SLYTHERIN'S PROPHECY
LADY SHINIGAMI
DISCLAIMER: I ONLY OWN THE PLOT
PART 2: AN EXPLAINATION: RESCUE
"Damnation! I find, and successfully translate, Slytherin's Prophecy and its utter nonsense!" Said Voldemort in frustration. A lone figure in a dark corner of the room stepped forward.
"My Lord, it may be possible that I might be able to solve the puzzles of this prophecy. You know that I'm quite capable." Said the figure.
"Yes, you are, aren't you, Severus? Fine, take the prophecy. Let me know the moment you've made progress. However, I don't need to warn you that Dumbledore may have another spy among the Deatheater ranks. No one must know. This is a matter of your full discretion. You may go, Severus." Said Voldemort, waving a hand in dismissal. Severus bowed and left quickly, prophecy in hand. Once beyond the restricting wards, he disappeared with a small pop and Apparated to Hogsmeade and he ran to the castle, hoping to avoid Dumbledore.
No such luck.
Dumbledore was waiting just inside the large doors leading into the Great Hall. He saw Severus and motioned for the Potions Master to follow him into his office. Once there, Dumbledore offered a lemon drop. Severus declined.
"Severus, it has come to my attention that Voldemort has found a prophecy dating back to the Founders, Slytherin in particular. Have you heard anything?" asked Dumbledore, and Severus froze for just a second.
"Voldemort has indeed found Slytherin's Prophecy, but, as far as I know, he has been unable to translate it," Said Severus, choosing to only confirm Dumbledore's suspicions. "I'll try to find out more the next time he calls a meeting."
"Hmm, all right, Severus. Please keep me informed."
Severus bowed and left Dumbledore's office, all thoughts on the Prophecy hidden in his robes. He suddenly needed the quiet solitude of his dungeons. Once there, he sealed himself inside, preventing anyone who wished to see him, like Dumbledore, from entering the dungeons. He removed the Prophecy from his robes and immediately went into it, trying to unlock the cryptic puzzles, trying to understand what it meant.
He made no progress for the next few days, thinking that he was missing something; that the key of this Prophecy was just beyond his reach. Then it hit him...
Solving the first clue, Severus was amazed at how quickly the rest of the Prophecy came into place. It was well past midnight when he finished solving the clues of the Prophecy. He ran from the school, hurrying to get back to Voldemort with his astonishing discoveries. Beyond the barriers, he Apparated to Riddle House and made his way to Voldemort's private chambers. He opened the door and stepped inside.
"Who disturbs my peace?" came the sinister voice of Voldemort. Severus bowed and stepped forward.
"It is Severus, My Lord. I have solved the mysteries of the Prophecy. We also have a spy among us; Dumbledore knew of the Prophecy and has asked me to keep him informed." Voldemort turned from the fire and stared at Severus.
"I'll deal with the spy later. Tell me what the Prophecy says."
Severus nodded. "You are the Serpent Lord, that is certain. However, the identity of the Chosen One is...disturbing, to say the least. You will not be pleased, My Lord."
"Who is the Chosen One?"
"Harry Potter."
Voldemort narrowed his blood red eyes dangerously. "Explain."
"The dates and the situations are identical to Potter's. He was born a fortnight after the Summer Solstice and attacked, by you, one year later, on Halloween. It fits. You two have constantly fought one another without relative success. Without the pressure of being the Boy Who Lived, he would be far more powerful than he is now. His scar is a mark that connects the two of you. You and Potter are Ancients." Said Severus and watched as Voldemort contemplated the results of his work.
"Bring him here, immediately. Keep your face covered; no one must know you were there. Go." Ordered Voldemort and Severus bowed.
"As you wish, My Lord."
Severus arrived on Privet Drive in the early hours of the morning, the time when everyone would be sleeping on the street. He made his way silently to Number 4, and he immediately noticed lights on inside the house. Curious, he kept low in front of the window, aware of the drawn curtains but cautious nonetheless, and peeked inside the house from the curtains met in the middle. What he saw chilled his blood.
