Chapter Thirty-Six
Confronting the Faceless 💀 CompleteMarch 27, 1998
"Never tickle a sleeping dragon"
The Dark Lord is in a mood.
Not that Yurina blames him - she's not thrilled either at the moment, though she thinks her reasons are rather different. Not that she'd ever tell him, but she finds her Lord Voldemort's obsession with a simple child rather overblown. Particularly as it's interfering directly with her own work - the work that he had given her, mind.
She huffs out an angry breath as she strides across the Atrium floor, glaring at anyone who dares get in her way and sending the Ministry drones skittering out of her path, but even the show of fear and respect doesn't cheer her up very much.
For months Yurina has distracted herself toying with the people around her, collecting information where she can but mostly just enjoying herself. But since sending Channer Lindberg to the cells earlier this week all the joy she used to feel has been somewhat soured. No one squirms quite as nicely as Lindberg had, and the fact the information she'd gotten from him hadn't ultimately panned out is frustrating in its own right. And it's making her feel like she's stagnating.
She's supposed to be coordinating their expansion beyond Britain, and she already has multiple contacts and groups ready to go at her signal, but the Dark Lord continues to tell her to wait.
She's getting rather sick of waiting.
They have a meeting this afternoon at the Malfoy's place - apparently something happened the day before involving the accursed boy that's drastic enough that their Lord needs to consult with all four of his primary lieutenants. They haven't had a meeting like this one since August, when they were finalizing the Ministry takeover, and they weren't supposed to have any others until they were ready to leave the country. Whatever happened was big enough to cause her Lord to change plans this far along and Yurina would by lying if she said she wasn't somewhat excited by the prospect.
At the very least, it will be a deviation from her mind-numbing normal.
She goes to her office, giving Zara Wong and the Unit one of her signature smiles as she passes them. Just a reminder of who's actually in charge - the situation with Theodore Yaxley the month before had been a bit of a mess, but it had played out pretty much as Yurina had expected, and the results have led to a more effective Unit. She and Yaxley had already suspected there was a mole in the ranks, and she'd opted to let Zara weed it out using her brash methods, knowing that even if Theo wasn't the mole his ousting would spook whoever was and Yurina would be able to take things from there.
As it was, the younger Yaxley had turned traitor, and Yurina got to enjoy the look on Corban's face in the aftermath and not reveal her own hand earlier than she'd have liked. A win-win situation certainly.
She tosses open her office door, letting it close loudly behind her, and settles at her desk, resigned to being bored until lunchtime. She considers going to find Branwen, but frankly doesn't feel like expending the energy on that.
The older woman has recently begun to try and cultivate a friendship with Yurina, which she's allowing to happen as she isn't sure she fully trusts the unmarked Deatheater. She of course understands why Branwen never took a Dark Mark, and at first she hadn't been too concerned about it - until that man had shown up asking after her. Yurina had done a bit of research herself on Aelfwine Fawley and it wasn't hard to discover that he and Branwen had been Hogwarts sweethearts. Branwen of course claims that the man is disposable, a tool that has outlived its usefulness.
But Yurina watches Branwen closely whenever the topic comes up, and she know for certain that the other woman could be emotionally compromised by this so-called tool. And so Yurina keeps her close, lets her think she's in control of the relationship when really Yurina is just waiting to see which side of the line Branwen will ultimately fall onto. Is she with them, or will she turn tail and try to claim innocence if things go poorly?
Not that it will go well for her if she does try - Yurina knows that Branwen was compromised at some point, though until they know how many people have access to that knowledge she's keeping that tidbit of information wrangled from Channer Lindberg to herself (and besides, it's amusing to see Branwen act so cocky about her own abilities when she's already failed so completely).
Yurina sighs and glares up at the ceiling for a while, only looking back down when she hears the door to her office swinging open.
She's admittedly surprised to see Branwen Avery standing there, looking nervous though Yurina knows she only does it to maintain her cover. Branwen, stupidly, isn't actually scared of her, but she also never comes to Yurina's office of her own free will, in order to maintain the cover that she is. Yurina frowns and waves her in, and Branwen quickly closes the door, dropping the nerves as she does.
