Chapter 9 Halloween

Halloween came closer and closer. Everybody was up to the Halloween spirit. On top of that, the first Quidditch match was on that day. The Professors, however, did not seem to notice the restlessness in the classes. They taught and taught without dismissing any class until the bell rang. Even then there was plenty of homework.

"You know Harry, Halloween's coming up."

"Yeah Cho," Harry replied. The two were wandering around the corridors after lunch.

"In fact it's in two days and do you know what that means?"

"No what?"

"That Gryffindor's going to lose! We Ravenclaw's are getting the cup this year."

"Oh really?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"I'll be the first to beat the famous Potter…"

"Didn't Cedric…"

"He tried to call it off. Besides, it doesn't count since there were dementors!"

Harry smiled.

"We'll see, we'll see, I doubt you'll win. Just because you're my girlfriend doesn't mean that I'll go easy on you."

"I expect nothing less; we'll both play our best." Harry nodded absentmindedly as he let his thoughts wonder off to his plans.

You know Cho, there might not even be Quidditch this year. My plan is ready. I'll set it into motion soon.

The two stopped in front of Ravenclaw's common room.

"Well, Harry I'm going to go. I need to go practice with my team, you know, I am captain." She paused. "Do you want to come watch?"

"Nah, I want you to surprise me, though I doubt I will be."

"Alright then, see you later. Bye Harry!"

"Bye Cho!" He watched she disappear through the portrait hole.


He waited inside the Room of Requirements. In his right hand he played with a golden gallon. Harry looked down at his watch, which showed that the person he was waiting for was late.

"Young master…." Draco came in hastily, breathlessly. "Forgive me for being late." He bowed once, before standing up, slightly hunched.

Harry nodded. "Leave the door open Malfoy…" he whispered as Draco was about to close it.

"Expecting some other people?" Harry raised his hand, and cut off, Draco's statement as footsteps echo through the hallways. He listened intently.

"He's come. Stand up straight Malfoy, don't want to seem suspicious just yet." Malfoy did as he was told.

"Umm…hi Harry, first DA meeting this year eh, sorry we're late." Colin and Dennis Creevey came walking in. Draco immediately blocked the exit. The two looked at each other, an uneasy feeling came over them.

"The others, they're late Harry." Dennis glanced at Malfoy. "Is he joining this year?" Harry shook his head.

"No one's coming. No one's here. .There is no DA meeting anymore." The two backed tracked two steps clinging onto each other.

"Then why are we here?"

"I want to know where your loyalties lie."

"We're loyal to you Harry. We're your friends, in fact, we're in the same house."

"Then let me ask you this, would you abandon everything you know, and join the Dark Arts, will you every do this? Would you turn your back on everyone you knew to join Voldemort." The two shook their heads vigorously.

"Never, Harry, never. You are our hero, our idol, we won't do anything to abandon you and the others." Harry sighed.

"That is all I need to know." The two turned to leave only to find. Draco with his wand pointed at them.

"I don't think you two will be leaving alive." Harry's voice was soft.

"What…what do you mean…." The brothers were shaking hard.

"You see, I am Lord Voldemort's son. I don't want any one to go blabbing around and spreading all these rumors."

"What, what do you mean, Harry? That is impossible! There is no way you can be You-Know-Who's son!" Dennis chirped.

"Too bad, you had your chance and now it is time for the two of you to die…." Draco muttered a few words and Dennis fell dead by his brother's feet. Colin was scared stiff, but common sense took over.

"Please Harry, spare me, spare me…" However Harry did not seem to be listening. He was laughing, laughing, like a manic who in a cold and icy voice said, "You useless wretch, I gave you a chance, but you refused."

Colin panicked. "Harry…Harry…" Harry looked at Draco. Draco nodded before executing his task.

No one spoke for a while. There was fear in the Slytherin's eyes. He had never seen Harry like that and it scared him to his bones. He now learned to fear the Gryffindor as he had feared Voldemort.

Harry picked up the bodies. "I'll hide them, you can go now." Draco bowed once more before hastily leaving.


