CHAPTER NINETEEN- Dark Days and More Predictions
Melting snowdrifts with grassy knolls and spots poking through made a patchwork of the Hogwarts grounds as winter surrendered its icy grip of the earth to oncoming spring. It was mid-March and it felt like a muddy, quicksand to the group desperately trying to do everything at once.
"Can't read any more. brain about to explode." Ron moaned, head dropping onto an open copy of 'The Study of Ancient Wizardry' in case it mentioned the stone anywhere.
"Ron. we need to. search." Harry said groggily.
"I'm all studied out." Jasmine said, practically falling asleep in her library chair.
"The. predic-predic-predic-prediction." Hermione reminded them, yawning.
"Prediction shmabrickashonahwnashaw. uh. whatever. I say we forget about it and just concentrate on our O.W.Ls." Amy said, shutting her book.
"Amy. we need to find out what all this means."
"It means Voldemort is going to rise up more terrible and powerful then before and blah-dee-blah! We know what it means!" Amy said.
"We DON'T know what the stone of power is!" Hermione said.
"Whatever. I'm going to bed." Amy said and left.
"Anyone else going with her?" Hermione asked.
"No." Everyone said.
"Good." Hermione said and returned to reading.
"Hermione, I can't believe YOU of all people want to study a prediction." Harry said, flipping through his book.
"Harry. this involves you. And maybe us, too." Hermione said wearily, rubbing her eyes. She glanced at Peggy (who had fallen asleep almost an hour ago, head on her open book and now drooling a little) and poked her.
"I'm up! I'm up!" Peggy snorted, jerking back. Her glasses fell and she picked them up. "What time is it?" She asked, sliding her glasses on and yawning.
"Almost midnight." Ron replied, checking his watch.
"I say we go to bed. we only got 5 hours of sleep last night and only 4 the night before that." Peggy said.
"I agree. we might be able to search better if we were more. oh I don't know. AWAKE?!" Ron demanded.
"Yeah. you know, we might skip over the stone thing and not even realize it." Harry said.
"Okay let's go to bed. we have a free period right after breakfast tomorrow, anyway." Hermione said.
"We can sleep in. Eat a late breakfast. Then study more." Jasmine said. They trudged to the common room and to their dorms.
"Night. Ha. Har. Har." Ron said, falling on his bed and falling asleep without changing, or finishing his sentence.
*** (Nagini's point of view)
"It has happened." I whispered.
"What has?" Quantin asked.
"He has broken free. and unleashing his terror across the land." I replied back.
"The voice." Sera said and I nodded.
"Yes. The voice. We must be prepared. There could be an attack on this school anytime." I said.
"Right." Kereen replied and went off to inform the snakes.
"Nagini what is going to happen?" Drake asked.
"It is now out of our fangs, Drake. Its now a true battle of good versus evil. And who will win." I trailed off and looked at the snakes who were shaking with worry. "we'll have to wait to find out."
*** (Harry's point of view)
It was late afternoon on Friday, March the twenty-third. We were all studying. But not for Ron's prediction. For O.W.Ls. The Common Room was fairly empty. It had been a nice, warm day so most the Gryffindors were studying outside.
"I give up." Ron said in disgust, throwing his quill down. "someone feed me a poison and be done with it before Snape kills me."
"Potions trouble?" Amy asked.
"No. Charms. That's why I said Snape." Ron said bitterly.
"You don't have to bite my head off." Amy grumbled.
"I think Snape deserves a good kick in the-" Ron, luckily, never finished the sentence. He suddenly went pale.
"Ron?" I asked.
Ron slowly began trembling, getting paler by the second. "Ron?!" Peggy demanded.
Ron's chair fell back and he crashed to the ground. We ran to his side but he hadn't noticed. His eyes had rolled in the back of his head and his whole body looked like a giant was shaking him like a maraca.
"A TERRIBLE AND FEARSOME STORM WILL LASH OUT!!" He suddenly screamed causing everyone to jump in surprise, then stare at him. "HAVE NO FEAR, THOUGH, FOR A BEACON OF HOPE WILL APPEAR! LIKE A LIGHTHOUSE AMIDST THE STORM!" The other students began gathering around him like he was a sideshow in a carnival. "BUT IF THE ONE WHO CANNOT BE KILLED BY CURSES TRIES TO ATTACK. THE LIGHTHOUSE WILL CRUMBLE INTO THE SEA AND ALL HOPE WILL BE LOST! THE WORLD WILL BE DOOMED TO SUFFER THE WRATH OF THE BLACK HURRICANE!"
And Ron fell limp and silent.
The whole Common Room (yeah all twenty of us) was silent. Nobody dared to speak or move. Finally I rushed to Ron's side. "His heartbeat is really weak. and his pulse is, too." I said and struggled to pick him up. "we better get him to the hospital. And fast."
***
A terrible and fearsome storm will lash out. Have no fear, though, for a beacon of hope will appear. Like a lighthouse amidst the storm. But if the one who cannot be killed by curses tries to attack. the lighthouse will crumble into the sea and all hope will be lost. The world will be doomed to suffer the wrath of the black hurricane.
Voldemort read this new prediction with glee. Arva was smiling, too.
"Looks like Potter's best friend. is helping to kill him as well." Voldemort said, looking at Arva who's face glowed with a evil happiness.
"When shall I. make the lighthouse crumble?"
"No. Do not kill him. I want to kill him."
"But the prediction says I can kill him." Arva said.
Voldemort leapt up. "I have been waiting nearly 15 years for this. I will kill him!"
"You will kill him. Fine." Arva said, flicking back a curl.
"Black hurricane." Voldemort said, reading the prediction again. "I kind of like that."
Arva snorted. "I still say you should let me kill him. It says I can."
"Arva. I will kill him." Voldemort said and let the paper float to the ground. "revenge. is so sweet."
"Revenge." Arva spat out. "gets idiots like you killed." And she turned on her heels and stormed off.
*** (Ron's point of view)
I woke up, once again, in the hospital. "Ugh." I moaned, sitting up and blinking in confusion.
"Ron!" Shouted their voices. "You're up!"
"What happened." I moaned, looking at my friends.
"You did it again." Hermione said.
"Did. what.?" I asked slowly.
"Another prediction." Amy said.
"Another prediction." I repeated.
Peggy recited my prediction from a piece of paper. I snatched the paper and read it.
"Oh God." I said, burying my face in my hands. "Harry I just predicted you'll die. what have I done?!?!" "Ron it is not your fault." Harry said. "Whether you predicted it or not. the 'one who cannot be killed by curses' would still. you know. be able to kill me."
