Chapter 2
I walked out the door and put a locking charm on the brass
doorknob. One could never be too careful with the return of
Voldemort. Plus with me defecting... Better safe than sorry. I had
already felt the Dark Mark burn on my arm several times during
the summer. Just a couple of days ago it had happened again
actually. Dumbledore was having Severus find me every time the
Death Eaters were summoned. Well I found out later that the
Death Eaters had attacked the ministry's main offices later that
day. I'm glad I'm not there anymore.
I walked down the front steps and out onto the street. My house
was almost as well protected as Hogwarts right now so I couldn't
apparate. As soon as I was out of range, I apparated to the
Headless Goblin for a quick breakfast. Ah.. Eggs and bacon. My
favorite foods.
When I was finished devouring as much food as I could hold, I
paid my bill and apparated to Hogsmeade Station and got on the
first train to Hogwarts. I found an empty compartment and placed
my luggage on the rack. I sat down and stared out the window. my
favorite pastime while traveling is by far thinking. I had once
almost come up with a potion that could make people dance
uncontrollably when I finally reached my destination.
When I had become comfortable and almost in my trance, a
man walked into my compartment.
"May I sit here?" he asked pointing to a seat across from me. I
grunted and with a wave of my hand, gave my permission. This
would be a short ride and I didn't much mind people sitting with
me. Though it always bothered me to sit where others were. I
always felt unwelcome.
"Are you a new teacher too?" the man asked. This question I did
not expect.
"I wasn't aware there were openings apart from Defense Against
the Dark Arts," I answered in kind of a monotone voice. I was still
recovering from this morning emotionally.
"Oh yes, lots of teachers left this year. They didn't want to work
at Voldemort's prime target. My name's Thomas Partridge by the
way. What's yours?"
"John Po- I mean Rutleg," I said. Thomas Partridge gave me a
sort of queer look. He had brown hair and eyes and looked in his
early twenties. So that was why he took the job. He was only six or
seven at Voldemort's downfall
"Well Thomas Partridge-"
"Call me Tom"
"How about Thomas. I wouldn't feel comfortable calling
someone so young by such an informal name." He gave me look
that almost made me jump from my seat. The fire in his eyes was
one you just don't see in most people. Apparently he didn't like
being called young.
"Thomas then. What was it you were gong to ask?"
"Oh yes, what will you be teaching?" I was a bit interested in
who had left.
"Divination. I guess Professor Trelawney made a prediction of
the destruction of Hogwarts or some such poppycock and left.
Personally I think she got scared and made an excuse to leave."
"Well I certainly hope so. There's the school." I saw the top of
the astronomy tower as we went along. I decided that even for a
twenty year old he wasn't that bad. I flashed him a smile. He glared
at me.
I looked out of my window at the ever approaching school and
my thoughts began to stray. There were many memories of my
seven years at this school but one in particular came to mind.
I was walking down the halls between charms and
transfiguration. I received a few looks of disgust from most
everyone. I never really had any friends. The ids from Hufflepuff,
Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor disliked me because I was in fact a
Slytherin. But I didn't even have Slytherin's on my side. You see, I
didn't hold to the traditions of the Dark arts in Slytherin. In fact I
had stopped most of the people in my house from doing something
pertaining to poison or murder or some such crime.
I was headboy and I liked it. I had always been ambitious and a
bit power hungry but it got me into the head boy spot. My eventual
goal was to be headmaster. Maybe even Minister of Magic.
I heard an alarm sound. McGonagall's voice sounded twenty
times as loud as usual all around the castle.
"All student fifth year and above to the entrance hall. Other
students please return to your house dormitories and wait for
further instructions from your heads of house."
I dropped everything and ran all out to the entrance hall. Down
three flights of stairs and through as many hallways as I could
count. I decided t take a short cut and leapt behind a tapestry. A
few seconds later I emerged in the entrance hall.
It was worse than I thought. I fired stunners wildly toward the
opposing side. I dodged green flash after green flash. I went up to
the very front. No one would care if I died so I might as well be the
target. Suddenly the battle disappeared and I heard a voice.
"Why do you fight so bravely boy?" The voice had a sort of high
pitched hiss to it.
"Who are you?" I demanded
"I am the one who showed these men the way. I have shown
many the way. I give mercy, I deliver destruction. I am Lord
Voldemort."
"No! Leave me alone!" I looked around me. All I saw was fog.
"Where have you taken me?"
"Inside your mind," answered the hissing voice of the Dark
Lord.
"You," I said," you get me out of here. Let me go!" I tried to see
through the fog but my vision was totally blocked.
"I will realease you when I am done with what I am here to do."
"Then finish so I can leave you dirty piece of scum." I wasnt
going to let him get to me. No matter what. After all he was the
most evil wizard in the world. Right?
"Wrong John Potter. There is no good or evil. There is only
power and those too weak to seek it."
"How did you do that?" I asked
"In this state we can hear each other's thoughts as loudly as
words. I arranged that. You can trust me John. I see a strong thirst
for power in you. That I can give to you if you will trust me.
Dumbledore is afraid to give it to you John. He is afraid you will
become too strong and overcome him. Like I did."
"Dumbledore has done nothing to me. He has given me the
highest position of power a student can get a Hogwarts.
"Yes but will he give you more when you leave? Will he trust
you with responsibility when you have left Hogwarts? Do you
really think that Dumbledore would trust a Slytherin so readily? Of
course not. Slytherin has turned out the most dark sorcerers of all.
do you think it is because they are bad people? No! It is because
they sought more than Hogwarts. I can give you power John. Will
you accept it?"
More power than I could ever have at Hogwarts? No. The
teachers trust me here. Don't they? Power... but from Voldemort. Is
this right. Does Dumbledore really trust me? He did keep me from
punishing that person running through the halls. And I'm not
allowed to expel people. Maybe...
"Yes, you see now. Mine is the right way. Make your decision
now and fight with my followers.
"Wait just a minute. I'll decide when you let me go."
"All right. But remember my offer."
I woke up in the hospital wing. I had been asleep for a week. I
had been hit by a spell and fell. Madame Pomphrey had thought I
was dead. No matter. I had decided. I was going to join
Voldemort's ranks as soon as I left Hogwarts.
I was a fool. I can see that now. I gave in to Voldemort's
promptings and where did it get me? very nearly a life sentence in
Azkaban. My brother dead.
I looked once again at the turrets looming overhead. I would
soon be able to stop anymore death from Voldemort. I was ready
to help Dumbledore in any way possible. I would redeem myself
with him and regain his trust.
The train slowed to a stop and I stood up. I took my luggage
down from the rack and let Thomas out of the compartment first.
We stepped off the train and walked toward Hogwarts.
Toward redemption.
