"At last, you have allowed me to look upon your mighty and noble countenance, my lord." Sirius said mockingly.
"Ah, stuff it. It's been a busy week." Harry said irritably. "With classes and all the extra stuff I've gotten into. Thankfully, the exercise is keeping my energies up."
"You're welcome." Sirius remarked.
"Sirius, I'm scared." Harry said quickly. Sirius sobered up and stared into his godson's eyes. There was indeed fear in them, like Sirius had never known.
"What if this experiment goes wrong? What if this piece of Voldemort kills me?"
"Now you listen, and get this through your head. You are far stronger than this thing. You can beat it."
"Snape said I weakened it when I passed out." Harry shrugged.
"Whoa, back up. You passed out?" Sirius eyed the young man through their mirrors.
"Oh yeah. Sorry." Harry shrugged and began explaining what had happened to him the first night back at school and his meeting with Snape. This lead to his explanation on how his friends had figured out when they would meet each morning for a run around the lake, and then onto his first meeting with Dumbledore the night before.
"So the old man is still convinced there's one of the Horcruxes in the castle?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, in fact, he's sure he knows where it is now, though he says it's going to take a while to procure it. He says it was hidden really well."
"When are you going to start your defense club?"
"At the end of the month. Dumbledore suggested we let people get settled into classes and stuff, and then open it up. Quidditch practice will start about then as well, though I'll have to try out again. It should be ok, Katie Bell is the captain this year." Harry smiled.
"Make sure you make time for Daphne."
"I will. She won't stand for not spending time together."
"Ok, listen, pup. You listen to Snape. He's obviously concerned about this thing, and he seems to have pretty good ideas. The fact he wants your girlfriend around is encouraging. I'd be concerned if he wanted to experiment on you alone. You do what he asks, and you'll get rid of this thing. Merlin, Harry, I don't know how you manage. Most people would crack under the strain you've been put under. Remember though, wars never go on forever. We're all with you, and we're all trying to end this thing as quick as possible."
"Can I ask you about something? Why was it Azkaban fell so easily?" Harry asked curiously.
"Wizard pride." Sirius shrugged. "For centuries we've believed ourselves to be so great and infallible. Azkaban has been guarded by Dementors which kept prisoners weak and nearly insane. They never needed many guards because of that. It was never warded against riots or anything like that because no prisoner had a wand. When the Dementors left, and Death Eaters brought wands with them….well, let's say that the wizarding world had to eat a little crow. Have we learned from our mistakes? Time will tell."
"For being so great, we wizards aren't very smart." Harry looked dumbfounded.
"It's been our way for so long, and only now are we learning the error of our choices. We never should have relied on Dementors. They're nasty dark creatures, and incredibly difficult to kill. There have been only a few, but we've heard rumors that they're breeding now. Voldemort unleashed packs of werewolves on a few villages. Muggle villages. The veil between worlds is being torn away, Harry. If muggles catch on to us, there will be real problems, and many more deaths."
"What is the Ministry doing?"
"As much as they can. Just like in muggle politics, no one wants to solve the problems unless they gain something for themselves, and I don't mean the freedom and peace we'll get from Voldemort's defeat. There's Death Eaters in the Ministry stalling actions. We don't know who they are, and therefore, our hands are tied."
"This is ridiculous." Harry said angrily.
"Harry, there is something that can be done. I know you hate all your fame, and recognition and all that rubbish, but I want you to think about how influential you are on the public." Sirius eyed his godson carefully. "I know the public waffles a lot, but think about what a change your article in the Quibbler did last year. The Daily Prophet is a rag that prints more falsities than a normal tabloid, but people believe it. I think you need to come out and support one of the candidates for Minister. I think you should begin pointing out some of the corruption within the Ministry."
"Can I do that?" Harry looked shocked.
"The public already has this image of you as some kind of savior. Why not use that? It's all about ending the war. Voldemort is using fear, we need to use a weapon just as powerful."
