The Wrath of Revenge

Chapter Two: Plans

"Evil feeds off peoples’ fears, Severus, their fears and their pain."

As Snape’s mind was falling back into blackness with this quotation in mind, Harry was making a very hard decision. He decided once and for all that he would go to Dumbledore and tell him about his experiences over the summer. Really, he thought he had already gone mad with memories from his other life butting in, just when he didn’t want them interfering. And so, before he lost the determination, he threw off the covers of his four poster bed and tossed on his robes. With a quick glance at the clock, he strode out of the Gryffindor common room. The time was 2:35 AM.

Of course, he had on his invisibility cloak. It wouldn’t do any good for him to get caught by Filch two days into the term. He knew that being out of bed was not a wise choice, especially when Voldemort was gaining power. But, this was more important to him now. He reached the gargoyle that was guarding Dumbledore’s office, and after a few tries with the password, he was able to gain entry with the words, "Lite Sugar Quills".

As Harry stepped up to escalating stairs, he wondered why Dumbledore would need to watch his calorie rate now, when he was well into his old age. He wouldn’t have much use with the fat free quills anyway. When he entered Dumbledore’s office, all was dark and quiet. No one was there. Come on, he doesn’t sleep in his office now, does he, asked a little voice in Harry’s head.

"Professor Dumbledore?!" yelled Harry. "Professor Dumbledore!"

* * * * *

Albus Dumbledore had been sleeping peacefully in his chamber behind the bookshelf in his office.

Suddenly, the most awful din exploded in his eardrums calling his name.

"Professor Dumbledore?!"

That sounds like Harry, thought Albus. But he wouldn’t come looking for me at this time of night would he? Albus Dumbledore sat up in his bed groggily.

"Who is it?" he called out.

"It’s me, Harry. Harry Potter," came the answer.

"Now, what in the world can he want at this infernal time of day?" Dumbledore asked himself.

"Where are you, Professor?"

"Wait one second Harry."

Dumbledore did not bother with putting on a formal robe. He went up to the wall of his bedroom and pulled out a stone from the wall. The wall slid open to reveal his office and he walked in.

"Professor Dumbledore…" gasped Harry in astonishment.

It was the first time Harry had ever seen Dumbledore in his pajamas. Dumbledore was wearing striped pajamas. They were white and blue, the kind of blue that matched his twinkling eyes. He was also wearing a nightcap with a golden tassel at the top. The nightcap itself was a royal purple with stars and moons embroidered with gold. Dumbledore didn’t look in the least embarrassed about being seen in his pajamas.

For a few moments Harry gaped with huge eyes.

Dumbledore broke the silence by asking, "So, Harry, what brings you here at this time of night, disturbing my peaceful slumber?"

Harry started to apologize before he realized that Dumbledore was just teasing him.

Harry began to tell him the story of what happened to him. It felt so good to finally be able to tell someone and bring it out into the open.

"Well, you see sir, one day in August, I was walking through the backyard garden when I saw a diamond ring that looked just like the one Aunt Petunia had lost, lying on the grass. I went over to pick it up and it turned out to be a Portkey…"

* * * * *

A few hours later, at 6:51 AM to be exact, Harry ended his story. Dumbledore’s twinkling eyes were no longer shining with merriment. Instead, his face was grave with concern and his features showed his old age for once.

"I don’t know what to tell you Harry," said Dumbledore. "Life must have been very hard for you these past months."

"What do you think Professor? Should I be packed off to St.Mungos?"

"To be frank with you, there’s no piece of evidence to show us that this actually happened, except for the fact that you went missing for a week in our world and no body noticed it except for the Dursleys."

"And who would believe that kind of evidence?" said Harry bitterly.

Dumbledore held up a hand to show that he was not done speaking.

"--But," he continued, "I believe you. I also think that you should find a way to organize your thoughts, so that the other experiences you might have wont interfere with your daily activities. So, with all things in consideration I suggest you get a Pensieve."

"Where can I get one?" asked Harry eagerly.

"Pensieves cannot be bought. They are made with a certain kind of potion. Very few wizards know how to make them. We are lucky to be blessed with a certain Potions Master who knows how to make a Pensieve. Severus Snape."

Harry looked down at his feet. He knew that Snape was in no condition to be able to make a Pensieve solution for him. He wondered whether or not he should tell Dumbledore about Snape’s mysterious pain.

"What's the matter Harry? Do you still hold a grudge against Professor Snape making a potion for you? Even after you’ve experienced 15 years of having him as a step-dad in your other life?"

