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Before we roll into this story, I have a few things to post just in case I forget later...
Disclaimer: If you don't know by now that JKR owns the world that includes Harry Potter, well then I'm saddened because it is pure awesomeness. I just own the plot of this story.
WARNING: This story is rated M for violence and adult themes, including but no limited to bloody, cringing scenes and possible consensual and nonconsensual sexual encounters. You've been advised and to continue reading is your own choice and I hold no responsibility if you just don't like what you come across.
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Title: Darkness Beckons
Author: Alive at Midnight
Summary: Harry has a prophecy to fulfill, but he has plans of his own. How will he deal with a Dark Lord, a Head Girl, AND his N.E.W.T.s?
Chapter One
Harry stood on the platform as students passed by. It was nighttime, just as it always is when they arrive at Hogwarts. This particular night was rather dark since clouds covered the sky, blocking out the moon and stars. There was a breeze cooling the night that had started out unseasonably warm. He tilted his head back, looking up into the dark expanse that was the sky. He took a deep breath, relishing in his momentary freedom.
"Move it, Potter. Don't want to miss the carriages, do we?"
Harry scowled as he watched the brown-haired, know-it-all Gryffindor pass him, purposely bumping into his shoulder. He glared at her back as she followed the rest of the students toward the carriages.
He couldn't believe he was stuck with that bitch for the year. He wasn't sure if he could go very long without strangling her. He could hex Draco for talking him into taking the Head Boy position. Hell, he couldn't even believe the old man had offered it to him. He knew it was some last desperate attempt to get him to "see the light." He knew the attempt was pointless.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Draco Malfoy standing behind him. He glared at the blonde and shook his hand off.
Draco sighed. "Sorry, mate. I know you don't want to deal with her, but it will be worth it."
Harry nodded, remembering why he had agreed. He needed his own room this year. Plans were coming together; events expected to occur. He needed a place to think and to get away from prying eyes. The Head Boy position offered this with the only hindrance being the Head Girl.
Hermione Granger was a bitch, plain and simple. She stuck her nose in other people's business, flaunting her perfect grades. She knew she was the teachers' favorite and number one in her class-and possibly the school. She had gained such a swelled head and she strutted around the school with it. Sure, some would call her sweet, but Harry knew the truth.
He had spent six years in her shadow as number two in the class. He knew she spent hours in the library, preventing him from ever beating her as his time was spent doing things other than studying. Draco used to try and tease him about being beat by a Mudblood. Harry had scowled at the word and promptly threatened to hex Draco if he ever used it around him again. Besides, Granger's heritage meant nothing to him. It was being outdone by a stuck-up little bitch that pissed him off.
"Come on," Draco said, interrupting his thoughts. "Let's catch the carriages before they're all gone."
Harry nodded, noticing the platform was nearly deserted. He followed slowly behind Draco, not really too eager to get to Hogwarts. By the time they reached the carriages, there was only one carriage left and Harry scowled as he saw it was already occupied with two third year Hufflepuffs. He slid in after Draco, whose scowl rivaled his own, and with a lurch, the carriage started toward the castle.
Harry kept his gaze focused on the path. The ride to the castle wasn't necessarily long, but when he was stuck with two cowardly Hufflepuffs, it was long enough. He didn't miss how they watched him with wide eyes filled with fear and awe. He wished he could pluck their eyes out just to stop their staring. He growled, causing his two admirers to jump and huddle in the corner furthest from him. Draco snickered quietly at their reaction.
As they approached the gates to the grounds, Harry noticed a few figures standing in the shadows of a tree several feet away from the gate. Harry nudged Draco and pointed the strange scene out. They couldn't tell who it was due to the darkness. Harry watched the figures intently, but Draco grew bored quickly and leaned back into his seat.
It wasn't until they were nearly at the tree that one of the figures broke away from the shadows and hurried to their carriage. Harry could make out the bulk of flesh that was Gregory Goyle as he approached the carriage. The carriage came to a halt when he was just a foot away.
"Harry, Draco, we've been waiting for you." Goyle gasped out between breaths.
Harry frowned. "What's going on?"
"It's happening now."
"Now?" Draco exclaimed, leaning closer.
"Yes, we have to go to the Shrieking Shack."
Harry and Draco shared a look before climbing out of the carriage. Draco started following Goyle, but Harry stopped after just a step and turned back to the carriage. The two Hufflepuffs were still watching him closely, though their expressions had morphed into confusion.
Harry pulled out his wand. Giving it a wave, he pointed it at them and whispered, "Obliviate." He was awarded with their vacant expressions. He smirked and spun around, jogging to catch up with the others.
