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Chapter 9:- Making the Mark


Snape heard the crackle as the wards started to collapse around the house. He continued to survey the area but still saw nothing to concern him.

"Done." Called Greenberg as the noise died down.

"You sure?"

"Of course. I said it was done."

"Then we had best return, quickly."

Snape turned and started to lead Greenberg back towards the apparition point but before he reached half way he saw that the others were already on the move with Voldemort in the lead.

"Acceptable Greenberg you may go now. Snape fall in with the rest." Commanded Voldemort as he continued to walk towards the house.

The group paused just before the house as Voldemort studied it like a cat looking at a mouse. It was quiet but he could hear the noise of some of his followers we making. It was obvious that they were getting a little worried.

The group of them had indeed spent too much time here already, but Voldemort was not worried. The only person that may have caused him to change the plan was away. His spy had told him so. Without Dumbledore whoever arrived could do nothing against him.

He looked back at the group, he had already sent Grayback and one of his companions away the other one looked almost hungry for more work.

"Snape take Grayback's young companion here, McCann and Pike and go round the back of the house I want you to stop anyone leaving. Do not kill them but hold them until I arrive."

"Yes my Lord." Responded Snape as he turned once more back to the house and started off round it.

"Draco, I want you up here next to me so that you can see this." Said Voldemort.

Draco tried to swallow but his mouth was far too dry. He had been standing right at the back with his Aunt. He was hoping that he had been forgotten but this command suddenly brought all of his fears back to the front. Moving slowly through the rest of them he positioned himself behind and to the side of Voldemort and awaited the next move.

**

Snape looked over to the main group as he was creeping round the house. He saw Draco move to the front of the group. Something was happening there he just knew it. This task of looking after the "back of the house" was just given to him to keep him out of the way. Whatever Voldemort was going to say to Draco he did not want anyone to overhear, much less Snape.

When he was halfway round he stopped his small group.

"McCann you and Pike put yourself either side of the back door. Stun anything that comes out."

"Ok." Replied McCann and ran across the grass with the other Death Eater.

"What about me?" the young werewolf asked.

"Take position at the edge of the wood. If the others fail you catch whoever it is."

With a small nod the young man ran into the wood, his form was lost for sight as soon as he entered the dark wood. Snape waited a few moments before he started to creep back towards the front of the house. He just had to find out what Voldemort was planning for Draco.

**
Tonks stumbled into the open plan office of the Auror's. She knew that at this early hour of the morning the office would be nearly empty but she did suspect more people than she found. Dodging around the desks she stifled a yawn as she walked up to the only other person in the office.

"Wotcha, what's up? I got owled at home and there nobody here?"

"Tonks you took your time." Complained Mad Eye.

"It's nice to see you to Mad Eye. So why are you here at this ungodly hour?"

"I was passing by when I heard the department go crazy. It seems that someone has let a group of giants lose in the southwest. I volunteered to stay here and co-ordinate."

"And they accepted, but you're retired?"

"Desperate times call for desperate measures, I also said that I'll call you in to help me."

"Cheers Mad Eye."

"Don't think of it, anyway this sounds very fish to me. I wanted some else to look at it."

Tonks started to go through the reports that were streaming in. It was not long before the pair of them were in deep discussion about this incident.

*

Voldemort walked steadily up the front path. He could feel the change in magic as he approached the door. Inside he was happy that his subordinates had done such a good job. This next part would just reinforce to all of them who was really in charge.

He stopped only a few feet short of the door and waited for his Death Eaters to get into position. He could hear and feel Draco waiting behind him, and he knew that Bellatrix would not be far behind. Raising his wand slowly like he was conducting a grand orchestra he pointed it at the door. The wand seemed to hang menacingly in the air for a few seconds before a red beam was emitted and struck the door.

The door destroyed itself in an instant, the noise of the destruction echoed around the village like a giant warning. Pieces of the door flew in all direction, inside, outside everywhere but none came close of Voldemort. The smoke and dust obscured the inside from view but was instantly illuminated by a blue glow.

