I do not own Bleach or Harry Potter both belong respectively to Tite Kubo and J.K. Rowling
"Very well" said Fudge. "Dumbledore, you will now be escorted back to the Ministry, where you will be formally charged and then sent to Azkaban to await trail."
"Ah, yes" Dumbledore said gently. "Yes, I thought we might hit this little snag."
"Snag? I see no snag, Dumbledore!"
"I'm afraid I do."
"Oh really?"
"Well…it's just that you seem to be under the delusion that I am going to – what's the phrase? 'Come quietly' I am afraid I do not plan to come quietly at all, Cornelius. In fact, I have no intention of being sent to Azkaban. I could break out, of course, but what a waste of time and frankly I can think of a whole host of other things I would rather be doing."
Fudge stared at Dumbledore with a very silly expression on his face, as though he was struggling to believe what Dumbledore had just said. Umbridge was no better as her smug expression changed into one of outrage, with her face steadily growing redder by the second.
When it finally hit him, that Dumbledore was resisting, Fudge let out a small choking sound and looked to Tonks and Kingsley, silently ordering them to take Dumbledore by force.
Seeing the uncertainty in their eyes, Dumbledore gave Tonks and Kingsley a subtle nod that would've gone unnoticed to anyone not looking for it. Deciding to trust the old man had a plan Tonks and Kinsley advanced on Dumbledore, their wands at the ready.
Only his honed reflexes saw Harry drop to the floor in time as a streak of silver light flashed around the room, followed by what sounded like a gunshot, and the floor trembling for a brief moment. Through the dust, Harry saw Kingsley and Tonks fall to the ground in front of him. Fawkes screeched and there was the sound of shattered glass and a loud thud and somebody cried, "No!" another thud followed by a low groan then finally…silence.
As the dust cleared, Harry could see McGonagall had also crouched for safety, as she climbed to her feet. Doing the same, Harry took in the sight of the wrecked office. Dumbledore's desk had been overturned, the Pensieve laid broken on the floor along with the shattered remains of Dumbledore's silver instruments. Fudge, Umbridge, Kingsley, and Tonks laid motionless on the floor, while Fawkes circled overhead, singing softly.
"Unfortunately, I had to hex Kingsley and Tonks as well" said Dumbledore, as he approached McGonagall and Harry. "It would've looked suspicious otherwise. Now, they will awaken very soon and it will be best if they do not know we had time to communicate. You must act as though no time has passed, as though they were merely knocked to the ground."
Despite his feelings towards him, Harry had to admit he was impressed by Dumbledore's abilities and could understand why he was considered the most powerful wizard.
"Where will you go, Dumbledore?" McGonagall whispered. "Grimmauld Place?"
"Oh no" Dumbledore grinned. "I am not going into hiding. Fudge will soon wish he'd never dislodged me from Hogwarts, I promise you. But for now, there is work to be done."
Harry wanted to demand that Dumbledore surrender the location of Hermione's parents before he left but before he could say anything, those unconscious on the floor started to stir. Fawkes circled the office and swooped down over Dumbledore. Grasping the phoenix's long golden tail, Dumbledore and Fawkes vanished in a flash of fire.
"Where is he!" Fudge yelled, as he pushed himself off the ground. "Where is he!"
"I don't know!" Kingsley shouted, as he and Tonks leapt to their feet.
"Well, he can't have Disapparated!" Umbridge cried. "You can't inside this school!"
"The stairs!" Tonks cried, subtly winking at Harry as she flung open the door and ran out of the office, followed closely by Kingsley and Umbridge.
Fudge hesitated, then got to his feet, brushing dust from his front. There was a long and painful silence.
"Well, Minerva" Fudge said nastily. "I'm afraid this is the end of your friend Dumbledore."
"You think so, do you?" McGonagall said scornfully.
Fudge didn't seem to hear her. Instead he looked around the wrecked office, a few portraits of the previous headmasters were hissing at him; one or two even made rude hand gestures.
"You'd best get Potter to bed" he said, giving McGonagall and Harry a dismissive nod.
Prof. McGonagall didn't say a word as she marched Harry through the door. As it closed behind them, Harry heard one of the paintings say, "You know, Minister, I disagree with Dumbledore on many counts…but you cannot deny he's got style."
In a flash of fire, Dumbledore and Fawkes appeared in the den of 221 Baker Street. Understandably Sirius and Remus weren't happy with the sudden intrusion.
