A/N First things first. I need to apologise for taking so long at updating.
Let's just say I've had a few projects and leave it at that *ducks flying
tomatoes*. Uh-huh
But first I need to yell at someone…
Esmeralda: ELF_KITTY HAD LOST THE PLOT AND SHE CONFESSED TO IT SO DON'T YOU DARE GO ACCUSING ME!! *TAKES DEEP BREATH* AS FOR EMMSIE-WEMSY…YOU AND YOUR INFURIATINGLY ANNOYING FRIEND NAMED AMY HADN'T STARTED CALLING ME THAT AT THE POINT WHEN I WROTE THE BIO. IF ANYONE BESIDES KATIE HERE IS READING THIS DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME SAID NAME OR I'll RAM MY **** SO FAR UP YOUR **** YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO WALK FOR WEEKS (sorry folks. Had to be said, she's hit a soft spot of mine here, sorry if I offended any little kids). AS FOR QUATRE BEING YOURS….!!!&^"$£^%(&^!!*£&!£ HE IS MOST ASSUREDLY MINE AND I'M SURE K@ WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT MR MAXWELL. IF YOU LAY A SINGLE FINGER ON Q-CHAN I'LL EAT YOU ALIVE AND REGURGITATE YOU INTO SOME FOREIGN QUAGMIRE. AS FOR HEERO, GRANTED HE'S A GOOD BODYGUARD BUT FRANKLY I THINK HE'S GONNA BE MORE INTERESTED IN RELENA *DANGLES RELENA FROM PIECE OF STRING IN HEERO'S FACE AND THROWS AWAY* "GO FETCH. GOOD HEERO" HA, WHERE'S YOUR OH-SO-GOOD BODY GUARD NOW HMMM? SO, I'LL TAKE Q-CHAN BACK *SNATCHES QUATRE FROM KATIE* AND IF YOU REALLY HATE ME SO MUCH YOU CAN GO SOMEPLACE AND SULK COS I WON'T TALK TO YOU AGAIN UNLESS YOU APOLOGISE.
Now that that's over with….on with the story. Again, I'm really sorry for how long this took….
Harry woke to darkness and a dull throbbing in his scar. Wincing at the pain, he opened his eyes, gasping at the pain of such a trivial action. The room was dark and, judging by the lack of noise and light, it was night. The pain in his scar increased abruptly and he instinctively reached out to rub it.
A firm yet gentle hand stopped him and Harry twisted around to squint at the blurred image of Professor Dumbledore. "I shouldn't touch it Harry. It's still tender."
Harry frowned and peered quizzically at the Headmaster. The Professor gave a slight smile before reaching over and handing Harry his glasses. Harry fumbled them on and looked again at his Headmaster. The sight that met his eyes was not a particularly welcome one.
Frown lines marked the old man's face. Similarly, there were stress lines that, although present at the end of last year, had never been as pronounced as now. The skin was paler and tauter than was usual but Harry noticed, with a large amount of relief, that the twinkle had not left the blue eyes.
Harry dragged his eyes away from his teacher to rake them over the room to reassess his earlier thoughts. It was definitely dark and now he could see the clock, he knew it was well past midnight. He was confused.
"Um….Professor? What happened?"
Dumbledore sighed. "We're not quite sure. Mr Weasley found you in the common room this morning with what appeared to be a large amount of blood coming from your scar. The scar itself was glowing. We brought you up here as soon as Mr Weasley informed us of your condition but nothing seemed to wake you up. As to what caused the scar to split and bleed, we were hoping you could provide us with that information." He finished by fixing Harry with a piercing gaze that seemed to impale him on the bed.
Harry thought back to what had happened after he had fallen asleep and, once he had located the memory, he immediately wanted to lose it again, to forget what he had done. He felt tears stinging his eyes and he shut them tight hoping to bottle his emotions away. But the image of the small girl invaded the darkness of his tightly shut eyes and, with a choked sob, he rolled over and curled up into the foetal position, tears falling silently.
