Weapon

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Weapon (Possession Chapter XCIV)
Chapter XLVIII - Power Begets Breeding
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Voldemort hid his displeasure behind what he hoped was a neutral expression. The next few hours promised to be moderately... annoying. Necessary, but distinctly annoying.

He had hoped that he would be past this by now but he wasn't and he probably wouldn't be for a while yet, not until his servants were educated in his ways, not until they really understood what he stood for, what he fought for. So many of them only saw what they wanted and that was something he needed to address now.

Usually, he'd have just given orders to implement what he wanted done today but some of his beloved's words were staying with him. 'It seems to me that you have forgotten a basic premise. You want wizards to take their rightful place and to rule muggles but you forget that to rule, there must be wizards. Those old families with their pure blood and single child could never rule and are asking for their own destruction.' It was galling but it was true. In the aftermath of the failed attempt to take the Ministry, in between all the other battles he had been running and implementing and allies like Kisha that he had been courting, he had also been questioning some of his followers. And with everything he learnt, his beloved's words had echoed back at him, their truth was reinforced with every answer given to him by those of noble birth.

So many of them had a single child, some had two children but it was few that had three or four children. Most of his followers seemed to be content with focusing their efforts on the one child, trusting that wizarding power would be enough for them to be supreme. But that was merely asking for their own destruction, as Harry had pointed out. It wouldn't be immediate, but it would come. Voldemort itched to just order his followers to breed but he wanted more than mindless followers breeding like rabbits with no care or attention given towards the children. No, they had to be educated as to why it was better to have more children and to nurture those children so that when the time came, their loyalty would be absolute and they would be the fighters he required. He didn't want front line shock troops. Those types of troops didn't require thought, he wanted warriors, witches and wizards who were dangerous not just because of their power but because they knew how to use it in more than the traditional proscribed methods.

And that had lead to today. Surprisingly, Xatarass had agreed that this was necessary but the basilisk had also agreed that the two of them could go acromantula hunting later. 'Necessary doesn't mean nice,' the basilisk had said before sinking back into sleep. It was probably safer that way since if the Dark Lord had to listen to the snake's commentary his forces would be very reduced before the meeting was over.

His trusted followers, those with children had been instructed to bring them today. He'd told them that he wanted to give them instructions for the school year, which was true but that was a secondary goal. For the most part, these were the children of his more intelligent followers, those who weren't suspected and a simple confusion spell would keep it so that they didn't really recognise their fellows. Because of this he wasn't too concerned that they would give his beloved problems during the school year. More likely the ones who would attempt to get in Harry's way would be the survivors of Malfoy's Rebellion and the Dark Lord had faith that his beloved's servants would deal with them.

His Death Eater's had reported that their children were excited but understandably nervous about meeting their Lord, and some of his followers had gathered their courage to express their own concerns. Not at him meeting their children, it was a given that in due course he would be meeting every single child today to give them the mark and bring them into his service. No his followers were slightly concerned that he would mark some, the older ones today, but he had assured them all that that would not be the case. While it was tempting, it was too dangerous to mark them and then send them into Dumbledore's presence and he'd said as much to those who had expressed their concerns. They had been abject in their thanks and his thoughtfulness towards their offspring had only increased their loyalty.

Even so, while this was a necessary day and a necessary task, he anticipated that he would want to kill something before it was done. Maybe someone would volunteer.

While he'd been thinking, his followers had assembled their children then withdrawn towards the walls. Some of them relaxed enough to speak quietly amongst themselves. Their children were just watching him, and he could smell their fear. Unlike the fear of the Malfoy Death Eaters or the muggles who had hurt his beloved, he didn't take much pleasure in this one. They should respect him, they should fear him, but it should not be mindless fear. Mindless fear only lead to people lashing out against that which they feared and he wanted obedience, not rebellion. He smiled, or tried to, to reassure them.

"Good morning, little ones," he said soothingly, casting a small warming charm to calm them.

"My Lord," a few of the bold ones replied, bowing slightly towards him. Most of the others caught on to the obsequious and bowed as well.

