Author's Notes:

1. The new spy is the same person for both Voldemort and Dumbledore. Each thinks the spy works for them.
2. I'm sorry to those who don't want this to be a HarryGinny, but it is. I might eventually write a non HarryGinny fiction, but not yet.
3. This is a slightly shorter chapter, but mostly because it never was supposed to be here. This only came into being after the next chapter had been written to maintain a flow
4. Thanks for reviews. Please continue. I like them.

Rise of a Dark Prince

Part 1

CHAPTER 4

Mort woke up suddenly. Yawning, he jumped out of his bed and ran to the courtroom of the Dark Lord. The Death Eaters wouldn't be there for quite some while. He had to find the Dark Lord before they arrived. Two years had passed since his first attack on Diagon Alley, and he had carried out several more - the latest being on his birthday, but under the guise of Jake Potter's birthday.

In his raids, instead of going with the sole aim of killing and torturing as the Death Eaters preferred in general, he went with specific aims, such as destroying newly unveiled statues of Cornelius Fudge and Albus Dumbledore, and the likes. All under his new guise as the Lord Apprentice - a brown haired and blue eyed boy of medium height and average build. The most notable features of his face were the broken nose, which he added for no real reason, and a hideous scar that ran along his left cheek. Even the Death Eaters, save the Inner Circle, had begun to take this as his true appearance.

That day was an important one for the Dark Lord. He was leading the most experienced of his men to an all-out attack on Hogsmeade. But Mort had suddenly realized something important and wished to speak to his Master with utmost urgency.

"Master," he called out breathlessly on reaching his destination.

The Dark Lord regarded his Apprentice with less than full favor. "Calm down, boy. I am not disappearing anywhere. What do you want so early this morning?"

"Master," the boy panted for breath again. "Before you go for the raid, I… your other spy… he is not true to you."

The Dark Lord remained silent, motioning for Mort to continue.

Mort steadied himself and spoke. "These past three raids that I have led… each time, I told Severus to spread information to the Order, so we could gain him credibility. But somehow the Order always knew when my leaked information were a mere cover. They knew when Severus was merely spreading false information."

"So you are suggesting…"

"The spy works for Dumbledore," Mort exclaimed. "That is the only explanation."

"Do not be ridiculous, boy," the Dark Lord hissed in anger. "Do you think such treachery could pass undetected by me? By Lord Voldemort?"

Mort blanched. "Forgive me, Master. It is the truth. The spy has turned."

The Dark Lord pondered Mort's words thoughtfully. "I will think on what you have said. But today's raid will go ahead. Hogsmeade shall bow before Lord Voldemort."

"Master, please," Mort begged. "Please change your plans. I have an uneasy feeling about this."

The Dark Lord glared at his Apprentice. In a commanding tone, he bellowed, "My vision will not cater to the whims of your unease, boy. The raid will continue."

"Then let me come with you, Master," Mort pleaded.

"You forget yourself," the Dark Lord snapped. "Every single person who follows me today has been with me for at least a decade. They have bled sorely and suffered many hardships. I do not take youth and inexperience to such important missions, and I will make no exceptions.'

"What about your spy?" Mort spat out in disgust. "He has been with you for less time than I."

"Do you question my decision?" the Dark Lord hissed angrily, unwittingly switching to Parseltongue. "I should punish you for your impudence. Leave now."

Mort suddenly felt cold and detached. "Very well, Master. I must return to my tasks for the day."

But instead of returning to his chamber, he went to look for Neville, and together they went to his chamber. Mort ignored Neville's curious questions and drew a rune on his mirror. The scene changed to that of Snape's private chamber in Hogwarts, and Mort called out urgently, "Are you there, Severus?"

"What do you want, Mortimer?" Snape said irritably. "I have told you to not call me in Hogwarts. It is much too dangerous…"

"This is urgent," he interrupted. "Are you aware of today's raid in Hogsmeade?"

