Harry Potter: The Making of a Dark Lord

October 13, 1995 – Witch's Secret Beauty Salon, near Diagon Alley

Augusta Longbottom entered the premises of her favorite beauty supply store, intent on replenishing her stock of anti-aging cream. She had visited this store once per week for years on end, and was a close friend of the proprietress, Martha Mapplethorpe. She had been warned by Amelia Bones that Voldemort was truly back, and though she took Bones' warning seriously, she refused to be bullied into ceasing one of the few social outings that gave her pleasure.

For the most part, Augusta Longbottom only left her home for Wizengamot business. She was descended from one of the "old families" on both sides, and was currently occupying the Longbottom seat until Neville reached the age of 25.

Her impeccable pedigree and no-nonsense demeanor gave her many allies among the old families, and she had nearly succeeded in preventing Dumbledore's ouster as Chief Warlock. It was her bloc of allies that represented the most powerful check on Lucius Malfoy's radical pureblood ideology.

But today was one of those rare occasions where she need not stand on ceremony. She was just a woman in need of make-up and female companionship, like any other aging widow.

"Lady Longbottom, what a pleasure," smiled Martha Mapplethorpe as Augusta entered her store. Martha was a plump, middle-aged woman whose easy smile kept her in the center of wizarding gossip. "What can I do for you today?"

"Good morning, Martha," the austere pureblood matriarch replied, her face softening slightly. "I am in need of your splendid anti-aging cream, dear."

Lady Longbottom removed her vulture hat and set it on the counter. She seated herself primly in one of the high-backed stools that Martha kept on hand for gabby clientele.

"Well, I've got plenty of that for you, dearie," Martha smiled, "but I want you to try something while you're here. It's a new Italian cream for age spots that we just got in two days ago. Let me see…"

Augusta smiled as Martha checked her shelves behind the counter. She was probably the only person whom Augusta would allow to call her "dearie." Even Neville would hesitate to be so familiar with her, despite his annoying habit of calling her 'gran.'

"Ah, I've got it," exclaimed Martha, and came around the counter to show off her wares. She handed a small cream-colored jar to Lady Longbottom, who held it up to the light for examination.

Augusta popped open the jar to inspect its contents, and was surprised when a burst of hot liquid struck the side of her face. She looked at the jar in confusion, but saw nothing more than a white, viscous substance. Turning back to Martha with a question on her lips, she looked down and was stunned to see her friend lying on the floor with a red, gaping wound in her neck. Her blood was flowing freely onto the polished white stone of the floor.

Speechless with shock, Augusta Longbottom looked up from her friend's terrified face and found herself face-to-face with a masked Death Eater. Her eyes traveled to the tip of his wand, and the last thing she ever saw was a flash of green light.

Belial's Club for Gentlemen, London

"Here's to our newfound alliance," smiled Lucius Malfoy, toasting the elderly man across the table from him.

"Aye," replied Tiberius Ogden, raising his glass as well. "I'm very pleased that you will support me in this matter, Lucius. I was worried that your opposition to Dumbledore was turning you even more radical."

"Never," smiled Lucius. "I am merely a pragmatist, my dear Tiberius. It is no secret that I felt Dumbledore had too many responsibilities. He was simply spread too thin. We will be able to govern more effectively without him."

"Perhaps, perhaps," Ogden replied, still somewhat wary of the man sitting across from him.

Lucius Malfoy had invited him to lunch at Belial's in order to discuss an upcoming proposal to allow imported Chinese potions to be sold in the British Isles. Malfoy's acquiescence made Ogden suspicious, but he wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Not too thoroughly, at least.

Of all the members of the Wizengamot, Ogden and his family were the most business-oriented. They had made their fortune selling "Ogden's Finest Firewhiskey" and similar alcoholic drinks, and they had a hand in many of wizarding Britain's business enterprises. Ogden cared little for pureblood politics, preferring to concentrate on those things that could enrich him and his friends. He and his family were very influential, and Malfoy couldn't predict how they would react to the coming changes. The Ogden family represented too great a risk to his plans.

Their meeting today was taking place at Belial's, a "gentlemen's club" that specialized in fine dining and even finer female company. Members of upper-crust pureblood society could dine with their peers, safe from the contamination of inferior bloodlines and the disapproval of their wives. Though none of the "escorts" needed improvement, Belial's clientele often brought with them hairs of female celebrities or otherwise untouchable beauties.

Lucius tipped back his glass and drained the remainder of his brandy. "I do so love this new French Armagnac; it's got quite a kick to it, don't you think?"

"It does at that," replied Ogden, shivering a little after finishing his own glass. "It's a little bitter for my tastes, but I'm not quite the drinker I was in my youth," Ogden smiled, a reminiscent glaze coming over his eyes.

"Lucius," he said garrulously, "have I ever told you about the time that me and the lads got snockered on muggle vodka and snuck into the Hufflepuff girls' dorms? You see, in those days…"

For the next twenty minutes Ogden regaled Malfoy with tales of his youthful debauchery, most of which were clearly embellished. But Lucius nodded and chuckled in all the right places, willing to indulge the man in what would likely be the last story he ever told. The poison in his bloodstream worked slowly, but in less than six hours his old heart would seize up and stop beating.

Truthfully, Lucius wished to delay his return to Malfoy Manor as long as possible. When he returned, he would likely find himself housing ten more of his Death Eater "colleagues," including his deranged sister-in-law. The crazy bitch was like a rabid animal even before his Lord was vanquished. Who knew what 14 years in Azkaban would do to her?

Lucius let his eye rove over the available girls as Ogden droned on about some imaginary exploit with a veela. Every conceivable fetish could be satisfied by the girls lounging throughout the room.

I think I'm in the mood for Asian today, he mused distractedly.

.....

Want to read ahead by more than 60 chapters. Then join my p@treon Right Now.

Link: p*atreon.com/BookReaderBoy (Remove the *)

Also Free members get 2 advanced chapters for Free as well.