Title: Harry Potter and the Orb of Souls
Author: SerafinaMoon
Date: January 7, 2005
Summary: Voldemort has discovered a new weapon—the Orb of Souls. With it, he has discovered a way to purge the world—with their only savior.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, any of its characters, or themes. I will not profit from this story except receiving enjoyment of your questions, comments, and input on this work.
Claimer: I do, however, own this story and its plot and any Original Characters that I may use during the duration of the story making process.
A/N- Yay! I'm really glad so many of my friends responded to the news of my new story! Thank you all for reviewing! Hopefully we'll be able to pick up some others along the way! Welcome to the next installment...I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1: End of an Era
Hold on to me love
You know I can't stay long
All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid
Can you hear me?
Can you feel me in your arms?
Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you
Sweet raptured light
It ends here tonight
I miss the winter
A world of fragile things
Look for me in the white forest
Hiding in a hollow tree (come find me)
I know you hear me
I can taste it in your tears
Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you
Sweet raptured light
It ends here tonight
Closing your eyes to disappear
You pray your dreams will leave you here
But still you wake and know the truth
No one's there
Say goodnight
Don't be afraid
Calling me, calling me as you fade to black
"My Last Breath" by Evanescence
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny sat grimly in the living room of Grimmauld Place, waiting expectantly for news of any kind.
They had just been sitting down to dinner with the rest of the Weasley family along with all of the Order members that were currently staying at Headquarters for the time being, when all of the Order members simultaneously stiffened.
Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, and George had all looked on as the others gazed nervously at each other before Tonks had pulled something out of her robes, glanced at it, eyes widening, and gasped.
She jumped up, placing whatever she had been looking at in her pocket, and nodded to the others who stood up as well. Immediately after that they had all rushed out, saying nothing to those staring after them, leaving the non-Order members to interrogate Mrs. Weasley.
All they had managed to get out of her was, "It's Harry, now eat your dinner."
Now, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione had progressed to the living room to sit in front of the fire while Fred and George moved on to their room.
All three of them looked up as the front door creaked slowly open as if the person or persons behind it were too weary to do more than gradually push it open.
Ron and Hermione jumped to their feet, but remained where they were as they heard soft, shuffling footsteps heading their way in the main hall.
The first pair of footsteps was soon joined by another pair as Remus and Tonks appeared in the doorframe of the living room.
A feeling of dread washed over them as the couple appeared; Remus' hand hung limply at his side, his shoulders sagged as if a great weight was bearing down on him and his head was pointed to the ground, grayish-brown hair covering his face and shielding his amber eyes from those in the room.
When he was finally able to muster the energy to lift his head, the others in the room gasped at what they saw. His eyes were red and puffy, while his moon kissed cheeks were wet with tear-tracks.
It was then that they noticed how his right hand was wrapped tightly around a stick of wood...a wand...Harry's wand.
Ginny gasped at the sight and covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide and shining with unshed tears.
"What happened?" Ron whispered hoarsely, afraid of the answer, Hermione's fingers digging into his arm as she held onto him.
"Harry..." Remus choked up before forcefully regaining a semblance of a calm, collected voice. "Harry was poisoned. He's..."
Remus paused, but it was enough.
"No...NO, he can't be! He just can't," stated Ron, his face blank as he felt Hermione slump down to the floor beside him. He felt numb as shock took over and he muttered his denial over and over, voice increasing in pitch and volume with each repetition.
Remus' face was scrunched up in pain as he whispered, "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry." Tears started falling from his eyes and he turned away, bounding up the stairs and out of sight, a worried looking Tonks gazing after him.
She cast one last dour glance at the group before following after Remus.
Ron wobbled slightly and he turned to the nearest chair, using the arm of it to help ease him down as he teetered precariously on his feet.
A moment later, Molly Weasley entered the room, wiping her hands on her apron and saying, "Did I just hear Remus come in? Did he say what happened?"
