AN: Thank you all for having patience with me. I know it took a while for this chapter to get here, but at least it is here. To make up for the time, this is going to be a lengthy chapter, well, at least longer than I usually do.

Chapter 3: He Chooses His Tool

The few fifty or so foreign students from Salem Academy had adjusted quite well in the Hogwarts surroundings. They were accepted into the British school with open arms and after getting word from the Ministry of Magic that they'll have to stay for the rest of the school term they were sorted into the different Houses. But then there was just one student who fell very out of place, and of course, the impeccable Hermione Granger did not let this slip her notice.

Some feet away from her was Hilarie Ginlock with an open book at an empty table. He appeared focused on it and didn't seem to acknowledge any presence around him at all. As a matter of fact, he ignored the group of girls that were giggling and pointing at him. To him they were all the same. Sure, they may like him now but when time comes and they get to know him then they'll drop him and move on. That was how it always was. So in any case Hilarie tried his best not to get too attached with anyone, and that included the girl who sat across from him at the nearby table. He could see her staring at him and he found it most awkward to be in such complete scrutiny. And that was what worried Hilarie, the fact that the giggling girls didn't bother him none but the silent one watching him somewhat did. Hilarie hated being confused.

Hermione, on the other hand, decided that she would go over and sit by the boy. He was lonely, that much was clear, and looked upset. Besides, she missed the late sorting ceremony and wanted to know which House he was placed. After all, he could be the next best thing after his sister. How much different can the two be?

Just as Hilarie feared the girl got up from her study table and made her way towards him. He pretended not to notice her but that much was difficult to accomplish considering the small turns in his stomach.

The girl sat in front of him and an awkward silence followed.

Finally she decided to speak up, raising her head along too.

"We've met before, haven't we? Well, I'm sure we did. Last week, at dinner when you all first came. By the way, just incase you have forgotten, my name is Hermione Granger."

Hilarie placed his book down and looked at the Hermione.

"Oh, I see that you're reading Woodmere Hancock's SIN. It's a great book, I must say. I read it two times three years ago and re-read it just this summer. You must be a great Dark Arts fan if you're planning to read the whole thing and consider. I took it just to be prepared for Dark Arts class incase we have a new teacher. And it appears that we do. Funny how Dumbledore accepts the late newcomer. School has long started two months ago."

"And who's this late newcomer?" Hilarie finally asked.

"Professor Ian Logan." replied Hermione.

Hilarie stirred at the name but kept his cool.

"Is he the same man that showed up at our dinner table last week?" he asked.

"Yes. I believe so."

Hilarie looked back into his thoughts for a while but then came back. A small smile formed on his lips.

If she's going to make you feel fuzzy inside then why not do the same? said a voice in his mind. Punish her. She obviously knows a lot of things. Such instrument can come in handy any day.

The smile placed on the American's face confused Hermione. It wouldn't be the kind of thing to expect from the loner.

"Hermione Granger, am I correct?" the foreigner asked.

"Yes," she confirmed.

"I think I would like to get to know you better. I am truly sorry if my sister said anything to hurt or embarrass you. You shouldn't take it personally. That's just how Jane is."

"Oh, I got over that. It's okay. I mean, I don't hate her if that's what you're thinking." she said as she came upon to look at his painted back nails.

Hermione thwarted her gaze back at Hilarie's face. He was staring directly back at her, the smile even more mysterious. But what caught her off guard were his eyes. She had never noticed it before until now and now that she has they were rather appealing. Suddenly the feel in the pit of her stomach began to float. Just looking at Hilarie made her feel very light. Hermione could even feel her face go warm.

"I see that you are in the…" began Hilarie.

"Gryffindor House," Hermione completed after noticing that he was staring at the Gryffindor badge on her robe.

"Gryffindor…it's a shame I had to be kept into Slytherin. It would be nice seeing you more often. But I guess we can still manage."

Hermione realized what he just said and reckoned that he had figured out the relationship between Gryffindors and Slytherins here at Hogwarts. It wasn't difficult to see it. Anyone with an eye could tell the hostility between the two Houses.

"Well, Hermione. I should be on my way to DA class. I don't think Professor Logan would appreciate my absence."

"Oh, I can come with you. I have Dark Arts class too."

"Shall we?" said Hilarie with his hands out to her.

"Gladly." Hermione took his hands into hers. They were pretty cold but she didn't mind at all.

The duo walked out the library hand in hand as the jealous onlookers looked upon them with awe.

oOo

The robed man sat at his chair petting a slithering snake. The soft silky feel of its skin rubbed against his own chalky hands, leaving a slight tickle. The large snake hissed at its petter, its eyes glowing a dangerous red.

The owner returned the hiss, appearing to be conversing with the angry reptile.

"Yes, my sweet Nagini, I know you're hungry," said the figure. "Just be patient. You shall soon have your feast."

