The Rise and Fall of Voldemort

Authors note: As I believe most who will read this are familiar with Harry Potter et al, I will not go into detail about how he came to be with the Dursley's nor his first foray into the wizarding world. I will also skip the first two semesters of Harry's first year of Hogwarts; you may all assume that everything went exactly the same as the book unless otherwise stated. This story will contain the end of that year and continue on till the final confrontation with Voldemort. I have not yet decided whither or not to break up the story into separate books. I can say that I neither own nor claim to own any of the works of JKR, but I do intend to use her characters, some plots, magical devices, and settings in this story. Now, as there are of this moment untold thousands of stories posted on the web about Harry Potter, some of the ideas, settings, plots, devices, characters will have been used before, any direct use of these will be attributed to the original creators when and if I can recall them, or if they are pointed out to me. This will be an AU as I intend to deviate and in some cases completely throw out canon Harry, and attempt to remake him in the image of a true hero, while not making him to powerful. As some like to know in advance (I certainly do) this will not be a Harry/Ginny story, as a matter of fact the Weasley's as a whole will play a small role, I don't think there will be any bashing of them but as I hold little love for more than half of them, expect them to be marginalized. This story is not a romance, but more of a lost boy destined to greatness and the journey to it.

Summary: Harry Potter was tired, after beating back Voldemort's attempt to gain corporeal form, he now lies in the hospital wing puzzling over the enigmatic words of his foe. 'But your mother needn't have died, she died protecting you'.

There will be no slash, none.

Harry looked around the hospital wing, on one side of his bed was a table laden with candy and cards, while on the other side two chairs sat empty. Hermione and Ron had left in bit of a huff when he wouldn't explain what happened in the chamber beyond the fire. But how could he explain when he was still trying to work it out himself, after the headmaster had left he had more questions than answers and wanted time to work it all out. Lying there in bed was getting him nowhere so Harry asked the matron if she would be able to get the Headmaster for him.

"He is a very busy man, but I will pass along your wish to see him."

"Thank you Madam Pomfrey"

While Harry waited on the headmaster he thought back to visit from Ron and Hermione.

Harry sighed in relief at the smiles on Ron and Hermione's faces. Ron, who looked no worse for wear, Harry thought, had a strange look in his eyes as he took in the cards and candy, while Hermione just ran up and grasped Harry's hand tightly. She seemed determined to keep a hand on him, as if she let go he might disappear. Harry smiled at Hermione, willing his eyes to convey his thanks and reassure her that he was fine and not going anywhere. Hermione must have understood as she released his hand and took a seat next to Ron, who was already helping himself to Harry's stash of presents.

Peeling his eyes away from the chocolate frog card he had just opened Ron asked, "What happened down there, mate?"

"I would rather not talk about it right now."

"We were there, you can tell us, everyone has been asking and we don't know what to tell them." Ron insisted as he finished off another frog.

"Well I guess you can tell them it's none of their business just like I'm telling you." Harry said heatedly.

"It's alright Harry we don't have to tell them anything, do we Ron?" Hermione said, kicking Ron when he looked ready to argue.

"I'm just saying we have a right to know is all. We risked our life down there too you know!"

"Yes, I am well aware of the fact that I almost got you killed, but thanks for reminding me again. It's a load off you lot made it back, and I don't have your murder on my conscience as well." Harry was shouting by the time he was finished. Madam Pomfrey burst through her office door to see what all the yelling was about.

"This is an infirmary not a quidditch pitch, both of you should be ashamed of yourselves. Mr. Potter needs to get some rest, and you lot carrying on like a herd of hippogriffs, shoo and don't let me catch you back in here."

He only had a moment to reflect on the conversation before the doors to the infirmary opened with Professor Dumbledore standing there in purple robes adorned with shooting stars.

"Good afternoon once again, Harry," said Dumbledore.

"I'm sorry to bother you again sir."

"Nonsense, my boy, my door is always open," Dumbledore said airily waving away Harry's concern. "If a student is unable to get to my door, then it is my job, as headmaster, to get to the child."

"Yes sir," as Harry tried to form the words, some of his questions must have showed on his face, because Dumbledore focused more intently on him.

"Sir, I think that, well I think that you owe me an explanation." Harry held his breath, he hadn't meant it to come out that way, he only hoped Dumbledore wouldn't get up and leave like Ron and Hermione had.

