The Face of Evil

The scream started it, and more and more people started opening their papers. Screams, shouts, gasps filled the hall. There were a few joyous yells, but the origins concealed themselves.

The trio ran to the table to get Hermione's copy of the daily prophet.

'MINISTER OF MAGIC - DEATH EATER'

The front page had a photograph of Fudge, kneeling on the floor, the dark mark clearly etched onto his arm.

This photo has been recovered from sources which cannot be named at this juncture. This and other proofs clearly explain the recent comments and conducts of the Ex-Minister of Magic. In a unanimous vote, the Ministry officially declared an emergency and sentenced Fudge to life imprisonment in Azkaban. Unfortunately, when Aurors arrived at the Minister's official residence he had absconded. A massive search is being conducted to root out other supporters of You-know-who who may be spying in the ministry.

At 0013 Hours, after the emergency session, the Ministry officially recognised the return of the Dark Lord. They have asked the public not to panic. An 8'o clock curfew has been imposed for the Magical Community. Mr. Author Weasley, who had already privately acknowledged the return of You-know-who and had tried to get support in the Ministry, was declared Acting Minister of Magic at 0015 Hours. He has released this statement.

'THE ENTIRE WORLD IS IN DANGER DUE TO THIS ENEMY. IT IS WAR THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED ON THE MAGICAL COMMUNITY AND WAR IT SHALL BE. WE WILL NOT TAKE THIS LYING DOWN, BUT SHALL FIGHT AGAISNT THE FORCES OF EVIL AND DARKNESS. VICTORY IS ASSURED, FOR WE ARE ON THE SIDE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. EVIL WILL BE VANQUISHED. I ASK THE PUBLIC NOT TO PANIC AND THUS GIVE INTO THE FEAR OF THE ENEMY. THE MINISTRY IS WELL PREPARED FOR THE SITUATION. PREPERATIONS FOR THE BATTLE HAVE ALREADY BEGUN.'

All here at the daily prophet wish the new minister and the ministry good luck, as we witness the dawn of a new era.

'Holy, Merlin's beard,' said Ron, 'Fudge's a death eater I should have known!' his mind forgetting what he had read about his father.

'Ron, you're dad's Minister of Magic!' said Harry, thumping him on the back.

'That's right!' said Ron beaming and looking around.

'Congratulations!' said Hermione, 'finally things will start to happen.'

Fred and George came running, 'have you heard about dad!'

A chorus of three voices replied, 'yes!'

Fred said glowing with pride, 'awesome isn't it?'

'Yeah!' said George smiling from side to side.

The roar in the hall had given way to intense whispering and talking, even the staff members didn't object to the noise. Several people came up to the Weasleys to congratulate them.

Suddenly, Hermione screamed. Something hit her hard on the shoulder and she was thrown back a few feet, right the in front and centre of the house tables. There was a flash of light and the dark mark erupted from her shrivelling body. The hall went dead quiet. Harry was the first to react he rushed towards Hermione.

Someone shouted from the Slytherin table, 'mud-blood.' The Staff would later investigate, but the culprit would not be identified. There was roar of laughter from the Slytherin table, contrasting the silence of the hall.

Severus Snape looked at his house, ashamed.

What happened next would be the talk of the school for months. Harry got up and drew himself to his full height, his emerald eyes glowing with pure anger and power. He raised one of this clenched fists into the air, he was shaking all over and opened his palm. A surge of power ripped through him, causing a blinding glow. Every object in the hall started to vibrate horribly.

Everyone was mesmerised. The ground beneath them began to shake; they scrambled screaming to the sides of the room as the centre started to rip into a ravine. The Slytherin table rose into the air and with an almighty explosion smashed into the ceiling, sending a rain of sawdust and splinters down on the students bellow.

And then, it stopped. People looked up from there hiding places and saw Dumbledore put a hand on Harry's shoulder, magiced Hermione on a stretcher and lead them off outside the hall.

An old castle:

Voldemort read the last part of the article in the daily prophet hovering in front of him. He snapped his hands and the paper turned to ashes. So, he thought my presence has been acknowledged, a little earlier than I wished, but no matter.

A figure came scurrying in and flung itself on Voldemort's feet.

'Master,' said Fudge, trembling from head to toe.

How pathetic, thought Voldemort, maybe I should curse him. But he resisted the urge.

'Welcome back Cornelius,' he said in a mocking tone.

'Master, they know! They will kill me,' Fudge cried.

