11/12/2014

sneaks in

Hi, yes I know it's been ages! I've been trying to work on non-fanfiction and on finishing fanfics, which has sort of been successful. Currently I have three outstanding fanfics, one of which is this one, which believe me is better than the eight or so I used to have.

But I also got a short story published in this years Dreamspinner Christmas Anthology! There's a link on my profile :D So feel free to go buy!

Weapon XCI Rage

Voldemort sat on his throne. It was nearly time and his forces had gathered. Before every battle he always sat alone, just for a few moments to gather himself. He'd studied war when he was younger. He knew what the Muggles thought of winter campaigns but things were slightly different for wizards. They didn't have the drama of trying to keep open supply lines through terrible conditions and so they could fight all years if that's what they wanted. Still, for the most part, every decisive wizarding battle had been fought in Summer or Spring. There were a few, mostly against the Goblins, that had been fought in Winter, but the weight of history was against him this time.

The Goblins… The thought brought a snarl to his lips. All they had to do this year was remain neutral but they couldn't even do that! They had sided with the Ministry. There had been no formal statement but he was an adept at reading the tides of politics. They didn't have to have a formal statement, he knew and as he'd told his mate at Halloween it was frustrating him. Harry's inadvertent suggestion had been imminently sensible but the actuality was a little more tricky than Voldemort had realised.

His cherished basilisk's had delivered several quivering Goblins to him and they were even now entertaining them. No doubt the Dementors were also having fun though they knew better than to destroy the Goblins until he was finished with them. But finding a witch or wizard… that had proven to be difficult. He'd asked those freed from Azkaban and while a few had all the appropriate tendencies but they lacked the skill. Even if he allowed them to work together, the result wouldn't be satisfactory. This was one task where he needed a professional, not the enthusiastic but sometimes puerile efforts of amateurs.

The problem was that on the whole, medi-witches and wizards were light sided. They did not seek to corrupt their charms to cause pain. They were truly healers and while the Dark Lord could respect someone who stuck to their path, in this case it did not suit him. Dark Healers were few and far between though they did and had existed. Many of the best and most painful curses came from their efforts or could be traced back to origins that came from innocuous or helpful charms.

The Dark Lord shook his head. That was not a problem for now and carefully he drew breath. He needed to focus on the battle now. Hogwarts.

It was an unexpected escalation in hostilities. He wanted Hogwarts because the attack would hold a dual purpose. The blow to moral could not be underestimated and the gains that the Ministry had been making would be put back. They had announced a few alliances recently, most notably with the Veela but anyone else considering it would have second thoughts at his display of strength. This was not necessarily about strength, though that was important, it was about presence. And he had to maintain his. This would do nicely.

And if he captured Hogwarts it would serve as an admiral headquarters. He thought he might come close but he did not think he'd capture the castle this time. This battle was more about seeing the level of response the Ministry could expect… and to see what the Werewolves would do. Despite his approaches, they had maintained their neutrality. There were a few serving him but they were all clear that the Pack Leader, Remus Lupin was insisting upon neutrality.

That left him rather unsure what to do with the Werewolves. Their neutrality had not been expected and if he could have, he would have killed Fenrir all over again. But neutrality was not supporting the Ministry and that was something. His spies had told him what their welcome had been in the Ministry and he had grinned at that. He needed everyone to show their loyalty so he knew who believed in what, but if the Ministry had both the Werewolves and the Vampires, that might have been too much, even for him. They didn't though. Fenrir might have failed but his spawn was at least sensible and while Remus Lupin would pay for his choices, the werewolves may not reach their end by his hand.

He let out a frustrated hiss. Again he was distracted. That did not bode well for this battle but he could not call it off. The blatant attack against Hogwarts was too necessary for the other part of his plan to succeed. The third, hidden goal of the attack. The Ministry had all their magical sensing devices gathered for one final calibration and his people were in place. They would not destroy the globes, he was more subtle than that and they might prove useful for the future, when he ruled. His sabotage came with the calibration charms and a few drops of concentrated potion that would be introduced to them. The two would combine so that while the globes would detect him and his forces, they would register as background magic, something that was normal and natural. In Diagon Alley he'd be detected as just another wizard, in the wilds of Scotland as a willow in the wisp, the natural energy of the land. It had taken quite a bit to work out how to do that, but The Ministry didn't fear him for his formidable power, they also feared because his followers were not unskilled when given the proper motivation.

