The Face of Evil

For the past one hour Ron's mind was assaulted with revelations. It took sometime for them to all sink in. But the last words stood out clearly, breaking his line of thought and sending shockwaves through his head.

I, I am your son?

Yes, my one and only son.

My, my brothers...

Were killed by the Aurors before birth...

But then why haven't I inherited Slytherin traits? That should make me an heir of Slytherin...

You have not noticed? I am conversing with you in Parseltongue.

Lord Voldemort waited for the fact to sink in. Then continued

The vials had a particular property; the children would inherit all the mother's qualities, except sex. However, the genetic code and material belonging to me would lie dormant until activated, when the time was right. I would have done it earlier in your case, but I felt I owed it to you to consolidate my power first. But your hatred towards the Potter cracked opened the seal spontaneously. Don't worry, in fact that was preferable...

The talk between Ron and Lord Voldemort continued for the rest of the night.

The Astronomy Tower

Harry stared into the vast expanse of the night sky. With a single raised finger he traced the constellations he had learned in class. So, intense was the wanderings of his mind, he failed to notice Hermione enter from a door.

'Harry,' she said softly.

Harry slowly turned and faced Hermione. Her eyes red and her cheeks showed the residue of tears. A sudden feeling of guilt gripped him.

She walked slowly and purposely towards him, finally breaking into a small sprint and hugged Harry, sobbing on his shoulders.

'Oh, Harry,' she wept.

'I'm sorry,' he whispered his eyes turning misty. 'I, I didn't intend to walk of like that.'

'And I should have asked you before saying anything to McGonagall,' she sniffed out.

He drew her away from his shoulders and lifted her face to stare into his. The moonlight shinned of her tears making her face glow. He wiped the tears with the tips of his fingers and drew her into a deep and long kiss.

'mmm,' mumbled Hermione.

Later Hermione transfigured a stone into a blanket which they wrapped around themselves. They fell asleep in each others arms, oblivious to the happenings in the Castle.

Hogwarts greeted the new day with its usual yawn stretching out throughout the castle as sleepy heads in both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw woke up for DADA morning.

Prof. Arabella or Escara the wicked as she was now called

(Escara the wicked was an evil sorceress that who once ruled over much of magical Europe. She was considered the one of the most cruell and evil persons to ever walk the earth. She was overthrown, by an alliance of Urga the Tree and Lord Tolven)

By now most of the students had been sorted into a new running schedule. Gryffindors - Ravenclaws and Slytherins-Hufflepuffs alternated for the morning run. This morning the Professor registered the absence of Mr. Potter and Miss. Granger. The run went on as normal, with the exception that Ron had suddenly developed a new stamina, not seen before. This event however went un-noticed by Prof Figg.

The Gryffindor groaned and moaned there way into the breakfast hall a few hours later. Harry and Hermione were found already eating.

'Ah! My captain,' exclaimed Fred, 'where have thou been?'

'Planning the upcoming dance,' replied Harry munching toast.

'You are planning the dance?' asked George the surprise evident in his voice.

'Yes, both of us,' said Hermione.

'But what about Quidditch? We should have started practice by now!' exclaimed Katie.

'You can blame it all on Alicia here,' said Harry.

The team looked upon a now quailing Alicia Spinnet.

'Don't worry,' said Harry in an attempt to stop war, 'we'll start tomorrow.'

Alicia gave a sigh of relief.

'And Alicia can volunteer to help us with the dance,' added Hermione exploiting the situation.

Amidst an array of glares Alicia finally accepted to help.

'Yeah, we'll all pitch in!' exclaimed George rubbing his hands in anticipation. Harry suddenly had a vision of the endless prank possibilities, he shuddered internally.

Before any further conversation could take place, Ron walked into the hall.

Harry and Hermione immediately felt a wave of guilt as they realised they hadn't explained to Ron about the Quidditch selections. However, they were saved the embarrassment when Fred spoke, 'we told him about that darned selection this morning, he took it quite well.'

'Yeah, that was the pits,' said Katie quite sympathetic to Ron's cause.

'What was the pits?' asked Ron, he had by this time come into earshot.

