The Ritual Of Eternal Damnation

The man appeared out of nowhere in the moonlit, desolate lane. After taking a moment to collect himself, he set off at a brisk pace; the lane was bordered on the left by wild, low-growing brambles, and on the right by a neatly manicured hedge. He then turned right, into a wide driveway that led off the lane. The high hedge curved into them, running off into the distance beyond the pair of impressive wrought-iron gates. Snape did not break his step; in silence he raised his left arm and strode straight through, as if the gates were nothing but air. A handsome manor house grew out of the darkness at the end of the straight drive, lights glinting in the diamond-paned downstairs windows.

Somewhere in the dark garden beyond the hedge a fountain was playing. Gravel crackled under his feet as Snape sped towards the front door, which swung inwards, though nobody had visibly opened it. The hallway was large, dimly lit and sumptuously decorated, with a magnificent carpet covering the stone floor. Snape felt the eyes of the pale-faced portraits on the wall on him as he walked past. He halted at a heavy wooden door leading to the next room, hesitated for the space of a heartbeat, and then pushed the door open. The drawing room was full of silent people, sitting at a long and ornate table. The room’s usual furniture had been pushed carelessly up against the walls. Illumination came from a roaring fire beneath a handsome marble mantelpiece surmounted by a gilded mirror.

“Snape,” said a high, clear voice from the head of the table. “You are very nearly late.”

The speaker was seated directly in front of the fireplace, so that it was difficult, at first, for the new arrival to make out more than his silhouette. As Snape drew nearer, however, his face shone through the gloom, hairless, snakelike, with slits for nostrils and gleaming red eyes whose pupils were vertical. He was so pale that he seemed to emit a pearly glow.

“Severus, here,” said Voldemort, indication the seat on his immediate right. Most of the eyes around the table were fixed on Snape, and it was him that Voldemort addressed first.

“So?”

“My Lord, everything is in place. The bodies have been well preserved and the time is right for us to begin The Ritual.”

“And what of the spell?”

“It is The Spell of The Rising, My Lord. We found it in an ancient book in Borgin’s possession. It is a complex enough spell, My Lord, but it promises infinite power.”

The interest around the table sharpened palpably; Some stiffened, others fidgeted, all gazing at Snape and Voldemort.

“And what is the time frame?”

“My Lord, the spell needs to be performed on the Autumnal Equinox, which is a week away. Otherwise there won’t be enough magic in the spell to open the portal at Troy.”

“And you know this to be the truth?”

“Yes, My Lord.”

Voldemort’s red eyes fastened upon Snape’s black ones with such intensity that some of the watchers looked away, apparently fearful that they themselves would be scorched by the ferocity of the gaze. Snape, however, looked calmly back into Voldemort’s face and, after a moment or two. Voldemort’s lipless mouth curved into something like a smile.

“Good, very good. The time has come for me to procure the power I deserve and desire. I am already king of this world. All of wizarding Britain bows before me. The muggle insects have been put in their rightful place;crushed under my feet. It is time for me to become a God among kings;and conquer the magical worlds of other dimensions too. I will force them to submit to my power. Bella, have you and Rodolphous identified the five most magical locations on this planet?”

Bellatrix Lestrange raised her head, a look of worshipful adoration on her face.

“Yes, My Lord. They are Stonehenge, Troy, The Taj Mahal , Atlantis and The Pyramids.”

“Good. Troy shall be the centre of the diamond of magical power. You and Severus will accompany me to Troy with the body of that old fool, Dumbledore. How ironic that his death has served my cause. Lucius, you and Avery will be at Stonehenge. Nott and Mulciber shall be at the Taj Mahal. Amycus, you and Alecto will be at Atlantis. Macnair and Zabini, you will be at the Pyramids. I shall perform the spell at midnight on the day of the Equinox. Each of you will ensure that the spell goes on undisturbed till the portal is opened at Troy. If there is any mistake and the spell fails, one of you will part with your lives. I have waited long for this moment. Now you may all go and start making preparations for next week. Severus, stay.”

There was a swishing of cloaks, and Snape was the only Death Eater left in the room.

“Severus, have you gained any information on Potter’s whereabouts?”

“No, My Lord; Potter is presumed dead by the majority of Britain as of now;and he may well be in reality.”

“No, he still lives; I can feel him through our connection;but he has learned how to block me now Severus;so he’s not as worthless as before. But it matters not- I shall find and kill Potter soon enough-inconsequential as he is in the present state of things. What of the blood traitors and mudblood?”

“No news yet My Lord. They prove to be as elusive as Potter himself; they are, undoubtedly, in some kind of safe house, which is under the Fidelius
“I will crush them too after I’m done with Potter. You have been a faithful servant, Severus and you will gain your just reward; your power in my new kingdom shall be second only to mine.”

“My Lord is merciful.”

“You may now leave, Severus. In a week we conquer an new world.”

Voldemort’s high, cold laugh rang in Snape’s ears as he exited Malfoy Manor.

DISCLAIMER: The description of Malfoy Manor and Voldemort’s appearance is taken from Deathly Hallows. Big chapter coming up next. Enjoy! And please review……….It’d be great if got some feedback………