J K Rowling owns all the rights to the books and the amazing characters she created. I write only to satisfy my imagination and use my creativity and make no money from my writings.

Chapter 19 – Revelations

Albus Dumbledore was at the top of the world. Despite many setbacks, his plans had finally come to fruition. IF Tom was still alive, he would be lucky to have a few followers left and probably never be able to recruit, especially since "the world knew" that he was still dead and staying that way and it had been Sirius Black impersonating him and now Sirius Black was dead and Dumbledore had gotten the credit for the total destruction of Voldemort and his wicked followers.

Since so many Death Eaters had held positions of power and were now legally declared dead, the Ministry could confiscate the vaults of those without heirs and if there were any heirs that were minors, well the generous, noble, benevolent Albus Dumbledore would personally see to their upbringing and education, handle all of their financial matters (whether a mother or other blood relatives survived and were proven not to be a Death Eater), wisely use any Wizengamot votes and treat them like he had Harry Potter. People still thought he had loved and cared for the boy.

He could gift certain of his faithful with high end Ministry jobs and perhaps also give a confiscated estate to one or two and rent out or sell the leftovers (at what HE considered a reasonable rate) to other persons. The Weasleys would naturally expect to receive an estate, give Arthur a new, prestigious and profitable position of power at the Ministry and whatever else they could get.

But alas, they would only receive a small estate as the better ones had been full of darkness and evil and which would definitely not be to Molly's liking. Arthur would be made Head of the Department of Magical Transportation, so that Albus could control all floos, portkeys, apparation applications, etc. If he refused (and he might) or resigned when he found out what it detailed, then it was the Department of Magical Games and Sports which would pacify his family (with the exception of Molly). He would appease her by arranging some very advantageous marriages for her children. Naturally she would complain that "it wasn't enough" but tough! It would be take it or leave it.

The only other loose end was Severus Snape. No doubt he was hiding at Prince Place with his grandfather, which had been successfully hidden by impenetrable family wards and a Fidelius and who knew what else. The estate was self-sustaining for everything and unless Snape voluntarily left it, he and his grandfather were untouchable by the Ministry and Dumbledore.

Although he would like to get hold of Snape, it was not as important as some of his other plans. Snape would be a prisoner, albeit living in luxury and contentment, so it would have to be enough – for the moment.

Yes, all of his plans had turned out better than expected. Now he could truly and uncontestably rule Britain according to his terms and then…eventually…the rest of the Magical World. All others, including Merlin, would become, if anything, a mere footnote in history and some wouldn't even be mentioned, not even as a myth.

Power, especially total power, was a wonderful thing to have!

Tom started his personal history at the beginning, with a short history of what he knew about both his parents, his birth and life at the orphanage. Barty was shocked and Harry was sadden, but at least Tom's father had been a third generation Squib and not just a Muggle (Tom had found that out later).

Then it got worse when he got to his Hogwarts years where it was thought that he was just a Muggleborn, and a poor one at that. But he studied hard, was personable, helpful and soon became the pet of all of his teachers – except Dumbledore.

Before he started on that…experience…he helped himself to a brandy, gulping it down in one swig. He never did that, even in his insanity, but he would now be revealing things that no one else knew and which he tried to not remember. After that he had another brandy as did Barty. Harry was fighting back tears but was also cursing this Dumbledore creature to perdition.

After that, a loo break was needed and Jeeves replenished the buffet with a better variety suitable for a late cream tea and the beginning of supper.

After the slight rest and refreshment, Tom told them about his marriage and family, which was another very painful subject. Again, it had been Dumbledore who had done everything he could (without being caught) to alienate Tom's nearest and dearest as apparently it was the old coot's plan for the Greater Good.

It was then that Harry asked what the Greater Good meant. "Whatever Dumbledore wants it to mean" was the reply. "He never explains any of his reasons and just tells everyone to trust him as he knows what he is doing and they wouldn't understand the complexities so just follow his lead with total and unwavering obedience."

"But he has to explain somethings, at least to his…inner circle" Harry stated.

"No he doesn't, if only because he is Dumbledore and thus doesn't owe anyone an explanation about anything. He always gets away with it whether it is with the Ministry, the ICW, the Wizengamot, the Hogwarts staff or his minions" Tom replied.

"But he has to answer to somebody" Harry said.

"Not in this life" Tom smirked. "He is more slippery than an eel swimming in olive oil. He uses that grandfatherly persona – which is faked – those twinkling blue eyes, a dash of his purported senility, his so-called – by some but not anyone with a brain – disarming smile. Also, I know for a fact from experience, eavesdropping and reports from reliable sources, and if that fails, he calls in various 'debts' owed to him and/or the good old obliviations and assorted spells. Thus he has been getting away with things for at least a century."

Tom stopped to have a cup of tea and a finger sandwich as did the others. He was just about to continue his story when Jeeves interrupted. "My Lord, the patient Rab has awaken and is calling for you."

Barty was going to go with him but Tom ordered him to stay with Harry.

The first thing Tom did was to place a potion in the Cup and order him to drink. He had been healing slowly because unlike Tom and Barty, Rab had been severely injured. He looked much better but was still weak but he had remembered something, something important.

"My Lord, I remembered what Rudy told me…." Tom ordered him to take it easy as they had all day. "But my Lord, Rudy had his suspicions and tried to get the elves to spy on Bellatrix. It wasn't until we were leaving for the battle that an elf made his report."

