Chapter 2

A/Ns

The stated pairing (main characters of this story, no slash) are Tommy Riddle and Harry Potter. In this, the final act, everyone else is but a bit player. I can't speak for JKR's version, but in this story Dumbledore really is dead, and Snape is turning into a bad, bad man. This story will switch back and forth from the point of view of the light side and the point of view of the dark side. Neither are potted plants and in many cases, several actions are happening at once.

The long-term relationships will be determined by who survives. I think it was very much in character to start the story with Ginny and Harry righting their relationship. Ron and Hermione are presumed to be "in like" with each other at the beginning of the story.

I previously made a promise regarding one of Harry's friends. I intend to keep that promise.

Harry Potter and associated milieu, characters, and situations are owned by J.K. Rowling and her licensees. This is a work of fan fiction, produced solely for enjoyment. No infringement of rights is intended.

Sit back, enjoy the ride. Thank you for flying Old-Crow airways.

Story

As Emma was saying goodnight to Harry, Severus and Draco were hidden a quarter mile away from Snape's dilapidated home at Spinner's End. It was being systematically searched and everything of value was being removed by a large group of Aurors.

Despite the planning that Malfoy had made to get the Death Eaters into the castle, neither man had made any preparations for life on the run. Draco looked at Snape with some concern, asking "Now what, Professor?" It had become apparent to Snape that the Dark Lord had not really expected Malfoy to survive, let alone that they would have been successful in murdering Dumbledore. Life on the run had not been easy for either of them. Between them, they had two wands and three galleons.

In truth, Snape had not been part of the original plan, nor had he known the exact planned moment of the attack. Rosmerta, under the Imperious curse, had been forced to send word to Malfoy that Dumbledore had left the castle on an errand. Malfoy had used the repaired Vanishing Cabinet as well as the one in Knockturn Alley to get four Death Eaters into the castle past the wards. Once there, McGonagall had asked Flitwick to alert Snape that the castle was under attack, expecting that he would help defend the castle, not murder the Headmaster. Damn that Unbreakable Vow. Snape had been forced to help Malfoy, and his life had been forever changed. He had left his vault key and other valuables in his office.

Draco whispered, "I'm surprised that there are so many Aurors at your home."

Snape replied, "It is to be expected. We have become the two most hunted men in Britain."

Draco shook his head and said, "You surely haven't forgotten the Dark Lord?"

Snape silently wondered at the lack of intelligence that Lucius' son occasionally displayed, intelligence closer to Goyle's level than Granger's. Snape hissed, "Every Auror would rather be assigned to tracking you and me down than the Dark Lord. They must have all volunteered for the duty." In truth, the same thing was happening at Malfoy Manor as they were speaking. Narcissa Malfoy would be homeless within the hour.

… --- … ---

Voldemort had abandoned using Riddle Manor as a hideout, and had wisely elected to stay away from the Malfoy estate as well. He was currently staying at the home of a couple of muggles that he'd murdered earlier in the week. With him were Wormtail and Bellatrix. Pettigrew had informed Riddle that Snape had completed Draco's assignment. He asked, "Master, should I find Snape and Draco and bring them here?"

Riddle considered the idea for a moment and replied, "No. Find them, but leave them be for a few days. I want to see find out how resourceful they are on their own. Bring them back here Friday evening. Don't let them see you." The little rat bowed and scurried away."

In truth, the death of Dumbledore aside, the last year had not gone well for Riddle. Between the capture of his senior Death Eaters at the Ministry, and the removal of Fudge, he had lost much of his power base. Lucius had done much in the years that he'd been gone to weaken the Ministry and place either weak or bigoted people in positions of either power or influence. Much of that had taken place under the lie that Riddle had been killed, or through the purchase of influence or votes.

The last two years had seen a reversal of many of those changes. The board of school governors had lost three dark side members, Umbridge had been found lacking in any diplomacy skills and now was up on charges. Scrimgeour had proven to be a much tougher Minister than Fudge.

"What would you have me do next, Master?" asked Bellatrix, watching the Dark Lord stroke the snake's head.

Riddle thought for a moment and replied, "Without Dumbledore to guide the boy, he is all but defenseless. According to Draco, he has no great skills other than luck. I shall finish him off this summer. Find where he is staying. He cannot stay with his muggle relatives forever. When Wormtail returns, have him look in on that flock of red-headed blood-traitors and see what they are up to. Send for Nott's son and Goyle. I want to see them tomorrow morning."

