Harry Potter and the Rise of the Dark Lord
By: Logical Raven

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This chapter is more of an explanation of what is happening to Cho, although it doesn't reveal everything. Now that Harry is returning to Hogwarts with a stronger awareness of the wizarding world things start to heat up, especially when prisoner mode sets back in. The bonds of friendship will be tested, and memories will be revealed like I've never written before. A whole new way to play Quidditch will be invented. Harry's heart is growing, and he's beginning to accept what he is so full of. I think the term love in the Harry Potter series is much more than an emotion. Harry needs to learn to trust his heart but be true to his mind. I'm extremely excited about upcoming chapters…

I know some of you have noticed my wonderful first real, what I would call, flame on this story. I had to laugh. I never realized that fan fiction was suppose to be original, that seems like an oxymoron to me….And about me being a loser…yea, I guess I am a bit of a loser, but then again I don't really mind that term.

I also received a flame on my previous story, Perils of the Unknown…..I had to agree with that one. It said my story was too Americanized…I apologize, it is. I'm not British…and with my strong southern accent, it's amazing that I can even attempt to write in this particular dialect. I'll try to do better with that stuff in the future….Thanks again to all my reviews, readers and yes even my flamers….Thanks for the support, the inspiration and the laughs….

Read and Review
Nothing is My Own

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Trust Your Heart




The pale cool white wall of St. Mungo sent a stale sense of depression through Harry as he paced the visitors waiting room. Four hours had passed since he had arrived, and he couldn't even get the nurses to confirm Cho was even in the building. He knew she was, this is where he heard December O'Riley say the port-key was taking them

He hadn't waited to be told not to go, or where to stay, the moment he had been given the opportunity, he had slipped away and apparated to the wizard's hospital. It was one of the privileges of being an of age wizard. It was surprising when nobody had shown up or tailed him, but he gave it only a little thought. His mind was wrestling with the image of Cho and her red eyes.

"Mr. Thomas?" said a nurse that had been on duty the entire evening, she had been kind but not very helpful with information.

Harry's name was more of a curse than a help in situations like this. He could never be sure it the person he was talking to thought him a hero or a nutter. Dean Thomas's name was the first one that had come to mind when he had been asked to give a name at the front reception, Dean was a muggle born, and surely his name wouldn't come with the baggage his did.

"Yes," Harry asked, looking slightly dejected from his long night of waiting.

"My shift is over, if you have any further questions, nurse Pennyweather will be more than happy to assist you. I do hope you find your friend," the older nurse offered.

Harry sighed, "Can't you at least tell me if they've brought someone in from Paris?"

She frowned, "I'm sorry, I've told I'm not allowed to reveal any such information to anyone who isn't immediate family to the victims."

Harry was about to concede, it didn't matter how long he paced the tile floor, they were never going to tell him anything.

"YOU!"

Harry froze as the voice singled him out. He had heard it before, and it's accent was unmistakable.

"How dare you show your face in this hospital after what you've done to my daughter!" Ambassador Si Chang stood nearly twenty feet inside the hospital door.

Harry closed his eyes, hoping if he didn't move maybe Mr. Chang wouldn't notice him any longer.

"Si," he heard Cho's mother warn, followed by a phrase in Chinese that did little to help Harry's unease.

"He's the reason our daughter has forsaken us, how can you be so naïve Kim," Mr. Chang demanded of his wife, "I told him to stay away from her, I warn her that she would only cause him trouble. Do you not remember what he did to her while she was still in school?"

"I remember what happened to Cho in school, it was her choice not yours," Mrs. Chang argued fiercely at her husband. From Mr. Chang's expression it was apparently something she didn't do to often.

Mr. Chang snarled, "Stupid boy, it will serve him right…"

"Si!"

Mrs. Chang gave her husband a dangerous look and slowly started to approach Harry. Harry first instinct was to apparate back to the Burrow as fast his he could, but he somehow found himself paralyzed and unable to move. The fear of Mr. Chang's rejection and hatred of him had clouded his mind and trampled his heart.

"Greetings Harry, it has been sometime since I have seen you last," Mrs. Chang started.

Harry nervously threw his hand into his already chaotic hair and squirmed.

