The Face of Evil

A glow emitted from them and he stared into the dark waters. The Olgithe was completed; he could see the room in which he stood.

A cold cruel smile went across his lips, or what were his lips. He concentrated on his heir and the image turned. The inside of a class in Hogwarts stared back at him; his heir was sitting behind in the class looking quite bored.

He then caught site of Harry Potter, an insane urge to slash at Potter nearly over powered him. But, Lord Voldemort had based his entire life on control and again he managed to restrain his emotions.

'Maybe its time I ventured into his dreams again,' he thought aloud and then let out a cold cruel laugh.

Hogwarts Castle:

Pansy Parkinson swept into the corner, her mark had started to burn. A voice inside her head told her to stand in a particular corridor at eight' o clock.

Shivers went down her spine. Ever since she had seen the look on Ron's face, something in her had snapped. She wanted him more than anything else in the world and would do anything to get him.

Draco Malfoy across the castle felt and heard the same thing. However his reaction was quite different, his face went pale and his hands clammy. He wondered what pain and suffering he would have to endure that night.

But he was a Malfoy, and Malfoy's knew no fear he told himself again and again. With clenched fists and teeth trying not to shake he proceeded to his destination, the Slytherin Common Room.

Meanwhile in another section of the castle Professor Sewensky was pacing up and down. The Dark Lord had messaged her, telling to abort all plans to capture or injure Harry Potter. Something had come up, more than that he did not reveal.

This was a serious set back to her plans to rise through the ranks of the death eaters. If she had delivered the Potter boy then her position would have only been second to Lucius Malfoy, but that was not to be.

She couldn't wait around for another chance to prove herself. It was here, the first time the idea came. If she could use the heir, no, a correction if the heir used her, then perhaps her position would be more secure.

After all, who is Lucius Malfoy compared to the Heir.

Harry and Hermione meanwhile were getting together in a closet. Of late they had been quite needy of each other, and enjoyed their extreme physical relationship. Had they known the Olgithe was watching they would have been extremely mortified, not to mention horrified. This however was the case, and they put on quite a show for Lord Voldemort, who was slowly winding Hermione into his plans.

Time passed swiftly that day, Harry parted from his love and went towards the Warrior Training Room to train with Dumbledore, he would today learn the usage of his sword and shield. Thus, there was an extra bounce to his step.

Dumbledore was already waiting for him in the hall alone. He looked greyer than usual, but his eyes shone with a brilliant tinge that revealed the true bounty of life that was just beneath the surface.

'Welcome Harry, you remember today is the day you shall learn to use your sword,' said Dumbledore

Harry nodded and walked towards the case that held it as well as his shield. He propped the cover open and lovingly took the sword from its hilt, touching the beautiful blade with his fingers.

'Now, hold it like this' said Dumbledore demonstrating with his own blade. He corrected Harry's grip, and stance.

'For the optimum effect, your feet should be about one and a half feet apart, with one knee bent,' said Dumbledore, 'remember the most powerful mage spells are executed by slashing.'

Harry complied, the session went on till late in the night

A corridor in Hogwarts 8:00 PM

Pansy Parkinson stood nervously in the corridor, fiddling with her nails in anticipation of what was to come. Suddenly, she felt sleepy, her eyelids began to close on there own, and her mind slowly set into a dream state. Unsupported her body collapsed onto the floor.

A few corridors away the same occurred with the pale and shaking Draco Malfoy.

Slytherin's Chamber

Pansy opened her eyes to find herself seated in in-front of a candle light dinner. The setting was exquisite. Everything in silver and white, arranged to be pleasing to the eye. The candles themselves were the only light in the room, illuminating the face of Ron Weasley.

However it was not a boy that Pansy's eyes were upon, but the hard cut lines of a man who had been through many a rigorous adventure. Vanished was that innocence and humility that lay in the face of Ron Weasley, replaced by evil, anger, hatred, passion and a myriad of other emotional extremes.

Pansy could not have been more delighted at the turn of events. Her ordinary school garbs were no longer there; instead she was dressed in a gown of silk. The delicate material flowed into her contours highlighting her curves and her figure.

'I am glad you are awake,' said Ron, 'dine with me.' It was phrased and toned as a request, but underlining it was a threat and an order. His hands stroked the skin of her arms; a shiver went down her spine.

'What may I address you as?' asked Pansy eager to please.

'The same you would address A Prince of the Realm, for I am the Prince of Darkness,' he replied

'Yes, your highness. How may I be of service to you?' she asked humbly.

'For now, let us dine,' said Ron, he snapped his fingers and a Draco Malfoy dressed in the garbs of a butler came out from the dark corners.

Pansy did not know whether to laugh or cry, laugh at the dress of Draco or cry at his utmost humiliation.

Draco on his part was living the very heart of humiliation, under the influence of the mark was worse than the imperious. For his mind was completely alive to what was going on and what was he supposed to do. But his body was at the will of another. He saw himself in the butler garbs waiting on his girlfriend, for the benefit of the Heir. Yet he felt only humiliation, not resentment. This was his place, this was his punishment.

