Note: If you don't recognise the curses in this chapter, I made them up and there is a list of them at the bottom, which says how I came up with them and a short description of what they are meant to do although some will be almost self-explanatory. I'm not that good at Latin that I was going to look up particular words and phrases. If the curse isn't listed, re-read HP since it will be in one of the books, somewhere. (I hope!)

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Possession
Chapter XXXVII - Mendacious Darkness Strikes
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"Lucius..." Voldemort murmured.

"My Lord," the man repeated again as he stepped forward, his wand drawn.

Around them Death Eaters and Aurors still fought but it was unclear who the Death Eaters were fighting for. Red eyes flickered, examining everything in the Atrium again and the Dark Lord smiled grimly. He was surrounded. "So the Vampires offered you aide?"

"You betrayed us!" Lucius snapped, ignoring the question. "But I am merciful, my Lord, you will be remembered as a great Dark Lord."

"Remembered?" Voldemort spat, gathering his power. "A fine mercy... One I will not grant your line." He struck through the Dark Mark, driving his anger and hatred through it towards those who were not loyal. Screams echoed around the room as Death Eaters fell, clawing at their arms.

"No!" Lucius snarled, bringing his wand up, its tip glowing orange. Streams of magic flew out from it and wrapped themselves around the Death Eaters who were screaming in pain. Other streams just disappeared into nothingness, heading towards Lucius' forces.

"I see, they are giving you more than aide."

"The power is mine now."

"Try it!" Voldemort invited, spreading his arms and allowing his power to surge through him. Around him his aura flared into existence and for an instant it wasn't a human standing in his position but a giant serpent. Flames curled off him and his skin mottled as he felt himself become the snake.

"I will, my Lord," Lucius said as his allowed his own power to flare.

"Expelliramus"

Lucius dodged left as he cast his own opening curse. "Evisucate!"

The two curses sped towards each other and met with a dull boom. Dust blew up around them, clearing a circle for their combat.

"Darkshale"

"Luminos" Lucius countered before adding his own curse, "Petrifis"

"Ohayo!"

"Jawlock"

"Masticular! Serpensamind!" Voldemort hissed as he cast the mind-destroying curse, reputedly one of Grindlewald's favourite charms but one that Dark Lord could never draw true power from.

"Mongooshield Avada Kedavra!"

"Crucio"

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Avada Kedavra!

"You've learnt well, Lucius... It's almost a pity to kill you," Voldemort purred.

"And you have grown weak. The Dark Lord I followed would have had me dead with the first curse. But Potter's and Wormtail's blood has weakened you."

"So that's what it's about." Crimson eyes narrowed. "You still have much to learn. My father's bone was used of necessity, Wormtail's flesh because he alone could not betray me and Potter's blood..." He paused, looking deep into the shadows. "You may come to understand his power soon," Voldemort concluded raising his hand once more and allowing power to collect there.

Lucius smiled. "I doubt it. His power will come to an end shortly," he said softly before he flicked his wand, murmuring several curses.

Red eyes widened fractionally before Voldemort relaxed slightly, countering Lucius' curses. No one and nothing was going near his beloved, not with the shadows standing guard, not this time. Around him the Death Eaters had stopped fighting and with the Aurors were now forming three distinct groups watching the dual. And even though their hoods were drawn and their masks on, he knew who had betrayed him. There would be no return to the fold for those traitors, not now, not when they had dared to actually raise their power against him. The openings in his ranks created by their departure could be filled easily enough. The Dark Lord gestured, red energy flew from his fingertips but Lucius dodged, drawing his sword as Voldemort twisted his dagger, holding it against his forearm.

They clashed with a hail of sparks but the conflict wasn't purely physical, curses flew in the closer quarters more often striking their target than those cast in the distance. After the shock of the initial meeting they pulled back slightly, circling before closing again. Lucius growled, pulling more power from his blood, feeling it sing to him as it hardened his muscles, giving him the strength to hold up against the pressure the Dark Lord was exerting.

"I think I'll give Draco to Harry," Voldemort purred and almost laughed as Lucius' eyes flashed in anger. The Dark Lord lunged forward, slipping under the blond mans guard with a cross body slash. Lucius flung himself backwards so the dagger only caught his robes but the curse caught him squarely on the chest.

Lucius coughed blood and spat, "Assuming your precious Potter lives!" He snarled summoning still more power allowing the energy to ripple outwards, driving everything before it.

Voldemort crossed his arms before him, his robes falling back gathering at his elbows. He hissed as the energy passed over him. The Vampires blood mixed with someone of Lucius' power was potent but the strength it offered didn't last forever and the Dark Lord was willing to bet that Xeoaph hadn't told Malfoy of all the side effects. "You have become powerful, Lucius, but not powerful enough." He hissed the spell in parceltongue, calling on his true power as Slytherin's heir. Iridescence flared around him and then contracted, wrapping him in a protective cocoon.

