Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter. All rights to the characters and universe the story belongs in belong to JK Rowling

Chapter 30 - The Footsteps of Tom Riddle

Harry urgently made his way through the corridors of Hogwarts after the meeting had finished. He needed a lot of information without having the time to get it. He gave the password to the stone gargoyle and walked up the spiral staircase.

'Come in Harry.' Said a voice from behind a door when he knocked.

'Good Evening Minerva, thanks for seeing me so late and at such short notice.'

McGonagall smiled at him 'It's no problem, biscuit?' Harry thanked her as he took the cookie 'Now how can I help?'

'I was actually hoping you and Professor Dumbledore may help.'

The portrait behind McGonagall stirred 'Hello Harry, it's good to see you.'

'Good to see you to sir.'

'Please Harry, It's Albus.' I thought calling McGonagall Minerva was weird.

'Have either of you ever heard of a man called Flave Padonnis?' Asked Harry, getting straight to the point.

McGonagall shook her head, whilst Dumbledore gave him the usual penetrating stare, it was unnerving to be on the end of that look from a portrait. 'I haven't no, why do you ask?' Asked Dumbledore.

'I believe that he is the man who is leading the Underworld Society.'

'Ah the group I asked Remus to spy on. I must say you've done well to ferret him out. As I told you before Remus thought they were exceptional at keeping themselves hidden.'

'Actually, he ferreted me out.' Said Harry grimly. 'Do Ministries have records of the witches and wizards that are currently residing?'

'Yes, they do. It will take a while to search each one though. That's if he's registered.' Said McGonagall thoughtfully.

'Well I think I know where he is, I'm hoping I can narrow it down.' He locked eyes with Dumbledores portrait 'As far as I know he's in Albania.'

'Albania?' Asked Dumbledore, bringing the tips of his fingers together under his chin. 'Coincidence?'

'No, he definitely met Riddle. I think he was the one Riddle was working with before he came back here.'

'Be careful Harry, I only heard rumours of what Tom Riddle got up to during those years and nothing good. It was hard to track down anyone who had even seen him during those years never mind worked with him.'

'I know. I just thought I would ask see if you knew anymore now I have a name.'

Dumbledore looked thoughtful. 'I think it is safe to say Voldemort was well hidden during those years, wouldn't you agree?' Harry nodded. 'Then I suggest Harry that you take a closer look into the disappearance of Bertha Jorkins.'

Harry nodded his head solemnly, no one should have suffered her fate, although too many others did. 'Thanks professor.'

The next morning Harry, Ron and Neville were assembled in Robards' office getting ready to leave. 'Where did you go after the meeting Harry?' Asked Ron.

'Hogwarts, I had to speak to McGonagall. I was wondering whether she or Dumbledore knew anything about Padonnis.'

'Did they?' Ron asked hopefully.

'No, they did give me a good lead though. First stop is to look into the disappearance of Bertha Jorkins.'

'Bertha?' Asked Robards surprised. 'What does she have to do with anything?'

'She disappeared in Albania, Voldemort was behind it. After Voldemort's history with Padonnis maybe in his weakened state he went back to where they met. Maybe she got too close to it.' Harry explained.

'As good a place as any.' Agreed Robards, he tapped the quill they were using as a portkey with his wand and the three of them placed a finger on it. 'Good look and report back the moment you know something. If we don't hear from you before the attack in Hamburg we'll assume you're missing.'

They didn't get a chance to respond as the portkey whisked them away. Harry and Ron landed on the floor whilst Neville managed to stay on his feet. Grinning rather smugly, he offered his hand to help the other two up.

'How do you do that?' Asked Ron irritably.

'Practise.' Said Neville, still grinning.

'Velcom to the Albanian Ministry.' Said a witch from the reception desk. 'You are the English Aurors?'

'Yeah we are.' Said Harry.

'Please vait in there. A colleague vill be vith you shortly.' She pointed to a small waiting room just to the side of reception.

'Thanks.' The three of them made there way into the room and sat down. They weren't waiting long when a man in blood red robes opened the door.

'Good Morning, I am Auror Vermont.' The man said offering his hand.

'Auror Weasley.' Said Ron taking it.

