An Unexpected Situation

The calm atmosphere of the past months was broken two weeks before the Quidditch final. The students had gathered in the Great Hall for breakfast on Monday. Owls flew into the hall and mail was delivered. Harry opened his copy of the Daily Prophet. (He subscribed after Mr. Diggory was made Minister of Magic.) He read the headline and his heart sank.

CAPTURED DEATH EATERS ESCAPE

The Ministry of Magic, in a surprise press conference, revealed this morning that Peter Pettigrew and Lucius Malfoy escaped from the undisclosed location they were being held last night.

"Somehow our secret location was discovered by You-Know-Who's agents. They precipitated an attack on the facility, allowing the two men to escape," said Percy Weasley, assistant to Minister Diggory.

While it was revealed that the facility was not damaged, there is still confusion within the Ministry as to how it was discovered. A full alert was has been released to all Wizarding communities to keep a look out for the two men.

The news comes as the Ministry plan to open New Azkaban, a state of the art prison facility with enchanted cells that mimic the effects of Dementors. It is set to open in one week.

By the time Harry finished reading, the Great Hall was swimming in discussion. Many theories were sounded about the escape, each as unlikely as the last. After exchanging a few comments with his classmates, Harry headed to his classes. As much as the idea of Malfoy and Wormtail being on the loose concerned him, he had other things to worry about... like the Quidditch final.

The final was all that was talked about for the next few days, except for one thing that happened the day before the match. Professor Snape was absent once again, his class being taught by Dumbledore. Harry knew by the look in the Headmaster's eyes that Snape had been called once again.

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Unlike the Slytherins, Gryffindor's rivalry with Ravenclaw was based on mutual respect. Even when heated words were exchanged, the respect between the two Houses remained intact. No one played tricks on each other or tried to take out any Quidditch team members. Even Fred & George abstained from their usual trickery, concentrating on winning the Cup for Gryffindor once again.

The morning of the game could not have been better. It was warm, not a cloud in the sky and a slight breeze to the south. Harry and Ron woke early, along with Alex. The three went down to the Great Hall and sat in silence. None of them could eat anything as nerves were running wild. Soon the other members of the team arrived, along with Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna.

"Even thought I am a Ravenclaw, I wish you and Ronald the best of luck in today's match, Harry," said Luna. Harry nodded and watched as she kissed Alex on the cheek before heading to her House's table.

As the Great Hall started to fill, Angelina Johnson signaled that it was time. Harry and Ron hugged Hermione and Ginny, then walked out with the team. To their surprise, Alex walked down to the pitch with them.

"Why are you coming with us?" asked Ron as they walked out the door.

"Just for peace of mind, and to get a good seat," said Alex. Ron noticed that he had his hand in the wand pocket of his robes. They soon reached the pitch, which was surrounded on the outside by Aurors. The team went into the locker room while Alex walked around inspecting the field.

As Harry and Ron changed, the stands began to fill and the excitement mounted. Soon, they joined their teammates in the ready room. Each face had the same look - restlessness and determination.

Angelina paced in front of the team, looking much like Oliver Wood did before big games. "I don't need to tell you how important this game is," she finally said. "This is what we've worked for. Let's go out and win it."

Everyone nodded and stood up. After a moment, they stepped onto the field to a tremendous applause. The Ravenclaw team stepped out to an equal ovation. The captains stepped to the center of the field and shook hands. Madam Hooch blew her whistle and the teams soared into the air. Harry and Cho Chang flew higher than the rest. They made eye contact and nodded at each other.

The Bludgers were released, followed by the Golden Snitch. Each Seeker got a brief look at it before it went out of sight. The Quaffle was released and the game was on. The early action was intense, as expected. The Chasers went back and forth, the Quaffle being caught and taken away with great quickness and accuracy. The Beaters smacked Bludgers away with great force. Harry could have sworn he heard a bat crack more than once.

It continued this way for two hours. The crowd was becoming hoarse at all the cheering. Each side had scored two goals each, but the Keepers had deflected many shots. The Snitch was nowhere to be found as Harry circled the pitch. Cho was close by, keeping her eyes open as well.

Another hour passed with three more goals being scored by Ravenclaw. Then Harry saw it. The Snitch was flying a few feet above the Ravenclaw Keeper. He saw Cho flying towards it and took off, his Firebolt bursting with speed. He caught up with Cho easily as the Snitch flew down then across the field. A Bludger was heading toward him, but Fred swooped in and knocked it away easily. The Snitch took off high and sailed in between the highest stands. The crowd roared as Harry and Cho weaved their way back and forth. Harry was a bit surprised that Cho was keeping up with him, but he knew the reason was because of her tremendous flying ability and her Nimbus 2003.

The Snitch flew to the middle of the pitch, and then took a sharp dive. Harry and Cho went into the dive. As they flew downward, Harry saw something out of the corner of his eye and pulled up. Before Cho could react, a Bludger hit the front of her broom and sent her spinning into the wall. Harry heard a thud, but his eyes had found the Snitch once again. He reached his hand out and after a moment, he felt the Snitch in his hand! The whistle blew and the Gryffindor side roared. They had secured the Quidditch Cup once again!

Then it happened. A sudden "BOOM" echoed across the field. Everyone turned and saw a cloud of black smoke coming from Hogsmeade. A second explosion occurred and panic ensued. Everyone was running, trying to get out of the stadium. A loud voice stopped them.

"QUIET!!!" It was Professor Dumbledore, who had magically enchanted his voice. "ALL STUDENTS WILL RETURN TO THE SCHOOL IN AN ORDERLY FASHION. TEACHERS, PLEASE MEET WITH ME ON THE PITCH."

