A/N: I corrected a very large error that was in fact much larger than it
appeared on the site. I'm not quite sure what happened, but it's better
now. I left the rest of the chapter like it is with my author note and
reviewer responses. Thanks for pointing it out!!!!!
~
A/N: Oh no.
Gilthas: What?
Me: I...er... *shifts uncomfortably* I don't exactly have many chapter after this one. I might have two. I think. It might only be one. I've been slacking off.
Gilthas: It's probably because you were too busy reading that The Great Hunt book by Robert Jordan.
Me: That was oddly specific.
Gilthas: Right. Anyway...
Me: I'm very cold.
Gilthas: That can come with colder weather.
Me: And our soccer coach had us out there in that terrible weather simply because the basketball girls had some tournament so we couldn't go inside. And I actually had to wear shorts because I didn't have any pants and I have holes in my cleats!
Gilthas: On the plus side, if you get sick, you'll have more time to write and your readers will be happy.
Me: Ug...shut up.
Gilthas: Oh, yes. And I want to point out that in a few more reviews, I'll have 100 for this story!
Me: *squeals* So happy!!!!!! Oh, and I've finished the first chapter to History Repeats Itself. That's my Back to Back Then sequel I'm working on. I'm so excited and I was going to post it along with this one before I realized how close I was to 100. So now I'm waiting! Yay...I'm so happy!
Gilthas: Yes. Now read the story.
~
Chapter 9: The Ministry of Magic
Grander was looking at Harry in bewilderment. "Then why are you 16 and not a baby, as when phoenixes return?"
"I can answer that," Dumbledore's portrait said. "Because you were 16 when you defeated Voldemort. Unless I'm much mistaken, it was Voldemort's power that destroyed your body."
"So, once again," Harry said, struck by the irony of the situation. "Thanks to Voldemort, I have the chance to beat him."
Dumbledore nodded in his portrait. "I must tell you, Harry, that I'm very pleased that you have come. It was quite dull sitting in here with only the same conversations to go over again and again. I was ready for a challenge."
"Luck you," Harry said dully. "I was perfectly content to rot in my grave all day long."
Dumbledore gave him a sympathetic look. Then he raised his eyebrows. "I have a bone to pick with you."
"What?" Harry said, surprised by the unexpected announcement.
"Why did you never come back to Hogwarts after you graduated?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"You never once came back. I know. I have my sources..."
Harry shrugged. "I guess it just wasn't the same."
"You never came back?" Grander asked quickly. "I didn't know this. We need to sit down and have a long chat, you and I."
"I rather expected you to become a professor," Dumbledore said, ignoring Grander. "I mean, you certainly seemed to enjoy it when you were working on the DA."
"What's that?" Grander piped up.
"Yeah," Harry said, shrugging. "I guess I never thought myself very good."
"You were excellent," Dumbledore said without a trace of doubt. "Every one of your students passed their O.W.L. in Defense with flying colors. That's including Neville Longbottom."
"Who's Neville Longbottom?" Grander asked.
Again he was ignored. Harry shrugged. Then he suddenly shook his head. "No time to talk about that though, because Voldemort's probably planning another attack as we speak!"
Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "I think, perhaps, Harry, that it's about time you took a trip to the Ministry of Magic."
* * *
Harry hugged his cloak tighter around him. It was colder in Edinburgh than at Hogwarts. "Are we there yet?"
Grander grinned at him. "Nope. Of course, we'd already be there if London hadn't been destroyed."
Harry did not grin. He really didn't need a reminder of what had happened in London. "How much further?"
"A little ways," Grander said. "I still don't see why you don't want to take a hover car!"
"I don't trust those things," Harry said, looking suspiciously at one as it zoomed past them on the slightly levitated roadway. "They move too fast. And off the ground. Something about the combination doesn't appeal to me."
"I thought you were a Quidditch star," Grander grumbled.
Harry ignored the comment. "Where are we headed exactly?"
"Here." Grander suddenly stopped. They were in front of a small coffee shop.
"Coffee?" Harry asked blankly. "What happened to tea?"
"Nothing," Grander said, shrugging. "They serve both."
"Let's get inside, out of this cold," Harry said, pushing open the door.
Instantly they were warm. The heat inside the coffee shop was stifling in Harry's think cloak. He pulled it off, grumbling. "When did it get so cold?"
"You've heard about continental drift?" Grander asked, placing his coat on a coat rack that had followed them the moment they had walked inside. "Well England's moved a few more feet north since your day."
"Fun," Harry muttered. "Like I don't have enough problems. Now I have to worry about the Earth's geometric movement."
Grander grinned again. He walked up to the counter where a woman was busily cleaning out a coffee mug. "I'd like four cups of tea, a tall glass of frozen ice, and 7 coffees along with some sugar and milk."
The woman nodded at the odd order without a second look. Harry nudged Grander and muttered, "We don't have time for this!"
Grander snorted. "I know. Just trust me."
The woman pushed two cups of tea over the counter. Grander nodded thankfully and picked up the tray. On it, along with the tea, was two oddly looking sugar packets.
Grander motioned to a table-the only one empty in the room. Harry sat down. Grander sat across from him. He pushed the tea at Harry and muttered, "Just do what I do."
Harry nodded and caught the sugar packet Grander tossed him. Grander opened his sugar packet and poured it into his tea. He stirred it twice muttering "twice" for Harry's benefit and took a drink of his tea. He made a face and motioned for Harry to do the same.
Harry dumped the sugar, stirred twice and took a drink of the tea. He wrinkled his nose. "It could use some milk."
Grander grinned and the next second he stood up. Except that he was still sitting down. He motioned for Harry to get up. Blinking, Harry complied only to see himself still sitting down, talking to Grander. It was rather unnerving. He opened his mouth to ask, but Grander put a finger to his lips.
Looking around, Harry saw that none of the people around him seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary. Clearly they could not be seen.
Grander motioned for him to follow. When they reached the counter, the woman who had served them the tea had put on a pair of glasses. She, apparently, could see them. Harry did not need to ask if the glasses had anything to do with it.
She pointedly looked at them and walked to a side door and opened it, standing to the side.
Harry and Grander walked through and the lady shut the door with a snap. Harry caught a brief glance at a white room before he felt the most blessed sensation of magic all around him and a door appeared before them.
Grander turned the knob and they walked through.
The second they passed, through, Harry felt cold all over and he realized that whatever was making them invisible before was no longer in effect.