Now though he had to provide the distraction for those who were probably already working to calibrate those Goblin made abominations! And already the first of the Hogwart attack teams had left. They would be putting down ward stones in secret, wards that he would lay in place over the existing Hogwarts Wards and over the town of Hogsmead. It was ambitious but he smiled, it was him. Once his wards were raised, those two places would be truly unreachable. He no plans to attack the town. Attacking Hogwarts would more than suit his purposes.

"You'd better get going," a voice broke him out of his review of his plans and the Dark Lord looked up to see the Shadow's Servant standing near the centre of the throne room, surrounded by moving inky darkness. It was about time he showed up.

Sirius looked over at the Dark Lord. He could remember his old self but the shadows were with him so deeply that it was almost a vague memory. They weren't controlling him, they had given their word they would never force him again, but they were reminding him what was at stake. He had a job to do here and that meant helping the Lord Voldemort so that's what he would do. Though they didn't have to remind him that hard.

"Arabella's blood, do you have it with you?" He asked.

Voldemort shook his head.

"Where is it?"

"I gave it to Harry," Voldemort smiled, feeling the slight annoyance from the shadows dissipate instantly.

The Shadow Servant pushed one hand towards a belt bag and after a moment he produced another vial of blood. "I had meant to give Harry one of the two vials I took," the man said softly, "but the timing has never been right." He flicked the vial to the Dark Lord who caught it deftly. "Drink it now," Sirius instructed, his voice firm, changing back to a commanding tone. There was a trace of arrogance there but he was speaking for the shadows and their instructions were absolute.

The Dark Lord looked at him in askance and Sirius suppressed the shadows sigh. He really didn't have time to explain this but he would have to make the time.

"It takes two things to become a vampire, their blood and their bite," Sirius allowed the shadows control of his body enough that they could explain. "First the Vampire gives you some of their blood, then they bite you, draining your blood entirely. That is what kills you. And then the blood you ingested before death is what revives you. The combination of both is what turns you into a vampire and gives the thirst and that's why the process is completed as one.

"Because you have taken vampire blood, without the bite, that is why you can speak after being hit by an Avada Kedrava, albeit for a short time. The blood fights the curse and it does its job to revive you, even though you aren't a vampire. That's essentially how we revived both you and our Master after the Malfoy incident. We used the power of Xeoaph's blood. You both would have revived eventually, we just hastened the matter.

"At the moment though, we are not sure how this battle will turn out, so drink Arabella's blood now so that if required we can revive you again... Unless you want to use one of your other means?"

"No. The vampire blood is easier," Voldemort shook his head. Once again Kisha would be standing on the sidelines. This battle was to determine what other allies the Ministry had, not to annul their alliance with the vampires. Besides, it was too early to reveal her and he wanted the vampires fully committed to the field before he brought Xeoaph low. A wicked smile crossed the Dark Lord's features.

"Ready?" Sirius asked.

"More than ready," red eyes glowed with power as the Dark Lord rose, taking the steps required to stand opposite the Shadow Servant. The man stared back at him without fear and even at such close range, Voldemort had no idea who stood there. There was something familiar about the shape of their eyes but with them being consumed by the darkness, it was hard to tell. The Dark Lord was taller, but that little detail didn't seem to bother the other wizard in the slightest and Voldemort smirked. This man would not be fit to be a Shadow Servant if such things fazed them.

"Your people know to expect me?" The question seemed odd but the Dark Lord understood.

"I'll order them not to hit you in the back."

In the instant before they apparated, Voldemort caught the quirk of lips beneath the man's mask.

The First Battle of Hogwarts started just after noon on the 21st December on the day of the Solstice, at the time when the sun was at its lowest point in the sky.

The Dark Forces did not come roaring out of the forest, attacking with all wands raised, rather they slunk into position, establishing ward stones and activating them only when their Lord appeared. If not for the alarms that blared throughout Hogwarts it was doubtful that any would have noticed the attack until the next day, when students would be boarding the newly repaired Hogwarts Express for the journey back to London for the traditional short winter recess.

But the alarms did blare and the student body as a whole knew instantly that something was very wrong. If a Dementor had of been present in the classrooms, they probably would have shivered from sheer delight at the feeling of fear that passed through the school. But they weren't. They were with the Serpents forming a ring around the forbidden forest and a select few of their number were patrolling through the now cut off village of Hogsmead, swooping down on any witch or wizard unfortunate enough to be caught outside on the snowy roads.

The panic at Hogwarts was short lived. Dumbledore was never one to tolerate such a wasteful expenditure of energy and soon all the students were streaming towards the Great Hall. There had been no actual attack yet but there would be. That was only a matter of time. The Headmaster had tried to send alert to the Ministry but he knew the feel of Tom's warding and he didn't hold much hope that the message would be sent. Messages via Patroni would also fail. Tom might not have been able to raise his own Patronus, but he knew well enough how to block them.

