Disclaimer: All characters are owned and created by the wonderful J.K. Rowling. Except for Professor Tarop, he's mine :P
A/n I hoped you like the last chapter...sorry that it was so hard to read, I'm going to try and make the paragraphs shorter so it will be easier to read. I know my story probably won't be as good as the Half Blood Prince which is finally out. I enjoyed it, I mean it wasn't what I expected but it was still good. Too bad about the ending though, I don't want to spoil it though for people who haven't finished it or even read it yet. So here's the next chapter. Cheers!
Xx Harry Potter and the Unforgettable Destiny xX
So am I still waiting For this world to stop hating Can't find a good reason Can't find hope to believe in Ignorance And understanding We're the first ones to jump in line Out of step for what we believe in But who's left to stop the bleeding How far Will we take this It's not hard to see through the fakeness So tell me what would you say I'd say it's time too late This can't last forever Time won't make things better I feel so alone Can't help myself And no one knows If this is worthless, tell me so What have we done with a war that can't be won This can't be real Cause I don't know what to feel-Still waiting by Sum 41
Chapter 14
"Life is a game never won nor lost, just filled with broken hearts and lost dreams"
Xx Still waiting xX
Harry stood their alone on the astronomy tower. Draco had left just a little while ago, knowing that Harry needed time to think about things. What was he to do? He had this rare high level of Magic, and not only does Voldemort probably know about it, but he's probably thinking about using it to his advantage. Also if the Order knows about it, they are also planning to do the same thing. Right at that moment, Harry just wished he would die, that way people can stop fighting for him and this stupid power that he never wanted.
"H-Harry?" Someone called quietly behind him. Harry turned around to see Ginny staring up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, "Are you ok Harry?" He nodded and turned away, he couldn't look into her eyes, he felt a strange flip in his stomache when she touched his arm. "Harry, Please...I-I need to talk to you..." she said quietly. Harry turned back to stare at her face, which held a broken smile and tear filled eyes.
"What is it Ginny? Whats happened?" He asked, urgency in his voice. Ginny sniffed and took a deep gulp of air, she walked over to the ledge of the window and leaned back against it, her eyes returning back to his.
"Umm..well...I guess you would want to know this...umm...Charlie's been captured by the Death Eaters, he was helping some people with a Dragon when they appeared and grabbed him, tieing him up." Ginny told him, and then she burst into tears, Harry rushed over to her and pulled her into his arms, ignoring the strange flipping feeling in his stomache as he felt her tears soak into his shirt. Why am i always stuck comforting girls who cry? He thought wryly. He patted her back, trying to comfort her, telling her that Charlie was going to be ok, that Harry was going to get him back for her. Finally Ginny stopped crying and took a step back, a small blush appearing on her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry Harry, I shouldn't have said anything, I don't want to make you go back and see that man, he's evil and he'll kill you. I know he will." Fresh tears appeared in her eyes, and she brushed them away almost angrily as Harry watched her. His emerald green eyes stared at her, searching her face for something, but Ginny didn't know what. After what seemed like 20 minutes Harry sighed and gave her another hug, before he turned around and rushed out of the room. Ginny just stood their, this time she was the one standing alone, wondering about an Emerald eye boy who had just left her, to save her brother from an evil man who was intent upon killing him. Why is he so brave? Does he not realize that he could get killed and leave me here? Leave everyone here? Is that why I love him? Because he'll risk his life to save ours? Ginny felt a tear trickle down her face, she wiped it away and turned to look down at the grounds. She watched as Harry emerged running full tilt towards Hogsmeade, people yelling out to him and trying to catch up with him. She even saw Professor Mcgonagall also appear, running after the young boy. Ginny watched him pass the gate to Hogsmeade, and then disappear. Mcgonagall stopped just where Harry had disappeared, looking around as if he was only playing a trick on them.
