Part 7
The Trap
Neville, arm in arm with Angela, stepped through the doors of Ilvermorny laughing merrily at a joke she had just told him. His mood was light, happy and he felt freer than he had done in a long time. Angela looked lovely in the black evening dress she wore, her hair done in nice curls and she looked all too beautiful to ignore. Neville's heart was beating a mile a minute when she stopped and pulled him to her. This was a very bold move for shy Angela, who had been debating how long she should wait before trying to kiss Neville. It was clear that she had decided now was the time.
"I had a really nice time this evening, Neville," She told him. Her hand caressed the top of his brow, happily wiping the small layer of perspiration that was gathering there. She was nervous and eager at the same time, pursing her lips and wetting them in preparation, "I'm so glad I got to meet you,"
"As am I," Neville said, clearing away a lump in his throat. He risked a little more closeness, moving his face towards her. When Angela didn't retreat, Neville saw this as a clear sign to push forward some more and attempted a kiss.
He was so near to ceiling his limps on Angela's that it was almost too perfect until, "Neville!"
The pair looked up at the staircase and saw Cedric running down them. He looked flustered, worried and was breathing heavily as if he ran the whole length of the school. He leapt off the last stair and landed with a thud, stumbling forward as he grabbed Neville by the jacket.
"It's Harry, he's be hurt, you need to come quickly!"
"Oh no!" Angela gasped, releasing Neville.
"Where is he?!" Neville demanded, showing just the right amount of concern.
"We took him to Strom's classroom, he's in there with Fontaine, come on!" Cedric pulled on Neville's jacket and hurried him forward. Angela kept close as Cedric led the way back up the stairs and took the turning on the first floor.
"What happened?!" Neville asked, running alongside Cedric, the two of them ducking passed students, dodging the late night Pukwudgie workers and onwards.
"There was an attack," Cedric told him, "For some reason He and Draco were in the forest tonight, they wouldn't say why but a few Death Eaters appeared and attempted to stop them, I was with Bella trying to settle things between us when we heard the fighting!"
"Death Eaters?!" Angela gasped, "how did they even get in the school?"
"No idea," Cedric told her, "But it looks like there is a new secret entrance in the forest,"
"I told them not to go!" Neville fumed. His fuming was for Cedric's benefit only. This pleased Neville, knowing now that if the Death Eaters were stupid enough to check the tomb, then Harry and Draco were going to be dumb enough to believe that it is them who needed their attention. He would need to find out how much the two of them now knew and see to it that the information was forgotten about.
"Why were they out there?" Puffed Angela, stopping for a moment to remove her heels and continue the run barefoot. The three were nearing the classroom and so there voices were rushed.
"I'll explain later," Neville promised her, "lets just say they've got a habit of trusting the wrong people,"
"Here we are," Cedric said. He slowed to a walk and headed for Strom's classroom at the end of the east corridor. As they approached the door, Draco was there waiting with Bella.
"Harry," Neville said, looking at Draco as he approached, "Is he alright?"
"That's yet to be seen," Draco answered. Neville instantly became concerned by the cold look that Draco was giving him. As he neared the classroom, he thought of backing away or drawing his wand. All of his instincts were instantly telling him to run. Unfortunately, his instincts weren't quick enough, "What are you doing?!"
Cedric turned towards Neville with his wand pointed. Angela gasped and leapt backwards, shielding herself when a blue flash filled the corridor and a beam of energy hit Neville. The spell froze every inch of Neville's body. When the light cleared, Neville couldn't move anything accept for his eyes and he could only watch as Professor Strom appeared. The large man approached Neville, patted him down and removed the wand from inside his jacket.
"Are you sure about this, Malfoy?" Strom asked Draco. The professor turned his back on Neville and handed the wand to Draco.
"No," Draco said, as if admitting something terrible. He didn't elaborate further. He simply stepped back to stand with Bella, who had pulled Angela to her side and was whispering into her ear.
Neville saw the look of horror on Angela's face. The hurt and sadness that came over her was so sudden that it could only mean one thing.
They knew.
He tried to struggle against Cedric's spell to no avail. He wanted to run, to fight and escape, flee from this castle and call for help. 'How could they know?' he asked himself. Neville had been so careful about everything for so long and now. It was impossible for them to know and yet, he was stood here with five sets of eyes. Cedric's were dark, dangerous. Strom's were disappointed. Bella was disgust. Angela looked full of regret and Draco, Draco's coldness showed nothing but a deep sense of anger and betrayal.
"Alright, best get this over with," Strom said. He reached down and heaved Neville over his shoulder, then stopped to look at Cedric, "I would say that once this is over, Malfoy is going to be a strong target,"
"No one is going to touch Draco so long as I'm breathing," Cedric promised. He made a point of walking to Draco and putting his arm around Draco's body, "Believe that,"
"Very good," Strom nodded.
Carrying Neville towards the classroom door, Strom pushed it open and walked in. The room was dark with nothing but a few dim candles to light it. He didn't close the door, instead he walked to his desk and put Neville upright on the floor in front of it. Strom eyed Neville for a moment, a look of pity on his wide, bearded face.
In silence the Professor walked back towards the door, stopping only to turn and point his wand, removing the spell from Neville who instantly started to shake out his muscles. Neville glanced at the windows, he looked at the door behind him which led to Strom's office, then at the door where Strom still stood.
"I've put numerous spells all around the windows and this door," Strom told him, "The only way you're getting out of here is if I allow it," Strom then paused and sighed, his expression darkening, "Well, that or a body bag,"
"Wait!" Neville tried to beg. Strom was too quick though, leaving the room and slamming the door behind him.
The moment the door locked, the candles blew out and Neville was propelled into complete darkness. He stood there, frozen, helpless, his heart beating a mile a minute and sweat pouring down his forehead. His body was so hot that he removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. He attempted to reach out, moving forward towards the door in the hope of finding the handle. As he inched closer, that hand stretched out, finally touching something. Something soft.
"Harry?" Neville whispered; fear etched into the two little syllables of the name.