They stood outside a very changed Ministry of Magic. The building were made of shining silver or else reflecting glass, giving it a very bright appearance as the light reflected off them. The streets were made of polished marble, very much like those of Gringotts. If there was a single word to describe it, Harry decided, it would simply be shiny. Everything reflected some sort of light.
"Impressed?" Grander asked.
Harry snorted. "Hardly." He looked at Grander suddenly. "I take it only the door's appearance was magical while the rest had something to do with technology."
Grander nodded. "See, the Ministry of Magic isn't in Edinburgh. It's deep underneath London. For convenience purposes, many entrances were made throughout Great Britain. That's very expensive to do by technology, and, I admit, more vulnerable to hackers and such-you know, kids and their computers. So some wizards studied for weeks and combined their magics to create that door we walked through as well as many others."
"How did you do the rest of it then?" Harry asked, though a split second later realized it had been a mistake. Grander was very happy to talk about it and went on to explain all about holographic projectors and the bending of light-smoke and mirrors, as Harry put it.
"So why are we here?" Grander asked for the third time.
"We have to see the Minister of Magic," Harry said. "He's the only one with the resources that can help in our stand against Voldemort."
"Right," Grander said. "To the Big House then."
"The what?"
"The Big House!" Grander said, happy to explain something once more. "That's what we call the House Dedicated to Maintaining Order for the Good of the Wizarding Community at Large. It's easier to say."
"Clearly," Harry muttered. "Which way?"
Grander led. He clearly knew the place back to front. He had apparently grown up around it and kept pointing to things and saying things like, "And that's where Giffin Flormek single-handedly fought off an entire goblin raid in the 2456!"
Harry didn't remember a word and soon stopped listening altogether. He concentrated instead on what he was going to say. From what he had found out about the Ministry of Magic, they held meetings once a month to discuss growing problems as well as successes. From what Harry had heard and seen, there were probably more of the latter in the past 1000 years than could even begin to compare to the former.
Finally they stopped in front of the House Dedicated to Maintaining Order for the Good of the Wizarding Community at Large and found out exactly why it was referred to as the 'Big' house.
It was huge. It towered over everything near it and it proudly proclaimed its name as well as a brief history on a large flashy sign in front.
Harry turned to Grander. "You have this all arranged, right? I mean, they're expecting us at the meeting, right?"
"Probably wouldn't start without us!" Grander said confidently. "After all, you are Harry Potter."
Harry didn't want to say anything to put a dent in Grander's pride, but he honestly didn't believe that many people believe that he truly was who he said he was and would have no problem starting the meeting without him.
He tried to urge Grander forward and finally convinced him that it wouldn't look good for the issue they were trying to discuss if they were 'fashionably late'. They made it just as the doors were shutting to the office. The woman closing it scowled when she saw them coming and didn't appreciate waiting on them. They slipped in as inconspicuously as they could and took a seat at the back of the room.
No one said a word and no one looked at them, though Harry was quite sure that they were aware of their presence. Crocker, the Minister, seemed to be pointedly avoiding looking at them.
Crocker stood up and looked around at the wizards and witches seated there.
"We should begin the meeting this month," he said importantly. "By learning what the community thinks of the current Dark Lord." He sat down and a man rose.
Harry paid close attention as he read his report, including small excerpts from newspaper articles. He was silently pleased that the Minister was getting to the point and not wasting valuable time on worthless things.
When most of the smaller issues were completed, Crocker stood again and the room fell silent. "We have a guest today." Eyes flickered to where Harry and Grander were sitting. "Roger Grander," he paused for a moment as though he couldn't believe he was saying the words. Harry groaned inwardly. "And Harry Potter has come to discuss the growing problem of Lord Voldemort."
Few heard Crocker's final words. It wasn't hard for Harry to guess that Crocker had conveniently forgotten to mention that Harry was even alive. Whispers filled the room and Harry found, once again, people staring unabashed at him as though he were nothing more than a famous painting. He did not miss the disbelieving expressions on almost every face. He scowled inwardly. He should have their respect! After all, he was not sixteen in mind, only in body, and he was far more powerful than any in the room could ever hope to be! He had earned their respect after years of toil and now he was forced to win it back. Crap.
When he stood, however, the room fell silent. Harry had learned that physical appearance did not matter half as much as the air you exuded and he knew how to exude the right kind of air. His eyes lingered on each person individually and each time they shifted uncomfortably in their seats. When he felt he had their full and undivided attention, he began to speak.
"I see many disbelieving expressions in this room," he began. "And I'm not asking you to believe who I am, as long as you listen to what I have to say. Voldemort is back. No amount of wishing and closing your eyes can mask that fact, nor can it make it go away. He's here, and we're unprepared."
He paused here for emphasis and looked around at the faces watching him. He saw that some still looked suspicious while others had their eyes narrowed, watching him intently and actually listening to what he-not the legendary Harry Potter, but the man in front of them-had to say. Among these was Crocker.
"What do you propose we do about it?" A woman asked. She looked timid at speaking up in front of Harry Potter, but when a few people nodded in agreement, she grew in confidence. "I mean, we're doing everything we can! For some reason, our technology isn't standing up! I mean, statistically speaking, we should already have this guy beat!" There were a few papers in front of her and she picked them up, gesturing to them for emphasis.
"That's because you don't know what he can do!" Harry said, his voice rising slightly. "His knowledge of magic exceeds everyone's-including mine!" There was scattered muttering at this. "We have to understand our enemy's strengths and weaknesses before we can ever hope to counter them!"
"Excuse me," a man said. Harry got a bad vibe off him-and quickly blinked as the word 'vibe' came to his mind. He could see simply by looking at him that he would be trouble. "But you speak as though you have any more magical education than any of us."
Of course. Harry recognized at once that this man was trying to discredit him. No one would believe anything Harry said if they thought him an unreliable source. Harry would have to tread carefully.
Unfortunately, even as those words went through Harry's mind, other thoughts came into his mind. Indignation would be a great example of one. Before he was consciously aware of what was happening, his younger body took advantage of the situation. He drew himself up to his full height and was not at all put out that he was considerable shorter than all the others in the room. "What are you implying?"
"Nothing!" The man, seeing he had the floor, stood up, looking at those around him for support. "I just mean, you've had the same amount of magical education as the rest of us!"
