In Dreams

Chapter Seven

The laughter was followed the sound of footfalls on pavement-very faint but growing closer with each step. Out of one of the dark tunnels came a haggard looking, older man. But there was nothing weak about this man. The four knew he had weaknesses, every man did, even if he was barely the definition of a man, or should they say wizard. The hair might have grayed, the face might now be defined by wrinkles, but the eyes, the eyes had lost none of the hatred, the need for revenge, the feeling of supremacy, the reflection of the evil inside of him that had marked him in his youth and still marked him today. They were the eyes of Tom Riddle, or as he now preferred to be called, Lord Voldemort.

The four could voice no words. Nothing came to their minds except they knew that they were in danger, very real danger. Ginny gave an audible gasp but other that that, no sound escaped them.

Voldmort smiled at them maliciously. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Harry Potter who has caused me so much trouble. And of course his other three irksome friends. But I don't think I've ever met them officially. Where are you're manners dear boy? You really should introduce us."

Hot anger coursed through Harry's vein. "So this is you! You're behind all this!"

"Who did you expect? The Easter bunny. I needed to get you away from the safety of Hogwarts. Which I did, as you can see, with the help of a friend of mine and this simpering fool," said Voldemort indicating Ron who bristled at the remark.

Voldemort flicked his eyes away between Ron and Ginny. "You're the Weasley children aren't you?" But it wasn't a question really. Voldemort's face twisted into one of venomous disgust. "A disgrace to the name of wizards. Even your pure blood won't be able to save you now. Fools just like your father. Bad enough associating with muggles, siding with them, and helping them, but now you've even fallen in love with mudbloods."

Ron, who normally would have been embarrassed by this at his own feelings being spoken of in such an open manner, and with Hermione standing right by, snapped back, "That's funny cause from what I hear you're from mixed parentage yourself. So that makes you nothing more than a hypocrite."

Voledmort's face contorted in rage. As Voldemort reached for his wand, Harry looked at Ron, Ginny, and Hermione and realized that, despite their numbers, the best defense right now might be to run for it. For a painful moment it was clear to him that he could lose all the people who had come to mean the most to him in any world, just like his parents, and he wasn't about to lose them. And yet they would never leave him to deal with Voldemort on his own. They were that loyal.

Harry covertly took Ginny's cold, clammy hand into his own, never for once taking his eyes off Voldemort. She gave a slight squeeze and Harry had to stop from smiling despite their present danger. She was ready, whatever he decided to do. Fight or flight and right now flight seemed like the best idea. They were still students, and although he had held his own against Voldemort before, Voldemort was more powerful than Harry had ever seen him. Harry yelled at Ron and Hermione, "Let's go!" Ron nodded and grabbed Hermione's hand in his own as the four went racing down one of the dark tunnels away from Voldemort. They hoped to lose him, but feared they were merely delaying the inevitable.