357~ Chapter Nine ~
Planning a single effortless win against the Order of the Phoenix took careful deliberation. The Death Eaters boasted great numbers, and Lord Voldemort knew every single one of their abilities; he spent hours analysing their strengths and weaknesses until he knew where they would be more effective.
His Inner Circle, of course, would deliver the harshest of blows.
With their individual strengths, his Inner Circle were his generals. They knew his plans and would carry out his instructions, even as he instructed them to commit the worst of crimes; Lord Voldemort would dictate they kill a specific target, and they would follow without question.
Certainly, they also held their weaknesses. However, his Inner Circle knew when they could give in to their weakness and when it would be a hinderance to their master's plan. There were often moments, Lord Voldemort would watch as his Death Eaters revelled in the atrocities of their mind. But this would not be acceptable for this victory.
Despite this delicate balance of madness amongst his loyal followers, there was one member of his Inner Circle he couldn't allow on the battlefield.
Severus Snape, though talented in Dark Arts and Potions, could not be permitted to step into battle. It wasn't that he would be a hindrance; Voldemort knew, in battle, Severus would cut down any person to obtain his goal. However, Severus Snape would step onto the battlefield followed by Harry Potter.
The boy would seek to protect one of the few people he cared for, stepping onto the battlefield to defend a Death Eater. Yet, while power wasn't an issue, Harry wasn't a trained combatant. He didn't have any skills in the art of duelling besides disarming; his knowledge of curses and spells was average at best and remained too closely linked to the Hogwarts Curriculum to be any use.
Certainly, having a part of Lord Voldemort's soul helped. Harry could access memories if the Dark Lord permitted it. However, without experience the knowledge wouldn't aid Harry in battle. He would be more of a hindrance than a protector and Lord Voldemort couldn't allow it.
The Dark Lord stood, turning away from the plans laid out on his desk.
Both Severus and Harry would need to be kept away from the battle. Yet, Lord Voldemort knew they wouldn't settle for sitting around and waiting for news of victory. They would need to be set a task that kept them safe from danger and allowed for their aid in the fight against the Order.
"What troubles you master?"
Nagini slithered into the room drawn by the frustration from her master as he continued to dwell on his plans.
Red eyes tracked his familiar as she slithered her way across the floor, making her way up Lord Voldemort's form to curl about his shoulder.
With a gentle hand, Lord Voldemort stroked the scales along Nagini's massive form, marvelling at the companionship. Never had Lord Voldemort felt the need to keep an animal of human close. As a child, he'd tolerated the need to have others around and his beliefs hadn't altered through time or wisdom.
However, meeting Nagini had brought about a different perspective, one filled with possessiveness; becoming a Living Horcrux only added to the possessiveness. She would never leave him and never betray his trust. Nagini belonged to Lord Voldemort, and now, so did Harry Potter.
Nagini and Harry Potter were two beings who would remain with the Dark lord for as long as Lord Voldemort desired. However, that required their constant protection.
Nagini's protection was simple as she held no desire to participate in heavy combat. Then, when she stepped out with Lord Voldemort, he placed a shield around her to avoid any stray spells headed their way.
Now all that was needed was a solution on Harry Potter's protection.
"Master?"
Lord Voldemort moved to sit by the fire, knowing the little warmth he cast wouldn't be enough for Nagini, and allowed for the calm the warmth radiated to wash over his form.
"Forgive your master, Nagini, thoughts consume Lord Voldemort."
"The youngling is often on your mind," Nagini agreed.
The Dark Lord chuckled at Nagini's endearment for Harry knowing how it irked the boy. The endearment would remain, however, as Nagini felt it her job to mother the boy. Where such a trait derived, Lord Voldemort could not say, for a snake held no motherly qualities and his soul could not be considered to bear those traits.
"Harry's desire to protect those he cares for will lead him into danger," the Dark Lord shared.
Nagini hissed in displeasure.
"The youngling needs to be protected. The youngling should not be rushing into danger for others."