"I assume you know something happened at the Malfoy's yesterday?" She says with no preamble. Yurina tilts her head in acknowledgement, opting to let Branwen control the flow of information for now. It'll let the other woman continue to think she's in control of their 'friendship'.
"Well," Branwen says, taking a seat and leaning forward, "It must have had something to do with the Weasley boy, the youngest one, because his father is gone."
Yurina blinks. She doesn't really know Arthur Weasley, had rarely gone to that part of the Ministry as it had seemed frightfully boring (and there were already plenty of eyes on the obvious future traitor so there was no real need for her to waste her time), but she does know his youngest is best friends with The Boy and had supposedly been sick with Spattergroit.
"I assume there was a miraculous recovery." She drawls with a flat grin, and Branwen returns the expression just as wryly.
"Not even, they just vanished in the middle of the night. Obviously they were warned about Ronald's whereabouts being compromised which means there's likely a leak somewhere within the ranks."
Yurina hums. Branwen is correct on that front, and it explains why the meeting this afternoon will only involve the four people closest to her Dark Lord - they don't want to risk the leak learning anything they decide on. "That's concerning." She observes after it's clear Branwen doesn't intend to continue speaking - perhaps that's all the information she has and is hoping to wring some more out of Yurina.
If that's the case, then Branwen's questionable loyalty may be worse than simple self-preservation - she could very well be the mole, and if that is the case all the more reason for Yurina not to let slip that she knows not everyone is buying Branwen's act.
Yurina has no proof outside an ex and a gut feeling though, so she decides to play the long game - she has plenty of time, after all - and gives Branwen half-facts to see what she does with them.
"That certainly explains the message I received this morning from Bella." She says idly. "I can't say I know much though - it did only happen yesterday. I'm curious how you learned about it?"
Branwen scowls. "I had a meeting with Arthur Weasley today. When he blew me off I tried to send him an owl, only for the thing to come back confused and with the letter undelivered." She shakes her head in frustration. "If there's one thing we can get from this though, at least we know Percy really is estranged from his family. He looked just as shocked as I was when the owl failed."
Yurina tilts her head. The other Ministry Weasley is still here then? She can't say she's surprised - the young man has a clear desperation to be appreciated by people in positions of authority, though she doesn't know much more about him as he's quite boring overall. "Well considering he's been helping us from day one that isn't so surprising." She eventually says, figuring something neutral will allow them to move on from that topic - she's more interested in whether Branwen has any further information on the incident itself.
Branwen hums. "Fair enough. Any idea where we're going from here?"
"Why would I? I'm never at Malfoy Manor, the place stinks." Yurina replies, turning her nose up at the thought. The Malfoys think themselves so high and mighty yet they fail her Lord time and time again and complain when there are repercussions for those failures. Utter cowards, the lot of them. They're lucky her Lord graces them with His presence at all. Yurina would kill for such an honor, but she has her role and they have theirs. "If you don't have anything else to say, Wennie," She intentionally uses the nickname, knowing how much Branwen hates it, "I really do have a lot to finish before this afternoon."
Branwen huffs. Yurina knows that the other woman is well aware that Yurina has nothing else to do, but she's letting Branwen think that she's in control, and that means letting her think Yurina isn't a particularly good liar. Or at the very least, that Yurina doesn't have a vested interest in lying to her. Neither of which is true.
Branwen does leave though, and Yurina is once again bored. She shuffles through a few files, contemplates calling some of her non-British contacts to update them on the situation, but the simple truth is until the meeting she really doesn't have any information to update them with. All she knows for now is that something happened and some part of their plans are going to change because of it, but that's not enough to fill a call with. She does, however, send off a few long-distance owls to set up meetings for the coming days - she'll have enough information after the meeting today after all, and she needs to keep their external allies sweet if she wants to keep their help.
She really hopes part of the new plan will involve upping the timing of their expansion - it would make sense, after all, that if something had gone wrong they should speed up their plans to prevent that complication from having time to ruin things.
Especially considering the complication in question is a literal child.
The afternoon does eventually come, though it takes far too long for Yurina's tastes, and she bids good day to Zara and the Unit members still lingering around the offices before heading to the lower levels to Apparate out to Malfoy Manor.
The place is exactly as ugly as she remembers, and she waves her wand lazily in order to step through the front gates, which are, oddly, guard-less today. Perhaps them failing had something to do with the incident yesterday? They're probably dead, anyway. Voldemort doesn't appreciate failure, and it's not unexpected for him to punish those who fail him.
