AN: As always let us begin with the first verse of the Harry Potter Bible, Chapter 1, Verse 1: I own nothing and it all belongs to JK Rowling, long may she reign. The penultimate chapter of Part I. It's been a surprising journey so far and I look forward to where this story takes us. As always I hope you enjoy this chapter, and if you don't, whatever floats your boat y'all.

It had not taken long for Aries to come up with a plan to explain Barty Crouch Senior's disappearance. When Potter and Dumbledore arrived he simply told them that the crazed man had run off into the forest and he had not wanted to use magic to restrain an adult, let alone an esteemed member of the Ministry of Magic. That had made sense to Potter, but Aries could tell that Dumbledore was skeptical. He felt a slight probe in his mind and used his Occlumency to keep his mind guarded as he locked eyes with Albus challengingly. The look of surprise was well hidden on Dumbledore's face but his eyes gave it away. They might have had a confrontation if it had not been for the sudden arrival of Mad-Eye Moody.

Mad-Eye had been an anomaly to Aries all year, choosing mostly to ignore the retired Auror. Aries was not sure of the man's opinion of his Death Eater father and had decided that it was better to avoid him rather than risk a confrontation. But there was something different to the Auror now. Often throughout the year when they had crossed paths in the corridors of Hogwarts, Moody had paid him little mind but now the Auror was studying him closely. It was not in the same way that Dumbledore was. The only way Aries could explain it was that Moody was looking at him with a new surprised calculating look, perhaps all too similar to the way Barty Crouch Junior had looked at him moments before he disappeared with the corpse of his father.

The days leading up to the task were filled with training sessions with his mentor. Spells flew into the dummies as they moved around the room. Aries ran through his arsenal of knowledge, focusing on curses and charms that affected magical creatures more than anything else. Draco's Care of Magical Creature's homework had illustrated Hagrid's immense love for dangerous creatures and it only allowed for the number of dangerous spells Aries knew to increase. His mentor and master, Professor von Reich, watched his apprentice with a critical eye, looking for any mistake or sign of weakness. Aries suddenly changed tactics, turning to spells that would be found more frequently in a duel. He knew that it might come down to another duel between champions to decide the victor, and the dummies were blasted apart, cut in half, and disintegrated until Aries and Vladimir were the only ones left. The Room of Requirement had become his training ground since its discovery and it had proved far more useful than he had ever imagined. Aries was unsure if Potter used it for more than talking to the portrait Godric Gryffindor, but he could not blame the boy. He had spent many hours talking to Salazar Slytherin's portrait as well, and it had only increased his repertoire of spells.

"Excellent Aries," Vladimir said approvingly and with a thought, two chairs appeared. "Sit. I believe you are ready for the final task. There is nothing else to learn so let us enjoy this moment of peace." Aries was thankful for his mentor's approval and took the seat, letting the tension that had built up between his shoulders disappear. "You have done well for yourself this year."

"I have always tried to make the best of any situation." That was an understatement if there ever was one. Aries had accelerated so many of his plans that at this point he was just waiting for the Dark Lord's return. Between Sirius, Daphne, Fleur, and Remus he had been able to accomplish years of work in barely a years' time. There were still a few tasks that needed to be completed, such as the meeting with Jean Delacour, but it was of little consequence. This summer would change things forever and he eagerly awaited the end of the tournament.

"Yes indeed." Von Reich ran a hand over his beard. "You've managed to win Sirius back to your side with Dumbledore none the wiser. The Greengrass girl has given you your connection to powerful members of the Wizengamot, among other things. Remus has provided us with the information needed to eventually take down Albus. You've gained a life debt to the daughter of a powerful man in France. You've also discovered the location of the Elder Wand." The last statement hung in the air, but Aries had a feeling that his mentor did not think that was the most important. "And you've brought Potter under your wing."

"What makes you think that?" Aries disagreed entirely. Sure, he had helped the boy at times, but under no circumstance did he actually care for Potter.

"How haven't you? Throughout the year you've looked after him. You were there for him after his friends abandoned him, helping him to move on and branch out. You taught him to look beyond the simplistic views of his family, in a way. You led him to his lineage, helping him to realize that he is far more than just a wizard that survived the Killing Curse. In the Third Task, you went after him in an attempt to save his life. That night you went to protect him from the unknown, even though it was only Crouch." Vladimir gave him a curious gaze. "It seems to me like Potter is as much under your protection as your other friends, or am I mistaken? Regardless of what you know may come to pass in the future, you have helped him on numerous occasions. Not for any political gain, but because it was simply the right thing to do."

