Ripples by G E Proctor
Ode to Python
I WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE WAY IN WHICH POLITICIANS ARE REPRESENTED IN THIS WRITING. IT WAS NEVER MY INTENTION TO IMPLY THAT POLITICIANS ARE WEAK-KNEED, POLITICAL TIME-SERVERS WHO ARE CONCERNED MORE WITH THEIR PERSONAL VENDETTAS AND PRIVATE POWER STRUGGLES THAN THE PROBLEMS OF GOVERNMENT, NOR TO SUGGEST AT ANY POINT THAT THEY SACRIFICE THEIR CREDIBILITY BY DENYING FREE DEBATE ON VITAL MATTERS IN THE MISTAKEN IMPRESSION THAT PARTY UNITY COMES BEFORE THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPRESENT NOR TO IMPLY AT ANY STAGE THAT THEY ARE SQUABBLING LITTLE TOADIES WITHOUT AN OUNCE OF CONCERN FOR THE VITAL SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF TODAY. NOR INDEED DO I INTEND THAT READERS SHOULD CONSIDER THEM AS CRABBY ULCEROUS LITTLE SELF-SEEKING VERMIN WITH FURRY LEGS AND AN EXCESSIVE ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL AND CERTAIN EXPLICIT SEXUAL PRACTICES WHICH SOME PEOPLE MIGHT FIND OFFENSIVE. THANK YOU.
Brain cells may be harmed during the reading of this inane drivel.
Preamble
The information contained in this story is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Nothing is implied or intended to show ownership. All rights are those of J K Rowling and authorized subsidiaries. This story is entirely for my own amusement and not for sale or resale, like anyone would actually pay for any of this shite.
Certain events are most definitely scheduled within this story, some I just make up as I go.
To conclude and surmise, I have written three uncompleted stories and in each of them, I gained frustration, I gained insight and at times I found perspective, but I never received or expected to receive a single knut in compensation. I still don't and never will, all rights belong to their respect owners, I own nothing except the concept in which this is presented. Everything written is probably plagiarized somewhere, somehow unbeknown to me in one form or another. I could be plagiarizing from myself and not even know or care, so there we are. Like my story, good for you. Want to demand how to write it or what should happen, go write your own. There are a lot of sweet people out there writing brilliant intense thought provoking stories, I'm not that good, not even close to par. I'm pissy, dark and malevolent, I believe a good mental fonging is just this side of the rainbow. You won't like me, if you're looking for happily ever after. This isn't realism, this is fandom, you have been warned. Now onto the story...
~x~x~x~
Chapter 01: No Future
It was the beginning of a memory or the end of a dream. Within the ripples of the mist, they pooled and coalesced around the face planted inclined form of a grumbling young man. The gentle hands of eternal silence caressed his disembodied thought as it warred over his continued existence. Again he mumbled as he fought to exist in the moment, to feel and revel in it. The hard surface of what he laid on brought him back to the now. To the conclusion he had died again, embracing the mist, he took a deep breath, noting the absence of any flavor as it rolled across his tongue and danced across his palate. Accepting his thought, touch and breath, he moved to his other senses, categorizing them in a morbid mental checklist of sorts.
With the lack of time, it was an endless process, until it was done. His nude form sat up as it took in the formless vapor that surrounded his sight. As it danced and changed into the familiar of his mind, before his eyes snapped open.
Surroundings formed edges within the cloudy vapor as he fine tuned his being. The familiar noise reached him through his musings, as the small soft wet thumping of Tom's soul flapped, flailed, whimpered and struggled against the now. The pitiful indecent noise it made as it struggled on this plane, reminded him of the moment.
The thought clothed him, made his surroundings crisper, all within a blink. He took another gulp as he embraced the place of his afterlife and worded it appropriately "Yep, Kings crossing, fecking hell!"
The shout made the crackled whimpers intensify that were being emitted from the billowing corner clouds raising his ire. He took physical steps towards the sound, the form of a small naked pubescent snake-monkey, curled on the ground, its skin raw and rough, flayed-looking, as it lay shuddering under a bench where it had been left, unwanted, stuffed out of sight, struggling for breath. He took a seat, and leaned over the edge, peering at it "Morning Tom, funny to see you here lying about. Read any good books lately?"
"You cannot help" The surprising words made him spin around. Albus Dumbledore was walking towards him, sprightly and upright, wearing the sweeping robes of his death day.
"You're late." Harry gently chided.