Harry tried very hard to keep his younger body under control and he could see that the effort was showing on his face. Grander was looking at him concerned. Finally Harry thought he could keep his horrible temper in check.
"I have had a far greater extent of magical education that every single person in this room combined."
"I doubt that," the man said, a small smile finding its way to his lips. "I mean, the Minister of Magic himself is here!"
Before Harry knew what he was doing, Harry flicked his hand and the man fell forcibly into his chair. Harry couldn't understand what was going on. He had never lost control like that since... He took a deep breath and tried to continue.
"I am Harry James Potter." Harry didn't have to look around to see that he had the room's full and undivided attention. "I was born a thousand years ago and I have come back to aid in the struggle against Voldemort. Implying things about me that are not true are not only fruitless, but they hurt your cause." Again that rebellious feeling came back. "Are you willing to die, Sir? Are you willing to sacrifice everything you care about because you refuse to open your eyes to the truth?"
The man was looking at Harry in disbelief. He tried to stand again, but Harry's magic kept him firmly planted in his seat. "I'm not saying that this isn't happening!" He retorted from his seat. "I'm just saying that we have to reason to take advice from a sixteen-year-old!"
"If I am merely a sixteen-year-old," Harry said quietly. "Then why are you unable to stand?"
Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Grander winced and did not know why until a small smirk came to the face of the man.
"Do you honestly think simple tricks such as this are going to convince us of anything? A five-year-old knows how to operate gravity machines!"
Harry's frown deepened. He felt stupid for not anticipating something like this. Technology seemed to have the ability to do most of the little things magic was able to do. He waved his hand again and the man stood up very suddenly. He must have been straining against the magic hard to rise from his seat so quickly. He could not get his feet under him because of the sudden change and he fell back down, halfway missing his chair and falling to the floor. Harry saw some amused looks around the room but he felt like doing anything but smiling at the moment.
He turned now, speaking only to the Minister who did not smile and was looking at Harry with a very calculating expression.
"I am not here to convince you of who I am. I am here because you need help, and I have help to give."
The man opened his mouth to speak, but the Minister said sharply. "Quiet, Vertim." The man closed his mouth and climbed back into his chair, glaring daggers at Harry.
"What do you propose we do?" Crocker asked, echoing the first question. "Surely you did not come here to impress upon us the importance of fighting."
"I-" Harry began. Sudden he was cut off. The very ground beneath his feet trembled. "Oh bloody hell," Harry muttered. Grander looked at him, an almost amused expression flitting across his features.
"What's going on?" the annoying man asked.
"It looks to me," Harry said calmly. "As though Voldemort has brought the battle to us."
Crocker snapped into action. "Evacuation tactics. Now. Get the people out of here."
The woman next to him nodded and, moving quickly, she slid a panel out of the wall and pressed down on the white space beneath it. Immediately an ultrasonic sound came from all around. Harry winced though everyone else in the room did not seem to notice.
"Will you fight?" Harry asked Crocker. "Or will I be forced to stand alone?"
"I will defend my people," Crocker said harshly. "Do not think me a coward!"
"I would never imply it," Harry said. The Minister had just raised himself a few notches in Harry's eyes.
"Grander," Harry turned to the only other person in the room other than himself and Crocker. The rest had evacuated. "I want you to go to Hogwarts. Tell them what is happening and see if there are any powerful enough to help."
Grander nodded and left the room, stumbling somewhat as the earth shook.
"Do you know any magic?" Harry asked Crocker as he walked up to a wall that he knew would lead to the outside.
"I was Head Boy at Hogwarts," Crocker said.
"But do you know any magic?" Harry asked again. Crocker opened his mouth to protest but the next second, Harry pushed hard against the wall, yelling, "Reppoussi!"
The entire wall flew away beneath his fingers. Harry fell forward a little. He had pushed too hard. He shook his head; sometimes his body was hard to control.
"Why did you do that?" Crocker asked. "It'll lead him straight to us! What about the element of surprise?"
"I think he's done enough surprising for one day," Harry said.
"That was stupid!" Crocker said. The shaking grew harder.
"Do you want him to come for us or for those people out there who can't defend themselves?"
That shut Crocker up. He glared at Harry a moment before turned to the wall- or absence of, as was the case.
"It's not working," Harry said, his anger flaring despite himself. "We have to go out."
"We're six stories up!" Crocker protested.
"All the more reason to get out," Harry said. "We're vulnerable in a building. Something could fall on top of us."
"Couldn't have though about that before you blew the wall out, could you?" Crocker muttered under his breath.
Harry walked to the very edge of the floor where the wall used to stand. He pulled out his wand and twirling it in quick circles in the air, muttered, "Dans!"
A light breeze ruffled his hair before turning into a powerful gust. Before Crocker could say anything, Harry grabbed the man's arm and together they stepped off the only support they had and into the wind.
The next second Harry felt he might hurl, but he managed to keep a straight face (as well as his breakfast). The wind whipped them along before settling them onto the ground. Crocker stumbled but Harry kept his feet. The next second he was running. Crocker had to run full out to keep up with him. Harry was vaguely aware that Crocker would be completely winded when they reached Voldemort and his followers, but he knew he could not afford to rest. He heard screams as it was.
After several minutes of coming to a dead end at every turn, Harry turned angrily to Crocker. "Where are they?"
"It sounds..." Crocker said, taking a deep breath. "Like they're...at the hospital..."
"How do we get there?" Harry practically yelled. He was finding it increasingly difficult to hold his temper in check with so little help coming and the odds for them winning was little to none.
"Follow..." Crocker said, still breathing heavily.
Harry shook his head. "No time. No offense, but you're too slow. Which way?"
Crocker managed to choke out directions and Harry was running before he finished his last word. Harry found himself rather winded himself when he reached the place Crocker had indicated. A stitch in his side was throbbing and for some reason, the irrelevant thought of, 'Boy, I'm out of shape' flickered through his head.
It took him a minute to catch his breath before fully taking in to scene before him. Fireballs erupted from wands. Voldemort was standing behind him, looking at the scene before him. Harry's mouth fell open, sure, they were slightly more advanced in magic than the others, but those Death Eaters shouldn't have the power to shoot fireballs! That was rather advanced dark magic!
He gritted his teeth, knowing he would be outmatched, and yet knowing that he couldn't do nothing!
"Voldemort!" Harry yelled. His voice echoed loudly and Harry dimly thought that his temper might have accidentally put some form of unintentional magic into the situation.