Grey eyes burned red and Lucius gritted his teeth. "This is just the beginning, my Lord."

"I would be disappointed if it was anything but," Voldemort purred as his former servant summoned his own shield. "Let us begin," he intoned formally as his power collected in his eyes, making them burn even more deeply crimson. The magic streams opened themselves to him and everything shifted, becoming vibrant, alive. Their audience became large multicoloured masses of power, each colour swirling around showing awe and anticipation but none were strong enough to interfere with this battle. Lucius was an intense beacon before him, yellow, burning. His power was flowing around him but the Dark Lord could see the points where he was being feed extra energy. The lines ran over the ground, faint but visible to him, leading off to the Vampire who had provided the blood. It was a nice piece of work and to Lucius it would seem that the power was coming from within. Voldemort smiled... The blond really did not understand the consequences of the power that had been given to him.

"Crucio" He hissed the spell, the sudden desire to see Lucius writhing in pain taking over.

The curse flew true and struck the dome that surrounded the blond man. Malfoy laughed, confident, as he felt his shield give slightly but maintain its cohesion. The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed as he watched the curse rebound, flying through the darkened Atrium, hitting a support column, marking it with a vicious burn. "Masonitroy" He said the charm easily and was pleased to see Lucius frown slightly. The second spell again was on target and hit the shield, rebounding at a different angle. Voldemort altered his aim slightly "Masonitroy" He cast again, aiming to the left of his former servant before casting again, this time aiming to the right. "Serpentosia" The Dark Lord added the final curse, smiling slightly as a huge basilisk materialised between them. The serpent pulled itself up, readying itself to strike but holding back at the mental command of its master.

Lucius admired his shield as he felt the Dark Lord's charms impact but he couldn't help but feel a slight curiosity as the man cast the stone destroying charm. It would have no effect on his shield but the Dark Lord's eyes were burning as he cast it again and again in quick succession. It wasn't until he heard the crack that he understood, but by then it was too late. The first 'Masonitroy' had weakened the ceiling support charms and the follow up charms had driven through them, and now stone was raining down. He gritted his teeth, pumping energy into his shield as small pebbles pinged against it. They were quickly followed by larger stones which ricocheted and bounced around the Atrium, some few crashing into the hapless groups of spectators. Lucius groaned at the strain. Shield charms were good against magical attacks but physical impacts were a completely different form of energy and blocking them required much more strength. Strength he wasn't sure he could spare even with the Vampire's blood coursing through his system.

No! Lucius growled. He had more than enough power. The only question was how he used it. He just had to be as efficient as the Dark Lord. And to do that, all he had to do was use everything to his advantage. That was where the question of superiority would be answered. The outcome would be decided by the one who could use everything - even a shattered shield.

He reached out, mentally re-establishing his link with this failing shield. It would be gone soon, and he had disassociated his power with it so that the backwash of its destruction wouldn't affect him. But he could use the destruction and the remains of the shield. The charm cracked but he didn't let the magical pieces fall. Instead, Lucius grabbed at them, and turned them ninety degrees, honing the cracked edges to a razor point. With a growl he hurled the shards at the Dark Lord, bypassing the Basilisk by flinching right before he threw them.

Voldemort felt his red eyes widen slightly. It appeared that all his insistence that his servants use everything to their advantage was paying off. Humph! Well, Lucius would learn who was a true master of magic. He reached out, stretching his powers and pulling the energy to him. The shards flew at him and impacted with his barrier, driving themselves through the iridescent light to strike at his body.

He felt one, press into his arm and snarled, as his blood dripped to pool at his feet but he continued to gather his power. The wound was nothing.

"First blood to me," Lucius purred ignoring the amazed gasp that came from their audience although deep inside he acknowledged it. He had hurt the Dark Lord, something years ago he would never have conceived of but he was inexperienced then and now he knew, first blood was not victory and it would take a lot more to bring down Voldemort. Around his former Lord power was still gathering in visible waves.

It was warm. Voldemort sighed at the feeling. The power gathering to him was warm, like the sun on rocks in summer. He closed his eyes briefly as he felt it but they flew open a moment later when he felt something else. More energy was coming to him, focused on his injured arm. This power wasn't warm. It was cold and angry but its anger was not directed towards him. Where his energy was red, this power was green. It wrapped itself around his arm forming a solid green band that seeped inwards. It didn't hurt and once the band was gone, so was the wound. Voldemort smiled and reached out, -Who..?-

-Hmm?-

-Thank you.- The Dark Lord smiled softly as he felt the shadow.

