Harry Potter and the Orb of Power

        Chapter 7: The Peruvian Vipertooth

    The explosion rocked Diagon Alley with unmeasurable force. As Harry fell to the ground, he heard a scream from Hermione somewhere next to him. His ears were ringing; the deafening blast echoed in his ears. He closed his eyes, and forced himself to stand up. His body ached, but he had to make sure that Sirius and Hermione were all right. Harry realized he didn't have his glasses on, and he crouched to find them. He heard screaming all around him, wizards and witches running away from Gringott's. Harry couldn't see properly, but he had to find his glasses as soon as possible so that he could search for Hermione and Sirius. Harry couldn't find his glasses, so he picked up his wand. Not knowing if it would work, Harry performed a Summoning Charm.

    "Accio glasses!" Harry said, waving his wand. He heard a rushing sound, and he felt the glasses entering his hand. He put them on and realized one of the lenses were cracked. "Reparo!" Harry said, fixing the glasses. He put them back on and saw a scene of chaos.

    The entrance to Gringotts had been completely obliterated and was replaced by a gaping hole, surrounded by flames. Several witches and wizards were rolling on the ground, trying to put the flames on their robes out. Others, who hadn't run away, were shooting water from their wands. What caused the explosion, Harry thought, looking at Gringotts. He kept his wand out, not knowing exactly what had happened.

    "Hermione! Sir...Snuffles!" Harry yelled. He got no answer, only screaming filled the air. Another explosion came from Gringotts, but this one was muffled, coming from inside the building. Several goblins ran out of the door, fleeing for their lives. Suddenly, a jet of green flame followed them and incinerated them quickly. Harry's eyes widened when a Peruvian Vipertooth bolted out of the door. The dragon was about 20 feet long, and was a brilliant copper color. Its eyes were a deep green and its flames echoed the fierceness of its green eyes. Harry took several step backs. The Vipertooth wasn't as big as a Horntail, that was true, but its small size and viciousness made it quick and able to kill in a matter of moments. Harry didn't want to be kept unaware, so he backed up, his eyes never leaving the dragon, who was now snapping at a few wizards brave enough to try and tame the beast. The wizards were trying the Stunning Curse, but the curses kept rebounding off of the dragon's hide. Harry, feeling a safe distance away, saw Sirius looking frantically around, barking loudly.

    "Snuffles!" Harry yelled. Sirius ran at him quickly, trying to make sure that he was all right. "I'm fine, where is Hermione?" Harry asked quickly. Sirius didn't know, but he suddenly started to growl. Harry spun and saw that the Vipertooth had spread its wings and grabbed a wizard in its clutches. Harry looked away when the Vipertooth lowered its head, its sharp fangs ready for the kill. "We have to find Hermione!" Harry yelled. He looked and saw many people on the ground; they looked either unconscious or...Harry shook his head. He couldn't think about that. In a panic situation, he had to think quickly. "Snuffles...you look that way, I'll look this way. We'll meet back here in ten minutes and then go to the Leaky Cauldron. We have to find Hermione!" Sirius barked, but then started sniffing at people on the ground. Harry heard the roar of the Vipertooth, and saw that it had circled around and was shooting flames at the few wizards who were trying to take care of the situation. Harry realized with a grim reality that the dragon was now flying straight at him. The dragon emitted a thunderous roar, and started to swoop down on Harry. With his wand in his hand, Harry readied himself. He was going to do the Stunning Curse, but he realized that it would just bounce off of the dragon. And he didn't know the Conjunctivitis Curse, which put Harry in a bad way. The dragon was getting closer. Its eyes narrowed on Harry as it opened its mouth, ready to issue burning flames.

