The Seers Truth: Beyond the Darkness
By Lady Lestrange
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter characters and previous situations belong to JK Rowlings. No infringement is meant or implied. No money is made from this Fanfic. Thanks JK
Special thanks to my beta, ennui de mort who always does such a good job helping to make these chapters better than I could make them alone. Thanks ennui!
Chapter 13
Tag
+++
Harry couldn't bring himself to tell Ron and Hermione why he was summoned to Sirius house. It was easier telling them he had imprinted a basilisk. They just thought Sirius wanted to visit privately with him and he didn't enlighten them. He just wasn't sure how to tell them that Snape was his legal guardian. He did, however, tell them that Dumbledore knew the location of the Snow Castle, which made them all nervous, but they could think of nothing to solve their dilemma.
"I think we do have to tell Draco that Dumbledore knows the location of the Snow Castle though," said Harry. "He needs to know that we should go after the girls as soon as we get back to Hogwarts. Speed is important. I wish we could do it now."
Hermione nodded.
"When Sirius said no magic, I didn't think he meant chess," complained Ron.
"No," said Hermione. "He just meant we couldn't use magical transportation through the wards."
"Wards," muttered Harry. "I feel like I'm in prison. All we need is dementors."
"Did you send the owl to Draco?" asked Hermione.
"Of course I sent the owl," snapped Harry. "I'm not stupid. I just hope it gets there in time. I told Lauren it was an emergency. We wouldn't want Draco to pop over here and set off all the alarms would we?"
"Well?" said Ron, an evil grin on his face.
"Ron!" admonished Hermione. "Draco said he's help us! And keep your mind on the game. Harry's going to take your queen."
"He doesn't need your help, Hermione," said Harry sharply.
"Yes, I do," said Ron. "None of the pieces look the slightest bit worried."
"It's really not that much different than wizard's chess," said Harry.
"Yes it is," muttered Ron as he moved his bishop into position to guard his queen. "I can barely concentrate on the game. All this moving of pieces--it's so distracting."
"Not distracting enough for you to lose," muttered Harry.
"Don't worry, Harry, Sirius will be over soon. He promised to take us to see Neville's grandmum," said Hermione, who was simultaneously reading a book and coaching Harry's every other move.
"Only because Neville requested our presence," said Harry.
"Well, it's better than staying here another day, isn't it?" snapped Ron.
"No," said Harry bitterly. "It isn't. His grandmother is hurt. How can that be better?"
"Ah, now, Ron didn't mean it like that," said Hermione.
"So what did he mean?" sneered Harry.
"Nothing," said Ron, tipping his king, and forfeiting the chess game. "I'm just not in a strategy mood right now," he said.
"Well, you'd better get in a strategy mood," called Harry, at Ron's retreating back. "Unless you want Malfoy calling the moves at the Snow Castle."
++
Ginny trembled as she walked as far as the corridor with Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe and several other young Death Eaters who were not able or not comfortable Apparating out of Voldemort's presence. No one asked her if she was alright or if she needed an arm to lean upon. Every one of them had been Crucioed too many times themselves to care whether or not she was in pain after Voldemort's crucio of her. She attempted to mimic the Slytherin attitude that everything was fine, even though she was aching inside.
"You know he's just going to call us back in an hour," said Vincent
"Do you think so?" asked Gloria.
"I hope not," said Gregory. "I hate using that portkey. It gives me a sick stomach."
"It's all the Bertie Botts Beans that give you a sick stomach," said Blaise
"Why don't we just stay," suggested Pritch as he, and several others who had Apparated from Lord Voldemort's presence, slowed to let the other catch up to them.
"What about when He puts the ward back up? We won't be able to leave," said one of the younger students.
"We'll just tell Him we stayed because we love Him so much," said Alvin Nott
Laughter echoed all around.
"He's a Legilimens," said Draco dryly. "He can spot a lie."
"What? Draco," teased Alvin. "Don't you love him?"
"No, he leaves that up to his mother," teased a Hogwarts second year.
Draco turned, muttering a curse and the boy's clothes ignited. His screeching filled the corridor and witches and wizards came from everywhere, curious to see what was happening.
Ginny reacted instinctively and immediately, dousing the flames with Elemental Water and one of the first years volunteered, "I'll take him home with my portkey. Madam Pomfrey will fix him right up."
Draco said nothing.
"You know, Draco," said Alvin. "He didn't really know about your Mum."
"Everyone knows about my Mum," countered Draco.
"You shouldn't be upset. You should be proud," said Ethan. "Look at our Mum."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Everyone knows she's nutters," he said and the group laughed.