Yurina doesn't bother with knocking when she reaches the large front doors, shoving them open magically and letting them fall shut loud and heavy behind her. The foyer is an absolute mess, with droplets of blood spattered about that are clearly old as they've dried into the wooden floor and the carpet. Wrinkling her nose, Yurina picks her way across the floor and over to the main living room.
It's even worse in here. There's a chandelier on the ground, shattered into thousands of crystalline pieces, and blood puddles and scorch marks cover the floor and walls. Yurina promptly closes the door, disgusted at the sight. Really, the Malfoys need to get another House Elf, their place is becoming a sty.
"Nakayashi, you're early." A voice says behind her, and she turns to look Narcissa Malfoy square in the eye. After a moment, the platinum blonde looks away, diverting her eyes respectfully, and Yurina smirks.
"I want to see my dear friend Nagini, is that such a crime? Oh, and you should really clean that room, it's an embarrassment." She adds, gesturing vaguely behind herself. "Now, where is the meeting taking place."
Narcissa keeps her eyes focused on the ground as she leads Yurina to a smaller study on the second floor of the mansion. Inside Bellatrix is looking incredibly bored, poking one of the Manor guards with her wand and watching him twitch. She glances up at Yurina's entrance and promptly grins.
"Nina darling, it's been ages." She drawls, and Yurina offers her own smile in return as she settles in the seat next to Bellatrix, kicking the whimpering guard out of her way as she does and ignoring Bellatrix's pout at the action.
"Far too long Bella." She agrees, even if she isn't quite as keen on Voldemort's mistress as the other woman is on Yurina. "I hear there was an incident here yesterday? You didn't happen to be present?"
Bellatrix's expression immediately sours. "It was so fun at first too." She whines pathetically and oh, good, Yurina has set off one of her rants. The Japanese woman settles back into the seat, resigned to having to listen to the older woman complain until another member of their group shows up to interrupt her.
"Some of your Unit had actually managed to be useful - the team led by Greyback hunted down Potter and his friends! And I got to torture the Mudblood girl for information about what they were up to, but that stupid House Elf came out of nowhere and ruined my fun."
"Well you did get to torture her for a bit at least." Yurina says, the words consoling even if the tone is mostly just bored. "How did the House Elf even get in? I thought this place was well warded."
"House Elves have an unfortunately tricky type of magic." A new voice drawls from the doorway. "Thus they can apparate just about anywhere."
Severus Snape looks less than impressed as he strides into the room. His eyes have heavy dark rings below them and his hair is looking particularly greasy.
Yurina wrinkles her nose. "Severus, when was the last time you showered?"
Bellatrix cackles as Snape glares. "The last time you showed any class, I imagine." He says, words dripping like poison from his tongue. "Unlike you ladies, I have an actual job I'm actively engaged with."
"Ah yes, fighting children. How difficult for you Severus." Bellatrix mocks, and Yurina cackles at the glare the other woman receives for the comment.
"Where is Yaxley? I need to get back soon." Snape grumbles, opting to not respond verbally to Bellatrix's taunt.
Yurina shrugs. She knows Yaxley has been extra busy the past few days - even though the 'safehouse' Channer Lindberg had given up had been abandoned, it's caused Yaxley to become paranoid about spies in the Ministry. Yurina honestly is inclined to be on his side, though anyone who is resisting either isn't doing a very good job of it or is being so cautious as to not be making much of an impact, but she does think he could stand to delegate some of the things he's doing, especially as now it's making him late for a meeting with their Lord.
Just as she has the thought the man in questions strides through the door with his usual bluster and pomp, and the three of them stare at him pointedly while he pretends he isn't late and takes the seat next to Snape.
It's about a minute later that a familiar slithering sound fills the air, and Yurina immediately sits up in her chair in delight.
"Nagini!" She coos happily as the giant snake glides into the room and directly to Yurina, winding around the leg of her chair and up her body until Nagini is settled comfortably around her shoulders like a scaly feather boa. Yurina pets her head and hums happily while the two men in the room look distinctly uncomfortable and Bellatrix rolls her eyes.
