19

Chapter Nineteen: When We Meet Again

Harry stretched as he lay in the confines of his bed. The silky fabric wrinkled with his movement, creating different shades of blue. His sleep encrusted mind beckoned for him to rise, however the downy surface begged his body to remain. Flipping on to his stomach he buried his head into the pillow. He had now been home for a week and had done little since his return other then rest. During these days, Harry had had little contact with anyone, opting instead to remain in his quarters or to practice solitarily in his personal training room. He had little want for companionship, especially when he saw the pity in their eyes.

Moaning, Harry roughly rolled onto his back once more. His eyes opened and rest on his wand hand. Impassively, he examined it, moving his fingers just to make sure he was still alive. Instead of life, Harry felt a penetrating cold that seemed to encompass his entire being. 'I can't remember what it felt like to feel warmth.' He thought with enthrallment. 'When did this happen? Oh, I remember… when I saw the end of the hallway.' Harry frowned. 'Does it really matter?'

His thoughts were interrupted by the sharp knock that resonated of his door. Rising from his bed, Harry called. "Come in."

His father entered, his head turning to examine the room and then finally Harry himself. "I think you have had enough lazing about."

"Is there a mission you would like me to complete?" Harry asked.

"No." Voldemort said holding his gaze. "It is time to further your training, especially if you desire to duel Dumbledore."

"You know?"

"Bellatrix has filled me in on your desire for vengeance." Voldemort grinned. "I was going to save him for myself, however I can not deny, you, your revenge. Show him no mercy, and I will not regret my decision. It does not matter in the overall picture who kills Dumbledore just as long as he dies. Once he is out of the way, the resistance will crumble. The Wizarding World is lacking in strong leaders. No one will come close to filling in his shoes."

Harry nodded. No matter how senile Dumbledore was, he was still a very charismatic leader and could easily sway the people to his cause. "Next time he crosses my path, he will die. You have my word."

"Then it will be done." Voldemort nodded. "You will not need your wand for this portion of your training."

"Wandless magic?" Harry asked astonished. "Before you said that it was not necessary for me to learn it."

"Times change, Harry. In this type of warfare, it will become extremely easy for one to become separated from their wand. And such a happening could easily leave you dead." Voldemort paused. "We will go to the east wing's training room after lunch. Its size will be suitable for our sparring session."

"Is there another reason you are teaching me this?"

"You were always too astute for your own good." Voldemort whispered. "In three weeks time, there will be a mission for you that will require the use of muggle weapons or wandless magic since the Ministry now knows your wand's signature. It should demoralize the enemy and draw out Dumbledore… much to your satisfaction, I believe?"

Harry's eyes widened. "A hit and run. Who is the target?"

"The Minister of Magic. You will do the preliminary assessment of the security that surrounds Fudge, since it will be your mission. You will also have your pick, concerning those that you wish to accompany you. However, they cannot bear the Dark Mark."

"This will be the most difficult mission that you have sent me on." Harry stated evenly.

His father slowly nodded his head. "You are the only one capable of completing this task, besides myself. I am too obvious for this mission. My presence would only serve to give the mission away."

"They know who I am now." Harry moved to his closet to select one of his many robes. Once he had selected a suitable black one, he paused to hear his father's response.

"That is true." Voldemort replied, his eyes staring into his son's back. "However, I have faith that you can complete this mission no matter the odds. You will find their weak spots and exploit them as you have always done."

Harry closed his eyes and bowed his head. Memories of his arrogance played in his mind. He had ignored an important rule when it came to his line of work. He had played with Black, exposing himself to Potter's attack. 'I am not invulnerable.' Harry's mind whispered silently. 'I do not fear death, thus I have seceded where most would not fare. But was this lack off fear what led me to defeat?'

"Harry," his father said as he closed the gap between them. His hand rested on his son's shoulder. It was largest display of affection his father would ever show, but it was enough for Harry. "Another coincidence like what occurred during your last mission will not happen again. I think you have learned more through your mistake, than I could have ever taught you."

"Hmph," Harry snorted. "I learned not to let it happen another time. I will die before I ever come under Dumbledore's control again."

Voldemort nodded. "You will succeed." His hand left his son's shoulder and he walked to the door. "You will be dining with me this afternoon. Be on time."

