The Madness Within: Chapter 6

by

QuantumPhonetics

"War alone can carry to the maximum tension all human energies and imprint with the seal of nobility those people who have the courage to confront it; every other test is a mere substitute." Benito Mussolini Unknown Transcript, 1930.

Hogwarts, 9:08 A.M., May 26th, 1941

The dark frothing clouds upon the vaulted ceilings swirled in a slow tempo and lightly illuminated the spacious dining hall. Numerous floating candles bobbed in unison and cast a warm glow against the grey stone walls. A small squadron of tawny brown owls twirled only a few meters above the tables. Although Hogwarts remained open after the exam period a majority of students had already headed home. The silence was almost deafening if it wasn't for the manic sound of pages shuffled in quick succession.

"It all depends on how much magic. The amount of magic that the time turners needed for temporal displacement was immense. We would need an exponential amount of magic to just reach an extra day. And even more so to reach the entire month!"

Ronald Weasely shook his head and waved his hands in annoyance. "But there aren't any time turners left! They were all destroyed in the Ministry battle!"

"No…there is still one left," Hermione Granger breathed out in surprise. "Professor McGonagall mentioned that there was one that was hidden from the Ministry's registry!"

The redheaded boy studied the girl with a dubious expression. "And you know who has one?"

The girl smiled conspiratorially and turned her haughty gaze toward him. "Of course I researched the history behind the devices. Professor McGonagall wouldn't have let me use a time turner unless I had a sufficient knowledge of how to avoid the dangers of a paradox."

The smirk that remained on her face slowly dissolved into a thoughtful gaze. Hermione cast her eyes toward the two boys and sighed deeply. "The last mention of the device places it in the possession of the Lestrange family. "

Although the red haired boy's expression morphed into surprise he still cast a skeptical gaze toward the pile of books Hermione disappeared behind. "Death Eaters…well…it still sounds impossible."

A bushy haired face appeared over the stack of tomes and glared at him. "Energy is magic! It has the same exact properties as energy; it can be both a wave and in particle form! According to Gamp's Law of-"

The redheaded boy interrupted her suddenly with an incredulous look. "Wait…you mean the law about conjuring food?"

The bushy haired girl shook her head in amusement. "Figures…you only pay attention to Professor McGonagall when it involves your stomach."

Ronald Weasely shrugged with an impish grin and grabbed a scone from the dinner table. "Really Mione'…I still think its rubbish. Who cares about the Muggle's "electicipy"?

"Its electricity Ronald," Hermione Granger frowned in exasperation. "And if I'm correct than with enough mag…energy we could possibly extend the reach of the time turner further than the limit of a couple hours. Enough to possibly reach the night of the Ministry battle."

"I dun knowth aboot thah," Ron replied with a mouth full of food. Hermione's face shifted from eager into a myriad of emotions which eventually settled on disgusted.

Hermione frowned and turned her eyes toward the dimly light ceiling. "We would still need a massive source of magic-," the young witch trailed off suddenly. She then pivoted her head toward him with a manic glint in her eyes and reached into her school bag. Hermione withdrew an old leather tome and quickly leafed through a number of pages. As she settled on a particular page she turned the book around and thrust it toward him.

"According to Advanced Potion-Making, "the Philosopher's Stone was believed to mystically amplify the user's knowledge of alchemy so much that anything was attainable." Hermione's eyes lit up as she looked directly at him with a knowing smile.

"Wait, are you even listening?"

"….Harry?"

"HARRY!"

A melodious female voice reverberated around the room and the memory quickly faded into his subconscious as it jolted him awake. He opened his eyes for a brief instant and then shut them quickly as a stream of warm sunlight hit his face. He was wrapped in some sort of comfortable linens and a pleasant chirping echoed nearby. A quick glance at the impossibly white ceiling eased his concerns as the familiar smell of the Hogwarts infirmary assailed his senses. A deep feeling of exhaustion hit his body a second later and Harry Potter covered his face with his forearm as he tried to fall back asleep.

"Urgh…lemme sleep Hermione….it's still early…."

A dangerous silence met his ears as Harry began to fall back into his subconscious. Just as he was about to fall asleep again he awoke to the sensation of a glass of cold water dumped on his head.

Some of the liquid flowed into his throat and Harry gagged slightly. "Glurg…Ackk…what the bloody hell?!"

He sat up immediately and his right arm rose up instinctively. His palm was facing outward and he prepared to draw upon his magic. The familiar trickle of magic that normally seeped from his hand was notably absent and his magic reacted sluggishly to his demands. As his eyes adjusted to the bright morning rays the first person he saw was Appoline standing a foot from his bed with a now empty glass of water in her hands; annoyance and relief simultaneously weaving on her face.