It left him in a very awkward position but one he had planned for. Until tomorrow, they were most likely on their own. And that's where young Harry came in. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. But it is what he would do. He would hold off the Dark Forces for the time it took the Ministry to come and that would establish without doubt in anyone's mind that Harry Potter was essential for this war, and with Harry, came the Order.

Dumbledore smiled. Harry couldn't do it alone, but then, the Headmaster had known all along that this war would require everyone to pick their side. For the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Years, that choice came now. He'd finally know which side a few of them were on. The ancient wizard had just finished calling up the year levels when the expected challenge arrived.

"Dumbledore!" The voice was shockingly loud and everyone in the school heard it. It had undertones of a sibilant whisper which Albus knew Tom was deliberately enhancing to appear more like a serpent. "You have one hour to end this peacefully, or I will be forced to attack." The Headmaster didn't imagine the roll of Harry's eyes. "You and Harry Potter," there was considerable force in the way Tom spat the name and for a moment Dumbledore was impressed. No matter what other actions Tom had taken in relation to Harry, the hatred was still strong. "You have one hour to surrender your selves. If you do not, I will be forced to come in after you. And that would be a tragedy for the death of any magical should be mourned and regretted."

"So predictable," Harry muttered, earning a titter of nervous laughter from those surrounding him. Hermione was with him, as were Luna and Neville. Ron and Ginny were still at St Mungos so they were spared from this attack and outwardly Harry radiated an ambivalent mix of relief and worry. Relief because his beloved Ginny was not here and so could not be directly attacked by the Dark Lord, but worry because she was not here, and who knew what other attacks he might launch. But St Mungos was one of the best protected places in the Wizarding world. After the events of the last attack, the Ministry had made it that way so even if the Dark Lord sent forces there, Ginny should be okay.

The students gathered in the Great Hall looked up at the false sky Hogwarts projected there and they saw the Dark Lord's illusion. A giant hourglass hovered in the air, held between the jaws of a skull and sand was pouring down. A snake was wrapped around the illusion and to those who knew such things, it was a basilisk with glowing green eyes which were fixed on the lower portion of the hour glass, obviously waiting for it to fill.

Dumbledore waved his wand, shifting the usual Hogwarts illusion to show another part of the sky. But the hour glass followed and there came a sense of amusement. Eventually the ancient wizard dispelled the usual illusion, fixing it with an overcast sky that was a reflection of his memory. Albus didn't really have time to play with Tom on this, though he did keep one eye on the projection to ensure that the Dark Lord had not managed to infiltrate as be began talking to those who had gathered.

"Minerva, please see to raising the castle's defences." The Deputy Headmistress nodded and strode from the Hall. Filius followed suit after giving a nod to the Headmaster. "That takes care of the automated defences," Dumbledore made sure to smile and he was not surprised when Fawkes flamed into the room and landed with a musical note near Albus' customary spot at the head table. The gathered students saw him and an awed whisper passed through the room. The phoenix deliberately sang a few notes and the fear calmed and the gathered faces calmed. A hitherto unnoticed sense of oppression rose from the gathered witches and wizards and Harry belated realised that Voldemort had been projecting his aura. Dumbledore nodded at his discrete glance and slowly Harry began to extend his own aura, raising it subtly so that the students wouldn't be overwhelmed.

The Headmaster turned towards the gathered students, stepping forward to address them. "I'm glad everyone has gathered with such calm," he began, smiling benignly and stretching his image of the comforting grandfather as far as he could. "The Lord Voldemort has decided to pay us a visit," Dumbledore ignored the hiss of fear as he said the name. "It appears he has forgotten that visiting hours are only after semester ends," that brought a small titter of laughter. "Help is on the way," it would be eventually, "so I ask you to remain calm and for the duration to remain in the Great Hall."

"Sir," one bold fourth year spoke up. "How long will we have to stay here?"

Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling, "For however long it takes to persuade our guests that Hogwarts is not open," the ancient wizard replied, stroking at his beard. "Now, since it was about lunch time, why doesn't everyone sit down and enjoy while I organise the rest of the castle's defences?" The suggestion was not an option and soon most of the students were eating a rather nervous lunch.

The Headmaster turned towards the students he'd gathered earlier. The Fifth Years looked particularly grim while the Seventh Years had that cockiness of youth. He hoped none of them would die but that could not be assured here. Blue eyes locked to green and Dumbledore did not miss the slight shake of Harry's head. He understood. Harry could fight Voldemort, but probably couldn't keep the wizard occupied for the amount of time required. Albus doubted he'd be able to do it either. "Minerva is getting the castles defences activated. That will mean that the Gargoyles, suits of armour and stone warriors will be on our side, but we still have a job to do. We will deploy to the battlements and watch for weaknesses in the defences and at the moment to catalogue Lord Voldemort's forces."