Harry gently laid the dead bodies in the middle of the hallway. He then turned to the wall. Waving his wand a messaged appeared. He smirked at the words that he placed there. Then bending over he signed the bottom with his mark. He glanced at the arrangements and when he felt satisfied, he turned it all invisible with a spell that could be placed or taken away from anywhere at any time by the spell caster.


The Quidditch pitch was packed with people. All were excited about the first match of the season. Support for both houses could be seen on all the students and teachers.

Harry stared at the Quidditch stands, scanning the rows from top to bottom, left to right. His eyes landed on the staff section, noticing that Dumbledore had still not arrived.

"Hmmm, you noticed Harry, Dumbledore's not here yet." Hermione said next to him. She had made it as Chaser, along with Katie and Ginny. Ron was keeper, and the two beaters were Dean and Seamus.

"Yeah, I noticed."

"Where do you think he is, I mean the match can't start until he host it, mate." Harry put on a confused expression, though he knew perfectly well were the headmaster was.

Hmmm, well I locked him in his office this morning after I snuck up on him and stunned him pretty badly. He was unconscious when I left.

Harry smiled at his success. He couldn't believe Dumbledore would be so easy to get, but it did not surprise him. After all he was the Dark Lord's son, and heir. The intense training his father had given him had indeed paid off.


"Minerva where is Albus?" Madame Hooch asked, slightly annoyed hat the headmaster was late.

"I do not know, it is quite unlike him." She paused.

"The match must go on." Madame Hooch continued.

"Yes, I have to agree…" Severus cut in.

"But…."

"Get the match started. I'll go look for him." McGonagall stood up.

"I'm coming too." Snape added, standing up.

"Alright, I'll start the match, just get back before the match is over, especially since Harry's playing." McGonagall smiled.

"It'll be a record, if we come back before Harry catches the snitch." Snape mumbled. The two left the stadium.


"Welcome to the first Quidditch match of the year!" Luna yelled, as she was the new commentary. "Gryffindor against Ravenclaw!" There were shouts of support for both sides.

"And here are the Gryffindor's: Potter! Weasely! Weasely! Bell! Granger! Thomas and Finnigan!" As each player was named, they flew out and around the stadium. Harry flew in a circle before landing, on the center of the field.

Then Luna continued to name the Ravenclaw players "Chang!" Harry smiled. "Davis, Bradley, Boot, Brocklehurst, Turpin, and Patil!" There was another up roar of cheers, mostly from the Ravenclaw group. They also flew in the air, before Roger landed in front of Harry. The two glared at each other, before reluctantly shaking hands.

"And they are off!" Luna yelled. She did a step-by-step commentary. Harry however did not seem to hear her. He was too absorbed in trying to find the Snitch, with Cho flying next to him.

"Hehe, you know you can't trail me, I've got a Firebolt."

"Yeah so…."

"So I'll win first."

"Awe Harry, can't you let me win for once?"

"No…" Harry frowned. "I thought we agreed to play our hardest ahead of time."

"And so we have."

Harry suddenly spun around in the opposite direction.

"I won't let you trail me either. I'm going to do exactly what Wood said—not to be a gentlemen while in the air…"

Cho smiled, and decided to search for the Snitch herself, since Harry was right.

Harry flew off for a while, before stopping in mid air. Cho was not trailing him anymore.

Good, now I can catch the Snitch and win this match. Then after this, as soon as this is over, I can return to my plans, plans that I have set for today.

After having his plans sorted out, Harry returned to the game he was in. He was going to catch the Snitch as always. Until, his goal, and Voldemort's goal was achieved, he could not become suspicious.

Harry flew around the stadium circling above everyone's head. Then he saw her. Cho had suddenly pelted toward the floor, near the Ravenclaw goalpost. He looked at where she was heading and saw the Snitch glistening about 10 feet below her. Harry spun around and pelted his Firebolt towards the Snitch. In a flash he gained on Cho. Now they were both flying shoulder to shoulder, the Snitch a few feet ahead of both of them.

It was then that Harry noticed the eerie silence. Everyone seemed to have held his or her breath waiting for either Harry or Cho to catch the Snitch. All eyes watched the two opponents, the two young Seekers, the two lovers as they raced to finish the match. Some had a feeling that Harry was going to let Cho catch the Snitch because of their affections and lovely relationship.