'Auror Longbottom.' Offering his own hand.

Finally, Harry introduced himself with a handshake 'Auror Potter.'

'I understand why you are hear and am villing to assist. I am sorry ve have been harbouring this criminal.'

'That's if you are doing.' Said Harry. 'You're help will be greatly appreciated.'

'So vhere vould you like to go first.'

'Can we take a look at old incident files? I would like to look into the disappearance of a British Witch, Bertha Jorkins.'

'Ok.' Said Vermont, obviously confused as to what the disappearance had to do with anything. 'Vhen did she disappear it vill help narrow down the search through the files.'

'About four years ago.'

'OK, follow me.' They followed Vermont through a series of maze like corridors which led deep underground. The three of them were glad to have a guide, they would have been lost immediately in the rabbit-warren like layout of the Ministry.

Vermont led them into a set of offices that were mainly empty except for a few people in the same blood red robes he wore. 'I am sorry there are so few of us to velcom you. Ve are vorking on a big case, there has been break in to one of our main banks.'

'Bloody hell. Have you got any leads?' Asked Ron anxiously.

'No. Don't vorry ve vill find them.' Assured Vermont. Upon entering the record room Vermont sighed. 'I am sorry. Ve vill have to search manually, magic doesn't vork on the records.'

'Brilliant. Where's Hermione when you need her?' Muttered Ron.

'Come on, no time like the present.' Said Neville dejectedly.

It was tedious work, the four of them trawled through records starting five years ago. The problem was there were two sets, completed and uncompleted cases. They didn't know which Bertha would come under as they weren't sure whether anyone was imprisoned, or even questioned, for her abduction and murder.

They split up the piles of records and systematically went through each one. A few hours later Harry's eyes were glazed over, he was no longer taking in the information in front of him. Sighing he rubbed his eyes underneath his glasses, that's when there was a triumphant yell from Neville.

'I've got it.' He waved the record in the air victoriously. 'It says that the case is unsolved, although it has been updated to include her death.'

'Is there a location?' Asked Harry eagerly.

'A couple, it said that she was traversing a mountainous area called Dajti Mountain National park. Apparently, when she disappeared she was staying a small town or village near there called Zall-Bastar.'

'I know that village. Not vell, but I know it. I'll set us up a portkey and we can arrange rooms to stay in yes?'

'That would be great.' Said Harry, checking his watch. 'We've got a few hours to look around as well.'

'Harry, what happens if we don't find them in time?' Asked Ron.

'We'll help with the attack on Hamburg and return to this.'

Vermont took them through to the magical transportation office and signed for a registered portkey in order to take them to Zall-Bastar. As it was a muggle area that none of them knew well, they couldn't just apparate in case they were spotted by one of the locals.

The portkey was quickly obtained and they were swiftly transported to their destination. They arrived in a cold, heavily wooded area. The wind was blowing a gale, not for the first-time leaving Harry eternally grateful for the charmed chain Ginny gave him.

Through the trees they could see lights from the buildings of the village they were visiting and there was a road leading to it through the forest. Intending to arrive from a usual route to avoid suspicion they joined the road for a short time before coming to the village.

I wonder what brought Bertha here. The village itself was small, mundane and run down. There were a few cottages strewn around with small off roads leading to them. They quickly found a small bed and breakfast which had a couple of rooms available. Harry roomed with Vermont, who had decided to stay with them instead of apparating in everyday, whilst Ron was in with Neville.

Once they were settled they wondered back down to the bar in the inn. 'So, Potter, vhere vould you like to start searching.'

'No clue.' Harry let his eyes wonder over the clientele in the bar. 'Are there any sort of local legends around here? Anything out of the ordinary?'

'Not that I can think of. As I say though I am not from around here.'

'Best get talking to the locals then.' Said Ron, looking around for anyone who he thought would be up for a conversation. Spotting a man at the bar who looked like he had been in a while, Ron made his way over to him.

Taking Ron's lead Harry sat down on a stool at the bar, waiting to be served. An exceptionally pretty barmaid walked over to him, with long straight brown hair, brown eyes and a thin face. She was wearing a short skirt and a shirt that had too many buttons undone for the effect to be accidental.

