Harry found himself once more in the large stone room. Grey smoke was all around him and it was impossible to see very far ahead. There was no laughing this time which he found to be quite a relief. He also felt a lot more calm and something about this place was familiar. It felt homely, like he was meant to be here.
He took several steps forward, walking into the grey smoke that danced around him. He could smell a fire burning from nearby and the chamber itself was quite hot. He walked several steps further into the room and the smoke began to disappear. The smoke rushed upwards where it hovered above his head and waited to descend once more.
The smoke had cleared from his vision of the rest of the room and he looked about him. It looked the same as the first time he entered this place. There was one wooden door on the far side of the room, except this time there was no robed guard. Curious, Harry walked up to the door and put his hand to the brass knob.
He turned it and was surprised to find the door unlocked. Harry felt his stomach lurch in anticipation and he pushed through the door. It easily swung open for him and he walked into another stone chamber. It was much darker in here and the only source of light came from a single torch that lay in the middle of the chamber. He couldn't tell how big the room was, but he hazard a guess that it was the size of the Great Hall.
Harry walked further into the room, towards the lone torch. The door suddenly slammed shut behind him and Harry turned abruptly to look. Then, out of the corner of his eye he saw a bright flash of red. Harry dodged the incoming spell with ease and pulled his own wand, looking for the threat. All he saw was shadow and he heard nothing.
Another green spell came from the back-right corner of the room. Harry dodged out of the way and caught a brief glimpse of a hooded man, bathed in the green light of his own spell. "What is this!" Harry shouted. A golden spell answered him from his left, taking Harry by surprise and nicking him on the shoulder. He felt pain shoot through his arm and saw his blood beginning to pool under the grey robe he was wearing.
"Fine." Harry muttered to himself. He began to go on the offensive, shooting every spell he could imagine towards the far-right corner. Another opponent seemed to enter this arena and began to fire off spells from behind Harry. That made for four opponents, more enemies at one time than Harry had ever fought before.
Harry twisted and turned as fast as he could, producing shields and dodging out of the way of his enemy's spells. Pain shot through his foot when a green spell cut deep into it, making it difficult to move. He was having trouble keeping up with these four hood men who played in the shadows of the room.
Becoming increasingly angry with not having the ability to fight back, instead just defending, Harry thought of the best way to turn the tables. 'Light!' He hissed. A bright golden light jetted from his wand and shot to the ceiling. It lit up the entire room and the four robed men shield their eyes from the sudden brightness. Harry took advantage of one, sending a quick cutting curse towards his head. It connected with the robed man's neck, but instead of a head rolling onto the floor, the robed man turned into black smoke.
Harry wasn't given any time to ponder it as his three remaining enemies launched back into their attacks. Handling three was easier than four and he was holding up better. His enemies weren't too terribly skilled and the curses they were using were easy to deflect and block. Eventually Harry downed another robed man who turned to smoke like his friend.
After a few quick minutes, Harry was able to defeat the remaining two robed men. He collapsed to the floor exhausted, sweat and blooding pooling underneath him. His shoulder and foot were bleeding heavily but he was too tired to care. Harry felt his vision begin to go black as darkness took him again.
His eyes fluttered open and he was back in his room in Hogwarts. His breathing was heavy and he was covered in sweat. He went to move but a pain shot through his arm and foot where his wounds in the dream were from. Harry looked at his shoulder and saw a small scar where he was hit in the dream. He rubbed it soothingly then put the pain out of his mind and stood up from his bed. These dreams he was having had to mean something, he was sure of it. But he would figure it out eventually, he was confident in that.
He took a quick shower before getting dressed for the day. After making sure that he looked presentable, he headed for the Slytherin common room. He saw Daphne sitting alone at a table reading a potions book. There was little other seating so Harry took a seat opposite her. She didn't look up from her book but she mumbled, "Did I say you could sit?"
"Do you care if I sit?" Harry asked as he pulled out a parchment and quill.
"We're not friends." Daphne said, looking up with an annoyed expression.
"And people who aren't friends can't sit together?"
