The Dragonmaster

~ Not a chance. ~

Harry shook his head and headed back to the Headquarters, pondering the day's events. He hadn't been able to reach the second plane, but Arxeren had told him he was doing great. Soon, he hoped, he'd be able to talk to his parents...

But before he could reach the Headquarters, he fell on his knees, his scar burning, threatening to split his head. The pain grew, his head was on fire, and he felt like somebody was digging a knife in his forehead.

Finally he blacked out, not able to bear the pain any longer.

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Albus Dumbledore was standing in front of the window in his office, absently stroking Fawkes' head. Sensing his master's sorrow, the phoenix gave a questioning shrill.

Sighing, the old man took his eyes off the landscape before him. "I don't know Fawkes. I think that the Light is weakening each day. It's time for the Order to gather again."

The phoenix bowed his head.

The Headmaster went to one side of his office, before a sculpture of the school's crest. In the center, a star was carved, within its center a rune nobody had been able to decipher. Albus placed his hand on it, and the phoenix flew to his shoulder, starting to sing: not the usual song, but more like a summons.

The star and Dumbledore's hand glowed golden and slowly, little dots lightened on the crest, growing more and more numerous as minutes passed. Finally, as the crest was nearly covered by the luminous dots, Fawkes stopped his song.

Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling as he looked at the crest.

"Well, perhaps the Light isn't as weakened as I thought it was." He sent a thought through his hand: "Tomorrow, Hogwarts, the Phoenix's Nest, midnight. Apparate."

Once it was done, he withdrew his hand and the light slowly disappeared.

"Now, my friend, we wait."

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In the Gryffindor's common room Ron and Hermione were sitting at a table in a corner of the room, silently working on their homework.

Hermione was engrossed in the reading of a thick book, entitled, 'Magical artifacts and their meanings', while Ron was taking notes on another called 'Muggle and magical artifacts: what are their uses?'

This had come as a shock for those who knew the two. Seeing Hermione reading non-compulsory books was normal, but Ron doing it? That was another story.

Before them, parchments, covered with writing, diagrams, and drawings were sprawled on the table.

Since the beginning of the burglaries, soon after Christmas, they had tried to find a pattern in them, a motive, or a link between the stolen artifacts.

There had been ten artifacts stolen from muggle museums:

* The Sun's bracelet, an Aztec jewel, found on the sculpture of one of the main Aztec gods, symbolizing the sun.

* The Desert's burn, an Egyptian amulet, dedicated to Seth's cult.

* The cup of Ern, which had been owned by a powerful Phoenician mage.

* Neron's dagger, which was the one he killed many people with.

* Maya's Heart, which was a big ruby, it was used by Maya to store the energy of the people they sacrificed.

* The Dragon eye, a Chinese crystal ball, said to show the destiny of its holder, if he had enough power.

* Herakles' bow and arrows. Well, the Muggles thought they were ordinary weapons, but they were Herakles'.

* Attila's sword.

* The Shadow's knife, used by torturers back in the Romans' time.

* An African mask, picturing a war god, the Mask of the Summons.

Along with all of this, there were all the manuscripts taken from universities and from the Ministry. But all they knew about this was that it was old books of prophecies, or indecipherable parchment, giving vague indication and warning against the rise of the Basilisk and asking to look for the Dragon.

Ron sighed. He was getting nowhere.

"Hermione, I need a break. Why don't we go to visit Hagrid? It's been a long time since we last saw him."

"What? Oh! Alright, let me finish this chapter."

"OK, I'll get our cloaks."

"See you in a minute."

Minutes later, they were heading for the hut.

They knocked on the door. The booming voice of Hagrid answered them.

"Come in!"

They opened the door and stepped inside.

Hagrid was feeding Fang in a corner.

"Hermione! Ron!"

"Hello Hagrid," said Hermione, taking her cloak off and putting it on the back of a chair.

"Do you want some tea? Or some cakes, I've just made a batch of my marble cakes."

"Just tea, thank you."

"You're welcome," answered the semi-giant, while putting three cups on the table and pouring tea in them. "How're you doing?"

