Hi again! Sorry it took a while to update. This chapter took longer than I thought it would. Anyway, from now on, this will be the minimum length of my chapters (10, 901 words! Phew!). They'll get more than likely get longer, but I'm setting this length as the bottom line. So you can look forward to long updates! Yay!
Now, I hope you enjoy this latest chapter. It's got a little more action in it!
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Emily and Rose slammed the living room door behind them. They had run all the way from the upstairs lounge where the twins had told them about the mystery boy. Panting, they rounded on the room's only occupant, who looked up at them in surprise.
"Mum!" Rose exclaimed, breathlessly. "Mum!"
Lily closed her book slowly, before placing it gently on the coffee table before her. It rested next to the album she and Sophie had been examining earlier. In all the hustle and bustle surrounding Harry's arrival, the fact it was his birthday had been almost forgotten. But she had just been reading his baby book with all the records of his short life. It had almost caused her to cry again, but she didn't, she stayed strong. The knowledge her eldest son was alive and resting upstairs had made her light hearted and she felt strangely elated. The elation was mixed with a lingering painful grief, leaving Lily rather uncertain as to what her emotions actually where and very dizzy. She mentally pushed these feelings down and put on a blank face. She turned towards her daughters warily.
"Yes?" she asked, shakily. She mentally groaned and berated herself. She didn't want to betray any emotion whatsoever. She needed to keep them under control. Harry was an important and highly confidential secret. She cleared her throat. "Yes?' she repeated, more confidently. That was better.
"Sophie and Nick…" Emily began, biting her lip. She exchanged glances with Rose. Together, they coughed slightly. Lily mentally moaned. What had the twin terrors done this time?
"Theysaidthereisastrangeboyupstairswholookslikedad," Rose said quickly. She cleared her throat and gazed at Lily nervously, as if expecting judgement.
Lily frowned, and shuffled forward on the sofa, leaning towards the two girls. She hadn't heard a word. "I beg your pardon?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow. What on earth could Sophie and Nick have done to cause this type of behaviour?
"Sophie and Nick," Emily twisted a strand of silky black hair around her finger. Lily picked up on this. It was a sign Emily badly wanted to know something. Lily sighed and pushed her own hair back behind her ears. The little girl gazed at her pleadingly and continued. "Said there is a strange boy upstairs who looks like Dad."
Lily started. She hadn't expected that. Nor had she wanted it. "Did they?" she asked, her eyebrows rocketing upwards and failing to disguise the surprise in her voice. Her mind raced, trying to remember if she had forbidden the twins to talk about 'the strange boy upstairs'. She hadn't. Oh, darn it, she thought, angrily. What on earth I am meant to say now? Loophole, loophole – look for a loophole out of this!
"Are they lying, Mum?" Emily demanded. She yanked her hair slightly, before brushing it behind her ear. Another sign. "Seriously, there can't be a complete stranger upstairs, right?" She stared at her mother intensely. "Right?" she repeated, almost commandingly.
Lily breathed a soft sigh of relief. The loophole had presented itself within seconds of her asking for one! "Right," she replied, a small smile playing on her mouth. She ran a hand through her hair and stared pleasantly at her two daughters. Now go away, she thought, hopefully. Maybe if it had worked with the loophole, it would work this time? Come on, leave it alone!
Rose and Emily sighed, their expressions a mixture of both relief and disappointment. Rose looked smugly at her mother and sister before speaking.
"I knew they had to be lying," she snorted disdainfully. "A boy upstairs… Honestly!" she tilted her head a little, so she was examining her mother from an angle. "That is just way too far fetched – even for those two!"
"Who told you they were lying?" Lily asked mildly. Nuts, she thought, strangely calm. What am I getting myself into? Learn to keep your mouth shut!
The two girls froze and gaped at their mother like fish out of water. It took a good twenty seconds before either moved. Lily winced at the silence and gazed at her daughters, mentally begging them to say something. They did, but this time, Emily was the once who spoke up.
"B-but, you did!" she stuttered, eyes wide open. "Just t-then! I heard you!"
Rose nodded firmly, her eyes riveted on Lily. She had yet to close her mouth, something Lily's eyes simply were unable to miss. Even in her slightly panicky state, she was not one to overlook this type of thing
"Rose Dorea Potter, shut your mouth right now, thank you very much," Lily ordered with annoyance. But that wasn't the only reason she spoke of it. She was desperate to divert the conversation. Unfortunately, her girls were not ones to be so easily manipulated. Blushing slightly, Rose's clamped her jaws shut, but looked to Emily who took the hint to continue the topic. Lily noticed this and moved her eyes to the younger girl. Emily coloured as well.
"I just wanted to ask what you meant!" Emily protested. "You said that we were right that there is no strange boy upstairs, but then you contradict yourself and say the twins didn't lie when the told us about him! Which is the truth?" she took another strand of hair and began twisting again.
Lily gazed at her for a few seconds, and then nodded once, before speaking again. "I said that there was no stranger in the house. I did not deny that we have a visitor. And, no, the twins did not lie. The boy they met upstairs does indeed exist, but he is no stranger – at least, not really. You have never met him, and technically neither has your father or myself. We might say that we know of him. You will find out why soon enough. Right now, I am not at liberty to give you any further information. I expect you to accept that and you are not to go to him and hassle the poor boy on the subject. Do you understand? Rose? Emily?" Lily felt frustrated she had had to fall back on the old 'its top secret and confidential' trick to sway the girls' interest. Though she doubted she had truly demolished their interest, she knew she had done enough to stop them pestering both herself and James.
The sisters exchanged stunned looks, but nodded briefly. Lily smiled at them, and inclined her head towards the door from which they had entered. Taking the hint, the two girls left the room. Lily watched them go, a nervous expression dampening her beautiful face. Now she only hoped they could keep a rein on their curiosity… She somehow doubted that.
The girls shut the door quietly behind them. They glanced at the doorway to the back staircase, but neither dared defy their mother. Instead, both headed down to the kitchen to chat about the boy upstairs. Neither girl noticed the two small redheads crouched behind a statue next to the door, scowling with disappointment.
(--)
James ripped his head away from the fire. His head was spinning. With his eyes wide with shock and horror, he jumped up and ran from the study, in frantic search of his wife.
"LILY!" he bellowed, thundering down the stairs, a high level of panic in his voice. "LILY!"
A door slammed and running feet could be heard. James stopped at the bottom of the main stairs and gripped the banister, as though hoping his desperate clutch would relieve some of his anxiety as he waited for his wife. She came a moment later, sprinting down the hall as if her life depended on it, her eyes wide and her hair flying in every direction.
"What?" she asked breathlessly and urgently, fear evident in her voice. "What's happened, James? Are we being attacked? Please say we aren't being attacked!"
"No," James gasped, almost laughing, though he didn't know why. He was beyond mere terror. "No, we're not being attacked. But Mad-Eye Moody has been captured by Voldemort and the Death Eaters! Dumbledore just heard! I was in his fireplace when Ackerley's patronus arrived. Dumbledore said to gather the Order."
