CHAPTER 29: PITFALL
(Severus POV)
The air was tense, and Severus could feel it. Something was about to happen. Something not good.
The trolls and hooded figures had now stopped their advance, and were about fifty meters from the train, standing on high ground.
What in Merlin's name is going on?! thought Severus Snape, fearing the worst, and he was right. For his dread was immediately confirmed when a familiar voice started echoing, apparently throughout the entire train, for everyone to hear.
"Greetings, student of Hogwarts," began a drawling voice, which the raven-haired young man immediately recognized. "As you may have already guessed, we are the Death Eaters, servants of the Dark Lord."
"Lucius," Severus muttered as he gritted his teeth. Apparently he had recovered. The last time he had encountered the pale blonde, the raven-haired boy had sent an exploding spell at him and his companions, and had to be carried off by his werewolf companions. This did not bode well.
"Contrary to what many, especially the Ministry of Magic, is telling the public, our goal is not to destroy, but rather it is to unite and strengthen the Wizarding World…"
The voice continued on its speech about how Voldemort's objective was actually for the benefit and welfare of witches and wizards alike, about how everyone should join him, and so many other promises and temptations of power, status, and the like. In the past, Severus would have only been too happy to agree, perhaps he might have even been honored to be the one delivering the speech...
Now, however, the raven-haired boy's mind processed it as nothing short of nonsense…
"Well, he's not a bad speaker," said Ilya, sounding amused. "At least his voice has got some convincing aspects to it."
But then, the raven-haired boy's worry was intensified as he heard a different, high cold voice, echo inside the compartment. It was the first time Severus heard it, but from the way it spoke, and the sweat that started to form on his forehead, there could only be one as to who it could have belonged to…
"Children gifted with magic who attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I am Lord Voldemort."
"Y-you-Know-Who!" gasped Alice, who was shaking and trembling from head to toe, in a low voice, her finger pointing at someone.
And indeed, she was right. For right in front of the Death Eaters, appeared man, and as the hooded figures were bowing before him, there could be no doubt as who he was.
Severus, who, just like the Gryffindor female, was trembling, could hear screams and gasps coming from the adjacent compartment where the door had been opened by the black-haired girl, and he was sure that the situation was probably the same with the other compartments.
They were some distance away, so his face was not easily discernible… yet his eyes… yes his eyes… were an evil red, reflected in the setting sunlight…
-BREAK-
(Voldemort POV)
"Children gifted with magic who attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I am Lord Voldemort."
The Dark Lord was now feeling really nastily joyous, as one of the biggest steps in his plans was about to come into fruition.
He had sent his Death Eaters to do some very simple errands. First, to capture a potentially talented wizard by the name of Severus Prince Snape. From what Voldemort could tell, the raven-haired boy would be a fine addition to his group of followers. Severus Snape's middle name was Prince, meaning he the last member of that elite bloodline (Caused, of course, by the fact that Voldemort had them murdered when they refused to join.).The boy was, as far as the Dark Lord could see, was talented, gifted and would undoubtedly prove himself to be useful. He was a Slytherin as well, a member of the Great House of Salazar in which Voldemort himself was.
However, what really got to the Dark Lord was the fact that the boy was a halfblood, and had been forced to grow up in the cruel and despicable Muggle World, a world without magic, just like the Dark Lord himself. Having seen the way he was in the past in the raven-haired boy, once he joined, the Dark Lord had a spot for Severus Snape in his inner circle of Death Eaters.
Of course, if the boy stubbornly refused to join this time, he would be killed. And when Severus Snape refused to join them before, Voldemort, after the memories he has seen and oral testimonies he got from Lucius, concluded as to what was the reason behind it, and thus the second simple errand: eliminate Lily Evans and her family.
It was a really, very simple task, kill a Mudblood witch along with her powerless Muggle parents. The girl may be able to do some cheap wandless magic, but Voldemort was sure that it was the raven-haired boy who taught her, and was probably still hiding more up his sleeve. With the threat of further punishment and possible death at the hands of their master, to the Death Eaters, the task would be as easy as making sparks come out of a wand that choses the wizard.
