Silver Blood
Chapter 3: A Foreboding Presence
Harry stared wide-eyed at the now open cell door. There were no markings or signs of someone breaking out and the charms were all still in place. It made no sense.
This can't be happening, this can't be happening…
Slowly, Harry approached the door with caution. Without having to undo any of the charms, in case it was a trap, or having to go very far, Harry squinted to look into the cell. Sure enough, it was empty. No fudge, no body, no sign of anything. He gulped and slowly backed up, his heart racing. If he didn't find Fudge and catch him the Ministry would be very angry at him, or worse…think that Harry himself let him out.
Harry took in a deep breath. The first thing he had to do was not to panic, Sirius taught him that. Although he'd been through a lot of situations before that he could've panicked but didn't. He had to make sure Fudge didn't escape, that was his first priority, before finding him that is. If he got into the world it would only create more chaos. Suddenly, he stopped still.
Oh no…his wand!
Without thinking twice Harry ran at full speed down the hall toward the place where the wands were kept "hostage." Harry ran straight back up the stairs and toward the room on the left. He muttered Alahomora and the door opened. He ran inside at full speed. The moment he got in he sighed with relief. In front of him were two tall pillars and on top of each of them were two wands, frozen in the same binding spell Harry put Voldemort. The Ministry had also asked him to freeze their wands as well to make sure they didn't get to them. Apparently it worked since both Voldemort's and Fudge's wands were there. Fudge didn't get to his wand but….
What if he didn't need it?
Panicking a little, Harry ran as fast as he could to the entrance of the Ministry. Not feeling that it would do much good, Harry closed the doors. He didn't know how long Fudge had been gone. For all he knew he could've been gone for weeks, or months because the Ministry members were all too afraid to go down and check on Fudge.
It must've been a trap. I bet Fudge wanted them to be afraid so he could find a way to get out without them noticing.
Harry clenched his fists. Once he found Fudge he would personally make sure he never got the chance to get out of a cell again. In anger Harry turned around and muttered a powerful charm. A huge zap of red light flashed out of his wand like fire, wrapping around the hinges of the door…binding itself into the cracks of wood till the whole door was glowing.
"That should keep him from getting out," Harry muttered, "If he's still inside."
He didn't want to warn the Ministry yet. That was the last thing they needed. After all, they were going through so much trouble trying to find a safe and desolate place for Fudge to be kept, they didn't need to hear that he had all ready escaped. First, Harry had to check the whole Ministry building and make sure Fudge wasn't hiding anywhere, then if he had to he'd call up Sirius and let him know the situation.
Knowing Fudge he would try and hide in the least thinkable place. Harry hadn't been around the whole Ministry but he knew there were three floors to it. The first floor had the Meeting Hall, and other rooms for conferences, sometimes even to make powerful potions or other useful things that no other wizard was allowed to do. At least under wizard law. The second floor had paintings and statues of famous wizards and witches, including Godric and Salazar, and of past important Ministry members. Sirius told him the second floor was much like an exhibit. It was a dedication to all those lives that were important in the creation of the Ministry and wizarding world.
The third floor was the largest and most complicated. Sirius had only described it in words, he had actually never been up there. It had hundreds of different chambers, a lot of which kept rare ingredients for potions, wands, spells, anything. Also many of the chambers had old artifacts like staffs, special crystal balls, and other powerful items that were used by past witches and wizards. It was like a huge storage floor full of rooms that each contained something. That was only half of the floor. The other half of it contained the offices of the current Ministry members.
Harry groaned. It would take forever to find him up there, which was why he was most likely up on the third floor, but as long as he had charmed the door shut and Fudge didn't have his wand, or any wand at that fact, then he was all right. At least if Fudge was there. The good thing was that Harry knew the Ministry members that came to him and Sirius said that they had fed him just yesterday, so it was most likely today that he got away. But when was the real question. Harry might all ready be too late, but he had to try.
The stairway to the second floor was a spiral staircase to the left of the entrance. Harry made his way up the stairs and then followed the hallway down to find the third floor stairs. Sighing deeply, he made a mental note to never have to watch Fudge again. It was all ready stressing and he hadn't even seen the former Minister yet. Still, he was curious to know why most the Ministry members, excluding the Minister Mr. Weasley because he was on vacation and probably knew nothing about what was happening, were afraid of Fudge. He must've said pretty horrid threats to scare the Ministry members. Unless…it wasn't something he said, but did.
