A/N: This is my first fic, and it's going to be slow-moving. Not that I'll have problems updating, but the story itself will not move along that fast. Be sure to review, I want to know if you people want more! Thank you.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, they are masterpieces by geniuses that I could never pretend to be. But I can dream…

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Chapter 1: Bad Tidings

Voldemort gazed at the circle of Death Eaters surrounding him. He grinned maliciously and spoke, with his cold, foreboding voice, "My loyal servants, I have called you to me to announce what you have been expecting for years. In one week, we shall take what is ours. In a mere seven days, we will attack and defeat our foes.

"First, we shall take Hogwarts, to make the only two people who pose a threat to me powerless, or even better, dead. Then we take the rest of the world! With Dumbledore and Harry Potter out of our way, nothing can stop us!

"Severus, my spy, tell me, do they suspect anything?"

Severus Snape answered solemnly, "No, my Lord, they have no reason to expect anything of the sort."

Voldemort's snake-like eyes narrowed. "And will they find out, Severus?"

Severus's face showed non of his inner worries. "Not if I can help it, my Lord."

Oh no, Severus thought, is he on to me? Has he figured out that I'm not loyal to him anymore?

The Dark Lord's eyes regained their normal appearance. "Good. Report to me immediately if, by some fantastic chance, they do find out."

Severus bowed low and retreated to his spot in the circle.

"Now go!" shouted Voldemort, "Wait for my summons and prepare to fight!"

A swirl of cloaks, and the dreary field that had been occupied just seconds ago was empty.

* * *

Professor Severus Snape appearated to just beyond the protective boundaries of the Hogwarts grounds, grabbed his broom that he had stashed there when leaving for the meeting, and flew up to the castle. He got off the broom at one of the castle's small side doors, went in and stashed the broom in a nearby closet. Then he ran through the halls to the statue outside the Headmaster's office.

"Milky Way," he gasped, trying to catch his breath. The gargoyle moved to reveal the staircase that led up to Albus Dumbledore's office. He took the stairs three at a time and knocked hastily on the door before entering.

Albus rose to greet him, but Professor Snape wasted no time on pleasantries. "Headmaster, we must prepare! Voldemort is going to attack Hogwarts in exactly a week!"

Dumbledore's face fell, his usually bright and twinkling eyes gone dim. "Very well, go tell the other Heads of the houses. We must send all of the students in fifth year or below home, and give the remaining students the option of staying and fighting. I'll send a letter to the Ministry asking them to send Aurors for support."

"Headmaster…," Severus hesitated, "…Will they believe you?"

The grim look on the ancient wizard's face did nothing to reassure the Potions Master. "Let us hope so, or we are all surely doomed."

* * *

Harry Potter was taking a walk, as he often did at night. Of course, he always wore his invisibility cloak. The sixth-year student didn't want a detention just for walking, which is what he'd get if he were seen by a teacher out of his dormitory past curfew.

Hearing rapid footsteps, Harry crushed himself against the wall, just to make sure whoever it was wouldn't run into him. He saw that it was Snape, and that his potions professor was muttering to himself

"One week…attack in one we, what are we going to do…must send students home…no hope…no hope…"

As Snape breezed past, still muttering, Harry pondered the possible meaning of his words.

No hope, Harry thought, no hope for what? Why do they have to send students home? One week?…Suddenly, it all came together. Voldemort!! Snape was talking about an attack by Voldemort! And since they were sending the students home, it'll happen here! And in just a week.

After discerning this, Harry didn't feel much like walking anymore. His conscience just wouldn't allow him to let the teachers handle it. I have to do something! He made his way to the library.