Silver Blood
Chapter 22: Certain Death
The common room had completely disappeared as the floor caved in around him, pulling him through a vortex. Harry was unaware of anything until he felt a sharp pain slice through his robe cutting a deep gash in his back. He opened his eyes, wincing as he moved to a sitting position. Fire surrounded him on all sides, some just crackling small pieces of wood nearby.
"The village...they burned it down," Harry whispered.
He stood up carefully and looked around. No house was standing without flames. Most were burned to the ground, some even turning to ashes right before his eyes. Harry barely took a step before a pain in his throat snapped him from his gaze. He grabbed his throat trying to pry off invisible hands as his whole body was lifted off the ground. His eyes finally settled on a form hovering above him that was definitely not human. Its body was covered in black and red markings, its hair abnormally long, winding around part of its naked body. It had sharp daggers for nails and its teeth too appeared like needles. What caught Harry's eyes most were the gleaming red eyes staring at him.
Could it be...her?
He was suddenly dropped back to the ground, the invisible force that had been choking him disappeared. The figure above him began to slowly change. The sounds of bones cracking and skin peeling made him wince. The claws disappeared to reveal a normal hand and the hair shortened up to the shoulders. The teeth changed back to normal as the markings disappeared and the same cloak returned to cover the familiar figure.
Melarna glared down at Harry once her anger had died down some and her body back to normal. Her demon form would've torn him limb from limb had she not had control over that half of her. She knew her lord would never forgive her for killing his arch enemy.
"Thought you could escape me, did you Potter?" she smiled down at him as he stared up at her still in shock. "I think it's time you were brought forth to my master."
Her words cut into him finally and Harry made a mad dash to run. He ran down the nearest alley he could find but before he reached the end flames blocked his path. Melarna's high-pitched laughter rang out around him as she stared down at him in amusement.
"Trying to run now. You're out of luck, Potter. You may have survived all these years and you even may have survived an incredibly powerful mind curse, but remember that you didn't do it alone. You had your precious teachers and Godfather, oh yes and your pathetic friends too. If you think you'll survive now without them you're quite mistaken," she sneered down at him, raising her hand.
With one swipe of her hand, Harry's feet were lifted off the ground as he rose to meet her height. He couldn't control what she was doing nor could he stop it. Instead, he just glared at her menacingly.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" he snapped.
"Mind your manners, you're at my mercy now!" her eyes flashed in warning. "And that means that you couldn't have survived all those times without the help of your friends."
Harry's eyes narrowed as he struggled to release the grip she had on him, "They weren't there in the graveyard the night Voldemort was resurrected!"
Melarna paused and rested a hand on her hip, "I suppose not, but for the most part someone has always been there to save you, from what I heard. Too bad I wasn't there before, I think I would've helped master more than any of those other idiots! Not this time though, this time you're really in for it...," her eyes narrowed as she lifted him higher.
She pulled out her wand and in one swipe Harry found he couldn't move.
She's using the Imperius Curse to control my body!
"Come along then, master will want to see you."
Harry tried his best to overcome the curse like he did before with the imposter Mad-Eye Moody, but it was no use. His body had been drained of energy after he used the powerful spell to save the little girl. He fell limp as she soared away from the burning village with Harry following unwillingly behind her. They dropped to the ground and Melarna stood quietly with her back turned to him.
Harry looked around. He didn't see any Death Eaters in sight nor did he hear any screaming. How many had escaped? How many had been...killed?
Without the sacrifice though it will ruin Voldemort's plan...won't it?
"I can't believe they left without me!" she snapped to no one in general.
Melarna wheeled around and glared at Harry as if it were all his fault. She walked up to him and grabbed his arm roughly.
"Not one peep or I'll take you to him knocked out, is that clear?!"
Harry didn't answer. She squeezed his arm tighter and a strange sensation came over him. When he opened his eyes again they were no longer in the village, they appeared to be in a forest. It resembled the Forbidden Forest but Harry had never seen anything like it. The ground was a strange dark blue substance that moved away as Harry's feet hit the ground. Once his footprint was imprinted on the forest's floor the strange substance covered over it to erase any trace of him stepping there. Harry was so entranced he didn't realize they had come to a stop.
In the center of the forest, standing in groups before him with their backs turned, were hoards of Death Eaters silently bowing their heads. There were so many Harry couldn't count all of them. The number had almost doubled since the last time he had encountered Voldemort, which meant that somehow Azkaban had been broken into and the Death Eaters there had been freed. Most likely the ones held in the Ministry as well. He had been under the mind curse for so long he wasn't sure about anything anymore. Though Harry was quite certain Voldemort had taken the lead this time around.
He felt his arm being squeezed even tighter but someone had covered his mouth before he could utter a sound. Melarna's eyes stared at him dangerously as she lowered her head by his ear.
