Harry Potter and the Rise of the Dark Lord
By: Logical Raven
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Well, this chapter is fairly long by my standards. I know you guys hate my cliffys, but it's my style, I can't help it. Thanks again to everyone who been supporting me….you guys as always are amazing. I hope you like this chapter…I really enjoyed it personally..
Read and Review
Nothing is my own
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Forces of the Second Rising
The Delacours spared no expense as the ceremony ended and the real celebration began. The levitating pews disappeared and the elegant ceremonial hall transformed into a banquet prepared for royalty. Sweet wine dripped from the highest ice sculpture into crystal classes in an sophisticated stream. The surrounding table of food looked perfectly placed with a solid white pearl cake as the master piece of the arrangement.
Cho and Hermione both cooed in excitement as the two girls looked around in jealousy and amazement. Harry grinned as he watched Cho grasp onto to Hermione's arm as the two girls errupted into a superficial giggle, he couldn't ever remember Hermione ever acting so much like a girl. A string quartet filled the hall with a Parisian music, and Viktor and Harry both glanced at each other with dread.
"Hey guys!" Ron bellowed as he approached, he already had a half eaten ham sandwich in his grip.
"Ron, is that all you ever do?" Hermione hissed, narrowing her eyes.
Ron took another bite, "Well I thought I'd get something to eat before Harry's cousin eats the entire table."
"Dudley," Harry snarled, "Tell me he's behaving himself."
Ron sighed, "I think Ginny is wrestling him away from the cake as we speak."
"Hermmyinoe, would you like to dance?" Viktor Krum offered, bowing in a polite sway.
Hermione smiled happily, "I'd love to Viktor." She took Krum's firm arm, pushing aggressively pasted Ron as they took the dance floor.
"Well, something crawled up her skirt," Ron hissed, "Honestly."
Cho beamed as her beige robe hovered off the floor, she smiled politely trying not be too obvious what she was hoping Harry would ask her.
"Want to get something to err…from the banquet table?" Harry asked, nervously avoiding her needy eyes.
Cho sighed, "Why not."
Ron's date Megan Jones finally appeared behind Ron, looking slightly flustered that he had left her so unrepentantly.
"Hello Harry," she greeted, appearing behind her red headed date.
Harry grinned, he didn't really know Megan, in face he was positive he had never spoken a word to her, "Hello."
Cho nudged Harry, as they started towards the table, "Ron, aren't you and Megan going to participate in the first dance, it's tradition that the wedding party do so."
Megan beamed at the suggestion, "Yes, lets Ron. I love dancing."
Ron cut Cho a curt look as he was forced onto the dance floor by his unfortunate date.
"He may hex you for that one later," Harry smirked, reaching for a glass of the white flowing wine.
Cho grinned, "Let him try. I mean if he honestly did want to be here with her, why did he even ask her?"
"Desperation," answered a content looking George Weasley.
"And where is your date?" Cho said in casual voice.
George gave an extremely cheeky smile, "I left her with Fred to be entertained while I came over her to make a gentleman of myself."
Harry glanced over in the direction George was nodding when he caught sight of his former Quidditch captain Angelina Johnson. She waved over towards him and he waved happily back, shaking his head. Thank goodness they had one the Quidditch cup that year, or else she might still be bitter towards him.
"So did you bring Angelina?" Harry asked.
George shook his head no, "Angelina got a contract with the Holyhead Harpies, so she got me a date with one of her teammates. There is nothing better than being friends with someone who is on an all female Quidditch team mate."
With that he disappeared back into the crowd with two glasses of wine. Cho picked up a green olive from the bar and nibbled on it nervously. With a sigh she took a sip of her chilled glass of wine.
"Beautiful scenery," Harry said suddenly, fingering one of the ice sculptures.
Cho bit her bottom lip in frustration, "Yes, they're just lovely," she said in a sarcastic annoyed tone.