"My god, James," Lily squeaked, her voice high-pitched with horror. "How? He can't get Moody! If he can, then he can get anyone! Oh, no! What are we meant to do?" she seemed frightened out of her wits. James could understand that. Moody was a figure the entire Wizarding community relied on and considered invincible.
"I know, I know," James tried to soothe her. "We'll get him back, don't worry," he suddenly froze remembering the other fact Dumbledore mentioned. "They plan to perform some kind of ritual tonight. And I'd bet my entire vault at Gringotts that they plan to kill him by dawn tomorrow."
Lily screamed. James could have kicked himself. He needed her to stay calm. He leant forwards, wrapping his arms around her and rubbing her back. He knew this always had a soothing effect on her. Sure enough, within seconds, she pulled back, still looking scared, but resolute. She spoke.
"Is it another plot to restore him?" Lily paled considerably at the thought. Her eyes widened again and a trickle of the fear reappeared. "Like the Philosopher's Stone?"
"Who knows?" James said frantically, unnerved by the thought. It hadn't occurred to him that might happen, though now he thought about it, it seemed a likely option. "Let's just gather the Order."
"The Order? As in the Order of the Phoenix?" a new voice inquired mildly.
James and Lily jumped and looked around. At the top of the staircase stood Harry, a snake wrapped around his arm, and a snow-white phoenix on his opposite shoulder. James' eyebrows vanished into his hairline and Lily's eyes widened even further, leaving them the size of galleons. If Harry noticed this, he ignored it, but only stared at them with high intensity. His clothing also added to all round imposing look he had. He was wearing black tracksuit pants, a green jumper and a pair of black joggers. It was casual gear, but still left Lily and James gawping at him like a pair of gormless idiots. Harry noticed this and scowled at them, before speaking again.
"I asked if you were talking about the Order of the Phoenix," Harry repeated, stepping down onto the top step purposefully.
No reply.
"Oh, come on!" he cried, looking rather exasperated. "It's a simple question! Were you just talking about the Order of the Phoenix?"
Slowly, and in perfect unison, they nodded. Harry grinned and bounced down the stairs, coming to a halt before the two adults. They stared at him in astonishment. He just rolled his eyes.
"How do you know about the Order, Harry?" James asked cautiously. His face was closely guarded and Harry couldn't work out what he was thinking. He didn't want to push his luck and attempt Legilimency, for if should James notice and repel him, that would have disastrous consequences for his life here. He needed trust. So Harry only gazed at his father for a moment before answering.
"Sirius, Remus and the Weasleys were members in my – er – my world," Harry replied, uncertain how to refer to his home. "I stayed with them at Headquarters for a bit when I was still at school."
"I see," Lily said slowly, and giving the snake a nervous look. "Well, we really have to go," she started to move away, but Harry stopped her – with the arm Sakima was on no less.
"What's happened?" he demanded. His suddenly fierce and furious gaze latched onto them.
James looked highly indignant. "Top secret Order information," he declared, glaring at Harry. "Now, we're wasting time –"
"What's happened?" Harry repeated, an edge creeping into his voice. He stood his ground, his feeling quite angry that they considered him unworthy of knowing about the Order, though he knew that they hardly knew him. To them, he was almost a complete stranger. However, his emotional side didn't pay attention to the logical side, and it showed.
Lily squirmed slightly. "Moody was captured," she said. "The Death Eaters are performing a ritual tonight. I can only surmise it will return Voldemort to full strength."
Harry froze. His mind was suddenly awash with memories of the graveyard duel at the end of his fourth year, causing him to shudder. He looked up at Lily and James. "The graveyard," he said quietly, realising what was going to happen. "And the potion," he stared at them almost dreamily. Then he snapped out of it. "Quick!" he shouted. "Get the Order together. I think I know what has, or what will happen."
Lily hurriedly removed her wand and shot off a patronus her eyes following the tiger as it exited the house. James followed suit, but his eyes didn't follow his stag. They were staring at Harry with a calculating expression.
"You'd better get rid of those animals, Harry," he said eventually. "Not even Dumbledore brings Fawkes to meetings and the snake might unsettle everyone. It probably won't help their level of trust in you."
Harry nodded briefly. "Sakima," he hissed. "Can you find your way back to our room?"
"Yes," Sakima replied. He began to slither off Harry's arm. "I will see you soon," he said, as he crawled up the banister and out of sight. Harry looked at Asa, but she held firm to his shoulder.
"Asa doesn't want to go," he told his father. "I expect she'll leave soon enough, but I can't make her."
"Humph!" James said grumpily. Lily raised her eyebrows and Harry shot him a smile.
"Where's Headquarters?" he asked nervously, wondering if it was still Grimmauld Place. He couldn't think of a reason why it wouldn't be. The house should be in Sirius' hands. However, they had to have had Headquarters before Voldemort had been temporarily defeated – maybe they would still be using them. Besides, who was to say the Order had never been disbanded?
James frowned before answering. "Our old Headquarters were destroyed ten years ago. We've been planning to use Grimmauld Place, should Voldemort return to power. But that hasn't happened. We haven't got an official Headquarters yet. And the end of the last war we held meetings in Dumbledore's office, though sometimes we held them here. I expect that will be happening today."
Harry opened his mouth to reply when suddenly a phoenix song started up. Harry turned to look at Asa, but he knew instantly she wasn't the one singing the song. He looked at James and Lily confusedly. "Do you have a phoenix?" he asked, unable to shake the feeling his question was rather stupid.
"No," Lily replied. "That signals Order members are arriving. Order of the Phoenix, phoenix song – you understand?" she smiled at him.
Harry coloured slightly, mentally kicking himself. "Yes, sorry," he apologised. How could he have not made that connection? "So the whole Order? Where's Dumbledore?"
"I'm here," a soft, new voice replied from directly behind him.
Harry whirled around, wand in hand, and caught Albus Dumbledore completely off guard. He held the wand level with Dumbledore's throat. The old man stepped back from the wand instinctively, eyeing Harry with an unreadable expression; though Harry had an uncomfortable feeling it was suspicion. He bit his lip and lowered the wand. He too stepped back.
"Sorry, sir," he said, looking and feeling rather embarrassed. He offered a half-hearted explanation. "I don't like people creeping up behind me. I'm used to everyone knowing that, so generally it's only Death Eaters who do it. And – er – I'm not very good at holding back from attacking, so I would recommend you give me some warning if you ever do come up behind me."
Dumbledore laughed. Harry felt a light feeling take over the heavy one he hadn't even noticed was there. Dumbledore looked at Asa appraisingly.
"This must be that Japanese Phoenix," he said, cheerfully. "She's beautiful, my boy, absolutely beautiful. What's her name?"
"Asa," Harry replied, raising his arm to her. She hopped on. Harry held her out to Dumbledore and she quickly flew up and landed on his shoulder.
