Harry Potter and the Crystalline Darkness

Chapter 23

The next morning Harry got up a little early and headed down to the Hospital Wing but was firmly repulsed by Madam Pomfrey. He grumbled at the closed door for a moment then headed down to the dungeons. Hermione seemed to have almost set up camp in Snape's workroom. She had owled her parents that she would be staying at Hogwarts this Christmas; they hadn't been happy about it but when she had sent a brief explanation, they had been surprised but understanding. Harry and the rest of the Battle Guard had chosen to stay as well. The rest of the students were leaving tomorrow and Harry was looking forward to spending his Christmas with his godfather and guardian.

He opened the door to the Potions classroom and headed over to the door to the workroom, knocking and waiting. He heard a muffled 'Come in' from inside and opened the door and wandered in.

Hermione looked up from the cauldron and smiled. "Hello, Harry. You're up early."

"I wanted to see Professor Snape but Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let me in," Harry replied slightly grumpily.

"She won't let anyone other than Professor Dumbledore in to see him," Hermione replied. "The only way I'm going to get in there is if I turn up with the completed antidote."

Harry grunted and peered at the cauldron. He couldn't see much, just odd circules of vague energy colours. "How's it going?"

"Very well," Hermione said with satisfaction. "It'll be ready in five days."

"Just in time for Christmas," Harry said with a small smile.

"I'm not sure if he'll care about that," Hermione replied with a matching smile.

"Yes, he doesn't seem to be a very Christmassy person," Harry said. "Too bad. I got him a present anyway."

Hermione laughed. "Yes, so did I. He'll probably growl at us."

"Oh, joy," Harry said wryly. "So what's new?"

"You'd better get used to it if he's going to be your mentor," Hermione grinned.

"Yeah, I'm thinking by the end of the five years we're either going to have killed each other or actually be friends," Harry said with amusement.

Hermione paused and thought for a moment. "I'm not sure which is more likely," she said with a wicked look.

"Hermione!" Harry spluttered then he started laughing as well. "I suppose you might have a point though."

Hermione smiled. "Well, maybe it won't be that bad."

Harry snorted. "Actually I'm hoping that by the end of the five years, Professor Snape and Siri will be capable of being polite to each other for more than five minutes."

Hermione laughed. "That be may be asking for too much. Seriously though, I thought they weren't that bad now?"

"They're better than they used to be," Harry conceded. "They just irritate me every now and then when they start narking at each other."

Hermione opened her mouth to comment but was interrupted when the door to the workroom opened and Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna walked in.

"So this is where you two have got to," Ron said cheerfully.

Harry looked at him suspiciously. "Alright, what's going on? You're never this cheerful in the morning, Ron."

Ron looked hurt. "Harry! How could you think that? I am merely pleased that Christmas is almost here."

"That and the fact that Mum and Dad have decided to relocate the family Christmas to Hogwarts since we felt it necessary to stay here," Ginny said with a grin. "We just got the owl this morning about it. Apparently Dumbledore thought it was a great idea. So you get a Weasley Christmas after all, Harry."

"Though why you want one, mate, I don't know," Ron said shaking his head. "The whole family goes absolutely barking mad on Christmas day."

Harry grinned. "That sounds pretty good to me, Ron. This'll be the best Christmas I've ever had." His voice echoed with satisfaction.

The others exchanged quick glances then Ron spoke again.

"Did the two of you want to go down to Hogsmeade on Saturday?" he said hastily.

"Oh yes," Hermione said with delight. "I haven't got even half of my Christmas shopping done. I've been so busy with the antidote."

Harry was silent for a moment. "Um, I can't," he said finally. "Dumbledore's meeting with Aunt Petunia on Saturday and he needs me there."

There were protests from his friends.

"But Harry, I thought Dumbledore didn't want to risk you in case it was a trap," Ginny said with concern, wrapping her arms around her boyfriend.

Harry pulled her close. "He's not," he replied then continued when his friends looked confused. "He taught me how to make one of those illusions of myself. The illusion will go. I'll be staying here."

There was silence for a moment.

"Is it difficult?" Hermione asked eagerly, causing the others to laugh.

"Hermione Granger," Ron said with affectionate exasperation. "Shouldn't the question be more along the lines of 'are you okay, Harry?' or 'do you need our help, Harry?'"