On the floor of what the living room, in a pool of rapidly spreading blood, was Harry Potter, struggling slightly as a large man restrained the boy to the couch with manacles. The Gryffindor was naked, and far too thin for his age, as though the Muggles were starving him as well as torturing him. His muscled back was covered in old and fresh bruises and lacerations, caused by a whip. Harry's arms and legs were in a similar state. Severus could count Harry's ribs from his angle of view, and noticed that more than a few of them were broken.
Severus briefly wondered why Harry hadn't cried out, then saw the reason why: the boy's jaw was broken, bruised and bleeding quite heavily. Harry also sported two black eyes, and was bleeding from a gash on the side of his head.
When the Muggle brandished a knife, Severus knew he had only minute max to save the boy. He blew the door off the hinges, sending it crashing down the hallway. Hearing an enraged yell from the living room, Severus knew he had the Muggle's attention. He barged into the room, his wand pointed directly at the Muggle, making him freeze. The Muggle stared at his wand, and then dove for Harry, holding the knife at his throat.
"One more step and I'll cut his throat! I'll do it! I'll kill him, I will!" Yelled the Muggle, Severus assumed he was Harry's uncle. He appeared quite insane.
"You'll be killing no one. Avada Kedavra!" The Muggle collapsed, dead, and Severus moved forward, kicking at the dead body. He transfigured a pillow from the couch into a blanket and wrapped around the barely conscious boy and he rushed from the Muggle home. He disparated before Dumbledore and the Aurors could arrive.
Arriving at Riddle House, Severus hurried to Voldemort's private chambers, careful not to jostle the precious burden unconscious in his arms. The door opened, revealing a pained Dark Lord. Surprised, Severus placed Harry in a cushioned chair and examined Voldemort.
"My Lord, what happened?" he asked, and Voldemort silently indicated the prone boy in the chair.
"I felt his pain through the connection of his scar. Is that the sort of protection Dumbledore has him under?" Voldemort shook his head in disbelief at Dumbledore's incompetence. "I'm fine. How extensive is the damage on the boy?"
"He's dying, slowly. However, if something is done to correct the damage now, he will survive, just barely." Said Severus, and Voldemort nodded, gazing at Harry with curiosity.
"You may go. Be here in a few hours."
Severus bowed. "Yes, My Lord." Severus left the Dark Lord alone with young Potter, expecting to be drilled about the boy's disappearance once he got back to the castle. He wasn't looking forward to it, not one bit.
Sensing Severus's arrival, Dumbledore summoned him to his office and waited for the Potions Master. When the young professor opened the door of his office, Dumbledore motioned for him to sit down.
"Severus, Harry has just been kidnapped. I know you were just in a meeting, did you hear anything concerning Harry?" Severus shook his head.
"No. All I know is that Potter is the Chosen One. Voldemort knows the secrets of the Prophecy. I'll try to find Potter at the next meeting." Said Severus, but Dumbledore shook his head, his blue eyes hardening into ice.
"No. I don't care what it takes, reveal yourself to Voldemort if you have to, but kill Potter the first chance you get, and bring me his wand. He must not join forces with Voldemort at any costs. If that happens, the world as we know it will change for the worst, and we will have two Dark Lords on our hands. That must not happen, do I make myself clear, Severus?"
The Potions Master nodded and stood up. "If you'll excuse me, Headmaster. Poppy needs me to brew some more Potions for her for the upcoming year." Severus left the Headmaster's office, furious at what the man had ordered him to do. Not that he would obey Dumbledore, he just needed time for now. Severus knew that Dumbledore was a manipulative old fool, and everyone...well, almost...
was under his influence, although Fudge was rather stupid enough to be rather unpredictable and unreliable for Dumbledore.
Severus decided that now was the moment when he would shun Dumbledore, Severus would serve the Dark Lord for a better future, a future without illusion, and without some old fool directing from behind the scenes.
