A/N: OK, I know some people will be disappointed, but this has to be said.
I appreciate all my reviewers, and I read every review (as does Noah, who
enjoys knowing real people are reading this). However, I despise when an
author spends a page or two to thank every reviewer individually in a long,
boring author's note. So I won't do it myself - sorry if that offends some
people. I'd rather have more story than note. Thanks to all. Also, I
apologize for the time this chapter took, but I just began senior year, and
it's been quite hectic. I'll tell you now, updates will not be as frequent
as some people would like, myself included.
*~Chapter Three~*
It sounded like a small explosion had occurred on the lawn of number 4 Privet drive, as several dozen Death Eaters, Voldemort included, apparated onto the Dursley's lawn. Several glanced around, as though unsure of whether of not they were in the right place and a small murmur rose through the ranks of the Death Eaters. Several looked to their comrades for confirmation. This was where Dumbledore had been protecting the great Harry Potter? This pathetic little muggle home?
The Dark Lord turned around, nodded to his followers, and raised a long, bony finger to his lips to silence their voices. They immediately ceased speaking and moving. They all faced their master. Voldemort then approached the front door and, smirking, rang the door bell. He took several silent steps backward and waited.
The assembled Death Eaters could hear a loud grumbling coming from the home, followed by what sounded like a giant bowling ball being slowly dropped down a flight of stairs. Just as several Death Eaters cast around some curious glares, the front door was flung open by a short, fat, furious looking man. He was wrapped in a hastily thrown on flannel house coat. He looked about to holler with rage at he who had the audacity to ring his doorbell at midnight, but choked on his own words when he saw dozens of wands pointed at him. He looked ready to pass out as Voldemort let out a cruel, high-pitched laugh.
"Come here, muggle," the Dark Lord said silkily, motioning Vernon towards him. "I won't hurt you or your family if you do," he whispered menacingly, and a swish of his wand caused an invisible force to push the beefy man into the crowd of Death Eaters. He stumbled at the unexpected push, and fell to the ground at Voldemort's feet. The wizard sneered and, grabbing him by the collar of his pajamas, pulled the muggle to his feet. He then aimed his wand and Vernon. Though Vernon obviously had the physical advantage over this tall, bony man, he visibly flinched.
"Now, muggle, I want you to do me a favor." Voldemort stepped so close to Vernon that he could see his sweat. He placed the tip of his wand on Vernon's forehead, causing the large man to whimper in fear. "I want you to scream."
And with one whispered word from Voldemort, he did.
***
Severus Snape stood on the lawn of the Dursley home, surrounded by his fellow Death Eaters. He looked calm, with his wand pointed at the fat muggle that was Harry Potter's uncle. If anyone could have seen his eyes through his Death Eater mask, he would even appear to be enjoying the muggle's fear. His wand was steady, and he seemed ready to throw a curse at any moment.
Inside he was panicking.
He knew the Boy Who Lived would be safe, for he knew the boy had a portkey with him. In fact, the portkey had been his idea. He'd even helped in re- working the wards around Hogwarts to ensure the powers of the portkey would not be forced out by them. He'd also taken special care to ensure a special one-way floo fire from the headmaster's office to the Dursley home, in case of such an attack. After all, he had quickly realized that attack would be imminent. It was only a matter of time before Voldemort lost his patience and called for an attack.
However, despite all the cautions in the world, he had not come up with a form of protection for the Dursley's. After all, no member of the Order, Dumbledore or otherwise, had thought of the possibility of Voldemort drawing them out one by one. And there was no way for Snape to protect them now, if he wanted to keep his role as spy safe. Severus had realized that there would be times in which he would have to endure atrocities for the sake of the Order. But, being faced with such a case, he wasn't sure how well he'd react.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was too late - these muggles would die, no matter what he did.
So he'd simply have to watch.
***
"Crucio."
Many Death Eaters laughed cruelly as the beefy man before them fell once more to his knees, and began screaming like a small child. They watched with delight as he writhed in pain, knowing first-hand how much pain their master could inflict. Tears streamed down the grown man's face.
Suddenly, the sound of Vernon Dursley screaming was matched by two similar sounds - his wife and son, standing terrified just inside the open doorway, screaming at the sight of their husband and father in agonizing pain at the hands of wizards. Petunia Dursley was pale as a sheet, her bony arm wrapped protectively around the bulging torso of her massive son. Dudley Dursley was looking panicked, and had both his hands clamped firmly on his rear end. He didn't realize that he was soon to be faced with more problems than a simple pig tail.
Noticing the remaining Dursleys at the door, Voldemort cast a quick silencing charm on Vernon. This stopped the screaming of Petunia and Dudley, but they continued to stare as Vernon appeared to still be screaming and in an immense amount of pain. Voldemort turned to face them.
"I realize this must be difficult for the two of you," he said in a would- be compassionate voice. "I will cease torturing this man, however, if you both will please take a step forward."
