Voldemort took the seat at the head of the long table. The impatience radiating from him made the Death Eaters below—men and women who had long since learned to survive by reading their Master's every expression—lower their heads, not daring to look at him.
"You brought me here so I could listen to how quiet you can be?" Voldemort spoke first.
"Master, we noticed that something very strange is happening at the German Ministry of Magic! Just now, those Aurors and Hit Wizards all left their posts, one after another, and were replaced by a bunch of sorry-looking fellows who look like clerks... Many guard positions have never been weaker." Rabastan Lestrange hurriedly reported everything in one breath. But sensing that his Master was in a bad mood, he could only curse his luck inwardly and keep his head bowed throughout, not daring to look Voldemort in the eye. "Some people wanted to go straight in and bring back some funds, but I suspect there may be some kind of trap here, so I came specially to report to Master."
Voldemort narrowed his eyes dangerously. It was his subordinates' duty to figure out such matters, yet now they were turning around and asking him for his opinion.
"Master, I may know something about this..." Seeing Voldemort's reaction, Lucius also spoke up to request permission to report.
"My dear Lucius, the Malfoy family is as outstanding as ever..." Voldemort nodded in satisfaction. "Useless fools. Those responsible for gathering intelligence know less about Germany than the one responsible for affairs in the United Kingdom..."
"Bulgaria has banned Wizarding Television now, and Rabastan and the others are wanted in Germany, so they probably couldn't see the news... Nor can they appear openly anywhere to learn what is happening, as I can..." Lucius spoke