A Legacy of Evil: The Familiar

I was quiet.

Nagini grew more wary, looking at my expression that was likely familiar to her. That closed off, cold sensation as serpentine as her other form as I looked at the woman who became Voldemort's only friend, if such a term could apply. I also knew that she had also been involved in the second world war against Grindelwald, had even set foot in Hogwarts while still human.

So why was she dressed like this, here of all places?

"I know you." I said finally and she looked ready to fight as I kept speaking. "You're a Maledictus; like the mother of Rome and Henry the Thirds bosum companion." Confusion entered her eyes as I continued on, my fist clenching as I did so.

"You were also an agent during the war and fought for the Allies. This... This will not stand." I flicked my wand and she flinched before looking amazed at what I had done.

That insult of an outfit had to go. Instead, I transfigured the blanket and the clothing into something more befitting of a governess. Leather boots, long black dress, white collar with a green ribbon, white silk gloves. After a moment I frowned and flicked my wand again, removing the excess makeup and redoing her hair into a bun as I materialized a mirror before her. Nagini seemed shocked, looking into her reflection as her hand shook and she touched her lips, before looking at me as she raised her chin and spoke.

"You're a scholar. With the wandwork of a master. Are you one of Dumbledore's people?" The sheer scorn she managed to pour into that name was impressive, and I shrugged once before speaking.

"Not really. I'm familiar with him though, more than I'm entirely comfortable with. How exactly, did you come to be here?"

She laughed and there was no mirth in it as she smiled and spoke sweetly. "Maledictus. After the war, I sought a cure for my condition... None could give it to me. I spent galleons and favors, and then society itself became my enemy. Without money, without support I had nothing. None would see me and those that would, proved to be far more twisted. As for Dumbledore, I had no magic and a curse that acted bereft of my control, lest I become trapped in its usage. When that wizard has no use for his toys, he tosses them away."

She shrugged. "In my desperation, I decided to travel home and was caught by hunters. One among many, frightened girls. What did I care? What did I have to live for, that would be so sweet?"

She closed her eyes and I breathed out as I tried to think. This didn't seem entirely correct, not that I doubted her. Even without using legimency, the truth in her voice was bitter and hateful; at the least, she certainly believed every word of it.

As to Dumbledore, I did recall the cleanup afterwards. Nagini must have slipped through the cracks, in his mourning period for Grindelwald and with Nagini poisoned towards wizards and their aide... Well, at any rate I had to pick my words carefully and so I decided to opt for truthfulness.

"Are you happy?"

"Of course not. Who would be, in this situation?" She snapped, glaring at me and I nodded, once in turn before I spoke again.

"Do you want to leave with me?" Her answer surprised me as she spoke.

"No." My confusion must have shown itself as she spoke, her tone heated as she added.

"I have nothing in which to pay you for. And I've learned my lesson with powerful wizards."

That was... Fair I suppose. I was dealing with someone battered by life, obviously so and I thought for a moment before I finally spoke.

"How can I prove myself then and my sincerity?"

She smiled and there was something hypnotic about it as she looked me in the eye and spoke. "Truly? Do what you actually claimed to come here to do. But you won't, you can't. Not unless you brought an army of your own." She leaned back in her seat as she added, examining her nails.

"If you're not facing the Dugong Pera, then you're facing the market entirety. A collective of criminals, warlocks, monsters all united in skullduggery and certainly not going to stay still when somebody attacks. This place is their golden goose, do you really think someone, much less one man is going to ruin it for them if they can help it? After Manila?"

"Hmmm." I didn't hum so much as say it, reclining back as I contemplated and spoke. "True, true. If only there was someone who had experience with this sort of wetwork. Someone who has a grudge against this place, who would want to join in burning it to the ground...."

Nagini scowled.

I must say, I much preferred it to her former, wary self. A good change of clothing could work wonders for your mood and I hid my smile as she scoffed.

"Why would I put my trust in you?"

"Because I have something none of these yahoos don't." I said simply, getting up as I added. "Pure, unrelenting brute force."