Inside his labs, Severus packed all of his potion ingredients and equipment, shrinking them to fit inside a small bag. Once his Potions Lab was cleared, he similarly cleared out his chambers, leaving his dungeons bare. He would not be returning to Hogwarts ever again.
Going to the fireplace, Severus tossed in some Floo powder and disappeared through the flames, going to where his loyalties were.
Voldemort knew that Severus was truly loyal to him; able to see through the illusion Dumbledore had weaved. He knew the Potions Master was one of the best in the world, and he glad he would not be alone to face the challenges of the Prophecy, and the temper of the Boy Who Lived.
Speaking of the Boy Who Lived, Voldemort cast every Healing Charm he knew (quite a lot), and he began to wipe away the blood. He was awed that the undersized boy in front of him was able to endure such pain and live through it, and he was struck with the idea that perhaps young Harry was more powerful than even he was, a thought that frightened Voldemort. Shedding away his thoughts, he resumed his Healing of the boy, seemingly anxious to keep him alive. It wasn't long before the boy woke up, and Voldemort cast the room into shadow, making it impossible for his charge to see his face.
"What happened? Where...am I?" He asked as he attempted to sit up. Voldemort held Harry down firmly, but gently.
"You shouldn't move; you need to heal. I know what happened with the Muggles, and a friend of mine rescued you before they could kill you. If you're curious, I've repaired the extensive damage and repaired your eyesight." Said Voldemort, and Harry tried to see his face.
"I can't see you. Why?" He asked and Voldemort heaved a small sigh.
"Because you will not like who you would see if I let you see my face. I won't hurt you. I have a matter of great importance to speak with you of. I know for a fact that you are a key player in a Prophecy, and I know what this Prophecy says, and I would like to discuss it with you. You feel up to it?" Voldemort had no idea why he was being so gentle to the boy.
Harry nodded. "Sure, why not? Although I would prefer it if Hermione was here, so she could figure out what this Prophecy will mean to me."
"There is no need for that. I know exactly what this Prophecy means and what it has to do with you." Voldemort quoted the Prophecy and looked at Harry's unreadable expression. "The evidence that lies in the Prophecy says that you are the Chosen One, one of the Ancients, and that your Mate is the Serpent Lord, but this Prophecy is incomplete. You, Harry, are one of the Heirs of Salazar Slytherin; therefore I am confused as to why you are a Gryffindor." Said Voldemort and Harry smirked.
"The Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin, but because all I knew of Slytherin House was that Voldemort came from there, I didn't want anything to do with Voldemort, so I persuaded the Hat to put me somewhere else. It's no big deal, really, but I sometimes wonder what could have happened. Have you ever felt like that?" asked Harry, and in the cover provided by the pitch dark room, Voldemort smiled, albeit sadly.
"Sometimes. You would have done well in Slytherin; I can see that. Do you even know anything about the Ancients?" Harry shook his head. "Well, the ancients were the most powerful wizards on the planet over three thousand years ago. In fact, they weren't even wizards. There is a Power Scale that the Ministry uses to classify how powerful a witch or wizard is. From the weakest to the most powerful, the scale goes from Wizards, then Healers, then Mages, uh, Elementalists, and finally the Ancients. This information is based off of information from three thousand years ago. To date, no one has even heard of any Mages, much less two Ancients. Most people will fear the Ancients because of their immense power and ability, and the Ministry will try to control the source of that power for themselves. If they manage to subdue you into obeying their orders, you will be manipulated and exploited. Again." Said Voldemort and Harry sighed.
"I don't want to be exploited again. I'd rather stay here than be in that position. Who are you, anyway?" Asked Harry, trying to glimpse Voldemort's face in the darkness.
"That's not important now. You must rest; you've been through a lot." Just as Voldemort said this, the clock on the other side of the room chimed midnight and they both felt an enormous burst of searing pain, followed by an immense power surge.
Harry's one thought was: //What the hell is going on? //
//I don't know. // Someone had answered Harry's thought!