"Ah," Dumbledore petted her. "A good name. Meaning 'the healer', if I'm not mistaken. Yes, she has a healing disposition, doesn't she?"
Harry nodded and opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off when the doorbell rang. Lily answered it, and at least twenty people stormed in. Harry recognised most of them, but there were a few he'd never seen before. He caught sight of Tonks' bright pink hair, in between two men, one with brown hair and the other with black. Harry smiled, recognising Remus and Sirius. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Emmeline Vance and Hestia Jones were conversing nearby; Dedulas Diggle was practically bouncing with excitement, chatting to a girl who looked no more than eighteen or nineteen. The Weasley twins were talking with Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet and Lee Jordon, who had his arm around Angelina Johnson. Bill, with Fleur Delacour was hanging off Bill's arm and Charlie were merely inches away, and talking to a young man and woman with dark blonde hair. Harry didn't recognise the man, but the girl looked distinctly familiar. She looked to be in her late twenties. Harry searched his memory. A small memory of Charlie holding her about a month before the battle popped into his mind. Lucy. Lucy Dotty? No, but something like that. Harry hadn't seen much of Charlie following Bill's wedding. He had seen very little of anyone, but he had made plenty of time for the Weasleys. Charlie had been travelling, but had come back, with Lucy, to see Bill and Fleur's son. That was the only time he'd met her.
A new round of people clambered inside. One particular couple caught Harry's eye, and he watched them weave their way over to Mr and Mrs Weasley. Mrs Weasley exclaimed and hugged the woman, whilst Mr Weasley shook the man's hand. Mrs Weasley pushed the younger woman back, and Harry glimpsed her face. He froze in shock. It was Alice Longbottom.
Asa suddenly appeared on his shoulder again. She cooed to him, before launching into the air again. She flew up the stairs and down the hall. Harry watched the spot she disappeared from sight in a daze, not really think at all, until a shout brought him back to reality.
"Come through to the meeting room!" James yelled above the chatter. Instantly, it quietened down a little, and the crowd, now approximately thirty people, began moving into a room off the Entrance Hall.
(--)
"Bloody phoenix song!" Andy growled, when the song broke out. He threw the rubber Quaffle he'd been bouncing across the room. It rolled into several rooms, before finally coming to rest in his bathroom. Ignoring it, Andy made his way over to the wall next to the fireplace. He crouched down directly next to the grate.
"Lions and stags," he said clearly. He pulled back slightly as the soft rumbling noise of moving stone met his ears. A fair sized square slowly appeared in front of him. Without hesitation, he scrambled into it, and stood up. He was in a thin corridor which was part of the secret passages. The Potter Manor had a whole network of passages and staircases running throughout the house. There were entrances in every room and different passwords for each one – almost. The secret system was highly useful. The children used it to sneak into the kitchens for food in the night, and the house-elves used them to move around and clean more effectively. Lily and James used them to check up on the children at night. However, there was also a more sinister use. After Andy's elder brother had died, his parents had moved back to the manor, giving up on the idea of hiding. Voldemort had attacked, and the whole family had hidden in the secret system, along with the elves. Voldemort had not found them and been forced to leave – though he had ransacked the manor to a certain degree. This happened several times, and until Voldemort's downfall when Andy was three, he had attacked them every Halloween and July 31st. When Andy was older, he realised this and he had pestered his parents as to why, until they told him of the horrific death of his brother. It was then Andy had developed another feeling towards Voldemort. He was already frightened, but he gained an incomparable hate for Voldemort's cruel teasing of his parents.
Andy swiftly followed the passage until he came to a spiralling staircase. Barely thinking as he did it, he swerved off the passage and went down. He kept going, past every door on the way, until he came to the very bottom. He pushed on the biggest stone and climbed out into the kitchens.
"Master Andy! Master Andy!"
Andy grinned as the house-elves surrounded him. This was one of the reasons he loved the kitchens so much. They stared up at him adoringly, a fact he had always particularly enjoyed. He opened his mouth to request some food (preferably chocolate mousse or treacle tart), when a loud exclamation cut across.
"Andy!"
It was Emily and Rose. The two girls were seated at a small wooden table underneath what looked like an umbrella stuck to the ceiling without the post in the middle. In fact, it was a 'cooler' that kept everything beneath it pleasantly cool (the kitchen could get annoyingly warm). They were munching their way through a small mountain of chocolate chip biscuits and they each held a glass of apple and blackcurrant juice, and were presently frowning at their brother in obvious surprise.
"What are you doing, Andy?" Rose asked her younger brother scowling. "I thought you were in your room. At least, that's what the house-elves said," she cocked an eyebrow and gingerly replaced her glass on the table. Emily followed suit.
Andy scowled at them and walked over to the table. He plonked himself in between them and grabbed a biscuit. "What does it look like?" he asked, his mouth full of biscuit. Rose wrinkled her nose in distaste and Emily laughed, but hurriedly changed it to a cough when Rose gave her 'the look' as the family referred to it. It was a highly irritating glare that fully impersonated her mother when she was her age. It could even make James quail and he said that if it weren't for the fact Rose had black hair, he would be certain that Lily had somehow de-aged herself.
"You're hungry," Rose said, sounding quite disgusted. "But I mean, you look very sour. Something's up. I know you well enough, Andrew Potter," she shot him a suspicious glare. "What's up? What are you really doing?" she pointed her index finger at him warningly. "And don't lie."
"Bloody phoenix song," Andy muttered, pulling away. "Always gets me in a bad mood. Can't stand it. Too bloody perfect."
Emily snorted, but Rose leapt to her feet. Her hair, which had been plaited loosely and without a hair tie, fell into her eyes. She brushed it aside impatiently.
"The Order's gathered for a meeting?" she demanded, glaring at Andy. "Did you see anyone?" she began twisting her hair around anxiously, as she sunk back into her chair. Her eyes were wide with fear and excitement. "They haven't come together since the attack at the Quidditch World Cup! I mean, duh, they meet, but they haven't had a full blown emergency meeting in, well, ages!"
"I know that, dummy," Andy said imperiously. "I'm not that stupid," he turned his head slightly and raised his nose and chin so he was looking down on them. "Of course I didn't see anyone. I came down the secret passage didn't I?"
Rose opened her mouth, indignation etched onto every aspect of her face, to make a furious retort, when…
BAM!
The kitchen door flew open and two small redheaded blurs sped over to the table. They screeched to a halt in front of the table. It was the twins.
"Emmy! Rosie! Andy!" Sophie gasped, massaging her side. She crouched over it, as if she had a stitch – which she probably did. Her head stayed aloft, however, and her tongue was folded over her top lip as she gazed eagerly at her three elder siblings.
"You won't believe this!" Nick panted, in a similar position to Sophie. His eyes were wide with a mixture of awe and terror, and a lopsided grin was planted on his face.
"The Order," Sophie began, straightening up.
"Is here," Nick added, doing likewise.
