Hi again! :) Decided to post this chapter real quick before the weekend!

Thank you so much Anniiieh and Gypsyrose98 (I think the document would be too big to post it all at once- besides, I like the interaction with the readers too much for that XD) for your amazing reviews! So happy to have some loyal readers with you :)

WARNING: GRAPHIC MENTION OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF A WOMAN!

Please take the warnings I put up in front of the chapters seriously, and please be advised that this story is NOT for anyone under 18!

"How did it go?"

Godric sighed, taking a seat in the armchair by the fireplace, "as expected. He is as arrogant as he is clueless- he has no idea what Dumbledore is really planning."

"Well, we don't really know that, either", Salazar responded, sounding somewhat apprehensive, "there are a lot of rumors…"

"There are rumors because everyone is too afraid to speak up against Dumbledore", Godric interrupted him, his voice fierce, "three Hufflepuffs are missing now, and the Slytherins are not even allowed to play Quidditch anymore- and you are asking me what Dumbledore is planning?"

"All I am saying is that we have no proof for anything, Godric", Salazar responded, sounding irritated, "you are only focusing on recruiting an army, when instead, you…"

"I should negotiate? Go to the school that we built, the school that is named after us, and beg Dumbledore to please let the Slytherins, your Slytherins, go to Hogsmeade and play Quidditch again?", he was openly mocking Salazar now, "this man is destroying everything you stand for, your name, your legacy, and you want me to negotiate?"

"I want you to use your common sense, Godric", Salazar had gotten louder, "you know we are not strong enough to win a war against Dumbledore, let alone a battle. We have to negotiate some kind of truce, and I thought that's why you went to see Tom!"

"I went to see him because I want him to join our army."

"Join our army? We barely even have an army! Dumbledore is coming after Tom next, that much we actually do know about!"

Before Gryffindor could respond, a tall, handsome boy of about fifteen or sixteen entered the room, his expression dismissive, "are you arguing again?", he came closer, "I…I thought we already agreed on the plan?"

"I thought so as well, Aurelius", Godric replied, his voice hard, "unfortunately, your father is still believing Dumbledore is someone to negotiate with. Would you have negotiated with Gellert Grindelwald as well, Salazar?"

"You are being unfair, Godric."

"I am just making a comparison", Gryffindor replied coldly, "we cannot stand by and watch Dumbledore destroying everything we worked so hard for to build up- and that includes Hogwarts. Something has to be done, and it better be done fast."

There was a silence.

"You should go and see Tom again", Salazar eventually suggested, "if he can be convinced to surrender, Dumbledore might…"

"Surrender? Have you actually met him?", Godric had to snort, "he is as far from surrendering as Dumbledore is from negotiating. I'll go and see him again, though- he might be a little more interested in listening after he gets the information about Lestrange."

"I thought you were going to tell him that."

"I never got the chance to", Godric sighed again, helping himself to a glass of Firewhiskey that a helpful house elf was offering him now, "but I am certain his Death Eaters have found out by now what they did to her at that camp. She was a lunatic of course, and far from innocent, but this is just showing how far Dumbledore is going to go to silence his enemies. He's ruthless."

"Let's hurry, or we'll be late for Potions!"

"And wouldn't that be a shame", Harry mumbled, grabbing his books. He was dreading facing Snape again after he had skipped detention last night, knowing very well Snape would be furious with him now.

He walked as slow as he could, his stomach clenching more and more with every step he took. Snape had humiliated him far too often in front of the class lately, which had been the cause for the detention the other day- he had been rude, Snape had mocked him, and he had lost his temper.

"Everything alright? You look awfully pale", Neville shot him a concerned look, "did you forgot to do the essay?"

What essay?

Harry just groaned, "just…kill me already", he mumbled, ignoring Neville, and then he went over to sit down next to Ron. He knew this day would suck. He had missed detention and he hadn't done his homework, Snape would…

"Silence, class."

Everyone stopped whispering abruptly, and Harry saw out of the corner of his eyes that Neville was trembling. How often had they made fun of Neville's fear of Snape- and now he felt bad for teasing him, knowing exactly how he was feeling at the moment.