Finally, Harry found the third floor stairs by one of the largest statues. He guessed it was one of the former Ministers back in the days. He climbed the stairs quickly not wanting to waste any time in case Fudge had escaped. The moment he got to the top he realized just how much of a chore it was going to be. His eyes widened at how many doors and chambers lined the walls.
Oh please tell me at least some of them are charmed.
Harry bit his lip and went to the first few doors. If they were charmed there was no way Fudge could get in since he didn't have his wand. Harry touched the first door and a red spark zapped at his hand. He yelped slightly and jumped back. Yep, the doors were charmed all right.
Okay, that eliminates quite a bit. That means the only rooms he could've gone in up here are the office rooms.
Even with all the storage and chamber rooms eliminated, finding the room Fudge might be hiding in would still be very difficult. Unless Harry could eliminate more possibilities. He had known Fudge for several years, even through their difficulties. He had to get into his mind somehow. Where would he go? Harry stood there thinking for at least ten minutes.
Wait! Of course! He was the former Minister so he'd probably be in Mr. Weasley's office!
Harry inwardly smiled. That sure saved him a lot of time and unnecessary frustration. If he didn't find Fudge in there he would call Sirius. No sense in wasting more time searching the other offices, especially if Fudge was out of the Ministry building. He starts moving down the hall, knowing that the offices were on the other side. Quickly he starts jogging turning left and right till he finally passes the last storage units. He couldn't remember exactly where the Minister's office was, just that it was much larger than the others and had two statues by it.
He ran down the next hall looking at the names shining in gold for a split second before disappearing into the door. None of them were the right names, they were all Ministry members, but not Mr. Weasley. Harry turned right, feeling his heart thumping loudly in his chest. What if Fudge was in there? What would he do? He'd have to stun him and then use the levitating spell to bring him back down into his cell chamber. Suddenly, Harry rounded the next corner and stopped. There, standing down the hallway, were two statues of wizards. That was it, the Minister's office.
Harry walked slowly toward it, his adrenaline pumping through his veins. Fudge was no problem, he didn't even have his wand. Why was Harry getting so nervous? His heart was beating so loud Harry thought for sure Fudge would be able to hear him. Still, he crept closer and closer until his fingers reached the doorknob. On the door, flickering in gold, silver, copper and many other colors, was Arthur Weasley, Head Minister. Harry gulped, now suddenly feeling guilty for going into someone's office, especially someone he knows very well, without permission. Pushing away his guilt and fear, Harry hesitantly put his hand on the doorknob, turned it and pushed the door open a crack.
Silence. He couldn't hear any sounds coming from it. Slowly, he opened it the rest of the way and peeked inside. The first thing he noticed was a rush of warmth. He suddenly realized the fireplace was on. The wood was crackling now and then, illuminating flickers of light bouncing off the wall. There were several chairs in front of the fireplace and a large bookcase covering the far left wall. There was a desk to the far right with tons of papers thrown on top of it. Harry wiped the sweat now appearing on his forehead and took out his wand. Making sure to look every way, Harry stepped into the room. He gripped his wand tighter and finally stood inside the room, facing the fire and the back of the chairs.
Even with the warmth of the fire he shivered. From the looks of it, nothing seemed out of place. If Fudge was in there he was doing a wonderful job of playing hide and seek. Harry looked around, first at the desk, then around the room, his eyes finally falling to the chairs in front of him. Harry jumped back, his heart catching in his throat as he saw a hand resting on the armchair. His heart was now beating a mile per minute. Something didn't seem right. Even though he should be happy he found Fudge and could take him back to his cell, he couldn't seem to get his body to move. Why would Fudge start a fire in the first place if he didn't want to be found?
Breathing deeply, Harry approached cautiously. He made sure to hold his wand out in front of him in case Fudge was prepared for him. As he neared Harry noticed that the hand resting on the armchair was extremely pale and bony.
I guess they really didn't feed him right. I hope he's not dead.
Feeling more worried than scared, that maybe the Ministry may have been a little too harsh even on someone as cruel and insane as Fudge, Harry walked over to the chair at regular speed. He held his wand out in front of him still. Bravely Harry walked in front of the chair.
"Fudge, I don't want to hurt you, just— "
Harry's mouth suddenly turned dry as the light flickered off of the figure behind the chair. Without realizing it Harry let out a blood-curdling scream that probably echoed throughout the third floor, if not farther. Harry screamed again and clamped his hands over his mouth in horror. There, sitting in the chair was what was left of Fudge. Fudge's mouth was open abnormally wide, as if he was screaming. His face looked like it was almost burnt…or decaying, as the skin was peeling off making him look more like a skeleton. His eyes were the most horrific. They were pitch black, looking glazed over. His pupils were gone. His bony hands were the only part of his body that in tact; that weren't decaying. The rest of him, besides his face, luckily was covered by his old cloak that he must've worn in the cell. But other than that, it was obvious…Fudge was dead.
