Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Point of Origin ❯ When the World Comes Crumbling Down ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Yu-Gi-Oh! are the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling, Kazuki Takahashi, Konami, Warner Brothers, etc. and is being used in this fanfiction for fan purposes only. All situations, opinions and characters not belonging to J.K. Rowling and Kazuki Takahashi are the intellectual property of Alecto Perdita.

Saturday, 30th June 2001
8:46 PM, GMT +1:00
A Muggle pub
Wandsworth, London, England

Severus Snape raised the shot glass to his thin lips and downed the last drops of whiskey. Needless to say, it lacked the intensity and fire of its magical brethren but it was all he could get at this muggle bar. To be truthful, he couldn't stay in that school another moment longer. Never in his life had he felt so trapped by a set of stone walls. Here at a muggle bar in London, ensconced in dim lighting, he finally found solitude and anonymity.

He gestured toward the bartender, flashing his Dark Mark for all to see. No one here would see it as anything more than a tattoo. No one would judge him by this infestation that marred his skin. "Another shot." He muttered to the bartender.

The bartender shot Severus a dubious look but complied. Severus watched as the clear liquid dribbled into his glass. Without so much as muttering a thank you, he drank the contents.

Harry Potter and the rest of his year would be leaving school next week. Severus wasn't sure of what to make of this situation. All he knew was the Dark Lord still hadn't been defeated. The rest of the wizarding world, and perhaps even Severus himself, had expected Harry to face Voldemort in some climatic battle before Harry left school. But it seemed clear that the war would drag on indefinitely, especially since the attack on the Ministry of Magic more than two years ago. An attack that they were still recovering from. Either way, it meant that he would have to continue to deal with Potter and his friends.

The young white-haired man-or was it silver? Severus squinted to discern the color to no avail. The young man seated next to him at the bar reached for his own glass of coke. The man was obviously too wrapped up in that muggle textbook and knocked over the glass. Severus sneered at the man's clumsiness. The man apologized as the bartender wiped up the stray liquid.

Severus turned away and retreated back into his thoughts. Where was he again? Oh yes, brooding about the civil war that threatened to tear apart this country. Voldemort had no intention of meeting the young Potter on the battlefield anytime soon. Not until he found some other way to kill the boy. The two were too connected for one to be bested through ordinary wizardry and dueling. There would be civil war though, one that the rebuilding Ministry couldn't fight despite the fact that Arthur Weasley was now Minister. There was no telling how long such a war would last.

His head fell upon his folded arms. Just like his role as a spy... He knew from the very beginning that he would eventually be discovered and killed in some utterly grotesque manner. It was only a matter of time. Those possible days became weeks and those weeks were now years. Severus was no coward but he had little patience to wait for the inevitable. Yet he dreaded that day. He was afraid of failing Dumbledore, the man responsible for both his freedom and his sanity (no doubt he would have been sent to Azkaban like so many of his circle brothers otherwise). He feared further shaming his estranged sister who would have nothing to do with him already. He would die a spy, a Death Eater. On the end, there would be no one to mourn his death, except maybe his comrades in the Order. He would die as a traitor to both sides of the war.

Severus lifted his head and signaled to the bartender again. He listened to the sound of the liquor filling his glass. He raised his head and fumbled for the small glass. The liquor burned in his throat. Not enough. Just not enough. He looked around the bar. The clumsy young man from before was still seated besides him. The door of the pub flew open suddenly and banged into the wall. Severus found himself reaching for his wand. Old habits die hard. A tanned man, wearing gold bangles on his forearm, strolled in and seated himself on the other side of the white-haired man.

"You're late," The white-haired man muttered and slammed his book shut. "An hour late, Malik."

Malik Ishtar rubbed the back of his neck nervously. This was a delicate situation and needed to be handled with care. The last thing he needed was a mad boyfriend on his hands. "Sorry, Ryou but I was checking in on Rishid." He snaked an arm around the shoulders of the other man and laid a soft kiss on his cheek.

Bakura Ryou tried to hold his scowl but let it fall away as a soft sigh escaped his lips. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I know you have a lot on your mind ever since Isis-san was kidnapped."

"It's strange," Malik furrowed his eyebrow. "We haven't received a ransom note or anything."

Bakura moved closer to Malik. "Maybe it has something to do with that man that was taken along with her. What was his name again?"

"Bill Weasley, I think..."

Malik could have sworn he saw the man next to Bakura's attention perk. Strange man now that Malik examined him out of the corner of his eyes. Sallow skin and hooked nose but the stranger's most distinguishing feature must have been the tattoo on his forearm. He kept a careful eye on the man before continuing. He wondered if the man noticed his attention on him.

"I've been in contact with the Prime Minister's office (Egyptian) and he was finally able to give me some information on this Bill. Apparently, he's from here. According to his visa, he was in Egypt on business for some bank called Gringotts."

"Have you tried contacting his family? Maybe then there'll be some clues. Maybe Isis-san got caught up in Weasley-san's business." Bakura laid a hand over Malik's.

Malik took a sip of the pint of bitter the bartender left by his arm. "Already tried that. Nothing. Nothing at all."

Malik swore the man next to Bakura rolled his eyes. Now Malik knew for sure the man was listening to their conversation.