She wasted no more time with pleasantries, "Can you tell me what happened to my daughter?"

Harry swallowed hard, how in the world was he suppose to explain to Cho's parents that she was transforming into a vampire the last time he had seen her. From the limited knowledge he had been given about Cho's currently relationship with her parents, he was quite sure they didn't even know she had been in contact with vampires, much less almost taken as one's bride.

"Well, I'm not really sure," Harry started.

"Liar, the boy cannot tell the truth, see why I did not what him around Cho, he fills her head with confusion," Ambassador Chang started.

Harry felt his blood rising through his face, if there was one thing he hated it was being called a liar, "I'm not lying. I'm just not positive I'm the one to tell you about the state of your daughter."

Mr. Chang narrowed his eyes and turn his head away in defiance, but Mrs. Chang showed no such disapproval.

"I know you care for my daughter, and so do her father and I. She would not want us to worry."

Harry sighed, "I really don't think I should be the one who tells you, I'm not even suppose to know myself, and I don't know everything."

Kim Chang nodded, "You know more than we do, and sharing what you know is all we ask."

Harry bit his bottom lip, surely he could divulge just a little information to offer Mrs. Chang some peace, but how much peace could come from knowing your only child was possibly becoming a member of a vampire cult.

"We were at the Weasley/Delacour wedding in Paris," Harry started, hoping they had heard the news about the French Secretary.

"Paris?" Mr. Chang shot turning his head back to Harry.

Harry nodded, "The reception was visited by a clan of vampires from Bulgaria. They didn't attack, but Cho went into some sort of fit after they left. I've been here nearly four hours, but I haven't found out anything since December O'Riley told me she was bring her here."

Mrs. Chang quivered slightly as looked at her speechless husband.

"She wasn't attacked?" Mr. Chang demanded, his angry red complexion had faded into a pale one.

Harry shook his head. He wanted to tell them more but he wasn't even suppose to know about Cho's mission in Bulgaria.

"Mr. and Mrs. Chang?" ask a young nurse appearing with a clipboard in her hands.

"Yes," Mrs. Chang nodded.

The nurse smiled, "If you would please follow me I'll take you to the department your daughters being treated in, they can fill you in on her condition there."

Harry jumped to his feet, "She's here? You've told me all night that you didn't have any records of a Cho Chang being admitted!"

"Mr. Thomas, we've told you we couldn't give anyone who isn't immediate family any information," the nurse corrected.

"The boy will come with us," Mr. Chang said sternly, eyeing Harry suspiciously.

The nurse again smiled, "I'm sorry Mr. Chang, only immediate family…"

"He is family, my word should be good enough to take on this matter," Mr. Chang said in the sternest voice Harry had ever heard used.

As the three of them followed the nurse down the corridor, Mr. Chang glared at Harry, his rage appearing back into his face, "I do not believe you have told us all you know, that is the only reason you are accompanying us."

The nurse led them up to an elevator that seemed to climb a good fifteen minuets before coming to a stop. As soon as the doors parted Harry felt a sense of anger over take him that he had never sense before.

Practically everyone who had been with him at the wedding reception sat waiting in an organized clutter.

"WHAT IS GOING ON?!" Harry shrilled as he made his appearance.

"Harry! Where have you been, Arthur been out looking for you all night," Mrs. Weasley fussed, rushing over to him pulling him into a hug.

"Maybe he should have checked the lobby," Harry said sarcastically.

"She's fine," December told Harry and the Changs.

December started to explain an obviously made up cover story to the Changs. Harry was about to protest about it's truth when he felt a swift tug on the sleeve of his robes. Remus Lupin shook his head warningly and nudge Harry off to the side.

"Remus, what is going on?" Harry demanded, "And none of this fabricated lie, I know what Cho and Eros were doing in Bulgaria."

"Keep your voice down," Remus warned, "It isn't nearly as serious has you're thinking. Cho isn't a vampire, or will ever be one as long as we keep her away from Darthanyia."

"I don't understand," Harry confessed, feeling completely and totally frustrated.