Or not…
Instead, the simple plan ended up in disaster. Two more Death Eaters, badly injured, were captured by the Ministry, while five more were also badly injured, but thankfully managed to escape. Still…
While seven of his people were captured, they were merely new recruits. They had neither the Dark Mark burned upon them, nor they do possess too significant information to undermine the Dark Lord's plans. Also, two of Voldemort's spies in the Ministry had secretly used a Memory Charm on the five in the custody of the Ministry, while the other two who were at St. Mungos' were unlikely to ever wake up, as they had been badly injured in the head.
Overall, the results were, in the Dark Lord's opinion, less of a loss and more…much more… of a gain… for Lord Voldemort, by looking at the memories of his Death Eaters, managed to get his hands on some valuable information.
One of these was the great level of magical resistance werewolves have. Voldemort consider them as nothing but animals, that was true, but their level of usefulness had increased in his eyes. They were really tough abominations, and could take a hit from a powerful cast spell without taking in much damage. While none of the half-breeds will ever be allowed to be branded with the Dark Mark, the Dark Lord will, depending on how more useful they will be to him, will be granted some of their demands once he took over. Still, there were two individuals… no longer one… but two… who managed to get the Dark Lord's attention..
First of course was Severus Snape. Still, being a Prince, the fact that he had potential was not really much of a surprise. He was cunning , intelligent and had talent when it comes to magic, as the boy, according to Voldemort's informants, particularly one Lucius Malfoy, was actually even inventing his own spells. He had a thirst for knowledge, and a thirst for knowledge. Plus, he was also a Slytherin and a halfblood. All these made the Dark Lord see a reflection of his younger self in the raven-haired boy, and thus made Voldemort really want to recruit Severus Snape.
And the other one who managed to get the Dark Lord's attention was…
Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya…
Yes, indeed. The silver-haired girl who his followers mistook for the Mudblood Lily Evans. After looking at the memories of his followers, particularly Bellatrix Lestrange, as well as the memory of the half-breed Fenrir Greyback, Lord Voldemort could not help but grow curious.
Who is she? was the thought that had entered the Dark Lord's mind ever since he got a clear view of the events which happened at the Evans residence.
Yes, indeed. Just who exactly was Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya? This was a question which baffled the Dark Lord greatly.
The black ball of curses that the girl was using was indeed rather interesting. True, it was powerful, especially since the silver-haired girl can fire so many shots in a short span of time which will give a lot of trouble to anyone faced by it. Still, a well-maintained Shield Charm is enough to block it and prevent it from doing any damage. However…
Flashback
RHO AIUS!
GET BEHIND IT, ALL OF YOU!
"Impossible."
"Our spells can't get through?"
"What the hell?"
"What kind of magic is this?"
"Hmmm... You've wasted all that magic, yet you can't even penetrate a single layer of the Aius. How disappointing…"
"Forgive me for my earlier rudeness, Bella…I apologize for not introducing myself at that time."
"Good evening…My name is Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya. You can call me Ilyasveil for short."
End of Flashback
It was not easy to shock or frighten someone like Lord Voldemort. He is, after all, the most powerful wizard in the world, and there were very few things that awed or irritated him (The Dark Lord will never admit to himself that he was ever afraid of something.), which include, of course, death, and Albus Dumbledore and his rants about love conquers all.
Still, the Dark Lord could not help but be greatly impressed and mildly surprised (he would never admit to himself that he was greatly shocked) by what he saw and discovered.
The spell Severus Snape had used was indeed something to be complimented. However, upon watching the memory, the Dark Lord was easily able to recognize its nature. He could easily imitate it, but there was no need, for there were far more powerful spells at his disposal. However…
Impressive…definitely impressive…never have I seen so powerful a defensive spell in all my life…
It was the flower-like shield that got the Dark Lord's attention the most.
Yes, Voldemort has delved into complex and powerful magic, magic which very few has ever known, magic that is unheard of by most of the witches and wizards of his time… magic that is considered to be almost unreal even my the magical definition of the word. And among these were defensive magic spells that can defend against even the Killing Curse.
Still, even the most powerful defensive shield Voldemort could conjure would only not be able to withstand such an onslaught as what the pinkish spell shield of the silver-haired girl withstood.
Yes, such magic would be a fine addition to the Dark Lord's arsenal of spells. But the problem…
It is impressive yet...Why could I not use it… Why could I not copy it… why could I not understand it?
