Lord Voldemort sits in the shadows, watching the people leaving the funeral. He is holding a sleeping Muggle child in his arms. He smiles, and thinks to himself thoughts that only an insane person would think.
As they walk beneath the light of a crescent moon, do they feel my eyes upon them? Does Harry sense my Death Eaters creeping ever closer? Can the brat-girl see the circle of my followers tightening around them? His scar must be hurting him, because they have stopped walking now. She turns to ask Harry if he is all right, and I am watching. He winces, putting on a brave face for her, and I am watching. I watch as they begin to walk again. Up the Burrow's steps and out of sight, I watch their figures disappear, knowing that soon, they will be gone forever.
The Muggle child in Voldemort's arms stirs, opening a pair of blue eyes. Laughing, he kills the child with a wave of his wand. He looks at the child in his arms, her eyes now closed, and he knows that one day it will be Potter whom he will kill.
"Wormtail!"
His pathetic servant stands in a corner, too afraid to move. "Take this away." He throws the Muggle child to the ground, laughing as she hits the dirt with a thud.
"Y-yes M-Master."
He never did have the stomach for this. That is precisely why I force him to watch it. He watches Wormtail take the helpless Muggle child away and thinks, I long for the day I will have Potter exactly where I want him. But now I will wait for the right time to get him.
~~~~
The next day was very busy as everyone was hurrying around making sure that they had everything for their trip back to Hogwarts. About an hour before they were supposed to be on the train, Professor Lupin, Mad-Eye Moody, and Kingsley Shacklebolt came to escort the students to the Hogwarts Express. When they arrived on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Mrs. Weasley kissed all of her children, tears running down her cheeks.
"You take care of yourself," she said, hugging and kissing her daughter. Ginny smiled slightly at her mother.
"Don't worry, Mum," she said and went to go find a compartment. Mrs. Weasley looked around, worry creasing her brow. Harry walked over to give her a hug and smiled reassuringly. "It will be okay, Mrs. Weasley; Ron and I will watch out for Ginny." Harry's face reddened as he said this, and he turned away. Mrs. Weasley smiled warmly and hugged Harry tightly.
"Take care of yourself, dear." Harry smiled and went to find Ron and Hermione, who were already on the train.
Harry walked towards the end of the train, looking for all of his friends. He eventually found Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna Lovegood sitting together in a compartment. He walked in and sat down next to Ginny. They all sat talking adamantly when Draco Malfoy walked in. He glared at the group of people sitting close to each other.
"I'm sorry about your daddy," Draco said, glaring at Ginny.
"Saul it off Malfoy," Harry said, rising to his feet.
"Potter, protecting poor little Weasel," Draco said, a sly wicked smile spread over his face. Harry began to get angry. His face turned red, and a black cloud was blocking his vision.
"Not going to protect your girlfriend, Potter?" Draco asked. He was clearly enjoying fighting with Harry. Harry pulled out his wand.
"Impedimenta!" he shouted, pointing his wand at Draco.
Draco was too quick. He raised his wand and cried " Epelliarmus!" Harry's wand flew from his hand and into Draco's. He caught the wand and grinned mischievously at Harry.
"What are you going to do now, Potter?" Draco asked, grinning from ear to ear. Harry looked around; Ginny was sitting next to Luna, who had fallen asleep. Apparently, this little duel with Malfoy had not aroused her. Ginny stood; she was fed up with the fight.
"Expelliarmus!" she shouted, and both wands flew in to her hands. Draco sneered at her. He looked from Ginny and back to Harry, trying to think of something to say to get Harry rowed up again.
"Potter," he said, laughter in his voice, "Did you know that you have a big head?" Harry looked at Draco, his temper rising again. A gentle hand touched his shoulder.
"Don't," Ginny said next to his ear. He could feel her breath as it touched his skin. It was warm, sweet. He shuttered slightly. Draco, who was annoyed, snorted and walked away to find Crabbe and Goyle .
The rest of the ride was uneventful. Ron and Hermione came to the compartment after they had been to the prefect's compartment, and they all ate lunch together. Luna finally awoke, and Neville joined them sometime during the afternoon. Harry was content. He hadn't had a dream about Voldemort in the last two nights. Maybe he was taking a break, Harry thought, ever hopeful. Deep down he knew, that there was more to come as far as Voldemort was concerned. He wouldn't rest, until he had exactly what he wanted. Harry smiled slightly.
I'll be ready for him, he thought to himself. Then he turned and ate his lunch, pushing all thoughts of Voldemort to the back of his mind.