The Face of Evil

Harry spent the night in the hospital wing. Hermione had left by ten, her mind still debating on what could be called a decent hour.

However in another part of the castle:

Prof Sewensky lay on the bed. Her arms and legs tied to the posts. A blindfold prevented her sight. But she lay as she was and soon fell asleep, for Lord Mordante spent the night at his desk, hard at work going through the various Slytherin books on mage training. He wanted to impress and please his father the next day.

Suddenly he received a summons from his father; that pulled him into a dialogue. His father spoke to him for a few minutes telling the details of his newest plan. Mordante made mental notes on what he had to do and accomplish.

Keeping the connection alive, Mordante exited the chamber and walked through the corridors of Hogwarts.

Through his father he could feel the sleeping Potter. An invisible force of darkness surrounded him, making him undetectable even by the great Dumbledore. While the distance shortened the strength of the connection between Voldemort and Harry directly increased.

Until finally Mordante stopped in front of a wall and sat down.

'This is the closest distance I dare,' he spoke through his mind to his father, creator and mentor.

'Well done,' replied the ghostly voice of Voldemort, 'my connection with the Potter boy is strengthened enough.'

Harry Potter was pulled out of his state of dreamless sleep and was plunged again into the reality of Lord Voldemort.

However, this time he would not be fooled by illusions. He told himself to be strong and that he could survive and take whatever that was thrown at him.

He did not expect tea and biscuits.

'Welcome, welcome,' said Voldemort, 'have a seat.'

I'd rather die thought Harry.

'Well stand if you must,' added Voldemort astonishing Harry

'Surprised? I hoped you would be,' said Voldemort, 'if you think something concentrating on me, I can now read those thoughts.'

'Sit down, I'm glad we can now have some semblance of a conversation, I was getting bored of those one sided shows,' said Voldemort as he poured Harry a cup of tea.

Harry tried to pinch himself; I must be dreaming a chatty Voldemort?

'Oh! I forgot, where are my manners, Harry let me introduce my heir to you, Mordante,' said Voldemort presenting Mordante.

Harry desperately tried to get a glimpse of the face in the dark hood. For a moment he had blanched thinking it was a Dementor.

'You must excuse me for my garb, but I would prefer my identity to remain concealed,' said Mordante his voice changed as to avoid detection.

'Now that everyone has been introduced, Harry look yonder,' said Voldemort pointing his finger.

It was only then Harry became aware of his surroundings. He was on top of a plateau surrounded by the most beautiful forest he had even seen. Water fell from the natural rocks and edges streaming through the contours of the earth, sparkling with the reflection of the sun.

'Witness the power of a mage,' said Voldemort.

Voldemort struck out his hands towards the trees. With the chant of a few spells the entire forest spanning thousands of trees was uprooted.

Harry stared in shock and wonder, unable to digest the magnitude of the demonstration and destruction

'You have the same power. The same ability for years, they lied to you. All of them even your mentor Dumbledore,' said Voldemort.

Then with another few spells he put the forest back the way it was.

A rush of thoughts went through Harry's mind. I had that power? Why didn't anyone tell me? What can I do with it?

'Harry, tell me why are you against me?' asked Voldemort as casually as one would ask about the weather.

Because you are evil...

'Am I?' said Voldemort 'And you are fighting for the good? The society of Britain?'

Yes...

'The rapist, the murderers, the robbers...'

No not them...

'Why?'

They are also evil

'What about the public who imprisoned your god father?'

Harry's mind went into overdrive; he could not answer the question and remained silent.

'Corruption in the government? Crime in the streets, unfair business practices, running traffic lights...? Are they all evil?'

No...

'Then they are good?'

No...

'Grey perhaps? Not black and white some where in the middle?'

After some thought Harry responded

Well, Yes.

'Why am I evil?'

You kill people

'I am a ruler, a king, albeit with a small kingdom. I am laying siege to the country of Britain, how does that make me evil?'

To war is evil

'Then you live in a world of sinners. Britain itself conquered far and wide, yet Britain is not evil, Is it?'

No...

'Then how am I evil?'

You killed my parents, you filthy bastard...

'Do I deserve to be killed?'

Yes...

'But moment ago, you said that to kill is evil'

Greater benefit...

'So, even killing is in the grey?'

Harry did not answer.

'I am sorry for their deaths, but every war has its casualties.'

What about the children you killed in front of me?

'Physiological warfare is an ancient form, again casualties of war. Tell me why do you fight on their side, if they are not completely good?'

My country, my people

'My kingdom, my armies are made from our people and country. Now the world is almost borderless.'

Again for this Harry had no answer.