    "FRIGIDUS!" Harry bellowed. A blue streak of light issued from his wand. At the same time, the Vipertooth opened its mouth and issued bright green flames. The spell hit the fire and started to freeze the flames, turning the flames into one solid block of ice. The wave of frost climbed up the spout of flame. The ice stopped at the dragon's mouth, who slammed its jaws shut, the ice chunk falling to the ground with a crash. The dragon flew over Harry and waved its tail at him, catching Harry across the chest, sending him flying. Harry hit the ground hard, and saw the dragon climbing in the air, and turning back. It was flying so fast, so blindingly fast that Harry hardly saw the dragon coming the second time. Not trusting his aim again, Harry dove out of the way as the dragon spewed a brilliant green ball of flame, which caused a large explosion in the middle of the street. Harry hoisted himself up quickly. He saw that the dragon was now distracted by rapidly arriving ministry wizards who had just apparated in. Finally, Harry thought. He saw Sirius still looking around for the missing Hermione. Harry started to panic, he had to find her before the dragon picked her up as a snack. Harry tapped several witches and wizards who were on the ground, who looked panicked as they stood up groggily. Harry finally saw Hermione, who was looking around confused. She was crying because she too was looking amongst the bodies. Harry heard her yell, "Harry!"

    "Hermione, over here!" Harry yelled. Hermione gasped and started to run over when out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw the dragon wheeling about and heading for his location again. It must have been attracted by the noise they were making. Harry grabbed Hermione's arm and pointed his wand at the dragon. Hermione was doing the same.

    "Harry, use the Freezing Charm we learned in second year," Hermione said, staring straight at the dragon. Harry didn't respond that he knew, he just focused on the dragon. It opened its mouth again, ready to issue its flames again. Suddenly, they both heard a voice, from where Harry didn't know.

    "Spritus ferae, mortis vincere!" a cold voice bellowed into the air. Beads of green light struck the dragon, whose eyes rolled up into its head. Its wings folded, and the dragon soared over Harry and Hermione. The dragon crashed to the ground with a sickening thud behind he and Hermione. Harry looked wildly around for the spell caster, and then heard many shouts.

    "Avada Kedavra!" several voices shouted. Most of the Ministry wizards fell, dead before the even hit the ground. Hermione's hand went to her mouth.

    "Harry!" she whispered, pointing to Gringotts. Harry saw what Hermione was pointing out, and Harry felt all feeling drift away from his body.

    It was Lord Voldemort.

    The man (was he a man? Harry couldn't decide) was laughing coldly, his cold voice echoing into the air. The Ministry wizards were stunned by fright, gazing horribly at the sight of the evilness that was exiting Gringotts. Several Death Eaters were exiting too, laughing madly from underneath their hoods and masks. Harry dragged Hermione behind a sales cart, trying to hide from the dark wizards standing before them. The Ministry wizards pointed their wands at Voldemort.

    "Don't...don't take...another...step!" The wizard shouted. Harry shook his head, they were just wizards trained to deal with magical creatures, not the darkest wizard in their time. Voldemort narrowed his red eyes on the wizard, his mouth contorted into a twisted smile. Harry's scar exploded with pain. Hermione gripped Harry's hand, trying to help him deal with the pain. Rage filled Harry like never before.

    "Ok, ok. I will surrender. You have me defeated," Voldemort said. He then raised his wand and killed another ministry wizard in a flash.

    "STUPEFY!" the other wizards shouted. The curses deflected off of a shield Voldemort created, while the Death Eaters murdered the last of the Ministry Wizards. Harry's scar was filled with a blinding pain, just as rage boiled up inside of him. So many died, and for what? Voldemort looked around.

    "Where are they?" he said, the mirth from killing the wizards clearly having left him. One of the Death Eaters stepped forward.

    "The dragon is over there, my Lord," one of the Death Eaters said. Harry could clearly tell it was Lucius Malfoy.

    "Very well, Lucius, bring it to me. We need to be quick, Aurors will be swarming this area in a matter of moments. I don't want them to see who did this," Voldemort said coldly. "We won't be giving Dumbledore the satisfaction of being right about my return." Hermione was looked horrified, and nudged Harry. The dragon was behind them, meaning that Lucius Malfoy was going to see he and Hermione hiding behind the cart. Hermione looked at him and mouthed, "What do we do?" Harry shrugged, trying to think of a way to escape the situation. Lucius was walking towards the cart, his wand in his hand. Harry was about to leap out and disarm him when he heard a snarl. Sirius leapt onto Lucius and they both crashed to the ground. Sirius picked up Malfoy's wand and ran to dodge the curses the Death Eaters were throwing at him. Harry stood up quickly, pointing his wand at Voldemort.

