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Harry Potter and the Rise of the Dark Lord
By: LogicalRaven

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I'm glad some of you get a nice little chuckle out of me. I'll admit it, there are several words that I can't spell even with the help of a spell checker. Minute (did I get it this time) is one of those words that will plaque me till the day I die. You have no idea how much headache has caused me….

There are others, and if you are one of my readers I'm sure you know which ones I'm talking about. Thanks to everyone for reading despite my flaws…

Read and Review
Nothing is My Own….

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Bad News and Rejection




"Harry, you alright?" asked Ginny Weasley as she looked around her destroyed common room. Harry rage had come in waves during the night and he had smashed several tables, lamps and pictures.

Harry Potter glanced up at her but didn't answer. What would he say, 'I killed someone, I killed Bellatrix Lestrange and I don't feel guilty about it. I think she deserved to die.' Harry sighed as thoughts raced through his mind. It wasn't the first death he was responsible for. Maybe not even the first death he caused, but somehow he felt it was the first murder he committed.

Just the word , murderer, made Harry's blood grow cold. It was the word he had used to describe the one who killed his parents. Now he felt he was no better, even if his murder was justified.

He could blame himself for his first Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor's death, but he didn't know how he caused it. He really didn't do anything that inflicted that death. He could blame himself for Cedric, Sirius and even Dennis Creevy, but again, he never raised his wand against them.

The spell he has used had been so innocent, his only intention as he had screamed his incantation was to startle her, hopefully long enough to make an escape. Somehow he had muddled it all up. Ironically her death resembled that of his late Godfather. He had preformed a charm that had delivered unexpected results.

He willed his eyes closed as the vision of Sirius Black flying through the air into the black tatter veil played again before him, now accompanied by the vision of Bellatrix Lestrange staggering backwards from the blinding light and the knife dislodging from the knife box and spinning to the ground where she had fallen. They both had happened so quickly. Bellatrix had Sirius arrogant charm and Harry was certain that her death caused her just as much surprise as Sirius's had.

"Harry?" Ginny said again, waving her hand in front of his face.

Harry again ignored her staring at the blank wall with an equally blank expression.

"What's wrong with Harry?" Parvati asked appearing behind Ginny with Lavender Brown by her side.

Ginny shrugged, "Harry, Earth to Harry…"

"He's be stunned!" Lavender shrilled throwing her hands to her mouth.

Ginny rolled her eyes, "He hasn't been stunned." Ginny poked Harry's arm hoping for some type of response. Harry felt it but he was numb and refrained from moving.

"Maybe we should go get Madame Pomfrey?" Parvati said quickly, kneeling down to get a better look at Harry's mesmerized expression.

Harry blinked causing Parvati to jumped back.

"I'm fine," Harry said in barely more than a whisper before standing up and dashing up the stairs to his room.

He wasn't fine, his heart and mind were swelling with thoughts of guilt. Maybe Mad-eye was right, maybe he was turning. He had been tricked again, he had committed a murder, his first step towards the dark side.

"Harry, where in world have you been. I've been looking for you all night!" Ron exclaimed with a look of excitement on his face. Today was the Quidditch festival.

Harry didn't respond to Ron either, pushing past him to get to his dormitory.

"Harry!" Ron yelled as he started to follow.

"Leave me alone Ron," Harry warned before slamming his bedroom door in his face.

Ron looked puzzled before opening the bedroom door and entering anyways.

"What the bloody hell happened to you, you look like hell," Ron exclaimed with a demanding tone.

Harry shivered slightly as he weakly replied, "I don't want to talk about it."

"To bad, what the hell is going with you?" Ron continued, sitting down in a chair across from Harry bed, a signal he wasn't going anywhere until Harry talked.

Harry popped his head towards Ron's direction, "They're dead, my aunt and uncle."

"Shouldn't that make you happy?" Ron asked innocently.

"No," Harry said instantly, "I never wanted them dead, even if I did despise them."

"So, you're upset because they were killed?" Ron asked.

"By Bellatrix. That's where I was last night, I had another dream and I went to Privet drive," Harry divulged.

Ron smirked, "How in the world did you get out of the castle?"

"Luck honestly, I used the secret passageway to Honey Dukes," Harry said heavily. "I killed her."

"Who, your aunt?"

"Bellatrix," Harry said lowering his eyes.

Ron sat silent for a second then shook his head, "Good riddens, I guess you should feel better knowing you avenged Sirius death."

"What?" Harry said in surprise.