A bright light filled the room and Neville was knocked back with the feeling of being punched in the chest. For a moment Harry's face was clearly seen but gone too fast for Neville to catch a glimpse of it before hit Strom's desk with a loud thud. In pain, Neville fell to the ground, clutching at his chest, crawling quickly across the floor. His head banged into one of the desks and he slithered beneath it like a snake. His panicked breaths filled the room, his hands and body shook in fear.
"H…Harry, stop…"
Another flash of light and Harry was at Neville's side, legs crossed and sitting on the floor. Another heavy blow hit Neville in the ribs and he was shoved into the middle of the room. Neville tried to whip round and see Harry, but the light was gone again.
"STOP IT!" Screamed Neville. He climbed to his feet and grabbed the first surface he could find. He ran forward towards the door, reaching it and grabbing at the handle but it wouldn't turn.
Another flash of light, Neville was grabbed by the scruff of the neck by a huge invisible hand and tossed across the room. He crashed into a desk and landed in a heap on the floor. Harry's face appeared over him. Neville yelled out in fear. Harry's face vanished. Darkness swallowed Neville again. Neville groaned in pain and attempted to stand. The invisible hand came again, this time grabbing Neville by the ankle. It pulled him to the floor and dragged him across the room.
"Stop it, please, let me go!" Neville screamed, tears pouring down his cheeks as the hand raised him in the air. Another light flashed and Harry was standing beneath Neville, looking up at him. Neville stared in horror at the one who tormented him, who drove fear into the very depths of Neville's soul.
The hand dragged Neville and threw him over, slamming Neville's whole body onto the top of Strom's desk. The heavily blow kept Neville in place. He panted and sweated furiously. His heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest. Fear was driving every part of his mind. He was in agony, his body half broken from the attacks.
For a while, and for what felt like an eternity to Neville. Nothing happened. He simply lay there, fighting back the tears, the fear, the pain. No flash of light came, no face in the dark, no noises to tell him where Harry was in the darkness.
And then, "Legilimens," A voice whispered.
Neville felt a new pain. He closed his eyes and screamed as he saw image after image flood his mind. Memories of the last few months of his life being dragged to the surface for viewing. Neville tried to fight against the invasion, tried to fight against the relentless reminders of what he had done. He saw himself sending the first letter to Grindelwald a week after Neville had come home from his 3rd year of school. He saw himself meeting Kendra for the first time. He saw the way he was so willing to give information on the Order, on Erica, to share everything that he knew about Voldemort, the adventures he had been on with Harry, Draco and Hermione. He was forced to see himself giving Grindelwald the information that he needed to find Hermione. Neville saw the joy on his face when Sirius announced they were going to New York and a day later, learning that his Master, Grindelwald has finally been broken out of Nurmengard and not by the traitor, Erica Black. Neville saw the moment when he himself, on the night of the Gala stood with Grindelwald and killed his first Death Eater. How he guided his Master to the Runes Tent, talking about how Hermione was the perfect person to help him discover Voldemort's secrets. More than that, Neville saw himself pretending to be knocked out and watching as Harry tried to save Hermione from Grindelwald. He felt the joy and pleasure of watching Harry be broken, it delighted him to see Harry so defeated and weak. He recalled laughing when he saw Harry faint, moments after Hermione, who had been terrified, was taken. What followed was a string of memories after the kidnapping. Secret conversations with numerous Grey Cloaks, Finding ways to distract Harry and Draco from their mission to find Hermione, finally getting the letter of thanks from Grindelwald and the last orders that if Harry and Draco were to discover Neville's truest intentions that he himself would have to kill them. Something that Neville was proud to do in the name of Grindelwald.
When the memories faded away, Neville was left alone in the dark for a few moments to ponder over everything he had seen. He stared into the pitch black and felt nothing but pride in what he had achieved. Fear still nipped at the back of his mind, but he knew he would never take it back. Not when he alone had achieved so much.
And then, just as he was resting into the pain his body felt, his mind filled with other memories.
He saw himself and Harry as young boys, toying with sticks that they pretended were wands, casting spells that the two of them had simply made up. The memories shifted effortlessly to several more, of Lily showing him how to tend to the plants in her garden, how Lily would protect Neville from his grandmother's high standards and expectations. He saw him and Harry running through the forest being chased by Remus when he'd gotten loose. Draco filtered through the memories and he could see himself, Harry and Draco all laughing and talking together on their first train journey. How Neville and Harry had walked through the doors of the great hall together as they always planned to. Getting sorted into Gryffindor, facing the three headed dog, chasing the philosopher's stone together, solving the mystery of Ginny and finally when Harry tried to save him and Draco when they thought Sirius was evil.
The memories changed one last time and a new face appeared. Hermione's face. She was smiling and laughing next to Neville. The two of them studying together, fighting side by side, arguing over silly things and watching Harry and Draco get into endless amounts of trouble. Moments from the last 3 years of his life with Hermione in it showed and he watched the last memory, the one of Hermione being taken away by Grindelwald. The memories focused on the fear, the hurt, the dread. It showed the tears rolling down her cheeks as she watched Harry fight to save her and how Neville simply let it happen.
"Am I supposed to feel guilty now?" Asked Neville. The venom in his voice didn't suit him. It changed him, made him sound less like the sweet boy everyone thought they knew and more like the bitter nature of a Weasley.
The question only gained one response. The invisible hand returned, and it dragged Neville from the desk. He yelled out in fear once again, the fury of the hand was clear as it slammed him against the cold stones. It kept hold of him this time, pulling Neville into the air and forcing him down as a chair scraped loudly against the stone. Forced into it, the lights started to flicker, and the room brightened. Neville, weak from the attack, looked up and saw Harry, sitting cross legged on Strom's desk, staring at Neville with his wand in hand and his face...unreadable.
"Hello…" Neville huffed. He sniffed and raised his hand, wiping the blood that was trickling down his nose. He smiled easily and attempted to lounge in the chair, wincing in pain as he did it.
Harry continued to stare at him. No expression, no sign of movement. He may as well have been a statue.
