WARNING: THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER HAS MENTIONS OF SEX IN IT. NONE THAT IS TOO BAD, BUT STILL ITS THERE. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THAT JUST DON'T READ IT. THE ONLY WAY YOU'LL GET OFFENDED BY THIS IS IF YOU'RE A REAL PRUDE. OK THERE'S YOUR WARNING
Harry Potter and the Ultimate Betrayal
Chapter 4
Interlude
Hermione Granger has spoken very little for a week. She no longer raises her hand in class to answer questions. When a professor calls on her to answer a question, she correctly answers the question in a very removed voice. Headmistress McGonagall has been very worried about her and has called her to her office several times attempting to get her to open up. Nothing works.
The reason for her very removed and subdued manner is a simple one. She is completely caught up in her studies. At first she studied to get her minds off things. No matter how hard she tried to go on as normal and forget about Harry, her mind continuously came back to him.
Ron wasn't much help, he was in fact the complete opposite of Hermione. He loved it that Harry was now gone. In his opinion it couldn't have happened sooner. Now that Harry was gone, he was the center of attention. He had made Quidditch captain and was very confident that his team would win it all. He had also taken over leadership of Harry's D.A. He thought he was doing a better job than Harry ever could have, but in Hermione's opinion the ability level of its members dropped significantly.
Ron had become so insufferable that Hermione had stopped hanging around him. He was so caught up in himself that he barely noticed. Hermione had always thought that Harry was the glue that held their friendships together and no matter how much she wished it weren't true, it obviously was.
That was the other reason Hermione had begun studying so vigorously. Without Ron, Hermione had no friends at all. Ginny was caught up in her own world and never talked to Hermione anymore. Ginny had dealt with Harry's betrayal in the strangest way. She had become Hogwarts's favorite broomstick. Every guy was having their turn at riding her. Hermione had attempted to put an end to this when it first started, but that had just ended with them having a huge fight in the middle of the Great Hall and they hadn't spoken since. Ron, being as overprotective as he was of his sister, didn't have a clue as to what was going on. When Hermione had tried to get him to stop it, he simply brushed her off saying he'd handle it before forgetting all about it.
Neville tried as hard as he could to be Hermione's friend, perhaps even more, but Hermione wouldn't have any of it. She hated to admit it, but Neville is completely hopeless. She had spent Five years trying to mold Harry and Ron into the perfect guys, but look where that got her. One went off and joined Voldemort and the other is so full of himself he can't see three feet in front of himself. Hermione couldn't stand to put that kind of time and energy into someone else and have all turn for naught. Neville would require even more work than either Ron or Harry. Hermione would spend all of her time trying to get Neville to learn how to do the school work properly.
Yes, Hermione would much rather immerse herself in all of her books. At least that was how it started out, studying to distract herself. But, now, it was all different. She studied and practiced constantly trying to better herself. She would become the best and most powerful witch this world had ever seen. Then she would go out and hunt Voldemort down and kill him. She would kill him for killing so many people. She would kill him for leaving so many people without any family. But, most importantly she would kill him for ruining her life. After Voldemort was dead and gone, she would turn to Harry. If he didn't see the err of his ways, then she would...
She didn't really know what she would do with Harry. Could she really kill her best friend? Even after all he had done to her? She just didn't know...
Ron was having the time of his life. Quidditch practice had just ended and everything was going great. Ginny was turning out to be a great Seeker, by the end of the year she'd probably be better than Harry had ever been. He had none-too-nicely kicked Kirke and Sloper off the team, replacing them with two beaters who worked well together. Ron had no idea what their names were, Angleton and Property or something like that, it didn't really matter as long as they did what they were told.
Upon exiting the locker room, Ron smirked inwardly as he saw his current girlfriend, Lavender Brown, waiting for him. She was completely infatuated with him and Ron wouldn't have it any other way. Lavender would do anything Ron asked her to, except spreading her legs. That would change soon.
Ron had expected Lavender to be easier than this. He had heard many stories about her and figured her to be the easiest girl in Hogwarts, other than the sluts in Slytherin, which he would never touch, probably. That would change soon. He'd tell Lavender how much he 'loved' her and she'd be on her back within minutes. Then he'd kick her to the curb and move on to the next. Susan Bones had really big tits, maybe he'd try her out next.
"Hello, baby. How was practice?" Lavender asked with a smile on her face.
"Great! As always. We're really going to win the Cup this year! No one can stop us!" Ron said cheerfully.