Chuckles greeted his statement, as blue eyes twinkled behind half-moon spectacles "I could be early, how would you know?" Dumbledore took a seat as he steepled his fingers "So what would you like to talk about today?"
Harry gritted at his tone "I truly do hate the Malfoys."
"Care to explain? To whom are you referring?"
"Lucy, that over-grown, blond haired, Tommy sleeve..." Albus looked incredulously at Harry before continuing "He ordered house-elves to break my wind pipe and spine while we were at his manor for the rescue mission." Harry shuddered "Quite ingenious but it still pisses me off. He was wearing that condescending smirk as the horrified elves carried out his task and then that same damn grin as he put boots to me."
Albus interrupted "Harry, you need to let go of your petty vices. Lucius is a product of his environment, the same as Draco."
Harry shook his head "No! You can trust Lucius. His loyalty comes without charge or waiver. Lucy chooses every time to take to the path, like a moth to the flame. Draco maybe one in ten decides to try take a different path." Harry took a calming breath "But once he sees an opening, without guard or retribution, he strikes." Harry huffed "It doesn't matter how many times I go back, how many times I relive my failure of a life. Whether the echoes are small or large, whether I win or lose, I still end up here, waiting to go back to replay some inane facet of my veneered life." He ran fingers through his frustrated brow "I really need some insight Albus or is this hell?"
The wizened man exclaimed "Perception my dear boy." At Harry's piqued look he explained "It's not insight you need but perspective. Crazy is doing the same thing over again, in the same way and expecting a different result."
Harry interjected as he ran a hand through his unruly mop "What can I do! I can feel the changes. Simple changes, simple ripples, large changes, huge ripples in the sequence of events. I've raised so many children, lived so many lives, lost so many and for what? So I can experience this existence over and over again! Where is my final adventure? Life has lost it's taste. Even the losses, feel less, like the loss of flavor from consuming the same thing . I swear I should have a tramp stamp right here, " He pointed to his forehead "Fate's Bitch." He darkly chuckled to himself.
The former headmaster did the only thing he could and within his wiry withered arms he embraced Harry in a hug, whispering to downtrodden lad in a grandfatherly tone "It will come to you, I cannot tell you, but you are indeed missing something."
Harry moved from the embrace and retook his seat on the unyielding cold marble "Thank you for that, care to take a guess Albus." His smile turned into a smirk "Your guesses are usually spot on."
Light chuckling greeted his statement "I think you know, you wonderful man you. You are missing something so simple. You are missing a piece of him."
"Seven" He ticked off with his fingers "Me, locket, ring, cup, diary, diadem, snake, after all this time there are no others."
Albus gently looked at him and then looked at the quivering form under the bench and simply stated "I think not."
"Not?"
"Not." The ancient headmaster affixed his eyes on the trembling mass.
Harry had had these conversations with Albus before, Albus always allowing Harry to learn and grow at his own pace. It was on the tip of his brain, 'How could Albus know if he didn't have them all' he quietly mused. He thought, and thought, time meant nothing in this place of limbo, there was no rush. He could go back with a thought and that is when it hit him, perspective "Well shit, you got me Albus, if I'm here and able to return even if I'm not able to control when." Albus urged with his hands in a fatherly gesture as Harry moved along the tracks "How is baby mort here with us at the same moment?"
The proud smile beamed at Harry "Exactly, how else could it exist in this eternal limbo unless it also exists in the original plane?"
"So do you think that means that his last soul anchor was created at a time, that I haven't went back to?"
"I don't think it matters about when, just that it does exist."
"Well have a guess, then?" Harry asked, and Dumbledore laughed again in earnest at the old joke.
"What you must understand is that you and Tom have journeyed together into realms of magic unknown and untested. But I think you two are so intricately soul woven that you cannot venture independently onto your final adventures until one of you is truly vanquished on that plane of existence. That was one of his greatest mistakes or in his view greatest accomplishments in creating a soul anchor in a living magical container."
Harry smiled ruefully "So go big or no go home ever, is it?"
"Where that reference comes into play, I don't quite know." The former headmaster smiled genuinely "But I do understand the intent."
"Don't take this the wrong way Albus, but I hope I don't ever see you again."
With a twinkled eye the elder Dumbledore responded "I understand completely my boy. Harry please do take care of yourself."