'Quidditch Selection,' said Harry despondently.

'Hey, it's alright, I know you all tried your best to get me on the team. But Gryffindor comes first,' said Ron, 'you did what was best for the house.'

His reaction amazed everyone present, Ron was showing maturity?

'I don't know what to say Ron, I'm glad your taking it so well,' said Harry feeling much better.

'Hey no problem,' said a smiling Ron.

Hermione looked at Ron carefully. There was something different about him. She couldn't place what was different, but it nagged her still.

'Look at the time,' screeched Alicia.

There was a sudden mad rush of students leaving for their classes.

Harry, Hermione and Ron rushed toward the potions dungeon at top speed; Miss Sewensky did not appreciate tardiness.

They walked briskly towards the dungeon following the route long practiced. Climbing up the long winding stair case, they reached one of the many corridor entrances. But when they came to it a sign was posted

"Corridor Closed for Repairs - Argus Filch"

After a few chosen curses, they quickly detoured, but the crucial minutes had passed. Quickly they moved towards the potions dungeon, absolutely sure that they would get dungeon detention.

It is said luck favours the unfortunate, when they arrived they found an unruly potions class without any teacher.

'Where's Sewensky?' asked Harry to no one in general.

'Somewhere scar-face, and that's Professor Sewensky to you.'

Harry eyes turned to see the familiar smirk of Draco Malfoy stare at him

'She's not in the class,' commented Ron, not hearing what had happened between Harry and Draco.

'You have horse-shit, stuck up your ears weasel; didn't you hear me tell scarface? It's none of your business,' said Malfoy with extreme malice in his voice.

A cold look came upon Ron's face, which fortunately or unfortunately only Hermione could see; it sent shivers down her spine. This compounded her intuition that something had changed about Ron.

Before further confrontation could occur, a very upset McGonagall reached walked into the classroom.

'I'm taking substitution for Professor Sewensky, she has taken leave for the day due to personal reasons,' she announced and then muttered something about irresponsible teachers. Relations between her and Prof Sewensky had reached an all time low. Just the day before they had got into an argument about her taking leave.

Prof. McGonagall strongly felt that the educations of her pupils came first before anything else and that their classes especially the seventh years would suffer. Therefore, she had suggested taking a few important classes and then leaving.

But Prof. Sewensky had been adamant, and finally with the help of a sympathetic Dumbledore had gotten her way.

'Since, we have time we shall do some general transfiguration,' she said loudly over the din of the class, getting many a groan and moan in reply.

'But, Professor our Books!' exclaimed a distraught Hermione

'Don't worry, you will not be needing them,' answered McGonagall as she started the lesson.

The class resigned to its fate, and a few silent curses later was well into the lesson. McGonagall went on about the effects of transfiguration on animals, especially the physiological effects.

It was evening when the Gryffindor Quidditch team came together for practice; surprisingly the Slytherins had forsaken their evening pitch allotment for one in the morning. This surprised the Gryffindors, but they were not ones to look a gift horse in the mouth and started the practice with full passion and vigour.

Harry as the captain (in training) was being driven mad with all the strategies he would have to implement and the usual problems facing the Captain. Oliver made it look so easy, he groaned as he went through the book 'Quidditch: A strategy guide' as the rest practiced flying manoeuvres.

It's a good thing being a seeker-captain Harry thought to himself, his job was restricted only to finding the snitch and required little actual interaction with the rest of the team; of course an exception must be called for the beaters.

Harry stared at the reserve team, which was being put through its paces by Fred and George. They had created an obstacle course in the air using some well learnt spells and took extreme delight when one of the new team members smashed into them.

He winced as he saw Jason, a reserve chaser smash into a barrier, which raised it self as he was coming through.

'Don't worry,' Fred waved at Harry, 'they are made of rubber.'

Harry smiled weakly; tell that to Jason he thought. Not surprisingly the barriers seemed to vanish as Ginny Weasley came through. Harry grinned at the thought of Mrs. Weasley's reaction if Ginny was hit by one of the brother's obstacles.

The Castle in Scotland

Lord Voldemort was pacing his room, in a cool calculated pace. Lucius Malfoy walked into the room and bowed.

