The Leader

Chapter 29

The Dark Lord Voldemort sat in a seat stroking down the length of Nagini's powerful body, paying no attention to his Death Eaters - without saying anything he let them know he valued his familiar more than he did them. Only a few ever realized this of course, most were too terrified to move, the smell of fear was rank in the air. Only the insane wizard would get off on the scent as he inhaled sharply, revelling in it.

Today was the day he would gather his forces and storm the Ministry, not to take over, that was too soon. No he would get into the Ministry, scare them all the while concealing why he was truly there - which was to retrieve the prophecy. It had been on his mind constantly since he returned, once he knew what it contained then he could continue with his plans and make changes if need be.

He had been sceptical to lean that 'Harry Potter' the boy who caused his downfall had disappeared. He hadn't believed it for a minute, unfortunately Barty had reported that it seemed to be true, Dumbledore was constantly looking for the boy even enlisting his (disguised as Moody of course) help. It was then he had been forced to seek alternative…ways to be reborn. Or an alternative victim, as it was, and it was just too bad he had already taken care of the one problem - Jorkins. She would have proved to be someone he could have used, regretfully it wasn't to be - he'd already used her to ensure his survival once more by creating another Horcrux and putting it in his snake.

Once he returned and tested his faithful followers, he realized that Dumbledore hadn't squirreled Potter away for training or such nonsense. The boy truly had gone missing, many presumed the boy was dead, after all how could an eleven year old survive the streets? He had reserved judgement, he didn't believe it was that simple, Potter had an annoying habit of jumping from the shadows when he least expected it. The whole philosopher's stone debacle was a prime example for that. Yet as the years ticked by, and his plans were all laid down he began to believe himself that Potter was gone.

It did not stop the burning desire to get his hands on the prophecy; to him it might hold the answer to whether Potter would be crawling out the woodworks in the future or whether he was already dead. "Today," Voldemort hissed, his red eyes gleaming viciously and victoriously, "Today we take back what is rightfully mine, its time we showed the Ministry just what they are dealing with."

"My Lord?" Alecto Carrow questioned, "Are we taking control of the Ministry?" it didn't sound like that's what her Lord meant. She tried not to make it sound as if she doubted him, or that she was questioning him, knowing if she did so she would be in agony spasming uncontrollably under the Cruciatus Curse.

"Not today," Voldemort hissed, red eyes flashing to the witch for her impudence. "Today you cause havoc and bring the Ministry to its knees so they know they do not have a chance. The Department of Mysteries will be the focus tonight." his teeth were bared in an animalistic manner; he would bring the magical world to its knees. Watch them bow before him in terror, and remould the world to something he wished for. The Muggles, the Mudblood's and blood-traitors would all die.

"Yes, My Lord." murmured the rest of the Death Eaters quietly, waiting for further orders not daring to move. Not with how their Lord had been these past few months, their bodies ached still from the constant Cruciatus curses being flung their way. They could do nothing, no way to prove that they weren't traitors at least not to the Dark Lord.

The Death Eaters thought the closer he got to accomplishing his goals the better it would be, but instead he seemed to be getting worse, more unstable. Finding out Snape had been a traitor to the cause seemed to make him more deranged there was no other word for it. Bellatrix Lestrange though seemed to be the only one that still wanted to please him in any possible way.

Augustus Rockwood bit his tongue, he had cautioned his Lord about such rash action but he wasn't being listened to. He'd given him information about what would happen to those that attempt to take the prophecy without it being about them, of course this was just his recent information, he had spied for many years before the damn traitor turned him in to save his own skin. Karkaroff, how he had envisioned killing the traitor so many times while stuck in Azkaban. He had to make sure the Dark Lord won, he couldn't go back there. There were a lot of rooms in the Department of Mysteries that were dangerous, and he wanted to go in half cocked and for what? A bloody prophecy? He could not go back to Azkaban; he wouldn't survive in there again. Others had already been captured again, and he wasn't going to be one of them. If that meant abandoning the cause…he might not have any other choice.