"Harry." I looked at him. Hard. "The other prediction mentioned a traitor." I said, choosing my words carefully. I had an incredible sense the traitor was at my bedside. "and if the traitor is here and hears my prediction. he or she will tell You-Know-Who and he'll send her to kill you."
"Her?" Harry asked.
"Her. The one who cannot be killed by curses." I closed my eyes and brought up the dream I had had before the Quidditch match. "I saw her in one of my vision-dreams."
"What does she look like?" Amy asked.
"Curly midnight black hair though it glints brown in the light. quite pretty though quite thin. and a sense of powerful evil around her." I said, the image of her swarmed in my head. 'What? No! I am the only one the curse doesn't work on!' I heard her shriek in my head.
I lay back against the pillows and suddenly felt very, very weak and tired. "I'm going to sleep." I managed before doing just that.
***
"More attacks on Muggle communities." Amy said, throwing the Daily Prophet down in front of Harry, Monday the twenty-sixth.
"So what else is new?" Harry replied bitterly, glancing up at the teachers table. They all seemed worn out. Toad had been gone for quite a while but Harry caught a glimpse of him in the hospital wing and asked Pomfrey ('He fainted the day the newspaper printed the attack and has been unconscious ever since.').
Dumbledore was looking older then usual and very grim. He wasn't eating, either.
McGonagall had her glasses off and her bun was getting messy and she look extremely tired.
Flitwick was slumped forward into his bowl of porridge, fast asleep.
Snape was practically white. His hair was limper then usual and he had dark circles under his eyes. He was eating in a mechanical way.
Harry turned back to the paper and sighed heavily. "I think its time we start looking for information about the Stone of power again."
***
By that Saturday there had been two more attacks (leaving one Muggle-born dead) and Ron was out of the hospital. He was paler then normal, and he was quite weak- even his hair seem limp.
"This prediction stuff is going to kill me." He said, staring at his dinner.
"I don't get it. When Trelawney predicted in my Third year. she didn't. well you know, get all weak and limp and unconscious." Harry said.
"Maybe because I'm just a teen. Maybe because I'm not as good as her. Maybe." Ron trailed off and looked quite dazed.
"Uh-oh is he going to do another prediction?" Hermione asked but Ron shook his head.
"Sorry. Spaced out."
"Did you get any. visions or anything?" Harry asked. "just then?"
"No." Ron said, scowling.
"Did you have any vision-dream things while you were at the hospital?" Amy asked.
"No." Ron said rather sharply.
"Think you should go look at a crystal ball and see if-" Hermione never finished.
"SHUT UP ALREADY!" Ron screamed and ran from the hall.
"WELL! That was SO nice." Hermione huffed.
"I don't blame him." Jasmine said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"What?" Amy asked.
"You guys are doing to him what the jerks at my old school did to me once they found out I was a Despirabisee."
"You're a Despirabisee?" Hermione asked and Jasmine scowled.
"Yes and don't tell anyone. Guys. its like. okay Hermione you hate it when others ask you to do their homework for them, right?"
"Well duh!" Hermione said.
"Well. that's sort of what you were doing to Ron. Oh its hard to explain." Jasmine trailed off and began twirling a red lock around her finger. "okay. its like. ever been to a carnival or circus?"
"Yes." Everyone said.
"Its like the sideshow people. Staring. ogling. making them do their weird thing over and over. Only. well, Ron doesn't want to-you know- have that done to him. you get what I'm saying?" Jasmine asked.
"I get it. Its sort of like. finding out who Harry is and wanting to see his scar." Hermione said.
"Right. And Harry you hate that, right?"
"Well ofcourse." Harry said.
"Exactly. Its like. Hermione's smartness- everyone wants her to do their homework. Harry's famousness. Everyone wants to see his scar. My ability. They want me to contact dead relatives or something. Its something that annoys the hell out of us and we just want to scream at them and storm off." Jasmine said and nodded. "And so Ron, well, did. Scream. and storm off."
"Oh." Everyone said.
"Hey, Jasmine?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Harry?"
"If you say hell again. I'm going to hurt you."
"Okay, Harry."
*** (Ron's point of view)
I was grumbling angrily to myself in my dorm, after storming out of the Great Hall. They just didn't understand.
I flopped back on my bed and stared at the ceiling. They had been treating me like. like an animal on display at a zoo or something. And it-
Light flashed before my eyes. White light. Dazzling white light. I jerked up and stared around me, The room around me was blurring quickly and suddenly. everything was black. Had I gone blind or something?
Then I saw her. Arva or whatever. She was standing there with her wand drawn at.
Harry. I blinked. I was outside by the lake. the sky was fairly clear and the weather was fairly warm. I predicted it was the time it was- late March.
Harry was sitting by the lake, muttering stuff to himself as he skipped rocks.
Arva was behind him with her wand drawn. She smiled and narrowed her eyes. "Petrificus Totalus." Harry fell to the ground, in the full body bind. Arva walked over and stood over him. "Hello Harry. I've been quite interested in meeting you. Bindus Ropala!" Ropes appeared and wrapped tightly around Harry's wrist. She released him from the body bind and he leapt up, wrists tied together but otherwise fine.
"Who are you? What do you want?" He demanded. Arva just smiled and fingered her wand. "Wait. you're that girl Ron described. You're."
"That's right, Harry. 'But if the one who cannot be killed by curses tries to attack. the lighthouse will crumble into the sea'. To put it bluntly. time to crumble." She pointed her wand. "Avada. Kedavra."
And Harry fell down. Dead.
I blinked around in confusion. I was on my bed, in my dorm. what had just. what was.
I ran to the window and nearly screamed.
Harry was sitting by the lake, skipping rocks.
I had just seen the future. but no way was I going to let that happen even if I had to die.
Despite my very weak feeling, I opened my case, grabbed my Dragonfly and zipped outside. In seconds I was with Harry.
"Ron. What're you doing here?"
"No time to talk." I said and grabbed his wrist. "get on my broom NOW!"
"Ron." He said and I jerked him onto my broom.
"CRUCIO!" A voice screamed out and the Cruciatus curse shot by me, narrowly hitting.
Even though Harry was just half on the broom, I sped high into the air. So high, we were above the castle. I pulled Harry onto my broom and dived to the Gryffindor tower. We flew through the window and I stopped, just as we were about to hit the wall.
