Harry Potter: The art of divination

"Herpo?" Lord Lestrange muttered his hand reaching for his mask, "Why does that name sound familiar?" he turned to Lord Mulciber expecting a reply but received silence 

Herpo strode forward passing by the death eaters as if he owned the place, "Clean this place up we have much to discuss once I return." 

He flicked his wrist as he passed and suddenly the death eaters dropped to the floor their faces behind the masks contorting in pain as they held their forearms. The dark mark under their garments writhed and burned extending up their whole arm and across their collarbone a large Baskalisk taking the place of Toms's previous work.

It was not just them but every remaining death eater felt it just as they felt the call to convene at the same time. 

Herpo stopped turning to look at Lestrange, "Your fellows will be arriving soon settle everyone while I'm gone." 

In a sweeping motion, he disappeared. 

***

He appeared in a wide clearing not far from where Tom was shacked up. A grin formed on his lips as he tasted the fresh air, "Finally." he sighed 

Herpo's grin widened as he felt a shift behind him a familiar presence filled his soul, "It has been a while." he murmured turning to face the man who dared to interrupt his first outing 

Morpheus smiled brilliantly, "It has been far too long brother." both men erupted into laughter as they trecked the short distance in an instant and embraced each other 

"Far too long." Herpo agreed faint tears forming at the creases of his eyes, "I saw what you did to this Tom fellow it was truly mental torture brother how I missed you." Herpo exclaimed 

Morpheus laughed as they both walked closer to the water, "You know it was rather boring, he already began with the Horcruxes when I found him." 

Herpo snorted, "Yes yes, but I wonder who placed the book of Horcruxes there." he mused aloud with a knowing grin 

Morpheus snorted in almost the same fashion as his brother, "It was an insurance policy who knew no one would make seven hourcuxes until now I was getting impatient." 

Herpo guffawed, "I couldn't believe it either even those pharaohs only made two at most. Though id rather spend time in limbo than where you get sent in death brother." 

Morpheus's grin broke into a rare grimace, "I wouldn't wish it on anyone." he spoke softly almost hallowly 

"I apologize, I know it is a sore spot," Herpo muttered sadly 

Morpheus waved him off, "Think nothing of it." he sighed shaking his head, "Im just glad your finally back brother, how are you finding the new body?" 

A malevolent grin spread across Herpos's lips, "Plentiful, he carried quite a lot of power I added to my own and he shared my talent of parseltongue." 

"I thought you would appreciate that tidbit." 

"Very much so this body even came with followers, such a pleasant surprise." Herpo laughed, "Truly what a wonderful time to be alive." 

"So you received his memories then?" Morpheus asked in thought 

Herpo nodded slightly, "Most of them, he fragmented his soul many times so some of his memories are still hazy. As I grow into this new body I will be able to clear them up." 

"Good." Morpheus replied as they stopped at the edge overlooking the water, "You must be dying to know what has happened since we last talked." 

Herpo gunted in agreement not taking his eyes from the gentle waves. 

"Well." Morpheus began before a peel of laughter escaped his lips, "Nicolas and I are still allies his wife is well by the way. My alliance with the goblins and centaurs still stands. The vampires are out I needed to take care of them but don't worry they are prime for mobilization. Oh there is that wolf god roaming in some woods you remember them? Still not sure on who they are though." 

Morpheus thought for a moment before grinning, "The Black family is in the fold and there is another family that is my ally they seemed rather grateful to you Shafiq something. Bah, just take some memories this will take too long." 

Herpo erupted into laughter, "Brother." he wheezed, "How I've missed you." they locked eyes and Herpo didn't shy away he was the only person confident enough to do so with Morpheus 

A minute passed and Herpo grunted while looking away back to the water, "You found informing of allies more important than the fact demons can now step onto this plane, portals are being made and we are definitely going to be attacked soon? Your sense of humour is still shattered Morpheus." 

"It will be sooner than what you saw," Morpheus replied, "They will know you are back and they will escalate their plans." 

"I shall stabilize things on my end what will you do?" Harpo asked curiously 

Morpheus grinned, "Wolf hunting brother wolf hunting." 

***

A barren plain sucked of all life lay wasted far from the mortal realm, beings began to show in ethereal forms gathering for a meeting once more. 

"He is back." one announced cautiously fear carefully hidden in his tone 

An ethereal form of lightning crackled, "So be it we will crush them!" 

"FOOL!" a shadowy figure rasped, "When will we stop underestimating these two? We teach our young about them but don't take our own warnings to heart! We cannot let them lay out their plans any longer!" 

"Agreed!" a golden figure with wide wings parroted, "Time after time we wait until we think we can win only to find out they have prepared countless countermeasures! The only thing worse than one brother is both walking the mortal plain once more."

"Agreed." another chipped in 

And another, "Agreed." 

"Agreed." 

"Agreed." 

"Very well, we shall start early. Ready initial contact." 

***

Herpo strode confidently into the den of death eaters watching with glee as their faces contorted into confusion as he took his stand as the head. 

"You do not know me but I am the reason for your marks change, I have replaced Voldemort and will now lead you all to greatness," he stated blandly 

"What!?" a death eater shouted, "Who the bloody hell are you!" 

Herpo laughed, "Perfect! Allow me to demonstrate something." 

He hissed softly, a sound both primal and commanding. The Death Eater who had dared to call him out faltered, his face twisting in sudden agony. His body quivered, and his knees buckled as though an invisible weight pressed down on him. A soft, guttural groan escaped his lips as he crumpled to the ground, his hands clawing at his chest, his strength and defiance drained away with each passing second.

He ripped off his cloak with a fluid motion, revealing the intricate and sinister new Dark Mark carved into his skin—a massive basilisk etched in haunting detail, its sinuous body stretching from his arm to his collarbone. The dark serpent was alive, its scales shifting unnaturally as though it slithered across his flesh, its eyes glowing softly with an eerie emerald light. 

Eventually the death eaters struggling stopped and his body collapsed to the floor fully. 

"Any other objections?" Herpo asked calmly

"Good, now we will now be known as the dark faction no more of this death eater nonsense. Voldemort was a half breed your cause was a pointless slaughter. If you must know there is no such thing as a pureblood you are either magical or not. I personally follow a survival of the fittest dogma." his grin unsettled the group deeply 

"Soon things around us will change and you will understand what I mean but for now I will allow you to follow me with your feeble mindsets. My first order is for you to discreetly slip to the other factions of magical Britain that Voldemort is completely dead and someone else has taken his place. Someone who does not want to conquer." Herpo had a strange way with words he was not like Morpheus who knew what people wanted to hear 

No Herpo made people want to hear what he wants. 

"Am I understood?" 

"YES LORD HERPO!" The ex-death eaters chorused in unison almost involuntary 

"Good now if you were a top member of Voldemort's old regime stay behind if not go about your business but be aware I will be watching." His eyes flickered ominously 

As they left Lord Mulciber inched forward, "My Lord may I ask your full name?" 

Herpo looked over in amusement, "I told you my name is Herpo." 

He thought for a moment then grinned, "But some used to call me "The Foul."