Harry Potter and the Trelawney Prophesy

Chapter 19

Out of Time

Harry was restless. Everything had been going so smoothly, so perfectly. It was frightening. The Death Eaters had reported that everyone was complying with Harry's requests to the letter. Very little resistance therefore no need for punishment.

Harry didn't quite believe them. Not that he thought they were out and out lying. He could just sense that there was something deceitful in their report.

Voldemort was little help.

As the reporting Death Eaters left the conference tent, Harry moved around Voldemort's desk to stand before it. Apparently, Voldemort could tell something was wrong.

"What's troubling you, my son?"

"No offense," said Harry. "I just think your Death Eater's are being less than honest."

"Less than honest?" said Voldemort with a smirk. "Harry, don't you trust them?"

Harry peered at Voldemort over the desk. "Is that a trick question?"

Voldemort chuckled. "Never mind. Why do you think they would deceive you?"

Harry sighed. "I'm not saying they're lying. I just sense..."

"Sense what?"

Somewhat frustrated that he couldn't explain, Harry dropped into his chair. "Forget it," muttered Harry.

"Tell me, Harry," said Voldemort. "Your instincts are very good. Tell me what you sense."

Leaning on his knees, Harry clutched at his hair. "Just that they're leaving something out. That I'm missing something." Harry looked up. "Don't you feel it?"

Voldemort considered it, staring intently at Harry. "I sense their eagerness. Their anticipation."

Harry stood up. "Yes. That's it," said Harry. "But of what?"

"Harry-"

Harry turned back to the desk and leaned on it. "You know. I know you do," said Harry. "I'm asking. Tell me, father."

Voldemort sighed. "The end, Harry."

Harry blinked.

"They're waiting for the end of anarchy and chaos. When the balance of power will reign supreme."

"I thought that's what we were doing."

"Yes, Harry. But the time will come when we will walk into the Ministry of Magic and take our rightful place."

"But what-"

"Harry, the wizarding world is uniting as we speak. No ministry, no matter how organized will be able to hold it together."

"Then who-"

"I will, of course," said Voldemort.

"Explain," said Harry.

Voldemort stood up and came around his desk to stand before Harry, his eyes studying Harry's expression.

"You have done very well," said Voldemort. "The reconstruction of the Ministry went exactly as it should."

"I did the right thing."

"Of course you did, Harry," said Voldemort.

*******

Harry was starting to doubt it. He paced his office, distractedly running the phoenix medallion along the chain around his neck.

"I'm missing something here," muttered Harry. "I know it."

Ron sat in a chair in front of his desk. Hermione sat at his desk will a quill and parchment. Draco was leaning against the wall, arms and ankles crossed, staring at Harry (his typical Slytherin observation mode).

"Well, I think he's trying to set up the Ministry of Magic as a figurehead," said Hermione. "Like the queen. And you and him will become established as like Prime Ministers."

Harry didn't think that was quite it.

"And what about the Death Eaters?" Ron wanted to know. "Will they be the parliament. I don't know about you but-"

"Ron," Hermione cut him off. "I think it will work more like the Ministry will still govern the wizarding world. Just that Harry and Lord Voldemort will have finally say."

In essence, that was what Voldemort was trying to convey. But...

Harry turned toward Draco. "What do you think?" said Harry

Draco stepped away from the wall. "Well in the ideal situation, I think Granger is right. But we're forgetting that Voldemort is still an Evil Dark Lord."

"But Harry is-"

"Exactly," Draco cut Hermione off. "How long do you think the two can coexist in absolute harmony?"

"Voldemort is indulging Harry right now. He's given him everything, total control because he wants, needs Harry to be with him in the end. But don't kid yourself, in the end Voldemort will take over."

"And how will he do that?" said Ron. "Harry is just as powerful as he is now. What about the prophesy?"

Harry listened intently as he watched Draco pace.

"At this point in time, I don't think either one of them could kill the other."

"They'd both have to die," said Hermione.

"Apart from that," said Draco. "They're bonded by more than magic now."

Don't go there, Draco.

You know I'm right Harry.

"But how can he take over without Harry trying to stop him?" said Ron.

Draco looked at Harry. Harry lifted his brows curiously.

"It still hurts when he touches you, doesn't it?" said Draco.

Harry nodded.

"But it shouldn't drain him anymore," said Hermione. "They already share all their power."

Harry paced away from them, running a hand through his hand.

"Torture is still torture, Granger," said Draco grimly. "You've seen it."

Hermione gasped. "You don't think he would resort to that now do you?"

"I don't know what he'd resort to at this point," said Draco. "But the point is this nice amiable little reconstruction is not going to satisfy the Dark Lord."

Harry turned back to face them. "He can't make me do anything, Draco," said Harry.

"He doesn't have to," said Draco. "You are here by choice, Harry. He can use your power the same as you can use his."

"But-"

Hermione cut Ron off. "Ok. Regardless of the power, just what does he want to do with it?"