Looking around, she saw both Ginny and Hermione huddled on the floor, clutching each other tightly and weeping and Ron sitting in a chair, staring blankly at nothing.
In the time it took for the scene to sink in, Fred and George had come downstairs and entered the room as well saying, "Hey, we just heard Remus' door slam closed. Did he say what happened? It was his shift wasn't it?"
What they said seemed to have gotten through to Ron who turned his blank eyes to them slowly. His mouth opened and closed weakly a few times before he could get out a strangled, "Harry's gone."
Fred, George, and Molly looked alarmed and stricken.
"Gone! What do you mean gone! Has he been taken again!"
"No!" Ron cried, tears starting to gather in his eyes and fall in a rush. "He's GONE! IT'S...NOT...FAIR!" he raged, standing up and striding to the fire, kicking the hearth and causing his mother and the twins to gasp sharply.
"WHY!" he screamed at the ceiling, "WHY HIM!..." a sob escaped him despite his best efforts to hold them back. "Why does it always have to be him?" he whispered brokenly as his rantwhich started out strong and harshended in a bawl, as he too sank down in front of the fire, staring at the flames with silent tears streaming in rivets down his face, as he hid his grief behind his shaking hands.
Molly whispered a broken, "No..." and collapsed against the doorframe as tears began to gather in her eyes and flow down her cheeks without reserve.
The twins just seemed to deflate as their faces and bodies sagged at Ron's words and they looked at each other desolately. For a moment nobody moved, but finally, as if it took a great effort, Molly stood up straight and went over to her son, comforting him as best she could as she led him off to his room to give him a calming and sleeping draft.
Copying their mother, Fred and George went over to comfort the girls who both latched onto them, seeking reassurance and comfort.
After putting Ron and the girls to bed and sending Fred and George off to their room, Molly returned to the kitchen where she sat at the table and merely buried her face in her arms, her body wracking with broken sobs. She had to be strong for the children and take care of them, but now that she was alone she could release her grief fully.
Harry had been like a surrogate son to her, and now she had lost him. He was such a good boy and he had been alone for so long that she wished she could give him what he desperately wanted: a normal life.
Just when things had seemed to take a turn for the better for him in his third year, everything had just turned around, starting with the return of the Dark Lord—Voldemort.
Everything had just gone downhill after his return; there had been the death of the Diggory boy, Cedric, and then poor Harry had had such a troubling fifth year, followed by the death of Sirius...and now this.
Poor Remus, he had been so torn up over Sirius' death; Harry had been all he had left...now even he was gone. Molly was afraid that this might be the last straw, with Harry's death, he might just fall so far into depression that they would not be able to help him out of it.
Ron was right, why did bad things always happen to Harry?
The front door opened and weary footsteps sounded in the hall, interrupting Molly's musings and stanching her flow of tears. She looked up as Moody, Kingsley, Bill, and Hestia entered and sat down, all with grim expressions, taking note of her blotchy face.
"I suspect Dumbledore'll want to hold a meeting tonight, you think?" muttered Kingsley darkly.
"S'pose so," Moody gruffly answered. Molly sniffed in response.
"What happened?"
Moody answered. "Potter went out to eat with his relatives to some fancy restaurant and someone obviously managed to poison the food. He went into a seizure of some sort, which alerted Remus that something was wrong; he called us, we all took him to St. Mungo's where he was pronounced dead after not but five minutes. There was nothing they could do."
"What about the Dursley's? What did they do?"
"Absolutely, bloody nothing," Moody literally growled. "Saw what was going on and left before they could be associated with their own nephew. The bloody Muggles."
Molly mentally cursed the relatives that Harry lived with. To derail that thought, she decided to bring down Remus and Tonks.
She quietly dismissed herself and left the room, quickly going upstairs to gather Remus and Tonks so they could come down and join the other adults.