Harry stood at the entrance hall of Riddle mansion. He felt anger burn inside of him, once agian they had someone he cared about, maybe not as much as Ron or Hermione, but it was someone who he knew and someone that felt like part of his family. He stormed down to the dining hall, where he wasn't surprised to see Voldemort conversing with a few of his Death Eaters, a platter of food placed in front of him. Harry glared at him, anger boiling just under the surface. Voldemort looked up and gave Harry a curious look, he smiled and waved him over. Harry shook his head, fists clamped at his sides, his knuckles turning white. Voldemort could feel his anger, from his seat which was at least 10 feet away from the emerald eye boy. "Where is he Voldemort?" Harry asked venomously.
Voldemort quirked his brow, his red eyes still staring at Harry "Where is who?" Voldemort asked back, his voice calm. Harry took two steps forward, he kept his anger in check. He didn't want to give Voldemort the satasfication of seeing him lose control.
"Where is Charlie?" He said, pronouncing every word with such hatred directed towards Voldemort, that Voldemort had to wince. Harry's eyes were smouldering with his suppressed anger, if he wasn't careful it would explode, probably taking the Mansion and it's occupents with it. Voldemort held up his hands, as if he was warding off an attacker, and called over one of his Death Eaters.
"Avery, can you please bring out our guest, Harry wishes to see him." Voldemort instructed the Death Eater. Avery turned and left the room, leaving Harry and Voldemort in the room, both eyes staring at each other, one with unimaginable hatred, the other with a calmness and curiosity that could never be matched. Soon Avery reappeared, with Charlie following right behind him. His hands were shackled in front of him, and he was sporting a bloody nose and a black eye, but otherwise he seemed fine. Harry turned and made his way towards Charlie, concern showing on his features.
"You OK Charlie?" Harry asked, his eyes scanning over any of his visible wounds. Harry heard a grunt and looked up, Charlie just nodded and then made another grunting noise before he gestured with his head to where Voldemort was sitting. Harry turned around and watched as Voldemort stood up and began to walk towards him, a smile tugging at his lips. Harry sighed and rolled his eyes, he turned back to Charlie, pulled out his wand and took off the shackles.
"Well done Harry." Harry heard from behind him, he winced slightly when Voldemort had rested his white skeleton like hand on Harry's shoulder. He could feel the throbbing pain in his skull begin to increase. Harry bit down on his tongue so he wouldn't scream out in pain, and give Voldemort any satisfaction of seeing him in pain. "Charlie was barely here for more then an hour" Voldemort explained with a chuckle, Harry glared at him before he looked away. His eyes met with Charlie and he was glad to see that he still had his wand on him, he muttered a spell that enabled him to speak.
"Thanks Harry." Charlie said placing a hand on Harry's shoulder, "You should leave now, it's not safe to stay here." He said glancing over at Voldemort, a trace of fear could be seen in his eyes. Harry sighed and shrugged it off, he gestured for him to leave and then tightening his grip on his wand he turned around and faced Voldemort dead on. He heard Charlie hesitate, so Harry turned around and gave him a push towards the entrance hall. Satisfied to see Charlie begin to move, Harry turned back around, eyes blazing with anger. Once he heard a loud poping noise, Harry took a few steps back, his eyes still focused on Voldemorts.
"Why him? Why do you keep doing this?" Harry asked, this time he was half pleading, he felt weak, his emotions were getting the best of him. He wanted to understand, it was hurting him to see people he cared about hurt and having to deal with this monster alone and scared out of their minds. He remembered Hermione's face when the Death Eaters had surrounded her, and now Charlies. Voldemort gave a soft chuckle before he turned around and sat back down in his chair. His red eyes looked into Harry's emerald ones once again.
"Why else would i do this hmm?..It's because i want to see your power, I want to see the strength inside of you, I want to see this high level of magic your rumored to have that surpasses even mine, I want to understand the reason why I haven't been able to kill you in the past."