Hermione blushed and Harry laughed. "Don't worry, Hermione. I'd think there was something wrong with you if you weren't interested in how to do this."

"I didn't mean in that way, Harry. You do know that, don't you?" she asked earnestly. "Of course I'm worried about you but I just thought that if Dumbledore was behind this then it must be alright."

"Actually not only Dumbledore but Siri and Remy as well," Harry said. "And it's alright. As I said, I'd have been worried if that hadn't been your first question."

There were a few moments of levity as the others poked fun at Hermione and she answered back tartly then she turned to Harry again and looked serious.

"So is it difficult?" she asked.

Harry shrugged. "Not really, magically speaking, but it's pretty difficult in other ways." He paused and continued softly. "I...didn't realize I'd changed so much. I...can see the illusions as clearly as if I could see again and it's the first time I've seen myself since...well, you know."

"What's wrong with the way you've changed?" Ginny said impishly. "I think you look wonderful!"

Harry blushed. "I...just wasn't expecting it, that's all."

"What did Sirius and Remus think?" Neville asked curiously.

Harry chuckled. "Siri was contemplating all the trouble I could get up to with the illusion and Remy was being stern about it all but I think he thought the idea was rather good too."

"He tries to be responsible but every now and then the Marauder in him slips out," Hermione said with a smile.

"He lets the Marauder out more away from school," Harry said. "Remember the summer?"

The others grinned and nodded in remembrance at some of the things Sirius and Remus had gotten up to during the summer, usually aided and abetted by Fred and George.

"Do you really think Draco would try anything?" Neville asked with a worried look.

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. The Headmaster seemed to think he might but that whatever it is won't be very well planned. He's managed to add something to the process that will allow me to see and hear what my illusion does so whatever happens, I'll know." He paused. "For what its worth, yes, I think Draco will try something. I can't think of any other reason for him and those other Death Eaters to be getting friendly with Dudley."

"Just be careful," Ginny said with concern.

"I'll be okay," he reassured her. "The illusion can't really be harmed and I can dispel it at any time. Dumbledore's spell only allows me to see and hear, I won't feel anything that happens to the illusion."

"That's awfully cold-blooded," Hermione said with a shudder.

Harry gave her a strange look. "Hermione, it's just an illusion. Yes, it's a very good one but it's just an illusion. It's not me."

"You've thought about this," Hermione observed quietly.

"Yes," Harry replied bluntly. "With the illusions of my parents. If I took the attitude that you were thinking of, I would have gotten myself into a hell of a tangle. If I'd treated them like they really were my parents, I'd have ended up doing something really stupid. But they weren't my parents, Hermione. They just looked and acted like them. Think of it as being like someone using Polyjuice. They can look and act like someone else but they aren't that person."

Hermione nodded slowly. "I guess you're right."

"I know I'm right," Harry replied firmly.

"Do you want us to be there?" Ron asked.

Harry shook his head. "No, Siri and Remy will be there. You guys go into Hogsmeade. No point all of us ruining our Saturday."

"Are you sure?" Ron said.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm sure. Now come on, it must be time for breakfast and I'm starving."

Ron seconded that notion with alacrity and the six of them left the workroom, teasing the tall red-head.

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Antonin Dolohov waved a lazy hand to the young man who had just entered the restaurant. They had quickly found that one of the keys to dealing with Dudley Dursley was to feed him. If you fed him fine food and bolstered his ego then he was happy and would go along with you. Hence the reason they always met with him in restaurants.

"Fat slob of a Muggle," Bellatrix Lestrange said in disgust.

"Hush, Bella," Antonin said firmly. "He's a useful fat slob of a Muggle. Humour him."

Bella sneered and leaned back in her chair as Dudley sat down. The fat boy looked at her with leering eyes and she swallowed the bile that had collected in her throat and gave him a simpering smile. Antonin watched this with amusement then reached out his hand.

"Good to see you again, Dudley," he said with an air of bonhomie as they shook hands.

"'Lo, Anton, Bella." Dudley smiled smugly, looking around surreptitiously to see if anyone had noticed what kind of friends he had. Antonin and Bellatrix hid their sneers and Antonin waved to the waiter to bring them their menus. After they had ordered, Antonin looked at Dudley expectantly.