"Not to mention Rishid's still unconscious. He's the only one who has any idea what's going on but he won't wake up!" Malik slammed a fist into the counter top. "He's been unconscious for a whole damn month! A month! How is that possible?!"

Bakura wrapped an arm around Malik's waist. "Calm down, it's not going to help anyone for you to lose your temper."

Malik leaned into Bakura's embrace and rested his head on Bakura's shoulder. "It's just," He closed his eyes. "I feel so damn powerless and it seems that all the Millennium Items in the world isn't going to help."

Severus watched as the Bakura began to caress the gold medallion around his neck. He hadn't noticed it before. The eye symbol engraved on the surface of the medallion was strangely familiar to him. A shiver of dark power, much akin to the Dark Arts, ran down his spine.

"Maybe if I try scrying..." Bakura muttered.

Severus ran the several options he currently had through his mind. He could approach the two men now and break every known protocol in the wizarding world, stalk and keep tabs on them himself, or go to Albus with the whole mess now and most likely doom the two men to a life of misery. No matter what, he was going to have to confront them sooner or later.

Another shudder shook Severus' body. His forearm began to burn and the heat spread rapidly to the rest of his body. He silently cursed in his mind. Voldemort always chose the worse times to summon. Needle-like pain stabbed at the sole of his feet and made its way up. He felt his eyes almost roll back as he covered the Dark Mark. He struggled not to swallow his tongue and drop dead right there on the floor of the pub. It would have made everything better if he did so...

Come, my loyal servants...

Severus felt someone grab his shoulder and forced his chin up. Hand reached frantically for the jugular vein in his neck. Severus made a weak attempt to move away and slipped off the barstool.

"His pulse is erratic. He's going into convulsions. He needs to be stabilized."

Someone propped him against the wall of the counter.

"What are you looking at me for? You're the doctor here!"

Severus bit down on his lower lip. He would have to ride the pain out as always.

"Medical student, Malik. Now get all these people out of the way cause they're not helping."

Blood dribbled down his chin.

"You heard him, folks! Move away from the...uh...just move out of the way! Someone call an ambulance and leave this to the professionals."

Feet shuffled across the tiled floor.

"How is he? What's causing this?"

"Don't know..."

Severus wanted to scream at them to shut up but he feared that if he opened his mouth, he would scream for a much different reason. He really wanted to work through this pain in peace and quiet but it was obvious these idiots weren't going to let him. He ripped his arms out of the hands restraining him.

"Dammit, don't make me use my Rod!"

Severus didn't want to know what the man meant. The pains were starting to recede just a bit.

"Malik! There's people watching!"

Yes, Severus could have quite the dirty mind but he wasn't going to voice those thoughts. He pushed the other two men away. One of them reached for him again. Severus balled his fists and smothered the urge to deck the man. "Quiet!" He snapped as the last of the pains abated, still leaving his vision dark. "I can't think with all your inane rambling!"

"By Ra," Malik muttered with awe. "I think we've found that bastard Kaiba's long lost brother."

"Malik," Bakura rolled his eyes, though Severus noted a tint of amusement in the man's voice. "Now is not the time to joke. You're becoming like Jounouchi-kun."

Malik scrunched his face up.

Bakura turned back to Severus. "How do you feel, sir?"

Severus drew in several deep breaths. "I'm fine." He drew his hand away from the Mark after he was sure that the red glow of the serpent's eyes had faded away. "If you'll excuse me, I'm late for a very important appointment." He gave Bakura his best glare, one that would make even Draco Malfoy cringe. He didn't need some ignorant muggle getting in his way now.

Bakura shook his head and stepped into Severus' way as the older man stood. "Sir, you should really go to the hospital. St. George's is just a few blocks away."

Severus was caught by surprise at Bakura's display of genuine concern. "I'm fine. I...I just forgot to take my medication today." He brushed past the white-haired man. He didn't really care anyway, Severus thought to himself.

Bakura grabbed Severus' arm and his fingers brushed over the Mark. He let out a startled gasp when dark power cracked between them, sympathetic powers. Bakura jumped back and collided with Malik. He stared at Severus in horror. "You..."

Severus turned and bolted out the door. That shouldn't have happened. Who were those people? He turned into the empty alleyway next to the pub. After checking he was not being followed, he Apparated to where Voldemort, his lord and master, would be waiting for him.

Back in the bar, Malik grabbed Bakura's arms. "What happened, Ryou? Tell me!"

Bakura laid a hand over his pounding heart and closed his eyes. "I...felt...his power. I felt more than that though. A dark presence has bound that man to itself. The presence...I could sense it... It's hungry and it's waiting but it won't have to wait for much longer. People are going to die, Malik, lots of people. It wants revenge. It's not going to stop." He sunk deeper into Malik's embrace. "It's worse than...my dark personality... I think it might even be worse than your other personality..."

Malik's wild eyes flew to the door that Severus had left through. "Ra, help us..."

"A serpent hiding in the darkness."

Saturday, 30th June 2001
9:06 PM, GMT +1:00
Some abandoned manor in the United Kingdom

Voldemort swept out the dark room with his robes swirling around him and Lucius Malfoy at his side. The meeting had just ended and he had much to discuss with Malfoy. The man was far too ambitious for his own good but he was the only one Voldemort was willing to remotely trust.

