“Negotiations?” Magnus repeated, almost unwilling to believe his ears.

“It would appear so, dark lord.” Lucius said with a bow. Magnus looked at the parchment again. The terms were listed in impeccably neat handwriting, each line written with an elegant grace. It did not seem like the writing of a man about to surrender, and that was what Dumbledore was doing.

“Dumbledore seems quite generous, don’t you think, Lucius?” Magnus asked.

“You suspect a trap, dark lord?” Lucius asked. He couldn’t see it, but Magnus could tell there was sweat beading on the death eater’s back. Voldemort’s presence was rather admirable in this regard, able to inspire fear even in casual circumstances.

“Dumbledore claims the ministry refuses to acknowledge my return, and that a peace treaty would benefit us both. He asks for us to cease visible hostilities against the muggle population and refrain from seeking revenge against the wizard who had wronged us in the past. In exchange, they will not seek to harm me or my death eaters.” Voldemort read, looking at Malfoy.

“An interesting choice of words.” Lucius said carefully.

Magnus nodded. “Indeed. Visible hostilities are to be forbidden. What of the imperius curse then? Or information gathering? I cannot say for sure I understand what Dumbledore is attempting with this farce. Is he perhaps asking us to refrain from revealing malicious magic to the muggles? Or perhaps ceasing all interaction with them entirely? What do you think he is planning, Lucius?”

He looked in those pale grey eyes of his, and he began probing his mind. “Dumbledore knows of your horcrux, dark lord. I believe he is trying to buy time.” Lucius said. Magnus read his thoughts again. They seemed to match his words.

“I believe so too. But the old fool is right about one thing. Right now, peace would benefit us. A broken wizarding world is rather difficult to rule over, and murdering muggles to resurrect servants that could turn on us would be folly. Do you feel the current terms are acceptable, Lucius?” Magnus asked.

What game are you playing, Muggle? Magnus heard Voldemort ask.

He froze, his mind wandering a hundred places at once. Magnus read guesses of his intention, thoughts of the treaty, of fear, and so much more. It became difficult to focus, so he stopped his reading. “The terms of the treaty are acceptable if the dark lord believes so.” Lucius said, holding his breath.

“I asked for your opinion, Lucius.” Magnus said, raising the papers. “Are the terms acceptable?” He repeated.

He was silent for a moment. “No.” He replied.

Magnus nodded, and Lucius disguised his breath of relief as a cough. “Why?”

Lucius froze his cough unnaturally. He swallowed. “We are not given the power to rule other wizards.” He said, almost a question.

“Very good, Lucius. You will draft a letter to return to Dumbledore with new terms. Be sure that my death eaters are satisfied with their new privileges. I shall be returning soon, and I will be expecting you to finish by then. You will be leading the meeting in my stead.” Magnus said, picking up his wand.

Clever, muggle. But you give them too much power, you have much to learn. He heard Voldemort say.

“Dark lord, if I may?” Lucius asked.

“Oh?” Magnus asked.

I will do as I like, Riddle. You will be quiet now unless I demand otherwise, he responded. He heard a hiss before the voice went silent.

“What shall you be satisfied with?” He asked.

“If my death eaters feel satisfied with the treaty I shall be too. Tell them they may consider it their reward. Their words shall become law in the new wizarding world. I shall not waste time crafting laws of my own. That duty shall belong to you and my servants. I require nothing from the Ministry I cannot take for myself.`` He replied.

Lucius nodded. “I understand, dark lord. What will you do during this meeting then, if I may ask?”

“I shall be visiting Potter.” Magnus said.