Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter and anything that's recognizable belongs to J K Rowling.
CHAPTER 12 - The Idea
Harry's room was not very big. Someone could mistake it for a prison cell. I guess that's what they think I deserve. This is always better than Azkaban, Harry thought. The room had a four- poster bed, like the one that he had in Gryffindor. His trunk was at the end of his bed, although all of his clothes were put in the small dresser. There also was a desk and chair. Harry was surprised when he saw a small little window. Most likely it was just a charm since there was no way that windows could exist as far down in the dungeons as they were right now. There was a door that led to a small little bathroom, with only a shower. For the next week the only other communication was when a house elf would come to bring him food and ask what he would like to drink. Harry felt like he was going mad. He had tried to get out of his room, but it seemed impossible. He was almost finished studying his book that Harry had been able to take from the library, but Harry didn't want to study anymore. He felt coped up and he had a lot of pent up energy. Saturday night his mark started burning. Harry wondered if Snape was going to come get him or just leave him here, although the Dark Lord would most likely be furious with Snape if Harry wasn't there. Soon the door opened.
"Come on. I don't have all the time in the world," Snape said, holding the door open. Harry went to his trunk and took out his cloak and mask, and went out of his room for the first time since he was locked in.
Soon they were outside of Hogwarts' wards.
"I'm sure you can Apparate," Snape said.
"Of course. How did you think I would be able to get to meetings?" Harry sarcastically asked.
"I didn't realize you already went to meetings," Snape said in obvious surprise.
"If you didn't know, I was marked during the summer. I've been to many, many meetings," Harry said.
"I see," Snape said.
"Now can we please go. I for one don't like to get Crucioed," Harry said.
"I'm sure," Snape said and Harry Apparated, followed by Snape.
"My Lord," Harry said, bowing.
"Harry" the Dark Lord said, and at Harry's surprise continued, "I'm sure everyone by now will know what side you're really on."
"Thank you my Lord," Harry replied.
"My Lord," Severus said, coming forward.
"Severus, at least you remember to bring Harry with you," the Dark Lord said, "however next time I would like you to be on time! Crucio!" Snape withered on the floor, but didn't scream out.
"Tonight we have information that the Order will be moving the Grogniers tonight; a wealthy light family that continues to help fund that pathetic Order. One of our informants has found the location and we will attack tonight," the Dark Lord said.
"I want you, Lucius, to form a first and second attack group. We want to surprise the Order with our numbers. I want the second group to arrive 10 minutes after the first," the Dark Lord commanded.
"Yes, my Lord," Malfoy said.
"Harry, Severus, and Lucius will be part of the first group. Lucius, you will choose the others."
"Of course, my Lord," Malfoy responded and bowed.
"I want success," the Dark Lord dismissed.
"Potter, I don't know how you convinced the Dark Lord that your on our side, but you better not screw this up," Malfoy said once they were outside.
"I won't screw this up Malfoy. If anyone here is capable of screwing up it would be you," Harry said and walked away.
"You better watch your back Potter," Malfoy said.
At half past eleven, the first group left. When they arrived at Grogniers house, they saw Order members and other Aurors surrounding the house. Lucius threw the first curse. Once the Order and Aurors noticed the Death Eaters, curses started flying all over the place. Harry threw many curses and even killed one Auror. For a moment the Order members and Aurors thought they could defeat the Death Eaters, since the Order and Aurors were almost outnumbering the Death Eaters, but then the second group of Death Eaters arrived and soon the Death Eaters outnumbered the the Order and Aurors. The Grogniers were all killed and soon more Aurors came. The numbers were even for about ten minutes, but more Aurors arrived and the Death Eaters Apparated away.
"Lucius report!" the Dark Lord commanded once everyone was back.
"We killed the Grogniers. About 13 Aurors and 3 Order members were killed. We had 8 casualties and 7 more injured," Malfoy reported.
"Good, but could have been better. Crucio!" the Dark Lord said, cursing Malfoy.
"Next time I expect more kills and less casualties," the Dark Lord said as a dismissal.
Harry and Snape both Apparated back to Hogwarts.
"Come on. We have to get back before someone notices us missing," Snape said, walking towards Hogwarts.
"I'm sure they won't. Episkey," Harry said, pointing his wand at his left wrist.
"Look at that, the boy wonder can actually cast a spell," Snape said after Harry's wrist was back at a normal angle.
"Oh, trust me Snape, I know more spells than some 7 years," Harry said and started to catch up with Snape and both walked back to Hogwarts in silence.
"I guess you were there tonight?" Dumbledore asked when Snape walked into his office.
"Yes, I was. As was Potter," Snape said, sitting down in a chair in front of Dumbledore's desk.
"I see," Dumbledore said.
"If anyone still thinks that Potter didn't join at his own free will is out of his mind! Potter clearly was not coerced into joining the Dark Lord," Snape said.
"Severus are you sure-" Dumbledore began.
"I'm sure. You didn't see him the way he tortured and killed those people tonight. I'm sure he killed at least 2 Aurors and tortured at least 8!" Snape said.
"But are you sure it couldn't have just looked like it? I mean, there's just no way I will believe Harry has turned from the light unless I have absolute proof," Dumbledore said, defeated.
"There's no doubt in my mind. He did everything tonight of his own accord. And he didn't just do it, he enjoyed doing it," Snape said.
"I just cannot understand. He was fine after last year, or at least we all thought he was. I don't even understand how he was able to get out during Christmas break," Dumbledore said.
"Oh, he wasn't marked during the Christmas holidays," Snape said.
"But we saw the mark..."Dumbledore trailed off.
"I said he didn't get the mark during the Christmas holidays. He got it during the summer," Snape explained.
"The summer...I wish I could say he was under the Imperius Curse, but we all know he can fight it. I just can't figure out what made him want to join," Dumbledore said.
"Wait. What?" Snape asked after a moment of silence.
"The Imperius Curse, Severus" Dumbledore slowly said, amusement evident in his voice.
"But...of course...why didn't I think of that! It would make sense...but still...how..." Snape trailed off, slowly walking out of Dumbledore's office.
"Severus?" Dumbledore questioned.
"I think I might know why-how Potter is following the Dark Lord," Snape said, walking out of Dumbledore's office.
"I hope you're right," Dumbledore said to an empty office.
A/N Please Review!