'You called for me, my Lord,' he said

'Yes, Lucius, My heir has been returned to me. His conversion has been completed,' said Voldemort in a firm but definitely joyous voice.

Lucius Malfoy went pale; he had not anticipated the conversion so soon.

'My, My Lord that is indeed excellent, I must inform my son at Hogwarts of these developments,' said Lucius Malfoy praying that nothing had passed between the two that would enrage the heir.

'Do that,' said Voldemort as he walked onto the balcony.

Slytherin Strong Hold Hogwarts Castle

The Junior Death eater Meeting was well underway, the senior member with the insignia of the inner circle was seated on the stage, watching the proceedings with a keen eye and interest.

They were discussing the effectiveness of an attack on Hogwarts, where the weaknesses and strengths lay as an exercise set by the senior member.

'The giant squid will pose a problem in an attack, I tell you!' said a sixth year aloud.

'No it won't, we don't have to use the lake,' countered a seventh year.

'No, he is right, we must have control of everything,' said Draco Malfoy.

'Of course,' said the seventh year yielding, realising both his errors, one his facts were wrong and second he had almost come into a Malfoy's way, a deadly mistake.

Suddenly the door burst open and a hooded figure walked slowly in the room. The footsteps echoed clearly through the newly silent room as the entire death eater gathering turned their faces.

In a flash, wands were out and pointed towards the figure. The stranger stopped and pulled off the hood. A very boyish Ron Weasley stood where the newcomer was.

A hiss went through the crowd as the Gryffindor was recognised.

'Gryffindor scum, you will die today!' screamed Malfoy as he was about to cast a curse, but something stayed his hand.

Ron's face twisted into something that no one had seen before. He radiated power and dominance, taking in a deep breath he let out a ghastly evil laugh.

The laughter pierced through the heads of everyone present. Draco held his head in his hands, the sound seemed to originate from inside. Suddenly they clutched their arms and fell to their knees; the dark mark screeched its presence and its power. Whispers of subjugation mingled with their thoughts, over powering their senses. Only the senior Death Eater remained unaffected.

Then as suddenly as he started Ron stopped. The death eaters found themselves kneeling on the ground before him. They gingerly stood up confused, they did not aim their wands at him again, and they could not even if they tried.

The senior Death eater walked down the pedestal through the centre aisle and stood in front of Ron and then kneeled and kissed his robes.

'Master, you have come,' said a female voice.

'Yes I have Sewensky,' replied Ron.

The entire gathering stood stunned watching the interaction between the two parties. The world as they knew it had turned upside down. Ron Weasley? Sewensky? Master? What was going on?

Miss Sewensky lifted her hood and kissed the ring on the finger of Ron's outstretched hand. Ron brushed her aside and walked onto the platform.

'Tell them,' he simply whispered.

Miss Sewensky nodded her head and scurried up to the stand her long beautiful legs visible through her robes for the first time, reiterating her feminine sex.

'Junior Death Eaters, today we have been blessed with an exceptional honour. I humble present, the Heir of Lord Voldemort, Prince of Darkness and to the throne of the dark. He is your master. The Gryffindor blood has been cleansed and the blood of Lord Slytherin himself runs through his veins.'

At these words the entire congregation of death eaters knelt and jointly they chorused

'IN HIS NAME!'

Ron waved aside Sewensky and took the platform.

'I have awaked after sixteen years of sleep, hibernating in the body of a Gryffindor until the time was ripe for my awakening. Such is the time; the dark is rising fighting the filth that surrounds it and grinding it down. My father and I, admire your loyalty, be sure it will be tested many times to come. For the time for words is over; now starts the time for action. Secrecy has served me for sixteen years; it shall serve me at least for a while longer. You are not permitted to talk about me; such a mistake will be punished quickly and painfully. The mark sees all, do not forget.'

With his words finished he walked down the stairs. A very distraught Draco Malfoy fell at his feet as he passed.

'My Lord, forgive me, I, I did not know, you had awakened,' he stammered.

'I do not forgive easily Malfoy, I have already selected a suitable punishment,' Ron said, but he was not looking at Malfoy, he was looking at Pansy Parkinson his girlfriend.