Ever since he had seen it with his own eyes, Voldemort tried every means to use the spell, but found himself unable to do, and it brought him great confusion and frustration. To think that the M… but at this point, even Lord Voldemort knew it was foolish to believe that the girl was not born from a magical family, for from the white-haired girl's speech and manners, the Dark Lord guessed that she must be someone of noble lineage, perhaps a half-blood, but she might even be a pureblood. Still, the possibility of her having Muggle relatives or being related to the identical Evans girl was just trivial to the Dark Lord. There was only one thing which he wanted…
I must learn it…I must have it…I need to know how it is done…
Yes, Voldemort wanted to know how it was done. He craved to know, he craved to learn it, his desire and lust for power ever driving him forward.
Thanks to the two defeats his forces suffered, the Dark Lord has now been more cautious, doing much more careful planning than before. And now he got an idea…
According to Lucius' report, aside from the ones who attacked the Evans residence, three were sent to attack Severus' Snapes household at Spinner's End, but never returned, and were still missing as of present.
Voldemort, knowing full well that it was the home of a cunning and sly, Slytherin wizard, knew that they will not be likely to return. It was a shame, but even the Dark Lord could tell that they were probably dead. Not that he cared, they were nothing special after all, and they could easily be replaced…
Severus Prince Snape and Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya however, were a different matter altogether. While Voldemort was sure without a doubt that he can easily kill them if he wanted to, they were, as of present, too valuable to dispose of. Therefore…
"It is as my follower told you," said Lord Voldemort, as his cold voice echoed throughout the train compartments. "We have not come to harm nor hurt any of you, who are children of magic … Those who are still undecided may continue their journey to Hogwarts… Lord Voldemort does not intend to impede your magical education…Those who are ready to follow me however, may come with us now, provided that you are of age… I guarantee that you will provided with magical learning far greater than what has been taught to you at your school…"
A smirk appeared on the Dark Lord's face, as there were students, about a couple of dozen, got out from their train compartments, rushing out, pushing at each other, eager to join Lord Voldemort's rank. The Dark Wizard was really pleased.
And now, for the next phase, thought the Dark Lord.
"However…I have one condition, for me to release the magic I used to stop the train and allow you to go free…Aside from those who want to join me, three of you are required to stay."
The Dark Lord paused for a short while to emphasize his next words, in a more business-like tone.
"Severus Prince Snape…Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya…Evelyn Scrimgeour… you are to remain…you are to step out of the Hogwarts Express…the rest may continue with your journey …"
"There is no need for you to be frightened or worried. I do not begrudge the injuries you have caused my servants. That is merely in the past, and is of little to no importance. I merely wish to speak with you. Lord Voldemort personally offers you a place, among my esteemed Death Eaters."
"But my Lord," protested the voice of Bellatrix Lestrange from behind him. "Surely you did not mean…"
"Silence Bella!" hissed the Dark Lord, as he turned to look at one of his subordinates, a look which promised pain if the woman did not stop. The Dark Lord did not even bother to dispel his voice magnification spell when he insulted the woman (It was an area of effect spell which allowed anyone within that range to be heard, which means that everyone on Hogwarts Express also heard the exchange between the master and one of his servants.) "I alone can decide who can join me. And those two have proven themselves worthy. We will not discuss this further. You have yet to prove yourself to me again, Bella, and that goes with the others as well, who have been unable to accomplish so meager a task that I asked of them."
Bellatrix fell silent, as she fidgeted, half from fear and half from guilt and shame, as did some of the other hooded figures.
"Again, Lord Voldemort repeats, you have proven yourselves worthy and formidable before me, and thus I now ask you to join me, and together we can cleanse the Wizarding World of all of its weaknesses and impurities. You have earned yourselves the right and place to be among my ranks."
The Dark Lord could not have been more pleased with how well things were about to turn for his cause. There were only two possibilities on what was to come next. One, he would have three new gifted and useful allies (For the Dark Lord was sure that Rufus Scrimgeour will be compelled to join his cause if his sister was taken hostage and used as a bargaining chip.). Two, he would be rid of potential threats should they refuse to join. A win-win scenario…
-BREAK-
(Sirius, James, Peter POV)
An echoing voice could be heard inside the compartment.