"Tell me, Lucius. Is Draco ready for his task?"

Lucius nodded with the barest hint of enthusiasm. "Of course, my lord. My son is ready to contribute to our cause."

They strolled down a long hallway. Various Death Eaters scurried out of their path. Voldemort frowned as he gazed down at his servant. "It is a pity that your son was born with such conscience and heart. You have no regrets though. Is that right, Lucius?"

"Yes, my Lord. I am ashamed that my son is such a weakling. I cannot bear to think of his flaws. I failed to instill the proper values within him." Lucius lowered his gaze to the stone floor.

Voldemort smirked. "The boy's flaws are regrettable but even he can be used to my advantage. Just like our dear Severus."

"I don't see why you keep that traitor around." Lucius gritted his teeth. "He is filth! A blood traitor! You should have killed him for the scum he is years ago."

Voldemort whirled around, his robes billowing in the most frightening way. His blood red eyes flashed with anger. "Lucius, I believe you've just told me what to do. I believe that was an order."

Lucius dropped to his knees. "Forgiveness, my Lord! Forgive my impudent tongue."

Voldemort reached out and grabbed the collar of Lucius's robes. The other man winced visibly at the contact. Voldemort ran a hand across Lucius's pale face. Lucius gasped in pain. The Dark Lord smirked. He had long discovered that his very skin was the most potent of poison to any living creature. Any physical contact that he initiated was painful for the recipient. He hissed softly in Parselmouth. Lucius writhed in his grip. This was far more gratifying than any Cruciatus curse.

"You are nothing more than dirt under my feet, Lucius." He threw Lucius to the floor. "Remember your place in the future. You are my property, just like Severus. I will deal with my possessions as I see fit."

Lucius stared up at his master with fear in his eyes. "Yes, my Lord."

"Very few have been privileged to my touch. Aren't you going to thank me Lucius?" Voldemort drawled.

Lucius's breath came out in raspy gasps. "Yes, my Lord. I am unworthy." He diverted his gaze to the ground again.

"Stand, Lucius. We must check on our guest. How is the translation coming along?"

"She has finished more than three-fourths of the book."

"Ensure that she is finished before the week's end. I've had enough of that woman's attitude. It has taken far too long as it is."

"How do we know if she is trustworthy?"

Voldemort laughed softly. "She believes that she has the advantage. She thinks that she holds the Trump Card. I know she is holding something back. I can see it from what she has translated so far. She is a calculating wrench. No matter, I will soon have her singing like a bird. It's only a matter of time."

They stopped in front of an iron door guarded by Dementors. The creatures stepped out of Voldemort's way cautiously and focused their attention on Lucius instead. They were obviously hungry. They had been unable to feast on the prisoners through the cold iron. Lucius quickly followed Voldemort into the dungeon and the door closed behind them.

Voldemort did not need time to adjust to the darkness of the room. The single torch already hanging on the wall provided adequate lighting. The whispered conversation that the two prisoners had been engaged in had stopped as soon as he entered. He rested his attention on the woman his entire plan was hanging upon.

This muggle woman, this Isis Ishtar, gazed up at him in open defiance. She was clutching the copy of the Book to her chest. Voldemort would not let her near the actual Book no matter what she insisted. He admitted he had been far too lenient with the woman so far but it was better for her to underestimate him at the present. He treated them far better than any other prisoner and it disgusted him.

He had learned in the first week that she was both resistant the control of the Imperio curse and held herself together even after the Cruciatus curse. It was strange. The woman was abnormal, especially for a muggle. The one thing she couldn't stand was causing harm to her companion. As long as they held the Weasley, they held her for the time being.

"I see out gracious host has finally decided to grace us with his presence."

The other prisoner, the red-headed Weasley, moved closer to the woman. The fool probably had some romantic notion about protecting the woman with his own pathetic body.

"I would have that tongue of yours taken out but I would not have the pleasure of hearing you scream later on." Voldemort purred.

The woman narrowed those sapphire eyes. Such magnificent and beautiful eyes. Perhaps he would have them removed after this and keep them in a box along with a certain pair of emerald ones he was planning on acquiring. She opened her mouth and a myriad of foreign words poured from her lips. He was certain they were no more than mere profanity in her barbarian native language.

"You will have the translations done before this week's end."

"Of course..." She looked down and away.

Weasley tossed him a look pure loathing. Voldemort simply smirked at the blood traitor.

"You won't be able to hide anything from me, woman. I will know everything in the end."

She threw him a glare. "You've already tried to brainwash me. It didn't work before and it's not going to work now."

Voldemort approached her and leaned in. "Who says that's the only way? We wizards have something called a truth serum. It's nothing like the ones you muggles have."

She gasped and drew back in horror. Weasley went taunt at her side and muttered, "Veritaserum", under his breath. Voldemort felt satisfaction well in his chest. He was right. The woman had no defenses against potions.

