A/N: A word of warning! This chapter is one of the reasons I gave this story an "M" rating. It mentions and describes torture of some characters. Another thing, I didn't have the twins publicly change their name as they were trying to keep Harry's plans a especially now. Thank you for the reviews and the reading of this story
Potter8668
Chapter 7: The Defeat Of One Dark Lord
Once Harry was done telling Scrimgeour what he had planned, the Minister actually agreed with some of Harry's new measures. Particularly the one dealing with those that carried the Dark Mark. Harry's new law, which went into effect immediately, stated that any person found having the Dark mark on their person and were caught breaking any law, would be questioned first with Veritiserum. Then they would be pushed through the Veil if found guilty. He need not have the Wizengaments approval or their judgment. Harry's word was now law.
The second thing Harry did was lower the age of magical use outside of school. Too many were being hurt or killed because of that law. He lowered the age to fourteen. Too many times had he had to stop himself from using magic, even in defense, because of the age restriction. With the threat of Voldemort growing those fourteen and over might make the difference in life or death.
"You have until Christmas, Minister, to get these laws in place. Now about this plot to get rid of me when I get rid of Voldemort. I hope that you realize that I am virtually untouchable now."
"What plot, your Highness?"
Harry described what he had overheard at the Weasleys and the tracking charms that had been placed on himself and his wand. "You might want to question Percy, your assistant about it. He was there. As for the Tracking charms they're now on the person who placed them on me, Delores Umbridge."
"I will see to it personally, your Highness. If Weasley is involved then it must be from Fudge's term. I knew nothing about it and will do everything in my power to stop it. As for Ms. Umbridge, she will be questioned and fired for over stepping her duties. More than anything Fudge probably ordered her to do it." Harry did a probe of Scrimgeour's mind and found him to be telling the truth. Harry accepted Scrimgeour's word on the subjects.
Harry and Neville finished their meeting with Scrimgeour with a statement about convening the Council on the second of September at Hogwarts. Neville handed the Minister a list of those to be invited.
As he watched the Prince and his companion leave, Scrimgeour looked at the list. To his surprise no one on the list was a legal witch or wizard, or even human for that matter. Besides himself, the Prince, his champion, and the Prince's friend Granger, a muggleborn witch, were the only humans on the list. This would certainly shake up the Wizarding world. Now to have Weasley and Umbridge questioned.
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Harry met Hermione at Florish and Blotts in time to get his course books. He saw that Hermione had picked up several others on subjects that were not taught at Hogwarts. He found himself interested.
"How did it go with the Minister?"
"Fine, but I suspect that the Headmaster will know of the meeting before we get back to the castle. Percy and Umbridge were both put out that I forced them to leave."
"You knew that they would be."
"Yeah, but you should have seen their faces. I don't think I've ever seen that particular color on Umbridge's face before and Rita's looked like she had been sucking on lemons. "
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Minerva McGonagall was more than in shock. She was speechless. Two of her favorite students had refused the Head badges. Potter had even refused the Quidditch Captaincy and had informed her that he wasn't even going to play in the coming year. They offered no explanation as to why and had even dropped two subjects, Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. She had no idea why, but she knew that the Headmaster was not going to be pleased.
Squaring her shoulders she left her office and headed towards the Headmaster's office. She had thought that Potter had wanted to be an Auror but something had obviously had changed his mind, since he had dropped two of its required subjects. But it was slightly puzzling that Ms. Granger had also dropped those classes. The only explanation that she could come up with was the fact the Severus had taught both of those courses. The two teens had no idea if he was returning to teach or not and didn't want to be in his class.
Her thoughts had taken her right to the Headmaster's office door, bypassing the gargoyle staircase. She noted that most of the staff was already inside the office.
"Ahh, Minerva, what has you so upset," asked Dumbledore after seeing her face.
"I have just received letters from Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger declining both Head badges. They also are dropping Potions and Defense."
"What!?!" screeched Dumbledore. "Write a letter back immediately telling Harry that he has no choice but to accept the badge. Also that he is required to take both of those courses do to his up coming Pre-Auror training that he will be receiving. I am sure that this is just a simple misunderstanding on his part. As for Ms. Granger, she can, of course, refuse, but Harry can't. He needs to be away from the others at this time. In a room all on his own."
"I can't, Albus. They both have the right to refuse and drop whatever subject they wish. It's part of the school by-laws. We can't change them just for one student. Already the castle has accepted the decisions of Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger. It has shown me who the next in line are for the Heads position, which are Padma Patil and Draco Malfoy. The letters have already been sent. There is nothing I can do. Face the fact that you have lost some control over Mr. Potter."
