Chapter 18 – Prelude to the Attack

It was dark stormy night; a lone figuring was trying to protect himself from the rain by running towards his destination. The skies were dark, and one could see the thunder and the lightening casting lights and shadows everywhere, it seemed as if the gods were angry and they were trying to find an outlet for their anger. But the storm was not the cause of worry for this stranger, he had important news for his master and he wondered whether the news would please him or would subject him to torture. He soon arrived at his intended destination and he looked up to examine the castle that stood before him. The castle looked something out of a old Dracula movie, long towers on all sides, the walls as black as night, and even the entrance was that of a open mouthed serpent.

Before him stood the long lost castle of Slytherin, which his master had found a few months ago. This castle was believed to be a myth, a frightening tale told to kids to make them sleep, a long lost legend, it was believed that Slytherin had fled to this very place after he separated himself from Hogwarts swearing revenge on his enemies. Many say that the castle housed beasts which slytherin amassed from around the world, no one actually knew what beasts slytherin lay in his castle, but they believed that they were interbred between each other to create monstrosities which could only be described as demons that would plague ones worst nightmares.

His master had yet to find these beasts but he felt confident that they were in the castle somewhere, dormant, waiting to answer to their rightful masters call.

Breaking out of his thoughts he knocked on the door three times, as was proper procedure, and soon a hooded person opened a small hole just enough to see who was outside. When satisfied he gave a nod to someone to open the doors, and with a loud clang the door opened inwards.

After climbing many long winding steps he reached a huge wooden door, he knocked again, but this time instead of a human, a dementor opened the door.

A lone figure sat on a throne at the far end of the room, his spidery shaped hands rested on his pet snake that he was petting as if she was his dog. Blood red eyes sought the stranger from beneath his hood. The stranger kneeled in front of his master.

"What news do you have for me Severussss?" asked Voldemort

Severus Snape stood up from his knees to meet the eyes of his master, Voldemort always preferred if people spoke to him 'eye to eye' so as to say, because he would use Legilimancy to check if they were lying or not.

"I have news which would please you Master, something that was most unexpected" Severus waited for Voldemort's approval to continue.

"Go on"

"It would seem that the old fool underestimated our young Mr. Potter. As of twelve days ago Mr. Potter went missing from his relatives house, and hasn't still been found."

"Hmmm. More than twelve days you say?" asked Voldemort while he got up and started to walk around Severus, encircling him as a snake does to it's pray before it is ready to pounce for the kill.

"The old fool did not let me leave the castle, he put me on the task on creating some useless potions for him and his precious order. I would have come earlier master but I wanted to wait for the appropriate moment before leaving his presence, lest he suspect something"

"I don't sense any lies coming from your mouth, but then I never have" Voldemort said while still trying to intimidate Severus hoping he would slip up. But after being a spy for many years, Severus knew how and what to do to get away.

"I always speak the truth my lord, my life and soul are yours forever"

A sinister but very pleased smile graced Voldemort's face as he stopped right in front of the potions master.

"Very well, we shall see about that later. It seems we must do something to gain Mr. Potters attention."

Voldemort returned back to his throne, where he started to have a short conversation with his pet snake in Parseltongue.

After a while he seemed to be satisfied with something and asked the dementors to summon his inner circle. In a few minutes, which seemed like hours for Severus, the inner circle minus the few who were in Azkaban were gathered around their master awaiting his instructions.

He stood up to address them all "Fellow death eaters, it has come to my attention, that our resident boy-who lived has run away. It seems that he has finally realized that he is in a fight where he has no chance of winning or better yet surviving."

Severus snorted internally though his face remained impassive.

"But if he thought that I would be merciful, then he was wrong to think that." Voldemort had one of those murderous glints in his eyes, which everyone recognized as one he would possess, before he would send them to slaughter innocents.

"Wormtail"

"Yyyess Masterr"

"Take fifty of your best recruits and prepare them to attack the Weasley's. I think its time to show our Mr. Potter that no one can hide or run away from the Dark Lord."

Internally Severus was shaken by this news, but an experienced veteran like him didn't show it on the outside. He was just waiting for Voldemort to dismiss him so he could warn Dumbledore when the dark lord called him again.

"Ohh Severusss" said the dark lord as if he was calling a child

"Yes my lord"

"Now I know you must be dying to return to your quarters as soon as possible but I want you to stay here to complete some potions for me." Asked the dark lord sweetly

"Of course my lord."

He turned his attention away from Severus to address the others "Leave my deatheaters and attack the Weasley's, though" Voldemort stopped there for a second to think about something as if he was having a short conversation with himself.

"Bring the youngest of the Weasley's unharmed. She might come in handy"

Severus shuddered at the thought of what would transpire if he could not send a warning to Dumbledore.

"By why master" squeaked Wormtail.

An enraged Voldemort choose not to answer instead tortured Wormtail.

Crucio.

Far away a heavily panting Harry Potter woke up from his sleep. He had just had a vision from Voldemort and he knew the Dark lords plans.

In another part of London the order were having their usual meeting.

"Has there been any sign of Harry yet Headmaster" asked the Weasley matron for the umpteenth time since he had gone missing.

The headmaster sighed and gave a negative answer.

"Alas we have other matters at hand to discuss" said the Headmaster trying to change the topic.

Soon the usual discussions were taking place regarding death eater activities and what the ministry was trying to do, or for the matter not trying to do, to solve the problem.

The Weasley children who were upstairs trying to listen in on the conversation got fed up, and extracted the extendable ears.

"Blimey Fred Harry's more smarter than we gave him credit for" said George

"Ya he actually outsmarted our Headmaster, who we ourselves have tried and tried for a very long time to best"

"He deserves a honor for this right, Gred"

"Right Forge, a new addition to the hall of fame for Harry Potter, though we will have to find a big wall for it"

"Ya with the amount of achievements he has to his credit, we don't have enough space"

"Cut it you too, this is serious" said Hermione who had joined the Weasleys upon hearing that Harry had vanished.

"What do you mean, we are as serious as we can be. You don't see us playing pranks on you lot, now do you? Though the temptation is rising now" said Fred while winking to brother.

"You are not pranking because Mrs. Weasley has strictly forbade you to do." Said Hermione while rolling her eyes at the immaturity of the brothers.

"Oye who says we always listen to her"

"Who listens to whom?" asked a very grumpy Mrs. Weasley who had just finished their meeting.

The twins gulped.

"Nothing mom Fred and George were just barking something, which we were ignoring." Replied Ginny.

"Oh you wound us dear sister." Replied Fred

"You would ignore your own flesh and blood" said George

Then they started speaking alternatively

"You know you love us dearly, why if it weren't for us you would turn up as boring as Ronald here, and that's saying something."

"Fine fine, lets go children, I am sure you lot must be hungry, and I must cook dinner at the Burrow." Said Mrs. Weasley's before a full out war would be declared between her siblings.

With that said, the Weasleys flooed back to the Burrow, not realizing what awaited them later in the night.

Authors Note: I know this chapter is quite is verrryyy short and quite pathetic; but alas I have no excuses for myself. When I started to write this story the excitement, and the loads of free time kept me going, both which I have lost now. I have also now realized that I don't have much of a plan for this story. I was moving too fast for my own good, and since I didn't have any well thought out plans I was having more and more difficulty in writing new chapters. I have taken quite some time in thinking, and now I feel confident enough to write 2-3 chapters easily. So again my apologies, and hope you continue to read the story.