Harry blinked as he noticed how extremely crowded the dance floor had become. Bill and Fleur were dancing in the middle of the ballroom floor as different partners kept tapping them on the shoulder asking them for a dance. Even Dudley and Ginny were on the floor although Dudley was eyeing the cake on the banquet table with a dangerous look.
"Are you going to ask me to…" Cho started.
"I'm starving," Harry interrupted, grabbing one of the sandwiches Ron had been eating earlier.
Cho narrowed her eyes as she turned her back to face him with her arms across her chest.
"Cho, would you like to dance?" asked someone Harry didn't recognize.
"Thank-you Mario, I'd love to," Cho grinned, taking the young mans arm and letting him lead her onto the dance floor.
Harry watched with a angered expression, snapping off bites of his sandwich. She didn't even have the decency to ask if he minded, she just went.
"You look like you're contemplating which hex to use on young Mario Fortez over there," December O'Riley greeted, grazing over the banquet table.
Harry rolled his eyes, "If she wants to dance, and he's willing to ask, fine by me."
"Not much of a dancer I'm guessing. Don't worry, you don't have to worry about Mario, he's one of our healer trainees. He actually graduated from Beauxbaton, but he's originally from England," December started.
Harry spat, "I don't need to hear about his entire life history."
"Just letting you know that you don't have to be jealous of Mario," December grinned taking a sip of her wine. "So why is it exactly that Mario is dancing with your date instead of you?"
"I'm not a dancer, we've already discussed that point," Harry said annoyed.
"So, I guess it would be too much to ask for you to accompany me onto the dance floor then Mr. Potter?" December asked holding out her hand.
Harry glared at her, "I don't dance."
"Neither do I," she laughed, dragging him against his will.
Harry looked over December O'Riley's shoulder and cringed as he saw Mario making Cho laugh. She let her forehead rest of his shoulder as he whispered something into her ear.
"I told you not to worry about Mario Fortez," December grinned, feeling Harry's tension.
"Why does she have to get all chummy with every guy she knows," Harry hissed, not letting his eyes move.
December chuckled, "I never pinned you to be the jealous type Harry."
"I'm not jealous," he defended, feeling the lie building in his stomach.
"Ambassador Fortez and Ambassador Chang are very close friends. Mario has known Cho since she was a baby," December assured him.
Harry turned his eyes, wishing this horrid music, and horrid evening would quickly end.
December spun Harry so he could no longer see Cho and her dancing partner, "I hope we didn't embarrass you too badly last evening. You can imagine how traumatizing it was for Remus as well."
Harry grinned as the memory slipped back into his mind, "I guess it isn't everyday you pop into something like that."
"Well, not exactly. I think Remus was hoping it was a subject he could avoid, after all Sirius was always better about the subject of women and all," she winked.
The music finally stopped and the crowd gave the quartet a light applause.
"O'Riley, care to give an old man a thrill," Moody croaked, extending his hand.
She smiled, "It'd be a pleasure." December winked over at Harry, "Don't be a prat, ask her to dance."
Mad-eye Moody and December started into the next dance, which happened to be a waltz. Harry stood on the dance floor for a moment, before noticing Cho and Mario out of the corner of his eyes. He approached, feeling his stomach rising into his stomach. He wasn't sure why he was so nervous to be around Cho at the moment. It was odd, last night he was contemplating whether or not he might love her, now today he didn't want to be around her.
"Can I cut in," Harry said barely above a whisper.
Mario smiled as he placed a quick kiss on Cho's cheek, "I'll find you later."
"Okay," Cho responded, as Mario backed away across the dance floor.
Harry fumbled around nervously as the two stood stupidly in the middle of the room.
"Do you want to dance or not?" Cho asked impatiently.
Harry forced a smile, and moved closer so the two could assume the dancing position. Her warmth brushed up against him, making his heart beat faster in his chest. Her intoxicating scent rose up causing his insides to disappear.
"So, who was Casanova?" Harry teased, feeling the tension between them rising.
Cho pulled back narrowing her eyes, "Don't you go off and be jealous now. I gave you plenty of opportunities to ask me to dance."
"I was just asking," Harry defended.