Harry was still thinking about what to say and did not answer immediately.

"Would you like me to ask Professor Snape for you?" asked Dumbledore.

"NO —I mean, I’m capable of asking him. Don’t worry. I’ll ask him to help me make a Pensieve, right?" said Harry.

Dumbledore smiled warmly, "I’m glad you’ve gotten over your mutual hatred of Professor Snape, Harry. Oh, by the way, you’ll be needing a stone bowl or something, to put the Pensieve solute in."

"Ok Professor."

"Is there anything else of importance that you’d like to tell me, Harry?"

"No. Thank you for your advice."

"Bye now."

"Bye Professor."

Harry walked out of the Headmaster’s office. Why hadn’t he told Dumbledore, Harry wondered. He knew why though. He knew that he hadn't told the Headmaster because there was a chance that Snape’s pain was caused by some mysterious disease, like indigestion occurring at the same time as a muscle spasm. And then, there would have been no point in alerting Dumbledore over something as minor as that. Dumbledore already had too many things to worry over, no use adding to them.

* * * * *

The next day, Snape was at the Great Hall, eating breakfast with all the other teachers. Harry was glad Snape was looking a bit better. He wanted to show Snape some memories from his other life after he made the Pensieve. He thought that Snape hadn’t had much joy in his life after James Potter had gone off and married his mum. Maybe that’s why he joined the Dark Side. Harry shuddered. No, his parents can’t have been the source of darkness for Snape.

Snape was indeed looking better. He wasn’t looking his usual self yet. He still looked a tad bit pale. The Gryffindors were groaning because Snape was back again, alive and well. On the other hand, the Slytherins were happy. Their Head of house was back again. They could start gaining the lead in house points by being the teachers pet in Potions.

It seemed as though life was getting back to normal.

* * * * *

Lucius Malfoy threw some purple powder into the fireplace in his Manor. He then stepped into it and said, "My Lord. I have served you faithfully and I will always serve you. You are the utmost power. I give and devote my life to you. Lord Voldemort."

He was whisked away to the Lord Voldemort’s lair.

"My lord, is the Plan going well?" asked Lucius.

"Ha ha. It is already taking place and I must say that that was a very ingenious plan you thought of the other day," replied the dark voice.

"Thank you sire."

"Everything is going smoothly. Did you bring what I had asked for?"

"Yes. It was in one of our very oldest chambers," said Lucius proudly.

He handed a small figurine of a man over to Voldemort. Voldemort ran one bone white finger over the chest of doll. It parted at the seams to reveal the insides of the human body, replicated. The body itself was perfect. The skin was made of a waxy material and man’s insides included all the organ systems in a human body. If he ran a finger across the arm, it would have parted to reveal muscles and blood vessels. The man had no hair, yet it already had cold black eyes.

"Will it serve the purpose?"

"Yes. Yes. This will do very nicely."

With a quick snap of his fingers, a dark hooded servant brought him another figurine. There had been pins and needles sticking into it, all over its body before, but they had been removed.

"Look here, Lucius," said Voldemort

Lucius Malfoy crept over to his master’s side to look at the other figurine he was holding.

It was a perfect mirror image of Severus Snape.

"…I did not know you could get results so quickly master."

"Fool. I have many more servants, just as loyal as you are. I have the power."

The figurine that was in the exact image of Severus Snape, had cold eyes, a dark black robe on, and even had a Dark Mark on his left fore arm. It had hairy legs, yet he had no chest hair or arm hair, and neither did the real Severus.

"How did you get a hold of his hair?" asked Lucius.

"Everyone sheds hair," he said matter-of-factly, "even you have dropped at least five strands in the time you’ve been here now. Last week, when I had that "party", I asked some other followers to gather any hair that that traitor," he spat, "lost. The accumulated hair of his, are now the hair, leg hair, and eyebrows on that figurine."

"If you already had this, how come you needed the figurine I just brought you?" said Lucius sulkily.

Voldemort laughed.

"You can be so bland sometimes, Lucius. You cannot give another human being only physical pain. You see, without your figurine," he said holding up the one that Lucius had brought, "we can only succeed in breaking his arms, or sticking pins and needles all over his body. This figurine," he held up the one with the robes that looked exactly like Severus Snape, "does not have a mouth that leads to the stomach, etc. We cannot feed him poison, or make him retch. There are many more internal tortures than that of physical pain."

"We will gain revenge on him once and for all, Master."

