Disclaimer:

J.K. Rowling is the owner of Harry Potter. Stories she has written and characters that she created are not mine. I don't take credit for any of her work. I do thank her for providing such a wonderful universe to dream about and write in.

Harry Potter and the Shadow of Evil

By: Starwin

Chapter 2 – The Path, the Trial, the Painting

Harry could feel the soft lapping of water against his legs. He could feel the softness of sand pressed against his face and he could taste the sting of salt and the bitterness of blood mixing in his mouth. Harry noticed immediately that one of the lenses of his glasses was gone. His body felt stiff and sore and cold. From what he could see it seemed as though it was still night.

Harry forced his arm to move forward and to help him push himself up. It was slow, tiring, painful work. Each inch he seemed to gain came at a great cost. But Harry knew he had to get up, had to get out of the water. How he had survived this long he did not know. The fall should have killed him, yet, here he was all the same. Was he dead? That would certainly make sense.

Harry blinked trying to put the world into focus. Across the sand that shimmered like the night sky was a great mountain and atop it sat a great castle. Harry looked form side to side, watching as the shore line curved away. He was most likely on an island. A great forest advanced around the mountain and down to the line of the sand.

Then Harry spotted, along the shore, another form, someone else perhaps, lying in the sand not far from him. 'Hermione!' He realized with shock. Harry shuffled across the sand on his knees, unable to get to his feet in his panic. 'Please let her be okay' Harry thought.

Hermione was facing away from him when he final reached her. He reached out and grabbed her shoulder and turned her on her back. The sweater was ice cold and very damp against his hand. Her eyes were closed and her face was pale. Harry put a hand against her neck feeling for a pulse. She was just as cold as the night air. But Harry could feel shallow breathing and a faint, slow heart beat.

He tied to think what to do next. What spell could he use to help her? Was there any muggle medicine he knew of that could do anything. Harry's brain whirled, nothing there wasn't any spell he knew of.

He knew many defensive and offensive charms but it dawned on him just how little school had really taught him about anything else. He wished that he had taken a class in which they had mentioned how to make someone who was cold feel warm, or some kind of curing charm. He was sure Hermione knew one. Did he as well? He couldn't remember if he did or not. Harry cursed himself. What if they had taught it in class and he hadn't been paying attention. Was Hermione suffering, dieing, because of his foolishness?

He covered her body with his own pressing down on her. Trying to will the warmth he could barley feel in his own skin to move to hers. As he pressed down Hermione coughed and spat up water. Her breathing became less shallow, but she still remained cold.

The wind moved around Harry and for a moment he thought he could hear words in the gust. Harry felt a coldness blow across his back. His damp clothing wasn't helping any. 'This way..' the wind echoed again. This time Harry was sure he had heard words. He pulled away from Hermione to look around. Harry could see nothing to indicate this way from that. Then Harry remembered there was a castle here!

Harry worked to get to his feet, intent on making his way to the castle. To his dismay he could make out many, many steps in the faint glow of the night. It seemed like an insurmountable number of stairs. Something he would not have attempted to climb even in the best of times. Harry took a deep breath, he didn't have a choice. He didn't think that he and Hermione would last long in this cold. Harry pulled out his wand.

"Wingardium Leviosa" he said pointing at Hermione. Nothing happened. Harry tried again. Still nothing. Was he doing the spell wrong perhaps? "Lumos" Harry breathed. A mixture of fear and anger now starting to build in him. His wand tip remained dark. Had he lost the ability to cast magic? Or was this place stopping him some how?

Harry didn't know, and right now he didn't have time to care. Harry knelt down, his arm like forklifts he lifted Hermione. She was heavy in him arms, much more so than she looked. Harry struggled to rise. He felt blackness creeping at the corners of his eyes.

'Give up.' the hissing voice said. 'Leave the mudblood. Save yourself.'

"No," Harry grunted back as he forced himself to rise, willing his legs to move, to take steps.

'Don't you see the foolishness of all this?' the voice asked. 'You cannot save her, there is no one in that castle that can help you, leave her, leave the mudblood!' The voice continued.