Amelia had seen the shadow appear under the door frame as she waited. Was it conceit or just pride, that she hoped she was important enough that it was Voldemort himself the other side. Her heart was racing but he mind was calm, she was not afraid and that one thought steadied her more than she knew. Death was coming quickly but that did not matter, all that mattered now was Susan. She had to create enough of a diversion so that she could get away.

She saw the red light under the door a moment before the noise and the fragments of the door hit her, but she was prepared, he counter cure shot out into the expanding smoke illuminating the front of the house in a unearthly blue. Quickly ducking into the front room she ran for the sofa and ducked behind it. Slow measured foot steps paced along the hallway. Without though she sent a curse towards the noise and saw a hole appear in the wall but the footsteps keep coming.

"You still don't understand do you?" came the voice from the hall.

Amelia knew the time was almost here. She closed her eyes and thought of Susan.

"Please be safe." She whispered as she raised her wand. Knowing that she must do it but hating it still she pointed it up towards the ceiling. This house was her safe haven, the place she had spent many a night relaxing. One day she had hopped to give it to Susan. But she just hoped that this hose would give Susan the one thing she needed at this moment, a diversion.

**
Susan cringed under the kitchen table, the silence was unnerving, her Aunt had told her to run to hide. She steadied her mind and concentrated her thoughts the woods were going to be her salvation. She knew them better than about anybody out there. Once within there grasp she would follow the rest of the advice, await him, he will come and them help him in anyway.

Gripping and re-gripping her wand she looked at the backdoor. She could not see any figure outside but there had to be, to leave it open and unguarded was not right. The realization that her Aunt was going to sacrifice herself caused another shiver to slide down her back.

Instantly the noise of the exploding front door brought her back to the here and now. Had she missed her chance? Was that they only diversion that she as going to get. Her mind was screaming at her now to run but she waited and hopped for a better chance.

**

Voldemort's form appeared in the doorway his wand was held lose but at the ready. Amelia saw that he showed no emotion at all. He was looking directly at her and she felt those eyes start to pierce into her. Wrenching her gaze away she fired her cure, it was one of the most powerful that she knew.

A rainbow of light struck the ceiling and continued on towards the roof with barely a pause but before it reached the outside it exploded. It exploded with a force greater than the house was designed for. The whole building started to shake dust, dirt, plaster almost everything was thrown into the air clouding everyone's view.

Outside all the heads turned upwards as the light of the explosion shot out of all the windows. All the Death Eaters turned there faces instantly as shards of glass flew in all directions. Some tried to erect shields but they all turned away to protect there faces.

Snape had been creeping closer to one of the windows when the noise and power pushed him straight into the ground. The power of the cure surprised him as much as the humiliation of lying face down in the mud.

**

Susan felt the house start to shake itself apart as the noise of the explosion from upstairs reverberated around inside. This was her chance her only one. Like a cadged animal she sprung from her hiding place and pulled open the backdoor. The evening stillness had been replaced buy the flying debris from the house. Seeing two figure either side of the door but hunched down as if they were trying to protect themselves she started to run for the woods.

She had never been a sporty girl but she was running for her very life. Her legs seemed to move at the speed her mid was willing them to go. Every step was one away from the house, from her Aunt, but one closer to the woods. She could not feel the pain in her lungs, or the beating of her heart it was safety that she wanted.

The light from the explosion started to fade and the noise die down but she kept running. The evening darkness would soon be her friend to hid her from view. Ten paces more and she would be there, ten paces more and she would be safe chanted her mind.

She ran through the light underbrush at the edge of the woods and felt the twigs and branches claw at her silk pyjamas. On and on she ran until at last she felt the trees either side and darkness surrounded her completely. As she stood there with her back to the house she waited and listened. Her breathing was ragged, her chest hurt more than it had ever done. He legs wobbled slightly but she refused to turn around. Don't look back. She had been told, and she was following what she had been told.

She took one and then another unsteady step as she started to walk into the woods. Soon she would be safe, soon no one would find her. She would only come out for him, but would e come for her.

"Hello missy you want some fun?" questioned a voice from the darkness.