"Is this the part where you make me talk?" Neville asked him, the words taunting, "Was the little show meant to scare me into submission? Was the trip down memory lane meant to ease me into an emotional outburst where I would confess my betrayal of you? Or was it in breaking my body did you think I was going to give in?" He smirked and shook his head, "Even you should know that pain is temporary,"
For all Neville's talking, Harry still remained perfectly still, simply staring at him.
"SPEAK, POTTER!" Neville yelled. He pulled himself up from the chair and attempted to run at Harry.
Harry lazily lifted his arm, pointed his wand and without speaking, sent Neville flying backwards into the chair again. This time, Harry twisted his wrist and the wand shot a long silver rope from it, binding itself around Neville to keep him in place.
"You really are pathetic," Neville groaned, spitting a healthy gob of blood on the floor.
Harry slid off the desk and walked towards him. He flicked his wand and a chair slid into place so that Harry could stop and sit directly in front of Neville with just a few inches preventing their knees from touching. Neville sneered at Harry in the ugliest way. Harry remained unphased and sat there for a few minutes just watching his best friend.
Eventually, Harry's lips parted and asked the most important question, "Why?"
"Ah, you want the story," Neville chuckled lightly and spit on the floor again, ran his tongue beneath his nose to clear the blood and swallowed it down, "Your memory trick was cute. All of this was impressive, Severus right?"
Harry didn't respond.
"Of course, it was Severus, who else would teach you this kind of magic?" Neville chuckled again. Harry didn't like the sound of that laugh, it was too bitter, too hateful.
When he refused to answer anything of what Neville said and simply asked, "Why?" Once more, Neville snorted and turned his head away.
"Why?" Neville repeated back to him. It took a second, but Neville glanced at him and smirked, "Why would I betray the great and powerful, Harry Potter and his infatuated fangirl, Draco Malfoy?" Another bitter laugh followed before he continued, "Why would I betray the long haired, skinny, pathetic, horrible, disgusting, Mudblood…"
Harry punched Neville so hard in the face that the chair toppled over and slammed Neville onto his side. Neville laughed and coughed, more blood pouring from his nose. Harry, who was now standing, settled himself into the chair and ignored the throbbing of his right fist. He flicked his wand and Neville was set right again.
"Ouch," Said Neville sarcastically.
"Why?" Harry asked him.
"STOP ASKING THAT!"
"Why?" Repeated Harry.
"You're going to die," Neville spat at him, "You're going to die and before it happens you'll watch that filthy…" When Harry stood to hit Neville again, Neville went silent and smirked, "Fine, you want the story?"
Harry took a breath and sat down; his face kept an expressionless sense of ease while he sat in Neville's company. He simply listened.
"Those memories," Neville started with, using his tongue to clear the blood again and swallow, "It's funny how you showed them. It's funny seeing your own memories from someone else's perspective and from yours, it's laughable that you thought I was so happy. Well, allow me to show you exactly how those memories went for me."
"As a child I wondered why I only ever got to see my parents once a week, on my birthday or at Christmas, while you were nice and cosy in your own little house with your mommy to watch over and pamper you, how Remus stood at your side to protect you, how Severus took you in as his own little, Half-blood apprentice,"
"Every day of my life I was reminded by my own grandmother that I wasn't good enough, that I was nothing more than a shadow of my parents who were taken from me, how I would never measure up to the potential of the great, Harry Potter. You were a legend long before you even got to Hogwarts. My Grandmother used to tell me how, 'It's no surprise that Harry does things like that, he's so brave just like his father, you could learn a thing or two from him, Neville,' the only thing I ever learned from Harry Potter was how to be second best,"
"And then we went to Hogwarts and wasn't even that!"
Neville took a breath, spitting the blood and clearing it away. Harry raised his wand again and this time healed Neville's nose. He didn't expect a thank you and none came as Neville collected his thoughts, then finally continued his story.
"No, we spent our whole lives talking about the day we'd go to Hogwarts and face it all together. Then you met the traitor's son and you forget I even existed. Draco was like the brother you never had, the one who could match you wand for wand, trouble for trouble and better yet, he worshipped the ground you walked on. And you forgot me. I was the joke that softened the damage you two did!"
"And then she came. I really wish you could have seen your face the day you met her. You really think that it's only been in the last year that you fell for her? She's had you wrapped around her skinny little finger since she first clapped eyes on you. The lengths you went to in order to get her back, the lengths your going to now just to see her."
"Of course, after that it was just one calamity after the other. Anyone else would have gone to Dumbledore, to snape, to the werewolf, anyone! But not you, no, you had to run right into the darkness and like a fool I followed you in. I watched your legend grow and I saw myself slipping deeper into the shadows. The light that Draco and Hermione burn was too much for me to fight against, I saw my life and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't measure up to you. My so-called best friend."
"I was pushed so far back into the shadows that it was going to take a miracle for me to shine. Watching you getting shouted at by Lily, while she praised your every move. Watched Severus and Remus turn you into a weapon, watched my Grandmother pray everyday that she could have had you instead of me to look after. Do you know what that was like?!"
Harry didn't so much as twitch when Neville asked him the direct question. He just sat there, watching all the hate and disgust that Neville had for him pour out.
"Were you hoping I was bewitched?" Neville asked him. Getting no answer, he continued, "Did you hope that I hadn't done it? That I would somehow be doing it to trick Grindelwald into giving me Hermione so I could miraculously save the day?" He laughed again.
"You saw inside my head; you know it's me and you know there is no way you could have pulled any of this off if I had a wand in my hand!"
"But of course, you want to know what led to us being here tonight, well, that's quite simple. You see, four months ago Harry Potter decided that he was going to confront the criminal Sirius Black, who reportedly betrayed Lily and James Potter to the Dark Lord. Funny how that led to someone else entirely betraying you. Well, anyway, Harry Potter decided to play the hero and as a result I met a woman named Erica Black."
"Oh, don't worry. She's never going to betray you, hell, she's probably just a big of a fan of you as Draco is. Really Harry, men would give their left leg, their manor houses, all the riches in the world to have Erica Black's eyes on them and you're treating her like the big sister you never had!"
