Phoenix Tears Rising
An Alternate Year Six Book
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and characters associated with his world belong to JK Rowling. No financial gain is being made from this story – only hours of enjoyment.
Chapter Seven. Colliding Head Long Into Trouble
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Gryffindor Boy's Bathroom, 10th November 1996: 07:01am
Harry stood stoically by the mirror in the boy's bathroom, refusing to look away from his deep set emerald orbs. He stared himself down ignoring the not so subtle signs of exhaustion. He had been feeling a mess since Snape had solved his riddle for him. Well to be completely truthful it was in the last few days that reality suddenly hit him. Before that it had been too far removed from his understanding that his situation seemed surreal. Now however he had submitted to the inevitable.
Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had been right about him in some degrees. He was a freak of science, conceived and born unlike any other wizard or witch. He was a monster and worse yet he was viewed as a weapon. And that was likely the reason Voldemort hunted him so passionately. He vaguely wondered what Dumbledore would think of him if only he new his little secret… Indeed did Albus Dumbledore know of his dubious parentage and neglect to tell him? Snape after all had known all along and had his mother's diary. Dumbledore surely would have had suspicions at the very least and the old man had failed to tell him once again.
Harry slapped the cool surface of the mirror uselessly in frustration and bit his lip so that he would not scream in anger. The other Gryffindor boys had noticed that Harry had been 'off' and were teasing him about turning in a moody Slytherin. 'If only they knew,' Harry thought with a groan before turning back into the dormitory.
Harry stopped by his bed glaring at the innocent looking cover of his mother's diary. How could she have been so stupid as to drink the potion? That he could never comprehend. He had also been told his mother had been a bright witch… he was starting to have his doubts.
Still glaring at the diary like it had committed a terrible treason he scooped it up and marched towards the Gryffindor Common Room. It was still early no one would take much notice and perhaps he could get started on reading his mother's secrets.
Immediately Harry found a comfortable chair and sat back and opened the diary. He flicked the first page his stomach turning to putty just thinking about how much further his life could possibly go down the drain…
'I'm pregnant or so Severus Snape tells me. I think he was trying to break the news gently but as to be expected he failed brilliantly. James is still fuming in the bathroom…'
Harry snorted well that was something he had in common with his 'adopted' father.
'It's not mine. Not James'. No this seed. This parasite that is growing inside of me is the progeny of two long dead wizards. This is the fact which has flailed me to the core.'
Harry brushed his hand across his eyes in an attempt to rid himself of the burning tears that refused to fall from his eyes. He bit down on his lip to stop himself from making a sound. Despite his efforts a lonely sob escaped his throat… He felt cold inside with the realisation not even Lily Evans had wanted a monster like himself.
'One mistake and now I'm knocked up, my life turning to ashes around me. I cannot begin to express my regret. Everything is ruined. My wedding, my relationship with James and even the way my parents look at me is different. The parasite should be adopted out when born… I cannot be its care taker…'
That was as far as Harry got before his vision was completely blurred by tears. He slapped the book shut and pulled off his glasses which had fogged up due to his tears. He felt outrage and anger but most of all he was feeling very sick in the stomach.
Clutching his hands to his belly he felt a strange pulling at his navel. He closed his eyes and gave a short inarticulate cry of surprise as a tingling pain erupted over his body…
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Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Entrance Hall, 15th November 1060: 07:45am
Godric Gryffindor the hero of the wild moors, glanced over at his silent companion. They had little luck in finding out how the potion vial with their stolen blood had been 'misplaced'. Even with Lord Saladin Slytherin's intimidating presence was unable to make anyone speak.
The aide of one Rowena Ravenclaw had been sought. The brilliant witch and co-founder of the prestigious school had not been too much help. This Salazar found ironic. The only option Rowena had given the male founders was to use a complex summoning spell, which Godric was against.