Draco sighed. "That I don't know."

"Why not?" Ron demanded. "You're a Death Eater aren't you?"

"Ron-"

"No, I want to know."

"I bear the mark, Weasley," said Draco with irritation. "But you all know where my loyalties are. You think they are going to tell me."

Harry sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. "I need some air. I need to clear my head."

"Go for a walk," said Hermione. "You'll feel better."

"No," said Harry. "I think I'll fly for a while."

"Fly," said Ron eagerly. "You want company?" Then he looked around. "I don't have a broom. Come to think of it, you don't either. Too bad."

Harry was blinking at him until he remembered that Ron and Hermione didn't know.

D started laughing.

They don't know, do they?

H sent him a glance.

Be quiet, Draco.

"Er-" said H

"Harry doesn't need a broom, Weasley," said Draco with a highly smug grin

"What-"

Harry sat on his desk and transformed into his hawk form.

Ron leapt to his feet. "That's your animagus form?" said Ron. Then he glanced at Draco. "He knew before us."

Harry transformed again with a sigh. "Ron-"

"I thought the whole point of keeping it a secret was so that Voldemort and the Death Eaters wouldn't know," said Ron.

"Ron, Voldemort knew practically before I started learning," said Harry.

"And it hardly matters now," Hermione added.

"But why does he know?"

Here we go again.

"Oh get over it, Weasley," said Draco.

Draco.

"I simply asked him about it," Draco went on, ignoring Harry's warning. "Did you ever?"

"I-er,"

Harry strode out of his tent. He didn't want to deal with that right now. Hermione could handle it, or at the very least, she would hex them both into silence.

Transforming, he spread his wings and soared up and through the trees. He couldn't keep Voldemort's words from echoing in his mind.

No ministry, no matter how organized will be able to hold it together.

Draco's words were as haunting.

How long do you think the two can coexist?

And Harry still couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something.

Harry spotted a dim glow from the woods below him and circled closer. The crackle of a campfire could be heard among the rustling of leaves and twigs being broken.

Cautiously approaching the fire, Harry finally perched on a branch. People were approaching the fire from all directions.

Death Eaters?

Harry watched the scene curiously. About ten robed figures were gathered around the fire, whispering among themselves.

Another figure stepped into the glow.

"Lucius, is that you?"

"Of course, it's me you idiot. Who else were you expecting?" Lucius Malfoy's tone was sharp and harsh. He was clearly not happy. "Is everyone here?"

"Yes," said another Death Eater. "We are the elite. Do you think we would miss this."

"Keep your voice down," another hissed at him.

"What are you worried about," the first shot back. "The boy went back to his tent."

"His friends are still with him."

"It doesn't matter," snorted the other. "After tomorrow..."

"Be that as it may," came another voice, "he's going to find out."

"The master will deal with it," said Lucius quietly.

There was a murmur of agreement.

"Who'd have thought that the master's plan could possibly work so well."

More murmurs and Harry caught snatches of "Brilliant" "Such patience" "Total dependence."

"The boy is-"

"You imbeciles," Lucius cut him off viciously. "That boy could level the entire compound with a wave of his hand. He's come into his majority and he's not stupid."

"Don't over-react, Lucius, the master can control him."

"The master can subdue him," Lucius corrected. "But he doesn't want it to come to that." Lucius sighed. "Look, the point is that the master wants it done as quickly and as quietly as possible."

One of the Death Eaters chuckled. "What he doesn't know won't hurt us."

"In a manner of speaking," said Lucius.

"So tell us."

Harry recognized that voice as Avery.

"Harry will address the Ministry tomorrow," said Lucius. "Then he will step down. As soon as he returns to the compound, the master will subdue him and we will begin the cleansing process."

The laughter around the campfire sent a chill over Harry.

"I repeat," said Lucius, "These are powerful witches and wizards. Don't forget that fact. The Master wants them to have the opportunity to yield."

There was more laughter.

"Join us or die," someone sniggered.

"So we're back," said Avery.

Lucius looked up. The fire cast an eerie glow over his pale features. "Yes. You all know what to do."

Lucius stared back down at the fire as the other Death Eaters dispersed. His expression was odd considering what Harry had just heard. Remarkably, he looked almost like Harry was feeling. Betrayed, disappointed, apprehensive - frightened.

"This is becoming a nightmare," Lucius muttered.

Harry blinked as Lucius waved his wand, extinguishing the fire.

Lucius walked back toward the compound but Harry sat on his branch staring at the spot where the fire had burned so vividly.

So that's it? Voldemort wins?

Harry transformed on the way to the ground, still staring into the ashes of the fire.

All his manipulations, his gifts - was any of it even necessary since Voldemort planed to resort to murder and mayhem anyway? True the power was awesome, but was it worth all of Voldemort's time and effort just to fulfill that part of the prophecy?

The prophesy...

Harry's hands clenched at his sides.

There was only one way to end it. Only one way to prevent the killing.