Dudley looked up at his mother, who seemed equally confused at this odd request. Thinking quickly, and throwing several glances at her silently screaming husband, Petunia nodded to her son. Holding onto each other as thought their very lives depended on it, the two took a shaky step forward.
The door immediately slammed shut behind them, causing Petunia to scream in surprise. Voldemort let out another laugh, and pointed his wand high above the house. "Morsemordre!" he shouted, and immediately a gigantic green skull with a snake protruding from its mouth burst from the end of his wand, and positioned itself over number 4. "Thank you for your courtesy," The Dark Lord said, stepping closer to the Dursleys. "It will make killing you all much easier."
After several frantic screams, and several shouts of "Avada Kedavra!", the bodies of the three Dursleys slumped to the ground.
In the small cupboard inside, Harry held his breath. The last thing he'd heard through the cupboard door was the cut-off screams of his aunt and cousin. What had happened? He leaned his head closer, and felt like vomiting when he heard a cold voice in the front entryway.
"He's in the cupboard under the stairs," hissed Voldemort.
Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath, preparing to defend the Dursleys as much as was humanly possible. The door of his cupboard was blown off, and he was pulled out of it by a Death Eater. He shook them off, and came face to face with Lord Voldemort.
Voldemort smirked at Harry. "Ah, so good to see you, boy." Harry pointed his wand at Voldemort's heart. "What is this? You don't really think you can harm me with that little thing, do you?" Many of the assembled Death Eaters snickered. Harry stood his ground.
"I will defend my family, Tom," he said bravely, and was pleased to see anger flash through his nemesis' eyes as he intoned Voldemort's given name.
"I will not be known by my filthy muggle father's name," he whispered dangerously, pointing his wand at Harry's chest. The closest ring of Death Eaters did the same. "Besides, defending your muggle filth relatives would be pointless; they are no longer a part of the world of the living." Harry paled, and his wand faltered, causing Voldemort to grin evilly.
"I believe it is time for you to pay for your disrespect towards me, Harry Potter. And make sure your mudblood mother knows she failed, won't you?"
At the instant that a dozen voices shouted "Avada Kedavra!", Harry whispered something inaudible. The curses struck the boy in the chest, and his eyes went wide. There was a small explosion, and all anyone could see was a cloud of smoke. Several Death Eaters coughed and tried to wave the smoke away. As it cleared, everyone could see a large black crater on the floor, in the spot where Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, had once stood.
Voldemort let out a triumphant cry, which was echoed by many of his Death Eaters. In the next instant, the large group disapparated, leaving one of their number behind to stare numbly at the scorch mark on the floor.
"Dear Lord," whispered Severus Snape.
*~Chapter Three~*
It sounded like a small explosion had occurred on the lawn of number 4 Privet drive, as several dozen Death Eaters, Voldemort included, apparated onto the Dursley's lawn. Several glanced around, as though unsure of whether of not they were in the right place and a small murmur rose through the ranks of the Death Eaters. Several looked to their comrades for confirmation. This was where Dumbledore had been protecting the great Harry Potter? This pathetic little muggle home?
The Dark Lord turned around, nodded to his followers, and raised a long, bony finger to his lips to silence their voices. They immediately ceased speaking and moving. They all faced their master. Voldemort then approached the front door and, smirking, rang the door bell. He took several silent steps backward and waited.
The assembled Death Eaters could hear a loud grumbling coming from the home, followed by what sounded like a giant bowling ball being slowly dropped down a flight of stairs. Just as several Death Eaters cast around some curious glares, the front door was flung open by a short, fat, furious looking man. He was wrapped in a hastily thrown on flannel house coat. He looked about to holler with rage at he who had the audacity to ring his doorbell at midnight, but choked on his own words when he saw dozens of wands pointed at him. He looked ready to pass out as Voldemort let out a cruel, high-pitched laugh.
"Come here, muggle," the Dark Lord said silkily, motioning Vernon towards him. "I won't hurt you or your family if you do," he whispered menacingly, and a swish of his wand caused an invisible force to push the beefy man into the crowd of Death Eaters. He stumbled at the unexpected push, and fell to the ground at Voldemort's feet. The wizard sneered and, grabbing him by the collar of his pajamas, pulled the muggle to his feet. He then aimed his wand and Vernon. Though Vernon obviously had the physical advantage over this tall, bony man, he visibly flinched.
"Now, muggle, I want you to do me a favor." Voldemort stepped so close to Vernon that he could see his sweat. He placed the tip of his wand on Vernon's forehead, causing the large man to whimper in fear. "I want you to scream."
And with one whispered word from Voldemort, he did.
***
Severus Snape stood on the lawn of the Dursley home, surrounded by his fellow Death Eaters. He looked calm, with his wand pointed at the fat muggle that was Harry Potter's uncle. If anyone could have seen his eyes through his Death Eater mask, he would even appear to be enjoying the muggle's fear. His wand was steady, and he seemed ready to throw a curse at any moment.
