~Harry Potter and the Rise of the Dark Lord~

by: LogicalRaven

****

Dumbledore's Secret



"Harry, have I told you I love you yet today?" Cho asked sweetly batting her eyes.

"Yes you have," Harry replied, as she twirled around in a giggly laughter.

Cho suddenly frowned, "They why did you kiss Ginny Weasley? Don't you love me?"

"I didn't kiss Ginny!" Harry stated sternly, feeling an overwhelming sense of anger rising from within him.

"I want to hear you say you love me!" Cho demanded, stomping her feet against the floor, "Cedric wasn't afraid to say it."

"I'm not Cedric!" Harry shrilled.

The room filled with a dark black smoke, as Cho's eyes started glowing a deep amber red. "You're right, you're not Cedric Diggory, he's dead," she suddenly said in a deep baritone followed by a high pitched insane laughter.

"The famous Harry Potter, at last we meet yet again."
"Voldemort," Harry hissed, recognizing the voice instantly.

The snake like voice let a few snickers escape, "Very good mister Potter. Poor Miss. Chang, she makes a lovely Death Eater don't you agree?"

"She isn't Death Eater, she's an Auror!" Harry stammered, willing himself to block his mind.

"Occlumency won't help you now Potter, you can't fight what you have willed upon yourself," Voldemort laughed again.

Cho suddenly collapsed in front of Harry and started convulsing on the floor, white foam pouring from her mouth.

"You can have it all, be my second in command. Wizards will cower at the mere mention of your name. You've never tasted such power." Cho's figure suddenly stopped moving.

Harry narrowed his eyes, "Haven't you figured it out, I'm not going to join you. I'm going to kill you."

Voldemort laughed harder, "She could be your queen. Why stop there? You can have everything your heart desires, two queens perhaps?"

Suddenly a form resembling Ginny Weasley appeared next to Harry, her eyes glowing as dark as Cho's. She slowly walked towards him, grasping his head painfully tight in her hands and forcing her lips upon his.

"That's not Ginny, and that isn't Cho either," Harry said darkly, pushing the figure away from him.

"You're right, it isn't either of them, yet," the Dark Lord jeered. "Maybe you want something else. Maybe you like to cheat death itself? Oh no, not for yourself, but for a blood traitor that disgraced his family name."

"SIRIUS IS DEAD!" Harry screamed, throwing his hands over his ears.

"Is he? Hasn't Dumbledore explained Sirius Black's fate to you yet?" Voldemort said in a dangerous tone, "He's doomed to wander the realm of the dead for all eternity. Never feeling their peace, always looming in misery."

"YOU LIAR!" Harry shot back.

Voldemort narrowed his eyes, "You'll change your mind, but I don't guarantee my generous offer will still stand at that time. Avada Kedavra ."

"NO!" Harry yelled as he saw the flash of green light erupt from the end of the Dark Lord's wand.

Harry sprung out of bed almost falling to the floor, his head pounding as the room swirled around him.

"For Merlin sake, can you be any louder!" Ron said annoyingly as he stirred on the floor. "My head feels like Fred and George have beaten it with a club."

Harry desperately tried to catch his breath, it was still early and the sun had not yet risen in the morning sky. The beads of sweat trickled down Harry's face though his body was chilled to the touch.

"It's happening again, he was in my dream," Harry finally spat out.

"Who?" Ron asked still looking distorted.

Harry sighed, "Voldemort. He wants me to join him."

****




"But I need to talk to Professor Dumbledore," Harry demanded at Professor McGonagall as she sternly shook her head.

"I'm afraid that isn't possible Mr. Potter, now I promise I'll relay your message to him," McGonagall said rather bothered, shooing her hand at Harry as if he were a pestering fly.

Harry sighed, "He told me that if I need to talk him that I could, anytime. I'm telling you this is important, I'm having dreams again, but they aren't like before. I'm not seeing into Voldemort's mind this time, he's trying to communicate with me."

"I will tell him about the urgency of this situation, but that is all that can be done. Now, you and Miss. Patil are to report back to your common rooms and make sure the Prefects are following their duties," McGonagall instructed.

"NO!" Harry yelled, "What are you hiding from me?"

"Harry, you are Head Boy of his school. If you plan on keeping that badge I suggest you learn to follow simple instructions," the Head Mistress said in a warning tone.

Harry narrowed his eyes, "Take the stupid badge! I'm tired of being treated like a child!"

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that comment. It is not possible to see Professor Dumbledore at this time. I promise you I will deliver your message to those who need to be informed, good day Mr. Potter."

Harry let out a disgusted grunt as he turned to storm out the door, pushing past a flustered looking Tonks and Padma Patil.

"Harry, calm down," Padma warned, "I'm sure Professor McGonagall will deliver your message to Dumbledore."

"She's right Harry, you really don't need to lose your head like that," Tonks agreed.

"LOSE MY HEAD!" Harry reared, "Voldemort is trying to recruit me, and nobody give a bloody hell about what's going on. I have three idiot trailing me constantly because of that prat Fudge, and I have about three deaths if not more weight on my shoulders. After everything that I've been put through, I think I've earned the right to speak to Dumbledore in person whenever the bloody hell I WANT!"

Tonk's narrowed her eyes, "Harry, I'm warning you. Don't cross the ministry. They're on your side. We're only monitoring you for your own protection, not to harass you."

"I'M NOT A KID! I THINK I CAN MANAGE WITHOUT THREE AURORS WATCHING MY EVERY DAMN MOVE!" Harry shrilled, ignoring Tonk's angry face.