A moment later another figure swoops into the room, flying directly over the table and settling at the head of it, red eyes assessing each of the other four critically.
All four of them immediately bow their heads in reverence to their Dark Lord.
"My Lord, if I may explain-" Bellatrix starts, but a single raised hand silences her instantly. Yurina along Nagini's length and waits patiently for Voldemort to speak.
He lets them sit in silence for several minutes, and Yurina smirks when she sees how uncomfortable Yaxley is getting. Amateur.
"I have gathered you here for one reason." Voldemort finally says, his voice calm and cool and powerful. Yurina shudders with it, reveling in the honor of getting to hear that voice once more. It is far too uncommon these days for her to be able to be in the presence of the sheer, impressive power her Lord wields so comfortably. "Harry Potter."
Yurina's awe abates somewhat at the utterance of the name. She's heard plenty about the teenager from her Lord and from his other followers, and frankly she doesn't understand all the fuss around a seventeen year old brat. Sure, he somehow survived the Killing Curse, but the chances he manages that again are next to nothing. She doesn't understand why they can't just kill him and move on with their plans.
She doesn't voice any of that - yet - and waits to hear what else Voldemort has to say. Maybe he's finally letting go of this obsession and moving things forward?
"You had him. Here in this house. And you lost him."
"My Lord, Pettigrew-" Bellatrix starts, but again she's cut off.
"Is dead. Nagini quite enjoyed the meal. You were here Bellatrix, tell me, how is it that Potter escaped yet again?"
This time Bellatrix is smart enough to not try and respond. Nothing she says will help anyhow - and she's one of Voldemort's favorites, so she'll be fine ultimately. Humiliated, but not dead and fed to Nagini the way Peter Pettigrew seems to have been.
Too bad, that. Yurina had worked a bit with Pettigrew and he really was the perfect little follower - insecure, cowardly, and broken emotionally in a way that made him wonderfully malleable. She wonders what he'd done so terribly wrong to have been fed to Nagini - that's usually reserved for traitors and Mudbloods, and Yurina can't really see pathetic Peter resisting. Still, people have surprised her before.
"We are changing our plans." Voldemort says after another long silence. "We nearly killed Potter and his friends. I want that corrected to succeeded in killing."
Ah good. Exactly the opposite of what Yurina wanted. "My Lord, with all due respect," She finally breaks her silence, right hand coming up to cradle Nagini's head in her palm, "Why is it you focus so intently on Potter? He's a child, and insignificant fly. Would our resources not be better used elsewhere, rather than hunting down a little boy?"
Voldemort's eyes flash, but Yurina doesn't flinch, though she does feel a thrill at the show of power - oh to be able to make people crumble in fear with only a look! She's learning though, has had plenty of practice in the Ministry while she's been stuck doing absolutely nothing for months.
"You dare question your Lord?" Bellatrix hisses, rising from her seat, her wild hair complimenting her wild appearance. It would be intimidating if Bella didn't always look like she was on the edge of a mental breakdown. "If he says that Potter is our number one priority then you obey without question! You bow and you thank him for giving you the honor of having any task at all! I fought the boy and his horrid filthy Mudblood and Blood traitor followers while you have been sitting pretty in an office doing nothing of use. You do not question him!"
Yurina just raises an eyebrow as Yaxley attempt to add his own opinion, clearly hoping for some acknowledgement from Voldemort (he's always been a brown-noser, as evidenced by his willingness to let his nephew be declared an Undesirable without so much as a token effort to argue the young man's case. Corban Yaxley always wants to be on the winning side and frankly that makes him rather pathetic).
"Now hear this Ms. Nakayashi, just because you don't have the experience to understand such things does not give you any right-"
"That's enough Yaxley." The Dark Lord says, voice echoing sharp and commanding, and Yaxley sinks back down into his seat looking cowed and upset all at once. It's a lovely image.
Snape tilts his head then, clearly asking permission to speak, and Voldemort wave at him to do so.
"Ms. Nakayashi," He starts, slow and precise, each word clearly selected carefully before being released into the world, "I have had the misfortune to teach one Harry Potter for the past six years, and I had the greater misfortune to know his father before that. The Potter men are idiots, yes, and reckless, but they are, unfortunately, very lucky reckless idiots." He pauses here, his eyes locked onto hers, and she tilts her head for him to go on. She's curious to see where exactly this is going.