After a moment, he felt warm arms encircle him and hug him tightly. Rather than appeasing his grief, the action amplified it and he burst into loud abrupt sobs. The arms held him tighter and began to rock him slowly. Harry leaned gratefully into the embrace and took deep shuddering breaths.
After a while, Dumbledore spoke but he didn't release his hold on Harry. "It was Voldemort wasn't it?" he asked softly. "In your dreams."
It was more of a statement than a question but still one that needed to be answered. Harry slowly opened his eyes and, to his mortification, found himself curled in Dumbledore's arms, tears trickling down his face and, he noticed guiltily, down the Professor's robes too. Harry carefully tried to extricate himself from the teacher's arms but they only held him tighter until, eventually, he looked wearily at the Headmaster's face. The eyes had lost the familiar twinkle but they still shone with concern and sympathy. Harry dropped his gaze.
"Harry, I need to know…"
Harry nodded and brushed another tear away before proceeding to answer. He told Dumbledore everything, relating the strange appearance of Fawkes, the unknown room, how Voldemort had killed first the man, then the woman…His voice, which had not quavered once so far in the telling, broke as he told Dumbledore of the choice he had been forced to make. All the while, Dumbledore listened in silence and didn't move save to pull the boy even closer.
When Harry had finished, he stared at the floor which had suddenly acquired a very interesting piece of fluff. He didn't want to see the look in Dumbledore's eyes, to see the disappointment he knew would be there. The piece of fluff was fascinating, the blue of the colour, the way the dim light from the single lamp reflected on the ridges and valleys…
"…lie to you Harry. The McClouds were found dead this morning. John had suffered major burns and lacerations to the chest and face, Sarah and Claire by the killing curse."
Harry remained silent and Dumbledore could tell by the blank look in his eyes that he was beginning to shut himself away from the world. For some insane reason, the thought of Harry living in a shell terrified him even more than what he had heard a few moments ago.
Beginning to panic ever so slightly, Dumbledore tipped Harry's head up and forced the dulling eyes to look into his own. He spoke quickly and fervently. "You made the right choice Harry. Many would have said nothing in the same situation. It takes great courage and strength to do what you did and I admire you for it. Trust me, you made the right choice. I'm sure John and Claire would have agreed with me."
Dumbledore watched anxiously and sighed with relief when the colour seeped back into Harry's eyes. Harry blinked a few times and tried to focus on the Headmaster. Tears threatened to well but he refused to let then fall. Instead he just buried himself into Dumbledore's with a soft sigh. Dumbledore held him a while longer until he felt the insistent trembling cease and the breathing even out.
Gently, so as not to wake Harry, Dumbledore lowered him onto the bed. He took off Harry's glasses and placed them on the bedside table. Dumbledore sat for several minutes and watched Harry's restless sleep. He sighed heavily and leaned over to tuck the bed sheets more tightly around the slumbering form. Harry's movements instantly lessened but the small frown on his face remained.
There was a soft 'whooshing' sound and then a warm weight alighted on Dumbledore's shoulder. Dumbledore stroked Fawkes' head lovingly and sighed, looking once more at Harry. Fawkes cocked his head slightly as if demanding an explanation.
"I worry for him Fawkes," he whispered so as to prevent Harry from stirring. "He carries so much on his shoulders: the hopes of the wizarding world and, although they don't realise it themselves, the muggle world too. When Voldemort and his Death Eaters come rising, the world looks to Harry…" he paused and glance at Harry. "And to be fair, he is a wonderful wizard, strong and compassionate despite all his young life has thrown at him. Yet I see the child in him also. He is confused and scared as well as brave and knowledgeable. A strange combination and one that I have only seen once before, in Tom Riddle," he sighed and hung his head. "Harry is strong but there is only so much any one person can take. I won't always be here for him as I was tonight. He needs someone…he needs Sirius."
Dumbledore turned suddenly to the phoenix. "Fawkes, find Sirius and bring him here. Take Elandar if you must but find Sirius and bring him here."
Fawkes crooned softly, then flexed his wings and took off through the now open window.