Inside he was panicking.
He knew the Boy Who Lived would be safe, for he knew the boy had a portkey with him. In fact, the portkey had been his idea. He'd even helped in re- working the wards around Hogwarts to ensure the powers of the portkey would not be forced out by them. He'd also taken special care to ensure a special one-way floo fire from the headmaster's office to the Dursley home, in case of such an attack. After all, he had quickly realized that attack would be imminent. It was only a matter of time before Voldemort lost his patience and called for an attack.
However, despite all the cautions in the world, he had not come up with a form of protection for the Dursley's. After all, no member of the Order, Dumbledore or otherwise, had thought of the possibility of Voldemort drawing them out one by one. And there was no way for Snape to protect them now, if he wanted to keep his role as spy safe. Severus had realized that there would be times in which he would have to endure atrocities for the sake of the Order. But, being faced with such a case, he wasn't sure how well he'd react.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was too late - these muggles would die, no matter what he did.
So he'd simply have to watch.
***
"Crucio."
Many Death Eaters laughed cruelly as the beefy man before them fell once more to his knees, and began screaming like a small child. They watched with delight as he writhed in pain, knowing first-hand how much pain their master could inflict. Tears streamed down the grown man's face.
Suddenly, the sound of Vernon Dursley screaming was matched by two similar sounds - his wife and son, standing terrified just inside the open doorway, screaming at the sight of their husband and father in agonizing pain at the hands of wizards. Petunia Dursley was pale as a sheet, her bony arm wrapped protectively around the bulging torso of her massive son. Dudley Dursley was looking panicked, and had both his hands clamped firmly on his rear end. He didn't realize that he was soon to be faced with more problems than a simple pig tail.
Noticing the remaining Dursleys at the door, Voldemort cast a quick silencing charm on Vernon. This stopped the screaming of Petunia and Dudley, but they continued to stare as Vernon appeared to still be screaming and in an immense amount of pain. Voldemort turned to face them.
"I realize this must be difficult for the two of you," he said in a would- be compassionate voice. "I will cease torturing this man, however, if you both will please take a step forward."
Dudley looked up at his mother, who seemed equally confused at this odd request. Thinking quickly, and throwing several glances at her silently screaming husband, Petunia nodded to her son. Holding onto each other as thought their very lives depended on it, the two took a shaky step forward.
The door immediately slammed shut behind them, causing Petunia to scream in surprise. Voldemort let out another laugh, and pointed his wand high above the house. "Morsemordre!" he shouted, and immediately a gigantic green skull with a snake protruding from its mouth burst from the end of his wand, and positioned itself over number 4. "Thank you for your courtesy," The Dark Lord said, stepping closer to the Dursleys. "It will make killing you all much easier."
After several frantic screams, and several shouts of "Avada Kedavra!", the bodies of the three Dursleys slumped to the ground.
In the small cupboard inside, Harry held his breath. The last thing he'd heard through the cupboard door was the cut-off screams of his aunt and cousin. What had happened? He leaned his head closer, and felt like vomiting when he heard a cold voice in the front entryway.
"He's in the cupboard under the stairs," hissed Voldemort.
Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath, preparing to defend the Dursleys as much as was humanly possible. The door of his cupboard was blown off, and he was pulled out of it by a Death Eater. He shook them off, and came face to face with Lord Voldemort.
Voldemort smirked at Harry. "Ah, so good to see you, boy." Harry pointed his wand at Voldemort's heart. "What is this? You don't really think you can harm me with that little thing, do you?" Many of the assembled Death Eaters snickered. Harry stood his ground.
"I will defend my family, Tom," he said bravely, and was pleased to see anger flash through his nemesis' eyes as he intoned Voldemort's given name.
"I will not be known by my filthy muggle father's name," he whispered dangerously, pointing his wand at Harry's chest. The closest ring of Death Eaters did the same. "Besides, defending your muggle filth relatives would be pointless; they are no longer a part of the world of the living." Harry paled, and his wand faltered, causing Voldemort to grin evilly.
"I believe it is time for you to pay for your disrespect towards me, Harry Potter. And make sure your mudblood mother knows she failed, won't you?"
At the instant that a dozen voices shouted "Avada Kedavra!", Harry whispered something inaudible. The curses struck the boy in the chest, and his eyes went wide. There was a small explosion, and all anyone could see was a cloud of smoke. Several Death Eaters coughed and tried to wave the smoke away. As it cleared, everyone could see a large black crater on the floor, in the spot where Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, had once stood.
Voldemort let out a triumphant cry, which was echoed by many of his Death Eaters. In the next instant, the large group disapparated, leaving one of their number behind to stare numbly at the scorch mark on the floor.
"Dear Lord," whispered Severus Snape.