Author's Note: Man, this took a long time to write out... never fear though, it's not over until the Fat Lady's sung. Riddle has insisted that he will not give up until Dumbledore is dead and buried, and for once I am in complete agreement with his Lordship. DUMBLEDORE MUST DIE! MWAHAHAHA! Ahem. Yes. On with the fic, eh?
A.N.2: Since it's now open season on old bald wizards, I have a question for all my loyal readers. How do you think Dumbledore should die? I have some ideas, but Riddle has insisted that I garner the opinions of his adoring public, because he wants to get some political profit out of the death as well as revenge. So please, by all means, send me your bloodthirsty schemes! His Lordship will be more than happy to take them under advisement.
A.N.3: So, in this chapter, we begin to return to our roots - namely, I'm working in some more plot elements from the original 'Pain'. And no, I'm not telling you which ones - sheesh, you people.
A.N.4: There is a cameo appearance in this chapter by a character from another series. Not enough to make this a true crossover, just enough of a glimpse to warrant a mention. Those who have never read the Coldfire Trilogy will probably not even notice anything very far out of the ordinary. A certain someone, though, who is at least slightly familiar with the Coldfire Trilogy, is going to know what I'm talking about and hopefully get a giggle or two out of it. Let me just say this: some people *cough-demons-cough* just never change. If anyone actually cares, I was thinking that said cameo would tie in somewhere after the end of my CF fic "Darkness Lays Her Crimson Cloak". My reasons for this cameo? Heh heh. An author never reveals their secrets. Let's just say I was having a bit of writer's block, and this was my solution.
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FORMER HEADMASTER ATTACKS HOGWARTS!
At a time when the magical community is still reeling from the return of the Dark Lord, a new menace seems determined to undermine our safety from within. Albus Dumbledore was once revered and honored through Wizarding Great Britain as a wise and benevolent leader, a brilliant statesman and the defeater of the Dark Wizard Grindelwald. Now, he is a wanted criminal on the run, convicted in absentia of murder, importing Dark creatures, and use of illegal Dark magic. Yesterday he committed a heinous offense that very few have dared - a direct attack upon Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
At half-past two o'clock yesterday afternoon, the school came under attack by Albus Dumbledore himself, aided by approximately two dozen members of his now-outlawed militia group, the Order of the Phoenix. Rumors have it that he was attempting a covert assassination of Harry Potter, our greatest hope against He Who Must Not Be Named. In the thwarting of this brazen and seemingly reckless attack, several shocking revelations came to light.
It seems that young Harry Potter has not been idle this school year. More than half of the student of Hogwarts joined forces to battle the outlaws: it later came to light that these young people are a part of the Order of the Chimaera, an organization of students that have been personally trained in defensive magic by Mr. Potter himself. This group of young warriors have been trained in very advanced defensive magic, and rumors are rife that they are preparing for a secret tactical strike against He Who Must Not Be Named himself!
Once again, in addition to the young members of the Order of the Chimaera, Professor Tom Riddle was on the front lines of battle once more. Most shocking of all, perhaps, is what has come to light regarding the relationship between Professor Riddle and Mr. Potter. According to anonymous sources very close to our young Savior, Mr. Potter and Professor Riddle are in fact engaged in a romantic relationship, perhaps even a formal courtship! While many young women admit to being very disappointed at the revelation that their hero is unattainable, all those we spoke to expressed their support and well-wishes regarding the Chosen One's happiness, no matter what form it takes.
Harry put down the paper with a smile, shaking his head ruefully. "Well, I guess that's the beginning of the end, Tom. The media and the students who still follow Dumbledore will be on us like vultures before the day's out."
Riddle smirked at him, his silver eyes glowing briefly red. "Let them come. Anyone who so much as looks at you the wrong way is going to regret the day they were born. Now, I've spoken with Lucius, and you're excused from your classes for today: I've got a meeting with some allies to attend, and I want you there with me."
Harry blinked and looked up at his lover, startled. "Really?"