"Don't make a sound, understand?"
Harry's eyes narrowed but he didn't make a sound when she uncovered his mouth. Melarna lifted up her hood and dragged Harry alongside her. The curse she used lifted so he was able to control his body again. Silently they made their way passed the bowed Death Eaters who didn't notice them for their eyes were focused ahead. Harry looked in the direction their eyes were focused and almost pulled back from Melarna's grip.
Standing above the group dressed in a very long black robed lined with silver was Lord Voldemort looking just as he had the months before he was trapped in Harry's powerful sleep-freezing charm. Melarna finally stopped a couple rows to the side of where Voldemort was standing on a large mound that lifted him above the heads of all the Death Eaters below him. They stood there silently, Harry staring at his enemy who would no doubt be very angry he had escaped death once again.
Voldemort scanned the lot of them, his eyes ranking over each person. Melarna pushed Harry's head down when his eyes came their way. It was then he realized Melarna had slipped her cloak over him, lifting the hood over his head to hide his identity. Harry was grateful that no one noticed it was him, thinking he was just another Death Eater even though he was smaller than most of them. At the same time he knew it was only a matter of time before Melarna announced his presence.
Harry could hear Voldemort's robe swish, a sign that he had turned. Slowly, Harry lifted his eyes and peeked out from the hood to see that Voldemort was facing straight ahead. They were positioned on his left, but his eyes luckily remained forward at the group standing just below him with bowed heads.
"This was a simple mission," Voldemort's cold hissing voice spoke, breaking the tense silence.
The forest seemed to make Voldemort's voice come from all sides of them. Harry shivered inwardly trying to block the familiar voice out, but it was no use.
"I asked to find a simple child," Voldemort spoke again, his eyes never blinking. "The town was searched, the houses all burned down and still not one of you could find the child."
Harry's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He looked around him cautiously and spotted a figure shaking slightly. Taking a closer look he realized it was the man who had cornered the girl shouting that he had found her.
Why wouldn't he say he found her?...Unless they're not rewarded for trying, only punished for failing...
Voldemort's snake-like nostrils opened as he smelled their emotions, trying to detect anything. Finally he opened his arms, turning all the way around to face the Death Eaters in back.
"I will not tolerate anymore failure! Time is running out. I have only a certain amount left to find the one that I'm searching for!" he hissed.
"M-master..."
Voldemort turned to his right as a Death Eater whimpered forward. The Death Eater bowed low on the ground but continued to tremble.
"We have a new lead...There's another village just down th—"
"Silence!" he hissed in parseltonuge.
The Death Eater cowered lower to the ground as his trembling grew worse. Harry knew he was the only one there who could understand parseltonuge, but the Death Eaters didn't need to understand what he was saying to know that he was angry. Harry was sure Voldemort would use the Cruciatus Curse. Surprisingly, it never came. Instead, Voldemort turned his back on the whimpering Death Eater to speak to all of them.
"I don't have time to waste on trying to find the right child! We must perform it now, there is no time," Voldemort said.
"But m-master, w-what about the blood? We need it in order to get to it," another Death Eater spoke from the crowd.
Harry recognized the voice as Macnair's. He clenched his fists but held in his anger. He knew Voldemort was sensitive to emotions and could sense anything unusual. The last thing he needed was Voldemort sensing his presence.
"I am well aware of that Macnair," Voldemort said, turning to face him with his blood-red eyes. "I will have to do it the hard way and provide something for the tyrants in return for their blood."
Harry heard more whimpering and knew immediately it was Wormtail. The sound of his wheezing was too familiar to miss. It sounded like it was coming from the other side of the mound from where he was.
"T-tyrants master?" Macnair choked out.
"They are ancient creatures that have been around longer than any other beast in this world. Their blood might do, but in order to receive their help we must find something to give them in return for their services," Voldemort spoke coolly as he paced slightly, as he usually did when he was thinking of a plan.
Harry took a step closer so he could hear better only to be pulled roughly by Melarna. Harry's eyes caught hers as he looked up at her from behind the hooded cloak.
"Don't move," she hissed in his ear. "Or it'll be your last."
"Once I have them doing my bidding the plan should work, though not as quickly as if I had the right ancestral blood," Voldemort continued. "But with the Ministry out of my way and Dumbledore distracted and clueless my plan should work either way."
"Now," he said as he stopped pacing, facing all of them again, "we must find something to give the tyrants in exchange for their blood. Find me something and report back at our regular meeting place in no more than five hours! And don't do anything to alert the Ministry and Dumbledore, they must not get near!"
The Death Eaters all muttered their promises and bowed low, ready to depart.
"Wait!"
Everyone froze as Melarna stepped forward, gripping Harry's arm so tight he felt his fingers go numb. Harry quickly lowered his eyes so the hood covered his face as Voldemort turned settling his eyes upon her.