'Malfoy, serve the appetizers and the wine,' commanded Ron.

Draco's body immediately complied with a bow and brought the required articles, including a bottle of high quality French Merlot.

The plates were of silver and the glass of crystal. The candle light reflected off Ron's eyes, causing them to dance while burning at the same time.

'Come my dear,' he said, 'let us indulge ourselves.'

The next hour passed in a daze for Pansy, never had she been treated with such attentiveness, gentleness or regard. Even though she knew she was the slave and he the master, she felt elated as though it were the opposite.

Draco Malfoy however was going through an emotional hell that was slowly consuming his mind. He could see Pansy and Ron having a good time; she laughed at his jests and drank of his wine and converse, while he served and bowed like a servant to them both at the beck and call of Ron.

After the desert of a liquor mousse, Ron beckoned Draco to clear the table; which he promptly did. Then with a wave of his hand, heightened the soft music that was part of the background, into something of a dance

Taking Pansy's hand he started a slow but firm ball dance. Pansy responded well to his lead and they were soon flying on wine and clouds across the floor.

Ron's mind went again into a daze at this point, he forgot where he was, what he was doing. The only thing mattered was the music and the movement. The slow twirls of the hands and the fast twists of the body engulfed and consumed his senses. The music sought to drive him mad with emotions and feelings, while the dance provided succour and balm for it.

He plunged from curse to cure every second of the dance, the music extracting pain and the dance healing the wounds. Pansy too was caught up in this surge of power and was drowned in his need for pain and his need to give pain, as he crushed her against himself.

Then Pansy converted into his previous companion. Whirl after whirl twist after twist he was intoxicated with a presence a scent which existed only in his mind. Pansy's beauty though great was both heightened and eclipsed by this companion who grasped the very soul of Ron and plunged herself into him.

What had started in a dance had turned into a violent thirst for one another which the couple dually executed. The passion which Ron felt was thus induced into Pansy for pain and suffering commanded them to tear and rip as well as heal each other.

His teeth bit into her skin as her nails scarred his. A trickle of blood flowed down her skin; Ron with a tantalising gesture of his tongue slowly licked it off.

An insatiable need for more drove their activity to a state of madness and indulgence, of kisses and ache. Until there was not a place left on her to be wounded and not a spot on him to be scarred. They collapsed in each other's arms; their blood mingling through the pores and on the bed sheets.

Through this perverse display of madness, Draco watched silently, paralyzed unable to move his entire being shuddering.

Gryffindor Prefects Dormitories

Hermione and Harry sat together holding each other's arm.

'Hermione, I think its time we got back to finding the heir. I could sense something wrong with Dumbledore while we trained, he seemed disconnected and worried. I overheard him talking to Sirius about the heir, apparently the Heir has joined Voldemort,' said Harry.

Hermione was shocked at Harry's vocabulary, these were not the words of a boy, she reasoned the experiences of meeting Voldemort had to have an effect at some level. The boy she knew and loved had been converted into a man overnight. Yet, her love had matured alongside, there was no real difference in their relationship, except it had gone far deeper.

'I think there is something they are all hiding from us, the Daily Prophet has been quiet. The front-page news mainly consists of the new measures that the ministry is taking to fight Voldemort, nothing about any attacks movements or successes,' said Hermione

'Its time we confronted the lot,' said Harry, 'after all if so much seems to rest on our shoulders (my shoulders he secretly thought) we ought to be told what's going on.'

'Right! But whom do we ask? Dumbledore?' said Hermione her eyebrows raised (to form two very cute arcs thought Harry)

'No, he's too good at evasion, tell you what you ask Professor Figg and I'll ask Sirius, He promised to see me tomorrow anyway,' said Harry

'Great, and if that doesn't work we contact Dumbledore!' said Hermione

Unknown to them Dumbledore had already decided to reveal some of the available information to them. They had a right to know about the Olgithe, it would be trained on them quite often.

'Harry don't forget, we yet have to tell Ron about Ginny,' said Hermione

'Yes I know, we didn't get a moment alone today, and remember YOU have to tell, not me,' he said

'Fine,' said Hermione crossing her arms.

Harry let out a yawn, which he quickly stifled.

'Your tired Harry, No don't try to pretend your not. Come on time for bed it's rather late,' said Hermione in a firm voice

A helpless Harry was marched to his Dorm and after a good night kiss was left to go to sleep. He tiptoed towards his side until he came into the area of the silencing charm. No need to wake Charles he thought.

He changed into his night clothes and tucked in to go to sleep. He then drank the test tube of blue liquid that lay next to him, prepared by Severus Snape; the dreamless sleep potion had been increased in potency.

A gulp later Harry was sound asleep neatly tucked into the white sheets.

Suddenly he found himself in a tunnel. A long dark tunnel that went on until Harry could not see.