**

The collapsing ceiling just missed Amelia causing her to roll away. Through the drifting smoke she could see that Voldemort was still standing there, proud and upright. Behind him was other figures cowered and hunched against the noise and smoke.

After the violent shaking, the house seemed to die down very quickly. Then the silence returned almost as quickly. The house had given its all for that one moment and it now awaited the outcome with its owner.

"Now... now Amelia that wasn't very nice." Called Voldemort.

Feeling her energy and will drain fast Amelia slowly raised herself to face her end. She had run her race, quiet successfully she thought but it was now at the end. Squaring herself to face Voldemort she replied.

"Neither are you."

"Oh...ho...ho...ho is that the best you can do."

"We both know why you're here so get on with it."

"Being brave all of a sudden?"

"No just wanting this to finish."

"So these are you final words. No telling me that I won't win that someone will stop me?"

"I don't have to, you already know."

"What? You mean that the old man and a boy are going to stop me!"

"Possibly or possibly not."

"You still don't see it I've already won."

Amelia took her final breath and waited, she grasped the paper in her left hand with everything that she had got.

"Ok then Ms Bones, its time to end it as you so requested."

Voldemort raised his wand and lazily pointed at the sanding figure in front of him. A single curse, a bright flash and it was over. Amelia's body hit the ground with a heavy thud causing the dust to rise once more.

"Draco come here." Ordered Voldemort.

Draco had tried to stay as far back as he could through the fight. When the building had shaken itself he had thought that the end had come. The dust and smoke had caused his throat to go dry or was that just the fear. Standing so close to Voldemort was both dangerous yet safe it seemed as thought nothing could touch him.

As Voldemort had walked into the main room Draco had looked up from his hiding place on the ground. To see the two of them have a talk like they had met on a Sunday afternoon walk was very unnerving. He had watched it all even that final moment, but now wished that he could go home.

Slowly he walked into the room and stood beside Voldemort.

"Yes my Lord." He replied.

"You see the folly of those that oppose me."

"Yes."

"You want to become one with us."

"Yes."

"Very well, I'll give you your desire. Give me your wand arm."

Draco tried to swallow but still could not. Slowly he raised his right arm still uselessly holding his wand and presented it to Voldemort then waited.

Voldemort pulled back the sleeve of Draco's top to expose his forearm. The pleasure of the moment was coursing through him. He flexed his fingers once and laid them over Draco's arm. He looked over his shoulder at Bellatrix and saw her standing there just as normal and smiled once. Turning back to Draco he lifted his arm until it was pointing straight up. With a clear and proud voice he called out "Morsmordre."

Draco heard the Dark Mark being incanted but saw little. As soon as the words were spoken he felt a surge of power, a surge of magic run through his arm. It burned its path towards his wand fingers and felt them buckle as the mark was release. The pain in his arm was all consuming, never in his life had he felt so much pain. His arm dropped to his side limply as Voldemort released him. Instantly he cradled his arm against his body trying to protect it. He saw etched on his arm the outline of the mark it was fading, but ever so slowly.

"You are now mine, you will obay at all times."

"Yes my master." Replied Draco through the pain.

"Good then, I have a task for you. A simple task. I want you to kill Dumbledore."

Draco's mouth dropped open at this announcement but the pain in his arm at the vision of what he had just seen caused him to meekly respond.

"Of course my Lord."

**

Susan quickly turned to face the voice. Her fear had resurfaced in an instant, the cold and the tone of the voice made her shiver even more. From beside one of the trees appeared a man. He seemed young to Susan, not much older than herself but the way he moved towards her was almost predatory. His eyes were cold as they looked her over.

"My you are a pretty one."

Susan hugged herself more tightly trying to protect her body from his visual undressing. The coldness around her legs told her that he flight had caused more damage to her clothing than she had first realised.

"You're very quiet." The man commented.

Susan looked over his shoulder into the woods, there was her safety. Why had she stopped? Her Aunt had told her to run into the woods so why had she stopped?

The man licked his lips as he moved closer.

"It's a shame that the moons not out tonight, you would do very well for me."

Susan felt her wand dig into her hand as she stood there. Could she fight him?