Cho sighed, turning her head from his boyfriend.
Harry followed her lead, letting his eyes linger over the other guests. He shook his head as he saw Ginny fussing at Dudley, obviously telling him it wasn't time to cut the cake yet, since that what she was pointing at.
"I'm sorry," Cho began, "I know last night must have been equally stressful for you too."
"Huh?" Harry said stupidly turning his attention back to Cho.
"I don't want to fight anymore," she pleaded, resting her head into his shoulder.
"Why do you always swallow your pride for me?" Harry questioned, noticing her beaten face.
Cho sighed again, "Because I can't ever win with you."
It wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been out there on the dance floor. He noticed how Ron was cursing Krum under his breath. Hermione was flashing Ron cold looks, keeping Krum turned so he couldn't see Ron's face.
Cho giggle slightly, "Mistletoe."
Sure enough, flying above their heads were little enchanted cupids, pausing over people with mistletoe hanging from their hands.
"Remember our first kiss?" Cho asked, staring straight into Harry eyes.
Harry grinned at the memory, "How could I forget, you did corner me."
"I did not," Cho said offended.
"Yes you did. Here I was hoping for a Happy Christmas, and you have to off and kiss me," Harry teased.
Cho touched his face, "Well, you didn't seem to protest to badly at the time."
One of the little cupids appeared above their heads, and the couple kissed lightly.
"Remember what we talked about Harry," Remus Lupin joked, appearing close by dancing with Mrs. Weasley.
Harry felt his face flush as Remus chuckled lightly at the response of his comment. Cho buried her head deep into Harry's robes until Remus Lupin has moved a good distance away.
"I can't believe what happened last night," Cho whispered lightly.
Harry nodded, "I know, the French Secretary of Magic is a major hit on Voldemort's list."
Cho chuckled, "That wasn't exactly what I was talking about. Do you think we're getting closer Harry?"
Harry moved his mouth to speak, but again, words failed him.
"No Dudley!" Ginny shrilled, watching his eye the cake.
Dudley snarled, "I'm only wanting a bite, it isn't like I'm asking for whole damn thing."
Harry sighed, "I better do something before this gets out of hand."
Cho placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, but it didn't change his mind about what he had to do.
"Dudley, what in the world do you think you're doing?" Harry asked completely irritated.
Dudley replied heavily, "What is it to you what I do?"
Harry grinned forcefully, "Decided to finally drop the act now did we?"
"Go to hell," Dudley spat, pushing past his cousin towards the banquet table.
Ginny placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, "I've got it under control, just go back to the dance floor with Cho."
"You don't have it under control Ginny, he's making a bloody idiot out of himself," Harry said swiftly dodging out of her grip.
"Dudley, I swear if you touch that cake I'll curse you," Harry warned, touching his wand on his side.
Dudley narrowed his eyes, "Please Potter, you've always been all talk."
Harry drew his wand as Dudley picked up the cake knife sinking it into the fluffy layers.
Harry started to search his mind for best hex to use at the moment, when Ginny gently touched his wand hand, lowering it down to his side.
"I said I've got it under control," she said slowly, staring deeply into Harry's ill tempered face.
Harry swallowed hard as Ginny's eye pierced his anger. Her touch made him shudder slightly, and he felt he had no choice but to comply to her request.
"Oh," Cho muttered, shaking her head while pointed at Dudley.
"DUDLEY!" Harry and Ginny both began as the fat youngster placed the first bite of his large piece of cake into his mouth.
"Look how big the stupid thing is, like they're going to miss one bloody arse piece," Dudley began with his mouth full.
Harry began to lose his temper, despite Ginny and Cho's best efforts to contain him, but it was only momentary. Dudley suddenly looked like he was choking throwing his hands to his throat.
"He's choking," Cho cried, rushing to Dudley's side.
Dudley Dursley was already a fairly large boy, so to increase his size was not the easiest change to notice. His stomach area suddenly tripled in size as he attempted to double over in pain, he failed and fell face first into the floor. Harry could have swore he heard the button on his pants beneath his robes bust open.
