Title: Harry Potter and the Master of Death (1/7)
Summary: On May 3, 1715, the fledgling Ministry For Magic sent a small group of Unspeakables to confront the Dark Wizard Mortimer. Unable to kill him, the Unspeakables managed to imprison Mortimer's spirit deep within the ground by tapping into the power provided by the overhead Total Solar Eclipse. Records of the event were immediately sealed by the Ministry, and the knowledge of Mortimer's existence was lost to time.

When the sun and the moon align themselves in the precise same formation three hundred years later, Harry Potter must deal with the consequences of some very old magic in order to prevent the release of the vengeful Dark Wizard.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None for this chapter.
Prompt: Harry has to deal with old magic.
Beta: The wonderful iamshadow
Author's Notes: This story was written for Harry's month at helmetfest2008.

Many thanks to knic26 for all of the brainstorming sessions, endless support and for coming up with the name "Mortimer" when I was completed stumped when it came to naming my Dark Wizard.

Chapter 1: The Prophecy

March 20, 2015

There is a change in the air.

Luna Lovegood walked outside to her garden the instant she felt the shift and closed her eyes in concentration. The solar eclipse had begun, though it had not yet reached the totality that had been predicted. Luna had of course expected a certain level of shifting magical energy, but this was different. The air vibrated with a menacing hostility and Luna shuddered with its intensity. She hadn't felt anything like it in almost seventeen years now, not since Harry defeated Voldemort.

Luna opened her eyes. She always had a rather acute understanding of the magical energy around her. As an Unspeakable at the Ministry, Luna was able to forge an even deeper connection with raw magic and to harness its knowledge and power. She had been told by the Elders in her department that she had been blessed with an exceptional gift, and now that gift was telling her that something terrible was about to happen.

Luna Apparated to her office deep within the Department of Mysteries and as she turned toward her desk a new prophecy orb appeared on its surface. It was one of Lavender's prophecies; Luna noted casually before activating the distinctive swirling color patterns of lavender and gold.

A time of great peril approaches,
When the sun and the moon come in line.

The Master of Death's dormant power,
And the fate of the Knight intertwine.

For a mysterious old vengeful power,
From the depths of the Earth will break free.

Then united once more by the Master,
Must the Stone, the Cloak and Wand be.

To prevent the utter destruction,
Of that he considers most dear

The Master approaches the crossroads,
Even though his path seems unclear.

For the Master must master that which he is for,
And then he'll be Master, no more.

The words fell silent and Luna quickly pulled out her scrying tools. Whatever was happening was happening now, and Luna knew she couldn't afford to linger. She needed to find Harry in order to help him stop this vengeful power from breaking free, and with the sun and the moon moving ever closer to their total alignment, Luna knew they were running out of time.