Xirleb70 reports: Beta'ed Version 2.0

Chapter 24: Riddles and Rhymes

It has been said that vampires have plagued the Earth since the beginning of time. They are like locusts: endlessly feeding, destroying, and creating more of their kind to join them in the endless quest to bring devastation on the world. A never halting preparation for their next feast.

And it is true.

But, there has also always been something standing in their way. Something to prevent their complete and utter annihilation of life as we know. These protectors have changed over the years, some failing to save us, some succeeding. But always training and preparing for that final confrontation.

Even if they lose, they are always ready for it.

"OUCH!!!"

"Quiet!"

"Don't tell me to be quiet! You're the one who stepped on my heel!"

"I didn't know I was stepping on your heel. You're invisible!"

"I said quiet!"

"Excuses, excuses."

"Stop whining or I'll give you something to whine about!"

"Shut up!" Harry growled, watching with smug satisfaction as the arguing pair fell silent. "You'll give away out position." He turned to a glowering Draco who was rubbing his ankle. "Im, I thought you knew better than that."

"Sorry, Deni." He waited until Harry turned away before making a cutting motion across his throat and mouthing 'Watch Yourself' at Ron.

Ron gulped and inched away.

"Now," Harry continued sweetly. "Where is this entrance?"

The three of them were standing outside the Riddle House. Harry glanced warily around, keeping his eyes open for dangers and trying to keep his eyes off the graveyard at the base of the hill.

"Just through here," said Ron cautiously, tapping his fist against a lose plank in the wall. A small opening appeared and the group wasted no time sneaking in. "There is a meeting in the main chamber tonight, so no one should be around the Dark Lord's office. That's where the book is."

"Lead the way."

Voldemort stood high atop the dais, surveying his bowing minions. 'Scum', he thought cynically and held his head highly in the air.

"My faithful-" he began and stopped short. Murmurings rang throughout the room. "Quiet!" Voldemort hissed and the corrugation fell silent. He sniffed the air, a slow smirk winding its way across his pale face.

"Potter," he whispered.

"It's unlocked," Draco said quietly and pushed the office door open. Harry cautiously stepped onto the plush green carpet.

"I don't like this," he announced, glancing around suspiciously. "It's too easy."

"Maybe Voldemort thought that the protections surrounding the house were enough to keep out any intruders that he didn't bother warding his office," Draco suggested logically.

Harry shook his head, eyes darting apprehensively about. "He should have at least set up some walls against traitors. Even Voldemort isn't arrogant enough to believe that no one in his ranks is working against him."

"I've got it." The two hunters spun around to face Ron. He had a deep burgundy tome clutched in his fist. "It was on the desk."

"You're right," said Draco. "This is too easy. Let's get out of here."

Voldemort cackled gleefully, sending a wave of shudders through the following. He gazed into the shadows.

"You were right," he announced. "He has come."

He was only answered by a maniacal laughter that echoed against the walls.

Harry winced as Ron stepped on a creaky floorboard in the downstairs hallway. "Are you sure this is the only way out?"

Ron nodded regretfully. "The passageway on the North wall is only good one-way. We have to leave through the front."

"Weasley?" Draco asked, a strange sound in his voice. "What are through those doors?"

"That's the meeting hall," Ron explained.

"And didn't you say there was a meeting tonight?"

"Yes … why?"

"If there is a meeting, then why is it so quiet?"

A sharp pain hit Harry's chest, sending liquid fire coursing through his veins. "It's a trap," he managed to shout as he hit the ground. "Run!"

An insane laughed filled his ears as bright white light danced in his vision.