"Oh well, just someone else for you to let down. She enlightened me to the true power behind Grindelwald. I kept in touch just the same as you did and all my letters wanted to know about Grindelwald, know his story, know what he stood for and to know how I could help her free him. Naturally, she never included me in that. She probably thought I wasn't good enough to help her."
"That's fine, I was used to that kind of attitude. That's when I met Kendra. She had come to me after she'd been to see Erica, hoping to gain her support in freeing Grindelwald. She explained that Grindelwald had been betrayed and he needed a way to regain his strength. She told me that there was a way to do it, that Voldemort had found a way to survive even the killing curse. That's when I told her about yours and Hermione's research project. I know you're wondering how I found out about that, well, you never paid much attention to me and you're really bad at hiding things. I'd searched all your things when looking for a way to track down Erica for the Grey Cloaks, they really want her dead and honestly, I wouldn't miss her. That's when I found a goldmine of information on Voldemort."
"I made duplicates of the information and gave them to Kendra. When she started asking questions about you and Hermione, I was all to happy to give her that information as well. On the promise that if Grindelwald wanted you two dead that I would be the one to get to finish you off. Kendra asked who would be the easiest to manipulate and well, Hermione loves you that much she'd do anything to keep you safe. She's also the smartest. She's scum and deserves to die but she is the smartest out of all of us, I can't deny her that."
Harry shifted slightly in his seat, pausing the motion when Neville twitched in fear. Hiding the smile that threatened to break his well-kept blank expression, Harry leaned back into his seat once more and continued to listen.
"So that brings us to New York. Another perk of being Harry Potter, he gets to travel all over the world because of his rich Godfather who adores him and is currently searching the whole planet to find your girlfriend. I tell Kendra that we're going there, and she mentions the Gala. She arranges for Charles swan to send the invite to Sirius. Oh, don't worry, Charlie boy has no idea it was Kendra who suggested it. She bewitched those two idiots, Wayne and Tony into telling Charles that Sirius was even in New York. I did my research on the Gala and knowing how fickle you and Draco were, I knew you'd both want to compete in that duelling gauntlet. I knew Hermione enough to know she'd spend the whole night at the Runes, and I would be there to make sure she was ready for the taking."
"I did ask Kendra if she'd hurt you that night. I told her that if anyone was going to fight through the army of Grey Cloaks to save Hermione it was going to be you. So, she promised but we didn't count on the Death Eaters showing up. They have him you know. Voldemort, they have Voldemort safe and sound and are trying to bring him back."
"But I guess you don't care about that anymore. No, you're one track mind has you focused entirely on Hermione." Neville snorted, sneered and relaxed fully into the chair, happily enjoying the ache of his battered body, "I want you to know that it pleased me to see him take her from you. To watch you beg and fight, lose and fail. It was the single happiest moment of my life."
Silence fell between them and Neville sat there, sneering at Harry, waiting for whatever pain was going to come next. He knew in himself that Harry wasn't going to kill him. He knew that Harry was too sentimental to kill the boy that he grew up with. Neville knew that this was Harry's weakness.
"Well," Harry sighed. A pleasant smile spread across his face and instantly, Neville feared that smile. Harry leaned forward and in his chair and nodded, "I see, I get it, really I do."
"Get what?" Neville snapped, sounding like he was disgusted by the mere sound of Harry's voice.
"You're a pathetic little coward, cry baby, backstabbing, nobody who quite honestly…" Harry sighed and looked up as if the answer could be found dangling in the air, "Really doesn't deserve the friends he has,"
"Had," Neville corrected him.
"No, see, that's the difference," Harry smiled, "you stabbed me, Draco, Hermione, your gran, my mother and everyone else who cares about you right in the back and honestly…" Harry nodded and chuckled his happy chuckle, "It doesn't change anything,"
"I will kill you," Neville growled.
"No, you won't," Harry whispered, leaning forward and looking Neville directly in the eye, "Look at you. Something must have told you that this was over before you walked into this room. Something must have told you to run, to flee and get help, maybe try and fight your way out and yet, you're hear, tied to a chair,"
"Strom took my…"
Harry leaned forward and put his hand in Neville's pocket. He removed the wand and dangled it right in Neville's face before putting it back. Giving him a patronizing look, Harry sat back in his chair and watched Neville visibly begin to fume.
"That's the difference between you and Draco," Harry told him, feeling a lot older than he really was, "Draco knows I wouldn't let my best friend, even the best friend that betrayed me, walk or in your case, be carried into this room and not give him a fighting chance. I would have said that Draco would have checked his pocket the moment Strom walked out the room."
"Congratulations," Neville sneered, this time spitting at Harry's feet, "You're the clever one again,"
"I'm not going to kill you, Neville." Said Harry. He leaned forward, his form casual, his voice even as he stared Neville in the eyes, "And that's the difference between me, Grindelwald and even Voldemort. Killing is too easy, it ends it for you. You're going to suffer for this, when I'm done here I'm going to hand you over to the American Ministry and you can explain to them why 36 of their people had to die because Neville Longbottom was feeling left out."
"Justice at it's best, eh?" Taunted Neville.
"However," Harry interrupted before Neville could say anything else, "What happens to you before that, depends on how you answer this next and last question,"
"What?" Neville sneered.
"Where is Hermione?"
"Why don't you just take the answer from me?" Neville asked, taunting Harry more and lounging in his chair, "Go on, invade my mind and…"
The sudden scream as Neville and his chair was thrown backwards, scraped along the floor and slammed into the door, went hand in hand with how quickly Harry moved his wand arm. When Neville's head stopped throbbing, he looked up and Harry was stood over him, his face so close that their noses were touching.
"One last time and then I'm really going to show you what Severus teaches me behind my mother's back," Harry warned him, "Where, is…"
"12 Grimmauld Place, London, the only Black residence, they were using because they knew that Erica and Sirius hated it, I knew they wouldn't go back once Hermione was missing," Neville breathed the words, his eyes telling the truth and blood dripping down the back of his skull, "There is a ready made portkey, a locket in the shape of the Deathly Hallows in the trunk of my room, it will take you straight there,"
"Draco, did you hear that?" Harry asked, raising his voice so it would carry through the door.