"Of course. That little bastard, goes running to Hogwarts, the instant I have fallen. And does he think that I do not see through his double agent role that he has taken again. He swears that he is once more my loyal servant, and he has seen the fault of his ways. Then why doesn’t he quit his underpaying job at Hogwarts? That Severus has lost all of the power and courage he once had. He is only a weakling now." he hissed.

"Master, do not anger yourself. The Plan is already in action. That traitor will get what's coming at him. We will get vengeance."

"I am tired now," said Voldemort.

Lucius gasped. "You must not tire yourself needlessly master. You are still weak."

"Go now. Come back tomorrow morning. We will discuss how to get more hair from Snape for the internal figurine."

* * * * *

Snape was back to his normal icy self a few days later. When Harry thought that Snape was back to usual; he approached him about making a Pensieve.

Harry knocked on the door. There was no answer. He was filled with a sense of déjà vu. He knocked again.

"What is it!" said an extremely annoyed voice.

"It’s me, Harry Potter," said Harry

"Argh! Potter!" came the answer.

"May I come in?" asked Harry timidly

"Yes…" he said gruffly.

Harry slowly walked into Snape’s office. Compared to the other time he had been in his office, Snape was conscious and sitting at his desk, grading papers.

"What is it, Potter?"

"Um...sir, I just wanted to ask you something," said Harry.

"Well?!"

"Um."

"WHAT!" Snape interrupted.

It seemed as if Snape was in a very crabby mood indeed.

"Can you help me make a Pensieve?" whispered Harry.

"Speak up!" Snape was getting livid now. He whirled around to face Harry.

"Can you help me make a Pensieve?"

"What in the world do you need it for?"

"To organize my thoughts."

"Well, of course it’s to organize your thoughts! That’s what a Pensieve is for." Snape said sarcastically.

"Well. Do you have a bowl?" asked Snape.

"Yes." replied Harry.

"Are you willing to pay me back for the ingredients?"

"YES."

"One more question, is this Pensieve for you or a friend?"

Harry thought quickly. If he said it was for himself, Snape would probably ask him more questions once he had made it. If he said it was for a friend, he could make up a fictional character that needed organization of their confused thoughts.

"It’s for a friend."

"Oh. Well, I can’t help you make it right now. Come back tonight. After dinner."

Snape guided Harry towards the door.

"Also. Bring your cauldron, wand and the bowl you're going to put it in."

"Cauldron?"

"Yes, stupid boy, your cauldron. Did you think I was going to make it for you?"

With that, Snape slammed the door in Harry’s face.

Harry knocked at his door again.

"WHAT? I dismissed you already!"

"Erm, I left my book bag in you office sir."

"HERE!"

The door was opened and Harry’s book bag was thrown. The force of it knocked Harry over. The door slammed again. Harry got up and slung his book bag over his shoulder.

God. He must be in a really bad mood today, thought Harry. He walked through the halls and corridors towards the common room.

He gave the password, "Quidditch Cup."

He walked past Ron and Hermione arguing over wizard chess and went up to his dormitory. He put down his bag and opened his trunk. After searching for such thing as a "bowl" for two hours and finding nothing, he decided to ask Dobby down in the kitchens.

He tickled the pear and walked into the kitchens.

"Harry Potter, sir!" squeaked a familiar voice.

"Would you like any food sir?" questioned Dobby.

"No thanks Dobby. I’m actually looking for a bowl."

"An eating bowl sir?"

"No, no. A bowl to put a potion in."

"Dobby does not know what you are looking for."

Dobby grabbed Harry’s hand and led him to a great big shelf. He opened the doors and there were bowls, bowls and more bowls.

Harry asked, "Where did all these bowls come from Dobby?"

Harry wasn’t just talking about the bowls that they saw at dinner. He was talking about the hundreds and hundreds of different assortments of bowls. There were the usual dinner bowls for soups, and there were also fancy glass bowls, marble bowls, metal bowls, transparent bowls, plastic bowls, Ziploc‘ bowls, ice cream bowls, ceramic bowls, gold bowls, silver bowls, clay bowls, stainless steel bowls and many, many more.

"Harry Potter sir, can choose one he likes sir," said Dobby.

Harry reached for one bowl that had caught his eye. It was made of black marble and it had gold designs carved into it. On closer inspection, the gold designs were really inscriptions in some sort of code. On the rim, there was a sort of quotation like sentence. On the outside, there was a repetitive pattern of the same words, he guessed.

"Can I have this?" asked Harry.