The fireballs stopped. Voldemort turned. His face showed every appearance of cruel delight.
"Harry Potter!" Voldemort cried. "How good of you to join us! I had so hoped that you would!"
"Is that so?" Harry said. He was walking fast now, not bothering to shout. "But I'm guessing that you were forced to give some of your powers to your minions in order for them to perform such magic and you're not at the height of your powers."
Voldemort laughed. It was a high, cruel sound that stopped Harry in his tracks and rose up the hairs on the back of his neck.
"Is that what you think, Little Harry? Because I want you to be honest with me! I mean, if I know that's what you really think, it will be so much more fun to mock you for your ignorance!"
The Death Eaters formed ranks around their master. Harry could not see their faces for it seemed Voldemort had opened up a fresh box of Death Eater masks. Voldemort motioned for one of them to move forward and one did, walking with all confidence.
Harry's eyes narrowed at his casual attitude. He had the horrible suspicion that Voldemort had done something else to make his life harder.
The Death Eater lifted up his mask and dropped it to the ground. He laughed at Harry's unmoving expression. When he stopped, he was smirking-a smirk that sparked something horrible in Harry's memory.
"What's wrong, Potter?" The man spat. "Do you not recognize me with my new face? I can assure you that it is me, however. Surely you remember me! I mean, how could you forget the husband of whose cousin murdered your wonderful godfather?"
"Malfoy," Harry said, hatred in his voice-not for his godfather, who had in fact come back a year or two after he had disappeared behind the veil, but for the man who did not know this and attempted to use it as a weapon against Harry.
"Very good!" Malfoy said. "I always knew you were a bright boy! But, unlike you, I have a new face now. "But, it would appear, like you, I am several years younger. You still look sixteen!"
"I am," Harry said, not being able to hide the anger in his voice.
"Indeed," Malfoy said. Suddenly his face-though is was not the face of Lucius Malfoy-brightened. "But don't let me steal all the glory of the moment! We have more friends! Many more who I'm sure are simply dying," Harry did not miss his emphasis on the word. "To say hello!"
"I bet," Harry muttered, though not loud enough for anyone to hear him.
"Enough."
It was a simple command and the effects were nothing more than could be expected, though anyone who did not know of the power of the man who said it might have laughed at Malfoy's willingness to obey.
Harry did not laugh, however. Harry did not move.
"How did you do it?" Harry asked, though he though he knew the answer.
"It was a simple matter, really," Voldemort said, a smirk curling his lips. "All I had to do was steal the soul of one man and give his body to another soul."
"How simple," Harry said sarcastically. "And how simple it is for you to speak of murder."
"Come now, Harry!" Voldemort said and Harry's anger flared. How dare he speak to him as though they were friends? "You should know it's not murder!"
"Of course," Harry said. "You only stole their soul. I mean, they're breathing, right? So why should it matter?"
"It doesn't," Voldemort said. He was no longer smiling. "You're still the fool that you were before, Potter! You talk as though that man whose soul I stole was significant! He's nothing! He's a stepping stone on my way to power."
"And what am I?"
"You," Voldemort said, his lips curling into that awful smile. "Are an obstacle, waiting patiently to be conquered."
"I was never really known for patience, Voldemort," Harry said. "That surprises me, because wasn't it you who told me to know your enemy?"
"Why," Voldemort said, his soft voice ringing with triumph. "Do you think I attacked the hospital?"
Harry's glare sharpened. He noticed the Death Eaters on either side of Voldemort shifting slightly. They were waiting for Voldemort to attack, Harry realized. Harry's was ready, waiting for the moment when Voldemort would send a spell at him. But he didn't.
"I knew that the cries of the dying would lead you to me," Voldemort continued. Why didn't he attack? Harry's wand rotated slowly in his hand, ready and waiting. But still Voldemort did nothing. Why did he hesitate?
Something popped into Harry's head at that moment. It was an idea, a stupid idea. An overconfident idea. An impossible idea. Not Voldemort. Surely not Voldemort...
"I am here," Harry said quietly. "And still you do not attack. Do you wait for reinforcements? Or perhaps there is something else holding you back."
Harry could tell by Voldemort's expression that he had struck home. He was telling Harry without words what Harry was reluctant to believe. Voldemort...Voldemort was scared.
~
keebler-elmo: There's going to be some major power flaunting in the next chapter. I read and reread Voldemort and Dumbledore's battle so I could get an idea of how very powerful wizards fight. Bum. Bum. Bum!!!!
Authoress: It's finally here!!!
sab: Yay!
sara*magic: Ga!!!! Don't make things complicated!!! I can't have Harry going out on me in the middle of it! Let's just say...he's fighting for all that he worked for before he died. Yes. That makes sense, right? Oh, about the sequel, it's not moving as fast as I want it to. 3003 is rather keeping my attention at the moment. Sorry! I'm not quitting on it, of course! It's just not moving as fast as I want it to. Sirius? You honestly think I could leave him out?
The Mystical Elf: Updated!
The Vampire Story Hunter: Eh. I'm not sure how long phoenixes live, but then again, I'm not sure how exactly they die. I reckon they can live that long...
dancing-on-ice: Thanks a lot!!!
Sami: Long hard hours racking my brain. Either that or it was rather spontaneous. Yes, I think it was the latter. I was just typing one day and I thought that my original idea was stupid, and I suddenly thought, 'Hey, what if...'
stupidx: I like your name. Very spiffy. Thanks a lot!
linky2: Thanks!
star estrella: Thanks! I like being original. It makes me feel unique. Yes. Since they're almost the same thing...
Siripiritus: Love the enthusiasm!!!
Darkmoon Fleur: Next chapter or next story? *ponders a moment* *shrugs* Thanks!
insanechildfanfic: Thanks!
ender2000: You might have to wait a while for that if I decided to do it at all. Yes, I'm being cryptic on purpose. Bwahahahaha!!!!! I just don't want to give anything away!
Lady Arwen of Rivendell: Hello, Lady Arwen. How art thou sir Aragorn? Yeah, I have a Lord of the Rings fanatic as a friend. Anyway, I was thinking of maybe killing off the headmistress or something and letting Harry be Headmaster when the whole thing is over. You know, if I decided not to kill him...empty threat, I know...
~
Me: Yay! That's done! Next chapter definitely spills some blood. I think. It might just be painful. Anyway, bad things happen.