"Harry get out of the way! Let me win this for once," she said in her sweetest voice, which caused Harry's heart to melt. However he pulled himself together.

"No Cho, not this time I've got to win the match. I've got to enjoy this life while I still can, that is before I let him take everything that I love away from me." His voiced trailed off. Cho looked at him questioningly but did not ask since Harry did not seem to want to talk at the moment. He seemed to her like he was lost in another world, like he was lost on a far off land, a place where even she could not reach.


Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape came back to the stadium all looking grave. They were highly disturbed by how and why they found Dumbledore, locked up, stunned, and still unconscious. Dumbledore had a reasonable guess at who it was but kept the secret to himself.

"Albus, what do we do, what do we do? How can that happened" McGonagall said, voice shaking. Dumbledore did not answer, fury was in his eyes. Snape however pointed up into the sky at Harry and Cho. The three looked up and watched.


Swish! A Buldger came out of nowhere. Harry ducked just in time as it swished above his head.

"Cho look out!" He screamed, but it was too late, it had hit her square on her stomach, sending her broom off course. Harry reached out his hand, the Snitch was already in his fingertips, and all he needed to do was grasp onto it.

"Harry…" he heard Cho muttered, sounded desperate. He turned around to see her grasping onto her broom with only five fingers. Harry gasped. The Buldger had caused an unexpected Cho to fall off leaving her to hang on to dear life. In that split second many thoughts flooded through Harry.

I can win the match now, if I wanted to. Then Cho will have to pay the price. She would die if I do not save her now.

Somehow, something held him back.

Why am I hesitating? Why? Cho if she died, it would be just another account of death, another one of my victims. I killed tons of people already, what would I lose with the death of one more. Winning the match is important; I can always find another girlfriend, one who belongs on the Dark side.

Harry couldn't though. He tried to press down on the Snitch, but couldn't.

I can't. I love Cho. I can't let her die, no matter what. No one can ever replace her. I love you Cho, I care for you, and so I will never harm you, I will never cause you danger. I'll protect you Cho.

"Harry…" Cho called out once more, just as her slippery fingers released the broom, causing her to fall. If she touched the ground that was more then 50 feet below her, she would be dead for sure.


Screams echoed through the stadium. No one blinked as they watched Cho fall.

"My God, Dumbledore, Miss. Chang is going to die if she lands at this speed…" Minerva pulled out her wand. Dumbledore however waived it away.

"Watch and see. If she falls another 20 feet or so, then I shall step in." He stared at Harry's emotionless face, hoping against hope that Voldemort had not change him that much, changed him enough to watch his only lover die before his eyes.


Harry stared at Cho's body as she fell.

"No, Cho! No!" He yelled, before taking his hands off the Snitch which he could have ended the match at anytime. Instead he used both hands to grip onto to his broom, chasing after Cho.

"Come on Firebolt, Come on, faster…."

He raced towards her, becoming closer and closer. They were nearly towards the ground about twenty feet away, when Harry gained onto Cho. Taking out his right hand, he reached for her, grasping her right hand. He tried to pull her up, instead, her weight seem to drag him down. They were 10 feet above ground and Harry could only grasp onto her other hand.

"Harry, just let me go. You can't fight against gravity. At this rate we will both die, release me and you'll have a chance to fly away."

"No, Cho, I won't let you die, no matter what I'll protect you, I won't let any harm come close to you." Harry managed to mutter. With that in mind, Harry suddenly threw himself off the Firebolt and beneath Cho, his arms wrapped around her protectively.

"Harry no!" Harry closed his eyes. He wanted to use his dark powers, but thought against it. Even in the mist of death, he would not betray his father, by surviving and then being questioned about his powers afterward. He would die for Voldemort's sake.


Voldemort felt restless. His bond between Harry weakened by the minute. Something was wrong—his Thomas was in danger. Concentrating with his powers, he tried to sense Harry and ask what was wrong.

Thomas! Thomas! Thomas answer me! If you don't I'll come and get you.

Thomas's thoughts slowly crept into him.

