Disclaimer: Characters are JKR's. *sighs* I'd really like to own them, but she got them first :(. So I'm just borrowing them. I'll give them back, after this fic is finished, so please don't sue me. I mean, this is supposed to be a fanfic. If I would own the characters, it wouldn't be a fanfic anymore, now would it?
A/N: Beta read by Luinthoron. But it still could have some little (or bigger) grammar or writing errors. Don't be mad at me. As I said already at the end of the former chapter, I don't speak English as my native language and as far as I know I'm really horryble at it. And as there is no such thing as a speller for English in this stupid little laptop of mine… well, you got the idea :)
This chapter goes to my beta-reader Luinthoron *waves* and to Dru, who's the first person who ever reviewd this fic (*thinks* hey, Dru, have I missed something or when did McGonagall turn into a man?! *thinks: I really think I described the spy as 'the man in the shadows'…*)
--Altair
Chapter Two: A Servant Returns
It was late at night already. The Dark Lord still sat in his chair, looking into the dancing flames in the fireplace, waiting. His left hand was hanging from the arm-rest, holding a glass of brandy. He didn't doubt his servant to come, but it took too long this time. He was not used to waiting. This was really beginning to annoy him.
The cover, he reminded himself. He had ordered himself that this servant of his was never allowed to risk his cover. It had been too hard to get a spy that trusted by his enemy. He was of too great value to risk loosing him.
Lord Voldemort brought his glass to his lips, enjoying the taste of his drink. He hadn't had a chance to enjoy the life for almoust fourteen years. And now it was his turn to fave some fun. He almost pitied the Muggles and Mudbloods. Now, that he was back, he would surely show them a thing or two. Muggles - who needed them anyway? The world would be a much enjoyable place without them in it. Well, there was no reason why the world couldn't become a fully Muggle-free place. He was back now, more powerful than ever, and he was going to rule the world. Who was about to going to stop him? This Potter boy? He let out a snort of high cruel laughter. The boy was going to be killed any time soon. Young Bartemius Crouch, the loyal servant he had placed in Hogwarts, would take care of him, no doubt. Who else? Cornelius Fudge? That man was incapable of doing anything by himself. Lord Voldemort still couldn't understand how this man ever could have been made the Minister of Magic. Dumbledore? Yeah, he certainly was a problem. The Dark Lord often wished he could have convinced the school's headmaster to become a dark wizard. He had potential to become one of the greatest dark wizards in the world, if he just would discard this whole goodness thing. He was not to be underestimated. But then again, Lord Voldemort had never underestimated him in the first place. Dumbledore was a wizard of great power and the Dark Lord admitted it. But this was not going to be enough to defeat him this time. His powers were greater now and he would use them to their full extend, knowing that Dumbledore would never use his powers to that limit, just to not use any dark magic.
Not that it would matter, anyhow. All he had to do, was to bond a new alliance with some of his former poweful allies. The dementors, in first place. And, of course, the giants. Not that they would have been a pleasant folk to deal with. But they were so easy to manipulate with, and they were really powerful too. They were this type of creatures you would like to have as allies just so you don't have them as enemies. The Dark Lord always had had a certain power over other. A high charisma, some would say. It was part of his nature. He always had been good at manipulating with people.
He took another swig from his glass. It was way over midnight but there was no sign of the spy yet. Well, if Harry had the chance to tell in school about his little adventure, they most likely have started taking countermeasures at the Ministry by now. And Dumbledore is being called for counceling. That should take at least another few hours.
In all this time it never occurred to him, that it could have been possible, that his spy has swiched sides and is about not to turn up at all. Which would have been a very wrong thing to think. The special spy was, of course, gathering information for his Lord. He discussed the rumours about the Dark Lord's return with Minister Fudge and was more than surprised to find the man denying the evening's events. He also hurried to Hogwatrs to "make sure that Harry is OK" and to discuss the same rumours with headmaster Dumbledore, to offer his help in the reorganization of the Resistance and to hear about what steps are taken to fight the Dark Lord. It was almost morning when he finally got up, saying good-bye to Dumbledore and saying he was leaving for work.