"He's already on his way to tell Sirius," Cedric's voice replied.
"Sirius and Erica's own house," Harry couldn't help being impressed by the simplicity of it, "Granted, if you're lying, I'll let Erica have you,"
"You won't be able to stop them yourself, there is no way you can get into that house without help, only those connected to the bloodline can get through the door, that's why Kendra was able to use it!"
"Draco tells Sirius, Sirius contacts mum, Mum tells Dumbledore, Dumbledore uses Erica to get inside the property and he fights a god, and Draco, Hermione and I go back to Hogwarts and finish our year there," Harry said in a simple voice. He waved his wand and Neville's chair spun out of the way, "Then, go on holiday…maybe France this time, Draco would like France,"
"You're just going to leave me here?!" Neville demanded, trying to pull against the ropes that bound him.
"You'll be fine," Harry said, pulling the classroom door open, "Bella and Angela can watch over you, I can only assume that Cedric isn't going to let me leave this castle alone,"
"You're very right about that," Cedric said when he saw Harry, "Fontaine is trying to get a message to the Ministry but they're under attack."
"There!" Neville shouted, "The Grey Cloaks are making their move, they will take the Ministry and…"
"And walk right into the Order of the Phoenix," Harry interrupted him, "The moment we realised you were the traitor, we got in touch with Sirius, I convinced him that Grindelwald should be the priority and he rallied every member he could within 20 minutes while you were finishing your date with Angela. It only took them an hour to spot the attack coming. See, Neville," Harry smirked, "That's the thing you failed to appreciate. How much stronger you are when you're with your friends,"
"THIS ISN'T OVER!" Neville screamed, his eyes wide and insane, drool going to his chin as he struggled to break free, "YOU WILL FACE ME, I WILL SHOW YOU WHO THE GREATEST IS!"
"Some people just need to let things go," Harry sighed. He turned his back on Neville and nodded to Cedric who turned and ran through the corridor towards the Dorms. Harry looked to Bella and smiled softly, "Win or lose, I don't think I'm coming back here,"
"I know," Bella said, glancing at Neville then to Harry, "I'm only glad I got to meet you,"
"We'll see each other again," Harry promised her, "I've got to beat the best duellist that Ilvermorny has to offer."
"I look forward to it," She told him. Bella leaned forward and kissed Harry on the cheek, "Now go and get your girl."
O
Neville was still cursing and yelling his insanity, but Harry was already sprinting through the corridors and launching himself up the stairs, even leaping into the airs and flying up through the school to land at the entrance of the Thunderbird common room. He gave a password and stepped through with Cedric who had been waiting with him.
"We're not waiting for Draco are we?" Cedric asked him, noticing how quickly Harry ventured up the stairs and barged through his dorm door.
"No," Harry replied, instantly pulling off his Ilvermorny robe and tossing it on the bed, "Get Neville's trunk," He said, going to his own.
"He'll be angry," Cedric chuckled, "That boy of mine loves a good fight,"
"And he'll get one," Harry nodded, searching through his trunk to pull out a thick package and drop it on the bed, "Sirius and Severus will keep Draco with them, they're going to the Ministry to help fight. With any luck the message will be passed on and the Order members in London will be there when we arrive,"
"And then we're fighting a god," Cedric chuckled, "Ah, here we go." He said.
From Neville's trunk, hidden in a small box, Cedric produced the necklace that instantly started to glow the second Cedric touched it. Harry unwrapped the package and from it took out a set of black robes that had the red and gold crest of Gryffindor on it. He pulled it on and smiled up at Cedric.
"I do miss those robes," Cedric nodded.
"Maybe you should consider wearing them for your last year of school?" Harry suggested, "I know Draco would love it,"
"So would I." Cedric grinned, walking forward to take Harry's hand, "Let's go,"
The Necklace started to glow blue and almost instantly the two of them were pulled into thin air. They were dragged, thrown, twirled and turned in every direction until eventually they landed, falling flat on their backs in a heap.
"I really…hate those things," Groaned Cedric, pulling himself up and looking around, "This doesn't look like London," He said.
Harry pulled himself up as well. Looking around he saw that they were laying in the middle of a graveyard. In the distance on a hill was a lone house sitting against the landscape of the dark clouds that formed over the dreary afternoon sky.
"What is this place?" Harry asked, looking around for some kind of clue. All he found was a large cauldron sitting in the middle of the graveyard.
"Welcome…Harry." A voice whispered. It echoed on the air and moved all around. The cauldron fire lit and both Harry and Cedric drew their wands and stood back to back.
"Who's there?!" Cedric demanded. His eyes scanning all around.
"So nice to see you after all this time,"
"I know that voice," Said Harry. He knew the high cold voice he'd once heard when he was only 11 years old.
The bodiless nature of the voice moved around the air and echoed into a small tunnel. There, stood the short, dark, rat like presence of Peter Pettigrew. In his arms he carried a small bundle, in his other hand a wand. Wormtail walked forward and is ratty face was revealed in the dim light of day. Harry and Cedric both pointed their wands, but Harry couldn't take his eyes off the deformed creature that showed its face when it turned in Wormtail's arm.
"KILL THE SPARE!"
"AVADA KADAVRA!"
Wormtail's spell flew with such ferocity that when it struck Cedric in the chest, the boy was thrown backwards and smashed into a gravestone. Harry acted quickly, aiming his wand and readying himself but the graveyard filled quickly with masked Death Eaters. Wormtail used the distraction to disarm Harry and throw him backwards against a skeleton statue. The arms of the statue grabbed onto Harry, pinning him in place.
And as he looked down and saw the name of the grave he was now standing directly on, he felt fear fill him.
"Do it now, Wormtail!" The creature ordered.
Wormtail dropped the bundle into the boiling cauldron and moved quickly around the circle, calling out his spell as he added a bone of the father, produced a knife to cut off his own hand and then finally, walking to Harry he cut down Harry's arm and smiled.
"And the blood, of the enemy, taken," Wormtail whispered, smiling at Harry as he turned away and flicked those drops of blood into the cauldron.
