Fudge looked up in shock as Albus Dumbledore stormed into his office. Before he could open his mouth, though, Albus was already talking.
"Cornelius, we've been had. Gellert was never headed for China, he was in America and now he's back… with five Obscurials! I've already sent a message to Aberforth, but even between us, we can only contain one of them and since it takes over a dozen fully trained Aurors to counter a single Obscurial, the correlation of forces is not good, even with the recent expansion of the Auror corps."
Fudge had paled as Albus spoke, but he went totally white as the aged wizard continued.
"One student got out of Hogwarts and raised the alarm. Madam Bones is recalling every former Auror who's still able to wave a wand, but against us… it's not only Gellert Grindlewald, Cornelius. Tom Riddle… Voldemort… is back as well and he's taken down and replaced the Hogwarts wards. They're still powering up, but it's been confirmed that everyone trapped inside cannot use their wands. Gellert can, somehow, and his Obscurials are unaffected, but everyone else may as well be a Squib for all the use they'll be."
Fudge shook his head in helpless denial. "No! How is this possible?"
"It was Riddle who broke Gellert out of prison." Albus looked every day of his advanced years. "While most of his followers are gone, there are still a few remaining and when they get to him, his ability to hold the children hostage will be much, much greater."
"What do we do?" Fudge hyperventilated. "What do we do?"
"Assemble our forces… and wait." Albus said heavily. "Cornelius, if we get through this, you will be remembered as the Minister who saved the children… if you don't do anything to screw things up!"
Fudge nodded frantically as the door burst open again, this time admitting Amelia Bones who was waving a sheet of parchment at him.
"Fudge! I need you to sign this Emergency Recall! Now!"
Fudge scrabbled for the quill resting in the ink-pot as a young blond girl peered in through the door, her silvery eyes wide with amazement.
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"Everyone is in the Great Hall, save Potter who is currently Stunned and bound in the room behind us." Gellert reported as Voldemort arrived at the top of the staircase leading down to the Wardstone. "Pettigrew and I sealed the doors, so they have no way out."
"Are you sure?" Voldemort frowned. "Hagrid is half-giant. He may be able to punch the door down… or power his way through the wall"
"Which is why we have him suspended by his ankles from the rafters." Pettigrew snickered. "He can't punch the door down if he can't reach it."
"Very clever." Voldemort nodded approvingly. "I believe it is time to summon reinforcements. I shall go back to the boat and send out the signal, then lead them back here. By the way, where's Severus?"
"Here, my Lord." Snape said, stepping out of the corner.
"He handed his wand to me without being asked." Gellert said, handing it over to Voldemort.
"Do you wish me to bring out those of my House whom I believe are ready to follow you?" Snape asked and Voldemort shook his head.
"Not yet, Severus. Not yet. Until I return, you will obey Gellert as you would me."
"As you command, my Lord." Severus bowed as Voldemort returned his wand before he strode off.
"Severus, check around the school to see if anyone is still out of the Hall." Gellert commanded. "Once done, meet us at the Teacher's Lounge."
"Of cours, sir." Severus bowed again, then turned and strode off, his cloak flaring dramatically.
"Peter, secure Potter and Stun him again." Gellert commanded. "I need to check on how the children are doing. It does not do well to let a weapon be damaged through inattention, after all."
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Neville gritted his teeth against the pain wracking his body as he used his wand to cast a cutting spell at the enchanted ropes that were wrapped round the beam he was standing on. A brief application of magic sliced through the ropes, causing them to dissipate…
…and the resulting blast of pain was so intense that Neville staggered and toppled off the beam, plummeting to the ground.
"Gotcha, Nev!" Hagrid caught the plummeting teen, setting him carefully to his feet. "Thanks."
"That… hurt." Neville shuddered. "I think… I need… to rest…"
"I got him, Hagrid." Hermione took over supporting Neville and led him to the corner where Ginny was arranging cushions taken from the teachers chairs.
Draco watched the boy being led off, then he walked to the Teachers Table. Climbing onto it, he held up a hand to get everyone's attention.
"Everyone, please listen!" Draco pitched his voice to carry and the Hall went quiet. "We need to plan. We need to know if anyone is still out there or if they caught us all."
"An excellent thought, Mr Malfoy." McGonogall said approvingly. "Everyone split into your houses and subdivide into your years. If anyone's missing, inform your Head of House."
"But Professor Snape isn't here!" One of the Slytherins called out and McGonogall frowned slightly even as Draco hid a smirk of triumph.
"Well… report to Professor Tonks, then."
Draco clambered down and made his way to the milling Slytherins. Soon he would be able to use the medallion he was wearing to relay the information on which students had been missed to Voldemort.
He would prove himself worthy of being taught all that Voldemort knew, then he would strike down the Dark Lord and his journey to true power would be complete!
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"Barty!"
"Yes, my Lord?" Barty Crouch almost Apparated to the top of the Gangplank.
"Bring the Cabinet to the forward deck."
"Yes, my Lord!" Barty scurried off, then reappeared, levitating the Cabinet into position. "Is it time for me to join you in your time of triumph, sire?"