She rolled her eyes, "I don't like you."
"That's a shame." Harry said with a smirk as he began to write an essay for transfiguration class. "And here I was about to tell you my great big secret."
Silence developed between the two which only lasted a short while. Harry's smirk grew wider with each passing second until he finally heard her words, "Spit it out, Potter."
"What?" Harry said, causing her to narrow her eyes.
"What secret?" She repeated through pursed lips.
Harry leaned across the table and she even leaned forward slightly. He looked around to make sure no one was looking. "I'm not-" He paused for a moment, savoring the curious glee on her face. He was only inches from her and being this close made his stomach somersault. "Exactly fond of pumpkin pastries." Harry almost laughed as her face fell and morphed into one of anger. "Just in case if you were wondering."
"I hate you." She said, her eyes as cold as ice.
"I know." Harry responded happily, turning back to his essay. Harry was actually surprised that she turned back to her own book instead of leaving the table altogether. When he glanced up, he noticed the corner of her lips were upturned in the beginnings of a smile. They sat in silence for a while longer, content in the company they shared for the moment.
Harry felt a slender hand run up his neck which sent a shiver down his spine. Then a pair of soft lips brushed his cheek. "How are you, my betrothed." Eva said, sitting down in the chair next to him. She was quite good at playing the part of them being a happy couple, he had to give her that. Harry glanced at Daphne, though he wasn't sure why, and noticed a small frown formed on her lips.
"I'm good. And you?" Harry asked, looking back at Eva.
"Never better." She looked around the common room. "Though this place could use some touching up."
"Not all of us were born in a castle." Daphne muttered, but it was just loud enough for Harry and Eva to hear. She looked up realizing she had said it out loud and her face turned red. "Er, sorry." She looked more flustered than when she had originally slammed into him on the seventh floor after trying to follow him.
Eva smiled politely at her. "I can get used to it."
Daphne apologized under her breath and began to throw her things into a bag. "Where are you headed?" Harry asked.
She gave him a pointed stare. "I have class."
"It's a Saturday." Harry responded.
"It doesn't matter where I go, Potter." Daphne snapped. She stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder, "I'm going." She then left quickly, heading out of the common room. Harry's eyes trailed after her and he simply shrugged, turning back to Eva.
Eva looked back at Daphne before turning back to Harry as well. "Am I getting in the way of something between you two?" She asked curiously.
Harry felt the beginnings of a blush form on his cheeks and he did his best to hide it. "No, no. She and I don't always get a long, is all." Harry said far more quickly than he would have liked. He wasn't sure why he was now flustered, but that question caught him off guard. It was a weird and unsettling feeling, one he didn't want to have again.
"Well, good." She said, grabbing his hand and dragging him to his feet. "I think we should head to breakfast then you and I can finish that tour of the castle." She gave him a wink, making Harry's lips curl into a smile. The last tour truly was great fun and he would be lying if he said he wasn't interested in giving another.
Harry tapped his parchment and quill with his wand and they went flying back into his room along with his book bag. Eva then looped her arm through his and they headed out of the Slytherin common room. The sounds of a bustling crowd met them in the hall and they walked curiously towards the Entrance Hall where the sounds came from.
As soon as Harry's head poked up from the stairs, dozens of bright flashes went off. Smoke rose from the many camera's that were situated in the Entrance Hall. Harry was forced to shield his eyes from the flashes that continued to pop off and Eva did the same. "What the hell is this?" Eva asked Harry. They both ducked back down the stairs.
"Harry! Evalyn Sintrop! A word for the papers!" Several reporter's voices echoed from the entrance hall.
"How did they get into the castle?" Eva asked.
"Better question is, why are they allowed in here?" Harry said.
Harry had his answer when a familiar voice reached his ears. "Make way! Make way!"
"Fudge." Harry muttered. Frankly he was surprised the Minister had backbone enough to come back after the veiled threat he had given him. His fear for the Potters must be greater. He would need to change that.