"You said you had something for us?" he said with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, yeah," Dudley grunted. "It's about that freak Potter."

"Oh?" Antonin said with artfully concealed interest. They had carefully cultivated Dudley Dursley in the hopes they might be able to use him to get to Potter. It looked like their patient work might now pay off.

"Mum thinks I'm doing something wrong," Dudley said with a sneer. "She's contacted the little freak. She's meeting with him and that Headmaster, Dundydore or whatever his name is, on Saturday."

Both Antonin and Bella both kept hold of themselves and allowed their only reaction to be a small smile.

"Do you know when and where?" Bella purred as she leaned in towards Dudley.

The fat boy flushed and nodded frantically. "Uh, they're meeting at home because I said I was going to be out and it's at ten o'clock."

Bella beamed at him. "That's good to hear."

Antonin drew the fat boy's attention. "Make sure you do go out. We don't want you there when we move."

"And this will help my Dad," Dudley said, suddenly intent.

Antonin leaned back in his chair again. "Of course, Dudley," he lied blandly. "The Potter boy lied and will be forced to admit that. Have no fear; we'll get your father out of that prison as soon as possible."

Dudley sighed with relief. His life had taken a distinct turn for the worse since his father had been jailed. He'd been withdrawn from Smeltings because they could not afford to pay the fees and Aunt Marge refused to pay them. In fact Aunt Marge refused to speak to them. His mother had been forced to get a job and that had been quite a shock to Dudley. He now had to get his own breakfast and lunch and get himself to school. And dinner was often a slapdash affair because his mother was generally tired after a full day's work. That this was a normal state of affairs for many of his schoolmates was not something that had occurred to Dudley, mostly because he hadn't made any friends at his new school. The word had quickly got around that his father had beaten and abused his cousin and that his cousin had been removed and sent to new guardians. Dudley's bullying past was also coming back to haunt him. The first time he had tried his usual tactics at school, he had been immediately sent to the principal's office where he had received a lecture about appropriate behaviour and how he wouldn't want to end up like his father. The rest of the students had steered clear of him after that and Dudley found all of this a very unsatisfactory state of affairs.

When he had been approached by Anton Dolohov, he had been wary at first but the man had then introduced him to a boy his own age named Dray Malfoy. Dudley had thought that was an odd name but had thereafter been distracted by Dray's promise to do something for his father. Dray had said that his family had a great deal of influence and could undoubtedly help. All they needed was Potter. Dudley had been fine with that; this was all the freak's fault anyway.

The lunch continued with the conversation being nothing more than flattering small talk. Finally the two Death Eaters managed to get Dudley to finish eating. They paid the bill and sent the boy on his way. Antonin waited until Dudley was well out of earshot then turned to Bella.

"Get back to the others and get them ready," he ordered harshly. "We only have a couple of days to organize this. I'm going to Bulgaria to see Draco."

Bella scowled and Antonin glared back at her. She held his gaze for a moment then nodded in submission before whirling and stalking away, gesticulating and talking to herself. Antonin watched her go with a sneer then headed off in the opposite direction. He ducked down a convenient alleyway and apparated to London where he immediately headed to the Ministry. An hour's worth of tedium saw him with permission to travel to Bulgaria and he headed to the international Floo fireplaces. The trip was dizzying and dusty and he grimaced as he emerged in the British Embassy in Sofia. He chatted for a few minutes with the wizard on duty then apparated to the gates of Durmstrang.

The walk up to the front door was cold and windy and he was extremely relieved to get inside. The teacher that met him recognized him as Draco's business partner and immediately went to fetch the blond boy. Draco greeted him with a shark-like smile as he sauntered into the entrance foyer and led him into a private room.

"I take it you have news," Draco said as he summoned a house elf and ordered tea.

Antonin waited until the house elf had served them the tea and disappeared. "Bella and I had lunch with Dudley today. It seems his mother has a meeting set for Saturday with Dumbledore and Potter. I take it you would like to take advantage of that?"

Draco's eyes lit up. "So Dumbledore is going to risk his Golden Boy outside of Hogwarts? That is very interesting news."

Antonin smiled. "I thought you'd like it."

