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Chapter 18: Enemies Unite!

It had been two weeks since transfiguration. They were now studying the advantages and disadvantages of being an animagus. They would not learn how to become one until seventh year, and if they actually wanted to be one, they had to register with McGonagall. Since Harry was so laid back this year, he noticed the way McGonagall would seem to tail him every chance she got. Harry would feel out with his aura sensing power, which he was now almost able to control. She had an inquisitive and something of awe about her. Harry had yet to figure out why.

Harry was now getting used to the girls of his school, so they affected him less and less. He still had to watch out though, because if he were caught unawares by a girl with his guard down, he would go into a trance. Especially the DADA teacher. Ron wasn't lying. She was simply gorgeous. Harry didn't learn anything from her, the same for most of the males actually, but for different reasons. He was usually sleeping, which didn't really affect him since his prowess in the core magic classes since he couldn't really do any magic.

Harry did that with most of his classes actually. All except for Potions and Divination, which he believed he wouldn't learn anything worthwhile in and he was afraid of Snape. Harry finally got the picture of McGonagall to Snape, which was a mistake. Snape immediately welched on his deal and was even more despicable to Harry and Neville. Harry guessed he would do that, and sabotaged the picture to where it disintegrated ten days afterwards. Thus, increasing his hate for Harry.

***

It was now the first week of October. Harry was now able to manipulate his Aura Vision, as he called it, into taking over his entire vision just to see people's aura. This helped him because he could still recognize people, but he no longer had to worry about the female population. It also advanced so far that he could tell when people were lying or were a danger to him. He only got a faint trace of danger from a few Slytherins, so he realized they were no real threat.

Dumbledore came and talked to him earlier in the day. He said that the potions and instruments needed were almost all set up, and that everything would be set up in two weeks. He also requested that Harry come for a meeting with some… influential people later that night. Dumbledore looked torn between this request as it was necessary, but against his better judgment.

This puzzled Harry, but he didn't question Dumbledore. Harry would be at his office at seven, and he knew the password so he had no worries about it. Therefore, Harry killed some time focusing his powers into the center of his body. He found this useful because it reduced the amount of magic he used when he casted spells.

After a few hours, Ron came around and they played a few games of chess, at which Harry was still no good. It was a quarter to seven, so Harry decided to head for the headmaster's office. Harry got there with a few minutes to spare when he headed up. When he arrived, Dumbledore looked sullen. As soon as Harry walked in, Dumbledore beckoned him to follow as he left through a secret passage through the back wall.

They climb steps, they descended steps, they walked straight ahead, and they had to walk in corkscrew fashions to get where they wanted to get to meet with a group of fellow wizards. This group consisted of a large number of people Harry did not know, but he did know two. Right in front of him was his godfather Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. When Harry first seen their faces, he was overjoyed, until he saw fear etched in every millimeter of their face. Harry noticed that was what everyone else had splashed across his or her visages as well. Dumbledore was the only one, besides Harry who had no idea what was going on, who didn't look afraid. Harry tried asking Remus, Sirius, and Dumbledore what was going on, but all he got was a squeeze on the shoulder from Sirius.

The group continued to walk, with Dumbledore and Harry bringing up the rear. They walked for fifteen more minutes until they reached a hidden door in what was a supposed dead end. Dumbledore walked to the front and said grabbled words, which opened the door. The others walked in front of Dumbledore until Harry was again at his side. At this point Harry started to feel a painful tingling in his scar. Harry now began to feel trepidation about this whole endeavor, because whenever his scar hurt while he was conscious, Voldemort was near.

The group was now in front of a door, and most of them were visibly shaking now. This was making Harry especially cautious as he watched a big black man; and easily biggest of the group, almost whimper. Sirius and Remus however didn't look frightened anymore, but each had schooled a cool calmness over their faces. Harry was relieved little by this, but relieved all the same.