"Knowledge." Harry smiled easily.
"Exactly, Harry. Good man. We need to make people aware of what is going on."
"Which Candidate is the best?"
"I would say Amelia Bones. She's got a very long history in law enforcement and is a very upstanding citizen. I don't know much about Scrimgeour, and I have serious doubts over Thickneese. But do your research, make your own decision."
"I will. Thanks, Sirius. I'll talk to you soon."
"Sooner than what it took this time, I hope." Sirius said hopefully.
"I promise. I'll talk to you Saturday night."
"Good enough. Good night, pup."
The next morning, Harry led the group back into the castle after their run. They had been joined by many more students over the past few days. Harry had to grin when he thought about how this group had grown.
On the first morning, as Neville and Harry were heading out, Ron, Seamus and Dean had awoken and asked as to why the other two were up. Harry explained what they were doing and why. The three other sixth year boys hadn't said anything the rest of the day, but the next morning, the sixth year boys dorm was empty by five-thirty in the morning.
It had been similar with the Gryffindor girls. Lavender and Parvati had joined that first morning, however, instead of waiting until the next day. Apparently both girls had taken up running over the summer. Ginny and two other fifth year girls had also joined.
Susan Bones had convinced Hannah Abbott to join them for the exercise. Blaise was the only Slytherin boy, but Pansy Parkinson had come with Tracey and Daphne.
Three days into it now, and the complaining had all disappeared. Everyone who had not been doing it before had felt more energy already. And there was rumor that Monday morning the group would have more students joining. It made Harry feel good that people were taking the imminent threat so seriously.
At the entrance hall, people split off to their respective houses to prepare for classes, and then they would return to the Great Hall for breakfast. Daphne gave Harry a quick kiss before she was off, telling him to hurry.
Harry and Neville had lagged behind the group and now walked up to the tower.
"So, Sirius thinks you should back a candidate?" Neville asked. They had spoken a little during their run. Harry and Neville were the fastest in the whole group, though Ron and Blaise were quickly catching up. Soon they would be able to keep pace with the lead Gryffindors.
"Yeah, but I want to meet with them and get a feel for their views. I don't want to put someone in power who's as narrow minded as Fudge."
"Why don't you invite them here. I'm sure Dumbledore would help you."
"I want to do this on my own, though inviting them here isn't bad. That way, if they turn out to be a Death Eater, I'll be safe."
"Always thinking. Good on you." Neville clapped his friend's shoulder.
"Who do you think is best for the job?" Harry asked.
"I got to go with Madam Bones. Thickneese came from nowhere, and no one seems to know his politics. Something about that guy doesn't feel right. I honestly think we'd be better off with Scrimgeour as the head of Law enforcement. I just don't think he's flexible enough to be Minister."
"Sirius seems to be on the same page." Harry smiled as they entered the dorm. Harry gathered his robes and toiletries and made it to the shower. When they had finished their morning routine, the two boys joined the rest of the sixth years in the common room. They had all waited for Harry and Neville before going to breakfast.
It was a sight to see the entire Gryffindor sixth year class enter the Great Hall together. Harry felt a little wired about it, but shrugged it off. He had noticed a few changes in his classmates this year. The first was that Lavender and Seamus were together. They appeared serious this time. Everyone knew the Irishman couldn't get enough of the pretty blonde who always regarded him with little interest. But something changed, and now they sat together cozily.
Harry had noticed a lot more couples throughout the school. And many of them were not in the same houses as one another. This was most noticeable when he observed the Slytherin table. There were Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs all along the notoriously isolated table.
"Hey, there." Daphne smiled, sitting down next to her boyfriend.
"What's going on with your house? There's other houses sitting at the Slytherin table." Harry pointed out.
"You're girlfriends a genius, that's what." Tracey said sliding into a seat across from the couple and next to her boyfriend.
"What do you mean?" Neville asked curiously.