The others chatted during their walk to the Shack, but Harry remained silent. He mulled over the reason behind such an ill-timed summons. Albus Dumbledore, who was extremely observant, would easily notice they were missing. The point was to be discreet while working on the inside. No doubt they would all be questioned later on where they had been. Harry didn't feel like going through an interrogation.
They entered the dark, dusty old shack. There was broken furniture and glass scattered around the old house. No one had ever bothered to clean it even though it was a frequent location of such meetings. The only thing that stood out was an old bowler hat in the middle of the floor that wasn't normally there.
"Guess this is it," Blaise Zabini said, pointing out the hat.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Draco said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Harry just rolled his eyes and gestured for everyone to take hold of the hat. He and the four other boys had been stuck with each other for six years with only summers to separate them. Draco had already known Blaise, Goyle, and Vincent Crabbe from before Hogwarts. Harry, having spent his childhood with a bunch of abusive Muggles, had only met them his first day.
Harry remembered the day he was sorted. There had been a collective gasp when the Sorting Hat had shouted, "Slytherin!" Jaws were hanging open as he walked to the Slytherin table. A glance to the front of the Great Hall confirmed the disappointed expression on Dumbledore's face. By morning, there were rumors circulating about Harry being You-Know-Who's second-in-command. Harry had rolled his eyes at this. He was eleven.
The Slytherins had been wary of him. His first night in his dorm had been particularly awkward. He had kept to himself, only talking to Draco, who was the lone person to actually make an effort to converse with him. It had taken until after Christmas for the others to start accepting him. He started gaining friends and was gradually pulled out of his recluse tendencies. He was grateful for Draco, though. He had proven time and again that he was a loyal best friend.
As soon as everyone was touching the hat, Harry tapped it with his wand. They instantly felt the familiar pull of the portkey before they were sucked away. Harry could feel himself bumping into Crabbe the whole way. He was relieved and a little sore in his side when they arrived at their destination.
They all stumbled slightly when their feet touched ground again. Their landing was much better than their first group trip years ago, which had them all landing in one big heap. It had been a very embarrassing entrance.
Harry and the others scanned their surroundings. They were outside in a large, open field. Trees dotted the field here and there, branches bare. The field was otherwise empty, and Harry wondered if they were early. They waited in silence, anxious about their meeting.
"Hey, Harry," Draco said, drawing his attention. He was pointing off into the distance where there seemed to be some activity.
There were lights in the distance, which had flickered on, illuminating the outline of a small town at the edge of the field. As Harry watched, a column of fire shot into the air. Several others followed soon after, creating a cloud of smoke over the town. Screams pierced the quiet of the night and Harry could see figures running through the town in the eerie glow of the flames. They all watched the frantic figures until they started seeing green lights streak through the air. Soon, there weren't any more screams or odd figures. Another light was sent straight up into the sky, and a large Dark Mark appeared above the town.
Suddenly, several loud pops sounded around them. Some of the guys jumped, but Harry didn't even flinch. In seconds, they were surrounded by several hooded figures. The others looked around in confusion, but Harry stared at the figure that stood before him.
"Harry, Harry, Harry." His voice seemed to curl around him.
Harry bowed slightly. "You summoned us, my Lord."
Harry watched as a pair of pale hands reached up and the hood was pushed back. He looked up into the snake-like face of Voldemort. "Harry, so nice that you could join us. You seemed to be quite busy this summer, haven't you?"
Harry mentally sighed. He knew this would come up. Disappearing without a trace had caused a bit of an uproar in the wizarding world. Apparently, the Boy Who Lived can't go away on an unauthorized vacation. Of course, it wasn't really a vacation...
Harry knew Voldemort still wondered if he was secretly Dumbledore's golden boy. Truthfully, he couldn't imagine following the old man. Harry didn't have any issues with the man. He had given Harry valuable information during the few meetings he had agreed to. He just hoped the wizard would stand aside when the time came for the truth to be exposed.
Harry shrugged. "I needed to get away for awhile. I hope no one expected me to stay with those Muggles once I was of age."
Harry stood still as Voldemort fixed his red eyes on his own. He strengthened his mental defenses, not wanting the dark wizard to get into his mind. Years of being mentally vulnerable to the greasy-haired head of his house had caused him to spend months in the library researching Occlumency and learning it in his dorm. After mastering that, he had taken to learning Legilimency. He wasn't as good as he wanted to be, but he was happy with the bit he could do.
Voldemort narrowed his eyes. "Where were you, boy?"