"No," Harry said more firmly. His body ached but his muscles seemed to regain a sudden strength. "I will not leave my friend." Harry yelled to the blackness.

'You will leave her, you will obey!' The voice demanded. And Harry felt his knees become week. 'You will not defy me you will do as I say!'

Harry's leg shook as he took another step. He was halfway across the beach. His arms felt weak. His strength seemed to be fading as quickly as it had come to him.

'She must die!' The voice commanded. 'You will leave her to die.'

"NEVER!" Harry yelled so loudly that he could swear the beach shook and the mountain quivered. His throat felt horse. His legs were carrying him on a mind of their own. He wasn't even sure he was moving anymore. But the voice was silent. And the cold wind seemed to have stopped.

---

Harry felt as if it were a dream. He was walking somewhere, he wasn't sure where but his friends were standing on the side lines cheering him on.

"Go Harry, go!" Ron shouted as Harry walked by. "I know you can do it I know you can beat Malfoy!" Harry turned to look back at Ron as he passed and not far behind Malfoy was carrying Goyle piggy back and walking quickly. Harry's head snapped forward again and he felt his feet move faster.

"Com'on 'arry!" Yelled Hagrid who was surrounded by a group of first year Gryffindors. Harry tried to walk faster but the smooth dirt path he was on suddenly began to curve up wards. He felt the heavy weight of Neville on his back.

Malfoy drew along side Harry. Goyle had a stupid look on his face.

"What's the matter Potter," Malfoy sneered. "Going to let me beat you?"

"Don't worry Harry we're a team!" Neville said and as though his words were some kind of magic Harry felt stronger, he began to walk faster.

The sloped path seemed to have become stone stairs. Malfoy fell behind again, seeming to fade into the blackness that was following Harry, as well as retreating in front of him.

He felt an arm around his neck. He looked down. Cradled in his arms was Ginny Weasley.

"Oh Harry!" Ginny said, grabbing his robes and sobbing into them. "I.. I.. lo.." she cut off a look of fear and embarrassment in her eyes. "You need to hurry you're almost there!" She said. Harry looked up seeing a great golden snitch at the top of the stairs and standing beneath it was Cho Chang. Harry felt his heart leap but then he felt a sudden sadness. Something, something was wrong. Harry thought. Someone was missing. Harry looked back down in his arms to find them empty.

Who was missing? Harry thought. Harry stopped walking. He couldn't remember who was missing. His legs felt like rubber. Harry blinked very slowly as if blinking was a difficult thing to do. Somewhere in the distance a bell seemed to be ringing.

He felt another hand grab his own. He looked to his right to see Hermione standing next to him.

"Come on Harry we are almost there! Lets run together!" Hermione shouted. And she began to run pulling him along behind her. In front of them the snitch had vanished and a nice warm inviting bed had appeared. Harry stumbled as Hermione pulled him to the end he fell forward and felt a stab of pain in his arms and knees.

Hermione looked at him with sad eyes. "Oh, Harry we made it!" She said. "Now you won't be expelled from Hogwarts!"

---

Vergal was on watch tonight. He didn't like watch much. It was duty for those of lesser rank, not a duty for a Knight of the Night. Vergal stroked one of his wings absently. It wasn't very large and it could only help him glide on the wind, not fly like most Seraphim. He knew that when he became older his wings would be strong, and he would be a great warrior like Shadra, Lady of the Night. The Seraphim he had given his loyalty to and had sworn to serve under. Or perhaps he would even be as strong as Oberon, the lord of all Seraphim, one day.

Vergal's eyes glazed over as he watched the stars and dreamed of the world beyond the island of Avalon. A world he had heard stories of but was forbidden to go to. He heard Shadra's voice, "Wizards, Muggles and monsters roam the world outside of Avalon! Only a full Knight of our order could ever hope to survive. There will come a day when you are ready to walk among the rest of the world, but that day is not today and that time is not now." Shadra had said. Then she had said that watching over Avalon was a Seraphims sworn duty and assigned him guard duty

Watching the endless clouds in the sky, the endless sea, the wizard boy running with incredibly speed up the 'The Path'. Vergal shook suddenly realizing what he was seeing. He looked down, shock awakening every part of him, a wizard boy running up the 'The Path'? Vergal had to look twice to confirm what he was seeing was truly happening.