She had quite bloomed in the past year, becoming one of Hogwarts most ravishing ice queens. Draco was smitten with her, but she was only using him. This fact was unknown to Malfoy, but known to the all seeing mark.

Draco Malfoy of course saw his stare as he was meant to. His jaw dropped as he realised what Ron was going to do. Ron tuned and walked away leaving the gathering silent, for they did not know what to speak about.

Ron passed through the corridors, his mind racing with visions, plans and ideas that needed to be executed. He had consolidated himself in Hogwarts, now he had to watch and wait.

He stroll lead him to the astronomy tower and to a window which would soon become his favourite in haunt in Hogwarts. It was stainless glass, the figure of a single knight sword raised charging into a mass of dark clouds on a winged horse.

His fingers crept to the latch that secured it and opened it.

This was no longer a childish Ron, but a grown mature man that inhabited the body of a child. He decided he must fashion himself a new name, one that was suitable to his position. My father has left that to me.

Father... That word was so powerful, for the first time he had someone he could look up to, a true mentor that would guide and console him. Mr. Weasley had been a poor excuse for a wizard, poor, worthless fool with beliefs that would kill them all.

For the first time he was seated there he realised the moon was full. Its brilliance shined onto his face, illuminating the boyish features that hid his true self. He whispered into the night air.

Twines of fate mix with darkness,

creation of something in the flames of evil,

drown your self in its beauty and softness,

for each darkness is afresh with its glow,

Fear not the light that shines,

for the glow of darkness can be seen,

as light penetrates the dark,

so does the dark penetrate the light.

He raised his arms. His back skin merged with his spine. A snake was formed outlined in red and green as the marks covered his back. His body glowed with a beautiful yet terrible radiance. He closed his eyes and soared through the window, into the cloud filled sky. The wind flew through his hair, as the ground slowly passed by. Ron was in euphoria; feeling at the crest of the world. He rushed through the clouds, the particles brushing his face and stroking his head.

He caught site of the Gryffindor Quidditch team practicing on the ground bellow, the new power had given him incredible eyesight as well as increased his sensing skills.

A grim stare crossed his face as he spotted Hermione in the stands. She shall pay for what she did to me, he thought. All love for her had died, and instead a deep thirst of revenge one equivalent but opposite to his love had set in; even more than his hate for Harry.

His internal clock told him it was well after eight, he decided it was time. He flew back through the window and into the tower; shutting it behind him

Gryffindor Quidditch Practice

Harry had finished the strategy book with the help of Alicia and Katie. Together the walked to the centre of the pitch and called the now exhausted team down.

'Enough practice for one day,' said Alicia

A murmur of thanks and gratitude went through the ranks of the reserve.

'We have completed the Gryffindor strategy manual, and have compiled copies for all of you. Learn it well and guard it will your life! It has several strong security charms and alarms that will go of in case anyone but a team member touches it. But, be cautious none the less,' said Harry handing them copies of a black book.

'We better get back now,' said Fred loudly to make his point.

They headed towards the locker rooms and showered. Most of the team crawled its way back to the main castle. Harry went up to the stand to recover a very precious article, Hermione.

'Hey beautiful,' he said as he tapped her shoulder shaking her from her reading.

'My, you are quite charming today, Mr. Potter' said Hermione seductively.

Harry laughed as he picked her up. Hermione on her part gave a squeal of surprise, but then made herself comfortable in his arms. They moved like this until the threshold of the castle, then fearing a roaming teacher disentangled themselves and went in.

Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom

Ron crept into the bathroom, trying to avoid the ghost that haunted it. But luck did not favour him and a bawling girl ghost swished out of a stall.

'You came to make fun of me? Everyone hates me!' she cried moving all over the room. 'Oh! It's you! Did you bring Harry?' she cooed.

Getting tired of what he considered was an unnecessary charade; Ron muttered a spell which paralyzed the ghost. He then walked onto the sink and hissed the open command.

It was the first time Ron felt that he was speaking Parseltongue, the effect was immediate the sink gave way to the entrance of Slytherin's secret chamber. There was barrier preventing him.