"Children gifted with magic who attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I am Lord Voldemort."
"Y-y-y-y-y-y-ou-Know-Who!" squeaked the rat animagus like the rat he is, every nerve in his body trembling with fear.
The day could not have gotten any worse.
At first, when train have stopped seemingly at the wrong destination, Sirius and James had been grumbling, annoyed at what they thought was some kind of major prank, one which the two Marauders had been planning to do on the seventh year on their final train ride home, when they finally graduate.
Now, however, they were nothing short of horrified, The events of the day were nothing compared to the fact that You-Know-Who was there, an army of foul smelly trolls with them.
Yes they were frightened. They were scared out of their wits, stiff, like tone statues, unable to do anything but watch the Dark Lord's army and listen to his voice. Still, they managed to get back some of their senses when You-Know-Who declared that he was not there to kill anyone.
The Dark Lord was recruiting anyone who wished to join him, and they were not surprised to see Slytherins, including Narcissa Black, run out of the train towards the hooded figures, although they were surprised to see a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs doing the same just as eagerly. However, they were snapped fully out of their trance when:
"Severus Prince Snape…Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya…"
"… Lord Voldemort personally offers you a place, among my esteemed Death Eaters."
"…You have earned yourselves the right and place to be among my ranks."
"Snivellus," snarled James and Sirius together, their rage for the greasy git surpassing even their fear for You-Know-Who.
Padfoot and Prongs stared at each other for a while, wordless understanding present between them. Then, the stag animagus nodded, as he pulled out something liquidy and silvery from his trunk, his Invisibility Cloak.
"W-what do you t-think you're d-doing?" asked the rat animagus trembling, as he saw a grim look on the faces of his two friends.
"Going for a stroll," replied James, a grim look on his face, which reflected the one on Sirius' face, as he pulled the Invisibility Cloak over themselves. "You stay here Wormy, it's dangerous. But we have to do this. See you in a bit, I hope."
The two Marauders now slid out of the train, following three people, two girls, one with black-hair, another with white-hair, and a greasy-haired git, heading towards the hooded Death Eaters…
-BREAK-
(Multi-person POV)
They were now standing, about ten meters away, in front of Lord Voldemort and his followers, with trolls standing behind and beside the Death Eaters and the new recruits from the Hogwarts Express like bodyguards.
"So we finally meet," said the Dark Lord, amusement in his voice, his eyes glowing evil red. He wore a snake-like face, and had slits for eyelids, he looked intimidating, frighteningly so. Yet…
"I guess so," replied a female voice, which belonged to the white-haired girl Ilya, not a trace of fear in her voice. "Though I don't really know what you want from us. I mean, aren't you supposed to be the most powerful wizard in all of Britain?"
"Not just in Britain, Mudblood," spat a female voice. "The Dark Lord is the greatest sorcerer in the whole world!"
"Bella! Restrain yourself!" hissed Lord Voldemort once again at his subordinate, anger apparent in his voice. "Now, then, first, I would like to…"
"Let me ask you a question, Lord Voldemort," interrupted the white-haired girl. The air suddenly froze.
Severus and Alice could not help but gasp, as the same sound could be heard among the ranks of Death Eaters.
"Ilya!" said Severus to his girlfriend, fearing for her safety.
It was not pleasant. Lord Voldemort was indeed someone to be feared, and now that the raven-haired young man was standing in front of him, he understood why.
It was not the look he had on his face, but rather, the sinister and powerful aura that was coming from him that caused it. There was no doubt about it. The Dark Lord was indeed formidable. He was not someone to mess with. And yet...
"You dare interr…" Lord Voldemort began, anger slowly rising in his voice, but…
"Tell me, Lord Voldemort," said the white-haired girl cheerfully. "What do you think of non-magical people called Muggles, and the witches and wizards who are born among them?"
Another set of gasps from the Death Eaters could be heard, before some of them started talking, outraged that such a low class would dare act in such a way in front of their Lord.
"How dare you…"
"You have no right to speak his name…"
"Speaking to the Dark Lord in such an insolent manner…"
"Treat him with respect…"
"Enough!" the Dark Lord hissed, as all of his followers fell silent, before his eyes narrowed, staring straight into the emerald eyes of the silver-haired girl, who looked back unwaveringly. "I must commend you for your bravery, child. Few have ever been able to speak my name freely, without flinching. You should, however, refrain from trying my patience...for you see…"
"Get to the point…please" the white-haired girl cut the Dark Lord off yet again, sounding irritated, but with a cheerful note present in her tone.
