Page 2

Spellbinding

The cobbled pavements of Diagon Alley was packed, families entering the stores. Fathers reprimanding their youngest ones. The downfall of the famous wizarding boulevard had not yet happened, and it was alive, bright and cheerful. Just the way he often remembered it to be. But, in all honesty he hated the fools that scattered about, shopping so care free. If they only knew… Would they be so like fluttering butterflies then?

Her…he looked over at a plump little witch that was sampling ice cream from Florean's Ice Cream Parlor. Would run for her bloody life. Or the strange fellow there, refilling his cage with white mice, would no likely shit his britches. If he had any idea who the young man was walking past them now.

A dreary shower had just past the narrow roads and alleys, line with it's many shops, leaving behind a glistening freshness. The storm came suddenly and left without warning. It was because of him that it had ended. And when his feet hit the pavement. The rain stopped on command. He didn't like getting wet.

Trash littered the dark sector he would have to take to enter Knockturn Alley. Perhaps later he thought inwardly, not right now, there were other matters needing his immediate attention.

A stray rat ran along the gutters of the Magical Menagerie's rooftop. Tom looked up, and he knew it had to be Peter. He was such an imbecile even with his best efforts at heart. Hadn't he told the fool, to wait for him at Borgins and Burke's. Why was he wandering about?

The young wizard moved along silently. Not speaking to any of the passerby's, only stepping aside as they continued on with their busy afternoon. He wasn't a complete asshole, unless it was required for him to be. He was always sociably admirable at best. Never a prick!

With his smart attire on, he clearly fitted the surrounding crowd. There was no true need to risk being spotted after all. But, he hardly doubted that anyone could, or would recall his younger face. All though, this was a bold and daring chance to take all the same. But Peter had found him, just as he apparated before the eatery of Knockturn Alley.

"It is her master, the girl she's here. In the Apothecary shop…she's here master."

Voldemort gave an evil smile "Very good Peter, return and fetch the last of the polyjuice potion and wait for me as instructed, I shall join you and the others shortly." Voldemort commanded. Pettigrew bowed with obedience and returned within moments carrying with him a dark bottle. Corked, and nearly empty.

Now, Voldemort passed a young blonde witch, and he knew her eyes watched him as he strutted past her, making his way up the busy street. "Well…hello there." she said as young Tom smiled back and continued on.

Several shoppers passed him and nodded kindly. They couldn't make him out, not in the least, he was a stranger among them. Brilliant, he thought. The last of his potion had done its job. Thankfully this would be the last time he needed the revolting brew. He had used the last of his saved hair follicles, in this last batch. But with Dumbledore finally out of the picture. There would be no need, he was more feared now than ever.

And to add to his promising future, his sweet Bellatrix had returned to him the one thing he knew had been abolished. The first horcrux that had been destroyed. The Diary. It was bloody stupid of him to have not thought of this plan the moment he received it…Such precious time had been wasted, no bother! It was set in motion now. What ever magic the old man and the boy had been used to destroy his book, had done just that. In the beginning, Voldemort believed it utterly useless, until the night Bellatrix was toying with the book while accompanying him in his chamber. She open the book to find several passages that had not been pierced by the fang, three to be exact. Three remarkable pages still held life within them. Untouched. The first page, of the three read, Property of Ginevra Molly Weasley.

The other horcruxes were safely hidden. He wouldn't risk exposing them. This one was weak, and damaged but would have to do. He would soon know if his suspensions were correct as to why she was a part of his book. His eyes glittered with a strange red flame as the sun light touched his teenaged face. He wasn't certain he would find her, but he was determined to try. He had little time left and the effects of the potion would fade away. He could never approach the girl in his true form.

Lately, he could feel his death approaching in each step he took.

There had to be another way. He would not defeat the Potter boy. He hated to admit it, but he could feel the worse was coming for him. He dreamt of it often, even seen his own grave. The heavy wooly shadow of The Grim laid upon it. Panting heavily, waiting for his arrival. Its hollow eyes looked back into his, and he usually woke up at that moment, it was the worse omen to receive.

This would be the place. He thought looking up at the sign above the shop. The Apothecary it read. This is where Peter had spotted the Weasley girl.

He entered the shop's front door.