Lord Voldemort already knew this. Harry's desire to rush into danger to protect others was something he had planned to exploit to obtain the Prophecy before he'd altered his plans.
Over the years, Lord Voldemort had witnessed Harry's disregard for his own life when attempting to save those in need. The boy needn't have known them for long either, they just needed to create a connection Harry desperately desired to hold onto.
Given this observance, the Dark Lord knew Harry would do anything for Severus.
"To protect our youngling, Nagini, we would need to protect Severus." Voldemort stated, wondering as his companion pondered over the words.
Though she was brilliant, Nagini was still a snake; human concepts occasionally remained beyond her grasp and often her opinions relied on her experience as a snake which remained ineffective applying it to human experience.
"Why would you need to protect the Potions? He shall remain and mix nature so your Deathlings will survive. Youngling shall not have to leave the area."
Lord Voldemort pondered her words. Severus was talented in Dark Arts and Duelling, always expressing his preference for the two. Yet, as a spy, Severus spent most of his time in his role as Potions Master. When considering the man's role in the final battle, Lord Voldemort hadn't considered the man's talent in Potions knowing the man's preference for field work.
However, it would be simple to explain his reason for keeping Severus off the battlefield, after all, Severus was as invested in Harry's protection as well.
"Thank you my dear, once again you have provided valuable insight." Voldemort complimented his familiar.
Nagini preened. Accepting the compliment, she curled, basking in the warmth of the fire, and ending their conversation.
Sitting back, Lord Voldemort smiled. The demise of the Order of the Phoenix had never been easier.
x-x-x-x-x
As Lord Voldemort planned, so it had been accomplished; the siege hadn't lasted longer than an hour.
Using the network of pipes Salazar Slytherin had created for his basilisk, the Dark Lord had led his Death Eaters into Hogwarts without anyone realizing. They walked through the halls, screaming children calling their location to those of the Order within the castle.
In no time at all the remainder of the Order answered their call.
The Dark Lord awaited them in the Great Hall where conversation had been brief.
Dumbledore arrived, surrounded by his Order, and pleaded for the lives of the children. His voice remained steady and reassuring for those relying on his strength, leaving the Order to stand courageous against the Death Eaters in their midst.
Lord Voldemort only smirked.
He hadn't infiltrated Hogwarts to kill helpless children. All children that crossed their path had been permitted to flee and no child stood amongst their number unlike those of the Order.
Several of Harry's Gryffindor year mates stood among the Order members, wands at the ready. They appeared confident, yet Lord Voldemort doubted they would be able to stand against the Death Eaters.
In the end, Lord Voldemort didn't respond to Dumbledore. He stepped forward and started a volley of spells, signalling his Death Eaters to start the battle.
Lord Voldemort had heard screams of frustration and sorrow around him as he moved skilfully against the aged professor. His entire focus remained on landing a blow; however, he wanted that one blow to be final. No longer did Lord Voldemort hold a desire to lengthen this battle and showcase his prowess, instead, wishing to end it as swiftly as possible.
The Dark Lord moved across the Great Hall, spells flying around the room. But it mattered little as Dumbledore faltered for a mere second, allowing a well-placed Avada Kedavra to leave the aged wizard with a blank stare to mare his face as he hit the ground.
The Order paused in battle, grief and disbelief freezing them in place.
It was enough for the Death Eaters to subdue those that remained alive.
Surveying the room, the Dark Lord frowned as he spotted Bellatrix. She lay on the ground, blood splattered across her stunned face. Felled by a member of the Order, Lord Voldemort found himself disappointed in her competence as a pure-blooded witch of the Black family and so he left her on the ground and moved on.
Several other Death Eaters had fallen, however, they weren't in his Inner Circle, and so he began calculating the deaths of the Order.
Most of the children who stood with the Order now rested among the dead. The Dark Lord had noticed they'd attempted to remain together but their uncertainty in the face of battle caused their downfall. Only one of the Weasley children remained, eyes wide with the horror of true battle.