Dumbledore turned to Harry, relieved to see that the boy's features were now relaxed and whatever had been troubling him earlier was now gone. Silently he swept from the room. It was time to see what had kept a certain werewolf so long…
In the soft darkness of the Infirmary a single piece of blue fluff floated up on the currents created by the wizard's departure. Slowly, it eddied around until, eventually, it left through the window, the only reminder to how close Harry had come to giving up tonight.
* * *
Sirius ceased his headlong dash and crouched down behind a bush breathing heavily. *Where is that git?* A sharp keening wail pierced the air and Sirius froze, listening carefully. There was silence and then a distant sound of crunching undergrowth. Sirius took a deep shuddering breath and then ran in the opposite direction to the noise.
Sirius caught a brief glimpse of an acromantula in a small clearing only yards away. He veered off course and dashed in the other direction. There was a brief bellow of fury and then the sound of an enraged creature stampeding towards him. Sirius groaned inwardly and quickly switched direction again, wincing heavily as he heard the sound of the acromantula impaling a tree that, had he been a split second slower, could have been him. Deciding not to wait any longer, Sirius threw himself into the undergrowth. *Snape'll have to find his own way out of this mess!*
A moment later another acromantula arrived on the scene to find a very confused comrade who was slobbering inanely and staring at a piece of ground that was covered with dark red blood. A group of Death Eater's approached cautiously, eyeing the deadly pieces warily.
"Where is Black?"
The pincers clicked rapidly but they still managed to sort out the words spoken. "Gone. Scent disappeared. Bit him though."
The Death Eater grimaced and turned away. Acromantula saliva, he knew, could be a very painful poison if not treated almost immediately. Black was going to have a rough night. "All right, forget about Black," he said turning to the other Death Eaters. "Black's got past the animagus wards but he won't live long. Bring the other one and we'll take him to the Master. He will be very pleased to learn of the traitor. Inform the spy of this latest development. And tell him to hold off Trelawney's murder. Dumbledore will start to suspect. MOVE!"
The Death Eaters disapparated hurriedly. The remaining four turned to a solitary figure huddled on the floor. "Take him to the dungeons. I'm sure the Master will want to 'question' him," he sneered at the figure and turned away.
Severus Snape watched the retreating back in dismay. *What am I supposed to do now?* He hoped that Black had had the sense to return to Hogwarts and stay well away from this mess. *Not that he had any sense to start with!* Snape shook his head and rid himself of that last thought. Although Black could be infuriatingly annoying at times, he had to admit, however grudgingly, that he was intelligent and, dare he say it? Admirable….he shuddered. Nope. Definitely didn't like the sound of that word. It must have been the knock to the head. Yes, that was it…the knock to the head…
Behind the group and slightly to the right, a shaggy black dog watched the procession before turning and running off into the night. *There's nothing I can do now. I have to get to Hogwarts…* Sirius padded into the forest already hampered by the slight stiffening of limbs that was the first symptom of poisoning.
* * *
Albus Dumbledore sighed and looked up from the documents littering the desk to gaze at the full moon. *Where are you Remus? Why can't I contact you?* Slowly, he turned back to his papers and looked through them again. They were police records of all the deaths in strange circumstances within the past five months, since Voldemort's rising. Although the muggles didn't have a clue, Dumbledore knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that they were a sure sign of Death Eater activity. Which meant that Voldemort was regaining the sort of strength he had had fourteen years ago.
Voldemort. Even now Dumbledore found it hard to believe that Tom Riddle, model student and prefect had become the most feared Dark Wizard in recent history. Even during the reign of Grindelwald, people had not been as scared as they were now. And Dumbledore knew that Voldemort was far stronger than Grindelwald had ever dreamed of being.
Dumbledore sifted through more papers. He had defeated Grindelwald, but he had been younger and Grindelwald careless. Tom on the other hand, was the perfect Slytherin. Shrewd, persistent, intelligent, dark and incredibly powerful, especially now that he had Harry's blood in his veins.