'Lord Voldemort protects those who help him,' Voldemort said waving Fudge off. 'You will stay here in this castle, make yourself useful,'

'Thank you, my lord, thank you,' he kissed Voldemort's robe.

Voldemort gestured him to leave, and still shivering Fudge left his presence scampering away. There will be more uses for him thought Voldemort.

Hospital Wing Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Madam Pomfrey took her new patient inside to the Intensive Care Section. Harry and the Headmaster stood outside.

'Sir, I...,' began Harry.

'No need to explain now Harry,' said a very understanding Dumbledore, 'we shall have a detailed talk on the subject later, for now be with Miss Granger, I will send Mr. Weasley up shortly, he too is very worried'. With that Dumbledore left a speechless, but grateful Harry.

He walked in to see Hermione; for once Madam Pomfrey did not stop him. She looked pale, with an odd purple colour to her nose.

'Madam Pomfrey, how is she?' asked Harry to the nurse checking Hermione over with a few simple spells from her wand.

Madam Pomfrey sighed and showed Harry a small arrow.

'I just removed this from her shoulder; it had been enchanted to throw her a great distance,' said Madam Pomfrey, 'I believe it contained a light poison called, 'Rustiopa.'

'Poison!' Harry nearly shouted the words, 'is there an antidote?'

'Of course there is!' said Madam Pomfrey, 'it's a very mild one. But she will be out for almost a week.'

'Can I stay with her?' asked Harry feeling a little better with the knowledge that she would be alright.

'I personally think she needs rest,' said a cross Pomfrey, 'however the Headmaster feels otherwise, therefore one person, and I mean one person can be with her.'

'Thank you!' said Harry extremely happy.

'Humph, you are welcome,' said Madam Pomfrey and walked off to check on her other patients.

Just then Ron arrived.

'Harry! How is she?' asked a panting Ron.

'She's going to be fine Ron, but she needs bed rest for a week,' said Harry and then explained about the poison.

'Those! Bloody Slytherins! I'll kill them,' said Ron hitting wall with his fist. A trickle of blood ran down his knuckles.

'RON!' said Harry, 'calm, down there is no need to break your hand. We will find out who did this; that much I swear.'

It only took one look at Harry's eyes to make Ron realise some Slytherin was in serious trouble.

Harry was still burning up inside. They had gone too far this time; Hermione has become a target he thought. But I shall no longer lie down and take their blows, I intend to fight back.

The castle in Scotland

Voldemort took a deep breath. To those who in the room it seemed as if he sought to suck in something invisible.

'This is not good news Lucius,' said Voldemort.

'Forgive me, Sire,' Malfoy bowed his head down.

'You ask for forgiveness!' said Voldemort his eyes dancing with flames. 'The conversion was your responsibility, one you are failing.'

'Master, I will rectify,' said a not sweating and quivering Malfoy.

'No! This is of too great importance, I shall do it myself,' said Voldemort, 'prepare the equipment!'

Malfoy quickly left; glad to have been saved from punishment.

'We will see about your punishment later,' said Voldemort.

Malfoy shivered.

Hospital Wing

Ron and Harry stood by Hermione's bed side.

'She looks so peaceful,' said Ron.

'Yes, she does,' said Harry drawing circles with his fingers on her forehead, 'did you get to talk to your dad yet?'

'No,' said Ron, 'I owled him, but I have not received a reply. I guess it will take at least a few days. I wish I had learnt directly from him though and not from the newspapers.'

'He must be busy Ron,' said Harry with sympathy.

'I know, I know. But, you do realise they will be talking about this one for months, this power of yours,' said Ron.

'That's not good,' said Harry, 'not at all good, I should not have done that.'

'How did you do that?' questioned Ron, trying to approach the subject as deftly as he could.

Harry hated lying to Ron, especially after they had patched up. But it could not be helped.

'I intend to ask Dumbledore,' said Harry.

Since when did Harry intend to ask mused Ron, Harry is maturing fast.

Madam Pomfrey chose to make an appearance at that point.

'I said only one!' she whispered in an angry and firm voice.

Harry and Ron looked at each other, Ron sighed and left before anything else could be said.

Harry wanted to go after him, but the urge to stay with Hermione was too great.

Ron meanwhile walked through the corridors in a daze. The events of the day lay heavy on his head. Minister of Magic, Hermione, Harry...

He thought back to the start of the day, when Harry had apologised. Did he really mean it? One part of him said yes the other no.