'Tell me Harry, you saved the world from my supposed threat how many times now? Oh! Almost three-four? Even Dumbledore cannot boast that score!'

'Yet how have they treated you? The public thinks you are mentally unstable. Your godfather has to slink around in the dirt. They almost expelled you, after having saved the world! Remember in your second year, you drove a car into the school grounds. You Harry Potter who risked everything to stop me from getting the Philosopher's Stone and prevailed, were almost expelled for a small mater as that?'

But...

'But what Harry? You saved the school from my past incarnation and in return they declare you a cheat and a liar in your fourth year?'

But...

'You escape from me in the fourth year, and still most people think that you had a hand in Cedric's death?'

But...

'Till now how many letters from those who are appreciative of what you have done you have received? Your professor Lockhart received more in a single day than you received in your entire lifetime.'

But...

'What do they do for your sacrifice year after year? Send you back to live with those Muggles who treat you lower than dirt? Could Dumbledore have taken you in?'

I was safer with my blood relatives... Harry finally managed to say.

'For you the saviour of the world! They could have made special provisions with your relatives. You could have lived next to them. They could have been forced to remain where they were. Yet they allowed you to be abused.'

I, I don't know

'In the Muggle world your uncle would have been arrested for his treatment of you. But the intervention of the great Dumbledore prevented them from doing it. He let you be abused.'

It was for my own good, so I didn't get a swollen head.

'And by abusing you they ensured that? They could have let you live a normal Muggle life. You would still not get a swollen head. They use you, abuse you and throw you away. If they could they would sacrifice everything of yours, including you for their own deceitful games.'

But...

'But what Harry? You could have lived a normal life before this, had friends, seen the world. You would have known about Hogwarts and life. When you first came to school what happened? Your potions teacher took a great shine to you didn't he?'

Snape...

'They preach justice, yet they allow that man to continue in his despicable ways, did they train you with your new powers?'

No...

'Did they tell you what could you really do?'

No...

'When Hagrid came he was surprised, wasn't he?'

Yes...

'Dumbledore told no one about your abuse. Let's talk about Remus Lupin.'

What about him?

'He is spurned by all humanity for no fault of his, under me he would have been honoured and flourished, same as with your half-giant Hagrid. When was the last time he saw his mother?'

'Tell me about the wizarding world Harry. The same high and mighty people you refer to on the subjects of Muggles.'

I can tell about you, you kill them, torture them, to you they are nothing!

'And to the great wizarding world they are something? You say that I take lives? How many lives could be saved with a little magic intervention? Disease, water shortage, famine, drought! Even a small thing as a broken back! By not helping them effectively you are killing them.'

But that would then reveal our existence...

'Again you walk on the grey, so our comfort and luxury to you and the rest are more important that muggle lives.'

No, not that...

'All the better they know we exist. Let them know and understand there exists a superior race. The magical race should be the rightful rulers of both worlds! Then we can co-exist with each one knowing their place in society. Think of it, once we have a global magical rule and disclosure. The world would benefit in every way, science and innovation, space and technology, life saving medicine; the end of things little things like famine, a new world economy that is strong and stable. The world would be better place for everyone, the ushering in of the much awaited golden age.'

And you will rule this all...

'Not just me, but all of us, the last of the mages, we are the race superior to even the wizards. We will take our rightful place as the rulers of the new world. I shall be supreme for the only reason that I alone am working towards it. Of the other three mages one is my heir and the other two, you and Dumbledore, are against me. But imagine if it was not so? Dumbledore is old, his thinking is even older. He is living in the past; he cannot see the new world around him. We are the new generation, born into a new world with different rules and visions. And soon he will be gone! The philosopher's stone which prolonged his life has ceased to exist and he will soon fade. If you joined us, we could create a new world order! One that would benefit all mankind. No more nuclear warfare! No terrorism! No more borders or discrimination! A single world for all humanity!'

Where then do I fit if I join?

'Your position would be second to only me and my heir; you will be able to do what you want without the interference of either of us. Your command would be complete. Imagine all the good you can do, the people you can help. The new society you could shape.'

A few persons to rule them all

'Yes and no. I am not devoid of intelligence. It is impossible for a single group of individuals to rule the entire world. The existing governments will remain, until they can all be convened into a democratic form. There will be a world Parliament, which will take the central decisions. Each country will act under this parliament, but will have powers. Something akin to a federal republic where a mix of both the parliamentary and federal system will be implemented.'

There was a pause.