Dumbledore smiled. Harry and Tom had so much in common. Both strong willed, stubborn, smart…and both despised the other. Dumbledore's smile turned into a frown. It was unfair to ask Harry to shoulder such a burden. He knew, undoubtedly that Harry would, no questions asked but that still didn't make it acceptable. Dumbledore knew, however, that another encounter between the two would be inevitable. Voldemort wanted Harry dead and Harry simply had the knack of tumbling headlong into trouble which invariably involved Voldemort in one way or another.
Dumbledore seethed at the events that had been thrown at Harry throughout his young life but somehow, incredibly, Harry had ploughed through one and all to come out virtually unscathed at the end. But he knew that this time Voldemort had gone too far. Add to that the lies spread about his 'mental health' by the Minister and the constant attention to every tiny move he made, and Dumbledore may well have another breakdown similar to tonight's on his hands.
Dumbledore wasn't afraid to admit how much Harry's reaction tonight had shaken him and he was determined it wouldn't happen again. Which was precisely why he was trying to find Remus…and to no effect. Remus simply seemed to have vanished like a puff of smoke for the past three months.
He was startled when the door burst open, almost being ripped off its hinges, and said puff of smoke bounded into the room. Albus blinked rapidly and frowned.
"Remus? What…." He was cut off as Remus pulled something from his pocket and thrust it under his nose.
Albus blinked again and looked at the proffered hand. Dangling from Remus' clenched fist hung a scruffy, struggling and biting grey rat…
A/N Wow, these cliffies come really naturally to me…*evil grin*.
So…is that Peter I hear you cry? Well….you'll have to wait until next chapter to find out. And Sirius is once again in mortal peril….aren't I nice?
Next chapter, expect plenty of swinging rats around by the tail (figuratively speaking), more of that Order stuff and loads of Moony. I can also exclusively reveal that the meeting with Firenze *will* be soon. And the spy in Hogwarts will be revealed shortly thereafter.
I think I'm about two-thirds through so far but I'm not sure. I've only got the next couple of chapters planned in any detail, only got the bones for the rest of the plot so there may be more but I doubt you'll be complaining too loudly.
Again I'm sorry about the length of time it took me to get this out. I simply haven't had time and probably won't for another few weeks due to coursework and exams humped onto me through till mid June…
I would like to take the time to shamelessly plug my new fic. It's a Gundam Wing fic and, in my opinion, it's going to be really good. If you like GW, go read it and be sure to tell me what you think.
Onto shout outs…
Esmeralda: "…"
Ellie: Thanks, you made y day. Glad you like it!
Jynx Ashley: Wow, thanks. I agree with you there. I do need to check more thoroughly but spell-check doesn't catch everything like when I write hid instead of his.
btterflygirl: No, I didn't forget to mention you. You didn't review chapter 10 so I didn't mention you. And before you argue, as I know you will, go read the reviews for chap 10. You ain't there girl!!!
Starlight: Yeah, I don't like old Moldywarts too much either…
Minna Radcliffe: Thanks, and thanks for reviewing again. Everyone, go and read her fic. It's really good.
Ashie: Thanks, sorry it took so long. Also, thanks for the the b-day present! ^________^
Cool_bytch: thanks, and in answer to your question, they were just examples. Nothing too important (unless my plot muse runs away and leaves me with nothing to go on…)
Sailor Vegeta: Easy, I take a pen and paper and write. That's how I do it to him! (
Draicana: I rock? Wow, cool thanks. And if you want me to email you again don't hesitate to ask.
Nuts: Well here's what' gonna happen…
Gia: Thanks and I know this isn't exactly soon but…hey I did it all right!
Bob: Thanks, hope you review again.
Elf_kitty: please let Esmeralda know that you had indeed lost the plot. For God's sake, you were talking about Draco being out of school and I never once mentioned that! Thank you *bows*.
Hyper Princess: Thank you. For what's gonna happen next see above! (
Hermione Gulliver: Thank you. It's always when someone owns up to reading a fic without actually reviewing. You really made my day. And don't worry, I haven't forgotten! I will get round to reading your fics sometime!
