Author's Note:To all still reading (including newcomer JediHermione), be advised that the next few chapters contain the violence which earned this story its PG-13 rating.
***
Chapter Eight:
Dark Mark
In the Stygian depths of the Black Forest lay a clearing. The surrounding trees shouldered each other so closely that no living creature larger than a rabbit could squeeze through. A canopy of interlaced branches blocked the night sky from view.
The supernally dense growth likewise obscured all view of the clearing from the prying of outside eyes. None but the favored beheld the obsidian spire in the exact center, its heights lost in the gloom; nor the basalt altar at its base, its channels crusted with dark crimson.
To one side stood a small brazier filled with glowing coals. A red-robed arm stretched out; a narrow, bony hand scattered a queer dust onto the coals. There was a momentary flare as clouds of noxious vapor rose.
Lord Voldemort breathed in the narcotic fumes, smiled evilly. His inhuman eyes seemed to stare off into fathomless depths as he lifted his wand in a fluid motion, muttered low, then replaced it in his crimson robes.
A faint popping noise sounded behind him.
"So, Lucius," he began, turning slowly, "what news do you -- "
But the words froze on Voldemort's tongue.
"You!" he spat, reaching for his wand.
But Harry's wand was already out. Thin cords exploded from the tip and closed about Voldemort until he was wrapped tightly as a mummy. Struggling feebly, he fell to the ground as Harry slowly tucked his wand into his robes.
Voldemort glowered up at Harry, his snake-like eyes glowing red as the coals in the nearby brazier.
"How?" he hissed. "I summoned Malfoy -- "
For answer, Harry pulled back his left sleeve; the Dark Mark burned blackly on his arm.
"Impossible!" Voldemort croaked. "No counterfeit could respond to my summons! Only a mark burned by my own wand could -- "
"This is no counterfeit," Harry said evenly, lowering his arm.
Voldemort's eyes narrowed.
"Where is Lucius?" he demanded.
"Saving you a seat in Hell, if I'm any judge," Harry replied.
Voldemort stared in disbelief.
"But before he died," Harry said, his eyes hard as jade, "I used my wand to strip the living skin from his arm and graft it onto my own."
Voldemort's hatred was palpable as he glared unwinking at Harry.
But Harry's gaze was fixed elsewhere. His eyes rested on the blood-stained altar as a chill played along his spine. He knew the clearing was surrounded by a magical barrier through which no living flesh could pass. Only the summons of the Dark Mark could pierce it.
Harry's body tensed. With a sweeping motion, he pointed his wand at the base of the stone pillar and released a fine thread of silver flame. With this he burned an arcane mark into the ebon stone, wielding his wand with the precision of a surgeon.
As the complex rune assumed its full proportions, Voldemort stared in amazement. This did not escape Harry, his youthful face set with a thin smile chiseled in granite.
"Now," said Harry coolly, "we can neither of us leave, for that sign cancels the power of the Dark Mark. You cannot summon your Death Eaters as you unwittingly summoned me.
"Nor can either of us Disapparate within this space. Nor from it."
Harry rolled his wand indifferently between his fingers as Voldemort's venomous gaze burned malevolently.
"As I see it," Harry said, regarding Voldemort casually from the corner of his eye, "you have two choices. You can lower the barrier and I'll deliver you to the Aurors. Or you can refuse, in which case I will simply kill you here and now and save the Ministry the pretense of a trial.
"Which will it be?"
A razor-edged smile appeared on Voldemort's serpentine lips.
"I prefer a third alternative," he said liquidly.
Harry jerked his head around, blinking stupidly. The cords binding Voldemort collapsed like a deflating balloon. Voldemort was gone! In his place was a huge black snake with eyes that burned red mockery at Harry.
Harry brought his wand to bear too late; the snake had vanished into the darkness.
Silently cursing his arrogance, Harry stared into the opaque silence, his wand hanging at his side.
"You still can't Disapparate," Harry said emotionlessly, standing as though calmly waiting for the Knight Bus. Then, in a low voice: "It will end as it was written, then. Just you and I.
"Only one of us will leave this place alive."
And, in a hushed whisper: "I love you, Hermione. Forgive me."
***
Note From Fae: So, have you guys seen CoS, yet? I saw it opening night, and I'm crazy enough to stand in line for 3 hours just to get decent seats. We got the BEST seats. We waited in line behind some really cool people, and we were in front of some really INTERESTING people. I met this girl (the girl who was standing behind me) who's from the exact same town that my Grand-parents live, which is a rarity, because it's this small little town in Winnipeg about 20 minutes from where I grew up. I just thought I'd say that, since I didn't leave a note last time, and I know how much you guys missed me!