"Melarna," Voldemort hissed. "You dare waste my time. You have all ready failed me too many times."
"Yes master, and I intend to make it up to you," she paused, "right now!"
The Death Eaters all muttered to each other watching in interest. Harry could feel all their eyes on her but none of them seemed to tell she was holding onto him like a prisoner. Harry could almost feel Voldemort's intense gaze upon her, studying her to see if she was lying.
"And what exactly can you do to make up such mistakes?" Voldemort's calm voice broke out. A hint of amusement lingered, but more a threat was issued. "You realize that not only did you fail to bring me the item I asked, nor the child you were trying to capture, but you also failed in bringing me information about the Orb room like I asked you to. All these missions you failed and you think you can make that up now, Melarna?"
"Yes," she said confidently, "because I've found the root of all your problems. The reason why the child was never found from the village, the reason that you've always come so close but failed each time."
He could feel all the eyes watching her expectantly. Voldemort too seemed to wait for her to continue. Harry could feel the knot in his stomach growing until he thought he would explode. His heart was racing faster and faster. There was no way he'd be able to get passed all the Death Eaters. If most of them had apparated to do their job he might've, but none of them had. They had all stayed to see and hear what she had to say.
"Master, my dearest lord," she kneeled down and bowed her head, her hand still gripped onto Harry tightly, "I know that I have failed so many times and still you have graciously left me by your side to help. But I want to show you that while you left me without a mission because your trust in me had faded, I wasn't just sitting around moping. I found out something that no one else here knows about, something that could've been the end of this very plan."
Again, soft whispers echoed around them, some voiced thoughts of doubts and others just curious to see what she was talking about. Harry gulped and took a shaky breath, ready for the inevitable.
"Not only was your plan on the verge of destruction with just this one small thing, but I also propose that what I am about to present to you be the offering to the tyrants, my liege." she said.
Harry's breath caught in his throat as he heard that. Was she saying he was going to be given to tyrants? He was in a much more worse situation than he expected.
"So you have something to offer them?" Voldemort spoke quietly without emotion.
"Yes, something that you will give them without a second thought. I'm not exactly positive they will take it...it might not be enough, but it is definitely something. The main reason I am giving you this is because this could have destroyed everything. I know that your plan is brilliant, that you have succeeded in distracting both the Ministry and Dumbledore...but there was one flaw in your plan..."
Some Death Eaters nearby gasped. Harry peeked his eyes up just barely to see Voldemort's expression contort into half amusement and half something else.
"And what was that?"
"My gift to you, my liege!" Melarna shouted standing up fully. "Is..."
Harry was going dizzy from the anticipation, but before he could blink he was roughly thrown forward, his feet losing their grip as Melarna released him suddenly. "HARRY POTTER!"
It was a moment before Harry realized he was on all fours on the ground without the shield of the cloak that had slipped off his shoulders when he was thrown forward. The sounds of voices immediately burst open as he could hear sounds of amazement and confusion all around him.
"Harry Potter..."
"That's impossible!"
"Wasn't he dead...?"
"Maybe it's a trick from the Ministry."
Harry was content to just stare at the ground and pretend he was invisible but he was grabbed again by Melarna who hoisted him on his feet and held him in place.
"Harry Potter...," Voldemort's hissed.
Immediately, the talking subsided and all was left quiet. Harry was forced to stare up into the face of his arch enemy.
Voldemort stared at him for several moments before his lips curled into a malicious expression. His crimson eyes bore into Harry's as they had in the past, only Harry could feel and see death lying just beneath the surface.
"This my lord, is what I found out, that Harry Potter survived your mind curse and knew a little too much about your plan," she spoke confidently, looking him in the eye. "Not only would he have destroyed your plan once again, but possibly you too and there may have not been a way to keep you in your true form.
"I have been watching him, luring him out to weaken him until I could find the right time to tell you. Please master accept this as my apology. And to help you finally finish your brilliant plan, my liege, I propose Harry be the sacrifice to the tyrants!"
The Death Eaters cheered in agreement, vouching for Harry's demise. Harry tried to kick Melarna to get her to let go of his hair, but she held him strong. He was suddenly feeling a bit sick to his stomach.
"You have done well, Melarna," Voldemort spoke finally, his eyes never leaving Harry's face. "If the tyrants accept him you will be promoted to my personal servant alongside Wormtail."
Melarna's face lit up intensely, "Oh thank you m-master, thank you so much."
"Now...our guest of honor has once again joined us," Voldemort's lips curled maliciously, "for the last time."
Around him laughter was heard as the Death Eaters found Voldemort's comment amusing. Voldemort lifted his hands and the laughter stopped.
"I must say this is unexpected...That mind curse was used by Salazar himself," Voldemort spoke, turning his attention to his Death Eaters as if he were a teacher, "it was used on a group of aurors who never broke free of it. That was the start of his legend."