It had been a long night for Lord Voldemort. He had been too eager to hear the spy's report to find some sleep. So he had spent entire night sitting in his chair, making up some good new plans for taking over the world and sipping his brandy. Not much of it, of course. Just enough to get the taste of it. He hadn't, after all, had a drink in over thirteen years!
Outside the house the sun was shining brightly, but inside, behind the drown curtains, the Dark Lord sat in almost complete darkness, the only lightsource being the fire in the fireplace. Oh, how he loved the flames. The flames gave him a feeling of freedom. He had loved watching the flames since he had been at school. Ever since that he had wanted to drown the world into fire, watching the flames growing, everburning.
"My Lord!"
The man sitting in the chair did not stand up, neither did he look around. He just continued looking into the fire. "I've been waiting for you," he said.
"I feel inconsolable for letting You waiting so long, my Lord," the man in the shadows answered with a light bow towards the Dark Lord. "Although my coming so late has a good reason. I've been up all night, collecting news about what the wizardring world is going to do about You having come back. And I am sure, You will like most of it."
"So go on, my friend," Lord Voldemort encouraged him. "I want a full report of what has happened last night."
"I'm afraid, You won't like the first thing I have to say, though," the spy continued, still standing in the dark corner of the room. "They have given Bartemius Crouch the Dementor's Kiss…"
The man in the chair was shaking with anger. His voice remained icy and calm. "Tell me about it," he demanded.
"He was captured by Dumbledore," the spy began. "He blew his cover by taking Harry with him after Dumbledore had strictly told him not to move from the space. The real Alastor Moody would never have removed Harry from Dumbledore after what happened. He was captured by attended murdering of Harry Potter. He was also questioned under the Veritaserum by Dumbledore. This fool Fudge went to question him later with a dementor with him. Well, let's say it that way - he wasn't able to ask even one single question."
Lord Voldemort nodded. Even though it was impossible for the man in the shadows behind him to see this, it seemed like he knew what was happening.
"So, that brings us to the second point of what I'd like to say. Fudge, that filthy idiot, is refusing to belive that You have returned, my Lord. He is not taking any precautionary measures of any sort. He is also not going to make a statement to the wizardring world. Little Harry has revealed the names of all the Death Eaters he heard here to him, but as they were able to clear their names thirteen years ago, he's thinking, Harry is making up this whole story and he is not paying any attention to the boy's words. Thanks to News Girl Skeeter he is not likely to believe any word of what little Harry may have to say. You may have heard of her last report "Harry Potter 'Disturbed And Dangerous'". Harry keeps having those horrible headaches with sometimes visions about You, my Lord. Dumbledore's positive, that's because of the failed curse that give him his scar and took You away from us for years. But thanks to that and the fact that he can speak parseltongue, Skeeter has managed to make him a very distrusted witness."
"The boy speaks parseltongue?" the icy voice from the chair asked.
"Another side-effect of the curse, so Dumbledore, my Lord," the servant explained. "He has also visited the Chamber of Secrets two years ago as the Chamber was opened due to an old diary of yours, my Lord. A rather amusing plan by Lucius Malfoy, that happened to fail."
"Anything else of importance?" the Dark Lord asked.
"Well, my Lord, there's something about Dumbledore. And I'm afraid that's not so pleasant to hear. He happenes to belive the words of Harry Potter as he also knows about the effects this old curse had on the boy. Dumbledore also heared the statement of late Crouch. So he is definetly organizing the Resistance and he has already taken measures if I may say so. He is counting on the help of the giants and is intending to send the halfbreed Hagrid as an envoy to them. He will be accompanied by the headmistress of Beaubaxton."
"Old Rubeus Hagrid?" the man in the chair laughed. It was the same sadistic laugh Harry had been hearing in his nightmares for almost fourteen years by now. "Oh, I remember him. Blamed him as I opened the Chamber of Secrets myself… He was expelled, wasn't he? Is he still gamekeeper at Hogwarts?"