Ron eyes narrowed, "You don't feel guilty for killing that witch do you? I mean you did the world a favor, think of all the people she's killed."

Ron did have a point, but Harry just couldn't get over the look on her face as she took her last breath, "I killed her Ron, I committed a murder!"

"It isn't like she was a real person or anything, she was a Death Eater I guarantee nobody's going to miss her," Ron said frankly. " I bet Neville will be excited, he probably hated her more than you did."

"She was a real person. Just because she didn't make the right decision didn't give me the right to decide if she lived or died," Harry said sounding exhausted.

Ron frowned, "What do you think Aurors do? Did you think they tried to convert those who have sold their soul to change their ways? No Harry, they kill Death Eaters. Even if they don't always do it with their wands, the send them to Azkaban where they are better off dead."

Harry froze, Ron made complete sense but Bellatrix's words made more. The first kill was the hardest, but it would get easier, and nothing could replace that feeling of power.

***



"Odd," Hermione said softly, biting her lip in deep thought, as Ron retold her Harry's dilemma.

Harry raised his eyebrows, "What's odd?"

"Well I thought Death Eaters attacked in groups or pairs at least. Why was she alone?" Hermione said quickly.

"I don't know, I really didn't think to ask her," Harry said sarcastically.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Well, it seems to me she was set-up. If you had her at wand point, surely another Death Eater would have shown up to back her up, especially if it was a job as important as recruiting you. Why else would Voldemort allow you to see what was happing to your aunt and uncle, he probably wanted you to come to their rescue. I mean its worked before, why not again."

"She wasn't trying to recruit me, she didn't even seem to know that Voldemort had been offering me a chance to join his ranks," Harry answered annoyingly.

"Than maybe Hermione's right, Voldemort set her up so you could kill her. Maybe he thought it would help you sell out or something. After all don't you find it curious that the knife fell so perfectly, seems curious to me. I bet you know who, willed it to fall into her chest like that," Ron said before shoveling a spoon full of oatmeal into his mouth.

Hermione wrinkled her nose, "You really are disgusting. Why do you insist on attacking your food in such a manner?"

"Sorry, I'm sure your precious Krum doesn't attack his food," Ron hissed shoveling another bite into his mouth.

"Honestly," Hermione whispered under her breath, before turning back to Harry. "If O'Riley and Moody say keep it hush, then I'd listen to them. Don't ponder on it, it will just make you feel worst. You didn't do anything wrong Harry, it was an accident."

"ExactlywhatIsaid," Ron said with full mouth.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to speak with food in your mouth," Hermione lectured.

Ron opened his mouth to reveal his half chewed up oatmeal, before trying to wash his mouthful down with a gulp of pumpkin juice.

"Pig," Hermione commented.

Ron smiled, "I thought you said I was a toad?"

"Well, if you to are done we need to get to class," Harry said rising from his seat and slinging his books over his back.

"I wonder how many people are skipping class today?" Hermione said disgusted, she had never heard of such a pointless idea.

Ron frowned, "I hope not a lot. McGonagall posted an announcement up on the board in the common room saying that anyone skipping class wouldn't be allowed to attend the festival or the feast."

Hermione sighed, "I was concerned because skipping class completely defeats the point of coming to school. You can't learn anything by sitting on your rear doing nothing."

Only about half the students were in their first class, Defense Against the Dark Arts. Remus Lupin scanned his class looking weary, the full moon was quickly approaching.

"Well, I think our lesson today will continue on the proper code of conduct when confronting a civilized Vampire, and helpful spells when confronting an uncivilized one," Remus started.

"Can anyone tell we which vampire colonies still feed on human blood?" Remus asked his half empty class.

Hermione hand popped straight up.

"Yes, Miss Granger," Remus asked.

"Well, most vampire colonies signed an agreement within the magical code of ethics that prohibits them from feeding on the blood of humans, but three colonies in Romania and four colonies in Transylvania claim the code only refers to magical humans, and still feed on muggles till this day. Those colonies are…"

Harry started to tune Hermione out and noticed Ron motioning his mouth in a mock Hermione impersonation.

"Very good Hermione, 10 points for Gryffindor," Professor Lupin awarded, causing Hermione to beam. "Now can anyone tell me how you become infected by vampire?"

Hannah Abbott raised her hand, "You have to drink the blood of a vampire to be infected with it's curse. The life span on a vampire's curse is 10,000 years, leading may cultures to refer to them as immortal."