"So are any of you staying?" asked a Durmstrang student.
"Why would they do that, Heinrich?" asked another. "It's boring as hell here."
"Unless 'e calls. Zen it iz exciting," added one of the Beauxbatons students.
"Then it gets scary," said another.
"Can tell you're not a Gryffindor," said Gregory Goyle.
"A what?" asked another Durmstrang boy.
"Never mind, Ivan" said Gregory.
"Zere's always classes. Zat's interesting."
"Unless you're an animagus," said Pritch with a shiver. "Interesting is not a word I'd used to describe it. What do you think, Gavin?" Pritch asked his new hawk friend.
Gavin shuddered, his golden eyes automatically scanning the little group. "Interesting for Him, maybe—Hey, while everyone's here," suggested the hawk, "Let's play something."
"Quit," suggested one of the Veelas and the hawk shook his head.
"You can't keep your hands off of us and that isn't fair," he complained.
"Oh—zee lettel bird iz vorried about fair," she batted her eyelashes and four of the boys volunteered to play Quit with her at that instant, including the hawk.
"Oh turn it off, Siren," snarled Millicent. "Or I'm telling Him."
"There are a lot of us here," said one of the girls. "How about search and curse?"
"No medi-wizards," said Millicent, holding up her fingernail-less hand.
Ivan shuddered. "I wouldn't want him trying to fix me. Healing isn't exactly his area of expertise."
"He'd probably want to see if you died first so he could study your passing," said Heinrich.
"He's done that before," said Draco.
"How about Apparition Tag?" suggested Pritch.
"Good one," agreed Gregory.
"I haven't played that since Durmstrang burned," added Ivan
Heads were nodding all around.
One of the Durmstrang students in the middle of the group said, "Everyone in front of me is a predator and everyone behind me is prey."
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! The Apparitions sounded until only Gregory, Ginny, and a couple of eleven and twelve year olds were left standing by the Durmstrang student who spoke.
"So what are you?" asked Ginny curiously.
"Predator," he said touching her. "My prey. Now, so are you."
"Oh, I don't have my Apparition license," Ginny said sweetly. "Legal age for Apparition is seventeen in England."
He looked at her like she had just grown a second head. "In other words," he said in disgust, "you don't know how."
His attitude hit her like a kick in the guts, and Visha hissed with displeasure.
"Oh don't get morose," said Tom. "Let's play. Come on, Ginny Love."
"I can't Apparate. Remember?"
"Well, let me play. I used to be good at this. We used to play at Knockturn all the time—"
"Eww!" said Ginny, and then silently added, "I'm going to see Samara."
"You want to play, Ginny Love. You don't want to be left out. Passed by. I can feel it. Why don't you let me help you?"
"Tom—I can't—"
"That's the Weasley in you, always settling. Always seeing limitations. Stop seeing what you can't do, Ginny Love and see what you can do. Stop settling for second best—"
"I'm a Weasley. I am second best. Second in everything."
"Ginny Love, you're not."
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes, it does. I have a rather unique view. You can keep this secret from everyone else, but not from me—It matters a great deal to you. Who would have thought you had such ambition?"
"Slytherins do not have a monopoly on ambition, Tom."
"Yes, well, ambition doesn't serve for much, if it's just a fairy tale in your heart and you never act upon it."
"I acted upon it, okay," snarled Ginny. "It landed me here!"
Tom was silent.
As she walked along the corridor, one of the twelve year old Durmstrang girls that she had taken from their dorm room Apparated directly in front of her. They were almost touching. Ginny shrieked as she felt the brush of the girl's robe.
"Sorry," she muttered and another Durmstrang student Apparated a foot away, and growled at the girl, "Proximity check! If you Apparate into a wall, you lose!"
The little girl stuck out her tongue at the older student and both popped out one after the other.
"She still didn't check proximity," observed Tom.
"That's just stupid," said Ginny. "All that risk for a game. I mean if you splinch, who's going to put you back together?"
"Oh, Salazar could do it," said Tom. "Of course, he might just put your fingers on backwards or something just for the hell of it—or as punishment for your splinching in the first place."
Ginny shuddered as another student Apparated a spare foot in front of her. She recognized Pritch who immediately turned into a ferret and dashed down the corridor behind her. He paused, transformed, and Apparated at the end of the hallway.
A veela, obviously chasing Pritch, Apparated behind Ginny. "Stop turning into zee animal," she complained as she dashed to where Pritch had Apparated and Apparated herself.
By this time Ginny had reached the infirmary. Only Samara was still confined to her bed.