"That's wonderful. How about we..." Lavender started, but was cut off by a drawling voice from behind.
"Hey Weasel! How's it going with you and the whore? Finally traded in the Mudblood for a better model?"
Ron turned around immediately, drawing his wand. "Watch it Malfoy! Just give me a reason!"
"A reason to what? Show us how you're more pathetic than a First Year Mudblood? I'm surprised you even know..."
Whatever Malfoy was going to say was cut off as his mouth glued itself shut. A second curse flew at him and Malfoy was sent flying, 5 meters backwards. Crabbe and Goyle approached menacingly, but Ron disposed of them quickly.
"I told you Malfoy. I won't take your shit like Potter did. Next time you'll be in the Hospital Wing for a week." Ron said, sheathing his wand and turning to walk away. Lavender turned with him and positively glowed with the awe she felt for her boyfriend. She thought he might be the one.
Neither of them saw the evil smirk on Malfoy's face. The Weasel would be getting his tonight. He had his orders from the Dark Lord and he would complete them with positive glee. He would even throw in a little extra for himself.
"Yes! Yes! Right There! That's it!" Ginny Weasley said without any true feeling.
"Yeah that's right you slutty little bitch!" Zacharias Smith roared as he worked harder and faster, approaching his climax.
This was going to be the last time she ever had sex with this kid, Ginny mused. He had a real masculinity problem and always demanded on being on top. Usually, Ginny wouldn't have a problem with that, except that this kid had absolutely no idea what he was doing. Add to the fact that if he thought Ginny wasn't enjoying herself he took it as an insult to himself and got really pissed. No, she was never having sex with this kid again.
"Yes! Oh Zacharias!" Ginny screamed.
"Ginny what are you yelling for?" Smith asked pulling his pants on.
"Oh! Nothing. That was great! I better get going now. See ya around." Ginny said pulling her panties back on.
"Same time next week?" Smith asked.
"About that. I don't think its going to work out. I have a lot of school work to catch up on."
"Alright. Whenever you get caught up then."
"Yeah. Well. No offense, but you're just not getting me off anymore. I don't think we should do this anymore." Ginny said nonchalantly.
Zacharias's face turned red with anger almost immediately. "You little, fucking..." Whatever he was going to call her was cut off as Ginny's famous Bat Bogey Hex hit him right between the eyes.
"Tootles." Ginny said, cheerfully skipping out of the room. Hexing someone was almost as good as great sex.
Making her way back towards Gryffindor Common Room with a spring in her step, Ginny began pondering who she was going to fill her Wednesdays up with now that she was done with Zacharias. Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays were the only days that she actually had a schedule for. The beginning, middle and end of her school week, just to make sure she got her fill. The rest of the week was whoever she could get to have sex with her.
She was so busy going over names in her head that she didn't see Draco Malfoy walk up behind her. She was so preoccupied that she screamed as loud as she could as Malfoy snaked his arms around her and grabbed her breasts.
"Oh. It's you Draco. You scared me to death." Ginny gasped as she turned to face him, a hand to her pounding heart.
"You up for a round Weaslet?" Malfoy asked with a smirk.
"Always." Ginny said allowing herself to be pulled into an abandoned classroom. Draco was another Zacharias Smith in Ginny's opinion. He always had to be in control. The only difference was that Draco had some idea of what he was doing.
Three minutes later found a disappointed Ginerva Weasley and a very self-satisfied Draco Malfoy.
"Weaslet?"
"What?"
"I'm sorry about what I have to do now. Wait, on second thought I'm not." Draco answered with an evil smirk.
"What do you mean?" Ginny asked, nervousness filling her voice. She didn't like the way Draco was looking at her.
Draco didn't say another word, just gripped down on her wrist as hard as he could and activated the Portkey that was hidden in his pocket.
Harry was on one of his daily walks to stretch his muscles. His days had been, to say the least, extremely boring as of late. He would wake at Seven in the morning, every morning. His breakfast would be delivered by the House Elf that was appointed to him, Tweedle. Tweedle was like you would expect any House Elf in the service of the Dark Lord to be, extremely quiet and extremely scared.
Harry ate his breakfast as slow as he could manage, but it always ended before he wanted it to. He would then find the comfortable position on a chair, couch, anything, and begin reading. He would read as much as he could for as long as he could. When he felt like he couldn't take it anymore, he would get up and go for a walk to stretch his muscles.