"Well, the teachers are going crazy with the coming NEWTs, and Snape is nastier than ever," Ron replied, earning a good kick in his leg for the last bit.

Hagrid looked closely at Ron.

"I wouldn't say this normally, but don't be too quick to judge Snape. He has had a lot on his plate lately." Seeing Ron was ready to argue, he continued. "Don't get me wrong here, it's not a reason to lay his frustrations and stress on you, but try to understand him."

Before Ron replied, Hermione spoke up.

"Have you heard about the burglaries?"

"Yeah, quite mysterious, isn't it?"

"Yes. Do you think it's linked to You-Know-Who?"

"I'll be ready to bet everything I have that it is."

"Really?" Ron cut in.

"Yes, it reminds me of what happened forty years ago. What was the name of that man...Ah yes, a wizard named Doeron tried to gather several artifacts. All were involved in a ritual. I think he managed to obtain four of the six needed for it before he was arrested. The artifacts were sent back to their owners and nobody heard of it."

"How do you know it then?"

"Well, Dumbledore sent me to bring one of them to a museum, I think it was called the Cup of Ern."

At this Hermione and Ron focused all their attention on him.

"Really, and why did he needed those artifacts?"

"Nobody really found out. All I can say is that it was really dark and had powerful magic and that it would have brought chaos on earth. He left a few notes in London's university of Occult Sciences."

Hermione cast a quick glance at Ron. This had been one of the first universities to which the thieves had gone.

"Is there a link?" asked Hermione eagerly.

"I don't think so, there were only six artifacts needed, and this time, ten have disappeared."

"Well, thank you Hagrid, it's been really nice talking to you, but we must go now, we still have a lot of homework to do," she said.

"Yes, thanks a lot for the tea, Hagrid," added Ron.

"It's alright, come back soon."

"We will. Bye Hagrid," said Hermione, putting her cloak on and heading to the door.

After a few words, they parted, Ron and Hermione going back to the castle, Hagrid back into his hut.

Once back in the castle, Hermione turned to look at Ron. "I know the book where we'll find what we need, but it's in the Restricted Section."

"It's a shame Lockhart isn't here anymore...the man might have been a first-class idiot, but at least we could easily take a book from the Restricted Section. He was signing every bit of paper he could find."

"Ron..."

"What?"

"Never mind... do you have Harry's Invisibility cloak?"

"No, The Headmasters kept all his belongings."

"So we need a teacher's permission."

"Who could be stupid enough to sign us a slip allowing us to take a restricted book without asking questions?"

"Let me handle this, I'll have it by the end of the week."

"Really?"

"Since when did I lie to you? Trust me!"

"Alright, don't get so worked up!"

"Come on! It's nearly curfew, we have to go back to the tower."

The two youths ran back to their tower, slipping past the Fat Lady's portrait after giving the password "Phoenix's rise." They were the first ones to go up to their dorms that night.

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Somewhere in the world, Snape was standing in a dark room, his face hidden under his hood, his eyes studying the man before him. He was tall, pale, but his face was becoming more and more human. Voldemort was becoming again the charismatic man Snape had encountered years before.

During his first rise, the Dark Lord had been a great leader who could give his men strength just by speaking. He had a gift for making speeches. Snape had believed him at the beginning; he had fallen under his charm, having thought to act in the wizarding world's interest, for the rise of a better society, a society that would suppress all social evils.

Snape had to give it to the man; he had a way with words, an aura, and a charisma that had attracted many of the wizards deceived or disappointed by the Ministry. His power, the ease at which he cast even the hardest spells was fascinating too. Snape had believed in him, until one event opened his eyes.

Flashback:

Snape never took part in Voldemort's raids against those who were blinded by the Ministry's lies and refused to acknowledge the truth. He was a Potions Master, one of the best in his area.

One night, he was called to his master; he immediately apparated to him, bowing before him.

"Severus."

"My Lord."

"I called you tonight to be one of us in our little raid. I know of your skills, and I'm perfectly aware that you prefer the beauty of your potions to the intricacies of a wand, but I think that it will be an useful experience for you.

"The occasion to see the beauty of the way a spell breaks through someone, making him loose his mind, his senses, making him fall under your power; and with what? A few words and your wand. It can be compared to the way your potions act. And I want you to learn this."

