Lord Voldemort's defection
Grindelwald walked into the largest room of Nurmengard. It was in this very place where he had given a phoenix to Credence.
"How is Lord Voldemort doing?" asked Lilith.
"His followers don't come here very much," said Grindelwald, "So far he has been complying with your requests."
"Well, you know what to do, dear. How are… other things progressing?" asked Morningstar.
"In accordance with our timetable."
Morningstar stood up and approached Grindelwald who stiffened a bit.
"The game has begun. Let's see Jim Moriarty's next move."
**HP**
"Healer House!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Ah, yes. You two met. If I recall correctly he was interested in you as you told me. So much so that he offered you to become a healer right away." said Moriarty.
"He did."
"Then I think he will be thrilled to see you again," said Moriarty.
Harry didn't like Saint Mango. In fact, he didn't like being out. Everyone was looking at him, only this time they seemed upset and unhappy, even more than they had been during his fifth year at Hogwarts. Moriarty has used a semi-legal portkey to get them to Saint Mango. But the hospital itself was heavily warded against intruders. So they had to walk into the hospital. Harry was wearing his invisibility clock while Hermione was rather exposed to people's strange glances at her.
Lucinda had to remind her every five minutes that staring back at people was not the solution. It didn't help that Hermione was with the Head for the Department of Mysterious and Hogwarts' caretaker, leading the group through the hospital. Hermione was politely reminded by a healer that she was banned from the fifth floor because she could cause trauma to the patients there.
"Let's hope that House is in his office and not with his team," said Moriarty. "You never see him with a patient. He avoids them like plague."
"Then how does he heal them?" asked Hermione.
"Well, he meets them when they can't talk, or he just tells his team how to fix the poor lad or lass. It's kind of ironic, don't you think?"
House was alone and he looked just like he had before, only this time he had shorter hair. Moriarty asked Harry to remove the clock and shut the door and locked it.
"Ah, Director Moriarty. Did you have another agent complaining about my method."
"No, my dear House. I have Miss Riddle and Mr Potter…"
"... I hear that's Black now." said House.
"Oh, you are actually correct. Yes, the point is…"
House looked at Harry intensely and then Harry felt his body go cold as ice.
"You, too? I thought it was just the girl." said House.
"Anyways A…" Filch began to say.
"House!" said the Healer angrily. "Of course, I already know that I have to remind you in five minutes because you have the intellectual capabilities of a five year old."
"He's just a bit sensitive about his name." said Moriarty trying to brush it off, "which we should avoid using anyway, Argus."
"So you are here because some nasty Serpent is after you, Kingmaker?" said House, "And you think I can help you hide them."
"That's a pretty accurate assumption," said Moriarty.
"All right. I can do it, if the girl agrees to pursue becoming a healer. The boy doesn't have the brains for it anyway."
"Did you smoke here?" asked Moriarty suddenly.
"Yes, I have some talents of my dad, so I saw you coming and decided to give myself some boosting."
"Other than that potion, you mean," said Filch.
"Yes."
Hermione could tell they were stalling.
"I accept." said Hermione.
"Humm. That's wise of you. Come here you both!" said House.
"Human or Magi, we are both made of flesh. The quality is different, yet flesh and bones are just that. If one can change them without causing damage, they can effectively change one person entirely. Some can even change one's brain."
His hands moved in the air and Harry felt his body was melting slowly. House put his hand on their heads.
"You can have any attribute, any hair colour or any shape of face, if you know how to command genes."
Hermione began to change and turned into a mini version of herself but then her skin became darker and her hair became lighter and curlier. Seconds later she had become like a Nigerian girl with very beautiful blue eyes
House tried to do the same with Harry, but something went wrong. His coat changed colour and became like a clown and so did his face.
"Wow, you are... You are a strong one, boy." said House excitedly.
"How can it be?" exclaimed Moriarty.
Harry felt normal.
"This is stupid, it will be useless if we can't change him." said Filch.
"Then he must do it himself. He can. I know he can." said House.
