Ch 14 Voldemort

Shapes flitted from shadow to shadow in the small village. There were a number of them. Even the warmth of the lights glowing from each cozy window did not dispel the gloom and fear that came before the figures running through the night. Werewolves! Hundreds of them converging on the little hamlets and towns nestled in the once charming countryside.

The Weasley house was tucked into the meadow and surrounded by tall oaks standing sentinel along the lane leading to the house. There were no night noises. Not a barn owl or a pig or a fox moved in the stillness of the night. The shapes slipped through the moon shadows, once in awhile looking up at the silver orb and giving voice to the thrill of the hunt and the chase and then moving on.

Molly Weasley sat in her armchair next to the warm fire and refused to study her clock. Her family had grown up and they were scattered in many places. The hands of the clock had never moved away from the ominous words: In Peril. She listened to the click of the knitting needles and glanced at them once in awhile. It was all she could do to sit and not pace the room. Her thoughts as usual were on her family and hardly ever on herself. She felt a knot of anxiety gathering force in her throat and she finally heaved herself to her feet and once again went to the window to look out. It did no good to look because there was nothing there to see and yet she had to look. She saw the shadows moving where there should have been stillness and wondered at the silence of the night. The first snows of winter were laying unmarked on the ground.

Not very far from her door she heard the first howl and stepped back, at first in shock, and then in terror. She had never been very good at defensive spells and she gripped the wand against her breast and stepped to the fireplace. Still watching the door she slipped a handful of floo powder from the cup and held it fast in her hand. Suddenly, the door buckled inward with the power and weight of a great beast. With a little shriek of terror she threw the powder into the fire and stepped in.

….

George and Fred Weasley were closing up shop early and had just turned out the lights and were walking along the street in Diagon Alley. Business had been poor as usual; at least the walk-in trade. Their only hope was to wait out the current storm, if that were possible and hope things picked up. They were glad the Ministry had taken to purchasing even more of their new items and large lots of their Shield charms supplies. They were discussing it when out of a darkened alley groups of figures descended on them and dead, pale hands groped in the dark and clung to them. The Inferi were upon them.

….

The green mark of the most evil wizard in the world began to light up the sky across the country until it looked like the Chinese New Year. Remus Lupin stepped out of No 12 Grimmauld Place having taken his potion for the evening. He looked up and saw the green residue drifting like clouds across the sky and stepped back to lean against the door in horror. My God it's happening again! He retreated to the interior of the house knowing his business would have to be set aside. People would be arriving soon and he needed to prepare. It had started. The war everyone was afraid of was now beginning.

…..

Rufus Scrimgeour entered his office and threw his cloak to the floor without paying any attention to where it landed. He'd spent the last hour with the muggle minister and was infuriated.

The stupid git! were his exact thoughts. Unexpected fires, missing pedestrians, buses overturned, the underground stranded and in darkness. Strange storms! What does he want me to do about it? He sat at his immense desk and set a dictating quill to parchment. A head poked in and he looked up in time to see it and call out. "Weasley, get in here!"

Percy Weasley stepped in, wringing his hands.

"Go find your father and get him up here," Scrimgeour growled.

"My...my father?" Percy whimpered.

"You heard me! If there is anyone who knows where Potter is, it will be him. Now fetch him!" The man waved his hand at him and began yanking drawers open. Ever one for action he was moving around the room like a whirlwind. He hardly looked up as figure after figure began to step from the fireplace, all talking at once. "Rufus, what are we going to do?" one woman asked in panic. "The mark is being seen everywhere!"

Another portly gentlemen in magnificent green robes that looked like dragonfly wings, and spectacles sitting at the tip of his nose, marched up to the desk and tucked a finger into his waistband, studying Scrimgeour over the glasses. He scrunched his nose and said easily, "I hope you have a plan of action for this Rufus?"

The yellowish eyes peered up over their own set of spectacles. "We have been anticipating this now for sometime, Oliver. You and Lilith shouldn't have come. You'll hear from me when the time is right!" The mane of dirty brown hair dipped down once again. "Now where is it? Where have I put it! Ah ha!" He stood upright clutching a thick folder against his chest.

"What do you plan to do?" another man asked. He had emerged from the fire and had waddled up beside the much taller man in green robes.

Scrimgoer frowned at them and turned to walk around his desk. "All of you go to your designated shelters. The Dark Lord is not interested in harming the members of the Winzegonat at the moment. Be assured you are all safe. He is more interested in the half bloods and muggle-born and he will attack them first. As far as we can tell..."

"Who?" the woman asked, "who can tell? Do you have Aurors spying on him Rufus?"