"You are going to take a test today", Snape announced, walking to the front of the room, "the lack of knowledge and the laziness in this class regarding brewing a simple healing potion are…irritating, to say the least. Patil, collect the homework, Finnegan, hand out the tests, oh and Potter- come up here."

Oh, shit.

Harry stiffened, but he knew he had no choice- he was in enough trouble already, so he slowly went over to Snape's desk, avoiding to look at the Potion's Master.

"Potter…", Snape's voice was smooth against his ear, "any reason why you did not show up for your well-earned detention last night?"

"No, Professor."

"I see", Snape's voice had gotten cold, "the headmaster won't be pleased to hear about that, Potter."

Harry stayed silent, thinking that the headmaster was not pleased about a lot of things lately- but he did not dare to say it out loud. After all, he still was not certain which side Snape was actually on, and since the repressions against the Slytherins kept increasing, tension was also quickly building up.

"Take a seat, Potter- and I am expecting you tonight at six o'clock for your detention. Miss it again, and I'll come and get you personally this time."

Yeah, right.

"Yes, Professor", he did not even bother to sound respectful, and then he turned around and went back to his seat. Everyone else was already frantically scribbling down the answers for the test questions, but when Harry looked at the first question, all he could do was stare.

I have no idea how to answer this.

He glanced over to Ron who was busily writing, even Neville seemed to be working hard- and he could feel dread forming in his stomach again. He needed to do well if he ever wanted to be an Auror, and failing Potion's would definitely mark the end of that dream.

He carefully looked over to Snape who was reading something that looked like the Daily Prophet, and then he glanced back to Ron. Harry had never cheated before, and he was proud of that fact, but he convinced himself that this was an emergency- he had to do decent on this test, he did not want to be stuck with detention for the rest of the term.

Ron's handwriting was big and messy, but Harry knew him well enough to be able to read it perfectly, and he smiled to himself when he was able to read the answer to the first question. Soon later, he was writing just as quickly as everyone else, coping everything he could read from Ron word for word. He was already behind in time, so he was not even able to read everything again before Snape informed them that it was time to turn their work in.

The test had taken all of the lesson, so Snape dismissed them after, and Harry exhaled in relief as soon as they had left the dungeons.

"How did it go, Harry?", Ron gave him a playful shove, "hope I was able to help", he grinned at him, and Harry had to smile sheepishly, "yeah, about that…"

"It's okay, mate. We all need a little help sometimes- well, except Hermione of course."

That made them both laugh, and for a moment, everything was right- until he remembered that he would still have to go see Snape for detention that day.

Miss it again, and I'll come and get you personally this time

Would Snape actually come and get him? For some reason, the idea was intriguing to Harry- no one had ever bothered to stick to a consequence with him, the Dursley's had been abusive on a bad and neglectful on a good day, and for Sirius- well, if Harry was honest, he'd probably need some discipline more than he did himself. Remus was a lost cause, he was against all punishments in general, and Harry knew he'd basically let him do whatever he wanted.

"Fred and George told me that there is another practice tonight", Ron now said while they were walking to get their lunch, "since the Slytherins are not allowed to play anymore, we have twice as much practice time now."

"That's…hardly fair", Harry mumbled, thinking that the Slytherins were already prohibited from going to Hogsmeade, from attending any games or events, and now from playing Quidditch as well.

"I know", Ron lowered his voice, "and my dad told me that this is just the beginning- there are rumors at the Ministry that Dumbledore wants to get rid of the house Slytherin altogether."

"And…the students? Would he send them all home then?"

"No- they would be send to the reformation camps."

"They actually exist? I thought that was just another rumor."

"My dad said they do exist, but it is impossible to prove. I asked him what the camps are for, but he said it's too horrible to even talk about."

"Do you think…Gryffindor knows?"

"About the camps? Yeah, probably- but there's not much he can do, Fudge is not listening to him, saying he's being dramatic."

"Did your dad tell you that?"

"He did- and he said that Fudge is secretly pleased that Dumbledore is doing all the work for him, destroying Vol…Voldemort and his Death Eaters."