Harry had no idea who to change to, and then suddenly for no reason he remembered the Chinese boy who had once tried to make friends back at Muggle school. He smiled and suddenly he felt his magic work. People became taller, or rather, he became smaller.
"That's cool. I'm sure if he practices, he can do it to others as well." said House.
"So did you have fun in the United States?" asked Moriarty, "Did you happen to meet Stiltskin's son?"
"Yes, before I left, I did meet him and he was not concerned with his father as much as I could tell. That's odd, I mean Stiltskin is such a wonderful dad."
House smirked and sat on his chair. "I think you should start working on healing texts, Miss Riddle. See you in two years."
"Let's go." said Moriarty and they left, "Can we use your fireplace, House?"
"It's decorative. You know we haven't used floo network for the last ten years due to its health hazards."
"Oh, no!" said Licinda.
"It's alright, we can fix this," said Moriarty.
"I could make a portkey," said Hermione.
"Portkey's don't work here," said Filch.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt if she tried," said Harry.
Hermione nodded and took Moriarty's used portkey out of her pocket. It was a woollen sock. She pointed her wand at it and whispered, "Portus!"
The sock shined purple instead of blue.
They all hesitantly grabbed the sock and seconds later they were back at Fort HQ7002.
Harry and Hermione's return as children caused a bit of surprise and confusion, but Moriarty explained that his department had come up with a way to fix their problem.
"How does it feel to be younger?" asked Dumbledore.
"Awful," said Harry.
"Terrible," concurred Hermione.
Sirius and Lucinda thought they were cute which didn't make them any happier. Filch said that now their physical appearance matched their mental age, to which Harry replied, "Yours doesn't though."
They heard some happy news. Fred and George had rebuilt their shop with the help of Aunt Muriel. Moriarty was going to teach Alchemy to seventh year students which was a blessing.
"And as it is Argus might have to teach Potions." said Dumbledore.
This was neither good nor bad. At least there was a lesser chance of getting someone like Barty Crouch Jr, but Filch was not the nicest person for the job.
"I wish Slughorn had been Slughorn." said Harry.
"So do I, Harry," said Dumbledore, "It disturbs me greatly that Horace is most likely dead and has been for years on. That means that I've been nothing but a fool."
"Twice." added Filch.
"Well, if we're counting, there were four accounts of our incompetence: the fake ex-auro, Crouch; that charlatan, Lockhart; Quirrell the possessed and the worst one was a student possessed for an entire year," said Moriarty. "And you know what, no one could have seen it coming so don't beat yourself up about it."
"Headmaster, there is a man with a samurai sword in the hall." said Snape calmly as he entered.
"What good is Fidelius if it doesn't work?" asked Filch.
"Does he have a red headband?" asked Moriarty.
Snape nodded. Moriarty asked everyone not to worry and left to meet the man. Five minutes later they both came back. The man that Professor Snape had talked about had a black kimono, red headband and a long katana. On the headband there was a small vertical line made with a stroke of paintbrush in black.
"I'm Yami Yuri," he said.
"Yuri is his first name," said Moriarty, "You will be calling him Professor Yami."
"He doesn't look so yummy to me," said Filch.
Harry couldn't stop cracking a smile.
"Who is the boy?" asked Yami.
"Harry Potter." replied Moriarty.
"So this is the boy Dumbledore was talking about. The one who I must protect."
Moriarty nodded and sighed, "He is one of them. Our enemy is no above harming children. I had to be cautious."
"I'm here because you and Dumbledore asked. I'm no sensei to little brats, Moriarty, but if you want me to be, I will teach them my way."
"We completely understand your conditions, Yuri." said Dumbledore, "The staff will be more than happy to have you amongst us."
"Where do I stay?"
"In Hogwarts, of course, with Argus."
"Salazar Slytherin, I'm warning you right now, if you mess with me, I will be testing your immortality." said Yami so seriously that it made Harry fear for his own life. He had never seen Filch go so pale.