"Just so you can kill me now is that it? Well i don't want to be your little experiment so please, leave my friends alone, and leave me alone. I promised i'd be here for Christmas, and i will be, but if you keep taking my friends like that, then i won't come back here. EVER!" Harry yelled out the last part before he strode out of the room before Voldemort could say anything, and then he apparated back to Hogsmeade. He ran up across the grounds, up the entrance stairs, and then he skidded to a halt just inside the entrance hallway, his heart was beating really fast, tears threatening to fall down his face. Great, Sirius leaves and i've become a blumbering idiot! Harry chided himself. Taking a deep breath Harry made his way back up to Gryffindor Tower, and into the boys dormitories where he collapsed onto his bed, exhaustion finally settling in with all his magic and emotions that he had used up.
XXXXX
Harry woke up, slightly disoriented. Sitting up he felt a twinge of pain in his scar, he looked around and almost jumped a foot in the air. Voldemort was sitting at the edge of his bed, a smile cornering on his lips. Harry glared at him before sweeping his eyes across the room. Ron, Dean, Seamus, and Neville were all staring at him and Voldemort with wide eyes. Harry smiled slightly before he faced the Dark Lord once again. "What do you want now?" Harry was very irratated now, he didn't want to have to wake up and see this monster waiting for him.
"I want your company...Is that too hard to ask?" Voldemort gave an innocent pout like face, which looked more evil then innocent. Harry growled low and rolled his eyes.
"Of course it is, I have classes, and I have Quidditch, There's not enough time for you, and besides your scaring the crap out of my friends. I'd appreciate it if you left now." Harry turned his back on him as he began to rumage through his trunk looking for clean clothes and his robes. He could feel Voldemorts eyes on his back, and he cringed when he began to laugh, insanely of course.
"Oh, Harry I doubt that would take all day, besides I quite enjoy it here. Very cosy, though I've never been in the Gryffindor dorms, but i guess you can't be too choosy. Slytherin is more, I don't know...Dark? While here it's too red and Gold, too much happiness." At this Harry snorted
"Yah, Happiness galore. We're all just screaming bloody happy." Harry glared at Voldemort at this point. "Do you really believe that's all Gryffindors are, is just smiling and being all jolly. Well here's a news flash. We're just like you slytherins, except less evil, and more likely to grow up and kick your evil Slytherin asses." Harry gave him a smirk as he picked his stuff up and moved off to the bathroom. He heard a gasp and knew that no one had expected him to respond this way to the supposed most powerful Dark Lord of all time.
Voldemort just laughed, "Oh Harry, This is just so much fun, I can't wait till we duel. I hear you're pretty good. But are you good enough to beat me?" Voldemort asked his red eyes digging deeply into Harry's emerald. Harry glared at him, "By the way, how the hell did you get into Gryffindor tower, you need a password, and I sure as hell didn't give it to you." Harry asked. Voldemort smiled.
"Well, all I had to do was do a little bit of convincing for the Portrait to let me in, you know after saying who i was she kind of clammed up a bit, but I was finally able to get through." He gave a very sadistic smile, eyes boring in to Harry's this time trying to search deeper. Harry was the first to look away as he angrily pulled open the door and slammed it behind him
"Stop trying to get into my bloody thoughts!" He yelled before he leaned back against the door and listened to Voldemort chuckle as he walked out of the boys dormitory. Harry quickly washed up and changed. When he finally exited the bathroom, everyone's eyes were on him.
"Wow Harry, you're really brave to be able to talk to him like that. I can't believe he didn't curse you." Dean said, pure awe on his face. Harry rolled his eyes as he grabbed his school bag and began to cram his last nights homework back in. He had finally finished it after waking up at midnight. He had woken up from Ron snoring and he ended up finishing it around 2 in the morning, then he had gone back to sleep. Now had to wake up to Voldemort watching him. So far his day was pretty bad, and he knew it was probably going to get worse. It was a feeling he had deep down in his gut. That feeling never seemed to disappoint him in the past, who says it wasn't going to do that today.
