Chapter Seven
AN: Someone asked what the ratio of reviews/hints was, theoreticallythere should be a review for every ten people, but at the moment it's at about... 3 or so for every 100 people who read, which ticks me on people, I really could care less about the general population who reads this story, the only people I really want to read this story are just an e-mail away. Other things--> Stream of Consiousness... well, good job on succesfully creeping me out. And yes that is my name, pretty isn't it?
August 19, 1989- Scotland- Hogwarts
"Everyone, some rather… disturbing news has been brought to my attention." Dumbledore said, looking around at the Order members who had been able to make it to the school on such short notice. "The ministry of magic has allowed us to view their records of uncontrolled magical spikes in the past few months in order for us to find young Harry Potter."
A few of the members lifted their eyes at the statement. Hagrid made a move to speak but Dumbledore silenced him.
"The ministry has had no trace of Mr. Potter. But this is not all that we have found…" Dumbledore's eyes were shadowed in thought. "Three years ago, the ministry picked up a rather powerful magical spike from a young girl. She had apparated… we were not informed of this, which is very distressing."
Looks of shock covered the faces of all but a few of the order members. McGonagall spoke then. "Albus, do you think the girl was the one I saw with the Malfoy's?"
Dumbledore nodded to her. "I believe it may have been, the other two may have been Voldemort and Harry. Olivander had not been forthcoming with their identities."
"Then he is lost to us…" McGonagall said sadly.
"Ah yes, that would seem to be the case." Dumbledore steepled his fingers.
"And what of the girl Albus?" Arthur Weasley asked. "Is she as much of a threat as you seem to think?"
Dumbledore sighed. "The girl… Hermione Granger… was last traced to Britain where she used a low level warming spell. After that there was no trace of her." He waited for the Order members to think over this news. "The ministry had been sent to retrieve the girl, of course, but there was no sign of her."
"So the Dark Lord has her as well…" Severus Snape spoke finally, he had long been in contact with his old friend Lucius and did not need his comment to be confirmed. He knew exactly where both Harry and Hermione were. At the moment they would most probably be training with Lucius by this time of day. HE also knew that the Dark Lord was helping with the training. One of the three children was to be his successor, though there was a running bet between him and Narcissa that it was Hermione. The Dark Lord paid particular attention to the girl, more so than either of the boys.
"Yes. But do not despair everyone, we will see how steeped they are in the Dark Arts when they arrive at Hogwarts."
If they come here, Severus thought wryly. He sneered inwardly at the Order, no one would be ready when the trio came to Hogwarts.
June 7, 1991- Malfoy Manor
"Father!" Draco called from the second floor balcony over looking the area where Lucius and Voldemort were discussing the trios schooling. They were undecided on where the trio would go, Hogwarts, while the best school in England was controlled by Dumbledore, and they were unsure if they wanted the old coot so close to Hermione.
Lucius looked up to see what his son wanted. He had to hold back a laugh at the two boys. They both were an interesting shade of bright orange that stood out garishly against their black robes.
"Father, tell Hermione to stop testing her potions on us!" Draco said.
Harry looked at Voldemort who was smirking at their predicament. "Please Tom, tell her to stop, this is the third time this week!"
The two adults wondered if Severus knew of Hermione's little experiments yet. She had taken to potion making quickly and the potion master had taken her under his wing.
"Draco, Harry, you must be able to tell when someone is giving you a potion and not just a regular drink. Take this as a lesson." Voldemort said as both boys glared.
"You're just saying that because you like her better." Harry said.
"Now Harry…" Tom started, he was interrupted by Hermione entering the room. "Hermione, why did you turn the boys orange, it does not go well with either of them."
Hermione smirked at the two boys. "They wouldn't pay attention to me." She dropped a large tome onto the table next to Tom. Opening it she pointed to a page that had a picture of a castle surrounded by a lake and a dark forest. "I want to go to Hogwarts."
"Don't you think that Durmstrang or Beauxbatons would be a better choice…" Lucius started, he looked to Voldemort to see the reaction his lord had to the girl's demand.
"Are you sure Hermione? It is run by Dumbledore, and you know that he would do anything to draw you away from me." Voldemort said placing a hand on the girl's shoulder.
Hermione smiled and nodded. "I know that Dumbledore is there. But what better way to defeat him than to learn all the ways of the 'light?'"
Tom smirked, he had taught her well and there was no way that she would be betraying them to Dumbledore anytime soon. "Very well. You Harry and Draco will be getting you invitations soon I believe. Even if Dumbledore thinks you are dark he will try to draw you onto his side. That is one of his biggest weaknesses, his heart is so compassionate at times that he can be fooled by even my strongest supporters."
Hermione knew he was talking about Severus, the Potions master had never turned as many thoughts to the light, he had come back to Malfoy Manor as soon as the mark had become clear on his arm bringing information he had gathered from his years close to Dumbledore strait to the Dark Lord. The trio had from then on had been taught potions not in the curriculum of Hogwarts. Most due to their dark nature.
"But what if we don't want to go to Hogwarts." Draco said from the balcony.
"What if we want to go to Durmstrang." Harry said next to the blonde.
"Harry, Draco, you do not have a choice, you will go to Hogwarts, if the Dark Lord says so. You will go whether you like it or not." Lucius said standing from his chair.
The two orange boys stormed off angrily. Tom sighed knowing that the boys hated the fact that he and Lucius favored Hermione over them. Narcissa held the same affection for all three children, and she had foreseen the problems that would arise due to Hermione's special treatment. One day the boys would understand the reason why he doted on Hermione, one day they would see her true power and potential. At least he hoped they would understand his decision to train Hermione as his heir. Harry, because he was Tom's equal could not be named his successor. Draco, though being very powerful with much potential was not destined to lead the Death Eaters. When he had taken Hermione as a child he had sensed a power more potent than his own. Coupled with the girl's thirst to learn and the determination to please Tom, the Dark Lord knew that she was the perfect child to name his heir.
Harry and Draco would understand, may not now, but soon, when his heir proved him right.
Ah, more typing… how enjoyable…