"Potter, like his father before him, always seems to have life simply hand him things. Throughout his school years there were over a dozen instances during which Harry Potter should have died, and were he any other student he would have." His lip curls. "Indeed, sometimes others did die in his stead. And yet Potter continues to walk away without a scratch. Someone like that is important to remove from the playing field - they create far too much uncertainty by their mere presence."
Yurina hums, Nagini as she considers the man's words. Snape has had the most exposure to the Potter boy of any of them here, her Lord included, and his arguments do make sense. If she's honest the boy's apparent invulnerability seems rather contrived, but some people really are very lucky. And she supposes if it will get her Lord refocused on what's important then-
"I suppose I can understand that." She concedes, smirking at the looks of shock and outrage it draws from Bellatrix and Yaxley respectively. Nagini seems to settle more firmly on her shoulders and her tongue flicks out a few times - Yurina takes that as her friend agreeing with her decision. "But perhaps, my Lord, instead of wasting resources on a manhunt, we simply draw the Potter boy to us? It will save us time and allow us to set up the area of the confrontation, make sure he doesn't pull any of his usual dirty tricks."
Yaxley looks upset at the suggestion - obviously he wishes he'd thought of it first - but Bellatrix has quickly switched off her irritation and looks absolutely delighted.
"Oh my Lord, do allow me to assist in choosing the location!" She begs, but Voldemort doesn't spare her a glance, his eyes locked on Yurina, who preens slightly at the attention. She knows why her Lord had entrusted her with so much power and resources, but it does feel good to rub it in the other Lieutenant's faces on occasion.
"I approve of your proposal Yurina." He says, icy voice once again sliding up her spine. "Have you any suggestions as to where we will set this trap of yours."
It isn't a question, which means there's a correct answer. A test then, which is a bit annoying but Yurina knows she'll pass, even if she thinks it rather unnecessary.
"Hogwarts, of course." She replies confidently. "As you of course know, My Lord."
Snape nods. "I agree. Potter will likely return to the school to defend his friends," He spits the word like it's poison, and Yurina can empathize with the feeling, "At which point he will be vulnerable."
"And we can destroy the school while we're there!" Bellatrix adds excitedly, practically vibrating in her seat. "Everyone sees that school as some safe haven, but if it falls no one will dare question you ever again!"
Voldemort's expression doesn't change, though he tilts his head towards Bellatrix, who preens at the attention.
"My Lord," She continues eagerly, "Allow me the pleasure of organizing the attack on Hogwarts! I will not let you down."
"I know you will not." He replies, and it's a threat. "Severus, you will assist Mrs. Lestrange in the organization of Hogwarts' destruction."
"My Lord if I may." Yaxley speaks up again, and Yurina resists rolling her eyes. Yaxley is one of the top Lieutenants in the ranks for a reason, though that doesn't make having to work with him any less bothersome. "The plan, of course, is brilliant and I have no doubt that Severus and Bellatrix will together come up with a fool-proof path to victory. However, I believe Ms. Nakayashi and myself should be focused on the Ministry."
Yurina can tell he's trying to sound confident and commanding, the way their Lord always does without trying, but Yaxley comes across as a nervous puppy hoping for praise. He has a point though, loathe as Yurina would be to admit it.
Voldemort sees the merit of the comment as well and gestures for Yaxley to continue. The slender man sits up a bit straighter, clearly gaining confidence with the acknowledgement. "Once Hogwarts falls we will want to be fully primed and prepared to begin our expansion into the rest of Europe and beyond. I know Ms. Nakayashi has been doing a wonderful job setting up that front," And there's some very unexpected praise, but Yurina will take it, "But recent events, also uncovered by Ms. Nakayashi, have suggested that the Ministry may be compromised. I believe we should focus on discovering where this problem may stem from to ensure our total control of the government. If I may also make a suggestion on the Fugitive Recovery Unit?"
It takes a moment for Yurina to realize he's asking her. Which is the correct person to ask, of course, but she didn't realize Yaxley actually had any sort of respect for her role as the official head of the Unit.
She looks over at Voldemort, who's also watching for her answer, and that sight makes her swell with pride. "Of course Yaxley, we're equals here and I'm always happy to hear your thoughts." A lie, but he's being nice so she can be as well.