"I'm sorry," Harry rushed to say, "It's just that he, Voldemort I mean, said he came to kill me, dad too it seems; but for some reason he meant to kill me and now he has tried it again. And right here at school", Harry said as if just realizing it, "if I'm not safe here, then I'm not safe anywhere and I should at least know why… Sir." Harry added hastily.

"Harry, I have done everything in my power to insure you safety, both here at school and at your family's home. As I have already said your mother's sacrifice left you with a lasting protection."

"You've said sir, but why come after a one year old baby in the first place? After reading a few books from my friend Hermione Granger I just assumed my parents had irritated Voldemort in some way. In the chamber Voldemort told me different, he said he came to kill me and it seems like he trying again, but why? I have to know, it's my right know, what if I should die? What if I die, shouldn't I at least know why I was forced to…?"

Harry trailed off, he was angry and had almost let slip his biggest secret, but even as he stopped images ran through his mind. Aunt Petunia swinging a pan at his head, Uncle Vernon throwing him into his cupboard and locking the door, Harry Hunting and the many times that Dudley and his gang had been successful. Harry shook his head as if trying to remove the memories, and looked up at Dumbledore. The headmaster's eyes dimmed as he looked at Harry, and not for the first time, did Harry wonder if Dumbledore knew exactly what he had been thinking.

As if in resignation, Dumbledore sat heavily in a chair next to Harry's bed, and twirled his wand in a complex set of maneuvers before laying it gently on the bedside table. Harry had no idea what Dumbledore had done, and as it looked like the headmaster was thinking his answer over, Harry took the time to study the wand before him. Pitted and worn it held none of the sheen Harry's own wand had, yet even at a distance it felt more powerful than anything Harry had ever seen. As if sensing Harry's thoughts of picking up the wand, Dumbledore slipped it back into the folds of his robe and began speaking.

"My dear boy I faced a difficult dilemma after your parents were gone" Dumbledore held up a hand to forestall any interruptions. "You have to understand Harry, at the time many of Voldemort's supporters were still at large, and would have done you serious harm if they were able to get their hands on you. It fell on me to see to your safety."

Before Dumbledore could stop him Harry interrupted.

"Why was it up to you? What was Hagrid doing there? Why would Voldemort's supporters come after me, and how does everyone know what happened, or that I did it?"

Harry's rapid questions did not seem to faze Dumbledore as he held up his hands and let out an amused chuckle before he replied.

"I know you have many questions Harry, but if I am to answer them before morning you will have to let me speak." The smile and chuckle took any sting out of the words, yet Harry's face flushed and his eyes sought out his own feet in embarrassment.

"Harry you do understand you were, and still are, in danger?" Dumbledore paused, waiting until Harry looked up, after Harry acknowledged him with a nod he continued.

"Your parents were part of a small group of wizards, outside of the Ministry, against Voldemort. I too belonged, and so after your parents fell I felt a responsibility to them to look after your well being. Hagrid was there at my biding, there were several wards around your parent's cottage some of which were connected to me. When I felt the wards come down I sent Hagrid to investigate. Hagrid took you from the house and brought you to Privet Drive to me, to be left in your families care. Now, I have told you about the protection your mother's sacrifice left on you, I in turn used that protection to setup blood wards, so that as long as you called home where your mother's blood resided no harm could befall you." At this Dumbledore's voice softened and his face creased with grief, "no harm from outside of the home could befall you."

Harry couldn't contain his outburst, "You knew? I didn't think anyone cared enough to notice, but I should have guessed, no one cared enough to interfere." By the end his voice had trailed to a whisper, his eyes, which at first burnt with indignation, had dulled to a flat green. Dumbledore slumped in his seat, with a weary sigh he continued on,

"Surely you understand your placement, it is of little comfort, but given the circumstances and political climate of the time I had little choice in the matter."

Eyes burning once again Harry said through clenched teeth, "What does politics have to do with the placement of a child?"

"In the wizarding world, everything. Have you not noticed how some of your peers react and behave? Even at this young age they are aware of status and many temper emotions and reactions accordingly. Many leading members of our society claimed they were under the Imperious Curse, had they a hand in your placement I fear you may have never reached Hogwarts unharmed, or even at all."

Dumbledore's last words halted any outburst from Harry, about just how unharmed he was. Finally after contemplating his words Harry replied.

