Chapter 2

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.