Thank you everyone. Please don't forget to review!
Luv baasheep
xx
But first I need to yell at someone…
Esmeralda: ELF_KITTY HAD LOST THE PLOT AND SHE CONFESSED TO IT SO DON'T YOU DARE GO ACCUSING ME!! *TAKES DEEP BREATH* AS FOR EMMSIE-WEMSY…YOU AND YOUR INFURIATINGLY ANNOYING FRIEND NAMED AMY HADN'T STARTED CALLING ME THAT AT THE POINT WHEN I WROTE THE BIO. IF ANYONE BESIDES KATIE HERE IS READING THIS DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME SAID NAME OR I'll RAM MY **** SO FAR UP YOUR **** YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO WALK FOR WEEKS (sorry folks. Had to be said, she's hit a soft spot of mine here, sorry if I offended any little kids). AS FOR QUATRE BEING YOURS….!!!&^"$£^%(&^!!*£&!£ HE IS MOST ASSUREDLY MINE AND I'M SURE K@ WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT MR MAXWELL. IF YOU LAY A SINGLE FINGER ON Q-CHAN I'LL EAT YOU ALIVE AND REGURGITATE YOU INTO SOME FOREIGN QUAGMIRE. AS FOR HEERO, GRANTED HE'S A GOOD BODYGUARD BUT FRANKLY I THINK HE'S GONNA BE MORE INTERESTED IN RELENA *DANGLES RELENA FROM PIECE OF STRING IN HEERO'S FACE AND THROWS AWAY* "GO FETCH. GOOD HEERO" HA, WHERE'S YOUR OH-SO-GOOD BODY GUARD NOW HMMM? SO, I'LL TAKE Q-CHAN BACK *SNATCHES QUATRE FROM KATIE* AND IF YOU REALLY HATE ME SO MUCH YOU CAN GO SOMEPLACE AND SULK COS I WON'T TALK TO YOU AGAIN UNLESS YOU APOLOGISE.
Now that that's over with….on with the story. Again, I'm really sorry for how long this took….
Harry woke to darkness and a dull throbbing in his scar. Wincing at the pain, he opened his eyes, gasping at the pain of such a trivial action. The room was dark and, judging by the lack of noise and light, it was night. The pain in his scar increased abruptly and he instinctively reached out to rub it.
A firm yet gentle hand stopped him and Harry twisted around to squint at the blurred image of Professor Dumbledore. "I shouldn't touch it Harry. It's still tender."
Harry frowned and peered quizzically at the Headmaster. The Professor gave a slight smile before reaching over and handing Harry his glasses. Harry fumbled them on and looked again at his Headmaster. The sight that met his eyes was not a particularly welcome one.
Frown lines marked the old man's face. Similarly, there were stress lines that, although present at the end of last year, had never been as pronounced as now. The skin was paler and tauter than was usual but Harry noticed, with a large amount of relief, that the twinkle had not left the blue eyes.
Harry dragged his eyes away from his teacher to rake them over the room to reassess his earlier thoughts. It was definitely dark and now he could see the clock, he knew it was well past midnight. He was confused.
"Um….Professor? What happened?"
Dumbledore sighed. "We're not quite sure. Mr Weasley found you in the common room this morning with what appeared to be a large amount of blood coming from your scar. The scar itself was glowing. We brought you up here as soon as Mr Weasley informed us of your condition but nothing seemed to wake you up. As to what caused the scar to split and bleed, we were hoping you could provide us with that information." He finished by fixing Harry with a piercing gaze that seemed to impale him on the bed.
Harry thought back to what had happened after he had fallen asleep and, once he had located the memory, he immediately wanted to lose it again, to forget what he had done. He felt tears stinging his eyes and he shut them tight hoping to bottle his emotions away. But the image of the small girl invaded the darkness of his tightly shut eyes and, with a choked sob, he rolled over and curled up into the foetal position, tears falling silently.