"Um… yes, that too. He's teaching Care of Magical Creatures now, my Lord" the voice answered from the shadows. He continues after a little pause. "About Dumbledore…"
"There's more about him? Well, I can't say, I'm surprised. So, what is he up to?
"Well, I just wanted to mention, that by organizing the Resistance again, he is acting strictly against Fudge's orders. I recon it could be to our favor. He also is contacting the old Resistance. Sirius Black was already at the school, taking orders. He is to alert the others. And, by the way, I offered Dumbledore my help. He has accepted it, as expected." The man laughed. The could laughter was almost as cruel and sadistic as Lord Voldemort's.
"Very well," the Dark Lord said. "You have done a good work. I am glad I didn't had to be disappointed in you."
"Thank you, my Lord," the servant murmured. He was talking very quietly now, but still the Dark Lord could hear every word of what he said. "I also hear, that the traitor Snape is going to join the Resistance again."
"He will be punished, I will look for that." Lord Voldemort was still facing the fireplace. He stood up just to add some wood into the fadeing fire. Then he returned to his chair. The flames in the fireplace grew higher, bringing light into the dim room. "On a brighter side," the Dark Lord asked his servant, "if may I ask, how is your family? I recon you have children?"
"Yes, my Lord. I have even children at Hogwarts. And if I may add, they are very close to Harry Potter." The man took a step closer. His face still was covered in the shadow. "To be precise, it was my daughter who was used to open the Chamber of Secrets again…" with those words Arthur Weasley stepped out from the shadows.
A/N: Well I hope you did enjoy this as much as I did enjoy writing it. I bet most of you knew already who the spy was, after finishing the first chapter. But if you didn't… well, you do know now. Surprised? I don't think so. Well, if you want to know, what happenes next, please review.
Oh, and the next chapter may take a little longer. 'Cause me and Luinthoron are using the same computer and well, we can't write both at the same time. But hey - I'm still a faster writer than he, so it really doesn't matter.
And now, kindly review!
A/N: Beta read by Luinthoron. But it still could have some little (or bigger) grammar or writing errors. Don't be mad at me. As I said already at the end of the former chapter, I don't speak English as my native language and as far as I know I'm really horryble at it. And as there is no such thing as a speller for English in this stupid little laptop of mine… well, you got the idea :)
This chapter goes to my beta-reader Luinthoron *waves* and to Dru, who's the first person who ever reviewd this fic (*thinks* hey, Dru, have I missed something or when did McGonagall turn into a man?! *thinks: I really think I described the spy as 'the man in the shadows'…*)
--Altair
Chapter Two: A Servant Returns
It was late at night already. The Dark Lord still sat in his chair, looking into the dancing flames in the fireplace, waiting. His left hand was hanging from the arm-rest, holding a glass of brandy. He didn't doubt his servant to come, but it took too long this time. He was not used to waiting. This was really beginning to annoy him.
The cover, he reminded himself. He had ordered himself that this servant of his was never allowed to risk his cover. It had been too hard to get a spy that trusted by his enemy. He was of too great value to risk loosing him.
Lord Voldemort brought his glass to his lips, enjoying the taste of his drink. He hadn't had a chance to enjoy the life for almoust fourteen years. And now it was his turn to fave some fun. He almost pitied the Muggles and Mudbloods. Now, that he was back, he would surely show them a thing or two. Muggles - who needed them anyway? The world would be a much enjoyable place without them in it. Well, there was no reason why the world couldn't become a fully Muggle-free place. He was back now, more powerful than ever, and he was going to rule the world. Who was about to going to stop him? This Potter boy? He let out a snort of high cruel laughter. The boy was going to be killed any time soon. Young Bartemius Crouch, the loyal servant he had placed in Hogwarts, would take care of him, no doubt. Who else? Cornelius Fudge? That man was incapable of doing anything by himself. Lord Voldemort still couldn't understand how this man ever could have been made the Minister of Magic. Dumbledore? Yeah, he certainly was a problem. The Dark Lord often wished he could have convinced the school's headmaster to become a dark wizard. He had potential to become one of the greatest dark wizards in the world, if he just would discard this whole goodness thing. He was not to be underestimated. But then again, Lord Voldemort had never underestimated him in the first place. Dumbledore was a wizard of great power and the Dark Lord admitted it. But this was not going to be enough to defeat him this time. His powers were greater now and he would use them to their full extend, knowing that Dumbledore would never use his powers to that limit, just to not use any dark magic.