Thus this internal struggle dominating his mind he went for the DADA classroom.

Dumbledore's Office

'Harry, take a seat,' said Dumbledore in a plain voice not revealing any emotion.

Harry sat down scared, not knowing what was coming.

'I believe you owe an explanation,' said Dumbledore.

'Sir, I don't know! I, I just saw Hermione like that and, it just happened!' he said frantically.

'Calm down,' said Dumbledore, 'I know this was not your fault, entirely that is.'

Harry looked at him with relief and bewilderment rolled into one.

'Harry, a normal wizard can do amazing things when he/she is emotionally charged or in danger. You have already experienced that in your childhood,' said Dumbledore the twinkle back in his eyes

Harry nodded.

'But, now that you have become a mage, your body is acting like a wand. With such strong emotional turmoil your body acts on the emotional force felt by you. Thus, enabling massive feats of power, as you did this morning,' added Dumbledore.

Understanding dawned on Harry and with it a new fear.

'But, Sir what if I can't control it?' asked Harry.

'Then you must learn to, you may rest today as the experience will have tired you. But tomorrow we must begin your training. Every day, every hour is now important. The more training you get before the inevitable day, the better for you and the better for all of us,' added Dumbledore in a grave voice, which contained an element of finality, 'you may leave for the wing now Harry, but you must get some sleep. Gryffindor has its Quidditch tryouts tomorrow, good luck.'

The old smile returned to Dumbledore's face, the same smile that had reassured him countless times in the past. It still had that remarkable effect.

'One more thing, Sir, I had another dream,'

The smile vanished from Dumbledore's face. Harry narrated the entire sequence.

'Thank you,' said Dumbledore. 'I shall intervene. Harry I think you should start taking the potion for dreamless sleep as a precaution. A batch has already been prepared for you, collect it from the hospital wing before you sleep.'

Harry nodded his thanks and left Dumbledore's office.

He checked the time; it was almost time for bed. But he couldn't make himself leave Hermione's side. I'll say good night to Hermione and then sleep.

With those thoughts he headed towards the hospital wing.

Gryffindor Common Room

Ron had been waiting to meet Harry all day. The Hospital Wing was closed to visitors (except Harry who had special permission) and the stupid Prefect Entrance would not let him pass. He fell asleep shortly on the sofa, his potions homework sprawled all over the place.

Ron opened his eyes, he was in a field. A field of roses sprinkled all over. He could smell the essence that surrounded the place. Soft music seamed to be playing from somewhere. He decided to investigate, he followed the music slowly through the field, it kept on getting louder yet smoother as he approached. The blissful smile on his faced vanished when he saw who was playing the flute.

'You! Again!' said Ron.

'Yes, it's me,' said IB.

'Leave me alone,' said Ron.

'Can the mind leave the body? or the heart leave the soul?' said IB.

The statement had the desired effect and Ron calmed down.

'Well, you were wrong! Harry apologised to me,' Ron said triumphantly

'Did he now? And what did he say? I am so sorry for stealing your girlfriend, for making your life miserable for the past years, for taking all the fame, for making you my lackey, for being rich, while you were poor?' said IB in a voice full of sarcasm.

'Not that, just that he had been ignoring me...,' said Ron in a voice which was suddenly devoid of confidence.

'He's just playing with you; all of a sudden he realises you exist? Ha! He was probably afraid to loose his lackey,' said IB cruelly.

'I am not his lackey!' said Ron getting very upset.

'You are not? Think again,' said IB coolly cutting like a knife.

Am I? The thought ran through his brain. Ron went again into a bout of deep thought.

'You are right, in some ways,' he finally said, burying his face in his hands with shame.

'There is no shame in finding the truth, there is however shame in not doing something about it,' said IB gently.

'What can I do?' said Ron

'Don't be around him so much, speak to him as an equal, talk as if everything is normal but don't follow him like a puppy dog after its master. Rest now you have Quidditch tryouts tomorrow. If he really is your friend you will make the team, if you don't, you know what he truly is.'

'I trust Harry,' said Ron, 'he will definitely help me.'

With those words IB disappeared and Ron went back into his deep sleep.

Dumbledore's Office:

Dumbledore sagged with the weight of the wizarding world on his shoulders. It was not an easy burden to carry, even for a master mage wizard as himself. He hid his true fears from the entire world. Voldemort was getting more and more powerful, he had learnt from his mistakes.