-I told you he unconsciously wishes to protect you but I cannot do much more.-

Voldemort nodded, sending a small pulse of emotion towards Harry, feeling a confused but contented reply before he turned his attention towards Lucius again. The boy was progressing and would be ready when the time came but for now his confusion was endearing.

The Dark Lord's power shimmered around him. Brilliant red flames illuminated his body and rippled over his robes. "I suppose I should give you some credit, Lucius," he began conversationally. "You are only the second person to successfully land an attack upon me." He gestured to his arm and to the now non-existent wound. "But in landing your attack you have awakened power..."

"The Shadows do not yet know life." The voice rang with conviction from above.

All eyes in the Atrium turned towards it to see a group of beings with ivory white skin looking down from one of the balconies. "Xeoaph..." Lucius murmured.

"Vampire," Voldemort said strongly. "Watching your pet?"

"Pet..?" Xeoaph shook his head. "You misunderstand, Lord Voldemort."

"Puppet then?" Red eyes glittered at the rising apprehension from Lucius.

"Nothing of the sort," Xeoaph smiled himself. "You do not understand. The blood was given freely. There was only one stipulation."

"I'm honoured," Voldemort laughed. "But you forget, I have your blood as well."

"But not my backing."

"Ah..." The Dark Lord sighed as his summoned basilisk wrapped itself around him protectively, hissing spitefully up at the Vampire. "Thankfully, I have never needed that."

"The Shadows do not back you either."

Voldemort nodded easily, acknowledging the statement.

"You still wait for them?" There was a slightly incredulous note in the ancient Vampire's voice.

"I have time." Voldemort frowned. "You did not truly believe I took your blood for power?" It was the Dark Lord's turn to be disbelieving.

"What else is there?"

"Eternity."

The Vampire nodded in understanding. "The Shadows do not back you," he repeated.

"I have time and it is later than you believe." Voldemort held up one hand, gathering a small ball of green energy that flared briefly before dissipating. His demonstration brought hisses from the lesser Vampires gathered around their Master but Xeoaph remained silent. Finally though the Vampire elder's eyes flickered and he turned his attention to Lucius.

"If the Shadows know life, you have lost, Lucius," Xeoaph repeated his warning before gesturing towards his children. They nodded at him before they spread out watching the battle. "It ends here, Voldemort," the vampire whispered softly, reinforcing the Ministries anti-apparation wards.

The basilisk hissed and began to uncoil itself but the Dark Lord placed a calming hand on its flank. $I will protect you, my King,$ it hissed at him.

$Just keep them away,$ he murmured the instruction before turning back to Lucius noting the vague look on the blond. "Don't worry Lucius, my pet is instructed to keep interlopers away." He cast a significant eye towards their audience, lingering on Ikhan and Lucius' loyal Death Eaters. "It would be a shame if something was to interfere, now wouldn't it?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Lucius nodded as he felt more power flow into him from Xeoaph. It felt like power without limit and he trembled as he gathered it to him. He didn't need anyone's help to defeat the Dark Lord, nor did he want it. If someone interfered, it would only lead to dissent in the future. He would defeat his former Master alone and then he alone would be proclaimed the next Dark Lord. "I don't need anyone."

"Good," Voldemort hissed, once more gathering his power. "To the death."

Lucius nodded. "To the death."

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Curse Explanations

Evisucate – Variant on word 'Eviscerate' meaning to disembowel.

Darkshale – Casts darkness around the individual targeted meaning that they can't see and thus can't fight

Luminos – Illuminates the individual who was hit or nearly hit by Darkshale – note based off Lumos

Petrifis – Petrification spell, but unlike the one Hermione used on Neville, this one uses time petrification so the person or thing affected ages. A person would become something akin to a dried up mummy.

Ohayo – 'Good Morning' in Japanese – Counter for Petrifis curse. I couldn't think of anything else but it makes a strange sort of logic to me.

Jawlock – Locks the jaws of the targeted person so they can't speak and therefore can't cast magic.

Masticular – Variant on word 'Masticulate' meaning to chew and I thought a nice counter for something that locked the jaws.

Serpensamind – 'There's a serpent in my Mind.' A curse that destroys the mind of the one targeted while allowing the caster to leech information and power from the effected mind. A suitable charm for the Serpent King

Mongooshield – Mongoose hunt snakes so I thought it was a good counter charm for Serpensamind.

Masonitroy – Mason and Destroy – Destroy Masonary, destroy stone. A powerful charm that shatters stone. No real combat purpose, except when you can have stone dropped on to you from a height.

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