Yaxley nods briskly. "I believe we have successfully killed or imprisoned a majority of the Fugitives at this point, and any left surely will starve themselves soon enough. I propose we refocus the Unit on fighting the Order of the Phoenix. We have their members running scared right now - the vanishing of those Blood Traitors the Weasleys confirms that. Now is the best time to strike - while they're weak."
Yurina hums thoughtfully. "It certainly has merit. I'll rework their schedules and patrols for Monday and inform them of their new duty." Zara will be furious, but Zara is little more than a whiny figurehead for the Unit that Yurina sometimes uses when she needs dirty work done, so Yurina doesn't care what Zara thinks.
Voldemort is looking far less furious than when he'd first entered the room, which is a good thing. And Yurina even got out of having to deal with the Potter nonsense, not that she's too pleased about being sidelined from the Hogwarts attack.
"Very good. I leave it in your hands then. Come Nagini." The Dark Lord rises from his seat and flies back out of the room. Nagini lazily uncoils herself from around Yurina's shoulders, much to her disappointment. She likes the warm weight of her friend.
"I'll see you in a few months I suppose." She jokes, and Nagini hisses before slithering back out of the room.
"If that's all, I have a school to run." Snape says tightly, standing with a swirl of his cape. Yurina rolls her eyes at Bellatrix, who snickers as Snape strides out of the room.
"Such a dramatic douche." Bella says once he's gone. "Come now Nina, you can stay a little longer? I need girl time."
Yurina can't say she relishes the thought of spending time with Bellatrix, but it's certainly preferable to continuing to be bored in her Ministry office.
"I could use some as well." She says aloud with a smile. "See you at the office later Yaxley. Or tomorrow. Keep me updated." She adds, waving without looking as she and Bellatrix head out to the foyer of Malfoy Mansion.
"Ugh, still such a mess." Yurina complains aloud as the two women regard the room. "Tell me Bella, how much of this did you cause?"
"Only the fun parts." Bellatrix says dismissively. "That horrid elf dropped the chandelier, nearly killed Cissie the wretched thing. And after this family gave him a job for so many years, really. The nerve of that creature."
Well now, this may be more interesting an afternoon than Yurina had anticipated. "You aren't saying it was the Malfoy's former elf that did all this?"
Bellatrix happily gives Yurina all the information she could need about the day before, from the moment the top three Undesireables were dragged through the door to the moment the elf had magiced Potter away. Yurina is surprised when she learns that Pettigrew hadn't been killed in the fight, but was found strangled by his own hand downstairs afterwards, which is a bit confusing but dead is dead and he was little more than a pawn anyhow.
"Sounds like you had quite the day." She drawls when the other woman has finished. The two have moved to one of the non-destroyed sitting rooms and Yurina has helped herself to the comfort of the red silk lounge chair while Bellatrix is relaxed on one of the loveseats.
Bellatrix growls. "Don't mock me Nina. I was supposed to get that little blood traitor next, and now I can't even get his wretched blood traitor family since the cowards fled."
Yurina hums in sympathy. "I'm sure they'll show at Hogwarts - you can enjoy yourself there." She suggests, but is then struck with another thought. She sits up abruptly, grinning. "Say Bella, actually, you may be able to start now."
Bellatrix raises an eyebrow, and Yurina stands up.
"We do still have one Weasley out in the open you know. They say he's defected from his family, but I do believe he was old enough in the first war to remember where his family would have been hiding."
Bellatrix is grinning now as well, and she quickly stands from the loveseat.
"Why Nina darling, it's not even my birthday yet you give me such a lovely gift!" She drawls, offering her arm. "Shall we go get ourselves some information then?"
Yurina smirks back, accepting the arm elegantly. Even if Percy doesn't know anything, this will certainly be fun.
Author's Note: I'm sure it's fine. Also, for anyone who noticed in my A/N way back during Theo's defection that I said I was balancing multiple manipulations well, it wasn't just Theo and Zara ;) Yurina's got her own plans!
Next Time: Sometimes you're the only one left to step up
So I'm thinking I might do a final 'afterwords' chapter to share my thoughts and feelings on writing this story, if that's something people would be interested in? I'm also open to answering any lingering questions people might have there as well!
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