"And so is Dumbledore,"
"And the Weasleys,"
"And the Longbottoms,"
"And the McMillans,"
"And Uncle Sirius and Aunt Natalia,"
"And Uncle Remus,"
"But guess who's missing?" Sophie said excitedly.
"Oh, do tell," Andy said lazily, putting his elbows on the table and folding his hands under his chin. He pretended not to be interested, but in all seriousness, he was intrigued, though the pathetically annoyed twin act put him off a bit. It reminded him strongly of the Weasley twins, Fred and George, whom he couldn't bear. The red hair didn't help either.
Sophie scowled at him, folding her arms across her chest and giving him her 'you're-such-a-meanie' look. Nick noticed it and he elbowed her, causing her to cry out and kick him back. He ignored her completely.
"Moody," Nick said. "He's not there. Normally he's up next to Dumbledore, surveying everyone's arrival, but he wasn't today."
"We couldn't see him in the crowd either," Sophie added, seemingly completely over her former annoyance and indignation. "But someone else was with Dumbledore."
"Uh, huh," Emily said sceptically. "Who?"
The twins exchanged looks. "Harry," they answered together.
Andy jumped to his feet, the feeling of a great injustice swelling inside him. "Oh, no way!" Andy cried. "Not that stuck up prat! He can't sit in on meetings! That's totally unfair! He's only Rose's age!"
"He is?" Rose asked in surprise. She shot him a quizzical look. "Oh, well, nobody said how old he was, but I just assumed he was older than me."
"He is!" Sophie exclaimed fervently. "He's eighteen!"
"He is not," Andy hissed. "You take one look at him and you know he's a sneaky liar. He's a Parselmouth for crying out loud! He has a snake too! You're a fool for trusting him. I trust my eyes and my common sense. And my common sense says this boy would be lucky to be fifteen."
"Looks can be deceiving," Emily said mildly. "Dad looked younger than he was when he was at school. This kid might be the same. You did say he bore a distinct resemblance to Dad?" she added, turning to the twins.
"Who cares?" Nick wondered aloud. "Oh, come on!" he spun on his heel and raced out of the kitchen, Sophie hot on his heels. She door swung shut behind them. Emily and Rose exchanged questioning glances, before simultaneously shrugging and following their younger siblings. Emily paused at the door.
"Coming, Andy?" she asked sweetly before leaving the room.
Andy growled. Left with no other choice, he chased after them. As the kitchen door closed behind him, he spotted Emily's dark head disappearing up the cellar steps. He sped up, grumbling to himself. He certainly liked to grumble.
When he emerged, breathing heavily, from the staircase, he spied two of his four siblings at the end of the corridor. He sprinted after them, determined to catch up, through dozens of rooms, halls and corridors. Lily often complained that the Potter Manor was almost as big as Hogwarts, with all the secret passages and many stairs. In truth, it was a very big house, but not even close to Hogwarts. Perhaps one fifteenth of the size of the famous castle, but definitely not equal to it.
Andy suddenly was able to see all his siblings. Emily and Rose had caught up with the twins and he was merely metres behind. A few seconds later, they were in the Entrance Hall. The last few stragglers in the Order were entering the room. Surprisingly, Lily, James, Dumbledore and that Harry kid were all standing stationary in the hall. Harry looked earnest, hopeful and uncomfortable all at the same time. James and Lily were obviously explaining something to Dumbledore, and they kept referring to Harry, who seemed to be in a sort of daze every time they called on him. Dumbledore's expression was passive, though it bore signs of apprehension and uncertainty. The five children ducked into the hall and hid behind statues and other things near the corridor. They crept at close as they dared to the four talkers.
"Are you sure about this?" Dumbledore was saying, in an anxious tone. "This is somebody's life that's in the balance here. I'm not sure you fully appreciate the situation. By making rash decisions, we may as well sign poor Alastor's death warrant."
Harry looked rather indignant. "I fully understand what the risks are," he said in a more carrying voice. The others hushed him, and he continued with a quieter tone. "I've been in these situations many times. If Voldemort is out of power, he will try to make that potion. Blood of the enemy – that's Alastor, because he destroyed him. Flesh of the servant – one of the Death Eaters, obviously. Wormtail did it with me. Cut off his hand. And the final ingredient – bone of the father. So Voldemort naturally has to go to the Muggle graveyard at Little Hangleton to bring out his father's bone. You said the ritual was planned for tonight? That's what happened with me as well. Also, the sun has just set, so the ceremony could begin at any moment. I would consider it wise to make this meeting was quick and you followed my instructions, for I think it is safe to assume that what the Death Eaters and their lord are planning for tonight is exactly what I just described to you. I'm positive. They will brew the potion, add the three crude ingredients, and we have the megalomaniac back on our hands. He'll brag and boast and talk of how great his for a while. Then he'll get bored and to cheer himself, Voldemort will duel Alastor and kill him. Lovely bloke, isn't he? Knows just how to unnerve everyone.
"Alastor would have a big problem getting away alive, especially when Voldemort is feeling like killing for fun. He'll have a circle of who knows how many Death Eaters surrounding him as well. I managed to get a Portkey to take me away from that godforsaken place, but Alastor didn't have a Portkey to bring him there. And I doubt that if he did, the Death Eaters would have given it to him. Voldemort left it lying on the ground with me. Stupid thing to do. He could have gotten rid of me but he blew it."
James was squeezing the bridge of his nose extremely hard, something he did only when worried and/or anxious. Lily had her eyes closed and was breathing slowly and deeply. Dumbledore looked slightly stunned. Andy watched as Harry examined these reactions carefully. After a moment he spoke up again.
"I think they're going to be missing you," he said softly. "Please may I come as well? I can help you more than you could possibly know."
Dumbledore immediately pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked sharply at the boy. "You may sit in," he replied, his eyes searching the boy's face. "But I believe the rescue is a job best left to trained members of the Order, not impulsive teenagers. But I expect we could use your input with this theory of yours. However, if it were not for the fact you have a plausible theory, you would not be permitted into the meeting. Do you understand me?"
Harry looked highly offended. "I am not an impulsive teenager," he contradicted firmly. "I am an adult and I have learned to control such… emotions. I do not wear my heart on my sleeve. I have been trained, and I believe my training would be better than that of the official members."
Dumbledore smiled and began to walk towards the door. "Ah, youth," he sighed. "Where one always believes they know best. Alas, it cannot last long."
Lily and James quickly followed.
"Come on, Harry," Lily said, ushering James inside. She then slipped in herself.
Harry scowled after them. He trudged up to the door muttering along the way. The five children strained to make out what he was saying. Then, suddenly, the heard exactly what he said next. Clear as a whistle.
"Just wait until I duel Voldemort."
(--)
Dumbledore watched the young man seat himself in the around the large mahogany table. He noted that he had seated himself next to Fred and George Weasley with their girlfriends Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet respectively, along with the twins' long time friend, Lee Jordon and his girlfriend, Angelina Johnson. Fred Weasley leaned over to speak to Harry, and Dumbledore thought this was his cue to talk.