"Mr Filch, I'd take him seriously." murmured Moriarty.
"Harry and Hermione, meet your new bodyguard and personal trainer. He's the best dueler, transfiguration expert and martial arts master I know, who is human. Also his math is excellent. He was my student at Oxford."
"You had to say that, didn't you?" said the Japanese man, "I did not learn math at Oxford if you recall."
"Yes, yes, you were helping me with something,"
"What was it?" asked Hermione.
"It concerned a meteor, young lady." said Yami without any further explanation.
"And a blue diamond," added Moriarty.
"Hold on… you don't mean…"
"I hate Doyle!" said Yami, "Don't make any references, please."
"Well, regarding that, he was the one who mentioned your name." said Moriarty, "To Dumbledore, that is. He was looking for someone to enhance students' physical abilities."
"What gave you this idea, sir?" Harry asked Dumbledore.
"Ah, I saw Professor Moriarty's duel with John Dee in a pensive, Both had incredible stamina and strength due to their physical condition."
"I did some lobbying and the board of governors agreed to pay for one more subject." said Moriarty.
Harry felt uncomfortable so did Hermione. Being children didn't feel good. Harry was slowly getting used to it but Hermione felt worse minute by minute.
"I don't think I can't spend three months like this," said Hermione.
"I agree," said Harry.
"Well, you have to," said Moriarty, "Until the winter solstice is over and I know for a fact that our enemy cannot use you two."
"I have a bad feeling about this," said Filch, "It's as if something is going really wrong here."
***HR***
A few days after Filch, Snape and Dumbledore went to Hogwarts, a set of new letters came for Hermione and her boyfriend.
"Why aren't we protecting Ginny as well?" she asked Moriarty as she opened her fake letter. "She's in danger, too."
Ginny seemed upset.
"Have you not told them?" asked Moriarty.
"I was waiting for the right time," said Ginny nervously.
"Tell us what, Ginny?" asked Hermione. She hated this new body, it failed to convey her seriousness because it was so cute.
"Hermione, don't be upset. It was my idea." Ginny replied.
"What was your idea?" asked Harry.
"I'm going to Ilvermorny." said Ginny as swiftly as she could.
"What?" exclaimed Harry and Hermione.
"It's a student exchange program," explained Moriarty, "Three students go, three come. It's for three months. Ginny Weasley is a sixth-year pupil with above average grades, which makes her a very good candidate."
"You cannot separate us!" said Hermione. "I know I sound like a toddler, but I'm not one. You will not separate us!"
"I'm not separating you guys. Ginny goes to Ilvermorny with Mr. Stiltskin and Rattenfanger disguised as Harry Black and Hermione Riddle. It's only for a few months."
"Which one is Hermione?" asked Ginny.
"Stiltskin. He's going to be with you all the time."
"Look, Ginny, you've got to see what's this all about." said Harry, "He's using you as a decoy, a scapegoat. Li … Morningstar is bound to come after you, and he knows it. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, that pretty much sums it up," said Moriarty to their surprise, "And that was the main gist of her idea. To her Lilith's attention away from you two, because Ginny is not of any particular use to Morningstar."
"Why are you so keen to avoid her real name, Mr. Machiavelli?" said Hermione with as much spite as she could.
"Well, Morningstar is what she's called in this era and time, just as I'm called Moriarty. And as Harry was thoughtful enough to avoid her name, we should, too, avoid it. There are unsavoury forces listening for it."
"Why do you think it's a good idea to let Ginny go Ilvermorny?"
"Hermione, people judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, because it belongs to everybody to see you, to few to come in touch with you. It will buy us some time. Morningstar will have to decide where you are and then plan accordingly."
"Hermione, trust me." said Ginny she approached her and hugged her, "I'm going to be just fine."
Hermione couldn't stop her tears. Harry felt awful. He joined them and the odd trio hugged each other.
"This is just for three months," said Moriarty, "The face you have, Hermione, has an expiration date. We will have you back together in no time."