She straightened up suddenly. "I am Isis, mother of gods and kings, goddess of all magic. I am the patroness of the throne and the Pharaoh's power. I have seen beyond the land where the sun sets. I have walked the lands and brought my husband back from the dead. I have endured and will endure. You cannot break my will. You cannot bend me to yours."

"A prayer, how quaint." He turned away and gestured to Lucius who had been watching the exchange in silence.

"You will not win. True magic, especially the magic of the gods, always demands a price."

Voldemort chuckled. It was eerie. "My dear Miss Ishtar, there is no God. I am very proof of that."

Friday, 6th July 2001
5:56 PM, GMT +1:00
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy
Scotland, United Kingdom

Harry Potter raced down the stairs. He was late for the last Leaving Feast of his Hogwarts career. He silently cursed his earlier urge to take a nap. He was just as mad at Ron for not waking him up. He jumped the last two steps to the landing and bound down the hall. He could hear the distant sound of the conversation in the Great Hall. He rounded the last corner and crashed into someone.

Harry sat up and was prepared to apologize until he saw exactly who he had collided with. His mouth went dry at the sight of one Draco Malfoy. He simply watched as the other boy got to his feet and dusted his robes. To his surprise, Malfoy offered him a hand.

Harry studied Malfoy's face. He could detect no hostility or hidden malice. He took the other boy's surprisingly warm hand and allowed Malfoy to help him. The two of them stood in an uncomfortable and awkward silence.

Malfoy appeared nervous. He shifted from feet to feet and peered at Harry from under his eyelashes.

"What is it, Malfoy?"

Malfoy opened his mouth and then closed it. He repeated the gesture a few times, looking more like a landed fish each time. He cleared his throat in what appeared to be an attempt to find his voice.

"Out with it, Malfoy. I don't have time for your games." Harry snapped.

Malfoy winced. Harry was unsure if it was because of his tone or something else. Malfoy closed the distance between them and backed Harry against the wall. He grabbed Harry hand and unfurled the fist. Harry felt something pressed into his open palm. He could feel Malfoy's breath against his ear.

"Please be careful."

Harry blinked rapidly, trying to decipher the other boy's word. "What-"

He never finished his question. Malfoy's lips caught and held his own. Malfoy was only a few inches taller and it was a strange feeling to have a warm body leaning over him like that. He could feel the other boy's hand roaming his back. It was over as sudden as it began. Harry stood there in shock. He had just been snogged...by Draco Malfoy... "I...You..."

Malfoy caressed his cheek gently. "You cute when you're flabbergasted."

Harry blinked again and Malfoy was already gone. He stared at the spot Malfoy had stood only seconds ago. He looked down at his palm. Malfoy had given him...a ring... He turned the ring over. It was a silver signet ring with the initials DM engraved on the surface. He snapped out of his stupor and rushed into the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was decorated in Gryffindor colors as it had been many times in the last seven year. It appeared that Dumbledore had already given his speech and the feast had already begun. He quickly made his way over to his House table and took the seat Hermione and Ron had saved him. He glanced over at the Slytherin table and noticed that Malfoy wasn't there. In fact, nearly half the Slytherin table was empty. Most of the younger members of the House were looking around nervously and lost.

"What happened to you, mate? You're all red and flustered." Ron Weasley prodded him with a fork.

Harry ran a hand through his messy hair. "I ran into Malfoy on the way."

"Really?" Hermione Granger's eyes narrowed as she glared at the Slytherin table with suspicion. "He chose not to come to the feast then. Most of the Slytherins aren't here. What could they possibly be up to."

Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan, who were seated across from them, shared an uneasy gaze.

Harry stared down at his plate full of food. Malfoy's words kept running through his mind. "Something's going to happen." He whispered. "Malfoy told me to be careful."

"He what?" Ron's eyes widened in final realization of the evening's implications. "Bloody hell. You don't mean-" His alarmed gaze flew back toward the Slytherin table. "Why aren't the teachers done anything?"

Hermione shot up in her seat. "We have to warn the headmaster!"

As if Hermione's outburst had been a catalyst, the whole castle began shaking. Plates and goblets crashed onto the stone floor in an unsightly manner. Students ducked under the table and screamed. The floor bucked underneath him and threw him off balance. He felt his head collide with either the ground or something else. He stared up at the starry ceiling as his vision began to blur.

"Harry?"

That was Hermione.

"You okay, mate?"

Ron...

His eyelids felt heavy.

"Oh god, you're bleeding!" Hermione had her death grip on his arm. "Lift his head carefully, Ron."

Before he lost consciousness, he felt a familiar pull in his navel. It was a portkey. Malfoy had given him a portkey. He had a feeling he would be facing Voldemort the next time he regained consciousness. He should have been more careful.

Friday, 6th July 2001
6:28 PM, GMT +1:00
Surrey, England

Harry woke with a splitting migraine. He lay there, prone on the soft bed, and tried to recall what happened. He stared the blank ceiling and blinked. He recognized that stain on the ceiling. He was...in his room...back at the Dursley... He tried to sit up in bed but his head fell back into the pillow. He heard the creak of the opening door and light flooded into the darkened room through the open space.

"Harry, you're awake! Thank God!"

Harry turned his head and was greeted by the sight of Hermione in what appeared to be his aunt's clothing. He opened his mouth and tried to speak but found that his mouth was parched.