"Yes, father." When the door shut, Harry hurried himself through his morning routines.

Albus Dumbledore tiredly rubbed his temples as he sat in the ruins of his study. It had been a week since the assault on Hogwarts. The students had long since left, along with many members of the staff, except for Professor McGonagall who had volunteered her time to aid him. In that week, the Headmaster had cleared much of the rubble. However the message that had been etched on the wall behind him could not be erased. 'Harry must have used a permanent sticking charm on it.' The headmaster mutely speculated to himself. 'You brought this on yourself, old man. We will meet again, and on that day you will die.' The words echoed through his mind as if Harry had been present to say them. He leaned back in the chair he had conjured. His mind drifted to when he had first entered his study that Friday.

Fawkes had immediately sought him out, knowing that his master was on mission to retrieve one of the final Horcruxes. He had been mostly successful in retrieving it without setting of the trap that had been attached to the cup that had once belonged Helga Hufflepuff. Having transfigured a rock into a cat, he had sent the creature to set off the protecting charm that destroyed the yellow cat. With the spell no longer intact, Dumbledore had triumphantly taken the cup. In his mind, he had gone over the list of Horcruxes, and was pleased to know that only two remained… Godric Gryffindor's pendant, which still hung around Harry's Potter's neck, and finally there was an item that had belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw, which was in a location that was still anonymous to the Headmaster. However, his moment of pleasure had been destroyed when Fawkes had arrived.

Unable to reach Hogwarts before Harry and the Death Eaters had fled, Dumbledore had instead sought to head them off at Knockturn Alley. It was a lucking guess on the aged Headmaster's part, and had paid off. However, in the end, he had failed, because of the slowness of the Ministry officials in raising an Anti-Apparation barrier, they had escaped.

Empty-handed, the Headmaster had returned to his school to be greeted with his terrified students. Much later, he went to his study to find it completely destroyed. His eyes had widened in surprise before they narrowed in anger. Harry was Riddle's son. This sadistic work proved it. Dumbledore could easily picture Tom Riddle having done it. Raising his wand, he had soaked his smoldering desk with water, causing the entire structure to collapse. In the ashes, he found a pair of black rimmed glasses that had been tarnished brown by the blaze. 'So here died Harry Potter before he even had a chance to live. And out of the ashes rose Harry Marvolo.' Dumbledore had thought with irony. He grasped the fire damaged glasses and had stared at them for minutes. 'It is fitting that he died here.'

"Headmaster, you had wished to speak with me?" Severus Snape asked as he stared at the thinking Dumbledore.

"Yes, Severus." Dumbledore smiled briefly. "I was just lost in thought."

Snape nodded his head. "Many people are finding themselves lost in thought… it is much better then what we call reality."

Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "Especially now when all hope seems lost. We are losing this war, unless something is done. With Harry returned to Voldemort, we can expect the number of deaths to increase. They will attack us using two fronts… one led by Harry the other fully controlled by Voldemort."

Snape flinched at the use of the Dark Lord's name. "It does appear to be a bleak scenario."

The Headmaster's face appeared to grow pallor and pinched. "Severus, what I am about to ask you, will possibly be the most dangerous assignment that I have ever given you." Dumbledore stated heavily.

Snape's eyes narrowed in dread and anticipation.

"I need you to slip Wizard's Bane into Voldemort's drink, rendering him powerless." Dumbledore gazed steadily at the potions professor. "If you are successful, we could possibly win the war."

"That is an impossible task." Snape sputtered, which was quite an achievement since he was always so collected. "It can not be down. The Dark Lord would know! In the end, after being tortured for information, he would kill me."

"I know it is risky-."

"It is my life that you are risking, Albus!" Snape hissed from where he stood. He was half tempted to leave the room.

"Severus, this could stop the killing."

Snape chuckled. "I am human, Albus, and as such I am selfish. What good is an end to this hell, if I am not here to enjoy it? I prefer not to rush into a situation that can get me killed when there are other options."

Dumbledore sighed. "Is there a way to disguise the potion so Voldemort will be unaware of its presence?"

"Perhaps." Severus said reluctantly. "But there is no way to know for sure if it will work."