When she entered the darkened room, the two were sitting on the bed side by side with their backs to her, both their heads hanging low. She walked around to stand at the end of the bed to find Remus staring at a portrait taken before the death of Lily and James Potter. It contained all of the Marauders excluding Peter, who was taking the picture, Lily, and a baby Harry. Tonks was right beside him, rubbing his back and leaning her head against his shoulder, providing what comfort she could to the lamenting man.
Silent tears glittered on the faces of them both and Molly was reluctant to pull them away, but if there was to be a meeting they would need to attend.
Softly, she tapped Tonks on the shoulder. Tonks picked her head up and turned to look at Molly questioningly.
Molly answered, saying, "There should be a meeting soon, you two might want to come down, dears."
Tonks smiled slightly at her and nodded.
Remus did not say anything for a few moments; he did not even move so that Molly thought he had not heard her, but then he said, "If there's a meeting I'll come down, but not until it starts. Someone can come get me then."
"I will," whispered Tonks, patting his shoulder and standing up to leave the room with Molly.
At the door, she turned and looked back, making Molly stop and look back at the younger woman. She could see Tonks' hesitation to leave Remus by himself and the Weasley matriarch could not help except to agree her.
"Come on, dear," Molly said gently and placing a hand on Tonks' arm.
The Metamorphmagus heaved a sigh and followed Molly back to the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Arthur Weasley walked in, tiredly clutching a crumpled letter in his hand.
He went straight for his wife, saying, "I've just heard what happened," he waved the piece of parchment, "Dumbledore's on his way along with Snape and McGonagall. There's going to be an Inner Circle Meeting tonight."
Moody snorted with grim humor as he scanned the faces of everyone in the room. Everyone had a look about them of helplessness; it was as if when Potter died, he had taken the hope of the world with him.
It was not long before Dumbledore arrived with Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape in tow. He sat down heavily in the chair at the head of the table, charming the door as he did so. Severus and Minerva sat down on either side of him looking both stoic and defeated respectively.
Dumbledore sighed, looking every bit as old as his age declared him. His eyes no longer twinkled, wrinkles seemed to be etched deeply in his face, and his every movement was expressed with tiredness.
"What's going on Albus?" Moody inquired. "Potter was supposed to be safe with his relatives."
"Shouldn't we wait for Remus? He should be here for this too."
"Yes, he should. Could one you please go find him for me?"
"Certainly, I'll be right back," replied Tonks.
She left the room, un-charming the door so she could get out and went up the stairs, her steps resounding behind her.
The Order sat in silence until she came back with Remus Lupin behind her. Remus sat down stiffly in an empty seat, looking for the entire world as if he was ready to bolt from the room at a moment's notice as Tonks reapplied the spells on the door and sat down herself.
Nobody missed the worried looks she sent Remus' way, or, for that matter, Remus' blotchy face that indicated he had been crying. He still had Harry's wand clutched in his right hand.
Dumbledore sighed again and began speaking.
"Harry, as you all know, was supposed to be safe in his relative's care. As long as the blood bond between them was active he could not be harmed while in their presence. That bond was to remain as long as they kept him of their own free will. If they no longer accepted him in their family, he would be left unprotected and that, unfortunately, is exactly what happened."
"What do you mean?"
"When I questioned the Dursley's, well, they needed a bit of...incentive...to cooperate," here Snape snorted and crossed his arms, staring at the table as Dumbledore leveled a glare at him. "I persuaded them to tell me what had happened from their point of view and they did," and Molly heard him mutter, "and now I wish they hadn't."
"Quit being so secretive and mysterious and just tell us what they said already," growled Moody, losing his patience.
Once more, Dumbledore gave a long, drawn-out sigh before saying, "It seems as if the Dursley's were bribed into taking Harry to that restaurant to be poisoned. They had a plan all worked out.
"The Death Eaters have been observing them for quite some time and knew they regularly visited this particular restaurant. They had one of their own infiltrate the place and when the Dursley's arrived at the appointed time, all they had to do was plant the poison and have Vernon Dursley make sure Harry got the right drink."