A quick hug and the two separated. Then Harry turned his supposed Slytherin-Gryffindor sights on the quivering babymort. The once merry eyes, evaporated as he quietly exclaimed "No sense in leaving any loose ends." And then Harry did something he had never done before. He grabbed the squirming mass by it's supposed ankles, swung it in a pendulum arch and crushed it's skull on the stone bench below.
Shock flickered across the Headmaster's face, Harry quickly explained as Tommy Mort's twitches became less "No stone unturned," He wearily stated "I'm removing all chance of that," he pointed at the bleeding mass "That thing surviving." A weary smile greeted his point as Harry brought his clad foot down on the exposed skull his consciousness went black.
He was greeted from the fog of his rebirth with simple words "Harry, Harry Potter!"
"Harry, he's calling for you." Said his diminutive if not dominate friend. The look of every head in the Great Hall looking at him, gave him a brief pause. The smell of roast beef and heavy buttered bread dancing across his lips as he licked them.
"Triwizard tournament, figures" he quietly mumbled before turning to his friends and speaking up "I didn't put my name in, I swear I didn't." Two stunned looks greeted his reply as the hall was silent with shifting of wood and looks.
With no response he took in the rest of the hall, now starting to buzz like the sound of angry bees as quick words started dancing between couples and resonate in a building crescendo through the Hall. He tried once more, louder and with feeling "I didn't put my name in." He implored looking at his two best friends. One had a blank stare and the other sported a teary eyed expression.
At the head table of polished dark wood, Professor Dumbledore had straightened up in his matching chair, nodding to whatever Professor McGonagall was saying and then called out in a concerned-jovial voice "Harry Potter! Harry! Up here, if you please!"
"Go on," Hermione whispered, giving Harry a slight push as Harry resigned himself to playing his bit part. Getting to his feet he trudged up the gap between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. Until he was in front of Albus, with the other teachers staring at him.
Harry felt the brush on his mind before the Headmaster calmly stated "Through the door if you please."
Moving along the teacher's' table, Harry muddled through the door leaving the great hall and entering the small room. The room he had entered so many times before, lined with paintings of witches and wizards that talked amongst themselves and took in the gathered group, with the fire in the fireplace creating dancing shadows on the wall.
Grouped around the fire were the other three champions; Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory, and Fleur Delacour. Looking impressive, silhouetted against the flames, the other three were waiting. Krum hunched-up and brooding leaning against the mantelpiece, Diggory standing with his hands behind his back gazing at the fire, and then Delacour looked around when Harry entered and threw back her sheet of long cascading, silvery hair. She broke the silence "What is it? Do zey want us back in ze Hall?"
It was just a brief pause as Ludo Bagman entered the room. Taking Harry by the arm and leading him forward. "Extraordinary!" he muttered, as he squeezed Harry's arm. "Absolutely extraordinary! Misters and Miss," he added, approaching the fireside and addressing the other three champions. "It is my pleasure to introduce - incredible though it may seem - the fourth Triwizard champion?"
Harry got lost in his own thought 'Big or little, big or little' it became his mantra as he actually started mumbling in Ludo's grip, trying to decide his fate. Trying to get his mind geared for this moment in time and he had already accomplished in his default first life.
Krum's surly face darkened as he took note, while Diggory just looked unaffected, but it was Delacour's part to play as she said "Oh, so vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."
"Joke?" Bagman repeated, bewildered. "No, no, not at all! Mister Potter's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"
Harry waited for the opening as he kept playing his mantra in his head. Victor's thick eyebrows contracted slightly, Cedric looking politely bewildered and Fleur frowned, which still looked good on her. But before she could respond others came pouring into the room, a turbulent conversation happening amongst them.
The large group consisted of Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Professor Moody, Headmaster Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape, they went silent as they entered the room, surveying the damage.
"Madame Maxime!" Fleur spouted at once like she was a five year old on a tell and striding over to her headmistress with a pout in her step. "Zey are saying..."
She was interrupted by Harry shouting "Fuck it! Let's go HUGE!" in the blink of an eye Harry cast two silent stunners one at the fake Moody the other at Ludo. In the stunned face he then finished by casting password protected body bind ropes on the others. With the full attention of the group resting on him, began "Sorry for the dramatics but I'm tired of all this, time to do something I've never done before." He waved his hands around to the stilled room.
"Harry if I might..." Dumbledore never got a chance to insert his very long and crooked nose.
"Albus I think in this matter you might just want to belt up, sit back and enjoy the ride." Seeing fevered and angry glances thrown at him, he explained as some started working on their bindings "They're password protected, you can stop now!" He emphatically stated, with bewildered eyes answering in the flickering firelight.