"Minerva! I will not allow this kind of talk to continue. Harry must have special training. Once he has defeated Voldemort, he can do as he wishes, but the fate of our world rests on him."
"Perhaps Potter wishes to free up his time for more extensive training," interjected Snape oily.
Dumbledore looked at Snape. They seemed to be engaged in a silent discussion, just using their eyes. "Perhaps you're right, Severus. Harry will require more one on one training. Dueling and Occlumency for starters. Later we can add more if he shows us that he can handle those. I place you in charge of those extra courses. Do what you must to him, but he must be able to fight Voldemort in one piece."
"Certainly, Headmaster."
Minerva wasn't sure that this was what Potter had in mind when he sent the letter informing her of his decisions.
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Harry, Hermione, and Neville finished their shopping as quickly as they could, not wanting to seen for very long. Unfortunately just as they finished and were leaving the last shop and heading back to Gringotts, several members of the Order descended on them, including Dumbledore and Snape. Harry threw up an invisible barrier, wandlessly, as the Headmaster and the Potions Master hurried towards him.
"Harry, where have you been? You need to come with us right now. You're not safe out in the open. I demand that you….." Dumbledore had hit the barrier, falling on his arse, a surprised look on his face. This was something unexpected.
Harry was not at all happy to see the meddling old man. "Headmaster, you have no say in where I can and can't go. The only thing that you do have a say in is my schooling, if I decided to return to your institution."
"Mr. Potter! You WILL apologize to the Headmaster this instant. You have no concept of the danger that you are in out here in the open" said Snape. He watched as Harry turned away and started walking towards Gringotts.
"Enough of this foolishness." Snape pulled his wand out and tried canceling Harry's barrier spell. To his utter shame he found that he couldn't and that his normal black robes had been transformed into fuchsia pink with snowy white owls flying around in them. Many spectators started laughing. No one mentioned his snow white hair.
Harry turned back around with a smirk on his face. "Having trouble Snape? Perhaps you didn't do the proper wand movement. By the way, nice wardrobe choice."
Snape was seething. "YOU……. Potter, release this spell RIGHT NOW!"
"So sorry, I'm afraid that my wrist is tired. Done too much magic today. Perhaps one of you boss' could cancel it for you." Harry then went into Gringotts, leaving a stunned Dumbledore and Snape behind. Dumbledore at least had the forethought to place a tracking spell on the boy, not knowing that it had rebounded onto Mundungus Fletcher.
Snape started after Potter but Dumbledore stopped him. "I placed a tracking spell on him. We need only follow him and then overpower him. Let me straighten you robes and hair out."
"MY HAIR!?!"
But to both wizards surprise the spell would not cancel. Snape was thinking how revenge would be so sweet once he got his hands on Potter.
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As Harry was leaving Gringotts, Bellatrix was in the process of capturing Potter's muggle family. It had taken a couple of days of trial and error to circumvent the wards around the place and it had taken her Lord's blood to actually allow them inside. Now the muggles were currently seated in their pitiful excuse of a lounge. As she looked around she saw nothing of Potter. No pictures, no remembrances, nothing. It was as if Potter had never lived here. The only thing that seemed out of place was the lock on the cupboard under the stairs and the lock on a bedroom door that also had a cat flap in it. She had to wonder if the boy is not the pampered brat that everyone assumes and is, instead, a victim of abuse. It would be something to discuss with her lord when they returned. She wondered if the boy could be turned.
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Lord Voldemort was very pleased with Bella's capture of Potter's muggle family. He was also slightly worried that the plans he had for their torture would not affect the boy if they did abuse him. He might not want to save them. He really didn't believe that the boy would go totally dark. There was too much love in him.
After deliberating with himself for more than an hour, Lord Voldemort decided to go ahead with his plans. He felt that Potter was too much a Gryffindor to allow anyone to be tortured, regardless of how he personally felt about them. Besides that's what muggles were for, torturing. He watched as the three muggles were led before him. The older male seemed afraid but hid it under a false bravado.
"You have done well, Bella. I am most pleased."
"Thank you, my Lord."
He turned his attention to the Dursleys. "Do you know who I am muggles?"
"One of those FREAKS like the Boy!" spat Vernon.
Voldemort actually smiled, frightening his loyal followers. None had ever seen him do that before. "Well, well, well. We have a muggle version of Lucius Malfoy among us." he chuckled.
No one said a thing, including Lucius himself, although he was slightly insulted by the remark.
"Just to inform you, muggle, I am not the FREAK. You are. You and your worthless non magical beings are. Polluting our world with your non magic ways. You will soon learn, muggle, that magic is far more superior. Gentlemen step forward and claim your victim and begin the purification."