'Dumbledore's taking precautions,' he mused. With a twirl of his hand the barrier melted and he stepped through the hole.

Riding down the pipe he hovered onto the cold floor.

He looked around to see if anything had changed, but to his surprise and relief saw it was as he had last seen it. He laughed remembering the foolishness he and Harry Potter had been up to, not realising the full power of what they were up against.

So, Lord Slytherin's magic holds even in the face of the mighty Dumbledore he thought as he hissed in Parseltongue at a snake carving the words, 'come alive'. Suddenly a green glow started to be emitted from the walls of the chamber and Ron was bathed in it. Slowly the shape began to change to reveal carvings on the wall edged in with precious stones. The dark marble that lay hidden under the covers of dust and age became clean and the dark green plants began to grow again. Using his wand he removed the rocks that had fallen in his last visit.

Slowly the chamber "came alive" and converted itself into a suite of rooms fashioned for Lord Slytherin containing every thing from a bedroom to a laboratory. It was a network of caves lit by torches. Much of it was in shambles; it had been years since it was last used. Several hundred charms later he finally restored it to a semblance of its former glory.

Ron mused as he looked around, it was here Tom Marvolo Riddle trained himself to be Lord Voldemort; it was this chamber that provided him the text, the space and the abilities to advance to such a high stage of dark magic in his school years. It had protected him from the prying eyes of Dumbledore for quite sometime.

Slytherin had left not just a monster for his heir, but a complete education. He had known that the dark arts would soon leave Hogwarts and had prepared a method to teach his heir what he knew.

Ron walked into the library and picked up a book titled '1001 Dark Curses'. As he read through the book, he realised he could retain and understand almost everything that was contained in it. He remembered his conversation with his Father.

With your awakening as my heir, you have also awakened the Mage blood in you. Several modifications were made to your body.

Lord Voldemort had explained some of the modifications that were made to Ron; one of them was the ability to learn new things in a short span of time. Apart from the vast store of wisdom, experience and abilities he had given Ron before birth.

The mind was a substance of limited space, all the good drained out of it, imbalance would be created. This imbalance with ruin the body, thus the void had to be filled with knowledge. Ron felt the thirst for knowledge of the dark arts as if were a drug. His mind craved it.

He had already put a spell in the dormitory that would make it look as if he was sleeping. Should anybody try and wake him, he would know about it and could link his mind into the fake illusion body and react in a suitable manner.

His only fear was running into Dumbledore. Only the headmaster had the ability to see through his illusions.

The advantage of that was he could use the facilities of the chamber at night. An evil grin crossed his face as he thought of Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy.

For years he had taunted him, five years was an eternity and for that he would pay and pay in full. Sewensky could also have some uses, more than some.

Prefects Wing Gryffindor

'Did you check on Ron?' asked Hermione walked into the central garden.

'Yes, he was asleep, Seamus told me he was like that for quite a while,' replied Harry

'We should have talked with him,' grumbled Hermione, 'I don't want to start ignoring him all over again.'

'I know, Herm I know, we'll talk to him in the morning,' he sighed and Hermione decided to temporarily drop the subject

'How did your training session go?' said Hermione in a concerned and curious voice.

'Dumbledore made me practice wandless magic!' exclaimed Harry, 'look!'

Harry pointed towards a small stone on the grass and chanted the required spell. The stone lifted steadily into the air. Hermione's eye's widened in amazement and wonder.

'Why are you so surprised?' asked Harry as he put down the stone.

'To hear about it is one thing, to see it another,' replied Hermione.

'Ginny finally won out by the way,' said Harry grimly.

'What do you mean?' said Hermione.

'She convinced Professor Figg to allow her to join our small group, the anti dark lord league as Ginny refers to it,' replied Harry.

'Good! I'm glad we don't have to keep her in the dark, especially after what she overheard,' said a triumphant Hermione, unknown to Harry she had also talked to Professor Figg on the topic. She had received a severe scolding for their indiscretion, but finally Professor Figg had agreed.

'But what will Ron say!' exclaimed Harry, 'she will be in danger! Look what happened to you.'