"Ron." Harry said, gasping for breath as we got off. "you just saved my life."
"Yeah. just." I said, putting my broom up. "why didn't you bloody have a bloody teacher with you!" I shrieked.
"I wanted to be by myself." Harry said guiltily. "How did you. did you see her sneaking up on me?" He asked.
"Something like that." I said with a faint smile. Then collapsed on my bed.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
Ron was, once more, submitted to the hospital wing.
"If he keeps this up, he'll fail his O.W.Ls." Hermione said as we studied in the library.
"Hey, at least he won't have to make up fake stuff in Divination." Harry mumbled.
"Where's Jasmine?" Amy asked.
"Dunno." Harry said.
I knew where she was. Meeting with Draco. But ofcourse I kept silent. After we studied a while, we went to the hospital and visited Ron, who was wide awake.
"Hey guys!" He said cheerfully.
"Ron! You're up!" Hermione said.
"Yeah. I guess I don't get as weak when I."
"When you what?" I asked, sitting by his bed.
"I saw the future. Or, what would of happened." He explained, happily unwrapping a Chocolate Frog.
"Is that how you knew?" Harry asked, flopping into another seat.
"Yeah. It was freaky. ah, oh well." He replied with a shrug.
Pomfrey let Ron out of the hospital and we headed to the Common Room. "What future did you see?" Amy asked.
"I saw someone killing Harry. The girl who can't be killed by curses." Ron said and shook his head. "and that is all I'm telling. I don't want to relive that horrible scene."
"Ron. can I talk to you? Privately?" I asked.
"Sure." We ducked into an empty darkroom and I turned on the red light so we could see each other. "I'm worried about you."
"Worried about me?" He asked.
"Your predictions. the two times you did you were hospitalized. And when you saw the future- er, what would of been the future you were hospitalized." I said, wringing my hands nervously.
"Peggy, I'll be fine."
"Well. its just you know. what if next time you get worse then. hospitalized?" I asked.
Ron rested his hands on my shoulders. "I'll be fine."
"Okay. oh, Ron?"
"Yes?"
"I. I'm sorry for slapping you when you kissed me. Its just. you know, it surprised me. and I wasn't expecting it." I explained.
"Its okay. I shouldn't of kissed you. It was stupid and presumptuous." He said.
I smiled. "I actually. well. I kind of liked it. I just. you know, first kiss. But its. you know, it was surprising."
"Umm." Ron said.
"Why did you do it?" I asked.
"I. well."
"You can tell me." I said.
"I. well I used to, I mean, I don't THINK I still do. anyway. well I liked you. A lot. A lot a lot. And it just kind of. overwhelmed me. then we, you know, decided to become just friends. For a while it was straining but then I got used to it and well, yeah." He admitted.
"You actually liked. me." I said in disbelief.
"Yeah."
"Why? I mean. I'm ugly." I said.
"Well. I saw you for more then your. er, looks."
"Wow. no ones ever told me THAT before." I said slowly, looking down at one of the shallow dishes (that you put the developing stuff into).
"Actually. I think I still like you." He said slowly and then looked ready to endure another slap.
"Oh."
"A-a-and if well you know er um. well maybe. you know. go on a date or something." He stammered quickly.
"Well. you know, you're a really sweet boy. And really cute, too (this made him blush a deep red) and nice and all that stuff but. you know, I can't."
"Can't.?" He asked.
"No. I can't. Well I COULD but. I-I really shouldn't."
"Why not? Peggy. why not?" He asked, hands gripping mine.
"Well if we ever. dated. its just. I'm not worth it."
"Yes you are." He said quickly.
I pulled my hands from him. "No, I'm not. You'd. you'd have to give up so much." I said blankly.
"Give up what?" He asked.
"Just. no, we can't. I'm not worth all you'd have to give up."
"Why? What would I have to-"
I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Just. trust me." I whispered then left.
*** (Harry's point of view)
It was mid-May and I felt like I was going to explode. Too much studying. too much. Way too much. Hermione was looking just as worn thin as any of us.
We were the only ones in the Common Room for everyone else was either at the Great Hall, library, or outside. Jasmine was, once again, not with us.
Ron suddenly knocked over his bottle of ink and jerked back. "Ron?" I asked slowly. hoping what I thought was coming, was NOT coming. But it was.
I winced as Ron fell back onto the floor, began shaking (though not as bad as he was before.) and his eyes rolled back.
"Oh great, here we go again." Amy said.
"THE LIGHTNING WILL FALL AND THE DRAGON SHALL SAVE! HAVE NO FEAR OF THE GREAT DRAGON!"
And Ron fell silent, eyes closed, but not limp. He groaned slightly and opened his eyes. "What just happ. happen. oh did I make another prediction?" He asked, face scrunching up with disgust.
"Yes." We all said.
"It was about a dragon." I said.
"And you, Harry. 'the lightning'. I have a feeling that's you." Hermione said.
"I'll be saved by a dragon? Hmm, Hagrid'll like that." I muttered.
"Ron. you didn't get all unconscious." Peggy suddenly said as Ron slowly got up.
"Yeah but I feel all weak and dizzy."
"Maybe cause this prediction was short." Amy suggested.
"Wait a minute." I said and searched through my books till I found 'Predicting the Unpredictable'. I flipped through it till I found what I was looking for. "Listen to this.
When beginning predictions, it is very hard. Don't expect any great and extravagant and CLEAR predictions. And the first few predictions you make, will make you weak and usually the first couple will leave you unconscious. The more predictions you'll make, the less weak you'll be after until it's just as if you had nodded off for a few seconds."
I finished reading and looking at Ron. "Well.. that explains it."
Ron swayed slightly and gripped the back of his chair. "I just hope I wont be making many more stupid predictions. wait, 'don't expect any great and extravagant predictions' at first? but my first one was. was."
"Pretty great and extravagant." Amy said.
"Maybe you're a divination prodigy or something." Hermione mumbled.
"Oh I HOPE not." Ron moaned, shaking his head. "in any case, I need to sit down." He sat in his seat and promptly fell asleep.
***
"Good practice guys." I told the others as we finished our last practice before the game against Hufflepuff. They left and I fingered my Firebolt. "Hey Madame Hooch, mind staying a bit late? I want to practice some dives." I said.
"Okay, Harry." She said.
I hopped on my broom and flew up into the air.
*** (Draco's point of view)
"Bye Draco." Jasmine whispered, kissing me before running off. I waited a few minutes before leaving then realized I had left my broom out by the Quidditch field from my diving practices earlier. I had been in such a rush to meet with Jasmine I had totally forgotten it!