"Slytherin has always run on this weird sort of hierarchy. There's a leader, which until this year, was Malfoy. Now that he's gone, this power vacuum formed. I simply filled it." Daphne smiled.
"You're the new Malfoy?" Ron asked surprised.
"Merlin, no!" Daphne nearly shrieked. "Astoria is, or she will be."
"Your sister?" Harry asked.
"Yes. She's got the intelligence and the cunning to keep people in line. She knows everything about everyone in our house. I simply made some comments about how Slytherin could benefit with Astoria in charge. We would no longer be so despised."
"So she what, told everyone to make friends outside of the house?" Harry asked, again looking over to the normally standoffish table.
"No. It was more subtle. She brought her own friends from other houses over. The rest follow her lead. Slytherins always do things subtly, we're never brash and overt." Daphne smiled coyly.
"So, like when you walked in here last year hanging on to Harry, and sitting at out table in front of the whole school… that's subtle?" Hermione giggled.
"Or going to the Ministry to fight? That wasn't brash?" Neville smiled.
"OK! I get it. Most of us are subtle." Daphne threw her hands up, defeated.
"What about Tracey slamming Neville against a wall and kissing him and then telling him he's escorting her to Hogsmeade? What would you call that?" Harry asked.
"Subterfuge." Tracey said, biting into her toast. "Took the heat off you two lovebirds for a bit." Tracey grinned, rubbing Neville's hand.
There was bursts of laughter around the group. Harry shook his head. He suddenly began feeling a bit of pain behind his scar. His eyes closed, and he began breathing slowly, willing the pain away.
"Harry?" Daphne asked, seeing him with his eyes shut.
"I'm fine." He lied.
"Don't lie to me. Tell me." Daphne said sternly. Harry was rubbing at his scar. He looked into her worried eyes.
"I was feeling good, and then it started hurting."
"It's fighting back?" Daphne asked quietly.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked. Daphne looked at the brainy brunette, trying to mask her fear, but Hermione saw right through it.
"Harry?" Neville asked. Harry looked up to see all his friends had stopped eating and were staring at him with concern.
"It's nothing." He tried, but Ron cut him off.
"You passed out on the first night here, and every time you start to get in a really good mood, you get a headache. Something's going on."
"You can tell us." Hermione tried.
"Guys, please just trust me on this. It's better that you don't know right now. I will tell you all, I swear, but not right now."
The group looked upset, but let the subject drop. Harry felt bad for not sharing with them. He hated keeping them all in the dark, but he knew if somehow it got out that he was a soul anchor for Voldemort, there would be dire consequences. For now, he would have to keep it to himself. He knew Daphne wouldn't say anything, and only three others knew of his situation, and he had no worry about any of them spilling his secret.
"Do you think Professor Snape will be able to help you tonight?" Daphne whispered in his ear as she held him close.
"I hope so. I want it gone." Harry whispered fiercely.
The air smelled sweet to him. He filled his nostrils with the fragrant scent of death. He walked slowly among the small house, eyes closed behind his mask. Here, walking among the family he'd just slaughtered, Draco Malfoy felt peace.
He had been sent to the small fishing village by his master. He was to lay waste to the entire community, and had been granted two Death Eaters, and ten werewolves. It was not a full moon, but the shape shifters were thirsty for blood.
This was the third such assignment he'd been given. Since his release from Azkaban, the Dark Lord had been entrusting him with greater missions. First had been the kidnapping of two Ministry officials. Madam Umbridge had been very helpful in that bit. The old woman had been practically bouncing as she suggested two of her former coworkers. Draco had suspected they had done something to cross the diminutive witch.
Next had been to cause a major disaster in Muggle London. That had been a great pleasure. Draco had smashed one of the undergrounds. On the television, they had called it a derailment that had killed a hundred and thirty five people. Draco had killed seventeen himself. Wounded survivors pleading for help he had struck down maliciously.