Her basilisks hissed excitedly, calling "Tsez! Bitemate!"
Ginny put Visha on the bed with the other basilisks.
"What on Earth is going on?" she asked. "Half dozen people have Apparated in and out of here." While she spoke, Draco popped in beside her and kissed her cheek. She reached for him, but he was already gone.
"It's a game," said Ginny. "Apparition tag."
"Sounds fun," said Samara wistfully.
Just then a boy Ginny didn't know Apparated beside her and tagged her. "My prey," he said, but Ginny shook her head.
"I'm not playing," she said.
"Everyone's playing," he countered.
"I can't Apparate," said Ginny.
"Oh, you poor thing," he said giving Ginny a look of extreme pity before Disapparating.
"Yes, you can," said Tom. "Let' go after him, Ginny Love. I always liked playing the predator instead of the prey anyway."
"You would," said Ginny.
"What was that supposed to mean?" snapped Tom.
"Ginny?" said Samara concerned.
The boy, who was the hawk, Apparated and Disapparated in quick succession.
"Hi Gavin!" Samara called to the hawk.
"How could you know him?" questioned Ginny. "You've been in bed—"
"He and Millicent stopped by to visit," said Samara.
"Are he and Millicent an item?" asked Ginny. "I've seen her with him a lot."
"I don't know," said Samara with a shiver. "They—like to hunt together. Pritch sometimes goes with them, so maybe not—I think it's just an animagus thing."
"Pritch?" said Ginny.
"Oh, the ferret from Hogwarts. He's in seventh year with your brothers," said Samara. "Don't you know him?"
Ginny shook her head.
A moment later someone again Apparated nearly against Ginny.
"Proximity!" Ginny snapped, irritated.
"I've got it," replied the girl and she Disapparated from the same spot.
"I know her," said Ginny. "She's from Hogwarts—"
"Edgecomb," agreed Samara. "She's a Ravenclaw."
A moment later, someone Apparated in a few feet from Ginny and she took a couple of steps closer and then paused, thinking. Finally she said, "Could you move?"
"What?" asked Ginny as the girl tried to examine the space Ginny was standing in.
Draco popped in, this time right on the bed with Samara, kissed her and popped out leaving the sheets blowing behind him.
Tom was giggling. "That Ravenclaw was excellent," he commented. "She got closer to you than the Slytherin would and so the Slytherin couldn't get the magical signature unless she asked you to move or got right up in your face. That was brilliant!"
"But it didn't stop the other girl, did it?" said Ginny.
"No, of course not, she's a Slytherin, but it definitely slowed her down."
Again the hawk boy, Gavin Apparated in, transformed rapidly, flew across the room and Disapparated.
The heat of the game was increasing and several people were using Elementals now, leaving a puddle of water, earth or flame behind them on the carpet. The basilisks were hissing madly, enjoying the excess magic in the air.
"I hope Ethan doesn't set the place on fire," mused Ginny.
"Was he playing?" asked Samara. "I didn't think he could Apparate."
Ginny frowned. "I thought he was—"
The room was left in silence for a couple of minutes and Ginny and Samara began discussing what Voldemort knew about the Prophecy Child. Ginny brought up the idea that they both might have more bargaining power if he wasn't sure who the Prophecy child was.
"He knows the Prophecy Child is powerful," said Samara, "but right now I don't feel very powerful. He scares me when he sits beside me, and I have only a handful more power than a Muggle. I'm so weak! Even when I have the power, I can't always direct it properly. I feel like I have to learn to use magic all over again." Samara shrugged. "I don't know, like a stroke victim or something. It's scary."
"Well, your life was in danger. That's not something you just bounce right back from," said Ginny. "Maybe you should continue to let Him think you are weak for as long as you can. He can't give you the Dark Mark until your power is at full capacity."
"Think so?" asked Samara.
Ginny nodded.
Draco Apparated in with Vincent, several times in quick succession. "What are you doing?" asked Samara in confusion.
"Helping a friend," said Draco, his usually neat hair blowing as wildly as Harry Potter's and his grey eyes sparkling with mirth.
"Showing off," said Ginny irritably.
The next time Draco entered the room, he was minus Vincent and he didn't Apparate close to Samara. Instead he Apparated close to Ginny, grabbed her around the waist, and Apparated her outside of the infirmary door beside Vincent. She staggered against him, disoriented by the rapid Apparition, and gave a startled little squeak. "Visha!" she said, as she reached for her neck where the basilisk usually curled.
"Criminy," breathed Tom. "That was fast."
Ginny turned to open the Infirmary door, but it was locked. "Draco!" she complained, but of course it didn't do any good because he was gone.
