Harry Potter
The Fight for Survival
By xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related concepts do not belong to me! I am merely borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment. All OC's and anything you dont recognize is copyrighted by me: xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Rating: K
Pairing: Marcus/OC - Fred/OC - Harry/Ginny
Genre: Adventure/Friendship/Romance
Warnings: Please do not flame me for anything.
Summary: In order to deal with the future, one must understand the past. As the final battle approches the safety of Hogwarts is called into question. But as danger looms, the fight for magic...may come with a price.
Author's Note: Chapter dedicated too: Razmend, DJScale, Purple Sunshine56, BamaRose, Fan of Fics, Matt-hardy-lover-101 and Aileen Autarkeia. You guys are brilliant and its wonderful to hear how supportive you are of Charlie in these dark times.
Enjoy the next installment.
Monsters Exist Within
"Monsters are real. They live inside us."
"...Disturbing news reveals, that Hogwarts very own Charlie Hunter, who took the Wizarding school by storm when she was sorted into Slytherin house in 1991 despite the fact being a Muggleborn. Has been revealed to be none other than Serenity Riddle, daughter of the Great Dark Lord..."
Nikki put down the Daily Prophet and glanced up at Charlie who was glaring at the Slytherin breakfast table the next morning; it had come into light last night at the Slytherin Quidditch Tryouts that the young student had been revealed as Voldemort's daughter by unknown sources who had been listening into the conversation between Professor Slughorn, Harry, Riley and Charlie the previous weekend in Hogsmeade. The Prophet didnt list the names of the sources only that they had overheard a conversation between one of the professor at Hogwarts; and he had been heard numerous times talking to Charlie and addressing her as 'Miss Riddle' and questioning why she didnt want to be addressed as her rightful name.
"This is Slughorn's fault," Charlie mumured, feeling eyes on her. She knew that her friends were just waiting for her opinion on the news, but what could she say? So the Wizarding world new...what was the worst that could happen? The people she thought where her friends, would turn against her? She shrugged at the idea, she didnt care, as long as her close friends didnt turn on her then the rest of the Wizading world could shove their opinions where the sun didnt shine. She didn't care about them...at least she thought she didnt.
"How do you work that one one?" Daphne asked, glancing sideways
Charlie sighed "Because he thinks I should be honoured to have Voldemort has my father!" she all but sneered "Who would be honoured to be the daughter of one of the most feared wizards of all time? Its not a honour to be a Riddle," she pointed out "Its a curse!"
As if the Prophet broadcasting her life wasnt bad enough, she was sure everyone within Hogwarts had read the paper by now; and her thoughts were confirmed when by the time breakfast had finished just about every student had turned to try and get a glimpse of her from their respective tables. But Charlie, being Charlie, held her head high and glared at each student who were thick enough to send her a look of distrust or disgust at the prospect of her keeping a secret has big as this from them.
"Don't worry about them, Charlie" Draco told his friend "You didnt know the truth until fourth year; its only fair that you want to keep it a secret" he prompted "Because like you said, it is a curse being related to him..."
"I don't care what they say," Charlie answered the Malfoy heir "Let them think what they want! As long as you guys, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Riley don't turn against me, then everything should be fine"
Marcus snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her into a side hug "We don't care which title you use, we know the real you." he kissed the top of her head.
The rest of her friends nodded in agreement
Charlie smiled and lay into his embrace "Thanks guys,"
xXxHarryPotterxXx
"Always knew there was something off with her..."
"...Muggleborn Slytherin? Yeah right!"
"Serenity Riddle!"
"Poor kid...I feel sorry for her. It must be hard keeping up the mask knowing that the whole world is against you..."
"Don't defend her! She's the daughter of the You-Know-Who! She wouldnt be so quick to defend you, if You-Know-Who came knocking on your door!"
"But she's friends with Potter, that's got to count for something!"
"Probably has him brainwashed!"