Review! Tell Stoneheart what you think of the story, and tell ME what you thought of the movie. See you later!
Chapter Eight:
Dark Mark
In the Stygian depths of the Black Forest lay a clearing. The surrounding trees shouldered each other so closely that no living creature larger than a rabbit could squeeze through. A canopy of interlaced branches blocked the night sky from view.
The supernally dense growth likewise obscured all view of the clearing from the prying of outside eyes. None but the favored beheld the obsidian spire in the exact center, its heights lost in the gloom; nor the basalt altar at its base, its channels crusted with dark crimson.
To one side stood a small brazier filled with glowing coals. A red-robed arm stretched out; a narrow, bony hand scattered a queer dust onto the coals. There was a momentary flare as clouds of noxious vapor rose.
Lord Voldemort breathed in the narcotic fumes, smiled evilly. His inhuman eyes seemed to stare off into fathomless depths as he lifted his wand in a fluid motion, muttered low, then replaced it in his crimson robes.
A faint popping noise sounded behind him.
"So, Lucius," he began, turning slowly, "what news do you -- "
But the words froze on Voldemort's tongue.
"You!" he spat, reaching for his wand.
But Harry's wand was already out. Thin cords exploded from the tip and closed about Voldemort until he was wrapped tightly as a mummy. Struggling feebly, he fell to the ground as Harry slowly tucked his wand into his robes.
Voldemort glowered up at Harry, his snake-like eyes glowing red as the coals in the nearby brazier.
"How?" he hissed. "I summoned Malfoy -- "
For answer, Harry pulled back his left sleeve; the Dark Mark burned blackly on his arm.
"Impossible!" Voldemort croaked. "No counterfeit could respond to my summons! Only a mark burned by my own wand could -- "
"This is no counterfeit," Harry said evenly, lowering his arm.
Voldemort's eyes narrowed.
"Where is Lucius?" he demanded.
"Saving you a seat in Hell, if I'm any judge," Harry replied.
Voldemort stared in disbelief.
"But before he died," Harry said, his eyes hard as jade, "I used my wand to strip the living skin from his arm and graft it onto my own."
Voldemort's hatred was palpable as he glared unwinking at Harry.
But Harry's gaze was fixed elsewhere. His eyes rested on the blood-stained altar as a chill played along his spine. He knew the clearing was surrounded by a magical barrier through which no living flesh could pass. Only the summons of the Dark Mark could pierce it.
Harry's body tensed. With a sweeping motion, he pointed his wand at the base of the stone pillar and released a fine thread of silver flame. With this he burned an arcane mark into the ebon stone, wielding his wand with the precision of a surgeon.
As the complex rune assumed its full proportions, Voldemort stared in amazement. This did not escape Harry, his youthful face set with a thin smile chiseled in granite.
"Now," said Harry coolly, "we can neither of us leave, for that sign cancels the power of the Dark Mark. You cannot summon your Death Eaters as you unwittingly summoned me.
"Nor can either of us Disapparate within this space. Nor from it."
Harry rolled his wand indifferently between his fingers as Voldemort's venomous gaze burned malevolently.
"As I see it," Harry said, regarding Voldemort casually from the corner of his eye, "you have two choices. You can lower the barrier and I'll deliver you to the Aurors. Or you can refuse, in which case I will simply kill you here and now and save the Ministry the pretense of a trial.
"Which will it be?"
A razor-edged smile appeared on Voldemort's serpentine lips.
"I prefer a third alternative," he said liquidly.
Harry jerked his head around, blinking stupidly. The cords binding Voldemort collapsed like a deflating balloon. Voldemort was gone! In his place was a huge black snake with eyes that burned red mockery at Harry.
Harry brought his wand to bear too late; the snake had vanished into the darkness.
Silently cursing his arrogance, Harry stared into the opaque silence, his wand hanging at his side.
"You still can't Disapparate," Harry said emotionlessly, standing as though calmly waiting for the Knight Bus. Then, in a low voice: "It will end as it was written, then. Just you and I.
"Only one of us will leave this place alive."
And, in a hushed whisper: "I love you, Hermione. Forgive me."
Note From Fae: So, have you guys seen CoS, yet? I saw it opening night, and I'm crazy enough to stand in line for 3 hours just to get decent seats. We got the BEST seats. We waited in line behind some really cool people, and we were in front of some really INTERESTING people. I met this girl (the girl who was standing behind me) who's from the exact same town that my Grand-parents live, which is a rarity, because it's this small little town in Winnipeg about 20 minutes from where I grew up. I just thought I'd say that, since I didn't leave a note last time, and I know how much you guys missed me!
Review! Tell Stoneheart what you think of the story, and tell ME what you thought of the movie. See you later!