"My faithful," he began, nodding back towards them in a tiny gesture of respect. "I have called you here today, rather than pass the message via your parents because I do not wish any mistakes. While you are not yet marked as mine, there is no doubt as to who you will serve, and as such, I have a mission for you."

"A mission?" one of the bold ones questioned.

"Yes," Voldemort said. Perhaps this was the best way of giving out this information to the children. Make them believe it was a mission and at least some of it was, yet some of it was merely common sense. "Before I get to the details though, tell me which houses you are in."

The children looked at him oddly and some of them he realised weren't yet at school age so he repeated the question, differently this time to put them at ease. "Who is in Hufflepuff?"

Some of the children raised their hands, though there was some apprehension. He smiled again, "A good solid house," the Dark Lord murmured, loud enough to be heard. "I can expect you to be steadfast, loyal and dependable," he added with a small gesture towards those who had raised their hands. The bolder nodded and inclined their heads in acquiesce, while some looked relieved. Apparently they believed that he only saw favour in those of Slytherin.

Internally Voldemort shrugged. Those of Slytherin were his traditional allies but they were also tied towards Malfoy and their ideals were not entirely aligned with his own. Slytherin's were useful and would take their places in his forces, but they were expected to follow him. The other houses had more worth because they were not watched as closely.

"And who here is in Ravenclaw?"

Some more children raised their hands. This time there was no hesitation. "Another strong house, this time the house that holds my future strategists and charm creators," he gave them their greeting. "Slytherin?"

Several raised their hands with pride and a touch of arrogance. It was expected but it would need to be removed and soon. Pride was acceptable, but arrogance in untried children was not. "Ah, those who walk though the house of my youth and who are my most cunning servants, prepared to do anything to get the job done." Some of the children nodded happily and he knew they had no idea yet what his benediction would mean for them. "And finally, are there any Gryffindors?"

Where there had been a smattering of representation for all previous houses this time the fear returned as only two to three hands rose slowly, all trembling. "The strong and the brave," the Serpent Lord said clearly. "And you, my followers are the truly brave, for you have seen through the lies and have found the truth that my path is only right one and have had the courage to follow it. Your job will perhaps be the hardest, to guide your fellows to the same understanding.

"But that is a task for the future," he forestalled any questions, not that he was expecting any of them to dare to question him, but he wanted to move on and didn't wish for any to take jabs at the others merely because of their houses. "To those who have yet to enter Hogwarts, let this be my first lesson to you. House does not matter. All have their place in my following and none are favoured over another. The roles they play are different but none are less important than another." A few of the children who would be entering Hogwarts in the next year or so nodded carefully, some of their faces openly showing their thoughts as they no doubt thought about what their parents had said. "I do have one question for you all though, you are all purebloods, I assume?"

"Of course!" One of the older Slytherin children said and the Dark Lord suppressed a smile as he recognised them. Roland Tare, only child of Petar Tare, scion of the Tare Clan who had ties back to Eastern Europe, and more importantly someone who, though a widower, had a new, much younger wife.

"Of course you are," Voldemort murmured. "How many of you have no brothers or sisters?" He launched into what was the important part of today's plan.

Approximately half the hands raised, and Voldemort suppressed a start of surprise. He knew the number was large, he didn't expect it to be quite that large. "How many have one brother or sister?"

About a third of the hands rose this time and he moved on. "How many with two?" A few hands rose. By now he could feel the curiosity coming from the full Death Eater's who were watching and he wondered if any of them would catch on when he explained to their children. He was not going to order his followers to breed but at least some would hopefully take the hint - and some of them would be these children. "How many with more?" Less than one eighth of the hands rose, but he had expected nothing more at this point in time.

"How many of you know a mudblood or a blood traitor?" He asked. It was a loaded question and he fully expected most of them to answer it with the affirmative, and then to further answer that they knew a red haired blood traitor. It didn't really matter if they were all thinking of the same person or family. That family would illustrate his point perfectly.

This time, as expected most of the school going children raised their hands. "Those who don't know one don't worry, you will no doubt meet them at Hogwarts, but for those of you who do, I have another question, how many brothers and sisters do they have? It's okay if you don't know the exact answer, just in general, how many do they have? None?"