There was a wizard on Avalon! 'No,' he realized with another great shock, 'Not a wizard, two wizards!' For in the arms of the boy running up the steps was another. Vergal instinctively reached out a hand to the War Hammer that had been leaning against the wall, its white marble head gleaming in the night as if sun was reflected off it. Grabbing the shaft Vergal swung the hammer in a great arc connecting with the giant bell that hung not far from him. The sound echo through the night, but the boy did not look up as he drew ever closer at an even greater speed. Vergal had a sinking feeling that he would never hear the end of this.

---

When Harry awoke he found himself in a warm bed, clean white covers drawn up around him. For an instant Harry thought he was at Hogwarts but the realization of what had really happened began to flood back to him.

For the first time, now that he was alone and not running from something trying to kill him, he felt a great wave of sorrow wash over him. His uncle was dead. His god father was dead. Cedric was dead. Harry felt tears in his eyes and he could no longer hold back the pain and torment. He tucked his head against his knees and began to sob.

He wasn't sure how long he cried for only that when he stopped his bed sheets were thoroughly wet. He pulled himself out of bed finding himself in a very lavish looking room. It had a great bookcase that took up an entire wall floor to ceiling. The ceiling seemed to go up almost another floor above giving the room a great feel of openness. Harry viewed the bookcase with mild curiosity. He didn't see a way to get to any of the books near the top or in the middle, as there seemed to be no ladder.

'How strange.' Harry thought as he wondered around the room. He found many other interesting things. But by far the most eye-catching was a very large globe, almost as big as himself. Glowing on the enormous map of the planet was an island. In tiny glowing gold font below the island was the word 'Avalon'.

Harry stared at it for a long while then looked back over to England which sat north east of the island. Harry felt an odd sort nudging in his head. This map didn't seem right at all Harry thought; there shouldn't be an island in this spot. Harry looked over at London and saw to his surprise tiny gold words appear, one of which read, Diagon Alley. Harry felt his eyes move down the continent and he found another word that read, Hogwarts.

Something pinged in Harry's head. Something Hermione had said about Hogwarts.

'It is hidden,' Harry recalled. 'Hogwarts is unplotable.'

Behind him Harry heard the door creek open. His hand leapt down to his pocket where his wand should have been only to discover that it was not there. Cautiously Harry turned to see who had opened the door and was surprised to find a small child standing there. She was dressed in a white nightgown and had flowing gold hair that gleamed in the morning rays of the sun streaming in through the windows. If Harry had to guess he would say she was probably seven or eight years old.

The small girl smiled up at him. "Hello Mr. Harry Potter," she said the smile never leaving her face. "Lord Oberon has requested your presence." She held out and arm motioning out the door. Speechless Harry move out of the room and into the hallway. The door closed behind him and the girl rushed out in front of him to lead the way. Harry followed. The carpet out here was a deep red with polished wood floor showing on ether side. On the walls were hung large portraits, all of which moved. The figures in the painting all had great shimmering white wings sprouting out of their backs, each was garbed in an armor of a different color from the last.

"Where is Hermione?" Harry asked as they turned the corner and continued down another hallway.

"The other that you arrived with is not awake yet you may see her when she is. This way please." The girl said indicating a large stair way that led off to the left. Harry was not sure how many flights of stairs they ascended until they reached the top. What was with these people and stairs?

They entered into another long hallway, however this hall was not lined with paintings of Seraphim, instead he saw wizards here. Many he did not recognize, but one he did, Dumbledore. Harry stopped to look at the picture. Below it was a plack that read.

Albus Dumbledore

Visitor of Avalon

1932

"Visitor of Avalon?" Harry asked. The small girl stopped and walked back next to Harry.

"This is the great wizard Albus Dumbledore, visited the island of Avalon on April 4th 1932. He is currently head master of Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry. Order of Merlin First class and one of the greatest wizards ever to visit Avalon." The girl said matter-of-factly. "This way please." She said holding out her hand politely then hurried off towards the end of the seemingly endless hallway.