'The Muggle world is in turmoil Harry. It is threatened by fanatics, terrorists, nuclear war and who knows what else. The way things are going it is only a matter of time before another world war takes place, this time a nuclear one. Or a terrorist outfit vaporizes an entire city? How many more lives can be sacrificed? How many people must suffer? Every attempt at uniting the world under a democratic banner has failed and will fail. The way I shown you will solve all of humanities problems.'

'The magical world I even more, they cling to past and to the traditions. Not realising the benefits and the inevitability of change. They discriminate against other races. The entire government revolves around keeping Muggles unknowing of them. Imagine if they started innovation, research, magic with mechanics. They were able to ride cars and brooms freely in the sky, when all knew of them and accepted them.'

'You must realise by now, that all your goals and dreams as well that of all mankind can be realised through me. This is not a battle between good and evil, but a battle of two theologies and ways of thinking. It is the battle between the winds of change and the rocks that refuse to move. I will send you back, think over it. I will contact you for the reply in three days.'

Before Harry could think out a response his mind was sent back and continued on with the dreamless sleep.

At sharp five am the two to be champions awoke in different parts of the castle

They dressed into suitable training clothes, finished their morning ablutions and waited for their teachers in their respective training rooms.

Lord Voldemort was the first to arrive. Using the connection in his heir's mind he projected himself in to the room.

Mordante bowed.

'Never bow to anyone!' Voldemort hissed, 'my son has privileges.'

Mordante nodded his head.

'Let us begin...'

In the Warrior training room Dumbledore arrived.

'Ready?' he simply asked. Harry nodded his head as he drew out his sword and shield. He was filled with an urge to relate everything to Dumbledore. But the conversation had put doubt in his mind. A great deal of what Voldemort had said was true.

Slytherin's Chamber

'Walk up to the portrait of Slytherin,' said Voldemort's projection, 'put your hand through it.'

Mordante did as he was told; something pricked his arm as it enclosed around a handle of a case. Upon withdrawing puncture wounds could be seen clearly.

'Blood test,' said Voldemort simply.

Mordante nodded.

A hissing sound escaped Voldemort's lips and the case slowly opened.

Warrior Training Room

'You have made great progress Harry,' said Dumbledore as he jumped to avoid a blow from his sword.

'Thank you, Sir,' said Harry in response. Both of them were drenched in sweat.

'It is time you graduated to a new level of mage training,' said Dumbledore, 'you have learnt the methods of sword fighting; now you must learn to combine them with spells. You can cast spells without verbal incantation using your sword as a wand. Say the spell aloud in your thoughts.'

Harry raised the sword. After a few seconds it began to glow with an eerie light.

'Lumos,' thought Dumbledore; his sword also began to light

'Nox,' they both thought together

'Excellent!' said Dumbledore, 'the hard part is to decide which spell to use with which attack. Some spells can be deflected; others absorbed using your shield. But take care for the shield is directly linked to the magical and physical strength of your body. A hit on the shield will damage your magical strength temporarily and as a result your physical strength. Thus it is better to dodge.'

Harry began to think. Voldemort will teach his heir immediately how to perform the great feats he had talked about and demonstrated. Instead of learning the truly powerful weapons he was kept at this basic level.

Slytherin's Chamber

Inside the box lay a sword and shield base quite similar to the one that Dumbledore had. But only at a first glance. The sword itself was shaped as a snake. The top was double tipped as if it were hissing. A green glow emitted from the blade giving the design a living effect. The scabbard was decorated with small snakes jutting out.

'This is Niraca, Slytherin's second sword. He had started work on it, but was unable to complete it in time. Before I left Hogwarts I worked hard to finish it. Though I carry his main blade, I give this one to you. Pick it up,' said Voldemort

With shaking hands Mordante picked up the sword. In his hands the snake became alive slithering and winding forward, the tip coming in an out, emitting a dull hissing sound. But unlike the other swords this one remained that way even after the binding ceremony was performed by Voldemort.

Warrior Training Room

Dumbledore sensed something preoccupied Harry's mind. But he mistakenly regarded as the result of the previous events. There was an increased fervour in Harry's desire to learn and Dumbledore was making utmost use of that.

Hogwarts breakfast table:

Students had begun to arrive. Hermione among them was sleepy eyed; she had tossed and turned all night. Not mention respond to a million questions from everyone on Harry's health and his disappearance from the hospital wing (the Weasley's had tried to sneak in, three were not successful)

The owl post arrived, with it the Daily Prophet and the first news of the war.

The hall went into a state of silence and shock as the news sunk in.

Treachery at Azkaban

Azkaban Prison: The ministries justice department launched a successful sting operation to test the security in Azkaban. The treachery of the Dementors (the dark guards of the facility) is now in the open.

