Voldemorte's Downfall

Chapter eight: The Evil Within

(Author's note: Okay, this chapter is really lame, but deal. It's actually just a filler chapter. No real point to it.)

Harry cleared his throat, yanking Loki from her thoughts. "What?" she snapped. He drew back slightly. "You...um...okay, Loki?" Loki nodded. "Fine. Just...angry, that's all." Harry frowned. "Why? What happened?" Loki wheeled around. "Fiona Malfoy, that's what. You should have heard her." She gave a bitter laugh. "Quite frankly, I think she's full of it. You really should have heard some of the stuff she was saying about Sirius. 'Oh, Sirius Black was good friends with my father. My father couldn't have killed him.' Like she doesn't know we all watched it happen." Harry touched her arm gently. "She's a Malfoy. It is to be expected." Loki glowered. "Probably her daddy's little favorite at home. No wonder Draco wouldn't go to the same school as her." Harry smiled wryly. "Well, you definitely inherited Sirius' temper. You'll get your revenge. Besides, if Sirius were friends with Lucius Malfoy, he'd have had to have been evil. We both know he wasn't, so you've got nothing to worry about." Loki sighed. "You're probably right." She paused, then frowned. "Of course, look at what he had for family. They all seemed pretty 'evil' to me." Harry rolled his eyes. "And you think Sirius, and ultimately you, inherited that evil, am I right?" Loki nodded silently.

(Author's note: Welcome to my sad and pathetic life. Lupin has rubbed off on me. Blame Rice.)

Harry sighed. "I've probably spent too much time around Lupin, but here's the thing. Everyone has darkness and evil in their hearts. You know, dark and light, yin and yang? Well, you've got to embrace it. Otherwise, it'll fester. Do you have any idea what I'm getting at?" Loki smiled weakly. "No, not really. But one thing is really clear. You have spent way too much time around Lupin." Harry laughed. "I thought so. Damn! Oh well, can't do a thing about it know." Loki grinned. "Yeah." Suddenly, Artemis Simetra stepped out of the Great Hall. She smiled at them. "And what are my favorite students doing loitering around the Great Hall?" Harry and Loki exchanged looks. Then Loki sadi, with an impish grin, "Embracing." Artemis looked confused. "Embracing...what?"

Harry laughed. "The darkness within, of course." Loki rolled her eyes. "Come on, we should go plan our rev-I mean, start our homework." She and Harry ran off, leaving poor Professor Simetra confused. "What in the world are those two up to?" she muttered.

(Author's note: Okay, say it. This chapter sucked. Sorry. My brain was not working properly when I wrote it. Next one's better, I promise!)