Fudge waddled down the stairs, a cold look in his eyes. "Mr. Potter." Fudge then looked at Eva, "Miss Sintrop." He said, taking off his bowler hat and bowing his head. He barely had any hair left the poor man.
"What are you doing here? Where is Dumbledore?" Harry asked.
Fudge had a smug look on his face. "He's out on business I heard." He paused for a moment, his smile widening. "Though I thought you might know that. Rumors travel very far." Harry didn't say anything. He was grinding his teeth in frustration at the situation. "Won't you take a picture with me? All of England would love to meet their new Prince and Princess." Fudge's words were laced with a great deal of sarcasm.
"I didn't think England would want anything to do with me." Harry said through gritted teeth.
"Nonsense!" Fudge clapped Harry on the back and began to push him back up the stairs. "England wants to know everything about you and your storied past. After all, you are the savior of England!" Harry glanced confusedly at Fudge but wasn't given a chance to ask a question.
"There is my son!" Harry felt strong arms wrapped around him tightly. He instinctively pushed away from the man's firm grip, only to be pushed into another hug, this one softer.
"What is going on?" Harry asked, quickly pushing away from the woman's grasp. Lily and James were standing in front of the camera's, basking in their flashes as if they were models.
"And Eva. Welcome to our family!" Lily said, turning her smile on Eva who stood to the side, looking just as confused as him. She was much quicker than him however and plastered a smile on her face and gave a small curtsy to Lily.
"What is going on?" Harry repeated his words softly in James' ear. Cameras were continuing to go off at a rapid pace and reporters were shouting commands at them. Alex came from the crowd shyly at the beckoning of Fudge and the five of them were shoved together for pictures. The young daughter, Anne Potter, was in the arms of Remus who stood off to the side, glaring at him as usual.
"Just enjoy the ride." James whispered back. "You won't be on it for long."
"Is that a threat?" Harry asked.
"It's whatever you wish it to be."
Harry's lips curled into a smile. "Good." It seemed James was finally ready to enter this game. He had been wondering if the stories of the fabled auror were true. Made Eye had spoken very highly of him, training James himself. Harry had also heard a great many tales of James' prowess in battle.
"Well…" Harry began. He put his arm around James' shoulders, the two of them the same height. He had to admit, they did look quite similar, but the eyes, the eyes were his mothers. Fudge squeezed himself into the picture, smiling the whole time. Harry glanced at Eva who was playing her part dutifully, and she looked like a complete natural under the attention. "I look forward to the times ahead."
"I know who you are." James said. His voice had a dangerous, sinister quality.
"I suspect you might." Harry responded, his tone just as dangerous. Harry let a small amount of wandless magic pour through his arm which was wrapped around James' shoulders, causing the adult Potter to shiver from the cold. "Though I never tried to hide it from you."
"Tell your master that he stands no chance taking England." They continued to smile as the cameras flashed like a violent lightning storm. Fudge was performing for the gathered crowed, cracking jokes. It was easy to see how he became Minister of Magic.
Harry chuckled at James' words. "Trust me. You're not prepared for his wrath." Harry then gave the cameras a wink and turned to Eva who was softly talking with Lily just as he had been with James. "My dearest?" He asked, holding his hand out to her.
She took it and sidled next to him. "Thank you for the visit, father, mother." Harry said bowing his head to the both of them. He then guided Eva through the crowd of reporters, ignoring their many questions, and walked into the Great Hall where the doors shut closed and they finally met silence.
Harry stayed quiet for the remaining day. He was so quiet in fact that Draco on a number of occasions had to prod him just see if he was awake. Harry didn't care though, his thoughts weren't with the outside world, but the one within. On the surface, he made sure to keep his face passive and steady, but on the inside, he was screaming in frustration.
Not even two months ago, he had known what his life was. He knew where he was heading, what he was doing, who he was doing it with. But now, now he had nothing. It seemed so long ago now that he had wanted to come to Hogwarts. Hogwarts this, Hogwarts that, that was all he ever wanted to do. But now, now he was unsure. He was unsteady. His world had flipped and he didn't know which way was up or down.
