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

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Another short chapter. I've been so busy, and I've been taken with a sever case of writers block. I'm so close to finishing this story. Please just remain patient. I'll have the next chapter out soon I promise…

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The Rise of the Dark Lord



Harry sprung from his bed as a mammoth clap of thunder rumbled the stone walls.
His green eyes were wide with alert as the memories of his dream came slowly filtering back into his mind. It had been him and Voldemort, wand to wand.

"We need to talk," said a voice that was hidden in the shadow.

Harry reached for his glasses as the room slowly came into focus.

"Ron?" Harry asked.

"Something going on with you Harry, I've tried to give you some space to figure everything out, but Ginny just told me about Cho tonight," Ron said tripping over his words.

Harry lowered his head, "He's taking me Ron."

"What?" Ron asked confused.

Harry sighed again, "He's taking me, I'm turning."

"You can't turn," Ron continued as he sat on the end of Harry's bed.

Harry shoved his arm beneath Ron's nose, "He is."

"How?…" Ron said staring at the small indention in disbelief.

"I owe you an apology," Harry muttered taking his arm back, rubbing as if hoping to erase the mark.

"How can it just appear like that?" Ron said shaking his head.

Harry sighed with a shrug," Wormtail said…"

"Wormtail?" Ron asked.

Harry lowered his head, "Lupin and O'Riley took me to talk to Wormtail a couple of weeks ago."

"You've been to Azkaban?" Ron said as his eyes grew even wider. "Bloody hell Harry, you don't tell me anything anymore."

"I'm sorry," Harry muttered, "It's been difficult since Sirius passed."

"Since Sirius?" Ron said looking even more confused. "I thought everything was fine last year?"

"Nothing has been alright. I've never been able to forgive myself for what happened at the Ministry, and look what happened last year. I guess I just thought it'd be best if you and Hermione had less to do with me. They're my problems not yours," Harry said as his voice grew heavy.

"You didn't seem to pull away from Cho," Ron said with a tone of bitterness.

"And look what happened to her, she gone, and regardless what anyone says she isn't coming back. Mr. Chang is right, if it weren't for me his daughter wouldn't be dead," Harry spat.

"That doesn't sound like the Harry I know," Ron confessed.

Harry shifted, "Remember what happened to Percy? The same thing is going to happen to her. She'll either turn or she'll be killed, either way she'll never return."

"She won't turn," Ron said softly.

"They all turn eventually! You have no idea how hard it is to resist him, how he tempts you with his promises of….power. What if everyone is wrong about me Ron, what if I'm suppose to join Voldemort?" Harry said harshly.

"Where the bloody hell did that come from?" Ron asked arching his eyebrows.

Harry snapped his head back towards Ron, "Stop playing dumb, I heard you and Hermione in the common room talking about me. Everyone thinks I'm turning, maybe I am."

"You aren't, so you have a indention on your arm big deal. I don't see wearing a dark hood and killing people, you couldn't kill anyone."

"I killed Bellatrix!" Harry yelled, "I killed her and I'm glad I did it."

"What are you talking about?" Ron questioned, "I saw you, you were a wreak after the attack on your Aunt and Uncle. You didn't kill Bellatrix, it was an accident."

"Maybe I was feeling guilty because it felt so good to see her mangle corpse," Harry said narrowing his eyes at the memory.

Ron sighed, "Good riddens to Bellatrix Lestrange, we've already been through this."

"Don't you see Ron, killing for pleasure, it's the first step down the dark path," Harry said heavily.

"Harry, you've got to quit doing this to yourself," Ron said placing a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"I'm scared Ron, I can't do this alone. I'm not even sure what I'm suppose to do."

"Regardless how hard you try to shove me out of your life, I'm not going anywhere. I'm not the only one either, Hermione had been worried out of her mind since you quit talking, we've had several rows about approaching you. You're bad on a new relationship you know that?"

"I'm so sorry Ron, I've been the biggest prat ever lately," Harry said lowering his voice.

"Ah, it's alright, I've been a prat before. According to Hermione I still am," Ron laughed.

Harry began rubbing his forearm again, "I can't turn Ron. I won't join him."

"I know you won't Harry, you're going to defeat him. Remember what yelled at us that you were the one with the power to destroy the Dark Lord, among other things," Ron reminded him.

"And you said you'd follow me anywhere even if I wasn't leading," Harry smiled.

Ron nodded, "And I would, I mean you've already got me into loads of trouble, and all kinds of dangerous adventures. You know I bet I'm the only male Weasley who's stared death in the face so many times and laughed at it. I bet my parents go around telling everyone I'm the bravest of their children."

"Yea, you were really laughed when we crashed your father's car into the Whomping Willow," Harry grinned.

" I seem to remembered your face when you took the field for your first Quidditch match," Ron rebutted.

"Well what did you expect of me, Fred and George telling me nobody had died in years and Woods telling me about his first match," Harry laughed at the memory. "Anyways, I seem to remember your face the day our of your first match."

