FicWad

A/N: I own nothing except the original characters and the plot.

Chapter 3: A Name and a Lie

A dark hooded figure sat in an elegant office twirling acurved and lengthy dagger. Like the being holding it, this dagger looked menacing and evil. It had multiple sharp and irregular curves, meant to be embedded into flesh. Moments later, an elderly looking man dressed in slick velvet robes entered the office and bowed. The figure looked up with a smirk and continued to twirl the dagger in his hands.

"Well?" the figure spoke expectantly.

The man fidgeted and replied, "W-well s-sir, I didn't f-find and reference to the event you m-mentioned. Are you s-sure it actually h-happened?"

At this question the figure immediately rose to its feet and aimed the dagger at the old man. The old man collapsed to the floor instantly in pain beyond words. He could see nothing, smell nothing, couldn't even /breathe/. All he was able to do was /feel/, feel excruciating pain that clouded his mind completely. After what felt like an eternity, the pain abruptly ended. His senses returned to normal, and he could smell something metallic in the air. As he swallowed in an attempt to moisten his suddenly dry throat, he tasted something...odd. He tasted blood. His gazed turned from the floor in front of him to the figure looming over him, pure, primal rage radiating from its stunningly yellow eyes.

"Never question me simpleton," the figure spoke in a heated tone.

It raised its left hand, showing off a blood red stone set ring. It was a simple design, a thick and wide setting for the placement of the jewel, with a slightly thinner brand running underneath the finger. The figure put its hand out into the old man's face and spoke in that same furious voice,

"THIS," he said making special note of the ring on his finger, "says that it happened. I should have known your fearful historians would not keep a record of that glorious war, my/war. Find your pathetic government and inform them of the identity of their 'mystery man.'" The being threw down a copy of the /Daily Prophet which detailed the encounter in Diagon Alley several hours ago.

The old man clutched the paper and spoke trembling, "W-who do I tell them the man is?"

The figure chuckled,"Alexander Corvinus." This caused the old man to nod fearfully.

The figure walked away from the man on the floor and headed for the door, turning back only once, "You will remember your place when I rise to power again Burke."

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Harry and Ginny emerged hand and hand from her room at Mrs. Weasley's shout for dinner. They had just spent blissful hours snogging each other senseless, and were it not for the need of food, they'd have continued all night. The two rarely had so much time together, with Harry's job as an Auror and her job as Seeker for the Holyhead Harpies keeping them occupied. They entered the kitchen to see an all too familiar sight, Ron and Hermione arguing.

"Honestly Ronald, don't you think that he warned you for a /reason/?"she said irritably.

Ron chuckled at his girlfriend, "We did defeat Voldemort you know. This guy is probably second rate compared to him." It truly was amazing how much the war had changed Ron. He was much more confident in both himself and his friends, and could say Voldemort's name without as much as a flinch. Although, his new found confidence could cause him to do rash and foolish things, much like Harry had been, but for different reasons. At his reply Hermione slammed her hands roughly on the table as tears began to moisten her eyes.

"It's not funny Ronald! He could have killed you! Don't you see that?!" Her barely held in tears began to fall down her cheeks slowly as she struggled to maintain her composure. Harry could watch no longer. This was not one of their usual spats. No, this was something more, something that had Hermione worried.

Harry let go of Ginny's hand and walked over to Hermione, acknowledging Ron's presence with a slight nod. Ginny went to her brother and grabbed him by the upper arm roughly and dragged him out on the room as Harry sat next to Hermione and hugged her tightly.

He began to rub her back gently and spoke softly to her,"Shh, it's ok Hermione. He's just being cocky. You know I wouldn't let anything happen to him. He'll be fine, I swear it." Hermione responded by wrapping her arms around Harry's back tightly and saying, "I'm just so scared for him. What if what that man was referring to was another Voldemort? What if he's called off to go fight again? I don't know if I could take it."

Harry nodded and released Hermione and grabbed her shoulders, staring straight into her eyes. "Nothing will happen to Ron. He's going to do exactly as that man said and stay out of it." She nodded in response, smiling slightly, completely missing the fact that Harry left himself out of that statement. She missed the fact that Harry hadn't mentioned himself once during the entire conversation. Maybe that was why she would come to blame herself for it later on.

Hermione whipped the tears from her eyes as Ginny came back into the room with a red faced Ron in tow. She locked eyes with Harry and smiled reassuring him that Ron had been straightened out. The group sat around the table and ate dinner pleasantly, carrying on with light conversation and playful ribbing as if nothing in the world could bother them.

