Over the next ten minutes the Death Eaters started to appear in the graveyard. They all Apparated in with near silent cracks in the air. All wore the black robes with silver masks. Most of the masks were plain while a few had designs that looked like Celtic runes that were unique to each mask. When he saw Barty and Peter put on their masks and saw the same types of marks, he guessed that these were Tom's inner circle or elite fighters. Harry counted upwards of twenty-five Death Eaters. Most were men but he guessed five were witches based on what he could see with the heave robes they wore. Six of them, including Wormtail and Barty, wore the marked masks.
When the Death Eaters appeared they stood motionless and waited patiently. Without a word to each other they simply moved to a position in a semi-circle around the large ritual circle but leaving the end open that faced Harry. He could feel their gazes on him but no one said anything. Harry tried to yell at them but found that some magic held his tongue.
Voldemort suddenly moved out of the shadows to stand in the centre of the clearing. The Death Eaters all dropped to kneel before their master. Harry could somehow sense the shock of the cloaked terrorists at the sight of the restored Dark Lord. Voldemort's new body looked no more than middle aged - not the eighty plus year-old body that was expected.
"My faithful servants, I have returned." The tone was quiet but powerful.
"My Lord, how is this possible?" a masked Death Eater asked. Harry suspected that it was Lucius Malfoy from the voice. A suspicion Voldemort quickly confirmed.
"Ah, Lucius, my slippery friend. How is this possible? I have journeyed further on the path of Immortality that any have before me. I made a miscalculation thirteen years ago that saw the loss of my physical form. I was left a wraith. And where were my faithful servants?" The Death Eaters all started proclaiming their faithful allegiance to their master.
"Enough." Voldemort' s quiet word brought all of their protests to a halt. "Do you take Lord Voldemort for a fool? I have seen my 'devoted' followers running to protect their own positions - declaring they were forced into my service. I may not have had a physical form but that has not stopped me from watching. Only a very few of you have shown the ultimate loyalty. The Lestranges and young Barty Crouch went to Azkaban in my name; arrested while searching for me. For the rest of you, you shall have to find some way of earning yourselves back into my good graces. Especially you, Lucius my ever-faithful servant." Harry would have felt bad about the pain coming the elder Malfoy's way but the arse deserved everything he got.
The Death Eaters now knelt even lower. Harry was surprised they hadn't protested their value but Voldemort merely nodded as if that was the reaction he'd expected.
"I give to you Alvin Nott as an example of the devotion I expect of you. Nott recognized his failure and offered all he had to restore me to my rightful place. The Nott family shall forever now be known as standing in the forefront of my servants." The Death Eaters seemed to be glancing around trying to spot where their Lord's new favourite servant was standing. Then Voldemort continued, "Nott has surrendered his life along with that of his wife and only son - the very future of the Noble family of Nott - to restore me."
Harry could see that shook the Death Eaters. The old Purebloods families placed a high value on their family history and ensuring their place in the future. To hear one of their number had destroyed their own family struck them at their core.
Voldemort turned now from his followers to glare at Harry. "Now, for our guest-of-honour. Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. As the only witness of my fall, it is only right that he would be here to witness my return! "The Death Eaters murmured their agreement.
Voldemort now sported an evil grin. "As my last target, he shall have the honour of being the first in my Second Rise to fall to my wand!" The Death Eaters laughed and cheered this announcement.
"Wormtail, release Potter and give him his wand," Voldemort ordered.
Peter moved over to Harry and made a motion with his wand. The shackles instantly released. The sudden release caused Harry to wince in pain as his arms dropped down and blood started to flow freely through his arms again. Peter watched without any expression while Harry rubbed out his arms. Then he softly tossed Harry's wand at Harry's feet.
"Die well, Harry," Peter murmured. "I know you'll make your parents proud. I'm sorry." Harry ignored the traitor as he bent to pick up his wand. He felt instant warmth as his wand slipped into his hand. Peter moved away and Harry looked up towards Voldemort.
The Dark Lord had moved back a bit to a regulation duelling range. He was watching Harry with an arrogant indifference. Harry winced mentally. Of course he was arrogant. He'd beat everyone that had come against him with a wand. Even Dumbledore had only been able to hold him to a stalemate.
"Now, Harry, bow to me. Bow to your death."
"Go stuff yourself."