Different Paths

Chapter 1: Assassination

It was a dark time those days, and things were only getting worse. Ever since the death of Cedric Diggory during the TriwizardTournament some three years ago, there has been many a rumor floating around. Rumors that the most dreaded of all Dark Wizards, the Dark Lord Voldemort had returned to full power and was picking up where he had left off before his untimely demise.

Indeed, there was plenty of evidence floating around that the Dark Lord had indeed returned. Death Eater attacks had increased 20 fold, and cases where unforgivable curses were used were far too numerous. The Dementorsof Azkaban had revolted and broken out many of the deadliest Death Eaters. The Giants were divided, some wanting to fight for the Death Eaters, some wanting to fight for the resistance, and most remaining neutral. Cases where there were attacks on muggles and non-pureblood wizards and witches were a common occurrence now. Indeed, most of the Magic community had no choice but accept that the dreaded Lord Voldemort had returned.

Despite all this, UK Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge stubbornly refused to believe that Voldemorthad returned, despite the complete chaos that surrounded him. In fact, Fudge had spent a good deal of the past three years fighting to shut down resistance organizations against the Dark Lord. His firm belief was that these attacks were caused by delusional ex-Death Eaters whom had pitifully believed the delusions of Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore who were the first ones to claim that Voldemort had returned. Of course, such beliefs would ultimately lead to scandal which ha indeed happened the previous year.

About a year ago, renowned Death Eater Lucius Malfoy had initiated a scheme to gain Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry under his control. Lucius had managed to coerce the more radical students of Slytherinhouse to revolt against Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and work to destroy the wards that protected the school from the Death Eaters. However, the plan failed when the more moderate Slytherins had told the staff what their radical housemates were planning and the staff put down the revolt. The Radicals still refused to be taken down and violence had ensued within the halls of the school. When the smoke had cleared, many of the students as well as Lucius Malfoyhimself had been killed.

The Slytherin Revolts were the only time the school had truly been in danger. All of the most radical Slytherins had either been killed in the revolts or expelled afterwards so the House that had formerly bred the most dark wizards and witches was now filled entirely with moderates whom aligned themselves with the resistance. Still, Fudge had used the revolts as excuse to have Headmaster AlbusDumbledore, until then the leader of the resistance, sacked and banned from British Magical Community, amidst much protest. That had been the greatest scandal of the Minister and after the outcry Fudge withdrew from the public eye for some time.

Still, even without Dumbledore, Hogwarts was the safest place during those days. Minerva McGonagall was the Head Mistress now and the school was running smoothly. All of the major activity of the war happened on the outside and the school, and for the most part Hogsmeade village lived in relative contentment and peace.

It was for that reason on a sunny Saturday, in early April that the young wizard Harry James Potter was preparing to go to Hogsmeadevillage. Harry Potter,was the most famous in the world for having survived not one, but two encounters with Voldemort. He was the Boy who Lived, the only person ever to stop the Dark Lord when he was only a baby. He had lost everything in that first encounter, including his parents James and Lily whom have sacrificed their lives for him, and had lived a life of misery with his mugglerelatives, the Durslyes.

That was all in the past now. Harry was now a strapping young man of 17 and near the end of his magical training. He was now nearly 6 feet, had a slender build, and had messy raven black hair that still looked like it had never had a comb run through it. He now wore stylish glasses that didn't had the glow of his emerald green eyes. The lightning bolt scar that he had gained in his first encounter with Voldemort stood out plainly on his forehead, visible just behind his bangs. During the past three years, Harry's magical abilities had multiplied and he was now the greatest practical user of magic in the school and even rivaled the Dumbledore in terms of sheer power. Academically, his rising powers had contributed greatly to his grades and he was currently the second best student in the school and Head Boy. He still played seeker with the Gryffindor Quidditch team his finally season had already ended, finishing with Gryffindor once again winning the QuidditchCup.

At present, Harry was in the Gryffindor Common Room putting his trainers on. He had just done his last shoe lace when a familiar voice called out, "Harry Potter! Where do you think you're going?"

Harry looked up to see his best friend Hermione Granger standing over him looking stern. Over the years, Hermione had grown into a lovely young woman. Her brown hair was less bushy now and was gaining an auburn tinge and her brown eyes shone as lively as ever. She was about 5' 5" as was now Head Girl, being the number one student in Hogwarts.