Vincent stood beside her, holding on to the wall. "I'm dizzy," he confessed, "but we lost the Veelas." He took several deep breaths and actually looked paler for it.
"Veelas?" said Ginny. She frowned. "Vincent, were you using wandless magic?" asked Ginny.
"Not me. Draco," said Vincent.
"Your hair's blowing," said Ginny and Vincent worked on releasing the excess magic that collected on him during their Apparitions. She had found that although Vincent was far from intelligent and even less good looking, he was rather nice, for a Slytherin she qualified in her mind.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Tom petulantly.
++
Voldemort stood silently with Severus as He waited for his trusted Death Eaters to assemble. He didn't speak. He didn't move. Neither did Severus. He bore the repeated burning of his Mark stoically, but Voldemort still wondered about his loyalty to the cause. Voldemort was deep in thought about this Death Eater named Severus Snape.
After Severus report on Dumbledore, Voldemort was nervous about everything coming together in time. Damn Dumbledore, He thought, always rushing Him. Always managing to best Him. Not this time. Not with Snape on His side.
++
When He had first risen, Voldemort had wanted nothing more than to crush the soul of His faithless Death Eater Severus Snape. It was Wormtail who had stayed His hand.
"He hates Harry Potter," said Wormtail. "I think he blames the boy for Lily's death. He could be brought about, I think, and he would be a valuable asset. I am not going to be able to tell you the goings on in Hogwarts Castle, but he could, and you are going to need a spy there."
"He saved Harry Potter when I, through Quirrel, would have killed him," hissed Voldemort, but he considered Wormtail's words. As much as he wanted to dismiss them, He knew Wormtail was right. He needed a spy in Dumbledore's lair.
"And what did he have to gain by killing the boy then?" asked Wormtail. "I have lived with the Weasley boys for twelve years. I have lived at Hogwarts. I know Severus Snape. He does nothing that does not benefit Severus Snape. If you offer him more than Dumbledore, he will turn instantly. Trust me," said Wormtail. "His loyalties are flexible."
"How was it that Severus didn't go to Azkaban, when the Accident happened?" Voldemort asked. He never referred to the night at the Potters as anything other than the Accident. It was inconceivable that he had lost so much to them. They couldn't have done it on purpose. It was just another example of blind Gryffindor luck.
"Dumbledore came and bailed him out," said Wormtail. "He took the stand and testified in his behalf. Who wouldn't claim loyalty to the one who was offering him freedom from Azkaban? Like I said, he turned because Dumbledore offered him freedom."
"But Dumbledore would not have saved him unless he had proved his worth before then," said Voldemort, his anger growing. "Unless—was there a prophecy?" asked Voldemort, thinking that was the only way Dumbledore would save a soul such as Severus' unless Severus had betrayed him earlier, and that he would not forgive.
"I don't know," answered Wormtail. "But Severus is a Legilimens, if that counts for anything. I didn't know that before the Accident."
"A Legilimens?" questioned Voldemort. "How do you know?" He had never paid much attention to the junior Death Eater before the accident. Now, perhaps, was the time to investigate Severus Snape.
"I told you, I lived with the Weasley boys," said Wormtail. "It was too much to assume that it was mere coincidence which caused the boys to be caught with the simplest misdemeanors. They could put nothing past him, and they are not stupid, especially Percy. Yet Snape caught every student, every time one misbehaved."
A Legilimens in Dumbledore's lair would certainly be an asset. He had to agree with Wormtail on that point. "What would tempt him?" asked Voldemort.
"I don't know," said Wormtail. Thus began the campaign to turn Severus Snape from the side of Light, and miraculously, the next time He called his Death Eaters, Severus Snape showed up in his Circle. He had Crucioed him, of course. He had to be punished for ignoring the earlier calling, and then, when the Circle dispersed, he kept Snape with him.
"A year from Hufflepuff's loss," Snape had quoted. "I suppose that will be the next school year. I will find the child for you."
"The Sorting Hat will determine who the Prophecy Child is," said Voldemort.
"But then, Dumbledore will know too. Wouldn't it be better if you hid this information from Dumbledore and kept it for yourself?"
"Yes," agreed Voldemort thoughtfully.
"If the Hat were destroyed, no one would know who the Prophecy Child was, but I could find the Child, if I searched each mind as they came into my classroom. I'm a Legilimens."
"I know," said Voldemort.