Wait a minute, he thought to himself, I took the potion, then where am I?

'This is reality,' said Voldemort.

Harry turned to his cloaked figure which emerged from the shadows.

'Do follow me,' said Voldemort coolly. Harry had to choice, his vision floated behind Voldemort as he traversed the tunnel. Out of the darkness came a small speck of light, which came closer and closer with each step. Harry soon reached the point of origin, it was a torch. A door lay beneath it, coloured and textured to look like an ordinary Hogwarts door. Where had he seen that door? He thought to himself. As Voldemort opened the door softly it hit him, this was Hermione's door!

Unable to prevent him, Harry force followed Voldemort into the room where his eyes became fixed on a beautiful Hermione. She had changed into a very frilly nightgown, which was in a way quite revealing.

Voldemort smiled his cold cruel smile at Harry.

'NOOO!' shouted Harry, 'don't you touch her!'

'Isn't she pretty sleeping Harry,' asked Voldemort as he stroked her hair.

'Get away from her!' he screamed.

'It's a pity I can't hear you, tell me when I should stop, after all she is your lover,' smirked Voldemort.

'STOP! STOP! STOP, you bastard!' he yelled at the top of his lungs.

Voldemort raised his hand and began putting silencing spells all around the room.

'I won't bother with a wand Harry; I know Dumbledore had already revealed to you your and my mage status,' he said.

Then with another spell he put her into the full body bind, her eyes jerked open at this. Seeing Voldemort bent over her she let out a silent scream.

'Oh my, she can't talk!' said Voldemort, 'how rude of me!'

He removed the binding spell from her mouth and the section of the room resounding with an ear splitting scream from Hermione. Harry felt as if his heart has stopped. He shouted, ranted and raved at Voldemort trying with all his strength to attack and stop him. Back in his room, his body was trashing about, and his ravings clearly sounded. But the silencing charms he had put, as to not wake Charles prevented any help from that quarter.

'We have never met formally, I am Lord Voldemort,' he said to Hermione giving his hand to her to shake.

Hermione's worst fears confirmed, she screamed again.

'Oh! I forgot, you can't move your hand, so sorry,' he laughed cruelly 'I wonder what Harry sees in you?'

Her throat emptied from screaming Hermione began to whimper.

'Let us have a look,' said Voldemort as he twirled his hand. Hermione's clothes disappeared, leaving her quite naked. She tried to cover herself, but the bind prevented it.

Harry by this time was almost in shock and tears, his mind refused to believe what was happening.

'She does have an ample bosom, but her curves still leave much to be desired of,' said Voldemort, the way a critique would describe a movie. Tears started moving down Hermione's cheeks. Voldemort traced the 'curves' with his right index finger leaving opened and charred flesh as he went up and down. Hermione went into hysterics, screaming and crying at the same time. Harry couldn't take it any longer; he leapt at Voldemort with all his force, but only hit air, as he brutally struggled to end the abhorrence that was taking place in-front of him.

Hermione's blood poured down onto the bed, taking some on his fingers Voldemort tasted it.

'mm. Maybe this is why you love her, her blood is sweet,' he said licking his fingers. 'As must be her lips.' Voldemort pulled Hermione into a kiss, his charred and grotesque lips splitting the skin of hers.

This was too much for Harry something snapped and he fell on the ground crying, screaming and shouting. Suddenly the dream went off and he was pulled into reality.

Several people stared down at his ranting and raving figure. Charles and Davis were trying to hold him down and calm him. But to know avail, everywhere he turned he saw Voldemort and Hermione.

With a great scream and burst of strength he pushed them all away and ran out of the room. The collected group of prefects ran to follow. He rushed through headed straight for Hermione's room and burst into it.

Hermione's roommate screamed as Harry charged in; soon followed by a running group of boys.

'Hermione!' he screamed in voice of pure anguish.

Hermione got up from bed, in a daze, surprised by Harry's sudden appearance.

But, Harry could see scars and blood all over her, he shrieked and cried as the group of prefects finally caught hold of him and pushed him to the ground trying to control him. Someone took out a wand to do the full body bind, but it was not needed as just then Harry fainted.

Davis quickly apologised to the girls who had by now covered themselves with sheets. Hermione was torn between her modesty and Harry. The boys quickly lifted him out to take to the hospital wing. Hermione transfigured a partition and quickly put on some clothes. She then rushed after the troop carrying Harry.

Slytherin Chambers

Ron slowly awoke; a small beam of sunlight fell directly on the bed. Slytherin's invent no doubt he told himself. He then he saw the wounds on himself and the girl sleeping next to him. A smile played across his face as he remembered their 'love making.' Sighing he got up, and for the first time saw Draco Malfoy asleep on the floor.

Ron smirked, he had been punished though there would still be more; the majority was finished. He turned to look at the nude figure of Pansy; the scars that played across the beautiful texture of her skin had stopped bleeding. It was then; looking at her Ron was inspired.