"Does it matter?" Aries was unsure why it annoyed him, but it did. He did nothing without reason. Yet he could not deny that what Professor von Reich said was true. Every time something happened with Potter, he had looked out for him. Even he did not know why, but he still did without a care for how it would benefit him. It was unlike him, and yet it had always felt right.

"It does not matter to me. My question is this: what does it mean for you?"

The entrance to the maze was surrounded by a half-circle stand, one that had managed to fit not only all three schools but also the families of the champions. Cassiopeia sat next to Sirius, Narcissa, and Lucius, Draco having chosen to sit with his friends in Slytherin. There were four openings that each of the champions stood in front of though no one spoke to the other. Aries had considered commanding Fleur through their bond that she was not to attempt to win the tournament but had decided against it. He wanted to win the tournament by himself and felt that such actions would lessen her opinion of their situation. A feeling of finality had fallen over them and their silence contrasted the eager noise of the spectators. The judges watched on and Aries noted that Karkaroff was exchanging old glances with Professor Snape, rather than being his normal arrogant self. Albus Dumbledore approached a small podium in the middle of the opening, giving each of the champions a serious look.

"Earlier today the Tri-Wizard Cup was placed deep within the maze." His loud voice quieted the noise, but the sense of anticipation was thick. "Mr. Black, with one hundred forty-eight points, will be the first to enter the maze, followed by Mr. Diggory, Mr. Potter, and then lastly Ms. Delacour." Each school roared as their champion was called. "The first champion to touch the cup will be brought back here and declared the winner of the 1994 Tri-Wizard Tournament." The crowd was roaring at this point but quieted at a raised hand. "Should at any point a champion wish to withdraw from the task, they need only send red sparks into the air, and a professor will retrieve you. Champions gather round."

The four champions formed a half-circle in front of Dumbledore. Fleur locked eyes with him and gave him an excited smile. Diggory and Potter both had a nervous confidence in themselves. Aries felt nothing, no nervousness, and no excitement. He was calm and the void consumed all emotion.

"In the maze, you will not find easy challenges or obstacles. Instead, you will find something even more challenging. People change in the maze, they find something inside themselves that perhaps frightens them or changes them forever, for there are those that enter and do not come out the same. Find the cup if you can, but be wary, for you just might lose yourself on the way."

It was as the champions returned to their starting spots that Aries noticed Moody watching him intently. The temptation of Legilimency was too much and he cautiously touched his mind. He will return tonight. Moody's thought pushed against his mind with such fervor that Aries pulled back from his mind immediately. He vaguely heard Dumbledore's count and the cannon blasting but as he entered the maze Moody licked his lip quickly, just as Barty Crouch Junior had done. The connection was made and Aries suddenly had a hunch of what the Dark Lord's plan was, but he forced it out of his mind. First, he had to survive the task, then he would deal with whatever Crouch and Voldemort had been up to.

The opening to the maze closed as Aries went through it and darkness encompassed him. There was an eerie silence, disturbed only by the slight rustle of the wind through the hedges. He took a left at the first intersection and continued straight for some time before deciding to take a right, where he encountered his first obstacle: an acromantula. Aries made quick work of it, slicing through its legs with a cutting curse before destroying its head with a reductor curse. One would think that just one giant spider would be enough, but apparently, Hagrid did not think so, for as Aries took another right he came face to face with a group of the acromantulas. He took no chances this time as fire erupted from his hands, scorching the spiders alive. Aries noted that the hedges themselves seemed impervious to the fire, unlike the ground.

Aries wondered through the maze trying his best to keep what he thought was the center always within eyesight, though it was becoming quite difficult. The paths did not always go straight, but sometimes curved or took sharp angles. His eyes had started to take a more greenish color in the darkness with a slight yellow tinge near the edges, much like they did when he was a wolf. It allowed him to see far clearer in the darkness without the need for a wand-lighting charm. Again, the eerie silence of a task meant to be riddled with obstacles stumped him, before he felt something odd.

There was a new coldness to the air and the night seemed to grow even darker. Aries cautiously raised his wand, glancing around to find the source of the change. Then he saw it, hovering above the ground. Dark robes clothed the humanoid shape, giving it a wraith like look about it. The Dementor made no move to approach him and for a moment Aries wondered if it was a Dementor after all.