"Yes...well... no. Not directly on Him," Scrimgoer snarled. "I have people who are monitoring the situation. Now, I must leave."

"Where?" The short, round man asked, "Where are you going?"

Scrimgoer stopped dead in his tracks and turned to her. His hair was now sticking out around his face, and he, more than ever, resembled a lion as he glared back at them. "The attacks seem to be widespread, but aren't really. The main force is moving northward on flying carpets and thestrals. He's got a few dragons, but the fires are being handled. Trust me, we can deal with the Inferi and the werewolves if everyone will just keep their heads. The stories about the vampires are just not true and any decent wizard or witch should be able to deal with the trolls and assorted wildlife. It's the Death eaters that we must concern ourselves with and that is what I am about!" he swung around and headed for the door. "That is if I can be on my way!"

Percy stepped in just as Scrimgeour reached the door.

"Well, where is he?!" Scrimgeour shouted. He yanked the door open to stare down the empty hallway.

"I...I can't find him," Percy mewled.

"Get yourself out there and look until you do! I want to see Mad-Eye Moody at once!" The Minister sprang past him and hurled himself down the hall leaving Percy to face a growing body of men and women crowding into the office.

"Where am I to send him, Minister?" The words were barely out of Percy's mouth, but remained unheard, as they echoed on the empty hall. He turned slowly and gazed at the room full of very important people and asked, "Would anyone like some tea?"

…..

The usual crowd of goblins and warlocks and visitors to Hogsmeade were at The Three Broomsticks hanging around a roaring fire in the back room when a young boy came running in and slid hallway across the floor. He was yanking a muffler from around his chin in order to speak. Snowflakes were still frozen on his cap and the shoulders of his coat. The voice stopped and there was one last clink of a glass being set down on the bar. The boy's voice quivered as he spoke, "Villages are being attacked all over Britain! The Ministry has sounded the alarm!"

There was silence for a second, and then, pandemonium. Madam Rosmerta watched the last of her customers yanking on their cloaks as they flew out the door. She wiped the counter down with a moist rag and then went from light to light. "Nox... nox... nox," she repeated until there was one light left. It had been the light she had lit for Albus Dumbledore the night he was killed. She stared at it for a long time before she turned her back on it and climbed the stairs to her rooms above the bar. She carefully dressed in warm clothes and pulled on her own cloak. With one last glance at her small but comfortable rooms, she slipped down the back stairs and headed for Hogwarts, clutching her wand in her hand. She was bound and determined to do what she could to protect the school or die trying. The road was now dusted in a layer of new-fallen snow when an inhumanly large figure stepped out in front of her.

The scream was faint and softened by the falling snow.

"It's a'right Grawppy m'boy. It's jus' Rosmerta," a deep gruff voice called out to the mountain standing in the way of the woman. "He won' hurt ya." Hagrid stepped out of the dark. At first he appeared to be a moving fir tree, covered in snow. He shook himself and stepped closer to her.

"They're coming, Hagrid," Rosmerta gasped both out of fear of the giant and fear of what was behind her. "The ministry has sounded the alarm."

"Then we best be getting to the school," Hagrid said kindly. He knew what she had suffered after word had gotten out that she had played a part in Dumbledore's death. Most believed she had been Imperioused, but there were still many who wanted to punish her and would have her sent to Azkaban if it were still a prison. She nodded and hurried forward, walking between the legs of the giant. Gawp bent forward and watched her through the gap.

"Get'on wit' ya," Hagrid growled at his half-brother and then followed her. "Don' let anyone else pass less'n ya know who they are."

The instructions were received and the giant was thinking them over even as the first witch apparated in front of him.

…...

Harry stood in the classroom and waited. It was dark and cloistered so no noise from the halls penetrated. He had a moment to reflect on what he had experienced and on what he was about to do. He had no idea of what was taking place outside the castle walls. All he could feel was a profound alone-ness. Even the comfort of the old classroom was not enough. He watched a mouse running along the wall; stopping sniffing, searching and then moving on. It seemed in a hurry.

Going about your business, Harry thought. Doing what you need to do and then suddenly there's a great big stinking cat and you're life is turned upside down. He spoke aloud, "Suddenly you're prey and he's the predator and you don't deserve what is about to happen; don't even quite know how it's all come about. Through no fault of your own you have to face him. He's bigger and stronger and more powerful and you're so little in comparison. In your heart, you would turn and run the other direction and get away if you could because no matter how brave you are, you know that you cannot win. This time there is no escape and no one to give their life for you."

"Harry?" Ron rushed in, breathless and he spoke. "We can't find them- Neville and Hermione! The Ministry has just sounded the alarm and McGonagall has teachers waking everyone up."