Harry dropped his hand and a surprised grin erupted on his face. "Appoline! How did you get here? What happened?

"I spend all night making sure you are healed properly and then you start talking about some…some girl?!"

For once Harry was at a loss for words as Appoline's unblemished face stared at him in annoyance.

"I….err….what?"

Appolline bristled and suddenly turned toward a nearby potion cabinet. Harry could only stare at her back in surprise.

What just happened?

Appoline continued to ignore Harry and he turned his attention to the water droplets dripping from his wet hair. He shook his head and focused on his right hand absently. Within moments a slight red glow shined from his hand and he was instantly dry again. Even the very moisture from the sheets disappeared; they crinkled like starched paper in front of his eyes. Appoline spun on her heels as a red glow entered her peripheral vision. A stunned look entered her eyes as she noticed that Harry had performed the spell even while having his magic suppressed. He had not even used an incantation for the spell! It was doubtful that he even realized that he performed a crude version of silent casting. Instead of focusing on the admittedly impressive display Harry was staring at her intently; his concerned gaze filled with an imperceptive green tint.

Appoline shook her head slightly and her anger diminished, though her hands still shook slightly. She finished arranging the potions bottles and moved to sit by Harry's bedside demurely.

She seemed to have an internal struggle and hesitated as she peered into his emerald eyes. "Why? Why did you stay on the bridge?!"

Harry flinched from the outburst. "Appoline…I-"

"You could have been killed! You…you…stupid idiot…" Appoline ranted as the emotions on her face altered between relief and anger. "Three times! Three times the Headmaster had to restart your heart!"

Harry stared in shock at her flawless face and then unconsciously placed a hand over his chest. Her glare softened considerably when a horrified expression settled on the young man's face.

My heart…stopped?

"I've been a healer apprentice for three years and I've never seen such an advanced case of magical poisoning!" Appoline sighed sadly and glanced at Harry's right hand. "You would have surely died if the Headmaster had not placed suppression wards upon your hand."

It was then that the raven haired teen noticed the unusual black bandages that wrapped around his entire arm. As Harry flexed his hand experimentally he noticed a single line of faint blood red symbols that curved in a twisting pattern up from his wrist to the edge up the bandages an inch underneath his elbow. As he began to gather his magic through his hand the symbols glowed slightly and the magic dampened considerably.

Are…these symbols some kind of runes?

Just as Harry was about to voice his mental question the infirmary door opened and Albus Dumbledore stepped into view. He was dressed in a very subdued version of his normal flamboyant blue robes and held his wand casually in his right hand. With a casual swish of his wand the curtains opened entirely and the room brightened. "It seems you just regained consciousness. I will have to inform the Headmaster. In the meantime I do believe we have much to discuss."

Albus briefly caught Appoline's curious gaze as he turned toward Harry. It seemed as if a massive weight hung on his shoulders as he sat opposite Harry and his eyes followed the young man's slight movements. Although he remained silent the future Headmaster appeared to guage his reaction.

Harry looked up to the impossibly white ceiling and closed his eyes with a languid sigh. "How long was I out? What happened in Hogsmeade?"

"Two days. The attack upon the town was meant to be a diversion. Gellert attempted to attack the Gringotts head branch only moments after the events in Hogsmeade transpired." Although he noticed Harry's surprised look he continued. "The attack was inevitably diverted. A few casualties still remain."

Harry traced his fingertips through his long raven colored hair as he grimaced slightly. Although the lightning bolt scar had mysteriously not affected him since the attacks in London Harry still absently rubbed his forehead in concern.

I haven't felt Voldemort's presence since the gate…

"The list of casualties could have been far larger if you had not intervened," the elderly wizard continued neutrally. "Armando also insisted that you performed a unique variation on the Patronus charm."

Appolline stared at Harry in surprise at this unusual revelation. The Patronus charm was a NEWT level spell and required an immense amount of focus to perform. Harry simply shrugged in response and averted his eyes from Albus.

"Why did you not heed the Headmaster's request? If it was not for the extensive healer population residing in Hogsmeade you would have perished that night." The harsh admonishment from the future Headmaster seemed so alien that Harry was almost at a loss for words.

"I just…reacted sir. I thought Appoline might be…" Harry trailed off a bit uncertainly as he turned his eyes toward Appoline. Her frown diminished slightly yet she continued to perform her various medical duties.

"I remember when I once acted so impetuously," Albus Dumbledore intoned somberly. "And it cost me the most important thing in my life. The greatest price for my actions was surviving and living with that grief."