"Excuse me!" he called. The room fell silent instantly and every face was upon him. Fred Weasley pulled back to his own chair. "Today we have a young man sitting in on the meeting. He may become a member in the near future as well. The circumstances surrounding his presence are rather intriguing, but best kept secret. However, the Order will be privy to this information, but the general public will be given an entirely different story.
"I expect many of you have heard of alternate universes," Dumbledore said serenely. There was a general murmur of assent, and Dumbledore carried on. "It has never been proved they exist, until now. Our friend is living proof. He is the first cross-dimensional traveller I have ever met."
Several people muttered to their neighbours with interest, and the Weasley twins, Katie, Alicia, Lee and Angelina, all turned to Harry with fascination. Dumbledore smiled approvingly and began on another path.
"You all remember or know of the death of Lily and James' eldest son, Harry," Dumbledore continued. "That is what happened in this universe. However, in another universe, it was Lily and James who died. Somehow, Lily and James' son from the alternate plane managed to cross over to here. So, today this is who will be participating in our meeting."
There were gasps of shock, and the Weasley twins stared at Harry, mouths hanging open. Several people glared at him suspiciously, making it was very obvious they thought he was a liar and had somehow fooled Dumbledore. Others looked at him with interest, as though the whole concept was not merely fascinating, but enthralling. They clearly agreed with Dumbledore that Harry was some kind of miracle.
"Also, I assure you he is not a fake," Dumbledore called in response to the murderous glances sent Harry's way, and thought it best to at least attempt to lay them to rest. "He has a rather interesting theory."
"Theory?" Cecil McMillan asked instantly. "Theory as to what?"
"Alastor Moody has been kidnapped by Death Eaters," Dumbledore said gravely. "A ritual is planned for tonight. In all probability, they will attempt to return Voldemort to power."
There was uproar. Many women screamed, men cursed loudly and others looked to be in shock. A few clutched the table before them and took deep, calming breaths. Some were on their feet, wands out. James Potter clutched his hair, whilst Lily rested her head in her arms. Only Harry seemed perfectly calm. If anything, he looked mildly surprised by the Order's reaction. The boy really had no idea of what this kind of thing meant. The Voldemort in his world had never caused utter destruction, it seemed. Harry had lived a sheltered life and seemed to be rather conceited. He acted as if he could duel Voldemort and win. In fact, he seemed very confident he could. Yes, he had had a few run-ins, but from what he'd said, he had largely survived by luck and chance. Not by his abilities. Dumbledore frowned, and turned his attention back to the Order.
"Harry has an idea as to what has happened to Alastor and where he might be," Dumbledore said loudly. Everyone shut up and turned to stare at Harry. The boy coloured and fidgeted. He didn't act as though he was enjoying the attention, which surprised the elderly man. Surely someone conceited in the same manner as him would love and bask in attention? Dumbledore frowned, but returned his attention to the conversation that had started up.
"Do you really?" Arthur Weasley spoke up, looking rather keen.
Harry nodded. "I think he's at the Little Hangleton graveyard," he replied. "Most likely tied to the gravestone of Tom Riddle Senior."
"Oh?" a silky soft voice interrupted. Severus Snape was staring at Harry with a slightly shocked expression. "And how did you come to that conclusion, if may I ask?"
Harry's face went white. He glared at Severus Snape in utter fury and loathing. His eyes flickered to Dumbledore, then down onto Snape's left forearm. Snape noticed this, and edged his arm under the table. This caused Harry to smile slightly and cock his eyebrow. Then his face was suddenly devoid of any emotion. He gazed into Snape's eyes and seemed to be conversing with him through Legilimency. Snape's face was contorted with effort. This young man was definitely giving him a run for his money. He was having difficulty fighting him off, but Harry seemed perfectly relaxed. Intrigued, Dumbledore tapped into the conversation, using a small spell.
"Oh, I know you are," Harry was saying smugly. "And I know you plan to run to your master the moment this meeting is over. You have to tell him I know where Moody is, don't you?"
"I – never – no!" Snape stuttered. "You have no idea what I do!"
"Don't I?" Harry asked, smoothly. "You think you have everyone fooled. You've convinced Dumbledore you are a spy for him, when in fact, you are loyal to Voldemort. I have seen your true colours, Snape. I saw you murder only a year ago. You stick to the powerful ones. You are using Dumbledore's protection to keep you out of Azkaban, but the moment your master is powerful again, you'll go scampering back to him and start murdering again. You'll be his little spy and nobody will suspect you. Now isn't that the perfect life?"
"How dare you!" Snape exclaimed. "You have no experience in these matters!"
"I have more experience than you can begin to comprehend, Snape," Harry snorted. "Oh, and don't think you'll be able to excuse yourself for a moment – I'm going to keep you in my sight until Moody is free. You won't have the chance to tip our dear old Snake-Face off."
"How dare you insult the Dark Lord?" Snape hissed. "He has immeasurable power! Do you know what he can do to you? You would be a dead man if you insulted him to his face, but I doubt you have that courage – or should I say arrogance?"
"I'll insult him whenever I want," Harry replied. "Anyway, Snake-Face suits him. Before long he will look like a snake. With red eyes, no nose – eugh! He's a monstrosity!"
Snape began to splutter, but Harry pulled out of the man's mind, resulting in Dumbledore surfacing into reality again. Dumbledore was stunned that Harry had the audacity to accuse Severus Snape of Death Eater activity. Everyone knew he had turned. Slightly angry on Snape's part, Dumbledore gazed at Harry for a moment, before coughing. Harry looked at him and stood up.
"Right," he said, shooting a filthy glare at Snape. "This is what is probably going to happen tonight…"
(--)
"Is. He. Insane!" shrieked Emily the moment the doors had shut behind Harry. "Duelling Voldemort! That guy has lost his mind! He's only a boy! He wouldn't stand a millionth of a chance!"
"Shh!" Sophie hissed, gesturing frantically at the doors. "They'll hear you!"
"No, they won't," Rose contradicted. "There's automatic sound-proof spells on those doors. They won't hear a word we say even if we screech at the top of out voices."
"Oh," Sophie said, gazing at them interestedly. "Right."
Emily ignored the exchange between her sisters. "How can he think of fighting Voldemort?" she cried, a note of hysteria creeping into her voice. "He's insane! He'd be dead in seconds and Voldemort would only have to flick his wand!"
"I told you he was stuck up," Andy said in a superior tone.
"And you're not?" Rose asked swiftly. Andy went bright red and began to splutter, but she turned her back on her brother and addressed the others. "I reckon we should tell Mum or Dad or Dumbledore what he plans to do."
"What?" Nick asked. "He didn't say anything about actually planning to duel Voldemort. He just mentioned it."
"Anyone who can talk about Voldemort the way he was, definitely does not just mention that sort of thing," Emily reasoned, calming down. "They mean it. Idiot," she added idly.
"I agree," Andy said pompously. "I think we should report this to Dumbledore."