Not that it would matter, anyhow. All he had to do, was to bond a new alliance with some of his former poweful allies. The dementors, in first place. And, of course, the giants. Not that they would have been a pleasant folk to deal with. But they were so easy to manipulate with, and they were really powerful too. They were this type of creatures you would like to have as allies just so you don't have them as enemies. The Dark Lord always had had a certain power over other. A high charisma, some would say. It was part of his nature. He always had been good at manipulating with people.
He took another swig from his glass. It was way over midnight but there was no sign of the spy yet. Well, if Harry had the chance to tell in school about his little adventure, they most likely have started taking countermeasures at the Ministry by now. And Dumbledore is being called for counceling. That should take at least another few hours.
In all this time it never occurred to him, that it could have been possible, that his spy has swiched sides and is about not to turn up at all. Which would have been a very wrong thing to think. The special spy was, of course, gathering information for his Lord. He discussed the rumours about the Dark Lord's return with Minister Fudge and was more than surprised to find the man denying the evening's events. He also hurried to Hogwatrs to "make sure that Harry is OK" and to discuss the same rumours with headmaster Dumbledore, to offer his help in the reorganization of the Resistance and to hear about what steps are taken to fight the Dark Lord. It was almost morning when he finally got up, saying good-bye to Dumbledore and saying he was leaving for work.
It had been a long night for Lord Voldemort. He had been too eager to hear the spy's report to find some sleep. So he had spent entire night sitting in his chair, making up some good new plans for taking over the world and sipping his brandy. Not much of it, of course. Just enough to get the taste of it. He hadn't, after all, had a drink in over thirteen years!
Outside the house the sun was shining brightly, but inside, behind the drown curtains, the Dark Lord sat in almost complete darkness, the only lightsource being the fire in the fireplace. Oh, how he loved the flames. The flames gave him a feeling of freedom. He had loved watching the flames since he had been at school. Ever since that he had wanted to drown the world into fire, watching the flames growing, everburning.
"My Lord!"
The man sitting in the chair did not stand up, neither did he look around. He just continued looking into the fire. "I've been waiting for you," he said.
"I feel inconsolable for letting You waiting so long, my Lord," the man in the shadows answered with a light bow towards the Dark Lord. "Although my coming so late has a good reason. I've been up all night, collecting news about what the wizardring world is going to do about You having come back. And I am sure, You will like most of it."
"So go on, my friend," Lord Voldemort encouraged him. "I want a full report of what has happened last night."
"I'm afraid, You won't like the first thing I have to say, though," the spy continued, still standing in the dark corner of the room. "They have given Bartemius Crouch the Dementor's Kiss…"
The man in the chair was shaking with anger. His voice remained icy and calm. "Tell me about it," he demanded.
"He was captured by Dumbledore," the spy began. "He blew his cover by taking Harry with him after Dumbledore had strictly told him not to move from the space. The real Alastor Moody would never have removed Harry from Dumbledore after what happened. He was captured by attended murdering of Harry Potter. He was also questioned under the Veritaserum by Dumbledore. This fool Fudge went to question him later with a dementor with him. Well, let's say it that way - he wasn't able to ask even one single question."
Lord Voldemort nodded. Even though it was impossible for the man in the shadows behind him to see this, it seemed like he knew what was happening.
