Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. :(

Chapter 8

His escapade with the Unspeakables was a week ago and since then, it was calm. No raids, no Unspeakables after him and it was relaxing to Harry. He spent much of the week by Voldemort's side. He was curious about his father's alternate self. It came to no surprise to him that both of them were similar barring a few differences. This Voldemort specializes in Runes while his father was more to Soul Magic. The runes Voldemort had used to teleport him from the roof was intriguing. It perked up his interest in learning the subject more. The question was how to ask Voldemort to teach him.

Harry must admit he was surprised, he never got cursed once since he arrived here. He knew the Dark Lord's tendency to curse his servants when they failed or when he was angry, agitated, mad, displeased...he shouldn't have bothered to list them. Suffice to say, he was still unpunished for the duration of his stay. All week he spent pushing some of the Dark Lord's button, wanting to know the limit of his insolence, his place. All he got was a twitch in the eyebrow. It was frustrating. On the bright side, at least it was better than none. It could be a warning of sorts for Voldemort to lose patient and he really didn't want to get cursed.

Currently Harry was sprawled on the sofa in front of the fire while reading a book about dimension travel. Voldemort was working on his paperwork at his desk.

Harry yawned. The book was boring and absolutely useless. It just discussed the theory on alternate dimensions. None whatsoever clue on how to travel among dimensions. He closed the book and put it on the table beside the sofa. The warmth was making him drowsy and a nap sounded really good.

"There'll be an Elite meeting tonight." The voice of his father floated to him.

"Huh? Elite...do I have to be there?" He vaguely heard Voldemort's answer before he succumbed to the welcoming darkness.

c-x

Remus Lupin was currently sitting at the corner of a pub in London. He was quietly sipping his drink and watching the crowd around him. Even though he's a wizard, his attire made him blend perfectly with the crowd. A simple trousers and a dark blue shirt covered with a shabby coat.

A presence made itself known to him and sat beside him. Never taking his eyes off the crowd, Remus said quietly, "Good evening, Padfoot."

"Evening, Moony." A wide grin decorated the handsome face of Sirius Black.

Sirius ordered himself a drink and they both sat for a while, enjoying each other company.

"How are you?" asked Remus, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

A smile made way to Sirius's face. "Fine. Just like always. Work, work and work."

However, Remus could see clearly through the facade. In fact, he knew that Sirius's was never fine. Not since the death of James, Lily and his godson, Harry sixteen years ago. His smiles never reached his eyes. Remus sighed and took a sip of his drink.

"How's Tonks?" Sirius asked.

The question caught Remus off-guard and he spluttered. Sirius grin widened as he pat the back of the coughing Werewolf.

"Excuse me," Remus said after he composed himself. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't avoid it Moony. I know you're going out with her."

"I – I'm certainly not," Remus said indignantly.

"What makes you so worried? She's perfect for you." Sirius looked at Remus face. "Ah, the furry little problem..."

"I'm not suitable for her. I don't want my children to suffer the curse and there're better wizards out there for her."

"Moony, we're at war. You could die anytime. She could die anytime. Do you want to miss this chance? She loves you knowing your problem and believe me, you're the best wizard out there for her.

"But –"

"No, Remus." Sirius cut off. "I want you to be happy. When you're happy, I'm happy. Don't lose this chance Moony..." He trailed off and his eyes took a far look.

Remus looked at Sirius with a deep sorrow. 'My friend, you've suffered so much.'

"We'll see," he said, successfully diverting Sirius's attention towards him, away from the past.

"So, why do you ask to meet here?" Sirius said. His gloomy mood vanished in an instant and replaced with curiosity.

"Ah, that," Remus said, back to business. "I was wondering if you know anything about what happened at the Ministry?"

Sirius's face took a guarded look. "Did Dumbledore ask you to do this?"

"No, Sirius. I want to know what happened." Remus sighed. His friend still held a grudge against the Professor. "You and I both know what the Minister said was a lie. Something was stolen and I suspect the Leaky Cauldron incident also had to do with this."

