Dark Horizons

Chapter One: New Power

It was a dark and grey night. The stars were heavenly dreaming and the moon was gazing upon the little town of Cooper, near the country-side. The town's people were fast asleep and the black town was quiet. Or was it?

In the old cemetery, the swish and fumble of a cloak could be heard. A tall, hooded figure was walking along the headstones.

The man from the cemetery continued to walk past the creepy graves covered with weeds. He stopped in front of a grave and his eyes rested upon the dirty headstone. There were golden words written on it.

James Potter

May his soul rest in peace

The hooded figure knelt beside the grave and sank his sallow, decaying hand into the muddy earth. He sank it still deeper and then took it out. He was now holding a little white bone. The figure stood up and looked around. He saw a light on the other side of the cemetery, where there was a little church. He went slowly to that spot and saw a plump man looking around and shouting "Who's there?"

The black silhouette came from behind the man and surprised him. Before the Muggle realised what had happened, the cloaked figure was towering above him. A few minutes later, the strange black silhouette was disappearing in the dark while the man he had just attacked was lying on the ground, a dizzy expression on his face.

***

The black figure walked through the town and made for a house a kilometre away. He was heading for the old and forgotten Riddle house!

The silhouette stopped in front of the old house's door and opened it with a loud creak. He stepped into the dusty kitchen and made for the stairs. He started walking to the upper rooms and didn't stop until he got to the last. It was dark and a weak hiss could be heard through the open door. The Dementor started whispering in a cold, slow voice that froze the air:

"Master, I brought you the last ingredient"

The hissing stopped and another high voice answered:

"Ah, my faithful servant, you never fail to amaze me. Yes, you have done well. Very well"

The last words were followed by a cold, chilly laugh.

"Can I come in?"

"Yes, of course you can. Now, give me the bone!"

The Dementor walked slowly into the dark room which lighted up in an instant. He walked to an armchair and handed the wizard in it the little bone he had collected.

"Yes, yes, it's all mine now. Oh, poor James Potter, he never knew how useful he could be. He helped so much... to kill his own son"

There was a loud hiss from behind the armchair.

"Yes, Nagini, I know that you're hungry but I'm afraid I haven't got any food for you"

The man turned to the Dementor and continued in a menacing voice:

"Well, what are you waiting for? Get Nagini some food. A Muggle should do..."

The Dementor lowered its head and left the room quietly.

***

He continued walking, looking everywhere for a stray person. He saw a house not far away from the town's inn. He went towards it and opened the door. The house was empty so he had no problem getting to the bedrooms. He saw a small man, almost bald, writing in his diary.

The Dementor went into the room and a piercing scream filled the cold air. The Dementor lowered its hood and a few seconds later, he was carrying the Muggle out of the house. The diary had fallen to the floor, the ink from the last entry still glinting: "Help..."