"How could he do that? He's a Muggle! And what were they bribed with?"
"He could have easily done it. All the Death Eaters had to do was tell him which drink was unsafe and have him make sure Harry drunk or ate whatever it was. As for what they were bribed with; their son got to keep his life and they were made richer if they agreed."
Remus' eyes held a murderous glint in them that Molly knew was mirrored in her own as he asked in a dangerously low growl, "What did they say?"
Dumbledore's face looked pained before he grounded out, "They merely said that the Death Eaters had told them that they would take Harry off of their hands permanently if they did what the Death Eaters told them."
Remus began shaking with barely suppressed anger as he unconsciously stood up. Arthur stood up as well and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, which Remus merely shook off.
"Please sit down, Remus, we are not quite finished yet."
Remus was hesitant, but he reluctantly complied.
"Why do you think he attacked Harry now?"
"It is my guess that Voldemort has been working so hard to kill him these past few years to keep Harry from reaching the age of sixteen, when his full potential would manifest itself."
"Are you saying that in a way...Voldemort was afraid of Harry?"
Dumbledore looked thoughtful for a moment before a glint appeared in his eyes, as if something had just occurred to him. The only thing he said, however, was, "In a way, I suppose I am saying that."
For a moment no one said anything as Dumbledore thoughtfully set one elbow on the table and rested his chin upon his fisted hand, staring at the ceiling with a pensive expression pasted on his face.
"Hm..." he murmured so that Severus snapped.
"What!"
"I was just wondering, Severus...How good of a potion maker is Voldemort?"
Snape narrowed his eyes at the Headmaster as if he could not fathom why he was being asked such a random question before finally answering, "He's not the best, but I would say that he's obviously covered the basics since he gained his body back by making a rather complex potion-or at least instructing that dunderhead Pettigrew in making it anyway."
Dumbledore frowned and muttered to himself, "Maybe he did, but still...hm...but if he did and it came to pass...then maybe someone else could..." before announcing to the room at large, "I wish to inspect Harry's body for myself."
"What are you thinking, Albus," asked Minerva.
"I have just had a suspicion. At the moment there is no proof, as of now, that my suspicionor hopeis correct or even plausible, and until I have substantial evidence, I do not wish to raise your hopes unnecessarily."
Everyone's eyes widened as the implications of what Dumbledore was insinuating sunk inHarry might still be alive.
Dumbledore raised a hand that quieted the mumblings that statement stirred up and said, "Like I mentioned before, until I have a look for myself we will not know either way what has happened. Let us not jump to conclusions before that time comes. Now, Severus, you have some news for us, I believe?"
Severus nodded in acquiescence. "The Dark Lord has been planning something for some time, although in hindsight, I suppose killing Potter could actually be what he has been hiding these past couple of weeks. But it is my belief that with Potter finally out of the way, the Dark Lord will move on to some other project. He is already gathering followers as you know, I'm sorry I do not know much, but I am no longer as trusted as I once was."
All of this was said callously, as if Snape had not a care in the world that the last of the Potter's, one of Remus' best friends, had just died. It was all too much for the poor man and he stood up again, towering over the table at Snape and shouted, "You don't care do you? You don't care that the last of another pureblood line has died out as long as it means the last of James Potter is gone as well do you?"
"Well, I must say, it will make things easier during the school time," Snape drawled, drawing gasps from those around him and causing Dumbledore to shoot him a glare that stated 'That was uncalled for.'
Remus was, perhaps, the most affected by this statement, as he jumped over the table using his superhuman abilities and tackled Snape, upending his chair, and punching him in the face before Kingsley and Tonks could separate them. When Snape finally straightened, there was blood pouring from his nose where Remus' fist had connected.
"Severus, Remus, please sit back down," Albus commanded softly.