Lord Voldemort noted a few of the Aurors, who were also members of the Order, had been killed. Once they had been great, but they couldn't handle the ferocity with which the Death Eaters chose to overwhelm their enemies to gain their Lord's favour.
Moody certainly should have been a formidable opponent and yet he lay on the ground, hit with a Killing Curse.
A foreign emotion ran through Lord Voldemort as he came across a poorly dressed man with brown hair and scars across his face, emotions that could only come from Harry.
Gently as he could, Lord Voldemort pushed the child from his mind, turning from the scene of the dead to revel in his victory over the enemy.
x-x-x-x-x
Harry frowned as the Dark Lord pushed him from his mind. Once victory bled into Harry's mind, he couldn't help the curiosity, so he'd slipped into the dark wizard's mind.
The destruction and death he'd witnessed had been shocking. Harry could only imagine what the battles of the past had been like.
He'd been happy enough just witnessing the aftermath, but then he'd spotted Remus and his complicated emotions had just spilled over the link until the Dark Lord
"You shouldn't be taking information from the Dark Lord's mind," Severus scolded, stirring his potion.
Harry shrugged.
"He doesn't normally care if I step into his mind. Big emotions cause little slips sometimes, and we can't help but end up in each other's minds. But I started having complicated feelings seeing Remus and he didn't enjoy them, so he nudged me out."
Watching Severus, Harry can see the moment he puts the information together.
"Lupin is dead then?"
"Yes," Harry confirmed with a grimace.
"And you don't know how to feel…"
Stirring the cauldron before him, Harry tried not to shrug again, but he couldn't put into words the complicated ball of emotion resting inside. The last living link to his father is dead. It is bittersweet and something Harry doesn't care to dwell on in the moment.
"You might not know how to feel for a long while," Severus continued. "I'm certain you will work your way through your emotions in time."
"And in the meantime, I get to keep my mind free from dark and dangerous thoughts that aren't my own."
Severus huffed a laugh.
"Yes, I rather doubt the Dark Lord shall enjoy sharing in your complicated feelings."
Harry added an ingredient to the cauldron before Severus spoke up again, enquiring, "The Dark Lord has won then?"
Harry smiled, replying, "Of course, did you doubt?"
Severus didn't bother to reply, levelling him with a glare.
Laughing, Harry added another ingredient, stirring as he did. He took comfort in the motions, a soothing repetition which Harry gladly claimed his own.
"What do you believe the Dark Lord will plan to do next?" Harry asked, paying attention to his cauldron.
Severus hummed.
"You spend more time in the man's mind than I, however, I believe he'll start by righting the wrongs with whatever force he chooses."
Harry didn't really know what wrongs Severus spoke of. Given the war started long before he was even born, there was likely a lot of context he was missing. If the Dark Lord started making changes, Harry wasn't likely to oppose, unless he felt they weren't to the people's best interest.
"And what shall you do?" Severus asked.
Harry paused.
With the Dark in power, Harry could return to Hogwarts, finish his schooling, and find employment within the Ministry. Yet, the thought of returning to school, to have everyone stare at him, hiss at him secretly in the corridors about taking the fight back up and killing the Dark Lord; it left him shuddering. Taking a position within the Ministry also left a sour taste in his mouth. After everything they'd put him through, both Hogwarts and the Ministry weren't options.
He thought about returning to Grimmauld Place and claiming the one location the Order thought to be secure. The idea of having a home awoke a desire within Harry. There would be a lot of work with the house as well. Left in disrepair, Harry would have a long project ahead of him, though he was certain there would be many people eager to help, Kreacher especially.
There was also the thought that the Death Eaters would expect him to take up certain roles to help their Lord secure his continued position. However, the best answer remained, "I'll do whatever pleases me," Harry replied.
He smiled; it was as simple as that.
And so it is done. I'm not sure I'm pleased with it. There are likely plenty of plot holes. However, I can now attempt to finish some other works that remain in limbo.
Thanks for reading.
~MidnightEmber~