Harry grinned sheepishly and said, "Hogsmeade."

"Harry, you know you're not supposed to go there!" said Hermione. "It's not a Hogsmeadeweekend. What kind of example would you set for the younger students if the Head Boy snuck into the village when he was aloud to?"

"I actually think it would set a great example," said Harry. "I just might be the instigator of a new generation of Gryffindor rule-breakers."

Hermione glared at him and said, "That's not funny."

"Well nothing you say to me is going to stop me from enjoying the time off we get for the next 3 months."

"Harry! We have this time off so that we can study for the N. E. W. T.s. Do you understand how important they are?"

"Of course I do. That's why I need to excursion to Hogsmeade, for relaxing."

"Harry..."

"Oh come on, Hermione. Are you going to report me?" said Harry with a grin. The gesture was reminiscent ofthe time when Harry had snuck into Hogsmeade during their third year.

Hermione felt flustered by the grin. During the past three years, her feelings for Harry had been building and she was now practically in love with him though she kept this fact hidden. Consequently, Harry's grin disarmed her. "Of...of course not." Still, Hermione wasn't about to relent and she finally lapsed into the real reason why she didn't want Harry going to Hogsmeade, "But, Harry. What about You-know-who? What if he attacks Hogsmeade while you're there?"

Harry sighed. "You know that I've believed that this is the year where it comes down between Voldemortand I, right? With the exception of apparition and taking N. E. W. T.s, I'm a fyully trained wizard now." He lifted his hand up and rubbed, Hermione's cheek. "I'll promise you that I'll come back safely, OK?"

Hermione relished the feel of Harry's hand on her cheek and gently placed her own hand on Harry's. "OK," she said. "Remember, be careful."

"I'll remember," said Harry. "Well, I'll see you later." With that, he headed out of the portrait hole.

* * *

Cornelius Fudge was in Hogsmeade that day. He had just successfully completed a fund raising campaign and was in good spirits. Apparently, the scandal surrounding the Slytherinrevolts was finally being buried in where it belonged, the past. That cursed scandal that had nearly ruined his reputation. Fudge gritted his teeth as he remembered the scandal surrounding the revolts. He had managed to get rid of Dumbledore but nearly at the cost of his reputation. Furthermore, his primary sponsor, Lucius Malfoy had been killed though Fudge refused to answer questions of what Malfoy was doing there at the time. But that, didn't matter in the long run, he had gotten new sponsors.

All in all, things were going along well, for the Minister. So, he just simply sat back and relaxed, deciding to enjoy the trip of the horseless carriage as it sped back to London. However, the tranquility of the carriage was suddenly broken when a young wizard of about 16 burst into the carriage. He grabbed the terrified Fudge's face and pointed a wand at him.

"Hello Mr. Fudge," he said with a cheery smile on his face. "My name is Seth Soranand I work for Mr. Voldemort."

If Fudge hadn't been terrified out of his wits, he would've found it amusing that out of every name the Dark Lord had been referred to, from Tom Marvolo Riddle to You-Know-Who, he had never heard anyone call him "Mr. Voldemort".

"He basically wants to thank you for everything you've done so far, from denying his return to sacking Mr. Dumbledore," said Seth. "But it has concluded that he really has no more use for you any more since he's decided to go into his next step. Oh and he's asked me to relay a message to you, Mr. Fudge. Mr. Voldemort'sexact words are, 'I must thank you my dear minister, for all you've done for me. But times change and people move. My plan for this world is coming into motion and no one not you, not Dumbledore, not even Harry Potter is going to stop me. So on a final not, I will have this world.'"

Fudge didn't even have time to react for as soon as he had relayed the Dark Lord's message, Seth quietly said the words, "Avada Kedavra." In a flash of green light, Cornelius Fudge was no more.

* * *

"Minister Fudge? Dead?"

"There was a flash of green light. The killing curse."

"Was the Dark Mark there?"

The murmurs that surrounded the site of the assassination simply refused to die down. Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge had just been killed in Hogsmeade, clearly by a Death Eater. Harry Potter was amongst the on lookers, starring at the body of the minister, currently being levitated away by Ministry officials. Harry was definitely not one of Fudge's biggest fans, he still felt personally responsible for every Death Eater attack, as if he could've been able to stop them.