"Here, drink this."

Hermione held a glass of water to his lips. He took a few sips before pushing it away. Hermione settled into the chair next to the bed.

Harry tried again. "Where are we?"

"Your aunt and uncle's house." Her lips were pursed. She was upset about something.

Harry laughed bitterly. This wasn't that much better than Voldemort's lair. "They're not happy to see us...at all...aren't they?"

"No, we portkeyed into the kitchen right in the middle of supper." She picked at her shirt. "And they insisted that we change out of our 'abnormal' clothing if we're staying."

Harry turned his head and gazed out the barred window. "Why did Malfoy send us here? How did he even know about this place?"

"Maybe..." He noted the hesitation in Hermione's tone. "Maybe he wants to help. Maybe he's not as bad as he seems. Maybe he's a spy like Professor Snape."

"Then why just warn me? What about the rest of the school? He's up to something. I still don't trust him."

"Ron must be worried to death."

Harry could hear the unspoken, "I hope he's okay."

"We can't contact the school right now?"

"No, but I'm sure someone will come for us. Just get some sleep until then, Harry. You need it..."

Friday, 6th July 2001
6:39 PM, GMT +1:00
The gardens of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy
Scotland, United Kingdom

Ron had never been so absolutely terrified in his life before. He did a good job of hiding it but he was truly scared out of his wits. Things went downhill fast after Harry and Hermione were whisked away. Part of him was glad they weren't here to witness this event but the other half very much wanted the company of his best friends in his last minutes of life.

Behind them, Hogwarts was no more than a pile of stone and mortar. Ron wondered exactly how many people laid dead, crushed under tons of debris. The musky scent of magic in the air was overpowering. It pressed into every bone and muscle in his body. Like the rest of the Hogwarts populace, he was frozen to the spot, partly because of magic and partly because of intuitive fear. The Death Eaters encircled them with their wands poised to attack. Most of the teachers were struggling to stand against the power.

Voldemort was an impressive figure, despite his loathsome appearance. It was eerie how shadows gathered about the man, if you could even called the Dark Lord a man, and how his dark robes billowed about. He held a thick book bound in leather and gold with a large eye that seemed to gaze straight into Ron's soul.

An inhuman scream ripped though the air. It was one writhed with pain and suffering. It seemed like an eternity before Dumbledore crumpled to the ground. His face was slack and his eyes wide and locked in terror. Many of the female students and staff members began sobbing openly. Ron felt his heart wretch horribly. He tried to turn away from the unmoving body of Dumbledore but found himself unable to.

"I have shown you the true extent of my power. You should be honored to see the magic that will make me ruler of this world before you die. Believe me when I say none of you will be leaving here alive today."

They were all going to die a terrible and painful death. A very painful and terrible death.

To his surprise, Snape rose to his feet quite easily. Ron watched as the professor knelt down before the Dark Lord and kissed the creature's robes. His blood began to boil, a calming but steady fire that flamed the crimson liquid flowing through his veins.

The Dark Lord smirked at Snape's submissive form. "Dear sweet Severus… My day has come. Dumbledore has fallen before me."

"There was never any doubt in my mind, my Lord." Snape replied evenly. Ron could not see the man's down turned face.

He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named chuckled. He signaled to two Death Eaters, who suddenly hauled Snape to his feet. The Dark Lord towered over the Potions Master and gazed deep into the musky depths of the man's eyes. Snape was limp in the arms of the Death Eaters. He did not appear to try and fight their grip. "Did you really, Severus? Sources have told me you were not necessarily always so loyal to our cause."

"My Lord, I had to gain Dumbledore's trust. I only feed him minor details, plans that didn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things." Snape's expression remained neutral as always.

"Of course you did, Severus. That was the only sort of information you were ever given. Did you truly think that I would trust a man so close to Dumbledore's influence with my secrets?" Anger flashed through the dark wizard's eyes. "This mockery ends here. I have endured your betrayal long enough, for years now. Your leader is dead. All of you will die as well."

The Dark Lord stepped closer to Snape. He ran a finger down Snape's cheek. Ron watched in morbid fascination as Snape grimaced under the touch. "Severus, I had such high hopes for you but it seems you are nothing more than another blood traitor."

Snape spat in the Dark Lord's face much to everyone's horror. "At least I am not some mindless drone under the control of a madman. I still have my Free Will."

You-Know-Who clicked his tongue in disapproval. "We finally see your true face, Severus. I must admit. I am not liking what I am seeing." He dug a nail into Snape's left cheek and cut down the length to the chin. The skin sizzled angrily. The Dark Lord then ripped off the left sleeve of Snape's robes, revealing the pulsing Dark Mark for all to see. "I have marked you. You are nothing more than my property. You will always be a slave and a tool. Never anything more. What did you think would happen? Did you think this would be your redemption? Your salvation? You are severely mistaken in your reasoning if so. No matter what you do, the world will never see past this face. Being with that fool Dumbledore for so many years has addled your brain."

"You will die, Severus, but not yet. Not until you have witnessed the demise of everything you foolishly thought you could protect."

To Ron's ever-growing terror, the Dark Lord turned his wand at Professor McGonagall. "There is no escape from my power. Avada Kedavra."