Relief appeared on some faces but most nodded. "Harry," Dumbledore said and everyone turned to look at the young wizard. "I want you to station yourself at the main gate. Let him see you but don't engage him."

Harry nodded. "I'll try to take up as much attention as I can."

Dumbledore smiled. "Please," he agreed with the suggestion, and began assigning positions to the other students.

One fifth year interrupted and Albus' mind provided him with their details. Patius Gibels, Ravenclaw, Fifth Year. Parents: Death Eaters. Patius currently unmarked and loyalties in question. "What about the…" The question trailed off.

"Yes?"

"What about the Slytherins?" the last was spoken in less than a whisper.

"What about them?" It was not in Dumbledore's nature to take pleasure in the discomfort of others, otherwise he would be. This was almost ironic, Patius asking about those others known to be traditional supporters of the Dark Lord.

The question was asked haltingly but then finished in a rush. "Are they… Can they be loyal?"

The Headmaster had not missed the changing dynamic in Slytherin House. No matter how much they might believe they presented a neutral, expressionless face to the world the signs were there if you knew what to look for. Albus had seen the separate lines forming, the boundaries of opinion in that House and he'd seen the way Draco had desperately tried to hold on to power. The young man was standing with his Housemates at the moment but even then there was a small space around him. The balance of power had definitely shifted from the Malfoys but the ancient wizard wasn't sure if it had shifted towards the Dark Lord, or towards a more wait and see approach. He hoped it was the later.

"Are you implying that they are not?"

Patius blushed but from the glint in his eye, he would not let the matter drop and Albus smiled reassuringly at the lad. "Everyone here loves Hogwarts, and I'm sure no one wants to see her fall." He left it at that, as if daring the young Ravenclaw with Death Eater tendencies to continue to challenge him. Patius backed down, aware that he had already stood out too far but unable to just let that slide. "I want you all to pair up," the Headmaster continued his instructions to the students. "Then distribute yourselves on the battlements. If attack is coming, send a warning and try to shield, but do not leave the Castle. Is that understood?"

There was a general murmur of assent and the gathered students shifted as they paired up. Luna and Neville paired up and Hermione looked around almost hopefully. Harry smiled at her and motioned that she should come stand with him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Millicent pair with Draco as they were the last two Slytherin's left. Meh, it didn't matter. While Millicent had told him some interesting news it was unlikely she could get anything from Malfoy though Harry was surprised the other Sixth Year was present. He must have been able to pull himself together after last night and Harry gave the blond a cheerful little smile as he headed off with Hermione towards the front gate.

"Hermione," Harry said softly as they walked through the corridors.

"Yes?" She seemed nervous and Harry supposed that was sensible.

"When we get to the gate, just hang back. Don't be seen."

Hermione gave a funny little laugh that was half expel of air and half a giggle but she nodded and Harry reached one hand back, holding a hair tie. "Thank you," she said taking it and roughly tying her bushy hair back. This was not a time when they could afford to have anyone's eyes obscured.

"I'm not going to fight him," Harry continued. "I'm just going to try to distract him. I'll be honest Hermione, chances are the Ministry won't know until tomorrow, when the repaired Express is meant to leave. It's not like Hogwarts reports in every day but I think I can distract him at least until this evening. And then we will see."

The witch nodded. "Do you know why he attacked today?"

Harry looked back and grinned. "Tomorrow is the Solstice," he shrugged. "The winter Solstice. Isn't there some saying that because the night is the longest the Dark powers are stronger?"

"You're telling me he's attacking because of a saying?"

This time Harry laughed. "No, there really is a little bit of truth to the saying. Not that the Dark Power is stronger exactly but those spells which rely on darkness are stronger when there isn't any sun. We should be thankful we aren't further north or it could be a real problem. But Hermione remember, he might be stronger, but so are the Vampires and the Vampires are on our side."

"So we are, Mr. Potter."

To Hermione's credit she did not jump as one of the undead came out of a side corridor. "We are deploying now, though Mr. Potter, you seem to conveniently forget, your own powers are stronger on this day."

"Harry?"

The green eyed wizard's narrowed eyes glanced towards a deep shadow behind one of the statues though Hermione didn't see the gesture she somehow knew where he was looking and looked that way herself. The darkness there seemed to stir and she quickly raised one hand to rub her eyes. When she looked back nothing was there.