In the dark graveyard, a number of hooded individuals stood in front of their master. One of them stepped forward, his hands shaking and his voice falling.

"Master," he said timidly. "What shall we do about the forbidden one? He has gone beyond our control. He will not obey nor follow you. He is astray. Should we go after him?"

Lord Voldermort placed his hand up, silencing the quivering Death Eater.

"Let him come back to us and he shall obey. He will obey before I will slowly wilt the life away from him. He will learn that no one can defy me. Then my Nagini shall feast."

"Yes, Master. And Harry Potter?"

"Harry Potter will have his as well. After the death of his godfather, he is rather emotional and down. That will only make it easier for me to break him."

Voldemort looked at his array of Death Eaters. Soon he will have an army of them. Soon everyone will recognize him…soon Harry Potter will crumble at his feet. But at the moment, his plan to accomplish the feat will have to be delayed. There was only one fault. One of his has turned against him. He was needed very much to fulfill the fall of Harry Potter and the foolish Order.

But not to worry, thought Voldemort, We will come through. All is not lost, Nagini. Everything is just at our reach, waiting to be taken.

At this, Voldermort laughed to himself. He laughed and his snaked seemed to be laughing alongside him. Harry Potter was his, he thought, and all those who dared crossed his path.

oOo

On his way to Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Harry Potter was deep in his own world, ignoring his best friend's constant babbling about Jane Ginlock. For Harry, everything had changed since Sirius died. Sirius was his light and joy. Without him, life was completely worth nothing compared to the past times he had with his godfather.

The image of a tall shabby man with long stray black hair crossed Harry's mind. There was no way he would allow Bellatrix Lestrange to get away with Sirius's murder. Someway, someway he will avenge him and then he shall get Voldemort for causing him all this pain in the first place. It is because of him that Harry Potter is cursed and miserable…it is because of him that Harry Potter is parentless…

Too engulfed with his own thoughts, Harry did not notice the person ahead of him. It resulted in a clash between both sides.

Harry quickly picked up his books from the floor and was set to apologize to the person not until he heard the notorious voice of Draco Malfoy.

Draco Malfoy, famous at Hogwarts for his loathing for Harry Potter, and his two cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, were set to get on Harry until Ron pointed out his wand at them.

"What are you going to do with that, Weasel? Hit me with it?" Draco laughed at his own joke then turned back to Harry.

"I see that you and that American witch are doing quite well, Potter," he began, "Already going out, huh? Well that's okay. What would you expect from a desperate hero like you? It's only likely that you would go out with the bitch only to put more attention on yourself. You got to learn, Potter, that too much attention can be dangerous…"

A peculiar smile crept towards Draco's face.

Harry, set on fire, decided not to respond to the ignorant Slytherin. As a matter of fact, he didn't have to for Ron was already on the job.

"Jane and Harry are not dating and you can keep your filthy mouth shut, Malfoy," Ron said.

"How would you know, muggle lover? Why would Potter want to tell you everything, in fact, anything at all? You're just a boorish hick. You and you're whole lot."

"I said shut up, Malfoy or you're going to get it! Harry's my best friend and you have no right talking to him like that nor about my family!"

"Whatever, Weasley. I wouldn't be surprised if the whore Jane wasn't already backstabbing Harry and ----ing you instead. It's a wonder—"

Suddenly, Draco stopped. He had been petrified and stunned right at their feet. The look on his face was blank and he couldn't move at all. Instead, Draco fell back to the ground.

"Who…?" Harry began to ask when seeing that Ron hadn't been the one who stunned him.

Down the corridor were Jane Ginlock's brother and Hermione, together.

Hilarie's wand was already out in his left hand while his right held on to Hermione's. When Hermione noticed Ron's astounded stare at this she quickly pulled away.

Directing at Crabbe and Goyle, the Goth-like student commanded them to move on.

They quickly picked up their fallen master and left to go to the Hospital Wing.

"Why?" asked Harry, surprised that a Slytherin should attack his own.

"He insulted Jane," replied Hilarie simply and unfeelingly.

oOo

Dear Diary,

It has been about two weeks since Salem fell down and I miss it. I miss Vonzelle too. She was transferred to Durmstrang since she knew how to speak Bulgarian very fluently. Her luck. Anyway, I'm happy I'm at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before we left for here I was so excited especially because I knew I was going to meet the famous Harry Potter.

It has been a week and already rumors are spreading about me and Harry going out together. I don't mind them. As a matter of fact, I'm the one who started it. It's kind of funny. Harry seems to be avoiding me all the time. What do I do to deserve his neglect? Well, I'm not giving up on Harry Potter just yet. I always get what I want, and I want him. I sent him a bunch of blue roses to his room. I hope he gets it. It would be torture if I knew he threw it away.