"Come now let's see you proper." The man asked taking a step closer.

Susan thought back to the DA meetings. Harry was right it was different from the classroom. When you faced somebody it was different. Harry, Harry, Harry, began to chant in her mind. Amelia had said that he would come, thinking of Harry and everything that had been taught in the DA she in one fluid motion pointed her wand at the approaching man and called out "Stupefy"

He instincts took over again, she had only just registered the impact of the stunner on the approaching man before she took off again. She ran once more but this time deeper into the woods. To the places that she had once played in as a girl. Not once did she look back.

**

Snape could not believe his ears as he heard Voldemort give Draco his instructions. Why was he giving Draco the job of killing Dumbledore? Did he want Dumbledore to kill Draco? Did he want Draco to fail so that he could kill him instead? It made little sense at the moment.

He started to creep through the debris covered grass until he came to the backdoor. Instantly he saw that there was a problem. McGann and Pike were still cowering on the ground trying to protect themselves from the falling masonry. This side of the building looked more damaged than the rest Some of the bricks and plaster that were falling were still glowing from magical energy but it was not that that told him there was a problem. It was the open door.

Snape stood still and looked at the door closely. It was not damaged in the slightest, in fact it look perfectly fine. He took a few paces forward and looked at the ground, the tracks in the rubble told the story. Someone had opened it from the inside and then ran towards the woods.

He spun round and called form McGann and Pike to follow him. He was no more than a few meters away from the house when he saw in the distance the telltale red flash of a stunner hitting its target. Running faster but still weary the three of them approached the location.

It was not long before Snape found the inert form of the young werewolf quickly reviving him he asked the question.

"Where is she?"

"The woods I think?" replied the still groggy man.

"I told you to capture her, what were you doing."

The werewolf could not look at Snape. He knew what he was supposed to do but one look at the girl had changed his mind. His body had wanted her, wanted her so much they he had forgotten why he was there.

"You had better not fail this time. Ok the three of you search the woods, do not return until you have found her. Understand."

"Yes." The three of them replied knowing that they had failed and the normal price of failure.

Snape watched the three slip into the woods. He turned slowly and walked to the house. He was going to have to tell Voldemort about this.

**

Tonks kept looking over the reports to find the answer. It seemed as though the Aurors were beginning to get the situation under control but something inside of her was telling her that she was missing something. She looked over at the grizzled ex-Auror and wondered if it was his presence telling her that she missed something.

"You found anything Mad Eye?"

"No." grumbled the man. He had been reading these reports for longer than he had wanted too but still had not found the reason for his jumpiness. Looking up at the younger occupant he found himself calling out.

"It just doesn't sit right. Letting the Giants lose is fine but there has to be a reason."

"Does there, isn't destruction of muggle property enough."

"For Death Eaters yes but not for Voldemort."

"Vol...Vol...Voldemort." Stammered Tonks.

"Yes it has to be him, I think only he could control the Giants enough to do his bidding."

"And he wouldn't use them like this?"

"No he's far too clever for that. There has to be a reason."

Tonks felt herself shiver at the thought and was pleased to see that Mad-Eye looked the same to her.

They both looked back down at their work but before either of them had read another word the door to the office banged open. Tonks reacted instantly ducking down and pulling her wand out ready to dive around the desk. Mad-Eye though had leapt to his feat and pulled his wand he was halfway through a cure before he recognised the person, it was one of the people from the Magical Law Enforcement Department.

"What do you want?" Mad-Eye called to the new person.

"Aren't there any Aurors." Asked the man with a panicked voice.

"No there off stopping the Giants, haven't you heard?" replied Tonks standing slowly up.

"Oh. Tonks you're here, you've got to help us."

"Why what's up?"

"It's Amelia."

"What about her?" asked Mad-Eye suddenly not liking this.

"We had an automated alarm from her place about thirty minuets ago."

"And?" asked Tonks

"We can't get hold of our people. We've tried everything we need an Auror to look into it."

"Damm." Exclaimed Mad-Eye

"The Giants were a diversion." Instantly guessed Tonks.

