A/N: Hi guys, thanks once more for loads of brilliant reviews, am especially grateful to the continuing reviews of Nice, DannyS, Amy Lynn, HhrReader, Sheryl and Lauren Titmus (although yours seem to be all the same Lauren…for each chapter…and also each author if I'm not mistaken…) thanks guys!
And I'm sure that you have all read the new HP book… don't ya just love it?! Although some of the fan fictions on Portkey are just as good I feel (don't worry, I'm not talking about mine!) I'm talking about the fics by talented authors such as lillyfan16, Jersey Princess, Hermione's Twin, Twitch E. Littleferret, R K Thompson and of course PhoenixFirebolt with the amazing 'Heirs of Hogwarts'. I think all of you guys could definitely give JK a run for her money any day.
Anyhow… does anyone know if Portkey are planning to add a Harry/Ginny or Ron/Hermione ship? I doubt it, but I think that it would be rather hard to keep true to the books without this change, and Harry/Ginny is definitely beginning to grow on me - as is Ron/Hermione. Sorry guys, but I'm beginning to love JK's pairings *sigh* oh well…but I'm not gonna change any of my story though, it is still on strict h/hr lines…anyway… on with the story…
Meetings
The Riddle House stood dark and alone, its grounds overgrown, its window and doors boarded up to stop the local teens breaking in. But that wasn't going to stop the others. They didn't need to use doors to enter houses. The death eaters preferred to apperate in and out of their hideout. Pity any stray teenager who came within the walls of the Riddle House.
She studied the House and surrounding land carefully, invisibly. She had been there for over an hour, just watching. The deserted grounds had been the same since she arrived - empty. No flicker of movement, even animals seemed to stay away. Maybe the mere stench of the scum within was enough to repulse any intelligent creature.
She was going to hear what he had to say then leave, and she didn't want any surprises. She didn't like surprises if she was on the receiving end.
She walked up to the House, staying invisible. It was a simple trick she had learned, being invisible without a cloak. All she had to do was switch off her emotions and feelings, which wasn't hard - she didn't have many of either - and then hold her thoughts on one thing: being somewhere else. It wasn't as though she was actually invisible, just that other people's eyes refused to see her. It worked very well, she could maintain the condition for well over an hour, although anymore than that and her concentration began to waver. She still found it amusing that no one else knew the secret of it. It was ancient knowledge, forgotten by all but a few.
She took one last look at the House, then apparated inside, staying invisible. She walked silently down the wide hallway of the ground floor, stepping out the way when masked wizards approached. She ascended the stairs and followed the sound of voices. Another death eater walked straight at her - but veered around her at the last minute, eyes focused over her shoulder, and carried on walking. Stupid people, too simpleminded to even feel her presence.
She followed to voices to a large room on the second floor where a select few death eaters were gathered. Azalea walking into the room without the assembled seven witches and wizards noticing her. She leaned against the wall opposite the door and waited.
Then he came. The death eaters instantly fell silent when he entered, and all bowed and mumbled 'Master, we live to serve'.
Azalea almost smiled. Sheep, she thought. that's all they are, just worthless sheep.
The Dark Lord glanced around the room and his gaze swept over the spot where Azalea was leaning nonchalantly against the wall. His eyes widened in surprise for a second, then narrowed in anger briefly before he slowly smiled, turning towards her. "A clever trick my dear girl" He observed in his high, cold voice. The death eaters started in surprise when they suddenly became aware of the young woman standing a few paces from them. A few hands strayed to pockets for their wands. Voldemort waved a hand at them dismissively "There will be no need for that - after all she was invited" he said, cold amusement plain in his voice.
She remained expressionless but inside she was furious. He thinks I'm weak, hardly worth his attention. Does he think he can make me his puppet? Another slave to add to his collection?
"Am I just going to be staring at a load of masks, or do I get the pleasure of knowing who it is I am speaking to?" she enquired coolly. Voldemort just smiled his thin lipped smile and waved his hand at the death eaters, giving the order to remove their masks. Azalea looked around, disdain evident on her face. She almost felt sorry for these people, crawling at their masters feet, squabbling for his approval, leaping to obey his every command. She did not doubt that if he told them to crawl and kiss his boots they would do so. Sheep.
She looked around at them all, and recognised their faces. Antonin Dolohov, Bellatrix Lestrange, Crabbe, Goyle - she didn't know their first names, and didn't care - Lucius Malfoy, the usual sneer on his pale pointy face, Severus Snape - their Hogwarts spy - and then her eyes fell on the last wizard.
"Hello pet" Algernon Rookwood said. "Heard about Hector…shame really, he was always such a good student."
"Father" she replied evenly. "Good student? He was working for Dumbledore you old fool. Had you wrapped round his little finger though didn't he?" she said contemptuously. Her father's eyes flashed. He hated her, couldn't stand her. She was unfazed, she didn't much like him either.