"We have to try it."

Snape frowned as he return the Headmaster's intense gaze. Inwardly, he fought a smile that was threatening to show on his face. "I will do it."

"Thank you, Severus. This means a lot to me and the Wizarding World."

'I bet it does.' Severus thought as he bid his employer goodbye and began his walk to his classroom. "But it does not matter." The potion master whispered once he was safely in his office. "After this, Albus, whatever debt I feel I must pay to you will finally be made null. No matter was the outcome, whether I fail or succeed, I will not be returning to yours or Voldemort's side." Snape smiled slightly as he played with a portkey that he had hidden in his pocket. It would serve as his escape as the Potions Master had specifically made it to break through the ward that surrounded the Dark Lord's fortress. "I will have my freedom."

Harry dodged yet another one of his father's attacks, panting with exertion. His feet landed on the floor, however the landing was not smooth enough, and Harry was forced to use his hands for balance. Wearily, he raised his eyes to examine his father's face, looking for signs of disappointment. Instead, he watched as another spell was hurtled at him. Using both his hands and feet for thrust, he hurled his body away from the purple light. This time he was unable to land on his feet and came crashing to the ground on his side. The air escaped his lungs. Ragged coughs shook Harry's body. When his cough fit finally ended, and Harry was able to see properly, he was surprised to see his father offering him his hand. Gratefully, he accepted his father's help to his feet.

"What is the object of this lesson?" His father asked patiently.

"To teach me how to properly perform wandless magic." Harry answered stiffly as he wiped the perspiration from his forehead.

Red eyes closed. "That is peculiar, because I was beginning to believe that we were heightening your ability to evade attacks."

"I try-."

His father laughed snidely at this. "I see no try. I see you abandoning your position time and time again! You will stay and fight me. If you leave your position to avoid one of my spells once more, Harry, there will be punishment."

Harry's face became lined with concentration. "I understand."

Voldemort smiled as he returned to his place. Once there, he turned to face his young ward. He was greeted by a face that held fierce determination. "Let's begin!" Even as he finished his sentence, the Dark Lord began to fire his spell. To his son's credit, he did not try to dodge the spell. However Harry was still unable to create a barrier, so the spell knocked him backwards. "Stand up!"

Reluctantly, Harry rose to his feet. His ribs ached after the direct hit. 'Try to imagine the barrier forming between you and the spell.' Harry told himself as he prepared for the inevitable attack. The assault came only this time something was different. Harry could actually feel the magic surrounding him. He was able to manipulate it to do his will. A resounding sound greeted both combatants' ears as the spell bounced of a barrier and hit the wall behind Voldemort.

"Well done, Harry." The Dark Lord paused. "Now we can make progress. Any spell can be created just as you did with the barrier. However, certain spells such as the Avada Kedavra tend to lack potency when performed with wandless magic. Each branch of magic has their advantages and their disadvantages."

Harry fought back the smile when he heard his father say a line that he had often repeated to Harry during lessons. "I remember."

Voldemort's lips twitched. "I suppose you do. In that case, let the lesson continue. This time you will attack me. The Unforgivable Curses can not be used."

Harry nodded and began to picture the jelly leg curse.

"Begin!" His father shouted.

Grasping the magic around him, Harry sent his curse. To his surprise, the spell did not reach his father but vanished. Before he had time to react by establishing a shield, his father shot a stunning spell in his direction. Remembering, his father's early instructions he did not dodge. Harry felt his body go rigid until in completely toppled over, causing Harry to land on his stomach, smashing his nose in the process. The spell lifted, and Harry immediately moved to halt his nose from bleeding, however was unable to staunch the bleeding.

"Here." Voldemort said as he used a healing spell to heal his son's damaged nose.

"My Lord." Bellatrix voice carried in the sparse room. "Snape is here. He says he has important information concerning Dumbledore's movements."

"He can tell me this news over dinner." Voldemort turned to Harry. "We have done enough for today. We have three weeks. I believe that will be sufficient enough time for you to grasp the main concepts. Shower and you will join me and Severus at lunch.'

"Bellatrix, you are to join us as well."

Bellatrix bowed. "Of course, my Lord."