***L***
"Eve." said an old man with a hundred thousand dollar suit. He had old and icy gray eyes.
"Grandfather, this is the programmer I talked about, Oscar Blanc."
"Are you French?" asked Charles Star.
"My father was." said Orion Black disguised as Oscar Blanc, a young programmer and electronics genius.
"So tell me, Oscar, do you know what we do here?" asked Charles.
"You're the main manufacturer of solar in Britain, and Eve has told me that you also own a network of satellites."
"Yes, those satellites are currently a secret of the government. What they want is a synchronous system of satellites that can communicate. Eve's team has designed the hardware,"
"But you need software," said Oscar.
"Can you make it work?"
"He already has," said Eve, "Sorry, grandpa, I know I should have consulted with you first, but we were far behind schedule."
Charles laughed joyfully, "It's alright. I was just worried that the government might do something unnecessary. Now that's all fine and well if everything is ready, discreetly if you will, we can run the project by January."
"Let me have my own department, and you will have it by December," said Eve.
"You have a deal, my dear," said Charles. He stood up and hugged Eve, "Your father would be so proud."
"Grandpa, are you crying?"
"No, it's nothing. I'm just happy."
Little did Charles know that by December his firm would no longer exist.
Once Eve and Oscar were done they went to a café nearby.
"The private table?" asked the owner.
"Yes, before I forget, text Hermes, he should leave and take the clone as well," said Eve.
"He hates me!" said Orion reading Henry Mercury's reply.
"That's so untrue. Ah … Ishtar, We'd have some black coffee."
"Laced with…"
"Nothing, Orion is not a person who I wish to have intercourse with."
"It wouldn't harm to ask." said Ishtar charmingly.
Orion just knew he had to avoid drinking anything in this place.
"The Magi are gathering," he said.
"Yes, they can sense the change. Have you reprogrammed the test subjects?"
"I have."
"It took too much time to bring back Lily Potter. The precision was not high enough."
Orion nodded, "I agree, it took us some time to bring her back, but I think with the help of the computers in Morningstar headquarters we will do just fine. And I have debugged the program on our computer, and translated it so mundane muggle computers can make sense of it."
"Be careful, Orion. We don't have much time, and it's just you and me operating this. Gellert is otherwise occupied."
Ishtar brought them some coffee and hoped they would enjoy it.
"I'm not drinking coffee today. I haven't slept for two days." said Orion.
"Don't make excuses. I know you think she spiked your drink, but worry not, it's pure coffee."
"It's very good." said Orion as he drank a bit.
"Yes, it is. Now, Hermes should be out with the clone, and we're not returning until Wednesday, so our little Dark Lord should be on his way to Dumbledore with young Mr Weasley as his bargaining chip." said Morningstar.
"I don't understand, why would you have me do all I can to shape Tom Riddle into Voldemort, and then just send him right into our enemies' hands?"
Orion was bewildered and confused by his Lady's plans.
"I'm after a certain set of conditions. Moriarty needs to think that he knows all my cards. He knows that I have to proceed with my plan or let it fail entirely. He must feel secure and know that I will fail for sure. He also needs to know what my plan is."
"What have you told him about our plan?" asked Orion, finally understanding her intention.
"You can already guess. I need the Horcruxes to open a gate to heaven to bring back dead magicians, just like I brought your daughter."
"You don't need them?" asked Orion with bulgy eyes. "So all that effort…"
"Was a simple misdirection. I will use Horcruxes to achieve my aim, but not in the way he thinks. I am the wife of Yahweh and he always believed that one's success is dependent on the uniqueness of their plans. I have been waiting for the right moment and now the time has come for all these men, all these powerless muggles to have magic."
"And then what?"
"Then our immortal army will asunder the heavens and for once the dream of Yahweh and mine shall be realised; our creation will rule all."
Orion felt a shiver down his spine. "Are you sure your husband would agree with what you want to do?"
"We will see. He might surprise us."
"Will the dead return?"