'I shall now have a new name, one that will inspire fear and dread, the way my father's name does now. Ron Weasley is dead, so starts the life of Prince Mordante, Heir of Lord Voldemort, of Lord Slytherin and the Prince of Darkness,' he said this aloud, the sound of Mordante vibrated across the room.

Pansy gingerly awoke, her body sensing the change in environment. She gasped at the sudden pain that riveted through her body and some of her wounds re-opened. Her body arced up in pain and came down upon the bed again.

Lord Mordante silenced her with a deep kiss, biting her lip and gum drawing more blood. Then with a wave of his hand and a few words he rendered her and Draco Malfoy completely unconscious.

They both awakened in the respective corridors they had been waiting in, healed physically, but the mental scars would remain forever.

Hospital Wing Hogwarts

Harry lay quietly on the bed not even moving a finger. A dazed look was upon his open eyes, signifying something other than sleep.

Madam Pomfrey took the stories from the various boys that had come on the scene.

Apparently Charles had woken early to find Harry kicking and screaming. He had removed the silent charms, thus bringing the entire prefect wing to the room.

She shook her head as she heard the rest. Something was terribly wrong; it would be understandable if he had been clutching his scar. The one thing that was common in everyone's story was that he was screaming about Hermione again and again.

Just then Dumbledore and the rest of the Order of the Phoenix rushed in. The boys were thanked and removed from the room. A whimpering and tear eyed Hermione was however allowed to stay.

'What happened?' Dumbledore immediately asked.

Bit by bit Madam Pomfrey and Prof. McGonagall who had been interviewing the prefects reconstructed the scene.

'It appears, Voldemort visited him in a dream,' said Lupin finally. Only Madam Pomfrey flinched.

'But, the potion I gave him was flawless!' said Snape 'I put it through several tests before giving it to Harry.'

'Voldemort seems to have found a way to cross the barrier of Dreamless sleep,' said Dumbledore. However, secretly inside he knew the real reason. Harry was getting stronger and stronger as a mage, thus the connection between him and Voldemort was increasing. This posed a new problem; a time would arise when Voldemort could physically harm Harry. But Dumbledore kept this information to himself.

'I shall concoct a stronger potion,' said Snape.

'Is it wise?' asked Sirius.

'We have no other choice; however we should monitor his sleep. Therefore, I'm shifting his room,' said Dumbledore. Where was not revealed as it was obvious, the training facility was to be Harry's new home.

Hermione did not participate in this discussion she was to busy sitting next to Harry, trying to talk to him. The scene was quite touching, and thus no one said anything.

'That is all fine! But what is wrong with him now?' said Arabella Figg, drawing attention to Harry's coma like state.

'He's in shock,' replied Madam Pomfrey, 'I have given him a few doses of recovery potion; however it will only heal his physical self. I cannot do much for his mental state.'

They all looked at him gravely. The hope of all magic kind and ultimately man kind lay helpless, more a boy now than ever.

'I am at least glad the Rita Skeeter will not be printing this incident,' said Sirius.

'Yes,' said Dumbledore, 'she has been of great use.'

Once Pomfrey was out of earshot.

'The Prophet will not release any news of major ministry decisions until five days of their completion. The death eaters will not know of major policy changes and discussions in advance,' added Dumbledore.

The others sighed with relief; this was one thing they had been clamouring for. The Ministry had already put barriers for foreign newspapers, but due to its local popularity and audience it was quite difficult to silence the Daily Prophet.

Corridors of Hogwarts

Draco bumped into Pansy as he turned the corner. The events of the previous night that had been in a haze came back with stunning depth and clarity.

The two simply stared at each other, not knowing what to do or what to say. So much had happened, they were as strangers now, yet connected for they had shared the same shocking experience.

Draco noticed that there were no scars visible anywhere on Pansy, her skin and glow had returned to there normal state.

Pansy however knew a different truth; the scars had indeed vanished from sight. But they were still there in actual, the pain real and present. Her body had healed, but her mind had been altered to not register the change.

She looked into Draco's eyes; they were not the eyes of a boy. But the eyes of a tortured soul, who had undergone a terrible experience, stared back at her.

He too has been transformed she thought.

Finally it was Draco who spoke.

'I am sorry,' he said simply.

'For what?' she asked sharply, not wanting any apologies from Draco Malfoy.

'For bringing this upon you, if the Heir had not been angry with me, he would not have scarred you such,' said Draco

'Then you are a fool,' replied Pansy, 'I am honoured to be his chosen one, I begged him to take my virginity, but he refused. That was punishment, this, this is bliss.'

With those words she left an astonished Draco standing in the corridor.

A dark corner in Hogwarts

Lord Mordante was hurrying towards the breakfast table, his own wounds had been a little difficult to heal, but with the language of the dark, it had been made easier.

Suddenly he felt his father's connection.

'How can I be of service,' asked Lord Mordante in his mind, slinking into an empty classroom.

'I need you to be present, disguised somewhere,' he replied.

'Hogwarts?' he asked back.