This summoning spell had not been used since the time of Merlin… Who knew how many laws they would be breaking if they were found out? In Salazar's opinion the likelihood of breaking any laws was improbable. They had to be found to be in trouble. Godric was not so sure.
Without speaking to one another they stood facing each other and clasped hands before starting to murmur a spell in the ancient tongue.
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SMACK!
Harry found himself inevitably kissing cold grey stones with his nose, which by the way he was sure he had broken. Groaning he rolled himself over and pulled himself to his feet. He touched his nose gingerly with the tips of his fingers just to make sure it was still there. It was.
"Halt there!"
Harry froze and blinked furiously. One part of his mind comprehended that there were two strangely dressed wizards racing towards him with their wands out ready to attack. The second part of Harry's mind was blank: he knew he should take the opportunity to run in the opposite direction but he just could not move.
Harry blinked again to find that he had been thoroughly trapped by the strangers. They had flanked him effectively cutting off any escape route. Their wands were pressing at the skin of his neck which was surprisingly tender.
Harry blinked again and again. "Where am I?" he asked gazing from one wizard to the other.
His question was ignored so he repeated it. "Where am I and who the hell are you?"
"I think the questions that are imprudent whelp, is who are you, who are you spying for and how did you apparate on the hallowed grounds of Hogwarts?"
Harry blinked slowly and sneered at the tall regal man in green robes. "Everyone knows you can't apparate into Hogwarts," he drawled at once wondering why he felt so defensive. A moment later he was none too gently reminded of the wands pressed at his throat.
Something caught Harry's eye to take his mind of his immediate danger. His mother's diary had followed him and was precariously floating above one of his captor's head. The said captor was too busy analysing him to notice Harry's attention was not on him.
"Er…" Harry said holding up his hand to half warn his captor of the heavy tome that was about to knock him unconscious.
"Enough!"
The diary came down with at horrible thwack. The green wizard's eyes rolled in the back of his head comically before he crumbled to the ground. Harry's eyes darted to the other captor who was staring at his fallen comrade to the book in shock.
"Nevermind…" Harry continued weakly before turning around and darting away. He had to get away from his whacked up version of Hogwarts.
"Come back here!" an angry voice yelled after him.
Harry continued to flee laughing slightly at the thrill of the case. Despite the racing of his beating heart Harry had enjoyed taking advantage of his captors. He felt so energised. So alive…
Harry's racing footsteps took him to a place that did remind him of Hogwart's Entrance Hall. He didn't dwell on the fact that it seemed different he concentrated on fleeing for his young life. He was of the belief he was too young to die.
Two ladies who were walking together gossiping glanced up in concern as they saw Harry darting towards them. "Excuse me ladies!" Harry cried darting right underneath their arms which were laden with baskets.
"STOP HIM!" came one of his captor's yells.
"Oh dear," one lady sighed. "We let him get away…"
Harry glanced over his shoulder to see the captor with crimson and gold robes slid to a stop beside the women and pulling out his wand.
"This is not good…"
The wizard fired a hex at Harry, narrowly missing his head.
"Definitely not good," Harry amended between clenched teeth.
What Harry failed to see was the other wizard clad in green soon joined his friends and stop the red clothed wizard from firing any more potentially hazardous spells. Hence allowing Harry to escape… temporarily…
Harry ran all the way to the small town of Hogsmeade with the full intention of writing a note for help and owling someone to rescue him. There was nothing worse than being in a terrible situation and being alone in said situation.
Harry didn't stop to admire the fine little wooden signs hanging up by chains outside the doors of the shops or to ponder how sparse Hogsmeade was. It was much smaller than what Harry remembered but he dared not tarry in case someone else had it in for him for some imagined crime.
The owlary was not difficult for Harry to find. It was a small decaying tower of cold grey stone with a wooden sign of an owl by the entrance. He entered still puffing and brushing himself off.
"Yes 'ir?"
Harry smiled wryly at the clerk hunched over a woodened table that served him as a desk.