Snape shook his head with a frown. "No. Is there supposed to be one? The Dark Lord hasn't deemed me worthy of being privy to this information. Both sides are realizing my lack of value as a spy."

Mort shook his head vigorously. "He wants this to be a success. He didn't want it to leak through any source."

The figure of Snape balked in the mirror. He shook his head and steadied himself on a chair.

Mort raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

"Today is a Hogsmeade Weekend. The students from the Castle will be there. What should I do? If the Dark Lord comes with his forces, then there will be…"

Mort understood. He turned to Neville, who shrugged blankly. Looking at Severus, he said with a sigh, "Do what you think is necessary."

Snape sighed. He knew what the consequences of his actions could bode for both himself and for Mort, and yet he couldn't stand by and watch the Death Eaters wreck havoc in Hogsmeade with hundreds of students around. It would be a terrible blow to Wizardkind at large.

So leaving his chambers, Severus Snape walked straight to the Headmaster's Office and knocked.

"Come in, Severus," the omniscient voice of the Headmaster came serenely from within, and Snape walked in. To his surprise, Dumbledore wasn't alone. Several members of the old and the new Orders were present, and fully prepared.

"You know?" Snape asked in confusion.

"Yes," said Dumbledore simply. "Since last night."

"Your news comes too late, Snape," Black said disapprovingly. "One would assume you intended for us to be caught unawares."

"Sirius," Dumbledore interjected before Snape could retort. "Severus honestly wasn't aware. My spy told me exactly who all are involved. What I find surprising is this - if the Dark Lord is indeed suspicious of you, then how did you find out, Severus?"

Snape sighed. He was still bound by the charm. "I am afraid I am unable to give an answer to that."

"Ah," Dumbledore said knowingly. "I thought so."

Snape raised an eyebrow curiously at the Headmaster, who merely twinkled in a grandfatherly manner. "What do you know, Albus?"

"The Apprentice," Dumbledore said simply. "You do not have to answer as I am aware you cannot. Do not worry, my boy, our spy is deep within the enemy's councils." Then rising up, he said commandingly, "It is time, we must get going. Remember, we are there to celebrate Lily's birthday. Act the part. We do not want to cast suspicion on our spy."

Snape returned to his chamber with a heavy heart. He drew the rune on his mirror, and to his surprise Mort was waiting for him anxiously.

"What happened?" he asked immediately.

"Your suspicions of late are true. The unnamed spy works for the Order. Dumbledore knew. Even as we speak, they are on their way to Hogsmeade."

Mort blanched. Then he frowned thoughtfully. "What about you? Why aren't you there? And why are you able to tell me all this?"

Snape sighed. "My presence was not needed. It would be suspicious for me to be part of Lily Potter's birthday party in Hogsmeade due to my animosity towards her husband and Black. I have been obscured, but as I know you will not be repeating this to the Dark Lord, I can speak to you."

Mort nodded. "That is a clever way of going against the charm, but there will be hell to pay if he finds out."

"What are we to do now?"

Neville spoke then, for the first time. "Whom are we supporting here - the Death Eaters or the Order? I am confused."

"Neither," Mort replied to his friend. "The students, the Dark Lord and Bella. I want them all safe." He hesitated, then hissed, "Nagini, are you here?"

The serpent crawled from underneath the table and slid up Mort's leg to his lap. "Yes, little massster."

"What is your view on this? What should we do?"

The serpent coiled around Mort's neck and faced him eye to eye. The Apprentice, however, was not bothered at all and waited for the serpent to continue.

"You could lead your own raid, little massster, and achieve what you desire."

Mort nodded. "The Dark Lord will punish us severely for this, but I see no other option." He got up and turned to Neville, "You don't have to come with me."

"Shut up, Mort," Neville said in annoyance. He got up too, and then blinked. "Where are we going again?"

--------

The Dark Lord was beyond angry. His perfect raid was spoilt. Not only was the staff of Hogwarts there, but several of their friends were also present in Hogsmeade, albeit unaware of the raid. They had taken the Order by surprise, which was lucky, but their presence incensed him. In anger, he turned to his spy, who was beside him.