She asked him something in Albanian that he didn't understand, so instead he reverted to the old British standby. Pointing and talking slowly. He pointed at a tap of beer nearest him whilst holding up one finger. 'One. Beer. Please.'

'Ah English?' She asked as she started pouring the beer. He nodded. 'Vot brings you here?'

'We're travelling, we've come to explore the Dajti Mountains.'

'Ah it is very beautiful up there.' She said knowingly 'You can see all around and on clear days even out to the sea. Vhy stay here though? There are closer places to the mountains.'

'I had a friend that stayed here a few years ago. She said it was wonderful and that there were other places to explore once we were done.'

'So, you are here for a vhile then no?'

'Yeah at least a few days, is there anywhere you recommend we go?'

'That depends Mr…'

'Evans.'

'Are you adventurous?' She asked mysteriously.

Harry grinned 'I've been known to go off the beaten track every now and again, why?'

'There is a lake near here. It is beautiful, large, expansive, serine. Many have journeyed to it seeking out its secrets.'

'Secrets?'

Her eyes sparkled as she smiled. 'Yes secrets. It is said that there is a lost spirit that vonders around the lake.' The hairs on the back of Harry neck stood up. 'They say he is in unmeasurable pain and is desperate to get his body back so that he can return to the mortal vorld.'

She leaned across the bar to whisper in his ear 'Many tourists have journeyed there, only few have ever returned. Be careful Mr Evans, the Bovilla Lake is a dangerous place, ve vouldn't vont you to get lost.'

'You're joking right?' Asked Harry with a false chuckle, in truth the story had hit a little too close to home. So, this is where Riddle was hiding.

'Am I?' Her lips were now almost pressed against his ear. 'I suppose there is only one way to find out. Maybe you are not as adventurous as you say.' With that she walked away to serve another set of customers.

Harry looked around to see how the others were getting on, only to find himself on the end of a death glare from Ron. He really didn't think I was flirting did he? It's Ron of course he bloody did. Harry finished his drink and made his way upstairs to his room, he wasn't surprised when Ron followed him in immediately after.

'What's up Ron?'

'What's up?' He snarled 'I'll tell you what's up, you're going out with my sister and now you're flirting with the bloody barmaid!'

'Don't be daft Ron. I'd be mad ruin things with Ginny.'

'Then what do you call what you were doing downstairs. The leaning in and whispering.'

'The same thing you were doing. Unless you were flirting with that bloke.'

'Course I wasn't and stop turning this on me.' He demanded, red in the face.

'Look Ron, I love Ginny and I trust her and she trusts me.'

'That's not the point she couldn't see you talking to that girl.'

'Exactly Ron, talking, just talking. Do you think talking with a member of the opposite sex is flirting?'

'Well... no… but…'

'Exactly, because if it was, Hermione would be flirting all day long.'

Ron's ears turned pink at the idea. 'She, she wouldn't!' he cried outraged, then a look of horror came over him 'Would she?'

Harry rolled his eyes 'No of course she wouldn't you prat. Ron, Hermione's been in love with you for as long as you have with her. She just realised it sooner.' He patted Ron on the shoulder 'Are we ok now?'

'Yeah, sorry for overreacting.' Apologised Ron, looking embarrassed at the floor.

'No problem, now let's go find the others So we can tell them what I found out.'

'Wait you found something, why didn't you tell me?' Harry glared at him 'Oh right yeah.' Ron muttered sheepishly.

'Come on.' Huffed Harry shaking his head.

They decided to wait until morning before searching the area around the lake. In order to speed up things they split up, Harry with Vermont and Ron paired with Neville.

'How vill you kno if ve have found this spirit.' Asked Vermont.

'I'll know, besides the spirits gone. We're just looking for evidence.' Assured Harry.

They were walking through a densely forested area, having followed a path which temporarily lead them away from the lake. When they were about two miles South of the water's edge when Harry gave an involuntary shudder and stopped.

'Vot's vrong?'

'We're close.' Harry drew his wand as he left the path heading through the thick forest.

'Ve shouldn't stray from the path.' Cautioned Vermont.

