Hollow
A voice screaming from within,
Begging just to feel again
Can't find who I am without you near me
I'd give anything to live
Cause without you I don't exist
You're the only one who saves me from myself
I abandoned this love and laid it to rest
And now I'm the one of the forgotten
I'm not, I'm not myself
Feel like I'm someone else
Fallen and faceless
So hollow, hollow inside
A part of me is dead
Need you to live again
Can you replace this
I'm hollow, hollow and faceless
Shadows growing in my mind
Ones I just can't leave behind
I'm not strong enough to pay this ransom
One more monster crawled inside
But I swear I saw it die
Can you save me from the nothing I've become
Red – Faceless Lyrics (I've listen to this song a bunch of times and the song gave me the idea to write this story. The story has it's downside I know, but It will get better. Please note that Harry is a bit dark right now and a emotional wreck. It's not something he can just simply recover from.
Chapter 10: The Forsaken
Daphne stares at the spot where the weirdest house-elf once appeared before her. She finally learned his name was 'Dobby' and Harry Potter sent Dobby to her to inform her to be at the hidden room tonight after dinner at six thirty.
Daphne sighs and looks in the widow where the great lake was reflecting the dark green colors in her common room.
Professor Umbridge, despite receiving more than thousand howlers and curse letters was still at Hogwarts. However Umbridge manage to convince the Minister of Magic to have all letters screen that was going in and going out. That meant Professor Umbridge was no longer receiving letters and she could breathe once again.
Daphne sighs as she made her way to Potions. Professor Snape said nothing but nods his head as once again she made a perfect potion. Snape smiles at her and she looks to see Harry making his potion. Once again it was perfect.
Harry made no motion that he knew Daphne was staring at him. Daphne returns to her work and the question she had once again begin to surface. The question she needed answer. She hope Harry would answer it tonight.
The bell rang as Professor Snape gave the failed students more homework. Daphne and Tracy did fine and Draco was finally getting the hint that his performance need to pick up or he would failed.
Daphne sighs as she heads to lunch and sits down with Tracy ignoring her classmates. Once again, Harry Potter was not in the Great Hall eating with the rest of the students. This made her worry that Harry was only pushing further and further away from everyone. She was also beginning to wonder if there was more going on then what Dumbledore said.
True to her word, she hasn't told anyone about how Harry tortured her. She was slowly coming to terms with what happened, but in many ways, Harry scared her greatly. He was someone who she did not want to get on the bad side of.
It seem Harry was sticking to his routine and not let anyone know where he went or spend his time with.
This of course frustrated Umbridge to no ends. She overheard Malfoy saying that Professor Umbridge was promising any student who could tell her where Potter was disappearing to would graduate Hogwarts with a guarantee job in the Ministry on the second level.
Daphne lips were sealed shut, she wasn't about to tell anyone where Harry was disappearing to. If Harry was right about the Room of Requirements, then no one would be able to find him. She also began to wonder what curse Harry place on the parchment they all signed.
She knew the only way it would activate would be if someone did break the rules Harry set which was to keep quiet about what they were doing.
Daphne sighs and wonder how her life got to be so complicated.
Daphne, Tracy and Astoria were walking up the stairs which was a common route for Slytherin's to head to the library. It was a good route before Daphne made sure they weren't being followed and lead Astoria and Tracy up towards the seventh floor.
The found the statue without a problem but Daphne knew at once Harry was standing there in his invisibility cloak. Tracy and Astoria had no clue he was there. Daphne paused and smiled that the thought of having the two of them get spook again after they were teasing her relentlessly about chasing Potter.
"You know we weren't followed." Daphne said. Tracy and Astoria looks puzzled at Daphne as she was smiling.
"I know." Harry said as he appeared behind them leaning on the wall. Once again, Daphne smiled as Tracy and Astoria jumps and looks at Harry who was standing by the wall they had just pass.
"How do you do that?" Tracy demanded. Harry gave her a sly smile that said he wasn't telling.
"Go inside." Harry said nudging his head towards his right side. Daphne was starting to wonder how the room even was able to appear when she walk past this room before but the room remain hidden.
Walking inside Tracy and Astoria were mesmerize how the room looked. Daphne wasn't sure if Potter had something to do with it, or if the Room itself was doing it, but it was upgrade to the point where it not only had enough space for thirty people, but it had even more than the time she was in here when Potter first showed her. Daphne immediately walks up to the bookcase and looks at all the books. There had to be hundreds of books.
She grabs a book on Occlumency, Healing Magic, and defensive spells. She sits down and immediately begins to read. Tracy and Astoria also looked at the books and grabs a couple.
One by one, students began to appear and like her reaction, they were amaze at the room.
"What is this place?" Angelina Johnson asks the moment she walks in.
"Harry says it's called the Room of Requirements." Daphne says behind her book.
"Weird, Fred and I have been in here once before. But this room was a broom cupboard that hid us from Flitch." George said.
