Recruiting is the most important thing -- Late Summer 2019

I was getting more and more powerful, but I was not yet strong enough with followers.  I had the previous loyalty my father had, but I wanted more.  I needed more.  And so I would go to the darkest parts of the magical world and try to get them on my side:  the vampires and the werewolves.  I knew that Greyback would convince the werewolves, but I wanted to make sure that I could at least speak with them.  Greyback found a pack close -- the outskirts of Bristol -- and I waited for Greyback to let me know that I could reveal myself and speak to the pack.  Of course I would not have any of htem take the Dark Mar -- it was not necessary -- I just needed their loyalty and for them to fight.

I was bored and I knew that this took time for Greyback to make sure a human could enter the pack without going after him, however, that did not mean my patience would last a lifetime.  I saw that the young Greyback was there.  This was good.  She would be a valuable asset.  I was not entirely sure if I could trust her, but Viola vouched for her.  And I took my family's word seirously.  Viola knew what was at stake and would not recommend using Wilhelmina Greyback if it was not a good idea.  Even though I was Disillusioned, Wilhelmina's dark eyes found me.  She nodded and beckoned me to follow her.  Waving my wand, I did so.  Walking beside her, I looked down at the girl. "you've done well," I said to her.  I would commend those who deserved it.  And Punish all others.

I had prepared the small pack for the Dark Star.  They were not entirely sure of Wizards taht had no lycanthropy running through their veins, but I had persuaded them to at least listen to him.

While Dad prepared the other werewolves for hearing the Dark Star.  When things were ready, I had gone out to get him to bring him within the den.  When he spoke praise for me, I bowed my head but did not say a word.  I pushed away branches and let him walk into the firelight.  I would stay in the shadows and listen to the same speech he gave every group he tried to recruit.

It was a scroungy group of lads in front of me.  I looked at each of them.  "Greetings," I said to them calmly.  None of them looked entirely pleased at me being in their safe haven.  "I understand how you feel about the Wizarding race... but I am not like the rest of them.  I want you to thrive... to be out in the open -- to be accepted."  I looked into each of their eyes as I said that.  I knew how much they all longed to be accepted even if they never spoke of that desire.

"There is nothing that can stop us if we stand together and fight for what's ours," I declared with confidence.

I looked at the other werewolves and could easily sense their unease even if they did not express it on their faces.  I could tell that this was not going to end very well.  "He is far different than any other before him," I expressed softly.  "There will be no room for waivering loyalties."  I knew that was one subject that had brought down the Dark Lord and why they were hesitant.

I was not pleased by the way they were reacting to me.  "The Mark will look the same, but it will be alive.  And it will be a must to take -- there will be no one in my ranks that will not have it," I said, even though that was not necessarily true.  Only my closest would have the Mark.  The rest were disposable.  "If the mark at all senses any betrayal, it will take care of it."

I could see that settled some of them down, but not everyone.  "This is not mandatory," I announced, knowing that some of them feared of being ruled by a dictator-like leadership.  "It's just one of the best options any of us have ever had."

I looked at the pack of werewolves and smirked.  I knew they were listening to Nolan quite well, but he only knew half of it.  I sighed and nodded.  "Greyback is right; You won't need to register and be ridiculed in public.  They say Lupin's Law is making things better... but do any of you see it?" I questioned already knowing the ansewr.

The mention of Lupin's Law riled every werewolf up because it was barely making a difference... and what difference it was making was not trickling down to any of us.  I looked over at the Dark Star and I saw the slight smirk upon his lips.  "You all know it to be true," I said to the group.

I raised my hand to silence the beasts in front of me. "We will be able to get you back on top... no more sewers, no more shadows. Your place will be at our sides rather than beneath us," I said to them. Oh, they would be my pawns, but they would still be at least in the obvious public.