Ficlet challenge #135: Machinations
Title: Machinations
Summary: Tom Riddle’s debrief of the Prewett brothers’ massacre by Death Eaters. Written for the prompt “Fabian Prewett”.
Characters/Pairings: Fabian Prewett (remotely), Tom Riddle, Antonin Dolohov, Bellatrix Lestrange
Genre: Drama, with a dash of dry humor
Rating/Warnings: PG
Medium: Ficlet
Word Count: 401
Can the Order post to Tumblr?: Yes
If yes, your Tumblr username: N/A
The most infuriating part was that Dolohov looked so very pleased with himself. Just like a puppy that’s made a mess in the middle of the floor and wants to be praised for it. I slowly rubbed the bridge of my nose. “What part of ‘recruit’ was unclear?”
“Recruit, my Lord?”
“Yes, Antonin. Recruit. You remember, I trust, that recruitment of Fabian Prewett was our goal?”
He stared at me blankly. Heaven help us all, he actually did forget. Or someone Obliviated him. I cast a sidelong look at Bellatrix. I wouldn’t put it past her, but she was usually careful that her backstabbing didn’t interfere with our strategic goals. It was one of the things I appreciated about her.
“Antonin, do you recall our discussion of Fabian? That he was jealous of his brother? That he was tired of being second best to Gideon? That we could use that like a lever to pry him away from the Order?”
The whites of Dolohov’s eyes were showing in his panic. “No, my Lord, I’m sorry, I don’t know how-“
I cut him off with a wave. This was definitely memory tampering. But who would be so clumsy about it? Ah, my prospective empire for competent help! I closed my eyes briefly, leveled a pair of silent, wandless Diffindos along Dolohov’s cheeks, and took a slow breath. “Get out.”
Once he’d scurried away, I turned to Bellatrix, who had the smallest of smiles on her lips. Mmm...she had little love for Dolohov, of course, after the snubbings he’d given her. “Bella, do you know anyone in our little group who would be stupid enough to sabotage my express wishes by tampering with Dolohov’s memory like that?”
She opened her mouth, and then snapped it shut, her emotions crumpling behind the smooth mask she’d perfected for company. Her mortification and - ah! there it was! - remorse flowed through her mark to me.
Ah, Bellatrix. Well, best to correct this immediately.
I moved behind her, my hands resting on her arms as I leaned into her ear. “Bella, that was careless. The work of an amateur. I’m so very disappointed in you.”
I turned abruptly and left, letting the cold outside air blow against her vulnerable back and savoring her emotional agony. She’d learn far more from that than any Crucio session.
And perhaps I’d finally manage to train a competent minion.
18 points
Summary: Tom Riddle’s debrief of the Prewett brothers’ massacre by Death Eaters. Written for the prompt “Fabian Prewett”.
Characters/Pairings: Fabian Prewett (remotely), Tom Riddle, Antonin Dolohov, Bellatrix Lestrange
Genre: Drama, with a dash of dry humor
Rating/Warnings: PG
Medium: Ficlet
Word Count: 401
Can the Order post to Tumblr?: Yes
If yes, your Tumblr username: N/A
The most infuriating part was that Dolohov looked so very pleased with himself. Just like a puppy that’s made a mess in the middle of the floor and wants to be praised for it. I slowly rubbed the bridge of my nose. “What part of ‘recruit’ was unclear?”
“Recruit, my Lord?”
“Yes, Antonin. Recruit. You remember, I trust, that recruitment of Fabian Prewett was our goal?”
He stared at me blankly. Heaven help us all, he actually did forget. Or someone Obliviated him. I cast a sidelong look at Bellatrix. I wouldn’t put it past her, but she was usually careful that her backstabbing didn’t interfere with our strategic goals. It was one of the things I appreciated about her.
“Antonin, do you recall our discussion of Fabian? That he was jealous of his brother? That he was tired of being second best to Gideon? That we could use that like a lever to pry him away from the Order?”
The whites of Dolohov’s eyes were showing in his panic. “No, my Lord, I’m sorry, I don’t know how-“
I cut him off with a wave. This was definitely memory tampering. But who would be so clumsy about it? Ah, my prospective empire for competent help! I closed my eyes briefly, leveled a pair of silent, wandless Diffindos along Dolohov’s cheeks, and took a slow breath. “Get out.”
Once he’d scurried away, I turned to Bellatrix, who had the smallest of smiles on her lips. Mmm...she had little love for Dolohov, of course, after the snubbings he’d given her. “Bella, do you know anyone in our little group who would be stupid enough to sabotage my express wishes by tampering with Dolohov’s memory like that?”
She opened her mouth, and then snapped it shut, her emotions crumpling behind the smooth mask she’d perfected for company. Her mortification and - ah! there it was! - remorse flowed through her mark to me.
Ah, Bellatrix. Well, best to correct this immediately.
I moved behind her, my hands resting on her arms as I leaned into her ear. “Bella, that was careless. The work of an amateur. I’m so very disappointed in you.”
I turned abruptly and left, letting the cold outside air blow against her vulnerable back and savoring her emotional agony. She’d learn far more from that than any Crucio session.
And perhaps I’d finally manage to train a competent minion.
18 points