Ministry officials say a single Unspeakable was able to free twenty prisoners by convincing the guards that he was a messenger from the dark lord. Upon their discovery, the dementors fled the prison grounds before action could be taken.

Though this opens a new chapter in the war against the dark lord, the ministry clearly failed in its task to capture the dementors. The current location of these creatures is not known, however the minister of magic assures the public that there is no need to fear.

Trained hit wizards have taken control of the prison facility and several magical creatures are being imported to ensure better security. The escaped dementors are being pursued.

The symptoms of a Dementor strike are severe depression, reliving of nightmares and possibly loss of consciousness. If you feel any of these symptoms please immediately contact the ministry via the hotline. Details of the spell and wand work required are included in a separate leaflet.

The Daily Prophet will inform you of any change in this situation.

The Dark Lord - Gone into hiding?

There is much speculation on You-know-who's plans. So far there have been no retaliatory measures against the new policy and working of the ministry. The dark lord seems to be silent, not even talking to the press around the world.

One of our correspondents in South America managed to illicit a quote before he was brutally tortured to death,

'The dark lord has his own schedule; he will not conform to yours.'

Efforts have been made on both our and their ministries part to decipher this schedule of events.

It seems that the dark lord is concentrating his efforts abroad for the time being. Therefore we have included a new supplement with news specific to the dark lord's activities around the world.

The United States of America

The dark lord has been slowly extending his influence here. He has made a structure of evil that supersedes the one in the U.K. He is relatively unknown there, only a few people remember his reign of terror in U.K. Thus he is building a strong support base with a concentration of recruits from the youth of America. Deluding them with power and 'true' freedom he is creating an army which will try an over take the government.

The U.S. Government on its part has not been idle. Already using local media there to warn their citizens of this new force of evil, they have achieved much success in curbing his activities.

Representatives of the Ministry of Magic have left to the United States to provide information on the dark lord's activities and tactics.

Asia and Middle-East

The dark lord has vast appeal in the countries of Asia. Posing himself as a rebel and a revolutionary he has attracted the minds of the not only the young but also the old.

In the Islamic and Arabic countries he is using the local religious and moral sentiments to raise the public against the magical governments. Claiming them to be corrupt and hand in glove with the non-believers and capitalists. He claims to be a champion of the people who already has done vast reforms in the west.

In the rural areas where there is much poverty he is giving the benefits of a dictatorial state, where wealth would be shared among the nations equally. Though impractical this has much appeal especially in the former Soviet States, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

His strong holds in Asia include Pakistan, Bhutan and south-eastern China.

Editors Note

Due to the war against the dark side several aspects of breaking news will be kept confidential including the dates and times of the events as not to hinder the ministry in its war efforts. We plead to the public to accept and understand this necessary procedure. News reports from some countries due to confidentiality have not been published in this edition.

Business News

Gringotts declares support for Muggle Euro due to the dark force

Gringotts bank the central wizarding bank for England has declared that it will now start all business transactions in Muggle 'Euro' currency. The decision comes after months of debate and heat discussion with the ministry over the acceptance of the currency.

The ministry in its path to imitate the Muggle English government declared that any direct conversion from Muggle currency will take place using the Muggle pound.

However, Gringotts claimed that due to pressure from external banks around Europe it was getting tougher and tougher not to join the Euro bandwagon.

But under pressure from the war efforts and the need for infusion of free flow of currency around Europe to battle the dark lord, the ministry has finally agreed on the Muggle Euro standard.

This will now allow transactions both government and private to achieve full liquidity around Europe, keeping the prices of goods and services at a comparable level.

The war which seemed so far away from Hogwarts for most of the students was finally brought into their living space. For once even the Slytherins were not joyous as the fall of Azkaban was a blow to the dark lord.

The mood was depressing, for the news contained information good and bad, yet being out dated as mentioned in the editor's note, the current situation was not known.

Hermione ate her porridge with no particular interest, her body in one place, her mind in another. She had read the Daily Prophet through and through; the activities of the dark lord worried her.

For the first time she understood the scale in which they were dealing. This was not something that just Hogwarts and Britain was fight against, but a world wide phenomenon which was gaining momentum.

She gloomily answered the questions of the Gryffindors as to where Harry had disappeared (a special part of the Hospital Wing not visible to students)

It was good that the Marauders map lay in Harry's trunk...

Warrior Training Room

Harry had spent the entire morning on mage training; he used the facilities there to bathe again and get ready for school. He exited the training room and began his long walk to the breakfast hall.

Meanwhile a conference was being held.

