shivers I hope you guys like this chapter as much as I do. There is so much raw emotions! I love it! Tell me if you agree ;)
----------------------------
Niger soon fell asleep, but wasn't allowed to dream on his own for very long. He soon found himself standing in the same empty room with a lit fireplace and his father sitting behind him.
"Hello, my son," whispered the high pitched voice from behind him.
"Hello father," Niger replied as he turned to face Lord Voldemort. He was quite shocked when he turned, however, at the look on his father's face. He was shocked, yes, that Lord Voldemort was obviously furious with him, for Niger could think of no reason for him to be (at least, not this angry) but shock, even more so, at the fact that his father's face was registering any kind of emotion whatsoever. Niger kept his own face calm, despite his racing heart and nervous stomach.
"I've been hearing rather disturbing reports about you." Voldemort's voice crackled throughout the still room, surging Niger with a kind of malevolent electricity. His vision blacked-out briefly, as though he was hyperventilating. Calm! He ordered himself.
"What reports, father?" Niger congratulated himself on keeping his voice level. It would not do to allow his voice to quiver.
Voldemort glared at him for a few seconds, saying, as clearly as if he were speaking, not to lie to him. "You have been associating with Gryffindors and have even befriended the Minister's son. You argue with Lucius' son in public, and, the most grievous of all, you have been conversing with Dumbledore. Do you deny it?"
"I deny none except the last. Dumbledore asked me to speak with him, but we never actually had to. He was called away before we spoke."
"But you do not deny the others?" Voldemort demanded.
"No sir. I have integrated myself into the confidence of those who may suspect something of me, and that includes the son of Arthur Weasley. I did argue with Draco in public, and I am ashamed of doing so, but his remarks could have been heard by the wrong ears and been grievous in themselves."
Voldemort looked at him at length, and Niger found himself wanting to cringe from the look. The emotions playing across his father's face were indefinable, and as such made them all the more alarming. "What you say is good," Voldemort finally spoke. Niger allowed himself to exhale slowly, though he hadn't even been aware that he had been holding his breath.
"Was that all you wanted to talk to me about, father?" Niger waited silently, but not without impatience for the answer. It was a while in coming.
At length Voldemort spoke. "I asked you here to be sure once for all of your loyalty. I find that I taught you too well in Occlumency to reach this conclusion the way I would in most cases. As it were, I am trying to feel your allegiance. Yet, I find I cannot. You would not do wrong to your own father, would you?"
"You know I would not father." Niger's heart began to race. What did this all mean? Why was his loyalty so important right now?
Lord Voldemort nodded. "There is an event of some importance that will be taking place shortly. I do not want you to interfere, nor do I want you to be involved in any way. The matter is fragile at best and I will not have you –" He cut off abruptly. Niger wondered silently what his father had been about to say, and found himself with a couple of answers; neither of which very flattering. "I do not want you to get hurt," he finished. Niger knew very well that this was not the intended end to that statement.
"Of course father. I will not interfere if interference can be avoided."
Voldemort glared. "It can be," he spat. "Now be gone. I need rest, and I will assume you need it as well."
Niger nodded curtly and as suddenly as he had come to it, he left the room.
Back in his own bed, Niger made himself sleep, and not think on what he had just heard. Right before he fell asleep, however, he remembered thinking that he had wanted to get some answers this night. Not only were his questions not answered, but he now had many more questions.
-------------------------
The next day went by without mishap and Niger found that, despite the conversation with his father the night before, he felt no apprehension. There was no tense feeling in the air as though something was coming, and no one else seemed to suspect anything. This helped to keep Niger's own nerves under control. This turned out to be a very good advantage when he finally got his chance to speak to Ron and Hermione for the first time since his shout-out with Draco.
Classes were over for the day and, as was usual, Hermione had dragged Ron to the library to study. Niger approached them hesitantly. It wasn't until he was practically sitting on top of their table that they noticed him. They both seemed as hesitant as he felt.
"Hello Niger," Hemione's voice was slightly cold, making Niger want to apologize quickly so as to keep from hearing that voice again. He made good of his thoughts.
"I am so sorry about what happened yesterday. I should not have been so curt with you. I regret, though, that I cannot inform you of the real reason behind my argument with Draco, but believe me when I say I'm sorry."
Hermione and Ron just looked at him. I seem to be instilling this reaction in many people lately, Niger thought to himself as he waited for their responses.
"Well, of course we forgive you, Niger," began Hermione. "But, it is a bit irritating that you won't even explain it to us."
"It's not that I won't. I really can't."
Hermione nodded brusquely and turned to Ron who smiled openly and gestured for Niger to sit. Niger, quite relieved to have gotten that over with, accepted the seat and settled in before he began speaking again.
"I really need to ask you guys a question, though." Hermione looked dubious. "It's a simple question. I promise," he added when she still looked reluctant.
"What is it then?" asked Ron, noticing the looks Hermione was sporting.
"This might seem like a silly question, but really, just indulge me." They both just looked at him. "It really is a silly question," he said again almost apologetically.