After a moment, he felt warm arms encircle him and hug him tightly. Rather than appeasing his grief, the action amplified it and he burst into loud abrupt sobs. The arms held him tighter and began to rock him slowly. Harry leaned gratefully into the embrace and took deep shuddering breaths.
After a while, Dumbledore spoke but he didn't release his hold on Harry. "It was Voldemort wasn't it?" he asked softly. "In your dreams."
It was more of a statement than a question but still one that needed to be answered. Harry slowly opened his eyes and, to his mortification, found himself curled in Dumbledore's arms, tears trickling down his face and, he noticed guiltily, down the Professor's robes too. Harry carefully tried to extricate himself from the teacher's arms but they only held him tighter until, eventually, he looked wearily at the Headmaster's face. The eyes had lost the familiar twinkle but they still shone with concern and sympathy. Harry dropped his gaze.
"Harry, I need to know…"
Harry nodded and brushed another tear away before proceeding to answer. He told Dumbledore everything, relating the strange appearance of Fawkes, the unknown room, how Voldemort had killed first the man, then the woman…His voice, which had not quavered once so far in the telling, broke as he told Dumbledore of the choice he had been forced to make. All the while, Dumbledore listened in silence and didn't move save to pull the boy even closer.
When Harry had finished, he stared at the floor which had suddenly acquired a very interesting piece of fluff. He didn't want to see the look in Dumbledore's eyes, to see the disappointment he knew would be there. The piece of fluff was fascinating, the blue of the colour, the way the dim light from the single lamp reflected on the ridges and valleys…
"…lie to you Harry. The McClouds were found dead this morning. John had suffered major burns and lacerations to the chest and face, Sarah and Claire by the killing curse."
Harry remained silent and Dumbledore could tell by the blank look in his eyes that he was beginning to shut himself away from the world. For some insane reason, the thought of Harry living in a shell terrified him even more than what he had heard a few moments ago.
Beginning to panic ever so slightly, Dumbledore tipped Harry's head up and forced the dulling eyes to look into his own. He spoke quickly and fervently. "You made the right choice Harry. Many would have said nothing in the same situation. It takes great courage and strength to do what you did and I admire you for it. Trust me, you made the right choice. I'm sure John and Claire would have agreed with me."
Dumbledore watched anxiously and sighed with relief when the colour seeped back into Harry's eyes. Harry blinked a few times and tried to focus on the Headmaster. Tears threatened to well but he refused to let then fall. Instead he just buried himself into Dumbledore's with a soft sigh. Dumbledore held him a while longer until he felt the insistent trembling cease and the breathing even out.
Gently, so as not to wake Harry, Dumbledore lowered him onto the bed. He took off Harry's glasses and placed them on the bedside table. Dumbledore sat for several minutes and watched Harry's restless sleep. He sighed heavily and leaned over to tuck the bed sheets more tightly around the slumbering form. Harry's movements instantly lessened but the small frown on his face remained.
There was a soft 'whooshing' sound and then a warm weight alighted on Dumbledore's shoulder. Dumbledore stroked Fawkes' head lovingly and sighed, looking once more at Harry. Fawkes cocked his head slightly as if demanding an explanation.
"I worry for him Fawkes," he whispered so as to prevent Harry from stirring. "He carries so much on his shoulders: the hopes of the wizarding world and, although they don't realise it themselves, the muggle world too. When Voldemort and his Death Eaters come rising, the world looks to Harry…" he paused and glance at Harry. "And to be fair, he is a wonderful wizard, strong and compassionate despite all his young life has thrown at him. Yet I see the child in him also. He is confused and scared as well as brave and knowledgeable. A strange combination and one that I have only seen once before, in Tom Riddle," he sighed and hung his head. "Harry is strong but there is only so much any one person can take. I won't always be here for him as I was tonight. He needs someone…he needs Sirius."
Dumbledore turned suddenly to the phoenix. "Fawkes, find Sirius and bring him here. Take Elandar if you must but find Sirius and bring him here."
Fawkes crooned softly, then flexed his wings and took off through the now open window.