Harry followed. His mind on the picture of Dumbledore. Absently he read the names of other wizards that had come here. Meldra Mulmar, Vel Mak, Gen Tezlo, Tom Riddle. Harry stopped suddenly and took a few steps back. His heart had skipped a beat. He reread the plaque.

Tom Riddle

Visitor of Avalon

1962

"Voldemort?" Harry said aghast "Voldemort was here?"

"One of the darkest wizards ever to walk the earth Tom Marvolo Riddle, better known as Lord Voldemort and to many in the world of wizards as 'he-who-must-not-be named,' Visited Avalon on June 20th 1962. He has since been responsible for more than 4,811 muggle deaths, 1,421 wizard killings, 213 slaughtered Seraphim as well as other countless acts of violence. Defeated by you, he was unheard from for almost 12 years and…"

"I know," Harry said angrily. "Never Mind." They continued on. Harry averting his eyes from the walls fearful of what other horrors he might find there. At last they reached large double doors. The small girl waved her hand towards it. Harry, taking this as a gesture that he was to precede on his own, placed his hands on the door and pushed.

As though they were made of air the door floated away opening into a room that was surpassed in its grandeur only by Dumbledore's office. Against the wall to his right was a huge bookcase, alone it must be filled with as many books as the Hogwarts Library. And to his left the oddest contrast he could imagine. A huge rack filled with weapons of all shapes and sizes from tiny daggers to great swords. Below each weapon a name was engraved, the name of the weapon perhaps? His eyes glazed over the names but one weapon sitting at the bottom caught his full attention a mace with the word 'Solaris' under it. Was he wrong, maybe the engraving wasn't the name of the weapon but…

Something out of the corner of Harry's eye moved. He turned his head to see the rays of the sun pouring in through a window, at the end of the room, which seemed to have no glass. As if born from the sun itself a great winged man materialized in the light. Twelve shimmering wings rose from his back. He was clad in deep purple armor lined in gold. Long white hair flowed from his head and a beard like clouds adorning his face. In-between beard and hair, eyes like the sky cut their way though to find Harry. The man did not sit nor did his gaze wander. Harry felt suddenly compelled to approach, when he did not the man spoke in a voice that seemed to command the air.

"Come closer, Mr. Harry Potter." The man said. "You may sit if you wish." He moved his hand out in front of him and a chair rippled into existence. Harry moved closer but he did not sit. "I am Oberon, Lord of Avalon." The man announced. "We wait only on the Templar before we begin." As if this were a queue the doors in the back of the room, through which Harry had come, opened and a small army of Seraphim entered, each wearing a different color of armor and holding some type weapon. "Welcome Templar of Avalon, I have requested your presence because of the challenge made by Lord Puck." Oberon's gaze turned to the Seraphim standing on the left most side of the line. If it had not been for the four large white wings folded behind his back Harry might have mistaken this man, bird, Seraphim, for professor Snape. Puck had ear length greasy black hair and dark eyes. His nose was hooked and beneath it was an almost unmistakable sneer of contempt, for Harry? Harry wasn't sure if it was or not. Like all the other people in the room Puck was clad in a different color armor form the rest, his plate armor shown blood red, outlined in gold and on his side instead of a wand a long curved blade.

"My Lord Oberon," Puck begin his voice wasn't a hiss as Harry would have thought instead it was quite the opposite, his words were strong and his voice almost had a musical quality to it as though he was singing each word. "By law of Avalon, this boy, has completed the first two rights of passage. I do not deny that. But, it is still your decision, my Lord Oberon." Harry listened in wonder, what two rights of passage? He couldn't remember doing anything. "I therefore urge you to send, this boy, away. Firstly because only one wizard may visit Avalon at a time. And secondly because of this boys ties to the Dark Lord." Harry was stunned. 'the dark lord' the only people he ever heard call Voldemort, the dark lord were Death Eaters. "He has been here once before, and we do not wish his return. The Dark Lord would follow this boy to the end of the earth!" Puck bowed his head. "I request that he leave." Oberon said nothing till Puck finished, his eyes never moving from Pucks face.