Harry gazed in surprise at Albus' confession. This was the only time he had ever seen Dumbledore act so melancholy. A depressed Dumbledore was a uniquely disturbing sight.

The future Headmaster's somber mood lifted and his calculated gaze shifted to Appoline. With a barely discernible twirl of his wand the ambient sound in the infirmary vanished and the privacy charm became active. Albus shifted imperceptively in the uncomfortable chair and his hardened gaze fell upon the Potter heir.

"What did it feel like? Did you feel the influence?"

Harry wore a confused expression as Albus waited impatiently for a response. "I don't think I know what you mea-"

Albus waved his hand irritably and affixed Harry with a disappointed look. "Did you feel any change in your emotions when you tapped into the Spectrum?!"

"I…err…what is a Spectrum…sir?

"What?!" Albus recoiled in surprise and stared at Harry for a few moments. He exhaled slowly and shifted a critical gaze toward the teen wizard. "Your ignorance will be the death of you."

Harry shook slightly with indignation and the blood red symbols upon the unusual bandages began to slowly pulse with an ethereal light.

"But we won in Hogsmeade!"

Albus snorted in derision. "One does not qualify multiple near death experiences as a victory."

Harry began to speak yet noticed the disappointed look on the future headmaster's face. "It is miraculous that you did not get yourself or others killed with your actions," Albus admonished Harry as he stared coldly at the bed-ridden teen. "I can only hope that your emotions have not begun to influence you yet."

Harry shook his head vigorously and stared back at Albus in defiance. "But I've been able to control it! It's still my magic!"

Albus frowned and raised his voice in slight anger. "You are a naïve fool if you truly believe you can control this power. The backlash of energy from the Spectrum nearly killed the group of healers that saved your life. It was necessary to layer suppression wards upon the embedded wand shards in your arms simply in order for the healers to be able to reach you."

Harry bristled at the criticisms and began to speak when Appoline looked at him with a pleading face. He closed his mouth yet cast an angry look toward the future Headmaster. Albus ignored the angry looks and turned toward Harry. "If you are to be my apprentice I will need to administer an examination to deduce your proficiency and abilities."

He sighed and nodded in acceptance. Appoline remained silent but was casting incredulous looks toward the pair. An apprenticeship to one of the most powerful wizards in British magical society was an extremely rare opportunity; even more so considering the teen's relative obscurity.

The younger Dumbledore nodded slightly and stood up suddenly; ignoring the incredulous looks the raven haired young man was throwing his way. "You are a danger to yourself and anyone in your vicinity because of the stone's influence. Your performance in Hogsmeade showed potential; however it nearly killed you in the process."

Appoline shifted in her chair in surprise. "What stone? What do you mean?" The French witch stared at Dumbledore in confusion as Harry averted his eyes from the Headmaster's.

"A standard Auror examination will be able to discern the extent of your abilities," Dumbledore replied as he ignored the mediwitch and continued to stare at Harry. "I expect you to be ready to engage in magical training in 15 minutes."

He spared a small nod toward Appoline as he walked toward the infirmary entrance. He stopped a foot from the door with his hand on the handle.

"Ms. Delacour… do not interfere. We will begin Mr. Ropett's evaluation immediately. I will contact the Ministry and request an Auror liaison to be outfitted in 15 minutes." Albus opened the door and paused as he turned back to Harry with a neutral expression. "I expect you to be dressed and in the Headmaster's office in exactly that time. Do not be late."

Albus did not wait for a confirmation before he disappeared and closed the door loudly. The silence charm dropped and Appoline let out a sigh as Harry continued to stare at the spot Albus stood only a few seconds to go.

What happened to Professor Dumbledore? He's never treated me like this.

"I daresay...trouble does indeed to follow you my dear."

The voice startled Harry from his thoughts and he turned toward it quickly. "Ma-Madame Pomfrey?!"

The older mediwitch looked exactly as she had when he first met her in the London Underground; immaculately pressed medical clothing and an amused yet inquiring gaze on her face.

Doris sighed softly and turned her gaze toward the bedridden young man. "I apologize for Professor Dumbledore's…temperament. Although he may seem outwardly cold; I assure you that he is one of the most talented teachers that Hogwarts has ever had."

The elderly witch stood slowly and headed to the opposite side of the room. She tilted her head toward Appoline and a small smile curved on her worn face. "Please accompany Mr. Ropett to the Headmaster's office when he is sufficiently prepared. You will be excused from duty today as per my request. Please do not be late; Albus does not generally tolerate tardiness." With a final glance and knowing smile toward the two she quietly exited the curtains and turned toward another patient in the room.

