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

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Please don't hate me. I know this chapter is late and worthless, but I had to. It is an important chapter, I promise. I also know that I look like I'm no where near the end of this story, but have faith. The end is approaching, and the twist and turns get sharper and sharper. Don't trust your eyes or your minds, because this ride is going to be so unpredictable that I'm not even sure where the final destination will be.

Remember this chapter was suppose to be part of the previous chapter, and if you think about it like that it doesn't seem all that out of place. The next chapter will be posted tomorrow. I promise, and it will be well worth the wait. A lot will be answered in the next two chapters.

Thanks again to everyone who reviewed. I love all my reviews on both fan fiction.net and Harrypotterfanfiction.com.
You guys are all amazing. Long live both sites!!

Read and Review
Nothing is my Own

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The New Threat



Harry searched for Cho part of the day, and a sense of relief and apprehension washed over him when he couldn't find her. According to the Marauder Map she wasn't even in the castle. As the sky darkened bring on the curiosity of night, Harry realized he'd soon be faced with a challenge much more difficult that confessing his love for Cho. He'd have to apologize to his friends.

The group of former DA members gathered nonchalantly in the common room of the Gryffindor house. They all passed nervous glances, wondering exactly how they were going to get into Hogmeade without the use of Harry's map and cloak. Harry saw the surprise register on their faces as he made his appearance. Apologizes never had come easy for Harry's pride. When he had been a child the Dursley use to make him apologize for practically everything, so since he had attended Hogwarts he had grown accustomed to not apologizing.

"I didn't think you'd show up," Ginny spat as she narrowed her eyes.

Harry frowned, "I'm here…."

He stumbled for the next thing to say when Hermione caught his eye. Ron must have clued her in on what they were doing, which raised another flag of concern in Harry's mind. If Ron had told Hermione, who else had told someone?

"It's getting late, if we're going we need to leave now," Hermione said swiftly, hoping to avoid the argument between Harry and Ginny.

Ginny rolled her eyes but nodded, she knew that there was bigger things at stake than a mere argument between former friends. The group peered over Harry's shoulder as he enchanted the map, again the passageway leading to the Room of Requirements was clear. The Gryffindor's walked quickly, ducking in corners whenever they heard something. Eventually they found their ways to the Room of Requirements.

The Ravenclaws were already waiting, along with two new members who had gotten suspicious and tagged along. Susan Bones and Justin Finch Fletchery sat talking with Padma, Michael and Terry as the Gryffindor's entered.

"We've got tag-a-longs," Michael grinned, "They followed me from the library."

"I can't believe you didn't let the Hufflepuffs in on this, we are the most loyal house you know," Susan scolded.

"You guys can't come with us, we don't have enough robes," Harry said swiftly, glancing nervously at Padma.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "We need as many people as possible, there is strength in numbers. Duplicitio,"

The four dark robes sitting on the couch in the room doubled leaving eight robes for the students use.

"That was brilliant!" Ron said looking at Hermione amazed, "Why didn't we think of that?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, and shook her head at Ron's surprise. It was hard to tell if her response was modesty or annoyance.

"Well, I guess that problem is solved," Padma grinned tossing the robes to the group.

"How should we split up this time?" Neville asked as he caught a robe.

"I guess Ginny, Harry, Parvati and Ron will go back to the Hog Head. If it's alright with the rest of you, Hermione, Susan, Justin and Neville can go to the Three Boom Sticks since we've got four extra robes now, and Michael, Terry and myself will go search the alleyway of the Daily Prophet," Padma said glancing around at the group.

"I think Neville should go search the alley, he is the one who found the stack of notebook last time, plus I'm not nearly as observant as he is," Michael voiced.

Neville smiled, "That's fine with me."

"Okay then Hermione, Susan, Justin and Michael will go to the Three Broom Sticks," Padma said quickly causing Ron to glare angrily.

"If everyone is okay with their assignment, lets get going. I'd like to get back to the Room of Requirements before daybreak," Padma said finally as Harry pulled out the map to scan it over.

"It's clear, we can make a run for it," Harry confirmed as they all walked quickly out the door.

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The Hog Head was quite as the group of Gryffindors walked in under disguise. Not nearly as crowded as it had been before. Except for a lone figure at a table in the back of the bar it was deserted. The bar keep nodded in their direction as Harry ordered four fire whiskies.

"Where is everyone tonight," Ginny whispered as Harry returned to the table.

"Something isn't right, this isn't right," Harry commented sipping of the top off his whiskey.

Ron frowned, "I agree with Harry, something isn't right."

"No, something isn't right. Odd it seems, doesn't it?" the barkeep said slowly as he leaned over his bar.

Harry blinked, something seemed really familiar with the old man's voice.

"Mind your own," Ron said in a deep forced voice.

"No, wait," Harry said suddenly. "What do you know?"

The barkeep moved from behind the bar and approached the group, "I know that four young students from Hogwarts shouldn't be in my bar at this late hour."

Parvati let out a whimper of shock as Ginny elbowed her lightly to bring her back to reality.

"We have no idea what you're talking about," Ginny said sternly.