'We're not going to find anything on the path come on.'

'It could be dangerous.'

Harry whirled around to stand face to face with him 'We need to end this soon or the massacres across Europe are going to continue.'

'Your urgency makes you reckless.' Said Vermont angrily.

'Then what do you suggest?' Snapped Harry.

'Ve should check the area for spells, and at least follow the path see if ve can find anything else.'

'Fine let's go then, if we don't find anything then we do it my way.'

'No.' Said Vermont looking a bit disgruntled 'Let's split up and test our theories against each other. I vill meet you here in two hours' he turned on his heel and disappearing up the path.

I wonder, did he want us to split up? Acting on a hunch Harry donned his invisibility cloak and followed Vermont. I can always come back here later.

He hurried along the path only to spot Vermont diverge into the forest and head back towards the lake. Wonder where he's going. Going as quickly and as quietly as possible Harry followed Vermont to the lake's edge.

Vermont paused at the shore checking around for anyone following him. Despite being under the cloak, Harry, made sure to conceal himself behind a tree to keep himself hidden. Then he heard a voice that made his blood boil.

'I see you made it.' greeted O'Manda appearing at the shore.

'Yes sir, I did.' Said Vermont, 'Thank you for seeing me.'

Harry was physically restraining himself from attacking the pair of them there and then, only the promise of finding Padonnis stopped him.

'So, what is your news?' Demanded O'Manda.

'Potter, he is here.'

'Ah, does he know anything?'

'I don't think so, he is chasing some spirit. Some old legend.'

'I see well keep him away from here.'

'I vill.'

'Good, meet me here at 10 O'Clock tonight and I will take you to meet my employer. He will have further instructions for you.'

'Thank you, I vill be here.'

'Good, now leave you must avoid suspicion.'

'I vill, me and Potter have split up for now. I vill make sure he doesn't suspect.'

'Good, you've done well Vermont. I'll see you tonight.' With that O'Manda dissaparated, Vermont then made his way back to the path.

I wonder how many Aurors he has in his pocket over here. It's going to be a long night. Harry silently made his way back to the path and headed towards the place he initially wanted to search.

It didn't take him long to find, he easily identified the eery feeling he had felt before. taking off the cloak he strode purposefully through the undergrowth. As time went on the air became fouler, he noticed that some of the plants along the path had started to rot.

He followed the trail of rotting foliage until a strange mist started to surround him. Suppressing a shudder, he moved on with greater urgency, the visibility becoming poorer and poorer so he could barely see the end of his nose. Finally, when the mist cleared, he found himself in a lifeless place.

All Harry could see was grey, there wasn't a tree with a leaf left. The trees that had fallen were heavily rotted and infested with mould whilst the trees still standing looked like they had been scorched with fire.

There was nothing left in the area alive, it was silent apart from his own heavy breathing. He walked forward, covering his nose from the stench. He carefully sidestepped the remains of various small mammals and reptilians that all showed signs of possession whilst he made his way to the middle of this coppice of death.

Dark magic could be felt all around, its humming only becoming stronger the further Harry ventured. He had been walking for about twenty minutes when he started coming across bones that looked suspiciously human.

That theory was confirmed when he spotted several skulls along the way. The bones were scattered unnaturally as if they had been torn apart after death. As he went the bodies became more wholesome even being clothed.

That was when he came across a large dead Oak tree. At the base of the trunk there was a skeleton dressed in a robe. He grimaced at the sight of how the skeleton was lying, clearly broken and wondered exactly what kind of torture they had to endure before finally being allowed to die.

Harry walked over resisting his stomach's protestations, he peeked at the label on the back of the robes collar. The initials were B. J. 'I'm sorry Bertha.' Harry spoke to the skeleton. 'No one should have gone through what you did.'

Looking back up at the tree Harry spotted a hollow in the trunk. Looking inside he could see that it was just large enough for a crown. So this is where the Diadem was hidden. He cast a series of spells on the hollow and found remnants of concealment spells that had long been broken.

'You really did leave your mark on this place didn't you Tom? Just like your soul, it will never know peace.' With that final statement, he turned on the spot, dissaparating back to the place he had left the path.