Thanks to Lutheyl for beta'ing.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed, you are the greatest!

Weapon (Possession Chapter LXIV)
Chapter XIII - Revenge, Explanations and Morale

Breakfast was abnormally quiet. The presence of the OWL examiners sitting at the high table, squished in between the teachers, meant that many students seemed to have foregone their meal completely, and those that were there were effected by the serious air exuded by the fifth years. The seventh years weren't much better, although their NEWTs would be on in a week or so. There was only a quiet buzz accompanied by the rustle of parchment as it was turned with feverous haste during the last second cram session.

You could feel the nervous tension in the air. Harry grinned, helping himself to eggs and bacon as Ron and Hermione barely pecked at their toast. Ginny was at the table as well and he nodded at her, suppressing a surge of pleasure as she nodded back before looking down, blushing. She was acting perfectly, and she didn't even know it.

There was a high pitched squeal as two birds flew in through one of the open shutters near the roof. They were eagle hawkes, black sleek and large, each carrying a square box that seemed as large as them. Both packages were wrapped in black and tied with a ribbon. There was a small folded parchment attached to each.

They circled for a few moments, as most of the students turned their attention upwards, searching for their targets before they swooped in a blaze of feathers and flapping wings, touching down smoothly and landing on top of their packages in front of Millicent and Blaise. Both students looked confused as they were regarded by black hawk eyes and wicked hunting beaks, but both were from magical families and had been around birds since birth. They automatically reached out to undo the ties from the bird's legs, pulling their hands back quickly as both birds rose into the air, sharp pinions extended beneath themselves, as they flapped their wings powerfully, circling again to gain speed before they angled themselves towards the shutter and disappeared.

Millicent cried out happily as she read the note before she laughed and began to undo the wrapping.

-Those notes are from their parents,- the shadows whispered to Harry before he could ask. -We didn't want anyone interfering.-

Harry nodded slightly, keeping the shade of himself that contained Fawkes' essence locked within the duality he had created. His godfather had shown him how to hide his true self there, but you could reverse it and hide the shade, keeping it trapped within an illusion. It wasn't perfect, and he couldn't do it for long periods of time since Fawkes would eventually notice it, but for those events that he wanted to see and feel first hand, the prison of self was perfectly adequate.

The laugh turned into a scream, echoed by Blaise's cry of revulsion as the boxes corners flipped up and out to reveal their contents. Other curious Slytherin students peaked into the boxes and the scream was soon a chorus as they pulled back, several loosing their breakfast to give the hall a bitter smell.

The commotion quickly spread outwards but both Blaise and Millicent were frozen, their eyes wide as they continued to stare into the boxes. Of course, such commotion attracted attention, and Dumbledore, Snape and Minerva were soon pushing their way through the students to discover what was wrong.

Snape at least acted quickly when he saw what was wrong, flicking the boxes closed and shaking both students out of the trance that had held them, but then he had known exactly who the bloody heads, with expressions frozen in terror had belonged to. He looked up and for an instant black eyes met emerald and Harry gave a small regal nod to indicate that he knew before he reversed his mind set, letting his innocent shade out to attest to his innocence. Let Severus wonder.

"I think we will need some pep'up potion" Dumbledore was saying.

"With all due respect, Headmaster, I think we'll need something stronger than that," Snape objected.

"Certainly," Albus said, his eyes both sympathetic and hard. "But not just yet. We need to know what happened. For the moment though," he raised his voice, addressing the Hall, "I believe those students who have classes should attend them, while those who have study time should go to the Library or their Common Rooms as it pleases them. And the fifth years should gather in the antechamber while the Hall is set up for their OWL."

"Surely not!" Minerva objected.

"I'm afraid so, my dear," Dumbledore said evenly. "It's for the best. Both Miss Bulstrode and Mr Zabini though will be excused to take this OWL at a later date. The others though..." he looked around, deliberately smiling in a grandfatherly manner, "Chop, chop! You can't hang around here all day!"

