Meeting Through the Snow

Vincent had remained silent in the meeting up to this point, merely observing how the group had changed since the last time he had attended a meeting. The Death Eaters were still largely a group of inbred purebloods, desperately trying to convince themselves that they were superior to the rest of Wizarding Britain. And educated man and a halfblood himself, Vincent did not agree at all with this philosophy. He had originally joined the Death Eaters to gain their support against the Order of the Phoenix, and since then had found them a useful lot. In order to gain their trust and respect he had to parrot their beliefs, but Vincent had never adopted their ideology.

“Children, Rookwood?” Vincent said in a slightly amused tone. “What good will children be to us? I think it is best we keep ourselves distant from the Hogwarts branch. But if you think we require it, I have managed to secure a position at Hogwarts though, and I can aid the ‘Dark Followers’ if necessary. That said, from what I have seen, most of them seemed to be more interested in Quidditch, dating, and fraternizing with muggle-borns than in our cause,” Vincent sneered, well aware that the parents of many of those children were sitting at the table.

“Forgive me if I speak out of turn, Katrina,” Vincent started. He wasn’t quite sure of the personality of their new leader, so it was best to be careful and respectful. That said, Vincent’s tone was neither wary nor apologetic – he had never been able to fake subservience. “But to expect new followers at this time is… optimistic. No doubt there are quite a few Wizarding families out there that still hold true to the ideals of blood purity and supremacy, but they won’t be very inclined to join us as long as we are cooped up in our mansions doing nothing of importance.”

He was aware that he was going a bit too far here, and Vincent sensed that this remark was not well received by the Death Eaters around the table, though no one replied immediately. This gave him a chance to continue. “We should be out there, reminding the world that we are still a force.”

“Now, this event at the ministry, the accident, actually offers us a good chance to expand and recruit.”

While Majere was speaking, Lorcan came quietly into the back of the meeting room and perched on the edge of an antique side table.  He listened to the man, understanding and agreeing with the need for recruitment.

Majere was correct but they probably were going to disagree about the way in which they defined correctness. Lorcan didn't really care. What he did care about was that Majere's reputation as a skilled duelist and fighter had once spoken for itself.  Majere had been gone for awhile, though.  Could he still hold his own if it came to it?  Was he battle hungry anymore? Were any of them?

Lorcan had prey in mind, but he was already getting the feeling it wasn't the same target that anyone else had.  Lorcan wanted a much more direct threat, a much more aggressive, targetted statement.  This was, of course, Du Hunt's call, though.  Lorcan was here to obverse and learn where the Death Eaters stood now.

"Welcome," Lorcan said to them all. "You are quite correct, Mr. Majere.  However, children often make excellent, if occasionally unwitting, informants. Trained sufficiently, if their professors can do so,.." he looked at Majere with a very slight pointed glance, "they are also excellent combatants.  I suggest we not ignore them. Even if we must train them in more 'assertive' tactics ourselves than what the school might find appropriate.  The students might be of great value." He looked at Theodore Rookwood, wanting to know whether Rookwood had grown a bit in courage. "Unless our Headmaster has better ideas--or objections. Mr. Rookwood?" He looked back at Du Hunt. "I agree," he gave a slow nod. "By all means, Ms. Du Hunt, let's do start some aggressive recruiting efforts.  The more the better--and the sooner the better, don't you think?"