CHAPTER TWELVE: IMPRISONMENT

For the rest of the Christmas holidays, Damian spent his time with Lily. He finally had the chance to learn about the woman who had adopted and protected him. He learnt that she and James had given birth to a baby boy, the very same day Damian was born, except he had been very ill and had died. Dumbledore, sensing their weakness, then presented them with Damian, informing them he was an orphan. However, there was a condition; Damian had to take Harry Potter's name for his own protection, though Dumbledore never said what Damian needed protection from. James had taken some convincing, not keen on Harry's name being given to a stranger's child, but when he saw Lily's behaviour and love for the child, he had given in, and it didn't take him long to fall in love with Damian.

'Did Sirius know?' Damian questioned. 'And what about Remus?'

'They were the only ones we told,' Lily stated. 'Sirius even knows who your father is and still loves you.

Damian frowned. Something wasn't right.

'I don't think we're on the same page,' he stated. 'You're speaking as though Sirius is still alive.'

'That's because I am.'

Damian turned around so fast he ended up toppling off the chair he was sitting on. Standing in the doorway was a tired, but happy Sirius Black.

'Sirius?' Damian whispered, before leaping off the floor, hurrying forward and embracing Sirius tightly. 'I thought you were dead! I saw you go through the Veil.'

'You saw an illusion,' Sirius explained gently. 'I overheard Dumbledore talking to Moody about wiping me from the picture of your life. I knew then that something wasn't right and sent a message to Narcissa. She explained everything to me and I began to realise how much Dumbledore had played us. She organised for my death to be faked and from then on I've been working for your father and pestering him.'

'Pestering him?'

'Every time saw him I tried to convince him that you were just being used like I was,' Sirius explained. 'I tried to get him to spare you. He didn't believe me because he didn't trust me, which is understandable. So I tried talking to Sanaro. While we disliked each other and he didn't trust me, he agreed to try and convince your father to spare you.'

'Which he did when Voldemort captured me and Dumbledore,' said Damian. Everything was starting to make sense. 'So are you and my brother still fighting?'

'No, they're like you and Draco,' Lily answered. 'They finally grew up and are good friends.'

Sirius gave her a look.

'Sorry, their just friends, neither good nor bad,' she corrected. 'They're still having trouble letting go of some past issues.'

'Speaking of the devil, have you seen him and the Dark Lord?' Sirius asked seriously.

'I think they're outside somewhere,' Lily answered. 'All Sanaro said was he'd be going outside with Him.'

'Thanks. I'll see the two of you later.' Sirius then hurried away.

'Are you alright, sweetheart?' Lily asked when she saw Damian staring after Sirius.

'I don't know how many more of these surprises I can take,' Damian said faintly. 'Is there anything else I should know about? Like anyone else who's meant to be dead, but is really alive?'

'Not as far as I know.'

'That isn't very reassuring.'

-THE EXPOSED TRUTH-

Before Damian knew it, a new term had started once again at Hogwarts. Once more he found himself on the Hogwarts Express, surrounded his friends.

'I can't believe how fast this year has gone by,' Tracey commented. 'Before we know it, our formal will be here.'

'I heard that the Patils and Brown have already started shopping for your formal,' Luna absently commented from behind her copy of the Quibbler.

'That's not a bad idea,' said Hermione. 'At this point, it'll be here before we know it.'

'Not this Hogsmeade weekend, but the weekends after, the teachers are letting seniors go home so they can buy dresses, robes and whatever else they need for the formal,' Daphne informed her friends.

'Won't be long and we'll have our classmates hurrying around for dates,' said Tracey. 'It'll be like the Yule Ball, no one wants to go without one.'

'What if you like someone in a different year?' asked Neville.

'I asked Professor Snape about that and he said it was fine to have them as your date,' Daphne answered.

'Why did you ask him that?' asked Draco.

'Because I know for a fact that there is no girl in our year that you are attracted to,' Daphne said matter-of-factly. 'That's why I'm setting you up with my sister, Astoria.'

'And if things don't work out?' Draco exclaimed, not looking thrilled with the idea. 'This is your little sister we're talking about. It could ruin our friendship!'

'Don't be such a drama queen,' Daphne said with a laugh. 'Besides, I think the two of you will get on famously. I also read that thirty-four percent of happily married couples met through friends.'

'That doesn't make me feel any better,' Draco groaned.

'You'll like her, trust me,' Daphne persisted.

'Okay, fine!' Draco surrendered. 'But if it ends in disaster, don't you go hexing me or anything!'

'I won't,' replied the amused Daphne.

Damian sat their smiling, watching Daphne, admiring her beauty. Everyone said Ginny Weasley was the prettiest girl at Hogwarts, but Damian had to disagree. Daphne would have to be one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen at Hogwarts.

'So what do you think, Damian?' asked Neville, snapping Damian back into reality.