Harry heard the telltale undertone of hissing associated with parseltongue. He responded in kind. "I was traveling. Didn't get to see much as a kid."
"You didn't answer my question!" His hiss was more defined in his anger.
"Why should the exploits of a teenage boy interest you?"
"Don't mock me, boy! I will end you if I must." He bent forward, stopping inches from Harry's face.
Harry refrained from rolling his eyes. He knew the dark wizard wouldn't harm him. Despite his doubts, Voldemort relished in the fact he had gained the Boy Who Lived as his follower. The day the raven-haired boy obtained the Dark Mark would be a true victory for the snake.
Harry humbled himself. "I'm sorry, my Lord. Had I known my disappearance would cause such a stir, I would not have left. I had simply grown bored of being stuck in that house. I assure you I was not with Dumbledore or any of his groupies."
Voldemort watched him for a moment before straightening. "Fine," he said, reverting to a language the rest of the group could understand. "Fall in line." He directed this to the group of teenagers.
Harry and the others obliged, standing in the center of the Death Eater circle. Harry stood at the far left with Draco to his right followed by Blaise, Goyle, and Crabbe. Goyle and Crabbe shifted in nervousness. Blaise had his eyes trained on the ground. Draco was focused on what could only be his father, a figure standing just off to his right. Harry was the only one watching the Dark Lord.
"Congratulations, gentleman," Voldemort began. "You have made it to your final year of Hogwarts and your final year of training. You have shown me your potential, but now I need to see your loyalty." He fixed his eyes on Harry during the last bit. "You will each have missions to be completed over the course of the school year. I expect them to be completed without fault. I will not tolerate failure. Your missions will be communicated at a later time. For now, remember this night. You were brought here to get a preview of things to come should you succeed." They all threw a glance toward the town that was still crumbling under the flames. "Return to school. Hopefully, this time next year you will be among my inner circle."
Popping sounds filled the air again as the Death Eaters and Voldemort disapparated. Soon, the five teenagers were alone in the field once again. They stood there in silence, each in their own little world.
Harry and Draco were the first to move. They turned to each other and shared a look. They both knew that this year was the year. They both looked at the other three, quickly coming to their own decisions. This was the year where loyalties would be proven.
Harry picked up the discarded hat and motioned for the others to grab hold. He didn't know when or how he had become the leader of their group, but the boys usually followed his directions without complaint. Maybe being the Harry Potter had something to do with it.
With a tap of his wand, they made the journey back to Hogsmeade, landing with a thud on the weak wooden floors of the Shack. Harry tossed the hat into the corner and led the group to the door of the tunnel that would take them to Hogwarts.
The walk back to school was not a quiet one. After the anxiety of the meeting had worn off, the boys were relaxed and chattier. Crabbe and Goyle complained about missing the feast while Draco and Blaise teased them about their eating habits. By the time they reached the tunnel, they were playfully shoving each other while Harry looked on in amusement. They were so distracted that they barely gave themselves time to get clear of the Whomping Willow before it started swinging its branches.
Their conversation had moved on to school as they crossed the grounds. Harry wasn't surprised that Crabbe and Goyle weren't taking many classes. Their O.W.L.s had been awful and they had done nothing to improve their scores last year. Draco and Blaise only studied hard because it was expected in their families.
Harry could see the large doors to the school were closed. He briefly wondered how long they would have to knock before someone answered when he heard the creak of the doors opening. Light spilled out onto the dark grounds lighting a path for the boys.
Harry was the first to go in and immediately caught the snarl of Argus Filch, who was holding the door open. Just behind him was Severus Snape, whose eyes were narrowed and calculating. Harry kept his expression neutral and his mental walls up. He stepped further into the Entrance Hall and the others followed quickly.
Filch shut the door with a sneer before walking off. Snape let his gaze travel over the group before speaking. "My office. Now." He spun around and stalked down the hall expecting them to follow.
Harry once again led the way. The group passed the Great Hall, where the clinking of silverware could still be heard. He and Draco snorted when they heard Goyle's stomach rumble. A quick glance in revealed that dessert was nearly finished. Harry had to ignore the soft rumble of his own stomach as he caught a whiff of the undoubtedly delicious meal.
They picked up their pace as they continued to the dungeons. Snape had already disappeared from sight. As usual, the air became cooler as they moved deeper into the castle. Harry found the colder temperature refreshing after spending so much time out in the warm night.
