The Chosen One [#Wattys2016]

THE STRANGER

September 1, 1991

I've been following the Longbottom boy for a while now. I wonder why the Death Eaters are afraid of him. Most of all, I wonder how he managed to destroy the Dark Lord. And to think that Death Eaters were thinking of rallying around him! Surely only a powerful dark wizard could have killed the Dark Lord. As if! The boy has no power. So far, the only great thing that he's done is befriend that crazy blonde-haired girl. I have to give him credit though. He won where everyone else lost.

What wouldn't I give to actually see him do something special, like actual magic, not silly, sentimental deeds!

It took me a year to find him. Dumbledore sure knows how to hide people but I have my ways. The Ministry isn't as clean as everyone thinks it to be. Of course fools like Rookwood and Dolohov were caught, but I've been smarter. I always was. The Sorting Hat didn't put me in Ravenclaw for nothing.

The boy is ordinary. In fact, he is worse than others. He is clumsy, awkward, shy, boring, stupid and easily intimidated; weak and pathetic. It pains me to see him revered in the Wizarding World when it should have been me the people feared. He would be easy to break once you got hold of him but it is the most difficult thing to do. My ministry contacts won't help me get to him. I can't get inside the house because of the charms it has and I can't touch the boy without alerting Dumbledore. Bloody crackpot Muggle-loving fool can't mind his own business.

I need to be patient. I need to take it slow. There will be plenty of opportunities. But first, I need to take the preliminary steps and eliminate anyone and everyone who could ruin my plan. That means I have to get rid of Dumbledore. And that fossil, gray-haired Longbottom.

It'll be easier at Hogwarts. My daughter starts her school this year. I am so proud. I haven't seen her in a while, not since my wife found out about me and left me. She took away my beautiful daughter. She is our child, not her alone. She had no right to take her away. Well, now I can make things even. I can do what I want to her without worrying about hurting my sweet angel.

I wonder what she looks like now. She did have my dark hair and a hawk-like nose. But her eyes were like her mother's – warm brown. They could melt the most cold-hearted person, like they melted me.

My wife – she was beautiful. I suppose she still is since she took on a new husband. She had the most beautiful red hair and brown eyes and her skin was like porcelain. I loved her but now I hate her. I used to miss her but now I think that I'm better off without her. She used to be so kind and caring but after we got married, she became too overbearing. Don't do this, don't do that – foolish woman didn't know her place.

I feel like I am waiting for something that is never going to happen. Every day I watch the Longbottom house and every day I am disappointed. Seems like I'm going to have to take things into my own hands. That has always been the way for me.

I was closest to the Dark Lord, like a son. I would surely have been his successor if not for the boy. He took away from me what I most desired and now, I will take from him what he values most.

Augusta Longbottom, you better to watch your back.

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Not something that you were expecting, right? You were all waiting for the other chapter, I know. I'm not trying to be horrible. The next chapter will be posted within twenty-four hours and I promise that it will announce Neville's house.

So, any guesses who the stranger might be? I'll give you some clues -

(a) He's well known - and hated

(b) He's into the dark arts (as you'd probably have guessed)

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Thank You for reading! Hope you enjoyed!