    "Expelliarmus!" Harry cried. The spell blasted Voldemort, who was caught by surprise. He went flying back; all of Harry's rage went into the disarming spell. Voldemort's wand came flying into Harry's hand. Harry was going to break Voldemort's wand when several of the Death Eaters pointed their wands at Harry.

    "Break it and you die," Voldemort said, laughing coldly as he righted himself. He brushed off of his robes. "Well, well, Harry. Fancy seeing you here. I'm ever so surprised," Voldemort said lazily, which indicated to Harry that Voldemort had known Harry was going to be here. Harry looked coldly at Voldemort, his eyes squinting at the madman. He couldn't see Voldemort's face properly, but saw clearly the deep red slits that were his eyes, those eyes that were filled with madness. He wished he could stun him, but any curse would lead to his, and possibly Hermione's death. Harry kept his wand on Voldemort, as if to stop the Death Eaters from getting any ideas. "What a situation we're in, Harry." Voldemort took another step forward.

    "Don't move again," Harry said slowly and deliberately. Voldemort smiled and stepped forward.

    "Or what, Harry? You kill me? I do not think so." Voldemort wasn't worried in the least bit, which bothered and irritated Harry to no end. Lucius straggled up, but kept away from Sirius, the wand still in the dog's mouth. "Quite the dog you have, Harry. I don't think you want to see it die," Voldemort said, while one of the Death Eaters pointed his wand at Sirius. "Now I have the leverage," Voldemort said. "Now give me back my wand." Harry realized that the standoff would not last forever. Hermione suddenly stood up.

    "ADJUNCTIS!" Hermione shouted, a golden light hitting Voldemort. His eyes were wide with surprise at the curse.

    "DO NOTHING!" he shouted to the Death Eaters, who were about to curse Hermione.

    "Well. Stuck in a predicament by a Muggle-born," Hermione said fiercely to Voldemort with a bravery that shocked Harry. She looked furious to a degree that Harry had never seen, which reminded him of Dumbledore when he was angry. Hermione's hand was shaking, indicating to Harry that she was also very frightened.

    "Another surprise, Harry. Pity you need your girlfriend to do your fighting for you," Voldemort said. "The Adjunctis Curse, very high level magic for a fifth year such as you," Voldemort said, his eyes peering at Hermione. "Any damage done to the spellcaster damages the linked one by five fold." Hermione didn't move, but the realization that Voldemort knew the curse made her more nervous. What if he knew the counterspell? Was there a counterspell? Harry felt suddenly a bit braver. The longer they stood here, frozen like this, the less time it would be until the Aurors arrived and saw that Voldemort was back. Harry tried to anticipate Voldemort's next action, but knew that his knowledge of magic was infinitely smaller than Voldemort. Voldemort looked around.

    "Well, one of us has to move. We can't lie around all day now can we? So, Harry, what is your next move? Will you kill me? Will you try to kill me? You want to, don't you. You want to end my life, like I ended your parents' lives. Try it, Harry. It will make you feel better. Just do it, say the words. Maybe they will work. It is likely that they won't. But won't it make you feel better, to know that you had it in you to try to kill someone. You'd make a great Death Eater. Pity I didn't ask your parents to become Death Eaters." Harry felt more anger building up inside of him.

    "You shut up!" Harry shouted. "You shut up about my parents!"

    "Don't let him get to you, Harry," Hermione said.

    "Pity, Harry, that this mudblood girlfriend of yours has more power than you do. Famous Harry Potter, "defeater" of the Dark Lord, is at the mercy of a mudblood witch," Voldemort said icily, with a level of fierceness that only he, Lord Voldemort, could utter.

    "It's also a pity, Voldemort, that you yourself are a muggle-born wizard, who was defeated by a baby, and is now at the mercy of one of the same "mudbloods" that you hate so much," Harry said coldly. Harry might be showing bravery on the outside, but inside he had the same frightened feeling that he felt the last time he faced Voldemort. He remembered, as if from another time, Sirius's comment that his luck would not save him forever. It was time, Harry thought, that he escaped using his skill. Voldemort looked coldly at him, his red eyes were burning his scar. Harry felt his scar burn with pain, but he looked right back at Voldemort, forcing himself not to quail under Voldemort's gaze. He saw Voldemort smile nastily (or was it a grimace? Harry wasn't sure), his face contorted in some expression Harry couldn't read. Hermione kept the Adjunctis Curse going, but Harry knew that Hermione couldn't hold it for longer. Where are the Aurors? Wouldn't someone have called them? Harry thought, angrily.