"When Raymer and Chang when to Bulgaria their mission was to recruit the Drcolutia Cult. Darthanyia was formerly an ally to the Ministry of Magic during a previous dark rising, but the years have proven bitter to the vampires. Like other creatures in the magical world, our magical government had ruled them too dangerous to exist in society and banned them from Britain, other governments followed suit until they were forced into exile, similar to giants. It was a long shot, but the Order felt they might be able to negotiate with the vampires before you know who did. We've already lost the Dementors and the Giants, the Vampires were our only chance and recruiting a successful ally."

Harry sighed, he hated history.

"Vampires don't feed off human blood contrary to popular muggle beliefs, we've been over this in Defense. They only kill when provoked, and are quite content on living on diets of other mammal blood. When a vampire is selected to join a clan, then it must be of free will, they cannot just be forced to except the transformation. Cho was given Darthanyia's blood, meaning if she accepting the invitation into the clan then she herself would become a vampire, but she didn't. Darthanyia wasn't thrilled about her decline of his offer. You see Harry, vampires are vain creatures, and they think of their curse as a gift of immortality. To try to sway her to change her mind he locked her up with the most miserable thoughts imaginable, he was trying to break her spirit and her will to stay human. According to Ramyer he found her in the last moments before she surrendered her mind and convinced her to keep fighting."

Harry shook his head, "I saw her tonight, her eyes…she was transforming."

Remus nodded, "Early stages, perhaps even a relapse of some sort. She going to be fine in a few days, but her leave of absences from Auror training is definitely going to have to be extended. Her ability to fight off dark temptation mentally is weak, and only time will help build her strength."

"Are the Vampires on Voldemort's side?" Harry asked quickly in a continued low whisper.

Remus nodded, "We know at least one clan is because the Dark Mark was lingering over their attack."

"Darthanyia?" Harry asked.

Lupin shook his head, "We don't know, that would be our first guess but it is difficult to say for sure."

"All because he wanted Cho," Harry muttered miserably.

"Vampires aren't like humans Harry, they don't feel emotions like desire and love."

"Most people believe neither do werewolves," Harry said frankly.

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The last days of the Christmas vacation drizzled down and soon Harry found himself packing his bags and preparing to return to the dismal Hogwarts. He carefully folded his new sweater and tucked it carefully into his chest.

"I'll send Chu Jung to you everyday," Cho said lightly, rubbing her owl as she watched Harry.

Harry smiled, "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

Cho nodded, "I'm going to be at the Order for awhile, they don't want me retuning to training until I'm a bit stronger, and Eros still isn't completely recovered."

"You can stay at the Noble House of Black as long as you need," Harry insisted, "But, maybe you should visit your parents while you have this time."

Cho sneered, "I heard what my father was saying about you at St. Mungo."

"You're father doesn't like me, but that doesn't mean you should try to make things right between the two of you," Harry said quickly, locking his chest.

"Harry, I love you. When my father learns to accept that then I'll work things out with him," Cho said boldly.

Harry frowned, "I really wish you'd quit saying that."

Cho reached for his hand, "I never got a chance to tell Cedric how much he meant to me, I'm not making that mistake twice."

"Cho.." Harry started.

She reached out and grabbed onto his hand, "I'm not asking you to say it. My heart tells me how you feel about me, and that's good enough. You'll say it when you're ready to."

"Harry, mum says we've gotta go!" Ron yelled.

Harry smiled and gave Cho's hand a squeeze, "I'll write you soon."

Cho leaned over and kissed Harry quickly, but he pulled her nearer realizing for the first time how badly he wanted to stay with her.

"I'm honestly going to miss you really badly," Harry muttered into her ear as he pulled her close for one final farewell hug. She smiled.

Just like the beginning of the term the students boarded the Hogwarts Express, most for the third time that year. Harry walked with Ron and Ginny to the Prefects compartments.

The lull that had already settled over the students seemed to be a everlastingly addition to the student body. The prefects seemed less than chatty as Padma took the lead in reminding the Prefects of their duties. A wink shot in Harry direction told him she still had plans for them to talk to Professor McGonagall about lifting some of the restrictions. Harry tried to look determined, he knew he'd need it when they faced their Headmistress, but his mind lingered on Cho. Something just didn't feel right.