Chapter 21: Voldemort's Apparent Strike.

After they dropped Percy home, they headed for Grimmauld Place. The house looked cosy and warm, but people's faces were torn and drained. Molly rushed towards them she was in tears. "Where is he? Is he OK? What happened?" She babbled "Calm down Molly. He's OK. We took him back to his house. He's going to sort everything out with Mr Fudge." Remus assured her. Molly, after having about four cups of tea, decided to go to bed. Page was left with Harry, Ginny, Ron, Remus and Tonks. They played Gobstones until way past three when Remus decided it was best that they got some sleep. In the morning Tonks suddenly waked Page up abruptly. "It's Voldemort, we got word from Dumbledore about ten minutes ago. An emergency meeting is being held downstairs now." Page quickly got dressed and hurried down to meet them passing Harry and Ron. "Stop you two! Go back to bed." Page said as she took three steps at a time. "Why? What's wrong-?" Ron began, but Page looked up at them and she knew they were going to start questioning her. "I said NOW! Move it!" She yelled up at them. Page burst through the door, knocking Severus Snape to the floor. "Oh sorry Severus, I didn't see you." Smiling as she had her back on him, then rushed towards Remus. "Morning, sleep well?" Remus said sarcastically. He showed her the letter, which Dumbledore had sent them.

"Voldemort will strike tonight. We are not sure of the time. But it is urgent that Harry should be sent to Rosewood Cottage immediately. We have warned the magical community and also the muggle Prime minister. Postings should be placed in the village and Page's house. No one is to leave until I get more information. I will keep you posted. Albus Dumbledore."

"Page get Harry now and take him to Rosewood Cottage, then come back here." Remus wasn't looking at Page, until she collapsed on the floor in agony. Page was screaming out a high-pitched laugh. She wasn't sure where she was, only that she got a good feeling, from this laughter. Things were going according to plan. Page then started to speak words which were not her own. "The time has come to kill them all. I wonder where I shall start my revenge that will taste so sweet. Don't you agree Wormtail? You must find me my passage into the house. Find me the way Wormtail, or it will be your last." Page started to laugh again. Then everything went black. Page found herself in a chair, being dabbed with a cold wet cloth, people were whispering in fear. She opened her eyes to see she was in the kitchen with Tonks standing over her. Page looked to her left and saw Remus and Arthur talking in deep conversation. "Page, are you OK? We heard everything. Word has been sent to Dumbledore. He's going to be here any minute." Page got up suddenly realising Harry and her shared the same vision and wondered if he was alright. "Where's Harry?" Page wheezed. "He's upstairs Page, he's going to be fine. He didn't take the vision as badly as you did; it was only you that passed out. Just as soon as Tonks said that, both Harry and Dumbledore came into the kitchen. He looked more brisk then Page had ever seen him. It seemed strange to her. But she ignored it. He pointed for Harry to sit down then locked the door after Tonks, Remus and Arthur had left them to talk. "It now seems to be quite clear that you are equally in grave danger. I suggest that you both go back to Rosewood Cottage and stay there until I call for you." Dumbledore spoke in an unusual voice. Page wanted to ask Dumbledore something, but Harry spoke first and the question left her. "Professor, which house is he talking about? It is the cottage? Because I thought that he couldn't go near it with the protection and all that?" Harry's eyes flickered from Page's to Dumbledore's. "Yes, I am afraid that it will be the cottage. He can't enter, but Wormtail can, and now with Wormtail's new hand, he can do great damage. That is why; every member will be on guard in and around the house. You two must leave immediately." It then occurred to Page that maybe it wasn't the cottage Voldemort was after. "Professor, I don't think Voldemort wants to go to the cottage, I think it's somewhere else. Here maybe." She looked into Dumbledore's eyes and saw hatred, deep fiery hatred that she had never seen before. He quickly looked away. She looked across to Harry who had his hand on his scar, wincing now and again. Page stood up slowly, reached for her wand, and pointed it at Dumbledore. Page had a feeling that she couldn't explain. Something was wrong. "Harry, get over here now!" She held out a hand for him. He looked at her and Dumbledore; he understood and came round to her side, his wand pointing at Dumbledore as well. "Who are you?" Page said in a harsh voice. Dumbledore smiled a wicked grin. His eyes turned a deep red, and he disappeared. Harry bolted for the door and pulled it open. Harry stood in front the order. Page came up behind him. "That wasn't Dumbledore, it was Voldemort. Something's wrong!" "What do you mean Page?" Remus asked in a fearful voice. "He's gone, his eyes glowed red, and he disapperated. Harry is staying here. I think that Voldemort wanted Harry to be at the cottage to attack him." She turned to Harry. "I want you in my sight, you will not leave this place Harry. Do you understand?" He nodded. His face was white as a sheet. He went back into the kitchen and sat on a chair, his hands pressed against his scar. Page's head was pickling with pain too, but she was too afraid to care. "Severus, you'll need to find Dumbledore. Take some people with you and tell him what has happened", Remus instructed. It was very late at