"Yes, yes," replied Dobby ecstatically.

"Wait," said Harry. He fumbled in his pocket. He found 2 galleons and handed them to Dobby.

"I’m going to be keeping this so I need to pay for it."

"No," said Dobby in distress, "Harry Potter sir can have the bowl for free."

Dobby tried to give back the money to Harry.

"No, Dobby. If I didn’t pay, it’d be like stealing something. If you don’t want it, give it to Dumbledore, and say it was from me because I took a bowl."

Harry quickly strode out of the kitchens calling, "Thanks Dobby!"

"You're very welcome sir!"

While walking back, he looked at the inscriptions. He wondered what they meant. I’d better ask Hermione. She’s bound to know more about it, he thought. He would just tell her that he found the bowl in the kitchens and wondered what they meant. He couldn’t wait to learn what they meant. He was sure that they meant something important.

He was so intrigued by the bowl that he did not realize he was going the wrong way, if he wanted to get back to the Gryffindor common room. He was halfway there, to the Slytherin common room. Harry cursed himself. In his old life, he had been in Slytherin, but he hadn't been the greatest of friends with Draco Malfoy. Actually, he had steered clear of Malfoy and his gang of friends. He usually hung out with his few friends or talked to his stepfather in his office. But, that was in his old life. If he didn’t get his thoughts organized soon, he would probably start doing things that the Harry in this life would NEVER be caught doing. Like going to the Slytherin common room instead of the Gryffindor one, thought Harry peevishly.

Harry turned on his heel and started walking in the right direction. This time he focused his attention solely on walking in the right direction. When he finally reached the Gryffindor common room, the only people there were Ron and Hermione. They were still squabbling about the rules of wizard chess. Harry sighed. Once they got into a heated argument, there was no way to stop them.

"RON! HERMIONE!"

They both stopped arguing for a moment to turn their heads to look at him.

"I have something important to ask you guys"

Hermione looked at him for a second. Her glance noticed the bowl at once.

Hermione came over towards Harry and started to examine the bowl almost immediately.

"Where did you get it?" she asked.

Ron now came over.

"Wow. That is one pretty bowl. What’s it say Harry?"

"I dunno, that’s why I came to you guys to ask."

"Have any ideas Hermione?"

"No," she replied, "at first the writing does look like a design, but once you stare at it for a while, you realize that it’s some sort of writing."

"So, we should go to the library, right about now, eh?" interrupted Ron with a grin.

"Yes. That’s what I was going to say."

"We know you too well, Hermione. Of course you’re going to suggest the library," said Harry.

"Yeah. The library, where we can find the answers to everything," mimicked Ron.

"Hey! But it is true. You can find the answer to almost anything in Hogwart’s library," said Hermione.

They headed off to the library. Hermione was still examining the bowl as they walked.

"Hmm. I bet I’ve seen this inscription before. I remember seeing it in a book I once read," muttered Hermione.

"Hermione, you’ve read hundreds of books. It must have come up in ONE of the books you read. But that doesn’t really help us. It’s one out of a million that you must have read."

They entered the library. They were immediately hushed by Madame Pince the instant they entered the large library. All three of them looked at the ceiling. There, was the directory to all the sections that the library was divided into. Harry noticed the section called Languages & Codes. Ron noticed the section called The Mysterious Inscriptions of the World. So, they decided to split up. Hermione headed for the large dictionary of languages that was near the Languages and Codes section.

Harry found some books that looked like they had some articles of interest about some inscriptions that looked similar to the one on the bowl. Hermione actually took the bowl with her when she went to look for some books.

She first found out that the language on the bowl was written in a language called Wingdingasa, which originated in a far off land that existed 2000 years ago. This land was washed out in an epidemic and then later on in a major flood. Legend has it that it was an island and did not have contact with the outside world until the brink of their extinction.

"Look, there’s an alphabet that corresponds with the English language!" she exclaimed.

They crowded around Hermione and decoded the inscription on the rim of the bowl first.

* * * * *

"This looks like a saying for someone who uses a Pensieve," commented Hermione.

* * * * *

"Wow, this bowl sure does not make sense," said Ron.

"It seems like it was a bowl that was used for a Pensieve," said Harry, echoing Hermione.

"What does "your thoughts are reality" mean?" asked Ron.

"I guess it means your thoughts are reality when you’re inside someone’s memories?"

"No. I think it means that your thoughts are reality because your memories, become like a real life experience once it’s inside the Pensieve," said Hermione.