Sirius nodded trusting his friend. "Not all of it was a lie. Yes, no top-secret whatever document was stolen from the department but something was lost that night. At the Department of Mysteries."

"What was stolen?" He asked, aghast. The rumoured to be safest place in the Ministry was broken into.

Sirius looked gravely into Remus's eyes. "Harry's prophecy."

Remus's eyes widen, belying his utter horror at the thought. "Who did this? If Voldemort got his hands on the prophecy...Sirius, we have to tell Dumbledore about this."

His friend made a disgusted noise. "What for?"

"Padfoot, be reasonable. I know you don't like Albus but he is trying his best to defeat Voldemort. And now, Voldemort knows the entire prophecy. We have to tell him."

Sirius just grunted.

Remus sighed. His friend can be so stubborn at times. Wait, who was he kidding, Sirius was stubborn all the time.

"There's another matter. Whoever took the prophecy knows the Longbottom boy is one of the candidates. Assuming the worst, Voldemort will also know about the boy."

"Candidates?" Remus repeated. "And he knows about Neville?"

"Yes. The boy's at Hogwarts. He's safe for now. Voldemort wouldn't dare attack the school."

"Do you know who did this?"

"Yes, and I also know he loves salsa and tango," Sirius said, voice dripped with sarcasm.

Remus watched his friend. There was something wrong here. Sirius was too agitated. His control had slipped.

"Sirius, what are you hiding from me?"

"Nothing."

"Sirius..."

"You won't believe me."

"Try me."

"The intruder have similar magical signature with James and Lily," he gushed out.

Remus looked at his friend in disbelief. "You know that's impossible right."

"Damn it, Remy! I know it s impossible. I've checked and double checked it already! It's the same, every single time. I told you, you won't believe me."

Remus was silent for a while. "It could be anyone," he said.

"We both know James was the last Potter and Lily doesn't have any magical cousins. He's an imposter. Voldemort must have done something. That –" Sirius ranted.

"How did he look like?" Remus asked after his friend finished his colourful tirade.

"I don't know. He wore a bloody glamour and the bar was too full to send a direct finite."

Remus raised an eyebrow. "So that was you. Not the Death Eaters," he said, referring to the incident at the Leaky Cauldron.

Sirius looked indignantly at Remus. "That was not us. It was the git. The bloody imposter. He threw the Instant Darkness Powder in the bar."

Remus nodded in understanding. No wonder people thought the Death Eaters attacked. Anything related to darkness were labelled Dark Arts. Prejudiced bunch of idiots. "So you lost the guy?"

"Yeah, on the roof somewhere. He teleported out. We weren't sure how."

"Is he a Death Eater?"

"I don't know. But the raid that night could be a diversion and may be Voldemort was aiming for the prophecy all along. Although something was off with this attack. Our spies didn't report any raids and then he summoned them that night without any warning..." Sirius trailed off.

"This means the imposter's a new player or there's a third party," Remus said quietly.

Sirius nodded. He finished the last of his drink and stood. "I'm done. Keep a nose out for him Moony, and if there's any news, you know where to find me." With a pat on Remus back, Sirius walked out of the bar.

Remus sat silently for a while. He mulled the information he just received. A new player and the prophecy in the Dark Lord's hand. This is so screwed.

x-o

The Death Eaters was seated along the table. All of them were listening to the report given by Rookwood on the Ministry Intrusion and the Leaky Cauldron Incident.

"...suspect managed to escape and we lost his magical signature. The Aurors were already alerted and they are on the lookout for the intruder."

Bellatrix smirked, her hand resting on the table languidly. "Shame on you Rookwood, incapable of catching a mere wizard," she mocked.

Rookwood glared at the witch. He opened his mouth to retort but the Dark Lord cut him in midsentence.

"And what does the prophecy refer to?" he said, ignoring Bellatrix.

"My Lord, the prophecy was..." Rookwood hesitated, "referring to you, My Lord and another person. I, myself didn't know about the existence of the prophecy until now. If not, I would have already informed you."