LADY SHINIGAMI
DISCLAIMER: I ONLY OWN THE PLOT
PART 2: AN EXPLAINATION: RESCUE
"Damnation! I find, and successfully translate, Slytherin's Prophecy and its utter nonsense!" Said Voldemort in frustration. A lone figure in a dark corner of the room stepped forward.
"My Lord, it may be possible that I might be able to solve the puzzles of this prophecy. You know that I'm quite capable." Said the figure.
"Yes, you are, aren't you, Severus? Fine, take the prophecy. Let me know the moment you've made progress. However, I don't need to warn you that Dumbledore may have another spy among the Deatheater ranks. No one must know. This is a matter of your full discretion. You may go, Severus." Said Voldemort, waving a hand in dismissal. Severus bowed and left quickly, prophecy in hand. Once beyond the restricting wards, he disappeared with a small pop and Apparated to Hogsmeade and he ran to the castle, hoping to avoid Dumbledore.
No such luck.
Dumbledore was waiting just inside the large doors leading into the Great Hall. He saw Severus and motioned for the Potions Master to follow him into his office. Once there, Dumbledore offered a lemon drop. Severus declined.
"Severus, it has come to my attention that Voldemort has found a prophecy dating back to the Founders, Slytherin in particular. Have you heard anything?" asked Dumbledore, and Severus froze for just a second.
"Voldemort has indeed found Slytherin's Prophecy, but, as far as I know, he has been unable to translate it," Said Severus, choosing to only confirm Dumbledore's suspicions. "I'll try to find out more the next time he calls a meeting."
"Hmm, all right, Severus. Please keep me informed."
Severus bowed and left Dumbledore's office, all thoughts on the Prophecy hidden in his robes. He suddenly needed the quiet solitude of his dungeons. Once there, he sealed himself inside, preventing anyone who wished to see him, like Dumbledore, from entering the dungeons. He removed the Prophecy from his robes and immediately went into it, trying to unlock the cryptic puzzles, trying to understand what it meant.
He made no progress for the next few days, thinking that he was missing something; that the key of this Prophecy was just beyond his reach. Then it hit him...
Solving the first clue, Severus was amazed at how quickly the rest of the Prophecy came into place. It was well past midnight when he finished solving the clues of the Prophecy. He ran from the school, hurrying to get back to Voldemort with his astonishing discoveries. Beyond the barriers, he Apparated to Riddle House and made his way to Voldemort's private chambers. He opened the door and stepped inside.
"Who disturbs my peace?" came the sinister voice of Voldemort. Severus bowed and stepped forward.
"It is Severus, My Lord. I have solved the mysteries of the Prophecy. We also have a spy among us; Dumbledore knew of the Prophecy and has asked me to keep him informed." Voldemort turned from the fire and stared at Severus.
"I'll deal with the spy later. Tell me what the Prophecy says."
Severus nodded. "You are the Serpent Lord, that is certain. However, the identity of the Chosen One is...disturbing, to say the least. You will not be pleased, My Lord."
"Who is the Chosen One?"
"Harry Potter."
Voldemort narrowed his blood red eyes dangerously. "Explain."
"The dates and the situations are identical to Potter's. He was born a fortnight after the Summer Solstice and attacked, by you, one year later, on Halloween. It fits. You two have constantly fought one another without relative success. Without the pressure of being the Boy Who Lived, he would be far more powerful than he is now. His scar is a mark that connects the two of you. You and Potter are Ancients." Said Severus and watched as Voldemort contemplated the results of his work.
"Bring him here, immediately. Keep your face covered; no one must know you were there. Go." Ordered Voldemort and Severus bowed.
"As you wish, My Lord."
Severus arrived on Privet Drive in the early hours of the morning, the time when everyone would be sleeping on the street. He made his way silently to Number 4, and he immediately noticed lights on inside the house. Curious, he kept low in front of the window, aware of the drawn curtains but cautious nonetheless, and peeked inside the house from the curtains met in the middle. What he saw chilled his blood.