'And I am perfectly fine Harry; she's a grown girl now! Ron should not mind,' said Hermione. 'Plus she is also one of the top duellers in her DADA class; that counts for a lot.'

'Well then you tell him,' said Harry

'Alright, I will,' said Hermione, 'now there was something else you wanted to tell me?'

'Yes, this,' said Harry as he pulled her into another kiss. Lately it seemed to be all they were doing.

Slytherin's Chamber

Ron sat seated on the chair of the study going through a stack of books absorbing and learning. The desk was chipped at several places where practise curses had bounced off. Ron was going through the material as one possessed. His figure half-illuminated by a torch resembled some thing unearthly. His jet black cloak became scales in the shadows and his nape grotesque.

In font of him lay an ancient book, one that was so rare that it may have been the last copy in existence. Long before Slytherin had placed a special spell that would prevent its destruction no matter what.

Ron began to understand why his father had been so desperate to take over Hogwarts, it was because of this library in general and this book in particular. Its nature did not allow it to leave the chamber, his father intended to take it with him, but it became impossible.

Now, it was up to him to read and learn the book and hand it to his father as soon as possible.

He read the cover once again

'....

'The Language of the Dark'

Within the book contained the Jezeldarsa, or the language of darkness. Written during the invention of the dark arts, it allowed the knowing the control the true power of the dark side, without the need or knowledge of spells and incantations. The mere utterance of the language radiated power, and the intent spoken in it became a reality.

This was the holy grail of every dark wizard that ever lived. Ron recited some of the verses.

Intina Postium Rotega Ui Trige

Intina Huze Intina Ta Ui Hy

Ra Intina Eute Fie Hy Tiege

Er Porito Utio Intinima Intina

Quaz, Sache, Omana, Zazga

Huze Er Trige, Huze Er Tiege

(Roughly Translated:

I Summon Knowledge of Dark

I make myself part of it

For I command life and death

The elements unite within me

Earth, Water, Wind, Fire

Create the dark, create the death)

A strange glow came from his chest, he felt a great burden lift from his shoulders, and his heart, mind and soul became feather light. There was no longer conflict between himself and the world for the first time in years became clear.

He began to read more and more, memorising every word and meaning.

Head Quarters: The Order of the Phoenix

The members of the order were assembled around the table of Merlin, the conference had just begun.

'Submit your reports,' said Dumbledore breaking the silence.

Arabella Figg first in line stood up and spoke.

'Our insider intelligence into the dark lord's circles is absolutely useless. Using his new mark he has purged his ranks of all informers. However, our outside intelligence network is still intact. I have terrible news; the dark lord has found his heir, who apparently is now fully grown and matured. We are seeking the identity of this person through our channels, but for some unknown reason we have found no information.'

Next Snape stood up, 'My report confirms what Arabella has said. Voldemort has indeed found his heir and has started his final training. Again we have no idea who he or she is, or where. Further, the dark lord has been gathering a list of very rare ingredients for some sort of potion. I have referenced it with all known lists and have found nothing; I shall go on checking though. A copy of the list is in the folders in front of all of you. As for his movements, they have been no attacks. I personally feel this is the lull before the storm, he plans something on a huge scale and he requires all his resources, another theory maybe that he is trying to put us off guard.'

After that Lupin gingerly rose the full moon had had its effect, 'I think I can explain the potion. My sources include several from the animal kingdom especially wolves. Through them I have discovered several things. The dark lord is constructing an Olgithe'

Lupin dropped the news as if it were a bombshell. But the rest at the table mainly stared in bewilderment. Before Lupin could continue, Dumbledore spoke, 'an Olgithe, this is indeed terrible news; far worse than of the coming of his heir. An Olgithe is a potion of great power; it must be set in a vessel of pure silver to work. It enables one to see the present occurring events anywhere in the world, by simply thinking of the location or saying its given name. The last Olgithe was concocted and used by Merlin the great, to aid King Arthur in his quests and battles. It was after the Princess Daphnia spilt the contents of the vessel that the decline of King Arthur began.'

The bombshell exploded, even Lupin did not know the full extent of the news. It hit them hard.

'But, that means he will be able to see our ever move! Attack and Strategy, why! He could even see this conference room!' said Sirius aloud.