Ironically Lucius was to be the torturer of his muggle counterpart, one Vernon Dursley.
Petunia turned white as a sheet. "What purification?"
Voldemort smiled again. "The one of body and soul separating of course. Gentlemen be creative and entertain your lord."
So the torture of the Dursleys began. Voldemort opened the scar connection as wide as he could so that Potter could see everything. Voldemort didn't even notice the lack of response on Potter's end. He was soon caught up in the screams of his victims.
Lucius had lost all patience with Vernon and had set the man on fire. Once the fire was out everyone, even Voldemort, was surprised that the man was still alive. They set Nagini on him to dispose of. The snake was grateful for a meal that didn't run away.
The son, Dudley, was forced under the Imperius curse to gut himself. He squished his own organ and died after he stabbed his own heart. Voldemort had to admit that McNair had style.
Petunia Dursley was forced to watch as her husband was eaten alive by a giant snake and her son slowly killed himself. She was then passed around to every male Deatheater and used any way they wished. Several times they forced her to regain consciousness whenever she passed out from the pain. Then she was hung up by her breasts with meat hooks. When her muscles, tissues, and skin finally gave way she fell to her death by landing on several sharpened spikes that had been placed below her.
It was after all this that Voldemort realized that he hadn't 'felt' Potter the entire time. Somehow the boy had learned to close off his mind. Now the Dark Lord was angry. All of this was for nothing.
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Dumbledore and Snape tracked 'Harry' to Hogsmeade, specifically 'The Hog's Head'. But once inside the pub neither of them saw any sign of Harry. Albus went back outside to double check his spell. After getting the same findings three different times Dumbledore concluded that Harry had to be hiding under his invisibility cloak. Going back inside, the Headmaster of Hogwarts cleared his throat and said "Accio Invisibility Cloak!" Unfortunately Harry's wasn't one of the ones that Albus had summoned.
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After returning to Hogwarts, mainly to get ready for their trips, Harry brought up the idea of finishing Voldemort off BEFORE leaving. He even had a plan.
So the day before they were to leave the new golden trio apparated to the edge of Riddle Manor, Voldemort's not so secret hide out. Harry noted the Deatheater guards that were protecting the manor. He sent a wandless illusion of a herd of dragons. Ones that were featured in the Tri-Wizard tournament. The three of them had quite a few giggles and chuckles as they watched the chaos around them. Soon there wasn't a Deatheater remaining. Leaving the path wide open for Harry and his friends.
Inside they didn't run into anyone and made their way to the main chamber that Voldemort stayed in. Harry, once he was inside the manor, pulled some of the magic from around them and sent a powerful illusion to Voldemort. Hoping to drive the evil wizard even further insane, Harry's illusion was a representation of every single person or thing that Voldemort had killed or had ordered to be killed. That had overfilled the room, sending Voldemort out of control.
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To Voldemort, who was struggling to maintain what was left of his sanity, the ghosts of those he had killed were there to haunt him forever. He hadn't realized that there were so many. They would never give him peace. He never saw Potter or his two companions. Suddenly he felt his private regions burn. He looked down to see the area covered in ice. A most painful experience to have. Between the burning ice and the terrors of his own mind, he never felt himself being transformed into a jelly like substance by Potter. He never felt himself being placed inside an unbreakable jar, sealed with an unbreakable seal. To top matters he would never know that only Potter could open the jar itself to release him. He was trapped inside the horrors of his own mind. He would never have his revenge.
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Harry lost some control over his temper and anger when he saw the remains of the Dursleys still on the floor where each had died. He was more than angry over the fact that Dumbledore, apparently, hadn't warned them of the danger that they were still in. They ended up paying the ultimate price. He felt very little towards the Dursleys actual passing, other than they had suffered too much for it. He felt Hermione come up behind him and rub his back, trying to sooth him as he regained control.
Taking the jar of jellied Voldemort Harry, Hermione, and Neville apparated directly into the Veil room of the Department of Mysteries, the other two were holding on to Harry to make the trip.
Alone Harry walked up the steps to the Arch of the Veil itself. He could hear the whispers coming from the other side. He glanced down at the jar in his hand, than at the Veil, and back at his hand.
"I hope that you enjoy your stay in Hell, Tommy boy", said Harry. He then threw the jar into the Veil opening, watching it disappear from sight. Turning to the other two, he smiled and said, "Let's go celebrate!"
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After being held and questioned for over thirty hours Percy Weasley was released from custody. Granted he had lost his position in the Ministry, but he was thankful that he wasn't in Azkaban like Delores. How the Minister had found out about their plans for Potter Percy didn't know and right now didn't care.