'Huh? Sorry, my thoughts were… elsewhere,' Damian apologised.

'What were you thinking about?' asked Luna.

'Nothing too important,' Damian hastily replied as he felt his face begin to burn.

'If it's nothing important, then why are you turning red?' Draco teased.

'Leave him alone,' Hermione said with a knowing smile. 'He can't help it if a certain beauty has captured his eyes and heart.'

Damian went even redder, making sure to avoid looking at Daphne. Hermione and Tracey, however, gave Daphne a knowing look as she went red too, wearing a goofy smile of pleasure.

The trip to Hogwarts was pleasant enough, for nobody they didn't want to see paid them a visit. Why hadn't the Weasleys and their gang come to taunt and annoy them? Damian's theory was that they were staying away because of what happened at the Christmas party. He also had a second theory that they were silent because something was being planned.

When they arrived at Hogsmeade Station and made their way to the carriages, Damian became aware of the other seventh year students, who had gone home for the holidays, looking over at him. Some of them immediately realised who he was, due to the company he kept, while others remained oblivious, but not for long. Just like a wildfire, word soon spread about Damian's new appearance. This made some people even more wary around Damian for they believed that he had changed completely and that he was to become a Dark Lord. Of course, there were those who already believed this and now argued this transformation proved their point.

Damian ignored all the gossip and concentrated on his studies and plans to assassinate Dumbledore. He was yet to find one that had a low risk and high success rate. So far they all had a high risk of being caught and a low success rate. Damian was so focused on the assassination plans that time seemed to fly by and before he knew it, there was only a month left until the seventh years' formal.

'Have you asked anyone to the formal yet?' Draco asked Damian during lunch.

'No, not yet,' Damian admitted. 'I'm still trying to work up the courage to ask the girl I like.'

'How is it you can stand up to your father and face dragons, but when it comes to asking Daphne out, you become a coward?' Draco enquired.

'It's completely different,' Damian argued. 'They can't reject you.'

'Neither will Daphne. She likes you a lot.'

'Really? Wait, how did you know it was Daphne?'

'It doesn't take a genius to see how you two feel about each other,' Draco answered bluntly.

'And she's been waiting anxiously for you to ask her,' Hermione added from across the table where she was sitting with Blaise. 'She's been too nervous to ask you herself.'

'I guess I have nothing to fear then,' Damian sighed. 'So… has anyone asked you yet, Hermione?'

To his surprise, Hermione blushed and smiled.

'Blaise asked me and I said yes,' she answered, smiling over at Blaise, who took her hand, grinning back.

'So it's just me and Daphne that needs to get a move on,' Damian muttered more to himself than to anyone else. Neville and Luna were going together, while Tracey said she was going by herself as her boyfriend had already graduated two years ago.

'Speaking of the devil, here she comes with Astoria,' Draco commented

'Have you asked Astoria yet?' Damian inquired.

'I don't see why I have to when Daphne's the one setting this up,' Draco mumbled. 'Here's the deal; I'll take Astoria outside and ask her, which means you have to ask Daphne while I'm gone. Agreed?'

'Agreed.'

'Hi, guys,' Daphne greeted as she and Astoria stopped behind Damian and Draco.

'Hi, Draco,' Astoria greeted, smiling down at him.

'Hi, Astoria,' Draco replied as the bell to go to class sounded. 'May I walk you to your class? I'd like to talk to you about something.'

'Of course.'

Draco then left with Astoria, while Luna went off to her own class. The others then made their way to Defence Against the Dark Arts class, though Damian made sure he brought up the rear with Daphne.

'Daphne, there's something I've been wanting to ask you,' Damian began nervously. 'Would you go out with me and be my date to the formal?'

'I was wondering when you'd ask me,' Daphne replied, beaming with happiness, as she slipped her hand into Damian's. 'I'd love to… in answer to both questions.'

Damian smiled back and tightened his grip on her hand lovingly. It felt so right being with her. He had never felt anything like it before. He never had the same feeling with Cho Chang or Ginny Weasley. At that moment he knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

Damian's friends and family were thrilled to learn of his new found relationship with Daphne. Sanaro informed Damian that Voldemort approved of his decision, but also warned him that this relationship was dangerous for Daphne as Dumbledore would likely take advantage of their love.

Damian hadn't thought of that and it worried him. However, Daphne merely held her head up high and told him to let them come. She'd curse anyone who hurt them and would never cower or leave his side. Then the unexpected happened.

A week before the formal, Damian walked into the Great Hall for breakfast, with Daphne, and became very self-conscious and uncomfortable. The entire student body were silent and staring at him with a mixture of shock, disbelief, hate, and fear. Even the teachers were silent and staring at him, though Sanaro was currently missing. Everyone was grouped around copies of the Daily Prophet.