On the floor of what the living room, in a pool of rapidly spreading blood, was Harry Potter, struggling slightly as a large man restrained the boy to the couch with manacles. The Gryffindor was naked, and far too thin for his age, as though the Muggles were starving him as well as torturing him. His muscled back was covered in old and fresh bruises and lacerations, caused by a whip. Harry's arms and legs were in a similar state. Severus could count Harry's ribs from his angle of view, and noticed that more than a few of them were broken.
Severus briefly wondered why Harry hadn't cried out, then saw the reason why: the boy's jaw was broken, bruised and bleeding quite heavily. Harry also sported two black eyes, and was bleeding from a gash on the side of his head.
When the Muggle brandished a knife, Severus knew he had only minute max to save the boy. He blew the door off the hinges, sending it crashing down the hallway. Hearing an enraged yell from the living room, Severus knew he had the Muggle's attention. He barged into the room, his wand pointed directly at the Muggle, making him freeze. The Muggle stared at his wand, and then dove for Harry, holding the knife at his throat.
"One more step and I'll cut his throat! I'll do it! I'll kill him, I will!" Yelled the Muggle, Severus assumed he was Harry's uncle. He appeared quite insane.
"You'll be killing no one. Avada Kedavra!" The Muggle collapsed, dead, and Severus moved forward, kicking at the dead body. He transfigured a pillow from the couch into a blanket and wrapped around the barely conscious boy and he rushed from the Muggle home. He disparated before Dumbledore and the Aurors could arrive.
Arriving at Riddle House, Severus hurried to Voldemort's private chambers, careful not to jostle the precious burden unconscious in his arms. The door opened, revealing a pained Dark Lord. Surprised, Severus placed Harry in a cushioned chair and examined Voldemort.
"My Lord, what happened?" he asked, and Voldemort silently indicated the prone boy in the chair.
"I felt his pain through the connection of his scar. Is that the sort of protection Dumbledore has him under?" Voldemort shook his head in disbelief at Dumbledore's incompetence. "I'm fine. How extensive is the damage on the boy?"
"He's dying, slowly. However, if something is done to correct the damage now, he will survive, just barely." Said Severus, and Voldemort nodded, gazing at Harry with curiosity.
"You may go. Be here in a few hours."
Severus bowed. "Yes, My Lord." Severus left the Dark Lord alone with young Potter, expecting to be drilled about the boy's disappearance once he got back to the castle. He wasn't looking forward to it, not one bit.
Sensing Severus's arrival, Dumbledore summoned him to his office and waited for the Potions Master. When the young professor opened the door of his office, Dumbledore motioned for him to sit down.
"Severus, Harry has just been kidnapped. I know you were just in a meeting, did you hear anything concerning Harry?" Severus shook his head.
"No. All I know is that Potter is the Chosen One. Voldemort knows the secrets of the Prophecy. I'll try to find Potter at the next meeting." Said Severus, but Dumbledore shook his head, his blue eyes hardening into ice.
"No. I don't care what it takes, reveal yourself to Voldemort if you have to, but kill Potter the first chance you get, and bring me his wand. He must not join forces with Voldemort at any costs. If that happens, the world as we know it will change for the worst, and we will have two Dark Lords on our hands. That must not happen, do I make myself clear, Severus?"
The Potions Master nodded and stood up. "If you'll excuse me, Headmaster. Poppy needs me to brew some more Potions for her for the upcoming year." Severus left the Headmaster's office, furious at what the man had ordered him to do. Not that he would obey Dumbledore, he just needed time for now. Severus knew that Dumbledore was a manipulative old fool, and everyone...well, almost...
was under his influence, although Fudge was rather stupid enough to be rather unpredictable and unreliable for Dumbledore.
Severus decided that now was the moment when he would shun Dumbledore, Severus would serve the Dark Lord for a better future, a future without illusion, and without some old fool directing from behind the scenes.
