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: DJScales, BamaRose, Razmend, Forever Dreaming Grace, Purple Sunshine56, Matt-hardy-lover-101, Fan of Fics, and new reader LexiLoLo200. Trying to get this chapter out quickly, before I pass out from the lack of sleep; I would have had it up sooner, but I had to update another story of mine that hasnt been updated in like 2 months; most of you will know which one, since you read both it and this one. :D
Private Lessons
Part V
At least half an hour after the event with Malcolm and Charlie had occurred, even after Harry had used a curse that could have killed Malcolm had it not been for Riley's genius thinking; the Slytherins had returned Charlie back to their common room and Nikki had practicaly forced her to take the dreamles sleep potion, seeing as she adament to return to the Gryffindor common room with Riley, to talk with Harry about what he had done.
"I won't say 'I told you so'," Hermione's voice reached Riley's senses, as the Gryffindor portrait opened and the Genius scrambled through
Ron bristled angrily "Oh, just leave it, Hermione!" he snapped
They were sitting near the fireplace, with Ginny. Harry had just finished telling her what had happened up on the second floor, between Malcolm, Charlie and Harry. But, apparently he hadnt have to tell her anything, news had travelled fast throughout Hogwarts, as it was expected too at a boarding school and the youngets Weasley already knew what had gone down between the two Slytherins and the Gryffindor.
"Did you do it?" Riley asked, as she approached her friends "Did you hide the book?"
"We were just about too," Harry answered, staring at the Half-Blood Prince's book which lay on the table
Riley nodded "Ginny, go with him" she answered "You hide the book, so that he's not tempted to go find it again"
Ginny nodded and both she and Harry left the Gryffindor common room. Once they had gone, Riley sank into an armchair and sighed.
"How's Charlie?" Ron asked
"Shaken," Riley answered "I don't think she expected Malcolm to actually go as far as to use the Killing curse on her. Given everything that has happened, neither of us saw him attempting to take her life"
Hermione perked up "Do you think he attempted to take her life, to prove that if he couldnt have her, then no one could?" she questioned
"I don't know," Riley shook her head "All I know is, Malcolm almost paid the ultimate price today. Maybe he will stop and think of who he is messing with next time"
Ron glanced up "You think there will be a next time?" he asked
"There is always a next time," Riley sighed, turning her gaze towards the dying flames of the fire "Always!"
The three of them were silent, before Hermione broke it "I just cannot believe he used that spell!" she mumured, "He could have killed Malcolm!"
"But he didnt!" Riley retaliated "But think about it this way, Hermione! If he hadnt used the spell, Malcolm would have killed Charlie!"
And with that she got to her feet, and headed upstairs to her dormitory.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
"AVADA KEDVRA!"
There was a flash of green -
And Charlie awoke with a start, a stifled scream escaping her lips as she bolted up right in bed; her muscles tensed before she realized she was safe. She was alive, and whatever she had seen was probably a figment of her imagination. Bending her knees, the Muggleborn wrapped her arms around her legs and buried her head in her arms as her hair fell forwards and shielded her face from view; the matress shifted beside her and she became aware that she wasnt alone, as someone's arms wrapped around her stomach and hoisted her up onto their lap as they held her close.
"Charlie," Marcus's voice mumured, as he held her "Its okay; its just a dream. Its not real"
Charlie, nodded as she choked back a sob and lay into his embrace, wiping the tears from her face.
A silence fell around them, Marcus holding her close; as Charlie attempted to push her nightmare out of her mind, she was alive, no one was going to kill her! Just because Malcolm had tried too, didnt mean he was going to return for part 2 and try again.
"Try and go back to sleep," Marcus whispered, shifting her back onto the bed, he kept his arm around her and pulled her close so she knew she wasnt alone. He pulled the blanket back over her, and pulled back small strands of hair from her neck and face.