"Everyone's out there these only you left to go." Observed Mad-Eye

Tonks sun round at started for the floo connection as she ran she called out.

"Mad Eye try and get some of the Order there."

"There all out at against the Giants as well." Shouted back Mad Eye as he began to look down the list of people in front of him.

Tonks skidded to a halt in front of the floo.

"Ok I'll take a look, if it's too bad I come back."

With that she cast some powder into the fire and leapt after it.

Mad Eye shook his at the new comer. "I think that you may need a new Head of Department."

***

Strangely enough Tonks apparated to almost the exact same spot as the Death Eaters. She instantly saw that she was too late. The mark was clearly still above the house at the end of the road.

A quietly as she could she walked down the road, her wand drawn. Her mind was dreading what she might find, but knew that she had to go through with it. As she got closer to the house she started to walk amongst the rubble of the damaged house. She looked up at the house and saw large holes in the walls it seemed as though there was a small fire beginning in one of the corners of the roof.

She carefully picked her way through the rubble every sense alert to possible noise or intruders but each step closer told her that she was going to find no one. She came to the front door, or what was left of it. The door was in millions of pieces stroon around the front. Slowly entering the house she stopped to listened for any noise.

After fully a minute she continued on, moving deeper into the house. She turned the corner and looked into the main room. For the whole time she had dared to hope that she would not find this sight but she did anyway. Lying on the floor was the still body of Amelia Bone. Not thinking Tonks rushed forwards to see if she was alright. Rolling the body over it was clear that she was too late.

Tonks just sat there with Amelia in front of her. She could feel the tears start in her eyes. As much as professional decorum would dictated she could not free herself from her emotions. Silent tears ran down her face as she thought about the woman at her feet. A noise outside brought her back to reality and instantly the Auror Tonks was back.

"Tonks?" called out voice from the night.

"Mad-Eye?"

"I it's me." Replied clumping figure as he came into view.

"Couldn't find anybody?"

"No so I came along. Looks like we are too late."

"Yeh." Replied Tonks straightening up.

Mad-Eye looked over the young witch and nodded once. It was hard to lose someone you knew but you had to move one.

"Tonks you check upstairs. I'll start to clean up here."

"You sure?"

"Yeh go on see if she has left us anything useful."

Tonks left the room and body to Mad-Eye's care and started up the stairs. At the top she saw that something mightily magical had gone off on this floor as there was damage everywhere. Slowly methodically she started to search the rooms. She did not know what she was looking for but suspected that Mad-Eye had sent her on this task just so she could compose herself.

There were not many rooms to check, she quickly found Amelia's bedroom and found little remaining of any use in it. She went form room to room, bathroom, closet there was indeed very little left on this floor. She pushed open the door to the last room and looked in. There was like the rest no-one here yet she stopped and looked.

The damage in this room was not as bad and she was drawn in. She stepped a few paces into the room as her mind was absorbing what she was seeing. The clothes, the bag everything in the room looked to match but did not match to Amelia. Sitting in the centre of the bed was a small book. Tonks crossed the room and peered at the front cover.

This is the Diary of Susan Bones.
Hands off or be cursed!

She read the title and gasped in shock. Susan Bones had been here, this was her room. Quickly spinning round she looked to see if she could see her. Grapping the book she fled the room and bounded down the stairs shouting.

"Susan! Susan!"

"What?" called out Mad-Eye as he came into view.

"Mad-Eye, Susan was here. You know Amelia's niece we have got to find her! "

"Ah that explains it. Come look at this." The two of them rushed in the kitchen. Like the room up stairs there was little damage. Mad-Eye pointed towards the footprints in the dust.

"She was hiding there under the table and then ran for the door."

Tonks bounded across the room and looked out but all that she could see was the dark night and a large wood.

"She must be in the woods."

"Yes." Replied Mad-Eye

"We must find her."

"I know but I suspect that there might be others in the woods doing the same."

The two of them dashed off into the woods intent in finding Susan at all costs.