"I figured", Harry sighed, thinking for the thousand's time why he was never allowed to have one perfectly peaceful and calm schoolyear at Hogwarts.

"We need to organize another meeting with the Founders", Hermione, who had walked behind them for the past minute now said, her voice low as well, "we need to tell them about what is happening here. He won't stop with the Slytherins, he'll go for the Muggles next."

"We don't have any actual evidence for that", Ron sounded uncomfortable, but Hermione just snorted, "no evidence? Ron, there are three Muggleborn students from Hufflepuff missing now- they have just vanished overnight."

"You think…they got sent to those camps?", Harry asked quietly, and Hermione shrugged, "I am not sure, all I know is that no one in Hufflepuff is allowed to even mention their names anymore. It's like…they never existed."

All three of them looked uncomfortable now, knowing very well what this could mean- that Hermione was next.

Thankfully, the Weasley twins caught up with them at that moment, and soon they were engrossed about a discussion about the Quidditch practice that night. Gryffindor had won every game so far, partly because Dumbledore had been generously providing them with brand-new uniforms and brooms, stating it was from an alumni who had wanted to do something nice for his former team. Most of the Hogwarts students had accepted that, but Harry and his friends knew from Remus who had been doing the expense lists that the alumni was no one else than Dumbledore himself- and he had used the tuition money to pay for everything.

Harry was still thinking about that when he got dressed for practice that same night, Snape's detention forgotten again- not that he would have time to go now anyways, Quidditch was way more important.

He made his way to the Quidditch field, excited to play- flying in the air on his broom was one of the only things that brought him joy these days, but when he walked over to the field, someone was already waiting for him.

Snape. Damnit.

And by the look on Snape's face, he was in trouble- in a lot of trouble.

"Diagnosis?"

Devon Zabini, a Death Eater who was their healer at the same time, bit his lips, "well, it…it looks like…"

"It looks like what?", Tom sneered, stepping closer to the bed in which Bellatrix Lestrange was laying. They had found her near Malfoy Manor, she had been bleeding, and she had been naked, and she had been silent, except for some whimpers, which for Bellatrix was the most concerning part. Now all she did since they brought her here this morning was staring at the ceiling, her whole body constantly trembling.

"They raped her, Mylord", Zabini said softly after a long silence, "they basically…they used all of her…openings all the way they could."

Tom was glad that his snake persona hid his true emotions since his face was like a mask, "nothing compared to a Crucio- she will be fine."

Zabini hesitated, "I…I doubt that, Mylord", he began carefully, "when I said…they used her openings, I meant…they spread her wide enough to insert something into her. When she was found this morning, there was a…Bludger pushed inside her vagina. She was forced to hold it inside with some kind of spell, so I had to manually remove it."

"A…a Bludger?"

Fucking hell.

"Yes, Mylord. Ten inches in diameter."

I think I am going to be sick.

"I also found the…release of at least ten different men inside her mouth, anus, and vagina- and some in her eyes and nostrils as well. As I said, they used every opening they could to…"

"That will be all, Zabini. Get back to work", he turned around before he really would get sick. Bellatrix had been a crazy bitch, too crazy even for his liking, but a Bludger? A fucking Bludger?

Gryffindor had known about this- and it annoyed him to no end that he was- again- the last one to get important information.

Well, Dumbledore had taken it too far this time- he would attack, he had no other choice than to attack now if he did not want to look like a coward in front of his Death Eaters.

His group of Death Eaters had gotten smaller again, now there were only about two dozen left- in total. Narcissa was useless, though, she was still traumatized from finding her tormented sister outside her home, and Lucius looked worn out as well.

Great. Two less to count on.

"My…mylord? A word, please", Lucius has stepped forward before he had even started the meeting, and Tom knew where this was going when he saw the distraught look on Malfoy's face now, "my family and I will always be loyal to you, Mylord, but the recent…recent incidents at Hogwarts and now with…Bellatrix, well, I have to…to protect my family and…"

"Crucio."

He was so done with the bullshit- always loyal, right! Malfoy was just another coward who was trying to save his ass from Dumbledore, consequently letting him fight the growing army of Dumbledore all by himself.