Gilthas: I'm sure everyone's quite sure of that. Unless you do something stupid like make Voldemort forget that he left the oven on and have to run.
Me: *laughs nervously* Would I do that?
~
A/N: Oh no.
Gilthas: What?
Me: I...er... *shifts uncomfortably* I don't exactly have many chapter after this one. I might have two. I think. It might only be one. I've been slacking off.
Gilthas: It's probably because you were too busy reading that The Great Hunt book by Robert Jordan.
Me: That was oddly specific.
Gilthas: Right. Anyway...
Me: I'm very cold.
Gilthas: That can come with colder weather.
Me: And our soccer coach had us out there in that terrible weather simply because the basketball girls had some tournament so we couldn't go inside. And I actually had to wear shorts because I didn't have any pants and I have holes in my cleats!
Gilthas: On the plus side, if you get sick, you'll have more time to write and your readers will be happy.
Me: Ug...shut up.
Gilthas: Oh, yes. And I want to point out that in a few more reviews, I'll have 100 for this story!
Me: *squeals* So happy!!!!!! Oh, and I've finished the first chapter to History Repeats Itself. That's my Back to Back Then sequel I'm working on. I'm so excited and I was going to post it along with this one before I realized how close I was to 100. So now I'm waiting! Yay...I'm so happy!
Gilthas: Yes. Now read the story.
~
Chapter 9: The Ministry of Magic
Grander was looking at Harry in bewilderment. "Then why are you 16 and not a baby, as when phoenixes return?"
"I can answer that," Dumbledore's portrait said. "Because you were 16 when you defeated Voldemort. Unless I'm much mistaken, it was Voldemort's power that destroyed your body."
"So, once again," Harry said, struck by the irony of the situation. "Thanks to Voldemort, I have the chance to beat him."
Dumbledore nodded in his portrait. "I must tell you, Harry, that I'm very pleased that you have come. It was quite dull sitting in here with only the same conversations to go over again and again. I was ready for a challenge."
"Luck you," Harry said dully. "I was perfectly content to rot in my grave all day long."
Dumbledore gave him a sympathetic look. Then he raised his eyebrows. "I have a bone to pick with you."
"What?" Harry said, surprised by the unexpected announcement.
"Why did you never come back to Hogwarts after you graduated?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"You never once came back. I know. I have my sources..."
Harry shrugged. "I guess it just wasn't the same."
"You never came back?" Grander asked quickly. "I didn't know this. We need to sit down and have a long chat, you and I."
"I rather expected you to become a professor," Dumbledore said, ignoring Grander. "I mean, you certainly seemed to enjoy it when you were working on the DA."
"What's that?" Grander piped up.
"Yeah," Harry said, shrugging. "I guess I never thought myself very good."
"You were excellent," Dumbledore said without a trace of doubt. "Every one of your students passed their O.W.L. in Defense with flying colors. That's including Neville Longbottom."
"Who's Neville Longbottom?" Grander asked.
Again he was ignored. Harry shrugged. Then he suddenly shook his head. "No time to talk about that though, because Voldemort's probably planning another attack as we speak!"
Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "I think, perhaps, Harry, that it's about time you took a trip to the Ministry of Magic."
* * *
Harry hugged his cloak tighter around him. It was colder in Edinburgh than at Hogwarts. "Are we there yet?"
Grander grinned at him. "Nope. Of course, we'd already be there if London hadn't been destroyed."
Harry did not grin. He really didn't need a reminder of what had happened in London. "How much further?"
"A little ways," Grander said. "I still don't see why you don't want to take a hover car!"
"I don't trust those things," Harry said, looking suspiciously at one as it zoomed past them on the slightly levitated roadway. "They move too fast. And off the ground. Something about the combination doesn't appeal to me."
"I thought you were a Quidditch star," Grander grumbled.
Harry ignored the comment. "Where are we headed exactly?"
"Here." Grander suddenly stopped. They were in front of a small coffee shop.
"Coffee?" Harry asked blankly. "What happened to tea?"
"Nothing," Grander said, shrugging. "They serve both."
"Let's get inside, out of this cold," Harry said, pushing open the door.
Instantly they were warm. The heat inside the coffee shop was stifling in Harry's think cloak. He pulled it off, grumbling. "When did it get so cold?"
"You've heard about continental drift?" Grander asked, placing his coat on a coat rack that had followed them the moment they had walked inside. "Well England's moved a few more feet north since your day."
"Fun," Harry muttered. "Like I don't have enough problems. Now I have to worry about the Earth's geometric movement."
Grander grinned again. He walked up to the counter where a woman was busily cleaning out a coffee mug. "I'd like four cups of tea, a tall glass of frozen ice, and 7 coffees along with some sugar and milk."
The woman nodded at the odd order without a second look. Harry nudged Grander and muttered, "We don't have time for this!"
Grander snorted. "I know. Just trust me."
The woman pushed two cups of tea over the counter. Grander nodded thankfully and picked up the tray. On it, along with the tea, was two oddly looking sugar packets.
Grander motioned to a table-the only one empty in the room. Harry sat down. Grander sat across from him. He pushed the tea at Harry and muttered, "Just do what I do."
Harry nodded and caught the sugar packet Grander tossed him. Grander opened his sugar packet and poured it into his tea. He stirred it twice muttering "twice" for Harry's benefit and took a drink of his tea. He made a face and motioned for Harry to do the same.
Harry dumped the sugar, stirred twice and took a drink of the tea. He wrinkled his nose. "It could use some milk."
Grander grinned and the next second he stood up. Except that he was still sitting down. He motioned for Harry to get up. Blinking, Harry complied only to see himself still sitting down, talking to Grander. It was rather unnerving. He opened his mouth to ask, but Grander put a finger to his lips.
Looking around, Harry saw that none of the people around him seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary. Clearly they could not be seen.
Grander motioned for him to follow. When they reached the counter, the woman who had served them the tea had put on a pair of glasses. She, apparently, could see them. Harry did not need to ask if the glasses had anything to do with it.
She pointedly looked at them and walked to a side door and opened it, standing to the side.
Harry and Grander walked through and the lady shut the door with a snap. Harry caught a brief glance at a white room before he felt the most blessed sensation of magic all around him and a door appeared before them.
Grander turned the knob and they walked through.
The second they passed, through, Harry felt cold all over and he realized that whatever was making them invisible before was no longer in effect.