Currently, Harry had already read through four of the books that Voldemort gave him. The first book Harry had read was the book on Transfiguration. He had always been only average when it came to Transfiguration. It always took him twice as long as Hermione to learn how to Transfigure objects, and that was only after Hermione repeatedly showed him how it was done. Reading this book on the Theory of Transfiguration, everything became so much easier. Eager to learn more on Transfiguration, Harry had gone back through his first Five years of Transfiguration completing everything with an ease that bordered on scary. Harry didn't blame McGonagall at all for his past ineptitude of Transfiguration. She had constantly drilled into his head the simpleness, well simple for her, with which Transfiguration was done, but either Harry couldn't grasp it or just didn't want to. His new found skill of Occlumency helped a lot too. He was able to read something once and store it in his brain for good. Before he had to read everything multiple times and even then it was always questionable if he actually learned anything.
The next book was the one on Charms theory. Harry had always though of Charms as being easy, but now it was all second nature, much like Defense against the Dark Arts had been. Harry knew that Sixth Year Hogwarts students would be learning Conjuring from Professor Flitwick, so Harry took it upon himself to find a book on Conjuring and learn as much as he could. Which was just about everything. Eager to learn more Charms, Harry got Advanced Charms out of Voldemort's library and read it all. Some of the Charms he did have trouble with, but getting help from various Death Eaters who already knew how to perform the charm helped a load.
The book that was occupying all his time right now, the book that was tucked under his arm as he walked the hallway, was the book on Dark Arts Theory. Harry was having a lot of difficulty with this particular book. He just couldn't wrap his brain around some of the ideas. He had the ones that he'd already read memorized, he could probably recite them, but he just couldn't understand it. Defense Against the Dark Arts had always come so easily for him, but this he just couldn't figure out.
Turning right and entering the library that was situated on the left side of the hall, Harry reached up and began scratching his chin. That was one thing that was pissing him off right now. His beard. It was just so damn itchy. He had tried looking up in spell books for a charm or anything that would get rid of it, but he turned up nothing. Slytherin, and now Voldemort, wasted no space in the library for books that contained useful household charms. All the books in this library were on some obscure branch of magic, or offensive and defensive spells.
Usually the library was empty, allowing Harry peace and quiet among the shelf of books. Today, however, the library was occupied by one other person, and she looked to be impatiently waiting for someone. Apparently, it was him, because the second she spotted him she stood and glared at him. A lesser man would have quailed under her stare. Harry simply rolled his eyes, continued scratching his chin, walked over to a table, and had a seat.
"I've been looking for you." Narcissa said venomously. Harry paid her no heed, merely opened his book and began reading. Narcissa walked over to him and slammed the book she was holding down on his book and, consequently, on his hand. "The Dark Lord wants you to read the pages he has marked and memorize it all."
"Why didn't you bring this to my room?" Harry hissed through his clenched teeth, his hand was beginning to throb.
Narcissa's eyes narrowed. "I did. You weren't there. I waited for a few minutes. Then came here to see if this is where you were. You weren't. So I waited for you to come here." Narcissa said pointedly.
"Very well. Your job is done. You're dismissed." Harry said flicking his wrist in a dismissing motion. He absolutely loved ordering Malfoy's mother around.
"For your information, I have a project for the Dark Lord that requires research." Narcissa said, her hands and teeth clenching
"Okay. Be a good girl and go over there and do your little research." said Harry as condescendingly as he could. Narcissa glared at him for a couple of seconds before turning on heel and disappearing in-between two bookshelves.
Harry smirked at her retreating form before turning his attention to the book she gave him. The cover and spine of the book were completely blank. Opening the book, there was a title page with one simple word, "Rituals." No author was listed. The part of the book that Harry was supposed to read was glowing blue and Harry turned there immediately. Settling down into a comfortable position, Harry began reading about the ritual that would change his life forever.
It was a short selection of the book, only about twenty-five pages, detailing step by step everything that was required during the ritual. Every little detail that could arise was discussed by the book. Everything from which direction to face, to what days were optimal for performing the ritual, right down to what type of clothing was recommended to wear.
Throughout his time reading the book, Harry kept scratching his chin periodically, much to the annoyance of Narcissa. Finally, not being able to take the annoying sound anymore she stood up and shouted, "If the thing is so damn itchy, why don't you shave the damn thing off? All it takes is a flick of your wand!"
Harry slowly lifted his head, continuing to read until he got to the end of a sentence before answering. "If it's so simple why don't you show me how to do it. If you weren't so old, maybe you'd remember that Hogwarts doesn't teach household charms till the second term of sixth year and unfortunately I won't be there."
