The Shadows Within: A Dark Harry Potter Chronicle

Severus Snape's office

Severus Snape set his empty cup on the table. He refilled it.

Drank.

Refilled it again.

' This is becoming quite problematic' he thought wryly.

After many years of not having more than a single drink in company, he found himself drinking himself into oblivion on a regular basis. Alone.

' Its the only way to silence the thoughts'

How ironic, that he had been the one to advise Draco on dealing with guilt.

' Physician, heal thyself '

But he had seen what Harry had done. He had seen how the boy looked afterward. Lily's eyes, reveling in torture and murder.

He drank.

He had seen how the Dark Lord had looked at the boy.

Harry belonged to Him, now.

And he, Severus Snape, who had been trying for years to heal the rifts between his Slytherins and the rest of the school.

He would have to encourage them. To push students into traveling the same hellish path that he had taken.

And Harry. Lily's son. The child who had been unable to even get off his bed now had an outlet for his rage and hate. He now had a Master who would be more than happy to have him indulge in those feelings.

Severus Snape drank and wept.

Behind him, a small cauldron bubbled.

It would soon be ready.

Parkinson Manor

"Surely there is-"

"Give up, Maeve! There's nothing we can do!"

"There must be!"

Lance sighed. "Maeve, tell me, dear. Did you see how the Dark Lord looked at him?"

Flustered, Maeve nodded.

"Did it remind you of anything?"

"Well-"

"Because it reminded me of exactly how he used to look at Bellatrix or Barty when they did something to please Him. And you know he would forgive them anything"

"I know, but-"

"No buts. We have to face the reality. Our daughter is involved with one of the Dark Lord's chosen. Harry stands higher than us"

"I know" she shrieked. "That's exactly why I'm afraid!"

"Because you know that there is nothing we can do! The Dark Lord would allow him to get away with anything! If we complained, He would punish us!"

Sobbing, his wife clutches him.

"His eyes, Lance. I would rather Pansy was alone with Greyback than with him. That look he had-"

"I know! But there is nothing we can do! You have to accept that! We just have to hope Pansy doesn't upset him"

"What if she does? What is wants to hurt her, to-"Maeve sniffed.

"I don't think he is that far gone. We have to hope. Hope that he isn't as far gone as that. If he is, well then. May Mordred and Morgana protect our little girl"

Shrieking Shack

Sirius Black paced the room, looking down at himself every so often to make sure that he was still a man.

He hadn't yet worked out a foolproof plan to ensure that this wasn't a dream. That this wasn't a hallucination created in the moments as his soul was sucked out.

' I'm going to eat that rat's heart. I'll make him watch'

Dimly, he realized that he wasn't exactly sane. Well, twelve years of no company but Dementors and the ravings of his mad cousin could definitely do that to anyone.

' The screams'

He laughed. It was so simple. There were no screams pervading his thoughts. There always had been.

"Ergo, I'm really not there"

He giggled. 'Did I really make friends with a cat?'

He thought so. It didn't have a feel of a dream, at least. It must have been real.

' Once I've turned the rat in, I'll be free! I'll be able to look after Harry!'

That would be especially necessary if Bellatrix was right. Bellatrix and the others. They seemed so convinced that Voldemort wasn't gone. Maybe they were right?

' All the more reason for Harry to have someone looking after him. Once that cat brings me the rat'

He laughed at that thought, ' I'll be free! Maybe I'll even let the cat have the rest of its toes? '

He kicked the chair. ' I can't kill him. I shouldn't have ever tried. I should have been there for Harry. I should have been there for James and Lily'

He covered his face with his hands and wept, hysterical laughter breaking through now and then.

The White Wyvern

Mundungus Fletcher carefully did not look at the table behind him, instead sinking deeper into his chair and sipping his rum.

' Another inch or two'

He could nearly hear what they were saying. Not more than brief snatches, a word here and there, but nearly.

Greyback, Yaxley, Rowle. Nothing good came when those types got together. Especially when they began meeting with greater frequency.

Someone joined the table behind him, giving a grunted greeting.

He raised his glass and inspected it, before drinking.

' Crabbe today. Nott yesterday. Malfoy the day before. And some mention of their Dark Lord. Not enough real info for Old Albus. He wants something substantial'

After a while, the meeting behind him came to a close. He pulled his hat down further as the motley crew left the bar.

' Nothing interesting today. Could tell Albus I heard them say Potter's name, but he'll want more. Need to get nearer'

One of these days, he'd get near enough to actually hear what they were saying.

One of these days.

Malfoy Manor

Lord Voldemort warmed his hands in front of the fire, content. His plans were moving along swiftly, his goals slowly drawing into sight. Not as swiftly as he could hope for, but 'at this stage of the game, secrecy is paramount. Let the enemy only know you have made a move once winning is already in sight.'

After all the years, all the decades. Control of Britain was in sight. In under ten years, unless he totally missed his guess.

And after that, the rest of Europe.

He smiled, stroking his snake's head.

And Harry.

Harry was his, now. Truly his.

Killing was one thing. Killing in public, another. Breaking a man's spirit, on your lord's orders?

Well, that was another thing entirely.

It had been a risk, that. Placing Harry on the spot. Of course, it wasn't entirely up to chance. Had Harry seemed unable to continue with his work would have simply used the Imperius to force Gordon to give up earlier' .

But that had not been necessary. In fact, Gordon had only been compelled to renounce once Voldemort feared Harry would accidentally kill it.

' But now he has seen. They all have. Muggles will never bow down to us. It is not enough to have them subservient. They must be destroyed, entirely. Their allegiance will never truly be to us'

Let muggles keep their religion. It would only continue to make an excellent scapegoat.

And Harry. He was almost too easy to manipulate. He simply needed to be shown some care and he crumbled. So simple. ' Unless I am mistaken, Bella will have to compete with him for my compliments'

Lord Voldemort laughed softly. Harry was his. And soon enough, the whole world would be.

' Mine'