"I can't," she started, but cut off as Marcus began to place small kisses on her shoulders. His lips warm against her cold skin; and the gentle pressure made her spine tingle in excitement. "That's not going to make me forget, what I saw" she told him
He moved his kisses to the back of her shoulders, up to her neck; and across her jaw as he spun her around so that he was hovering over her; his lips trailed up her jaw before crashing down on her lips. Charlie responded eagerly, reaching up and wrapping her arms around his neck and threading her fingers through his hair.
Marcus's fingers slowly hooked under the thin strap that was attached to her top, and slid it off her shoulder. Charlie whimpered softly, stroking his jaw line with her one hand, as his fingers trailed over her shoulder and down her arm, before he re-traced the invisible lines with his mouth. "Forgetting yet?" he asked, moving his lips lower and lower down her shoulder.
Charlie groaned "Forgetting what?" she asked, her voice sounding awfully distant
Replacing the strap of her shirt, Marcus pulled back and chuckled. Charlie whimpered at the loss of his kisses; unknowning that Marcus felt exactly the same way she did. But things were escalating a little too fast, and although he would have continued if she had asked, he didnt want to hurt her by taking things too far, too soon.
Scooping her up in his arms instead, Marcus dropped his lips to her ear and began to hum a soft soothing tune, that he remembered from his own childhood. Although it wasnt custom in pureblooded families, his parents did actually care about him; he often remembered whenever he was sick, or just sometimes every night for no particular reason, his mother would lie beside him on his bed and sing to him.
It calmed him down long enough to get to sleep.
The tune he had chosen, was something that he remembered quite fondly. His mother often sung this tune to him all the time, it was soothing and calming. Exactly what Charlie needed right now.
Has he hummed, Marcus watched as Charlie fought against the urge to go back to sleep, her eyes flickered and she blinked rapidly before sliding shut, and her breathing evening out as he felt her muscles relax in his arms.
Marcus stopped humming and kissed her hair, before tightening his hold on his girlfriend gently, and going back to sleep himself.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
The next time Charlie was awake; she was alone.
Pushing off the blanket which had been wrapped around her, the Muggleborn rolled out of bed and run her hand through her hair as she attempted to flatten it. Rubbing her tired eyes, she shuffled across the bedroom and out the door before taking the stairs down into the common room, where she found her friends sitting near the fireplace.
"Why didnt you wake me up?" she asked, dropping down between Adrian and Marcus
Marcus, instantly pulled her close "Because you looked peaceful," he answered "Besides, Madam Pomfrey clearly stated to leave you sleep for as long as you wanted."
The portrait hole opened and Riley and Nikki stepped through into the common room "Well, good afternoon, sunshine" the older female smiled brightly "Sleep well?"
"Mhmm," Charlie mumured, relaxing into Marcus's hold, as she remembered waking up earlier that morning and him lulling her back to sleep, after his attempt to make her forget what had woken her in the first place. She felt her face grow warm, and she buried it in Marcus's clothes.
Nikki chuckled "Im not even going to ask, why you're face is heating up" she smirked
"Shut up!" Charlie grumbled
Riley dropped down opposite her friend "Professor Dumbledore, has been looking for you" she stated, removing an envelope from inside her robes "He gave this to me, knowing I would see you at some point during today" she handed it over
Charlie nodded and took the envelope as she opened it, it was her next lesson with Dumbledore and Harry "Tonight," she mumured "same time"
"I thought he was ending the lessons, until after you had that memory from Slughorn?" Daphne asked
"He is," Charlie answered "But our last lesson run later than he expected; and he has one more memory he wants to show us. Then, he's ending the lessons"
Her friends nodded
"So, 8:00pm?" Blaise asked
Charlie nodded
Riley smirked "What you going to do until then?" she asked
"Sleep," the Slytherin answered, her eyes closing once more
Millicent shook her head "Do you think its possible, that Professor Snape and Madam Pomfrey overdosed with her that Sleeping potion?" she enquired curiously
"I just think Charlie's so sleep deprived," Pansy joined the conversation "that the Sleeping potion, is working double time..."