They stood outside a very changed Ministry of Magic. The building were made of shining silver or else reflecting glass, giving it a very bright appearance as the light reflected off them. The streets were made of polished marble, very much like those of Gringotts. If there was a single word to describe it, Harry decided, it would simply be shiny. Everything reflected some sort of light.
"Impressed?" Grander asked.
Harry snorted. "Hardly." He looked at Grander suddenly. "I take it only the door's appearance was magical while the rest had something to do with technology."
Grander nodded. "See, the Ministry of Magic isn't in Edinburgh. It's deep underneath London. For convenience purposes, many entrances were made throughout Great Britain. That's very expensive to do by technology, and, I admit, more vulnerable to hackers and such-you know, kids and their computers. So some wizards studied for weeks and combined their magics to create that door we walked through as well as many others."
"How did you do the rest of it then?" Harry asked, though a split second later realized it had been a mistake. Grander was very happy to talk about it and went on to explain all about holographic projectors and the bending of light-smoke and mirrors, as Harry put it.
"So why are we here?" Grander asked for the third time.
"We have to see the Minister of Magic," Harry said. "He's the only one with the resources that can help in our stand against Voldemort."
"Right," Grander said. "To the Big House then."
"The what?"
"The Big House!" Grander said, happy to explain something once more. "That's what we call the House Dedicated to Maintaining Order for the Good of the Wizarding Community at Large. It's easier to say."
"Clearly," Harry muttered. "Which way?"
Grander led. He clearly knew the place back to front. He had apparently grown up around it and kept pointing to things and saying things like, "And that's where Giffin Flormek single-handedly fought off an entire goblin raid in the 2456!"
Harry didn't remember a word and soon stopped listening altogether. He concentrated instead on what he was going to say. From what he had found out about the Ministry of Magic, they held meetings once a month to discuss growing problems as well as successes. From what Harry had heard and seen, there were probably more of the latter in the past 1000 years than could even begin to compare to the former.
Finally they stopped in front of the House Dedicated to Maintaining Order for the Good of the Wizarding Community at Large and found out exactly why it was referred to as the 'Big' house.
It was huge. It towered over everything near it and it proudly proclaimed its name as well as a brief history on a large flashy sign in front.
Harry turned to Grander. "You have this all arranged, right? I mean, they're expecting us at the meeting, right?"
"Probably wouldn't start without us!" Grander said confidently. "After all, you are Harry Potter."
Harry didn't want to say anything to put a dent in Grander's pride, but he honestly didn't believe that many people believe that he truly was who he said he was and would have no problem starting the meeting without him.
He tried to urge Grander forward and finally convinced him that it wouldn't look good for the issue they were trying to discuss if they were 'fashionably late'. They made it just as the doors were shutting to the office. The woman closing it scowled when she saw them coming and didn't appreciate waiting on them. They slipped in as inconspicuously as they could and took a seat at the back of the room.
No one said a word and no one looked at them, though Harry was quite sure that they were aware of their presence. Crocker, the Minister, seemed to be pointedly avoiding looking at them.
Crocker stood up and looked around at the wizards and witches seated there.
"We should begin the meeting this month," he said importantly. "By learning what the community thinks of the current Dark Lord." He sat down and a man rose.
Harry paid close attention as he read his report, including small excerpts from newspaper articles. He was silently pleased that the Minister was getting to the point and not wasting valuable time on worthless things.
When most of the smaller issues were completed, Crocker stood again and the room fell silent. "We have a guest today." Eyes flickered to where Harry and Grander were sitting. "Roger Grander," he paused for a moment as though he couldn't believe he was saying the words. Harry groaned inwardly. "And Harry Potter has come to discuss the growing problem of Lord Voldemort."
Few heard Crocker's final words. It wasn't hard for Harry to guess that Crocker had conveniently forgotten to mention that Harry was even alive. Whispers filled the room and Harry found, once again, people staring unabashed at him as though he were nothing more than a famous painting. He did not miss the disbelieving expressions on almost every face. He scowled inwardly. He should have their respect! After all, he was not sixteen in mind, only in body, and he was far more powerful than any in the room could ever hope to be! He had earned their respect after years of toil and now he was forced to win it back. Crap.
When he stood, however, the room fell silent. Harry had learned that physical appearance did not matter half as much as the air you exuded and he knew how to exude the right kind of air. His eyes lingered on each person individually and each time they shifted uncomfortably in their seats. When he felt he had their full and undivided attention, he began to speak.
"I see many disbelieving expressions in this room," he began. "And I'm not asking you to believe who I am, as long as you listen to what I have to say. Voldemort is back. No amount of wishing and closing your eyes can mask that fact, nor can it make it go away. He's here, and we're unprepared."
He paused here for emphasis and looked around at the faces watching him. He saw that some still looked suspicious while others had their eyes narrowed, watching him intently and actually listening to what he-not the legendary Harry Potter, but the man in front of them-had to say. Among these was Crocker.
"What do you propose we do about it?" A woman asked. She looked timid at speaking up in front of Harry Potter, but when a few people nodded in agreement, she grew in confidence. "I mean, we're doing everything we can! For some reason, our technology isn't standing up! I mean, statistically speaking, we should already have this guy beat!" There were a few papers in front of her and she picked them up, gesturing to them for emphasis.
"That's because you don't know what he can do!" Harry said, his voice rising slightly. "His knowledge of magic exceeds everyone's-including mine!" There was scattered muttering at this. "We have to understand our enemy's strengths and weaknesses before we can ever hope to counter them!"
"Excuse me," a man said. Harry got a bad vibe off him-and quickly blinked as the word 'vibe' came to his mind. He could see simply by looking at him that he would be trouble. "But you speak as though you have any more magical education than any of us."
Of course. Harry recognized at once that this man was trying to discredit him. No one would believe anything Harry said if they thought him an unreliable source. Harry would have to tread carefully.
Unfortunately, even as those words went through Harry's mind, other thoughts came into his mind. Indignation would be a great example of one. Before he was consciously aware of what was happening, his younger body took advantage of the situation. He drew himself up to his full height and was not at all put out that he was considerable shorter than all the others in the room. "What are you implying?"
"Nothing!" The man, seeing he had the floor, stood up, looking at those around him for support. "I just mean, you've had the same amount of magical education as the rest of us!"
Harry tried very hard to keep his younger body under control and he could see that the effort was showing on his face. Grander was looking at him concerned. Finally Harry thought he could keep his horrible temper in check.