Harry watched as Wormtail and the other Death Eaters all backed away. The cauldron itself boiled, burned and melted into the ground and deformed shape was left floating in the air. From it, arms grew and long fingers, legs stretched, and toes wiggled, a head formed from a pale torso and the face took shape. A snakelike nose, red eyes and naked frame all followed. The pale feet touched the ground and the man who stood there stretched out his whole being. One of the Death Eaters moved forward to wrap a cloak around the man's shoulders, then coward back in fear. The whole circle of Death Eaters knelt and bowed their heads. The man stared up at Harry and smiled with sharp teeth and a stretched-out tongue. And Harry knew who this man was.
Lord Voldemort had returned.
O
"Erica, if you please." Albus Dumbledore said in a kindly voice.
Erica had been able to make 12 Grimmauld place appear and even with the might of Alistor Moody, Kingsley Shackelbolt, Lily Evans and Hestia Jones, they were unable to get past the enchantments that had been placed on the front door. However, when Dumbledore aimed his wand, he simply tapped it and huge beam of energy assaulted the door. The shield that was revealed only resisted for a few seconds before it withered away and faded to nothing.
"Lily and Erica stay with Dumbledore," Alistor moody ordered, "Kingsley and Hestia will apparate up to the top floor with me, stun who can, kill if you must but don't let a single one of them escape!"
Once Moody and the others apparated, Dumbledore looked to both woman kindly and said, "Shall we?"
"I think we shall," Lily nodded.
"Dibs on Kendra," Erica growled.
"We'll see who gets to her first," Lily added.
Dumbledore glided up the steps and stopped at the front door. When he waved his wand and it opened, he was instantly met with spell fire. He raised his wand to shield his companions and Lily and Erica moved together, casting stunning spells down the corridor, quickly stunning their attackers. A barrage of spell fire assaulted Dumbledore's shield and he held fast.
"Get down!" Dumbledore order Lily and Erica. They both ducked out of the way and stood behind Albus as he thrust his wand forward, sending the pulsing energy of his shield at the group of Grey cloaks that were barring their way. The shield knocked them all backwards, allowing Lily and Erica to move in.
Dumbledore followed the two woman, watching with ease as they two fought the remaining Grey Cloaks. He could hear the fighting upstairs and noted the loud laugh of Alistor Moody as he fought his way through whatever dangers they were facing above. Dumbledore moved down the corridor towards the drawing room on the far side of the corridor.
"Dobby!" Lily shouted. Dobby instantly appeared at her side, "Find Hermione and bring her to me!"
"Yes, Mistress Lily!"
The little elf vanished as Lily and Erica both danced together down the corridor, stunning and fighting the Grey Cloaks that appeared either by charging through the many doors or apparating right into the corridor. Dumbledore moved towards the drawing room, hearing a pop behind him.
"Hermione!" Lily called out in relief, "Have a wand,"
"Thank you!" Hermione shouted, instantly going on the defensive and casting shields to protect Lily and Erica, "Where's Harry?!"
"He should be on his way!" Lily promised, firing angrily at a large Grey Cloak that was running down the stairs.
"If it's a portkey, it should have been instant!" Erica hissed. She twirled her wand and fired a large blast of energy that froze the last of the Grey Cloaks.
"Albus?" Lily called out.
Dumbledore stepped into the drawing room which was completely empty. In the middle of the floor, he recognised the body of Yaxley, and he heaved a great sigh. When he looked up at the fireplace and saw Grindelwald standing there with his back to him, Lily and Erica both appeared at his side. Hermione was peering over their shoulders before they all moved to into the room. Dumbledore, put himself between Lily, Erica and Hermione, staring calmly at Grindelwald.
"Albus," Grindelwald said. His voice was croaky, weak like he had a cold, "I trust you're here to help me achieve my goal of immortality,"
"Sad to say Gellert, there is no power in this world that will grant anyone that power," Said Albus. He kept his wand tight in hand, his sharp blue eyes watching closely, "Although, I would imagine Miss Granger has attempted to find you the secret to Voldemort's success,"
"She has failed me…" Croaked Grindelwald, "It is too late,"
"A first for everything," Albus said, a warm smile on his face, "Though I'm sure no one will be more disappointed in her failure than herself,"
"This body is weak, dying," Grindelwald said. When he turned around, Lily, Erica and Hermione all gasped in horror.
Grindelwald's skin had started to turn a light grey colour and his eyes were blue, glowing strong like flames. His hair had started to fall out, his skin was peeling, the clothes he wore were tattered and he had barely enough strength to face Dumbledore who remained perfectly at ease.
"I couldn't even stop Wormtail from bringing back his master,"
"Tell me what you know, Alucard," Said Dumbledore. Only Erica and Lily would know why he was calling Grindelwald, Alucard now. They would know that this was the name of the creature that had possessed Grindelwald, "Don't allow your life to end meaninglessly, tell me what you know so that I might prevent it from passing,"
"It…is…too…late," Alucard groaned, stepping forward and falling to one knee. His skin peeled even more, his eyes started to burn with literal flames, "It is happening now…Neville had no clue who he was truly working for…he didn't know that the necklace wasn't given to him by me…"
"Neville?" Hermione whispered. Lily silence her with a look, shaking her head.
"Speak sense, Alucard, tell me what is happening that I cannot see."
"The Dark Lord is returning; he plans to come after me, but I will already be gone by then and word of this will spread!" Replied Alucard, his voice sounding more like demonic snarls, "His servants found a way and they learned about my spy, they tricked him, forced him to do their bidding, Harry Potter will have found the Portkey that has taken him to the very place where Voldemort will kill him!"
"Where?!" Albus demanded, getting angry.
"DIE!"
Alucard raised his arm and fired the spell. Albus deflected it easily and it rebounded backwards and hit the caster straight I the chest. The body fell limp against the floor and from it an essence rose into the sky. Dumbledore stepped forward and aimed his wand, he began to speak in a language that neither of the woman could understand. The floor cracked and rumbled, the essence screamed in agony and it evaporated like water in the sun. All calmed and together they looked over the body of Gellert Grindelwald. He was dead.
