Chapter 51: The Threat at Diagon Alley
Harry got up from his desk to fetch another treat for Hedwig before returning to his desk to write a reply.
Dear Ginny,
Hedwig always did have good taste. I got my Hogwarts owl yesterday as well, complete with OWL results. I am happy to say that I think I did quite well. So well, in fact, that I will be taking all the classes I need to become an auror, Potions included. It's amazing how much easier the subject is when you don't have Snape and his band of Slytherins constantly berating and taunting and sabotaging you. Who would have thought that without all that I might not be half bad with potions? It's really not that different than cooking, and I have years of experience with that.
That's great to hear about Ron. He deserves to be captain. I've never met anyone more obsessed with the sport than he is, and he knows strategy a lot better than anybody else on the team as well. It was a good choice. My official stance is that I have no idea why his letter would arrive a day late and that you're too clever for your own and my own good. Just what I needed in my life, another woman who is going to see through everything I do. Anyway, McGonagall did say that my ban was lifted along with all the other ridiculous Educational Decrees the toad passed last year.
That's great that you guys will get to go to Diagon Alley with your mum. Don't feel too bad about me. This summer has been a lot better than some of the past ones. I've been getting out of the house regularly and keeping busy, plus I have those meetings with Remus, not to mention the additional pen pal. Barring the rocky start, I'd say it's the best summer I've ever had, although I guess that doesn't really say all that much. It has been nice having you to write to this summer. Hermione and Ron are great, don't get me wrong, but Hermione can be too demanding and pushy and you can never trust that she won't pull a teacher card on you, and Ron just gets jealous too easily and has problems with his temper. I've yet to find any such faults in you, but I'll just have to keep my eyes open. Write again soon.
Take care,
Harry
Harry asked Hedwig if she would like to rest a bit before returning with his reply, but she stuck her leg out for the letter to be attached anyway. She nipped his finger in an affectionate way to signify that she appreciated being asked before she took off out the window and into the sky. Harry returned to his reading and spent the rest of the day either studying or practicing wandless magic.
That night, for the second time this summer, Harry was ripped from his training with Sirius and found himself in what appeared to be a cave, given the stone walls. He found himself standing before a single figure clad in black with a skull mask over its face. Harry was once again seeing things from Voldemort's point of view. Voldemort had been reading a letter, but by the time Harry was able to orient himself, he was already folding up the letter saying, "Very good, Lucius. You have served me well. Diagon Alley will be a suitable place to strike. Take as many as you need and plan the attack yourself. I want the boy and the girl alive, everyone else is fair game. Cause as much damage as you can. As long as you're there tomorrow, we might as well send the world a message."
"Yes my lord," Lucius Malfoy's silky voice replied.
"Let the owl deliver the letter. We don't want them to know where we got our information. And Lucius," Voldemort paused dramatically, "do not fail me this time."
The mask tilted forward as its occupant bowed his head slightly in acquiescence before turning abruptly and walking out of the room. Voldemort adopted a wicked grin, obviously pleased with this plan of his. After a moment he called out, "Wormtail!"
The disgusting rat of a man entered reluctantly, shuffling forward. "What do you have to say for yourself, Wormtail?"
"M-my lord," Wormtail responded shakily, "I have tried gaining access to the Weasleys' home and the Granger's home, but I cannot come close. They must have put wards up to keep me out. I'm sorry, master."
"You disappoint me, Wormtail," Voldemort replied icily. "You are outliving your usefulness. Well almost, I still have one use for you." Wormtail looked hopeful until he noticed the malevolent glare Voldemort was giving him, the same one he always gave before he cast "Crucio!"
Wormtail fell to the ground shrieking in agony, pain beyond pain coursing through his veins. Meanwhile across the country a boy shot awake in bed clutching his forehead and biting his lip to keep from screaming out in pain. Harry had hoped that his practice in Occlumency would rid him of these visions or at least decrease the intensity of the pain he felt as a result of them. He had no such luck.
Harry shakily crawled out of bed and over to his desk. The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon, providing him enough light to see what he was doing. He scrambled for a quill, ink bottle, and piece of parchment where he hastily scribbled a note.
Sir,
Another vision. Attack today at Diagon Alley. They captured an owl on delivery, the plan is to capture a boy and girl, they didn't mention who, and to cause as much damage as possible. Wormtail has tried to get into the Burrow and Hermione's house but has been kept out presumably by wards.
....
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