The dread balloon, round VII
Dec. 7th, 2004 12:02 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pauraque_bkRound I: Dolores Umbridge
Round II:Vernon Dursley
Round III:Cornelius Fudge
Round IV:Bellatrix Lestrange
Round V:Albus Dumbledore
Round VI:Lord Voldemort
'Well... this should be very easy,' Lord Voldemort continued, still smiling as he advanced on Percy. 'A Ministry paper-pusher, pitted against the most powerful wizard in existence. I may not have my wand, but we are still two against one.'
Percy went white with horror. 'But-- I-- I helped you! I thought I was doing the right thing!'
Lord Voldemort chuckled, rolling his red eyes. 'Yes,' he hissed, 'they always do...'
Percy backed away as the Dark wizard advanced on him, until he bumped into the basket wall and could go no further. He put up his arm on instinct to shield himself, unable to look-- waiting to be seized and thrown overboard like the others... waiting...
'ARGH! Wormtail, what are you doing!?'
Percy's eyes flew open-- the fat little man had reappeared behind his master, and had him by the neck with his vicious-looking silver hand. Lord Voldemort grasped at his throat, struggling for Pettigrew to release him. 'Let go of me, you--!' His words were cut off with a choke as Pettigrew tightened his grip and began to pull the Dark wizard to the edge of the basket.
'Fool!' said Voldemort in a strangled cry. 'Do you believe drowning can defeat me? If you live, you will regret this betrayal!'
Pettigrew didn't answer, but with a massive effort -- sweating and huffing for breath -- hauled Voldemort over the side, and let him fall. There was a terrible, keening screech -- then a splash -- then silence.
Percy stared at Pettigrew, who stood before him with a sort of terrified delight on his face. They were both breathless. 'Why?' Percy gasped, once he could manage to speak.
Pettigrew coughed as he began to speak -- his voice had been out of use the entire day. 'Y-you were my master longer than he was... Ten years... and you were always kind to me. Always protected me. Look at you now... all grown up.'
The man edged towards Percy and reached out a gnarled hand to touch his face. Percy flinched reflexively -- Pettigrew looked disappointed, but stepped back.
'Now what do we do?' Percy asked, turning to look down at the water, so much closer than when the sacrifices had begun. The air prickled, and Pettigrew became Wormtail once more. The rat clambered up the wall to check the effect.
[Poll #398773]
The Balloon Master Sez:
On the sea past losers float
While fans of rats and Head Boys gloat.
The first to be autotomized
Was Umbridge, to no great surprise.
Vernon next, Fudge after him,
Then Bella's turn to sink or swim.
Albus had some tricksy friends,
But he was booted in the end.
Lord Voldemort was slippery, but
He, too, failed to make the cut.
Whoever triumphs, our balloon
Will float into the sunset soon,
So cast your ballot just once more;
Be it rat or prat you're rooting for,
Campaigners all, be sure to note
The golden rule: ONE FAN, ONE VOTE!
[EDIT: The final round is closed. Proceed to the conclusion.]
Round II:
Round III:
Round IV:
Round V:
Round VI:
'Well... this should be very easy,' Lord Voldemort continued, still smiling as he advanced on Percy. 'A Ministry paper-pusher, pitted against the most powerful wizard in existence. I may not have my wand, but we are still two against one.'
Percy went white with horror. 'But-- I-- I helped you! I thought I was doing the right thing!'
Lord Voldemort chuckled, rolling his red eyes. 'Yes,' he hissed, 'they always do...'
Percy backed away as the Dark wizard advanced on him, until he bumped into the basket wall and could go no further. He put up his arm on instinct to shield himself, unable to look-- waiting to be seized and thrown overboard like the others... waiting...
'ARGH! Wormtail, what are you doing!?'
Percy's eyes flew open-- the fat little man had reappeared behind his master, and had him by the neck with his vicious-looking silver hand. Lord Voldemort grasped at his throat, struggling for Pettigrew to release him. 'Let go of me, you--!' His words were cut off with a choke as Pettigrew tightened his grip and began to pull the Dark wizard to the edge of the basket.
'Fool!' said Voldemort in a strangled cry. 'Do you believe drowning can defeat me? If you live, you will regret this betrayal!'
Pettigrew didn't answer, but with a massive effort -- sweating and huffing for breath -- hauled Voldemort over the side, and let him fall. There was a terrible, keening screech -- then a splash -- then silence.
Percy stared at Pettigrew, who stood before him with a sort of terrified delight on his face. They were both breathless. 'Why?' Percy gasped, once he could manage to speak.
Pettigrew coughed as he began to speak -- his voice had been out of use the entire day. 'Y-you were my master longer than he was... Ten years... and you were always kind to me. Always protected me. Look at you now... all grown up.'
The man edged towards Percy and reached out a gnarled hand to touch his face. Percy flinched reflexively -- Pettigrew looked disappointed, but stepped back.
'Now what do we do?' Percy asked, turning to look down at the water, so much closer than when the sacrifices had begun. The air prickled, and Pettigrew became Wormtail once more. The rat clambered up the wall to check the effect.
[Poll #398773]
The Balloon Master Sez:
On the sea past losers float
While fans of rats and Head Boys gloat.
The first to be autotomized
Was Umbridge, to no great surprise.
Vernon next, Fudge after him,
Then Bella's turn to sink or swim.
Albus had some tricksy friends,
But he was booted in the end.
Lord Voldemort was slippery, but
He, too, failed to make the cut.
Whoever triumphs, our balloon
Will float into the sunset soon,
So cast your ballot just once more;
Be it rat or prat you're rooting for,
Campaigners all, be sure to note
The golden rule: ONE FAN, ONE VOTE!
[EDIT: The final round is closed. Proceed to the conclusion.]
no subject
Date: 2004-12-07 11:28 pm (UTC)