Bella nodded and took her leave without commenting. In truth, she had been bested by Potter a year ago, and had considerably more respect for him than to pass his accomplishments off as mere luck.

… --- … ---

Early the next morning Theodore Nott was nervous to see Bellatrix Lestrange walk into the family room of his parents' home. He had seen her in his home several times the previous summer after his father had been captured. He was fairly certain that she had provided his mother with the funds to send him to school the last year and for her to live on. In truth, Bellatrix had done that with funds that the Dark Lord had arranged to be drawn from the Malfoy account.

Bellatrix looked the teen in the eye and said, "Good afternoon Theodore. You will come with me. The Dark Lord wishes to speak to you." Nott had spoken enough with Draco to realize that this was not a request, rather an order. She picked up his copy of Quidditch Weekly and created a Portkey. Before handing it to him, she hissed, "You will kneel in front of the Dark Lord and not look at him until he calls for you to rise." She tapped the magazine, and together they vanished.

If Nott was nervous in the presence of Lestrange, he did not show it. He was in fact terrified to be in the presence of the Dark Lord. He followed Bellatrix from the kitchen where they had appeared into the sitting room. Quickly noticing the huge snake coiled up at the side of a high backed chair, his fear only grew. Bellatrix knocked on the doorframe and said, "Master, Theodore Nott is here at your request."

Riddle hissed, "Enter Theodore, and come before me."

Nott did as he was told, and knelt down as Lestrange had told him.

Voldemort spoke in a low but commanding voice. "How is your mother?"

In his best Slytherin thinking, Nott replied, "Sir, she is getting by, thanks to your generosity. Thank you." His voice was even, and barely cracked from fear.

"I'm told that you did well in school this year, better than Draco, though I don't think he is concerned about his grades at this point. Has he contacted you?"

"No sir." Riddle was using Legilimency to test the boy, and found him to be telling the truth.

"I want you to deliver this to Borgin at his shop in Knockturn Alley. If he is not there, wait for him outside the door. He will be there before nightfall." Riddle handed Nott a quill and said, "He will know how to use it."

Nott nodded and said, "Yes, sir."

Riddle commanded Nott to rise and face him. Screwing up his courage, Nott did so, and looked Riddle in the eye without flinching. Riddle nodded, pointed to a bag of Galleons on the table next to him and said, "Give this to your mother after you have completed your task. Bellatrix will give you a portkey back to your home. You will register for school for the fall term, and appear to support McGonagall. Keep your eyes and ears open for news of Potter this summer. Say nothing of this meeting to anyone. Do not fail me. Leave now."

Nott replied, "Thank you sir," and went back into the kitchen. Moments later he was back in his own sitting room. The bag that the Dark Lord had given him contained 5,000 Galleons. Nott left the bag on the kitchen table for his mum.

Using the floo network, Nott appeared at the Leaky Cauldron at 7AM. He didn't notice the mousy haired girl who was paying her breakfast tab walk out the door shortly after him. He made his way directly to Knockturn alley and went to Borgin's shop. The sign on the door said, Closed. For two hours Nott went from shop to shop, occasionally going back to Borgin and Burkes, checking to see if it had reopened. Finally about noon he saw the sign in the window had been switched to Open. Nott walked in the door, took out the quill, set it on the counter and immediately walked out. From there, he went back to the leaky cauldron and took the floo back to his home.

… --- … ---

After Nott left, Borgin looked around the shop to be certain that there were no other customers wandering around the cramped isles. He locked the front door and went back to the counter. Borgin dipped the quill in the special ink, set the quill on a parchment, tapped it and said the prearranged incantation. The quill scratched out the message.

Withdraw 100,000 galleons from the account and be prepared to leave by midnight.

The quill set itself down on the edge of the parchment and within seconds, both had burst into flame leaving no ashes.

Borgin was surprised that he hadn't heard from either the Death Eaters or the Aurors prior to this time. He had no way of knowing that Draco had bragged to Dumbledore about how he'd snuck the Death Eaters into the castle from the cabinet in Borgin's shop while Harry was hidden just feet away from the professor. He was relatively certain that his days in the shop were numbered and took several of the more expensive objects with him as he locked up for the day.

