Tangled Web

DISCLAIMER: Anything that you recognize is JK Rowling\'s. I\'m just playing with them and moving them around and such. This disclaimer goes through all the chapters.


A/N: I will admit that there will be times that I will be slow updating as this is my fourth WIP at the moment. Evil plot bunnies wouldn\'t leave it alone, so I had to start writing it. Right at the moment it doesn\'t look too SS/HG, but I promise that it will grow into it more and more. Also, this is an angsty fic, so there will be violence and the like, just as a warning if you are squimish about those things. Anyways, please read and review! Reviews are always greatly appreciated. Also, a special thanks goes to my wonderful beta, Snapeaholic.


Chapter One: A Mournful Phoenix Song


Three long years after the Golden Trio’s graduation, the war continued to ravage the wizarding world. There was a brief moment during seventh year when Harry Potter almost took out Lord Voldemort, but chance would have it that the attempt failed, leaving Voldemort just wounded. A brief reprieve from the war occurred, long enough to have a peaceful graduation, leading the students out into a world that was bitter and weary of the war that had exploded within a year’s time. Those same students had chosen their sides, for there truly was no neutrality in this war. Some had already died too young in a war that had been going off and on for nearly three decades. Others had lost parents and family members. The dead on both sides were too many to count.

No one could completely trust anyone from either side. Your friend one day could be the one casting a final curse on you the next. Deceit ran rampant through the wizarding world as friends turned against friends, family against family. The Dark side led to a path of ruin and destruction that ran deep, weakening even those with the strongest morale for their own cause. The war was told to be one about what was right and just in the wizarding world concerning purebloods and those of less than pure standards, but deep down, the underlining cause was a plain and simple struggle for power.

Both sides were strong and unrelenting, relying heavily on their leaders. The Death Eaters were clearly gaining ground. Their numbers seemed as numerous as the stars, pulling even foreigners into their flock. The Order had in heart what it lacked in numbers. They were fighting the defensive, trying to protect towns from pillaging and total destruction. The Muggle world continued to turn a blind eye, blaming terrorists and extremist factions for what events did seep out into their notice. They could not ignore it for long. Voldemort was not willing to let them overlook his power. England would fall without those fighting against the great evil. Either way, the prophecy of Potter and Voldemort would come true.

* * * * *

The cloud-covered night blocked out all light except that coming from the small wizarding town. The dim lights in the windows appeared as faint fireflies on a summer night. A darkened shape flew toward the town amongst the clouds. It was an ominous sign for the town. The indistinguishable shape circled slowly around, predicting the awaiting death in its vulture-like way. The figure seemed satisfied with what it saw as it shot upward and hovered in the sky in the direct center of the town.

A single word broke the eerie silence that had descended: Morsmorde. A collection of green smoky particles slowly formed in the sky, rising high in the air over the area. The image consisted of a skull with a serpent protruding from its mouth like a tongue. The Dark Mark was the signal of the impending destruction.

A turbulent sound rumbled over the land, sounding similar to thunder as a flock of birds flutteredin tin the sky, disturbed by the evil that was exposing itself. Shouts rose to the air as the small town was flooded by dark shadows coming from all sides. Slim beams of light flashed and crossed, splintering wood and breaking glass.

Shouts of surprise came when these dark shadows entered the houses and were pushed back by the light. The battle resounded into a chaotic jumble. Wizards here and there were fighting as spells were rapidly cast back and forth. A fire broke out as the smoke billowed into the night air and began to spread.

“More re-enforcements are coming soon, aren’t they?” a distinctly female voice called out after she cast another spell, managing to blast one of the Death Eaters back.

“They should be here any moment, Tonks,” the male voice stated, his back against hers, as he continued to take out the rampaging Death Eaters. He picked up the scent of smoke starting as it caught in one of the back rooms of the house they were in. “Let’s move outside.” She agreed, and they managed to make their way out.

Tonks tripped over her own feet and started to fall, catching a spell in the arm. “Shit,” she cursed, holding her wand arm as blood poured from the wound.