I ran outside and to the Quidditch fields where I saw Potter doing his own diving practices. Stupid four-eyed scar-faced Potter.
I snuck around the stands and got my broom from inside the Slytherin locker room. I headed back outside and saw a Death Eater prowling around. Oh great just what we needed.
The Death Eater raised a wand and pointed it at Harry who was about 150. 160 feet in the air. The Death Eater lowered her hood and I saw it was a pretty, curly haired girl I had never seen before. "Whammos." I heard her say and she quickly left as a silver light shot at Potter. I saw it hit him, and knock him off his broom. I was about to just walk away when I realized it was the brother of the girl I loved. She'd be so sad if he died (though why I had no idea. I wouldn't mind him dead.) but. Jasmine.
"Draco you prat." I told myself as I jumped on my broom and zipped towards the falling Potter. He was getting closer and closer to the ground. Madame Hooch had been knocked out (obviously by the Death Eater). I urged on speed and dove under his body. I caught his arm as he passed me and my broom was knocked down quite a few feet.
Harry was gasping for breath and looked up at me. "I only did this because of Jasmine." I sneered as I flew down and dropped him. I allowed myself a few feet and was satisfied at the pained 'oof' he got as he landed.
I sped towards the castle, landed and walked in, without even changing my expression of disgust. Ugh. I had just saved Potter.
***
"Malfoy SAVED you?!" Ron hissed as Harry just told them what happened as they sat in the library. "Yeah. I was knocked off my broom a good 160 feet above the ground. By a curse I'm guessing was sent by that girl." Harry said, massaging his shoulder which still hurt pretty badly from where Malfoy had caught him.
"Harry!" Jasmine ran over to them. "So its true then. Draco saved you."
"Yeah Jasmine. He saved me. Now you can go on and on about how you were right and I was wrong. He said 'I only did this because of Jasmine'." Harry said, eyes narrowed.
"Harry! The prediction!" Amy suddenly said.
"What prediction?"
"The lightning will fall. maybe. but no. Malfoy saved you, not a dragon." Hermione said.
"What?" Jasmine asked.
"Ron did another prediction." Peggy said.
"The lightning will fall and the dragon shall save. But Malfoy saved him. Not a dragon." Ron said.
"You guys are idiots, you know that? Didn't you ever do more research into Astronomy at the Legend of the Dragon Constellation?!" Jasmine said rather crossly as she sat down.
"Uh. no." Everyone, even Hermione, admitted.
"Draco is Latin for dragon." Jasmine said.
Everyone went white and stared at Ron. "What?" He asked and nobody spoke, just stared at him. "Stop STARING at me like that!" Ron snapped.
"If that came true then it might be true that the girl who can't be killed by curses can kill him." Hermione whispered.
"As well as his other predictions." Peggy said.
"Guuuuuyyyssss! Please! Stop staring at me." Ron whined, shifting in his seat. But they continued staring. He began to get more and more uncomfortable at this. "plllleeeeeaaaasseee."
"I'm going to go do more research on the stone of power." Hermione said and left.
"I'll help." Jasmine said.
"Ill talk to the Divination teacher. No Ron I won't tell her who is doing this but I'll say that someone who's never made predictions before has made three predictions. One has come true and part of another has come true. I'll see what she says about how good a beginner is." Amy said and left.
"I'll go see if Madame Hooch is all right." Peggy said and headed to the hospital.
"Harry." Ron said, staring at his best friend. "are you freaked out about this?"
"Ofcourse I am. But you know, its just another dark arts filled terrifying year at Hogwarts."
"I wonder what its like to have a normal life." Ron moaned, slumping down on the table and sighing. "Probably very dull." Harry said with a shrug.
***
"You tried to kill him, ever after what I said?" Voldemort hissed angrily.
"Yeah, so?" Arva asked dully, leaning against the wall.
"I should have you killed!" He shouted, voice echoing.
"My lord!" A Death Eater ran in the room. A silver hand poked out from one of the sleeves of his black robes.
"What do you want, Wormtail?!" Voldemort demanded, causing the man to get scared and accidentally turn into his rat form. He turned back human and began shaking.
"You frightened me there, sorry." He said quickly, bowing as low as he could. "I have good news."
"What now." Voldemort demanded.
Wormtail raised his hand and pointed at the door. Something burst through and collapsed on the ground. "I think I have good bait to get the boy from Hogwarts."
"Wormtail I'll kill you you nasty filthy stinkin-"
"Ah, ah, ah. language." Voldemort said, eyes piercing at the man crumbled on the ground. "you should know better."
"Hello Sirius. Remember me?" Arva asked.
Sirius Black narrowed his eyes. "How can I forget such a nasty little beast like you."
"Nasty little beast like me?" Arva asked in mock surprise. "and after all I did for you."
"You've done nothing for me." Sirius spat out.
Arva crossed the room, grabbed the front his robes and pulled him close to her face. "And here I thought making the bars of your cell wider then usual to help you escape was doing something. Silly. stupid. me." She hissed.
"You did WHAT?!" Sirius demanded, jerking back from her.
"Oh yes. A huge dog like you could of never made it through the bars even if you made yourself as thin as you could." Arva said and tapped his skull. "too big of a head you know." Wormtail snickered at this. "I knew you were going to try so I thought I'd. give you a little help."
"Why would you do that?" Sirius demanded.
"I know everything, Sirius. I knew that you were innocent. I knew Wormtail here was the real killer. I knew everything that had happened. I knew you'd want to kill Wormtail. So I let you escape to do that." Wormtail went pale at this. Arva ignored him and continued. "you see. it was a raid. him and my parents. The Ministry Of Magic arrived and he escaped and my parents didn't." Arva flicked a glance at Wormtail who was trembling slightly. "and I wanted the same thing you did. Revenge. After you FAILED I realized revenge was stupid. Revenge just. got in the way of bigger things."
Arva returned to leaning against the wall near Voldemort's throne. "Wormtail." Voldemort said and Wormtail stepped forward.
"Yes my lord?"
"Put Black here in a nice cell. then get in contact with the boy and tell him if he wants to see his precious godfather alive. he will find the stone of power and bring it to me." Voldemort told Wormtail the location of a cave in a mountain where they would meet and Wormtail pointed his hand at Sirius. "You know I have been wanting to do this for so long." He sneered and light shot from his hand and connected with Sirius's chest. Sirius screamed in pain and fell unconscious and Wormtail dragged him out.