Harry made it down to the Great Hall, where all eyes were on him, again. Sighing he moved off to the Gryffindor table, once he sat down whispers began to spring up all over the hall. Harry had no idea what was going on this time, he glanced over at the teachers table, and almost fell out of his seat. Voldemort was sitting there, right beside Snape. They were in deep conversation, and Dumbledore was glancing at them every so often, a frown on his face. There was no twinkle in his eye this morning, and Harry knew that it was a bad sign. He groaned and began to pile food on to his plate. He ate as quickly as he could before he took off to his next class, not wanting to be in the presence of Voldemort, the whispers and of course Dumbledore's danger sign, no twinkle means bad news.
He made it to class, and to his disappointment, it was DADA. Harry knew that today he would have to duel against Tarop, and then when he turned around he saw the rest of his class hurrying into the room, with Tarop and Voldemort close behind them. Harry groaned and banged his head down against the table he was sitting at. Why me? He thought. Everyone finally settled down and took their seats, Draco made his way over to where Harry was and sat down beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder he squeezed gently before he let his hand fall in to his own lap. Harry turned to Draco and gave him a strained smile, before he looked back up to the front of the class, where Tarop and Voldemort now stood. Voldemort looked over at Harry a smile on his lips. Harry moved his eyes over to Tarop and was glad to see that he looked very apprehensive. Tarop took the attendence, everyonce in a while being interuppted by Voldemort, who, when he reconized the name would greet the student and talk to them about their family. It was mostly the Slytherins of course.
Draco sighed, he knew that Harry was going to have a difficult day. He was still trying to figure out why no one has tried to kill Voldemort yet. Then he realized it was because Dumbledore didn't want to endanger the students. Draco scoffed silently, the students are in danger with him just being in the same room with them. Draco looked over at Harry, his face was pale, his eyes blazing, Draco knew that Harry was a better dueler, but he has been under a lot of stress lately, and he wasn't sure how long he'll last. Finally Tarop looked over at Harry, "Harry, would you please join me up here on the platform?" Tarop tilted his head to the side, direction their gaze to the newly erected platform in which Harry and Tarop were to duel on. Draco searched Harry's face, and saw disgust anger, and exhaustion. He sighed placing his hand upon Harry's shoulder once again, giving it a gentle squeeze. Their eyes met and Draco gave him an encouraging smile, Harry smiled back and then nodded before he rose and walked towards the front.
Harry moved to the front, gripping his wand tightly in his hand he glared at Tarop. They bowed to each other, and Harry glanced over at Voldemort, smiling slightly he bowed to him, which made Voldemort chuckle. Then the duel began. Tarop started by throwing out a curse, Harry dodged, "Stupefy!" He yelled, he watched as Tarop sidestepped it and threw out another curse, which Harry dodged once again.
"Impedimenta!" Tarop shouted, Harry ducked and pushed himself forward, he ducked another one just in time, it went over his head and impacted into the wall. The class gasped as they watched the curse melt through the stone wall. Harry glared raising his wand, he directed it at Tarop's midsection.
"Tarentellagra" It missed by a few inches, he sighed and dodged to the left as another curse went zooming past him. When it hit the wall, stone exploded everywhere. A few girls screamed and moved out of the way. The duel became intense as an hour passed, and both Harry and Tarop were still throwing curses at each other. Neither one was willing to give up, and Harry could feel himself tiring but he pushed himself, "Expelliarmus!" He yelled, and was surprised when it connected. Tarop's wand shot out of his hand as he was knocked off his feet. Harry caught the wand and stared down at his DADA teacher. The whole class broke out into applause and Tarop pushed himself back on to his feet. He smiled and bowed to the class then turned to Harry holding out his hand, Harry just stared at it, disgust floating across his features before he hid it and shook the mans hand, then gave him back his wand.
"Well done Harry, I'm totally impressed." Tarop said, smiling politely at him. Harry nodded his face impassive. His eyes connected with Voldemort's and he noticed that he was watching him closely. He moved away from Tarop and stood infront of Voldemort.
"Did you enjoy the show?" He asked icily. Voldemort chuckled clapping Harry on the back.