A father who became a monster, another father confirmed to be the monster he always knew he was. And Dumbledore, the old man who seemed to be pushing everyone around like a chess piece. He couldn't keep everything straight; his mind was going disarray. Who were his enemies? Who were his friends? Did he have anyone? These questions were tearing him apart.
He had been fine playing the villain of the Potters. It was something he had prepared to do for a long while now. But now he was expected to not be a villain, but the hero. That was not the position he wanted to be in. Voldemort would sure be glad to hear the news of his sudden acceptance back into the ranks of the English magical world. But that was not where Harry wanted to be. This was a turn he didn't want any part of but was now forced into.
His strength was always magic. A wand versus a wand, that was what he understood above all. The power that one could achieve through magic is something he had studied for as long as he could remember. But this new game, the game he was being forced into with James Potter and the wizarding society, it was not one he knew anything about. It was a game not taught to him by Voldemort or Dumbledore, the two greatest players in the history of the world. It was easy to see why he was never taught this game either, and it was the only thing that gave him solace in this uneasy world.
They feared him. They feared what he might do if he knew how to play this game. They feared what the power could mean if he not only knew how to use a wand, but convince others to use theirs as well. That was true power, something Harry hadn't recognized until this very day. Dumbledore was smart and magically gifted, but his true power was this school. The ability to shape the minds of youths in your favor was true power. That was what Voldemort sought, that was why he had hidden some of his horcruxes here. He always meant to come back to this place and sit upon the throne as Dumbledore does now.
And Lily Potter, she had been eyeing the position of Transfiguration professor upon Dumbledore's inevitable retirement or death. She would see herself rise within this school and teach her own philosophy to countless generations of students. Harry felt a chill run up his spine at the thought. England's power would drain if she became a Headmistress of this school. This tiny island in a wide, wide world would once more fade into obscurity.
The gift of magic would become diluted beyond comprehension. Wizards and witches would be nothing more than jesters in the courts of muggles. For muggles were smart and always fearful of the unknown. They would one day build defenses against magic, rendering it completely useless. That was a day that could never be allowed to happen. That would be the day muggles finally won the long war against magical kind and everything that wizards had built and created would be set to fire. A whole race would be extinguished in the flames, and everything else that went along with it.
"Is everything alright, Harry?" Sirius asked him. He was silent, as he had been since this morning. His training with Moody and Sirius had kept him off his thoughts somewhat, but he couldn't escape them entirely.
"Yes." Harry replied distantly. They had just finished dueling for the evening. He was getting much better far more quickly than even Moody thought possible. He could defeat Sirius quite easily and even would beat Moody now. Kingsley still outclassed him, but just barely and he was close to defeating him too.
"Okay." Sirius said. "It's just you seemed…different tonight." Harry didn't respond and instead wiped his forehead with a towel. "You know, I heard about this morning."
"It was a political ploy." Harry responded harshly, more harshly than he meant to sound. He wasn't in the mood to talk still.
"I know it was." Sirius continued, not caring about Harry's tone. "I've never said this, and I should have earlier…" He paused and Harry looked up to Sirius. He was surprised at the emotions playing across Sirius' face. There was mostly sadness in those grey eyes of his. "I should have known. I'm your godfather and I should have known."
He looked on the verge of tearing up, but he was a Black and could never allow such a thing to happen. "It's in the past. I don't blame you anyways." Harry said.
"You should. I was their best friend and I didn't question them." Sirius responded.
Harry stared at him for a moment before slowly shaking his head. "If you're looking for some kind of punishment for the mistakes in your past, don't look to me to hand out judgment."
Harry then made to walk passed Sirius, but Sirius' hand stopped him. "I'm just looking to fix a wrong that I've committed."
Harry again stared into Sirius' cold grey eyes. The Black family's inherited sadness seemed to have passed onto him rather than Regulus who always looked quite happy. Harry nodded his head, "Explain to me what you know of that night."
