Chapter 13

Halloween

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A week later it was Halloween night. The students filled the Great Hall. Dumbledore took his place behind his podium and welcomed them to the Annual feast. His mind was preoccupied with his own worries but he didn't leave it show. The twinkle in blue eyes sparkled and danced as normal.

Not everyone attended the feast. It was a full moon so Lupin was locked away in the shrieking shack.

In the dungeons Snape was waiting to be called. His arm had been burning all day. He was starting to get very tired of this pretence he lived with. As he waited he thought about Harry, the prophecy and then he remembered Harry's dream, "One of his own, will betray him." For the boy's sake and for his own life he had to go when the Dark Lord called. Right on cue Snape's arm burned and Snape left.

In the abandoned classroom Cho waited to be called. Tonight she was going to receive her "Gift" from the Dark Lord. She had been preparing with Draco over the past few days, making sure they met at different times and different locations just as Lucius had ordered. Cho had just arrived; she had originally gone to the great hall, met her classmates, made sure enough people saw her and then silently slipped away. She had met Draco as arranged earlier that day and told him everything was going to plan. They agreed not to meet later that evening in case anyone noticed that he wasn't at the feast. Draco had sent an Owl to his father confirming all the details and that Cho would be ready later that evening in the room at the arranged time. While she paced the empty classroom, she started to feel nervous while she waited for Mr. Malfoy to arrive. The flames in the hearth turned green and Lucius's head appeared saying that she had to go with him.

One more person was missing the Halloween feast. A black haired boy was sitting up in his hospital bed looking through his parent's wedding organiser. Harry cried silent tears because it was the Anniversary of the death of his parents. He hated this night, he always felt lonely but as the years went by anger was beginning to appear aswell. He was angry with the Dursleys for not telling him the truth but he was angrier with Voldermort for killing his parents. As the tears slid down his cheeks he wiped his nose with the back of his hand. He had told Ron and Hermione to enjoy the feast and not to leave to come to see him because he wanted to be on his own. The hospital wing was deserted; even Madame Pomfrey had gone to the feast. Harry lay his head back down on to the pillow and closed his eyes.

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Snape stood among the other Death Eaters waiting for the new recruit to arrive. Year after year he asked himself the same question why would someone want to join Voldermort and his ways? He had regretted the path he had chosen and had to live a double life ever since because of it. One stupid adolescent decision changed his life forever. He looked around the room and recognised the parents of his students and prayed silently that the lives of the children were planned out to be like the lives of their parents.

In a room away from where the Death Eaters were Cho waited to be called, pacing back and forth nervously. Over and over she asked herself was she doing the right thing and then she would remember what Mr. Malfoy had said that first night in the classroom regarding Cedric and Harry.

"Kill the spare" that's what Harry had said, "Kill the spare."

Taking a deep breath she knew she was doing the right thing. The door opened and two hooded men walked in.

"They are ready for you my dear. Follow us down the corridor where we will get you a cloak like ours and then wait to be called."

Cho nodded and smiled and walked through the door, there was no going back now.

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The door at the far side of the room squeaked open and the ceremony began. Cho walked in followed by Lucius and two other Death Eaters. She had her hood covering her face at all times. Snape watched from the side, he moved his neck to try and get a better look to see if he recognised the new member but the hood hid their face.

"My men, I welcome you tonight to our ceremony" Voldermort spoke from his throne. "As you know we are gathered together every year on this night where we broaden our circle of friends."

He turned to Cho.

"Step forward, and receive what you most desire."

Cho walked forward and knelt on the steps before Voldermort. Wormtail lifted up her sleeve on her left arm.

Voldermort rose from his throne and stood infront of the marble alter. Raising his arms and lifting his head back he started to whisper an incantation. One by one the Death Eaters began to chant the same line over and over in response to Voldermort.

Slowly the Dark Mark burned on to Cho's arm. She fought back tears not wanting to show anyone that she was in pain. As the mark got darker, the chanting got louder. Voldermort stood with his back facing the Death Eaters he lowered his arms and produced his wand. Raising the wand to the ceiling he repeated the incantation but gradually got louder.

Thunder rumbled outside and lightning flashed in the sky. The candles in the room flickered and the windows shook, until the chanting reached a climax and then there was complete darkness.

"Lumos" Voldermort said and the candles were lit.

Lying face down on the steps was Cho's unconscious body. Lucius stepped forward and gently lifted her out of the room. Once more Snape tried to see if he could tell who the new Death Eater was but he failed.

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Harry woke up suddenly gasping for breath, his pyjamas wet from perspiration. His scar was throbbing and feeling very ill he threw up over the side of the bed. He hadn't wanted to fall asleep bit he also hadn't cleared his mind. He swore to himself for being so stupid, of all the nights he needed to clear his mind he knew Voldermort was always busy Halloween night.

Feeling sick again he threw up once more. Madame Pomfrey who had returned heard him and calling Dumbledore she went to help her patient.

"Scourgify" she said waving her wand over the floor and Harry's bed.

Handing Harry a glass of water Dumbledore walked into the hospital wing. The Headmaster asked the usual questions and Harry answered them the best he could. He had seen the alter just like before and as the new person received the Dark Mark Voldermort's happiness had woken him. He waited for Dumbledore to ask if he had cleared his mind before falling asleep but his headmaster just smiled, advised Harry to take some dreamless potion and sleep.

End of chapter

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