"Let's go!" Voldemort demanded his snake like quality evident in every syllable he spoke.

The havoc that one statement made was unbelievable, it made both vampires wince at the volume. Although thankfully some of them had kept their decorum, a few Harry could sense were amused by it, and he took note on whom it was and vowed to keep a further eye on them in future. He doubted very much that they were Death Eaters, at least not yet; otherwise they would have no doubt been extremely furious over Severus being there. All he had sensed when he revealed Severus was shock, curiosity and confusion. The amount of panic was grating on his nerves, you would think there was a bomb under their bloody arses the way they were going on.

Beyond irritated, "Silence!" Harry boomed viciously. "You're adults not children! I know a three year old boy who showed less fear in the face of adversity than you are showing now."

Harry could smell their embarrassment at being compared to a three year old. It was true regardless, Aaron Greyback and been less scared and hysterical than these lot were and quite frankly he was ashamed for them. Wizards were a pathetic lot, alright most of them, he conceded silently, thinking of Severus when he'd been human. It was little wonder creatures such as himself or werewolves would find them disgusting. They let their instincts overrule them, no not instincts emotions - their instincts should be shouting for them to defend themselves not panic like rabid dogs.

They did eventually manage to get a grip of themselves and began to use the fireplace shouting in their destinations.

"Are they seriously using the Floo instead of just going down?" Harry asked, growling low in his throat he'd never seen such laziness before in his life. Well, that wasn't necessarily true, thought Harry in disgust as the Dursley's flashed before his eyes. Now there should be a picture of the Dursley's underneath the definition of lazy, even a sloth had more exercise than those obese arseholes. Turning swiftly he made his way down, or tried to as an arm grabbed a hold of him preventing him from going further.

"Do you seriously want to reveal yourself to him right now?" Severus warned cautiously.

"I already have," Harry stated calmly, sensing Severus' worry and suppressed fear. "By tonight the news will have spread all over the magical world within the British Isles. Perhaps even further, it wasn't what I had anticipated unfortunately, but I have to make do, Dumbledore as always continues to interfere with my life trying to control it." Voldemort had left a mark on Severus, as much as he tried to pretend he wasn't affected he had been. All the years of spying were nothing on the culminating point of being found out and tortured to the brink of death for being a traitor to the cause. If he knew Severus he also knew the fact that he even remotely felt vulnerable he would hate himself for it, thinking it as nothing more than a weakness.

"He won't fight fair," Severus gripped him tighter in warning. He didn't want to see anything happen to Harry, not only did he have the constant urge to protect him but he was also attracted to him more than he even wanted to admit. He didn't want to lose him, he knew how ruthless Voldemort was…he had yet to see Harry fight, but from what he had observed Harry was at least fair and give his opponents a fighting chance. His own experience with the Dark Lord flashed before his eyes, it made his teeth hurt to sink them into the Dark Lord's flesh and destroy him. Swallowing back the venom in his mouth, thankful to Harry when he began speaking bringing him out of his nightmarish thoughts.

"Do you think I will?" Harry asked sardonically before his tone changed to an oddly soothing purr. "I am not some weak child, Severus, believe me. Plus you've got my back and a few back ups are in operation here if needed."

Severus stiffened; occluding all his memories and dire thoughts, if battle was imminent he needed all his bloody scattered wits around him. Especially if Harry was relying on him, he'd let Lily down he wasn't about to let Harry down too. He loathed not being in control, it made him furious, as a spy he'd always, always had to be in control otherwise he would have been killed.

"You'll get used to the intense emotions, and gain the ability to control them." Harry stated calmly.

Severus nodded grimly, of course Harry would understand, he'd essentially went through the same thing. Only he'd basically been forced to deal with not only becoming a vampire but all the emotions of adolescence and going through puberty all as one. It couldn't have been easy; he certainly wouldn't have been able to entertain the thought. Although he had been de-aged essentially to the age where teenagers were overly emotional, he was able to control it - he thought, he wasn't one hundred percent sure. All these feelings he was assuming to be his heightened vampire ones might not be the case at all.

