Hidden Fears

~Knockturn Alley~

An owl hooted overhead, as a tall, cloaked figure walked along the cobblestone, its clicking heels scaring away the silence. It rounded the corner and stepped into an old abandoned shop. Inside, candles littered through the hallway, some flickering slightly, others not even working at all. He slowed his pace, accentuating each step as he made his way to the glowing light at the end of the hall. He muttered words under his breath, and with a firm, sure hand, pulled down his cloak to reveal a man in his early youth with chestnut brown hair. His eyes glowed like coal embers, sizzling black in the darkness. He reached the final score of the hallway, and with a breath, sped up his steps and strode in.

He was greeted by a pair of eyes, red, dark, malicious eyes. Eyes that he hoped would be what his looked like in later life. The body slowly took form around the eyes, but they did not do them justice. The shoulders sagged, and the head bowed, but those eyes....

He was interrupted from his thoughts by a throaty voice, soft and hoarse, as if it hadn’t been used for a while.

“Nathan, I’ve been waiting for you. It is not wise to keep me waiting.”

“I’m sorry you’re lordship, I was..... delayed momentarily.”

“Well you’ll be making sure not to be delayed again. I’ve got an important task for you now. Our plan has already been set into motion, but there’s too many uncertainties. We need insider information, something that none of my other subjects have been able to get,” he hissed, his eyes dancing with excitement. “If I get what I need it will not be long....not be long at all.”

“What must I do master? Shall I bring him to you?”

“Oh no! Nothing like that. It would arouse too many suspicions. Your to be enrolled as a student in Hogwarts, as a foreign transfer student. The paperwork is being drawn up now. Keep silent, keep quiet, and don’t make any trouble. Be a role model to the younger students, build trust and loyalty with them. Be someone who always studies for tests, and is never late for a class. Be someone Head Boy material.”

Nathan snorted loudly, “So you want me to be Harry Potter?”

“If that’s what I want, then yes,” Voldemort glared angrily. “But what I want right now is for you to just be another student, be someone that blends in. I want you to stay away from Harry Potter. Don’t have any conversations with him, or try and become friends. Carefully and quietly find out everything you can about him. Find out who he’s close with, what his favorite subject is, even his favorite breakfast beverage. I need to know him down to number of hairs on his head, and you’re going to be just the person to find out all this information for me. Don’t make him or any one of his friends suspicious. It could ruin everything. He’s very confused with what just happened, and it’s going to take him a while to sort things out. When the time comes, and after he’s just started thinking he’s in control of his life again, I’m going to be able to move on to the last phase in my plan. And if you find out everything I need, then I will not fail.”

Nathan smiled a false smile, “Than it is my pleasure to carry out this job for you. When shall I start?”

“Next Monday, after the weekend,” Voldemort said with a smile. “You may leave now.”

The young man nodded, and turned to leave, pulling the cloak once again over his face. He had just reached the end of the hallway, when Voldemort‘s voice floated over to him, “And I wouldn’t mess up if I were you.”

Nathan turned slightly, his lips creeping into a small smile, before muttering , “I won’t,” and whisking out the door. A small pop was heard, and the door slammed shut, leaving an eerie glow in the hallway, with just a pair of bright red eyes....