Voldemorte's Downfall

Chapter four: The demise of Erick Chica

Harry sprang immediately into his 'saving-people-mode'. "Where was the last place they were seen?" he asked. "Last place I saw Hermione was our dorms," Rice replied. "And Malfoy said the last place Chica-Erick-was seen was at breakfast." Harry frowned. "Do we tell a teacher?" Loki shook her head. "No. With all the scare over the Dark Lord's return, we'd be placed on total lockdown until they're found." Harry nodded, thinking. "Well, then what do we do?" Loki shrugged. "Don't know. Rice?" Rice turned to them, eyes frantic. "Shouldn't we go after them?" Loki nodded. "We should. But how? We don't know where they are." Rice turned to Harry. "Well, can't you do that thing where you have a dream and you know where to go?" Harry froze. The last time he'd followed one of those dreams, Sirius had died. He shook his head. "No. I can't control it at will," he replied. "This is about Sirius, isn't it?" Rice asked, backing Harry into a proverbial corner. He shook his head. "No, of course not. I just can't control those dreams, that's all." Rice had just opened her mouth to speak when Zofka and Ron burst in. "Where's Hermione? I need to talk to her and I can't find her anywhere," Zofka said. Loki glanced nervously at Harry before answering. "Zofka, Hermione is missing. Chica too. We can't find them, and we've looked everywhere. They're gone." Zofka looked shocked for a minute, then nodded. "Right. So we're going to go after them?" Loki shook her head sadly. "No. We don't know where they are. We can't tell anyone. We just have to hope for the best." Zofka nodded. Silence. Then, "So, when are we going after them?"

Through the blackness surrounding them, Hermione and Chica could make out a voice yelling. It sounded vaguely familiar. "Malfoy, you idiot!" Voldemorte yelled. "You brought the wrong children! We are supposed to be holding Potter's sister hostage! What were you thinking?" Lucius Malfoy explained patiently. "If we hold the friends hostage, Potter will sacrifice himself to save them. And it's only a matter of time before the girl follows." "But Dumbledore's protection keeps us from killing the girl!" hissed Voldemorte. "It keeps us from killing her, yes, put it doesn't stop her from killing herself! It's brilliant!" Lucius exclaimed. "Brilliant, maybe. Practical, heck no!" Voldemorte muttered. He turned to his prisoners. "Looks like your be here awhile," he hissed. Chica struggled against his bonds. "You'll never get away with this!" he yelled. Voldemorte laughed. "Oh, but I already have! Your precious Harry Potter cannot save you!" Hermione watched his maniacal performance. "Why do you hate Harry so much?" she asked. "He had never done anything to you! He was only a baby!" Voldemorte turned on her. "You heard the prophecy! He would have destroyed me!" He rounded on Chica. "AH, yes, Erick Chica. My, but you've grown up, my son." "SON?" Both Chica and Hermione gasped. At last Chica regained his composure. "What do you mean, 'your son'?" he asked. Voldemorte looked shocked. "Why, your dear mother never told you?" He smiled. "Yes, I would expect she'd want to protect you from the inevitable hatred that comes with being my child. Not to worry, I'll tell you. I'm your father, Erick." Chica gasped. "You're my father? That can't be! I'll kill you!" He struggled violently against his bonds. Voldemorte laughed mockingly. "Lucius, release him, would you? We should duel properly." Chica was cut free and yanked to his feet. Lucius handed him his wand. Chica faced off with Voldemorte, visibly shaken. Voldemorte laughed. "Scared, are we, son? Afraid of your old dad?" Chica shook his head. "You wish. The sooner I kill you, the sooner me and Hermione can get out of here." He raised his wand, and Voldemorte followed suite. Lucius counted down. "On my signal. Three...Two...One...Duel!" Before Chica could utter a single curse, Voldemorte was in action. "Avada Kedavra!" he bellowed. Chica was lifted off his feet and thrown across the room. He was dead before he hit the floor. Hermione shrieked. Voldemorte turned to her. She cowered, but Voldemorte stowed his wand and had her cut free. "Tell Harry Potter that if he wishes to face off with me, that is how he will end up! Dead! Go!" Hermione ran from the room, followed by Lucius Malfoy. Voldemorte turned to Chica's lifeless body. "I am truly sorry we never knew each other, but it was like my relationship with your dear Mudblood mother. It was never meant to be." He laughed maniacally. "Potter! Come avenge your dear old friend! Come die like a man!" He fingered the wand in his pocket. "Because this time," he whispered, "I'm ready for you."