"Riddikulus." A flash of light illuminated the night, but the Dementor did not change. The creature slowly turned to him and with a sinking feeling, Aries realized it was not a boggart. Suddenly the air turned to ice and he shivered in the darkness. More shapes came towards him and Aries raised his wand again.

"Expecto Patronum!" A silver shield pulsed from his wand for only a moment before it faded away. Panic started to grip him as the Dementors came closer and closer. Memories started to creep into the forefront of his mind, but one prevailed them all, attacking the void he struggled to keep in check.

"Expectro Patronum!" This time nothing came from his wand and the Dementors were nearly on top of him.

He watched helplessly as the explosion ripped through the room. His body hit the table hard and he felt his ribs crack as he landed on the floor. Aries looked up slowly, blood pouring down his mother's pale face. Panic set in as he saw a bone sticking out of his chest. Power swirled around him, far from his control. Glass shattered sending dangerous shards flying through the air. The breathing exercises were far from his mind, the raging torrent that he always held back came rushing forth, always out of reach. Waves of energy pushed out of him as he closed his eyes, screaming for it to end.

"Aries." His mother's calm voice came to him. "Aries, it's alright."

Darkness rushed forth from deep inside himself, lashing out at his mind, wrestling for control. Aries fought against it, and power pulsed through the room. He could hear the breaking of tables, shattering of vials, and cracking of stones. He felt his mother's soft hand cupping his face.

"Aries look at me."

"Expectro Patronum!" Again nothing and the memory consumed him.

The bright warm dungeon welcomed five-years-old Aries Black. His mother looked on excitedly as she pulled out the Thaumatagoria. It was beyond rare and she had been excited when Uncle Lucius had found it for her.

"Come closer Aries," her warm voice called. "We are on the verge of creating something truly wonderful."

She held the plant over the cauldron when Aries felt it coming. His magic raked at his body, fighting for control. He held it at bay, and then something exploded. He watched helplessly as the explosion ripped through the room. His body hit the table hard and he felt his ribs crack as he landed on the floor. Aries looked up slowly, blood pouring down his mother's pale face. Panic set in as he saw a bone sticking out of his chest. Power swirled around him, far from his control. Glass shattered sending dangerous shards flying through the air. The breathing exercises were far from his mind, the raging torrent that he always held back came rushing forth, always out of reach. Waves of energy pushed out of him as he closed his eyes, screaming for it to end.

"Aries." His mother's calm voice came to him. "Aries, it's alright."

Darkness rushed forth from deep inside himself, lashing out at his mind, wrestling for control. Aries fought against it, and power pulsed through the room. He could hear the breaking of tables, shattering of vials, and cracking of stones. He felt his mother's soft hand cupping his face.

"Aries look at me." He opened his eyes slowly, focusing on the warm blue eyes of his mother. "Everything is going to be okay." His magic continued to rip into the room and shattered everything within its grasp. "Just breathe Aries. It's your magic, it will do what you want. Think of the void. Let it consume everything. And take control."

Aries imagined the void in his mind and pushed everything into it with all his might. Emotion, desire, needs, wants, and his magic. The wind began to die down and the cracking of lightning faded. At last, it was under his control and turned to his mother. She was kneeling before him, covered in her own blood which had already pooled underneath her. Shards of glass were embedded in her chest and a long, thick sliver of wood ripped through her stomach. The remains of her potion seemed to be eating away at the skin on her arms and her beautiful blonde hair was falling out. What was left of her skin began to pale. Tears started to fall from Aries' eyes, but his mother cupped his face with blood-stained hands.

"Listen to me, Aries." Her voice was soft and fading. "You have to be strong now. You can't be weak."

"I don't know how mummy."

"Then find out. Make yourself strong."

The memory broke something inside Aries and rage filled him. Suddenly power flooded into his body and the Dementors flinched.

"Be strong Aries Orion Black. Be strong for me."

The torrent of magic was pounding against him, demanding to be unleashed. Fire erupted around him, berating the flame impervious hedges and catching the cloaks of the Dementors aflame. New memories flooded forth from deep within his mind.

His mother's arm wrapped around him as magic came back to him, making the objects of the room float as Cassiopeia watched on.

His wand was back in his hand, a glowing white light pulsating at its end. The heat of the fire rose, burning at last through the edges and a cyclone of fire began to form around the Dementors.

His mother's warm smile as he brewed his first potion.

The Dementors began to pull back, his power pushing out from him, but they were trapped by the rising magical flames. They berated the flames but it did not yield and they could not pass.