Sirius' eyes fell to the ground as memories took him. He flicked his wand and two chairs appeared. Harry sat down across from Sirius. "I was the first one there." His voice was distant and cold. "I remember seeing the rubble and the fire. It was smoking so heavily that it was blurring my eyes and choking me. I remember my heart sinking, thinking that in a single moment my world had been turned upside down."
Harry sat there listening. He knew the story, but he hadn't heard it from the perspective of someone who didn't know the whole truth. His words, turn the world upside down, caused Harry's heart to sink. He knew the feeling Sirius was describing all too well now.
"I then remembered that Lily and James had been gone. You see, they went on a date every Sunday. Their house elf Louise would look after you while they were gone. The house was nothing more than smoldering rocks." He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. "I got James and Lily and when we arrived, Dumbledore was already there. We thought-Everyone thought you dead. There was only a black cloak and a white bone wand left in the rubble."
"The house elf?" Harry asked.
"We found Louise's body several hundred feet from the house. Dumbledore thought her body was thrown by the explosion that blew up the house."
"And you never found my body I'm assuming?"
Sirius shook his head, "We figured you had died in the explosion along with Voldemort."
Harry stood up, "Thank you for the explanation." Sirius nodded his head again. "I don't blame you for that night. I'm serious."
"I'm serious." He said, a small smile cracking. Harry chuckled and nodded his head before leaving the tired auror alone in the Room of Requirement.
Dumbledore felt cold, colder than he ever had before. This was it, the moment he had dreaded since a young boy. All those years ago he told himself this day would never come, but alas, it was here, blackness had finally found him. His strength which had kept him going his entire life was fleeing his weak, frail body. And in this end of time, he felt nothing more than panic and fear. If anyone could hear his thoughts now, they would know how much of a coward he truly was. The world would scoff and turn their backs on their once great hero, and do the same in their final hours, making hypocrites of themselves.
He had tried so hard to crawl towards the entrance, but his strength finally failed him. He could go no further. His breathing was haggard and painful. His hands were ripped and bleeding from clawing at the wet rocks. His knees were scraped and one of his ankles had been twisted almost backwards. Pain was flooding him and it made his vision blurry.
Drinking that green liquid felt like the only real option he had. Now he cursed his sense of mind. With age he had become increasingly careless and now finally paid the price. He thought the ring on his finger would take him, but that was not to be. What a cruel world this was to play tricks on the mind of the elderly. He took in some hope that his next life, far away from this desolate land, would be far more rewarding, and much more relaxing. He was broken and tired and Death now sounded enticing.
In his hand, he clutched tightly to the thing he had long sought after. Its silver chain was stained with dark red blood and attached to the necklace was a silver locket with a large S on the front. The locket of Salazar Slytherin himself, an item he normally wouldn't think twice about. But here he was in a lost forgotten cave, ready to die for this thing. This was his moment, the moment that would be written about for many hundreds of years to come. Not the time where he defeated his lost friend many years ago, but this moment where he slowly succumbed to the black, alone, and cold.
Then his mind began to panic once more. His old brain wouldn't let him have his moment of solace before death took him. It began to race, wondering if his legacy would ever win the war. What if he didn't? What if he wasn't yet prepared? No, Dumbledore couldn't allow that to happen. He couldn't allow Harry to lose the coming war. If he did, then no one would ever remember the name Albus Dumbledore. That could never be.
Dumbledore felt a new strength rising in him as panic forced him to move. He gripped his wand tightly and with a quick motion, he mustered a thin silver mist from its point. This wand never failed him and it didn't start today. "Find him!" Dumbledore coursed from his cracked lips. Then his eyes closed, and the great blackness took him.
Harry was walking down the Grand Staircase alone as he usually did at this time. It was common for him to be out of the common room past hours, and none of the teachers or prefects ever questioned him. It was one of the few times of the day where he had any solace from the day. And this day above many others he needed the solace of silence. He had too much to think about and needed time.
As he was walking down, from the bottom of the stairs he saw a wisp of silver mist. Curious, Harry watched it. He began to notice it travelling right for him, and rather quickly too. Harry's hand immediately went to his wand, unsure of what this was.