The Dark Lord began to leave when, Harry stopped him. "Father, I do not trust Snape."

"Neither do I." Voldemort stated. "That is why Bellatrix and you will be joining me."

Harry's disquiet was not relieved.

The house elves brought out the food, followed by red wine that had already been poured into individual crystal stemmed glasses. Harry was not surprise to see that Snape was jumpy and somewhat reluctant to eat the food that filled his plate. 'He's done something.' Harry knew beyond a doubt. Looking at his father, who was sitting beside him, Harry was surprised to see his father completely unconcerned. Disappointed, Harry returned to the task of eating. The house elves had truly outdone themselves this evening. The sirloin was cooked to perfect along with the many sides that varied in taste.

Harry only paused in his examining of the food when he noticed his father twirling his wine glass. It was a gesture that his father did often, but his time it was different.

Voldemort held the glass to his nose sniffing its burgundy contents. "A wine of good vintage is always a treat to find. This one has a delectable smell." He stated as he continue to make the liquid spin around the rounded glass walls. "The way it flows is also a good testament to the winery that created it. Don't you agree, Severus?"

The spy curtly nodded his head. "Yes, my Lord. You are correct. It is exquisite wine."

The Dark Lord absently nodded. He seemed completely engrossed with the wine. "It is fitting that it is red wine." He moved to sip the contents but halted. His eyes finally rested on Snape. "Why do you look so pale, Snape? Are you ill?"

"No, my Lord."

Voldemort rested the cup onto the wood surface of the table. "How did you get it into my cup?"

"I do not know what you mean, my Lord."

The Dark Lord smiled his gaze returning to the wine. "If only all betrayals tasted as good as a high-quality wine." With that he brushed the glass off the table and onto the floor. The shards of glass mingled with claret pool. "Now, Snape, how did you manage to get the Wizard's Bane into my glass? I hate to such excellent wine go to waste."

"I tricked the house elves into doing so."

"Cunning." Voldemort stated. "Unfortunately, after this I can no allow you to live. One betrayal deserves another."

Snape looked into the red eyes. "After this I intend to serve one person… myself. My Lord, you and Dumbledore will fight this war. I, however, refuse to be caught in the middle." Snape's hand grasped the portkey in his pocket and disappeared. Harry's dagger connected with thin air.

"Greasy bastard." Harry shouted.

Bellatrix turned to Voldemort. "How did you know?"

Voldemort took on a look of reflection. "Some would call me a connoisseur of wine. The smell was slightly off. There is no doubt in my mind that he tried to conceal the Wizard's Bane. However, my sense of smell is greater then a human's."

The brick surface of the London townhouse served as the perfect backrest. Replacing his newspaper back into his backpack, Harry began to move. The three days that he had been observing Fudge had proved rather uneventful. Walking past the guarded townhouse, which currently held the Minister of Magic, Harry was suddenly grateful for such simple charms such as the Glamour Charm. Brushing locks of brown hair from his now gray eyes, Harry gazed at the house. The Auror's watched him unsuspectingly. Harry smiled and waved in their direction. Only one of them returned his wave.

Once passed the townhouse, Harry turned the corner onto a bustling street. He smiled dully as he recalled one truth that he had learned during the years he had spent in his father's service. 'They never suspect the child. And when they realize the truth most can not kill the child, thus they die.'

Arriving at his next road, he left the street he was currently on behind. Raising his eyes from the sidewalk, Harry saw the park in the distance. A cool fall breeze caused his hair to blow into his eyes. The selected bench came into sight. Removing his paper from his bag once more, Harry sat down. Minutes later, Harry heard another person sit beside him.

"On your side?" Harry asked.

The black-haired sixteen year old smirked. "Surprisingly open."

"Hmm." Harry mumbled. "Appearances can be deceiving. Just like how there were only two guards protecting the front."

"There has to be more."

Harry smiled. "When something looks too good to be true, it is probably not. That is a main lesson to be learned in this business, Draco." Harry paused. "The windows give away their numbers. I would estimate thirty guards, varying throughout the four stories. What makes this job so difficult is the proximity to the Ministry of Magic. Reinforcements can easily be called at the first sign of a disturbance."