Her friends smirked, or grinned, nodding in agreement.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Later that evening, after managing to get Charlie to stay awake for longer than 2 minutes. Riley and Nikki walked the young Muggleborn up to the Headmasters office, before leaving her there. With Malcolm still in the Hospital Wing, they didnt really have much to worry about; but it was better safe than sorry. After leaving Charlie at her lesson Nikki walked Riley back to the Gryffindor tower, before returning to the Slytherin dungeons.
Inside the Headmaster's office, Charlie had finished explaining what had happened to her -leaving out the bit about Harry- but the Gryffindor had immediately explained what he had done, he told the Headmaster that he took full responsibility for the spell, but also explained that if he hadnt used it Malcolm would have killed Charlie. So techincally, all he had done was self-defence for a friend. Dumbledore agreed, that his actions were admirable, and although there was no punshiment for protecting a friend, he couldnt strongly emphasis the mistake Harry had made in using that spell.
After which, the tension lightened and the discussion upon which the left their last meeting, about Hokey the house elf continued.
"...By the time Hokey was convicted," Dumbledore was saying "Hepzibah's family had realized that two of her greatest treasures were missing. It took them a while to be sure of this, for she had many hiding places, having always guarded her collection most jealously. But before they were sure beyond a doubt that the cup and the locket were both gone, the assistants who had worked at Borgin and Burkes, the young man and his beautiful soon-to-be wife, had resigned from their posts and vanished." Dumbledore paused "Their superiors had no idea where they had gone; they were as surprised as anyone at the disapperances'. And that was the last that was seen of Tom Riddle and his wife for a long time"
Charlie frowned "What do you mean, Professor?" she asked
"This," Dumbledore spoke, once more, holding up a phial "is the final memory; that I wish to show you. But before that we must recap what we know about Tom Riddle's story so far..."
Harry glanced down, before speaking "He had committed another murder, Hepzibah Smith..."
"...whether it is his first since he killed his father, and his grandparents," Charlie continued "We don't know. But he didnt kill Hepzibah for revenge, he killed her for gain. He wanted Slytherins locket and Hufflepuff's cup..."
Dumbledore nodded
"...He had stolen Morfin's ring," Harry continued, before frowning "But it doesnt make sense; why would he risk everything, throw away his job, just for those..."
Charlie shook her head "Its mad to you," she pointed out "but to him, those items meant something. The locket was apart of his heritage, the same as it is mine; the cup belonged to Helga Hufflepuff, a Hogwarts founder. This castle was his home, if I had to guess, I'd say he was still attached to it, even after he had left!"
"Excellent Charlie," Dumbledore nodded "Now, if you will both stand; we go on 10-years to our last memory. Can you imagine what Voldemort did in that 10-years?"
"I'd rather not," Charlie mumured; taking the vial that Dumbledore presented her with "Who's memory is this?"
"Mine," the Headmaster answered
The Slytherin emptied the memory into the basin, and dived forward. Harry following.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
A younger Dumbledore sat at his desk, in the same office they had just left. He seemed to be waiting for something, and sure enough, moments later there came a knock at the door.
"Enter"
The door opened, and a man walked in. Lord Voldemort. Ten years on from being Tom Riddle, the man known as Voldemort stood before them; it was as though his features had been burned and blurred, they were waxy and oddly distorted, and the whites of his eyes now had a permanently bloody look. He was wearing a long black cloak and his face was as pale as the snow that glistened on his shoulders.
"Good evening, Tom!" the younger Dumbledore said, showing no sign of surprise "Won't you sit down?"
"Thank you," Voldemort responded, taking a seat "I heard that you had become Headmaster. A worthy choice"
Dumbledore smiled "I am glad you approve," he nodded "May I offer you a drink?"
"That would be welcome," said Voldemort "I have come a long way"
Dumbledore stood and swept over the a cabinet, as he prepared two drinks. One for himself and another for Voldemort, he then returned.
"So, Tom...to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Voldemort didnt answer straight away "They do not call me 'Tom' anymore," he said "These days, I am known as -"
"I know what you are known as," Dumbledore cut across him "But to me, I'm afraid, you will always be Tom Riddle. It is one of the irritating things about old teachers, I am afraid, that they never quite forget their charges' youthful beginnings"
The temperature in the room changed; and despite it being a memory, Charlie felt it instantly.