Poor Rab gasped for breath so Tom made him drink water out of the Cup. "He didn't have much time due to what BLACK" he spat out "did to him but he managed to force me to listen and not take him to safety because he knew he was dying. He said…he said that the elf heard Bella's plan. She knew it was a trap which is why we had all of these escape plans, extra armor, etc. However, the armor ran out so that Rudy and I only had shields to protect us. The elf said she was ordering the elves who were going to get the wounded back to the Manor – EXCEPT for certain people such as Rudy and me."

"But you and Rudy are excellent fighters and loyal to the cause" Tom said.

"Yes…but Rudy is-was her husband. I was his heir – not Draco no matter what Lucius says or thinks – so with Rudy's death I would be Lord Lestrange and thus she would be under my command. Apparently, there were rumors circulating even before 31 October 1981 that she was contemplating becoming a widow."

Tom paused for a moment before saying "I believe I know what she meant by that. I think you and Rudy knew that Bellatrix had, as the Muggles say, the hots for me. However, I refused her advances despite some of her very creative ideas on how to seduce me. As you also might remember, I refused to consider bedding the other wives, sisters, daughters and - definitely not Circe Zabini as I might have been insane but not stupid – that were thrown in my way to court my favor."

"I do remember something like that my Lord. Bella was doing it at every opportunity – not that Rudy said anything as one did not cross Bellatrix Black especially a mere husband. She was highly insulted that you kept refusing her with the ridiculous excuse – her words not mine – that she was a Pure-blood wife and had a duty to her husband and you didn't approve of adultery – by wives at least."

"I said the same to other followers who offered their wives as well as saying that a Pure-blood sister or daughter should being marrying another Pure-blood and producing more members of the Pure-blood race. Many didn't like it but they wouldn't press me on the subject because I was their Lord. I circulated rumors that none were worthy of me and most did believe that."

"Except for Bella" Rab replied sighing. "In Azkaban she kept taunting Rudy that once she was a widow, you would come to your senses and wed her. When you rescued her, she would ask that Rudy and I be left in that hell hole – dead - and then she would be free to finally marry you. Of course, Rudy always replied that he would prefer staying in Azkaban than escaping and being married to her. Her hostile replies were the only entertainment we had in Azkaban."

Tom smiled slightly at that and asked Rab "So she was sealing both of your dooms in the trap so she could rule and then marry me. Did it ever occur to her that I was just not interested in her?"

"I don't believe so my Lord. I won't mention any names but apparently some of those who gave you 'offerings' were insulted that you refused them. Rumors circulated that you had no interest in women since you refused a sister, a daughter or even a wife. Not to be disrespectful to you my Lord but since Bella planned our deaths, I will tell you that she bragged that if you didn't like women, once she had her way with you, you would never want another of either sex."

Tom did laugh aloud at that "Bella has never been known for her modesty, humility and especially tact. Do you think she believes that I am alive?"

"I don't know my Lord and she probably doesn't either since I do know for a fact that Avery destroyed that special rune as he didn't trust Bella and knew he could make another one and she couldn't. Ergo, she now has no way of contacting you and only you can summon her, so she really doesn't know if you are alive or dead" Rab smiled smugly. He had never liked her and since it was her fault they were sent to Azkaban and Rudy was dead by her plotting, he wished her nothing but harm.

"Let me think some more on this" Tom said. "I will have the elf bring you some broth and toast and hopefully tomorrow you can start on other foods." Waving his wand over Rab, Tom then replied "I think you will be mobile and eating regular food within a few days. Then I will be making my plans."

As he turned to leave Rab remembered something else. "My Lord, I forgot to tell you this. Apparently, Bella knew of those who remained neutral but still supported you with money and information. She had MacNair get as many as he could and Imperiused them to follow her. I am quite certain they are among the dead if only to fool Dumbledore into thinking he had gotten most if not all of the Death Eaters."

"Damn" Tom cursed. "I gather you don't know how many she found, but I would like to compare lists if you can remember any of the names. I will have Jeeves get you parchment and a self-inking quill – after you eat and take the potions I am prescribing – and jot down as many as you can remember. I had more than most knew of, especially the Inner Circle, for my own safety and the safety of the neutrals. Many have heirs that are underage and no doubt Dumbledamnit will be taking over their guardianship to lead them to the Light – as well as using their votes, wealth and arranging their marriages."

With that said he left, his mind working on several problems at once. The rest of his life story would have to wait as he had more important decisions to make, and had to make them yesterday.

Despite her great victory, Bellatrix Black Lestrange was in a hideous mood. Most of her people had survived, Rudy and Rab were dead and Dumbledouche had no idea just how many Death Eaters were still alive. If only her Lord would summon her, everything would be right in her world. However, that damnable Avery had destroyed the summoning rune and left no notes on how to make another one. If he wasn't dead, once she found him he would wish he was as well as his ancestors.

Now her only problem was contacting her Lord. He might still be out of the country recreating the Slytherin Grimoire so wouldn't know about the battle. What if he thought all of his followers, including her, were dead? He might leave Britain forever, travel the world learning new and powerful magic and never return to her.

Thus she had to come up with a plan so that he would know that all was not lost and return to her. But what to do, what to do? She thought of one thing, but it would be risky and she would have to wait until the wounded were recovered and have MacNair (who had actually survived) to Imperius more "followers" to her cause. It had to be done by the spring holidays which didn't leave much time, but it would show the world that the Dark Lord lived and would defeat that senile, lying, disreputable, piece of filth named Dumbledore.

She couldn't afford to fail, thus she wouldn't. Then her Lord would reward her beyond her (and his) wildest dreams. She finally had something to smile about.