'See, but not hear!' exclaimed Snape who had some idea of the Olgithe and its workings.

'Then all is not lost,' said Arabella some of the hope that was lost a moment a go returned

'All is never lost,' said Dumbledore fiercely, 'has he completed it?'

'Yes, according to my information which I believe is very reliable he should have it in a few days,' said Lupin gravely, 'can we make one ourselves?'

'No!' said Dumbledore flatly 'The art of making an Olgithe is one of the dark, the science nearly consumed Merlin when he made it. It was only the timely intervention of Excalibur the Pure, King Arthur's sword that saved his soul.'

'But,' Dumbledore continued, 'I do have some good news. I have found a way to create a light mark, one that will rival the dark and is as powerful as it.'

A chorus of cheering rang through the room echoing across the hallways.

'When can we start putting it?' asked an excited Sirius.

'Tomorrow, but I warn you it will not be devoid of pain,' said Dumbledore, 'the mark will enable me to take control of you when needed, see what you see, hear what you hear. Even to a slight extent probe your thoughts and feelings; and when required, heal you. You pay for the benefits by having to place your trust in me, that I will respect your privacy.'

The group lapsed back into silence, in there quest for a similar mark they forgot the power that it had. Finally Arabella spoke up.

'I trust you with my life.'

One by one each reiterated her statement. The confidence they placed in him, overwhelmed Dumbledore and a silent tear unnoticed by all fell from his twinkling eyes.

Slytherin's Chamber

Ron had finished reading the first portion of the book; he put it aside for later. Too much information at a single instant did no one any favours.

He rose from the chair, and suddenly fell onto the floor. A new emotion one he had not felt, one he could not have felt, vibrated through his very being, the need for another to complete him. He first thought perhaps this was a passing phase of madness, but it did not leave even after a few minutes of deep breathing. He wrapped his arms only to find thin air, an imaginary illusion not in sight but in feeling ran through his body and mind.

'What is this feeling? That seeks to consume me,' he shouted out loud. 'What is this feeling that brings me to my knees in need and desire?'

He raised his arms and music, an eerie dark filled music played through the chamber bouncing off the walls and smashing the notes into his mind. He rose as if one possessed and began to dance with a partner that was there only in his mind. He could feel her caressing touch as the swirled through the rooms of the chamber and the warmth of her body and breath next to his as they turned.

My sight fails me he thought in his mind and the music turned to crescendo and thus, his movements around the room. Dance, dance, dance drowning in her, in the music, in the movement; the world melting into a haze all troubles forgotten and finished, nothing could touch or move him in this state.

He spun the imaginary woman around, and caught a glimpse of her face. Such, beauty he had not beheld nor heard for it could not be expressed. It was the very face of darkness and enchantment that lay before him, smooth and fair that stopped his heart. Yet swept by the movement and by time his body moved, his mind left in that moment.

Twirling and twirling until everything around became indistinguishable, the laughter ringing in his ear as he circled again and again, until finally he collapsed on the floor spent. He would only wake up the next morning,

Draco Malfoy's Slytherin Prefect Chamber

Draco was shaking as he entered the room, he found his room mate fast asleep. Just as well, he thought I don't need for him to see me in this state. He had just completed a letter to his father in the Owlery explaining what all had occurred and seeking his council.

Ron Weasley, the mud-blood lover, turning into the master's heir was something he hadn't counted on. He turned and stared fearfully and the mark for the first time was Ron silently watching him? Reading his thoughts? His letter? He had been careful to fill the letter with some praise and gratitude to the dark lord and Ron, just in case.

Expectedly his thoughts turned towards Pansy, HIS girlfriend. The look that Ron had given her still made Draco shudder, and Pansy had simply blushed. Was she playing the part of obedient servant or was she concerned with bigger games? Lately Draco had much to suspect about the loyalties of Pansy Parkinson, but the fact that he was smitten with her did not change.

His love was of a different kind not poetry and roses, but one of deep possession and intense feeling that he thought was being reciprocated in kind. But now, he was not quite sure. Even with all that in mind, he was in no doubts about his loyalty to the dark lord, which was instilled from the very day he was born into his mind, body and soul reigned supreme over all other emotions. It was the loyalty to the master that was his core around which his entire thinking was based and therefore extended to his heir.