There was a reluctant grumble as the students were herded from the Hall. Out of morbid curiosity most had wanted to see what had caused the commotion although there was whispering within the students and the news spread like wildfire.

Harry got up with the others and looked at both Ron and Hermione. They were both pale, not understanding the true story behind this, they did not know how it could not be them and were no doubt thinking about how they could be attacked through him. If the Dark Lord was striking his allies, how much more brutal would he be to his enemies, and everyone knew Harry was his number one enemy and if he couldn't get to Harry, the Serpent Lord would not doubt settle for them. -Make sure they are calm for their OWLs, will you?- Harry instructed.

-Do it yourself.-

-I can't. Any charm I cast on them will be removed as they walk into the room by the anti-cheating charms.-

-All right.- the shadows grumbled.

-You said I will need followers, so I still need them.-

-We know, we know, we aren't upset with you Master. We were just hoping that Dumbledore would make those two sit through their OWL's.-

-No such luck,- Harry lamented with them, casting one eye back to where Snape was rather awkwardly trying to comfort Blaise. It was almost hysterical. He turned back towards Ron and Hermione. "Hey, guys, relax! You'll do fine," he said with a smile.

"Thanks Harry," Hermione said, and he could see that she was struggling not to speak further as she tried to concentrate on matters at hand.

"Hey, mate..." Ron said softly, uncertainly. He was trying to pay attention but it was obvious that he was thinking about what had just happened. They didn't know exactly what had been in the boxes, although rumors were already rife, but they knew enough to know that somehow the Dark Lord had been involved and that now both Slytherins were orphens.

"It will be okay, Ron," Harry said reassuringly. "You'll see. Your parents are careful, he won't get them."

Ron nodded, his eyes still worried.

"Just concentrate on today," Harry murmured to him. "It will be okay, I promise."

"Thanks," Ron smiled wanly.

"Hey! I know about these things!" Harry laughed, although it was a little forced in an effort to make everything seem okay and he placed his hand comfortingly on both their shoulders as he turned to leave. "Good luck!" He said as he walked out, heading towards the common room as the shadows slipped around his friends, warm and comforting.

'Touch what is precious to me, and I will take what is precious to you. Your days are numbered.'

That's what both notes within the parcels had said when addressed to the two children. Albus looked down at the new parchments. The two notes that had accompanied the grisly remains had morphed themselves into letters for him once he had touched them, much like Harry's had. Like that letter this one was written in tiny spidery script but unlike it this one seemed happy, the brooding anger was absent.

It was the happiness that bothered him the most even though he knew the Dark Lord had reason for it at the moment.

Dumbledore,

You are good at reading other people's mail, aren't you? So be it. As I'm sure you have surmised, these are the two who dared to touch what is mine. I know you know what happened, I also know he has not revealed that information to you for fear I would attack them. He is far too protective of others for his own good. I did not take this information from him either, he kept that hidden within himself, which was most frustrating.

These two were involved with Lucius' Rebellion. Malfoy Senior is still alive, in case you are worried. He probably will be alive for quite some time yet. How much he appreciates that life though is another question that has little bearing on this.

In an attempt to buy their lives they revealed their brats' actions to me, thinking it would please me. A mistake, I assure you, I gave them plenty of time to reflect upon. I'm sure their brats are only beginning to see the magnitude of their actions. They will understand fully before I'm through with them.

Do your job Old Man, and keep what is mine safe by training him to use the knowledge I have given him. If you train him well enough, I might find it within myself to finish you quickly. I doubt it though, since you have caused me far to much pain for me show you that much mercy. Hmm, I wonder if my treasure is loyal enough to beg me to show you mercy? I think I would enjoy that.

You will see the other Death Eaters who betrayed me from time to time. I'm finding that they have all sorts of uses and it is so much easier to recruit allies when you have a ready supply of sacrifices to give to them.

I wish you luck with the Ministry, Old Man. You are going to need it and I will find it much more pleasurable if there is some challenge in the battle. You and I both know how close it was, and while such ease is pleasurable; I always did like a challenge more.