After dinner, the trio and Ginny headed outside for a relaxing sit down by the lake. Harry and Ginny went to grab some butterbeers while Ron and Hermione headed down ahead of them. Ginny snuck up behind Harry and ran her hands around his back and up to his chest, kissing his neck as she did. Harry groaned in appreciation as he set the butterbeers he was holding down on the table and turned around in her arms. He kissed her gently on the nose,

"Hi you." She smiled brightly and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. She then began to stroke both of his cheeks lovingly, "You know, Ron was pretty set on going to find that guy you confronted earlier. It took a bit of threatening on my part to convince him otherwise." Harry smiled at this and kissed her again, "Would you like a reward for your efforts?" Not waiting for her to respond, he leaned in and placed a deep passionate kiss on her lips. Ginny was grinning mischievously now, "That's not all Mr. Potter. I intend to collect on the rest of my reward later." The two then broke apart, Ginny grabbing the butterbeers with Harry in tow when an owl began tapping on the window gently.

"I'll get it, I'll meet you all down there," he told Ginny. She nodded and left the house. Harry walked towards the owl and untied the letter on its leg. After giving the owl a treat, he broke the ministry seal on the letter. It was Kingsley. Harry turned his back towards the back door and began to read the letter.

Harry,

We have a new lead on our encounter with the mystery man we met in Diagon Alley. An anonymous source tipped us off to a name. Alexander Corvinus. That would make him the patriarch of currently deceased Corvin line. It would make him the most powerful being on the planet. We still have to verify the validity of our source, but I have a feeling the information is correct judging by the fear in our informant's eyes as he relayed the information to us.

However, this man is extremely dangerous regardless of his identity, which is why it is imperative that we apprehend him. We must find out his intentions, for the safety of our world. Grab Ron and come the Ministry immediately so we can begin to try and track him down.

-Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt

Harry was stunned speechless. This was frightening indeed. He thought to run outside and immediately inform Ron, Hermione and Ginny of the situation, but decided against it. He didn't want them to worry, and he certainly did not want any of them involved. This was dangerous, possibly life threatening, and after the promise he made Hermione there was no way he would risk Ron's life. Collecting his thoughts and formulating a plan, Harry walked outside and approached the laughing group before him. Hiding his worry and apprehension, he spoke normally,

"Guys, I have to make a trip to the Ministry, they owled me and asked me to fill out some paper work. I'll be back as soon as I can."

The three nodded and Ginny rose to embrace Harry and kiss him tenderly. "I still expect my reward tonight Mr. Potter." She smirked at him. Harry chuckled and moved his hands to her hips, leaning in and speaking softly in her ear, "Wouldn't miss it for the world my dear." With that he kissed her again quickly and Dissapparated once she let go of him.

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Harry appeared within the Ministry moments later and headed straight for Kingsley's office. As Harry entered, Kingsley turned and smiled expecting two guests and frowned slightly when only one walked in. "Where's Ron?" he inquired.

Harry sighed and fixed Kingsley with a stare, one that said there would be arguing this point, "I don't want him involved. It's much too dangerous and I won't have him risk his life for me again. Just find a way to keep him in the dark."

Kingsley understood there was no debate on this matter, but chose to voice a concern of his, "And if Ron finds out on his own?"

Harry chuckled, "Then at least he'll be alive to scream and yell at me. Now, let's get on this." Kingsley shook his head agreeing before turning towards the massive pile of papers on his deck while Harry approached to help...

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Harry returned to the Burrow late in the night. Their research had uncovered very little about Alexander Corvinus, and what little they did find spoke of his status as patriarch of one of the most legendary wizarding families to have ever existed. It was now close to midnight, and Ginny would kill him. He was so caught up in his research that he forgot to owl and say that he'd be late. Harry entered the sitting room cautiously, not wanting to enter Ginny's room and awaken her. To his surprise he found her sitting in a comfy chair, reading by the fire, apparently waiting for him. She noticed his presence immediately and flashed him and irritated glare,

"You're late and you didn't owl." Harry sighed and walked over to her. Ginny scooted over to give him some room to sit next her, which he did.

He looked into her expecting eyes, "I'm sorry love, but I just caught up at work and lost track of the time. It won't happen again, and if it does, you can hex my bits off," he laughed lightly.

She smiled devilishly at him, "And why can't I hex them now?"

Harry paled for a moment before a particularly, /happy/reply came to mind, "Because you'll need them to get your reward Miss Weasley."

Ginny nodded and laughed at him. When their chuckling subsided, Ginny pulled Harry to her and gave him a lip bruising, mind blowing kiss. One that sent his mind reeling and his senses tingling. When they finally broke apart, Harry was laying on top of Ginny, nestled between her legs. He reached up and stroked her face gently before placing kisses all along her jaw line, neck, cheeks, forehead and nose. Warmth filled him as he felt Ginny's hand roam his back, his chest, the nape of his neck and run them through his hair. Harry looked into her eyes deeply and kissed her putting all of his love and desire for her into the kiss.

Ginny abruptly shoved him off leaving Harry confused and disappointed. She smiled at his slight frown, "Don't get me started if we can't finish properly. Let's go to bed my love," she cooed waggling her eyes suggestively at him. Harry immediately sprung up and gently grabbed her hands, guiding her towards her bedroom...

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A/N: Next Chapter - Violence ensues when and passion is released.