Harry watched him calmly and then nodded. "Are they close, do you know?"

Ron shook his head. "Don't know. She told me Lupin was on his way. So they must be coming to Hogwarts. There are attacks all over, but scattered."

"So we have time," Harry said soothingly. "I must do this. Did you bring Draco?"

"Luna's bringing him down. We're trying to stay out of the way of the teachers."

"You've done well, Ron." Harry strolled to the head of the classroom. "As soon as Luna brings Draco, then the two of you need to go to McGonagal. She'll need the older students to help protect the school."

"What about Hermione, Harry!" Ron groaned, almost beside himself with anxiety.

"It will be all right," Harry said quietly. "She can take care of herself."

Ron looked at him with such a stunned expression that Harry felt his resolve to stand strong melting away. "What is it you want me to do, Ron? I have a job to complete right now. I can't help you! There are a lot of people who need to be protected and I can't do it by myself. I need you to take charge."

Harry watched his friend. He could see there was a lot going on and he felt helpless. He knew what he must do and it couldn't be running around looking for people. "We have time, Ron. They aren't at the castle walls yet. Go and do a thorough search. Have someone warn, Hagrid. the House elves. Go down to the kitchens and find Dobby. They know their way around better than anyone. Have them help search."

Ron nodded and turned just as Luna was guiding Draco through the door.

"RON!" Harry reached out a hand to stop him. "You can do this. You don't need me or Hermione, or anyone else. And...for me...make sure Ginny is out of harm's way."

His friend nodded once and left. Harry stood looking at Draco who had such a vacant look in his face it was hard not to think of him as a ghost. "What are you staring at?" he snarled at the blank face, feeling angry and helpless.

The door creaked slowly open and Snape stepped in.

They stood in the dark with only the faint glimmer of reflected light from the tall mullioned windows illuminating the room. Snape waved a hand and candles flamed up around them.

"Whatever you propose to do , we should get on with it. I hear the commotion in the hallways. Which means the alarm has been sounded."

"Yes, it has," Harry answered and handed the potions book to him. He was still standing by Draco as Snape accepted the book and took a seat at the Professor's desk. Harry continued. "I think Draco is a conduit to Him. He's already possessed him once as we both know." He was thinking of the moment in the Riddle Mansion when Draco's voice had changed and he had attacked Snape. "I want to try and use Legilimency on Draco and see if that will create a pathway."

Snape nodded and held up one hand as if to ask for silence. He was flipping through the pages of the books, turning it sideways at times and sometimes up-side-down. Harry knew the writing covered all the pages. Every minute or two Snape would touch the book with his wand and start to read from front to back. The book even talked to him for a few minutes, reciting potion ingredients in a singsong voice. "Silencio." He closed the covers, looked up and finally said, "There are many potions and incantations in the book that could be useful. I cannot determine which one it is."

Harry nodded. He was perched on the desk at the front of the room pondering the darkness outside the windows. He finally said, "I thought that would be the case. It's time we try to use Draco."

"What do you hope to learn?" Snape asked, standing up and leaving the book on the desk.

"Where Voldemort is at. What his plans are. If nothing more, then why he wants Draco and the book. If nothing else then to let him know I am here," Harry answered. He waited for a moment and then went on, "I need your help. I am not strong enough to do Legilimency on my own."

Snape walked over to them and stood in contemplation. "If we do this, he will know where we are immediately. He will come here for both of us. Hogwarts...the students will be in danger."

"Ron is taking care of it," Harry said.

Snape's eyebrow went up almost to his hairline. "Weasley?"

Harry frowned at him. "Yes."

They glared at one another and Snape sniffed and said, "Are you prepared to meet him tonight? He will come and nothing, not the incantations and spells placed on the walls or a dozen ministry wizards will stop him."

Harry nodded. He didn't feel sure of anything at all. I'm seventeen years old. No, Snape. I'm not sure! I don't want to see him, I never want to see him again! I'm not ready to die! He felt like the mouse that had scurried away out of danger's way for the moment. He only knew the time had come and was trusting his instincts. "Yes. We can't wait any longer. It's begun. The longer we wait the more he will kill."

"Stand beside me," Snape said and drew his wand. He gestured for Harry to do the same.

"What can I expect?" Harry asked

.

Snape looked over and then at Draco. "We will be connected. I will see and hear what you see and hear. It will be the same with you. If Draco is truly possessed, we will enter the mind of ...Voldemort."

Harry looked at him sharply. It was the first time he had spoken the name. He turned away almost as quickly. "I'm ready."

It was not hard to look into the eyes of the blankly staring Draco Malfoy. The boy was not blinking.

"Legilimency," Snape breathed.