Narcissa started to wail, and just for that, she got a Crucio as well- he knew how to honorably discharge a member from his Order.

After listening to the Malfoys scream in agony for about ten minutes straight, he finally ended the spell, "get out before I kill you!", he hissed, "and don't you dare to ever come back here again!"

Lucius threw up, and then he scrambled to his feet, extending a hand to Narcissa who was silently crying, her face bloody and her robes soaked with urine- she had pissed herself, something that was not uncommon while experiencing the Crucio spell. Tom crunched his barely functioning nose in disgust, grateful for the fact that his crippled organ made it very difficult for him to smell anything.

Still, the air in the room was lingering with sweat, blood, vomit and piss, and he decided to get some fresh air. He needed to be left alone from all the bullshit, he needed to breathe.

After ordering the Death Eaters to be back later to discuss their attack on Dumbledore, he left the conference room, ignoring the pathetic figures of Lucius and Narcissa limping down the stairs- he had deactivated the apparating spell for them- and then he went down the hallway, climbing another staircase that led to the tower.

He took off his snake persona as soon as he entered the owlery, enjoying the wind in his curly hair and the ability to breathe through his nose.

Beagle hooted with excitement as soon as he saw him, and he had to smile. Against all odds, he had become quite fond of the gorgeous owl, and he had been up here a couple of times already when he had been bored to hang out with Beagle. The view was spectacular up here, and he loved being able to see as far as the small houses in the village nearby.

"You are lucky, you know that?", he told Beagle, knowing very well the owl had no clue what he was saying, "whenever something sucks, you can just spread your wings and fly away from all the bullshit. You don't have to waste your time planning another attack against that bastard Dumbledore."

"You don't have to do that either, Thomas."

Fuck, no!

He stiffened, slowly turning around, "what…do I know you?"

Gryffindor had to laugh, "cut the crap, Thomas- did you really think I cannot see through your illusion spell?"

Tom bit his lips so hard they almost started to bleed, "what the fuck do you want from me, Gryffindor?"

"A truce would be a start."

Tom snorted, looking over to the owls who were busy picking up the treats the house elves had given them, "why would I want that? You have been plotting against me since you and Slytherin came here, and you called the Dark Order a dysfunctional gathering of terrorists and lunatics."

"Are you telling me that is not true, Voldemort?", Gryffindor asked mildly, sitting down next to him, "last thing I heard, your Death Eaters robbed several stores in London- while you were busy sleeping off your latest hangover, I assume."

"Last thing I heard, Fudge called you dramatic in front of the Minister's Assembly", Tom retorted, "seems like no one actually cares what the Great Godric Gryffindor has to say- that must really bruise your ego, being the almighty Founder and everything."

To his surprise, Gryffindor just laughed, "it takes a lot more than that to bruise my ego, Thomas", he sounded amused, "and for calling me dramatic- we both know that I wasn't, hmm?", his expression turned serious, "Bellatrix Lestrange…"

"I don't want to talk about that", he tried to get up and walk away, but Gryffindor calmly pulled him back down, forcing him to sit, "the camps are real, Thomas. And the tortures there are very real, too. Dumbledore won't stop until he has gotten all of your Death Eaters- including you."

"He won't get me, though. I am way too smart for that", he sounded as arrogant as he felt, "Dumbledore is a bastard, and he will pay for what he did to Lestrange and to Antonin. No one lays hands on my Death Eaters expect for me."

"You are planning to attack?"

"It's none of your fucking business, but yeah, I am. Dumbledore needs to be taught a lesson."

"Don't, Thomas."

"Don't, what?", he sneered, "and what the fuck is with calling me Thomas anyways? It's Lord Voldemort to you, Gryffindor."

"Don't attack- Dumbledore is just waiting for that, so he can capture the rest of you. Why do you think he let you have Lestrange back? The whole thing is a setup, Thomas."

"Stop fucking calling me that!"

Gryffindor just smiled, "I'll call you whatever I want, Thomas- and you are missing the point here. We have sources that are telling us that he is planning to set a trap for you in case you attack him."

