Voldemorte's Downfall

Chapter three: Complications

Later that afternoon, Harry and Malfoy sat in the library, talking.

Harry still couldn't figure out why all these things were happening. "I mean, first Lupin tries to kill me, and then Goyle tries to kill my sister. Clearly, someone wants us dead," Harry was saying. Malfoy replied, "Well, we know who wants you dead, but who would hate your sister that much?" "Don't know. Maybe Voldemorte is trying to get rid of anyone who can avenge me," Harry replied. Malfoy nodded. "Yeah, maybe," he agreed.

Voldemorte turned and faced Lucius Malfoy, wand raised. "You said Potter would be dead!" he hissed. "I tried my Lord, I really did. But..." Voldemorte cut Lucius off. "Silence! I don't want your excuses!" he screamed. "I allowed you to use the werewolf to kill Potter, and he failed! I allowed you to use your son's best friend to kill the sister, and he has failed! If you fail me one more time, it will be your last. Understand?" Lucius swallowed and nodded. "Yes, my Lord, I understand." Voldemorte scowled. "Good. Get out of my sight!"

Malfoy walked down the lawn of the school, looking for Loki. He'd seen her rush out upset and he wanted to make sure she was alright. When he found her, however, she seemed the opposite of upset. She seemed a little angry, in fact. "Hey are you okay?" Malfoy asked. Loki nodded. "Malfoy, can I talk to you?" she asked. He nodded. "Sure, what about?" Loki sighed. "I don't know how to say this, so I'll just come out and say it. We're over." Malfoy frowned. "Wh-What?" "You heard me, we're through. I've just been thinking, and I can't go out with you any longer. Because of Sirius." She replied. Malfoy grimaced. "You're breaking up with me because your dad might've had a problem with us?" Loki shook her head, eyes down. "Malfoy, your dad murdered mine. I can't down the son of Sirius' murderer. It's awkward and uncomfortable." Malfoy glanced down for a minute, then up, face set. "If that's the way you feel..." Loki nodded. "It is." "Fine," Malfoy replied. "It's over. No hard feelings." He walked away, concealing the tears.

"You did WHAT!?" Harry yelled, in the common room that evening. "I broke up with Malfoy. It's a pretty simple concept, really," Loki replied. "And may I ask WHY?" Harry screamed. "Harry, I couldn't go out with the son of Sirius' murderer. Simple as that." Loki sighed. "Look, I'm sorry if I ruined your budding friendship, but do you honestly think Sirius would've approved, anyway?" Harry shook his head. "No, but I don't care what he would have thought! He wasn't even my dad!" "Well, he was mine!" Loki shrieked, nearly in tears. "And personally, I find it insulting to his memory to fraternize with the enemy!" "The enemy?" Harry laughed. Loki smacked him. "Harry, I'm serious! His father is a Death Eater, the same one who is, in fact, in charge of killing you! Don't you think Malfoy might have been using me to get to you?" Harry gasped. "I never thought of it that way," he whispered hoarsely. Loki began to say something, but was cut off by Rice bursting in. "Guys, Hermione's missing. I can't find her anywhere. And Malfoy said Erick Chica's missing too." The little bit of color in Loki's face drained from it. "Wh-what?" she stammered. "They're what?"