It grew closer and closer until the silver mist manifested into a phoenix. "Harry. Get Fawkes. Help me." The words were Dumbledore's and Harry felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. He had never seen magic like this before. The silvery phoenix dissolved before his very eyes. Harry knew it was a patronus, but didn't know they could speak.
He didn't need to be told twice and he rushed for the Headmaster's office. The gargoyle which guarded it somehow knew he needed to get in and moved aside at his sight. Harry rushed into the office where Fawkes was sleeping on his perch.
"Fawkes. Dumbledore is in trouble!" The bird perked up at the name and seemed to understand Harry's words. It immediately jumped from its perch, its great fiery wings stretching wide and glided to Harry. Its large talons dug into Harry's robes and they flashed away in a ball of orange fire.
Harry felt nothing, no heat, nor cold. The world spun for only a quick moment and he then landed softly on hard ground. Water hit his face and the sound of thunder and the crashing of violent waves drowned all other sound. Fawkes disappeared quickly, not liking the rain that pelted the land. Just in front of Harry was a giant cave entrance nestled into a cliff side, impossible to get to due to the tide.
Harry pulled his wand and forced all of his power through his body and into the wand. He could feel a swirl of magic build up around him that became its own violent storm. His eyes widened at the sight, not having expected this feeling. He had never tapped into this much magic before and it terrified, yet excited him. He thought of no spell, just the wish to get to the caves entrance. The mountainous waves calmed and subsided, moving away from a small beach head where Harry could walk.
He held the waves back with his magic and walked into the cave, letting the waves crash back once he had entered. Adrenaline was coursing through him now and his heart was beating faster than ever. He felt more alive than he ever had when dueling. This was true magical power, something he was always told he could so, but never taught. Maybe Dumbledore nor Voldemort taught him because one had to unlock it for themselves.
He walked into the dark cave and the smell of rippling of magic was all about place. He didn't have to walk far until he saw the unmoving body of Dumbledore crumpled on the rocks. Behind him was a giant lake, where on the shore were countless burned bodies, still smoldering from recent fires. In the middle of the lake was a small island with a stand holding a bowl in the middle.
Harry quickly rushed to Dumbledore and checked his pulse. He was alive, but barely. His skin was cold to the touch and with how much blood had pooled around him, he was very much near death. Harry noticed something shining in Dumbledore's hands. He grabbed it and pocketed it before tapping Dumbledore's body with his wand. Dumbledore began to float and Harry guided him to the entrance of the cave.
He held onto the body and attempted to apparate but felt something strong pushing against him. There wasn't an anti-apparition ward he couldn't break through except those made by Dumbledore or Voldemort. Due to Dumbledore's condition, he figured these wards weren't Dumbledore's rather his fathers. And this silver locket in his pocket, there is only one reason Dumbledore would risk his life, a Horcrux.
He didn't have the ability to call on Fawkes again and with Dumbledore unconscious, neither could he. The waves were once more blocking his way back to higher ground but he was unsure he could keep the waves at bay and carry Dumbledore at the same time. Harry lowered Dumbledore back to the ground and concentrated with all his might. He once more felt magic beginning to swirl around him and the smell of it filled his nostrils. He calmed his breathing and focused on the spells he read about in the first book Voldemort had wanted him to read upon entering Hogwarts. Limitations of Power by Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor.
Unbeknownst to him, his green eyes began to glow a violent green and the rain around him began to freeze and turn to hail. Suddenly, a flash of lightning lit up the sky followed by a loud boom which echoed across the hills and ocean. Harry and Dumbledore disappeared, only scorched rock left behind.
They reappeared on the Hogwarts grounds, ripping through its wards causing another loud boom to echo across the school, waking up every student and shattering a few windows. Harry felt his body weaken at the expulsion of magic he had just performed. A surge of happiness swept through him however. He had accomplished something truly difficult, something not even Voldemort or Dumbledore had attempted. He fell to the ground as exhaustion took him, and just before passing out, he saw Snape and McGonagall rushing towards them.