"I didn't put my name in the goblet nor did I have someone else to do so." He pointed at the sleeping Moody "That bastard did," He gave the stunned man a quick but satisfying kick to the ribs to illustrate his point as he started pacing. "He's Barty Crouch Junior, polyjuiced of course and rightly pissing me off." Sparks radiated from his wand as he now moved around the quiet room, he put it on the table and rightly served himself up "All I want is to go onto my next great adventure, but every time I die I have to live through all this and it's driving me bonkers."
The face's that reflected back to him showed that they thought he was already on board the insane train and just wanted to skip away from the crazy conductor.
"So many times, I've talked to each of you personally, seeing our world plummet into the ravaging abyss of control. It's bad enough how well Voldemort plays technology versus wizards, and how it is a bad thing. Or worse how each muggle student has to go back home surrounded by friends and family that have been in the loop of current affairs, and are now supposed to reintegrate into a society that cannot know of our world and then ostracizes them as catalyst for all our world's wrongs. What is worse is how efficiently he has collaborated with other countries that share this opinion, and how he plays on them. Russia, China, hell most of the magical world supports these stupid views, even some in this room. Everything starts small, with tiny things introduced, what step does enslavement take?" Looking around the room hoping for an answer, he answered himself "You get people used to the idea, of how others are different, how they enjoy being different, lifting us up and playing to our arrogance of how we are better than them. Case in point, house elves, thinking of them as creatures that like to serve, the joy of having plenty to do and enjoying the work they perform. Then you move onto the next group that cannot defend itself, all the while telling yourselves you're doing this to make a better world until low and behold it's one specific group that controls everything and everyone has become so accustomed to it that no one even bats an eye." He finished laughing derisively.
Abruptly he stopped in front of a tall and extremely handsome young man with chiseled features, dark hair, and bright grey eyes. He started "Cedric Diggory son of Amos, love interest of Cho, Prefect and all around great guy at the end of this year you get to be killed by Peter Pettigrew for you are the spare to resurrect the Dark Lord also known as Tom Marvolo Riddle or more commonly known as Voldemort. Don't you feel better now knowing what your worth is in the eyes of a death eater."
Ignoring the gasps, he turned on the tall thin man dressed in sleek silver furs and sporting a goatee which barely concealed his weak chin, his usual unctuously cheerful demeanor was shattered as Harry started "Igor Karkaroff former Death Eater you last a little bit longer before you're hunted down and slain by your former comrades." He added with sarcastic cheer "Well after twelve days of torture, sometimes only six, so sometimes you get six days off for good behavior. See not so bad." The cold blue eyes were stricken with the thought of it and hungry for more information as Harry moved away.
He turned and looked up to elegant lady that wore the black satin robes, her huge black eyes waiting patiently as he addressed her "Madame Olympe Maxime in different versions you live a long lonely life as Headmistress of Beauxbatons, in others, brutally murdered but still alone and then in some rare occurrences you get to have a semblance of a happy life with our resident Gamekeeper Hagrid, but in every version you're eventually hunted down like big game." He paused as he added "It didn't matter that you called yourself big-boned, you are discriminated not only because of your height, but your kindness and beauty of heart." Her opal jewelry rattled as he said his last bit "You would rather die than have anyone try to hurt one of your charges, and in many cases that was your ultimate act of defiance." her sleek black hair hung about her face as hard tears started leaking out.
He took a pause as the cruel harsh words soaked into his colleagues. His next recipient was a tall, thin, sallow young man with dark hair and eyes that were concealed by thick, black eyebrows. His large curved nose swung on Harry as he spoke "Viktor Krum you have a bland life as a seeker retiring after the Bulgarian defeat in the final of the 2002 World Cup and then coming out to compete in the 2014 World Cup, out of a desire 'to win the World Cup before I die'. Your words not mine. As a side note The Bulgarian side famously won the World Cup that year, after beating Brazil and uniquely never changing through every one of my lives, funny that. You die content shortly after. I believe you were left alone because of your fame, notoriety and also as a message."
When Harry didn't elaborate, the husky voice asked "And vhat vas zat message."
Harry tried to sound upbeat, but his voice fell flat "If you do what is expected of you, no harm will befall you." He added as an afterthought not trying to cause pain "You did exceptionally well." he was very unsuccessful.