Melting snowdrifts with grassy knolls and spots poking through made a patchwork of the Hogwarts grounds as winter surrendered its icy grip of the earth to oncoming spring. It was mid-March and it felt like a muddy, quicksand to the group desperately trying to do everything at once.
"Can't read any more. brain about to explode." Ron moaned, head dropping onto an open copy of 'The Study of Ancient Wizardry' in case it mentioned the stone anywhere.
"Ron. we need to. search." Harry said groggily.
"I'm all studied out." Jasmine said, practically falling asleep in her library chair.
"The. predic-predic-predic-prediction." Hermione reminded them, yawning.
"Prediction shmabrickashonahwnashaw. uh. whatever. I say we forget about it and just concentrate on our O.W.Ls." Amy said, shutting her book.
"Amy. we need to find out what all this means."
"It means Voldemort is going to rise up more terrible and powerful then before and blah-dee-blah! We know what it means!" Amy said.
"We DON'T know what the stone of power is!" Hermione said.
"Whatever. I'm going to bed." Amy said and left.
"Anyone else going with her?" Hermione asked.
"No." Everyone said.
"Good." Hermione said and returned to reading.
"Hermione, I can't believe YOU of all people want to study a prediction." Harry said, flipping through his book.
"Harry. this involves you. And maybe us, too." Hermione said wearily, rubbing her eyes. She glanced at Peggy (who had fallen asleep almost an hour ago, head on her open book and now drooling a little) and poked her.
"I'm up! I'm up!" Peggy snorted, jerking back. Her glasses fell and she picked them up. "What time is it?" She asked, sliding her glasses on and yawning.
"Almost midnight." Ron replied, checking his watch.
"I say we go to bed. we only got 5 hours of sleep last night and only 4 the night before that." Peggy said.
"I agree. we might be able to search better if we were more. oh I don't know. AWAKE?!" Ron demanded.
"Yeah. you know, we might skip over the stone thing and not even realize it." Harry said.
"Okay let's go to bed. we have a free period right after breakfast tomorrow, anyway." Hermione said.
"We can sleep in. Eat a late breakfast. Then study more." Jasmine said. They trudged to the common room and to their dorms.
"Night. Ha. Har. Har." Ron said, falling on his bed and falling asleep without changing, or finishing his sentence.
*** (Nagini's point of view)
"It has happened." I whispered.
"What has?" Quantin asked.
"He has broken free. and unleashing his terror across the land." I replied back.
"The voice." Sera said and I nodded.
"Yes. The voice. We must be prepared. There could be an attack on this school anytime." I said.
"Right." Kereen replied and went off to inform the snakes.
"Nagini what is going to happen?" Drake asked.
"It is now out of our fangs, Drake. Its now a true battle of good versus evil. And who will win." I trailed off and looked at the snakes who were shaking with worry. "we'll have to wait to find out."
*** (Harry's point of view)
It was late afternoon on Friday, March the twenty-third. We were all studying. But not for Ron's prediction. For O.W.Ls. The Common Room was fairly empty. It had been a nice, warm day so most the Gryffindors were studying outside.
"I give up." Ron said in disgust, throwing his quill down. "someone feed me a poison and be done with it before Snape kills me."
"Potions trouble?" Amy asked.
"No. Charms. That's why I said Snape." Ron said bitterly.
"You don't have to bite my head off." Amy grumbled.
"I think Snape deserves a good kick in the-" Ron, luckily, never finished the sentence. He suddenly went pale.
"Ron?" I asked.
Ron slowly began trembling, getting paler by the second. "Ron?!" Peggy demanded.
Ron's chair fell back and he crashed to the ground. We ran to his side but he hadn't noticed. His eyes had rolled in the back of his head and his whole body looked like a giant was shaking him like a maraca.
"A TERRIBLE AND FEARSOME STORM WILL LASH OUT!!" He suddenly screamed causing everyone to jump in surprise, then stare at him. "HAVE NO FEAR, THOUGH, FOR A BEACON OF HOPE WILL APPEAR! LIKE A LIGHTHOUSE AMIDST THE STORM!" The other students began gathering around him like he was a sideshow in a carnival. "BUT IF THE ONE WHO CANNOT BE KILLED BY CURSES TRIES TO ATTACK. THE LIGHTHOUSE WILL CRUMBLE INTO THE SEA AND ALL HOPE WILL BE LOST! THE WORLD WILL BE DOOMED TO SUFFER THE WRATH OF THE BLACK HURRICANE!"
And Ron fell limp and silent.
The whole Common Room (yeah all twenty of us) was silent. Nobody dared to speak or move. Finally I rushed to Ron's side. "His heartbeat is really weak. and his pulse is, too." I said and struggled to pick him up. "we better get him to the hospital. And fast."
***
A terrible and fearsome storm will lash out. Have no fear, though, for a beacon of hope will appear. Like a lighthouse amidst the storm. But if the one who cannot be killed by curses tries to attack. the lighthouse will crumble into the sea and all hope will be lost. The world will be doomed to suffer the wrath of the black hurricane.
Voldemort read this new prediction with glee. Arva was smiling, too.
"Looks like Potter's best friend. is helping to kill him as well." Voldemort said, looking at Arva who's face glowed with a evil happiness.
"When shall I. make the lighthouse crumble?"
"No. Do not kill him. I want to kill him."
"But the prediction says I can kill him." Arva said.
Voldemort leapt up. "I have been waiting nearly 15 years for this. I will kill him!"
"You will kill him. Fine." Arva said, flicking back a curl.
"Black hurricane." Voldemort said, reading the prediction again. "I kind of like that."
Arva snorted. "I still say you should let me kill him. It says I can."
"Arva. I will kill him." Voldemort said and let the paper float to the ground. "revenge. is so sweet."
"Revenge." Arva spat out. "gets idiots like you killed." And she turned on her heels and stormed off.
*** (Ron's point of view)
I woke up, once again, in the hospital. "Ugh." I moaned, sitting up and blinking in confusion.
"Ron!" Shouted their voices. "You're up!"
"What happened." I moaned, looking at my friends.
"You did it again." Hermione said.
"Did. what.?" I asked slowly.
"Another prediction." Amy said.
"Another prediction." I repeated.
Peggy recited my prediction from a piece of paper. I snatched the paper and read it.
"Oh God." I said, burying my face in my hands. "Harry I just predicted you'll die. what have I done?!?!" "Ron it is not your fault." Harry said. "Whether you predicted it or not. the 'one who cannot be killed by curses' would still. you know. be able to kill me."