They all sighed. Once they had decoded the saying, it wasn’t such a big deal. Especially when it said two things that didn’t make sense.

"What were you going to do with the bowl, Harry?" asked Hermione.

"I…Um…I, I was going to use it for a Pensieve," finished Harry. There, he had told his friends.

"Wow. I mean, this bowl is perfect to be a Pensieve," said Hermione.

"Your Pensieve, Harry?" queried Ron

"Yeah. It’s for me. To look at the memories of my past."

"Oh."

"You know, I figured maybe if I looked at the things I remember from the night my parents were killed, and added that, to what I hear when the dementors come near me, well, I figured that maybe I could infer why he wanted to kill me and my parents in the first place," Harry knew that that was a very stupid reason to make a Pensieve, "and maybe I can find a weakness of Voldemort when I figure it out."

The real reason he wanted to make a Pensieve was to look at his other life again and show some of his memories with Snape. It was weird, but he still missed having a step-dad around.

"Harry, you know You-Know-Who chose who to kill randomly and then destroyed the whole family," said Hermione quietly.

"That’s what the Ministry thinks. But Dumbledore, at the end of my first year, I asked him, and he said that he couldn’t tell me why right now. If Voldemort chose whom to kill randomly, and my family was just another victim, why didn’t he tell me? I’m guessing that he knows another reason why he tried to kill me."

Harry looked at his watch.

"I’ve got to go get ready to make the Pensieve. I’ll make it right after dinner so..."

"What? You’ve got to make a Pensieve?"

"Yes you have to make a Pensieve. You can’t just go buy it from a store, Ron," said Hermione.

"Who’s helping you Harry?" she asked.

"Snape," said Harry. He tried to groan. But he was actually happy because it was a chance for him to witness Snape alive and well. And, well, to see Snape as his crabby self again.

"AAH! Harry, are you sure you want to make this thing with Snape?" said Ron.

"He’s the only one that knows how," shrugged Harry.

"Well then, that’s inevitable, isn't it?" commented Hermione.

Ron’s stomach grumbled.

"It’s time for dinner!" exclaimed Ron.

"We all know that because of your stomach Ron,"

"At least it’s on time," said Harry.

"You know what, you guys go on ahead to the Great Hall. I’ll catch up with you guys once I put this bowl into my trunk. Save me a seat!" he called as he ran out the door.

* * * * *

After dinner, the three trudged up the stairs with full stomachs. Harry clapped a hand to his scar.

"Ow!"

"What's wrong Harry?"

"Oh, nothing. My scar hurt a bit. Maybe Voldemort killed someone."

"Harry, that’s NOT funny."

"Whatever it was, it’s gone now," said Harry.

"Hey, really great pun, Harry, maybe he DID kill someone. Let’s check the Daily Prophet tomorrow morning!" laughed Ron.

Hermione just glared at the two of them.

At least we can still joke about it, thought Ron, Thank God; Harry has a sense of humor still.

Harry got his cauldron and wand, and other necessaries.

As he passed his two friends, they said, "Good Luck."

Harry chuckled to himself. An hour with Snape would be torture. He would get yelled at so much. But that was ok, if he was able to make a successful Pensieve.

* * * * *

Harry knocked on the door to Snape’s office.

Snape sighed. He disliked Harry because he reminded him so much of James. And James, well, he hated James for taking away the love of his life. He also knew that Harry was making this Pensieve for himself and NOT for a friend. He wondered why Harry wouldn’t say so straight out. Of course, Potter thought that he would ask many questions. Well, he wouldn’t. OK, so maybe he WOULD ask some questions, it would be against his nature not to.

Harry knocked again.

"Come in."

Snape had set up all the ingredients beforehand.

"Put your cauldron there," he pointed to the spot right of where the ingredients stood.

"Now, chop up the dried snake fangs so that they are crushed almost to a point where they are powder."

There was a large handful of them.

Snape sat in a chair and began to grade some seventh year homework.

Thirty minutes later, Harry said, "I’m done, Professor."

"Thought you’d never get done with it," said Snape

Snape didn’t look up from grading his papers.

"Now, put the snake fangs in the cauldron, but don’t light the fire yet. Got that?! Do you see that blue liquid in that pitcher Potter? Measure around five cups of that into the cauldron. And for your information, that blue liquid is very valuable and it takes me three months to make it. I always have some on hand so it wasn’t an inconvenience."

Harry did what he was told.

"Done? Then light the fire and stir with that ladle over there. Make sure all of the snake fangs have dissolved."