I checked the time. I had hours' worth in which to work, and I smiled as I added. "Just you wait and see."

Do you know what they call a wizard with prep time?

A really, really bad day for the person on the opposing end and I went to work.

=====

I walked out of the room hours later, well rested. Nagini, being tugged along in my hand as she squirmed and avoided looking anyone in the eye. As the Madame smiled and spoke to me, I grinned back and spoke aloud. "I'd like to do another purchase now." She looked vaguely impressed and then suddenly briefly confused as I held out a paper.

"As I've paid in full for everyone here, please send them to this address."

She blinked again. I wondered if I overdid it with the confundus charm, but then again, she didn't expect wandless, silent magic either.

I may not be able to create a patronus, but something like this was easy enough for one of my talents. And when I wore my wand openly on my belt in its holster, the decoy was more than enough to make most relax.

And so, I had her send the girls out via specialized portkeys, her own network and all sent to the church I had met Professor Trese.

As for her bodyguard bouncers, I flicked my hand to the door and locked it, the window shutters coming down as they suddenly realized something was wrong as they went for their wands.

And then Nagini struck. From cowering prostitute to serpentine, vividly green snake she lashed out and bite down on one of their throats, while I broke the skull of the other with an impact charm.

Just a burst of localized pressure focused intently on one area, but enough and as he collapsed, Nagini hissed and slithered over to the madame, who cried out in fear as terror for her life overwhelmed the charm as she tried to use her wand.

Almost contemptuously, I blasted it and snapped it in two as she stood there dumbly, before scrambling backwards from Nagini. Her hiss was incomprehensible to all but me as I stood there and listened.

"-Liar, bitch, killer! You killed them, you broke them and I'm going to-"

"Please!" The madame begged, looking to me as she held out her hands. "Spare me! Save me!"

I cocked my head to the side, my expression completely blank before I hissed in Parseltongue which had her turn pale and gave Nagini a brief pause.

"Why would I waste my time on that?"

I didn't look away as Nagini murdered her in cold blood. Nor did I really feel anything from it, perhaps something left over from Voldemort... Or maybe just me. Dumbledore would have been disappointed, but as I watched, I thought about the direction I originally started out and how I did it. That Nazi's son, dead for merely being in my way. The prior folks, harmed by me and my actions before I woke up in this body. A good man would have done better restitution, worked and turned himself in.

I was not a good man.

But I was good enough and as Nagini slithered back and transformed, she looked much different. Her hair was loose, her mouth was bloodied and she was shaking, torn between elation and horror.

I sighed, walked over and produced a handkerchief, setting it within reach as I carefully didn't look her way and stepped back.

Nagini paused and then quietly, I heard the sounds of her cleaning up before she cleared her throat and I turned to her. She didn't thank me, but her eyes told me everything as she shuffled and looked at me.

"Now what?"

"Now?" I said as I flicked my wand and gave her the clothing from before. Walking to the window, I peeked through the shutters and glanced around. Walking to the brothel guard Nagini killed, I took out his wand and hefted it briefly, wincing at the feel before I took off my own holster and set it on the table, exchanging wands as I spoke aloud.

"Now, I pay a visit to the master of this place. While I'll need you, to place this in the market."

I held out a bottlecap, tossed it to her as she held it gingerly, knowing what it did.

"Can you do that and get out?" She nodded and I nodded back, content.

"Good. I'll see you soon and if not... Well, here's my broom. Take care of my wand."

I tossed the broomstick uncaringly, and before she could say a word I turned and walked out. My heartbeat was steady.

My mind was calm and as I walked over through one of the levels, I gauged this to be enough time and without a change in expression, I turned and blasted several of the customers and guards into chunks with a wordless spell. Hmm. I overdid it, though to be fair this wand really wasn't suited for my magic. I heard screams, gunfire and then wands pointed my way as I raised my hands.

Stunning spells flew at me, and all went black.

More or less how I planned it.

.... I really needed to make better plans.