And oh yeah, Hilarie seems to be getting along quite fine. That Herman or whatever must have done a great deal on him. He smiles a little bit more, well only around the geek but nevertheless, it's still progress.

Now you must be wondering what I'm doing here writing to you instead of being at DA class. The story goes like this. See, I was in that Care for Magical Creatures class and one of the stupid hippogriffs bit me on my arms. It wasn't that much of a big deal but you know me, I make everything big. So I was taken to the Hospital Wing and tended for. Before you know it, I was patched up nicely by a lady named Madam Pomfrey. I want to sue that giant of a man, Henry…is it Henry? (Oh phooey, I'm terrible at remembering names and that's not good when you're famous.)

Right now I'm in my room alone calling in "sick" when in truth I don't want to go to class. I know that Harry will be there but then again so will that dreadful Malfoy kid. I hate him and I hate how he treats my Harry. And every time I'm with Harry he ridicules him and I think it's because of me. I'm going to ask McGonagall, the Head of my new House, if I could change schedules. Everything is worth Harry's sake. Later on I'm going to ask him about his adventures against Voldemort. Yes, I'm not afraid to use His name. I mean, it has no power over me so why should I be scared to use it? After all, I did live in a community where the Dark Lord's name was commonly used…and worshipped. But don't worry; we're not followers…not anymore, at least…

oOo

In Professor Logan's class the air was warm and welcoming. The students sat down in rows and were ready for their lesson. As welcoming as the class was there was still something about, for Harry Potter's scar began to tingle, nothing serious but enough to set his alarm.

"Good afternoon, class," began the professor. He was a tall skinny man with light blue eyes and blonde hair and wore a long black robe that dragged across the cold tiled floor. "Once more we are united. But instead of performing The Arts, as we did all throughout last week, I will guide you through a lecture."

Both Slytherins and Gryffindors groaned and moaned at this.

"Now, enough of that nonsense," Logan quipped. "I guarantee that you will find this a very interesting lecture, indeed."

He looked intently at Hilarie for a few seconds before turning back to his desk. On it he retrieved a large old book and placed it up for the whole class to see.

"SIN," he began "is one of the most greatest and controversial books in Wizardry time. Deeply angst-like and revealing. It tells of our deepest desires and how to accomplish them and the many theories and stories that go along with it. I say it's a dreadful book. Yes, it is good to read but to actually follow it is simply foolish. Can anyone tell me why?"

Immediately, Hermione's hand flew up into the air.

"Yes, Miss Granler."

"It's Granger," she corrected.

"I'm sorry, Miss Granger," he apologized. The class laughed. "I'm not too good with remembering names. And you were going to say?"

"Woodmere Hancock's SIN is all filled with folly because it has the power to deceive. If you intend to really read the book for the sake of accomplishing its rules then you're as good as brain-dead. It messes with your mind and it speaks to you. Many great scholars have tried to decipher the meaning to this but came to no prevail. They either landed in an asylum or have gone quite mad and aggressive."

"Correct, Miss Granger. I suppose that you have read it before?"

"Yes, Professor Logan. I read it three times and Hilarie here is currently reading it at the moment."

Hermione hoped that by saying this she will be doing Hilarie a favor but that was not the case at all.

"So you have, Mr. Ginlock?" Logan inquired diverting his attention to Hilarie. "And how did you find it?"

For a moment, Hilarie stood silent. It was clear that he wasn't the public type.

Finally he opened his mouth and said, "I found it…entertaining…"

Professor Logan walked towards him. "You should." he said.

He then walked over to Harry Potter.

"Mr. Potter, you've been silent. I was told that you are quite the expert at the Dark Arts. Maybe this book will help you."

Professor Logan slid the book on Harry's desk and stole a wink at him. He hoped that Harry would take much consideration in reading it. For in time he will need it. Between the lines of Woodmere Hancock's SIN were very valuable and dark secrets that only the greatest of Dark Arts fans can understand. If Harry couldn't pick them up then there will always be Hermione Granger to help him. She was an exception. She knew things…

oOo

In a silver bowl, the Dark Lord watched the class of twenty-two listen to the blonde man at the desk. Voldemort frowned. The fool thought he could outsmart him, but that didn't bother Him. He will soon rise to his greatest. Right now he was at full power but once he destroys those beneath him and take what was meant to be his then shall he be at his all supreme potency.

With the dementors at his side and the mountain trolls under his power and all the magical creatures of the wizardry world working below Him, Lord Voldemort's plan was set to begin.

The Dark Lord touched the clear liquid in the silver bowl with the tip of his white long bony finger and the image of the class withered away. Replacing it was a picture of the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He was siiting down by the fireplace in his office reading documents of his own.

Albus…

Voldemort crackled his knuckles.

AN: There you go. I hoped you all liked it. You know what to do…

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