Chapter 9- Evil Plans

Voldemort watched the teenage boy walking through the smoke and fire. The boy's mind was concentrating so hard on his goal that he did not notice the three Death Eaters flanking him.
"Come to me Potter," Voldemort whispered, "come and face me…"
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The Death Eaters seemed shocked to see Leslie and Remus standing in front of them, wands at the ready. In no time they were out cold.
"Well that was easy," Leslie said cheerfully as she stepped over the bodies to get outside. Remus nodded and followed her out.
The sight that greeted them was far from pleasant. The happy streets and tiny shops were in ruins. Fires burned here and there while glass covered the ground. The space outside the restaurant was relatively quiet. Staying close to the shadows of the buildings and with the help of the smoke, Remus and Leslie made there way through Hogsmeade. Screams that had once sounded far off were suddenly much closer and as they turned a corner, they found themselves in the midst of a battlefield. Death Eaters were everywhere and facing them were the professors of Hogwarts with Dumbledore at the head. Remus also noticed the Miffugans but for some reason they weren't in their Zekan forms. Leslie noticed this as well.
"They could take out every Death Eater here," she mumbled fiercely, "What do they think they're doing?"
"Come on," Remus replied. Carefully they edged their way towards the Hogwarts staff.
As they reached the line of professors, a breathless Hagrid, clutching his pink umbrella, greeted them.
"Well am I glad to see you two," he cried. He looked over to where Dumbledore had just knocked out three Death Eaters.
"Headmaster! Two down, one to go!" Hagrid screamed. Dumbledore nodded and started to walk towards an injured Professor Sprout.
"Hagrid, what do you mean one to go?" Remus asked.
"We've been trying to find everyone that had been at Hogsmeade before the attacks," his eyes started to water, "all the professors have been accounted for…and all of the students… though some of them were…. dead…" he choked, "except one, we can't find Harry."
Suddenly there was a loud cry from behind them. They turned to see a bunch of Aurors running towards them.
"Ah," Hagrid said with a grin, "the reinforcements."
Leslie took in the battle around her. The Death Eaters, seeing the crowd of Aurors approaching, were retreating. A loud cheer of triumph followed.
"Why attack Hogsmeade?" she mused, "There aren't enough Death Eaters to over power all the professors here and now with the people the Ministry sent…"
"There's Harry," Remus added quietly. Hagrid nodded.
"Come on," he said eagerly, "let's talk to Dumbledore. Maybe we can start searching for him."
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Peter Petigrew watched Harry Potter walk closer to where they were hiding. Voldemort had decided on running things from one of the shops on the edge of Hogsmeade. So that was the first place they had attacked. Peter was glad he had not been there when the Death Eaters had to "empty" the place out. The shop seemed like it would be relatively popular.
"Look at him," one of the Death Eaters grunted, "he doesn't even realize he's walking into a trap."
"When one is out for revenge it's hard to think clearly," another answered, "unless you are someone as wise and powerful as you my lord."
Voldemort nodded absently. Peter shifted nervously. Another Death Eater entered unnoticed and whispered something to the last Death Eater that had spoken. He nodded and they both approached Voldemort, throwing back their hoods. Peter seemed to shrink as he stiffly took a few steps away from Voldemort and the Death Eater's walking towards them. The Death Eater that had entered was Severus Snape and the other Death Eater was Lucius Malfoy. The other Death Eater left with a gesture from Malfoy.
"My lord," Lucius said, clearing his throat, "Severus has brought news."
Voldemort turned on them with a scowl.
"Well?" he growled. Severus paled.
"The Ministry has sent a force of Aurors as reinforcements for the Hogwarts staff."
"Have we killed any of them yet?" Voldemort asked angrily.
"No, however…"
"How many Death Eaters have we lost?" Voldemort interrupted. Snape hesitated.
"Twelve so far," Voldemort took a deep breath, trying to control his temper. He could not afford to kill any more Death Eaters. Then he remembered Severus's "however". He turned toward him.
"However?" Voldemort pressed.
"There was a small struggle when the Death Eaters went to take the shop where most of the Gryffindor students were. Harry Potter was not among them we are sure. However, while the students escaped out the back, a group of 8th years took it upon themselves to hold back the Death Eaters. There were only three Death Eaters and many more students. They were able to kill two students and injure one more before being incapacitated."
Voldemort nodded approvingly, his gaze returning to the young boy walking towards them. Severus noticed Harry for the first time. His mind raced.
"Lord Voldemort, our Death Eaters are retreating, the Ministry's forces are sweeping Hogsmeade. We should go now."
Before he could finish, cries in the glum interrupted him. They saw Harry turn and soon he was enveloped in a series of hugs and scolds. The crowd around him consisted of Sirius, Hagrid, Remus, Leslie, and Dumbledore.
Voldemort growled in rage. Harry had stopped walking and was smiling weakly at his friends, while reassuring them that he was all right. Dumbledore seemed to turn and look right at them. Voldemort hissed and took a step back. His mind mesmerizing all the people surrounding Harry.
"Go to them Severus," Voldemort hissed, "tell them you found nothing here. You two follow me."
With that Voldemort, Peter and Lucius left out the back.
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Harry stared at the ceiling as he lay on his back in bed. He could not sleep. Not with the soft sobbing surrounding him and not with the memories of that night haunting him. Two more students'…. dead, all because Voldemort wanted him. Harry bit his lip fighting back the tears he felt coming. He knew those 8th years just like all the other Gryffindors.
Harry turned over on his side and squeezed his eyes shut. He had come so close. He knew Voldemort had been waiting for him. If only Sirius and the others had not found him. Maybe if Voldemort killed him Hogwarts would be safer. Harry felt a tear roll down his check. Angrily he wiped it away. He wouldn't let Voldemort get away with it. No, Voldemort would die before he hurt anyone else even if Harry had to die with him.
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Peter shivered as he stared at the arrangement of beasts before him. He looked at the Death Eater standing beside him.
"How in the world will Snape get them all inside?" he asked doubtfully. Lucius glared at him.
"He'll find a way Petigrew," Lucius gazed thoughtfully on the caged creatures, "if they don't close Hogwart's after this then they'll be signing every students death warrant!" He turned as footsteps sounded behind them. Severus looked surprise to see the pair. Lucius smiled.
"Voldemort thought you might want some help unloading," he said, gesturing to the cages. Severus's eyes widened as he took in all the creatures.
"All of them?" he asked. Peter nodded.
"If you can, go for the professors and Potter first," Peter informed him. Severus narrowed his eyes.
"Voldemort has informed me and the creatures on who has top priority," he growled. Malfoy laughed and picked up one of the cages.
"Let's get started then," he announced.