"I like some parchment to write a note and an owl to take it to… er London."
For a long moment the clerk stared at Harry with large toad like eyes. Finally he blinked once and scratched the bald patch on his head. "Me name's Fredrick Ball and yer nae from around these parts," the clerk, Fredrick said looking at Harry's clothes with distaste. "What be yer name laddie."
Harry's mind raced he needed a name.
"I take it yer have a name to go by, boy."
"Er… yes," Harry murmured quickly. "And it's a good one too!" Harry wished he could have slapped his forehead after such a stupid comment. Fredrick's eyes never left Harry's blushing face he was still waiting for a name.
"Albert Bell..." Harry spurted digging into his pockets hoping to find some wizard currency. He pulled out two knuts and a galleon. "Will this do? Can I write my note now?"
Harry dropped the coins on the wooden table and for a moment the clerk's eyes were on the coins. Something flashed through the clerk's expression and Harry was not sure what it was.
"Right this way, boy."
Harry followed Fredrick through the small tower to a room. Fredrick pushed Harry through an open door way and up some stairs. "Write yer note 'ere. I'll go get yer me favourite owl. He'll get yer note to London very swift he will."
"Thanks," Harry said weakly taking in the musty state of the room. "I'll wait for your return then."
Fredrick nodded to himself as if he was deeply pleased and left the room swiftly.
Sighing heavily Harry composed a quick note pleading someone to rescue in from the demented Hogwarts. He finished his letter quickly and therefore decided to pace the room in agitation.
Harry had realised he was hungry and had spent all his money on delivering this note for help. He had strange people up at Hogwarts looking for him and Hogsmeade didn't look nearly as inviting as it had last time he had been there. Worse of all he didn't know what to do, or where to go.
Harry's pacing was soon disturbed by Fredrick and another hooded man entering the chamber. Something inside of Harry froze as the hooded stranger growled at him.
"What's the meaning of this?" Harry demanded in his very best intimating voice, which were lost on both the men standing at the doorway.
"Excellent, Fredrick," the hooded man growled throatily. Harry could see a horrid sneer forming on the hidden face but nothing more. "It must be him."
The hooded man stepped further into the chamber. Panicking Harry dived underneath his legs and sprinted down the hall. His legs moving quickly and machinelike but he was destined only to make the front door.
The hooded man was swift in response. With a roar of frustration and anger he leapt into the air and grappled Harry to the ground. Claw like hands held Harry's thrashing head still and Harry had to bite down a scream of fright as his eyes were locked to inhuman yellow eyes of his assailant.
"Silas Slytherin, such a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Harry's attacker gloated while sitting on top of Harry's chest to immobilise him.
Harry thrashed under the strange human like man wildly. "I'm not Silas Slytherin!" he protested.
"Ah…" the man sighed knowingly running a sharp jagged fingernail down Harry's cheeks. "But you have your grand sire's eyes."
"And such long elegant fingers and beautiful raven hair…" Dirty fingers raked through Harry's hair. For a moment Harry thought his hair was longer than what he was accustomed to but he banished that thought. He had something else to worry about that was more important than his hair.
"Please…" Harry begged struggling under his jailer's weight. "Please let me go."
Harry's captor had not such plan as to let him go. Eyes widening in horror Harry watched as he pulled out his wand and pressed it to his temple.
"Crucio!"
Harry bit down on his lips but the cruel white tendrils of pain were malicious with the wand touching his forehead. He was only able to hold in his screams for mere seconds before he was writhing in agony and screaming his throat raw.
The curse was lifted after what seemed like a millennia. "Confess – you are Silas Slytherin."
Harry lay whimpering on the floor. "Nooo I'm not," he protested weakly.
"Very well have it your way. CRUCIO!"
The pain flared across Harry's body. So much pain that he could barely twitch on the ground. His insides hurt terribly. His throat was blocked. He thought he was going to be physically sick over the pain.
And still the curse was held.