Appoline turned to Harry with an unreadable expression and handed him a nondescript set of old fashioned Auror trainee robes.

"The headmaster has provided you with these training robes. I will wait outside for you."

As he took the clothes from Appoline and slowly stood up Appoline averted her eyes and bit her lower lip nervously. It seemed as if she was about to say something him yet turned away and closed the curtains around his bed. Harry shrugged helplessly as a confused expression shifted onto his face.

What was all that about?

Within a few minutes Harry emerged from the curtains and headed over to where Appoline was waiting impatiently. Her eyes slowly traveled over the uniform that draped on his form before settling on his right arm. The sleeve had been ripped up to the elbow and hastily hemmed with a sloppy bit of magic. At her inquiring gaze Harry smirked slightly.

"I can deal with the itchy wool but the wrist holster was in the way. Don't even really need it now to tell you the truth."

He flexed his right hand tentatively as a the faint red symbols emitted a small pulse of light. Harry chuckled to himself and gave Appoline a very Sirius-like grin as he brushed his red tinted fingers through his long raven hair. Appoline's mouth twitched upward slightly and she seemed to try to control a smile from emerging on her face.

"Hmph. Well, let us depart. The headmaster is waiting for you."

The walk to the Headmaster's office was uneventful, yet Appoline still continued to glance in Harry's direction occasionally. Although Harry knew the way to the office by heart he still lingered a pace behind Appoline. As he passed a few lingering students Harry glanced at their old fashioned uniforms and hairstyles. The younger students eyed him with curiosity and a bit of trepidation. It was not every day that an Auror walked the halls of Hogwarts flanked by a beautiful mediwitch; especially an Auror that young.

The castle seemed unchanged yet the paintings on the walls were different from what he remembered. Shaking his head of the memories they soon arrived at the bottom of the familiar stone steps. As he proceeded to head up the spiral staircase Harry stopped in front of the familiar stone gargoyle that protected the entrance into the Headmaster's office. A puzzled look shifted on his face as he realized that no one had given him the password. The gargoyle continued to stare at Harry with a neutral expression as it awaited the password.

Maybe Canary Creams? Or Ice Mice? Chocolate Fr…wait that was the last one…

As he pondered the password the sound of a pair of muffled voices rose and changed in pitch and volume. A sudden crash in the office intrigued him and Harry cupped an ear to the heavy mahogany door.

"What are you doing?! You can't eavesdrop on the Headmaster!" Appoline hissed at Harry with a disapproving gaze yet he just smiled mischievously and put a finger to his lips in silence.

Horace Slughorn recoiled in surprise and sat back in his chair as a flash of guilt momentarily surfaced on his face; which was replaced by an unreadable expression an instant later. "You don't believe-"

"It was always possible my dear friend, just improbable." Armando slowly walked back toward the desk and sat down gingerly with a sigh.

"Even I have my doubts as to Rubeus' involvement in this matter. Albus may have been correct in his estimations."

"But the boy was a prodigy! One in a lifetime!" His normally jubilant voice was strained with emotion as he cast his eyes upon the figures dwelling in the portraits. "You don't think…"

"Yes. Tom may indeed have been the real mastermind behind the attacks. Albus has given me evidence of his parseltongue abilities."

Horace looked at Armando with a clouded look in his nervous eyes. "The only one who could have…."

"Exactly. Only a parseltongue would have been able to access the Chamber itself." Armando peered at Horace over his bifocals for a few moments before clearing his throat lightly. "I can only hope that any knowledge he gained in the Chamber will not propel him to action in this conflict. Grindelwald has already proven to be quite capable by himself. I can only imagine what will happen if he is able to influence our former ward."

Horace's eyes widened a fraction and an alarmed look flashed upon his face. "He…he is still a schoolchild Armando! It shouldn't be possible!"

The headmaster's retort was interrupted by a soft ringing that came from the large stone fireplace across the room. Armando sighed deeply and grabbed a pinch of powder that rested in the dish. "Regardless, I do believe we should exercise caution and be open to any number of possibilities," replied the headmaster with a tone of finality as he threw the powder into the fire. It began to glow with a warm green glow and a soft light shown briefly.

"Understood…Headmaster." As Horace stood up the nervous look left his face and was replaced by a jovial smile. Had Armando taken a closer look he would have noticed that the smile never extended to his eyes. He paused a moment a moment as his hand rested upon the door handle. "If there is anything I can be of service please contact me."

As Slughorn grasped the door handle and swung the door open a surprised raven haired teen stumbled into the room. Behind him stood a bemused mediwitch who stood with her hands crossed and an exasperated look on her face.