The small potion cauldron on his desk bubbled with a slivery fluid, the potion of Signumis, the creator of marks. He had begun the process of its creation years ago, knowing that such a date would come. But, the new power of Voldemort's mark was overwhelming; Voldemort had spent years developing it.

For the first time in his life, he did not know what would be the outcome of the battle. The irony of the matter was that it all rested on the shoulders of a fifteen year old.

Dumbledore added the Blue Aloe and waited for the colour to change

Prefect Dorms Gryffindor

Harry looked down at Hermione on the bed. He couldn't bear to leave her. He sat there reflecting the events of the day. The attack on Hermione still boiled his blood beneath his skin, threatening to release a wave of anger and hatred on everything that surrounded him. What good is power, if its use is not permitted?

He raised his hand and pointed at a towel lying on the bedside

'Wingardium Leviosa,' he spoke in a whisper.

The sides of the towel were raised a little, not any great achievement but acknowledgement of his ability nonetheless. He withdrew his hand, satisfied.

He fought to stay awake, the idea of meeting Voldemort again was not appealing, in-fact fearful and horrific. But the effects of the potion, administered barely an hour ago forced the mind to obey and he fell into slumber, with the promise of no dreams.

It was impossible for him to hear the chanting in the death eater meeting place only a little distance away.

His sleep was truly dreamless and he awoke in the morning, refreshed for the first time in weeks. Realising where he was, he quickly snuck out of the hospital wing, after kissing the sleeping Hermione goodbye. Harry rushed to finish his morning abolitions. Quidditch tryouts started in half an hour.

By the time he arrived at the field, most of the applicants to the team had already formed a line. The rest of the Quidditch team entered alongside Harry.

'Um, Guys how do you exactly do this?' whispered Harry.

'Fear not, o' fearless leader,' snickered Fred.

'We'll help you,' said George.

'Right!' said Alicia, 'good Morning, and welcome to the Gryffindor tryouts.'

The nervousness emitting from the contenders surrounded the air, making the tension so thick it seemed a knife could cut through it

'Let her take charge, Head Girl and all you know,' whispered George. Harry nodded relieved at not having to take the responsibility. He caught sight of Ron and gave him a thumbs-up, Ron nervously smiled back.

'All those trying out for chaser move to the left, beaters to the right and seekers in the middle, keepers out to the extreme left.'

The group of forty odd students shuffled out into the formation.

Harry tried to recognise the different people in the crowd. He saw Dean, Seamus, Ron, a few other Gryffindors and Ginny! Ginny? What is she doing here? Then he realised that she was in the fourth year and due to the Weasley blood was probably a good player. Harry had only seen her skills once or twice, and that was a long time back. Alicia's next words pulled him out of his thoughts.

'This is how we will proceed; we will start a Quidditch match, and keep replacing players every ten minutes. So you have ten minutes to prove your skills, as for the positions of keeper and reserve keeper you will undergo further testing later,' said Alicia.

This made sense, thought Harry. After all, it wasn't expected that in ten minutes all the keepers will be evaluated. Also, the keeper was the post that was the most urgent to fill.

The tryouts started!

The teams were formed and everyone rose into the air. A small crowd had gathered in the stands to watch the event

The sight was too funny for words, uncoordinated chasers flew after the Quaffle, untrained beaters nearly let everyone get killed, the snitch was no where to be found!

Roars of laughter erupted from the stands turning further increasing the nervousness of the contenders more than a few fold.

Harry, Fred and George were waiting expectantly for both Ron and Ginny's tryouts. Alicia, Angelina and Katie were meanwhile furiously writing down their observations on parchment.

Ron was up for the keeper position. He got up on his old broom (Nimbus 1000) and flew upwards taking his position in front of the ring. He only got to show his ability once, as he stopped a run away Quaffle from going into the rings.

Doesn't matter thought Harry, the real stuff is only after the match.

Ron was soon pulled down he landed disheartened and re-joined the line for the keepers. Harry tried to catch his eye but it was impossible with all the people milling around.

He was pulled out of his thoughts, when he heard Ginny's name for chaser. Looking up expectantly, he saw her grit her teeth as she relieved Dean.

The match resumed. Everyone on the ground looked up amazed Ginny Weasley also with a Nimbus 1000 already had taken position of the Quaffle and was flying straight for the goal post. She did some amazing manoeuvres to avoid the Bludgers as they whizzed passed her head.