They were in Riddle's private quarters, lazing about and enjoying each other's company over a private breakfast instead of eating in the Great Hall. Not something that was technically allowed, but Lucius was hardly going to try and tell the Dark Lord what to do. Harry was sprawled out on the bed, paper at hand: Riddle was at his desk, where he had started grading some DADA papers from the day before. Harry had teased him about the mighty Dark Lord slaving over paperwork, but in truth he rather enjoyed watching his lover work, his silver eyes intent on the paper and a thoughtful expression on the handsome face.
Riddle looked up, smiling briefly. "Of course. You are my Consort now, after all - my allies ought to get used to you being around, and I want your input."
Harry rolled onto his stomach and gazed at Riddle curiously. "What's the meeting about?"
"Hunting down that meddling old coot who calls himself a wizard." Riddle said darkly, marking an 'A' on one of the papers, so viciously that the quill splintered a bit at the tip. "I'm debating various ways of going about it, and I want their opinions. I have quite a few allies skilled in disposing of inconvenient individuals: vampires, demons, werewolves and the like. I've summoned the various leaders together, and I'm going to see what their approaches would be to rooting out our foe."
Harry grinned at the thought. "Sounds like a damn good plan. Can they be trusted to keep their mouths shut, or should I wear a disguise?"
Riddle smirked. "Oh, they'll hold their tongues. They're powerful magical creatures, but I am Lord Voldemort - they're far more scared of me than the general populace is scared of them."
~HP~HP~HP~HP~HP~
An hour and a half later, Harry had to admit that his lover knew what he was doing.
The meeting was being held at the Riddle Manor in Little Hangelton, in a huge room that must have been some kind of dining hall. It served as a throne room now, a literal throne on a raised dais at one end and the rest of the room taken up by a low table, lined with chairs for the attendees. Riddle conjured a second throne one the dais for his consort: Harry was deeply touched that his lover had made such a demonstrative gesture. It was one thing for Riddle to say he loved him, but it was another thing entirely to have the older wizard proclaim that love for the whole world to see.
Shortly after Riddle and Harry were settled in, the 'allies' began to arrive. Several vampires were there, along with a varied host of literal demons: Harry was amazed to find that unlike in Muggle tales, the demons didn't have red skin and pointed horns. In fact, many of them looked almost human - the only hints of their true natures were the slightly pointed teeth, the faint hellfire glow that sparked in their eyes at certain angles, and a certain aura of danger and power. Fenrir Greyback was in attendance as well, but he was very quiet: he seemed uneasy around Harry, and kept shooting nervous looks at the former Saviour. Harry didn't dignify the werewolf's wariness with a reaction, and watched his lover fish for ideas amongst the various supernatural creatures.
The results were surprisingly lackluster. The ideas the demons and vampires came up with were very bloodthirsty, of course - but they also had gaping flaws. Finally, after nearly a half hour, Riddle lost patience.
"In the name of Morgana - does no one here have an original idea?" the Dark Lord hissed, exasperated. "What has gotten into you all today? I'm very disappointed, my comrades." He cast his crimson gaze over the rather sheepish-looking ranks, then gestured sharply to one figure. "You! Demon! Whatever your name is - surely you have something for me?"
The 'demon' in question looked very little like a demon, in Harry's opinion. He appeared to be nothing more than a rather portly man in ridiculously ostentatious robes, emerald green velvet trimmed with rich fur. His plump face had a rather indulgent and well-meaning air about it, and there were certainly no horns on his head. Harry barely refrained from questioning his lover's sanity then and there. This was a demon?
The portly man bowed flourishingly. "Your Worshipful Dark-Lordness, surely in your infinite wisdom you have no need of humble demons like myself?"
Riddle rolled his eyes. "You always have an idea, demon. Out with it, before I lose my sense of humor."
The demon smiled. It was an unsettling smile: the look in his dark eyes suggested he knew far, far more than he was letting on. His instincts suddenly tingling, Harry thought that perhaps the strange figure was more demonic than he initially seemed. The demon shrugged.
"As you wish, my Lord. Perhaps a decoy of sorts, to lure them into a trap?"
Riddle sat forward on his throne, every fiber suddenly taut with awareness. "What sort of decoy?"