"You were worried about certain families teaching me dark magic; you thought some family like the Malfoys might teach me something you don't approve of." Harry stated,

"So instead I was left to fancies of the Dursleys with no recourse, no food, but unmarred from the dark side. But that's where you are wrong; I had nightmares of green light and high pitched laughter, dreams of things I didn't understand, but when I asked questions I was sent to my cupboard without food or punished for my insolence. I may have learned a dark spell or two that you wouldn't like, but I would have understood so many more things."

Silence overtook the room, wherever Harry thought this conversation would go this was surely not it. Thoughts and questions whirled in Harry's head, his treatment at the Dursley's hand chief among them, how someone so wise could be so wrong. Harry was so lost in thought he didn't hear Dumbledore until the third time he called out.

"…Harry"

"Mmm...What?" Harry mumbled; he was still trying to order his mind, clearing his mind with a shake Harry looked once again on the aged face of his headmaster.

"To you it may seem inconsequential to learn a dark spell or two; but I, who have taught so many students, can see the damage wrought not only of the spells themselves but the intent behind which they are taught. Mr. Malfoy, for example, talks about the superiority of purebloods over muggleborns and half-bloods, where do you think he learned that? I did not want to subject you to that, had I tried to place you in a magical family many would have tried to interfere, by hiding you in the muggle world I was able to circumvent those still in power who supported the Dark Lord. You see Harry, when Lord Voldemort met you he was at the peak of his power; while his death eaters were committing vile acts in our community, he had powerful allies among the Ministry leaders and the Wizengamot."

Dumbledore paused, and with another look that Harry didn't understand he started to speak again, haltingly.

"Tell me Harry, was this cupboard where you took most of your punishments?"

"Of course," Harry replied, "they wouldn't let me anywhere else in the house, and they didn't want the neighbors to see me."

Dumbledore nodded his head, and then continued.

"The Dursleys took you into their home, grudgingly, yet still they gave you house space and allowed for the protection against any who might wish you harm. I wish it could have been another way, but as I said there was no alternative."

At this Dumbledore stood as to leave, but Harry held him up with a statement that sent him stumbling back to his chair.

"I want to call in a debt, a debt you owe me for ten years of mistreatment at the hands of the Dursleys. I understand how the decision came to be made, but that does not excuse you of the responsibility you took upon yourself. I have suffered the consequences and will continue to do so it seems, so I ask again, why?"

Dumbledore sat in contemplative silence while Harry, who had by now begun to understand a few of the headmaster's looks, realized he might finally get some of the answers he sought.

"Are you in such a hurry to grow up? This burden will not be easy to carry, and all the more heavy as you must bear it alone for some time to come."

Dumbledore said in a vain attempt to forestall the inevitable, but Harry would not be put off any longer and his reply made Dumbledore decide to confide the truth in him.

"I won't be alone, sir, you will know."

Dumbledore's eyes shone a little brighter, he nodded to Harry and begun to tell his tale.

"Yes I suppose you are correct. Twelve years ago a prophecy," Dumbledore paused and at Harry's confused look explained, "a seer can experience visions or knowledge of the future, oft times they are vague and hard to understand, but they give us a glimpse of things to come. Most of the time the seers' themselves don't remember the vision, but the one to whom it is given has the ability to recall it perfectly. I happened to be in the presence of a seer when a prophecy was given, I shall not reveal all of it to you just now, but I believe this should suffice. "

'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…'

"I had no wish to tell you," at Harry's narrowed eyes he swiftly continued, "so young Harry, so very young."

"But surely it couldn't just be me; I'll bet loads of children must have been born in July."

"Fourteen children were born in July 1980, most in the middle of the month; two however were born on the last day of the month. The qualifiers were unique though, to stand up to Voldemort was death, but to thrice defy him was unheard of, in the end there were only two possible candidates you and Mr. Longbottom."

Harry gasped, "Neville," Neville could be the one, while he didn't think he himself fit the bill of savior, he knew Neville definitely did not.

As if to confirm Harry's last thought Dumbledore continued.

"Harry, Voldemort marked you and by doing so sealed you as the only possibility."

Harry, who had been riveted by Dumbledore's speech, sunk back against his pillow trailing his forefinger across his scar. This scar makes me more unique than I imagined, Harry thought bitterly.

"Harry I would have told you all of this, in time, I only wanted you to enjoy your time here while having a normal childhood."

"But sir, it's over." Harry stated bluntly; Dumbledore stared sadly at Harry while slowly shaking his head.

"My boy, you have yet to finish even your first year with us, there is plenty of time to enjoy being young."