"Harry." I looked at him. Hard. "The other prediction mentioned a traitor." I said, choosing my words carefully. I had an incredible sense the traitor was at my bedside. "and if the traitor is here and hears my prediction. he or she will tell You-Know-Who and he'll send her to kill you."
"Her?" Harry asked.
"Her. The one who cannot be killed by curses." I closed my eyes and brought up the dream I had had before the Quidditch match. "I saw her in one of my vision-dreams."
"What does she look like?" Amy asked.
"Curly midnight black hair though it glints brown in the light. quite pretty though quite thin. and a sense of powerful evil around her." I said, the image of her swarmed in my head. 'What? No! I am the only one the curse doesn't work on!' I heard her shriek in my head.
I lay back against the pillows and suddenly felt very, very weak and tired. "I'm going to sleep." I managed before doing just that.
***
"More attacks on Muggle communities." Amy said, throwing the Daily Prophet down in front of Harry, Monday the twenty-sixth.
"So what else is new?" Harry replied bitterly, glancing up at the teachers table. They all seemed worn out. Toad had been gone for quite a while but Harry caught a glimpse of him in the hospital wing and asked Pomfrey ('He fainted the day the newspaper printed the attack and has been unconscious ever since.').
Dumbledore was looking older then usual and very grim. He wasn't eating, either.
McGonagall had her glasses off and her bun was getting messy and she look extremely tired.
Flitwick was slumped forward into his bowl of porridge, fast asleep.
Snape was practically white. His hair was limper then usual and he had dark circles under his eyes. He was eating in a mechanical way.
Harry turned back to the paper and sighed heavily. "I think its time we start looking for information about the Stone of power again."
***
By that Saturday there had been two more attacks (leaving one Muggle-born dead) and Ron was out of the hospital. He was paler then normal, and he was quite weak- even his hair seem limp.
"This prediction stuff is going to kill me." He said, staring at his dinner.
"I don't get it. When Trelawney predicted in my Third year. she didn't. well you know, get all weak and limp and unconscious." Harry said.
"Maybe because I'm just a teen. Maybe because I'm not as good as her. Maybe." Ron trailed off and looked quite dazed.
"Uh-oh is he going to do another prediction?" Hermione asked but Ron shook his head.
"Sorry. Spaced out."
"Did you get any. visions or anything?" Harry asked. "just then?"
"No." Ron said, scowling.
"Did you have any vision-dream things while you were at the hospital?" Amy asked.
"No." Ron said rather sharply.
"Think you should go look at a crystal ball and see if-" Hermione never finished.
"SHUT UP ALREADY!" Ron screamed and ran from the hall.
"WELL! That was SO nice." Hermione huffed.
"I don't blame him." Jasmine said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"What?" Amy asked.
"You guys are doing to him what the jerks at my old school did to me once they found out I was a Despirabisee."
"You're a Despirabisee?" Hermione asked and Jasmine scowled.
"Yes and don't tell anyone. Guys. its like. okay Hermione you hate it when others ask you to do their homework for them, right?"
"Well duh!" Hermione said.
"Well. that's sort of what you were doing to Ron. Oh its hard to explain." Jasmine trailed off and began twirling a red lock around her finger. "okay. its like. ever been to a carnival or circus?"
"Yes." Everyone said.
"Its like the sideshow people. Staring. ogling. making them do their weird thing over and over. Only. well, Ron doesn't want to-you know- have that done to him. you get what I'm saying?" Jasmine asked.
"I get it. Its sort of like. finding out who Harry is and wanting to see his scar." Hermione said.
"Right. And Harry you hate that, right?"
"Well ofcourse." Harry said.
"Exactly. Its like. Hermione's smartness- everyone wants her to do their homework. Harry's famousness. Everyone wants to see his scar. My ability. They want me to contact dead relatives or something. Its something that annoys the hell out of us and we just want to scream at them and storm off." Jasmine said and nodded. "And so Ron, well, did. Scream. and storm off."
"Oh." Everyone said.
"Hey, Jasmine?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Harry?"
"If you say hell again. I'm going to hurt you."
"Okay, Harry."
*** (Ron's point of view)
I was grumbling angrily to myself in my dorm, after storming out of the Great Hall. They just didn't understand.
I flopped back on my bed and stared at the ceiling. They had been treating me like. like an animal on display at a zoo or something. And it-
Light flashed before my eyes. White light. Dazzling white light. I jerked up and stared around me, The room around me was blurring quickly and suddenly. everything was black. Had I gone blind or something?
Then I saw her. Arva or whatever. She was standing there with her wand drawn at.
Harry. I blinked. I was outside by the lake. the sky was fairly clear and the weather was fairly warm. I predicted it was the time it was- late March.
Harry was sitting by the lake, muttering stuff to himself as he skipped rocks.
Arva was behind him with her wand drawn. She smiled and narrowed her eyes. "Petrificus Totalus." Harry fell to the ground, in the full body bind. Arva walked over and stood over him. "Hello Harry. I've been quite interested in meeting you. Bindus Ropala!" Ropes appeared and wrapped tightly around Harry's wrist. She released him from the body bind and he leapt up, wrists tied together but otherwise fine.
"Who are you? What do you want?" He demanded. Arva just smiled and fingered her wand. "Wait. you're that girl Ron described. You're."
"That's right, Harry. 'But if the one who cannot be killed by curses tries to attack. the lighthouse will crumble into the sea'. To put it bluntly. time to crumble." She pointed her wand. "Avada. Kedavra."
And Harry fell down. Dead.
I blinked around in confusion. I was on my bed, in my dorm. what had just. what was.
I ran to the window and nearly screamed.
Harry was sitting by the lake, skipping rocks.
I had just seen the future. but no way was I going to let that happen even if I had to die.
Despite my very weak feeling, I opened my case, grabbed my Dragonfly and zipped outside. In seconds I was with Harry.
"Ron. What're you doing here?"
"No time to talk." I said and grabbed his wrist. "get on my broom NOW!"
"Ron." He said and I jerked him onto my broom.
"CRUCIO!" A voice screamed out and the Cruciatus curse shot by me, narrowly hitting.
Even though Harry was just half on the broom, I sped high into the air. So high, we were above the castle. I pulled Harry onto my broom and dived to the Gryffindor tower. We flew through the window and I stopped, just as we were about to hit the wall.
"Ron." Harry said, gasping for breath as we got off. "you just saved my life."