By the time they got down they saw the Auror's engaging the Death Eaters in duels, Voldemort was nowhere to be seen.

"The prophecy," Severus muttered, realizing why here and now, Voldemort was in the sphere room - thankfully only Harry heard him or there would have been more panic. A great deal of the Wizengamot was just standing watching the chaos around them instead of helping.

"Indeed," Harry chortled in bitter amusement, with that Harry began moving aware of a few of his people watching as they battled it out themselves. He threw them a glare, letting them know without saying anything to get their arses in the game - because if they died he would bring them back and kill them himself. And they could be killed, they were not vampires they were very human.

Twisting open the door to the room of prophecies, he found himself face to face with Voldemort for the second time - third if you counted the one as a child which he could not remember. He had just removed the prophecy from its sitting place, no doubt this area would be crawling with Order members soon enough. How they'd get out of knowing what was happening and why they were there did amuse him so.

"I see your looks haven't gotten any better since we last met," Harry said smoothly, "In fact I'd say you were better looking and more intelligent when you were nothing but a parasite." jumping aside in a flash when a spell was non-verbally and Wandlessly thrown his way. He paid absolutely no attention to the smashing of the prophecies and the splintering case that held them for centuries. Although the screaming of various voices did grate on his nerves for a moment until he blocked them out.

"Well you can duel at least," Harry commented, firing back wincing slightly at the renewed screaming of both men and women in hoarse rasping voices. He watched Voldemort place the prophecy securely in his pocket oh he had hoped the wizard would do it in front of him but that was apparently too much to ask.

Severus watched the two powerful wizards begin their duel, ready to step in should things get out of control - although he didn't think Harry would like that, he'd probably go thermo nuclear at him. He would at least be alive, but judging by the intensity of their duel he didn't think he would be needed. The entire wall had been caved in, allowing everyone to see Harry and Voldemort battle it out. They might thank him for driving Voldemort off - if he was successful but they wouldn't be thanking him for the damage done to the Ministry in the process. Not that he gave a shit about the Ministry, they were too corrupt, but hopefully he'd have a chance to change that. No, Harry would be changing that, somehow he still wasn't sure how he hoped to accomplish it. Other than killing off Wizengamot members and getting people he trusted put in place. As good as it was to put people in places in high ranking positions in the Ministry at the end of the day the only one that held the power was in fact the Wizengamot. Harry was smart, so he probably knew that himself, hence his decision to take his own seat and place him alongside.

Blasts of colour exploded from their wands, Severus recognized them all and began to mentally list them as he watched.

sanguinem ferventis

Tormento

exentero In effect it would gut someone quite a gruesome spell and evidently Voldemort had not expected Harry to know it judging by the look on his face. It did however heat the intensity of the duel up, as the spells began to fly thick and fast. Still non-verbally, but their intentions were clear on every stern defensive lines of their faces.

Crucio

Bombarda Maxima

Avada Kedavra

Intestina

Crucio

Harry absently heard popping of Apparating wizards and witches, he knew without a doubt that the Order of the Phoenix had finally arrived. He did not let his attention be drawn from his duel with Voldemort. Especially since they were non-verbally duelling, which meant he had to know what was coming next to he could defend himself from whatever it was or stand aside which was easy to do as a vampire.

Viscus

Fiendfyre

Aguamenti maxima

Severus and a dozen of others jumped out of the way of both spells, the next thing he knew was smoke clouding the room where both elements had met and sizzled and died. Voldemort had realized he was dealing with a vampire and had tried to destroy him with fire - possibly the only thing that could kill them (other than Gringotts made weaponry apparently).

"Crucio!" cackled Bellatrix, aiming her wand at the stranger, nobody hurt her Master.

"Sectumsempra!" snarled Severus, defending Harry, it hit the witch dead on her cackle turned weak as a pained sound left her lips as she fell, blood pooling around her in droves. It was one less Death Eater going to Azkaban to get out again - depending on whether it was successfully moved before Voldemort rescued them again.