**

Susan stopped and sank to bottom of a large tree. She had run, run all the way. This was her spot, she had always played here in this place and so knew it as only a child could, but she was exhausted. Her breathing was painful and her legs shook but it was noting compared to the pain in her heart.

She sat there under the tree and tried not to think out what had happened but it all came flooding back. The evening, the talking, the house exploding everything was their fresh in her mind but she was safe now. She was going to wait here until he came.

The cold night penetrated he thin clothes quickly and she started to shiver but the thought of that man drove any notion of starting the fire or even using her wand. Tightly hugging herself she tried to keep the cold at bay as she brought her breathing under control.

The night was still dark but behind her was a faint glow. Not knowing why, she looked behind her around the tree. Peering through the canopy of the trees she could just make out the light, almost mockingly from the sky the Dark Mark was illuminating the night. Susan looked at that Mark and realised what it meant. Turning around once more she tried to stop her thoughts but failed.

Amelia was dead, she was gone. He body started to shake and tears rolled down her face as she was crying for her Aunt and herself stranded alone in the wood.

**

Tonks stumbled out of the woods alone an hour later having not found Susan. She had to portkey Mad-Eye away a few minuets ago. Almost as soon as they entered the woods they had come under attack. Spells and curses and randomly flew around the woods as the pair of them had tried to search for the girl but it had become futile. It was obvious that Voldemort had left behind some of his followers and they were doing an excellent job of stopping her from searching.

Mad-Eye had tried to keep up but eventually he had been hit, it did not look to serious to her but she still had to evacuate him out. She had tried to continue on her own but it was just too difficult. As she walked slowly towards the house the failure to find Susan was eating away at her.

With more help she might be able to find her but with those Death Eaters running around without stopping them it would be almost imposable. She entered the house and was at least pleased to see the repairs that she and Mad-Eye had done were at holding.

Hearing noises from the front room she entered and saw Arthur Weasley talking with two Ministry officials standing next to the body of Amelia.

"Tonks did you find anything?" he asked.

"No, there is a number of Death Eaters in the woods we just can't search under those conditions, we need more help." glumly responded Tonks

"That's going to be tough. Most of the Ministry is tied up with the Giant attack. They still have not got it under control."

"But what about here!"

"There seems little point diverting the resources needed to search the woods when they are needed against the Giants."

"But what about the girl!" demanded Tonks.

"Do you honestly think there's a chance?"

"We have to, don't we?" pleaded Tonks.

"Yes, but not now."

"But when?"

Arthur shook his head slowly not daring to answer. It did seem very cold to refuse to get help. He wanted nothing more than to gather as many people as he could but the thoughts of that village came flooding back to him. If Tonks had seen the destruction, the bodies in the streets. How the gutters instead of channelling water were channelling blood down into the sewers then she might understand.

The Ministry had to send everything that they have got to that place and poor Amelia was just going to have to wait.

Tonks squatted next to Amelia but kept her face locked onto Arthurs. She could almost read his thoughts as he stood there in silence.

"It's that bad then Arthur?"

"Yes." He replied turning his back so that the others could not see the tears start.

Tonks looked down at Amelia and picked her hand up.

"Amelia, I'm sorry but I'll find her. I promise." She whispered.

She lowered the hand onto Amelia chest and looked round the floor. Almost next to the body she found what she was after, she was glad that the Death Eaters had not taken it. It deserved to be with its master. So slowly picking up the wand she gently placed it in the hand.

A she straightened up she noticed that the other hand was closed tightly around something. A small spark of hope flooded into her as she quickly grabbed for the hand. Slowly opening the hand she saw a scrap of paper.

Slowly unfolding it she read the single word that was written.

With a small sniff she walked over to Arthur.

"What do you make of thins?"

Arthur looked at the paper.

"I don't know?"

Tonks looked round the room taking everything in.

"What now?" she asked.

"Why don't you go back to the Burrows? You can tell Molly that I'm fine and you can rest you look about ready to collapse."

"But I can't..." protested Tonks.

"Tonk's go. We'll look after here for awhile. You need the rest."

Tonks knew that he was right so then with a single nod to the room, still holding the scrap of paper and diary she disapparated away.