'You will not have to leave; I need only the connection of your mind.'

'Understood father.'

'Excellent. Your mage training starts tomorrow morning.'

'I will make myself ready.'

After Mordante spoke the last few words the connection broke. He wondered where his mind was required, but it was not of great consequence. Patience was one thing Lord Mordante had become accustomed to.

He shook his head to clear his senses and proceeded on his way. It was at the breakfast hall that he heard the news of Harry.

Hospital Wing

The entire group had shifted to another section so that Harry could have some peace. Hermione had promptly refused to leave his side, and Dumbledore did not press her.

She will be the life and death of him, just as Lilly had been for James, thought Dumbledore.

Suddenly they heard a scream from the other room. Someone burst through the partition and came running towards them. To their shock and surprise it was Harry.

'You have to help her!' he screamed dragging Madam Pomfrey by the sleeves to where he was earlier.

They rushed behind to run into a very confused Hermione.

'You have to help her!' he croaked pointing at Hermione.

Madam Pomfrey looked at Hermione who was fine and back at Harry.

'Harry, she's fine' said Pomfrey soothingly.

Harry looked at them as if they were mad.

'Can't you see, the scars the blood! What are doing out of bed!' he shouted as he picked Hermione and placed her on the nearest bed.

'What has he done to you!' he wailed his entire body shaking, tears streaming out of his eyes. 'Somebody please help me,' dabbing Hermione with rolls of cotton

Not knowing how to react everyone stood there doing nothing. Harry started going into hysterics as he wiped imaginary blood from her face. 'Hermione, I love you, don't leave me, not now, not like this! Everything will be fine, you'll see, everything will be fine, just fine.'

'Why don't you help me!' he screamed again from his tear stained eyes and his anguished voice as his body shook violently.

Suddenly, the power drained from his body and he fell down on the ground again, but this time with his eyes closed.

Breakfast Table

As soon as Lord Mordante arrived at the table, Fred and George told him of the news.

'Merlin,' said Mordante making an effort to sound concerned and shocked.

'He totally freaked out,' said Alicia who had seen Harry being carried out.

'And he kept screaming for Hermione,' said George.

'Probably had a nightmare,' said Dean.

'No nightmare makes someone act like this,' said Seamus.

Across the table Ginny was straining to hear every word. Her concern grew with every minute, what had happened to Harry? She had joined the Quidditch team for the sole purpose of spending more time with him. But he had eyes only for Hermione. The closeness and intimacy should be enough she thought, I shouldn't expect more. However, at the moment she was too concerned about his health to think of anything else. She decided she would visit the hospital wing as soon as possible.

Mordante on the other side was making similar plans. It would not be prudent, to not visit him, he thought I must maintain my cover of secrecy as long as possible.

'Well then we shall take over the responsibility of the dance,' declared Fred.

'I've already informed Prof. McGonagall,' said Alicia.

'Excellent. First a visit to the hospital wing, and then we finish the organisation. This will be the best dance Hogwarts has seen,' declared Katie.

'Best Dance organised by students that is.' quickly interjected George.

The rest smiled at this. None could compare with the dances held in Hogwarts during the past centuries.

Mordante felt disconnected from the group more and more. To him they were immature children talking about immature childish things. Small dances, what they were going to wear, etc. They did not have the vision or ability to think on a higher scale nor the mind to exist at his level. He was still engrossed in his thoughts when the time for the next class came.

'Potions, with the Slytherins,' said someone as the Gryffindor table cleared.

The Potions Classroom

The lesson went on as any normal potions class. Miss Sewensky was extra careful to ignore the heir as per his instructions. She did not desire to scold him, or take points, that would be disastrous she thought.

Lord Mordante on his part kept a low profile, the Gryffindors thought his depressive like attitude was due to Harry's problems, and there hearts went out to him.

'We will be making the Lycerous Potion today,' said Prof Sewensky as she jotted the ingredients on the blackboard

'This potion had the special capability to give a temporary boost in strength to the drinker, which lasts for five minutes. But be warned, its side effect is extreme and unnatural hunger. Therefore we will test it in tomorrow's class, as it is just before lunch,' she flashed a winning smile at them all.

The hearts of most of the boys fluttered at this.

'Today we shall learn the theory behind the potion,' she continued.

What followed was a half hour long lecture on the history and theory of the potion. Prof Sewensky had just finished, when the bell rang.

'Just a moment, Mr. Weasley could I see you in my office for a minute,' she said over the din of talking and leaving students.

Mordante walked out from the crowd, giving a shrug to the Gryffindor's indicating he knew nothing about this.

Prof Sewensky and Lord Mordante went into her office, which was attached to her classroom stores. She locked the door behind them

'Your highness, you know why I bring you here,' she said bowing.

A lecherous grin played on Mordante's face. 'You do have a beautiful and seductive smile' he simply said.

'Thank you,' said Prof Sewensky and actually blushed.

'Yes, Miss Sewensky the mark knows all,' Mordante added.