"Not yet, my loyal servant." Voldemort shook his head. "I am sorry, but until my reign is accepted, you must remain as my hidden dagger."
Barty seemed to sag.
"However, before you return to guard my anchor once more, I have need of your presence. Your arm, please."
Barty rolled up his sleeve and Voldemort touched his wand to the Dark Mark that the sleeve had concealed.
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Walden MacNair twitched slightly as the Dark Mark on his arm pulsed. The co-ordinates of where he was being summoned to formed in his mind and he carefully slipped out of the briefing hall, grateful that he had chosen to stay near the back.
No-one saw him leave.
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In a hidden mansion, several sheets were flung to the grimy floor as the two who had been In the bed lunged towards the wardrobe, flinging it open and pulling up the boards to reveal a pair of dark robes and skull-like masks.
Moments later, the Carrow Siblings Apparated out of their home, their eyes alight with dark glee at the thought of being re-united with their Master once more.
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The first pop of Apparition caused Voldemort to turn around.
"Walden, welcome back."
"It is good to serve a true leader once more, my Lord." Walden intoned as he dropped to one knee, bowing his head in respect.
Two more pops announced the arrival of the Carrows, who stared at him in wonder before dropping to their knees.
"My Lord, you have returned!" Alecto exclaimed gleefully.
"We are yours to command." Amicus added.
"Rise, my followers." Voldemort commanded and the trio before him rose to their feet. "Amicus, Alecto, how did the mission I sent you on just before my fall go?"
"The valley has been warded and the House cleansed of the taint of the Prewetts." Alecto reported with a smirk. "The twins' planned safe-house, which they never got to use, is now yours to use as you will."
"Show me." Voldemort commanded and Alecto fearlessly removed her mask so that she could meet his gaze. After a moment, she stumbled, her brother catching her. "Excellent work, both of you. We now have a secure headquarters should Hogwarts become unusable for any reason. I am proud of you both."
The siblings preened.
"There has been a change." Voldemort waved his wand and from a small chest on the deck near the Vanishing Cabinet, a trio of Roman-style helmets floated over. "I have new tools, Obscurials in command of their power, but they are young still. These helmets will allow you to use magic without being affected by the wards and are charmed so that wizards and witches will be unable to make out your faces, only your general expressions, but the five Obscurials who follow me will be able to see you, so treat them gently and with respect. Each one could easily rip all of you to shreds but they are loyal to me."
Alecto donned the helmet, fastening the strap under her chin, the other two following suit.
"I acquired the helmets in America and my ally applied the runes to shield your faces as well as protect against any mental attacks." Voldemort stated as he led them up the ramp. "Now, step through the Cabinet and my ally, Gellert Grindlewald, will be waiting for you. Ishall be along soon."
The trio filed, one at a time, through the cabinet and Voldemort growled.
"Only three of my legions remain, and two of those by pure chance. I have much work to do to rebuild the ranks of my followers."
A flick of his wand closed and shrank the chest, which floated to his hand. Pocketing it, he stepped into the Vanishing Cabinet once more.
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"We have problems. Young Malfoy used the communication function of the medallion I slipped him." Gellert reported as Voldemort stepped out of the cabinet. "The first is that one of the students, a Luna Lovegood, is missing."
"So we need to find where she is hiding, correct?" Voldemort asked, then he paused, looking at Gellert's expression. "Why do I believe that there is more to this than I originally thought?"
"She's an Animagus with the form of a bird." Gellert stated.
"Then the Ministry already knows about what has happened here." Voldemort deduced. "I had hoped to have several days before they worked out that something had happened. This is most irritating. And the second problem?"
"Apparently a Neville Longbottom managed to resist the anti-wand Ward long enough to get Hagrid down from the rafters."
"Impressive." Voldemort mused. "The Ward, when active, causes as much pain as the Cruciatus. To resist the pain enough to actually cast a spell… He will need to be watched. Alecto, Amycus, go and watch over the Great Hall. The door is sealed with a Collaportus, so negate it and Stun everyone inside, then get their wands from them. And tie Hagrid up again."
The Carrow siblings bowed, then scurried off to do their Master's bidding.
"Peter, the new Wards allow those who are wearing the adapted flight-gear to Apparate. Get to the gates and see how many Aurors are out there."
Peter vanished with a sharp crack.
"Gellert, the Obscurials… get them onto the roof and watching out for any sign that the Wards have been penetrated."
"An excellent idea." Gellert nodded, then he vanished in an almost-silent Apparation.
"Severus, Put one of these helmets on and head for the Hall. Find those of your House who you know wish to join us and revive them. Once they are awake, give them each a helmet to wear. They are charmed to conceal the wearer's face from those who are not with us."
"As you wish, my Lord." Severus bowed, accepting the chest and after donning one of the helmets inside, strode off with the chest levitating behind him.
"MacNair, you are with me." Voldemort stated. "I believe I will need a certain trump card earlier than expected. It is time that Potter is forced to grant me the power that should rightfully be mine."
"Yes, my Lord."
"And we may need some leverage… go after Severus and bring back one of Potter's friends. Preferably a female one."
"Yes, my Lord."