The keeper hardened his position in preparation for the onslaught. Faking a left and then a right, Ginny managed to score!

For the first time that day, the ground let out a whoop of joy and clapped.

Even Alicia, Angelina and Katie were clapping, Harry joined in as Fred and George did a small little jig shouting, 'that's our sister!'

Even Ron was clapping his heart out; Ginny came down to hugs from the Weasley bros.

'That was some flying!' exclaimed Harry

'Thanks,' said Ginny blushing slightly as she walked off the pitch.

It was two hours later that the main match tryouts were wrapped up. Everyone was told to go back and that the results would be put up. A crowd of exhausted, but hopeful Gryffindors walked off the pitch some into the stands and some back to their dorms.

The keeper tryouts then began. Alicia, Angelina and Katie the three chasers on the team soared with the Quaffle in their hands, the keepers one by one were to defend the posts against their perfected onslaught. Each would get five tries and would be judged on a variety of skills as Alicia said.

The line was short only a few people were left until Ron's chance; Harry gave a thumb up sign to cheer him up.

'Ron Weasley,' announced Katie as Dean walked off beaming.

With a determined look on his face he occupied his spot. A blurry image formed before him as he saw the two chasers execute a confusing array of moves to do precisely that.

Something whizzed passed his mind went through the goal post; he had missed the first Quaffle. It went on like this, but Ron stood his ground and saved three out of the remaining four. A little disheartened at his performance, but hopeful as only a few had bested him he headed for the stands, not even looking at Harry in his self absorbed daze.

The keeper tryouts quickly ended with a very few good performances. It was clear to everybody that the competition was between only three, Dean from the same year as Harry, a third year Gryffindor and Ron.

The Gryffindor team huddled together to embark on the difficult task of selection, as was the custom for very good reasons to, they consulted with Madam Hooch.

Later that the day the results was posted up in the Gryffindor Room, the entire house came rushing down too see the new members of their Quidditch team.

Taking a deep breath, Ron forced his way to through the crowd and looked upon the list.

Time stopped for Ron as the list slowly came in focus. It was as if no one was there, all sounds drowned out by the silence that was his concentration.

His name was not on the list... A silent tear grazed down his cheek tracing a path that would soon be followed by many more.

He caught a brief glimpse of a hand on his shoulder, and of its owner. The green eyes blurred towards him. He snatched his arm back in reflex and ran towards the dormitory. He would not humiliate himself in public.

Downstairs

'Ron! Wait!' said Harry in a futile attempt to make him listen. The guilt of choosing the fourth year and Dean over Ron still hung in his mind. Creating storm clouds, which struck their lightening bolts. His mind went back to the conversation with Madam Hooch.

'But, Madam Ron is as good!' said Harry. Fred and George fiercely nodded in agreement.

Madam Hooch sighed; this was going to be a tough sell.

'I know Mr. Weasley is quite closely attached to quite a few of you, but listen to reason. Dean is clearly the superior player and would fit into Oliver's position easily. The position that needs to be filled is the reserve seeker. We need a replacement when Dean leaves, Malcolm would fit right in, while Ron would have graduated with Dean,' she finished.

She was right; the weight of her words sank down on the team. It was pointless two have two keepers from the same year. With a heavy heart they made the decision not to put Ron onto the team.

'Harry! Harry!'

Harry came out of his dreams to find Hermione shaking his shoulder.

'What happened? Where is Ron?' she cried.

'HERMIONE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!' he shouted in surprise, the entire common room turned to see a very rosy and beautiful Hermione staring back at them

'Hermione!' said Fred and George together, but before they could continue Harry rushed out and hugged Hermione. Hermione blushed crimson at this display of public affection.

'I thought, I thought you would be in the hospital wing for a week!' said Harry, 'I've been going mad with worry.'

'Oh! Professor Snape had a cure for the poison, some kind of universal antidote that Madam Pomfrey had no idea of,' she replied, 'one sip and I was out of it! Madam Pomfrey kept me so long under observation.'

'But even then, you are sick you should be in bed!' said a very concerned Harry.

'HARRY, I AM QUITE ALRIGHT STOP BABYING ME!' said Hermione.

'Mimmblewimble,' said Harry.

'Tell me what happened to Ron,' said Hermione, 'why did he run away like that?'

The crowd dissipated, and Harry related the sequence of events.

'And you didn't go after him!' Hermione shrieked.

'Oh! No,' thought Harry aloud.