Mordante unzipped his pants; she however did not take off any clothes.

Hogwarts Hospital Wing

Harry woke to find a group of people staring down at him.

'He's awake,' exclaimed a voice that sounded remarkably like Sirius Black.

'Sirius?' he said aloud.

A collective sigh of relief went through the people standing there. He was awake, out of the delusion and madness, and able to recognize his environment. With a groan he got up.

'ooh! My aching back!' he exclaimed, someone handed him his glasses and the world came into focus. Only then did he see the gathering present.

'How are you feeling Harry?' asked Dumbledore.

'Steamrolled,' replied Harry being quite honest.

Dumbledore's eyes did their famous twinkle dance as if laughing. Hermione of course was no where to be seen, she had been removed from Harry's sight in case he would go back into a fit. But her missing presence was not lost on Harry, and finally all that happened came back to him

'Hermione!' he said aloud, but before he could go into a state of panic. Dumbledore put an arm on his shoulders.

'She is absolutely fine,' he said reassuringly.

'But, the scars, the blood, Voldemort!' said Harry in a rush his eyes wild with an urgency to find her.

'Voldemort deceived you, it was merely an illusion,' said Dumbledore, 'Hermione come in.'

Hermione slowly and carefully walked in. Harry turned to stare at her; she was still in the same bloody state.

'Your eye's are mistaken Harry,' said Madam Pomfrey, 'Hermione is fine.'

'Hermione! The wounds! I can see the wounds!' said Harry still unconvinced, he made an effort to rise, but his body lacked the strength

Dumbledore took out his wand and uttered a spell, Harry felt a smooth calm descending into his mind and traversing his body. His vision blurred and became clear again, but this time Hermione was perfectly healthy.

'Hermione, you're, you're fine,' he stammered his brow expanded into a gesture of amazement.

Hermione burst into tears as she ran and embraced Harry.

'Oh Harry I was to worried,' she sobbed.

After a minute or so, several coughs could be heard from around the room. Red faced the two lovers let go and took to more appropriate seats.

'I'll get some pepper up potion,' said Madam Pomfrey exiting the room.

'Harry we are shifting your sleeping quarters to the training room, we can observe you better there,' said Lupin who had been silent for a long time. The way Harry was acting had reminded him of his first encounter with the werewolf disease.

'Then I'm moving too,' exclaimed Hermione.

'No, Miss Granger,' said Dumbledore firmly, 'I do believe you both share a great bond, but this is still a school and some measure of decorum and sense must be maintained. Therefore I advise you to retire to your own bed chambers, at a suitably decent hour.'

Hermione was crushed; she yet did not have the confidence or audacity to question or argue with the headmaster. She meekly nodded her head, accepting what fate had thrown at her.

'Now, Harry if it is not too much trouble and before Madam Pomfrey returns and throws us all out an explanation please,' said Dumbledore in a casual voice not wanting to reveal the dire need for the explanation.

Harry was embarrassed at first due to the involvement of Hermione, but after a little coaxing he gave out the entire story. At first he stammered and stuttered through but then it flowed cleanly; he felt as if a poison was exiting his body.

The people sitting there were horrified; for once even Dumbledore had nothing to say.

Sirius let out a stream of curses while shaking his fist angrily. Arabella kicked him to shut up.

Hermione was shocked, but her mind reacted in reflex and the wheels of thought began to churn.

'But, but how did he know how my room looks like? My room mate, the clothes I was wearing,' she questioned.

The group looked at each other fearfully, not knowing if they should answer the question.

Finally, Dumbledore spoke, 'an Olgithe,' he simply said.

Sensing their bewilderment he went on to explain its nature and purpose. It was Harry's turn to be horrified and Hermione's mouth opened and closed like a goldfish.

'You, you mean he can see us, even here at this very moment,' he said his eyes full of shock and outrage.

'Yes, but he cannot hear,' said Snape coming out of the back benches. He did not feel particularly comfortable in the hospital and especially around Harry and Hermione particularly after learning the finer details of their relationship.

Shock turned to anger, 'why didn't you tell us this before!' said Harry almost shouting.

'We only confirmed it today,' said Dumbledore sounding quite apologetic, 'I was going to tell you, but then this happened.'

'How long?' Hermione simply asked.

'Possibly a few days,' said Figg.

'That means he could see what I was doing for the past two or three days?' said Harry clearly agitated now; his mind went back to all the fun with Hermione.

'Um, Yes,' said Lupin.

'Christ,' exclaimed Hermione sitting down; her legs were beginning to quiver.

But by that time Madam Pomfrey came back, Dumbledore signalled silence and the conversation was left with that note. A few seconds later the entire group including Dumbledore found themselves outside the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey had developed a soft spot for Hermione ('She's good for him!' she told Dumbledore) and she was allowed to stay

Dumbledore sent in a message that she was excused from her classes for that day before they started the walk to the head quarters.