Harry felt the searing agony almost immediately. He was glad he had not eaten earlier because his stomach rolled and he leaned forward as spittle dripped from his mouth. He wanted to tear at his forehead and carve the scar away with a sharp instrument. It was all he could do to keep his sanity. A hand reached over and took his arm and settled him. It was Snape's touch. Harry peered at him through weeping, stinging eyes and saw the pain was reciprocated.

They both stared at Draco and Harry felt his body sailing along on a gust of dark fetid wind. There was nothing to anchor him in the surroundings except gray shadows looming in and out of his line of vision. Putrid smells assailed his nostrils and he felt cold. The cold was penetrating, like no cold he had ever experienced. The only touch of warmth he could feel was the hand on his arm. Harry felt suffocated. He could readily believe that he was entombed in some cold, marble mausoleum; entrapped for eternity in a colorless world.

The wind slowed and they seemed to appear in a room. Harry recognized the room and some of the occupants. H also realized he was looking out from the eyes of the most evil, darkest wizard of wizard kind. Standing before him were two women, one Harry knew as Bellatrix Lestrange. A voice inside his head echoed the word; mother! At their feet was a large snake coiled in an attitude of suspense, as if listening with great intensity. Harry heard the parseltongue.

"Go before us Nagini," the voice said. "Press the roots of the tree where Wormtail has shown you. We will follow."

"Yesssssss, massssster," The snake hissed.

Harry knew Snape also understood what was being said. The hand that touched his arm squeezed tightly.

"What do you ask of me Master?" Bellatrix knelt before the man and Harry looked down on her with the eyes of the devil. Voldemort was not yet aware of their presence but it would not be long. The cold was piercing him to the core and he felt himself slowly changing. Harry had heard of changelings, wizards who transformed into animals and creatures. He wondered at the time if they remained human inside or became the animals their bodies had transformed into. Now he knew. If he and Snape stayed long, he would begin to have the emotions and feelings of the dark wizard, possibly even the memories. He might even lose himself.

The hand squeezed harder as the thought drifted through his mind.

Harry felt his mouth move, "You will follow with Crabbe and Amycus. Make sure we have no interference with the staff or students. Kill anyone who gets in the way. The main force will be attacking the gates. Be very clear that I want the boy...I want Potter. He must be alive and unharmed. Kill Snape if he is nearby."

"Oh thank you master, thank you," Bellatrix grinned. Her blackened teeth added to her overall appearance of insanity and evil. The woman at her side did not flinch when she heard the name.

Harry felt an almost unbearable pain beginning to move from his feet upwards towards his head. He desperately wanted to look down at his feet to see what the problem was and the hand on his arm pressed harder as he examined the thought. It felt like scales growing on his skin. Something hard was growing in circles, burning and yet cold. He also felt like his very blood was turning cold and only the warmth of the fire that blazed in the old fireplace seemed to slow the process. He thought he was turning to stone. As he listened, he felt his breath inhaled through narrow slots in his face and the tongue in his mouth grew slim and slipped between his tongue, tasting the air.

"Is she a Horcrux" Harry asked and the question was barely formed before he saw the deformed hands that gripped the handles on the chair lift up towards his face and place themselves on each side. The hands were no longer five fingered but welded together into a mitt. The hands were covered in green iridescent reptile scale.

What? Voldemort questioned silently and yet both Snape and Harry heard the unvoiced question.

"Master," the woman before him looked up. Her eyes staring at him curiously. Harry stared at her with both his mind, Snape's and their shared companion, Voldemort. She was not the woman that had been described to him as old. She was beautiful. It was obvious to Harry she been rejuvenated and she looked as young as a woman in her thirties. The dark eyes and dark hair were unmistakably those of Snape's mother.

She rose and stepped forward, leaning in and staring into the windows of her master's eyes. "You share your mind, Master."

"Aghhhhh!" Voldemort slithered to the floor, rearing the elongated upper portion of his body to full body height; his legs no longer functioned because they too were melded together.

Harry thought he was going to go insane. The fury and rage and murderous thoughts of the wizard engulfed him. His fear was so great he forgot to breath. He saw red flames, horrific beasts and insane thoughts flooded his mind. His sense of smell was overwhelmed with the putridness of decaying flesh.

And yet, he suddenly desired the taste of blood, desired the feeling of power he had gotten from using the Cruciatus curse on Malfoy. He felt himself wanting to laugh, wanting to sink his teeth into a human and tear away the flesh to expose the bone.

And then there was darkness. A soft dark womb of darkness and he fell back into it with relief.

I'm dying. Thank god, I'm dying and the pain is over. He smiled to himself and let the darkness over take him.