Slowly Oberon turned to the next Seraphim in line. "Lady Shadra of the Night, what say you to this challenge?" Oberon asked. The women who stood next to Puck was quite the contrast. She was donned in black armor lined in gold. Her hair was a flowing white, even though her face looked very young. She was perhaps the second shortest person in the room, save for Harry. One palm rested on the silver shaft of a very large hammer. How she could lift such a thing Harry couldn't fathom.

"My Lord Oberon," Shadra began. Her voice was soft like a gentle night's breeze. "I agree with Puck, the Dark Lord will follow Harry Potter to the ends of the earth and even to Avalon. I would also request that he leave." She bowed her head, Oberon nodded. Harry felt more uneasy. They were voting him off the island like that horrible muggle TV show and there seemed like nothing he could do. He was about to voice his protest when Oberon spoke again.

"Lady Aier of the Sky, what say you to this challenge?" The women standing next to Shadra was by far the most beautiful. Having an almost Velia quality to her. She had long golden hair and stunning crystal blue eyes. Light blue armor covered her body, the same color as Solaris, with the exception that hers was lined in gold. Harry suddenly realized that it was the first time he had seen any Seraphim wear the same color of armor. She didn't seem to have a weapon of any kind that Harry could see.

"My Lord Oberon," Aier began. Her voiced sounded, much to Harry's dismay, much like Professor McGonagall. "I would argue this challenge. Lord Voldemort might be trying to kill Harry Potter but he would not be so foolish as to outright attack Avalon. I would request that he stay if that is his wish." She bowed to Oberon. One supporter! Harry thought.

Oberon's gaze fell to the next person. The man clad in white armor with white hair to match. "Lord Maz of the Light." Again the Seraphim greeted Oberon and began to speak. He also requested Harry be permitted to stay.

Finally Oberon turned to the last person in line. She was clad in turquoise armor that reminded Harry of the ocean. He was not surprise when Oberon addressed her as Lady Elsea of the Sea. Harry watched here uncertainly not knowing what to expect. Unlike the Seraphim before her she did not begin with 'My Lord Oberon' but instead bowed, giving no explanation and said, "I request he leave." Oberon nodded.

That's it Harry thought 3 to 2. He hadn't even had a say.

Then he realized that Oberon was staring at him. "Mr. Harry Potter, what say you to this challenge?" Harry was caught off guard his mind began to race.

"My Lord Oberon," Harry said stalling for time, that's what the others had said. "I protest." That was all he could come up with his mind was stuck. What was his argument, he wasn't ready. He had to say more. But what, the only thing his mind could come up with was… "I would like to stay on Avalon, Solaris risked his life to get me here and…" Harry was cut off by a gasp from behind him and a sharp intake of breath from some place off to his left. Oberon seemed to grow larger. The room darkened and even the sky outside become cloud cast. The sun light that had poured in stopped. Harry felt very nervous. Was Solaris an outcast like Firenze the centaur that had been cast out of his clan for coming to teach at Hogwarts?

"Continue." Oberon said, his voice was still strong.

"After fighting Voldemort," Harry continued. "Solaris was flying me and Hermione some place safe. I can only assume this is where he meant to take us. If you still want me to go I will." Harry bowed to Oberon. Oberon took a deep breath and the room began to feel warm again. Light shined through the clouds outside once more and the sky became bright.

"I have considered carefully all that has been said and done." Oberon announced. "It is true that the Dark Lord Voldemort may try and attack Mr. Harry Potter while he is here. However, we know that the Dark Lord Voldemort will attack the island of Avalon one day, if not this day then another. I therefore grant you passage of your final right. Welcome to the island of Avalon, Mr. Harry Potter." Oberon's tone was final and the Seraphim behind Harry bowed and turned to leave, except for Aier who remained. Oberon waited till the others had exited the room.

"My Lord Oberon?" Aier said at last when only she, Harry and Oberon remained. "Can it be true that Solaris lives?" Her eyes fell to Harry, "Are you sure it was him?" Harry felt suddenly uncomfortable. The look in this women's eyes was one of sadness and desperation. Nothing like she had been a moment ago. Oberon held up a hand.