The barkeep leaned down and smiled, exposing his yellowing teeth, "The Dark News flies tonight. You not be wanting to know what the Dark Lord has planned…"

"If you know, please tell us," Harry pleaded.

The bar keep glanced over his shoulder, "This isn't a joke, go back to the school before it be too late."

The barkeep walked back to his bar and began polishing his glasses.

"He's a nutter," Ron said under his breath.

Harry shook his head, "Maybe he's right, we should get back."

"But Harry, the whole point…" Parvati started.

Harry reared on her, "The point is to not get killed."

"Who left you in charge?" Ron spat.

Harry narrowed his eyes, although nobody could see it through his dark robes, "We should leave, I think the old man was telling the truth."

"He's a nutter I tell you, I say we stay and see if anybody in this place has any information," Ron argued.

Ginny finally voiced her opinion, "I agree with Ron. Last time we got taken advantage of, I say we do what we came to do."

"Maybe Harry is right," Parvati whispered, "He knew we were students."

The group remained silent for a moment.

"Coincidence," Ron finally broke, "It was just a lucky guess, nothing more."

"Keep telling yourself that," Harry said sarcastically. "Come on guys, lets go get everyone at the Three Broom Sticks."

"What do you care Harry. You haven't cared about anybody but yourself lately," Ginny said harshly.

"Listen, I'm sorry alright. Don't be stupid because you're mad at me," Harry said quickly.

Ginny turned up her fire whiskey, "I'm staying. If you want to go, then go."

"Maybe Harry is right," Ron finally conceded.

Ginny snapped her head in her brother's direction, "He isn't."

"Guys, lets not make a scene," Parvati pleaded.

Harry rose from his seat, "I'm not letting you stay and get yourself killed."

"Quit trying to play my hero, I don't need one," Ginny hissed.

The tensions was broken as the beating of thousands of pairs of wings pierced the empty bar.

"The News is here," the old bar keep announced, not looking up, "should have left when I suggested it you."

Harry sprung from his seat and raced towards the door, followed by the rest. The sky looked like it was moving. There were so many owls.

"Great Merlin," Ron said with an astonished look.

Harry looked around the crowed streets, "We've got to get the others."

"No, lets go back to Honeydukes," Ginny said quickly grabbing Harry's arm, "There is no way possible they don't know the News has been released."

Ginny was right, the group who went to the Three Broom Sticks were already back and the group that went to the Daily Prophet showed up only moments behind Harry's group.

"What in the world, I've never seen so many owls," Padma said as she removed the cloak from her group.

"We've got to get back to Hogwarts, something is happening," Harry said, "Did you guys get the latest editions of the Prophet?"

Padma nodded, "At least two weeks worth."

"The News can't get into Hogwarts. McGongall won't allow it, why don't we stay around and see if we can learn anything," Terry suggested followed by an agreeing nod from Susan.

Hermione frowned, "Did you see which way the owls were heading, there isn't any possible way McGongall or anybody else is keeping those owls out."

"We can't stay in Hogmeade, if there has been another large scale attack, then we need to get back to the castle. Don't you guys remember what Diagon Alley was like before we came back to Hogwarts. The streets aren't safe, there is a good chance the attack isn't over," Harry said quickly, he wasn't going to let anyone talk him out of going back.

"I think…"Ginny started.

"I don't care what anyone thinks, you either come back with us or I go straight to McGongall and tell her what we've done tonight," Harry threaten, "This isn't a game."

"I know it isn't a game," Ginny spat.

****



The students found the halls of Hogwarts just as they had left them, empty. Apparently the News hadn't broken through yet. Harry quickly scanned the Marauder Map and nodded to the group that is was safe to make a break for it. Once they got to the Room of Requirements they were in the clear.

Harry slowly opened the door to the hidden room. His mind was racing with thought of what was going on.

"Where have you all been?" December O'Riley demanded with her hands placed firmly on her hips, "We knew you'd come back to this room, but it's…."

"It's okay December," Remus offered placing a hand on her trembling shoulder.

Harry could have hit himself over the head for his stupidity. Why hadn't he remember that December O'Riley knew about the Room of Requirements. Not only had she known about the room, but she also knew it was the likely place Harry would go if he and the DA were up to something.

The students all wore guilty expression. Padma tucked the papers into her robes, trying her best to conceal evidence of where they had been.

"I'm not going to punish you all tonight," Remus started looking over the group. "Go back to your common room immediately."

Harry looked at the group, some of them looked terrified, some looked relieved. The question of why Remus hadn't punished them lingered in Harry's mind.

"Harry, we need to talk," December said quickly as Harry turned to leave with the rest of the group.

"What's wrong? What has happened?"

Remus looked at December dangerously, "Not here."

"What not here?" Harry demanded.

"We need to get to the Order. We'll explain everything once we get there," December said softly, pity building in her eyes.

Harry frowned, "No, tell me what is going on."

"Harry, calm down," Remus said in a tone that matched December's.

Harry face froze, "Who is it? Who is dead?"

Remus frowned, "Dead…"

"We're going to if Harry is," Hermione said stopping at the doorway to eavesdrop.

"NO, go back to your dormitory," December said strictly.