Don't let that distract you, Old Man. You have one task before you die and one task only. Keep what is mine safe. I wish to partake of his sweetness again and will enjoy his cries when he knows this time, that there is truly no hope.

LV

Oh yes, Tom was unaccountably happy, although Dumbledore was almost certain that nothing serious had occurred. Both Miss Bulstrode and Mr Zabini were in the infirmary, being attended to by Poppy and he had placed charms on them to alert him should they try to run. From the sounds of things, they weren't as innocent as they appeared although he couldn't really take a Dark Lord's letter as proof. Maybe now though, Harry would feel comfortable talking about it... If last night was any indication... He might be ready.

If those two had truly raped Harry, then they were unquestionably the one's responsible for the death of Mundungus and indirectly for the Minister. For if they had not hurt Harry, then the Dark Lord would have felt no need to come to see him. He couldn't hold them responsible for those deaths though they might have raped Harry, which had brought Tom to Hogwarts, but it had been the Dark Lord's choice to kill, but he could see to it that they were charged with the sexual abuse and attack of a fellow student and that they were expelled from Hogwarts.

After that, he was honest enough to admit that he didn't really care what happened to them. No doubt Tom would send some loyal Death Eaters after them but somehow he couldn't bring himself to care. Those two were responsible for the near destruction of the only weapon they had to fight the Dark Lord. They did not deserve the mercy of the Light.

Maybe he could...

No.

If he stepped over that line then there would be no difference between him and Tom. He may not feel the need to protect them, but he was not going to give them up on a platter to the Dark Lord, no matter how much that might forward Severus' position.

He sighed. He really did need to speak with the Slytherin House Head.

Later, Albus decided. Later.

For now, he would attend with the situations as they arose. There was nothing more he could do.

Harry settled himself into the alcove. It was on a corridor that was out of the way. The arching windows up high let in air and light giving the whole corridor a light feel. It was wonderfully airy, warm but still cool in summer. It felt like it was outside, even though it was protected from the elements. Not many students ever came here. Draco did though, when he wanted to be alone.

He figured that the Slytherin would want to be alone, at least for a little while after his OWL, especially with what had happened this morning. Of course, Harry wasn't going to let him be alone. They had issues which they needed to discuss.

He smiled as he heard footsteps and heard the blond muttering softly to himself. It was amusing. "Stupid Potter, stupid Dumbledore! What are they planning... Stupid OWLs, damn stupid girl squealing! I swear I can still hear it... But what is Father doing?"

"He's dying," Harry said as he stepped forward, into Draco's pacing line.

The blond pulled up sharply, his eyes wide.

"Of course, he's doing a bad job of it," Harry continued. "And it will probably take him all year to die but your father is in no position to do anything at the moment."

"You're lying!" Draco hissed.

"Am I?" Emerald eyes narrowed. "Your precious family Noitaniur Charm didn't even scratch the Dark Lord. I was there, you know."

"You are dead! You aren't Harry! You don't even look like him!" Draco objected, still hissing in an effort to keep his voice down.

"Ah," Harry smiled. "Silencias," he cast the charm. "Is that better?" He asked. "Now we can talk privately."

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Really? Well, I have plenty of things to say to you."

"Why should I listen to someone who's just a pawn in Dumbledore's game?"

"I never thought you were this stupid Draco!"

"I killed you!"

"I know."

Draco froze, grey eyes opened wide.

"You killed me, Draco, never doubt that because it is true. I jumped in front of the curse to save my Godfather. But," Harry said the word forcefully, "the Dark Lord used the same curse on me when I was a child and it didn't work. What arrogance do you possess that you would think yours would be more effective?"

He paused but there was no answer forthcoming from the blond. "I did not die, Draco and the reason no one is after you for attempted murder is that I spent a lot of energy casting obliviate charms. I find it amusing to think that you thought an illusion of yourself sitting in your common room would hold up against a body, if you truly had killed me. I thought you planned better than that."