"Albus!" Kingsley called out. When he appeared in the door and looked straight to the Headmaster who turned his attention to the Auror, "We've just got word, Kendra is leading an assault against the American Ministry and there is an army of Death Eaters pushing their way towards Hogwarts. Fudge is sending all he can, but he will need help!"
"Go," Albus told him, "Send word to the others who are still left here, I will join you as soon as I can,"
"What about Harry?" Hermione demanded, "If the Death Eaters have him…"
"I am afraid that without knowing where Harry has been taken," Dumbledore told her, his voice heavy with emotion, "Then I fear we are at a loss to help him,"
"You can't leave him!" Lily roared, "If Voldemort is back then…"
"Then I fear," Dumbledore said in a grave tone, "That Harry will have to face him, alone,"
"The hell he will!" Erica hissed. She turned on the spot and disappeared with such speed that the entire room shook with her departure.
So suddenly did Hermione realise as she thought of Harry alone wherever he was, that how she felt right now, must have been how he felt when she was taken. Only this time she wasn't capable of saving him from whatever fate he was facing now.
O
"Harry, welcome to Albania!" Voldemort's high cold voice echoed loudly, and his laugh sent chills through Harry's spine. The other Death Eaters all laughed until Voldemort silenced them with a hateful look. He then turned all his attention on Harry, "I admit, my servants have done a wonderful job in reconstructing the graveyard in my muggle father's own backyard, this in the distance is one I've been living in for some time, the graveyard is new though. Right down to the very bones of my muggle family. Do you like it?"
"Could use a few more flowers, a bit of greenery," Harry answered, his tone casual, "Graveyard doesn't have to mean depressing, you know."
"Ha, Ha, Ha!" Voldemort rejoiced, clapping his pale hands together, "There is the Harry Potter wit I've been so longing to hear, although, I thought you might be upset," He said. Voldemort glided across the grass to where Cedric's body lay, placing a foot on his face, "Such a handsome boy,"
"Don't touch him!" Snapped Harry. Voldemort looked at him and grinned.
"And there is that temper I've been hearing so much about," The dark lord smiled, a smile that vanished instantly, "I'm not impressed by it,"
Breathing in the air, Voldemort walked his way back to the middle of the circle that the Death Eaters had created. He stretched out his limbs, wiggled his fingers and flicked his tongue, getting used to his new body. He set his red gaze on Wormtail and held out his hand, waiting as Wormtail offered him his wand. Voldemort took it and waved it once, re-growing Wormtail's severed hand. Wormtail then got to his knees and grovelled, thanking his master for the gift. The others all watched this, some shaking their heads at the sight of it.
"Arthur!" Voldemort snapped, "Report!"
A lone Death Eater stepped forward out of the circle and removed his mask. He stole a quick glance at Harry and then looked to his master, swallowing back a lump in his throat.
"The Grey Cloak traitors took the bait, they believed that the key to helping Alucard retain Grindelwald's body is hidden in New York worked. They are attacking the Ministry right now as we speak and it would seem Potter, managed to discover the location of where the abomination was hiding in time. I would imagine that Dumbledore has already taken care of that particular problem for us."
Despite the bad in what he was hearing, Harry could have some relief in knowing that Hermione was now safe. This brought him some comfort in the face of the dangerous odds he was now facing.
"And the attack on the school?" Voldemort asked.
"Our people are creating that distraction now," Arthur said, apparently confirming something, "Once Dumbledore arrives at Hogwarts, our Death Eaters will hold them off for as long as possible, this will give us time to return home without being caught."
"Very good," Nodded Voldemort, "Very good indeed,"
"However, my lord," Said Arthur, his voice trembling slightly, "It would appear that Neville Longbottom has escaped. Someone in the Ilvermorny school has apparently helped him and it is likely that he will return to Kendra Lestrange with everything he knows,"
"There is rarely ever three bits of good news, Arthur," Voldemort said, smiling as he walked towards Arthur, "It is a matter of no consequence. The boy is still young and as much as I am sure Kendra will attempt to teach him everything she knows, he will not be a match for us, even with the Alvery at his side,"
"They could still cause trouble for us though, my lord," Whimpered Arthur, "Their force is sizable,"
"Mine will be bigger!"
Voldemort's hissing snapped was like a whip cracking that had Artur retreating backwards into the circle of Death Eaters. The dark lord moved around with ease, looking at each and every single one of his followers.
"Crabb, Mcnair!" He hissed. Two Death Eaters stepped out of the circle, "You will both go to the giants, I want them on our side again, your rewards will come greater than those I have given you in the past,"
"Yes, My lord!" The two men shouted. The both disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.
"Goyle!" Voldemort snapped, looking to large Death Eater who stood next to a smaller one, a woman, "Go to Italy, it is time Aro decided whose side he will be on in the coming war!"
"For you, anything my lord," The small woman said, sounding like a lover. They both as well departed instantly.
"Wormtail!" Voldemort ordered, turning on the rat faced man who whimpered in fear, "You have been loyal to me, yes but I've one more task for you, call for Greyback and his followers, it is time they learned how to transform without the help of a full-moon. Tell him that this gift I will bestow in return for his undying loyalty!"
"Y…yes…m…my…lord!" Said Wormtail in a cowardly voice. He took one last look at Harry before he disappeared.
Harry did a quick headcount, and this left Voldemort with only Arthur and two others as back-up. He was under no delusions that this evened the odds for him, but he was going to do his best to see his way through this. He had to get back to Dumbledore. He had to get home and tell everyone what he had just seen and heard.
"We will depart this land and take advantage of the distracted fools back home. I can only imagine that Dumbledore suspects my return, but he will face challenges proving that I am back, there is no doubting that."
"And what about the boy, my lord?"
"Ah!" Voldemort laughed and shook his head. He then looked up at Harry who had been watching and listening, "My dear boy, I almost forgot you were there."