night, and everyone was exhausted. "I'll stay up, just in case Dumbledore arrives later tonight." Said Tonks, she yawned, and sat down on a chair. "OK, but I'm going to bed, it's been a very eventful night." And with that Page trudged upstairs and collapsed on her bed. Page had slept in till three in the afternoon. She quickly dressed and walked down the stairs. The front door bell rang. She looked over the banister and saw Snape, Shacklebolt and Terrance Waterskew Page had heard of but never met before. She got into the living room, where Ron, Ginny, Fred, George and Harry were playing wizards chess. "Afternoon, someone was tired last night?" Said Fred with a grin. "Too right. Where is everyone? Have they heard any news about Dumbledore?" She asked them, but they were looking past Page, to the door behind her. "He is talking it over with the Ministry. But I'm sure he'll turn up soon. Now then Page, we would like you to stay here with the children. Remus, Tonks and Molly will be back shortly. They drove over to Percy Wesley's this morning to see how he is doing." Said Terrance in a sly pretentious voice. He looked at Snape and grinned, then closed the door behind him. "Honestly, if Lupin won't curse him, I will." Ron said to Harry. "I think it's the only way he'll know you mean business Ron, and speaking of which we have our own business to run. Sorry little bro, but we gotta go. We'll be back later" Said George and with that they got up, bowed to Page, and left. Page found it boring stuck indoor's doing nothing. She played Harry at Wizards chess and beat him three times in a row, and when it came to Ron, he got too angry she was beating him and gave up after five minutes into the game. By 7 o'clock Remus, Tonks and Molly came through the door. "Percy is alright, he has sort everything out with Fudge." Molly assured Page as she bustled on into the kitchen. Remus and Tonks collapsed onto the sofa. They looked tired and bored, just like Page. Dinner was very quiet. Waiting for Dumbledore was taking its toll. By 8'oclock a couple of the members turned up, also waiting for Dumbledore. "Where's Severus? I thought we was going to collect Dumbledore." "No, Mundungus, Severus was just going to give him the news about what happened last night. Or so I hope that he did." Said Molly. Page heard Ron mutter, "I think people here are stupid thinking that Snape is on their side." Harry nodded in agreement. All of a sudden a flash of fire appeared in the middle of the room, and Dumbledore appeared. "Please everyone stay calm. I didn't realise Voldemort could find the house and come here in the middle of the meeting." Page felt vulnerable all of a sudden. Voldemort used her. And she kept retracing the things that he had said about wanting to find the house. Did Voldemort mean the cottage, because obviously he must have, or else he wouldn't be at Sirius's house? Harry however, disturbed her thoughts. "Professor, he wanted Professor Quinn, to take me to the cottage." "Yes Harry, indeed he did. But right now I would like you and Page to come with me. There is much to talk about and also to do. Remus, would you kindly call the rest of the order who couldn't make it tonight. Tell them what you know. I will send you word, when I have finished with Page and Harry." Remus nodded, and he, Molly and the rest of the order followed Dumbledore's instructions. Dumbledore got up, and picked up a small jug from a side table. He muttered "portus" and it glowed blue for a moment and vibrated ever so slightly. "This will send you to my office at Hogwarts. Stay there until I return. On the count of three then. One...two.... three..." Both Harry and Page touched the jug, and Page felt her nose being tugged, as she left the room, they spun around and all of a sudden they landed on the floor of Dumbledore's office. Harry had fallen over; Page helped him up, and took him over to the chair, which was opposite Dumbledore's. "I'll never get the hang of a port key." Page laughed. She wandered around the room, looking at all the tools and gadgets that Dumbledore possessed. The pictures of the past headmasters and headmistresses were dozing in their portraits; some were snoring quite loudly, almost too much so to be real. Page thought they some of them were awake, but she did not care to awake them. Page didn't know what to make of the situation. Nothing made sense to her. Things were troubling her. Why was Voldemort specifically after her? Why not Harry? And why did Voldemort use both Page and Harry in their vision? Why did he want them to return to the cottage? Too many questions were running through Page's mind. She looked over at Harry, who also had a puzzled look on his face. Page wondered if there was ever a day in Harry's life that was normal. No one out to kill him. Everything perfect with his friends and family. Page had grown up in a difficult family situation, but non-the-less she was determined to make Harry's life more enjoyable than the previous years he had had with the Dursely's. Page's eye wondered over to Dumbledore's desk. She saw a letter that was opened. Harry was looking at it too. Curious as she knew Harry was, he knew she was looking at him, and he stared at his feet, pretending to be not interested. With a flash of fire and the sound of a sweet singing that came from Fawkes, Dumbledore appeared in the centre of his office. Fawkes flew over to his perch, while Dumbledore walked over to sit at his desk. He didn't look at either Page or Harry, but merely at his crossed hands. No one spoke, it was silent for at least five minutes, until there was a small knock on the door, and Minerva came in. She looked