"How does the Dark Lord expect us to carry this out?" Sarcasm dripped in his friend's voice.

"He expects it to be carried out well." Harry made sure Draco got the full impact of his sentence. "This mission will not call for numbers, Draco, just finesse. Besides, I have a layout of the house."

"How did you manage to get your hands on that?" The normal blonde youth asked incredulously.

"Everyone has their price." Harry replied briskly. "Now, Fudge's office is on the fourth floor, putting all the Auror's between him and us. The front door is of course off limits, and the two guards have to remain at there posts during this whole operation or our cover will be blown. What I propose to do is enter through the third story window, which is located in the east alley. It is out of sight. The only problem is that there are three Aurors. If one of them is able to shoot a warning from their wand, we fail."

"What am I going to be doing during this?"

"You will be watching for Ministry reinforcements in a building across the street and cattycorner of the target's home. From there you keep me alert to the movements both inside and outside the house."

"So you're taking all the action?"

Harry's eye brow rose. "You want to go into a house infested with Aurors?"

"On second thought, Marvolo, they are all yours."

Harry smiled. "The next tricky part is the time of day I plan to carry out this assignment. Fudge, rushes home briefly everyday at noon. During this period of time his guard count is lower, however we also have a smaller window of time to get in and get out. I will also be more visible. However, if we are successful it will send the desired message to the Wizarding World, especially since we will have done it in broad daylight."

"This is insane!"

Harry snorted. "Insanity and brilliance are often mistaken for the other."

"If things go wrong?"

Harry reached into his backpack. "This, my friend, is a muggle headset used for communication. Because Wizards do not have a full understanding of primitive muggle devices, they will be unable to listen in on our conversations. If the Ministry would arrive you would alert me… and then use this portkey to escape to my safe house. You, press this button and the portkey will work immediately."

"And will you have another such portkey?" Draco asked. His eyes had narrowed.

"Yes, however, my retreat will not be as simple." Harry sighed. "There are wards over the house that prevents portkeys from functioning. I will have to work my way out and then use the portkey."

"There is a lot of risk." Draco said still unimpressed by Harry's plan.

"For success, there has to be risk. Besides if we came during the night the increased number of guards would hinder my progress."

Leaning forward in the bench, Draco looked at his friend from the corner of his eyes. "When?"

"This Thursday."

Draco's now hazel eyes widened. "This Thursday? As in tomorrow? Doesn't that cut our preparation time?"

"I have everything I need." Harry stated. "Remember, Draco, you cannot use your wand. If everything goes well you shouldn't have to. Keep the headset on all the time. This switch, here, turns it on."

"I got it."

Using his hands to help lift his body, Harry stood. "See you tomorrow."

Draco nodded. "This had better work, Marvolo. I am not taking the Dark Lord's wrath if something happens to you."

"Nothing is going to happen to me… I could never be a grain of wheat."

"What?"

Harry smiled forlornly. "Nothing." He, then, left an exceedingly perplexed Draco Malfoy.

'One, Two, Three… go.' Harry's mind echoed. His heart remained steady as he moved effortlessly through the back alley that lay behind the Townhouse. In the foreground he could hear the Aurors talking idly amongst themselves. Hiding behind a trash bin, Harry waited counting their movements. 'Three… just as planed.' The sound of footsteps reached his ears. They were coming his way. Using wandless magic, he created a soft noise that lured the guards in the opposite direction.

"What was that?"

"I don't-." The third was cut off as a dagger severed his spinal cord. His body collapsed to the concrete.

Harry's youthful body was already into action before the man hit the ground. The second dagger in his hand stuck in the first Auror's forehead. His hands empty, Harry used his hands to disable the last. His breaths were heavier but controlled. He had completed his first task with little sound. Looking at the third story window, Harry created a robe that led up to it. His hands firmly grasped the thin rope, and he began his ascent.

The window was unlocked, making the second task easy. With the use of his hands, Harry pulled himself into the townhouse.

"I'm in." He whispered in the headset.

"Copy… The guards are still in place."

Harry made no reply. Instead, he moved stealthily down the wallpapered hallway, which was decorated with all manner of luxury items. Around the corner, he heard an Auror's footsteps. Leaning against the wall, Harry waited patiently for him to pass. As the man did, Harry removed a dagger and came in from behind. The Auror struggled briefly as his blood trickled from his body. Taking the limp body, Harry removed it from the main hallway.