"Of course. you did very well. I wonder if you could do that good against me?" Voldemort asked inquiringly. Harry glared and turned around, he walked over to Draco, who gave him a brotherly hug and congratulated him. They whispered with each other every once in a while glancing over at Voldemort. The whole class was curious, and also frightened by the presence of Voldemort. Finally the two boys broke apart and Harry turned to face Voldemort.
"I have a propostion for you. We can duel in one months time, here in this classroom in front of all these witnesses. Rules, no Unforgiveables, and you can't duel anyone else or bring anyone else into the duel. Do we have a deal?" Harry asked smirking slightly. Everyone gasped when Harry had finished his propsition, everyone thought he had finally lost it, he was going to get himself killed. Voldemort laughed and walked over to Harry, everyone moved out of his way afraid that he was going to curse them.
"We have a deal Harry" He held out his hand which Harry shook, glaring in to the red eyes of the most feared Dark Lord, holding back a wince from the pain in his scar. Finally the bell rang, Harry walked back to his desk and packed up his bag, then Harry and Draco left the class room together, ignoring the presence of Voldemort, or at least Harry was, Draco said goodbye to him, considering that he would of been cursed if he hadn't. It was time for potions, they made their way down to the dungeons, and to Harry's utter horror Voldemort showed up. Harry groaned.
"Why can't he just disappear?" He whispered to Draco. Draco smirked and shrugged, patting him on the back. Before he could say anything Snape opened up the doors and let everyone in. When he saw Voldemort, he turned to look at Harry raising an eyebrow. Harry sighed and shrugged before walking to his desk with Draco. Snape strode the front of the class, Voldemort behind him. This was the NEWT class, and mostly consisted of Slytherins, there were a few Gryffindors and 2 Ravenclaws, also surprisingly one Hufflepuff. All the Slytherins were smirking and nudging each other at the sight of Voldemort, the rest were just being fearfully silent. Everyonce in a while people would glance over at Harry, wonderig what the Boy-Who-Lived thought about the situation he was in.
Harry just rolled his eyes, Snape glared at everyone in the room, which made them all quiet down and pay attention. "Now, we have a quest today, show some respect. Today we will be brewing a very complex potion, though everyone may know about it now, it's not as easy as you all think. It's called the Revival potion." Snape smirked at the class. "I'm asking you to make this potion because it is the same Potion that the Dark Lord used to return, And it's good in most situations." Snape turned and bowed to Voldemort who just nodded. Snape turned back to the class. "You may begin!" He waved his wand and the instuctions appeared on the board. Everyone started to get to work. Harry excluded, he just sat in his seat, looking glum. Draco nudged him in the side, Harry turned and looked at him. Draco pulled him up and finally Harry started to get to work. Not liking what he wsa doing, he didn't put much thought or heart into this potion. He kept sending Voldemort death glares, Voldemort just laughed at each one. Potions class went smoothly considering the circumstance, but both Draco and Harry made the potion perfectly which surprised Harry considering he wasn't even paying attention. Hermione of course did well, and Ron was also good, but the rest of the class was given homeowrk, and too learn how to make the potion properly. Class ended and Harry was about to leave when Snape called him up to his desk.
"What is it Professor?" Harry asked, his eyes avoiding Voldemort's. Snape looked at him, his eyes trying to assess him,and then he raised an eyebrow, asking to be let into Harry's mind. Sighing Harry nodded, and then smirking Snape pushed into Harry's mind. Harry watched as random images flashed before him, before stopping on yesturday's encounter with Voldemort and Charlie. Snape pulled out and nodded to Harry who turned and marched out of the room. He arrived in the great hall, everyone's eyes were on him once again. Harry rolled his eyes and growled low in his throat, a poor first year heard him, sqeaking she ran out of the great hall, sending fearful looks behind her till she turned the corner. Harry smiled and sat down beside Draco at the Slytherin table, Draco couldn't help but crack up.
"You'd think the poor girl would worship you and not leave screaming" Harry swatted at him, and looked over at the Gryffindor table, he noticed Ron and Hermione watching him with apprehensive looks. Harry sighed, he turned to Draco, gave him a look and left the table, he sat down in his old spot with Ron and Hermione.