Voldemort's eyes lowered toward Harry, "How did you break my mind curse Potter?"
Harry didn't answer straight away, he just stared up at him angrily. Finally finding his voice, Harry narrowed his eyes.
"You must be losing your touch," he said finally, his voice filled with bitterness.
"Hey!" Melarna grabbed a handful of his hair, pulling his head back roughly. "Watch your manners, Potter!"
"Let...go...of my hair...," Harry said, grinding his teeth to keep from screaming. Melarna just ignored him and kept her attention focused on Voldemort. Voldemort's cold laugh erupted around them until he finally stopped, settling his gaze once more upon Harry.
"Losing my touch, Potter? I should've just done it the old fashioned way. I won't be making that mistake again. In fact, you are going to help with the last step of my plan," Voldemort's eyes narrowed threateningly. "It is time to visit the tyrants and meet your final doom, Harry."
The Death Eaters cheered wildly as Voldemort turned around to lead the way. Melarna pushed Harry roughly as they followed just behind Voldemort. Harry could feel his scar burning every time he got closer than five feet to him. Melarna didn't seem to notice him stumble now and then as she walked confidently behind Voldemort with her head held high.
XXXXX
The common room door opened swiftly as Ron ran inside.
"Harry!? Harry, where are you?"
Fast footsteps came behind him as Hermione ran inside, stopping to catch her breath.
"Is he in here?"
Ron shook his head, "No, he's not anywhere! I swear he was right behind me!"
Hermione's face lit up with worry, "Maybe Sirius and the others are having better luck. Let's just go back to the office."
Slumping his shoulders, Ron nodded glumly and proceeded to follow her toward Dumbledore's office. They, along with Sirius, Remus and Professor McGonagall, had been searching everywhere for him for the past twenty minutes. Violet had been taking to the hospital wing for madam Pomprey to check her up and make sure she was all right. Professor Trelawney had gone too, happy to meet someone like her.
They finally made it to the office and noticed it was empty. Ron slumped down in Dumbledore's chair behind his desk and dropped his head on his hands.
"Ron, it'll be all right...," Hermione said, trying to encourage him. "Harry knows he's not supposed to leave again and he learned his lesson the last time."
"I don't think it's that, Hermione," Ron said, lifting his head. "Harry was in the common room with me. I had just left when I realized he wasn't behind me. He hadn't come out because I would've heard the door open and there's no way to get out of the common besides floo powder, but he didn't have any."
"What are you saying?" she asked worriedly, "That he was kidnapped?"
Ron shrugged silently, holding his head up with his hands.
"Ron, there's no way anyone could get inside, especially within five minutes. You said Harry disappeared almost instantly, right? So how could someone kidnap him that fast?" Hermione asked logically.
"I don't know," Ron muttered.
Just then the door to the office opened and Sirius burst inside, wand out and panting for breath. He caught sight of Ron and Hermione and put his wand away, a grim expression on his face.
"No sign of him?" Ron asked.
Sirius shook his head grimly, "No. I told him to stay inside."
"He was inside! That's what I'm trying to tell you! He was right behind me and suddenly he vanished!" Ron exclaimed, standing up.
Remus, who was beside Sirius stepped up, "Do you think it could've been Voldemort?"
"That's possible!" Hermione exclaimed. "After all, that woman who attacked Harry could've easily told him he was alive!"
"But how would he be able to get Harry if he was inside the castle?" Sirius scowled.
The room fell into an uneasy silence. They all felt helpless without knowing what could've possibly happened. Suddenly, Hermione's head shot up.
"Hold on a minute!"
"Do you have an idea, Hermione?" Sirius asked putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Well, I was just thinking. Harry saved Violet because Voldemort was after her, right? And Voldemort wanted her because of her Seer powers, right?"
"Yeah...so?" Ron asked.
Professor McGonagall gasped, "I see. We could ask Violet to predict where Harry is!"
"Exactly!" Hermione beamed.
Sirius nodded, "All right, let's get down to the hospital wing."
"Wait, I don't understand," Ron said.
Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed, "I'll explain it on the way, Ron."
The group of them rushed down to the hospital wing. As they entered madam Pomprey was bandaging Violet's arm which had somewhat of a deep gash. Professor Trelawney was talking to the girl, no doubt about her own "special abilities." Madam Pomprey looked up as they entered.
"What's the meaning of this?" she asked.
"Harry's missing," Sirius said sharply, approaching the bed.
He sat down on the bed, staring at Violet who was just looking at them all innocently.
"Violet, I need you to tell us where Harry is," Sirius said gently.
Usually madam Pomprey objected for injured children to use powers but she too looked at the girl expectantly. After all, they had gone through all the suffering and trouble to awaken Harry only to have him gone again.