An eternity seemed to pass as everyone held their breath. There was no resonating thud that signaled McGonagall's dead body hitting the ground. There was only an absolute and overpowering silence. The Dark Lord's wand was pointed steadily at the Transfiguration teacher and McGonagall glared back with unmasked defiance.

Despite their situation, a low murmuring arose from the student population. The same murmuring that often enveloped the Great Hall when a perplexing situation arose. Ron finally noticed that the scent of power was gone from the night breeze. It had been gone for a while now.

"Avada Kedavra."

Nothing happened.

"Crucio."

No screams of pain followed.

"Stupefy!"

Surprisingly, it was Madame Hooch, who leapt to her feet and cast the spell. Two Death Eaters dropped wordlessly to the ground. Before anyone could grasp the situation, Snape easily threw the two Death Eaters holding him back. Within another blink of the eye, all the teachers were on their feet and fighting. Chaos broke as did the Death Eaters' ranks. The school's gardens soon became a battleground.

Curses, hexes, and violent bolts of light were thrown between both sides and hit anything regardless of allegiance. The teachers quickly tried to gather the students and protect them. The younger years huddled into a frightful mass when some of the older students took up their wands and battled alongside their teachers.

Ron found himself faced with the members of DA, looking to him for guidance where Harry was not present. He gazed into the determined eyes of those from his year and those younger. He shook his head. There was no way they could fight back and take to the offensive. They could only stick together and protect as many of their numbers as they could until the Ministry arrived with reinforcements. He had no doubt that his father would come for him.

"Break into groups of four and watch each other's backs. Try and look after the first and second years. Don't try and be a hero. Let's get to it."

The group immediately broke apart to their assigned task after Ron barked his orders. His little sister, though, continued to linger by his side. "Ginny, go with Neville and them."

Ginny gave him a skeptical look. "Are you going to place your little sister's life in the hands of Neville Longbottom in the middle of a battle with Death Eaters? Why aren't you in a team?"

Ron gritted his teeth. "Now's not the time. You know that Neville's a lot more capable now."

"I'm just here to make sure you're not going to do something heroic." Her tone seemed to imply that her definition of "heroic" was closest to "stupid" at the moment.

"Ginny, please. This is for your own safety. I'll be fine on my own."

"Fine! But if you get yourself killed, I'm going to bring you back and kill you again tenfold." She shouted over her shoulders as she ran to where Neville, Seamus, and Dean were watching a group of Ravenclaw and Slytherin First Years.

Ron sighed and turned his attention to the battle at hand. He had to pay attention if he wanted to keep his head attached to his shoulder. He ducked and avoided a rather minor curse misfired by a fourth-year. He fired a Confundus Charm at Death Eater approaching him.

"Protego!"

Ron barely managed to shield against a rather nasty Severing Charm that would have taken his arm off. He only fired a Silencing Charm in return, hoping it would shut the Death Eater up long enough. He should have found it disturbing that he could hit any of them. The battle seemed strangely mild compared to the one that took place at the Department of Mysteries two years ago and there was more than three time the number of Death Eaters here than that day.

"Diffindo!"

Ron jumped in surprise when someone screamed out in pain behind him. He turned around to find a Death Eater on the ground with a long laceration down the length of his wand arm.

"Merlin, Weasley! Pay attention! We're in the middle of a battle. Do you want to get yourself killed?"

Ron tore his arm out of Malfoy's grip. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Trying to keep you alive, though I don't know why now." Malfoy growled. "Can you imagine how unhappy Potter would be if you managed to get your sorry arse killed?"

Ron petrified another Death Eater behind Malfoy's back. "Consider us even then." He glared at the boy.

Malfoy ignored the glare. "It's strange how powerless they seem."

"I still can't get over the fact that You-Know-Who couldn't kill McGonagall." Ron's eyes wandered over to where his House Head took down another group of Death Eaters.

"Whatever took His magic must be weakening the Death Eaters through the Dark Mark. We should be grateful," Malfoy said with a grim expression. "Or we'd be dead long ago."

"I suppose you would know that, Malfoy." Ron snarled. "Don't think you can trick us into believing you had nothing to do with this."

Malfoy appeared to be ignoring all of Ron's threats. "Take care, Weasel. Can't say I'll miss you if you die but try to stay alive."

Friday, 7th July 2001
12:05 AM, GMT +1:00
Saint Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries
London, England

When Harry awoke again some time later, it was to the sound of two people arguing. He turned on his side and watched as Ron and Hermione screamed at each other. He tried to sit up in the bed. "Stop it, the both of you."

The two jerked away from each other and managed to look chagrined. They each took one last glance at each other before diverting all their attention to Harry.

"Where am I?"

"You're in St. Mungo's, Harry." Ron moved closer to Harry's bedside.

Harry blinked. "St. Mungo's?"

Hermione nodded. "They moved you here after we were recovered from your uncle's house."

"What happened?"

He received no answer.

"Well?"

"Harry," Hermione bit her lower lip. "Hogwarts…it's…"

"Out with it already!" Harry snapped. He tried desperately to ignore the rapid pounding of his heart.

"It's gone, Harry. Hogwarts is no longer standing."