Damian didn't know what to think. Did Voldemort order a Death Eater attack or something?

Silently, Daphne led Damian over to their friends, who were looking at him sympathetically, while glaring over at Dumbledore every so often. Even Luna had a look of disgust and hate on her face as she looked at Dumbledore.

As Damian sat down, he too glanced over at Dumbledore and paled. He was looking rather triumphant. Startled, Damian looked at Draco, who mutely handed him the Daily Prophet.

The news article heading jumped straight out at Damian. FATHER LIKE SON it read in big bold letters with a picture of Damian underneath the title showing him torturing a little girl. Damian stared at the picture in horror. Who was this person? True he looked exactly like him, but it wasn't him. He would never harm a child. Still horrified, Damian forced himself to read the article.

Sources have now confirmed our worse fears that Damian Marvolo Riddle, 17, previously known as Harry James Potter, is in fact exactly like this father, the Dark Lord and brother, Sanaro Delano Riddle, 37. Our source, who wishes to remain anonymous for their own safety and the safety of their family, was unfortunate enough to stumble across Damian, last night, willingly and enjoyably torturing a helpless and innocent five year old Muggle girl while two Death Eaters stood there watching. The witness was able to get the picture shown above before contacting the Aurors. Sadly, by the time the Aurors arrived at the scene, Riddle was gone and the girl's small dead, broken body was all that remained.

This now leaves us wondering, has the "Chosen One" been evil from the very beginning or has his infamous Father used dark magic on him? Either way, should we be worried for our safety and the safety of our children, especially those children who are currently attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with Damian? Do we have another future Dark Lord on our hands? For more details, see page 3...

Damian had just finished reading the article when several Aurors marched inside with a disgusted Kingsley Shacklebolt and an upset Nymphadora Tonks. They were all walking towards Damian, wands at the ready.

'Damian Riddle,' Shacklebolt began. 'You are under arrest for the torture and murder of Emily Porter.'

Damian stared at him blankly.

'Who's Emily Porter?' he questioned.

'The Muggle girl you murdered last night.'

'I haven't tortured or murdered anyone!' Damian retorted furiously. 'I was in the Slytherin common room and my dormitory all night.'

'With the only witnesses being the children of Death Eaters and those raised to support the Dark Arts,' said Shacklebolt. 'Very convenient.'

'I'm not lying – hey!'

One of the Aurors had Summoned Damian's wand. Even with his quick reflects, Damian hadn't been fast enough to catch his wand.

'Come with us or we will have no choice but to use force,' said Shacklebolt.

'I'm not going anywhere with you!' Damian said stubbornly. 'I'm not taking the blame for something I haven't done!'

'We have a photo of you torturing Porter. If you didn't do it, then how are you in that picture?'

'Pictures can be altered and they don't always speech the truth. That person could be using Polyjuice Potion –'

'Do you honestly think we'd believe that?' Hawkes Hawlish snapped. 'You're the son of the Dark Lord.'

'And that automatically makes me guilty?' Damian yelled. 'I'm not my father! And I can't help it that he's my father either! I didn't ask to be born!'

'Yet unfortunately you were.'

'Enough,' Shacklebolt interrupted impatiently. 'Damian, this is your last chance. Come with us willingly or we will use force.'

'Why are you using force on Riddle?'

Everyone turned to see Severus Snape enter the hall. Sanaro looked around curiously, but when his eyes met Damian's, Damian could see that he was worried.

'Did you see the Prophet this morning, Severus?' asked Shacklebolt.

'I haven't as yet. Why?'

A fifth year Gryffindor silently handed him a copy of the Prophet. Damian watched as his brother's face went from confusion, to shock, to sheer horror, before becoming indifferent as he looked up and searched Damian's face.

'Damian, come with us,' said Tonks.

Damian didn't react.

Frowning, Tonks realised that Damian was looking at Sanaro and vice versa.

'Professor Snape can't help you, Damian,' she said quietly. 'Come with us.'

'He's not going anywhere with you,' Sanaro said coldly. 'If he goes with you, Scrimgeour will have him thrown in Azkaban prison without a trial for something he didn't do.'

'You don't have a voice in the matter, Snape!' Hawlish growled. 'Now stand aside so we can take this murderer in.'

'Damian isn't a killer,' Sanaro said softly, 'but I am.'

Without warning, Sanaro sent all of the Aurors flying backwards, before dropping his Glamour. The Hall exploded as everyone, except Draco and Damian, reached to Sanaro's true presence. Severus Snape was really Sanaro Riddle. His eyes travelled to Dumbledore, who was too close to Damian for comfort. He had snuck up while they were busy with the Aurors.

'If you go anywhere near my brother you'll see how much like my father I really am!' Sanaro said warningly, aiming his wand at the headmaster.