Inside his labs, Severus packed all of his potion ingredients and equipment, shrinking them to fit inside a small bag. Once his Potions Lab was cleared, he similarly cleared out his chambers, leaving his dungeons bare. He would not be returning to Hogwarts ever again.
Going to the fireplace, Severus tossed in some Floo powder and disappeared through the flames, going to where his loyalties were.
Voldemort knew that Severus was truly loyal to him; able to see through the illusion Dumbledore had weaved. He knew the Potions Master was one of the best in the world, and he glad he would not be alone to face the challenges of the Prophecy, and the temper of the Boy Who Lived.
Speaking of the Boy Who Lived, Voldemort cast every Healing Charm he knew (quite a lot), and he began to wipe away the blood. He was awed that the undersized boy in front of him was able to endure such pain and live through it, and he was struck with the idea that perhaps young Harry was more powerful than even he was, a thought that frightened Voldemort. Shedding away his thoughts, he resumed his Healing of the boy, seemingly anxious to keep him alive. It wasn't long before the boy woke up, and Voldemort cast the room into shadow, making it impossible for his charge to see his face.
"What happened? Where...am I?" He asked as he attempted to sit up. Voldemort held Harry down firmly, but gently.
"You shouldn't move; you need to heal. I know what happened with the Muggles, and a friend of mine rescued you before they could kill you. If you're curious, I've repaired the extensive damage and repaired your eyesight." Said Voldemort, and Harry tried to see his face.
"I can't see you. Why?" He asked and Voldemort heaved a small sigh.
"Because you will not like who you would see if I let you see my face. I won't hurt you. I have a matter of great importance to speak with you of. I know for a fact that you are a key player in a Prophecy, and I know what this Prophecy says, and I would like to discuss it with you. You feel up to it?" Voldemort had no idea why he was being so gentle to the boy.
Harry nodded. "Sure, why not? Although I would prefer it if Hermione was here, so she could figure out what this Prophecy will mean to me."
"There is no need for that. I know exactly what this Prophecy means and what it has to do with you." Voldemort quoted the Prophecy and looked at Harry's unreadable expression. "The evidence that lies in the Prophecy says that you are the Chosen One, one of the Ancients, and that your Mate is the Serpent Lord, but this Prophecy is incomplete. You, Harry, are one of the Heirs of Salazar Slytherin; therefore I am confused as to why you are a Gryffindor." Said Voldemort and Harry smirked.
"The Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin, but because all I knew of Slytherin House was that Voldemort came from there, I didn't want anything to do with Voldemort, so I persuaded the Hat to put me somewhere else. It's no big deal, really, but I sometimes wonder what could have happened. Have you ever felt like that?" asked Harry, and in the cover provided by the pitch dark room, Voldemort smiled, albeit sadly.
"Sometimes. You would have done well in Slytherin; I can see that. Do you even know anything about the Ancients?" Harry shook his head. "Well, the ancients were the most powerful wizards on the planet over three thousand years ago. In fact, they weren't even wizards. There is a Power Scale that the Ministry uses to classify how powerful a witch or wizard is. From the weakest to the most powerful, the scale goes from Wizards, then Healers, then Mages, uh, Elementalists, and finally the Ancients. This information is based off of information from three thousand years ago. To date, no one has even heard of any Mages, much less two Ancients. Most people will fear the Ancients because of their immense power and ability, and the Ministry will try to control the source of that power for themselves. If they manage to subdue you into obeying their orders, you will be manipulated and exploited. Again." Said Voldemort and Harry sighed.
"I don't want to be exploited again. I'd rather stay here than be in that position. Who are you, anyway?" Asked Harry, trying to glimpse Voldemort's face in the darkness.
"That's not important now. You must rest; you've been through a lot." Just as Voldemort said this, the clock on the other side of the room chimed midnight and they both felt an enormous burst of searing pain, followed by an immense power surge.
Harry's one thought was: //What the hell is going on? //
//I don't know. // Someone had answered Harry's thought!