Chapter 11: And winking, leapt into destruction

In a cave many miles to the south of Hogwarts, similar to the one where Sirius Black had hidden those three years ago, sat a woman. She was on a dark purple cloak which had been spread across the floor and her skinny chest rose and fell imperceptibly with her shallow breaths. A slight breeze flowed through the cave and stirred her straggly raven hair. Her pale skin began to flush with the colour of life as her breathing deepened. Misty purple eyes fluttered open, and seemed unfocused, as if they were seeing something that was not in the cave.

Her eyes cleared as Zarina Vavier unfolded her legs and stood up. Soul splitting was a tiring and emotionally wearing process, suitable only for very powerful wizards, and it had drained even her power. She took a small bag from the recesses of the cloak that was currently spread across the floor, which was filled with what seemed to be filled with blue, opalescent leaves. She poured the contents into a cauldron that had been waiting over a small fire at the back of the cave. The fumes from this plant soon filled the small cave with a thick turquoise fog, through which the shadow of Zarina drifted like a ghost.

She was constructing a magic replenishing drink from the dried leaves of the Miroiterl bush, which had power restoring properties and enhanced visions and dreams. And essence from the fresh roots was sometimes used in Divination, and, indeed, she had used it just a few hours ago for the soul splitting spell. Once the fog had cleared and the shimmering potion was ready, she poured a cupful and lay down on the bed in preparation for the restoring process. The leaves boiled in this way also sent the drinker into a deep sleep for many hours whilst being restored to full strength.

She made herself comfortable and downed the potion in one before collapsing back across the cloak. She began to dream.

"Seduce him, for he will create my downfall."

Zarina gazed up into the red eyes of her older cousin. She knew exactly who he was talking about, and why. With Tom's growing magical following, all kinds of information was becoming available which she had never dreamed would be within her reach. And she knew that Tom, he would never stop being Tom to her, would one day impart all his knowledge to her, either willingly or through force. At sixteen she already knew how she wanted her future to go. She did not need Divination for that.

"Yes Lord. But what about that mudblood Lily? He's besotted with her. It may prove a hard bond to break."

Voldemort glared at her, sending shivers down her spine. She knew she would be a better witch than him in the future, but for the present he had enough power over her to still make her weak at the knees.

"Use what I have…shown you. You just need to do enough to keep those two apart. And you have shown me that you are certainly a distraction for any normal blooded man."

She blushed at what he was referring to. That night she had thought…no…hoped that their lovemaking had indicated that he had fallen for her, and she knew that they would have made a terrifying and formidable pair had he wished it so. But it was not to be. He was merely 'breaking her in' as he had so crudely put it, in order for her to seduce Potter.

The handsome seventh year had glanced in her direction one or two times, it was true…but to seduce him completely?

………

"I can't do it my Lord. For an entire year I have been trying. I have used spells, potions, and my own female magic in order to split them, but it cannot be done. They are too strong. They have too much love."

… … …

The young woman wandered through the ruins of what had once been the Potters' home. Black had suspected her, she knew, of converting Pettigrew. She gave a shudder at the memory of that particular experience, but at least that one had worked. So. Now the Potters were dead. But the son, the son could be troublesome to her Lord, she knew that.

………

No sign of her master, who had been in hiding for so many years, she knew not where. But the boy. She had spies all around him, from that brat of a Malfoy to the youngest Slytherin. Harry was in his third year and he seemed to be having the same relationship with a muggle as his own father had. This could be the source to his weakness.

………

He had returned! But the war was going badly for him. There was not enough strength, the traitors had had too little time to prepare against the rest of the wizarding world. It was too late. She knew Voldemort would die and the boy-who-lived would live again. But Draco had informed her well. Granger was who Harry was fighting for. She did not know but Draco had seen, this boy who wears his heart on his sleeve for the scrutiny of all. And Draco had told her. And now she had a way.

………

Fire ripped through her body. It felt like her entire body was being ripped in two, not just her soul. But then…utter calm. She was the breeze whispering around the house, she was the sunlight filtering through the windows. She no longer had restrictions, limitations. Now she was free. Now she had power. Ultimate power. Now she could destroy Harry Potter through the one he loved, and avenge the death of her Lord, her Master, her Love.

Now was the beginning of the end.

Zarina shifted in her sleep and her dreams moved on. But she had subconsciously come to a conclusion. She would wait until the School was once again off its guard, and this time there would be no hesitation. She would kill the girl and whoever was with her. No one could stand in her way.