Potions Dungeon

Lord Mordante stepped out of the classroom with a satisfied grin on his face. The conduct of Sewensky had been most acceptable.

Sighing, he headed for the Hospital Wing. He knew the charade of his being friends with Harry would have to continue.

He reached hospital wing when the order had left. Sneaking in through one of the entrances he made his way to the beds.

'Ron!' exclaimed Hermione as he walked into their view.

'Harry! What happened? The entire school's buzzing with rumours,' he said with enough feeling to fool them both easily.

Harry and Hermione didn't know what to do; they felt embarrassed to talk about the depth of their relationship.

'Ron, you better sit down,' said Hermione finally; Mordante did as he was told.

Hermione and Harry started the entire tale of the nightmare. Though Mordante already knew about all this he still managed to look and sound both shocked and horrified.

'This is madness!' he said. 'How could he?'

Ron put his head in his hands. Inwardly he was smiling at the use of Hermione by his father.

'What is Dumbledore doing to stop this?' Ron immediately asked.

'I don't know,' said Harry.

Don't know or won't tell me, I will find out one way or the other.

The Castle in Scotland

The dark figure of Lord Voldemort walked over the ledge of the chamber and peered bellow. The sight that greeted him put a smile on his face, not for the first time that day.

An army of magical beings was stationed there, ten thousand soldiers in all. Ranging from wizards to werewolves, fairies to elves, giants to trolls, they had all gathered there to fight against the human magical world which had outcast and discriminated against them. All of them sworn to the allegiance of the dark mark were now fanatical enough to fight till the end.

'They will have to be trained,' Voldemort said.

'Yes my Lord,' bowed Lucius Malfoy, 'I shall see to it personally.'

'No, you are inept at the art of magical warfare, Samanagey the elf, warlord from the magical elves shall over see their training, said Voldemort sternly, 'you would do better, to take care of things at Hogwarts.'

'Yes my Lord, I apologise for my being presumptuous,' said Malfoy quickly and bowed out.

'If you only knew what happened at Hogwarts,' laughed Voldemort silently to himself, his son truly was following in his foot steps.

To siege a castle one must need an army he thought. Hogwarts, it shall not be long now. This time it will be different for the castle shall fall from the onslaught of two armies...

One on the outside

And one of the Inside...

Warrior Training Room

One by one the members of the order walked towards Dumbledore to have the light mark placed on their shoulders. Like the dark mark, it stung horribly and the smell of burning flesh began to fill to room. It also sent the bearer into a temporary high, as if on too much wine.

'Done,' exclaimed Dumbledore as he marked the last one in the line, 'as and when the rest are available, I shall put the mark on them.'

The others nodded their heads and seated themselves. No one wanted to speak first, for every thing they had to say contained a streak of bad or worse news. Finally Snape broke the silence.

'He's getting stronger,' he simply stated. It was a statement that could not be argued only supported.

'Reports indicate that he is amassing a large army,' added Lupin, 'the work of the traitor Fudge is bearing fruit, one by one the races align against us.'

'But some will stand!' said Arabella quickly.

'A few Elvish clans, most of the giants, some fairy kingdoms... not much,' sighed Snape.

'What about the neutral ones? Will they support us?' asked Sirius.

Dumbledore sat silently through all this, regaining the strength he had lost while putting the mark. He did not wish to show weakness at this crucial point.

'You know not of the real situation,' he started, the table felt silent, 'the magical world is now dividing between the two. The concern of this table has been mainly with the United Kingdom. But Voldemort has been busy around the world, in every country and continent. His alliances stretch not only in our dimension, but in several others where magical beings exist.' He paused for effect.

'Fear not, over the years I have been making alliances and friendships against the ambitions of the dark mark. For every ally he has, we have a counter one of equal strength. But, this means when the war starts it will be a battle till the end for no side can afford to give quarter until the other is vanquished. This will be the first magical world war and it will be fought by all.'

The people in the room felt as if their stomachs had fallen to the ground. Their minds could not grasp the situation that lay in front of them. A moment ago they were the titans, the saviours and the warriors against a difficult enemy. Now they had become merely one of the few people involved in a war of global proportions.

The next question that was posed was obvious, and had to be asked at sometime.

'Then, why Hogwarts?' asked Sirius, 'what is so special?'

'Two reasons, Harry Potter and I,' said Dumbledore, 'please excuse me for not being modest at this point, the time calls for frankness. Harry Potter because he is Voldemort's biggest liability, they are things which you do not know about, that boy is the best chance we have of defeating Voldemort. And Voldemort knows this. I am the head of the council of magical beings, a group that governs the entire magical world with representatives from every government and country. Voldemort also knows this. Hogwarts has never fallen in the past, nor should it fall in the future because I am linked with it. A ceremony was performed in secret during the dark times which linked my life force to Hogwarts. I draw strength from it and it draws strength from me. If one falls so shall the other. Voldemort seeks to kill several birds with a single stone.'