"Harry's gone?" Violet asked, her eyes saddening.
"I'm sorry, Violet," Hermione soothed. "I know you wanted to see him again, but if you figure out where he is then we can go rescue him and bring him back."
Violet's eyes lit up and she nodded enthusiastically, "Of course. I owe Harry my life. He saved me," she smiled. "But...I've never called upon a vision before, it always just comes to me."
"Don't worry dear," Professor Trelawney smiled, "just close your eyes and concentrate really hard. Imagine what he looks like."
Hermione rolled her eyes behind her back, but smiled sweetly at Violet. "Yes, but you'll also need something of Harry's."
Professor Trelawney shot her a look but nodded, "Of course."
"I have something," Sirius said getting up.
A moment later, Sirius came back holding a silky, long robe.
"The invisibility cloak," Ron acknowledged.
Sirius handed the cloak to Violet who held it tightly and closed her eyes, relaxing her muscles and concentrating hard on finding Harry. Ron, Hermione, Sirius, Remus, Professor McGonagall, madam Pomprey and Professor Trelawney all watched and waited with patience, making sure to be as quiet as possible. Professor Trelawney dramatically clasped her hands together and closed her eyes as if she was helping the girl. Hermione had the urge to hit her and knock her out but she thought better of it.
Ten minutes passed and still the girl hadn't even moved a muscle. She was clutching the invisibility cloak like her life depended on it, but her expression was serene. Sirius was growing restless but he never took his eyes off her in case she showed signs that she saw something. Remus was sitting quietly in his chair with his arms folded across his chest. Professor Trelawney too even looked a bit restless for her hands were now resting in her lap and she looked as though she might fall asleep.
Suddenly, Violet's eyes snapped open and she let out a loud scream that caused Professor Trelawney to tip out of her chair. Violet was breathing deeply now trying to shield herself with the invisibility cloak. Sirius and Remus had jumped up from their chairs and were trying to calm her down.
"Did you see anything?" Sirius asked desperately.
Violet nodded, her eyes wide with fright, "Harry...he-he's in danger!"
"Where is he?" Sirius asked, holding her shoulders and staring at her without blinking.
"He's w-with enemies, a-all I saw were these horrible m-monsters! They had such big teeth...so many of them...and they were almost as big as a mountain!" Violet exclaimed, tears running down her cheeks. "I-it was in a big forest near."
"A forest where?" Hermione asked calmly, though she felt like panicking.
"I don't know...I saw...I saw a fire nearby it, some distance away. Oh, Harry! I hope he'll be okay!" she started to cry.
"Don't worry, Harry's survived lots of things," Hermione soothed, pulling her into an embrace.
Sirius had gone rigid and was staring down at the bed as if he wasn't really seeing it.
"How did this happen?" he asked slowly, his eyes moving from Ron to Hermione then finally settling on Violet.
Violet lifted her head from Hermione's shoulder and wiped her eyes.
"I could see Harry after he saved me and then there was this really ugly demon with red eyes."
"A demon with red eyes? She took Harry?" Hermione asked, and Violet nodded still teary-eyed. "It's that girl!"
Ron's head shot up, "You mean the one that was fighting Harry outside?"
Hermione nodded her head grimly, "I thought she looked a little suspicious. I was sensing she wasn't human, or at least not fully. In order for her to look human enough when she wants she has to be half witch, so the other half of her is demon."
"What does that mean?" Sirius asked her, meeting her eyes with a hard stare.
Hermione took a deep breath, "It means she probably had no trouble getting Harry from inside the castle."
"What?! But...how?" Ron asked open-mouthed.
"Because we used that spell. Demons can manipulate spells, curses, any sort of wizard or witch magic, minus charms, to their advantage. Of course they can't change what the spell or curse does but they can either use it for themselves, or reverse it. And I'm guessing in her case she used it by retracing the symbol and brought Harry to her, only she couldn't have used the whole spell because she got the real Harry," Hermione sighed. "Which means that she could've taken him anywhere."
"Not anywhere, to the Dark Lord," Ron muttered.
"We need Dumbledore, now!" Sirius shouted, startling Violet so that she wrapped her arms back around Hermione.
"Didn't he say that he was coming back?" madam Pomprey spoke up. "I thought you all were talking about the letter he sent."
"Oh yeah!" Ron slapped his forehead. "I was so worried about Harry I almost forgot. He said he was on his way back, so he'll know what to do."
Sirius scowled darkly, "Well, he's late! Harry's gone! He's always late! He wasn't here when Harry was on the brink of death and now he's not here when Harry's been kidnapped! I'm going out to look for him!"
While Sirius was ranting, Professor Trelawney stood up silently and crossed over to one of the windows to peer out of it. After a minute she walked out of the room without another glance back. Madam Pomprey stared at her puzzled and Professor McGonagall shared a worried and confused glance with her. She too got up to follow her out. Madam Pomprey then turned back to the conversation at hand.