"Ah, family reunions… always so touching. I believe you were not asked to speak Algernon… I shall deal with you later…" The Dark Lord turned his cold eyes on Azalea. "We have things to discuss. I see you haven't brought the Staff of Amaror with you. I was looking forward to examining that -"
"Stealing it you mean" Azalea cut in. "Like I'd let you within ten feet…"
Voldemort pointed his wand at her. "You dare interrupt me! Crucio!" but Azalea just smiled and expertly deflected the curse without uttering a word, causing it to hit Bellatrix and making her shriek in pain. Azalea smirked. Voldemort eyed Bellatrix with distain before turning back to Azalea. "You will learn respect" he hissed softly "In time you will learn. Your powers are considerable and may be of use to me. I suggest we work together. You know my aim. I want Potter dead. When he is gone, there is nothing to stand in my way. In our way. Serve me and you will have power beyond anything you have ever imagined." she waited until he had finished this time before speaking.
"Well that was a pretty speech. But there are a few problems with it though." Voldemort narrowed his eyes. "Go on" he hissed.
"Well, first of all, I have absolutely no interest in Potter at all, he means nothing to me. Second, I do not intend to learn to respect you, I will not grovel at your feet like these dogs, and I will serve nobody. Third, all your talk of the power I will have if I join with you… I do not need you to obtain power, I can do that very well by myself thanks. And lastly, I know that you want my Staff, but you will not get it, because I happen to have plans for it…I might let you play with it when I'm finished though, if you ask nicely, and maybe if you serve me well, I shall give you a bit of power!" With that she departed, the last thing she saw was the look of fury on every face, and the dread in her father's eyes. She knew he would be punished for her insolence, and she hoped it would be agonizing.
Now she has things to do, things that did not involve Voldemort and his dogs. She found it quite amusing that they were furious with her, it could make things more interesting.
~*~*~*~
Hermione looked around, wondering where she was. She was fairly certain this was a dream, but it was so strange. She was standing naked on a glass platform about the size of her room. Past the edge of the platform was nothing. Just darkness and obscurity. She looked down and saw that the nothingness surrounded her. She felt like she was awake, she could feel the cold glass beneath her bare feet, and was very…aware… of everything. No, this didn't feel like a dream at all, but yet it must be, it had to be.
"You're wondering if this is a dream, yes?"
Hermione spun around to face the owner of the voice. "You!" she cried. "What do you want?" The older woman smiled cruelly. "Hermione didn't I tell you I would be in touch, hmm? Did you really think I'd forget?" Hermione for her wand, but remembered she wasn't wearing anything. Her cheeks burned red with embarrassment, but her eyes flashed with anger. Azalea tutted. "When will you realise you can not fight me and hope to win, Hermione? Like I said before, you have power, a lot of power. I could use a girl like you. What do you say? Join me and I will teach you what I know. All I ask is that you assist me in getting my Staff to work, that's all." the Staff of Amaror suddenly appeared in her hand, the sapphire glowing dully. "After that… well, we can do anything we want. Oh don't look so concerned, I'm not going to kill poor little Harry Potter, I've not no quarrel with him. Its you I'm interested in Hermione, you planning on helping me?"
Hermione backed away. She had worked out that Azalea had somehow brought her here in her dreams. She had a notion of how to escape this dream, but wasn't entirely sure it would work, or what would happen to her is she tried it. "You know" she said, backing away slowly "I don't want power, I don't want to help you. I don't want any of it! Leave me alone." and with that she squeezed her eyes shut and stepped backwards off the edge of the platform, into the blackness.
She sat bolt upright and her eyes flew open. She was sweating and shaking, the …dream… still vivid in her mind. She was back in her dormitory - had she really left? No, she decided, maybe her mind had left for a time, but her body was still firmly tangled in her night dress and bed sheets. She looked out the window and saw that it was just getting light, so she decided to get up. She couldn't get back to sleep if she even wanted to, and she was terrified of trying. Shakily she got to her feet and pulled on her school robes and headed to the prefect's bathroom.
Harry sat in the common room by the fire. It was still early, but he needed to finish his Transfiguration notes on transfiguring large objects before the lesson. He looked around curiously as the portrait hole opened and Hermione walked in, her hair still damp from a shower. "You're up early" he commented.
Hermione jumped and looked around wide-eyes. She sighed with relief and collapsed into a chair close to his and performed a drying charm on her hair. Harry frowned, when he had called out to her she jumped like a frightened deer, ready to run at the slightest thing. "What's wrong Hermione?" He asked, concerned. She looked like she was about to deny that anything was wrong but then she sighed, what was the point in hiding it? She told him everything; about Rookwood talking to her on the train, and her promise to get in touch. Finally she told him about the dream she just had, and Azalea's offer to her.
He watched her as she told her story, and saw the fear in her eyes. Harry was furious, more with himself than anyone else. Why wasn't I there on the train? he asked himself angrily. "I can't believe this! Hermione why didn't you tell me?!" he got up and started pacing. "This is really bad! You should have said something about the train! I can't understand why you didn't tell anyone!" Hermione just looked at him, then burst into tears. "I'm sorry Harry! I thought she'd just go away, I didn't think she really was going to talk to me again! I thought she was just trying to scare me!" Harry went over to her and hugged her. "Hermione I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout at you, its not you I'm mad at. Its me. And her. It'll be ok, really. We'll go to Dumbledore after breakfast and tell him all about it, ok?" Hermione just nodded and wrapped her arms tighter around him, relieved that he knew.