The spell had hit Harry, but he'd remained standing just barely. "Ligaveris conjuncto" Harry hissed, saying the spell out loud but only enough for him and Voldemort to hear - as well as any vampire in the immediate vicinity, and just like that Voldemort fled, not before showing how terrified that single spell had made him, flying through the window ignoring the glass smashing everywhere, and he Apparating in the middle of thin air. Cursing inwardly, in essence that spell would have forced his split soul to rejoin together. It was one he had created, but he doubted he'd ever get close enough again any time soon to test his theory and see if it worked. Turning abruptly, his eyes glowing with fury only to find the one that cursed him was already down. Turning to Severus, knowing it was him and curtly nodding his thanks. He could have dealt with them of course, but it could have gotten complicated. Clapping and cheering surrounded him on nearly all sides.

Harry jerked his head to the side, telling Severus to get out of there, after giving Harry a searching look, he Apparated on the spot. Just in time as Albus Dumbledore walked into the room, his face filled with dread as he took in the scene…the fallen prophecies and no doubt the insecurity of not knowing whether Voldemort had the prophecy.

"Did anyone see Voldemort take something?" Albus Dumbledore urged desperately. "Anyone?" boomed the wizard demanding an answer. Unfortunately they were all too stunned, the attack had been sudden, vicious and unexpected, and they had only just realized Voldemort was back due to Peter Pettigrew being given to Madam Bones; gift wrapped - they still didn't know who had done it - none that the woman was sharing at any rate. Only high up knew, they were still under the impression they could keep it from the general public to prevent mass panic and hysteria.

Harry Apparated out of there, as amusing as it would be to see Dumbledore's face when he realized who and what he was - he was pissed off and in pain.

The urge to strike out at all his Death Eaters was strong, but stronger still was the urge to hear what the prophecy had to say. Without a word to them he stalked towards the office door of Malfoy Manor which he was currently still using and slammed it closed. His long bony hands pulled it out his red eyes gleaming in triumph. After all this time he would finally know, despite all precautions the old fool Dumbledore had taken to keep it safe. Smirking viciously, he allowed the orb to fall from his hand and smash to the floor, eagerly waiting what Trelawney had said that night all those years ago.

What came out was definitely not a woman's voice - distorted or not.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…Born to those who have thrice defied him…Born as the seventh month dies…You're too late, old man…what's wrong? Getting slow in your old age? The prophecy is mine. Be warned; I don't take well to anyone encroaching on my territory. If we meet, you will die - after all, it's been foretold."

The shriek of pure unadulterated fury that passed through Voldemort's lips did not sound human as he realized what had happened. Not only had Potter got to the prophecy, he had just been duelling him in the Ministry of magic! Exiting the office stumbling upon the first Death Eater he saw "CRUCIO!" snarled Voldemort.

"Crucio!" another Death Eaters started screaming.

"Crucio!" and another.

"Crucio!" and another.

"Crucio!" again.

Nothing could ease the fury inside of him as he continuously cast the spell on those that were there - even if they were hurting after their duels in the Ministry. It was bad enough losing Pettigrew and Lucius Malfoy but he had also lost Bellatrix one of his most faithful followers.

Spying the blonde hair of the young Malfoy trying to sneak away, "Crucio!" he cast once more, listening to their screams as if it were music as he tried to calm the anger in his body. Taking great delight in the writhing body in front of him as he did eventually began to calm, only marginally.

Will Draco go running to his godfather? Will Narcissa force them to leave the manor and never return? this chapter was difficult to write I think its because I had it mostly about Voldemort but I cant be sure! good news my fingers have finally healed well mostly still a little sore but I can move them again (probably too soon but I cant help it) it means chapters will continue as normal (for those that don't know I got four fingers jammed in a solid wooden door ouch!) I hope Voldemort reacted as you expected when he heard Harry's message hehe! R&R please!