But this had been nothing short of exquisite. To smash open the doors and strike down the inhabitants of each home. The screams like a symphony to him. His veins pulsed to their bleating and begging. He was growing stronger with every passing day. Little by little his strength was increasing. He still felt exhausted after he completed his task, and still had to sleep for long periods of time. Yet he knew that his body was simply adjusting to his growth. Soon, he would be stronger than any of the other Death Eaters.
Yet something troubled him. He'd only just begun to notice. The Dark Lord was becoming weaker. It was hardly noticeable to anyone else, and Draco only noticed because he was almost always in the presence of the Dark Lord. He had spoken of this to no one, of course, but his master was looking worse. His burn scarred skin looked increasingly redder, and his coughing fits were becoming increasingly frequent.
After a visit from Snape, the Dark Lord would look better, but only for a short period of time. He'd also been becoming increasingly interested in Alchemy, specifically in someone named Flamel. Draco knew better than to question his master, but this troubled him a bit.
Draco had looked on his own and found little on Nicholas Flamel. He was dead now. Other than creating something called the Philosopher's Stone, there was little else the man was known for. Draco couldn't figure out what was so important about this useless dead man.
Also plaguing him was the increased attention from his Aunt Bellatrix. The woman hounded him all throughout the Dark Lord's haunt. She taught him many new and useful spells, but she never gave him a moment's peace. She was like a schoolgirl with a crush, or a lost dog.
It always was the worst after he returned from one of these cleansing raids. He knew that as soon as he returned she would be there offering food, or counsel or whatever else she thought he might like. Perhaps it was that she felt kindred in their love for causing pain. Whatever it was, Draco was growing tired of it. If she wasn't one of the Dark Lord's favorites, he would cut her throat and bathe in her blood.
"Dragon, it's time to leave." One of the Death Eaters said as he approached the reflective leader. Draco turned to look at the tall figure he knew to be Dolohov. He nodded once and cast the Dark Mark into the night sky.
"What of the wolves?" Dolohov asked. Draco turned back to the man and sneered behind his mask.
"They're dogs. Let the Ministry have them." Draco said. He motioned for Dolohov and the other Death Eater to Apparate him back to the castle.
"I need to accelerate the process." Lord Voldemort said to himself. He sat alone in the great hall of the ruined castle he'd taken for himself. He stared at his thin, pale, scarred hands. The skin was stretched so tightly over them, he could see the thin veins pumping blood. Potter's blood.
That had been a mistake. To take on Potter's blood to form his new body. The child's blood was tainted, and was corrupting his new body, decaying it from within. His plan to take the Malfoy boy's body was not yet ready, his power was still too weak. Voldemort knew it would still be a few months before his magical core had fully bonded with the child's. Once it was done, there would be no stopping him.
Voldemort had thought of possessing the boy until that time, but his failure with Quirrell had made him rethink that idea. He was beginning to believe it might be necessary to perform the ritual again, and construct a new body, one without the taint of the Potter boy's blood. It would mean returning to his muggle father's accursed house, and Voldemort couldn't stand that thought.
There was one other option. To collect one of his remaining Horcruxes, and allowing the soul fragment to strengthen him. Voldemort clenched his thin fingers into fists. Lucius Malfoy had been foolish in giving away his diary. He'd never been able to properly punish the simpleton for his failure. But his boy had taken care of the man's failings when he'd beheaded him at Azkaban.
There were still five more that he could use. The cup was quite safe deep inside of Gringotts, the Diadem lost forever in Hogwarts, the Locket in the cave, and his grandfather's ring in that broken down shack. Then there was his precious Nagini. She would not be used. He would not destroy his familiar, she was far too useful.
Voldemort knew that short of finding Nicholas Flamel's diaries, he would never create his own Philosopher's Stone. Flamel probably made sure that Dumbledore kept them or destroyed them. He'd never get his hands on them. The Horcrux need not even be broken, just kept close by him. If he used the locket or the ring, they could be worn at all times. Once his plans reached their inevitable conclusion, he could return the Horcrux to it's hiding place.