"I have had a far greater extent of magical education that every single person in this room combined."
"I doubt that," the man said, a small smile finding its way to his lips. "I mean, the Minister of Magic himself is here!"
Before Harry knew what he was doing, Harry flicked his hand and the man fell forcibly into his chair. Harry couldn't understand what was going on. He had never lost control like that since... He took a deep breath and tried to continue.
"I am Harry James Potter." Harry didn't have to look around to see that he had the room's full and undivided attention. "I was born a thousand years ago and I have come back to aid in the struggle against Voldemort. Implying things about me that are not true are not only fruitless, but they hurt your cause." Again that rebellious feeling came back. "Are you willing to die, Sir? Are you willing to sacrifice everything you care about because you refuse to open your eyes to the truth?"
The man was looking at Harry in disbelief. He tried to stand again, but Harry's magic kept him firmly planted in his seat. "I'm not saying that this isn't happening!" He retorted from his seat. "I'm just saying that we have to reason to take advice from a sixteen-year-old!"
"If I am merely a sixteen-year-old," Harry said quietly. "Then why are you unable to stand?"
Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Grander winced and did not know why until a small smirk came to the face of the man.
"Do you honestly think simple tricks such as this are going to convince us of anything? A five-year-old knows how to operate gravity machines!"
Harry's frown deepened. He felt stupid for not anticipating something like this. Technology seemed to have the ability to do most of the little things magic was able to do. He waved his hand again and the man stood up very suddenly. He must have been straining against the magic hard to rise from his seat so quickly. He could not get his feet under him because of the sudden change and he fell back down, halfway missing his chair and falling to the floor. Harry saw some amused looks around the room but he felt like doing anything but smiling at the moment.
He turned now, speaking only to the Minister who did not smile and was looking at Harry with a very calculating expression.
"I am not here to convince you of who I am. I am here because you need help, and I have help to give."
The man opened his mouth to speak, but the Minister said sharply. "Quiet, Vertim." The man closed his mouth and climbed back into his chair, glaring daggers at Harry.
"What do you propose we do?" Crocker asked, echoing the first question. "Surely you did not come here to impress upon us the importance of fighting."
"I-" Harry began. Sudden he was cut off. The very ground beneath his feet trembled. "Oh bloody hell," Harry muttered. Grander looked at him, an almost amused expression flitting across his features.
"What's going on?" the annoying man asked.
"It looks to me," Harry said calmly. "As though Voldemort has brought the battle to us."
Crocker snapped into action. "Evacuation tactics. Now. Get the people out of here."
The woman next to him nodded and, moving quickly, she slid a panel out of the wall and pressed down on the white space beneath it. Immediately an ultrasonic sound came from all around. Harry winced though everyone else in the room did not seem to notice.
"Will you fight?" Harry asked Crocker. "Or will I be forced to stand alone?"
"I will defend my people," Crocker said harshly. "Do not think me a coward!"
"I would never imply it," Harry said. The Minister had just raised himself a few notches in Harry's eyes.
"Grander," Harry turned to the only other person in the room other than himself and Crocker. The rest had evacuated. "I want you to go to Hogwarts. Tell them what is happening and see if there are any powerful enough to help."
Grander nodded and left the room, stumbling somewhat as the earth shook.
"Do you know any magic?" Harry asked Crocker as he walked up to a wall that he knew would lead to the outside.
"I was Head Boy at Hogwarts," Crocker said.
"But do you know any magic?" Harry asked again. Crocker opened his mouth to protest but the next second, Harry pushed hard against the wall, yelling, "Reppoussi!"
The entire wall flew away beneath his fingers. Harry fell forward a little. He had pushed too hard. He shook his head; sometimes his body was hard to control.
"Why did you do that?" Crocker asked. "It'll lead him straight to us! What about the element of surprise?"
"I think he's done enough surprising for one day," Harry said.
"That was stupid!" Crocker said. The shaking grew harder.
"Do you want him to come for us or for those people out there who can't defend themselves?"
That shut Crocker up. He glared at Harry a moment before turned to the wall- or absence of, as was the case.
"It's not working," Harry said, his anger flaring despite himself. "We have to go out."
"We're six stories up!" Crocker protested.
"All the more reason to get out," Harry said. "We're vulnerable in a building. Something could fall on top of us."
"Couldn't have though about that before you blew the wall out, could you?" Crocker muttered under his breath.
Harry walked to the very edge of the floor where the wall used to stand. He pulled out his wand and twirling it in quick circles in the air, muttered, "Dans!"
A light breeze ruffled his hair before turning into a powerful gust. Before Crocker could say anything, Harry grabbed the man's arm and together they stepped off the only support they had and into the wind.
The next second Harry felt he might hurl, but he managed to keep a straight face (as well as his breakfast). The wind whipped them along before settling them onto the ground. Crocker stumbled but Harry kept his feet. The next second he was running. Crocker had to run full out to keep up with him. Harry was vaguely aware that Crocker would be completely winded when they reached Voldemort and his followers, but he knew he could not afford to rest. He heard screams as it was.
After several minutes of coming to a dead end at every turn, Harry turned angrily to Crocker. "Where are they?"
"It sounds..." Crocker said, taking a deep breath. "Like they're...at the hospital..."
"How do we get there?" Harry practically yelled. He was finding it increasingly difficult to hold his temper in check with so little help coming and the odds for them winning was little to none.
"Follow..." Crocker said, still breathing heavily.
Harry shook his head. "No time. No offense, but you're too slow. Which way?"
Crocker managed to choke out directions and Harry was running before he finished his last word. Harry found himself rather winded himself when he reached the place Crocker had indicated. A stitch in his side was throbbing and for some reason, the irrelevant thought of, 'Boy, I'm out of shape' flickered through his head.
It took him a minute to catch his breath before fully taking in to scene before him. Fireballs erupted from wands. Voldemort was standing behind him, looking at the scene before him. Harry's mouth fell open, sure, they were slightly more advanced in magic than the others, but those Death Eaters shouldn't have the power to shoot fireballs! That was rather advanced dark magic!
He gritted his teeth, knowing he would be outmatched, and yet knowing that he couldn't do nothing!
"Voldemort!" Harry yelled. His voice echoed loudly and Harry dimly thought that his temper might have accidentally put some form of unintentional magic into the situation.
The fireballs stopped. Voldemort turned. His face showed every appearance of cruel delight.
"Harry Potter!" Voldemort cried. "How good of you to join us! I had so hoped that you would!"