"Of course, the union of the living and the dead is a big part of the plan. The dead, however, will not remember much from the other world once they have descended. Unfortunately, we cannot bring back muggles now. That will be phase two, when I get my hands on Yahweh. I will force him to do what he should have done ages ago."
"But you said no one knew where he was."
"That is true. For more than six millennia he has successfully hidden himself from all. But one we begin he will have to come out of his little hiding hole."
Orion could stop shivering. "I feel when this is all over, I will have faced a fate worse than death."
"Perhaps, my dear Orion, but doesn't this world deserve our small sacrifices?" said Lilith and a drop tear fell on the desk, "I've forsaken my Magi heritage to build a human one. Are you ready to do the same?"
"I am." said Orion firmly and smiled proudly.
***LV***
"Mr Weasley, I believe it's time we left this place." said Voldemort to Ronald Weasley once he made sure Nurmengard was empty.
"What?" said Ron.
"Don't tell me you've believed what Lilith has told us. Ronald, I've been a Dark Lord for long, and I've tried to elevate our race to godhood, even if people have tried to be a force of stagnation against me, I've always respected those who were like Dumbledore. Lilith is not a human. I'm not foolish enough to believe what she has told us. She will destroy humans and I'm one of those humans, so are you. If I let her use me the way she wants, I will deserve the name Tom Riddle; a foolish ordinary boy."
"I really don't care what she wants to accomplish. I just want to be with my friends. I don't need immortality or invincibility. I just want to see Harry and Hermione once more and tell them that I'm alive."
"You will. If you accompany me."
Ron hesitated. Could he trust this man with a face of a snake?
"You know Ronald, I can see what goes through your mind." Voldemort waved his wand and his features changed into those Ron had seen one before when he had come for his daughter. "And I'm happy to tell you that I don't look like a snake."
Ron scowled, he could not decide. The face wasn't the problem.
"I can give you my world Ronald Weasley, that as Hermione's father I will keep you safe and will take you to her."
Ron finally yielded. He wanted out, and all he had was Lord Voldemort.
"You do realise that might be a part of her plan?" said Ron.
"Lord Voldemort refuses to fall into it, so let's get out, Ronald."
Voldemort focused his magic into the special portkey he had worked on for a long time and tried to make it work. Lilith's magic was strong but she was trying to keep Ronald Weasley in and not Lord Voldemort, so if he could modify his portkey correctly he would be able to take the boy with himself.
"Hold this pen and don't let go." he said to Ron.
The protective wards gave in and let them both pass through at last. Seconds later Lord Voldemort and Ronald Weasley were in Hogsmeade.
"Let's go to the castle." said Voldemort. They walked to the castle but they had to wait before the gates. Oddly Argus Filch and not Dumbledore walked out of the castle and tottered towards the gates.
"You finally came, we were looking for a potion master. Is it you?" asked Filch.
"I don't think so, I have business with the headmaster." said Voldemort. Obviously Filch had not recognised him, and because of Fidelius he could not see Ron.
"Come in." said Filch and waved his right hand. The gate was opened at once.
Voldemort and Ron passed through the gate. Once they were inside they could feel the magical atmosphere change.
"Dumbledore is putting a lot into security." said Voldemort.
Filch said nothing and just nodded. Ron suddenly realised something funny. The man in front of Voldemort was his ancestor and Voldemort was oblivious of that fact.
Filch silently led them to Dumbledore's office. Ron felt better pace by pace. He was home at last. He was in Hogwarts.
"Baklava," said Filch with a sigh to the gargoyle. It revealed the familiar spiral staircase both Ron and Voldemort could recognise.
Filch knocked and Dumbledore asked them to enter. Once all were inside Filch spoke, "Tom Riddle is here to meet you, Albus." said Filch.
Dumbledore seemed shocked. However, he calmed down when he saw no hostility from Voldemort. Voldemort might have been tempted to do something to Dumbledore but Filch's blunt introduction had stunned him, too.
"You knew who I am?" he asked Filch.
"Oh, I do. I have studied your files thousands of times."