"I am surprised you have remained here so long," Voldemort began once more "I always wondered why a wizard such as yourself never wished to leave school"
"Well, to a wizard such as myself, there can be nothing more important than passing on ancient skills, helping home young minds. If I remember correctly, you once saw the attraction of teaching, too"
Voldemort nodded "I still see it" he responded "Which is why I am here. I have returned, later, perhaps than Professor Dippet expected, but I have returned, nevertheless, to resquest your permisson to allow me to teach here at Hogwarts. I could show the students things that no other professor can,"
Dumbedore considered Voldemort for a moment "Yes, I certainly do know that you have seen and done much more since you left us. Rumours of your doings have reached even your old school, Tom. I should be sorry to believe half of them"
"Greatness inspire envy, envy engenders spite, spite spawns lies" Voldemort listed "You must know this Dumbledore"
"You call it 'greatness'" Dumbledore responded "what you have done? I call it murder..."
Voldemort stared back at his old headmaster "I have experimented. I have pushed the boundaries of magic further, perhaps, than they have ever been pushed -"
Dumbledore cut across him "Of some kinds of magic. Of some. Of others, you remain...forgive me...woefully ignorant..."
"The old arguement," Voldemort smiled "But nothing I have seen in the world, proves that love is more powerful than my kind of magic, Dumbledore"
"Perhaps you have been looking in the wrong places," suggested the headmaster
"Well, then, what a batter place than to start looking, than right here at Hogwarts?" Voldemort asked "Will you let me return? Will you let me share my knowledge with your students? I place myself and my talents at your disposal and command"
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows "and what of those that you command? The Death Eaters?"
"My friends," Voldemort spoke "will carry on without me"
The Headmaster nodded, but did not look convinced "Devoted as friends can be, they travelled with you this far on a snowy chistmas night, merely to wish you luck as you attempt to secure a teaching post"
"You are omniscient as ever, Dumbledore"
"Oh, no, merely friendly with the local barman," answered the Headmaster "Now Tom...let us speak openly. Why have you come here to request a job we both kow you do not want?"
Voldemort looked coldy surprised
"A job I do not want? On the contrary, Dumbledore, I want it very much"
"Oh, you want to come back to Hogwart, but you do not want to teach" Dumbledore summarized "what is it you're after, Tom? Why not try an open request for once?"
Voldemort sneered "If you do not want to give me the job -"
"Of course, I don't!" Dumbledore answered "And I don't think for a moment you expected me to give it to you. But what is your purpose for coming here tonight?"
Voldemort stood "That is your final word?" he asked
"It is," Dumbledore answered
"Then we have nothing more to say to each other,"
"No, nothing," the headmaster shook his head "The time is long gone when I could frigten you with a burning wardobe and force you to make repayment for your crimes. But I wish I could, Tom...I wish I could..."
For a second it looked like Voldemort was abaout to attack Dumbledore. Instead he turned, strode to the door and disappared.
The room started to fade, and the friends started to rise into the air before...
xXxHarryPotterxXx
...reappearing in the present Dumbledore's office.
As she reappeared, Charlie sat down and looked up at the headmaster; why had Voldemort returned? What was his connection to Hogwarts? With a small frown, she pushed herself up off the steps and approached the desk, sat down and stared at Dumbledore.
"Why?" she asked "Why did he return? And what position did he want?"
Dumbledore smiled "I think you already know those answers, Charlie, dear" he nodded "Why don't you tell us, what you think happened?"
Harry frowned, as he turned to Charlie and waited for her to speak.
A/N: Okay, another short one because I can feel my body shutting down with lack of sleep. The rest of this chapter will follow on in the next one.
Someone asked for more Marcus/Charlie; I hope this suffices.
.Afternoon...whatever.
Review
~*Kara*~
All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to me xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Chapter updated 09 April 2011 at 03:52am