"Weasley is our King," Ron laughed back, "It's so good to see my best mate again."

Harry suddenly stopped laughing, "Things are so dark, I sometimes wonder how we could have been so naïve."

"We were kids, we're still kids," Ron said briefly.

"No Ron, we aren't kids anymore," Harry replied touching his arm again.

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Harry glanced at the Marauder Map as he and the rest of his Gryffindor out of the common room, down the hall and into the Room of Requirements. He wasn't entirely positive it was a wise idea to go into Hogsmeade, but he didn't see what choice he had, if he didn't go, they'd just go without him.

As the group made their way down the dark corridor towards Honey Dukes. It was the same as before, part of the group would go to the Hogs Head, another part would go to the Three Broom Sticks, and the rest would go to the alley way of the Daily Prophet.

"Remember, at the first signs of trouble we head back Honey Dukes," Harry reminded everyone as he slipped his dark robe around his shoulders.

Everyone nodded in agreement as the split into their respective groups. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Parvati slowly made their way towards the Hogs Head.

"Wait," Ginny said quickly noticing four Dementors hovering down the street.

Harry narrowed his eyes, "What in the name of Merlin are Dementors doing in Hogsmeade?"

"Maybe we should go back," Ron suggested.

Harry shook his head no, shocking even himself, "No, something isn't right tonight. If we're ever going to find anything out it will be tonight."

Parvati and Ginny nodded in agreement and Ron reluctantly agreed as well. The four walked close to the shadows on the walls towards the dark bar. Harry had his grip tight around his wand, if a Dementor tried to advance on them, he'd be ready.

They reached the doors to the bars without incident, but as Harry leaned over to see inside he found himself quickly ducking back down.

"What's wrong?" Parvati hissed.

Harry gave her a nervous look, "It's packed with dark wizards tonight, we'll stand out like a sore thumb."

"Oh Harry don't be so melodramatic, you said yourself if we're going to learn anything it will be tonight," Ginny said rolling her eyes.

"I don't think we should go in there, it's too risky. It looks like they all know one another," Harry hissed back.

"Look Out!" Ron said quickly as the door to the bar swung open and two dark figures strolled out.

Harry lost his balance as landed backwards on the ground letting his hood slip off is head. One of the cloaked figures continued past him without a second glance, but the second figure stopped and drew his wand upon him.

"Don't move," Parvati warned as she pulled her own wand.

"Patil," the cloaked figured hissed with a insane laughter.

Harry eyes widened, "Luna."

The cloaked figure turned its attention back towards Harry, "I should have killed you when I had the chance."

"Don't let the opportunity slip by you again," Harry said dangerously.

Parvati was joined by Ron and Ginny who were dangerously pointing their wands at the two cloaked figures.

Luna slowly pushed her wand back into her robes, "It's a shame my master wants your for himself."

Harry rose in a split second and drew his own wand, "It's a shame for you that I have no master to answer."

"Don't be a fool Potter," the second cloaked figure said sharply.

Luna cloaked head snapped up, "Don't be a fool, watch your tongue."

Harry glanced at the two Death Eaters quickly trying to figure out where he knew the that second voice.

"Harry, we need to go," Parvati said quickly noticing the stirring occurring inside the Hogs Head.

Harry didn't move from his guarded position.

"What Potter, think you can take on all of us?" Luna warned.

"Maybe I can," Harry said with complete control.

"Harry," Ginny said nervously as she turned her wand towards the bar doors.

"Kneetailous Reverso," Ron shouted at Luna Lovegood as she collapsed forwards to the ground, her knees completely reversed.

Ginny seconded the attacked by throwing one of her famous bat boogey hexes at the second figure and grabbing Harry's arm as the four ran quickly down the alley.

"DUCK!" Parvati said quickly dodging behind a set of trash cans as two Dementors floated dangerously near.

" Expecto Patronum ," Harry casted quickly caused a great silvery stag to erupt from the end of his wand. " Flarious."

Ginny glanced at Harry as the sparks from his flare exploded in the night sky, "We have to get back, it's too dangerous tonight."

While Harry Patronum fended off the two Dementors they made a run for it. They were close, so close. Harry could see Honey Dukes straight ahead when he grabbed his arm in pain. It was burning with a sensation that reminded him of being touched with a hot coal.

"Are you okay?" Parvati asked.

Harry glanced at Ron who was looking at his arm, "I'm fine, keep going."

He could feel the indentation rising under his arm.

"Stop trying to fight it, come, join my ranks."

Harry heard the hissing snake like voice fill his head as his scar suddenly burst into sears of pain. He gripped it tightly falling to his knees. He tried to lift himself up but couldn't. He felt a tugging on his arms, but it was hopeless. He was immobile, paralyzed by pain. He knew it was time, the Dark Lord was approaching, he'd never make it back to Hogwarts.