"Thank you my Lord."

"Get ready, young Severus. We'll leave in half an hour."

It had been a nightmare. Along with ten other Death Eaters, they had apparated to a small house in the countryside. It was nearly Christmas time, and Snape could hear the family in the house.

"Raise your hood." Voldemort ordered.

They obeyed and waited for their master's sign.

At the moment he raised his arm, they stormed in the house, surprising its inhabitants. Snape recognized them: it was a well-known, old and respected family, the Lawrences, who had always played a big role in the Ministry. The whole family was there, from the grand-parents to the grand-children, the youngest being a few months old.

That night, Snape saw the horror of Voldemort for the first time: he witnessed the death of all the family, a girl only a couple of years old being tortured for the amusement of a few men... he heard them laughing as a woman writhed on the floor. He watched them commit atrocities. That night, Snape killed a man, at the order of Voldemort. Something he would never forgive himself for.

When it was finished, they left quickly. As they stepped out, Voldemort turned to him.

"As it's your first time, Severus, You'll have the honor of conjuring the Mark."

With his arm shaking slightly, Snape raised his wand and uttered the word, "Morsmordre."

A jet of black light shot up in the air.

Laughing merrily, Voldemort turned to his men, "You did well tonight. I think this will teach the Mudbloods, the Mudblood lovers and Dumbledore's followers what is awaiting them. Apparate back to your homes, I'll call you soon again."

Snape apparated back to his house with a pop and threw up the moment he arrived.

End of the Flashback

Since that day he hadn't been able to look at Voldemort in the same way; each time he tried, he saw the face of the little girl, screaming in agony. As time passed, the memories faded, but he never felt again the admiration he had had for the Dark Lord.

Slowly he started to question Voldemort's ideas, though of course never openly. Little by little, he distanced himself from the Lord. He always answered to his calls and obeyed him, but he was doubtful.

Then, one day, he found himself in his old Headmaster's office.

Flashback

Albus Dumbledore was looking at him with his piercing and twinkling blue eyes. Snape eyed the old man. He was the only wizard the Dark Lord still feared and Snape knew that Voldemort's main purpose was to destroy Hogwarts.

Its current headmaster was particularly bothersome to him. Already admired and revered for his defeat of Grindelwald, Albus Dumbledore had not lost his importance and had made the school his territory.

Voldemort could also see the use of having free reign over Hogwarts. The school molded the future generation of wizards and he would need it to raise the youths to respect his very name and yearn to serve him. Once he gained control of Hogwarts, he could use the children as a guaranty of their parents' behaviour and teach them to be his servants; with Dumbledore defeated, the aged wizard would lose support and more wizards would rally to him... Nothing would stop him.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Snape?"

"I need your help, Headmaster."

"Call me Albus, Mr. Snape, I'm no longer your headmaster. What sort of help do you need?"

Snape uncovered his left forearm, revealing his mark.

"I wish to help your side," he said, looking at the old man before him.

The blue eyes were piercing him, as though evaluating him. "Mr. Snape, showing me this Mark isn't really proof of your desire to help our side."

"I made a mistake, I want to try to make amends."

"Really? Excuse me, Mr. Snape, but what caused this change? It is very unusual to see a member of Voldemort's army changing sides."

"I've seen what he's doing; I was at the Lawrences' residence the night they were killed."

Snape's face was expressionless and his eyes were fixed on something only he could see. "It's not something I can forget, Headmaster."

"Well, Mr. Snape, before I make my decision, I hope you'll understand that I need to question you under Veritaserum."

Snape nodded and took the cup the man handed him, drinking it in one gulp.

For the following hour, Albus Dumbledore asked him several questions, on his loyalties, his motivations and his past.

Finally the truth serum wore off and Snape found himself once more in control of himself. He couldn't bear to look up into the eyes of the Head Master. Dumbledore had made him confess everything, and he had been guilty of murder, there was no denying it.

"Very well, Mr Snape. I'll gladly accept your help."

Snape looked up surprised as the old man continued to speak.