Harry realized he was shaking from head to toe. The horrified look on Fudge's face made it seem like he died from fear. How could he have been dead this long sitting up here? By the looks of his decaying body Harry guessed he had been dead at least a week.
But…how is that possible? The Ministry…they…they fed him just yesterday.
Harry's hands began shaking none stop. He could barely keep hold of his wand. His eyes were fixed on Fudge's glazed face and expression. His teeth had also decayed. But, if Fudge was dead the whole time…who started the fire?
Harry's heart stopped mid-beat. He needed to get out of there. He needed to get Sirius. Somebody, or something did this to Fudge. He couldn't have done it to himself. Just then, Harry heard a strange creaking sound. He looked up to see the office door slowly closing. Harry's eyes widen as his body froze to the spot. The hairs on his neck began to stand as goose bumps ran all over his body. It was then that he noticed the warmth of fire began to die. Slowly, he turned to see it dimming slightly.
"Si…Sirius," Harry whispered between shivers.
He needed to send up red sparks, or run out of there, but he couldn't. He didn't understand what was happening. He could feel his hands becoming sweaty and the weight of security of his wand didn't seem as secure anymore. He could feel his breath becoming shorter and raspier. If he didn't calm himself he'd start hyperventilating. Harry felt sweat pouring down the side of his face. The fear was freezing him to the spot. The fact that, even though it was the Ministry building and Fudge was sitting in front of him dead, with a look of pure terror on his face, Harry knew he wasn't alone.
The door finally closed all the way and Harry suddenly snapped out of his shocked daze. His legs felt tingly but they no longer felt numb. He made a move to run to the door, but suddenly stopped. On the door, he could see the shadow of a figure reflected by the fire off to Harry's right. At the same time Harry felt another presence watching him and refused to look. He closed his eyes tightly.
Please…please go away. Whatever you are!
"Harry Potter…"
Harry jumped a foot in the air as a voice from behind him whispered his name. Harry wheeled around to see a dark figure looming in the shadows. Harry gasped out of surprise, even though he knew the figure was there, and jumped back, tripping on the leg of a coffee table. Harry yelped and tumbled to the floor. It felt like minutes that he was just staring at the floor, wondering if the figure was just going to attack him or not. Suddenly, he heard a soft laugh of amusement.
Harry grasped his wand tightly and made himself jump up pointing his wand at the intruder. Before he could utter a word the shadow emerged, finally revealing itself in the soft glow of the fire. Long, pale fingers were lit up by the fire, attached to a thin and just as pale arm. Harry's eyes widened as they traveled up the figure to the face. His bright green eyes widened with shock as blood-red eyes stared back at him from the snake-like face he knew so well. Harry stood there shocked, forgetting that he was the one with the wand.
N…No, it c..can't be.
The light became dimmer, but still illuminated the pale, naked body of Lord Voldemort. He looked weaker without his cloak, wand and servants to protect him, but still just as intimidating. It was the last person Harry expected to see. In fact, Harry never expected to see those merciless red eyes ever again. It was like history was repeating itself. As if Voldemort had never died, or had never been defeated. All those times Harry had almost died, practicing day and night by Dumbledore's hands just to defeat this monster…all for nothing. He wanted to ask "how did you escape," or "how are you still alive?" But he couldn't. He couldn't even find the strength to function his jaw properly to open it. It was clamped shut.
"I have been expecting you," he hissed, although his voice sounded more raspy. "Forgive me if I'm not prepared but it seems as though I've been asleep for a long time…"
Harry suddenly found his voice again. "What did you do to him?" he blurted out. His voice was surprisingly not shaky, but his hand on the wand that was pointed at Voldemort, was shaking slightly.
Voldemort's lips turned into the ever-familiar curve. He took a deep breath, his thin slits for nostrils opening for a quick second to take in all Harry's emotions.
"He's no use to me now. His body couldn't sustain me much longer, but I don't need him anymore. Now that you're here…"
Harry couldn't believe it was happening again. Would he never have a normal life? Harry gulped and stared at Voldemort, taking a tiny step closer to the door.
"Why?" he asked, barely above a whisper.
Voldemort seemed amused by the question, "Isn't it obvious, Harry?" Voldemort hissed. "I'm not ready to die. I refused to die by Dumbledore's hands, as I refuse to die by yours."