"Sirius, that's not going to do any good. You have no idea where to look," Remus said calmly.
Sirius wheeled around on him, "And how can you be so calm?!" he snapped.
"I believe Remus was the calm one when Harry's condition was near death," madam Pomprey spoke up, "and Harry ended up being all right. So you see, panicking and ranting is not going to get us anywhere."
"I don't need a lecture!" Sirius snapped bitterly. "I just want my Godson to be safe, is that too much to ask?"
"When the Dark Lord is alive, yes," Ron said, cowering when Sirius sent him a dark glare.
Hermione sighed exasperated, "Look, the problem we have is that V...," Hermione paused to cover Violet's ears, "Voldemort might have Harry right now," she whispered.
"I'd say that's a pretty big problem, Hermione," Sirius said darkly.
She nodded, "Yes, but knowing him he's not going to kill Harry right away, not if he thinks he can use him."
"How do we know he hasn't killed him all ready?" Sirius exclaimed.
"Because we'd feel it," Hermione said simply. "We would just know if it was all over...besides, there's a reason why Harry has survived this long and not just because he's got great mentors and friends. There's something about him and Voldemort will realize that, I'm pretty sure," she said, keeping Violet's ears covered.
Before Sirius could utter a response the door burst open and Professor Sprout came in slightly out of breath with Snape behind her with his arms folded and his usual stern expression upon his face.
"Everyone! Professor Dumbledore is here!" Professor Sprout announced after catching her breath.
"Finally!" Sirius roared causing most in the room to jump, minus Snape and Remus.
"Impatient as always, Black?" Snape sneered.
"Yes! Harry's been kidnapped by Lord Voldemort!" Sirius said loudly.
Hermione squeaked and covered Violet's ears before he said the "V word." Ron paled slightly but didn't jump a foot in the air like he usually did when he heard the name. Snape's eyebrows rose slightly at his outburst.
"Right under your nose too, Black? You must not keep a very close eye on young Potter. I told you he gets into trouble."
"He saved this girl's life!" Hermione exclaimed in anger. "Voldemort wanted to sacrifice Violet...kill her and Harry saved her! He was inside Hogwarts when one of Voldemort's Death Eaters, who happens to be a demon, used her demonic powers to summon Harry to her. Now there's no doubt she brought him to Voldemort and Violet says Harry's going to be confronted with a tyrant!"
"Save your breath, Hermione, he doesn't care," Sirius' eyes narrowed.
"Then why did he go through all the trouble to save Harry last time?" she snapped back, surprising Sirius. "Professor, please, is there any way we could use the astral projection charm and somehow trace where she could've taken Harry?" Hermione asked desperately to Snape.
Snape's cold eyes locked with hers, "I believe you'd have to take that up with Dumbledore."
He then wheeled around and walked out. After a moment Sirius scowled and followed behind him along with Professor Sprout. Remus got up next followed by Ron and Hermione. Hermione rubbed Violet's back one more time and told her to listen to madam Pomprey while they were gone.
"I promise to bring Harry back alive," Hermione smiled. "Now you rest."
"Thank you," Violet smiled back as she lay down.
Madam Pomprey handed her a potion just as Hermione walked out.
PART 2: Answers
Sirius had practically stomped the whole way to the office and barged in angrily. Dumbledore was sitting by Professor McGonagall sipping some tea. Professor Trelawney was at the window still staring out it looking deep in thought. Filch had retreated to the corner of the room with Mrs. Norris still trying to calm her down while the teachers talked about life and death situations that didn't appear to interest him at the moment.
"Where have you been?!" Sirius yelled, pointing a finger at Dumbledore who just looked up at him calmly. "Harry has been on the brink of death and now he's being taken to Voldemort!"
"I am aware of this, Sirius," Dumbledore spoke in his usual calm voice.
"THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE SO LATE?!" Sirius roared.
"Black, calm yourself!" Professor McGonagall insisted. "It won't do any good to scream at the top of your lungs."
Sirius was seething with anger and breathing rapidly from screaming. He looked as if he were about to strangle someone. Instead, he dropped down in a chair staring harshly at them all. Remus sat next to him placing a friendly hand on his shoulder to keep him calm. Ron and Hermione found themselves a chair near one another in silence and were looking very grim. Professor Sprout sat by Professor McGonagall and was wringing her hands nervously. Snape meanwhile was standing up, leaning against a window just staring before him coldly. Now and then he glanced at Professor Trelawney, who didn't even move from her position at the window. It was almost like she couldn't hear any of them.
Once everyone was all settled Dumbledore set his drink down. "As you all know I was with the Ministry in a meeting."
"A pretty damn long meeting," Sirius muttered under his breath, but it was heard by everyone.
