eriee :Thank you! Is this soon enough?
zi snake: Thank you so much Hope you'd enjoy this chappie, too

Chapter 5:

Harry saw the black, charred land again; the coldness and unnatural quietness were ever so familiar. He looked around and saw only the black earth, with ugly white stones exposed like bones here and there. The cold, blood-red sun was still in the grey sky, but three purple moons had already risen. The sound of Floke's hooves echoed through the land, and suddenly Harry found himself missing the humming of the trees and the noisy market of Rhiamon. In his pocket he held the Mirror of Awena, a small, unnoticeable silver mirror that would not have called people's attention if they didn't know its name (although it did glow annoyingly when Harry first took it out of its bag). Harry did not know its use, but he did not wonder, in fact he did not even look at it longer than was necessary to put it securely into his pocket; for servants do not wonder, they obey.

His arrival was unannounced, but he found Master's servants waiting for him; He knew, He always knew.

"He does not wish to see you today, leave the Mirror and leave." One of the man clad in black said in a cold monotone.

Harry handed him the Mirror without a word and left them. He was grateful that Master did not wish to see him today. He was too confused by his own feelings to face that terrible mass of black fire. But Severus would sort things out, and by tomorrow he would be alright again.

He ran to Severus's lonely cabin as he always did, but he did not see the familiar smoke rising form its chimney. "Severus?" he gave the door a small push and it cracked open. Harry was dismayed to find a layer of dust resting on the door handle; I've been gone for only three weeks, what happened to you? He was not surprised to find the cabin quiet and lifeless, a thing layer of brown dust covering the simple furniture; he had expected the scene even at the door, but his heart had refused to believe so until now. Severus had left him, worse; he might even be dead right now (which is a more possible explanation). Harry knew it was useless to ask, as nobody cared about anybody else, and master would tell him if he needed to know. He sat down on the little wooden bed that intrigued so many memories until sleep took over.

Harry awoke with a headache, and had the uncomfortable feeling that he was being watched. He raised his head and saw the four figures that were only too familiar. "Thanks for not attacking me while I was sleeping, "Harry said, sitting up, "When will you gave up? I did not ask to be Master's favorite. And I'll be out of the way soon so you can try to regain your favor."

One of the men laughed coldly, like the other three, he was dressed in black as was the custom for the Dark Lord's servants. His face was cold and had two scars marking across it. "That we do not know," he said silkily, "What we are certain is that now you don't have that old fool to protect you. We made sure of that."

Harry's heart raced, but he said casually, "Nay, you would not dare to touch him. Master needs him for the potions."

The man laughed again, "What if he was found out? What if Master condemned him to his death because he was a spy?"

Harry felt anger rushing up his face; he replied quietly, "Then you will pay."

The Serpent Brothers looked at each other, they had experience much battling and evil fighting but for the first time fear crept into their hearts. They raised their swords in harmony.

Harry looked at them in a surprisingly calm way, his eyes clouded by anger: for in his heart he knew they did not lie about Severus's fate.

The four swords danced in the air like four snakes, and came rushing towards Harry like lightening. Harry did not dodge as would be expected, instead he came to them and caught them with his left hand; blood came but he took no heed to it. He mustered his power, concentrated on the four blurry figures and released it. The power went as he commanded, shattering its victims.

When Harry looked again he saw only four broken blades. There, I had done it again: I had killed them, thought he, kneeling down to the floor. I had killed them; I had blasted them to pieces, in Severus's own cabin. He looked down at his bloody hands; I am just like them …

It's then one of master's messengers came again, he stepped over the swords and remains and read the message as if he had not seen anything out of the ordinary "Come to me."

Harry looked up stupidly, not fully grasping the meaning of it until he heard Floke's neighing. Still half dazed, he stumbled outside, mounted his old horse, and rode to the Dark Palace.

The black fog grew thicker as he rode, but Harry was familiar with this land. He soon saw the green fires of the gate. It was impossible to see the whole castle in a fog so thick that now Harry could hardly breathe, the enormous gate was marked by a ring of green fire, and the black gate opened noiselessly upon his arrival, serving as a bridge. He rode onto it cautiously, the Black River Arawn underneath it called to him, inviting him to join it. Any less powerful person would have fallen into it, only to be carried away and never return again. But Harry had had dealings with it ever since he was five. As he rode into the long hall, he waited as usual and did not stir when the gates closed again and he was swallowed by a total darkness. He had never traveled beyond this level of the castle; his master would always come, to give him more instructions.

Suddenly Floke neighed nervously, and Harry knew He had come. He slid down the horse, and knelt down. Black fire appeared out of no where, making a throne, and in it sat no other than the Dark Lord himself. He wore black armors of some sort and a mask. Where his eyes should have been were burning black fire, and he wore a black crown with a red hue unnervingly resembled that of blood. Harry trembled before this tall figure; the pair of black fire pierced his eyes, blinding him even though he had kept them shut.

"My Lord…"he gasped, "I have came back with the Mirror of Awena, what more do you ask of me, your most humble servant?"

His voice was surprisingly peasant, a low, drawing tone, it and the power of the great being held Harry to Him, binding him tight, making him weep with the resolution to serve Him body and soul. "Harry," it spoke, "My most faithful, time has come that my banner should wave above the Kingdom of Allirea and turn it into a silent beauty like this land."

Harry's heart was filled with excitement and joy at his Master's vision; he kissed the ground before Him.

"And you shall ride to war in my name, break the bronze walls of Rhiamon, and conquer the kingdom for me."

"Yes, Master." Harry said with much resolution, tears still pouring out of his eyes, "I shall go this instant!"

"No, you are not yet of age, four more years, and the world shall trembled at the feet of the Masked Rider." And with that, He was gone. Harry turned and mounted Floke, still with the dazed smile on his face. But somehow, he did not experience the absolute joy as he did every other time after he received master's orders; a small part of his mind kept reminding him of the grass, the roaches, and the market place, and Harry could not silence it.

"How sure are you about his powers?"

"I taught him for twelve years! Even as a child he is the most powerful and cold-blooded being I've ever seen, sometimes I wonder if he were the Dark Lord's own kin."

"But he is only a child; maybe we could turn his to the good side? He liked you, after all. "

Severus felt in his heart a stab, but he bit his lips and replied, "No, I saw the Dark Lord bound the child to himself; he will always be His servant. And in four years he will be of age."

"Then we must destroy him," replied Thales gravely.

"What about our own powers, the Prince?"

"Alas, the Mirror was taken by that boy, so we have no way of confirming it, but the Council and I myself have all felt his power; he is the one."

Severus fell silent at that, the candle light dancing dangerously in his eyes.

A/N: Now, review please