    "This game ends now," Voldemort said suddenly. Just as Voldemort spoke, Harry saw Lucius Malfoy charge at Harry. Sirius bounded and jumped on his back, but the scuffle knocked Hermione to the ground, breaking the Adjunctis Curse. Harry looked at Voldemort.

    "Stupefy!" Harry shouted, his stunner rocketing at Voldemort. Voldemort dove out of the way, just as a Death Eater, sounding awfully like Wormtail, shouted, "Expelliarmus!" Harry dropped his own wand just before the curse hit him, sending only Voldemort's wand soaring out of his hand. Harry felt himself knocked backwards. Other Death Eaters rushed forward and threw Sirius off of Lucius Malfoy, who retrieved his own wand. Things were happening so quickly that Harry barely had time to react. He dove for his wand and grabbed Hermione's hand. He heard Voldemort shrieking, "DO NOT KILL HIM!" Harry and Hermione ducked into the nearest alley, looking for somewhere to hide.

    "What do we do, Harry? They'll try to kill us!" Hermione said, tears welling in her eyes not just from fright, but from the rage that building up inside of her. Harry didn't know, but he knew that since Voldemort didn't want him dead, no one would use the Killing Curse on him.

    "Get behind me, we'll put up a Shield Charm. Two of us together will put up a stronger shield. We'll just use it to stall for time until the Aurors get here," Harry said. Hermione stood behind him, and pointed her wand ahead of them.

    "Defendo!" they both shouted, creating an invisible shield in front of them. The Death Eaters saw them in the alley, trying to use the Stunning Curse against them. The shield blocked them, but it took so much strength to keep it up. Harry realized grimly that they weren't going to last much longer like this. Voldemort made his way through the crowd, his eyes lighted with red fury.

    "Harry! This all must end! Just save yourself now and we'll spare the girl!" Voldemort said. He raised his hands. "Look around you. You are surrounded. I was not planning on killing your friend, I did not even know she was here. Come now, let's end this struggle. You're tired, ever so tired, you should just let it go." Voldemort's voice was no longer cold, but almost soothing, melodious. The words sounded convincing to Harry, he wanted to stop now, he wanted to give up. Hermione put her wand down.

    "We should listen to him, Harry. We should give up." Harry felt the shield weakening, but he poured more of his strength into it.

    "We can't give up Hermione!" Harry shouted. His body was becoming exhausted.

    "Listen to your friend, Harry. Put your wand down, and we'll let her go. Look, my Death Eaters make a way for her. Let her go. You are holding her captive. See, she wishes to walk this way," Voldemort said in his comforting words. Hermione started to walk forward, mumbling something about letting her go. Harry grabbed her arm.

    "Hermione! Don't do it!" Harry felt himself losing strength, the shield slowly retreating. He couldn't do it anymore. I'm giving up, Harry thought as he lowered his wand. Suddenly, he heard Voldemort give a cackle of victory. He raised his wand and shouted.

    "Morsmordre!" The green emblem of the Dark Mark slithered into the sky. NOW! Harry thought.

    "STUPEFY!" Harry shouted, his stunner barely missing Voldemort. Voldemort, caught off balance, fell onto a jagged piece of debris, which pierced his side. Voldemort screamed in pain, an unnatural sound that filled the air. Harry felt a horrible burst of pain that shook his entire body, the pain pouring over him from his scar. He collapsed into Hermione's arms. Suddenly, he heard a popping sound from behind him. Someone had apparated from behind him, a good distance behind him. He heard someone utter an incantation that he could not understand, and he felt Hermione being pulled away from him. He held on, furiously trying to keep his grasp. It was like Hermione was being pulled by a portkey and Harry was coming along for the ride. He saw Voldemort stand up, clutching his side, shouting at the Death Eaters in his cold voice once again. Harry then saw Diagon Alley fade from his vision as the Death Eaters and Voldemort apparated away. Harry felt more pain cover his body. He looked up and saw Hermione looking sick from this mysterious spell that they were under. Harry closed his eyes, feeling nausea and sleepiness take him over.