Dumbledore called the meeting of the Order to a start. The members took their places and waited for him to initiate.

'This is a hard time for all of us. As you have known the influence of the dark lord is spreading far and wide. But do not think that his personal attention has varied from Hogwarts. His eyes still rest here, stalking our every move. Harry seems to have recovered well from his encounter with Voldemort, he has resumed his training. As teachers of Harry you must know of his capabilities. Harry has a magical power few posses, his blood is of such rich concentrate that he can do wand-less magic,' Dumbledore paused.

The revelation had a shock effect on the group of attentive listeners. Surely wand less magic was a myth!

'I understand your shock and reluctance to believe, but I assure you it is true' he continued, 'therefore you must train him keeping in mind that he can use it.'

The Hallways of Hogwarts

Harry slowly climbed the stairs; his body was on an automatic mode, taking him through the mazes to the hall on its own. His mind firmly rested on the conversation with Voldemort.

'Was he correct?' he asked out loud.

Suddenly hunger left him. He changed his direction from the hall to the astronomy tower where he would be able to find a measure of peace.

Under the blue morning sky he began his journey of thought and analysis.

Why did Dumbledore allow me to be abused? The one question that he could not answer in any measure or method, intervention by him was always possible, if I were so special why didn't he look into my childhood?

Childhood, something I never experience. Memories of his life at Privet Drive flashed through his mind. He remembered his place in the closet.

He was scared of closed dark places and the creatures that haunted him, the familiar musty smell with the four walls slowly closing in upon him, unable to breathe, slowly suffocating the life and the mind until unconscious.

He remembered praying to God for protection night after night, yet no apparent help came from that quarter. Perhaps I have some other relatives who will one day come and take me away, that thought had kept him alive through the torture that was his life.

And when nightmares of green light would flash, there was no one but darkness to hold and comfort him. No one to hold and hug him, comfort him, that all will be well.

The endless streams of tears that were shed for his parents until none were left.

Countless times he had asked God, why? Why him? What had he done to deserve all the punishment he was getting?

He had lived in constant fear of Dudley, big and strong while he being scrawny unable to stand up for anything.

The perverse games that would be played where he was more an object to be beaten and scarred than a human with any degree of emotion, flashed through his mind, again and again.

He was a punching bag, a ball, wrestling toy, a mechanical doll...

Hours spent with his head in the toilet while Dudley and the gang flushed away...

And then silence...

Scream and there was no one to hear, the voice choked in throat with the agony of loneliness and despair. The silence was deafening, in stillness there was pain. Wounds that forced him to cry or bite his tongue till the thick swathe of blood coloured his teeth.

There were scars under the one that flashed on his forehead, scars that had been etched slowly over the years living with the Dursleys, scars that would never go.

Countless times he had thought of ending it all, countless times he had held the knife to his own throat. Yet that last bit of courage that would send him over the edge never came.

Tears filled his face slowly and a voice inside him began to whisper.

'You could take your revenge, use the power and magic you have to teach them all a lesson, the Dursleys, Snape, Malfoy all of them. No ministry to stop you, no power in the world to oppose. Revenge, revenge, revenge!'

But the cold anger that was boiling the blood beneath his skin, seeking to throw him into chaos suddenly subsided.

He had longed for love his entire life. Love something he had never experienced before. Never having it from anyone he knew. And suddenly it was poured in some measures onto him at Hogwarts.

And then there was Hermione.

The angel who gave the word, 'love,' its true meaning and semblance, someone who had brought meaning to his world, which was soon ebbing away his life.

She had made him love, learn how to love, and loved him back for it. Not just the surface or physical love, but a mental and emotional connection that bind her to his being. He thrived with her around, he lived with her love.

He did not know where he ended and she began. In her arms the world was marvellous and nothing could go wrong. The stars would be brighter and evil had no hold.

There was just a dream, a sense of surreal with the promise of never ending.

As long as there was Hermione, there was reason. Reason to live, reason for compassion, reason for understanding and reason for love, while she remained the waves of darkness quelled in his heart dying out into the ripples they had come from.

The tears began to dry and Harry began to walk the slow road to healing.

Slytherin's Chamber

Mordante rested his sore body on the bed. Miss Sewensky had long since left.

The mage training had been hard and brutal, accelerated from the normal pace that even Slytherin advocated though his father would never reveal that much.

Mordante was correct, in ten hours he had learnt what Harry Potter had learnt through his entire training till date. The interruptions served by Lord Voldemort on Harry Potter had also aided this endeavour.