"Unless he already knows," Nick said in earnest. "He knows everything."
"Uh-huh," Sophie nodded, agreeing with her twin.
"He doesn't have ears and eyes everywhere," Rose said, furrowing her brow. "But it sounded like that boy – Harry – was planning on telling the Order, so I expect Dumbledore knows at least something about it."
"I think so too," Emily agreed. "We wait for the meeting to finish, and then we catch up with him. Whenever he's here, he always goes to Dad's study or down to the kitchen. We won't miss him."
"Sounds good to me," Rose said. "But someone should stay here to be on the safe side. We don't want to loose track of the time and he's already left by the time we realise."
"I'll wait," Sophie said instantly.
"You sure?" Nick asked her in surprise. "We should take shifts…"
"Nah, I'm fine," Sophie grinned. "I want to wait."
"Okay, Soph," Rose said. "We'll be – in the playroom?"
"Yeah," Emily agreed. She glanced at the doors. "I don't reckon the meeting is going to take very long, but anyway," she sighed slightly and turned to face Rose. "Chess, Rosie?"
"Sure, if you don't mind losing," Rose teased.
Emily pretended to look outraged. "How dare you!" she cried in mock anger. "This match will be over in two minutes and I'll be the victor with a new world record!"
"We'll put that claim to the test then, Emmy," Rose cocked an eyebrow. "Come on!"
They raced up the main stairs. Their footsteps could be heard thundering down the corridor and then a door slammed. Andy and Nick exchanged looks. Then Nick spoke up.
"Gobstones?" he asked.
Andy shrugged. "Sure."
And they were gone too. Sophie sighed, and settled on the bottom step. She had some serious thinking to do.
(--)
Harry glared at the objector. Galfrid Faust. Harry hadn't known him in his universe, and he was glad. This man was highly annoying.
"Why would You-Know-Who use a Muggle graveyard for his rebirth?" he asked aggressively. "He hates muggles. This all seems highly improbable."
"I've told you," Harry said, exasperated. "This is the graveyard where his father was buried. He needs his father's bones for the potion. If he wants power and at least a body, he has to go to this graveyard. It's not a matter of liking or disliking muggles."
"How do you know all this?" Frank Longbottom asked. "It does seem like the kind of thing Voldemort would do, but I doubt he would make you privy to his plans."
"No, he wouldn't," Harry agreed. "But I'd rather not say how I know. Just let me assure you, this is what he plans for tonight. Every Death Eater will see the mark become clearer. Shortly after this, Alastor Moody will be dead. If we are going to stop this, we need to move fast."
"But it might be protected by the Fidelius Charm," Alicia Spinnet argued. "Then what?"
"It isn't," Harry replied. "If it were, I wouldn't be able to speak its name to you and even if I did, you wouldn't be able to hear. You could hear me, so there is no charm on the place. Though it would have been a wise move on Voldemort's part to employ the charm, he hasn't, so we can go there. I suggest we leave now."
"Hold on one moment, young man!" Faust called out. "We? I don't think you should come! You are only a boy, a cocky one at that. You wouldn't be able to handle yourself in a battle, should it come to that."
Harry opened his mouth to make a heated retort, but Dumbledore interrupted him.
"I agree with Galfrid," he said serenely. "You are young and doubtless inexperienced. It would be a danger to everyone should you come along."
"I think he's earned the right, though, Albus," Alice Longbottom contradicted him. "He came up with a likely theory and I believe he should come. Probably disillusioned, but there. He also seems to know where this place his is talking about is. We haven't a clue and Alastor may die if we do not find him fast enough. He can show us."
Dumbledore looked at Harry. "Would you agree to being disillusioned, my boy?" he asked calmly. "And to keep your distance?"
"I'd rather not be disillusioned," Harry replied, knowing if he played his cards right, he would be able to get things to go his way. "And I can't promise to keep my distance, but I can try."
Dumbledore looked as if he didn't like the sound of that, but he nodded. "Very well," he said. "But I want you to try as hard as you can to stay away from the action. We can't afford to have to cart you away."
"Agreed," Harry replied straight away. "Look, we have to go right now!"
"Alright," Dumbledore said. "Seeing as you know the place, why don't you make portkeys for us all? Using, perhaps – these?" he held up a handful of chocolate frog cards. "Four or five people to a Portkey?"
Harry nodded. "You have authorization?" he asked, taking them.
"I have the right to authorize," Dumbledore replied. "Because I have just given express permission, they are authorized portkeys."
"Ah," Harry nodded. He tapped eight cards and handed them out. He had two left. "One for Alastor and one for you and I," he told Dumbledore, when the old man raised an eyebrow. "Okay, one, two, three!"
(--)
Sophie was pulled from her thoughts by a sudden feeling of emptiness. She cautiously got up and walked over to the doors of the Order's meeting room, scarcely thinking of anything but what might create the emptiness. She felt around for the charm that indicated they were still in a meeting, but it wasn't there. Getting nervous, she opened the door and looked in. The room was completely empty, save a small house-elf in the corner.
"Nessa!" she exclaimed.
The elf jumped and ran forwards, curtseying as she went. "Miss Sophie!" she squeaked. "What is you doing in here? You is not meant to be here, oh, no, no!"
"When did the Order leave, Nessa?" Sophie asked. "Tell me, I don't care what my mum or dad said, I need to know!"
"They is taking portkeys," Nessa replied, wide-eyed. "The new boy is making them! The new boy from the new universe!"
"Harry?" Sophie said, astonished. "He's from another universe? Are you serious?"
"Yes, yes!" Nessa squeaked. "They is taking them – oh, Nessa cannot tell what the Order is discussing in meetings! Nessa is not allowed!"
"Okay," Sophie sighed. "Secret Order business, right?"
Nessa gulped.
"Oh, right, you're not allowed to say!"
Nessa looked quite relieved.
Sophie grinned, and leaned back out the door. "EMMY! ROSIE! NICK! ANDY!" she screamed.
She heard them thundering down the corridor and then down the stairs at an amazing speed. Crashing and thumping, the landed, and sprinted over to her. They stared at the room in dismay.
"Oh, Sophie, you didn't miss them!" Emily moaned. "Don't tell me you left!"
"I didn't!" Sophie protested. "They left by portkey. That's what Nessa said, and she was here. She said Harry made them and that Harry's from another universe! She can't say where they all went though."
"Damn!" Emily stomped her foot. "Now what? That Harry kid – wait! Did you say he's from an alternate universe?" she gaped at Sophie incredulously. "No way!"
"Way," Sophie quipped. "That explains a lot about him though, doesn't it? He suddenly appears and Mum and Dad seem quite okay with him from the off!"
"They is wanting him," Nessa said softly. "They is wanting him very bad and he is wanting them too."
"What does he want with our parents?" Andy demanded.
"Nessa cannot say," Nessa shook her head. "Oh, no! Master and Mistress is wanting to tell you face-to-face. It is being a very special thing!" Nessa curtseyed and disapparated, probably to the kitchens.