Remus pulled her to him. “Stay close to me,” he instructed as he saw a groupDeatDeath Eaters run towards them. He pointed his wand and moved backwards, stuck between them and the now blazing building.

She nodded and held her wand up as well as she could while keeping her left hand on her wound. This situation was not good. She cast another spell, knocking one of the Death Eaters back.

Remus cast a few more spells at the oncoming Death Eaters. They were clearly outnumbered, and it did not help that Tonks was injured. He managed to blast two of them, leaving four. They managed to dodge one spell as Remus took out another one, leaving them three to two.

Tonks hissed in pain as she tried to do more, but she dropped her wand in pain. “Remus, I can’t fight any more,” she yelled over the chaos.

He nodded and shielded her behind him. He watched her pick up her wand again, but she was only able to hold it loosely in her right hand. They were going to get themselves out of this. He pointed his wand at the three Death Eaters. Het a t a spell at one of the Death Eaters, knocking him out, and had turned to catch the other one when another spell came out of nowhere, catching the Death Eater in the chest. Another Death Eater stepped out of the shadows. Remus was about to cast another spell when the Death Eater pushed back his hood to reveal himself.

“Severus!” Remus said softly, glad to see his friend, fellow Order member, and spy for the Light.

Severus Snape nodded and pulled the hood back in place. “Go,” he ordered, pointing to an alley beside an empty house. “The Dark Lord will be arriving soon.”

No sooner had he spoke, the Dark Lord appeared, accompanied by his elite set of troops, thirteen Death Eaters whom he considered to be the
best of the wizarding world. Voldemort strolled into the battle, casually shooting the green beams of the Avada Kedavra curse from his wand.

“Here comes Dumbledore!” Remus cried as he grabbed Tonks and left via the alleyway Severus had pointed out to them.

Albus Dumbledore exuded power as he entered the battle. He had a shield in one hand and his wand in the other. His faithful phoenix Fawkes flew above him, calling out his song to give the Order hope. He was flanked by both Harry Potter and Alastor Moody.

A signal was given and the aurors charged onward into the fray as the Dark and Light clashed in battle. The sounds of fighting and the stench of death rose in the air. The clouds above sensed the turmoil below and rumbled in response, sending a flash of lightning, illuminating the destruction.

Harry and Dumbledore pressed forward toward Voldemort, knowing he was their main target. Harry had grown into the true leader of this war as he was the one who would kill Voldemort for good. He did not want such a great responsibility, but he had filled his role better than anyone could have hoped. A red beam of light shot out from his wand as he knocked a Death Eater aside, not noticing the one behind him that was about to attack. He turned only when he heard the scream.

Hermione Granger stood there, casting a spell at the Death Eater approaching Harry. He spoke the killing curse, but nothing happened as his wand arm was lying on the ground at his feet. Thick blood spurted out from the Death Eater’s shoulder where his arm once was. The wizard panicked and screamed, running into a burning house where the stench of burnt flesh began to fill the air.

Harry noddo Heo Hermione and continued with Dumbledore toward Voldemort. The fighting was fierce as both groups stepped over the dead and wounded to get to their goal.

Voldemort and Harry met in the middle of the town square, pointing their wands at each other as both sides circled around. A flash of lightning and the sound of thunder overhead drowned out the spell that each wizard cast. Their wands locked as both wizards held on, trying to outlast the other.

“So, Potter, here we are again,” Voldemort hissed, trying to make the young man lose his concentration as his spell pushed closer toward Potter’s.

Harry’s jaw clenched slightly as he struggled for a moment with his wand, managing to steady it and send the spell closer to Voldemort. “Yes, we are.”

“It’s only a matter of time before I win, Potter. Why don’t you go ahead and give it up?” His wand was shaking violently as he struggled to keep it under control.