"Why?" Draco ground the word out, swallowing as he glared at the black haired boy. He made no move towards his wand as emerald eyes had never left him and he could see the tip of Harry's protruding slightly past his hand.

"Because being dead would be too difficult, but being kidnapped suited me. You are one of the few who truly remembers what happened and you are the only one with access to some other information I'm sure your Father told you. Think about it. Read between the lines as it were."

Harry watched as Draco's face contorted with thought. He could see the wheels turning behind those grey eyes as the boy tried to pull all the information he possessed into a whole understanding. He saw the exact moment the truth dawned upon the blond and snorted as the expression changed from thought to nothing as shock coursed through his system.

"That's..." Draco whispered brokenly. "That's not possible."

"Your Father said the exact same thing."

"So why are you here?"

"Because this is the quickest way to win."

"I won't... I won't help you."

"I don't want you to."

"So why are you telling me this?"

"You are the last of your Father's rebellion, Draco. Those followers you have will be going back to empty houses over the summer. Some few may yet be able to join the Dark Lord but by their parents actions I doubt it. Blaise and Millicent a prime examples."

"Why are you telling me this?" Draco asked again.

"Every battle needs someone who knew the truth."

"No," grey eyes became hard. "I will not play your game."

"Game?"

"I will not run to Dumbledore."

Harry laughed, trusting the shadows to tell him if Draco moved. "Oh god! That's funny!" He finally choked out, breathing hard. With a practiced move he unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the tattoo of the phoenix. "I am a member of the Order of the Phoenix, Draco. Dumbledore will not believe you."

Draco gasped, the air whistling through his teeth as he saw the almost living tattoo. "Why are you telling me?" He asked, his voice soft with anticipation. He knew, somehow that he didn't really want to know the answer.

"Because," Harry said evenly, as he re-buttoned his shirt, drawing his robes around himself securely. "As pathetic as your attempts may be, I do expect you to fight. Unless of course you'd like to give up now and let me attend to it?"

Draco took a step back, shaking his head.

"You chose to enter this battle without knowing the truth Draco, now you must face the consequences. You are nothing more than a worm, wriggling on a hook but don't disappoint me, Draco," Harry smiled as he withdrew the silencing charm, looking over at the still shell-shocked blond.

"Have a nice summer," he added as he began to walk down the corridor.

"Potter!" Draco whispered but Harry heard.

"Hm?"

"This is not over yet," the grey eyed boy snarled. "This is not over yet."

"I would be disappointed if it was," Harry returned evenly. "Oh... one last thing Draco."

"What?"

"Solmemorate!" He grinned as he cast the charm. "I don't mind that you remember what you've learned, but I really don't want you spreading it around. It would get too messy, you understand, and it really would be too easy for you!"

Voldemort looked at the map. It showed a small Ministry building, one that was placed in the centre of Muggle buildings. In the greater scheme of things, it was worth nothing. It had no tactical importance, could not be used as a breach head and contained no documents or people of any import. Well, not to the Ministry... although they didn't know it yet.

But he was going to attack it. And he was going to level it completely.

Because doing so would give his forces confidence and doing so would show that he was still a force to be reckoned with.

It would also allow him to gauge the speed and strength of the Ministry's response to attacks, now that they had supposedly improved security. And it would allow him to illustrate the potential for a new world order via the reporter from that insipid paper.

Two red masked Death Eaters apparated into the room, the unconscious form of the afore mentioned reporter slung between them.

"Good timing," Voldemort purred. "Put him in the chair and then go."

They nodded, dragging Mr Bryant to the overstuffed arm chair in the corner and then with bows towards their Lord they apparated again, leaving the two of them alone.

The Dark Lord looked around once more, making sure everything was perfect before he smiled, taking his own seat, flicking an Enverneate charm towards Elliot.

It was time for Mr Bryant to start earning his keep.

Solmemorate - a charm that allows Draco to remember everything but he can't tell anyone what he knows.

Noitaniur - Malfoy family Charm. Highly destructive, used against Harry and Voldemort in Chapter 44 - Lesser Serpents'

Review please? :)