Voldemort seemed confused.
"He's an unspeakable." said Ron.
"You have got someone accompanying you, don't you?" said Filch. "Don't hide it, please. It will make negotiation harder."
"Ronald Weasley is with me." said Voldemort. Suddenly, Dumbledore and Filch could see Ronald.
"He's alive!" exclaimed Filch.
Dumbledore smiled happily.
"I'm the secret keeper." said Voldemort.
"Morningstar trusts you." said Filch, "Smart of her to give you her trust. If you were less observant you would have fallen for it. I did."
"He's Salazar Slytherin." explained Ron. "I didn't know you used to follow her."
Voldemort was more than shocked. He was thunderstruck. He couldn't believe his ears.
"Surely you're jesting, Weasley." he said doubtfully.
"He isn't. I can prove it. My portrait is up there. Look!" said Filch and pointed to a dark corner of Dumbledore's office near the ceiling. There were four distinguished portraits and with a bit of attention Voldemort managed to spot Salazar Slytherin next to Godric Gryffindor, and without any doubt Filch had the same face as the portrait.
"It's easy to walk around with your real face when you've been announced dead centuries ago."
"Don't mind him, Tom. Since I've found out I've seen little difference between Salazar and Argus. Professor Moriarty suggested that you might decide to come here to bargain. So what is it that you want?"
"Well, it's easy, Dumbledore. I want Lilith gone. That is something we have in common."
"What concerns me, Tom, are your methods of achieving your goals. You tend to choose poorly." said Dumbledore.
Ron could feel the tension intensify. He wondered who would cast the first curse. Would Voldemort try to kill Dumbledore right then and there?
"Only I can tell others that Ronald Weasley is alive. I am doing my best to gain your trust which you are scrupulously keeping to yourself."
"I think we can think of a compromise," said Filch, "How about that?"
Voldemort sat and waited for Filch to explain what this compromise entailed. Voldemort had to stop his fear campaign and his followers would get something akin to a pass. He had to help the Order of Phoenix to defeat Lilith and then stay a law abiding citizen.
Voldemort disagreed and suggested cooperation until the elimination of the common enemy and then the battle between the two sides could continue as it had before.
Finally Dumbledore offered something no one had expected.
"You can continue your battle as a party, Tom. Death Eaters must stop terrorising the society and form a political party and follow their ambitions through legal means."
Voldemort did not disagree immediately. If he could convince Dumbledore that he would do so without actually committing to it, he could make a temporary alliance and then crush them when they were most vulnerable.
"You have my attention, Dumbledore."
It was clear that Voldemort was up to something, but Moriarty's advice had been to take whatever Voldemort would promise as long as he could be kept in line until they could get rid of Lilith for some time.
"It is not a very complex request, Tom. All you have to do is to abide by law, stop murdering your opponents and the Ministry of Magic will be more willing to let you participate in the political system."
Ron felt betrayed. Was Dumbledore offering the enemy an easy way out.
"My Death Eaters will be in their best behaviour. I have a few conditions, however. The first condition is that Bellatrix must be released. The second concerns communication between parties. I will accept no one but Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy. They will be reporting to the leaders only and they must remain impartial." said Voldemort. "And my daughter must be allowed to visit her parents every weekend until the summer is over."
Dumbledore said that he could agree with all terms except the last one which could not be decided by him. Voldemort said that if Hermione didn't want to come she'd have to send a letter to Voldemort himself stating that she had decided to cancel her weekly visit willingly.
"She can visit us anytime, of course." said Voldemort.
"I think we can agree with that," said Filch immediately. "Now, how do you intend to tell everyone that Ronald Weasley is alive."
"Ah, that is easy. I will hand you my writing and you can give it to anyone you wish." said Voldemort.
"I cannot believe you are allying yourselves with him." said Ron. "What about my uncles? What about every single wizard or witch who is dead now because of him?"
"How about my Death Eaters who died, Mr Weasley? How about my people?" said Voldemort calmly, "Your uncles killed four of my best Death Eaters."