“NEVER!” Harry screamed, grasping his wand with both hands, managing to edge his spell even closer to Voldemort. He could tell how much Voldemort’s hands were shaking as the battle raged around them. They seemed to almost be in their own little sphere. He felt something light land on his shoulder and saw Fawkes, who began to sing, giving Harry strength.

Voldemort broke the connection, and their spells shot into the air. Fawkes flew up so Harry could fight back. The Dark Lord circled around Potter, again pointing his wand at him. “It’s only a matter of time, boy,” he spat angrily as he cast a spell. Potter dodged and cast a spell of his own, hitting Voldemort. He hissed in pain. “You’ll pay for that, Potter.” He cast the killing curse again, and Harry managed to duck. The curse hit one of Voldemort’s own men.

Harry was gaining ground, as were the rest of the Order members. He knew that the Ministry was informed as well and hoped that the rest of the aurors would come soon. He readied himself to cast another spell at Voldemort, needing to weaken the strong wizard before he could finish him off.

The Death Eaters around them were beginning to notice the fight more between their Master and Potter. They knew that Potter was only to be killed by the Dark Lord. Lucius saw an opportunity to help his Master. He raised his wand and spoke a spell that would knock Potter down.

“Harry, look out,” Dumbledore yelled, whipping his wand around and knocking Lucius to the ground with the same spell Malfoy had used.

Two spells were coming at him at once. He managed to miss Voldemort’s, but Lucius’ hit him, knocking him to the ground. He groaned softly as the wind was knocked from him, but he managed to get back up. He had his back turned as the Dark Lord moved to a different place.

It seemed to happen in slow motion. Voldemort had waved his wand, firmly intoning, “Avada Kedavra!” Harry turned, seeing the green light coming towards him. He was pushed aside and stumbled backwards. His mouth opened in complete horror as he saw the green light hit Dumbledore. Lightning flashed and the thunder roared as Fawkes swooped down, finding that he was too late. The elder wizard stood there a moment, eyes wide open, and then he fell to the ground.

“NO!” Harry screamed. He turned fiercely towards Voldemort, his green eyes flashing in anger. “If it is the last thing I do, I will kill you,” he spat and then began casting spells. Voldemort deflected them easily, laughing in his high-pitched voice.

Another flash of lightning raced across the sky, illuminating the Ministry aurors that were flooding the scene.

Voldemort knew he was out-numbered now as he continued to fend off the angry young man’s advances. “This will be over soon, Potter. We are nearing the end.” He gave a signal of retreat and apparated from the area. He was followed by the sounds of popping as the Death Eaters’ also retreated.

Harry watched them leave, slowly lowering his wand. The heavens opened up as the rain poured down, seemingly crying for the fallen leader. He slowly walked to Dumbledore. Fawkes had landed beside his friend and lightly picked at the wizard’s white beard, which was getting muddy from the rain and dirt.

Harry fell to his knees beside of the elder wizard. “Albus,” he cried softly, grabbing the wizard’s bony, wrinkled hand that was rapidly cooling in the wet air. He looked at the Headmaster’s eyes, noticing that their twinkle was gone. He raised his other hand and closed the wizard’s eyes, unable to look at that blank stare. He was like a grandfather to him, a mentor, a friend, and now he was gone like so many others in his life: his father, his mother, Sirius, etc. A lump formed in his throat as he choked back a sob, and his tears mingled with the rain.

A soft yet firm hand was placed on his shoulder as he looked up, seeing Professor McGonagall there. “We have to collect what is ours,” she said, her voice sounding close to tears.

Harry nodded slowly and stood up, giving a few orders, and he knew the Order was now in his leadership. He looked longingly back to Albus, wishing that the seemingly immortal wizard would wake up and be all right. Why did he have to be human now? They needed him. He closed his eyes, unable to give any more orders as the graveness of the situation fell heavily over the little wizarding town. All sounds had ceased except for the distant rumble of thunder, the pattering of the rain, and a mournful phoenix song that rose above them all.

* The line in the summary \"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.\" is originally from Sir Walter Scott\'s Marmion.


A/N: Please review!