"Were you aware of this?"

"My Lord," the spy said with a bow. "I give you my word, I had no information about this… birthday party. As you are aware, I am not supposed to..."

"Silence," the Dark Lord thundered. "Then your importance to me is receding just as Severus' has. Perhaps I should find another spy."

The spy paled, though the white Death Eater mask kept his face covered. "Forgive me, My Lord. I will not make such a mistake again."

"My Apprentice fears your loyalty towards me is wavering," the Dark Lord commented as he observed Dumbledore battling against the Dementors. James and Lily Potter were beside the Headmaster, while the rest of the Order members were fighting the Death Eaters. He slipped in his comment as a matter of fact, carefully gauging the spy's reaction.

The spy immediately knelt on the ground and said, "My Lord, my oath to you is true. How can I convince you of my allegiance?"

The Dark Lord nodded in satisfaction. He had been waiting for that very offer. He pointed to a group of students attempting to hold their own ground in a corner. "If you are indeed true to me and not to the Order, you will not hesitate bringing me the redhead Weasley girl captive. You are not to touch the Potters. I have other plans for them. The girl will be a gift to my Apprentice."

"As you command, My Lord," the spy said quietly and got up. He turned to the group of students - the Defense Association, formed by James and Jake Potter to train students to fight Death Eaters. Foolish Gryffindors, the spy fumed. But he had to maintain his act.

There were six of them and the spy recognized each one instantly - Jake Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Gillian Prewett and Dean Thomas - a group of mere third and fourth years. They would have been better served in escaping. Instead, they were engaging Nott, Parkinson and Avery. The spy nodded appreciatively at Jake Potter's dueling style. He would be a good warrior someday if he survived his own recklessness. Then he zoned everyone out and fixed his attention on Ginny Weasley. She was aiding Hermione Granger against Nott.

The spy waited in the shadows. He had an odd feeling of being watched. He waited. It was then that Crabbe and Goyle joined the battle against the students, and they were beginning to get overwhelmed, when suddenly stray curses came from afar. The spy hesitated and turned to the spot where the curses were coming from. There were clearly at least two, perhaps three, people hidden. But they seemed to be taking the side of the students, so he didn't wonder too much. He had to maintain his act. So seizing the moment of confusion, he whispered, "Incarcerous! Accio Ginny!" and ran towards the Dark Lord as the tied figure of the struggling student following his wand.

"Well done," the Dark Lord said, highly pleased. Ginny Weasley was lying at his feet. He raised his wand and flicked it down when "Accio!" another voice yelled from a distance. The Dark Lord paused, turned to the bushes angrily and hissed, "Apprentice!"

The spy gasped in bafflement when the brown haired Apprentice emerged from the bushes and walked proudly to the Dark Lord. He bowed, but then without any hesitation whatsoever, untied the binds off Ginny Weasley and banished her to safety. It was only then that the Dark Lord got over his shock and uttered, "Crucio!" He held it for several minutes and all other activity seemed to stop instantly.

"Let him go, Riddle," Dumbledore's calm voice resounded all around. "You have lost. You have lost the battle and your Apprentice. Let him go."

But instead of doing as the Headmaster said, the Dark Lord bellowed one word, "Retreat!" and vanished with his Apprentice. The conscious Death Eaters followed suit. So did the spy.

--------

"You fool," the Dark Lord hissed at Mort venomously. "She was to be a gift for you."

Mort lowered his head in shame and anger. "I have told you, Master, I do not want her as a gift. I asked for her life."

The Dark Lord took a sharp breath. "You deliberately disobeyed me, boy. You will be punished for your impudence. Crucio!"

Mort fell to the full wrath of the curse yet again and screamed. Sweat and blood had clouded his vision.