more frail and tired then Page had ever seen her. She was in her nightgown, with her hair in plaits. "You sent for me Albus?" Her voice sounded horse, like she just shouted at a class of first years. Dumbledore nodded and he waved his wand and two chintz chairs appeared next to Harry's. Both Page and Minerva sat down. Page was feeling very agitated, she hadn't a clue what was going on, she was very confused and was scared for Harry. Why did Dumbledore want to talk to her and Harry and what about? And why did he bring Minerva? Did she know something that Page didn't? Page decided to look at an ink stain on Dumbledore's desk. She glanced at Harry, he was looking right at Dumbledore, and he also didn't know what was going on, which made Page feel a little better. After too much silence Minerva spoke up first. "Is it time to tell them Albus?" She inclined her eyes towards her and Harry, neither of them looked at her, but shot a look at Dumbledore as he nodded his head. "Page, Harry. I'm not quite sure how to put this, but there is no alternative. Both of you must fight Voldemort. Together." Dumbledore got up from his chair and walked towards the window. He looked down upon the snowy cold grounds of Hogwarts. Page felt very awkward and didn't know what to say. It had been mentioned once during one of the order's meetings, but no one continued the matter. "It seems that you two have been experiencing more of Voldemort's emotions. The protection spell is working, however I know Page that you are wondering why Voldemort wants you?" Dumbledore said, as he was still staring out of the window. Minerva cleared her throat. "If Voldemort gets to you Page, if he controls you, there is no way to save Harry. He will use you to get to Harry and most likely Dumbledore." Page didn't know what to say, she was stunned. Harry yet again interrupted her thoughts. "What are we going to do then? Do we continue with the visions? You know, try to find out when he is going to attack." Harry didn't say this to Page, Dumbledore or even to Minerva; he was saying it to his feet. "I think we should Harry. I don't see why not." A twinge of pain struck across Page's forehead as she said this, she looked over to Harry and he also felt the pain. "Professor, I think he knows. I think he knows what we are thinking, even saying." Page said with fear in her words. By this time Dumbledore turned round and faced her. "You are right Page, but if you don't mind you and Harry performing your ritual in here, just in case you get seriously hurt." Page nodded. Harry looked up at her. They moved their chairs together facing each other and held each other's hands. Page and Harry both closed their eyes, focussing on Voldemort's, trying to picture where we was, what his feelings where. Then as soon as they both thought this, the vision began. A cloud of darkness encased them. It was freezing cold, like jumping into a black lake in the middle of December, which Harry had done. Page heard screaming in her head, she knew whom the screaming belonged to it was Lilly. "No, take me, don't take Harry. Noooooooooo!" A high-pitched laugher followed this. Then a pain like Page had never felt before, like white-hot throbbing engulfed Page's forehead. Then as swiftly as it came, it ceased. A muffled whimpering the came, Page's mind created a mental image of a small dark room with a high ceiling, with a bright chandelier above a black cloth covered table. Seats were placed around it; all were occupied, which Page guessed were Voldemort's followers. "The time has come to act, my beloved Deatheaters. It won't be long now until we strike fear into the hearts of our betrayers, who oppose us. Dumbledore's followers we shall take revenge on. We have a right in our magical community to thrive like every magical heritage on this Earth. Our place is with the one's who have died following me. We have a new target. But our main goal is the girl. The girl will help us take what is rightfully ours, Harry Potter. He will help us in destroying these pitiful muggles. It won't be long until we reach our target. For too long we have been in hiding, for too long we have been out casts, the demeanours of our community. And I say now that we shall take it back. For when the clock strikes the time of the Beltane moon, we shall have our revenge." With that the coldness was lifted, and Page awoke in her chair, cold sweat dripping from her face, her head aching with pain. Harry too looked stripped of blood from his face. Their hands still tightly locked together, he felt cold and clammy. They let go, and Page felt a rush of fear that whipped across her, like a stroke of lightening flashing against a blackened night sky. "What is it, what did you see?" Minerva asked with fear in her voice. She tended to Harry while Page, described what she saw. "They are in this building, I am not sure where exactly. But they are going to attack tonight. Something about the Beltane moon, maybe when it comes into the passing from midnight to morning. I remember reading something about that when I was taking lessons at Hogwarts." She looked at Dumbledore, who then nodded and headed for the door. "Stay with them Minerva, I need to ask Sinistra something." And with that he left his office. Page looked around and saw that the portraits were all awake. They went into each other's pictures to whisper to eachother. Page had other things on her mind. She was shaking from head to foot, and aching all over. Something was nagging at her, in her head. She knew something that was connected to that room, why they wanted to attack two nights before Christmas Eve, but she couldn't put her finger on it.