"It's so weird, I've never seen a room like this before." Katie Bell said.
Daphne said nothing but when the Ravenclaws walked in, they immediately walked up to the bookcase and grabbed any book that had their interest. This place was clearly heaven.
When the last student walks in, Harry walks in and the door vanishes. Clearly the room was now hiding them.
"Thank you all for showing up. I know despite being in different houses that we have a hard time getting together."
"What is this place?" Marietta Edgecombe asks.
"It's called the Room of Requirements, it basically a room that will appear if a user has real need of it." Harry said.
"How do you open it?" Marietta asks eagerly.
"I'm not saying." Harry said with a sly smile. Marietta look suddenly very angry.
"Anyway, I've been thinking about what to teach you and…."
"Um Harry." Cho suddenly said. A dark look came across Harry's face as he looks at Cho.
"Yes?" Harry said as calmly as he could.
"I was thinking, I mean, I know you're the leader and all… but should we have a name? Something to fall on in case we need to talk about what we learn. That way when we do talk about our lessons, it can be done so no one will know what we are talking about." Cho said.
"The Potter League?" Fred said and several students laughed.
"Or how about Children of Liberation? C.o.L. for short?" Angelina Johnson said.
"A name for a group such as ours has to be not only about our goals, but who we are." Harry said.
"The most well-known society is the Death Eaters." Daphne said. "The reason behind this is simple, where they go, they leave death behind them. Hence the reason for their name."
"This little group is also going to be rebellious. I'm not just talking about right now, but also in the future. Even if Voldemort and his Death Eaters go public and the war starts all over again, there is no doubt that will be force to operate underground. Almost like we'll be cast out and…"
"Forsaken." Daphne said interrupting Harry.
"What?" Harry said in confusion.
"Forsaken. Doesn't it mean that we are those who have been abandoned by others? Isn't that what we are?" Daphne said.
"It would send a powerful message as well." Astoria said.
"What you mean?" Neville said.
"Think about it, if we children of the magical world are calling themselves Forsaken, then it would mean that we feel we've been cast out by others, that we are no longer welcome. Even if this group is every discovered, the name itself would mean that we are…" Astoria said.
"Outcast." Neville said before Astoria finished.
"It's a good name. George and I can even start a rumor of the Forsaken. That way it can spread without a direct source."
"Hiding in plain sight." Harry said.
"So, do we agree to be called Forsaken?" Daphne said.
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
"Okay, now I know we can't meet weekly on the same, so I made these." Harry said as he grabs two bowls on the shelves. Inside was a necklace and bracelet. They looked ordinary to Daphne.
"These have some spells on them. They also can't be removed by anyone and can only come off by the person who puts them on. Their best feature, is that I cast a Protean charm on them. This way, we can be in touch with everyone in here, no matter where we are. You can pass message's to each other that will be sent to everyone in case we're in trouble. I have the master bracers and necklace. This way I can tell you all about the date and times we are meeting. The bracers come with common spells that will protect you from some poisons and minor spells. The necklace, I have charm to detect anything to do with dark magic and will burn if anyone with the Dark Mark is near you. The necklace will also provide some magical protection from any mind controlling spells. I'm still working on it to repel the Imperius Curse."
Everyone was staring at him in shock.
"You are attempting to repel the Imperius Curse with magic?" Terry Boot squeak out.
"Yeah, I'm trying to make the three unblockable curses blockable." Harry said as everyone was staring at him with wide eyes.
"Anyways as to what we are doing, I've decided to teach you some basics first. Seeing how not many of you are experience in dueling or understand the concept of dueling. In this case, we're going to practice the disarming charm."
"Oh please." Zacharias Smith said rolling his eyes. "I doubt the disarming charm will be as much help against You-Know-Who."
"If you think its beneath you, then you are free to leave and not learn anything. The disarming charm could be useful if you use it correctly, right Miss Edgecombe?" Harry asks with a grin on his face.
Marietta looks down remember how Harry cast the disarming charm on her causing her to lose her wand before hitting her with a cutting curse that split her arm.
"When are we going to learn real spells to defend ourselves with?" Smith demanded.
"When I know you can handle simple spells. It's dangerous to cast a spell of great power when you can't control it. Until I know you can control the simplest defensive spells, then I'll teach you all the stronger spells."
"You're holding us back." Smith said.
"Do you think it's easy, just casting a spell at someone and you get the results? You need to face reality. Witches and wizards have killed themselves more times when they attempt to cast spells they are not ready for then in duels because of the fact they go for spells the do not understand or can control. Some of you who are in my year, I know have really never been in a duel."
"I take it practicing spell work doesn't count?" Padma Patil said.
"No. Dueling and practicing spell work isn't the same. There is a huge difference. The gap can be said as deep as the Black Lake. Also, magical exhaustion is a key factor here. You start handling spells your body have never performed, then I can tell you all right now, some of you may die immediately."