"No matter what happens Aries, you will always be my son."

He remembered his mother and warmness filled his heart that he had not felt in years.

"Be strong."

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" A white fox appeared before him and from it pulsed waves of power, pushing back against the Dementors. They were trapped between the magical flame and the pulses of the Patronus Charm. A high and cold sickly scream emerged from one before the others followed until they burst into black flame leaving nothing but black dust behind. Aries knelt in the center of a charred circle, surrounded by his pain and triumph. He breathed heavily, forcing the magic into his control, but focusing on his mother and her memory. She had been pushed back deep into the recesses of his mind so that he would not have to remember the pain of her death, but now it had brought something new. Aries felt stronger and the power that so often seemed out of his control was now in his grasp, ready to be unleashed.

A scream caught his attention and he recognized it as Fleur's. Aries wasted no time with the maze, unleashing a torrent of powerful flame, burning a path through the flame impervious hedges towards his bonded companion. It did not take long to find her, but she was not alone. Potter was standing before her, wand pointed at Diggory. They appeared at stand-off but Diggory turned away and faced him instead. Aries only had a moment and noticed the glazed over eyes of Diggory just as he sent a Killing Curse towards him. Potter screamed and Aries dodged it, rolling to his left towards Fleur.

"Pugare mentis!" The spell's effect was immediate and Diggory fell to his knees clutching his head. Aries disarmed him quickly and ran towards him, reaching out with his mind before Diggory could react.

He walked through the hedges, trying to stop his clothes from smoldering when a haze suddenly came over him.

"Kill Delacour and distract Black. Allow Potter to get to the cup first."

"What are you doing?" Potter's voice brought him back to the present and Aries was suddenly far more concerned about the boy than he had been at the beginning of the task.

"Someone Imperioused him," Aries replied as he helped Diggory to his feet. He made his way over to Fleur who was unconscious but hurt badly. "She needs Madam Pomfrey."

"I'll send the signal." Potter lifted his wand and sent red sparks into the air. Aries waved his wand slowly over Fleur, healing what wounds he could. "So, what now?" Diggory was still shaking his head, trying to clear it from the haze.

"We go our separate ways." He wanted very badly to stun the other two, but now he had to get to the end of this mystery. Someone wanted Potter to reach the cup first and Aries had a good idea who that someone was. "Watch yourself, Potter, something isn't right here. You're lucky that this was not your fault Diggory, I hope we don't cross paths again."

Aries left the two to their own decisions deciding to go left. There were no other obstacles that he came into contact with, which he found incredibly odd, but thinking back to his two encounters created an even more disturbing thought. Kill Delacour and distract Black. Someone had clearly watched their duel and knew that Diggory would not be able to kill him. Acromantulas and Dementors, on the other hand, had killed many skilled wizards, regardless of their experience. Allow Potter to get to the cup first. Aries was very confident that Mad-Eye Moody was, in fact, Barty Crouch Junior, but how? Did he recently disguise himself as the former Auror? Or had the former Death Eater been hiding among the Hogwarts' staff all year? The latter seemed unlikely considering the Headmaster, but if he had been, did that mean that Crouch was the one responsible for Potter being in the tournament? These questions needed answering, and Aries was determined to reach the Tri-Wizard Cup first.

Luck it would seem, was on his side, for as he took a right he came into a large circular clearing. There on a small platform sat the Tri-Wizard Cup. Aries glanced around and upon not seeing the other champions, walked towards his goal. He stood before it with a sense of calm and reached out for the cup. His hands grasped the handles- and nothing happened. Was he supposed to still be here? Would the staff know he had found the cup? Aries waved his wand over the cup and it glowed blue.

It was then that Potter and Diggory emerged on each side of him and spells flew towards him. A bright blue bubble encompassed him, absorbing their spells.

"Wait!" Their onslaught of spells continued before Aries had had enough. He pushed out a wave of power, knocking them both off their feet. "For fuck's sake, wait!"

"What is it Black?" Clearly, the two were willing to duel to determine the winner, but technically he had already touched the cup.

"The cup is a portkey." They both had looks of shock and Aries' wanted to groan at their stupidity. "Dumbledore said the champion would be returned to the starting area but look at this." He waved his wand and the bright blue shown again. Potter and Diggory slowly made their way towards him, looking intently at the cup. "The fact that it's a portkey isn't the surprise. Watch again." Another wave of his wand and this time they saw it. Underneath the layer of blue, was another glowing blue layer, but this was one a shade lighter. "This cup is a portkey to two locations. But more importantly, this is keyed to someone." Aries touched the cup again and nothing happened. Potter went to touch it, but he stopped him. "Diggory, if you would." Again, nothing.