Narcissa sat down immediately her cheeks turning slightly red. She obviously did not know the spell either. Women had a completely different spell for shaving, then men. They performed it once then never had to worry about it again. Narcissa went back to her reading her book while Harry continued to stare at her.
Reaching to his chin with both hands Harry began scratching as loudly as possible. He knew it was extremely childish, but he just loved annoying both Narcissa and Bellatrix as much as he could. "That's it!" Narcissa shouted, withdrawing her recently reacquired wand from the folds of her robes. Harry stopped scratching immediately, one hand going slowly to his wand. If she tried to curse him, Harry was confident that he could get his wand out and a spell of before she could finish the incantation.
"Lean back." Narcissa instructed. Then pointing her wand at the table and swishing it a cup of what looked like whipped cream appeared along with a straight razor.
"What are you planning on doing with that?" Harry asked, confused.
"I thought that would be obvious, now lean back." Narcissa ordered, more than slightly annoyed. Another swish of her wand and a white towel appeared.
"How the hell do you know how to shave someone?" Harry asked, completely perturbed now. Here was the queen of Pureblood etiquette and she was actually proposing to do something the Muggle way.
"If you must know, Lucius used to make me shave him in order to show who the leader of the house was. Now lean back."
Not knowing what else to do Harry leaned back and allowed her to go to work. It would be just like Lucius Malfoy to make his wife do something he felt was degrading to show her who was boss. Harry had tried shaving the Muggle way before. All he had succeeded in doing was cutting his face multiple times, some of which bled profusely. He was sick and tired of his extremely itchy beard.
Narcissa went to work with quick skilled hands that had obviously done this many of times before. In no time she was wiping the excess lather off Harry's face with the towel. "There! I won't be doing this again, so either learn how to preform the spell or how to do this on your own." Narcissa said, unconsciously rubbing Harry's now baby smooth chin.
"Thank you." Harry said in an extremely quiet voice putting his hand on hers. That's when the pain hit him like a ton of bricks. A sharp pain started in the middle of his back and spiraled off tracing the shape of the Dark Mark. Narcissa felt it too for she jerked her hand away and clutched the back of her neck.
Narcissa was an enigma just like Harry. Everybody in the service of Voldemort were forced to take the Dark Mark on the inside of their left forearm. Only Harry and Narcissa had it in different places. Harry had a humongous one covering his entire back. Narcissa had one on the back of her neck, no bigger than a Knut. Without another word both of them disapparted.
What Harry saw when he reappeared next to Voldemort almost made him gasp in shock. The only thing that prevented this from happening was his extensive training in Occlumency. Standing in the middle of a ring of Death Eaters was Draco Malfoy. He had a Death Eater mask on, but Harry had seen him so many times that it would be impossible for him not to recognize him.
That wasn't what shocked him. Harry had known Draco was a Death Eater since he had learned what Death Eaters were. No it was the little girl who was curled up in the fetal position, quivering at his feet. He'd also recognize that girl anywhere he saw her. With her bright red hair, who couldn't recognize Ginny.
Then a thought struck him and he immediately began praying that it wasn't true. But, he knew no matter how much he prayed that it wasn't true, that it would remain true. He just didn't believe in coincidences. Draco showing up with Ginny Weasley, Narcissa delivering a book on rituals. A part of the ritual that Harry had been dreading since the moment he read it was truly coming back to haunt him. 'For the ritual to be complete, a sacrifice of life must be made. This sacrifice can be either animal, or human.' Ginny was meant to be that sacrifice.
A/N
Well that's Chapter 4. How do you like it? Yes, I know its short, and you probably hate being left with that cliff hanger, but I wanted to get this out. I had planned on this chapter containing the ritual and everything, but that would probably take another week or two to write and I wanted to get this out now.
Now for the excuses. My Hard drive crashed and I was left without a computer from about March 5th till April 6th. My parents were just too damn lazy to order a new hard drive and when they finally did, it took 2 weeks to get here. The reason for that is because I live in the middle of nowhere and FedEx couldn't find my house. They had it on the truck for a week and a half before they finally called and asked for directions. Then it took 3 weeks for it to get installed because we didn't have a Windows XP disc for it and had to order it and again FedEx couldn't find the house.
Now for the enticing of the next chapter.
Do you think Harry will go through with the ritual? I know, but I ain't telling you. You'll just have to wait.
Next chapter I promise will have a kick ass duel between Harry and a character who I'm not telling about. Let's just say that Harry almost loses his head, literally.
Well that's it for now. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think.