Harry knocked on Professor Snape's door and opened it without waiting for permission. Snape was sitting in a dark green chair behind a large wooden desk. There were two black chairs situated across from him. The walks were stone and a large black area rug covered the cement floor. A large bookcase stretched across the wall behind Snape and was filled with hundreds of books.
Draco and Blaise took the seats in front of the bare desk. Harry and the others found places to lean against the wall. They all watched Snape, who in turn watched them.
"You five," he started, "were counted as missing during the feast. I don't need to tell you that explanations are expected."
"We missed the carriages," Draco said. "Got distracted when those two-" Here, he gestured to Crabbe and Goyle. "-started goofing off. The walk back took longer than expected."
Snape nodded. "A plausible excuse. The Dark Lord will be pleased. However, I am expected to give out punishments. You will all serve detention on Monday at eight." He pulled out his wand and tapped his desk. It was soon covered with sandwiches, pumpkin juice, and honey buns. He stood up and gestured to the table. "Eat. You have twenty minutes. Potter, Professor McGonagall is expecting you in her office in ten minutes. I wouldn't keep her waiting." He moved swiftly around the desk, escaping out the door.
Crabbe immediately reached for a sandwich and stuffed it into his mouth. Goyle did the same.
Blaise flipped his legs over the arm of the chair, watching the two pig out with a look of disgust. "I can't believe he gave us detention."
Draco rolled his eyes as he poured himself a glass of pumpkin juice. "It could've been worse. We do have to keep up appearances."
"But he'll make us actually work!"
Draco drained his glass. "Do you expect anything different?"
Blaise shrugged and reached for a sandwich. "Hey Harry, you going to eat anything?"
Harry pushed himself off the wall and grabbed a sandwich. He walked around the desk, taking a seat in Snape's chair. He bit into the sandwich and chewed slowly, quickly becoming lost in his thoughts.
Goyle shoved another sandwich in his mouth. "So, what-" He stopped at the looks of disgust coming from Draco and Blaise and quickly swallowed the sandwich. He tried again. "So, what do you think we'll have to do?"
"I hope it's not hard," Crabbe said before taking a gulp of pumpkin juice.
"Anything that requires thinking would be hard for you," Blaise said and quickly moved to dodge the punch Crabbe threw at him.
"But, we'll help each other, right?" Goyle asked, looking to the others for confirmation.
The others began to nod, but when they looked to Harry, their leader, they were met with a shaking head.
Harry sighed and set his half-eaten sandwich on the table. "We can't work together on this one, guys. We each have to prove ourselves. The tasks we receive will be set up to test our individual wills. The Dark Lord will find our weaknesses and will use them against us."
They all sat in silence as the reality of the situation kicked in. Harry watched them for a moment before standing up. He walked over to Goyle and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "In the mean time, we'll help you get something other than a Troll on your N.E.W.T.s." At this, the others laughed. "Well, I'm off to McGonagall's. I'll see you four in the morning."
"Good luck with that bitch, Harry," Blaise said as Harry reached the door. "Maybe you can put a leash on her and lock her up in a crate."
Harry smirked. "I wish." He turned and walked out of the room.
He strolled through the halls, not in any hurry to make it to the office of the Head of Gryffindor. Thoughts whirled through his mind. He had a task to complete for the Dark Lord. He had to move forward with his plans. He had to share a dorm with a girl who was insufferable. And he had to study for his N.E.W.T.s. He sighed as he stopped in front of a door and ran a hand through his hair. It was going to be a long year.
He knocked on the door and waited for the stern "Enter" that soon followed. He pushed the door open and was immediately met with warmth.
McGonagall had a fire going that heated the large office. The room was decorated in the red and gold of Gryffindor. Minerva McGonagall sat behind a large mahogany desk that was covered in papers. The large chair she was in was a crimson color. Across from her were two miniature versions of her chair, one of which was already occupied by the Head Girl. Paintings lined the walls and a small bookcase was next to the door.
Harry took a seat in the vacant chair. He ignored Hermione who seemed to silently agree to do the same. McGonagall watched the two with pursed lips.
"Mr. Potter, you missed the feast and you were late for this meeting. I hope this will not be your behavior as Head Boy." Harry remained silent. "You are both here because I need to go over a few things with you before I show you to your dorm.
"As Head Boy and Head Girl, you are to lead and set examples for the rest of the students. That means behavior like tonight, Mr. Potter, cannot be tolerated. You will have patrol duty at night, more so than what you were assigned as prefects. The other prefects have been instructed to look to you two for guidance before seeking a teacher or the headmaster. I expect you to assist with any matters that are brought up and to seek proper authority when necessary. I also expect you not to abuse your position. Am I clear?" The two teenagers nodded.