"What the hell is going on?" Diggory exclaimed. Aries' eyes fell on Potter.

"Someone wants Potter to win this tournament." Potter's eyes did not leave the cup. "Someone placed his name in the Goblet of Fire, confounding it so he would have to compete. Then tonight, someone placed the Imperious Curse on you so that Potter would win the tournament. Whoever did this wants Potter to touch this cup, but it will not take him back to where we started, at least not at first."

"We need to tell someone." Diggory went to raise his wand but Aries disarmed him quickly.

"Think Diggory!" Aries nearly screamed. "Who placed this cup here?"

"One of the teachers," Potter answered quietly.

"Yes. Someone wants Potter to walk right into a trap, and I bet you both can guess who."

"Voldemort." The name hung around them and Diggory paled.

"So, what do we do?" Diggory asked.

"We spring the trap."

"Wait no! No way!" Potter had, at last, tore his eyes from the cup and faced Aries. "We need to get help. My dad or Sirius or someone!"

"No." Aries' voice was firm. "If we tell someone then we risk the culprit escaping. Think for a moment. They expected Diggory to be under the Imperious Curse, Fleur to be dead, and me to be nowhere near this cup. Whoever placed this cup here expected Potter to be alone and surprised." Aries looked at the cup with renewed determination. "Except he won't be alone. There will be three of us, and the element of surprise will be ours. All three of us touch the cup, and we spring the trap. Once we handle everything there, we use the cup to come back. Whoever the culprit is will be surprised to see all three of us return, and we take him out as well."

"This is insane Aries!" Potter was shaking his head. "There's no point! We need help. This isn't like what Sirius told you. We have time. They can come with us. We don't have to do this alone."

"Black's right Potter," Diggory said strongly. "If we ask for help then we alert whoever did this. We need to do this. We can do this. Together." He placed his hand on the cup. Aries followed suit, grabbing the cup as well. Potter looked at them both as if they had grown horns.

"Are you sure about this Aries?"

"Yes. Trust me, Potter." He looked at Aries for a moment before he grabbed the cup. There was a sharp pull on his navel, and they disappeared from the grounds of Hogwarts.

Aries landed on his feet next to Diggory, though Potter landed with a thump on his backside. They were in a graveyard at the base of a massive mansion. As Potter came to his feet his eyes locked on one particular grave. It was a marble headstone and on it was inscribed a name Aries had become all too familiar with: TOM RIDDLE. Suddenly Potter screamed in pain, clutching his forehead.

"Kill the spare." Aries and Diggory turned to the cold voice, brandishing their wands. A hooded figure stood across from them.

"Avada Kedavra!" The flash of green light soared towards Diggory and Aries reacted on instinct. He reached out with his magic, bending the earth in front of Diggory upwards, creating a wall of hardened earth. The Killing Curse struck it, blasting the earth in large pieces, and throwing them both backward. Aries felt his head collide with a headstone and darkness took him.

"Flesh of the servant. . . Willingly given. . . you will. . . revive your master. . ." The shaky voice came to him followed by a scream of pain as he regained consciousness. He slowly pulled himself up, using the headstone in front of him for cover. The back of his head was caked with blood, but a whispered spell cleaned the wound. Diggory was still unconscious and the man who he now recognized as Wormtail walked towards Potter. "Blood of the enemy. . . Forcibly taken. . . you will resurrect. . . your foe. . ." A bubbling cauldron sat in the center as Wormtail cut along Potter's arm. Blood coated the knife as Wormtail returned to the cauldron and tapped three drops into it. The man dropped to his knees, clutching a stump at his right arm.

The cauldron was shooting out diamond sparks before they suddenly stopped. White steam erupted from the cauldron before it exploded, blocking everything from Aries' view. Then slowly as the steam faded he began to see the outline of a man.

"Robe me." The man commanded. Wormtail scrambled to collect black robes and pulled them over the man's head. He turned towards Potter and he received his first good look at him. The man was skeletally thin with skin whiter than bone. It was his eyes that struck Aries. They were wide and a livid scarlet with a nose that flared out like a snake. Aries suddenly had a good idea who the man was: Lord Voldemort. The Dark Lord had returned at last. He disillusioned himself quickly, making sure Diggory was still unconscious and slowly moved to a better position as the Dark Lord spoke with Wormtail.