Continuing, Harry arrived at the stair that led to the lower floors. Using wandless magic, he soundless sealed the stairs. 'That should keep them for a time.' He mused. His feet moved rapidly as he cleared the next flight of stairs. 'Almost there."

"Who are you?" A voice from the top of the stairs called. "What the hell!"

Harry sent a bright green light at the man. However it did not meet its intended target. Instead, it smashed harmlessly into the wall.

'Damn it!'

Harry barreled up the stairs. Removing a dagger, he swung out into the center of the stairway. Throwing the dagger sharply around the corner, Harry was gratified to hear the sound of the man's body collapsing. Once around the corner, he saw the man gasping for breath with the dagger sticking out from his chest. It had probably punctured a lung.

"Don't worry, you won't have to suffer long." Harry whispered.

"Step away from him!" A woman's voice called. Her wand directed at Harry's heart.

"Fire." Harry challenged her.

A sparkle of orange light left her wand. Creating a shield, Harry sent the light harmless to his left. In return, Harry sent a powerful banishing charm. The woman and her bubblegum colored hair went sailing into the wall behind her, rendering her unconscious. Now that she was out of the way, Harry removed his dagger from the man who had appeared to have died during the course of his fight with the woman he knew as Tonks.

"I'm on the fourth floor." Harry hissed into the microphone. "I ran into some problems up here."

"Nothing happening so far down here." Draco's voice asked, crackling slightly do to interference.

'Amazing,' Harry thought quietly. "Next room is Fudge's."

"Good luck."

"Thanks."

Opening the door, Harry was greeted by the sight of two aurors there wand trained on him.

"Mr. Potter," Fudge's voice called from where he was sitting behind his desk. "I do believe you have an appointment at Azkaban."

Harry smiled, bowing his head. "Not yet."

Sending a banishing charm, Harry hit one of the guards sending him into a wall in the same manner that Tonks had. The second misfired his spell, giving Harry time to dispatch him with one of his daggers. Fluently, Harry sent another dagger at the other.

"Oh, my god." Fudge stuttered as he sat petrified.

"No that they are out of the way we can get down to business." Harry stated briskly. "First I want you to sign a reprieve in the Dorian Potter case."

"What?" Fudge's face turned a bright shade of scarlet. "That little brat helped a monster like you to escape!"

Harry grinned. "You are an idiot to think that I would need or ever want his aid."

"Then why have me sign a reprieve."

"I am a big fan of justice." Harry whispered. "Some would say that I am justice's hands."

Fudge's eyes narrowed even as he reached into his desk for paper. "What do you think you are? Some dark prince?"

"You fashion me a prince?" Harry laughed. "Prices, princesses, kings, and queens," he murmured as Fudge looked on in terror having just finished signing the reprieve. Harry brushed his bangs from his eyes as he lifted his face, giving the Minister an unobstructed view of his countenance. "They all had their chances to rule, however they fell, either to sword or time. They were replaced by revolutionaries and dictators.'

"You, Fudge, are a monarchist long passed your days of glory. Consider my father a revolutionary." The corners of Harry's lips twitched. "If history is any indicator, he will become a dictator, and this conflict will spread, until he is a Dark Lord.'

"So you see, Fudge? I am neither a prince for I am not weak like one, nor am I a revolutionary, because I have no secret agenda." Harry reached into his robes and removed a gleaming dagger. "I am simply Voldemort's son."

Harry's head released the dagger with a flick of his wrist, landing it in Fudge's throat. Blood trickled down the contours of the man's neck even as he blinked in surprise. The Minister of Magic's head land on his desk as life left him. Harry did not pause in leaving. After all, he had killed two birds with one stone.

As he began to leave the office, Draco's voice came cracking over the electronic headset. "Reinforcements… on their way… lots of them… trigger ward?"

"Damn interference," Harry hissed as he ran full speed down the hallway. Pushing his back against the nearest wall, he carefully inched his way to the window. Partially pulling the edge of the drape from the glass, Harry took a brief look at his opposition. "Fuck."