… --- … ---

Acting on Lestrange's words, Peter Pettigrew apparated to within a half mile of Ottery St. Catchpole, assumed his rat form and scurried across the woods to the edge of the Weasley property. Seeing no one outside he scurried to the planted flowerbed and found an empty gnome hole to hide in, hoping that he might pick up some useful information without being seen.

Several hours later, Fleur walked out leading a wedding consultant behind her. The mesmerized man took notes as she explained the arrangements that she wanted for the wedding. "Remember, zee ceremony is at five o'clock in the afternoon on zee nineteenth of July. You must have everything set up by two so zer will be time for some photographs." She smiled once and the man nodded before leaving. She could have asked the man to swim the channel with his arms tied together and he would have agreed.

A few hours later Pettigrew was woken out of a restful slumber. A garden gnome had seized his tail and had sunk its razor sharp teeth into the pencil-thick tail, nearly severing it. Pettigrew turned and slashed the little gnome in the throat with his equally sharp silver paw. The little gnome died moments later.

Bleeding badly, Pettigrew raced out of the hole across the yards and into the woods as fast as he could. Feeling like he would pass out at any minute, he crossed the property line and changed back to his human form. Tapping the portkey that Lestrange had given him, he vanished and appeared in the kitchen before passing out.

… --- … ---

It was an unlikely pair that were photographed robbing the BP station several miles away from where Severus Snape, former potions master, former professor, used to have a home. Minutes after the home had been stripped of all of its contents, it had been torched and was now little more than a crumbled hearth and ashes.

The BP attendant had been stunned, the cash drawer opened. Oddly enough, the only things taken were a case of beer, several tins of Altoids, a bottle of shampoo, three loaves of bread and all of the coins that were in the drawer. The hapless thieves left all of the banknotes. A customer came in several minutes later and awoke the attendant who summoned the police. In reviewing the video tape, investigators concluded that the attendant was knocked unconscious after being hit with a pole or other object that one of the men must have been carrying. The police nicknamed the pair, the coin collector bandits and posted their photographs in local police stations, public houses and video arcades. The photo had remarkable clarity of both men, who apparently hadn't noticed the camera or the sign in the front door warning that the entire premises was under video surveillance. Remarkably, the men ran away on foot, apparently moving away from the field of view of the camera suddenly.

Convinced that the Dark Lord had wanted them elsewhere for a while, they broke into a vacant muggle home several miles away. Without specifically being summoned, they had no clear way of knowing where the Dark Lord was. Due to Wormtail's injury, Riddle decided to leave them on their own for a week.

… --- … ---

As Nott was visiting with Riddle, Emma Granger was making Hermione and Harry breakfast. Dan had left earlier with early morning appointments at the surgery.

Handing him his plate loaded with pancakes and bangers, she smiled at him and said, "Harry, Dan and I wanted to thank the both of you for being so candid with us last night. We know that you were uncomfortable with much of what was said, but I think for everyone's sake, it needed to be said. You have certainly suffered more than your share of horrors and betrayals, and nothing that Dan or I could say could ever minimize that."

Hermione said, "Mum, I think it helped both Harry and me to have someone to talk these things over with. There's a lot to do, and it helped organize my thoughts about what needs to be done. I'm sure that Harry feels the same way."

Never as articulate as his friend, Harry nodded in agreement.

Emma screwed up her own courage and asked the question to which she dreaded hearing the answer. "Harry, what can Dan and I do to help you in your quest?"

Harry had hoped against hope that one or the other of them would have asked the question. He responded with his usual less than verbose style, saying simply, "Disappear."

Both Emma and Hermione gave him a questioning look. Harry expounded on his answer saying, "The best thing that the two of you could do would be to go to New Zealand for a few months. I think it's highly likely that your home will be attacked in the next few days and I'd hate to see you get hurt or worse." Harry had come to realize that there truly were things worse than death.

He continued, "If you can't leave Britain, I have a home in London that I think might be safe for you all to stay at. You don't need to answer right now, but please consider it and if I can help, please let me know."

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Somewhat shaken by Harry's words, Emma went to answer it.