A few hands rose tentatively and he suppressed a smile. "One?" There were a few more affirmatives but most of the children had not indicated the affirmative yet. "Two?" About a quarter of the hands rose and the Dark Lord was surprised. He'd have been willing to put money down for pretty much all of them picking out the Weasley's but apparently not. It didn't matter since two children were sufficient for his explanation. "Three, or more?" The rest of the hands rose and he nodded, gesturing for them to lower their hands as he continued. "Why do you think that is? Why do you think they have more children?" He asked the loaded question.

"The lessers always whelp more children," Roland shrugged, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, though he maintained enough control not to be condescending in the presence of his Lord. "They start younger and breed more, probably because sexual favours are the norm for them and the only way they can get anything."

The Dark Lord resisted the urge to laugh. This one would not doubt be outraged when he learned that trading on sexual favours was universal and it just depended on the individual as to how discrete and how good they were at it. Roland's new step mother was probably one of the better women at it, to have convinced his father to the altar.

"Ah I suppose I'd better set up some good educational facilities to train the lessers when they come into their power," Voldemort said in a relaxed tone.

"My Lord?" Roland asked.

"In a few generations, while the pure bloods continue to marry amongst themselves and have one or two children only, those you deem the lessers will have had three to four children each; three to four magical children. They don't outnumber the old blood yet but they will. And since I will need magical followers to take up arms, I will just have to train them in the proper way."

"Never!" Roland jumped to his feet, his face flushed with anger.

"And how will you stop that?" Blood red eyes locked onto Roland's and the child shuddered but didn't back down. "Are you three to four times more powerful than them?"

The boy's anger drained away but his face remained flushed, this time with embarrassment.

"I'll take your silence as a no," the Serpent Lord said easily, almost soothingly. Several of the parents were listening closely to the conversation and he'd seen some of them start and nod with understanding as the obvious conclusions were drawn. Some though still had an air of confusion as did most of the children.

"Let me tell you what is important, Roland, and I suggest you all remember these words. Blood, money, prestige... all has its place but it isn't important. Power is. Only power is important. Money can be gained by power as can prestige. And without power, money and prestige can be lost very quickly.

"Blood, well blood is a constant. It is true that those born as Mudbloods will always be mudbloods, however if they have power, then they may achieve money and prestige and then there is no difference at all between them and the old."

"Yes there is!"

"Oh," Voldemort was amused. "How?"

"They will always be a mudblood."

"Yet, they live in the wizarding world, they hold jobs, have friends, maintain their livelihoods, and their children are educated here and they then build their lines into those of power. In some cases they are the ones giving you orders, so how are they different?

"They are not. And they are no different because they have power and the will to use that power. Make no mistake; those with the power and the will to use it are those who will rule. And those who will rule in the future are those who have the numbers to rule. The old lines are becoming interbreed and inter-related to the point where finding acceptable marriages is almost impossible. Who will you marry, who will you wed when there is no one not related by blood? Or will you interbreed further and risk squibs?"

Roland shuddered and the Dark Lord could see his mind working as he thought about his relatives and who he was related to. He, like most of those present was a cousin to most of the others. Sometimes second or third cousin but related never the less.

"In the not too distant future," Voldemort continued, "the choices for the so called old blood will be clear and they are the following: do not breed and let the estates and wealth go to another related family, interbreed to a point that is dangerous and risk squibs, or breed with one of the lessers, who by that stage will outnumber the old bloods in power and in numbers."

"So you are telling us to accept the blood traitors and mudbloods?" One of the Death Eater's spat.

Voldemort looked over and was interested in the reactions of his other followers. Two or three nodded at the statement and moved to back the speaker, Alcander Zatony, while the rest looked at Zatony as if he hadn't a thought in his head. Roland, young though he was, had sat down again, a very thoughtful expression on his youthful face, an expression that changed to chagrined understanding before he hunkered down, listening but no longer speaking, converted to his Lord's beliefs.

"No," Voldemort said easily, making no gestures. Alcander probably thought he had the upper hand and he saw no reason to debase him of that belief just yet. "I'm telling you to accept the power they have. I'm telling you to accept that it is power that is important, not anything to do with birth. Power is power. How are you going to stop a muggleborn if they challenge you for your house?"

