Life: I won't fail you again
(Heavily Revised)
A/N: This is my first fanfiction, please R&R. Rating – T, may change later.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the places, characters, objects, and other stuff created by Jo Rowling. I am writing this work for my own enjoyment and not form making bucks. I would appreciate reviews. Thank you.
Making things clear: Bold text will be used for languages other than English (like Parseltongue or an other language). Italics, for the most part, will be reserved for emphasis. People think like 'this', and speak like "this".
Also, the nineteen-years-later scene did not happen.
Right, then. On with the story.
Chapter 1: The end of all ends
The Dark Lord sat in a high chair in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor, Nagini draped around his shoulders. The only source of light was the flickering fire. The snake's face looked at the surrounding Death Eaters who sat on the floor, while its master's snakelike face looked in front, at their nemesis, Harry Potter. He was kneeling on the floor, as befitted scum like him.
He hissed in Parseltongue, What did you think, Potter? That I was too scared to make more Horcruxes? When I found out about the Lestrange vault, I made sure to have back-ups. So, I am still immortal, further than ever. I killed Rabastan and Rodolphus to teach Bella; but she has fallen for me, and I am not sure my message reached her. But no matter. Dumbledore was a fool. If seven is the most magical number, then twice that will have double the power! I have no qualms about killing and dividing my soul further, make no mistake! Your wand, I have broken. You will die, at my pleasure, the last Light wizard remaining in Britain. Your friends and mentors are all dead, Potter – do not look so surprised, my faithful followers have made sure to… dispose of those who would not swear fealty to me.
Harry let out a strangled sob before composing himself. So the snake bastard had killed all his friends, had he, during his year of imprisonment? Images began to flash through his mind. Ginny and Ron fighting. Ron intercepting the Killing Curse to save Ginny, Ginny doing the same for Harry before Harry's capture. Remus and Tonks, Fred, all the dead. Farther back, Dumbledore's death. Sirius falling through the Veil. With a little difficulty he brought himself back to the present. In a short while he would see his beloved family. But now, he would stay strong in the face of death, and truly defeat Death that way. Experiencing so much suffering only made you wiser and stronger – like a certain white-bearded wizard he could name.
The high, cold voice of Lord Voldemort said aloud, "You are finished! The Elder wand cannot save you now, Harry Potter. Whatever I do to you, it refuses to come under my control. However, I have my old phoenix wand – while you are wandless, just like your father who died grovelling at my feet. You will die, alone in this world."
Switching to Parseltongue, he hissed, with your death, I will create my fourteenth Horcrux, and your soul will depart this world. He switched to English. "Let it be known that Harry Potter, the boy who lived, has died, alone and friendless, begging for death – and that I, being a merciful lord, granted it him. But first – Crucio!"
Blinding, obliterating pain. It shut out the jeering of the Death Eaters, the laughter of Voldemort, the hissing of Nagini – even Harry's own screams. His muscles were being torn, fibre by fibre, his bones were being ground to dust, his organs liquidized, he wanted to die then and there, wanted it to stop – and then it was gone.
Harry saw a flash of green, heard a rushing noise – as though a protective eagle were shielding him from the monster before him – then all went black.