He looked at the rest of the assembled guests, keeping a quiet eye on the stunned Moody before addressing "Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, searcher of the hallows, befriended by your lover Gellert, dead by 19-97. You had to ask Severus to strike you down to save you from a compelled cursed ring and to help prevent the destruction of poor Draco's innocent psyche as he was assigned that same task from the Tom." He added some salt to it "Draco is just too drawn to that dark rabbit hole not to venture down, sorry bout that." He said more to the boy's godfather than the Headmaster.
Now three set of expectant eyes looked at him with hope as he continued to pace "Also Albus I named many children after you and," He turned to look squarely into the eyes of the resident Potion Master "Severus Tobias Snape, you swore a silent unbreakable vow to protect me, the son of Lily Evans, the best and only friend of your life and that no one would ever know about it. Tom curses and thwarts you in the back many times for his own thought of power gained, you have never broken your promise and you never will." Harry avoided categorizing the emotions that flickered across Severus's face as he moved across the room once again.
He moved over to a now somber tall witch, her emerald green robes with her favorite tartan pattern were flecked with drops of moisture. Her high tight bun and prim expression now competing against the warmth her swimming eyes were radiating behind the square spectacles. "Minerva McGonagall who loves every single one of her cubs like one of her own children." He took a breath, hoping to let it out right "You always stay at Hogwarts, in any role possible to protect the students, whether socially or physically. You strive to bring out the best and expect no less, the discrimination you witness and abhor, is too tough to silently carry as it goes against every one of your cherished principles." He shrugged his shoulders "I think I have to leave that there, with enough said Minnie."
He turned to the last person, her hungry eyes shadowing her breathtaking beauty "Fleur Isabelle Delacour, sister to Gabrielle who is killed in the Battle of Hogwarts in 98 as she unknowingly slipped in from Hogsmeade." A silent tear leaked from his eye, as unshed pools hung in her large deep blue eyes "In most cases you've had three children, sometimes five, a boy and two girls, four girls and a boy. You hate England but love your family that resides in it, keeping loose ties with France and your future British husband. In most instances you have a full life with you husband, while inwardly raging against the travesties and injustices that are bestowed upon your children as they are classed as semi-human or semi-magical humanoids." His quiet reflection, released the dam inside her and unconsciously he brushed them away with his calloused thumb pad "Your silent pain is a wound that never heals completely in the times ahead no matter how hard we try to curb it. And you are one of my best friends so I diligently try to help in every instance." Her petite frame shook as she quietly sobbed as one of her private insecurities is revealed. Harry tried to console her with a coo and a thumb-pad.
A quiet cough brought him out of his reverie and made him step away. With their rapt attention he started "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies." He turned to the stark faces "I am the weapon to annihilate Tom, and my best guess is I was never supposed survive through it. The power he knows not is probably my many lifetimes of knowledge and with a change of perception, a little luck, we have now figured out how you might win." He took a steady gulp and looked to his favorite Headmaster "It's not love Albus, sorry to burst your bubble."
Without their acknowledgment he released their bindings, some crumpled to the ground, some stood in stunned silence. He paid no heed and trudged on "In order of events, usually the first task will be to outwit a nesting dragon and retrieve a golden egg. When submerged and opened it will sing a message 'Come seek us where our voices sound, We cannot sing above the ground, And while you're searching ponder this; We've taken what you'll sorely miss, An hour long you'll have to look, And to recover what we took, But past an hour, the prospect's black, Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.' and in the final task there will be a maze. If left to their own devices..." He pointed at the slumbering Moody "Viktor will be imperioused by him, and Cedric will be the first death of the second war, it all stops now." He looked pointedly to the the headmaster "I think I now know where most of the horcruxes are and and need your help to find the last one."
Gobsmacked looks greeted him "In every life you all have had an alliance with me, some are unacknowledged friends, unspoken family and all here have never betrayed me, not even you Igor. Though some don't like my methods, you respect me." He took a long calming breath "The last horcrux has just recently been revealed to me to exist, but not what it is. Are you with me?"
Albus pointed at the two slumbering forms "And what pray tell are we to do with those two?"
Without missing a beat "Moody is Barty Crouch Junior, stolen from Azkaban, with a polyjuiced dying mother taking his place. Ludo would sell to the highest bidder. Memory charm or accident, you choose?"
"Potter your audacity to be the ever seeking attention..."
Harry quietly stated "It's okay, I understand you. You wish now that our places had been exchanged. That I had died and my Mum had lived. I get that. Could you be honest and at least tell me the same."