"Very good Hannah, 10 points for Hufflepuff," Lupin awarded. "Now we're going to review on the four main spells used to defend oneself against a vampire attack, please pair up. Remember these spells are worthless against other creatures and wizards, but it is still essential you know the proper incantation for your N.E.W.Ts."

"I tell you, if I ever came across a vampire, the last thing I think I'd do is try to hex it," Ron whispered.

"Now, remember to flick your wand counterclockwise when reciting the 'Untolitiousiou' incantation," Lupin reminded.

Ron raised his wand, " Untolitiousiou," A bright blue spark erupted from the end of Ron's wand.

"Excellent Ron," Lupin said with a smile, "Ten points for Gryffindor."

Ron smirked and help his head up in a proud display.

"Harry, I was wondering if I might have a word with you in my office?" Professor Lupin asked, turning his attention to Harry.

"Sure," Harry answered, looking at Ron slightly nervous.

Professor Lupin smiled, "Ron, I think you'll be okay practicing alone for awhile."


Harry followed Lupin up his office stairs.

"What did you want to talk to me about professor?" Harry asked.

Lupin smiled again, "When we're out of the classroom, please feel free to call me Remus. I feel we've gotten passed the formalities by now."

Harry nodded, "Is there something wrong?"

"I received a visit last night from December and she told me quite an interesting story. Why in the world did you try to go to your uncle and aunt's house without telling someone?" Remus said getting straight to the point.

Harry frowned, "I don't know, I was thinking I guess. It seems like nobody understands anymore. I had to see for myself if they were…"

"I'm sorry for your loss. I know it isn't easy losing a family member, even if you didn't get along with them. You know if anything is every bothering you, you can always come to me. I have news about your cousin," Remus said pulling a letter out of his desk drawer.

Harry gulped, "Is he alive?"

Remus nodded, "Indeed, he apparently was safe in his school dormitory during the attack. I'm not even sure he's aware that his parents have passed."

"So he safe?" Harry asked with a mixed expression of relief, "I guess he'll be going to live with Aunt Marge now."

Remus held his breath, "Not exactly."

Harry looked at Lupin with a confused expression.

"The Order feels that is he a high priority target. We've already placed a watch guard at his school. We feel he'll be safer staying with you at Grimmauld Place when he's on vacation," Remus said delicately.

"WHAT!" Harry exclaimed immediately.

Remus raised his hands trying to calm Harry, "I know you and your cousin have had difficulties in the past, but you two only have each other now."

"He's a bully, no better than most Slytherins I know. Plus, he's had his memory cleared, he won't even remember me," Harry pleaded.

"That could be a good thing, now you two can start over with a clean slate," Remus said forcing a smile.

Harry grunted, "Dudley at the Order of the Phoenix, have you gone mad! No telling what trouble he'll cause. I'm not even going to be at Grimmauld over Christmas vacation, I was planning on going to the burrows with Ron."

"Well, that's fine but you must have a guard with you at all times when your away from Hogwarts. Dudley can just go with you, that way we hit two birds with one stone," Remus replied.

Harry mouth dropped open, "Dudley Dursley is not going to the burrow with me, nor is he attending Bill Weasley wedding, I never…"

"It's already decided, there isn't anything left to discuss. It wasn't my decision," Remus surrendered shaking his head. "All I ask is you take into consideration that your cousin has been through a lot. You of all people should know it isn't easy to lose a parent, much less two. I know you'll treat him with respect and understanding," Remus finished heading back towards his office door.

"This was O'Riley's idea wasn't it?" Harry demanded.

Remus Lupin lowered his head but didn't answer. It was amazing how Harry could go from feeling so guilty to feeling so angry in a matter of second. Bitter thoughts of Harry and Dudley's past littered Harry's mind as he walked back down to join Ron in their spell work.

"Well, remember how I said we should hang out in Hogmeade sometime this year," Ron was saying casually to Susan Bones as she looked at him curiously.

"My brother is having a wedding over Christmas," Ron continued.

Susan's face crinkled and Harry had to smirk as he prepared for what Ron didn't see coming.

"Ron, you're really sweet, but I don't think me and you click right," Susan said quickly.

Ron eyes grew wide, "Huh?"

"I mean, maybe it could work out between us, but I think you need to get over your Hermione thing first," Susan continued turning her head and walking back over to her partner.

Harry approached Ron apprehensively, "No luck?"

"Can you believe the nerve of her?" Ron said exasperated.