He faced Dumbledore as continued, "You have had your fair share of kills, Dumbledore. Isn't that true?"
"No more lives to be lost." said Dumbledore.
"No more lives to be lost." repeated Voldemort.
Voldemort stood up and bowed shortly before leaving. Dumbledore nodded and sighed as Voldemort left his office. There was a piece of paper on his desk and while none of them had seen Voldemort write anything but it clearly said that Ron was alive in Voldemort's handwriting.
"Tom has always been good at his neat tricks." stated Dumbledore before picking the paper up.
"You have betrayed everyone!" exclaimed Ron.
Dumbledore looked at Ron sadly.
"No, Ronald he did not." said a new voice.
"Professor Moriarty!" said Ron.
Moriarty was standing there like he had been there all along. He was playing with his starry tie and looking down.
"I asked him to let Voldemort make his peace offering and had him accept it. Dumbledore was truly unwilling, but Morningstar is a formidable foe. We need Voldemort on our side or out of the equation. Especially now that he has realised that sticking with Morningstar will do him no good."
"How do you know he's not tricking you all?" yelled Ron.
"Because Voldemort is smart."
"What?" asked Ron in confusion. It made little sense to him.
"Voldemort can do the maths," said Moriarty softly, "Unlike Orion, at least as far as I know, he was manipulated from the very beginning. Tom Riddle was groomed to become Voldemort. Morningstar hoped that his thirst for power would blind him to that fact, but once Voldemort saw Horace Slughorn with her, he realised that Morningstar needed him for something really bad."
Moriarty walked to a window and stood by it. "He needed to know why and Morningstar told him why. He did not need to stay any longer. Now, he knew what his enemy wanted all along. You see, I have seen Morningstar's pattern of oppression so many times that I can tell you what she did to get Voldemort into his camp. She did something she always does with thugs. She out-bullies them. That did not work this time."
"Riddle is mad, but he also appreciates courage." said Filch, "That my descendant!"
"I wasn't really sure, but he did what I had expected him to do." continued Moriarty.
"He rebelled?" asked Ron.
"Precisely, just like Grindelwald who once disobeyed Morningstar, Voldemort chose to follow his own path."
"But Grindelwald is following Morningstar now," argued Ron. "And he's much creepier than You-Know-Who."
"His name is Voldemort." said Dumbledore. "Fear of a name only intensifies the fear of its bearer."
"Hermione once said something like that," said Ron, "But that's not the point."
"We're not sure about Grindelwald, too. I personally think he's waiting for something." said Filch. "That's what opportunists do."
"He'll kill us all when he's done with Lilith." said Ron.
"Careful , boy. You should avoid using that name." said Filch.
Ron smirked, "Fear of a name only intensifies the fear of its bearer." he repeated Dumbledore's words.
Moriarty laughed wholeheartedly at Filch's scowling face.
"He got you there," said Moriarty, "But you're right. We should avoid using her real name. She might hear us."
Dumbledore nodded.
"Listen Ron, Morningstar is more like a human now, but she used to be a very, very powerful Magi. Even though she has only a fraction of her power without her heart, I am sure she still can do a few nasty tricks her race can do. Magi can hear you when you invoke their names, especially if they are listening."
"Which is why," said Filch, " whenever someone speaks The Mad Scientist's real name in front of some people, they look for the closest hole to hide in."
Dumbledore coughed uncomfortably and looked the other way. Moriarty looked up nervously.
Moriarty took his wand out and pointed at the Fireplace, "Most of what you know, Ronald, everyone knows. Thanks to Voldemort's presence, Harry had a prophetic dream."
He wiggled his wand and green fire roared in Dumbledore's fireplace.
"I think Hermione and Harry will have a lot to tell you and so have you. Let's go!"
Moriarty stretched his hand and the piece of paper Voldemort had left behind jumped up and flew to him.
"I don't know if you noticed or not, but everyone thought you were dead, so let's go shock your mom."
Don't you think Moriarty is the bad guy?