Voldemort looked at the Unspeakable. He could easily detect the fear in the man's voice. As it should be. He would have Crucio'ed the fool if he hadn't already known the entire prophecy already. "Find out all you can about the prophecy and the Unspeakables movements," he ordered.

"Yes, my Lord." Rookwood bowed his head, inwardly sighing in relief. He thought he would be punished for sure.

"A missive will be sent to the vampires. Rabastan had managed to salvage their coven's location to us. He will lead the delegates to the vampires." Voldemort looked at his Elites. They were the best and their loyalties unwavering.

"Rodolphus, you'll head to the Werewolves den and secure their loyalties. Bring Fenrir with you. Severus, double the potions in the store. We will need more of them soon. Avery, Nott and Mulciber, you'll train the new recruits," he ordered.

"Yes, my Lord," the aforementioned Death Eaters chorused.

"Dismiss," Voldemort said and exited the chamber, leaving his followers behind.

c-x

Harry was sitting in the Study Room with Nagini's head on his lap. In front of him was a cage filled with mouse.

"No, Harry, I want that one darker," Nagini hissed.

"Yes, your Majesty," he said and obediently spelled the mouse maroon.

"Very good. Now, I want to eat it."

Harry immediately levitated the mouse out of the cage and his father's familiar took her time devouring the mouse.

"More salt and I want a sparkling mouse."

It was to this scene that Voldemort saw when he entered the room. "You're spoiling her," he said shortly.

"She should be spoiled," Harry grinned.

Voldemort then proceed to ignore both of them, he had letters to write. But if Nagini gets fat and lazy, the consequences would be dire.

The room was filled with hissings and scratching of quill against parchment. Voldemort didn't realize how long the time has passed but when he finished the letter, the hissings had already stopped. Curious, he looked towards the fireplace. Both his familiar and his heir were fast asleep. Voldemort was perplexed. This was the second time the teen slept in his presence. How could he lower his guard so much around him, a Dark Lord? He was not the boy's father and he could kill the brat any time he wanted. Voldemort pondered on that thought. Either he's losing his touch as a Dark Lord or the boy trusted him that much. An odd sensation rose in him. He quickly dismissed the feeling, a trivial matter. But one thing was for sure, the brat liked sleeping too much.

"Tipsy." The house-elf appeared with a resounding crack. "Make sure the fire doesn't die in this room," he ordered.

"Yes, master." The elf bowed.

x-o

"What? I have to go to the vampire's coven?" Harry was shocked. "You have got to be kidding me."

"You heard me, yes and no," Voldemort answered.

Currently they were in the Library. Harry was searching for books when the Dark Lord found him, informing him of his latest task.

"I will not go there," Harry said forcefully. "I have the instinct of kill-vampires-on-sight and you're sending me straight to their nest. We'll both kill each other off!"

Voldemort raised an eyebrow, "Now would be a good time to curb that instinct."

"Why can't I do other things? Help Severus brew potions?"

"You know full well Severus hates outsiders in his lab."

"Help train new recruits?"

"Good idea. Train some of them before you go."

"Search for a way to dimension travel?"

"And you've gotten nowhere, haven't you?"

"Find the spies among your rank?

"Already know them."

"Stay here and relax?"

"Out of the question."

"Fine!" Harry scowled but he saw his chance. "I'll go but you have to teach me Runes." It would be stupid to miss the prospect of getting private tutoring from the Dark Lord.

Voldemort contemplated the request for a moment. "After you came back from your mission at the coven."

"Deal." Harry grinned.

c-x

Later that night, Voldemort was sitting languidly on his chair, watching the fire burned in the hearth. I've made my move, Dumbledore, your turn now.

x-o

An owl came fluttering and landed on his desk. A small piece of paper tied to its leg.

Dumbledore read the letter sent from his spy among Voldemort's rank.

The Dark Lord sent a missive to the vampires and werewolves. Details unknown.

With the vampires and werewolves, the Dark would have an advantage over the Light. Smart move Tom, but not unexpected.

End of Chapter 8

A/N: So...tell me what do you think. :)