"Harry's right." Katie Bell said. "Think about it your guys, since arriving at Hogwarts in your first year, did you start learning spells like you are today or did you deal with simple spell work? I believe Harry is saying the same principle applies here."
"There is more to dueling than just throwing spells around. It's not that simple. I can think of few Death Eaters who are actually skilled duelist. Their most common attack, is surprise. They like to launch sudden attacks that catches their victims off guard. However, not all Death Eaters will enter a long range duel. However those that do, will do everything they can to kill you. Before we get into anything else and start learning how to really defend ourselves, I need your bodies to get use to the magic that you will be casting when dueling."
Everyone was listening couldn't fault Harry's logic. He has since coming to Hogwarts fought for his life. He has also been in constant fights with Malfoy since they met.
"Right, get into pairs and focus on removing the object you want to remove from the person across from you. In this case, their wands. A true master of this spell and send the object flying anywhere they want. I have used this many times and I have become even send my opponent's wand into my hand. I don't expect you all to grasp it tonight, but do the best you can." Harry said.
It was perhaps the most fun they've had since the start of term. Harry walks round the room as everyone was paired up and he stop them from causing any permanent damage. Even giving them helpful tips to preform even better. After two hours, everyone was on the ground with sweat falling from their faces.
No one complain as they realize Harry's decision to teach them basic was of course the right choice.
"Rest up, the moment you are good to go, head back to your dorms." Harry said.
"Hey Harry…" Neville said as he looks at Harry.
"Yeah?" Harry asks.
"I was wondering. You haven't slept in Gryffindor Tower since the first night back at Hogwarts. Have you've been sleeping here?"
"You haven't been sleeping the rest of the Gryffindor's" Susan Bones said in shocked.
"No, I am or should say to be precise, I no longer feel welcome in Gryffindor Tower." Harry said.
"Why?" Luna asks clearly curious.
"There are things I have to do on my own, I really can't be around other people. Anyway, go to your dorms before you all get in trouble for being out of bounds." Harry said.
Daphne didn't move and waited for everyone else to leave. When they were alone, Harry didn't look surprise to see her there.
"I'm not surprise Daphne, you had the look like you wanted to speak to me." Harry said in a calm tone of voice.
"There is something on my mind that has been bugging me. I really don't want to ask it, but I feel I have to." Daphne said.
"What is it?"
"Why did you torture me?" Daphne asks.
Harry paused and looks at her.
"I guess I was at my breaking point. I was attack twice within the first week since the school year has started. Then I had to go through my detention with Umbridge, who was using methods of torture herself. The only reason I can really think of is because I was venting all my frustrations on you. Mostly because I believe you were attempting to harm me." Harry said.
"Do you believe what Dumbledore said, about the…"
"Hard to say." Harry said as he grabs a chair and seats down. Daphne began to see how weary Harry was beginning to look.
"Since my first year, there has always been that desire to harm others who have hurt me. I believe the Horcrux has been feeding off the magic in the school and off myself as I use spells. It has also, been growing in strength. The Occlumency has been helping, but I do not believe I can stop it from influencing me. This has also got me wondering, if the Horcrux isn't just trap inside of me… I cannot help but wonder if it's also a part of me."
"That's why you want to be left alone. Even before Dumbledore told you about it, you left Gryffindor Tower because you were ready to explode and attack whoever it was who was attacking you."
Harry looks at her, once again a small look of surprise was on his face.
"Yes." Harry said in a soft voice.
"Then the reason why you tortured me?" Daphne asks.
"I cannot fully answer that. For I can't just blame the Horcrux." Harry said. "I truly do not know if it was my own desire to hurt you, or the Horcrux itself. I just don't know." Harry said. "The truth is, I really don't know what is me anymore, and what is the Dark Lord."
Daphne said nothing, once again she was amaze by the sheer strength and willpower Harry had. However his words echoed in her head. Was it his own strength that he was using… or the Dark Lord's?
"Daphne." Harry suddenly said breaking her out of her train of thought. "Hold out your hand." Harry said.
Daphne hesitated but did so. Harry lift his right hand up and with his left grabs a small knife and slices his right palm and places it on her hand.
"I swear to you, I will never hurt you again... directly or indirectly." Harry said.
Daphne's eyes open so wide she realized Potter just place a deadly curse on himself. A curse, if he should break it, would kill him... Horcrux or not.
Author Notes: How do you guys like this chapter. As Harry explains, he can't be sure if the Horcrux itself was influencing him to torture Daphne or it was because he was venting his frustrations out on her. Some of you guys are questioning me for having Harry torture Daphne, but I never like the idea that the Horcrux inside Harry remain dormant all of his life. In other words, everything that Harry feels that the Horcrux can relate to, feeds off of it and sends those emotions like a tidal wave inside of Harry. It would make sense if the Dark Lord was back and the Horcrux was in a way, attempting to return to its master.