Father, this is for the best. If I die, it is because I love you, because I'm protecting you. I would not, I will betray you in anyways, I will not let you become in danger, by unwillingly revealing your secrets. This way, if I die, I take our secret to the grave.

Understanding washed over Voldemort immediately. The fatherly affection in him seemed to arouse.


At that moment a sliver snake like mist formed a shield around Harry, right before he crashed onto the floor. When it disappeared, Harry was on the floor, his arms wrapped around Cho. On his neck was the necklace; the locket that Voldemort had given him on his 16th birthday.


Voldemort heaved a deep sigh as he felt Thomas's bond return. He had used most of his strength to form a shield around his son, to force power into the necklace that he had given him, one that would protect Thomas for life.


Harry slowly looked around. He was surprised that he was still alive. Looking down, he noticed the golden chained necklace that he wore as Thomas.

How in the world did this show up. It shouldn't be here, I shouldn't be wearing this right now in front of everyone.

Then he notice that it was still glowing slightly silver, the snake in front seemed to be alive. Harry smiled at that. He suddenly understood that it was Voldemort who had kept him from death.

"Thank you father…." He muttered.

A hand shook his shoulder intently. He gazed up to see, Cho kneeling before him trying to attract attention. Standing next to her was Remus, Minerva, Serveus, and Albus. He held each person's gaze except for Dumbledore, who did not seem happy at all.

Harry leaped to his feet.

"Cho, Professors I'm alright." They stared at him intently.

"Potter that was magnificent, you managed to save Miss. Chang." McGonagall said, beaming down on him.

"Yes, very impressive." Snape added. He seemed very relieved that Harry was all right. Cho clung on to him, speechless, still lost in her thoughts of what had just happened. She was going to treasure this, burn her savior into her memory forever. Harry however looked at both Dumbledore and Lupin, both who seemed to be staring at his necklace. He looked down at it, then up at Lupin confirming if he was questioning it.

"Harry, where did you get that necklace? It has a very interesting design." Harry quickly pushed in under his robes.

"Oh, my father left this to me,"

Dumbledore's eyes widen.

"I do not recall James having one like that…."

Harry ignored that statement, finally looking into Dumbledore's eyes. Their eyes fixed for a moment before Harry crouched to the floor unable to stand.

"Harry!" Cho cried out. "What's wrong? Are you injured?"

"No…no…" he threw Dumbledore a look of utmost hatred, not surprised to see the headmaster slightly form a smile.

Bastard! Laugh all you want now. We, father and I will win in the end. I made my first move, and now it is your turn.

Harry released the invisibility spell which he had put on his victims.

A hand reach down to Harry. He looked up to see that it was Moony's. Harry took it and stood up. It was then that Cho realized the cold glares, between Harry and Dumbledore. She could not figure out why. She had always thought that Harry was Dumbledore's "favorite". Now, however, it seemed wrong. Dumbledore did not seem loving or caring instead slight fury could be seen. It was Lupin, though, Lupin who was the one that really and truly cared for Harry. She wondered what kind of relationship those two shared.

"Harry, I think this has been enough for one day." Lupin looked at Dumbledore., "Would you not agree that this Quidditch match should be reschedule to a later day perhaps as both Seekers seem to need time to recover."

"Ha! Remus, I think it was obvious that Potter did a noble act. The Snitch was already within his grasp. All he needed to do was grab onto it and the match would have been finished."

"But if he did that Miss. Chang would have died. He is one Mauarder, gets this from us. He's always loyal to friends, will never let anyone down just like James, Sirius, me…." Remus stated proudly.

"But not Peter…." Dumbledore suddenly spoke in. "And if Harry doesn't have anyone to lean on…"

"He's got me." Remus snapped.

"And if he turns against you?" Dumbledore challenged.

"He's not going to, Albus, we've been through this already, just to let you know, Harry's not that kind of person. I know him better then you do!"

"You do not!"

Lupin ignored this. "If I leave Harry's side now, what kind of fatherly figure am I then?"

"You aren't his father!"

"I'm as good as one. He's just lost Sirius Albus, he needs someone like me and if I leave him, then, then he would become like Peter. I won't let that happen!"