Dumbledore turned to Harry, relieved to see that the boy's features were now relaxed and whatever had been troubling him earlier was now gone. Silently he swept from the room. It was time to see what had kept a certain werewolf so long…
In the soft darkness of the Infirmary a single piece of blue fluff floated up on the currents created by the wizard's departure. Slowly, it eddied around until, eventually, it left through the window, the only reminder to how close Harry had come to giving up tonight.
* * *
Sirius ceased his headlong dash and crouched down behind a bush breathing heavily. *Where is that git?* A sharp keening wail pierced the air and Sirius froze, listening carefully. There was silence and then a distant sound of crunching undergrowth. Sirius took a deep shuddering breath and then ran in the opposite direction to the noise.
Sirius caught a brief glimpse of an acromantula in a small clearing only yards away. He veered off course and dashed in the other direction. There was a brief bellow of fury and then the sound of an enraged creature stampeding towards him. Sirius groaned inwardly and quickly switched direction again, wincing heavily as he heard the sound of the acromantula impaling a tree that, had he been a split second slower, could have been him. Deciding not to wait any longer, Sirius threw himself into the undergrowth. *Snape'll have to find his own way out of this mess!*
A moment later another acromantula arrived on the scene to find a very confused comrade who was slobbering inanely and staring at a piece of ground that was covered with dark red blood. A group of Death Eater's approached cautiously, eyeing the deadly pieces warily.
"Where is Black?"
The pincers clicked rapidly but they still managed to sort out the words spoken. "Gone. Scent disappeared. Bit him though."
The Death Eater grimaced and turned away. Acromantula saliva, he knew, could be a very painful poison if not treated almost immediately. Black was going to have a rough night. "All right, forget about Black," he said turning to the other Death Eaters. "Black's got past the animagus wards but he won't live long. Bring the other one and we'll take him to the Master. He will be very pleased to learn of the traitor. Inform the spy of this latest development. And tell him to hold off Trelawney's murder. Dumbledore will start to suspect. MOVE!"
The Death Eaters disapparated hurriedly. The remaining four turned to a solitary figure huddled on the floor. "Take him to the dungeons. I'm sure the Master will want to 'question' him," he sneered at the figure and turned away.
Severus Snape watched the retreating back in dismay. *What am I supposed to do now?* He hoped that Black had had the sense to return to Hogwarts and stay well away from this mess. *Not that he had any sense to start with!* Snape shook his head and rid himself of that last thought. Although Black could be infuriatingly annoying at times, he had to admit, however grudgingly, that he was intelligent and, dare he say it? Admirable….he shuddered. Nope. Definitely didn't like the sound of that word. It must have been the knock to the head. Yes, that was it…the knock to the head…
Behind the group and slightly to the right, a shaggy black dog watched the procession before turning and running off into the night. *There's nothing I can do now. I have to get to Hogwarts…* Sirius padded into the forest already hampered by the slight stiffening of limbs that was the first symptom of poisoning.
* * *
Albus Dumbledore sighed and looked up from the documents littering the desk to gaze at the full moon. *Where are you Remus? Why can't I contact you?* Slowly, he turned back to his papers and looked through them again. They were police records of all the deaths in strange circumstances within the past five months, since Voldemort's rising. Although the muggles didn't have a clue, Dumbledore knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that they were a sure sign of Death Eater activity. Which meant that Voldemort was regaining the sort of strength he had had fourteen years ago.
Voldemort. Even now Dumbledore found it hard to believe that Tom Riddle, model student and prefect had become the most feared Dark Wizard in recent history. Even during the reign of Grindelwald, people had not been as scared as they were now. And Dumbledore knew that Voldemort was far stronger than Grindelwald had ever dreamed of being.
Dumbledore sifted through more papers. He had defeated Grindelwald, but he had been younger and Grindelwald careless. Tom on the other hand, was the perfect Slytherin. Shrewd, persistent, intelligent, dark and incredibly powerful, especially now that he had Harry's blood in his veins.