"Now, what Professor?" he asked.

"Add those powdered leaves in those packets over there. They’re labeled. Add them slowly in this order: Knotgrass, Fluxweed, and then the rosewood leaves."

Snape turned around to watch Harry this time, making sure he got it right. Before Harry could ask, Snape said,

"The potion should have considerably thickened by now and turned a blue-ish green. Bring it to a boil. Do that while I go and get the next ingredient."

Snape left the room. Harry pondered about what the next ingredient could be. Snape came back into the room with a crystal vial.

"This is a Truth Potion, or Veritaserum. But this is no ordinary truth potion. It has unicorn horns in it, along with it’s liquefied horn."

He strode over towards Harry’s cauldron and uncorked the bottle.

"Pour about a quarter cup of Veritaserum," he said.

With a steady hand he poured it into the potion. Snape did not measure out the exact amount of serum. He only poured and then stopped when he thought that he had poured around a quarter cup. He had an excellent sense of measurement, so Harry didn’t need to worry.

"That was to make sure the memories and experiences inside your head actually occurred and are true. Next, take a handful of hair. That unicorn hair! No! Not all of it. Just a fistful."

Snape walked over to demonstrate.

He took a handful of unicorn hair and dipped the tips into the scalding hot potion. He stirred with his other hand while the unicorn hairs were still in the potion. He lifted the unicorn hairs out and most of what had been dipped into the potion had dissolved.

"Make sure that the hairs have completely dissolved and DO NOT throw whole hairs into the potion and stir!"

Snape handed the remaining unicorn hairs in his hand to Harry.

"Do the rest," he said simply.

Snape pulled up an armchair near the fireplace. He sat down in the emerald green, velvet, luxuriously cushioned seat. He crossed his legs and started to read a new book he had gotten called, "The Secret & Ancient Magic of The Wizarding World by Burnaby Occultism"

Dissolving the unicorn hairs was hard and tedious work for Harry. He quickly became hot because he had to lean over the cauldron a lot. Three hours later, he was finally finished with all the unicorn hairs.

"I’m finished with the unicorn hairs, Professor," said Harry.

Snape had been dozing off in his armchair, and he had been startled awake.

"Ah," he woke up, "Oh. Yes, pour the concoction into the bowl."

"Done? Good, now all the user has to do is tap their wand at the edge of the bowl and say, Veritas sententias and their full name."

"Thank you, Professor Snape," said Harry.

"I’ll give you the receipt for the ingredients tomorrow. Also, are you sure that that Pensieve isn't for you?"

Harry was torn between two decisions. He wanted to tell Snape the truth, yet, he wanted to hide it because Snape might become very angry. He took a deep breath.

"Yes, it’s for me."

"Aha! I thought so. What use do you have of a Pensieve, Potter? To gain more fame?"

"I have a lot more uses for it than you can ever think of!" said Harry angrily.

Harry stomped off, and banged the door closed behind him. He walked up the stairs carefully so as not to spill it. When he reached his dorm, he made a relatively flat surface in his trunk and put the Pensieve down. He locked his trunk, changed into his pajamas, and got into bed. Everyone else was asleep. It was close to midnight. It seemed like Ron had been waiting up for him. He had fallen asleep in the chair. Harry smiled. It was good to have friends that cared.

Harry shook Ron awake and said, "Ron, I’m back, it’s ok. Get into your bed and go to sleep."

"What? Harry. Oh," Ron yawned, muttering sleepily, got into his bed and fell fast asleep instantly.

Harry did the same. Just as he was about to fall asleep, his scar burned. I’ll tell Dumbledore about my scar twinging twice tomorrow, he thought as he fell into a blissful deep sleep.

* * * * *

Back in his office, Snape had been getting ready for bed also. He wondered if he had been too easy going towards Harry. Snape actually liked the boy, except that he reminded him too much of his unpleasant youth and his forever enemy, James Potter. As he was taking off his robes, his Dark Mark seared at the same time as Harry’s scar burning.

"Aaah."

He clutched his left fore arm convulsively. His arm burned with pain. He quickly scribbled a note for Dumbledore if he didn’t get back in time for classes tomorrow and sent it off with an ever-ready owl. He reached into the jar on the mantel and threw some purple powder into the fire.

He said, "My Lord. I have served you faithfully and I will always serve you. You are the utmost power. I give and devote my life to you. Lord Voldemort."

He disappeared into the flames with a whoosh. He pondered what Voldemort wanted now as he was transported through the dark tunnels.