Snape could only say one thing "Yes. I wish that."
But Snape was caught off guard with Harry's reply "Brutal honesty is the best medicine. I know many of your secrets Severus, you gave them to me. Drop the act, you too Fleur."
Acting like she was hit with a blind roundhouse as her hair whipped around, tears instantly drying "Zat do you meen?"
Shrugging his shoulders, and putting a lopsided grin "Honesty is like sunlight. People used to think it was good for you. You on the other hand speak perfect English and only do the accent because you think it makes you sound ze-sexy."
"C'est impossible!" She mock yelled in outrage, which made most of the assembled chuckle and dried the sullen mood.
He added as an afterthought as he slung a look at Professor Snape "Subtlety is one of those things life has forgot to teach. Hate, lies, and flattery are never a waste on the self absorbed. For in the game of life, pitted on two opposing camps, you absolutely feel no way to win." Harry just smiled at the incredulous look that graced Severus's face "You told me many times, Fire whiskey is a brutal serum for releasing each others worst fears and regrets. Now here is the clincher..." He performed his own unbreakable vow and sealed it with a flash that everything he had said was the truth to the best of his knowledge. Harry smiled at the disbelief that greeted him in most of their eyes..
Snape broke the silence and actually sneered with a grin "You could just believe it's true, delusion knows no bounds."
Harry looked him dead in the eye "You could give me the Veritaserum, but that falls under the same problem, we could go with a pensive of my memories. Or show of hands, who here can knit?" He peered keenly at Severus.
"I've never knitted a thing in my life Potter" Snape remarked scathingly.
Harry threw out a lopsided grin "Maybe for now, maybe later." Harry turned up the brightness by a bit before stating "But first who would know, and second who would care? But we both know how rumors start, and now everyone here is looking at you differently, thinking about knitting, what you would knit and why, no matter how vehemently you deny it. Perception is not something that can be easily swayed with retractable words."
"You're a loathsome toad just like your father." He lightly bantered.
Harry sighed "I wished, all these times and no animagus form. Do you by chance? Maybe an animal that can see by echo location maybe?"
"I sit corrected, the flobberworm that feeds the toad."
"Fair enough, anything else."
A lightness eased at the corner of Snape's lips, not a smile mind you, but exceedingly close "You have one ear lobe that sits lower than the other and you reek of quidditch."
Harry snot scoffed "Moving on, since you guys are stuck with me, advice? I could really use some"
All eyes pivoted to the esteemed Headmaster, and with a slight shrug of resignation Albus took his universally expected leader role "With the proverbial cat loose, a preemptive strike is the only recourse in your arsenal." With stuttering looks abound, he explained "Foreknowledge is forearmed, collect and destroy Tom's horcruxes before he can utilize them. While minimizing his known support base starting with finances, moving to physical and then finishing with his political supporters and then fight like Kilkenny cats"
"Care to explain a plan Albus?" With looks turned towards the usually conservative Potion master, Snape continued "Playing on everyone strengthens should not be to far of a stretch, for most of those assembled." Harry laughed out loud at the backhanded compliment.
Albus just pretended not to hear the last bit "Precisely Severus, first what and where are the items?"
Harry jumped into his role "As of today, diary destroyed, cup- Lestrange vault Gringotts, ring- Gaunt's Shack in the woods just outside the village of Little Hangleton, locket- curio cabinet in the ancestral home of the Black family, diadem - room of hidden things, room of requirement in Hogwarts, snake- green mutated burmese python around or in the Riddle House in Little Hangleton, one unknown, and then myself. " He pointed at his jagged scar.
"And how will we destroy these things Monsignor Harry?" ask the reserved Headmistress.
"Many things will do the job, basilisk venom, fiendfyre, killing curse, goblin made weapons imbued with basilisk venom and I heard phoenix tears since they are such dark items, but I haven't ever figured out a way to do so."
"Could a dementor be used?" Igor inquired. At the startled looks he added "To suck out the soul!"
"No, they consume the soul, and do not destroy it. That is why the shell is left behind alive but for all intents and purposes dead."
"Do you think the Dark Lord would use one to host his soul?"
"Hopefully not. Do you honestly believe the Dark Lord would allow one of those creatures to to use a piece him as eternal chew toy. Besides once they are destroyed..."
"But they can't be destroyed!" Was the shriek from Madam Maxime.
"Wives tale, phoenix tears or a patronus cast inside of them."