"Oh, man!" Nick complained, glaring angrily at the spot she'd been in not a moment earlier. "Something big is happening around here and not even the house-elf will tell us!"
(--)
Alastor Moody tried to fight off three Death Eaters tying him to a gravestone in a graveyard not far from the house he'd been kept in. Another forty or so stood perhaps fifty metres away, littered between the graves. Moody was still adjusting to the large audience. He hadn't seen anyone since his capture until these three showed up. He'd been locked in a cellar with nothing to eat or drink. He'd long ago lost track of the time.
"Comfortable, Moody?" one of the Death Eater sneered.
Moody glared at him, now firmly bound.
"I thought not," the same Death Eater laughed. "Look at the great Alastor Moody now! You'll be dead soon, Moody! And the whole world will know that you were never a match for the truly great Dark Lord!"
They moved away, laughing like the maniacs they were. Soon they were out of his sight, but moments later they were back, carrying a cauldron between them. It was full of something that looked like water, by Moody knew by experience that it probably wasn't. He didn't recognise it, however. This puzzled him. He thought he knew every potion in the book. Though knowing Death Eaters, the potion was more than likely illegal, and so obscure and evil, that nobody, except someone wanting something to serve their express purposes, would know of.
The Death Eaters kindled a fire, making in burn strongly. Soon the entire area around the cauldron was filled with thick steam and the substance within began to bubble and send off fiery sparks. The haze began to blur the outlines of the Death Eaters who were crouched, keeping the fire alight and strong.
Another Death Eater appeared from behind a gravestone. He held in his arms a strange bundle, which was moving. Moody shuddered to think what monstrosity was wrapped inside those robes.
"Are you ready?" the Death Eater with the bundle hissed. Moody froze. He knew that voice. He knew it very well. But before he could gather his thoughts, the Death Eater continued. "Is everything prepared?" he stepped up to the cauldron and turned his head to each of his fellows, waiting for their individual nod of assent. "Very well."
Another Death Eater stepped forth and removed the robes from whatever was within them. Moody cursed. It was scarcely human and utterly vile. It had red eyes. The Death Eater held him like it was a gold nugget and cackled with glee. A woman's cackle. She leaned over the cauldron and let the 'thing' fall in. Moody heard a dull thud as it hit the bottom.
The Death Eater, who had brought the thing in, laid the robes on the ground and pulled out his wand.
"Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son!" he exclaimed.
Moody heard a noise and his feet, and looked down. The surface was opening slowly. From the slight hole, a small cloud of dust lifted up and sprinkled itself on the substance within the cauldron. Instantly, it was claimed by the potion, which turned a sickening blue the moment the specks of dust were gone.
"Flesh of the servant, willingly given, you will revive your master!" the Death Eater cried.
The woman took a dagger and stretched out a hand. Slowly, and with great arrogance, she raised the dagger high into the air. She behaved as though what she was about to do was a great honour. Moody, realising what was to happen, allowed his eyes to widen and he looked away in revulsion as first a shriek, and then a splash reverberated around the graveyard. He turned back and saw that the potion had become a piercing red and the woman's hood had fallen away. It was Bellatrix Lestrange. Her face was twisted into a gruesome smile and her eyes were lit up in triumph.
The Death Eater who had asked if Moody was comfortable approached with his own dagger. He shoved Moody's left sleeve up and paused.
"Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken, you will resurrect your foe!" the Death Eater with the wand bellowed.
It was fast as lightening. The Death Eater dragged the dagger down Moody's arm drawing an immense amount of blood. He caught it in a vial. He then took it back to the cauldron and emptied it into the cauldron. Immediately, the potion was whiter than Moody believed was possible. Sparks flew everywhere, going berserk. The Auror recoiled, not liking the idea of these sparks touching him, but, suddenly, the sparks stopped. Just like that. Instead, a thick white steam rose from the cauldron, followed by a figure. A tall, thin figure. All the Death Eaters, save Bellatrix, rushed forward and pulled the robes over the figure's head. Then it stepped from the cauldron and the steam, and Moody saw the face of a man he had hoped never to see again.
Voldemort.
(--)
Harry landed easily behind the Little Hangleton Church, Dumbledore by his side. All around him, members of the Order were also appearing. Dumbledore turned to him, a grave expression on his old face.
"Where is the graveyard?" he asked, with an enviable calm. Harry lifted his right arm and pointed. Down a small slope, tombstones were poking up, and somewhere between them, a thick white smoke rose, creating a bright haze. At the sight of this smoke, Harry felt a chill run up his spine.
"We're too late," he said, resisting the urge to vomit. "Voldemort is back – you see the steam? That means the potion is complete. We took too long getting here."
"But we can still save Alastor?" Dumbledore asked him, a note of fear entering his voice. "We're not too late for that?"
"No," Harry said, standing up straighter. "But hurry, he has but minutes left."
"Stay here," Dumbledore ordered. Harry scowled, but leant back against the Church wall as a sign he was not going anywhere anytime soon.
Dumbledore nodded his approval and began walking briskly down the hill, quickly followed by the Order. Harry watched them for a moment, letting them make it a decent way down the slope, and then followed, keeping in the shadows and keeping his distance. As he reached a large oak tree about one hundred metres from the first grave, a loud shout filled the eerie silence. Harry looked out cautiously from behind his tree and saw an explosion of spells. Duels were starting up. Harry sprinted out from his hiding place and ran into the graveyard. Appearing right in front of him a duel between Faust and two Death Eaters was taking place. Faust wasn't doing at all well. Harry effortlessly stunned both Death Eaters and tied them up, before turning to their opponent.
"Watch your back," he said to Faust. "You could have been killed."
He left a shocked Faust behind him as he ran on. He took down several Death Eaters as he ducked through duels, racing towards the cauldron. He raced around a few more gravestones and approached the grave of Tom Riddle Senior, where, as Harry had predicted, Moody was tied – from behind.
"Alastor!" he whispered, crouching beside the famous Auror. Glancing around, he flicked his wand and Moody's ropes fell away. He flicked it again, and another wand soared into his hand. He turned back to Moody. "I'm giving you a portkey which is going to take you directly to the Entrance Hall in the Potter Manor," he explained, shoving the wand and the portkey into Moody's hands. "And here's your wand, as well."
Moody opened his mouth, but Harry shushed him.
"No time!" he put his wand on the card. "One, two… three!" he pulled away.
Moody vanished, his eyes still wide with surprise. Harry let out a deep breath, a weight lifted from his mind, and stood up, looking around quickly, expecting for a sudden attack, his wand raised.
"Well, well, well," an evil female voice Harry knew only too well came from behind him, providing the 'attack' Harry had expected. He whirled around, his wand levelled in front of him.
