Chapter 13: "Settling an Old Score"

Harry, Ron and Hermione huddled under the invisibility cloak and debated what to do next. The front door was shut and locked most likely with enchantments capable of resisting a simple unlocking spell. They also did not fancy the idea of ringing the doorbell and announcing themselves. They could not even be sure that this was Lord Voldemort's house at all.


Suddenly, a cloaked Wizard apparated six paces away from them. He was holding what appeared to be a child in his arms. He approached the front door.

"That's Sam!" whispered Harry, urgently. The Wizard rang the doorbell. "Let's sneak behind him, under the Invisibility Cloak, when the door opens. Be quiet!"

The liveried servant greeted the Wizard, and formally opened the door. He held it wide open, paused, and then closed it with a flourish. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had just made it indoors. They huddled in the entryway, watching Sam and the cloaked Wizard ascend the stairs. Then they crept carefully up the stairs and slipped into the parlor behind the Wizard and Sam.

Frodo waited. He briefly thought about putting on the Ring and trying to escape; but then realized that out of the locket, the Ring would be vulnerable, even on his finger. Perhaps then all Voldemort would have to do would be to shout, "Accio, Ring," and it would be all over. He also suspected that there might be Dementors about. And he supposed they, wraith-like, would be attracted to the Ring.

Presently, Frodo heard voices on the landing. A sneering, grating voice that was eerily familiar. A higher-pitched voice. Footsteps proceeded up the stairs. Voldemort released Frodo's arm.

"Mr. Frodo!" Sam cried, running in and hugging Frodo. "You're here! Mr. Snape told me you would be. I'll admit I wasn't too happy to see him at first, even at Azkaban, but he's been true to his word. Shows you can't always tell a person from first impressions, right Mr. Frodo?"

"Sam," said Frodo sadly. "I'm afraid you were right about Snape initially. He has delivered you from the frying pan directly into the fire!" Sam was aghast.

Frodo looked up and saw Snape approach and kneel down before Lord Voldemort. But Voldemort caught his hand and brought him up. He embraced Snape and kissed him on both cheeks.

"Well done, well done!" Voldemort cried, looking at the two Hobbits. "Severus, you and Lucius are to be commended for a superb night's work." He put his hand on Snape's shoulder and said, "It is so good to have you back, Severus. I thought you had left me forever."

"You knew I would return, Lord," said Snape, his eyes downcast. "You knew I could not stay away."

Voldemort turned to the Hobbits. "Frodo, give me the Ring!" he said, sternly.

"No!" cried Frodo.

Voldemort pointed his wand at Sam. "Sam, unfortunately for you, your friend Frodo leaves me no choice. It's unpleasant, but there is no lasting damage. Crucio!" he cried. The curse hit Sam full in the face, and he fell to the ground, writhing and screaming in pain. Voldemort let him flop about for several seconds, then released him. Voldemort addressed Frodo again. "Frodo, I don't want to have to do that again. Please give me the Ring."

Frodo, weeping, said, "No, no, never!"

Harry, watching from beneath the Invisibility Cloak could stand this no longer. He leaped up, pointed his wand at Lord Voldemort and cried, "Stupefy!" As he did so, he inadvertently pulled the Cloak off of Ron and Hermione. Harry's spell hit Lord Voldemort's shoulder, paralyzed his left arm, and knocked him down.

But Lord Voldemort whirled about as he fell, and with a masterful sweep of his wand, cried, "Immobilis! Expelliarmus!" Harry, Ron, and Hermione were rooted to the ground, and their wands flew into Voldemort's outstretched hand. He dropped their wands on the floor, but still held his own wand aloft and ready.

Thus sprawled on the ground, Voldemort stared at the three teenagers in incredulous and indignant amazement. He was grimacing in pain; one leg seemed to be twisted under him unnaturally.

"Master!" cried Snape. He ran over and tapped Voldemort's left arm with his wand and got it moving again. "Let me help you," said Snape, soothingly, as he tried to pick Voldemort up.

"Ah! No!" cried Voldemort, as he grabbed his right knee. Snape crouched before him and tried to magically repair the small ligaments that had been torn.

"Cruciate ligaments. Cruciate for excruciating," hissed Voldemort, arching his back in discomfort. "You should study the healing arts more, Severus," he said, waving Snape aside. Voldemort tapped his own knee with his wand. "That will do for now," he said, wincing slightly as Snape helped him to his feet. Snape then picked up off the floor and pocketed the three students' wands.

Voldemort turned to face Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Fury flickered across Voldemort's eyes. Then, abruptly, he recovered himself. He took a deep breath. He smiled coldly.

"Why, how nice of you to drop by, Master Harry Potter. I've missed you since I saw you last. And I see you've brought some friends. How kind." He extended his hand to Hermione. "May I have the pleasure of your acquaintance? My name is Voldemort." Hermione recoiled from him, as far as she could with her feet stuck to the ground. Voldemort picked up her hand and kissed it. She snatched it away. "Dear me," he said. "We shall have to teach you better manners than that. And," he paused, gazing at her, "I think you will find me a very, very good teacher."

He turned to Ron. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure," he murmured, extending his hand.

"I'm Ron," he said, furiously. He grabbed Voldemort's hand and squeezed it hard. Voldemort squeezed back. Ron winced as Voldemort snapped every bone in his hand, but did not cry out.

"What a nice party," said Voldemort, acidly. "I presume you're all here to see the fun, so I sha'n't leave you in suspense any longer."

Voldemort turned and cried, "Frodo, give me the Ring! No? Crucio!" Sam again writhed and screamed. Frodo curled up in a ball, rocked back and forth, wept bitterly, pulled at his hair, but would not give up the Ring. After what seemed like an eternity, Voldemort released Sam. Glad of the reprieve, he lay panting on the ground.

Lord Voldemort walked over to Frodo and glowered down at him. His eyes flashed menacingly with barely contained rage. And then, to Frodo's abject horror, Lord Voldemort's grey eyes slowly turned a livid, fiery red. His nose flattened and his nostrils became serpent-like slits. His skin turned ghastly white. This was the terrible true face of Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord, most powerful Black Sorcerer on earth. The room darkened, and an evil light fell upon the Dark Lord's face. He seemed to grow in stature then, as a giant towering over the small, cowering Hobbit.

In a voice that thundered through Frodo's body, Lord Voldemort commanded, "I have no more patience, Frodo. No more. Give me the Ring!"

Frodo, terrified, covered his eyes and threw himself down upon the floor. He clutched the locket and shrieked, "No! No! I won't let you!"

Lord Voldemort pointed his wand at Sam. "Avada Kevadra!" he cried. The killing curse streamed from the wand; but at the last moment, Lord Voldemort precisely shifted his aim. The curse changed direction and hit Harry, squarely in the chest. There was a rushing sound and a flash of green light. Harry Potter fell, dead.