Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Manipulated Shadows
By Silver Sailor Ganymede

The serpent king knew nothing of love: nor indeed of lust, for neither were of any consequence nor interest to him. Indeed human emotions were only of interest to the lord of the shadows when they could be manipulated, twisted to his advantage, as in many cases they could.

He found it very amusing how so many deluded mortals still held feelings of love for him: all he commanded from his followers was that they be subservient: they were only needed for a short while, until true immortality was his. When that was achieved he would have no further use for followers, only slaves: they would need to be disposed of… The only followers he would need then would be the shadows from whence he himself had come…

However, for this short time until he became immortal, his follower's pitiful flaws and emotions were invaluble to him: it kept them under his control after all, reminded them of their place… The only flaw among his Slytherin followers, as indeed the majority seemed to be, was that they were too ambitious for their own good, however even they were blind enough to be manipulated to his advantage when it suited him.

Many held love for him, for some reason he could not fathom: the insane maiden, the dark one with the sadistic smile was his follower, his toy: the fallen, bitter lioness with the mane of fire, the spy who had decieved all was his marionette: but the shadows held his lover, the darkness was his missteress.