"Yeah. just." I said, putting my broom up. "why didn't you bloody have a bloody teacher with you!" I shrieked.
"I wanted to be by myself." Harry said guiltily. "How did you. did you see her sneaking up on me?" He asked.
"Something like that." I said with a faint smile. Then collapsed on my bed.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
Ron was, once more, submitted to the hospital wing.
"If he keeps this up, he'll fail his O.W.Ls." Hermione said as we studied in the library.
"Hey, at least he won't have to make up fake stuff in Divination." Harry mumbled.
"Where's Jasmine?" Amy asked.
"Dunno." Harry said.
I knew where she was. Meeting with Draco. But ofcourse I kept silent. After we studied a while, we went to the hospital and visited Ron, who was wide awake.
"Hey guys!" He said cheerfully.
"Ron! You're up!" Hermione said.
"Yeah. I guess I don't get as weak when I."
"When you what?" I asked, sitting by his bed.
"I saw the future. Or, what would of happened." He explained, happily unwrapping a Chocolate Frog.
"Is that how you knew?" Harry asked, flopping into another seat.
"Yeah. It was freaky. ah, oh well." He replied with a shrug.
Pomfrey let Ron out of the hospital and we headed to the Common Room. "What future did you see?" Amy asked.
"I saw someone killing Harry. The girl who can't be killed by curses." Ron said and shook his head. "and that is all I'm telling. I don't want to relive that horrible scene."
"Ron. can I talk to you? Privately?" I asked.
"Sure." We ducked into an empty darkroom and I turned on the red light so we could see each other. "I'm worried about you."
"Worried about me?" He asked.
"Your predictions. the two times you did you were hospitalized. And when you saw the future- er, what would of been the future you were hospitalized." I said, wringing my hands nervously.
"Peggy, I'll be fine."
"Well. its just you know. what if next time you get worse then. hospitalized?" I asked.
Ron rested his hands on my shoulders. "I'll be fine."
"Okay. oh, Ron?"
"Yes?"
"I. I'm sorry for slapping you when you kissed me. Its just. you know, it surprised me. and I wasn't expecting it." I explained.
"Its okay. I shouldn't of kissed you. It was stupid and presumptuous." He said.
I smiled. "I actually. well. I kind of liked it. I just. you know, first kiss. But its. you know, it was surprising."
"Umm." Ron said.
"Why did you do it?" I asked.
"I. well."
"You can tell me." I said.
"I. well I used to, I mean, I don't THINK I still do. anyway. well I liked you. A lot. A lot a lot. And it just kind of. overwhelmed me. then we, you know, decided to become just friends. For a while it was straining but then I got used to it and well, yeah." He admitted.
"You actually liked. me." I said in disbelief.
"Yeah."
"Why? I mean. I'm ugly." I said.
"Well. I saw you for more then your. er, looks."
"Wow. no ones ever told me THAT before." I said slowly, looking down at one of the shallow dishes (that you put the developing stuff into).
"Actually. I think I still like you." He said slowly and then looked ready to endure another slap.
"Oh."
"A-a-and if well you know er um. well maybe. you know. go on a date or something." He stammered quickly.
"Well. you know, you're a really sweet boy. And really cute, too (this made him blush a deep red) and nice and all that stuff but. you know, I can't."
"Can't.?" He asked.
"No. I can't. Well I COULD but. I-I really shouldn't."
"Why not? Peggy. why not?" He asked, hands gripping mine.
"Well if we ever. dated. its just. I'm not worth it."
"Yes you are." He said quickly.
I pulled my hands from him. "No, I'm not. You'd. you'd have to give up so much." I said blankly.
"Give up what?" He asked.
"Just. no, we can't. I'm not worth all you'd have to give up."
"Why? What would I have to-"
I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Just. trust me." I whispered then left.
*** (Harry's point of view)
It was mid-May and I felt like I was going to explode. Too much studying. too much. Way too much. Hermione was looking just as worn thin as any of us.
We were the only ones in the Common Room for everyone else was either at the Great Hall, library, or outside. Jasmine was, once again, not with us.
Ron suddenly knocked over his bottle of ink and jerked back. "Ron?" I asked slowly. hoping what I thought was coming, was NOT coming. But it was.
I winced as Ron fell back onto the floor, began shaking (though not as bad as he was before.) and his eyes rolled back.
"Oh great, here we go again." Amy said.
"THE LIGHTNING WILL FALL AND THE DRAGON SHALL SAVE! HAVE NO FEAR OF THE GREAT DRAGON!"
And Ron fell silent, eyes closed, but not limp. He groaned slightly and opened his eyes. "What just happ. happen. oh did I make another prediction?" He asked, face scrunching up with disgust.
"Yes." We all said.
"It was about a dragon." I said.
"And you, Harry. 'the lightning'. I have a feeling that's you." Hermione said.
"I'll be saved by a dragon? Hmm, Hagrid'll like that." I muttered.
"Ron. you didn't get all unconscious." Peggy suddenly said as Ron slowly got up.
"Yeah but I feel all weak and dizzy."
"Maybe cause this prediction was short." Amy suggested.
"Wait a minute." I said and searched through my books till I found 'Predicting the Unpredictable'. I flipped through it till I found what I was looking for. "Listen to this.
When beginning predictions, it is very hard. Don't expect any great and extravagant and CLEAR predictions. And the first few predictions you make, will make you weak and usually the first couple will leave you unconscious. The more predictions you'll make, the less weak you'll be after until it's just as if you had nodded off for a few seconds."
I finished reading and looking at Ron. "Well.. that explains it."
Ron swayed slightly and gripped the back of his chair. "I just hope I wont be making many more stupid predictions. wait, 'don't expect any great and extravagant predictions' at first? but my first one was. was."
"Pretty great and extravagant." Amy said.
"Maybe you're a divination prodigy or something." Hermione mumbled.
"Oh I HOPE not." Ron moaned, shaking his head. "in any case, I need to sit down." He sat in his seat and promptly fell asleep.
***
"Good practice guys." I told the others as we finished our last practice before the game against Hufflepuff. They left and I fingered my Firebolt. "Hey Madame Hooch, mind staying a bit late? I want to practice some dives." I said.
"Okay, Harry." She said.
I hopped on my broom and flew up into the air.
*** (Draco's point of view)
"Bye Draco." Jasmine whispered, kissing me before running off. I waited a few minutes before leaving then realized I had left my broom out by the Quidditch field from my diving practices earlier. I had been in such a rush to meet with Jasmine I had totally forgotten it!