"He won't be able to even set a table after I am done with him. Screw Dumbledore. I am going to kill that bastard, and I certainly don't need advice from you how to run my Order!", he tried to stand up again, and again, Gryffindor calmly pulled him back down, "he has a whole section at the camp reserved just for you, Thomas", he told him now, his voice quiet, "and if you think what they did to Lestrange is bad, what do you think they are going to do to you, hmm?", he extended a hand and slowly began to caress his tousled hair, "Dumbledore wouldn't only rape and torture you, Thomas- he would break you."

"Bullshit!", Tom forcefully moved his head, "he wouldn't fucking touch me because I'll kill him first!"

"Dumbledore always had a…preference for young, handsome boys- and he can see through that illusion spell just as well as I can, Thomas. You have been very lucky so far, with all your extravagant shopping trips, but you won't be lucky forever. He is waiting for you, Thomas. He is waiting to do things to you that are beyond anything comprehendible", Gryffindor was still caressing his hair, "do not attack him, Thomas. Do not."

"Are you done?", Tom was able to get up this time, his eyes sparkling with rage, "who the fuck do you think you are, Gryffindor? I don't need advice from you, I can take care of myself just fine! You are nothing but a bastard, all you are trying to do here is weakening my Order even further by telling me a bunch of hypothetical, dramatic bullshit which you have no proof for!"

"Seeing Bellatrix Lestrange should be enough proof for you, Thomas."

Tom let out a bitter laugh, "and who is telling me that wasn't you? Kill two birds with one stone or however that goes- you stir up some shit between me and Dumbledore, so you can watch us destroy each other, and then you are coming out on top, right?"

"That sounds more like what Fudge is doing right now", Gryffindor had gotten up as well, "and I am not planning to watch, Thomas- I am recruiting an army, and we are going to attack Dumbledore's headquarters at the Ministry within the next days."

"Good for you", his tone was as mocking as he wanted it to be, "that will surely stop Dumbledore from fucking up the Slytherins and building more camps. By the way, what is your precious partner saying to all this? It's always you rambling on and on about Dumbledore at the Ministry, where the fuck is Slytherin? Or is he not allowed to leave the house without your permission?"

The hard slap to his face was not unexpected, what was unexpected was how much it hurt.

"Watch your tone, Thomas", Gryffindor's voice had gotten cold, "I came here to warn you and to negotiate a truce with you, but since you are not interested in either, I am going to leave now."

"That's the first sensible thing you've been saying all day!", Tom hissed back, his left cheek showing a painful replica of Gryffindor's handprint, "and for the last fucking time- I don't need or want your help!"

"You better remember that when Dumbledore makes you kneel for him and starts raping you, Thomas", Gryffindor responded, his voice still icy cold, "he had Lestrange at that camp for less than 12 hours- and that woman is going to spend the rest of her life staring at white walls. Is that what you want for yourself, Thomas?"

"I am not as weak as that crazy bitch- takes a lot more to break me, Gryffindor", his tone was smug, being completely over this conversation, "no one can break me- not you, and certainly not that bastard Dumbledore. I am going to win this war, and you'll be the first one begging me for mercy then."

"Don't fly too close to the sun, Thomas", Gryffindor just said, the same thing he had said to him the last time, "or you are going to get burned very badly."

And before Tom could tell him to fuck off, Gryffindor had apparated- and he cursed under his breath, making a mental note to improve his protection spells. It was fucking irritating how Gryffindor came and went like his mansion was nothing more than a store, open for every asshole along the way.

He was still going to attack of course- and then he remembered what Gryffindor had said about his attack.

We are going to attack Dumbledore's headquarters at the Ministry within the next days.

"You trusted the wrong person here, Gryffindor", he had to grin, his handsome face looking quite malicious for a second, "I wonder what Dumbledore's thugs would pay for an info like that."

I guess it's time to find out.

loool...big mistake, Tom ;) there will be spanking in the next chap, and Sirius will appear again! :D

If you enjoyed it (or not) please leave some feedback for me :) Thank you so much!

Have a great weekend!

best, Antonie :)