"Lady of the Sky." Oberon said, his voice gentle. "I do not believe we should discuss this now. If you would excuse us, Mr. Harry Potter." Across the room one of the great doors opened and the small girl in the white nightgown appeared. Harry turned to leave. "Oh and Mr. Harry Potter," Oberon said picked up something off his desk, Harry turned back around to look, it was his wand! "I believe this belongs to you." Oberon let go of it and it floated over to Harry, who pulled it from the air. Harry nodded. "Aura will take you to your friend." Oberon said. Harry nodded thankful and crossed the room to the door. He could feel Aier's eyes on him.

---

Aura led him down the hallway leading away from the great room. His mind was still racing. Harry wished he had asked who Solaris was. But he hadn't. Suddenly there was a hand held up in front of him. Harry stopped confused for a moment. The little girl smiled at him.

"Wait here please," Aura said before she vanished into the door they had stopped at. A moment later Hermione appeared dressed in a black snug fitting robe.

"Harry!" She squealed and to Harry's dismay, she flung her arms around him in a crushing hug.

"Her…mi…one…. air!" Harry managed. She let him go and her checks warmed. Harry took a breath. "I'm glad you're okay." Harry smiled.

"I was so worried! They said you were going to some kind of challenge!" Hermione said very quickly. As she was about to continue Harry held up a hand.

"Its alright 'mione." Harry said. "It's over, everything's okay." She nodded at him breathless.

"Well then, this way please." Aura said from some place down around Harry's middle. He was shocked to see her as he hadn't noticed her come out of the room. "Master Dolar is waiting for us." Harry shot Hermione a sideways glance.

"I'm sorry Master Dolar?" Hermione asked. Aura nodded.

"Yes he will be painting your portrait." Hermione's eyes lit up, but Harry felt suddenly awkward. He had never had his portrait painted before. His mind suddenly flashed back to the portrait of Tom Riddle that hung in one of the hallways above them. "This way please." Aura said leading them off.

"Hermione," Harry whispered. "Voldemort was here." Hermione's eyes went wide clearly shouting out WHAT! "I saw his picture up stairs in the hallway. Look I don't know much about where we are but the Seraphim seem concerned that Voldemort might try and attack me here too." Hermione's brow furled.

"That's not very likely." Hermione said in a skeptical voice. "This is the island of Avalon Harry." Not seeing any visible reaction from Harry she let out a sigh. "Avalon Harry, the island of Avalon? It's the burial place of King Arthur. It's the island where Merlin hid forbidden magic. It's… well it's the island of Avalon Harry! Honestly don't you pay attention at all in A History of Magic class at all! No don't answer that I know you don't." Hermione sighed.

"Okay long ago there was a king and his name was Arthur Pendragon." Hermione began.

"I think I might have seen this in a Disney movie Dudley watched once." Harry said. "Didn't he have some magic sword that he pulled out of a rock?"

"Well it's not the best version of the story but I guess it's a start. Now Arthur was helped by a very powerful wizard by the name of Merlin, you do know who he is right?" Hermione said with a quizzical glance. Harry nodded, though now that someone had brought it up he really wasn't sure. He knew Merlin was a great wizard, the great wizard, but beyond that.

"Merlin discovered the island of Avalon and found a warrior there called Oberon." Harry raised an eyebrow. Oberon was old but how old, Harry wondered, surly it couldn't be the same person.

"Oberon had been cursed by the Dark Wizard Tromedlov, his brother and the first dark wizard. Merlin was able to remove the curse. Combine with the magic of Merlin, Oberon and the island of Avalon it is said that Oberon grew twelve shinning wings. In debt to Merlin, Oberon swore his loyalty and together they discovered powerful magic hidden inside Avalon. It is said that the first wand was made here on Avalon by Oberon and given to Merlin as a gift.

"When King Arthur died he was buried on Avalon along with his sword, Excalibur. The Seraphim are the guardians of Avalon, protecting King Arthur's resting place and his sword, in debt to Merlin."

Harry was having trouble following all of this but he nodded anyhow. Hermione correctly interpreting the look in his eyes continued.