"And I have learned quite a bit of information," Dumbledore continued as if Sirius hadn't said a word. "I'm sure you all have figured by now that there is an eclipse. This hasn't happened for many, many centuries. There were those few times in the muggle world where an eclipse would. take place, but it never blocked out the entire rays of the sun like this. This isn't your normal eclipse."
No one spoke as they waited for Dumbledore to continue. Even Sirius didn't open his mouth to retort with a nasty comment like "we all ready know this."
"As you also might have heard all the dark creatures of the wizard world that have stayed in shadows or the darkest most secluded places of the wizard world have gotten a...larger home, so to speak. They are feasting...every animal out there," Dumbledore spoke gravely. "The number of people missing has doubled and the number killed has greatly increased. More muggles have died than witches and wizards, which makes me believe these creatures were not acting on their own free will."
"You think it's Voldemort then who's controlling them?" Hermione spoke up quietly.
Dumbledore closed his eyes and folded his hands together, "Not exactly, Hermione. Voldemort himself is not controlling the creatures. It seems they are under some sort of ancient spell, something that has never before been used by any witch or wizard, but rather by a sorcerer, a very specific sorcerer."
"No," Hermione whispered wide-eyed.
"No, what? What does that mean?" Ron asked, confusion written on his face.
Hermione swallowed, waiting for Dumbledore to continue. When he didn't she took a deep breath, "There's a myth that the Ministry, or something like it, was a group of sorcerers back in the day. Long ago there were barely people with magic except for those select few. The Ministry, or those sorcerers, created something like the Ministry building using their combined powers. Not any force in the world at the time could penetrate the building. However...they also underestimated their own powers. They build a special room inside that impenetrable building which they called the Orb room. Its power came from a crystal ball in the center of the room. It allowed them to control some of the things happening outside the building without having to actually go out. But having so much power corrupted some of them and they wanted to do more magic elsewhere.
"A couple of them found a buried cave under the sands of Egypt, something that was buried on the command of a very powerful pharaoh. They dug it up and found that it was some ancient scriptures. Using their magic they were able to unlock them and understand them, but after reading them they awoke terrible forces. The creatures they awoke, and the most terrible, were tyrants, though they awoke many different kinds of dark creatures that still exist in our world today. They can live up to thousands of years old and feast upon blood and flesh, wiping out cities in less than a couple hours," Hermione explained, licking her dry lips.
"But one sorcerer in particular by the name of Burdock Muldoon (1), who I believe was the eldest sorcerer. He started what was later known as the Wizard Council and was chief of that...Anyway, his wife was Ignatia Wildsmith who invented floo powder—"
Ron rolled his eyes, "Please stay focused, Hermione."
She shot him a glare and cleared her throat, "Yes, anyway, he was the only one of them that realized they shouldn't abuse their power. Because of the other sorcerers there, tyrants were unleashed upon the world, both muggle and wizard. You can only imagine what trouble that caused. And they were much too touch for only one or two sorcerers to beat, so Burdock Muldoon created a very powerful and very dangerous potion...it was used by dark alchemists early on but none of them ever survived after drinking it. It was a potion to turn one immortal, only temporarily, but Burdock didn't want to be immortal, he just wanted to have the power to stop the tyrants. So he...let's say, created a synthesis of the potion.
"However, back then potions were still very rare, except used by cave dwellers, who had no real power, so he didn't fully know what he was doing. It was rumored that his blood turned into an almost metallic silver color, kind of like unicorns except their blood is of a different substance. He had temporarily empowered himself with immortal blood, but not immortal life, there's a difference. So he used that blood and bound it to the crystal ball using a binding spell with his staff. He was able to not only over power all the other sorcerers' control over the power of the Orb but also empowered it. He was able to summon powers unimaginable for that time period, and even for now...His powers were nearly unlimited. The only problem was that he was not immortal himself so every time he used that power it would cost him his energy and part of his life..."
"However, he was able to destroy the tyrants, which was what he wanted. And he sent all the dark creatures that had been awoken into the shadows...cursed them all so they couldn't even stand any ounce of light. And now...they've been awoken. All those creatures once again...," Hermione trailed off, finally finishing her explanation.
Ron's mouth was hanging open at all the information she had given. Hermione figured it would only take an hour before all that precious information just vanished from his mind. Dumbledore nodded gravely.
"Excellent explanation, Hermione. Minerva, fifty points to Gryffindor when this is all over with," Dumbledore turned to her.
Her eyes widened at the predicament they were in but nodded nonetheless. Dumbledore then set his cup of tea down.
"So...the Orb room has been activated...how?" Sirius asked, looking at Hermione.
She shrugged so instead Sirius looked at Dumbledore expectantly.
"Voldemort was an exceedingly bright student here at Hogwarts," he began.
Ron snorted, "Complimenting the enemy...bloody great."