"Harry," Padma tried.

Harry shook his head, "He's going to go after Cho, I know it. Then, one by one, everyone else who matters to me. Don't you see, everyone who was in the DA lost somebody in the attack, it's the link. Luna Lovegood knows everything about me. Who I hang around, who I care about. Voldemort is going to pick them off one by one until I turn. Who knows, maybe he'll even go after you Padma."

"You think he'll go after my sister?" Padma asked suddenly worried.

Harry frowned, "It's pretty logical to think that. After all, everyone knows about my history with her last year."

Tonks bit her bottom lip, "You're overreacting Harry, the Ministry has everything in control."

"Control? I think the recent events speak for themselves about the Ministry's control. I know he's your boss, but Fudge is an idiot, and I can't place what's going on with Dumbledore. Something doesn't feel right about the whole situation."

Finally Tonk's conceded, "Dumbldore has been acting strangely, even in meetings. You of all people know how I feel about Cornelius Fudge, but he is the acting Minister of Magic, you can't change that."

"I need to talk to Lupin, do you think you can bend the rules a bit and allow me to go see him?" Harry asked desperately.

Tonks frowned, "Harry, I can't let you do that. I could lose my job."

"Professor Lupin requested that Harry talk to him, I forgot to tell you. He wants you to report to his office right after our meeting with McGonagall," Padma lied pitifully.

Harry grinned, "See, it isn't breaking the rules if a teacher request me to conference with them."

Tonk sighed, "I suppose, but make it quick."

It feel eerie walking down the empty halls of Hogwarts. Tonks kept her wand drawn as if she expecting a monster to jump out at the two of them at anytime. It seemed to take an eternity to reach the Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom.

"Professor Lupin? Remus?" Harry shouted, running up the office stairs.

Remus Lupin peered his head out of his office door, "Harry, what are you doing here?"

Harry smiled for the first time that day, "I need to talk to you, it's important."

"Tonks?" Remus asked, waiting for permission.

Tonks nodded, "Make it quick, the watch changes soon."

Harry pushed his way past his professor and took a seat near his desk.

"What's going on Harry," Remus asked with concern.

Harry frowned, "He getting into my head, I don't know how though. Last night Lord Voldemort contacted me. He offered me a chance to be his second in command. He offered to save Sirius from his fate."

"He did," Remus said as if in deep thought.

"I need to talk to Professor Dumbledore, but McGonagall won't let me. I thought maybe you could help…" Harry started.

"Nobody can talk to Dumbledore right now," Remus said instantly, collapsing into his seat.

Harry looked confused, "Why?"

Remus Lupin looked at Harry with is gray eyes, worry etched on his face, "Because he's dying. Nobody knows, not even Minister Fudge. You can imagine the hysteria that would erupt if people found out that Albus Dumbledore was dying."

Harry froze in shock, "How do you know if nobody knows."

Remus gave a smirk, "Because it is one of my curses. I can sense death when it's upon someone. I smell like a stench that fouls the air around me. It gets stronger as the full moon approaches. Dumbledore is on death's front step."

"How? When?" Harry asked, feeling panic surge through him.

"He's old Harry. No matter how powerful the Wizard, you can't outrun death forever. I don't know how much longer he's got now, but I don't suspect long if McGonagall denied you a visit. It wouldn't surprise me if he's already passed."

Harry breathing increased, "We're doomed, if Dumbledore dies, than Voldemort will take over everything. He won't rest until ever muggle and muggleborn is dead."

"Indeed," Remus said darkly. "That's why you have to fight him Harry. I know what the prophecy said. I know what measures your parents when through to make sure you remained safe."

"The Pensive, is the answer in the Pensive?" Harry asked desperately.

Remus shrugged, "I don't know. I've talk to Peter. The Dark Lord has plans you couldn't fathom they're so evil. I would do anything to change the course of the past, but I can't. All I can do is promise that I will always be here if you need me Harry, I can promise you that."

"You're the last family I have Remus," Harry said softly, staring into the old werewolf's face.

He nodded, "We'll avenge their death, together we'll figure out a way to fight this."

"Harry, we need to go," Tonks called from the classroom below.

Remus placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Don't tell anyone about Dumbledore, we don't need to cause a panic."

Harry nodded, he turned and walked down the office stairs. His mind was littered with questions and fears. Remus eyes followed him out, and without a single doubt, Harry knew Remus Lupin was right, Dumbledore was dying.

"What did Remus have to say?" Tonks inquired.

Harry smiled, "He told me to just be patient."

"I bet Dumbledore will summon you to his office before the end of the day," Tonks said confidently. Harry looked at her skeptically, it was obvious she didn't even suspect the worst.

****



The common room was jammed with anxious faces as Harry entered. The pains of boredom was imprinted in their eyes. Most of them were doing the only thing left for them to do, stew in their own misery.

"Harry, what did McGonagall say about you know what?" Ron asked quickly racing over to his best mate, his eyes had dark circles hovering below them, a souvenir from the fire whiskey.

Harry glanced at Ginny and Hermione who were next to Ron, "She wouldn't let me talk to him. I just talked with Remus."

"Why wouldn't McGongall let you talk to Dumbledore?" Hermione asked confused.

Harry lowered his head, "Because he's dying."

"What?" Ron asked taken back.

Harry motioned for them to keep their voices down, "Nobody knows so don't saying anything, to anyone!"

Harry glanced over at Ginny, staring into her brown eyes. A shiver ran up his spine as something red glimmered behind her eyes.