But, Mordante did not know Harry Potter's level and thus vowed to strive harder until he had achieved a level greater than his father, greater than even the Lord Slytherin. The time turner that lay in the chamber would be his aid. By both he and his father going back in time they could hold day's worth of lessons in a few hours.

The experience had left him exhausted and tired. Using his last remaining strength he directed his illusionary self to connect to his sleeping mind, while shutting down his true body.

Time was of the essence and priorities had to be re-adjusted.

Astronomy Tower

Harry did not remember how much sleep he had missed, due to his training and conversation with Voldemort. His mind confused but a few minutes ago had started to clear. The seeds of dissent and madness planted by Voldemort had been uprooted.

He would save the world, give his life if he had to. Not for the goodness and the greatness of it all, but because Hermione wanted the world to exist. Hermione existed and thrived in the world, and would wither in the one that Voldemort created. That was the tipping scale, not glory, not heroism, not for the people, but for Hermione.

His eyelids refused to function properly and he soon he lay asleep on the ledge. The sun shinning of his wet hair produced a halo like rainbow around his head.

He would remain thus for a long time.

The Castle in Scotland

Voldemort was pleased. He had reason to be very pleased; his new army was coming up quite well. The decision to hand the training to the elf was bearing fruit and the soldiers were becoming well trained in the use of magical weapons suited to their character.

In the workshop to the east of the compound, creatures and men worked tirelessly to build the magical siege weapons that would be needed to break through into Hogwarts.

The usage of siege weapons in the magical community was reminiscent of the middle ages, where castles were fortified with protection against magical spells and warfare. Special siege weapons were therefore adapted to do the job. The knowledge though lost for ages had been preserved carefully in the handbooks of Lord Slytherin, translated by his heir. Hogwarts was a castle of the old, and would be siege in the same manner.

Using the connection he to was able to re-learn the language of the dark, he had forgotten large amounts over the years and he did not have the enhanced skills of memory that his heir had. This is not to say that Voldemort's memory skills were average, but that Mordante's were more than just great.

The conquest of the dark was going well all over the world, browsing the reports Voldemort saw an ability to accelerate the process, but he resisted.

First Hogwarts will fall and with it Dumbledore, the Potter boy in any case will be taken care off one way or the other, preferably the other.

Gryffindor Dormitories

Ginny lay on the ground alone in her room, her fellow boarders long gone into the hall for their breakfast. On the floor her mind was filled with turmoil, worry and contradiction.

Worry for Harry was still in the hospital and no one knew anything, contradiction for he had reached there with Hermione's name, turmoil for she did not know what to do.

She admitted to herself that she was in love with Harry, to a point of obsession. It was a feeling inside of her, one that she could not voluntarily erase. First, she had though she was in love with his fame as did everyone. But she had begun to ask her self why was she in love?

He is kind, caring, valiant, brave, handsome...

The list went on and on a listing of qualities that made her feel this way. She first had a crush on him as a celebrity, but that had changed in her first year. He had risked his life to rescue her, her knight in shinning armour. She had not forgotten the tender way he had taken care of her. It was more than a crush, it had to be more.

Slytherin Chambers

Mordante's illusion attended classes for him as he strolled around the room. His mind could not concentrate on any tasks. The book of the dark and his mage sword lay forgotten on the floor. He was haunted by the figure in white; it was like a powerful memory beckoning to him, again and again.

In an attempt to see her again he started the music and began to dance. He pretended he was dancing with her; his mind totally concentrated his body and feet pretending of her existence.

Swirl after swirl, twirl after twirl, until he knew no longer where he was. The room became a blur and consciousness evaded and then in his arms she appeared, holding him before he fell.

Who are you my angel?

He didn't expect an answer, contended in her being there. But she had her own plans.

I am the angel of darkness...

Why then do you dress in white?

For I am as pure in my way as am I soiled in another...

Why do you haunt me thus?

You are mine and mine alone...

Mordante:

O' Angel of darkness I am yours,

I was yours in the first step of the dance,

the swish of the robes and the flicker of the wicks,

each moment entranced more than the previous,

Angel:

Then sing with me,

my song of darkness,

join in my delight and joy,

create the serenade of evil,

The lyrics to the song that seemed so familiar to Mordante, yet so strange filled his mind and his thoughts.

Mordante and Angel:

Let darkness fall around us,

caress us into an entity pure,

pure from light filled with evil,

blessed with heavenly might,

May our hearts remain true to cause,

cause being one another,

immerse in the depths of one's mind,

and feel each in the other's blood.

ask not of where we are,

ask not of who and why,

ask not of when and what,

ask only of us,

Then the angel broke away and began to sing on her own.