Harry soared downward and dismounted his broom. He ran across the field with his teammates. Professor McGonagall went past them, running at a speed that Harry did not think possible. By the time Harry reached the Entrance Hall, McGonagall was there, directing students to return to their dorm rooms. A third explosion rocked the air as Harry turned to walk up the stairs.

When he reached the Common Room, everyone was talking in frantic tones. Harry looked around and found Ron and Hermione. He immediately went to their side. He looked up and saw that everyone was accounted for and safe. Neville held onto Ginny as Alex walked into the room. He informed Harry that Cho had been taken to the infirmary and would be ok.

Harry went up to his dorm room to put his Firebolt away and to change. When he reached his bed, he saw an envelope on the sheets, along with a large feather quill. Putting his broom away and changing into his regular robes, he picked up the envelope and opened it. There was a single page inside that had two words on it:

For Potter

Harry looked puzzled for a moment, then picked up the quill. As he did, he felt the familiar pull behind his navel. He slammed into the ground, totally confused. As he gained his bearings, he looked around. He was in a large clearing in the woods. Changing into his falcon, he soared high and saw Hogsmeade in the distance. He flew down and changed back just as Ron suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Damn! A Portkey," muttered Ron as he got himself together. "Where are we, mate?"

"About a mile north of Hogsmeade," said Harry. "The attack was nothing more than a setup."

Their suspicion was confirmed even more when Hermione and Alex appeared in front of them.

"Shit!" yelled Hermione, "You would think I'd know better by now."

They looked around, taking in their surroundings. There were trees all around them... and no one at the school knew where they were.

"I'm glad to see you made it," he said a toneless voice. Looking forward, they saw Draco Malfoy emerge from the woods. His wand was clenched in his hand. Harry could sense the aura of evil around him.

"All right, Malfoy. What is this all about?"

"What this is about is power!" came a voice from the trees. A dark form walked up and stood beside Draco. It was Voldemort, looking more evil than the last time Harry saw him.

"You see, I had my loyal subject bring you here to show you my power. Because I don't think you realize what I am capable of doing."

"I have a very good idea of what you can do. And it sickens me that you use your power the way you do," said Harry.

"Big words from the great Harry Potter," laughed Voldemort, "But you don't have a clue. You see, I don't just keep my knowledge to myself. I share it with others who are worthy. Like Draco. In the few months since he came to me, he has learned a great deal. And now I would like to demonstrate to you the fruits of my labor."

Harry looked a bit puzzled. He wasn't expecting this at all.

"I know what you're thinking, Harry Potter. No, our battle will not be here or now. But it will happen in due time. And I assure you, I will not make the same mistake twice. But let us continue."

With a snap of his fingers, a Death Eater appeared. He was holding a bound and gagged man beside him. He threw him to the ground unceremoniously and walked away. When Harry looked at the hair, he knew in an instant that it was Peter Pettigrew.

"Now Draco," said the Dark Lord, "Show Mr. Potter what happens to those who betray my trust!"

They watched as Draco walked over and pointed his wand at Pettigrew. They heard the Killing Curse very clearly and the flash of green light hit Wormtail. Harry immediately put his hand to his scar as Pettigrew's life was taken from him.

"You would not think that one so young would have the power to use the Avada Kedavra curse effectively. But Draco has mastered it wonderfully. And you are the first to see him use it on a living human," said Voldemort with an evil smile, "But that is not my only means of punishment when one of my followers fails me."

He snapped his fingers again. Another Death Eater appeared and the four were shocked. He was holding up Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father. He looked to be in terrible shape. Blood was coming from a cut in his head. His face was a crimson mask, the blood soaking into his blonde hair. He looked to be in tremendous pain. The Death Eater let him go and he fell to his knees with a cry. Draco stepped over to him and slapped him in the face as hard as he could.

"For all these years, I looked up to you as a pillar of strength. But now our master has helped me see clearly. You are nothing more than a weakling!" yelled Draco as he hit his father again.

Harry and the others felt helpless. Even Ron looked reluctantly sympathetic. As much as he hated the Malfoys, no one deserved this.

Draco stepped back and raised his wand. "Crucio!" They saw Lucius lean back, his body in tremendous pain. Draco tortured his father for a long moment then stopped. They saw Draco take something from his pocket. He held it up and Alex froze. He could not believe what it was.

"Recognize this, Latham?" said Draco, looking at him. "This was the knife that cut you open. Father told me all about it. How you tried to act so brave to defend your home. Pity he didn't finish the job. But at least you will witness it kill at last."

Draco set the knife down in front of Lucius. He stepped back and pointed his wand. "Imperio!" Lucius immediately stiffened. Harry went to move, but Voldemort pointed his wand at him. "Place your wands on the ground. Now!" They hesitated then complied. The four wands hit the grass softly. "Now, witness what my prodigy can do."

They saw Lucius pick up the knife and move it to his arm. The blade went across his wrist, but he did not yell as the blood began to flow. He switched the knife to the other hand and did the same to the other wrist. The blade slashed his arms deeply, the blood flowing freely. The blade then moved to his throat. But then it stopped. Harry saw that he was fighting it, something he did not expect.

"Dammit!" yelled Draco. He walked over and took the knife. He quickly moved behind him and slashed the blade across his throat.

Hermione screamed. Ron gasped in fright. Harry and Alex just stood in disbelief as Draco Malfoy had just murdered his own father in cold blood.

The blood poured from the wound like a shower. Draco smirked and pushed Lucius to the ground with his foot.

"As you can see, my work has paid off very well," said Voldemort as Draco returned to his side. Several Death Eaters stood behind them. "And now, before we take our leave, I believe that I promised one of them to you, Draco. Pick whomever you wish, except for Potter. Do not leave who you choose alive."

The four stiffened and prepared themselves for the worst.