"Hey guys, What's up?" Harry asked, trying to keep things light, he began to pile food onto his plate, his eyes scanning around the room, and then a groan escaped his lips as he saw Voldemort walk in followed by Snape. Why does he have to do this to me? Voldemort looked towards Harry and he glared at him, Voldemort just smirked and sat down in his seat. Harry's eyes connected with Dumbledore's and he saw the confusion on his face, and the once always present twinkle had almost faded out of sight.
"Harry...are you ok?" Hermione called, Harry turned and stared at her for a second as he tried to remember what he was doing, his stare made her blush and she looked away. Harry nodded and turned back to his food, taking big chunks of meat and carrots. He listened to Ron and Hermione bicker once again, a smile playing across his rather stoney face. He didn't like the situation he was in, not with the idea of harm coming to any of his friends or classmates. Harry looked up and his eyes looked straight into Draco's cold grey ones, he motioned for Harry to leave the great hall. Harry sighed nodded and stood up, he told Hermione and Ron that he was going to head for class early. Once he left he began to pace in front of his next class, anger began to boil as well as nerves. He was going to be dueling Voldemort in one months time, he was scared about what was going to happen. He just barely made it against Tarop, Harry felt stupid challenging Voldemort, he wasn't fully experianced in dueling, and he knew that Voldemort was.
"Harry?" He turned to see Draco standing there staring at him curiously. Harry stopped pacing and sighed, he was totally lost.
"What am i going to do Draco? I can't duel Voldemort, there's no way i'm skilled enough to beat him, and i have to beat him." Harry clenched his fists. Draco moved closer to him and patted him on the back, he watched at the Boy-Who-Lived fought his own despair and anger, he turned to Draco finally after he was able to get his emotions under control, "You have to help me."
Draco just stared at him, not sure that he heard him right. "You want me to help you? Help you do what?" Draco knew he sounded stupid but he couldn't help it, he was too shocked to really care. Dumbledore's Golden Boy was asking him, Draco, a Death Eater's son and a Death Eater himself for help, to duel his master. It made no sense what so ever.
Harry just glared at him, "Jeez Draco, and you say i'm dense. I want you to help me train, help get my magic under control. You want him gone just as much as I do, so help me." Harry held out his hand, and waited for Draco to take it. He stared into his eyes, grey stared into emerald. Draco didn't know what he should do, he knew he wanted to help Harry defeat the Dark Lord, but he also knew that if the Dark Lord found out, his father would be punished and so would he. The hell with it. He shook Harry's hand.
"I'll help you Harry, but you better win, or I'll kill you myself, once the Dark Lord is finished with you. If he ever finds out and my father is punished for it. I will hunt you down." He squeezed Harry's hand a little too hard, Harry winced and pulled his hand back staring at his blonde friend in front of him.
"Don't worry Draco, that will never happen, not if i can help it." That was a promise. He could still hear the promise he made to Sirius, he wasn't going to let him down. Not now, not when everything was finally starting to work. He knew that everyone was still waiting for him to beat him, they were all still waiting for the threat to be gone. Harry knew that they will still be waiting for him after Voldemort was finally gone, there was no way he would survive. He just hopped that before he died, Voldemort would be gone first. Sirius, i'll be seeing you soon, I can feel it. Keep a spot for me up there. I know your still waiting, but it won't be long now. Harry heard footsteps coming down the hall, Harry turned away from Draco and walked into the class, he sat down his head in his arms. He was going to have to work extra hard if he wanted to make it to 17, it was his last chance to live normal, or as remotely normal as possible considering the circumstance he was in. You know, someone trying to kill him since he was one. Everyone expecting him to kill the man who is after him, and he was 16 and more powerful then even the most respected Wizard, Albus Dumbledore. The one man that Voldemort is supposedly afraid of. Yet here they are, the both of them in the same building and not a shed of blood spilt, neither that of the Dark Lord or the Headmasters, and of course none of the Boy-who-lived's, it was just a strange day for everyone.