I am the epitome of darkness,

the metaphor that be your heart,

I was forged in the fire of your passion,

and cooled by your love,

Mordante:

light has no hold over me,

white as black is my heart,

but why do you hide?

play these games,

those seek to tear me apart,

Angel:

For that I cannot apologise enough,

but your will is not strong enough,

you must deepen yourself into the abyss,

of power, evil and darkness,

Then shalt come the strength,

the strength and will to awaken,

pull me out of this cage in you,

and bring me to confront...

With that she slowly ebbed away. Mordante has been spinning in circles around the room, a fact he realised only when he caught smell of the burning of his footwear.

Exhausted but enlightened he sat down to plan.

Astronomy Tower

Hermione has spent the entire morning looking for Harry. She knew her Professors would be very cross for missing her classes, but that was fact that could not be helped.

She was more than just concerned for his health more mental than physical. It was not like him to slink off into a corner without telling someone.

She found as he was sleeping in the astronomy tower, his eyes positioned towards the window.

She looked at him fondly, the black tresses of his hair untangled with wetness that illuminated with golden sun rays. His face was serene something she had not seen for a long time.

Hermione sat down and took his head into her lap, he did not wake up. Slowly she stroked his hair, taking in the feeling of its softness.

I wish I could be here forever she thought.

But wishes are usually never granted and Harry awoke.

'Hermione?' he asked sleepily.

'Good Morning Harry,' she said staring into his green eyes drowning in their splendour and colour.

'Where am I?' he asked further making no attempt to remove himself from his established position.

'Astronomy tower,' she whispered very much enraptured in the moment.

'I, I must have fallen asleep!' he exclaimed getting up from Hermione's lap. Slightly disappointed Hermione too got up.

'Oh! My we'll miss classes!' Harry said as he brushed the dust of his robes.

Hermione smiled at the ironic nature of the statement; usually it would be the other way around.

'Come on now quickly then!' said Hermione, she grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the corridor.

Slytherin Dormitories

Draco Malfoy lay in thought. It was easy to fall into the trap of forgetting your thoughts could be monitored, but Draco Malfoy did not.

He had relived the entire humiliation in his dreams and mind again and again, till his body became numb to it and it turned from experience to fact.

He regretted all the work done by him at Hogwarts in establishing himself in command going to waste. But then an incident came to him...

Draco Malfoy's father had hired the best tutors in the trade to educate his son while he was away from Hogwarts. During his second year vacation a tutor asked him to do only one thing, write a novel of two hundred and fifty pages exactly.

The instructions were direct from his father. At such a young age Draco Malfoy could not dream of such a task or burden, but fear and the need to impress his father drove him. Day after day, night after night he spent in writing the novel, pouring his heart and soul into it.

The story he had chosen was the rise of a young boy from the background to the throne of a great kingdom. The parallels between him and the boy were obvious, they were meant to be, all first novels are autobiographical.

The hardest part was the exact size of the book not more than the desired pages not less, but a few days before the end of his holidays he accomplished the impossible.

With trembling hands he presented the completed manuscript to his tutor, who gave it to his father as he was present.

Without even looking at it, his father set it on fire. He held the pages in-front of Draco so he could watch his work burn slowly into ash.

'Learn one thing my son, the fruits of your labour are never definite, learn to accept that fact, and to take it in your stride.'

Those words rang clear in his head. He would forget the past and embark on a new quest which would include the changes in the scenario.

He would be useful to the heir; he would make sure of that.

The days passed swiftly, Voldemort did not interfere in Harry's dreams during this time. For reasons unknown to the Order. Both Sirius and Dumbledore had questioned him often enough, thinking he was hiding it all again. But, Voldemort had given time for Harry to think.

The training of Mordante as a basic mage was almost complete; he had reached Voldemort's level at school and several years after, even if the dark lord did not admit it. However, the mage in Harry had not yet awoken. His true strength lay dormant, unable to surface. The incident with Hermione had almost done it, but he had been unconscious.

Dumbledore was worried. He knew the final battle was coming soon; Harry Potter would have to awaken. But Dumbledore did not have the courage to force it upon the boy; his only hope was natural evolution.

The day of the dance and Harry's answer finally arrived, both strange and ironic their own ways.

The dance was a relief for the Hogwarts students, a time to let down their hair and have some fun. Even the teachers welcomed the change of environment.

The castle came alive with the conversion of boys and girls into young men and woman.

Gryffindor Dorm

Harry had decided to go over to his old dorm to get dressed and give moral support to the other Gryffindors.

Harry tried to get his hair into place with the help of wizarding gel. But it had a mind of its own, streaking and turning until it became coiled again.