"Very well, child," replied the Dark Lord, his voice still calm, but a dangerous aura was now emanating from him.
And so the Dark Lord began explaining, once again his goal to unite the wizarding world under his rule, how muggles and nonmagical people are trash, along with everything else that he had just recently mentioned, not noticing that the white-haired girl's eyes were drooping, and restrained yawning sounds were coming even from his own Death Eaters, so absorbed was Lord Voldemort with what he was saying.
"Is everything clear to you now, child?" said the Dark Lord, as he finished his speech.
"I think so," replied the white-haired girl, and at this, she rubbed her eyes, in the way people do when they had just gotten up from sleeping. "So in other words, we join you or we die, am I right?"
"Indeed, you are a smart one," said the Dark Lord, nodding his head slightly. "That is precisely correct."
"I see," nodded the white-haired girl, as she started walking to her left, her two companions at her side, while a sword appearing in her hand. "Then, Lord Voldemort, can I ask you one last question?"
"You may, child," replied the Dark Lord. While the wandless magic was something interesting, neither the Dark Lord nor the Death Eaters felt threatened by the sword, as they knew that the girl would be killed or the sword destroyed by their spells before she could get close enough to use it.
The white-haired girl now held the sword with two hands, then slammed it into the ground.
A few moments passed, as Lord Voldemort and his followers stared at the white-haired girl, wondering what it was all about. Could plunging a sword into the ground be the same as sheathing it? Could it be a sign of their surrender to the will of the Dark Lord?...
"Then let me ask you this question," began the white-haired cheerfully…
"Do your subordinates know how to swim?"
"HOW DARE YOU!" shrieked Bellatrix, apparently unable to take the silver-haired girl's attitude any longer.
Voldemort, in the first split second, blinked, confused, but in the next split second, felt furious, as he realized that the girl was playing with him with her words.
"You know, child, your insolence has gone far enough," said Lord Voldemort, staring coldly at the white-haired girl, anger now unmasked in his voice. "I want your ans…" But the Dark Lord was stopped from his sentence as he felt the ground shake violently beneath him, almost making him lose his balance.
"Fufufu," laughed the white-haired girl, and pointed toward something behind Lord Voldemort.
The Dark Lord turned around on reflex and saw…
-BREAK-
(Multi-person POV)
"ROOOOOOOOAR!" shouted the trolls in a battlecry, starting to advance, but it was too late…
The ground was breaking apart in all places (Excluding the spot where Severus, Alice, and Ilya, had vacated to.), as trolls and humans alike, began falling, plummeting…
"Incredible," muttered Alice.
"WHAT DID YOU DO, GIRL?!" screamed the Dark Lord in fury. He raised his wand to cast a spell, but before he could even utter it, the ground beneath Lord Voldemort gave way, as he, along with all of his followers, began falling into the dark abyss below, with a loud SPLASH onto the flowing water, an underground river, the ground, rocks and falling debris along with them…
"Fufufu…That's the problem with some people, all talk no bite," said Ilya, a cruel smile on her face. "Lord Voldemort, all powerful wizard, supposedly the greatest Dark Lord to walk on the planet, unmatchable, unbeatable in every aspect…pfft…what a joke…fufufu…ahahahahaha…"
All of a sudden, a cold, cruel, female laugh rang through the air.
"HAHAHAHA"
Screams and roars could be heard, as trolls and humans alike attempted to claw at the collapsing ground, to no avail…
"HAHAHAHA"
The occupants of the Hogwarts Express could not help but gasp, awed into silence, as they watched the unbelievable event unfolding before them, clearly hearing the words that the girl screamed into the night, as the sun finally set…
"YOU'RE A THOUSAND YEARS TOO EARLY TO EVEN THINK OF FACING ME, VOLDEMORT!"
The girl continued laughing, her mirth uncontrollable, undoubtedly at the fact that she made Lord Voldemort, the greatest Dark Wizard in existence, look like nothing but a fool…
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Another chapter out then. Hope you enjoy.
Later then, people...