"Oh for heaven's sake, just ask it!" Hermione said impatiently.
"What do you know about Harry Potter?" Niger had not expected the looks they gave him. Ron was looking at him as though he'd grown a second head and Hermione was looking at him as though he'd just made a very vulgar joke. Then again, in her present mood, maybe he should have expected that reaction from her.
"Not only is this not funny, it's completely irrelevant and not to mention downright stupid."
"I knew I was going to get that from one of you," Niger muttered. "But I'm serious! I want to know the story you've been told."
Hermione rolled her eyes, but she decided to talk anyway – her know-it-all nature getting the better of her. "Harry Potter was the son of James and Lily Potter, two of the most renowned aurors of their time. When Harry was but a year old, a plot was found out that You-Know-Who was interested in Harry for some reason. The family was hidden in a house using a very powerful charm, but someone betrayed them. So, to make a long story short ("almost too late there," muttered Ron good-naturedly) You-Know-Who killed both James and Lily."
Niger sat there, disbelieving, waiting for more. "And? What happened to Harry?"
"Is this some kind of test? What on earth to you mean 'what happened to Harry?' No one knows. His body wasn't found with that of his parents'."
"No. That's not how it happened! That's not what he told me!"
Ron finally decided to speak up. "Niger, mate, calm down. What are you talking about? Everyone knows that story, and everyone knows it that way. Who told you differently? Malfoy been pulling your leg?"
"What? No. No! It's not true! That's not how it happened! He didn't tell me about any of this!"
"What the mark are you talking about? You're acting like a loony!" Hermione, more disturbed by the fact that Niger was yelling in her precious library than anything else hissed at him, and when he wouldn't listen, finally dragged him out of the library and gave Ron a look that said he'd better follow them.
Niger didn't know what to think. It couldn't possibly be true. He'd been living a lie. Cripes, that sounds to cliché! His breathing was coming in irregular gasps and he felt as though he would either pass out or throw up and he wasn't sure which would come first.
After Hermione hauled him out quickly before Madame Pinch could yell at them she proceeded to tug him down the hallway until they found an empty classroom that no one used. Rom stood beside Niger reluctant to help Hermione drag, in case she got hostile. Before they entered the room, Ron whispered something to Hermione, who nodded and he dashed away. Niger missed the exchange and really was almost too out of it to realize that Ron was no longer with them until it was too late.
"Where did Ron go?" Niger asked, his voice scratchy as though he'd been screaming for hours.
"He went to go get Dumbledore." Such a simple sentence. She couldn't possibly have imagined the reaction.
"DUMBLEDORE? Why did you tell him to get Dumbledore? He's the last person I want to see right now! NO! Get Ron back here! I don't want to talk to Dumbledore!"
Hermione jumped slightly, but held her ground. "You're being irrational, Niger. Calm down. Ron thought it would be best to have Dumbledore take care of this. You're obviously upset about something, and since you won't tell us about it, at least you can tell Dumbledore."
"I'm not telling Dumbledore anything." Niger's voice turned deathly low and Hermione shied away from him, suddenly very frightened. She shivered, almost convulsing before steeling herself again, but her voice wasn't nearly as strong as it had been.
"N-now Niger, you really do need...to calm down. Dumbledore is the...the best of men and he'll know what to do." Niger just glared. Hermione felt cold sweat as she looked at her friend, so transformed from his usual countenance.
Before she allowed herself to become too afraid, Ron ran back into the room. His face almost mirrored the fear in Hermione's but for a completely different reason.
Hermione's voice sounded as though she was close to tears. "What's wrong?"
"We've got a problem," Ron gasped, obviously having run all the way back. "Something's happened to Dumbledore."
------------------------
Did you see how many reviews I have?? I love you guys! Thanks so much. Didn't actually think I could keep up the average ten reviews per chapter. Thank you!
Darkmoon Fleur: Interesting thought. 'Course, you'll find out soon enough, so I'm not gonna tell you! Hehehe
HarrySlytherinson: (sorry if the asterisk in your name doesn't work…) Thank you. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.
Emmy: Thanks for the review. How about you leave your e-mail this time so I won't be answering non-fanfic related questions here, kay? Thanks again!
Diamond004: Once again; if you want to talk about the movie, e-mail me, or leave your e-mail in a review. I don't want to answer those questions here :) Thanks for the review!
Sami1010220: Well, I think the plot has thickened to about the consistency of paint, or some such… Next chapter will be thicker! Lol
Spaced Out Space Cadet: Yeah, well, I haven't written the chapter where you find out who the spy is, but I already know, so it'll come out eventually. It will be quite shocking, I'm sure evil laughter So, how did you like the Harry Potter conversation in this?
Tarawen: Here you go. And thanks :)
Chips Challenge: Thanks! Doesn't tell him much, does he?
I'll say this one more time for the people that missed it -- please don't leave questions about the movie in your reviews, because if I answer them here it will just take up space. Either leave your e-mail with your review (preferable…because then I'll still get reviews grins) or e-mail the questions directly to me. Thanks! Chapter 11 should be up by Friday!