"What!" was the outcry from around the room.
Harry blushed as he shifted from foot to foot "Oops, not common knowledge at this time. The tears and the cast were both accidents of fate but, hey now you know." Harry sheepishly shrugged once more "Moving on, no he won't use them because he has no control over the contents of the container and they aren't historical enough to be deemed worthy to hold a sacred piece of him."
"What about you?" asked Fleur.
"He had another item, his wand, I was a mistake." Catching a snide look flicker across the face of a potion maker "Shove it Severus."
"I will reserve judgment till later then" Came the icy response.
Harry ignoring the statement "When the soul is released Tom feels it and kind of incorporates them extensionally as a bit of a short term power boost. So they have to be disposed of staggeringly or he becomes too strong in certain intervals."
Albus raised his head "Is there anyway to do the same for you?"
"Nope, kills me, been there, tried that, not sharing that particular spell?"
The words flashed a physical pain across Albus's face. "Does Tom know of this?."
"Not that I know of, we really don't have the chance to chat about old times and why would he ever want to become mortal as the trade off?"
"It might be prudent to hide this information." Albus supplied.
"Good idea, we'll have the fidelius used once I'm strong enough." Harry countered.
"I could do that?" Albus asked warmly.
"That means I would have to share the secret with you, as per the spell it takes a caster and a secret-keeper. I'll need to cast and then Severus can hold the Secret."
"Have I no say in this?" Snape queried.
"There are three people I trust with this knowledge and my soul. One is Hermione Granger and the other is you. Deal with it."
"Will you be informing Miss Granger or Mister Weasley about all this." Albus inquired.
"Let's try to let them keep their innocence and their idealistic youth intact." Harry mused.
"You're not going to tell them, really?" Cedric spouted.
"Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Most times Hermione really is too smart for her own good. But the first time I returned I tried to connect with them. But I was an old man trapped in a young man's body, children to greater grandchildren surrounded me on my deathbed my poor misses had passed a decade before me. I was revered, celebrated even. A quiet almost normal life, and then poof a pit stop and then a twelve year old, finishing my second year. We didn't mesh well that time." He looked around to the gobsmacked faces "The first time was the worst, wanting to share in their lives. To try to fix what I perceived as the worst and worse to do things to change what I considered to be the negative things in my life, it didn't end well."
"Would you care to explain." Albus pleaded "Just a little if it's not to much to ask."
Harry shrugged "I was an idealist, trying to save everyone. In the beginning it worked, but small changes cause small ripples in the consistency of time, a life is a huge change, it didn't end well."
"How bad?"
"The wizarding world was lost right before Lucius and Draco double fist pumped me to death, it wasn't a pleasant torture and it was the last thing I learned about it."
"And Tom?"
"He was mostly dead, but it was his supporters that came from under their rocks and killed anything to everything from mundane to extraordinary. The once proud nation was reduced to a slave state of ash that infected their neighbors in a matter of months. I don't know how it ended, but the path didn't look pretty. Every time Tom and his faction win, the wizarding world loses, sometimes profoundly so."
"Give another example, if you would."
"They'll have the Wizengamot with their 30% sympathetic vote, introducing fast track laws, limiting rights of any that are not them. Finally leading to legal observation and guiding the muggle world with quiet but firm control." At their questioning looks he explained more "You need a farm to survive and workers to work the farm and make all the things for them to consume from the farm. From simple to elaborate things, people were bred to be the idyllic workers, choice was a luxury ill afford by most except the staunchest of Tom's followers. Like I said, not pretty."
"What about when the light wins."
"It never does completely, the Wizengamot won't allow it. Even with a win from the light they slowly make sure to tarnish it, leading with their own agenda of self serving wants. Power corrupts completely."
"What would you advise when things go wrong?" asked a calm Severus.
"Fuck reaction, have things in place and already prepared for the giant strikes as we plan to do or a full withdrawal in place without hesitation." Everyone wore a gobsmacked face "If you can't plan a win then by god plan a successful withdraw. You can't have power if you don't have a populace to rule over in any event."
"But what about the people, their right to choose their future?"
"If you're not willing to fight for the future you want, then be damn pleased with any future offered to you. Here are some numbers you can understand, the combined wizarding population of the UK and Ireland in 1994 is roughly seventeen thousand. Almost seven thousand witches and wizards want Tom to win, just two thousand are trying to prevent it. To explain; 20% of the population are actively fighting for Tom to win, 20% are silently supporting, 50% are hoping for the best, 10% are actively opposed, what do you think is going to happen, we're un-bloody-bleavably fucked."
