Hey there! I'm in the process of some rewrites. After all, I started this story in high school and now I'm almost done with college...lol. Nothing to major, just correcting some spellings and whatnot. I noticed a lot of people read the first chapters and then stop, according to my traffic thingy, so I figured I could try and make it better. Nevertheless, I know some people just don't like where I'm going with this, and I appreciate them stopping rather than flaming.
The skies over England loomed dark and ominous one summer evening. A storm was coming and Draco Malfoy was prepared for it. However this was no ordinary storm. His family was hosting a top-secret meeting for those remaining Death Eaters alive and any of their children who wished to attend. He was not sure where they went from here. How could they fit in the ordinary wizarding world? Without their leader, they were aimless, not to mention a target for helping the losing side. They had devoted their whole lives to serving the Dark Lord...and now he was gone? It just didn't seem possible. He knew there had to be some way to bring him back. Looking around the room, he glanced upon the faces of Crabbe, Goyle, his mother and father, Damien and Donovan, the sons of the Lestranges, ages 16 and 13, and a few others all standing in a circle in his manor's grand ballroom.
"I call this meeting to attention," Lucius said sternly, " We have noted attendance for possible future uses. Now, I'm sure we are all wondering the same thing. How do we revive the fallen Dark Lord? Well I assure you, it will not be easy. Not at all."
"But sir, you mean, we can do it? How is is possible?" asked the trembling Damien.
" There are several matters to attend to first. We must gather as many new followers as possible. However these cannot be just any wizards and witches. Purebloods, naturally. People who saw power and strength, virtue and stature in our cause. Draco and his friends will interrogate as many fellow Slytherins as possible. Many were supporters, but others were not."
"And what else do you require of us, Malfoy?" asked another older Death Eater.
"We must perform a ritual...one so powerful it will summon the spirit of the Dark Lord. He must be ready to return when we have made all the preparations."
"Sir, what kind of preparations?" asked the young Crabbe, eager to have revenge for his father's death. " I am willing to help in any way!" His mother placed a hand on his shoulder, as if to restrain him.
"I sense the determination in you, young one, and I know you are eager to seek revenge on account of your father," Lucius chuckled, "However we cannot rush things. And we MUST speak with our Lord before we begin. We will conduct a séance, to summon his spirit in order to communication with him. He will advise us. I can tell you that bringing the Dark Lord back will be an ugly matter. If all goes according to plan, several sacrifices will need to be made."
"Can you explain the process, Father?" asked Draco.
"Let Him tell you son, when the time is right. He will know better than I."
With that, Lucius began chanting a powerful incantation. Draco had never seen magic like this before. The lights all went out and suddenly the room felt cold. His mother tightened her grasp she had on his hand. The other veteran Death Eaters began to repeat after Lucius and strained, hoping to see their fallen Master. Draco closed his eyes and wished he could be the hero, a key part in helping him return. He too began to chant. What seemed like hours passed, but then, a dark cloud appeared in the center of the circle. The shape of Voldemort began to form. Draco gasped, but his mother gave him a look, as if to keep going with the spell. The shape let out a groan and with his expulsion of energy, the Death Eaters were sent flying backward.
Draco looked around frantically. He was amazed to see his father face to face with the ghost of Voldemort. The Dark Lord seemed calm and relaxed, eager to plan his return. He too glanced around to see who had been loyal to him, even after his death.
" I see that you still have faith in me, even after I was killed. How stupid I was! Harry cannot be killed the way ordinary wizards can...his mother's love protects him and he was an unintentional Horcux I made...how did I not realize it? " Voldemort was distraught.
"We believe there are other ways of killing the boy, Master." stated Crabbe.
"Death is indeed horrible, but there are some things far worse. You wish to bring me back, yes?" he whispered.
" Of course, my Lord. We wanted to seek you out and hear how we should go about doing so, strictly to your guidelines," Malfoy assured him.
" I have not long, so I will be quick. A sacrifice must be made, one who is true to me or a part of me. I need someone young, also, if I am going to make my return as powerful as I can. With their body I can return as my young self and charm the one I must, unfortunately,"
"So it is simply a Trade of Fates? One must be willing to embrace your fate..your death...in order for you to basically be given their place? You will exchange bodies, lives, and some characteristics with another, but keep your souls, right my Lord?" asked Narcissa.