The Dark Lord finally lifted his wand and hissed, "Episkey!" casting a minor healing charm. The Death Eaters had all left already, and he had waited until they were alone to punish Mort. "You have disappointed me, Apprentice. By the evidence of your own eyes, you have seen the falsity of your accusations. And you showed direct defiance to me in front of my men and my enemies. Why did you do this?"

Mort kept his head low and didn't answer. He saw the Dark Lord raise his wand again, but fortunately for him, before his Master could strike, Nagini came slithering into the room. The serpent went straight to the Dark Lord and held a whispered conversation with him as Mort waited, completely inert.

"Nagini says you came to keep me safe. Is that true, boy?" the Dark Lord demanded.

Mort didn't raise his eyes. "You, Bella and the students," he responded in a shaky voice.

The Dark Lord shook his head and observed his Apprentice in silence. After several minutes, he roared, "You are a fool. Do you think I, Lord Voldemort, need your protection? You forget yourself, Apprentice." He raised his wand again, but before he could curse the trembling Mort, another voice interrupted.

"Please, My Lord," Bellatrix said in a quivering voice. She came to Mort's side, and put an arm around him. "Please, My Lord. He is in much pain. Let him go."

"Do you wish to defy me as well, Bella?" the Dark Lord asked dangerously, his eyes glinting with a fury that surprised both Mort and Bellatrix.

But the female Death Eater merely lowered her head, keeping her arm tightly round the suffering boy.

Finally, the Dark Lord shook his head. "Go back to your chamber, boy, and heal your wounds. Get some rest. We will discuss your punishment later."

Mort nodded, whispering, "Thank you, Master," as he retreated. He walked to his chamber and found Neville waiting for him with great worry in his face.

"I should have been punished too, Mort. You shouldn't have denied my participation," the boy protested adamantly as he passed the vials of potions he had already arrayed n front of him for Mort.

Mort drowned each vial before answering. "You only did as I said. None of this was your fault. You did not deserve punishment." He stared vacantly to space and didn't say anything else, and Neville quietly left, realizing his friend wanted to be left alone.

Mort waited for several minutes in solitude before picking up a quill.

'Dear Ginny

How are you? Professor Snape told me about what happened in Hogsmeade today. I hope you aren't hurt.

I think it is a stupid idea of you joining the Defense Association. No, don't get me wrong. You should learn how to be able to defend yourself and it doesn't matter if you do so with Gryffindors. But to face Death Eaters in battle? You are thirteen years old! I hope you get scolded and punished, not too much, but enough, so you start thinking before you act like your brainless brother and his friends. As you might have noticed, I am disappointed with you. I was so scared when I… Do you realize how close you were… never mind. I forgive you, anyway.

I am glad you liked the phoenix pendant I gave you for your birthday. Thank you for buying chocolates for Emily. I really do owe you for that. But I must go now, my tutors are making me work extra hard these days.

Your friend

Mort.'

--------

Albus Dumbledore was sitting in his office and deep in thought. The earlier events of the day had posed many new questions for him. First, he was beginning to doubt the loyalty of his own spy. He had noticed the scene unfold very carefully and had extracted the memory from Ron Weasley's mind. The spy had very nearly given a young female student to the nonexistent mercies of Lord Voldemort. Dumbledore appreciated the delicate situation he might have been in, but was unable to get rid of that little niggle of doubt from his mind.

At the same time, the Apprentice had finally revealed his true nature. Dumbledore was pleased. To get hold of the Apprentice and turn him over to his side would be a fatal blow to Voldemort, and the earlier events had given him much hope of being able to achieve just that. The Apprentice had been helping the students throughout the Death Eater raid. Dumbledore was very pleased. But first, he had to deal with the spy.

He faced the person sitting in front of him and asked simply, "Why?"

The spy looked at the Headmaster keenly and said, "The Apprentice fancies her. He would not have allowed any harm to come on her."

"Does he now?" Dumbledore leaned back again. The situation was becoming more and more pleasant for him. Then suddenly, he frowned. How did the Apprentice know her in the first place. He asked, "Tell me truthfully, was that his real face?"