'Forget it Harry,' said Seamus, 'it's not going to happen.' Seamus pointed at Harry's uncontrollable hair.

'Yeah!' said Dean trying to see himself from behind Harry in the mirror, 'give us fellows ago at the mirror.'

Giving up Harry moved away, allowing Dean access to the mirror.

'So, Seamus who are you taking?' asked Harry.

'Parvati Patil.'

Harry nearly choked in remembrance of his fourth year experience.

'Excellent partner! And you Dean?' Harry quickly recovered.

'I'm going stag and Neville is giving me company,' he said.

'No date in other words,' said Seamus chuckling.

'Yes, if you must call it that,' replied Dean, 'I intend to have a good time.'

It was fortunate for the rule of no dress robes; the process of dressing up in the boy's dormitories became simpler.

'I haven't seen Ron,' said Neville desperately trying to make a pimple on his right cheek disappear.

'Yes, where is he?' asked Harry.

'Don't know, left bout half an hour ago, said something about meeting his date,' said Dean adding the final touches to his sculpted hair.

'Who is his date?' asked Harry his eyebrows raised. He had had several conversations with Ron lately keeping with his and Hermione's vow to keep Ron included in everything, but there had been no mention of a date.

'Don't know,' replied Seamus, 'he claims it is a surprise.'

'A surprise?' said Neville, 'this should be good.'

He finally managed to zap the pimple away.

'Come on fellows we are getting late,' exclaimed Seamus as he exited the room to move to the common room.

'You know the girls won't be ready,' smirked Dean.

'But, we can at least pretend to be the early ones,' said Seamus.

He was soon followed by the rest of the group, Ron noticeably missing.

As per tradition and norms the girls were not waiting for them even though the dressing style had been simplified.

They were busy trying to adapt and change the standard school robe's stitching to be more glamorous. This took time and an extensive knowledge of spells, which Hermione Granger was dishing out to all the girls.

'Hermione!' wailed a sixth year girl, 'could you please do something about this baggy edge?'

A flick of a wand later the dress was altered the bagginess tuned to a thin streamline. Hermione herself was wearing black school robes modified to compliment her in every way possible. She looked from the perspective of her peers, stunning.

It was this stunning lady who made Harry lose his voice as she came down to the common room followed by several other girls.

'Hermione,' he croaked as she took his arm.

'Yes Harry?' she asked fluttering her eyelids.

'You are beautiful,' the breath which he had held in came out with this statement.

'Why, thank you Harry,' she said and winked at him.

'You look quite dashing yourself,' she added.

He flashed her a winning smile, and they moved off towards the main hall.

Behind them a shocked Seamus led Parvati out the portrait hole.

The fat lady of course in her part winked at all the couples as did many pictures which they passed.

A turn around the corner and they were inside the hall which had been completely remodelled with the due efforts of mainly the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

The hall was bathed in a translucent blue light emerging from the ceiling that was reshaped into a large hazy portrait of the deep blue sea. A dancing area lay in the centre with seating and catered arrangements to the side.

The house tables had been done away with, but clusters of seats still existed. Most of the people had segregated the houses automatically by shifting chairs across the room.

Hermione and Harry took a moment to digest their surroundings and then walked straight in amidst the ocean of children.

Most girls and some boys had altered their robes to suit the occasion and were looking quite good even in the standard school dress. More emphasis had therefore been given to makeup and hair which screamed their diversity across the board.

A live band the, 'Serenading Sirens,' played an alternative between soft and light beat music. Though most had never heard of the band, it was because the budget for the event was quite small.

Hermione and Harry took seats in a group of Gryffindors at a corner of the hall. They began amiably chatting with their friends.

'They did do a good job without us,' said Harry.

'Yes, they did,' added Hermione feeling slightly put out that she didn't follow her responsibility through.

'It's a pity we were not allowed to help,' said Harry.

'Its not your fault, McGonagall refused,' said Seamus quickly.

'Hospital visit and all,' put Parvati.

Harry could still not meet her eyes.

'Well Ladies and Gentlemen I have just spotted a lonely Ravenclaw who looks desperate for a dance,' said Dean, 'I shall re-join you in a moment.'

That said Dean headed for a Ravenclaws cluster.

'That's Dean for you,' smiled Parvati.

'Lucky chap,' gloomed Neville.

'Can you see the teachers?' asked Hermione looking around.

'I can see some of them, but most are missing' said Harry.

'Perhaps they are patrolling the halls for, astray students,' winked Seamus.

Their conversation however was halted by a gasp from almost every corner. Heads began to turn to a new centre of attention.

Through the door sailed Mordant with...