"But I can't remove your Mark. You'll still be forced to answer the call of Voldemort."

"I know."

"So, how do you want to help?"

"I was thinking of spying," he answered quickly. He had given it some thought and it was his only way out...

This statement earned him a sharp look.

"Are you sure, Mr. Snape? Spying is wrought with quite a lot of dangers, and Voldemort's punishment, if he were to discover your secrete, would be great...."

"I'm aware of the consequences of this decision. Professor Dumbledore, you don't have a spy, and either way I'm in danger. If I side with you, Voldemort will kill me, if I continue to serve The Dark Lord, I will face horrors beyond imagination, either way I find myself in a difficult position; so I might as well make the most of it."

"It's your decision."

"Then, I wish to spy, but if you could find a way to prevent him from calling me to participate to his raids..."

The professor seemed to be lost in thought for a moment before he said, "We need a Potions teacher. You can take the position if you want; it will give you some protection and an excuse not to be part of future raids."

"Professor Dumbledore, you know that if I accept, he will ask me to spy on you."

"Then, you'll have to spy for him," replied the Headmaster, his eyes twinkling, we shall just have to be very careful about what we tell him."

Snape nodded slowly.

"Very well, in that case, I agree."

"Good, I'll show you your quarters and have Minerva explain to you how the school works. Term will start September the first, but you're required to be here at least a week before."

Snape nodded slowly and got up.

"Professor, you are aware of what I am, of what I did? How can you let me teach children? How can you even think of it?"

Dumbledore sent him a piercing look.

"I know very well what you did. I heard it a few minutes ago. I knew the Lawrences quite well; they were good people who did not deserve such a fate. Do not think you won't be monitored at first, but everyone deserves a second chance and the possibility of redemption. Do not make me regret this, Severus."

The younger man nodded, understanding why Albus Dumbledore was hailed as one of the most powerful wizards of this time. The air had seemed to get colder and the room darker as the headmaster spoke. Power was nearly palpable around him. Suddenly those feelings vanished so swiftly Snape nearly thought he had dreamt them.

"Very well, now, since we're colleagues, you should call me Albus, Severus."

"Alright, Profe... Albus."

For the first time in days, Snape smiled a true smile, as he headed to the dungeons.

End of the Flashback.

But now, he was looking at him, barely able to hide his disgust for the almost-man. He was still tall, but his paleness was giving him a non-human aura. Add to this his blood-red eyes, and you had it. But as he regained power, his snake-like face had shaped back to one of almost human features, if you made exceptions for the skin and the eyes.

Snape didn't know how this had been possible. He knew that the man was responsible for the theft of those artifacts, but didn't know anything about their use. The Dark Lord was remaining very secretive about it.

Only two men knew about it: two specialists of the artifacts who were well-versed in Dark rituals. They had come several times to his lab there to ask him for several ingredients. He had noted what they had asked for, but couldn't see what they were going to use them for. Some of them were highly incompatible.

All he knew was that it wasn't good news. The dark Lord had grown more and more content in the past few days. His appearance was changing back to what it was before, though with a few changes.

But the power of his voice had not changed. He could see some of the trainees who were going to be initiated tonight standing in a corner, hanging on his words, awed by this man. They didn't know anything about the reality of what they had just done.

The initiation went smoothly, and then the Dark Lord started to give his men orders and tasks.

"The wait is over! From today, the world will learn that The Dark Lord is back. They'll learn to fear me, and will kneel before me. The Basilisk will rise, and we'll purify our society, making it the society it should have been; a place where your children will grow correctly, not perverted by Mudbloods. Tonight we will strike, showing this corrupted world, that our reign is starting!"

Cheers answered his speech.

Snape had no choice but to clap. He was trying to find a way to warn Albus. An attack tonight? But where?

"Tonight, my Death Eaters, London will learn of our return."

More cheers were heard. The Dark Lord raised an arm and silence immediately fell on the room.

"Lucius, take your unit with you to Azkaban and bring the Dementors with you. The deal you'll offer them won't be something they will be able to refuse. Make sure that the prisoners are freed and that those who can recover their senses are cured. Join us in London at point C at midnight.