Snape was surprised. He had thought that his revelation would gain him some points; however the Dark Lord was intrigued by Severus' plan. If Dumbledore did not know who the Prophecy Child was, he could not protect the child. Voldrmort smiled. "You will not destroy the Hat," said Voldemort. "Instead, you will do the spell I teach you. The Hat will become amenable to you will. You will need my wand, the wand of the heir of Salazar Slytherin. We shall trade."
Snape nodded. "Yes, Master," he answered.
Snape took his wand from his robe and turned it, offering it to the Dark Lord without hesitation, and Voldemort took it. Snape was now completely defenseless in his Master's presence. Voldemort took the moment to search the man, for fear, but there was none, only a dark calm that intrigued the Dark Lord. In that moment, Voldemort decided to give the man his grudging trust. He handed Severus his own wand, and the man pocketed it. It crossed Voldemort's mind that he would be able to use Severus' wand to kill Harry Potter.
"Do not disappoint me," said Voldemort.
"I won't," he said. "You will be amazed." Severus' dark eyes were still locked on Voldemort's red ones. "I crave a boon," he said.
The man had guts; Voldemort had to give him that. He had skipped the first meeting, barely managed to survive the first few moments in the Circle, he had done nothing to prove himself, and he was asking for favors.
"What is it?" snapped Voldemort.
"I see you managed to use the potion recipe I left for you," said Severus, purposefully reminding Voldemort of his usefulness.
"Yes?" asked Voldemort coldly.
"You made changes."
"Yes," said Voldemort again.
"I want to know what they are," said Severus, meeting his eyes.
"Do you?" said Voldemort. "I don't believe you should live forever, Severus. I alone claim that power."
"I don't want to live forever," said Severus. "I want to raise the dead."
"Interesting," said Voldemort. "Do you realize you have just given me a weapon to use against you?"
"One does not use a weapon against one's allies," said Severus.
"You are not an ally," snarled Voldemort. "You are a pawn. Crucio!" When Severus stopped screaming, Voldemort moved close to his face. "If you ever deem equality with me again, you will die a very painful death," said Voldemort viciously. "Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master." Severus nodded and licked his lips. "One thing," Severus persisted.
"What?" Voldemort turned back to him incensed—and amazed.
"Dumbledore has asked me to spy for him and the side of Light. I need a tidbit to feed him if I am to gain his trust," gasped Severus.
++
Voldemort now sat with a few of his trusted followers discussing possibilities and listening to their reports.
"I want her," he said in a petulant voice that sounded almost like a whining child's, but his voice changed as his eyes met each of the Death Eaters in turn: Peter, Lucius, Severus, Walden, Valeriana, Narcissa, Carman. "I want her brought to me whole and sane and I will turn her to our side. Now, tell me how we can do it."
As his eyes met theirs he was reminded once again that trusted Ravenclaws were in short supply among his Death Eaters. He still didn't know who he would use for the key role next month. If Laurel had been alive, she would have been the logical choice. Marshall? He wondered. No. Although Marshall was certainly intelligent enough to do the task, he was not trustworthy enough. Walden was intelligent enough, but didn't have the nerve. Severus? Yes, Severus could do it, but he needed Severus in his own skin elsewhere, especially with the new developments with Dumbledore. Narcissa or Lucius were possibilities, but he was loathed to separate them from Valeriana. He knew her thoughts still spiraled down into Azkaban at times and then she was no longer reliable. Peter wasn't even a consideration. One of the children, he wondered. Who had the maturity to handle the task? He sighed. This decision would have to wait.
"No ideas from my most trusted Death Eaters?" growled Voldemort. "Perhaps I should replace you with someone better—"
He felt the flashes of fear, quickly squelched. After all, they had given him their lives. They thought that would keep them safe. Only Valeriana sat smiling at him, supremely confident of her place in his favor. He was beginning to wonder if she enjoyed their little Crucio sessions as much as he did. That could be a problem.
"Ideas!" he said again. All of them knew to bring up the idea of failure would mean a killing curse. It had happened before during their brainstorming sessions and he had summarily weeded out the doubters.
"I'm not sure why you think she is important to us," said Carman. "She's a clumsy headstrong child that will only bring you grief, Master."
"I seem to remember your saying the same thing about Valeriana," remarked Voldemort.
"Mother, you didn't," said Valeriana.
"You never said that about me, did you Mother?" asked Narcissa, emboldened by her sister's interruption of the proceedings.
"No," said Carman. "You and Laurel were always the ones with sense."
"Topic!" snarled Voldemort, tapping his wand on the table and everyone jumped.
"If you want her," said Narcissa, "you have to lure her with something she wants."
"The last time it was a man," remembered Valeriana.
Narcissa snorted. "You call that red faced monkey a man?"