"No sir, the prophecy, the prophecy is over. I vanquished him, well I don't know that I really did anything but he was vanquished. That's the prophecy, isn't it, sir?"

Dumbledore leaned forward and put a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Would that it were so Harry, alas you had me tell you. You have seen Voldemort not three days ago, and while his body was broken, his power yet remains. So as long as Voldemort remains the prophecy stands, there is one more line I shall tell you. 'Neither shall live while the other remains.' Do you now understand why I was so reluctant to you?"

The realization of what Dumbledore was saying hit Harry like a bludger, "You want… I mean expect… sir, you want me to kill him… again" Harry finished in astonishment.

"A terrible thing it is to take a life. I too have had to make that decision during my life. Remember Harry, prophecies are vague and the true meaning is seldom learned until they come to pass, not even I can tell how it will end. Voldemort chose you Harry as his greatest threat, a half-blood like himself, not…

Harry interrupted, "he chose? How did he choose? How did he know he had a choice, surely you wouldn't have… told him."

Dumbledore held up a hand to stop the flood of questions. "Yes Voldemort chose you. I was interviewing professorial candidates when the prophecy was given; a spy of Voldemort's overheard the first part that I have told you. It was he who brought the information to Voldemort."

A steely glint appeared in Harry's eyes, "so this person led Voldemort to my parents?"

"Even the best of us, Harry, come to regret decisions we have made, remember that."

The fire didn't leave Harry's eyes as he contemplated the many meanings behind Dumbledore's words. "Yes sir," Harry mumbled, "I'll try."

"That's all I ask my boy," Dumbledore said as he stood up to leave. "It is getting on and I dare say you could use some rest; at any rate if I keep Poppy out any longer I may regret it," he said with a chuckle.

"Sir, could I come see you?" Harry asked tentatively, "I haven't got them all sorted, but I do have a few more question."

"Of course; my door is, as I have said, always open to a needy student. Just remember that I like Acid Pops and you should be able to find your way to me. Good night Harry."

"Good night sir," Harry replied while shaking his head in amazement of his eccentric headmaster. As soon as the door shut Madam Pomfrey bustled over to Harry's bed, she seemed to take pleasure in poking and prodding him until she was satisfied with the results. Five painful minutes later she handed Harry a silver potion, which smelled of old gym socks, before turning down the lights and wishing him a pleasant night.

Harry was lying in bed for hours thinking about his conversation with Dumbledore, he sorely wished he had a quill and some parchment as he would never be able to remember all of his questions. Harry was just starting to nod off when the door opened; seemingly of its own accord. Harry sat up wondering if one or both his friends would soon appear.

"Harry," whispered Hermione close to his ear, "where has Madam Pomfrey gone, I couldn't see her in the office."

"I believe she went off to bed a couple of hours ago, at least I haven't seen her since then. Listen I wasn't trying to be rude earlier I had, and still do mind, a lot to think on. You guys can get a bit pushy, a bloke could go mad. I haven't worked through most of it so please, ease off a bit."

Hermione huffed, slipped off Harry's invisibility cloak and took a seat beside his bed, "I haven't come to yell, I wanted to apologize to you actually. You had just woken up, probably didn't know what day it was, and there we were badgering you for all the details. Professor Dumbledore told us at dinner that Quirrell died and that you were recovering in the hospital wing. I wasn't even able to get any homework done, what with everyone coming up and asking if you were dying. You wouldn't believe the rumors going about. Honestly, haven't they anything better to do than gossip about first years."

Harry let out a loud laugh, seeing Hermione's face flush he held up his hands to stop her next outburst. "End of year exams are over Hermione, you shouldn't have any homework left to do!"

"They passed out summer work while you were asleep. I wanted to get a head start on it, and also make sure I had the necessary books."

"Can you check library books out over the summer?" Harry asked.

"If you had bothered to read…" Harry interrupted,

"Hogwarts: A History, yeah yeah, carry on."

"Fine, but if you had you would know that only the headmaster can give permission to borrow books over the summer. You would also know that it has a special section in the back where you can ask questions you haven't found the answer to in the book. Such a wonderful book," Hermione started her eyes glazing a bit in wonder. "I have looked all over for another like it, but most are like muggle books, just a table of contents. Of course the muggle ones only have warnings, some of the magical books have curses on them if you try to copy them and they can be quite nasty." Hermione continued to gush.