But before he could rectify the misdeed, McGonagall happened.

'Mr. Potter! Miss Granger! A word if you please,' said McGonagall as she exited the portrait hole and walked towards her office.

Reluctantly they followed her out, minds still on Ron. They did not notice Ginny celebrating in the corner.

Gryffindor Dormitory

Ron wrapped into his world of despair. I must not cry, I must be strong. He kept repeating the same words to himself. One by one he saw each of his dreams shatter around him, leaving shards of pieces too small to distinguish or pick.

All that he had seen in the mirror in his second year, collapsed. Becoming head boy, Quidditch captain and house hero suddenly turned to dust. His mind registered this new reality and his dreams never again came and he was left with deep regret.

Despair it is said is the worst emotion that plunges you into an abyss difficult to awake from. It the case of Ron, however his mind sought to find reason for the turn of events, and it came to one conclusion...

Harry Potter

Slowly his mind began to form the conclusions and delusions that made Harry Potter the source of all his problems. One by one the strands of blame linked in, each situation being rationalised as his fault and doing.

Regret turned to hatred, and it filled Ron with an all consuming fire that threatened to engulf him.

Then something within him snapped, a dormant part of him that had slept these many years, not even showing itself to Ron. It was as a seed, slowly breaking through the pod that held it. Using the hatred in his heart to feed, growing slowly but steadily.

Ron felt it too, but for him it was a drug, a moment of pure bliss. It was as if his horizons had expanded and his mind freed of his chains, he was no longer Ron schoolboy and lackey.

He was something else, someone else, great, powerful and terrible. A transformation was occurring, he was being transformed!

Gradually his mind got used to the new feeling; it now felt a part of him not alien. The fog that had come in front of his vision dissipated and the room came into focus.

The first thing he noticed was the visual detail of his surroundings, they were the same yet different. He could see everything more clearly as if suddenly the world decided to show its true form. The rich vivid details of texture; colour and shape filled his mind with wonder.

Inside him the darkness continued to feed on the hatred, until it became strong enough to attack the good.

Like a baby who has now teethed and can eat solid food, it attacked the goodness inside and began to feast.

Ron's mind was cut off from the internal battle that raged inside; his system unprepared for the assault succumbed easily. For, the darkness was not an alien or outsider, but an insider who knew Ron in every detail.

He passed out, as his body burned with a sudden fever a last attempt by the cells to beat back the plague, a dark liquid filled his eyes as his body collapsed on the bed.

McGonagall's Room

McGonagall sat behind her desk and gestured Harry and Hermione to take the seats that she indicated.

'First, Hermione how are you feeling, Pomfrey told me about Severus's quick thinking and cure,' said McGonagall.

'I'm quite fine and ready to face the world Professor,' said Hermione genuinely meaning it.

'The staff is looking very carefully into the incident, be assured the culprit will be found,' said McGonagall.

'Thank you, Professor,' said Hermione, not believing it at all. Five years at Hogwarts had shown her how closely Slytherin stuck together and how bad the teachers were at finding culprits. Everyone from the Marauders, the Weasley twins to the Tom M. Riddle had gotten scott-free.

'Excellent, Now Harry how are the new recruits for the team?' she spoke a twinkle in her eye, something which was seen on rare occasions.

'Dean is a superb replacement for Oliver, Professor we will win the cup,' said Harry with conviction in his voice.

A smile came on McGonagall's face as her mind slowly pictured Gryffindor's victory and the resulting face of Professor Snape.

'Wonderful! Now the real reason I have called you both is to discuss the upcoming dance,' said McGonagall.

An expression of surprise passed over their faces.

'I hope you haven't forgotten about the dance! The announcement has been up in the common room for days!' she said with some degree of astonishment.

The past events had taken the dance and everything else out of their minds. Suddenly, they comprehended the amount of work they had to accomplish.

'Um, Professor, what do we have to do?' asked Hermione meekly.

'Well, organise them! You don't suppose that the staff will organise all the events throughout the year! Especially since this year there will are many more than previously thought,' she said exasperated with their forgetfulness. 'I have already spoken with the head girl and she feels confident that the NEW prefects of Gryffindor house are capable of organising a small dance.'

They were in a soup. Internally they both cursed Alicia; she probably said it to get McGonagall off her back.

Hermione did not want to refuse; this was her chance to show that she could handle responsibility and shed more of the "academic" image she had made over the years.

