A man in black robes appeared out of thin air. He raised his head to look at the manor shrouded in cold mist ahead, then swept toward it like a great bat. His gaze passed over the Dementors guarding the gate, and he walked expressionlessly through the thick fog into the manor.
This had once been an old Muggle manor. Before Voldemort took it over, most of it had already fallen into disrepair. Only a middle-aged couple had been hired to live here and tend to the estate, but they had since "disappeared."
The man in black robes passed through the Entrance Hall and followed the corridor to the manor's living room, which was already filled with silent Death Eaters.
"Severus," a low, hoarse voice sounded from the head of the table. "You're late."
"My apologies, Master."
Snape met those scarlet eyes with an empty gaze, then lowered his head.
"Sit. The meeting has only just begun."
Voldemort shifted his gaze away from Snape and began the day's important meeting.
"Lucius, you are Cornelius Fudge's old friend. How likely do you think he is to submit?" Voldemort looked directly at Lucius Malfoy. As Fudge's former close friend, Lucius Malfoy had more say than anyone on matters concerning Cornelius Fudge.
"The current Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, is weak-willed. If our methods are discreet enough, then through threats and inducements—or by using the Imperius Curse to alter and control him—there is indeed a chance we can bring Cornelius Fudge to our side."
Lucius Malfoy lowered his head even further, not daring to meet Voldemort's scarlet eyes.
"But it will likely be difficult to make Fudge openly stand with us. No matter how weak he is, I don't think Fudge would dare do that, unless we control him with the Imperius Curse.