"NO!" Remus shouted still agitated. Pointing at Snape he said, "I'm tired of him having a go at Harry just because he's James' son! Until he leaves, I'll be in my room!" and with that he stormed out of the kitchen so that once again the charms had to be recast on the door.
Molly got up while this was done and got a rag for Severus' nose. She handed it to him rigidly, after all, she too was mad at him for what he said about Harry; it just was not necessary.
Once order was restored to the Order, Albus prompted Severus to continue, "What were you saying about him gathering followers, Severus?"
Molly noticed that he, too, did not sound very remorseful about Snape's "accident," although he dutifully tapped his wand against Snape's nose, stopping the blood flow easily.
"He is trying to draw followers to him from all different countries. He wants as much support as he can get before he tries to stand up against you. He has already gathered followers from France, Ireland, Germany, Finland, Sweden, and Norway, and I've even heard rumors about a new recruit that has quickly moved up the ranks into the Inner Circle that originates from Japan.
"I am not sure what he does for the Dark Lord, but I believe he is a Potion Master from his country...more than likely here to replace me. When I wondered into the Dark Lord's store room for preparation of one of his potions I saw his supplies set out.
"Many of the ingredients were unknown to me, but a few of them seemed to be familiar. I thought I recognized what he was brewing, but one of the unknown ingredients must have been added because it wasn't the same.
"His workbook was on the table, but it was written in his native language and I could not translate it.
"Unfortunately I do not know what he was making because the Dark Lord, as it seems, does not trust me with even miniscule information anymore. I have only been called to the general Death Eater meetings where nothing of much consequence is discussed as most are simply new recruits. That is all I have at present."
"Thank you, Severus. As you can each see the situation has become much more desperate, I need each of you keep a close watch for even a hint of Death Eater activity. Notify me immediately if you hear anything at all. Now, Arthur, what do you hear of the Ministry?"
Harry's funeral was held only three days after being pronounced dead. After having examined the body of Harry Potter for himself, Albus Dumbledore reluctantly told the Order that The-Boy-Who-Lived was no more; the expression on his face revealing he did not entirely believe his analysis despite all evidence to the contrary.
As Harry had no legal, wizarding guardian, the funeral's arrangements were planned by Albus Dumbledore as Headmaster of Hogwarts. A multitude of people turned out for the funeral to give their respects to the one that had rid them of Voldemort after the first war.
With many of those being only fans, they stayed no more than an hour or so, mostly for the memorial service. Those that considered themselves "loyal admirers" followed the friends—or family—of Harry to the gravesite where he would be laid to rest beside his parents.
Therefore, no one noticed a foreign man that kept his face hidden in the shadowy folds of his hooded cloak. He said not one word to anyone, but his cold grey eyes seemed to watch everyone and everything, especially the casket of one Harry Potter.
He did not leave until the black coffin was lowered into the ground and covered with firmly packed dirt. At that time, he left the congregation of people behind and Disapprated with a nearly imperceptible popping sound into a large, ornately furnished manor.
With that, he walked swiftly through the Main Hall towards a pair of great mahogany doors with intricate carvings of serpents etched into their frames. Promptly pushing the great doors open, the man stepped into the room and strode up the room to where a single figure sat perched upon a solitary chair.
The man swept back his hood revealing ebony black hair that gleamed in the light as he fell to his knees before the man in the chair and kissed the hem of his long robes before stating, "They've placed him, my lord."
A high, shrill laugh resounded around the room, sending chills down the man's spine as the serpentine face turned glittering ruby red eyes upon him and replying with an abnormally snake-like hiss, "Excellent."
With an icy cold smile that stretched the pasty face and revealed a man capable of plotting grand machinations, those forbidding crimson eyes swept around the room, seeming to make a mockery as they looked for something they knew would not be there.
The frigid voice then said in a condescending tone, "Hm...A part of my décor appears to be missing. Where is...The-Boy-Who-Always-Lives?"