"Is that so?" Harry said. He was walking fast now, not bothering to shout. "But I'm guessing that you were forced to give some of your powers to your minions in order for them to perform such magic and you're not at the height of your powers."
Voldemort laughed. It was a high, cruel sound that stopped Harry in his tracks and rose up the hairs on the back of his neck.
"Is that what you think, Little Harry? Because I want you to be honest with me! I mean, if I know that's what you really think, it will be so much more fun to mock you for your ignorance!"
The Death Eaters formed ranks around their master. Harry could not see their faces for it seemed Voldemort had opened up a fresh box of Death Eater masks. Voldemort motioned for one of them to move forward and one did, walking with all confidence.
Harry's eyes narrowed at his casual attitude. He had the horrible suspicion that Voldemort had done something else to make his life harder.
The Death Eater lifted up his mask and dropped it to the ground. He laughed at Harry's unmoving expression. When he stopped, he was smirking-a smirk that sparked something horrible in Harry's memory.
"What's wrong, Potter?" The man spat. "Do you not recognize me with my new face? I can assure you that it is me, however. Surely you remember me! I mean, how could you forget the husband of whose cousin murdered your wonderful godfather?"
"Malfoy," Harry said, hatred in his voice-not for his godfather, who had in fact come back a year or two after he had disappeared behind the veil, but for the man who did not know this and attempted to use it as a weapon against Harry.
"Very good!" Malfoy said. "I always knew you were a bright boy! But, unlike you, I have a new face now. "But, it would appear, like you, I am several years younger. You still look sixteen!"
"I am," Harry said, not being able to hide the anger in his voice.
"Indeed," Malfoy said. Suddenly his face-though is was not the face of Lucius Malfoy-brightened. "But don't let me steal all the glory of the moment! We have more friends! Many more who I'm sure are simply dying," Harry did not miss his emphasis on the word. "To say hello!"
"I bet," Harry muttered, though not loud enough for anyone to hear him.
"Enough."
It was a simple command and the effects were nothing more than could be expected, though anyone who did not know of the power of the man who said it might have laughed at Malfoy's willingness to obey.
Harry did not laugh, however. Harry did not move.
"How did you do it?" Harry asked, though he though he knew the answer.
"It was a simple matter, really," Voldemort said, a smirk curling his lips. "All I had to do was steal the soul of one man and give his body to another soul."
"How simple," Harry said sarcastically. "And how simple it is for you to speak of murder."
"Come now, Harry!" Voldemort said and Harry's anger flared. How dare he speak to him as though they were friends? "You should know it's not murder!"
"Of course," Harry said. "You only stole their soul. I mean, they're breathing, right? So why should it matter?"
"It doesn't," Voldemort said. He was no longer smiling. "You're still the fool that you were before, Potter! You talk as though that man whose soul I stole was significant! He's nothing! He's a stepping stone on my way to power."
"And what am I?"
"You," Voldemort said, his lips curling into that awful smile. "Are an obstacle, waiting patiently to be conquered."
"I was never really known for patience, Voldemort," Harry said. "That surprises me, because wasn't it you who told me to know your enemy?"
"Why," Voldemort said, his soft voice ringing with triumph. "Do you think I attacked the hospital?"
Harry's glare sharpened. He noticed the Death Eaters on either side of Voldemort shifting slightly. They were waiting for Voldemort to attack, Harry realized. Harry's was ready, waiting for the moment when Voldemort would send a spell at him. But he didn't.
"I knew that the cries of the dying would lead you to me," Voldemort continued. Why didn't he attack? Harry's wand rotated slowly in his hand, ready and waiting. But still Voldemort did nothing. Why did he hesitate?
Something popped into Harry's head at that moment. It was an idea, a stupid idea. An overconfident idea. An impossible idea. Not Voldemort. Surely not Voldemort...
"I am here," Harry said quietly. "And still you do not attack. Do you wait for reinforcements? Or perhaps there is something else holding you back."
Harry could tell by Voldemort's expression that he had struck home. He was telling Harry without words what Harry was reluctant to believe. Voldemort...Voldemort was scared.
~
keebler-elmo: There's going to be some major power flaunting in the next chapter. I read and reread Voldemort and Dumbledore's battle so I could get an idea of how very powerful wizards fight. Bum. Bum. Bum!!!!
Authoress: It's finally here!!!
sab: Yay!
sara*magic: Ga!!!! Don't make things complicated!!! I can't have Harry going out on me in the middle of it! Let's just say...he's fighting for all that he worked for before he died. Yes. That makes sense, right? Oh, about the sequel, it's not moving as fast as I want it to. 3003 is rather keeping my attention at the moment. Sorry! I'm not quitting on it, of course! It's just not moving as fast as I want it to. Sirius? You honestly think I could leave him out?
The Mystical Elf: Updated!
The Vampire Story Hunter: Eh. I'm not sure how long phoenixes live, but then again, I'm not sure how exactly they die. I reckon they can live that long...
dancing-on-ice: Thanks a lot!!!
Sami: Long hard hours racking my brain. Either that or it was rather spontaneous. Yes, I think it was the latter. I was just typing one day and I thought that my original idea was stupid, and I suddenly thought, 'Hey, what if...'
stupidx: I like your name. Very spiffy. Thanks a lot!
linky2: Thanks!
star estrella: Thanks! I like being original. It makes me feel unique. Yes. Since they're almost the same thing...
Siripiritus: Love the enthusiasm!!!
Darkmoon Fleur: Next chapter or next story? *ponders a moment* *shrugs* Thanks!
insanechildfanfic: Thanks!
ender2000: You might have to wait a while for that if I decided to do it at all. Yes, I'm being cryptic on purpose. Bwahahahaha!!!!! I just don't want to give anything away!
Lady Arwen of Rivendell: Hello, Lady Arwen. How art thou sir Aragorn? Yeah, I have a Lord of the Rings fanatic as a friend. Anyway, I was thinking of maybe killing off the headmistress or something and letting Harry be Headmaster when the whole thing is over. You know, if I decided not to kill him...empty threat, I know...
~
Me: Yay! That's done! Next chapter definitely spills some blood. I think. It might just be painful. Anyway, bad things happen.
Gilthas: I'm sure everyone's quite sure of that. Unless you do something stupid like make Voldemort forget that he left the oven on and have to run.
Me: *laughs nervously* Would I do that?