"No…" Harry fell back into the bed. He squeezed his eyes shut. This wasn't possible. Hogwarts couldn't have fallen. Hogwarts just couldn't have.

"Oh my god, Harry!"

They looked toward the door, where a ragged Remus Lupin stood. The werewolf rushed to Harry's side and enveloped the boy in a tight embrace. Harry smiled sadly and returned the hug.

Remus Lupin was never the same after Sirius Black's death. The two of them had grown quite close after the tragic event. Yes, Sirius Black was dead and what lay beyond the Veil would forever be a mystery. No, there had been no funeral or memorial service. No, they were unlikely to exonerate his godfather without that bloody rat.

Not a lot of people could say that Sirius Black had touched their lives. Even less would ever admit to it. Harry and Remus were two of the handful that could. The weeks after Sirius's death passed in a torturous blur. Somehow, Harry had made it through those months of summer vacation. Towards the end, Moody and his entourage packed him off to Number 12 Grimmauld Place once again. When Harry stood across from Remus that summer before his sixth year, for the first time since the night of Sirius's death, it occurred to him that Remus had allowed himself to waste away. He had a rude awakening as he gazed at the shell of his former teacher.

Harry had dragged Remus into the kitchen and forced him to eat something. Then they had a long-awaited, but all the more, much needed conversation. It had started with the usual pleasantries and insignificant inquires of each other's health. Harry grew weary of this quickly. He simply looked the older man in the eye and asked why Remus was letting himself waste away.

Remus froze, before replying in a tone laced with bitterness and sorrow. "I am the last now. They're all gone. The pack is gone."

Harry had come to learn that Remus was very much wolf as he was human. Werewolves were creatures of dual nature after all. Like humans, wolves were social creature and one without a pack was lonely being. Remus's pack was gone now. First Peter had turned from the path, leading to Lily and James' demise, and stealing Sirius away in a fit of misunderstanding and misdirected anger for nearly twelve years. When Sirius returned, he had been the pack. To Remus, Sirius was pack, family, friend, soul brother, and Harry always suspected, lover.

Harry said in reply. "Snape survived. You will too."

Remus' smiles always seemed so sad and heartbroken. "Severus is like a raven. Noble birds they might be but they live off carrion. They thrive off the tragedies and violence of war. I am a wolf, Harry."

"And ravens are loners."

Remus nodded. "Yes, that is the difference between Severus and me. Severus has made little attachment to anyone for him to truly grieve after loss. It's not his fault. It's because of how he was raised. Albus might be the exception though." He closed his eyes in pain. "I don't want to be the lone wolf again…"

Harry placed his hand over Remus'. "I'll be your pack then." The words were barely above a whisper but it seemed to echo through the empty kitchen with tremendous force.

Remus had stared at Harry in shock before pulling the boy into a tight embrace.

Harry pushed away the memory as he disentangled himself from Remus' arms. He carefully checked over the man he had come to think of as his other godfather. The dark circles under Remus' eyes were always a discouraging sign. If Harry remembered correctly, the full moon had only been days ago. It was still hard for Remus even with the Wolfsbane potion.

He gripped Remus' hand tightly. "Please tell me it's not true. That Hogwarts is…"

Remus shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry Harry but I'm afraid it's so."

"How did it happen?"

"It was horrible."

Everyone looked toward Ron. Harry had never seen his friend with such a haunted expression before. The red-haired boy shivered in recollection of the events.

"I was lucky to escape the castle in time. I…I'm not sure if everyone made it in time. I know Ginny's fine. The castle collapsed…"

"Do you understand what that means?" Hermione sank into her seat. She suddenly looked years older. "It takes incredibly powerful magic to uproot the stones of Hogwarts. The spells are centuries old and are connected directly with the land itself."

"Mum used to say nothing short of Apocalypse could destroy Hogwarts." Ron muttered.

"I still can't believe it." Harry was surprised by how strong he sounded. He felt as if all his strength had left him. "I refuse to believe it."

Ron leaned over and buried his face in Hermione's shoulder. Hermione brought an arm up and wrapped it around Ron's shoulder. "That wasn't the worse of it." Ron's words were muffled in Hermione's robes. "You-Know-Who was waiting for us outside. We were like rats. He flushed us out of the castle like rats. He surrounded us. There must have been at least a hundred Death Eaters."

Ron took deep breaths and continued to recount his experience. He stopped again moments later, as if trying to grasp the appropriate words for the situation. An oppressive silence settled over them, like a blanket that pressed down on them and smothered their breath. Harry wasn't sure he wanted to know the end of this horrid story. He gathered up his courage. He was going to have to face this sometime. "Just finish it, Ron. We…we can't change what's happened."

"I could taste the power in the air. Can you imagine? I could feel magic pressing at every bone in my body. I have no idea what He did but that amount of power is unnatural. All the sudden, Dumbledore just went stiff. He dropped his wand and fell to his knees. You-Know-Who said he wanted us all to see the true extent of his power, that that was the only reason we were still alive. He said he was going to break Dumbledore once and for all. You-Know-Who lay a hand on Dumbledore's forehead and he screamed. It was the most horrible sound I've ever heard in my entire life. It sounded like someone was ripping his soul right out of his body. Dumbledore just went limp. He hit the ground and didn't get up. I…I thought we were all going to die after that."