It had to be one of the items. He couldn't keep Nagini by his side. She would die of starvation. Besides, her own soul blocked the radiance of his own from strengthening him properly. No, it must be one of the coveted items he'd collected in his youth. The ring would be easiest to retrieve.
So it was that Lord Voldemort made up his mind to retrieve his grandfather's ring and use it to keep him from withering to dust before he could inhabit his new body. He would have to send out his Death Eaters, while he journeyed to Little Hangleton. It needed to be precise and it would have to keep Dumbledore's attention. Voldemort would wear the ring of Salazar Slytherin and no one would be the wiser about his ailment until it was too late.
Harry waited for Daphne to join him. She had wanted to drop her books in her dorm before they met with Professor Snape for their meeting. He was nervous. He knew what the purpose of the meting was, but he was afraid of what might happen to him.
"Ok, I'm ready." Daphne smiled as she arrived in the Entrance Hall and took his hand. Her black hair was pulled into a loose ponytail and her eyes were shining with hope. Harry kissed her sweetly and lead her to the dungeons where Snape still kept his office.
It was a very short journey, and Harry knocked on the door. When he was beckoned inside, he was surprised to find the Headmaster awaiting them as well as Snape.
"Good evening, Mister Potter, Miss Greengrass. I trust you are both well?"
"Yes, sir." Harry said softly, while Daphne merely nodded.
"Come in and shut the door." Snape said standing from his desk. He waved his wand and conjured a small cot in front of the fire.
"Potter, please lie down here. Miss Greengrass, I should like it if you sat in that chair so you might be able to lean over Potter's head.
Harry and Daphne followed their instructions and Harry smiled as he looked up into his girlfriend's beautiful dark eyes. She was trying to keep her expression neutral, but Harry saw his own anxiety reflected back at them.
"Harry," Snape said quietly as he took a chair near the cot. Harry lifted his head a bit so he could see the new Defense teacher. "Professor Dumbledore and I have discussed this all week. I believe that your feelings for Miss Greengrass are one of your best weapons. As the Headmaster is fond of saying, there is no more powerful magic than love. We are going to test that this night."
Harry nodded and he saw a small smile on Dumbledore's face.
"What you need to do is to simply lay there and stare into Miss Greengrass' eyes." Dumbledore began. "Let your feelings for her fill you up. Professor Snape and I are going to probe your mind, specifically the Horcrux, and see what we can do to help you to weaken it. Miss Greengrass, you job is to try to keep Harry calm, and conscious. Shall we begin?"
Harry and Daphne nodded and Harry lay back and stared up at the wonderful girl staring back at him. He took several breaths and focused on her. Harry felt her fingers slowly rubbing his scalp, her eyes locked on his. She whispered softly that she loved him, and he smiled gently.
His mind swam with memories of the two of them during the summer, of how she felt in his arms while they had watched the sunset each night. Of how sweet her lips tasted when they kissed. The way she would look at him from across a room, tilting her head slightly, and the tiny smile on her lips. How when she read a book, she would curl her legs under her in a chair, and play with stray strands of her silken black hair.
His scar began to prickle and as he thought more and more of Daphne, the pounding began. He clenched his eyes shut for a moment, and he heard Dumbledore tell him to focus on Daphne. He opened his eyes again and he could see the worry evident on her face.
"You can beat this." She smiled softly. She kept running her fingers through his hair, and caressing his cheek. She bent forward and kissed his scar softly. It burned immensely at the touch of her lips.
"Stay with me, Harry. Look at me." She whispered. Tears began burning her eyes as she watched the pain in his eyes growing, and yet he fought on. He never gave up, no matter the odds, and this time he was fighting for her. He wanted to give himself to her, but this curse, this abomination inside him was preventing him from being the man he was destined to be.