Dumbledore did not speak for a while. "You will regret this Remus. I'm telling you now, once the truth is out." Dumbledore through a dagger stare at Harry. "Then you will realize that I've tried to warn you."

"Warn me, warn me about what? That Harry is a danger, that he is a criminal undercover, that he committed crimes under my nose. Bullshit! Albus that is Bullshit! You expect me to believe that I'll wake up one day and find Harry on top of me, with his wand pointed between my eyes?"

He took Harry's hand.

"Beside's if Harry ever turns Dark, it will be because of you! You Albus, not me, not him, not Voldemort's fault, it will be yours. If you drive Harry too far, he'll end up dead like Sirius and James."

Dumbledore was speechless.

"From now on Albus, whether you like it or not, Harry is in my custody. I am the one responsible for him."

"You are irresponsible; you never stopped James or Sirius."

Lupin did not know how to reply. Instead he pulled Harry towards him.

"Come on, we are leaving Harry. We can go to my office and talk." Harry nodded, glared at Dumbledore for trying to reveal the truth once again, before heading off with Lupin.


"Harry! Professor!" The two stopped. Harry turned to see Cho running after them. Harry smiled.

"Cho…" he mumbled causing her to blush. He took her hand and pulled her close to him, embracing her. Remus smiled at the lovers.

"Harry, I'll leave you two alone, just remember to stop by at my office later." Harry nodded and watched Lupin scurry off.

Harry did not see Lupin disappear before he stood still at the end of the corridor, as if frozen stiff by what he saw. Harry and Cho, hurried over. Cho gasped. Harry looked at the two of them then acted the same way, stiff and frozen, shocked to the core.

There in front of the three of them were Colin and Dennis's dead bodies. Both faces seemed surprised. Lupin stepped closer, seeing blood writings on the way. He touched it and sighed.

"They've died, died at least two days ago." He mumbled letting his werewolf sense take over. Harry seemed surprised at how accurate Lupin's first assumption was. "They were surprised, unprepared. Their attacker or attackers seem to surprise them." Cho however clung onto Harry, as she read aloud the writing on the wall.

THE TrUtH haS BeEn ReVealed

VoLDemOrt'S heir, and Son has ReTuRnEd

DuMbLeDorE will FaLL

The ReiGn Of DaRkneSS has BeGun

On the bottom was a mark.

"The dark mark…" Cho said automatically.

"No, it's not…" Harry pointed out the Snakes at the side of the skull and the letters TJRR. "Wonder what that means…" All was silent.

"What seems to be the problem? Why are you three standing here, all stiff as if paralyzed by fear." Dumbledore's voice cut in. The three parted, to let Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall through to see for themselves.

All at once Dumbledore had flame in his eyes. His anger was boiling mad. Without thinking he turned towards Harry and grabbed him up by his collar.

"What do you mean by this…Thomas! What the hell do you mean by these deaths! Do you really think you can scare me by this?" Dumbledore forced Harry to look into his eyes, causing Harry to crumple up into a ball. It seemed to be the only weapon that he had to control the boy. "You will answer me boy!"

At that moment Snape and McGonagall grabbed Dumbledore. Lupin pulled Harry away from the headmaster.

"Albus! This is Harry not Thomas, whoever that is! Harry has nothing to do with this! We were just with him less then five minutes ago!" McGonagall said. Dumbledore tried to shrug them off. "Harry is innocent! There is no way you can prove!"

"Innocent until proven guilty!" Lupin added. Dumbledore glared at them all. They all had no idea who they were dealing with.

"I'm innocent Professor. I swear I had nothing to do with this!" Harry told a down right lie, his smile turning into a slight smirk after seeing Dumbledore's defeated face.

There is no way, no way, anyone will believe you. I'm the Golden Boy after all, the boy who defeated Voldemort.

Dumbledore seemed to have noticed that he was being a little aggressive. He did not have support, and was on the down side of it all.

Alright, Thomas, you win this round. I won't give up this easily. You will pay for what you did today.

Dumbledore stared at Harry for a while, before rereading the message. He did not speak for a while.

"It seems to me, Thomas Riddle has returned to Voldemort. He is his only son and heir." He paused for a while. "The second war has finally begun."