Nott, Avery, Fenrson, gather your men. Be ready in an hour. Trainees, new members, go to Isam."

As the Death Eaters parted, Snape followed the crowd, trying to exit as discreetly as possible to warn Albus.

"Severus!"

He stopped dead in his tracks and turned around.

"Yes, My Lord?"

"You will come with me. Bring some of your potions. We might have to conduct some interrogating, and your skills will be needed."

"Yes, My Lord."

"Take young Deran with you, he'll help you with your vials."

Snape bowed before leaving, understanding Voldemort's real motives: the man didn't trust him and wouldn't leave him alone.

For the following hours, He gathered his vials, placing Unbreakable charms on them. He had to brew some potions he knew the Dark Lord fancied too. The young Death Eater was following him silently.

Finally, it was nearly midnight, and holding a few bags, he headed to Voldemort's room.

He entered and approached the Dark Lord. Bowing before him, he waited for the man's word.

"Thank you Severus, Be ready to leave in a few minutes."

Ten minutes later, The Death Eaters left for London, following their master and the London Massacre started.

-----------------------------------

Albus Dumbledore warily eyed the chair of the Potions Master. Severus hadn't come back from his meeting last night. He was worried about what could have happen to the man.

Suddenly Poppy came in, running. She approached him.

"Albus, Severus came back a few minutes ago, he's not gravely injured, but something is very wrong with him."

"I'm coming, Poppy."

He stood and as he was about to walk out of the hall, the Owl post arrived and dropped The Daily Prophet in his hand. The Headline answered his concerns about Severus.

THE LONDON MASSACRE. YOU-KNOW-WHO IS BACK!

"Last night, the town of London was ruined. At midnight, You-know-who, followed by hundreds of Death Eaters, stormed into the town, destroying everything in their way, causing the deaths of thousands of Muggles. The exact number is still unknown. They erupted in Diagon Alley, surprising everyone. Nobody had time to react. A few people managed to escape by Floo or by apparating, but soon, it was impossible as the Dark Lord set up anti-Apparition wards. From that moment on nobody escaped him. Bodies were found heavily mutilated this morning.

The whole street of Diagon Alley is a pile of rubble now. Only Gringotts is still standing, thanks to the goblin-magic. From the early estimations, 596 people were killed, but bodies are still being found as we print. The Muggle town is in ruins, two thirds of the buildings were destroyed, and the city is now paralyzed.

It was said that Dementors were present at the Dark Lord's attack, and we learned this morning that they indeed left Azkaban with some of the Dark Lord's men after freeing all the prisoners. Many wizards received the Kiss last night and were put in St Mungo's charge. The hospitals are loaded and people are panicking all over the world.

Muggle governments are in disarray, thinking it is a terrorist attack. They're ready to retaliate on the countries they think responsible of this attack.

The Minister, who managed to escape in the first minutes of the attack, has refused to give us any explanation. He has denied for months the return of the Dark Lord, against Albus Dumbledore's advice. Even the disappearance of the Boy Who Lived was dismissed by him as a hoax. Mr Fudge was stripped of his functions as word of the attack spread in the country. Is Mr Potter still alive? Hogwarts' Headmaster believes so, as he told us in the last interview we had with him. In this case, where is he?...."

The article continued for four pages, with testimony of witnesses, interviews of foreign Ministers, and worse: photos of destroyed buildings, bodies.

Albus Dumbledore stood still in the Hall, before dropping the Newspaper. As he stood, a wave of owls arrived, most of them carrying black letters. Before the students receiving them opened them, he spoke up. "As you might have learned, London was destroyed and many were killed.

Let me assure you that you're protected here and that as long as I am here, I'll make certain that this school remains unharmed by Voldemort. I give those of you that have lost someone all my support. The staff and myself will always be ready to talk if you need to."

With that, he exited the hall, nearly running to the Hospital wing in his haste to talk with Severus.

In the Hall, the professors didn't know what to do. Several students were crying, some were in hysterics; and many were surrounded by their friends who were trying to calm them. Chaos was spreading in the Hall.

Only the Slytherins remained quite calm. The professors looked at each other, sensing the fear of their students.

But it was only the beginning...

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