The spy hesitated. Then looking around, he sighed. "No." He paused for a moment and continued, "You must obscure this conversation from my mind. He would punish me severely if he found out." When Dumbledore nodded, he continued, "The boy from the Gala, Mortimer Thomas Riddle. He is the Apprentice. This is a fake persona."

Dumbledore nodded happily. He had had his suspicions but over the course of the past year, they had subsided. He smiled at his spy and said, "Is there hope for the Apprentice to be turned? Has he been marked?"

The spy shook his head. "Not yet. The boy loves the Dark Lord, though he hates the Death Eaters and their ways. He would never willingly turn to us. Also, he is suspicious of me."

"What about Ginny Weasley? Can she be of any aid?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

The spy pondered thoughtfully. "Perhaps. But she would have to be captured by the Death Eaters for the Apprentice to truly go against them."

Dumbledore nodded happily. "Then we have found our way." With a motion of his hand, he dismissed the spy, who gladly left the office.

As he left, the spy pondered the implication of the Headmaster's words in his mind. The Great and Noble Albus Dumbledore was willing to play with the lives of his students. He was just like the Dark Lork. The spy smiled. In this highly intricate chessboard, there was only one person truly certain of his own orientation, himself.

He apparated to Riddle Manor and slowly walked in. The Dark Lord was alone. He seemed to be in a foul mood, and the spy shuddered. Bowing, he waited for the Dark Lord to begin questioning.

"What news?" he asked simply.

"Dumbledore is making plans to turn your Apprentice, My Lord," the spy said quietly. "His defiance in the battlefield was taken as a lack of interest in becoming a Death Eater."

The Dark Lord nodded. He was worried. "What plans is the Headmaster making?" But before he could get a response, the Dark Lord drew back with a jerking motion and hissed, "Why did he not obscure this information from your mind?"

The spy paled. "It was forgotten amidst all the revelations and activities of the day, My Lord. Much is astir in Hogwarts."

"Very well," the Dark Lord said suspiciously. "Do you know what plans he is making?"

"No, My Lord," the spy said regretfully. "I was not told."

As the Dark Lord questioned his spy, Mort closed the window link and turned furiously to Nagini. "How can he even think I will go against him? How can I prove my loyalty?"

"Do not excite yourself, little massster," the serpent hissed consolingly, wrapping itself around the boy. "Your best way forward is complete obedience."

Mort shook his head and sat down. Just then Hedwig fluttered in through the window, and he looked at the owl expectantly as she dropped a piece of parchment on the table. Quickly and eagerly, he read it.

'Dear Mort

I am sorry… I really am… I wont do anything so silly again, I promise. Don't be upset with me.

Everything is in such a mess over here. The Potters are staying over in Hogwarts, all of them, so are the Blacks, the Prewetts and the Longbottoms. I heard something called the Order of the Dragon. I think they're a group of people who fight You Know Who. It's exciting, but no… I wont even think of fighting, okay? To make up to you, I'm going to take Emily out flying when it's a bit safer, okay? And I will keep myself from teasing Draco for a week. I promise.

It was so scary this morning. I thought I was going to die. I saw You Know Who… he looked a bit familiar but I couldn't place him. Then his Apprentice saved me! Yes, the Dark Apprentice! And I don't believe that he is bad! He saved my life… He was so brave, and I cried when You Know Who put him under the Cruciatus Curse for so long.

I got to go now. Write again soon. I wish we could meet again soon. It's been so long.

Love, Ginny.'

Reading the letter, Mort felt slightly relaxed. It was always good to hear from his long distance friend. But he was a bit confused. Seeing her tied at the feet of the Dark Lord had made him freeze momentarily. Then when the Dark Lord raised his wand, he had been frightened. He knew he would never attack his Master, but he would have jumped in front of whatever curse his Master cast at the girl.

Then shivering, he realized what his Master meant. He had a weakness.