"You want us to give up!? Like cowards!" Cedric cried out innocently.
"The magical population of the world is just over fifteen and half million and in over 90% of my experiences we eventually lose, badly. Tom has a huge support base already staged and silent backing of most of the world. So we do something that has never been done before, a tactical retreat to an unknown location if the worse does happen. His strength is in guerrilla tactics and strong arming a weaker opponent with superior numbers in random locations with tactical precision and goals. The only things we really care about are our friends, family, and our culture. If we can achieve a retreat that accomplishes that, fuck the 40% left behind. Let them become the work force of his agenda and let the infighting begin."
"Quite an endeavor you're proposing there Harry."
"Realistically more than you think, it's called pulling and piling your resources. And I'm not just talking about sentient beings, but all magical resources withdrawn; everyone being asked to join us in a uniformed withdraw. To preserve your culture, take everything that you care about, for you have no regrets in what's left behind."
"Am I correct in assuming magical species and ingredients are included in your proposal?"
"Anything magical that can decide for itself is given a choice, if unable to voice that choice or make that decision they are brought with us and given sanctuary. Better minds could work out the details, I'm just providing a theory. Consult with the goblins they're geniuses in figuring out future events and consequences."
"Since most of his supporters have no contact or understanding of the muggle world, muggle integration could be for the best." Albus commented
"Give the humans advance warning, let them decide and break the statue of secrecy. The ICW would be breathing down our necks within a week. Maybe quietly contact the PM, about something in the air. Then we could still maintain the illusion of separate but equal to appease those in power." Harry advised.
Albus sighed heavily "That would be for the best."
"Are you actually agreeing with this crazy scheme Dumbledore?" asked a flustered Maxime.
"Not yet, but the idea does have merit, with research" Albus left the insight dangling there as he moved on. "It could be possible to rent a few ocean liners to carry supplies to an island that is not approachable by any magical means including apparition, the islands around Tristan da Cunha or even Gough Island come to mind, very isolated and could only be accessed through physical means. With proper warding against house-elves travel, Oakshaft 79 broomsticks or other magical means of travel Gough Island would be near impossible to breach and would be perfect for goblin terraforming." Harry looked at the Headmaster like he had stole a cookie "You did bring them up Harry."
"Why not ask the goblins?" inquired Diggory.
"You vant to share this type of secret, this type of idea vith a goblin of all creatures?" Viktor incredulously asked.
"Viktor you might just want to keep those type of thoughts to yourself" Harry emphatically stated "We are all creatures to someone else."
"Yes, exactly Harry. Now to address the issue, it is better to already be in place and useable than just a dream outside of grasp." Dumbledore reasoned out loud, calming the assembled group.
"I think it's brilliant, could you setup a meeting with them, sir. For good measure, I would gladly throw everything I own at it." At the assembled looks he explained "I know I have some money in the bank, goblins would like to see a profit. I'd rather have something that we don't need than need something desperately but no longer have access to it." He added as an afterthought "Oh and we would need some kind of travel between the two points that only we could control or access, like maybe two huge vanishing cabinets."
"And why so large?" came a skeptical question from Madam Maxime, thinking an insult was implied.
"Well first it would be to move large groups just in case of an expedient withdraw and second for bigger items, like trees and such... that's why." Harry calmly explained.
"Your godfather would have to be made aware since he is your legal guardian as you are still technically a minor." The Headmaster added.
"Would Potter be the ruler since he would be the procurer to the land and this outlandish idea." asked a snide person of potion pursuit.
Harry nipped it "The sentients that choose to come, can band together to form their own type of government. I'm an enforcer, a sharp stick if you will, point me in a direction and I'll clear a path. Planning is better left to those with the expertise. My goal is to see you all safe."
"Sensibility from a Potter, the world is truly near it's end." was the hooked nosed man's response.
"Praise from a Snape, we're there." Harry rebuked. "So are we thinking of doing this, or are we doing this?"
"That is the dilemma, but there's no sense standing while we talk some more about it." Albus conjured some chairs "Shall we?" A pensive came into view and expectant look was shot towards a green-eyed teen.
"Fine." Harry mumbled grumpily "But don't say I didn't warn you."
It was many hours later before a single person left the dark room, a new dawn had already arrived by the time they had stepped out into an empty hall, void of any students or faculty.
~x~x~x~