Harry began to squirm. He wanted to tear at his forehead, to make the pain stop. Yet he kept his eyes open, despite the sheer agony he felt. He reached up and clutched her hand in his, breathing heavily. The pounding was incredible and his skull felt like it was cracking. He began hearing a scream. An angry, torturous scream in the back of his mind. He saw two cold blood red eyes in his mind and heard the curses and taunts of a soul in anguish.
His vision began darkening, and Harry began to plead with Daphne to not let him go. Daphne held both of Harry's hands tightly in her own, screaming for him to just stay with her. The pain was becoming too much, and Harry felt like he couldn't breathe. His throat was burning and his chest felt as if there was a crushing weight upon him. His eyes never left her face until the cold blackness of unconsciousness took him completely.
"Harry! Harry, come on now." Daphne kept saying, shaking the young man, trying to wake him.
"Miss Greengrass." Dumbledore said, puling the distraught girl away so Snape could examine him. Daphne fought against the old man's hold which was surprisingly strong. "Please do not make me stun you."
Daphne settled down a bit, waiting to hear Snape's prognosis. The greasy haired man ran his wand over the prone body of her boyfriend for several moments, and then forced his eyes open, staring into the unfocused green eyes for a few minutes.
"Severus?" Dumbledore asked.
"He'll be alright." Snape nodded slowly, finally looking at Dumbledore. "He's going to have a terrible headache tomorrow, I fear."
"And of the…"
"He weakened it some more. Significantly this time." Snape said. "Did you feel how it fought him?"
"And us as well. You were wise in suggesting we use Legillimency. Harry would not have lasted as long as he did if we hadn't interceded." Dumbledore said as he released Daphne, who ran to Harry's side. "We must take him to the Hospital Wing."
Snape levitated Harry's body and the three of them took him to the infirmary where Madam Pomfrey waited. Apparently she had been informed that she would most likely have a visitor that evening. Daphne took a seat right next to his bed, clutching his hand and refusing to look at anything but the boy's face. He still looked as though he were in terrible pain.
"Miss Greengrass, Harry is now in capable hands. I think it best if you went back to your dormitory for the evening." Dumbledore said gently.
"I'm not leaving him. Not after what happened." She said firmly.
"I must insist…"
"I said no." Daphne turned to the two men and the school's healer, who looked quite amazed that a student would speak to the Headmaster in such a manner.
"As I said, Harry is in good hands." Dumbledore tried.
"Yes, he is. Mine. I'm not leaving him. I can't, not after that. I'm staying here until he wakes up, and that's it. I don't care if I'm punished for it later. You can stun me and take me back to my room, but I'll sneak in here later."
"Headmaster," Snape interjected. "Perhaps it is best that she stay. I think she had earned the right." Daphne gave a small smile of gratitude to the head of her house. Dumbledore nodded, and turned back to the sixteen year old girl.
"I trust that you can refrain from any inappropriate behavior?" He asked. Daphne glared at the elderly man in response. Dumbledore chuckled lightly and escorted Madam Pomfrey a little way away.
"Take care of him, Miss Greengrass." Snape smiled, which astounded Daphne. The Defense teacher spun and walked away, cloak billowing out like great wings. Daphne watched them all leave, and she turned back to the boy she loved more than anything in the world. She bent low and kissed his scar, marveling at how hot it felt.
She softly stroked his cheek, whispering to him that she was not going to leave him alone, and that she would be there when he awoke to kiss him and tell him he was okay. She bent her head next to his, her lips close to his ear as she began to tell him her heart's deepest desire. With each whispered encouragement and promise, Harry's breathing slowed and deepened. With every ministration of her finger tips on his burning forehead, Harry settled into a restful sleep.
When she felt him relax at last, Daphne climbed into the bed and wrapped her arms tightly around him, resting her head on his chest. She closed her eyes and let the steady beat of his heart lull her to sleep as well.