One could cut the silence in the room with a knife, so thick was it. The members of the order were dumbfounded. Their entire world had been turned upside down, several times over. Dumbledore however wondered if he had revealed too much.

'We here derive our importance and special place as the guardians of Harry Potter. The power of evil stems from Voldemort, and can be cut at Voldemort. If he falls, one by one they all will,' he finished and sat down.

Snape looked at Dumbledore smiling. It was this knowledge that he also had carried with him through the years. The knowledge that they were all insignificant, and that James Potter and as a result Harry Potter were the ones everybody relied upon. It had sickened him to the core, his archrival, and his archrival's son. But, their was Lilly, sweet Lilly, who's denials had lead to his fall from the light and into the darkness of Voldemort. Harry Potter had Lily's eyes, and he hated him for it. He would protect and help the boy, for that is what was right, that is what Lilly would have wanted.

The members of the order suddenly began to feel small. They had felt their contributions in terms of spying and catching Death Eaters had been great. Now it seemed truly insignificant, they were merely thorns poking at a giant's feet.

Poor fools, thought Dumbledore as he saw their egos hit ground bottom. I did not want to do this, but time waits for no one and to tarry longer would be foolishness. They couldn't do a thing last time Voldemort rose, what did they expect to do now? If it wasn't for Lilly Potter, they would all be dead or in chains by now.

One thing had always bothered Dumbledore. The importance given to Harry Potter as the vanquisher of the dark lord was incorrect. Lilly Potter vanquished Voldemort, and yet she received less credit than her son, she remained the mother of the vanquisher. This was one of the main reasons why Dumbledore had taken the decision to remove Harry from the wizarding world sixteen years previously. But, now when the boy is truly important the world refuses to recognise it. The irony was not lost on Dumbledore.

Those who were present had been chosen to be the boy's teachers, each handpicked by Dumbledore for a specific task.

Severus for Potions and strategy, Arabella for DADA, Lupin for secrecy and conspiracy, Sirius for self defence and love and himself for the mage training... Each had been given experience and knowledge; each had been tested time and again. This was the new real purpose of the Order of the Phoenix; its previous functions were defunct due to its failure and the magnitude of the problem at hand.

They will have to be told of his ability to do wand magic; his training must proceed with speed. The dark lord wishes to cripple his mind, thus buying time for him to prepare his first attack.

He revealed this information to them, talking slowly stroking each one's ego until the entire table was filled with enthusiasm for the task ahead of them. Their minds finally accepted their roles as the teacher's of the 'to be saviour'. He was glad that they didn't put the second obvious question, 'what about the Muggles?'

Hospital Wing Hogwarts

Harry and Hermione were the only ones in the wing. There were no other patients that day and Madam Pomfrey was taking an afternoon nap after giving strict instructions to Hermione to wake her up if anything happens.

'You should get some sleep,' said Hermione softly to Harry

'Hermione, I fear the dark. I fear sleep, for my mind will be his to control. I cannot go on like this. Seeing what he did to you, it broke something inside of me. I can't place what, but I can feel it,' he replied.

'Feel what?' asked Hermione gently.

'Fear, pure and total fear in its purest form, I fear him. He knows what I am doing; he knows what I am thinking. Even at this moment he could be watching me, us. I fear for us, I fear for you, I fear for Ron, I fear for every one in Hogwarts...'

Hermione stopped him there as he had started to ramble.

'As long as Dumbledore is there everything will be alright,' soothed Hermione.

But this age old remedy had lost its grip on Harry, the name Dumbledore no longer gave the same assurance.

'Could Dumbledore stop my dreams? The entire order is a sham. They could not do anything against Voldemort in the old days, what can they do now? You heard from Mr. Weasley you read the books. He was unstoppable, the ministry was in chaos!' said Harry.

'But Hogwarts was safe!' said Hermione not liking the direction in which the conversation was heading.

'An island in the middle of a raging sea, they battened the hatches and hid like cowards! It was only a matter of time before it fell,' he said back to her all his insecurities had started to pour out.

Hermione was shaken; it was not just Harry's new attitude, but the fact that what he said made some sense.

'It was a fluke, a stroke of luck, a one in a million chance, that he fell,' he rambled on, 'what if my mother had not sacrificed herself? (Tears had started to fall from his eyes), What if Voldemort had killed me first? What if he had sent someone else to do the job? What if he had not used the killing curse? All these children moving around in the castle, planning dances and learning transfiguration! When the reality of life is so harsh that even those who know chose to delude themselves!'

Hermione could take it no more.

'Stop it Harry! Stop it!' she cried, 'enough!'

Harry fell silent, the tears started to dry on his face. Hermione was now sobbing on his shoulders. This touch, this small action of humane affection drew him out of the abyss he had fallen into. He put his arm around her.

'Shhh! don't cry... I'm sorry I didn't know what got into me,' he tried to calm her down.

'Don't you ever think like that again,' said Hermione between sniffs, 'please, never.'

Silence filled the room as the couple took solace in each other's embrace.