A discontented, jealous murmur ran through the room at the Dark Lord's sudden interest, but the demon paid it absolutely no heed. "This Albus Dumbledore seems very convinced of his own persuasiveness. Perhaps you might choose a loyal individual, with skill in acting, to play the traitor? Convince the old wizard that they are the ones with an advantage? Lure them to a location of your choosing, and attack them there. If it did not bring you Dumbledore himself, it would at least draw out many of their best warriors."
Riddle's red eyes gleamed as he chuckled softly. "A marvelous plan, as always. Remind me, demon - what is your name? Your title?"
The demon echoed the Dark Lord's quiet laughter. "Karril, my Lord. Just Karril. If you will kindly excuse me now, I must return to my own land: I'm afraid a rather dear friend in getting himself in an excessive amount of trouble, and I shall have to bail him out yet again. These vampire types, they simply refuse to follow the rules - always pushing the envelope..."
Riddle gestured. "Yes, yes, Karril, you may go. Oh, and tell your 'friend' I am very grateful: I found our little chat about romantic entanglements most... illuminating."
Karril grinned widely. "I'm sure he'll be delighted to hear it. He was getting terribly insecure, thinking he was the only paragon of evil foolish enough to fall in love. Ta-ta for now." The demon promptly vanished into thin air, as suddenly as if he had Disapparated.
Riddle dismissed the other Dark creatures, and they went, albeit a little sullenly. When they were alone, Harry shot a bewildered look at Riddle. "Who the hell was that Karril character?"
Riddle chuckled. "Just a demon I met some years ago. He's not very evil as demons go, but he associates with another Dark Lord of sorts, and he's picked up some excellent tips from the other fellow. Of course, the other Lord he works with has already succeeded in his conquest - remarkable individual, really. I talked with him shortly after discovering that you and I were soulmates: he was most sympathetic. Seems he fell in love with a priest who had sworn to destroy him, so he more than understood. Still, never mind that now. What do you think of Karril's suggestion?"
"I think it might work brilliantly." Harry said after a moment's thought. "Dumbledore's just overconfident enough to fall for it. Who should we get to play the traitor?"
Riddle smirked. "I'm sure you'll find one of your little friends who can take the role. In the meantime, we do have quite a while before you need to return to Hogwarts..."
Harry laughed, his green eyes sparkling as he rose and prowled over to his lover's throne, slithering forward so that he was straddling Riddle in the throne, his eyes dancing with mischief as he let the older wizard pull him closer. "And you have some ideas for that time, do you?"
Riddle smiled wickedly. "But of course." he purred, drawing Harry down into a searing kiss.
~HP~HP~HP~HP~HP~
At that moment at Hogwarts, Draco and Neville were taking advantage of a shared free period to sneak away down to the lakeside. They were sprawled comfortably on the grass under the willow trees at the lake's edge, enjoying the mixture of cool west wind and warm autumn sunlight, the golden and crimson leaves spiraling slowly down around them. They were sheltered from the view of the castle by a low barrier of bush and scrub, locked away in their own private world of glowing sunlight and glittering water.
Neville smiled shyly at Draco. "Maybe Dumbledore turning out to be such a bastard was a good thing after all. I mean, I've liked you for ages, but I had no idea you liked me too."
Draco smiled, his grey eyes much softer than usual as he turned his head to gaze at his Gryffindor. "I'm sorry I was so horrible to you, Nev. I was just worried about what would happen if people found out I liked you - back then, I didn't know how awful Dumbledore was, or how merciful and just the Dark Lord really was."
Neville grinned. "Don't worry about it, Dray. It's all in the past: all that matters is that we're together now."
Draco laughed at the typically Gryffindor statement, but he made no effort to quell the affection that bloomed through his heart as he reached for Neville's hand. A sudden sharp crackling sound in the bushes behind them, though, had both of them sitting up and reaching for their wands.
"What was that?" Neville whispered hoarsely. Draco lifted his wand, opening his mouth to reply - but before he could say a word, there was a blur of movement and a sharp dual-toned hissing screech, and everything went black.
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Oops, another evil cliffie! My sincere apologies, it just came out that way. Next chapter will be along soon, don't forget to let me know how you would choose to exterminate Dumbledore!