"No, but she did," said Valeriana with a smirk.
"Money, power, those never work with Gryffindors," said Lucius.
"How about fame?" asked Wormtail.
"Knowledge?" put in Severus Snape.
"No, she isn't that bright," said Carman. "Actually, below average except for her gift."
"How hungry is she for recognition?" asked Lucius.
"I think that's a possibility," agreed Voldemort. "The thirst to prove herself is strong. I felt it the moment I entered the room, but how?" he mused.
"Saving someone?" asked Severus.
"That's why she became an Auror in the first place," agreed Walden McNair.
"Yes, agreed," Voldemort. "Someone young and defenseless and deadly. I have just the wizards for this task," said Voldemort.
"Who?" asked Valeriana.
"Your sons," said Voldemort and Valeriana rubbed her hands in glee.
"I knew they were destined for great things when I felt Ethan send the Mark when I was in Azkaban. It is a great honor, to kill the first of the campaign," said Valeriana.
"I thought you wanted her alive," said Severus.
"I do," said Voldemort. "Let's not get hasty. Anyway, hopefully Judson will have the first kill, if he finds some motivation."
"He looked motivated today, under your Crucio," observed Valeriana with a girlish giggle.
"Carman, have the twins shared a spell yet?" asked Voldemort.
Carman sighed. "I've been discouraging it," she said. "But I'm sure they can do it. When do you want them ready?"
Voldemort laughed. "Do you realize that is the same comment you made about your girls."
"I will speak to them," said Carman.
"They will be honored," added Valeriana.
"They will be sparking," commented Lucius.
Voldemort shook his head. "They are Death Eaters. They will take their assignments in the circle. You will say nothing, Carman."
"Yes, Master."
"But Carman, you will have them ready to share a spell—a powerful spell."
An Apparition close to the doorway caused Lucius to pull his wand.
"What was that?" MacNair wondered, coming to his feet.
"An Apparition," said Lucius. "No," he corrected, "two of them—children at a distance—one following the other." The sound of another Apparation was heard.
"The Prophecy Child?" said Carman worriedly.
"She can't Apparate," said Snape. "I forbid her and the Weasley girl from my class as ordered, unless one of you deigned to teach her—"
"Something's wrong," said MacNair but Voldemort shook his head.
"I don't feel any fear from them. I feel—fun!"
"Appariation tag," said Lucius.
"Yes," Voldemort smiled. "Let them play. It will sharpen their skills, but I would like to know the progress of the game," he said thoughtfully. "How many of prey the original predators caught and who of the prey had the most dexterity."
"I could find out for you," said Valeriana.
"Yes," said Voldemort and the syllable had barely left his mouth when she Apparated.
"She won't be back any time soon," predicted Lucius.
"She's just trying to make up for fourteen years of lost life," said Narcissa.
"I know" replied Voldemort. "Narcissa, go after her. When the prey are down to five or ten children, Apparate to me.
"Yes, Master. Anything else, Master?"
His lipless mouth broke into a smile. "Don't get caught."
"Oh," complained Narcissa. "I wasn't going to be prey," she said and Disapparated.
"Carman," he said, "remain with me. The rest of you are dismissed until called." He waited until he and Carman were alone. "I want you to think carefully about her," he said. "I don't want to kill her, but if she cannot be turned, that is what I will do. She is too valuable to ignore. I will need to know if your grandsons are not ready to complete the task."
"Yes, Master. They will be ready, Master."
"You were not."
She hissed through her teeth. "Ancient history and I have rectified that mistake. I will keep a close eye—"
"You will not be going."
"Master, they are capable, but without an adult—"
"You will not be going," he repeated. "I will."
"Yes, Master."
He touched her face and listened for her thoughts. She didn't want to let them go. She was afraid for them.
"What?" He asked. "After all this time, Carman, don't you trust me?"
"Of course I trust you, Master," she said aloud, but there was doubt in her thoughts.
++
A few seconds later, Draco walked out of the Infirmary looking completely refreshed. His hair was neatly combed and he was wearing his customary smirk. "I think Samara was expecting company," he said, throwing the door wide open. "Don't lurk in the doorway, Weasel."
"You!" said Ginny taking a punch at him, but he had already Disapparated—again. He was infuriating. "How do you put up with him?" snapped Ginny as she entered the room with Samara again.
"I manage," Samara said dreamily, the air of wandless magic all around her.
"I still have to get even with him for that Stupefy spell." Said Ginny as she stroked Visha.
"You could have left, Ginny," said Samara, and Ginny felt her irritation with Draco grow to include Samara, but she sighed. It wouldn't do to alienate her only friend in this place, regardless to what she thought about Draco. "You're hopeless," said Ginny throwing up her hands.