Draco's eyes narrowed in thought. "Do you think there would be an opportunity to grab him?"

Antonin leaned back in his chair. "Yes, possibly. I have been to the Dursleys' house and I think we should have an opportunity. Our timing would have to be very good and it would be a hell of a risk due to the presence of Dumbledore but I think we have a shot at it."

Draco nodded. "Good. I want to keep this to the minimum of people involved. You, me, Bella and Pansy should be enough."

Antonin sighed and nodded. "Very well," he said in a weary tone.

Draco grinned maliciously. "Having troubles, Antonin?"

The other man grimaced. "That Lestrange woman is insane," he said flatly.

"Yes, I know but she is useful in her own way," Draco replied.

"Pansy's no better," Antonin growled.

Draco chuckled. "I know," he said indulgently. "Such a delightfully wicked girl. I was very impressed with her handling of the Snape situation. Pity we don't know if she succeeded but I suppose it was inevitable that Dumbledore would throw her out. Tybalt's very proud of her, moved heaven and earth to get her out of the clutches of the Aurors."

Antonin shook his head. "You have very interesting tastes in women, my friend."

Draco just chuckled again. "I will have no trouble getting free this weekend. I shall return to England on Friday night. Come to Malfoy Manor and we'll hash out a plan."

"They won't mind you leaving?" Antonin asked curiously, gesturing with one thumb towards the bulk of the school.

"No," Draco said airily. "They know that after my father's death all of his business dealings fell to me. They understand that sometimes I need to return to London to deal with that business."

Antonin nodded in understanding and rose. "I should get back. Merlin only knows what Bellatrix is getting up to. The woman needs strict supervision."

Draco chuckled and waved the other man off before settling back into his chair.

Well? he said.

An interesting opportunity, Voldemort replied thoughtfully. But one well worth taking.

Any advice? Draco asked.

Don't get caught by Dumbledore, came the dry reply.

Helpful, Draco replied sarcastically. Any useful advice?

Be flexible, Voldemort said. Don't get mired down in a plan. Potter has a nasty habit of doing the unpredictable.

Draco grunted. Good point.

And keep very tight control on Bellatrix, Voldemort continued. Her insanity makes her dangerous to us as well as them. He paused. You might want to apply the same control to that Pansy of yours. She's as bad as Bella.

I wouldn't say that, Draco replied mildly. Bella's had years of practice that Pansy lacks.

Better watch out, boy, Voldemort said snidely. Or Pansy will be poisoning you next.

She knows better, Draco said coldly.

Voldemort snorted. And you might want to keep the two of them separated. They're unpleasantly like bitches in heat when they're both around you.

Draco chuckled smugly. I know.

Better take care of your little flower then, Voldemort said snidely. Bella can be rather direct when she decides she wants something.

She already knows not to do that, Draco replied. She's had ample warning from both Tybalt and myself. Now, back to Saturday, any suggestions?

Be careful, Voldemort warned. Try to separate Potter from Dumbledore. But if you can't do that then do it outside. It's much easier to maneuver and you don't risk ricochets off the walls. Are the wards still up around the house?

I should hardly think so, Draco replied. Potter doesn't live there anymore and I think the Dursleys have lost many of their privileges.

That will make things easier, Voldemort said with satisfaction. Where do you plan on taking him once you have him?

Draco paused. Hmm, good question. The Manor is obviously out of the question as are any of the places you used. Too obvious, they'll be the first places searched.

Perhaps not all of them, Voldemort said slowly. There is a place you might use in Yorkshire.

The Dark Lord's knowledge of the place flooded into Draco's mind and the blond boy nodded slowly.

Yes, that looks promising, Draco said slowly. Do the others know where it is?

Bella and Antonin do, Voldemort replied. You will have to inform Pansy.

Draco nodded. Does Dumbledore know about this place?

I do not believe so, Voldemort said musingly. Though it is possible that there are some older Aurors, Moody perhaps, who might know of it. It will be far down on the list of places they will search as they will not believe that you know of it.

Good, this will work then, Draco said with satisfaction. Thank you, my Lord.

Voldemort chuckled and his awareness faded out of Draco's mind. Draco rose and left the room, heading for the Headmaster's office. He needed to get permission to be absent for the weekend.