Charlie rolled her eyes as she approached the Greenhouses for her morning Herbology class. Flanked either side of her was Draco and Marcus, as they smirked listening to the heated arguement that a group of Hufflepuff sixth years were having ahead of them, it was Susan Bones and her fellow friends Hannah Abbot and Matthew Connors, it wasnt hard to know what they were talking about.
"You said that about her in first year!" Susan pointed out "Remember? When you said the Slytherins had brainwashed her and she in return was brainwashing Riley, because she and Riley were best friends!"
Matthew glared at Susan "This is alot bigger than that!" he snapped "She is the daughter to Potter's biggest enemy! Who's to say she's not working with her father to personally hand deliver Potter to him?"
"Charlie would never do that!" Susan exclaimed "She's a good kid! If she was in alience with the Dark Lord, then she wouldnt be best friends with Riley."
Hannah nodded "Susan brings up a good point," she answered "I for one believe that Charlie is just as surprised about this as the rest of us; I mean I can understand why she kept a secret. Look at how you're reacting? Its natural to turn against someone when you find out something dark about them -" she glared as Matthew went to interrupt her "- and I don't think she honestly has grasped the idea of who she really is yet! Did you see her this morning?"
"She hasnt denied the fact that she is Serenity Riddle!" Matthew sneered
Growing level with the Hufflepuff's Charlie smirked, as she grasped her backpack tightly in her one hand and literally pushed past the group of Hufflepuffs, deliberately knocking into Matthew on her way past. The Hufflepuff stumbled and spilled his book onto the front lawn "Oh, sorry" Charlie apologized spinning around "must be the Riddle in me" she spat, before turning and walking away.
Marcus and Draco chuckled as they followed her, while Matthew merely stopped to collect his things and glare at her retreating form; cursing her under his breath.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
But Matthew Connor's wasnt the only person who seemed to be boarding the hate train against Charlie, many other students were looking at her like she was a mini Dark Lord in disguise and others had gone as far as skirting around her in the hallways in hopes of not giving her a reason to hurt them. By the young Slytherin was still maintaining the 'Muggleborn Slytherin' title and was her usual self amongst the students. She still hung out with her Gryffindor friends, had her usual banter with Riley and commenced her usual study sessions with Harry in the library when the two were behind on their essays; although most of these study sessions were getting less and less because of other commitments getting in the way.
Charlie, who had been made Chaser for the Slytherin Quidditch Team had practice every other night with her new team-mates. And Harry was sechduling more and more practice times in hopes of evading invitations to Slughorn's evening suppers. Riley was pulled into attending practice with both Slytherin and Gryffindor, so that that Slughorn couldn't try and wrangle her while she was alone and pull her into his party. Neither of the best friends wanted to face Slughorn, especially after they believed it to be his fault that Charlie's dark secret had been revealed; but could they really blame him? The secret was bound to become revealed sooner or later, didnt it? And despite how much Charlie would have liked it to never come out, when did she ever get he way?
It was now Friday evening, and although the shock of Charlie's secret was still rippling through Hogwarts and people were still staring at Charlie was if she was going to crack at any given moment, it was all starting to become natural and the young Slytherin had learned to ignore it years ago. She had learned to ignore people when they used to stare at her in disbelief for making it into Slytherin when everyone believed her to be Muggleborn, she had grown used to the stares and comments from other houses when she managed to survive one night in the Slytherin house let alone 6 years! So their whispers and stares werent doing much to the young Slytherin because she wasnt paying close attention to them, like many students thought she would.
"Hey Charlie," William called, as he entered the Slytherin common room after being in the library with Kaela Creevy "Im supposed to give this too you" he handed her a scroll of parchment that was tied with a violet ribbon "I just seen Riley and Harry, they've got them too"
Charlie smiled as she ruffled the 12-year-old's hair as he sat beside her "Thanks Will," she smiled, before proceeding to open the parchment.
"What is it?" Nathan asked
"An invitation," Blaise answered, looking up from his essay "I've recieved one too" and he reached into his bag, pulling out a similar piece of parchment to the one Charlie was holding "Its from Professor Slughorn."