"Bellatrix," he hissed, anger pumping through his veins. Her hood was down and her mask hanging around her neck. Her hair was aloft due to the wind, but extremely matted and unkempt. He glared at her, his eyes taking in every aspect of her appearance. They travelled down, and suddenly fixed upon a silver hand that looked far too familiar for Harry's liking. He once again resisted the urge to vomit, and pulled his eyes away from the wretched silver hand. They fixed on her face, which was twisted into her signature sneer. However, it had none of the gauntness and hollowness that had been so prominent in her eyes as Harry remembered. The maniac gleam was there in full strength and it was very clear she was around the height of her beauty. Harry could only conclude this Bellatrix had never been to Azkaban. He looked at the state of her robes, and caught another glimpse of the repulsive hand. This time he couldn't hold back and spoke to her.
"Your master gave you a lovely new hand to replace the one you sacrificed for him, did he?" Harry asked in a mock courteous voice, as he yet again prevented himself from vomiting. "How kind…" he trailed off, his own sneer developing.
"You filthy little mudblood!" Bellatrix hissed. "How dare you mock me and the Dark Lord? He is greater and more powerful than you can ever hope to be!" she aimed her wand at him. "Crucio!"
"I doubt that," Harry said, deflecting the curse soundlessly. "And for someone who puts such stake on blood purity, you really should check what people are, before you start accusing them of being Muggle-Born. I have the same level of purity as your beloved master – but my parents are both magical, which is more than I can say for him."
"Avada Kedavra!" Bellatrix shrieked.
Harry dodged and shot several spells in quick succession. She fell to the ground unconscious and bound. Shaking his head, he moved away. She had barely put up a fight. He had expected so much more. She had been far too easy to provoke.
He looked around the graveyard, and saw, to his horror, countless members of the Order down. Many were bloody and unconscious. He rushed forwards, diving into the fray. His parents were duelling twelve Death Eaters and losing obviously. He stunned three Death Eaters as he came up to the duel and immediately engaged with seven, leaving his parents to deal with one each. He threw up his shield and shot several stunners and powerful curses at them. Most were too surprised to react and five fell at once. After that, Harry took down the remaining three with relative ease, before turning to help his parents. Both were having difficulties, having been exhausted from their previous duel. Harry threw a shield spell at them, and the next curses rebounded. One jet of light was green, and the Death Eater was killed by his own reflected curse. The other Death Eater had fired the Cruciatus Curse and the he began screaming. Harry lifted the curse, and stunned him. Much as he hated Death Eaters, he hated pain and suffering more. He halted the curse when another would have probably allowed it to continue.
"Bind them," he whispered to his parents, who were staring at him in shock. "Quickly – before anyone else attacks you!" he ran towards another desperate duel without waiting to see they had done as he asked. There simply wasn't time.
Harry assisted in three duels in quick succession. He was moving around, looking for another Order member in trouble, when he saw Dumbledore and Voldemort. Harry streaked forwards, just as Voldemort had Dumbledore pinned against a tree. With anger twenty times that he had felt with Bellatrix filling his body, he blasted Voldemort away from the Headmaster and approached. Voldemort shot an 'Avada Kedavra' at Harry, and got to his feet within seconds. Harry dodged the Killing Curse and fired a stupefy back, holding his emotions in check – barely. Voldemort deflected the stunning spell, sending it back to Harry, who deflected it again, sending another spell at the same time. A moment later, the two were locked in a furious duel. Harry dodged and reflected spell after spell, shooting increasingly dangerous curses at Voldemort himself. Harry saw a blue light coming at him and he dodged – right into the path of a green one. He turned, and reappeared behind Voldemort, and attacked once again.
Voldemort let out a roar of fury. "WHO ARE YOU?" he screamed, and then Disapparated to the other side of a monument. He aimed the Cruciatus Curse at Harry who deflected it, sending it back to it's originator.
"You're greatest nightmare," Harry grinned, ducking another Killing Curse. "An incredible pest."
Voldemort shrieked as Harry hit him with a cutting curse, making the first spell that actually hit its target. Voldemort healed the gash in an instant and shot yet another Killing Curse. "You haven't tried to kill me," he commented softly, using an old tactic to goad Harry.
"No," Harry said, perfectly calm, and keenly aware that Voldemort was trying to trick him. "That would be useless. You'd become what you were when you woke up this morning. You wouldn't die. I'm not that stupid, Riddle."
"My name is not Riddle!" Voldemort hissed, throwing a flurry of dangerous curses at Harry. Harry conjured a handsome shield, just like the one Voldemort used at the Ministry. Once all the curses had been deflected, he vanished it and began firing once again.
"Your father gave you that name," Harry replied. "Tom Riddle, wealthy member of the Little Hangleton community and resident of the Riddle House on top that hill up there. Husband of Merope Gaunt, direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin, and a muggle."
"How dare you?" Voldemort screamed. "I am a pureblood!"
"You're as much of a pureblood as you are descendant of Godric Gryffindor," Harry laughed. He vanished and reappeared ten feet from where he'd started. Shooting off a stunner, he spoke up again. "You love to lie, don't you? And almost nobody knows – you're such an accomplished Occlumens!"
Voldemort sidestepped another cutting curse. "My, my, aren't you cocky?" he asked lazily. Once again he tried to pull the goading trick.
"And you aren't?" Harry snorted. "I've never known a more self-adoring, stuck up, misguided and cocky person in my life! No, you have no right to accuse me of cockiness!"
Voldemort spluttered indignantly. He allowed his concentration to waver in anger, and Harry immediately took advantage of it. He levitated the dark wizard.
"Oh, dear!" Harry laughed. He flicked his wand and disarmed his opponent. "You are in a sticky situation, aren't you? Never lose concentration, Riddle! Never!"
Harry began spinning Voldemort like a top. Faster and faster the Dark Lord span, until Harry flicked his wand. Voldemort soared over the remaining duellers and crashed into a large memorial to Agnes Whitcombe. Laughing, Harry Apparated in front of him. Voldemort was lying, groaning, on the ground. Harry raised his wand to bind him, when he was struck on the back with a Disarming Spell. Harry whirled around as both his and Voldemort's wands flew into the grasp of a Death Eater. A strand of white blonde hair was just visible from under the hood.
"Malfoy!" Harry hissed. He wandlessly summoned his wand back and attacked. A moment later, Lucius Malfoy was a bloody mess on the ground, unconscious and bound. Harry was about turn back to Agnes Whitcombe's memorial, when a sudden movement caught his attention. Voldemort was back on his feet. He wrenched his wand out of Malfoy's grasp. Harry had his wand trained on him in an instant. But before Harry could do a thing, Voldemort Disapparated, leaving a devastated graveyard behind.
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So, what do you think? Let me know in a review - PLEASE! I LOVE REVIEWS! THEY'RE AWESOME!
I've started the beginning of Chapter 5 and I've written the plot down. I reckon it should be up within the coming week. No guaruntee, but, fingers crossed, eh? School holidays started on Friday, so I might not be working up to my usual speed - I'm going to the Commonwealth Games! Three days to go!
Sorry - I just had a mini spastic outburst.
Soooo. Review? Pwetty pwease wif thugar on twop?