…---…---

As Emma was about to answer the door, Auror Tonks spotted Theodore Nott walk through the Leakey Cauldron. Quickly paying her bill, she followed him, being careful not to be noticed. As she followed Nott into Knockturn Alley, she saw him attempt to enter the closed Borgin shop. She gave the signal and her partner for the week, Auror Michael Wood, who was under one of the department invisibility cloaks, stood outside the door. Several hours later he followed Borgin into the shop and waited. Fifteen minutes later he had read the message as the parchment ignited. He followed Borgin as he left his shop and locked the door.

Twenty minutes later Wood was in the office of Magical Law Enforcement Director Connie Hammer who had been promoted when Amelia Bones had been murdered a year ago. Hammer was a no-nonsense woman who, like her predecessor, had more than earned her way up the ladder of a mostly male organization. She was a good investigator and a good leader.

"Who do you want assigned at Gringotts?" asked Wood.

"See who's available. My preference would be to use yourself, Shepherd, Dawlish, and either Tonks or Steele depending on who is available." She expected Borgin to come alone and give up without a fight, but didn't want to lose any Aurors today, and decided to overstaff for the capture.

"Tonks is assigned to Potter for the next 48 hours. I could ask…"

"No. Use Steele instead. Tonks is a good match up with Potter. Good work today Wood."

In reality, Wood had done little of the real legwork, and was willing to admit it. He responded, saying, "Tonks picked him up first, Director."

Hammer realized that this operation had the potential to be a huge win for the light side. She smiled at him and replied, "Nonetheless, good work."

Wood was pleased. Hammer didn't give out praise often, but when she did, it was heartfelt. He replied, "Thank you Director. I'll make the arrangements to have everyone in position as soon as they open"

"Good. Contact me as soon as he comes in."

… --- … ---

Back in Crawley, Emma opened the door. It was Professor McGonagall and Remus Lupin.

"Please come in," said Emma.

Remus spoke first. "Good morning, Dr. Granger. It's good to see you again. Harry, if you're ready to go, I can take you to your Aunt and Uncle's home now."

Harry nodded, and said, "I'm ready now. Hermione, Dr. Granger, thank you for dinner and having me over last night. Please consider my offer."

Emma and Hermione both nodded and gave him a hug, and they got up to leave. As they made their way to the back door, McGonagall said, "I'll see you later, Mr. Potter."

They walked out to the back garden and Remus pulled out a pencil. They both grasped it, and an instant later they were in the back garden of number 4 Privet Drive.

… --- … ---

Petunia Dursley had been looking out the back window from her kitchen when she saw the two men appear. Momentarily startled, she recognized Harry, and smiled at the magic that she had just seen. She knew that the years had not been easy for Harry, but a small part of her was happy to see him again, knowing that he would soon leave and likely not return. She opened the back door and invited them in.

Offering both of them tea, she announced that she had to go to the grocery market, and would be back in a few hours.

Harry replied, "I need to go to Gringotts later. Would you like me to help with dinner?"

Petunia looked thinner than Harry remembered. She replied, "I have time. We'll eat at six after Vernon and Dudley get home."

Remus said, "Tonks should be meeting us here within an hour. You can get ready, we can visit for a bit to catch up until she gets here, and then we can go."

Curious if Harry was interested in anyone, Petunia asked, "Who's Tonks?"

Remus replied, "She is one of the Ministry Aurors. She offered to…" Remus considered his words – watch Harry, guard Harry, be his minder, bodyguard? None of them seemed to fit, and he didn't want to anger or embarrass Harry by saying the wrong thing. He continued, saying, "assist Harry. He has some business to transact at the wizarding bank that she could help with."

Satisfied with his answer, Petunia excused herself and went to the Tesco grocery store. After she left, Remus said, "Harry, it looks like you have a busy day ahead of you. How did things go at the Grangers?"

Harry realized that Remus wasn't prying or implying anything. It was just a straight question. He answered, "I told them what has been happening in the wizarding world. In general terms, I let them know what the professor and I had been working on for the last year."

Harry was somewhat pleased to see the look of confusion on Lupin's face. Apparently the professor hadn't told the Order about the Horcruxes. He continued, "I told them in no uncertain terms that the professor's death wasn't Hermione's fault, and no one would ever think that it was."

Lupin nodded in agreement, but didn't say anything hoping that Harry would keep talking. Harry continued, "Moony, did the professor ever mention what he was working on to the Order?"

Remus was surprised, and responded, "Of course he did. We talked about Death Eater sightings, events at the Ministry, the sacking of Fudge. He always kept us up to speed on events." Seeing Harry's expression, Remus finished, asking, "Didn't he?"