Damian could tell that his brother was nervous. He could also tell that his brother was doing some serious thinking. Sanaro knew that he was no match for Dumbledore; even Voldemort had trouble fighting and winning against him. Then there was the Aurors slowly surrounding them. However, Sanaro would do everything in his power to protect Damian. He would not lose his brother again.

'You're out numbered, Sanaro,' said Dumbledore, taking on his grandfather act. 'Why don't you do yourself a favour and surrender? If you co-operate I'm sure your sentence won't be as harsh. If you co-operate I could help not only your case, but Damian's as well. It's not your fault you've had an inappropriate role model all your life, who has taught you –'

'Put a sock in it, Dumbledore,' Sanaro interrupted. 'I'm not an idiot. I know that you are lying. Besides, you've already tried to show me the light, remember? Aren't you the one that kept me out of Azkaban all these years?'

'You are a fool to throw away the chance I have given you.'

'I'm not the one who gave his enemy's son vital information about plans to defeat him,' Sanaro said pointedly as he motioned for the defenceless Damian to join him. 'Tell me, Dumbledore, am I still your most trusted spy?'

Dumbledore answered by striking, but Sanaro was ready. He pushed Damian out of harm's way and protected himself. Sanaro glared at Dumbledore as he threw a curse back at him. Dumbledore then conjured a wave of fire, sending it rushing towards Sanaro, who didn't even blink as he transformed it into black serpent that was the size of a fully grown basilisk. Dumbledore slayed it with ease, before quickly protecting himself with a shield that turned every dagger Sanaro sent at him into dust.

With dust in his eyes, Dumbledore was vulnerable and Sanaro was going to take advantage of it. At least he would have if Hawlish hadn't attacked him while his back was turned, rendering him unconscious.

'SANARO!' Damian yelled, seeing his brother down.

Damian went to run to his brother's side only to have Shacklebolt grab his arms roughly and bind them behind his back.

'Let go of me!' Damian growled, his eyes fixed on Sanaro as two Aurors dragged his brother away.

'Damian!' Daphne cried as he was led from the Hall. She was about to run to his side when Draco grabbed her arm to hold her back. Damian shook his head warning at her as he gave her a reassuring smile.

The Riddle brothers ended up being taken to the Ministry of Magic where they were then put in separate holding cells with several Aurors guarding each cell. They weren't going to take any chances of them being rescued. Scrimgeour was convinced that they were the keys to Voldemort's downfall, as was Dumbledore. He too was sure Sanaro and Damian could be used against Voldemort and was determined to make sure no one ruined his plans this time.

Damian remained in his cell until noon the next day. He had small quantities of food and water pushed into his cell for each meal, but he never touched it. He didn't trust the Aurors. Knowing his luck they might have drugged it with Veritaserum or Weakness Potion or something along those lines. He would not take the risk.

At noon, Damian started as his holding cell door opened. Standing before him was none other than Dumbledore, who was looking rather satisfied with himself.

'Glaring at me won't do you any good, my boy,' Dumbledore stated calmly.

'Maybe, but it makes me feel slightly better,' Damian replied bitterly, 'and how did you expect me to react? Did you think I'd be relieved to see you like I would have before you betrayed me?'

'You should be happy to see me, Damian, as I am the only one who can prevent you from joining Sanaro in Azkaban.'

Damian's glare vanished and Dumbledore smirked.

'That's right. Sanaro was found guilty this morning and is now on his way to Azkaban, where he shall be held in the most secure and well-protect cell Azkaban has ever seen.'

'What do you want?' asked Damian.

Dumbledore turned to the Aurors outside the holding cell.

'Leave us,' he ordered.

'Yes, sir.'

Once the Aurors were gone, Dumbledore turned back to Damian.

'I'm going to offer you a deal,' Dumbledore finally answered. 'You come back to my side and I shall keep you out of Azkaban.'

'Do I look as naïve as I was before?' Damian growled. 'I won't betray my friends and family! And how do I know you won't just throw me in Azkaban or kill me once you've finished with me?'

'You don't, but if you continue to be useful, I'll continue to protect you.'

'No deal!' Damian said firmly. 'I'd rather rot in Azkaban than help you!'

'I wasn't actually giving you a choice,' Dumbledore informed the young man before him as he pulled out his wand.

Damian moved uncomfortably.

'What are you doing?' he asked nervously.

'I'm going to remove your memories up till the time Voldemort had us imprisoned,' Dumbledore said calmly. 'Then you will be under my control once more and hate your father.'

Damian's eyes narrowed, but he didn't say anything for he knew everything Dumbledore said was true. He would trust Dumbledore once more and would turn against his father.

As Dumbledore approached Damian, the boy began to back himself up away from him, but it was no use. He was trapped.


Azaelia Silmarwen Facebook page: link on profile
Written: 1 May 2014
Updated: N/A
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