Harry stared up at the ceiling with unblinking eyes. Ever since Sirius' death, he had been very cautious toward the headmaster. Maybe he even hated the headmaster. Even so, he didn't want something like to happen.

"How did you survive?"

"I don't know… After…Dumbledore went down, You-Know-Who turned his wand on McGonagall and tried to use the Killing Curse but it didn't work for some reason. We all held our breaths but McGonagall was still alive and glaring at You-Know-Who. No one could understand what was happening. It wasn't like you, Harry. He couldn't cast the spell at all, any spell at all."

Hermione stared at Ron in shock. "Are you saying that He's a Squib?"

"I don't know but the Death Eaters got really spooked. The teachers all jumped to their feet and took them dead on. I knew it was stupid of me but I couldn't just stand there. I tried to stun You-Know-Who and…it actually worked. No one could understand what was really going on but it became obvious that there was something wrong with You-Know-Who. First it was the older students but we were all fighting soon. You-Know-Who called a retreat just when the Aurors arrived. They got there pretty quick because the defense of the castle is connected to the Ministry through Dad."

"I don't understand." Hermione muttered.

Remus jumped to his feet and rushed out the door, leaving the three teenagers to absorb everything.

Friday, 7th July 2001
12:05 AM, GMT +1:00
Some abandoned manor in the United Kingdom

Voldemort was livid. It was an understatement really. There were no words to describe how he felt. He couldn't understand why his magic had failed him. He had made a whole show of his attack on Hogwarts to show the world just what he was capable of. It was intolerable that such a plan could have ended in such a disaster. He was convinced it was all that Ishtar woman's fault.

"Crucio!"

He watched for a few moments as the woman arched back and screamed. He signaled to Lucius to stop. He leaned over the woman who was chained to the wall. "What did you do?! What happened to my magic? Answer me now!"

She gazed up at him with unfocused eyes. He could see a strange light emerging from the murky depths. She suddenly threw her head back and laughed. The other Death Eaters in the room moved back anxiously.

Voldemort glared at the woman with contempt. He had overestimated her. He had broken her before he had his answers. Pity, such was the side-effect of a prolonged Cruciatus curse. It was strange. He had never gotten such results from her with torture before. He turned away and gestured to Lucius. "Do with her as you wish. She is no longer of use to us. Search her cell and take all her notes."

The laughter had died down to an insane sounding giggle. "I told you, didn't I?"

He looked back at the woman, staring at him with omniscient eyes. "What did you say?"

"I told you," She stifled another giggle. "The power of the gods comes at a price. I should know. I paid it. I paid with my entire family and the six long years of suffering. Isn't it funny? The gods demand your magic as the price of their power. They took the very thing you needed to secure your position in this world. You're nothing now. Nothing!" She laughed.

Voldemort saw red. He twirled around and pointed his wand at the woman. "Crucio." The words were spoken calmly and it worked. She screamed even louder than before. He smirked. "What were you saying Miss Ishtar? I thought your pathetic gods had already taken my magic."

She breathed heavily, her chest heaving up and down with her effort. Her voice was cracked now. "The gods are cruel like that. They never take everything at once. They take it little by little. Each time, your goal will fall further and further away from you until it's completely unattainable. In the end, They will take everything. They won't let you win. I can see it. Yes, you've tampered with power that doesn't belong to you. The Prophecy will come to pass but now, you have alerted even greater Powers to your presence. The Children will not let you go. They're coming for you. They will ensure that your defeat will be utter and absolute. The child born in the midst of summer, who has defied you thrice fold, will be the one to destroy you."

"Useless raving woman." Voldemort strode purposefully to the door.

"Don't ignore me!" She screamed after him. "You cannot escape divine retribution. You will pay dearly for every life you take. Every drop of blood on your hands will drown you in its crimson depth. The Pharaoh! He knows you exist now! He will not stand for your existence anymore than the Summer's child! Together, they'll be your downfall. Nothing but the demons of the lower region of Tuat await you now! Your fate has already been set! You cannot escape, Tom Marvolo Riddle!"

The door closed behind him and shut out the sound of that woman's ravings. He tried to smother the feeling welling in him…the one known as fear.

Chapter 2 - Untitled at the moment
While the wizarding world begins to recover from the shock of Albus Dumbledore's death and the collapse of Hogwarts, Mutou Yugi makes a startling discovery thousands of miles away. He is only a few weeks away from starting his apprenticeship and his new life with Anzu in Paris. Yet the recent events around his college campus are pointing him in a completely new direction. Bakura is swamped with work and troubled by the recent raise in mortality rates in London for seemingly no reason. Though he has examined the bodies with his mentor, he finds no probable cause of death, just strange sticks of wood and vanishing corpses. Rishid finally awakens, to everyone's surprise and confusion. The warning Isis left him to pass on, as well as a letter from Yami, both reach Malik at the same time Severus and Hermione come to investigate Voldemort's newfound powers.

Forgive me if this chapter seems really awkward. I'm still trying to get down the feel of Harry Potter fanfiction.