The Fifth Marauder
By Alarun
Part 14
Something moved.
Ron Weasley had been staring out of the window for hours. At least, it felt like hours, because of the stiffness he felt in his neck and back. The world outside the window was silent and still. It was like watching a Muggle painting.
But then something moved.
Ron uncrossed his legs, leaning forward on his elbows, peering through his own reflection in the glass. It was far away, like a small black dot rising above the distant fields, past Professor Sprout's greenhouses and Hagrid's small stone house.
Standing up, he didn't remove his eyes from the small spot as he felt through the trunk at the foot of his bed for his pair of omnioculars that Harry had bought him. He brought them up to his eyes, focusing.
(A/N: Are they called omnioculars? I can't remember!)
* * *
Voldemort himself sped toward Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Jova trying to bite down on the bit and fly faster. He tugged gently on the reins, collecting back the horse's head until his chin was pointing straight down.
He flew over the many towers of the school, looking down on the gigantic castle. When the Dark Lord neared the center courtyard ---the place Madame Hooch always gave her students their flying lessons ---he pushed his heels down, toes out, and stood in the stirrups, leaning forward into the two-point position. With the sudden loosening of the reins, Jova bunched together and flew up at as high an angle as possible.
It was like jumping a horse that never came down again, but Jova stopped when he reached his height limit. All flying horses had their limit to how far into the sky they dared travel, and Voldemort had chosen Jova as his own mount because the stallion was braver than the rest.
Hovering lightly in the air, Voldemort reached for the small pearl and ivory box. It was the size of a ring box, square, and beautifully crafted with delicate designs carved into the cover. It didn't have a latch, but Voldemort had never opened it.
The Dark Lord held it out at arm's length, studying the surrounding wind. When the world seemed still enough, he opened his fingers and kicked Jova hard with his heels, attempting to clear the vicinity before the little box hit the ground in the middle of Hogwarts' courtyard.
* * *
Snape arrived at his private lab the instant deafening explosions racked the school. He stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame, praying to whatever gods might be listening that Hogwarts remained intact.
Dumbledore's wards dissipated the instant the Headmaster reverted into a teenager, though there were probably no warning bells going off for Voldemort. If one of ill intent spent too long scrying the castle, they would end up with a dizzying headache for a week. The Dark Lord himself was not immune to that effect. He had figured it out, however. And too soon.
When the room stopped trembling, Severus strode to the fireplace and cast an incendio, throwing a bit of floo powder into it, and went about setting up a few cauldrons.
Harry and Hermione appeared in front of the fireplace, one after the other.
Snape opened up a large tome, silently showing the two fifth years the ingredients for the adulescentia potion. "This begins simply, in three different cauldrons. It gets more complex when it gets to the cooling stage, when they need to be added together exactly." Snape reluctantly handed Harry and Hermione the book, stepping away. "I need you two to start it as quickly as possible. I'll be back as soon as I can." Without another word, Severus swept out of the room.
* * *
Sorry for the shortness and the lateness! I'm actually getting an idea for what happens, though, so watch out! Some sort of angst might be coming …
Please let me know what you think! Even if it's just one word, like "sucks," or "good," please leave me a review! Er, though I'd probably be happier if you let me know what I could improve or change, or what you like about this story.
Peace!