"Good. Monthly patrol schedules will be provided to you. You will hold monthly meetings with the prefects in order to pass on any necessary information such as the patrol schedule. You are not restricted by a curfew, but keep in mind that others are. You are not allowed to wander the grounds past curfew. You have access to the Restricted Section of the library, but may only enter after you have notified Madam Pince. Are there any questions?" They shook their heads.
"Alright," McGonagall said and stood up. She walked around her desk to the door. "I will show you to your dorm. Follow me."
Hermione was first to get up and follow the deputy headmistress. Harry followed leisurely after them. He lost track of the twist and turns they took as they moved, but he figured he'd find the location on the map he had lifted off a certain pair of redheaded twins a few years ago.
They stopped at a portrait of Phineas Nigellus. The portrait was larger than any others Harry had seen of the ex-headmaster. When his eyes landed on the two students, Phineas growled and glared at them.
"Hello, Phineas," McGonagall greeted the portrait.
"Minerva, I refuse to guard two teenagers," he immediately exclaimed. "I thought my portrait was moved for something important, not some demeaning position such as this."
"You've already agreed, Phineas. It's too late."
"No one informed me of the details of the situation! Couldn't a statue or a still-life work?"
"Actually, I'd prefer the statue," Harry spoke up.
McGonagall rolled her eyes. "Oh, honestly. You two will just have to deal with it. There will be no changes to the guard. Now, will you two come up with a password for Phineas to verify so we can get on with this?"
"Quidditch," Harry stated.
"No way," Hermione said vehemently. "We'll use mandrake."
"No," Harry said, shaking his head. "Serpent."
"Merlin, no. Where do you come up with such awful ideas?"
"Yours aren't any better, Granger."
"Just because I choose not to use words that only a person with half a brain would come up with-"
"Half a brain? Listen here, b-"
"Enough!" McGonagall cut in, effectively silencing the two teenagers.
Phineas looked on in amusement as he stroked his beard. "I've changed my mind. I'll guard them. This could very well get interesting."
McGonagall sighed, clearly exasperated. "Since you two can't agree, I'll set it for you. The password will be Cornish pixie." Both of them groaned as the portrait swung open to reveal a stairwell. "In you go." She let them walk in first before following.
The two teenagers had stopped just at the top of the short stairwell, looking around the room in awe. They stood at the entrance of a large, circular common room. Beige carpeting covered the entire floor. A brown couch and two large brown armchairs were situated in the center of the room surrounding a large wooden table. Across from this set up was a fireplace large enough to stand in. Behind the couch were a small, empty bookcase and a small table with a wizard radio on it. There were two doors on either side of the room.
McGonagall placed a hand on each of their backs and pushed them further into the room. "Miss Granger, your room is on the right. Mr. Potter, yours is to the left. I trust I can leave you two without you hexing each other in the middle of the night." They each have a vague nod as they headed to their respective doors and McGonagall slipped out unnoticed.
Harry pushed the door open to his room and stepped inside. The room was smaller than the common room, but much bigger than anything he was used to. It was oddly shaped. The wall attached to the common room arched with the curve of the other room, but the rest was squared off. A large king-sized bed was centered on the far wall with a black duvet covering it and dark green and silver pillows propped against the headboard. His trunk was at the foot of his bed. A desk was pushed against the wall to the right and a window with dark green curtains was next to it. Harry couldn't see much in the dark night. A black armchair was against the wall to the left with a small fireplace on one side of it and on the other side was another door that stood ajar.
Harry hurried over to this door and gaped at what he saw. He had his own bathroom. The floor was a dark grey tile and the walls were a soft white. In the center was a pool that resembled a miniature version of the one found in the prefects' bathroom. A long bathroom counter with a sink was on the wall to his right and a decent-sized shower was on the wall to his left. He didn't have to go check that the toilet was hidden behind the door on the far wall.
He turned back to his room and walked to his door, which he had left open. Just as he was about to close the door, he saw Hermione standing at her own door about to do the same. He caught her eye unintentionally and they shared a glare. They both reached for their doors and slammed them shut.
Exhausted, Harry kicked off his shoes and flopped onto his bed. It had truly been a tiring day, starting with the riot he had nearly caused when he showed up at Platform 9 3/4 for the train after being missing for a month. He only hoped the weekend would be far more relaxing because he didn't want to be stressed out on the first day of classes. His last thought before he drifted to sleep was that he was glad he had declined the position of Quidditch Captain or he'd never get any sleep this year.
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~Alive~