tense at the approach of their master's familiar. They instinctively turn to face the source of danger. Yet no matter how many times they had seen the serpent there was always an edge of fear and unease at the unnatural presence of the beast. The beast was cunning, malicious, and far more worrisome, it was abnormally intelligent. It always seemed to linger in dark corridors eagerly awaiting to overhear whispered conversations. And many even suspected that the serpent in fact was the eyes and ears of their master. There was no logical explanation as to why even their master with all his great power and might could know of their inner, insignificant squabbles. And yet their master knew and saw all.

The Death Eaters almost cease to breathe lest they attract the unfortunate attention of the vile beast. Yellow malicious serpent eyes glint in the shadows staring hungrily at the kneeling figures before it. The green-skinned flat head of Nagini emerges first followed by a massive body thicker than a man's thigh. The diamond patterns on its flesh glitter eerily in the flickering light. Its dark tongue flickers as if tasting those before it, before turning its wretched eyes towards Voldemort.

"Tis cold," the Horcrux, the serpent complained.

The doors without any verbal spell magically shut startling the kneeling Death Eaters. Yet, they still do not dare a single muscle as they watch the unholy venomous serpent deliberately slither between them. The hairs on the back of every Death Eater's neck and actively resist every urge to flee or draw their wand against the snake.

"Tell me, Nagini, what have you learned?" Voldemort calmly inquired making no move nor attempt to stop his Horcrux's deliberate act of terrorizing his followers.

"This and that," the serpent gleefully hissed.

"And just what is that?" Voldemort asked with a trace of impatience in his voice.

"Your followers are in utter fear of you," the serpent happily said. "They fear being used and mercilessly discarded as Livius Rowle was."

"A necessary sacrifice," Voldemort answered without a flicker of remorse. "And what else."

"Nothing else of interest," the serpent murmured intentionally brushing up against a trembling Death Eater.

"Enough, Nagini," Voldemort ordered causing the serpent to flicker its tongue at the delicious morsel before reluctantly slithering towards Voldemort. Voldemort reflexively extends his spider-like hands down to pet the top of Nagini's head, but the serpent avoids his touch. A strange feeling of loss passes through Voldemort's chest at the act of rejection. He casually retracts his hand to cover his lapse. Habits are difficult to break, he would learn soon enough.

"Tonight's attack was successful," Voldemort announced to his followers. "Rowle's sacrifice will not be in vain. We shall feast and celebrate on this night. Rise, my loyal followers."

The Death Eaters unsteadily rise to their feet and whisper thanks to their master. A few of them though share anxious glances. Who was to say that they would not be the next unwilling sacrifice in their master's cause?! These Death Eaters in particular are the first to scurry away to the safety of another room.

However not all of the Death Eaters obediently, a few zealous followers remain. In the lead is a pale rugged wizard with domineering features and blonde hair pulled back in a short ponytail. Darith Yaxley, (the brother of the deceased Corban Yaxley) bows deeply before the Dark Lord. "Milord, it is always an honor and a pleasure to learn of your victories." He paused as if feigning concern. "I did not see Dolohov return with thee, master."

"Dolohov sacrificed himself for a greater cause," Voldemort crisply answered without the hint of any emotion towards his childhood friend since Hogwarts. "His sacrifice will not be in vain."

"Naturally, master," chimed in, a haughty peacock-like wizard named Quilliam Arnold, one of the newest recruits. The arrogant wizard was related to Garrick Arnold, a member of the Hogwarts Board. His wiliness to follow the Dark Lord and do all to persuade his cousin to their side had done much to cause him to rise in Voldemort's esteem. "We all are more than willing to lay down our lives for the cause."

Voldemort barely tilts his head in approval before casting his crimson serpent eyes about. Many of the Death Eaters ensure that their gaze is firmly cast down lest they catch unwanted attention. His roving eyes come to a halt upon the rugged, domineering features of a stout wizard with pale skin and long blond hair pulled back, Dairth Yaxley, (the younger brother of the deceased Corban Yaxley).

"I am most displeased Yaxley," Voldemort taciturnly stated. "I have granted you more than ample opportunity to fulfill thine mission. And time and time again, you have failed me."

Beads of cold sweat begin to drip down Darith Yaxley's back as he grovels before the Dark Lord. "Forgive me, Master!" He desperately pleaded. "I have done everything in my power, but Sanderson refuses to hear out our cause."

"Crucio," Voldemort callously said without any warning.

Darith Yaxley's screams quickly fill the air as his body begins to twist and turn under the force of the terrible spell. His shrill painful wails fill the air causing many of the Death Eaters to stiffen and even tremble in place. The stench of fear fills the air, but none dares to move or speak in defense of Yaxley lest they incur the wrath of the Dark Lord.

After what seems like hours, Yaxley's screams abruptly cease causing the scent of fear to thicken. Voldemort with a bored expression stares down at the quivering body of Yaxley that still fiercely shaking with the aftereffects of the cruciatus curse. "Nagini," he only hissed once as the hairs of every single Death Eater stood up.

A skin-crawling sound is heard as the heavy serpent begins to coil and sway hungrily towards the horrified Darith Yaxley, who lay weakly unable to move on the stone floor. "EAT," Voldemort commanded his horcrux, who eagerly unhinged its jaw to swallow its prey whole, while still living.

Darith Yaxley has no chance to scream as he is swallowed by an eager mouth. More than a few Death Eaters turn pale, while others turn sickly green. The sound of bones being crushed and an eerie swallowing sound is heard until even the tip of Yaxley's boot vanishes. Even more horrific is the large man-sized lump that is easily visible and can even now be seen twitching with the aftereffects of the cruciatus curse.

One Death Eater is no longer able to control himself and begins to nosily hurl. A sick, nauseating scent fills the air causing many more Death Eaters to turn green. A few of the Death Eaters hastily clamp their hands over their mouths lest they begin to project vomit.

With disdain and disgust evident on his face, Voldemort says, "Clean this filthy up," before moving into the Great Hall. "I do not wish to be disturbed," he paused to say, before vanishing into the depths of the chamber.

The Death Eaters do not even wait for the door to close before many flee for the nearest vase or potted plant. The others can hurry away enough to get away from the evil serpent. Even the most loyal of Death Eaters have zero desire to remain in the front hall with Nagini. All too soon, the hall is empty except for the serpent.

The Horcrux, the serpent, Nagini flicks its tongue in the air. Fear, so much fear. It was an absolute feast. With blatant malicious evil in its eyes, it slowly slithers away in search of a dark corner to spy on. Yet its thick body lugs the still living body that is frantically trying to claw its way out to no avail.