Fragmented fate

Chapter 11


In previous chapter: Remus decided to reply to the letter. Harry formed a tentative friendship with Neville. He learned that Riddle was going to attend some conference and decided to use this opportunity to implement his plan. But unbeknownst to him, someone was already implementing their own plan.


It was a Saturday midnight. The castle was so eerily silent that Harry could hear his own rapid breathing. He was walking stealthily even though he had applied advance concealing charms.

His late night adventures had been always depended on his cloak and the map therefore it felt quite weird to roam here without them. He made mental note to ask about the cloak if he didn't get it as a gift during this Christmas.

Harry had chosen today specifically because he didn't want to draw any attention. With his main target gone, he should have been able to implement his plan immediately. But there was still a problem of Dumbledore. So he had been waiting for Dumbledore to leave the castle. He could not afford to have his interference in this already convoluted situation. Any mistakes would lead to the explanations that he wanted to avoid.

Harry was not ready to reveal anything yet... Not without a concrete proof.

Luckily Dumbledore left the castle tonight. As soon as he got the affirmation, he leapt in to the action.

After the final battle he had helped to rebuild the castle. During that time he got to know many secrets of Hogwarts. There was a nifty little spell which was used to detect a specific ward linked to headmaster's office. It could tell whether Headmaster of Hogwarts was present in the castle or not. Harry had not wanted to perform any dangerous magic in presence of Dumbledore so it was a necessary precaution. He was going to take any risk as the last resort only.

So far he didn't encountered anyone along the way. Tom Riddle's office and living quarter were in the dungeon. It had been difficult to scope this area in broad daylight. But Harry had used his new found friendship with Neville to get the work done.

Harry reached near Riddle's office and easily cancelled the wards. He expected more difficulty but there were only basic wards protecting the entrance which included standard password assigned to get entry.

He encountered Tom Riddle's defence when he reached to the private was protected by a parselmagic. It made sense that Riddle would rely on his unique ability, considering its rarity. But his overconfidence had helped Harry. A simple 'open' and Harry gained the entry without lifting his wand.

Harry had retained parseltounge ability like his other magical skills from past life. He was grateful for that small reprieve. It had saved his time.

Harry didn't want to waste time or magic doing unnecessary things because the spell he needed to perform for horcrux detection was quite complicated. It was invented by Unspeakables after the war. The ministry for magic had taken the threat of horcux seriously. The research on such obscure dark arts was considered priority to avoid their future misuse. Such inventions were necessity. If this spell was existed earlier it would have prevented the war. It could have detected the diary when Ginny had brought it inside the school. Even Hogward's ancient wards and Dumbledore who was aware of them were unable to detect the horcrux until it was too late.

And this was the main reason that Harry was confident about his plan. Even though he had never got to properly utilise his Auror training in the fieldwork when he had been alive, he still had the required knowledge and magical capability. This strange time travel hadn't impacted his skills.

This way he could leave this room undetected.. without living any strong magical tress. The only drawback of the horcrux detection spell was that the caster could not cast or maintain any other spell along while performing this one. Harry would be vulnerable at that moment, but it could not be avoided.

Harry opened the door slowly and silently cast lumos. The illuminated room was immaculate and decorated with light colours.

He rapidly cast array of improvised spells to detect traps and malicious spells.

Everything was clear. He cast a spell to alert him about outside presence and started to perform the spell.

Harry spoke the incantation with full concentration. Yellowish green light came out from his wand tip and started covering the whole room rapidly. He waited with anticipation.

'Three, two...' He sucked sharp breath.

"There it is!"

He had done it. Harry had found the horcrux.

A wall patch near far end of right side was glowing red. Tom must have hidden it there.

Harry went near the corner. Red glow was steadily pulsing, indicating malicious magic that lay inside.

He took deed breath and about to cast his next spell, when a harsh voice spoke snidely, "What are you doing here, Potter?!"

Harry started and stilled in that next moment. He knew this voice. It was just his bad luck that this had to happen just when his ward had been disabled for few moments. It robbed him his chance of anonymity.

Harry made a split of a second decision and struck speedily.

Severus Snape was collapsed on the spot and his widened eyes showing his surprise as red light had struck him.

Harry cursed under his breath as he tied the man. All his planning had gone completely haywire. Now damage control had become his first priority. He cast few spells to secure their premise.

'Trust Snape to come poking his nose where it doesn't belong! ', Harry thought with exasperation.

"Time to move fast."


"Rennervate"

Severus Snape opened his eyes with start. Controlling his disoriented thoughts, he rapidly took in his surrounding and his position. He was magically bound. He focused his attention on the small figure before him.

'Potter!'

His mouth twisted in rage as he become aware the taste of veritaserum.

"Who are you?", he asked snidely and attempted legilimency. He felt the barrier and he was pushed aside.

He started and shouted at the figure before him with barely controlled rage.

"WHO ARE YOU?"

He tried to free himself with wandless magic but couldn't.

"Professor", he bristled at the respectful tone that Potter had never used before.

" I will answer your all questions, but first I need you to answer my questions." The intruder before him who was looking like Potter spoke calmly.

" Truth serum will not help you. Release me this instant!" He spat vehemently.

"Yes, I do know limitations of veritaserum. And sorry, I cannot follow your order until I know what I need to."

Snape didn't bother to reply.

"When does Riddle going to return to Hogwarts?"

"Monday", he was forced to answer.

The intruder relaxed visibly.

"What are you doing there in Professor Riddle's private quarter? I will not give you any other information. What did you do with Harry Potter?"

"One more question Professor. After that I will tell you everything if you have answered it correctly."

Severus Snape cursed under his breath and glared at the insolent boy before him.

He needed to get free.

Snape closed his eyes and started to collect his magic to break free. He could not be this helpless.

But his all efforts came to sudden halt when he heard the question. His breathing became difficult as he tried his hard not to answer. But veritaserum was forcing him.

Sweat beads formed on his pale temple as the question resonated in his mind again and again.

'Did you love Lily Potter?'


A/N: Hi, sorry for delay and cliffhanger but this scene is lengthy. So divided this part in two chapters.

R & R