"He figured out how to open the Chamber of Secrets when he was only sixteen after he'd been studying Salazar for a couple years. He got past my every guard in school and I never had proof he knew or had done anything that had happened. It is not surprising that he should find the Orb room and activate it. However..., I believe what he wishes to do is gain the power that Burdock Muldoon gained, except he won't be stopping tyrants."
"He'll be bringing more in...oh bloody hell!" Ron groaned, covering his face with his hands.
"Watch your tongue, Weasley," Snape barked.
"But...he can't get it right? He'd need the blood of the sorcerer, wouldn't he Albus?" Professor McGonagall asked.
Dumbledore nodded, "Indeed he would Minerva. I believe that is why he was after our young guest in the hospital wing. He needed to find a Seer, but not just any Seer. He needed a child Seer because their minds are much easier to control. If he gets his hands on one he may be able to manipulate the powers of sight to see far enough back in the past to find out what family's bloodline is somehow connected to that of the sorcerer's down the line."
"You mean...there are witches or wizards with silver blood?" Ron asked awed.
"Not precisely. Their blood is perfectly normal, but if they even have a trace of Muldoon's blood when near the Orb or something connected to the Orb their blood will give off a strange hue. Not quite so noticeable unless one is looking for such a thing," Dumbledore explained.
"But he hasn't got a Seer! Harry saved her," Hermione said.
"True, and now he'll be turning to the tyrants," Dumbledore said casually.
"Tyrants?" Sirius exclaimed. "Then that means...the monsters that Violet saw in her vision, the ones she said Harry was going to face...," Sirius' face turned an angry shade of red. "VOLDEMORT IS GOING TO SET TYRANTS UPON MY GODSON!?"
This time Sirius' loud outburst was ignored as the reality sunk in.
"Oh no! Harry...he doesn't even have his wand!" Hermione gasped, her eyes watering with tears.
Dumbledore's eyes dimmed, "Yes, I believe that's the way Voldemort is headed now, except..."
"Except what, Albus?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Is there a way for Harry to survive?"
Dumbledore didn't answer right away. He looked dazed as if in thought and finally he closed his eyes for a short second before opening them.
"It is possible...Harry has a chance."
"BUT HOW?!" Sirius bellowed.
Remus put a hand on Sirius' shoulder to sit him down, and then turned to Dumbledore.
"Dumbledore, what will Voldemort do if he finds someone with that blood?"
Dumbledore sighed heavily, "I am not entirely sure, Remus. This was something long forgotten and buried in the past. Even I am surprised that Lord Voldemort is daring such a dangerous task, but if he succeeds...," he hesitated. "If he succeeds I am not sure there is a way to stop him. Nothing that is in our power yet, as far as I know."
"So why does he want the tyrants?" Ron asked weakly, not liking the sound of undefeatable creatures.
"They could possibly have the blood he needs to activate the power. It is not guaranteed but because they were destroyed by the use of the power, most of them but not all of them, it is possible one or two happened to get some of Muldoon's blood in them. It's a long reach, but there is a small chance."
There was a short silence before Professor Sprout cleared her throat.
"Um...headmaster, what exactly might happen if he does get to this power?" she asked curiously.
Dumbledore's expression turned grave, "I am not sure...there is not much known about Muldoon's abilities. He died shortly after killing all the tyrants. None of the other sorcerers could figure out how to activate the Orb room anymore. They didn't realize they needed their blood and his body was buried and forgotten. After finding they could no longer use it they buried the Orb room so it could never been found again. For centuries after wizards tried to find the secret to the myth of the Orb room but none was found...until now."
"Great...," Ron muttered.
"At least he doesn't have the blood...yet. We still have a chance to prevent it," Hermione said softly.
"But do we have a chance to save Harry?" Sirius voiced darkly.
"He does have a chance, Sirius," Dumbledore said gravely. "But I am afraid even that chance could cause greater problems for Harry and for us."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sirius barked angrily.
Dumbledore didn't answer. Sirius was about to say more when a voice broke their conversation.
"We have a problem."
The voice came from Professor Trelawney who was still staring out the window as if none of the conversation had taken place. Dumbledore was the only one not looking at her strangely.
"What is it Sibyll?" Dumbledore asked casually as if it were a normal day.
"They're coming," she whispered in her flat, dazed tone.
"Who's coming?" Professor Sprout piped up, sounding quite frightened.
Professor Trelawney pointed out the window. Immediately, Professor McGonagall got up to see what she was looking out. She approached the window looking down. At first she squinted, not appearing to see anything because it was too dark. Then the shadows began to take shape. Professor McGonagall gasped and stumbled backward.
Dumbledore stood up, "What is it Minerva?"
"Albus...there's so many...the creatures," she stuttered. "They're coming toward Hogwarts!"
TO BE CONTINUED...