"You stand, Thomas Potter, on the remains of my filthy Muggle father." The Dark Lord's voice was high and cold. "You see that home? That is where he lived and that is where he died. But alas, my true family returns." The air was suddenly filled with the swooshing of cloaks as wizards began to apparate into the graveyard. "Welcome, Death Eaters. Thirteen years it has been and now you return to me as if it was yesterday. We are still united under the Dark Mark then. Or are we?" Diggory began to stir as the Dark Lord berated his followers. The same spell Aries had used with Potter before the Second Task struck Diggory.

"Don't move!" Diggory tensed but lay still. "Wait until I attack and then join the fighting. We still have the element of surprise."

"Ah Lucius, my slippery friend." The Dark Lord's voice came back to him as he ended the spell. Aries watched his uncle remove his mask with a sense of pride. "I hear you have not renounced the old ways, though you present a respectful face to the world. Tell me, will you still be as passionate as you were before? Your exploits at the World Cup were. . . fun I daresay. And yet you never searched for me as other, more faithful followers did."

"My Lord had there been any whispers or any sign of your return I-"

"And yet the sight of my Mark filled you with fear." The Dark Lord sounded displeased. "I am disappointed in all of you. I expect far more faithful service in the future." He looked around the circle, pausing at unfilled spots. "We are missing a few members of our family. Some are in Azkaban, they will be freed of course. A few are dead. There is one who I believe has left me forever, and then there is one who has already returned to me. He serves me faithfully even now." Suddenly the Dark Lord turned to Potter.

"And oh, how could I forget my guest? The one whom we all have to thank for tonight." The Death Eaters leaned in expectantly. "You see my friends, years ago I miscalculated. I believed the Potter children to be the ones Dumbledore saw as my downfall. And when I went to destroy them something remarkable happened. I believe, in part, my curse reflected due to the sacrifice of Dorea Potter, but there was something more. Harry and Thomas somehow performed extraordinary magic and in doing so the curse, that was meant to kill both children, was somehow turned back on me. The boys lived, but the toll of the magic killed Harry and now the Boy-Who-Lives remains."

"Three years ago, Potter thwarted my attempts to seize the Philosopher's Stone and I thought all was lost until Wormtail found me. When others failed he succeeded and he brought me Bertha Jorkins, who told us of the coming Tri-Wizard Tournament. It was through the help of my faithful servant that I formed a plan, one that would bring about my resurrection. And now I have returned, to finish what I started thirteen years ago." The Dark Lord brandished his wand, a ghostly looking yew, and pointed it at Potter. "Crucio." Potter screamed and fought against the ropes that bound him before the Dark Lord released him. "You see how foolish it was to believe that this boy was ever the true cause of my downfall. But I do not want there to be any doubt in anyone's mind. I will kill you tonight Thomas Potter. Untie him Wormtail and give him his wand."

Potter struggled to his feet and Aries considered attacking now but decided against it. The Dark Lord was not yet distracted. Potter and the Dark Lord stood a few meters apart and the Death Eaters looked on with eager anticipation.

"You have been taught to duel, yes Potter?" The Dark Lord seemed to be teasing the boy. "First we bow. Come, Potter, we must follow tradition. I said bow." As the Dark Lord pushed the tip of his wand down, Potter bent downward into a bow. "Now we duel." Aries could tell Diggory wanted to do something but he followed his lead. Moments passed as Potter avoided the Dark Lord's curses and even managed to throw off his Imperious before hiding behind a tombstone. "Come now Potter we are not playing games. Does this mean you are tired of our duel? Does this mean you wish for me to finish it? Come, Potter, it will be quick. It might even be painless. I would not know, I have never died."

Aries watched Potter slowly rise to his feet in a defiant manner and face the Dark Lord. They raised their wands towards each other and then Aries stepped in between them. The Dark Lord's eyes suddenly widen and he lowered his wand slightly.

"Aries Black." He hissed the name. "I've been looking forward to meeting you for some time, though I hoped it would be after I dealt with Potter. Be a good boy and step aside."

"I'm afraid I can't do that." Black immediately regretted the words, but he could not allow Potter to die tonight.

"And why is that?" The Dark Lord looked at him challengingly.

"You see, Potter is under my protection." Every eye was on him and Diggory was readying himself to strike. "Let him leave, and we can have our talk."