Dumbledore smiled. Harry and Tom had so much in common. Both strong willed, stubborn, smart…and both despised the other. Dumbledore's smile turned into a frown. It was unfair to ask Harry to shoulder such a burden. He knew, undoubtedly that Harry would, no questions asked but that still didn't make it acceptable. Dumbledore knew, however, that another encounter between the two would be inevitable. Voldemort wanted Harry dead and Harry simply had the knack of tumbling headlong into trouble which invariably involved Voldemort in one way or another.
Dumbledore seethed at the events that had been thrown at Harry throughout his young life but somehow, incredibly, Harry had ploughed through one and all to come out virtually unscathed at the end. But he knew that this time Voldemort had gone too far. Add to that the lies spread about his 'mental health' by the Minister and the constant attention to every tiny move he made, and Dumbledore may well have another breakdown similar to tonight's on his hands.
Dumbledore wasn't afraid to admit how much Harry's reaction tonight had shaken him and he was determined it wouldn't happen again. Which was precisely why he was trying to find Remus…and to no effect. Remus simply seemed to have vanished like a puff of smoke for the past three months.
He was startled when the door burst open, almost being ripped off its hinges, and said puff of smoke bounded into the room. Albus blinked rapidly and frowned.
"Remus? What…." He was cut off as Remus pulled something from his pocket and thrust it under his nose.
Albus blinked again and looked at the proffered hand. Dangling from Remus' clenched fist hung a scruffy, struggling and biting grey rat…
A/N Wow, these cliffies come really naturally to me…*evil grin*.
So…is that Peter I hear you cry? Well….you'll have to wait until next chapter to find out. And Sirius is once again in mortal peril….aren't I nice?
Next chapter, expect plenty of swinging rats around by the tail (figuratively speaking), more of that Order stuff and loads of Moony. I can also exclusively reveal that the meeting with Firenze *will* be soon. And the spy in Hogwarts will be revealed shortly thereafter.
I think I'm about two-thirds through so far but I'm not sure. I've only got the next couple of chapters planned in any detail, only got the bones for the rest of the plot so there may be more but I doubt you'll be complaining too loudly.
Again I'm sorry about the length of time it took me to get this out. I simply haven't had time and probably won't for another few weeks due to coursework and exams humped onto me through till mid June…
I would like to take the time to shamelessly plug my new fic. It's a Gundam Wing fic and, in my opinion, it's going to be really good. If you like GW, go read it and be sure to tell me what you think.
Onto shout outs…
Esmeralda: "…"
Ellie: Thanks, you made y day. Glad you like it!
Jynx Ashley: Wow, thanks. I agree with you there. I do need to check more thoroughly but spell-check doesn't catch everything like when I write hid instead of his.
btterflygirl: No, I didn't forget to mention you. You didn't review chapter 10 so I didn't mention you. And before you argue, as I know you will, go read the reviews for chap 10. You ain't there girl!!!
Starlight: Yeah, I don't like old Moldywarts too much either…
Minna Radcliffe: Thanks, and thanks for reviewing again. Everyone, go and read her fic. It's really good.
Ashie: Thanks, sorry it took so long. Also, thanks for the the b-day present! ^________^
Cool_bytch: thanks, and in answer to your question, they were just examples. Nothing too important (unless my plot muse runs away and leaves me with nothing to go on…)
Sailor Vegeta: Easy, I take a pen and paper and write. That's how I do it to him! (
Draicana: I rock? Wow, cool thanks. And if you want me to email you again don't hesitate to ask.
Nuts: Well here's what' gonna happen…
Gia: Thanks and I know this isn't exactly soon but…hey I did it all right!
Bob: Thanks, hope you review again.
Elf_kitty: please let Esmeralda know that you had indeed lost the plot. For God's sake, you were talking about Draco being out of school and I never once mentioned that! Thank you *bows*.
Hyper Princess: Thank you. For what's gonna happen next see above! (
Hermione Gulliver: Thank you. It's always when someone owns up to reading a fic without actually reviewing. You really made my day. And don't worry, I haven't forgotten! I will get round to reading your fics sometime!
Thank you everyone. Please don't forget to review!
Luv baasheep
xx