Samara smirked at her and Gavin Apparated and Disapparated again.
Two Durmstrang upper classmen popped in. "Excuse us, ladies," said the first as he levitated the other above Samara's bed. Then the second also levitated his companion and when they were both airborne, the Disapparated.
"Oh, that was nifty!" exclaimed Tom and Ginny sniggered.
"That was sort of strange, wasn't it?" said Samara as two Durmstrang girls Apparated in and started to search for signatures.
"I know they came here," said the first.
"Maybe they walked out," said the second.
"Where did they go?" asked the first.
"We can't tell. That's cheating," said Ginny.
"What do you care?" asked one
"Why aren't you playing?" asked the other
"I can't Apparate," said Ginny.
"And how old are you?" asked the first.
"Fourteen."
"What is she, brain dead?" muttered the second one with a sneer.
"Like Goyle," whispered the first.
"Must be something in the water at Hogwarts."
Ginny pulled her wand.
"Ginny Love, calm down. They were vocalizing, but they weren't talking loud enough for you to hear. It will be very suspicious if you get angry."
"But—" she wondered.
"Legilimency," said Tom. "You're definitely getting better."
"This is what Voldemort hears?" she thought horrified.
"When you don't shield," replied Tom.
Samara pointed up and the two witches immediately levitated and Disapparated.
Ginny was fuming. "Next game of search and curse," she promised herself. "Next game of search and curse, those girls are going to feel my wrath."
Tom laughed. "You don't know any good curses, Ginny Love. You don't even have any wrath."
"But you do, Tom," she thought.
"We could do it now," said Tom. "I could catch them."
Ginny ignored him.
Samara laughed.
As Gavin once again chose to Apparate in front of them, Ginny stopped him. "Don't you have another place to Apparate to?"
"Sure. But I can't Apparate wandlessly so the best thing to do is double back and make a lot of your signatures in the same place. It confuses the Aurors—I mean—the predators. I got to go."
Just a moment later, Draco popped back in, hair blowing once again. "Take a trip?" he asked Samara, extending his hand.
"Of course," she said, pushing several of her basilisks off of her lap. "Watch them for me Ginny?" she asked.
"Sure," Ginny said. "But—"
Samara and Draco both Disapparated.
Ginny waited a couple minutes, which grew into several minutes and she started to worry. Samara's magic wasn't up to actually playing this game. Surely Draco knew that.
Gavin Apparated in again, but this time he stopped to talk. "Hi," he brushed his straight brown hair out of his unique golden eyes.
"You're Gavin, aren't you?" asked Ginny. "Pritch's friend."
"Yes," he answered. "Now you have me at a disadvantage," he continued. "You know my name, but I do not know yours."
"It's Ginny," she said, stroking several of Samara's basilisks and letting them gather on her lap.
"Ginny?" he repeated. "Short for Virginia?"
"Yes," she agreed, as he sat on the edge of the vacant bed.
"Where's the other girl?" he asked.
"She took a little trip with Draco," said Ginny.
"Is he still prey?" asked Gavin
"I think so," said Ginny. "You?"
"No, I got caught," he said. "Valeriana! Can you tell me that's fair?"
"What? She's playing?" said Ginny shocked.
"Well, you know, she's weird, but that's what I thought. She's an adult, so I stopped when she told me to."
"She asked me, 'How many prey are left?' And I stopped to answer her and I said, 'Me and Draco and I don't know about Maura. She was playing, but then she disappeared. She's probably just hiding somewhere. It is her house, you know. And there's just a few others'—and bam!
"She says, 'My prey' and I'm caught."
"I told her, too, I said, 'That's so unfair!' The bitch—"
"So what did she say?"
"Well she got that mad gleam in her eye and started caressing her wand like she was in love with it, and I didn't wait around to see what she was going to do."
"Eww. I don't think I would have either," said Ginny. "If I could Apparate, that is—"
"So why can't you Apparate?" he asked. "Christmas curse?"
"No, I just—um—haven't learned yet." Ginny considered whether she should tell Gavin that Snape had banned her from his class.
"Why should you tell him that?" asked Tom. "He doesn't need to know, and he certainly isn't you friend."
Ginny bit her lip.
"Oh, it's easy," said the hawk. "Loads easier than animagus."
"Speaking of animagus, where's Millicent?" asked Ginny, changing the subject.
"She's playing," replied Gavin, moving closer to the bed. "But she was one of the first caught. Her hand is hurting her."