The moment had come when Remus reached for the doorknob, of simple brass, and turned and entered. The members of the group walked in ahead of Dumbledore and Harry and fanned out, each going left and right of a circular table in the middle of the room. Harry stationed himself on the left seat of the two remaining, closest to the door. The pain in his scar flared for the briefest of moments before it was gone completely.

As Harry looked around the room, he noticed that there were other people here, clad in dark robes. As he looked at Dumbledore for guidance, who also sat next to Harry, he answered with, "We look just like them, to them," which answered Harry's questions with a Concealment Charm.

After two tense minutes of waiting, another dark figure sat at the table, but as dark as he was, his identity was unmistakable. There was no doubt that it was Voldemort. Harry started to panic, even jumping out of his chair until Dumbledore put a hand on his shoulder, which Harry just shook off.

"What are you doing? Leading me to my death." Harry questioned.

"Sit down Harry, you must hear this," Dumbledore pleaded. Harry was getting ready to leave when he looked around at the other members of his accompanying group. They were just as frightened as he was. Harry then warily sat himself down.

At the other end of the room, a solitaire person was clapping. Voldemort was staring directly at Harry with a predatory smirk upon his face, causing Harry to blanch white and wish he could pull his wings out and fly away. Voldemort just smirked wider.

"It seems like our guardian angel isn't so brave after all." Voldemort hissed. Harry tensed because he thought he had hidden his identity well, but Voldemort still knew. Sirius and Remus launched from their chairs and tried to lunge at Voldemort, but they happened to be magically restrained.

"Control your lap dogs, Albus." Voldemort smirked towards Dumbledore.

"Then keep your snide comments to yourself, Tom." Dumbledore bit back.

"Touché," Voldemort replied, tipping an imaginary hat towards Dumbledore. "Enough of this mindless banter," Voldemort hissed out in a menacing manner, causing everyone to shiver except Dumbledore, Remus, and Sirius. Harry was sad to say that he was scared by that tone just as everyone else was.

"Agreed," Dumbledore responded, and with that, the meeting was under way. First, they discussed a temporary truce. Harry noticed right off the bat, only Voldemort and Dumbledore were expected to talk during this whole charade. Everyone else just sat around giving their counterparts menacing looks.

Next, they talked about trading some dark ingredients so they could establish the plan to get Harry healed. Voldemort was at first adamant that it wasn't needed and the boy wouldn't even be apart of anything, but was later talked into it as that the Red Death, the reason behind this meeting. Harry didn't understand why the meeting was between these two powers. He thought it was the good's side to put a stop to both of the opposing sides.

The meeting continued for a little while longer, both Dumbledore and Voldemort exchanging blows to the other, trying to get a rise out of their counterpart, but neither exceeding. It looked to Harry as if they were just flexing their muscles, so to speak. Harry could also tell both men were, in a strange way, having a good time. Harry figured it had been a while since any of them had had a challenging conversation, and they enjoyed. Harry could see how each one wish for the other to be on their side, so as to have more of them.

It was then that Harry began to understand. No matter how sadistic Voldemort was, or how good Dumbledore was, the both had warrior spirits, which made each have honor and a sense of duty. Harry looked at each man's eyes again and could almost read their minds. Each believed they were right in their own cause. Voldemort actually believed he was making the world a better place and everyone would eventually thank him in the end.

The meeting was finally over, for which Harry was thankful. He was tired, and wanted to mull this situation over in his head. They finally arrived where they first met, and that was where Harry and Dumbledore split from the group. When they finally got back to the headmaster's office, Harry was told to go to bed and come back tomorrow so Dumbledore could explain everything better to him on a more alert level, again which Harry was thankful for because he passed out right when he was over his bed.

AN: How was that? Sorry for such the long wait. I hope there are still some fans out there. I been busy recently, and won't go into detail, but you can read my bio if you want to know. When you review, it would be helpful to get some tips so as to improve my writing for you, or some advice, or something I'm doing good so I will continue to do that. So help a cracka out. Peace.