"They are," Harry eventually agreed with the Vampire, "but my power is Light," he continued, "and that, while weakened by the day, is still strong enough."

The vampire laughed. "Do not threaten me. I am not the fool Ikhan was."

"Of course not," Harry agreed amicably as he started walking again.

"Potter," the vampire called.

"What is it?"

"We are watching."

Harry sighed and Hermione didn't know what was happening. She watched with wide brown eyes. "You are always watching," he said easily. "I don't even know what you hope to find."

"You know what we will find."

"Ah yes, my supposed duplicity. I don't know who decided that, but I wish they would stop. If any of them come near me I will order them to my side and that will be that."

"Your side?" The vampire seemed amused.

"They are on your side by virtue of the fact they are at my side," Harry said cryptically.

"So why are they on his side?"

"Your Master was there when Dumbledore asked that question and he heard the answer. I take it you aren't high enough on the food chain to have been informed?" the black haired wizard challenged as he approached the doors of Hogwarts. They were magically sealed and he could see the wards settling into the wood of the doors but there was also a more mundane bar across it. It would not do for someone simply to push them open. He turned to one of the columns of stone beside the Main Gates and to the small door that was there. "Hermione, if you could?" he smiled at his friend, gesturing for her to open the door.

"Alohamora!" There was a tiny click and Harry pushed the door open.

"Are you coming vampire?" He asked the fuming undead being who was watching them.

"I am assigned to you today, so of course I am coming," they replied without the slightest trace of annoyance and any insult the vampire felt at Harry's earlier statement was well hidden.

"Well then be careful because sunset isn't for a couple of hours," Harry said with false sincerity. "Come on Hermione," he added before trotting up the stairs. Sparring with the vampire was a waste of time and he wanted to see what Dark Forces Voldemort had assembled for this assault.

The Dark Lord had at least picked a fine day for his assault and the noon sun was bright in Harry's eyes when he emerged on to the battlement above the main gate. He blinked and looked around. For a moment he saw nothing, then his eyes adjusted and he could see the dark forces.

Harry could see Death Eaters in the distance. They ranged around the castle but they didn't hem the forest and Harry imagined that Voldemort had stationed his basilisks there. They would be better suited for fighting under the thick canopy and the acromantulas would not bother them. He could feel the Dementors but he couldn't see them and there was a crowd of … Iferi the memories he had from the Dark Lord provided the identification. The Iferi were clustered together and didn't appear to be doing much for the moment and Harry wondered what their purpose was. He'd probably find out in time and he already knew it would not be pleasant. There were a number of other dark creatures scattered throughout Voldemort's forces but none in any significant numbers. Though, Harry thought wryly, there didn't need to be many giants for them to have a significant impact on the outcome. He could only see one though, which was something. There were a few trolls and a couple of ogres, some chimeras but nothing Harry would call particularly dangerous. If this was extent of Voldemort's forces, then he really didn't want to capture Hogwarts and Harry smirked.

What was his true goal? And where was he?

Harry continued to look around, emerald eyes narrowing as he took in the forces and tried to locate the Dark Lord. He'd told Dumbledore that he would try to keep Voldemort's attention without actually engaging him in combat but that was a bit difficult if he could not even find the red eyed wizard. There was movement at the forest edge and Harry's eyes were drawn there before he smiled. To those watching it was not a happy smile but one instead showing grim determination. The movement all but confirmed Harry's earlier thoughts that the Dark Lord had stationed basilisks in the forest and across the distance green eyes met with red and for a moment all was still.

The wards flickered, as if to remind both wizards that they were there and from below the gate there came the crunch of rock and the ring of steel as Hogwarts now animated gargoyles and knights took up their positions of defence.

Harry wasn't sure what he felt when he saw the Dark Lord. There was nothing easy about the emotions rolling through him and even in the hidden depths of his mind, where he expected to feel the soft warmth of secure love that was not what he felt. Instead he felt anger, white hot and churning, mixing his thoughts as it flowed through him. It focused on one question, 'Why Molly?' and all unknowingly Harry snarled at the Wards and other defences. They stood between him and his enemy! And he wanted nothing more than to inflict pain on those who had caused him pain. Pure power gathered in his hands, enough to fell the wards and his eyes glowed an icy green as Harry collected himself.

Nothing would stand in his way.

I don't know when I will update again. I have only one or two more chapters written but if worst comes to worst, I will post them, and a very long summation of what is meant to happen.

Right at the moment I'm more interested in pursuing writing non-fanfic stuff, so I really suggest you go visit that link :D

Cheers,

Jade