Books and cleverness indeed, Harry thought, but wisely chose to keep that to himself. Harry glanced up at Hermione, in the dim light he could only see the outline of her bushy hair but he knew she was grinning, the same grin she got whenever she talked about books.

Thinking over what Dumbledore said, while Hermione went on about books, Harry hoped he too could get that excited about books. It seemed soon he would have to start reading more books than even Hermione if he wanted a chance to survive.

As if sensing his shift in mood Hermione said, "Oh I wish you would talk to me; I might be able to help, if nothing more than just listening to you."

Harry faced her solemnly, he reached out and grabbed her hand, "I know you would do anything to help its just that, with this, well this is just beyond us. I wish I could explain it better to you but I can't, won't you just sit with me, just for a bit."

Harry could feel a tear drop on his hand; he wasn't sure what he would do if Hermione started crying in earnest but he needn't have worried. Hermione stood up from her chair at the edge of the bed, letting go of Harry's hand she sat down beside him.

"I'm not going anywhere; we, that is Ron and I, talked. While he is a little upset right now, we want you to know that we'll help in what ever way we can, okay Harry?"

"Are you sure your not putting words into Ron's mouth that he going to regret?" Harry asked half serious.

"Don't you start too, its enough having one of you being stupid, I don't think I could handle both of you being prats."

Harry decided to change the subject to safer topics, "I guess since Ron is already out of the infirmary he wasn't hurt that bad." Harry half stated, half asked. "I'm glad you were able to get through alright."

Hermione squeezed Harry's hand as her eyes welled up with tears, "I was ever so worried about you, we made it back to the trap door but there was no way out!"

Hermione huffed in annoyance as she recalled the evening. "Ron just sat down, he said we would just have to wait. I guess he was right in the end but it was dreadful, not knowing what was happening to you and unable to get to Dumbledore. I don't know how long we waited, it mustn't have been long, I had just made it back from searching the far end of the room when Dumbledore stormed through the trap door. Oh Harry you should have seen it, he was magnificent, with just a twirl of his wand up popped a large curved stairway." Even through her tears and fears the awestruck look told Harry so much about his friend. "Of course he looked to Ron first, he made a bandage for his head and asked me if you went on alone. I told him you went after Snape and the Stone and he told me to get Ron to the infirmary and dashed off. We hadn't even made it to the entrance hall before he caught up with us. You were just lying there in his arms, and we thought… oh we thought you had died."

Hermione broke off with a sob, Harry slid over to her and put his hand on her shoulder, she must have taken this as a sign because before Harry knew what happened she was hugging him. Awkward and taken aback by her sudden display of emotions Harry gently patted her on the back and whispered that everything would be alright.

Madam Pomfrey must have heard her crying, because she stepped out of her office and over to the bed. Harry put a finger to his lips and begged her to let Hermione to stay with his eyes. After giving Harry a stern look she held up her hand and mouthed five minutes, nodding his agreement Harry turned his attention back to Hermione.

After assuring Hermione that he was in deed fine and she calmed some Harry spoke again. "Listen you better go Madam Pomfrey might come out to check on me, are you going to be ok?"

"Yes I'll be fine, I copied down the summer homework for you, and I will give you a copy of my notes and which books you will need the most." Hermione answered while sniffing.

"You're a life saver Hermione! And thanks for grabbing my cloak, how did you get it though? I was sure I put it in my pocket after we got past the devil's snare."

Hermione shuffled her feet and wouldn't meet Harry's eyes, "When we came into see you before… when we left… oh," she stomped her foot. "Ron said we might need it and plucked it out your trousers when you went in the loo. I'm sorry Harry, I should have stopped him but I didn't."

"Don't worry about it Hermione, I will deal with Ron when I get out of here, but do me a favor keep it with you alright. Don't let anyone know you have it, please, no one."

Hermione nodded, slipped under the cloak and vanished. After the door closed Madam Pomfrey stood next to his bed.

"It's very admirable, the level of loyalty your friends show you, but you will not be released from my care if you are exhausted."

"Why would I want to leave your care Madam, you always fix me right up." Harry said with smile.

"Oh go on with you, get some sleep and we will see about releasing you tomorrow." Madam Pomfrey vanished behind her door with a smile, mumbling about Potters trying to charm their way out of trouble and hospital beds.

After Madam Pomfrey left, the quiet of the ward allowed Harry's mind to slip once more to the prophecy. 'Neither can live while the other survives'. Harry's final thought before sleep was 'Ah bugger, Dumbledore was right'.