"Sooo," she stressed. "Avalon is the birth place of magic, where the first muggle became magical, Merlin." Harry's eyes were still glazed over. Hermione shook her head. "For most wizards this island is the holy land of all holy lands. This is where it began. This is where Merlin's magic was born!" Hermione said forcefully.

"'mione how is it you know everything?" Harry asked inquisitively. She grinned at him.

"Well, not that you'll ever read it but I read Avalon, A History." Hermione beamed. Harry groaned inwardly.

"We are here. Master Dolar is inside waiting for you." Harry glanced over at Hermione and then took hold of the door latch, lifted and pushed the door inwards.

---

The room beyond was hung with many paintings of people, animals and landscapes. Many art easels littered the large room. Some had unfinished art on them, others were empty. Two great windows stood on the far side to let the rays of the sun stream in.

An elderly man, who truly looked older then Oberon stood at one of the easels painting a young girl who looked almost exactly like the girl that had just led them here. Harry looked back out the door and was surprised to see that they were almost identical.

The old man lifted his brush from the canvas and turned to look at the people at his door.

"That will do, thank you Sara." He said. The young girl nodded and walked out the door smiling at Harry and Hermione as she passed. "You will excuse me, it has been a very long time since I have painted anyone young. I find it helps to paint someone very young to even out the age difference." The man said with a smile. Harry didn't think it made much sense. "If both of you stand over there please." He motioned to where the girl had been.

"Your going to put us both in one portrait?" Harry asked not moving as Hermione started walking over.

"Of course," the old man said. "You arrived together and will spend your visit here together. Therefore there is no reason you should not be remembered together!" He held out his hand to where Hermione was now standing.

Taking a deep breath Harry walked over. "Perhaps if the lady would care to sit." He motioned to a chair that wasn't far away. Hermione went over, pulled it back and sat down.

"How long will this take?" Harry asked.

"Only a moment." The old man replied. And his brush began to fly over his canvas as thought it was filled with magic, which it most likely was. Harry suddenly felt strange his skin began to tingle. And his scar twinged. For an instant Harry could have sworn the room looked like some place else, a corridor line with torches and a door at the end. A moment latter the feeling was gone he was standing behind Hermione his hand clasped tightly on her shoulder squeezing much harder than he was meaning too.

"Ouch, Harry." Hermione protested. Harry quickly let go.

"Sorry." Harry said in a distant voice. Hermione eyed him.

"What's wrong Harry?" She asked.

"It's nothing." Harry lied. Hermione frowned she knew it wasn't nothing, Harry could tell from the look on her face.

"Curious." Said the old man interrupting the two.

"I'm sorry sir but what's curious?" Hermione asked.

"It would be easier to show then to explain, as I have no explanation." He motioned for them to come over and see the painting. Hermione stood and Harry followed as they walked around to see.

As the picture came into view Hermione raised any eyebrow. Harry stared at the picture. It was very life like, moving in fact. But nether of the people in the picture were up looking at them just now. Instead they were looking behind over their shoulders towards the door at the end of the stone corridor. This felt very familiar to Harry.

"It's the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side!" Hermione cried. "Why on earth did you paint us here?" Then Harry spotted it, the thing that himself in the picture had spotted, a dark shadow against the wall in the background.

"You see it, don't you?" The old man said. Harry looked at the old man. "The third person in the painting?"

Authors Notes:

This is the second chapter in the ongoing story, Harry Potter and the Shadow of Evil. I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. (ahhh my hands they burn!)

Lots lots lots lots more to come, I promise!

I will be putting up a new chapter at least once per week. I feel any much faster then that and they would begin to lose quality.

I already have the next 3 chapters ready as this one goes up and I am currently working on chapter 6. As soon as I proof, reproof, rereproof they will be up for your enjoyment so check back. Soon

Yes this story will have romance in it as well as violence, bad language and other mature themes I promised in the summery.

But the story is what's important to me so those get attention first. Expect it to be a good while before you really see anything serious happening between anyone, relationships don't come together overnight!

Questions, feedback, comments? HEY I want to hear them!