Alcander spluttered while the Dark Lord looked on, his gaze showing nothing but calm assurance.

"No mudblood would dare challenge me," Alcander eventually ground out through clenched teeth.

Voldemort laughed, his amusement real and unfeigned. "What's going to stop them? What's going to stop a so called blood traitor from challenging you? Your power? Your prestige, your position? You are adequately powerful Zatony, but let us be honest here, your position is based on history, not on ability. You are nothing special and you can be replaced by anyone of about the same power. So why shouldn't a so called mudblood or blood traitor take up your position if they have the will?"

For a moment it looked like Alcander would attack Voldemort, and he felt a small surge of disappointment when the wizard mastered himself and instead of drawing his wand to attack, he stepped forward, reaching up to remove his white mask.

"So the past, all that you have proclaimed to stand for means nothing?"

"An interesting statement, Zatony and I for one am rather surprised to hear what you utter, but I am pleased, because it means that my insistence that my Death Eater's do not randomly rush into anything, that they think about the best way to achieve my goals, has paid off. A younger you would have attacked me and that would have been your death but the question shows... maturity.

"What I have proclaimed is still meaningful Zatony but what is pureblood without power? It is nothing. It has no future and in its present it clings to the past as justification for its being. It seems to me though, and you will forgive me for paraphrasing someone who is wise in their understanding, that you have forgotten a basic premise. I wish wizards to rule, there is no question of that, but for wizards to rule, there must be wizards. Your old families, with their pure blood and single child cannot rule. They are asking for their own destruction because in time they will not be. And when they are gone, who will rule? Those you call blood traitors and those who have been brought into our society but not truly baptised into power, the muggleborns. It is understandable that they bear no desire to rule the muggles so I do not blame them. They need guidance, to be shown the way and that is what I will do but do not make the mistake of thinking that the old bloods should rule. Those with power should rule. That is the truth you should embrace. Those with the will and ability and from what I can see, the will of some of those you name blood traitors is stronger. Certainly they seem to be thinking of the future more."

"Malfoy was right," one of the Death Eater's standing behind Zatony muttered under their breath.

Voldemort raised one eyebrow "I take it that is a belief held by all of you?"

"It is, my Lord," Zatony said fiercely, standing without fear. "The mudbloods and blood traitors cannot rule, they do not have the ability and they should be destroyed before their corruption touches us all."

Voldemort cast a shield charm over the children before any of the new rebels could use them. It also, not so incidentally, isolated Zatony’s and the other's spawn from the others in case they tried anything. "Curse breakers such as yourself are hard to find Alcander, I will miss your services," the Dark Lord said, before with a flash of power he snapped his wand up, casting Avada Kedavra three times.

No shield could absorb a curse of that power, not when it was uttered by the Dark Lord but it did deflect one curse. The two who had backed Zatony fell soundlessly, their shield shattered and dispersed with their death but their leader didn't mourn their loss, instead he acted, raising his wand to try to cast his own curse. It was of course too late. Voldemort had seen the curse deflected with a follow up gesture that appeared slow he flicked his wand back, casting the killing curse again.

"No!" The cry came from the children as they watched their parents executed by their lord and as Alcander fell, Voldemort turned to look them in the eye.

Another gesture separated the newly created orphans from the others and as the Dark Lord returned to his throne he fixed them with a look that made most believe he could see into their souls. All of the new rebel's children were of Hogwarts age; they were old enough now to make their choice.

"Power," he said softly. "Power is all that is important. Not blood, not money, not pride. Power and the ability to be present in the future. You children now have a choice. You can either swear your allegiance to me or you can follow your parents, while not yet of age in our society, you are old enough to make this choice." Voldemort sat back, watching them with unblinking eyes as they considered.

The girl, Galatea, stared at the body of her father, her eyes wide but not unseeing. With a gulp she looked back towards the serpent lord, seeing his calm assurance. "Power," she whispered.

"Yes child, it is all that is important; power and the will to use it."

"Will you teach me to use power?"

"Those in my service are taught to use power."

With one last glance towards the body of her father, Galatea nodded. "Then I will swear my loyalty," she said, kneeling.