As if a special password had been spoken, the feel of magic was initialized- emanating from Voldemort's powerful form and in the blink of an eye an apparently dead Harry Potter materialized within the room, lying as still as death.
Voldemort smiled as if his innermost dream had come true.
"Give him the antidote to the Draught of Living Death, Ganmou."
"Of course, my lord," sneered the said black haired man.
"Oh, and don't forget to administer the special potion we've prepared for him."
"Of course not, my lord." The dark-skinned wizard pulled two bottles from the innermost folds of his oriental robes; one was filled with a brilliant green liquid and the other an ominous purple. He administered first the green potion before forcing the purple down the unconscious boy's throat.
As Harry Potter stirred and began to wake; his emerald eyes opened, revealing a blank emptiness both men seemed to be expecting.
"Excellent," hissed Voldemort happily...Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, Savior of the Wizarding World, and Triwizard Champion now had no recollections of his past or who he had been previously...Voldemort could mold him into whatever he wanted and no one was going to stop him...because everyone thought Harry Potter was dead.
How...ironic. Voldemort laughed long and loud as he ushered his now most trusted servant out of the room bearing The-Boy-Who-Lived with him. Things were going to get interesting...
(To Be Continued…)
A/N- Thank you all for reading! Please leave a review...tell me your thoughts about the story—what you liked, disliked, and mistakes you might have noticed...If you have any questions please ask and I'll be sure to address them!
Coming Up: A year and a half later, Harry is learning new spells and abilities and is given his first mission by Voldemort...in Chapter 3: Know Thy Enemy.
Review Responses:
MagicmanSmokegirl: Hey! What happened to your everyday emails? How were midterms? (have you had them yet?) I had mine...I did okay I guess...Thank you for your sentiments...I know how you feel Smokegirl. They're lurking in the dark, just waiting...
Hazel-Beka: Hey, Hazel-chan! Is it just me or did your yami run off for a couple of days last week too? Mine's been taking over me a lot lately and it's been really annoying to find myself in difficult situations like the ones Selina leaves me in...that's probably why she does it. Yup, I finally got my HP story up! I'm glad you like it...although you might find that what I have planned will never be in the books even if I do keep to the traditional style. Sheesh, Beka-kun, give the kid a break...he's got to follow plot points...lol
LadayoftheWood: Hi, Laday, thanks for the review! You make me so happy...(so the squirrel says...lol) Well, I'm glad you still reviewed even though you already read it! I'm also glad you like it! I hope you have good luck on your story.
Una: Una-chan! hugs You reviewed, yay! Actually, I'm happy to be back writing! I need to find some way to keep my life interesting in a boring school-filled world (as you well know...after all, you're the one that writes parts of your story in class!) That song is from Princess Diaries 2, my mom's in love with it and watches it all the time...I liked the song so I put it in. Don't worry, there is a reason...and a major plot point for the Dursley's giving Harry new clothes (among other things). Well, I do believe that some of your questions were answered in this chapter, although I don't think that all of them will be revealed at the moment. Keep an eye out, you're doing a good job of picking out some clues...(oh, yeah, thanks for telling ppl about my story! Your friend Liz reviewed! Go you! gives you Yugi plushie in cute purple outfit)
Jin: Hey, beta-reader buddy! Thank you for reviewing and I plan to give you credit for all the chapters you beta read for me! LOL, you are so funny (3 whole spaces...lol)
Dragon and Sword Master: Yay! You're back, you're front...you're both here...(sorry, excerpt from Aladdin and the King of Thieves...) I can because I'm evil and I'm the author! You know me! I just love leaving people in suspense! I'm glad you liked it!
Liz: Hi! It's nice to have new reviewers! It gets me so excited! Thank you for reviewing and I'm sincerely glad you liked the start of my story! Your encouragement was simply inspiring!
I'd like to say a great big thanks to my friend Jin for beta reading this chapter!