"The matter becomes more complex when one soul is dead. I cannot leave this world once returning without an heir...I must leave a child behind to complete the process. I suppose I could use someone to carry on my reign of terror. It is the only way to seal my fate with the exchange of lives," he cried.
" But my Lord, why not name an heir now? One of your remaining followers? We would be happy..." Lucius was cut off.
"Silence! Even in death you try me Lucius...Anyone who is not a child of mine simply cannot have the powers I posses. And the witch who carries my child must be exceptional as well," he sighed, "My time now is up. Find the required spells among my old readings. You must hurry. Do NOT fail me!" Voldemort cried as he vanished from sight.
"Lucius, who will make the sacrifice? He said it must be someone who was true to him...young..." Narcissa asked nervously, glancing at her son, fearing for his life.
"Draco will not, if that is your concern," ruled Lucius. Draco was relieved, although he wished to be the hero so badly, he did not know if he wanted to die for it.
"Let me do it," said Crabbe.
"No!" gasped his mother.
"I am willing and of age. This is what I want. I can avenge my father's death this way, with the hope that our Lord will crush Harry and his friends,"
"The young man has spoken of what he desires. It shall be done. Not today, but in time, when the spells have been acquired and the potions necessary are prepared. You still have time to spend with your son; do not sob with shame woman! He is a martyr, dying for the glorious cause of the Dark Lord. You should be proud you have such an intrepid son!" Lucius bellowed over Crabbe's mother who was crying beyond control. She nodded, but still left the room in order to collect herself.
"Crabbe, go to her and comfort her. We will summon you in a few days. You know what you are doing, my boy?" Lucius questioned.
"Yes sir, I do." He nodded with assurance.
"Then this meeting is closed. We will assmble again once the needed materials are ready. The second return of the Dark Lord is near!" Lucius cried.
Draco knew his father was probably wishing he had volunteered, although he knew he would have never allowed Draco to follow through with it. He sighed and sat back, hoping he would be given the chance to prove himself without having to die...perhaps it was selfish, but he longed to bask in the glory of knowing he pleased Lord Voldemort. Perhaps then, he could be free…
Harry stared out into the night sky stretching over his home. He was still somewhat in shock from all that had happened in the past week. It almost seemed to good to be true: Voldemort, gone? It was all he'd ever dreamed of, strived for, nearly died for...but somehow, he felt like he had no purpose left in life. Where did he go from here? How does one so shaken by war, death, and hatred return to a normal life? Could he return to school? Would he be able to raise a family? So many thoughts raced through his aching mind. He was pulled from his thoughts with the familiar voice of Hermione, talking about how she had been offered a job working at the Ministry, working under new management of course.
"It sounds like a good idea. I'll have provided housing, transportation, and reasonable hours. Not to mention the pay." smirked Hermione. "I'll mainly be doing filing, presenting, and promoting the new Ministry. They're committed to reestablishing themselves"
"Well, yeah. I can see why," muttered Ron, as he grabbed a butterbeer from the kitchen.
"But really, I hope that I can work my way up. I don't want this position forever."
"Harry, you ok?" asked Ron.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, I've just had a lot on my mind. And nothing really to distract me from what happened," he said, darting his eyes.
"Us too, Harry, but really, there's nothing out there anymore. Voldemort is gone," Hermione said softly.
With that he nodded and got up from the living room couch. He needed to be alone for a while. Alone with his thoughts. He loved his friends but now was not the time for celebrating. Sensing that Harry needed some time by himself, Hermione whispered to Ron that she would stay here with Harry to make sure he was ok. Just then, an owl swooped in to the room.
"Whoa, that's odd. It's a Hogwarts Owl, " Ron noted, as he saw the anklet on the bird's leg.
"What's it say?" asked Harry.
" It's to you, of course, from Professor McGonagall. It's urgent, I believe." Harry took the letter unenthusiastically. What could they want now? He'd barely had a few days to recover and they were already summoning him back?