I ran outside and to the Quidditch fields where I saw Potter doing his own diving practices. Stupid four-eyed scar-faced Potter.
I snuck around the stands and got my broom from inside the Slytherin locker room. I headed back outside and saw a Death Eater prowling around. Oh great just what we needed.
The Death Eater raised a wand and pointed it at Harry who was about 150. 160 feet in the air. The Death Eater lowered her hood and I saw it was a pretty, curly haired girl I had never seen before. "Whammos." I heard her say and she quickly left as a silver light shot at Potter. I saw it hit him, and knock him off his broom. I was about to just walk away when I realized it was the brother of the girl I loved. She'd be so sad if he died (though why I had no idea. I wouldn't mind him dead.) but. Jasmine.
"Draco you prat." I told myself as I jumped on my broom and zipped towards the falling Potter. He was getting closer and closer to the ground. Madame Hooch had been knocked out (obviously by the Death Eater). I urged on speed and dove under his body. I caught his arm as he passed me and my broom was knocked down quite a few feet.
Harry was gasping for breath and looked up at me. "I only did this because of Jasmine." I sneered as I flew down and dropped him. I allowed myself a few feet and was satisfied at the pained 'oof' he got as he landed.
I sped towards the castle, landed and walked in, without even changing my expression of disgust. Ugh. I had just saved Potter.
***
"Malfoy SAVED you?!" Ron hissed as Harry just told them what happened as they sat in the library. "Yeah. I was knocked off my broom a good 160 feet above the ground. By a curse I'm guessing was sent by that girl." Harry said, massaging his shoulder which still hurt pretty badly from where Malfoy had caught him.
"Harry!" Jasmine ran over to them. "So its true then. Draco saved you."
"Yeah Jasmine. He saved me. Now you can go on and on about how you were right and I was wrong. He said 'I only did this because of Jasmine'." Harry said, eyes narrowed.
"Harry! The prediction!" Amy suddenly said.
"What prediction?"
"The lightning will fall. maybe. but no. Malfoy saved you, not a dragon." Hermione said.
"What?" Jasmine asked.
"Ron did another prediction." Peggy said.
"The lightning will fall and the dragon shall save. But Malfoy saved him. Not a dragon." Ron said.
"You guys are idiots, you know that? Didn't you ever do more research into Astronomy at the Legend of the Dragon Constellation?!" Jasmine said rather crossly as she sat down.
"Uh. no." Everyone, even Hermione, admitted.
"Draco is Latin for dragon." Jasmine said.
Everyone went white and stared at Ron. "What?" He asked and nobody spoke, just stared at him. "Stop STARING at me like that!" Ron snapped.
"If that came true then it might be true that the girl who can't be killed by curses can kill him." Hermione whispered.
"As well as his other predictions." Peggy said.
"Guuuuuyyyssss! Please! Stop staring at me." Ron whined, shifting in his seat. But they continued staring. He began to get more and more uncomfortable at this. "plllleeeeeaaaasseee."
"I'm going to go do more research on the stone of power." Hermione said and left.
"I'll help." Jasmine said.
"Ill talk to the Divination teacher. No Ron I won't tell her who is doing this but I'll say that someone who's never made predictions before has made three predictions. One has come true and part of another has come true. I'll see what she says about how good a beginner is." Amy said and left.
"I'll go see if Madame Hooch is all right." Peggy said and headed to the hospital.
"Harry." Ron said, staring at his best friend. "are you freaked out about this?"
"Ofcourse I am. But you know, its just another dark arts filled terrifying year at Hogwarts."
"I wonder what its like to have a normal life." Ron moaned, slumping down on the table and sighing. "Probably very dull." Harry said with a shrug.
***
"You tried to kill him, ever after what I said?" Voldemort hissed angrily.
"Yeah, so?" Arva asked dully, leaning against the wall.
"I should have you killed!" He shouted, voice echoing.
"My lord!" A Death Eater ran in the room. A silver hand poked out from one of the sleeves of his black robes.
"What do you want, Wormtail?!" Voldemort demanded, causing the man to get scared and accidentally turn into his rat form. He turned back human and began shaking.
"You frightened me there, sorry." He said quickly, bowing as low as he could. "I have good news."
"What now." Voldemort demanded.
Wormtail raised his hand and pointed at the door. Something burst through and collapsed on the ground. "I think I have good bait to get the boy from Hogwarts."
"Wormtail I'll kill you you nasty filthy stinkin-"
"Ah, ah, ah. language." Voldemort said, eyes piercing at the man crumbled on the ground. "you should know better."
"Hello Sirius. Remember me?" Arva asked.
Sirius Black narrowed his eyes. "How can I forget such a nasty little beast like you."
"Nasty little beast like me?" Arva asked in mock surprise. "and after all I did for you."
"You've done nothing for me." Sirius spat out.
Arva crossed the room, grabbed the front his robes and pulled him close to her face. "And here I thought making the bars of your cell wider then usual to help you escape was doing something. Silly. stupid. me." She hissed.
"You did WHAT?!" Sirius demanded, jerking back from her.
"Oh yes. A huge dog like you could of never made it through the bars even if you made yourself as thin as you could." Arva said and tapped his skull. "too big of a head you know." Wormtail snickered at this. "I knew you were going to try so I thought I'd. give you a little help."
"Why would you do that?" Sirius demanded.
"I know everything, Sirius. I knew that you were innocent. I knew Wormtail here was the real killer. I knew everything that had happened. I knew you'd want to kill Wormtail. So I let you escape to do that." Wormtail went pale at this. Arva ignored him and continued. "you see. it was a raid. him and my parents. The Ministry Of Magic arrived and he escaped and my parents didn't." Arva flicked a glance at Wormtail who was trembling slightly. "and I wanted the same thing you did. Revenge. After you FAILED I realized revenge was stupid. Revenge just. got in the way of bigger things."
Arva returned to leaning against the wall near Voldemort's throne. "Wormtail." Voldemort said and Wormtail stepped forward.
"Yes my lord?"
"Put Black here in a nice cell. then get in contact with the boy and tell him if he wants to see his precious godfather alive. he will find the stone of power and bring it to me." Voldemort told Wormtail the location of a cave in a mountain where they would meet and Wormtail pointed his hand at Sirius. "You know I have been wanting to do this for so long." He sneered and light shot from his hand and connected with Sirius's chest. Sirius screamed in pain and fell unconscious and Wormtail dragged him out.