"That's a shame," Harry said, his voice bright whereas inside he was terrified, "I was just about to escape and go and tell Dumbledore all of your plans,"
"Oh, I can't allow that, I'm afraid," Chuckled Voldemort. He waved his wand and the statue released Harry. Harry fell to the ground and jumped back to his feet, "You know, I must say I am almost proud of the person you've become. I admit that your talents could be used in better ways, but I am humble enough to be proud that if I were to be thwarted not just once but twice by anyone, it is you."
"Well," Harry said, looking at Cedric, seeing his wand was too far from him, "It's always nice to meet a fan. A murderous, psychotic, evil fan that killed my father but a fan nevertheless,"
"Harry what happened that night," Voldemort sighed. Even faking his sorrow, Harry could see through the bravado of it, "If it could have gone any other way I would have eagerly prevented your father's death, but he was so stubborn. And then of course, I was so close to ending your life."
"Ran into a problem there, didn't you?" Smirked Harry. He risked taking a step, but Voldemort struck like a snake and fired a lone spell at Harry's feet to prevent him moving.
"Severus Snape," Voldemort said the name with deep loathing, "Will regret turning his back on me,"
"I don't think he regrets it a single day of his life," Said Harry. He held his ground and stared daggers into the red eyes and watched him like a hawk, "And you won't get very far, they know they can stop you."
"Yes, unfortunately they believe I can be beaten but no matter, no matter at all," Voldemort hissed, moving around the empty circle to stand directly in Harry's eyeline, "Once you are dead, they will know better than the try me again. This legend that you've built by facing me, it will end now, and nothing can stop that."
"I don't know," Harry said, a smirk on his lips, "I'd give it a shot. Unfortunately, it looks like you're too afraid to fight me without you know," He gestured to Arthur, "The guy that failed you and I beat so many, many, many, many times. How big of a coward are you that you need them to help you face me?"
Harry didn't often regret speaking. However, on this occasion when Voldemort fired his spell and it hit Harry dead in the chest, sending him flying through the statue that had been holding him and rolling down a hill. He felt a deep sense of regret from the ever opening his mouth, ever. When he looked up, Harry could see the ocean behind the edge of a cliff that looked out over a cove. The sun was lowering in the distance and darkness was beginning to engulf the entire scene.
Harry looked up at the sky and saw Voldemort flying through the air, soaring down the hill to meet him. Harry climbed to his feet and ran, jumping out of the way when Voldemort swooped down like a hawk, trying to grab him and cackling as he flew into the air.
"You wish to face me, Harry Potter?!" Voldemort's voice called into the air, "Then do so!"
The wand dropped from the mass of black smoke and Harry ran forward to catch it. He glanced up at the hill and saw Arthur and Death Eaters looking down at him, none of them moved to try and attack and so Harry turned to face Voldemort.
Voldemort soared down towards him again, only this time Harry was ready. He took a deep breath, focused all he had and fired the first spell he could think of. The red beam from his wand shot into the air and Voldemort laughed, casting his own green beam. The wands connected for a second only, with Voldemort breaking it and tossing the spells into the air. He landed and walked towards Harry with a wide grin on his face.
"Come now, Harry," He said, sweeping his wand from side to side and then firing, "That's not how you duel!"
Harry blocked the spell and sent it flying back at Voldemort. Voldemort blocked it and then stood still. The two faced each other and when Voldemort raised his wand up and bowed, Harry did the same. Only, Harry had no intention of facing Voldemort now.
With all of his might and skill, Harry rushed forward to fire as many spells as he could. Voldemort danced with ease, he countered them all and was left untouched as Harry closed in. Leaping into the air, Harry managed to get his fist through the defence and struck Voldemort so hard that he toppled to the ground. Keeping on the move, Harry turned for the hill. He fired two spells, hitting both masked Death Eaters and forced Arthur to jump out of the way as Harry leapt into the air and let the magic engulf him. The light carried him forward and he flew up the hill to the graveyard.
Landing, he ran towards Cedric and flicked his wand, the necklace flew into Cedric's limp hand and it started to glow. Harry was so near that he reached out, just inches away from touching Cedric's body when something caught him in the side. It stung and sent him off course, Cedric's body disappeared, and Harry crashed to the ground.
Coughing up blood and spitting it on the ground, Harry climbed to his feet as quickly as he could, stumbling a few times before he turned and faced what hit him. Voldemort, with a burst lip, looking nothing more than furious as he stared down Harry.
"I applaud your abilities, Harry." Voldemort told him. When Arthur appeared at his side, Harry acted so quickly, firing his spell and striking down Arthur, That Voldemort fired a barrage of killing curses that pushed Harry back behind a gravestone, "Don't you run from me Harry potter! Face me!"
Harry kept low, clutching his wand tightly as more spells pelted their way towards him. Some bounced close to his head, some nearly grazed his hand and others came far too close. The gravestone was destroyed in seconds and Harry was forced to risk getting hit and leap to another. When the firing stopped, Harry slowly stood up and faced the dark lord.
"Come," He said, looking down at Harry with pity, "Let us finish this,"
Harry knew there was little else he could do except face his enemy. Voldemort was too powerful, and Harry would need years to catch-up. Preparing himself to fight for his life, Harry walked towards Voldemort with his wand held tightly.
"I really thought I could win, when I met you," Harry told him, giving a hollow chuckle, "Shows what I know."
"How alike we are," Voldemort told him, "A waste of talent."
"Yeah, but…"
Harry fired the spell so quickly that he was able to run forward. Voldemort cried out in a rage and swept his wand across the graveyard, bringing the statues to life and having them run at Harry. Harry ducked and dodged his way through them, firing his spells, smashing them to bits as he charged at Voldemort, tackling him forward against the hill. Voldemort threw a punch of his own, tossing Harry back down the hill. Harry rolled so far that he nearly toppled off the edge of the cliff. Getting up, he faced the black mass of smoke that gathered and fired towards him. Harry shot his spell, the red jet flew, and Voldemort caught it, their wands connected, and Voldemort landed. Harry pushed with everything he had but Voldemort was the stronger. He shoved the beam back towards Harry with so much force that it struck Harry dead in the chest.
Flying backwards and straight off the cliff, Harry fell, unconscious and helplessly into the water, where the waves would claim him and drag his body to the ocean depths.
To be continued.