Unknown t o Harry, Seth Soran was standing right behind him, though facing the opposite direction. "Be warned, Mr. Potter," he said. Harry hearing Seth's voice instantly froze in his spot, though his right hand fingered his wand tucked in his belt. Seth continued speaking, "Mr. Voldemort is fully aware that Mr. Fudge isn't one of your favorite peoples. This is but a prelude to the plans he has set in motion. Mr. Voldemort'stime is coming, Mr. Potter and he warns you to stay out of his business. The choice is up to you. But tell me Mr. Potter, do you really want your loved ones to be hurt? Say for example, that muggle-born friend of yours. She would be high on Mr. Voldemort'shit list."

Harry spun around in anger and whipped out his wand but by that time, Seth was already gone.

* * *

It was already late at night. But Hermione was still awake in the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry still hadn't returned from Hogsmeade and to be quite frank, she was getting worried. She had already heard the rumors about Minister Fudge's assassination and was afraid that Harry might've been attacked by Death Eaters as well.

'He'll be OK. He knows what he's doing,' she thought. The assassination was still only a small rumor but she expected that it would become a full blown panic in the next morning when the morning issues of the Daily Prophet were delivered.

Hermione stared at Full Moon that was glistening over the lake. It was a cloudless night and the stars were shining brightly. Furthermore, fireflies were flying around in the grass , twinkling in the star light.

It was a beautiful night: a cruelly beautiful night.

Hermione sighed. She continued starring at the moon when something caught her eye. It was Harry, at the front gates of the school grounds. This startled Hermione for she had expected Harry to return to Hogwarts through the passage underneath Honeydukes. Coming back from the main entrance would've made him a clear target for a professor itching to take points from Gryfindor.

Without a second, thought, Hermione was out of the Common Room and running toward the main entrance. She made it outside just as Harry was coming up the steps leading to the door.

"Where have you been Harry," said Hermione, putting on her lecture mood. "I've been waiting for you for hours. Do you even know what time it..." Hermione stopped when she saw the look on Harry's face.

Harry was wearing a sad, lonely smile.

Hermione swallowed and said, "Harry, what's wrong?"

After remaining quiet for a few seconds, Harry said in a flat monotonous voice, "Fudge was killed today."

"I know," said Hermione.

"By a Death Eater. Voldemort is finally putting his plans into action."

"Well, we always knew that would happen, didn't we?" said Hermione trying to sound brave. "Don't worry Harry. If we all work together we can stop him. I'm sure that..."

"No."

"What?"

"No, Hermione. You can't get involved. I won't let you. I'm not going to let him hurt you in any way."

"Like it or not, I'm involved, Harry!" said Hermione, a slight anger rising within her. "Don't get all noble on me Harry James Potter! I won't..."

Suddenly, Harry threw his arms around Hermione and hugged her close. Hermione was startled by the display of affection from the boy she was secretly in love with and blushed. But she was also a little frightened since Harry was hugging her as if this would be the last time he could do so.

"Harry?"

"I'm not going to let him hurt you, no matter what. He's not going to take from me the one person whom I love more than life itself. I'm going to stop him, even if it costs me everything."

"Harry? What are you talking about?" Hermione was quite frankly frightened by Harry's monotonous tone.

"Good bye, Hermione," said Harry, his voice breaking. "I suppose, this was fate. The Boy who lived doesn't get to have a roof over his head forever. Thank you so much, for everything." With that, Harry pulled away from Hermione and started to walk away.

"Harry?" Hermione called out.

Harry simply continued walking away.

"Harry. Wait." Hermione tried to follow Harry but she tripped on the stairs and fell to the ground.

Harry stopped for a brief second but continued walking away.

"Come back," whispered Hermione. Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she reached out for Harry, desperately trying to reach for him as he walked away, out of her life. "Please come back," she begged.

But Harry did not come back. Soon he was gone, and Hermione fell to the ground and broke out in sobs. Around her fireflies were flying, the stars were twinkling, and the full moon was shining.

It was a beautiful night: a cruelly beautiful night.

Too be continued...