Time waits for no one, and as usual it passed. Hogwarts went into a deep sleep forgetting the events around them and into peace with dreams or hell with mares. The next morning was a sunny, a refreshing change from the morbid climate that hung over the United Kingdom.

The morning ritual run for DADA was completed by the groaning Slytherin's and the Hufflepuffs and Hogwarts as an entity went to breakfast.

Dumbledore stood up and called for silence, 'the first Hogsmeade weekend would have been in nine days, but due to the activities of the Lord Voldemort (the crowd shuddered), as you already know we shall have a dance of sorts. There is nothing very special of this dance, and you will NOT be present in dress robes (a loud groan went through the crowd, especially concentrated around female groups). It is not our intention to force you to acquire a new set of dress robes for the many further dances that have been scheduled and therefore this new rule. I hope none of you will attempt to break this code of conduct.'

Dumbledore then took his seat and continued his conversation with McGonagall who was sitting towards his right.

Ron was all smiles at the Gryffindor table, his plan had worked perfectly. His illusion had woken up, gotten dressed, washed and had seemingly come down for breakfast. His mind had been controlling the illusion as if it were under the imperious curse; it was a simple task to replace it with his real self in an empty corridor.

His actions last night were still roaming around the back of his head, the intense emotional feeling, need and want though softened still hung over him like a cloud. His only escape at that moment had been dance; he would need another session soon.

Must consult father, he thought, he would know what to do. Who was the girl, nay, woman he had danced with? And from where had she appeared?

Shaking his head he tuned into the conversation at the Gryffindor table.

'I am telling you, pink would look lovely!' said Hermione.

Harry, Fred and George blanched at this statement.

'Herm, you can't be serious! PINK! None of the boys would show up, and you heard Dumbledore no dress robes,' pleaded Harry as Fred and George nodded there head agreeing with him

'Humph!' said Hermione, 'alright, but then we go blue.'

'Blue is good, blue is good' said Fred and the others nodded.

'Right,' said Alicia, 'now, we have finished the decorations, Fred and George will talk to the house elves for the catering, the dress code has been draconically decided for us, what is left?'

Everyone stared at each other unable to comment, they all tried to think hard if they had missed something. Eventually they decided that they hadn't.

'So, that settles it! There it wasn't so bad,' said Hermione gently referring to the tiff between her and Harry.

Ron sighed; he was completely bored with these childish matters. His mature mind craved intellectualism something that was not readily available at Hogwarts, especially not at the Gryffindor table. He looked longingly at the Slytherin table, what he would not do to walk over and sit there. He was taken out of his reverie by a poke from Hermione.

'Where are you Ron?' she asked.

'Oh! I was just thinking,' he replied quickly.

'About what?' she countered.

'Things...,' he vaguely replied. Hermione did not press him further on the topic.

'Who are you taking to the dance?' she asked.

'Um, I, I haven't decided yet,' he lied, his mind had already been made up

'Well you better hurry! All the good girls maybe taken by then,' she winked at Harry, and memories of the fourth year dance flooded back to Ron. Hermione though had meant it as a simple jest, but this new headstrong Ron took it as an insult and his hate for her flared.

He however managed to get it under control; this was not the time for it. Mind turning to other things as a reflex remembered the letter he had sent in the morning, filled with the required details and words.

The bell for their classes rang and the student filed out of the hall and towards their classes.

The Castle in Scotland

The dark figure of Voldemort knelt over a large silver vessel with a black fluid inside.

He began chanting...

'Intina Postium Er Tymunas Ui Trige,

Iskara Er Sache Ui Tiege,

Ruba Er Isiata Ui Er Encoro,'

( Roughly Translated:

I summon the spirits of Dark,

Enter the water of death.

Grant the vision of the world)

He then dipped a finger into the liquid and tapped a drop on each eye. There was an immediate reaction, darkness started to emit from his body, a thick glow of dark that even clouded the darkness due to the absence of light. Voldemort opened his eyes.