"So, that brings us to the second point of what I'd like to say. Fudge, that filthy idiot, is refusing to belive that You have returned, my Lord. He is not taking any precautionary measures of any sort. He is also not going to make a statement to the wizardring world. Little Harry has revealed the names of all the Death Eaters he heard here to him, but as they were able to clear their names thirteen years ago, he's thinking, Harry is making up this whole story and he is not paying any attention to the boy's words. Thanks to News Girl Skeeter he is not likely to believe any word of what little Harry may have to say. You may have heard of her last report "Harry Potter 'Disturbed And Dangerous'". Harry keeps having those horrible headaches with sometimes visions about You, my Lord. Dumbledore's positive, that's because of the failed curse that give him his scar and took You away from us for years. But thanks to that and the fact that he can speak parseltongue, Skeeter has managed to make him a very distrusted witness."
"The boy speaks parseltongue?" the icy voice from the chair asked.
"Another side-effect of the curse, so Dumbledore, my Lord," the servant explained. "He has also visited the Chamber of Secrets two years ago as the Chamber was opened due to an old diary of yours, my Lord. A rather amusing plan by Lucius Malfoy, that happened to fail."
"Anything else of importance?" the Dark Lord asked.
"Well, my Lord, there's something about Dumbledore. And I'm afraid that's not so pleasant to hear. He happenes to belive the words of Harry Potter as he also knows about the effects this old curse had on the boy. Dumbledore also heared the statement of late Crouch. So he is definetly organizing the Resistance and he has already taken measures if I may say so. He is counting on the help of the giants and is intending to send the halfbreed Hagrid as an envoy to them. He will be accompanied by the headmistress of Beaubaxton."
"Old Rubeus Hagrid?" the man in the chair laughed. It was the same sadistic laugh Harry had been hearing in his nightmares for almost fourteen years by now. "Oh, I remember him. Blamed him as I opened the Chamber of Secrets myself… He was expelled, wasn't he? Is he still gamekeeper at Hogwarts?"
"Um… yes, that too. He's teaching Care of Magical Creatures now, my Lord" the voice answered from the shadows. He continues after a little pause. "About Dumbledore…"
"There's more about him? Well, I can't say, I'm surprised. So, what is he up to?
"Well, I just wanted to mention, that by organizing the Resistance again, he is acting strictly against Fudge's orders. I recon it could be to our favor. He also is contacting the old Resistance. Sirius Black was already at the school, taking orders. He is to alert the others. And, by the way, I offered Dumbledore my help. He has accepted it, as expected." The man laughed. The could laughter was almost as cruel and sadistic as Lord Voldemort's.
"Very well," the Dark Lord said. "You have done a good work. I am glad I didn't had to be disappointed in you."
"Thank you, my Lord," the servant murmured. He was talking very quietly now, but still the Dark Lord could hear every word of what he said. "I also hear, that the traitor Snape is going to join the Resistance again."
"He will be punished, I will look for that." Lord Voldemort was still facing the fireplace. He stood up just to add some wood into the fadeing fire. Then he returned to his chair. The flames in the fireplace grew higher, bringing light into the dim room. "On a brighter side," the Dark Lord asked his servant, "if may I ask, how is your family? I recon you have children?"
"Yes, my Lord. I have even children at Hogwarts. And if I may add, they are very close to Harry Potter." The man took a step closer. His face still was covered in the shadow. "To be precise, it was my daughter who was used to open the Chamber of Secrets again…" with those words Arthur Weasley stepped out from the shadows.
A/N: Well I hope you did enjoy this as much as I did enjoy writing it. I bet most of you knew already who the spy was, after finishing the first chapter. But if you didn't… well, you do know now. Surprised? I don't think so. Well, if you want to know, what happenes next, please review.
Oh, and the next chapter may take a little longer. 'Cause me and Luinthoron are using the same computer and well, we can't write both at the same time. But hey - I'm still a faster writer than he, so it really doesn't matter.
And now, kindly review!