Charlie groaned, as she read through the invitation "I forever curse Harry for agreeing to this stupid thing," she complained "And Dumbledore for wanting Harry, Riley and I to get closer to Slughorn"
"That shouldnt be a problem for you then," sneered the familiar voice of Astoria Greengrass as she entered the common room, and approached her sister and the others "What with who you are and everything. Isnt it true that Slughorn's favourite student 50 years ago, was the Dark Lord himself?"
Charlie glared at the younger student "Daphne, remove your sister before I remove her...permenantly!" she scowled
"I was just leaving anyway!" Astoria retorted, before glancing at Will "I warned you Carmichael, you'd never get anywhere if your friends with her" her glare flickered to Charlie, before she turned and walked away with her friends.
"What happened?" Charlie frowned, glancing at Daphne "You two are like polar opposites. Are you sure you're even family?"
Daphne smirked "I ask myself that same question every day," she answered
Charlie smiled and looked back at the invite, and then up at Blaise "Is it compulsory to attend this thing?" she asked
"I think so," Blaise nodded
"But its tonight!" Charlie protested "He doesnt give you a head's notice, does he?"
"Slughorn isnt known for his notices," Blaise responded
Charlie groaned "So, I have to go?"
"I'd say yes," Blaise nodded "Come on, we've only got 20 minutes" and he got to his feet, offered her his hand and pulled her out of her seat when she took it
Twenty minutes later, Charlie was back in the Slytherin common room wearing her best clothes (daps, leggings, denim skirt and a belted slub tunic) she was still complaining about attending the stupid party and how she would have much perferred to go swimming with the Giant Squid than meet face-to-face with Slughorn, especially after the week she had had thanks to the Daily Prophet, but when Blaise arrived he offered her his arm and escorted her from the common room; like the gentleman he had been raised to be.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Dinner had gone pleasantly well, if you ignored the jab one student made about dining with Charlie and got up and left; other than that everything had gone smoothly. Charlie sat between Blaise and Riley, while Harry and Hermione sat side-by-side on the opposite side of the table; there was a chair beside Riley which was empty and it didnt belong to the student who had left at the beginning of the meal.
"So who's missing?" Charlie whispered to Riley, as desert was distributed and Slughorn began his interrogations of the students once more.
Riley shrugged her shoulders to indicate that she didnt know who was missing.
"So tell me, Cormac, do you see anything of your Uncle Tiberius these days?" Slughorn asked, as Cormac McLaggen sat alongside him; occasionally glancing down the table at Hermione.
"Yes, sir." McLaggen answered "In fact, I'm meant to go hunting with him and the Minister for Magic over the holidays"
Charlie glared across the table "Hunting?" she asked
"Yes," McLaggen nodded "That is what I said, didn't I?"
"How very preadatory of you," the Slytherin retorted, "How would you like it if someone started hunting you?"
McLaggen glared at her, as Riley squeezed her best friends shoulder "Calm down" she whispered "Don't make a scene...not here"
"You'd know all about hunting, wouldn't you Hunter?" McLaggen smirked "Ironic...your name!"
Charlie rolled her eyes; like she hadnt heard that one before. "Trust me, one day soon McLaggen, the Hunter will become the Hunted!" she retorted, wiping the stupid smirk from his face.
Slughorn grinned as he looked between the two houses "I see that House Rilvaries are still around, even after my time in retirement" he commented
"Most of Gryffindor and Slytherin can tolerate one another," Riley jumped in "But you get the occasional prat who likes to stir things up when they think best," she nodded, returning to her ice cream and motioning for Charlie to do the same.
The Slytherin complied.
Slughorn's attention meanwhile, had been drawn to a Ravenclaw who sat beside him, stuffing his face "What about your uncle, Belby?" he asked "For those of you who don't know, Martin's uncle invented the Wolfsbane Potion! Is he working on anything new?"
"Don't know," Belby answered, in between scoops of ice cream "Him and Dad don't get on. Probably because me dad says potions are rubbish"
Blaise exchanged looks with Charlie at Belby's appetite. Both looked revoluted.