"What's wrong with him?" Cho asked desperately, as Ginny and Cho both were trying to help Dudley up to his feet.
Harry stood back watching curiously, it seemed so familiar, so like….
He turned his attention back towards the dance floor where he saw not two, but four of the Weasley brother laughing hysterically. Harry had guessed correctly, this was a Weasley prank. It had the warning, 'don't get any ideas about our sister' written all over it.
"Harry, I think he's going to explode," Ginny warned, looked up for any type of help he would offer.
By now Dudley's gut growth had caught the attention of half the ball room. Most of the guest were looking over at Dudley as his counterparts with confusion.
"GEORGE!!!FRED!!!" Mrs. Weasley screamed, yanking the first twin she saw by the ear, "WHAT IN HEAVENS HAVE YOU TWO DONE!?"
"Let go you feisty old bat," Fred tried to protest but Mrs. Weasley twisted his ear harder.
"Just kidd'en mum, I'd never mean anything like that," Fred tried to plea.
George cowered slightly under Mrs. Weasley's glaring eyes, "It wasn't completely our fault, Charlie and Ron had a part in it too."
"Prove it," Ron hollered, ducking behind Megan.
"UNDO IT!" Mrs. Weasley demanded, stopping in front of Dudley.
Fred glanced at George nervously, "Well, you see, it isn't exactly that simple."
"FRED WEASELY, YOU'LL UNDO THIS CHARM NOW," Mrs. Weasley screeched.
"RUN!" George yelled, "HE'S GOING TO BLOW!!!"
And blow he did, about the time George yelled out his warning, Dudley's swelling fixed itself. It started as slight nose, resembling, air being release from a balloon, but within a fraction of a second, it exploded into the sound nuclear dung bomb attack.
The crowded room scattered in screams of disgust.
"Thiz cake, itz ruined," Fleur cried, suddenly appearing with a make-up streaked face.
Harry grabbed his nose, uncertain of what his reaction should be. Ginny and Cho stood a few feet away from Dudley, and both had looks of complete and utter greenness. Cho actually looked like she was about to be sick. Ron and Charlie, were trying desperately to escape with the fleeing crowd, all urgently seeking fresh air.
George and Fred's predicament was a bit more grim, as Mrs. Weasley now had both their ears. She hadn't spoken yet, but the red surging through her face signaled it wasn't going to be pleasant when she did. Bill was desperately trying to comfort his crying bride, telling her he'd fix the cake, but there was unmistakable amusement on his face. Finally Harry gave in and started laughing to himself.
"WHAT HAVE YOU TWO DONE!!! THIS IS YOUR BROTHER'S WEDDING, HAVE YOU NO DECENY, HAVE I NOT RAISED YOU BETTER THAN THIS?? DO YOU THINK IT FUNNY TO RUIN THE HAPPIEST DAY OF YOUR BROTHER'S LIFE!?"
"Honestly mum, Bill should be morning, not celebrating," George began, but so subscripted to pain of his ear being ripped off his head.
"YOU'LL BE LUCKY IF THIS ISN'T THE DAY OF YOUR MORNING GEORGE WEASLEY, I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE DISAPPOINTED IN YOU, ALL FOUR OF YOU!!!"
Dudley looked up slightly had let out a belch, "I feel tons better now."
"Mrs. Weasley if Dudley hadn't eaten the cake, then this would never have happened," Harry protested in the Weasleys defense.
Fred smirked, "To right, it was suppose to be Bill and Fleur that exploded, but it worked regardless."
Fleur looked over in total shock and starting mouthing something quickly to Bill in French. Bill's puzzled worried expression signaled he didn't have the slightest inkling what she was saying.
"We better get Dudley to the doctor, no telling what kind of internal damage that curse caused, developing that much gas in such a short period of time can be safe," December O'Riley suggested, helping Harry's fat cousin to his feet.
Harry head shot up towards the front of the ball room as a series of piercing screams touched his ears.