Ginny suddenly realized that he wasn't making pleasant conversation with her; he was waiting for Draco, but before she could think of a thing to do, Draco Apparated in with Samara and deposited her on the bed. The hawk dove for him, but Draco Disapparated. Immediately, the hawk followed.
Samara was giggling and her hair was blowing wildly. "Oh that was fun!" she exclaimed. "There are predators everywhere!"
"You better release the magic," said Ginny as the basilisks clustered over her enjoying the magic.
"When Draco comes back," Samara promised.
"You don't need him to release the magic," countered Ginny.
"But it's so much more fun that way," said Samara
A veela Apparated in and looked at the signatures. "Bloody 'ell. Vere iz 'e? I know I am not zat far behind 'im. 'Es getting tired."
"Draco?" said Samara. "He was slower because he was Apparating with me."
"Oh, I vill never catch 'em now!" she moaned, examining the signatures.
There were so many signatures in the room that Ginny could feel the vibration of magic.
"O-o," the veela exclaimed, frustrated. "Zere are too many signatures. Vere vas the last person standing when 'e Apparated?
"Right there," said Samara, giving the veela the spot where the hawk had Apparated from, not Draco
"How did you remember that," asked Ginny, "with everyone popping in here? I couldn't tell you where one of them might be."
"I didn't have to remember. I can see traces of the magic left behind. The darker the images are the more recent. I would be so awesome at this game."
"This goes way past seeing auras, Samara."
"I guess it does," Samara agreed.
The two girls just looked at each other in amazement.
Two more people Apparated in and checked the room one going to the spot where the veela had just left. "I'll take this one. You take that one."
"That one was a predator," said Samara.
"Thanks," said the girl with a grin and she followed her companion.
"I think they want to make me feel like I'm part of the game. It's sweet really," said Samara
"Well, they're making me feel stupid," said Ginny.
In the next minute the two girls and the two boys that had levitated above the bed returned in a group. "There. There. There and There," said one of the girls pointing, and all four Disapparated.
"They're hunting in packs now," said Samara.
"Rather like lions instead of snakes," said Ginny with a smile, but her smile faded as she felt the tingle of her Dark Mark beginning to burn.
"What is it?' asked Samara.
"Dark Mark," said Ginny softly, turning towards the door.
Draco popped in, kissed Samara quickly and released his magic. He took a deep breath composing himself and then called, "Hey Weasel, wait."
Ginny turned as Draco crossed the several steps to her. "No point in hurting longer than you have to, Weasel," he said holding out his hand. She looked at it for a moment wondering if this was a Malfoy offering a hand of friendship to a Weasley, and then the pain of the Dark Mark inched up and she put her hand in his.
"Ahh-Game's over," complained Gavin as he Apparated into the room.
"Guess so," said Draco. A second later, the hawk dove for him, but Draco and Ginny were already gone.
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Hey you want to review quick because the next chapter is fun! 15 reviews to the next chapter.
Answers to Reviews
Claret345: Welcome back. I always love your reviews because you really tell me what you like. Sometimes I think people miss some of my fun lines, but with your quotes, I know you get them. Yeah! I was thinking, maybe you are right, Draco shouldn't have put initials on the owl note, but sometimes some of the readers miss what I think is very obvious. It's hard to know how much I should reveal sometimes. Maybe I shouldn't have put the initials, but then I probably would have had reviews saying, who's the owl from. LOL.
Becky: Glad to see you're back.
Harpy: Shaking in anticipation are you? Where have your reviews been then?
Dragonheart2: Thanks for the review. You always have such inciteful things to say. Do you know if Fanfic took Cassandra Claire's Draco Veritas off or did she just move it to Fiction Alley? Who knows. I agree, it is one of the very best in Draco fics. Other than mine, of course. You have read Draco Malfoy and the Goblet of Fire, right?
Trillium:
Tiamat Warcraft: Math doesn't whisper, it snarls. Shudder. Next chapter will be one of your favorites in this fic. I know, because it's one of my favs.
Silverfox 1: Well, we never did say Harry was going to win any intelligence contests. Sorry if you thought he was stupid, but –er, isn't he?
Emma-Trelawney: Glad you are back. If Volde finds out Tom is in Ginny's head, Ginny is a dead girl. Do you want Ginny to die?
Ennui deMorte: More awesome Snape. Of course your Snape it awesome too. Those of you who haven't seen Ennui's fic, go check it out. Look up her penname to find it. Her Snape is great, and even her Draco is good. Since I'm her beta, I'm not letting her torture him too badly. LOL.
Kemenran: Inciteful as always.
Jager: Jolly good review. Thanks.