章 333: Disappearance

The tall, thin figure of a hooded man can be seen at the edge of the gloomy forest. The moon was still rising as the days were still long and the nights short. Overhead a shadow flaps its wings through the forest swiftly approaching its intended target. The dark owl lets out a screech as it lands on a nearby branch intently staring at the hooded wizard with great yellow eyes.

"Shh, it's me, Crow," the man whispered in greeting. "I am here to collect the message from Sparrow."

The large dark owl lets out a screech in response and sticks out its leg. The wizard carefully removes the tiny rolled-up parchment scroll and carefully reads the message before burning the scroll. Scattering the ashes to the wind with his gloved hands, the wizard softly says, "It has become far too dangerous for crows and sparrows to meet. Do not return. I will send word when I can."

The black owl lets out a hoot of annoyance but leaps off its branch flapping its wings fiercely into the starry night. The hooded wizard quickly walks into the shadows and fades away. Yet not far off a youthful figure searches the forest before returning the way they came. A dark, curly-haired youth emerges from the woods at the edge of the Carrow Estate, S.R. Wilkes.

Those standing guard at the gates nod their heads at him, but S.R. Wilkes ignores them with robes sweeping behind him. Waiting within the front hall, the pudgy, stocky figures of the two Carrow siblings can be seen. The stocky young witch with stubby fingers lets out a high-pitched giggle at seeing him. "Hello Wilkes," Alecto Carrow breathlessly said, her stubby fingers intertwining in her hair.

S.R. Wilkes does not react to Alecto Carrow's rather unsubtle romantic cues. Who in their right mind would ever consider marrying Alecto Carrow? Not even the most desperate of wizards would ever pick her!

At her side, the doughy face and tiny eyes of Amycus Carrow can be seen eagerly watching the pair. Amycus Carrow was attempting to play as a matchmaker between his sister and S.R. Wilkes. Amycus nervously rubs the area of his missing finger, "Er, Wilkes, why not have dinner with us?" He invitingly said.

S.R. Wilkes paused mid-step quickly thinking of a polite excuse to turn down the invitation. "I have other errands to run for the Dark Lord, another time perhaps," S.R. Wilkes quickly lied before brushing self-importantly past them.

"Yes, of course!" Both siblings replied eagerly. Despite being several years older than S.R. Wilkes that did little to detour Alecto's affections. She had her eyes set on her man and she would not let him go quite so easily! And neither would her brother, since Amycus wanted S.R. Wilkes as his brother-in-law. The two siblings were joined together in a common cause! It was all for the greater good!

Further down the hall, loud sniffing can be heard from the perpetual red-eyed, puffy-faced widow Empusa Snyde, who could noisily be seen blowing her nose in the hallway. Empusa loudly sniffs and loudly wails her loss, "Ah, my poor Snyde would have so loved this!"

Clearing his throat rather loudly, S.R. Wilkes says, "Empusa have you any missives for me?"

Empusa wipes her nose and nasally answers, "Yes. The Dark Lord says to continue with the project at hand. He says, you have a natural talent for necromancy and are to aid him in the continued creation of the Inferi. The muggle vagrant population are perfect specimens to be used in their creation as none will notice their disappearance."

"I will endeavor not to disappoint the Dark Lord," S.R. Wilkes respectfully bowed his head, before moving past her. Once more the loud wails behind him commence again as Empusa lets out a cry and her trademark remark about her poor Snyde.

S.R. Wilkes nods in passing at several other Death Eaters among them is Antonin Dolohov, who merely sneers at S.R. Wilkes before brusquely brushing past him. S.R. Wilkes ignores the slight by arrogant Antonin Dolohov as Dolohvo was a very powerful wizard in his own right. It would be best not to further antagonize the dark wizard until S.R. Wilks was certain Dolohov could cleanly be dwelt with. A project for another day.

S.R. Wilkes opens the doors to the Carrow library. It had been dusty when he first started but since then the Carrow house elf had begun to clean the place as well. Though small when in comparison to others, it was a treasure trove of the dark arts. There were many volumes that no longer existed in this world, but in the Carrow Estate library, the forbidden knowledge remained preserved.

S.R. Wilkes paused at seeing the tall, thin, dark-haired wizard before him. A cold ice-like aura permeated all around the dark-haired, sharp-faced man, Rodolphus Lestrange. "I did not know the Dark Lord had given you the right of entry, Lestrange," S.R. Wilkes pointedly called out.

Rodolphus Lestrange closes his book with a snap and raises his bone-chilling gaze. "I do not see how that is any of your concern, Wilkes. Or are you my Nanny to know and care about my whereabouts?"

"I merely aim to protect the Dark Lord's interests," S.R. Wilkes crisply responded with narrowed eyes. Regardless of the slight, S.R. Wilkes gentle smile on his face does not disappear though it did crack just a tad bit.

"Is that so?" Rodolphus said as a cold smirk appeared on his face. "I did not know the Dark Lord had gained a mother nor much less a wife. But I suppose the Dark Lord could have other such interests."

In emphasis, Rodolphus runs his eyes slowly up and down S.R. Wilkes figure. "I suppose you'd be acceptable when it came to those kinds of things. Young and attractive, I can see why the Dark Lord would fall for your charms, Wilkes. Personally, though, I always believed it would be Pyrites. But I suppose in this case youth wins over experience in the end."

All trace of civility vanished from S.R. Wilkes face. "How dare you, Lestrange!" Wilkes enraged drew himself up. "There is no such disgusting relationship between the Dark Lord and me!"

"Ah, well," Rodolphus said as he put the book away into the folds of his robes. "Then do not stick your nose where it is unwanted, boy. Whether the Dark Lord has or has not given his permission is none of your concern, Wilkes."

S.R. Wilkes clenched his wand tight in hand as Rodolphus sneered and brushed past him. Rodolphus suddenly paused to brush off a green pine stem from S.R. Wilkes' shoulder. "And I am not to tolerate being chided?" Rodolphus's mused out loud. "What would the Dark Lord think of your nightly walks, Wilkes? You wouldn't happen to be a spy, now would you, Wilkes?"

S.R. Wilkes face contorted with rage as Rodolphus did not miss the annoyance nor the flicker in Wilkes eyes. Rodolphus did not betray himself as he said, "Good evening, Wilkes. Don't let the bed bugs bite," before sweeping out of the library.

S.R. Wilkes eyes narrow into slits as the doors closed shut behind Lestrange. He would need to kill Lestrange when the time came, but Dolohov was much more of an immediate threat. It was a shame that Bellatrix had died otherwise Lestrange would be remarkably malleable and easy to manipulate. But for the moment, S.R. Wilkes had more urgent things to take care of.

Turning away, S.R. Wilkes walks over to the bookshelf and finds what he sought. It was not a book on necromancy, but rather on ancient wards. Yes, it would prove most useful in time. But for the moment, he'd learn all that he could.