Dear Harry,
You must come to Hogwarts immediately. Professior Trelawney professes it is very important and it is apparently from a vision she has had. She urges me to tell you that you must bring Hermione and Ron as well. I am not sure of all the details, but this involves them as well as you, perhaps indirectly. I have begun an investigation into her claims. Please hurry.
Professor McGonagall
"Well, I have no idea what this means, but I guess we should get going," Harry sighed.
" I'm anxious to know what it is," Hermione said as she paced back and forth slowly.
" Shall we Apparate, then?" Ron asked?
"Right away," Harry stated plainly.
Once inside Hogsmead, the walk to Hogwarts was pleasant. It brought back good memories for Harry of all the good times he had shared with his friends in the village. However, the sight of the castle still reeked of battle, figuratively and literally, as repairs were still underway. He tried to force the visions out of his mind. Hermione noticed him tensing up and reached over to comfort him.
"It's alright Harry. This is hard for all of us, but really, its ok."
"Just bad memories, you know."
Upon entering the castle, which looked as it always had inside, they were greeted by Peeves.
"Headmistress put me in charge of doorkeeping. Keeps me out of trouble. Or at least she thinks..." Peevs snickered. "She is expecting you. Right this way." He led them passed Dumbledore's old office, which he was glad was not McGonagall's. That would have been harder to bear. She was still in her quarters, not far from the Gryffindor commons room.
" My, you did arrive quickly!" she gasped. " Come in, sit down. We have important matters to discuss." Ron grabbed Hermione's hand discreetly, as if he could hear her heart beating as rapidly as it was. Harry was anxious too, wondering if this could be about Voldemort. They sat, noticing Trelawney gazing off into space, not realizing they had entered.
"Professor Trelawney claims she detected a very dark, powerful presence summoned earlier this evening. She says that her heart literally stopped from all of the energy emitted by this spirit." McGonagall nervously said.
"True!' shouted Trelawney." He has been called! They want him back! They will find a way!"
"You see? She is distraught, clearly," McGonagall said.
"But, could it have really been Voldemort?" asked Hermione.
"Theoretically yes, it is possible for his remaining Death Eaters to have summoned his spirit, " McGonagall replied.
" But they can't bring him back..." Ron said.
"...It's dark magic, but they can..."Trelawney said all of a sudden again. The young friends gasped. "Trade of Fates, used to swap bodies but keep the same souls. A follower must die in order for Him to enter that body. ...strong potion...old, hidden spells...lots of blood."I think you understand what is at stake here. It is going to be hard for them to pull it off, especially with such a smaller force, but they might be able. And be cautious...they may seek you out, Harry, in order to witness or possibly even use your powers against you. Who knows what they may come up with at this point," McGonagall warned.
"I say we search the Malfoy's manor. I bet that's where their meeting, since Lucius was such a blind follower," Ron suggested.
" Not to mention a show off..." muttered Hermione. " First we need to get Ginny, Neville, and Luna. We can't do this alone, " she continued.
" Right. Hermione, you and Ron go find them and bring them back here to Hogwarts. I'll stay here and see what I can dig up in the library about this unfamiliar magic, as well as see if any connection remains between us through my scar, " Harry said.
"You do research?" Hermione laughed. "Ok, you need to stay here out of the way of the Death Eater's suspicions anyway. It'll be safer for you here, " she looked longingly on Harry. She knew he loved Ginny and she herself had Ron, but she wished she could tell Harry how she really felt. Sure, Ron was funny, kind and sweet, but he just...wasn't Harry. She pushed those dreams away, knowing now was certainly not the time, if there ever was going to be one.
"Good luck to you and be careful!" McGonagall shouted as Hermione and Ron dashed from the room, waving goodbye hurriedly.
"Potter, things could get very ugly here."
" I know Professor, I'm going to try and prepare for it as best I can. We have to be ready."
" Yes of course Harry, but you should also be aware that you will not be the only one Voldemort will likely be seeking."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, confused. He always knew Voldemort might try and use one of his friends against him, but why this time especially?
"It is very possible he will want...Ginny or Hermione."
Dun dun dun!