"Ah, no one is leaving tonight. Unless you kneel before me." The Dark Lord's red eyes narrowed.

"Not really the kneeling type. Now Diggory!" The rush of power as his wand came into his hand was intoxicating and the torrent of magic raged inside him. Fire erupted around him and he threw it at the Dark Lord. Diggory had sent a blasting curse towards the Death Eaters, but they were now unsure of just who to attack. The Dark Lord dispersed the fire, not caring if it struck his own men and the duel began. Aries stood alongside Potter, each throwing spells while using his free hand to wandlessly conjure a shield whenever a spell came towards them that they could not dodge. The Dark Lord had little need for a shield, choosing instead to simply deflect the spells until Aries began to up the ante. Powerful spells of the Dark Arts flew from his wand as fire and ice flowed wandlessly from his hand. The effects of the powerful magic the two wizards were creating were harming the Death Eaters as well, but Diggory was starting to tire. A rogue blasting spell struck the ground near Aries, throwing him off his feet. The Dark Lord shouted the Killing Curse just as Potter sent the Disarming Charm. A red bolt of light met green and the wands connected.

At once a silver light burst from the center of the beam connecting the two wands before creating a bubble around them. A ball of energy hung in the middle pulsing back and forth between the two wizards. Aries came to his feet, transfixed on what was happening, as did the Death Eaters. Diggory leaned heavily on a tombstone, glancing towards the cup which seemed so far away.

Suddenly Aries felt power from Potter and the ball of energy pushed towards the Dark Lord. As it touched the yew wand a spirit burst from the tip. It was an old man. The very same old man that Aries and Potter had seen die in their dreams. Another pulse and a second figure emerged. Aries recognized her immediately from his family tree. Dorea Black was the ideal look of the Black Family and even in death had a stern look on her face that rivaled Cassiopeia's. She glared at the Dark Lord before turning to Potter.

"Hold strong Thomas, your grandfather is coming," Dorea stated. "Keep holding on for just a little longer." She turned to Aries. "Protect him. Make our family proud."

A third figure suddenly emerged from the Dark Lord's wand. He was an old man, older than the first, and with hazel eyes filled with an odd look as if one had seen far too many years. Yet there were lines across his face, wrinkles from years spent smiling and laughing. For a spirit, he looked remarkably happy and also determined.

"When we tell you, release the connection," Charles commanded. "You will only have a few moments to get to the portkey." He looked at them both fondly, something Aries did not understand. "We are proud of you. Now go!"

Potter ended the connection and as the spirits raced towards the Dark Lord, he ran towards the cup. Aries unleashed fire creating a perimeter around himself, the Dark Lord and the cup. Diggory was almost to the cup when a cutting curse struck him in the back of his leg. It ripped through his ligaments and he fell to the ground.

"Go, Potter!" Aries ordered. "I'll get him back. Just go!" Potter hesitated, but Aries wandlessly pushed him back into the cup.

He reacted instinctively and grabbed the cup. A swish of Aries wand and wards formed over the graveyard. It was unfortunate that Diggory had not made it to the cup as he would have to adjust his plans. The Dark Lord, recovered from the previous affair, raised his wand but stopped as Aries suddenly bound Diggory in tight, thick ropes. The Hogwarts' champions shock was evident and only the gag kept him from screaming in surprise.

"I think it's time for our chat, my Lord." The roaring fire encompassed the three of them and the crackling of flames kept the Death Eaters unaware of what occurred in the circle. "Sorry for all that mess. Had to keep up appearances with the Boy-Who-Lived after all." The Dark Lord's cold laugh filled the air.

"Will you bow to me now Aries?" The Dark Lord stared at him curiously. "Like your father before you?"

"I told you before. I'm not the kneeling type." Aries cocked his head to the side. "Surely you must understand? From one dark lord to another?"

"You call yourself a dark lord?" His amusement was clear and Aries' bristled at his condescension. "It takes more the knowing the Dark Arts to be a dark lord my friend."

"What else could I be?" Aries hissed in Parseltongue. Suddenly all humor vanished from the Dark Lord and his red eyes narrowed to slits.

"You speak it?" The Dark Lord was holding his wand tightly. "How is this possible?"

"I am the Heir of Slytherin. I was born to be a dark lord. To finish Salazar Slytherin's noble work."

"You lie!"