"What in heavens is it now?" Mrs. Weasley said impatiently.
Fred held up his hands up, "We didn't do it."
December O'Riley's eyes grew wide, "Death Eaters."
Harry's eyes followed hers as he saw the crowd of cloaked figures appearing on the top balcony of the hall. It was amazing the reactions of an Auror, it was something that was obviously taught, because before Harry even reached for his wand, December and Cho had theirs drawn.
Harry glanced at Cho who as shaking terribly as she tried to steady her watering eyes. He had never seen such fear in someone's face, a loud hiss erupted in unison from the surrounding Death Eaters and the mysteries of Cho's face were explained.
"Those aren't Death Eaters," Cho whispered backing her back up to Harry's as the group watched the black cloaked attackers reveal their stark white faces and glowing eyes.
December O'Riley narrowed her eyes, "Vampires."
Fleur let out a high-pitched ragged scream causing everyone to jump slightly.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" December bellowed up to the unconfirmed leader of the clan.
He laughed showing his glistening teeth.
"This isn't good, they're going to attack," Cho whimpered her breathing racing as she pushed up against Harry.
December held up her wand throwing an incantation that Harry didn't know. The Vampire leader hissed jumping up on the banister as he prepared to lunge.
"Whatever you do, don't look into their eyes," Cho warned Harry quickly, raising her shaking hand, "And don't try to save me if I change."
"What?" Harry demanded, "What the bloody hell is that suppose to mean?"
Apparently the partnering up back to back was a vampire defense technique because those prepared to fight in the hall all assumed a similar position.
"Harry, remember the spell Lupin has been teaching you," December called, pairing with Mrs. Weasley.
A dark cloaked figure emerged from the behind he vampire preparing to lunge and set a hand on the hissing creature. "I hope we've not interrupted anything."
"Darthanynia, I should have known you're clan would be one to join the Dark Lord," December hissed, narrowing her eyes.
Harry gulped, this monstrous creature was the one who tried to steal Cho, this was the torture she had been forced to endure while Harry had cursed her for disappearing from his life. Darthanynia face was as white as the pristine snow that fell in November, and his eyes were as red as freshly spilled blood. His dark hair laid elegantly on his shoulder, bouncing in an unrealistic fashion.
"Your not welcome here, you know the law," December warned, not letting her wand move off his heart.
Darthanynia didn't finch, "I follow no wizarding law, not anymore."
Cho flinched sharply causing Harry to turn his head towards her.
December didn't seem to notice the slight distraction, "If you attack, you've signed your own death warrant."
"I'm not stupid enough to attempt to fight a hall full of well prepared wizards," Darthanynia hissed.
Something in Darthanynia's vampire voice made Harry's hairs stand on ends. It sounded so old, so ancient.
"Then what do you want?" December continued treading over the tension softly.
Darthanynia hissed loudly, causing his followed to join in their vampirism.
"Know this Auror, your leader is dead. There are no longer boarders on my world and yours. None of you are safe from the wrath of darkness. Your blood will be our revenge," Darthanynia warned before he and his followers morphed into a gigantic colony of bats disappearing into the forsaken night sky.
The pressure on Harry's back disappeared as a soft thump sounded behind him. He spun around expecting to see a relieved Cho, but instead he found her on the floor shaking in a mad convulsion.
"CHO!" Harry cried, dropping to his knees to comfort her.
Her eyes glowed red as she hissed and sputtered in a ravage fit.
"Harry, back away," December warned, pushing him away from Cho's fallen form.
December O'Riley slowly administered a green vial of liquid into Cho's mouth, which seemed to have a soothing affect.
"SHACKLEBOLT!" December called, causing Kingsley to push his way through the crowd.
"Go find Mario Fortez, he should have a portkey to St. Mungo. Chang needs immediate attention, the gyffien potion won't delay the transformation forever," O'Riley ordered.
"Transformation?" Harry questioned in a heavy tone.
"Harry, go with Mrs. Weasley, she'll be fine," December said curtly, placing a binding curse on Cho.