Harry scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Um…sorry sir! I didn't know the passw-"

"Nonsense my boy!" Slughorn's jovial bulk shook slightly as a calculating gaze shifted onto Harry. "So this is Dumbledore's new project. I say…it is refreshing to see a young man with this much exuberance."

Harry simply stared at the unusual wizard and nodded absentmindedly. With a final calculating glance at Harry Slughorn moved past the two teens and closed the door behind him.

"Ahh…Harry it is good to see you have recovered. I see that Miss Delacour has taken good care of you since the events that took place in Hogsmeade." Armando gazed at the two and motioned for them to sit. Harry stared at the unfamiliar portraits that peered at him with thinly veiled curiosity. His eyes swept across the room until he saw the empty roost where Dumbledore's stoic phoenix normally rest. A solitary red feather lay in the bottom and for a moment a small surge of energy pulsed in unison with the shards in his hand. Harry looked up suddenly yet Appoline and the Headmaster remained oblivious to the magic. Shaking his head Harry absentmindedly rubbed his right hand.

As Armando was about to speak a chime sounded from the green hued fireplace and Albus stepped out purposefully with a thoughtful expression. A second later another younger figure stepped from the fire and stopped next to Albus with a traditional Auror salute. His blonde sandy hair sat messily upon his head and a pair of light brown eyes swept the room and the occupants; only hesitating for a moment as he beheld the seated French Veela. He looked completely different from Harry's memories of the man yet the same unmistakable smirk sat on his face.

It…it can't be…

"Albus I was expecting you." Armando peered at Harry and nodded. "It seems as if everyone is assembled."

Dumbledore nodded at the Auror and turned toward the Headmaster. "This will be a modified Auror examination. I will be administering the test; the Ministry has provided a qualified Auror to test our applicant." He turned to his compatriot and smiled slightly. "This is-"

"Auror Alastor Moody." The young man replied proudly and Harry noticed a shiny new Auror badge on his robes. It was evident that the man was just recently promoted into the Auror corps. Dumbledore glanced to his left and a small proud smile crept up onto his face.

Merlin's left nut! It really is Mad-Eye!

Dumbledore coughed and caught the teen's attention. "Auror Moody will test your dueling technique and I will proctor. Miss Delacour will attend as medical support." Harry gulped as Albus stared at him with an unreadable expression. Mad-Eye spared him another curious glance and noticed his unusual Auror attire yet remained silent.

"Are you sufficiently prepared Mr. Ropett?" Armando peered at Harry over his bifocals and stifled a grin. The teen looked like a deer in front of a pair of headlights.

Harry composed himself and nodded. A mere fifteen minutes later the assembled group stood around a traditional dueling ring in a room Harry had never seen. The room arranged itself automatically and silently. Harry dropped into the circular pit and looked up into the expectant faces of the assembled crowd. Armando sat silently with an inquisitive gaze while Aberforth sat stoically next to the Headmaster. As Harry's eyes passed over the elder Dumbledore the wizard smiled and nodded in support. Albus stood on an official's platform and was placing additional wards upon the dueling pit. As Harry walked up to the raised dais in the center of the pit he paused momentarily and turned toward Appoline. The concerned look on her face faltered as Harry smiled at her and mouthed 'I'll be fine' silently. The Veela shook her head and cast one more unreadable expression before Harry turned back toward Alastor.

Harry stood in the center of the sandy pit and faced what would eventually become one of the greatest Dark Arts hunters in history. The two wizards stared at each other unflinchingly. Dumbledore finished his preparations and looked down imperiously at the duo.

"Please bow." Alastor immediately bowed quickly and Harry mimicked his actions. Dumbledore nodded at both duelists and raised his wand in front of his chest.

"Wands at the ready."

Alastor removed his wand and held it in a standard Auror stance and looked curiously at the raven haired wizard. Harry didn't reach for a wand and dropped his knees slightly into a position Sirius had taught him. Alastor's curiousity turned to confusion when Harry simply flexed his right hand slowly in preparation.

"European Standard non-lethal dueling rules apply." Dumbledore stood slowly and held his wand at chest level. With a flourish the future Headmaster swung his wand downward in a flash of red sparks.

"Begin!"

*I apologize for the massive delay. I have just returned from visiting my family abroad and I did not have a chance to upload any new chapters. As soon as I finish editing and smoothing out the transitions I will be uploading another few chapters. As always please review so it will give me motivation to complete this story and improve my writing style. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners (Treyarch & J.K. Rowling respectively). The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.