Harry however was not of the same opinion, his duties as the captain of the Gryffindor team had him hard pressed for time already. This new task would seriously tax his time, making it hard to balance his priorities. He was about to voice his thoughts when Hermione spoke up.

'Of course we will do it!' said Hermione brimming with confidence.

'Good, I knew you would rise to the occasion, you have ten days, use them well,' said McGonagall, 'you may go now; it is getting slightly late.'

Slowly they rose from their seats and walked out of her office. Immediately Harry spoke when they were out of her hearing.

'Hermione, are you mad!' he bellowed.

'What?' questioned Hermione turning to face Harry's angry face.

'Do you even know what you have done!' said Harry loosing control slightly, 'ten Days! We haven't even got a clue how to do it! And don't tell me there is a book "How to organize Hogwarts dances: Fast track edition in the library".'

'Where there is a will there is a way,' she said cheerfully.

'WHAT WILL AND WHAT WAY!' shouted Harry.

'There is no need to raise your voice like that Harry! Really,' said Hermione getting slightly upset.

'Argh!' said Harry before he stormed off into the maze that was Hogwarts.

'Harry? Harry?' said Hermione unable to decipher where he went, 'Harry Potter, you come back this instant!'

But Harry by this time could not hear her as he fumed towards no where in general.

Gryffindor Male Dormitories: 5^th Year

Ron lay on the bed sweating profusely, the fever had broken.

The battle was over, the dark victorious against the good, it purged his mind body, mind, soul and heart of all that he held dear and replaced it with something else, something evil.

Ron came back to consciousness once again. He slowly moved his arms first, testing his finger tips against the hard wooden bed. For the first time in his life he felt alive, truly alive. Energy seemed through flow through him in an unstoppable wave of force.

Suddenly he became aware of a new maturity, a new thought process, experience and strength that he had never thought possible.

He took a deep breath he could feel the air travel through his body, entering the throat, going via the windpipe to the lungs. It felt as if it was his first breath, his first real breath.

Suddenly, he heard a whisper. He turned around to find the source, only the find that it came from within his mind.

Close your eyes...

Cautiously he shut his eyelids. The voice became clearer and clearer.

Welcome...

To what he thought

To your new level of reality...

Ron realized he could communicate with the voice by directing his thoughts

What happened to me?

You have awakened your true-self...

My true-self?

Yes... What you were intended to be...

Who are you?

I? I am Lord Voldemort.

Ron did not feel the shock that should have inadvertently been reflex. Instead he felt a feeling of relief and joy at hearing the name. He wondered for a moment why.

There is much I need to tell you... Lie down pretend to be in a deep sleep....

Ron did what he was told, later when the other boys would come, they would fine Ron fast asleep with a smile pasted on his face.

The entire story starts 15 years ago...

Ron felt himself being sucked into Lord Voldemort's memories...

He opened his eyes to see a castle throne room. Voldemort sat on the centre of the throne, decked in black. His grotesque faced stared out from above his robes, but Ron did not mind or think anything of it.

He tried to touch objects and things but he could not effect the environment, he realised himself to be in something like a pensive, he often wanted to visit one.

A young man walked into the room, a mask of death on his face. He went and knelt before Lord Voldemort.

'Welcome Lucius,' said Voldemort his voice hissing snake like, 'I hope the mission was completed.'

'Yes, my lord I have had impregnated two woman with your seed, Joanna and Martha both faithful death eaters. They thank you for this honour given to them,' replied Lucius.

'Excellent,' said Lord Voldemort.

'Sire, may I ask a question,' said Lucius with deliberate slowness.

'Yes, you may,' said Voldemort in good spirits due to the news.

'Sire, there were three vials, you gave me two, who has the third?' said Lucius with slight hesitation, he may have asked too much.

'The other Vial is with the Lestranges, they will use it on a suitable pure-blood line,' said Voldemort.

Lucius realised this was a backup plan, 'your wisdom is infinite, my lord.'

The world began to spin again and he came out of Lord Voldemort's memory.

The voice returned to him.

Unfortunately, I met my temporary downfall soon after, the memory is not appropriate to show you. After my fall the Lestranges were captured and sent to Azkaban. The knowledge of the third mother passed out everyone's mind, including mine, for I never found out.

Recently I broke open Azkaban and released my followers. The Lestranges were found their mental health intact and the secret was revealed to me.

Who was the third mother?

I though it was obvious, the third mother was a fertile woman, married to an Arthur Weasley.