"Salmissra is rather needy, isn't she?" Aries enjoyed the Dark Lord's shock. "Always wants to be itched behind her left eye? And Salazar? Much more sarcastic than I ever thought. I mean, surely you were surprised as well, Tom."

"You are Salazar's heir." The Dark Lord looked at Aries with a newfound interest. "Which makes you my heir as well. You continue to surprise me, Aries."

"I make no claim as your heir. I am the Heir of Slytherin and Black. I need no others."

"Then why are you here?" Aries felt the presence of his Phoenix arrive, at last, sitting on the tombstone of Tom Riddle. "Why the appearances? Why stay if you will not join me?"

"We have a common goal." Aries had recited these words in his mind for months. "We both wish to finish our ancestor's work, yet we disagree on many fundamental issues. But we also have a common enemy: Albus Dumbledore." The Dark Lord continued to show his surprise. "While he lives, neither of us can succeed. So, I suggest something rather simple: a truce. Neither of us will move against the other directly until Dumbledore is dead, by your hand or mine. After that, may the best dark lord win."

The Dark Lord's laughter erupted again. "Oh, Aries you continue to surprise me. What exactly makes you think I will just agree to this?"

"Right now, Potter is telling Dumbledore exactly what has happened here. And no doubt they will discover that Barty Crouch Junior has been masquerading as Moody. You will lose your intended secrecy and one of your more faithful servants." The Dark Lord's red eyes narrowed again. "Upon my return to Hogwarts, I will deny your return. As far as I am concerned you, and your followers, are some dark lord impersonators. It will not stop Dumbledore from moving against you, but perhaps I can help delay it. I will also attempt to help return your servant. In return, you agree to my arrangement."

"Aries Black, you are indeed a most interesting individual." The Dark Lord smiled. Moments passed with an odd tension until at last the Dark Lord nodded, an interesting gleam in his eye. "I accept."

"I will hold you to your word Tom."

"That name no longer holds any meaning to me," Aries smirked as the irritation remained etched on the Dark Lord's features. "And how to celebrate our agreement? How should it begin?" The eyes of the Durmstrang champion fell on Diggory.

"With death." The Dark Lord gave him another look of surprise. "Our arrangement ends with the death of Albus Dumbledore. Let is also begin with death. A loose end that needs to be taken care of." Aries raised his wand towards Diggory. It was now or later he reminded himself. He was a Diggory, the heir to a notoriously Light family. They would oppose all his goals and hinder him at his every endeavor. Diggory would die eventually, better it be now rather than later. "Avada Kedavra." The green light struck Diggory and he fell to the ground dead. The Dark Lord's laughter again filled the night.

"Again, and again you surprise me. Are you sure you wish this path? You could rise to greatness with me Aries."

"I will never serve you." He felt Hades land on his shoulder. "When your downfall arrives, it will not be Potter that brings about your destruction. It will be me."

"You will serve me, Aries Black. Before the end of all this, you will kneel before me. I will see to it personally."

The Dark Lord's red eyes bored into him as the flames of Hades consumed him and they, along with Diggory's corpse, vanished from the graveyard. He landed outside Moody's office, as he had commanded Hades to take him to Crouch, and blasted the door open. Barty, still disguised as Moody, grabbed Potter holding him up with a knife to his throat. They locked eyes for a moment before Aries acted quickly.

"Stupefy!" The spell collided with Potter, who Barty dropped in surprise. "Revelio!" Moody's flesh melted away and Barty Crouch Junior was revealed to him again. They stood apart, wands facing each other before Aries lowered his. "Go, your master is waiting for you." Barty raised his eyebrows and moved cautiously towards the fireplace. "That's two you owe me, Barty. I expect to be repaid in full." The green fire of the Floo took the Death Eater away leaving the two young wizards to themselves. A swish of his wand put the office in ruins, making it appear to any that entered that a duel had occurred. Aries made his way over to Potter and revived him. The boy sat up quickly, eyes wide, looking frantically around for the crazed professor.

"What happened? Where's Moody?"

"Whoever that was, it was not Alastor Moody," Aries explained. "But he's gone now. Escaped through the Floo. Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I think so." Suddenly Potter looked around. "Where's Cedric?" Aries let out a long sigh.

"He didn't make it." Potter gripped Aries' arm tightly and tears fell down his face. Aries felt no remorse, no guilt but no joy either. He would not enjoy what he had to do. Seldom few enjoyed the responsibility that destiny gave them, but this was his. The war for the Wizarding World had just begun.

AN: The last chapter of Part I: What Is To Come