Suddenly, all of Harry's fear was replaced by anger and hatred. How could Voldemort be standing there in front of him as if it were yesterday? Not only that but he was acting as if Harry's defeat over him was nothing.
"You're dead! I killed you!" Harry shouted with rage. "You lost and now you have nothing! You have no reason to live anymore! Not even your most loyal Death Eaters stand beside you!"
"Maybe not, but there's still a reason for me to live."
Harry would've been scared by that statement had he not realized that Voldemort didn't have his wand. Not only that but not being fed blood for a long time would've weakened him as well. Harry wasn't afraid of him anymore.
"I'm not afraid of you!" Harry shouted, taking another step back. "You don't have your wand and I do!"
Voldemort sneered, "That doesn't matter to me, Potter."
"No?" Harry asked bravely. "Well you can't keep me here! Without your wand you don't have an advantage over me like you did in the past! I could easily call Sirius or the Ministry! They'd kill you for sure!" Harry yelled bitterly. "Dumbledore knows I'm here as well!"
Voldemort laughed coldly, sending shivers up Harry's spine. "Still loyal to your precious mud-blood lover, Harry?"
Harry glared at him and grinded his teeth, "Don't you call him that." Harry was fed up. Voldemort didn't even have power over him this time and still he was willing to say rude things about the people he cared about. Harry backed up toward the door, still pointing his wand at him.
"I'm not listening to this! I'm sick of you!" Harry backed up until he felt the relief of the door on his back. Harry grabbed the handle.
Voldemort sniggered. "Don't want to hear how Dumbledore betrayed you then?"
Harry stopped suddenly, the door part way open. He was so close to leaving and just running out of there, but Voldemort's question stopped him. Harry turned slowly around and stared at him.
"What did you say?"
Voldemort just stared at Harry, his eyes flickering an unreadable message. Harry's face contorted to an expression of fury. "Don't you ever say that! Dumbledore would never betray me!"
Harry wheeled around and pushed the door open the rest of the way. His hands were clenched as he made a step to leave.
"Why do you think you're here now, Harry?"
Harry stopped in the middle of the doorway, but this time he didn't turn around. He could still feel Voldemort's piercing eyes on his back.
"Didn't you even wonder why the Ministry asked you to come here?"
Harry didn't answer immediately. Instead he clenched both hands into fists.
"Because they needed me. I was the only other person that could control Fudge."
Voldemort sniggered softly, "Is that what you think, Harry? Because you're famous that they called you?"
"How would you know?!" Harry shouted, wheeling around to face him once again. "You were asleep!"
"I was, for a little while," Voldemort answered, his eyes never leaving Harry's face. "Until Fudge came into my room. The fool was trying to absorb my powers so he could become invincible. He thought that by drinking my blood he could do that. The moment he chipped away part of your spell and revealed even the slightest bit of my flesh I awakened. And that's when I broke free and used his body to hide mine so that the world would think he destroyed me."
Harry's heart was beating faster. That was why only Voldemort's cloak was left, because Voldemort used Fudge as a vessel, just like he did to Quirrell.
"Once I was in his body I could hear everything going on in the Ministry. His body couldn't hold my soul or my powers so he began resisting them," he explained glancing down at Fudge's body. "Soon the Ministry called Dumbledore and asked for his help. He came by and told them personally that they should resort to asking Harry Potter," Voldemort's snake-like face turned and sneered at Harry's shocked expression.
Harry shook his head in disbelief. "You're lying!"
Harry trusted Dumbledore with his life, how could Voldemort be telling him that? Still, Harry couldn't find any sign that Voldemort was lying. He couldn't believe him…he wouldn't. It wasn't true.
"I could show you if you like, Harry," Voldemort hissed.
Harry kept shaking his head back and forth not wanting to believe anything Voldemort said. He didn't want to stay around there any more. He was so lost in thought that he didn't realize Voldemort's eyes glowing an even brighter red.
"NO!" Harry finally shouted. "I don't want to see anything! I just want to go home!" He could feel his body beginning to shake, not with fear or anger, but with pain. It hurt to think that anyone he cared about could betray him. But it was too late, red fog clouded Harry's view as it surrounded the room. As the fog began to take over, the room began to change. His eyes didn't even settle on Voldemort's form, who was smiling sinisterly. His eyes were locked onto the figures in front of him that began to grow clearer and clearer. Harry's eyes widened as he shook his head once again. There, before him, stood Dumbledore and they were in his office…
TO BE CONTINUED…