CH21: Burning

Harry rolled over in bed, inhaling the sweet scent of his pillow. He could faintly hear a voice calling his name and persuading him to wake up. He buried himself further into the bed, but the voice became more persistent. Finally, he groaned and opened his eyes slowly, fully expecting to see his best friend's grinning face. Instead .......

Harry sat up in shock as he met the cool, gray eyes of Lucius Malfoy.

"It's about time, Potter," Malfoy said impatiently. "Our Lord is expecting you in the dining room in fifteen minutes. Hurry up and don't be late." And, without further ado, he stormed out of the room.

Memories of the past days washed over Harry as he slowly climbed out of bed. He glanced down at his arm, the Dark Mark glittering back at him.

"Today is the first day of the rest of my life," he muttered to himself as he got dressed.

It wasn't until he was halfway down the stairs that it hit him. He had spent copious amounts of time around Voldemort ...... and his scar hadn't hurt at all.

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"You rang?" Harry asked wryly as he entered the luxurious dining area.

"Ah, Harry," Voldemort greeted, setting down a copy of the Daily Prophet. "It's so nice of you to join me. Sit, have some breakfast."

Harry cautiously sank into the chair next to the Dark Lord. "What did you do to it?"

Voldemort laughed. "Don't worry, I would never poison your food."

"So there's something in the pumpkin juice then?"

"You don't have to be so suspicious, Harry. No harm can come of you here while you are under my protection." He stood up and started walking towards the door. "I'd look at the Prophet if I were you. There's something of interest in it."

Eyeing the bacon on his plate one last time, Harry picked up the paper and left the room, deciding to forgo breakfast. After all, he'd seen what had happened to other Death Eaters under Voldemort's 'protection'.

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Harry reread the headline. "A Bravery That Shall Not Be Forgotten," he whispered. And he sighed in relief.

There was no way Marigold and John could have missed this story. Harry just hoped they had gotten his letters .....

A knock on the door interrupted his musings. A tall man with dark mousy brown hair entered.

"What does his Greatness want now?" Harry asked sarcastically. "Does he need a croquet partner?"

The man looked around nervously. "I have a message to give you. But I'm a bit nervous."

"Nice to meet you, A bit nervous. I'm Harry," he snapped.

The man rolled his eyes. "Actually, Backon sent me, but if you don't want to know ...... "

This caught Harry's attention. "You've been sent by John?"

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Two days prior ......

John jumped as the fireplace in his office flared to life and Albus Dumbledore's head appeared.

"Albus," John said as he knelt on the hearth. "How are you?"

Dumbledore looked grave, which immediately put John on alert. "Not well, I'm afraid."

"What's happened?"

"Have you heard about Harry Potter yet?"

John's eyes widened slightly. "No, I haven't."

"He's ...... "

"What is it, Albus," he asked anxiously. 'What have you gotten yourself into Harry?'

"He's joined the Dark Lord."

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"We have problems, Marigold," John announced as he burst into his co- worker's office.

"I know." She waved a piece of paper. "Did you get one of these?"

John nodded. "I'm not sure what to make of it." He glanced back down at the letter again.

- Tiger! Tiger! Burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Could frame thy fearful symmetry? -

"Me either," Marigold confessed. "But that's Harry for you." She mouthed the words over and over again. "Wait .... "

"What?"

"Let me see yours." John handed over his letter and Marigold's eyes widened. Without a word, she handed her own message over.

- I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference. -

"They're different," he finally said, finishing the second poem.

A grin slowly spread across Marigold's face. "We need to talk to Harry."

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The man nodded. "I've been working for him here for a couple months. I don't know how much you know about John's part in the fight against the Dark Lord - "

"More than you'd think."

"Anyway, all that I know is he wants you to have this message. Said it's urgent."

"Go on."

"He told me to tell you that they will be there. And that the flame will always make a difference, whatever that means."

Harry smiled. "Thank you." 'It's Showtime.'