A Deeper Connection: A New Beginning

A Deeper Connection - Part II

"I hope that your words are true, Lucius," Tom hissed, more out of fun than anything else, making the Lord of the Malfoy family flinch, while his Equal was clearly amused, "you know that their presence will not cause you to grow two heads, and you certainly will not catch any untreatable diseases, right?"

The pained expression on the face of the Lord of the Malfoy family clearly confirmed that he did not truly believe in the words of the Dark Lord, not that said Dark Lord had ever thought that his reassurance would ever work. Sometimes, Lucius Malfoy simply was too predictable and way too amusing for his own good.

"Regardless of your unjustified concern, Lucius, the plan has not changed," Tom continued, trying his best to suppress the chuckle that wanted to escape his lips, "we shall depart now."

With that, the Dark Lord pulled out his wand, casting a series of Disillusionment Charms on himself, his Equal, and the three remaining wizards, ensuring that no one could see them while still being able to see each other. Without further ado, he offered his arm to Corvus, while opposite of him Severus did the same to Lucius, before disappearing from view.

The uniformly trimmed grass blades were pleasantly moving in the warm breeze that was moving through the ordinary street with its equally ordinary houses, the sun still high on the horizon.

"Merlin's beard," the familiar voice of Lucius Malfoy had lost all of his silkiness as he stared at the houses of Privet Drive, clearly in shock, "this is where you... lived all those years?"

"Is it not lovely?" Harry asked mockingly, having materialised next to the Dark Lord moments prior.

"Charming," the Lord of the Malfoy family sneered, like this was his personal version of hell.

"Trust me, Lucius, the Muggles inside house number four are even better. Simply lovely folks," Tom chuckled as he stared at the empty driveway of Number Four, Privet Drive, before casting a quick Tempus, "we should place the gemstones now. They will not arrive for another twenty minutes. Severus, Corvus, please follow me."

Invisible to the many watchful Muggle eyes occasionally peering out of the neighbouring houses, the Dark Lord set foot back on the property he and his equal had to call home for the past decade, making quick work on placing and activating the gemstones around the property of the Dursleys. Since he was unsure whether he would be able to return in time, he had shown Severus and Corvus the exact locations of the seven gemstones aimed to hide the usage of magic within the limits of the property from the Ministry of Magic, and how to deactivate and remove them. He had not bothered to include Lucius since he did not trust the Pureblood wizard around Muggles without alerting the Aurors. Once all gemstones had been placed and activated, and they had reunited with Harry and Lucius, the driveway of Number Four, Privet Drive was still empty.

This however changed soon.

At precisely 4:40 p.m., just like the Goblins had predicted, the grey Rover 200 of Mrs. Polkiss turned into Privet Drive, eventually stopping in the driveway of house number four. From the distance, the group of wizards watched as Piers jumped out of the car and stormed to the front door, eagerly ringing the bell. Behind him, Mrs. Polkiss followed at a much slower pace. By the time she had arrived at her son's side, Petunia Dursley had already opened the door, her suspicious eyes already scanning the empty street, more out of habit than of anything else. A few seconds later, Dudley appeared in the doorframe, seemingly having doubled in size, more precisely width, during the last year, a wide smile etched on his face, carrying a packed gym bag. A few words were exchanged before Petunia leaned down to place a kiss on the forehead of her whale of a son, wishing him goodbye. A minute later, the grey Rover backed out of the driveway, Mrs. Polkiss and the two Muggle boys inside, off to another sleepover.