Voldemort nodded, removing the shield charm from her that had kept her contained. Galatea didn't even flinch but remained kneeling before her Lord. "What about you others?" He asked, looking towards the other two.

"No," one of them whispered while the other was too lost in fear to be really thinking. Voldemort shook his head sadly. It was sad to lose the young but sacrifices were necessary. He didn't bother question further but merely dropped their shields and cast Avada Kedavra again, dropping the two remaining children painlessly and soundlessly before he vanished the bodies. He suspected some of those still here were only feigning but he would hunt them down in time. Power was all that was important and his true followers would know that.

"Now that, that is over, those who remain are my true followers, and are those who understand. I do not wish you to breed like rabbits," Voldemort said, speaking both to the children and the remaining Death Eaters. "But to rule, there must be wizards and thus there must be those who can wield power in the future. That is what I want you to consider and act upon though I do not need mindless drones. Children must be raised and must be nurtured in their power; they must not be created simply to maintain numbers."

Around the room, the Death Eater's nodded, while some of the older girls also showed their understanding. The Dark Lord knew they would be more than mere brood mares, but they would consider his words and they would see to it that they bore children to be loved, and raised in the knowledge of power, raised to know that wizards and witches were superior.

"For those of you who are going to Hogwarts," Voldemort continued, looking back towards the gathered children, "I will not mark you. Dumbledore is too fastidious in checking, but I will now give you this warning - anyone hurting Harry Potter will die by my hand, no matter how loyal you are. Harry Potter belongs to me, his mind, his body and his death." The Dark Lord smiled at the thought. Oh yes, the Shadow Lord belonged to him, in so many more ways than most of his Death Eater's believed and certainly in more ways that their children could imagine. However, this was the easiest way to explain what Malfoy had called his obsession. It achieved his goals even though it hid the truth. "At the moment, I want his school life to be sickeningly normal, so that he will live each moment wondering when I will strike. You will make that happen," he said to the children. "And that is your mission. I do not ask you to deceive him or to attempt to be his friend. I doubt you could deceive him, I merely order that you do not antagonise him or show hostility."

"So that is our mission, my Lord? To make Harry's school life normal?"

"Yes. If there are others who antagonise or seek to hurt Harry Potter, Malfoy’s Death Eaters for example, do nothing against them but report their presence to me. I will deal with them," he added the instruction and was pleased to see some of the Slytherin's nod. No doubt they were expecting to be approached soon. "If they threaten you, then..." Voldemort chuckled. "Why don't you let Snape and Dumbledore deal with them?" he suggested with an evil grin.

A couple of the older children snorted at his joke though they understood. It was, after all, pretty obvious.

The Dark Lord waved his hand. "Go now," he instructed, giving his permission for the children and their parents to withdraw. The children began returning to their parents and with a nod of permission from the Dark Lord, they began apparating out as he eased the wards to temporarily allow their magical signatures to pass through. One of the red masked Death Eater's stepped up to Galatea, placing their hand on her shoulder. She looked up from where she was but otherwise remained kneeling.

Voldemort nodded his permission. Mikhail would look after her well, and would report back if her loyalty was fake.

After what seemed an age, the Dark Lord was alone.

:Possibly a bit harsh killing the parents in front of the children,: the shadows remarked idly into the silence.

"Did you mark those who were smart enough to remain silent?"

:Not that there were that many,: the shadows laughed, :though Galatea will be making her decision in the next few days we imagine. She knows what you represent, but she will need to work through her fear.:

The Serpent Lord shrugged. "Either she will or she won't," he said. "Mikhail will keep watch. I am surprised though," Voldemort mused. "It appears Malfoy wasn't quite as thorough in going through my forces for those who sympathised than I believed. How are Lucius' dear wife and son?" he asked suddenly.

The shadows gave the impression of annoyance. :Someone, probably Xeoaph, has tipped her off. While the light she is using is not pure, it is enough to keep us away.:

"Ah..." Voldemort said in understanding. "Narcissa was always resourceful. In many ways she was better witch than her husband. No matter. Since she has not come to me, her choice is obvious and when she raises her hand against me, she will be obliterated."

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