September 4th, 1996
Rochefort-en-Terre, France
It was a dismal day for Rochefort-en-Terre. The skies were a dark gray, and the rail was pelting down. It was, however, peaceful. At twelve o'clock, however, that changed.
The only sign of the impending attack was a dark cloud in the shape of a skull forming over the heart of the village. Without any other warning, masked terrorists wielding powerful weaponry started slaughtering the innocent people of the town. It was fortunate that there were those willing to fight back, and only fifty people were killed or wounded before the terrorists fled.
"TERRORISTS ATTACK ROCHEFORT-EN-TERRE!" would be the headline for the next week, in both worlds.
-o-
September 5th, 1996
Great Hall, Hogwarts School
"Report," Moody barked.
"The Dark Lord is... displeased," Severus Snape said. "Rochefort-en-Terre was to be a display of his power. That the Order was able to hold his forces back has brought his ire upon this organization as a whole."
"Well, what are we supposed to do, roll over, die, and let him take over?" Shacklebolt asked sarcastically.
"That is exactly what he wants you to do, yes."
The room fell silent for a moment, then Snape said, "He has been expanding recruitment across the entire continent. Several smaller countries have already fallen. Soon, he will have ten thousand fighters at his side. The Order will only be able to stop his advance for so long."
The room fell into pandemonium at that proclamation.
-o-
September 27th, 1996
Atrium, Ministry of Magic
Alastor Moody sighed in relief. The final training session had finally finished. Sure, he felt like it wasn't finished, and there were some things he hadn't had time to impart, but on the whole, it had been a very productive two months.
He nodded to a group passing through the atrium. As he neared the elevator, he turned his head in alarm, and a wave of green filled his vision. A gust of wind was the last thing he ever felt, and his world went dark for the last time.
-o-
Hogwarts School
Daphne Greengrass felt the fake galleon burn against her skin, and she immediately changed course. Sure, she had class in five minutes, but any excuse to get away from Snape, even if it wasn't a valid one, she would take. Even the students in his own house hated him, so her, a Ravenclaw, skipping his class would not turn heads.
She arrived at the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets and slipped into the stairwell, always open now, only protected by an illusion. Everyone in Chimera knew how to get in, though other students would not likely find it.
She at last arrived in the meeting chamber. She noted with surprise that she was the last one there as she took her seat.
"Moody's dead," Nathan proclaimed solemnly.
-o-