Harry asked, "Did he ever talk about the prophecy?"

Remus replied, "He said that it contained information that could be used against Voldemort. He told us that it concerned you."

Glancing out the window and seeing the perky Auror with pink hair coming to the door, Harry asked, "Do you absolutely trust Tonks?"

Without hesitation, Remus replied, "With my life."

Harry asked, "With mine?"

Remus nodded, and Harry opened the door, greeting her. "Hi Tonks. You look very tidy today."

"Wotcher Harry." She smiled at him, gave him a hug, then leaned up to Remus and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Have a seat, Tonks. I think Harry has something that he wants to talk with us about." Tonks was about to fire off a cheeky comment, but glanced at the serious look on Lupin's face and immediately complied.

Harry paced for a moment then said, "You've obviously read the Prophet and their take about me being The Chosen One?" They both nodded, but didn't say a word. Harry took a breath and said, "For once they were right in one."

Remus remained silent while Tonks took a second to sort through Harry's words and asked, "You mean…?"

Harry replied, "The prophecy that you were all guarding for a year… It was about Riddle and me. In short, it said that either of us must die by the other's hand. Dumbledore had heard it several months before I was born. He told it to me the night of the battle at the Ministry. We figured out why Riddle didn't die the night that he killed my parents and were working on a way to finish him off."

In the twenty five seconds that Harry had been talking, Remus felt the weight of the world crash onto his shoulders, sadness at the remembrance of two of his best friends, and relief at the prospect of the weight being partially lifted. He simply asked, "How?"

Harry said, "I was hoping to talk about that after we got back."

Remus replied, "I meant, how have you managed to cope for a year? Most people would be crushed carrying a burden like that. How do you do it?"

Harry smiled at the two, and replied, "By having good friends, I guess. Are we ready to go?"

Tonks said, "I have a portkey already made. Let me run to the loo first, then I'll be ready."

… --- … ---

As Remus was talking to Harry, the Ministry Aurors had gotten themselves into position. Dawlish and Shepherd were stationed outside the doors under invisibility cloaks. Wood and Steele were inside the lobby, disillusioned. Unfortunately, none of them had a clear idea of what Borgin really looked like, as none of them had ever spoken with him.

Diagon Alley was unusually crowded that day. Perhaps it was the prospect of so many students being home schooled in the fall, the fact that term had ended, or just fate, but no one noticed the well-dressed, grey haired man walk in carrying an expensive looking oversized briefcase.

After closing up his shop, Borgin had apparated to his home, put on his best robes and applied a glamour charm to change his appearance from that of an older looking version of greasy Snape to a younger looking may with longish neatly washed and trimmed hair.

Borgin went to the counter, and handed the goblin the vault key. After examining it for nearly a half minute, the goblin called for another goblin to escort Borgin to the vault.

… --- … ---

Tonks came back to the living room at Privet Drive. Harry and Remus were ready to go. They went out to the back garden, and Harry locked the door behind him. Each touching the pencil, they were transported to the Leakey Cauldron. Tom nodded at the three as they walked through and left through the back door. They quickly made their way up the alley to the marble steps of Gringotts.

They waited in line for a few moments at the counter. Harry asked if Griphook could take him to his vault. The counter goblin replied, "He's just finishing with another customer over there. Please stop by the counter when you complete your business Mr. Potter. One of the Trust Goblins would like to speak with you."

Borgin had magically expanded the case and charmed it to be one fiftieth of the actual weight. Even so, it was quite heavy, and Borgin was worried that the locks would break. Griphook stopped the cart and held out a hand to help the wizard out of the cart. Brushing off the goblin, Borgin managed to get out of the cart and lifted the heavy case out of the cart and to his side.

As Harry was walking from the counter to the cart, Griphook said to the man, "Good day sir."

Borgin sneered, "Good day yourself."

… --- … ---

A/Ns

Evenscense by Creative Quill is a new story that I'm following and is well worth a look.

Thanks to Steve for taking a good look at my writing before sending it out the door.

Does anyone have an opinion regarding the Horcruxes weakening Riddle as they get destroyed?

Could he tell when Dumbledore smashed the ring?

Would they all need to be found and destroyed?

Chapter 3 should be up early next week.

O-C