"Says the only potion worth having," Belby continued, through a mouthful of ice cream "is a stiff one at he end of the day"
Shaking his head Blaise turned his attention away from Belby, and put down his spoon as he finished eating.
"What about you, Miss Granger?" Slughorn asked, addressing Hermione "What does your family do in the Muggle world?"
Hermione put down her spoon "Both my parents are Dentists," she answered. Those who didnt know what dentists were, frowned. "They tend to people's teeth"
"Fascinating" Slughorn nodded "And is that considered a dangerous profession?"
"No," Hermione answered "Although, one boy, Robbie Fenwick, did bite my father once. He needed 10 stitches"
Charlie and Riley exchanged looks, and smirked. Both had had their fair share of dentist disasters.
The door opened behind them, and everyone turned to see who had interrupted them. Ginny entered wearing a knee length black dress, with a ribbon around the middle.
"Ah. Miss Weasley. Come in, come in" Slughorn beckoned
Charlie frowned as she took in Ginny's appearance, aside from the dress and the way she presented herself to make everything look fine, her eyes held a different story. They were red rimmed and there were streaks of tears on her face "Why has she been crying?" the Slytherin whispered to Riley
"She and Callum have been fighting again," Riley responded
"Sorry," Ginny apologized "I'm not usually late" she approached the seat beside Riley, and pulled it out; but before she could sit down Harry stood.
Hermione, Charlie and Riley exchanged looks
"No matter," Slughorn waved off the apology "You're just in time for dessert"
"That's if Belby's left any," Charlie retorted, eyeing the boy once again with distaste.
Slughorn chuckled in response, as Harry and Ginny took their seats; the former smiling polietly as he retireved his napkin from the floor, trying to ignore the looks he was recieving from Riley and Hermione.
Charlie caught sight of McLaggen who was staring directly at Hermione and sucking his little finger suggestively. The Slytherin glared at him, she really didnt like his direct approach with one of her best friends.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
At the end of the evening, Charlie remained behind with Harry and Riley to speak with Slughorn (she had been roped into it more like) and sent Blaise back to the common room to send someone up to get her, no doubt Marcus would be the one to come get her. While Slughorn bid the rest of the students out of the room, Harry, Charlie and Riley watched as Slughorn remained oblivious to them. Once the other students had gone, the Potions professor turned and stopped dead as he faced them.
"Oh," he smiled wearily "What are you three still doing here?"
"We're sorry Professor," Harry spoke "Its just...Charlie wanted to know more..."
The Slytherin turned in Harry's direction and frowned "Know more about what?" she asked
"About your father," Harry answered "Its okay Charlie, Professor Slughorn will understand"
Riley shook her head, as Charlie penetrated Harry with the deadliest of all death glares. If looks could kill...Harry would be dead right now.
"Your father was quite an extraordinary student, Miss Riddle" Slughorn smiled at Charlie "It's only natural you should want to know more"
"What was he like?" Harry asked quickly
Slughorn glanced between the three of them "I fear I must disappoint you, my dears" he smiled sadly "When I first met Mr. Riddle he was a quiet albeit brilliant, boy committed to becoming a first-rate wizard" he explained "Not unlike others I've known. Not unlike yourselves, in fact"
Harry frowned as he exchanged looks with the girls
"If the monster existed," Slughorn continued "it was buried deep within"
Harry gave a faint smile, that was clearly not what he was expecting to hear. Charlie on the otherhand, was more than ready to leave, and when Riley suggested they return to their common rooms; the young Slytherin was the first one out the door.
A/N: Okay, due to awesome reviews last chapter, I will not be re-writing the tryouts. Other than that, what did you think of this chapter? Let me know...
Would also like to point out that I made a mistake in 'Chapter Four' Ginny is not dating a Dean Thomas in my story because he has been removed and replaced with an Original Character of my own. Ginny is dating Callum Thompson. The mistake has been fixed and the story commences...enjoy.
You know what to do...Review...that's it
~*Kara*~
All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Chapter updated 31 March 2011 at 04:27 am