"What're you doing here, Dumbledore?" Sirius demanded. "When I gave you Grimmauld Place, we made it clear you weren't welcome in our home."
"Forgive me, Sirius but I am afraid circumstances have changed" said Dumbledore.
Sirius looked like he was seconds away from trying to curse the old man to death. Leaving it to fall on Remus' shoulders to keep the peace.
"What's happened?"
So, Dumbledore explained the situation and much to his disappointment the two men seemed almost pleased with his current troubles.
"I am well aware of and understand your feelings towards me. But you must understand that with me no longer at Hogwarts we must accelerate our plans against Voldemort."
The last living Marauders traded looks, their long years of friendship allowing them to communicate without words, before finally however reluctantly they turned their attention back to their uninvited guest.
"So, what do you want with us, Dumbledore?" Remus sighed. Despite working with the Order, the last thing either of them wanted was to take orders from the man.
"Nothing from you, I'm afraid" said Dumbledore, as his focus turned to Ichigo and Orihime, who'd been content to stand aside and leave the situation to Sirius and Remus. "In truth, I was hoping to acquire the aid of your new house guest."
"What do you want with us?" asked Orihime.
"It is my understanding, Mrs. Kurosaki, that you and your husband are far more suited for the task I have in mind."
Ichigo scowled, not appreciating the roundabout way Dumbledore was speaking to them.
"If you want our help going after one of these Horcrux things, just say so."
"Forgive me, Mr. Kuro…"
"Ichigo" the orange haired man interrupted. "Just call me Ichigo. I don't really mind. Now let's just do this." Not one to waste time, Ichigo pressed his combat pass to his chest releasing his Soul Reaper form.
Thrown by his direct manner, Dumbledore had to take a minute to collect himself before inviting Ichigo to take his sleeve, Assuring Orihime that he'd be careful, Ichigo grabbed Dumbledore's sleeve before disappearing in a flash of light and fire.
When Ichigo reappeared, he could smell the salt air and hear the rushing waves; a light, chilly breeze ruffled his orange hair as he stood on an outcropping of dark rocks overlooking the moonlit ocean.
"What do you think?" Dumbledore asked, as though he were picking a good sight for a picnic.
"Not somewhere I'd bring my kids" said Ichigo, as he examined their surroundings. A tower cliff behind them, a few large chunks of rock looked as though they'd broken off at some point. Overall it was a bleak, harsh, view, the sea and the rock unrelieved by and tree or sweep of grass or sand. It looked like the sort of place even the most experienced climbers might have some trouble dealing with.
"I must say agree" said Dumbledore, once Ichigo voiced his opinion. "No ordinary muggle could reach this rock and boats cannot approach the cliffs, the waters around them are too dangerous. The perfect place for a young Voldemort's victims. But our final destination lies a little father on. Come."
Dumbledore beckoned Ichigo to the very edge of the outcrop where a series of jagged niches formed footholds leading down to the half-submerged boulders in the water below. Grabbing the back of the old wizard's robes, Ichigo flash stepped them down to the boulder closest to the cliffside.
The orange haired Reaper smirked as he watched Dumbledore adjust himself, obviously not used to such high speeds.
"I thought wizards had their own high-speed technique?" Ichigo asked.
"In a sense, we do" said Dumbledore, as he regained his balance. "Though our Apparition is not so much about moving quickly as it is simply transporting ourselves somewhere else."
So, it's closer to a Senkaimon than a flash step, Ichigo reasoned.
Taking out his wand, Dumbledore summoned a thousand flecks of golden light, illuminating the water and the black wall of rock beside them. Ichigo's eyes immediately zeroed in on a fissure in the cliffside into which the dark water was swirling.
"I trust you will not object to getting a little wet" said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling.
Ichigo just scowled not appreciating the wizard's sense of humor. Undeterred, Dumbledore with the agility of a much younger man dived into the water and began to swim towards the fissure.
"Why do I keep running into crazy people?" Ichigo muttered to himself, before following after Dumbledore.
Once through the fissure it quickly opened into a dark tunnel. The slime covered walls were barely three feet apart, making it somewhat difficult for Ichigo to move with the larger Zangetsu sword strapped across his back. Relying on the light from Dumbledore's wand, they made their way deeper into the cliff until they came across a series of carved stone steps leading into a deeper cave.
Climbing out of the water, Ichigo allowed Dumbledore to cast a drying charm on their respective robes before journeying into the cave. Once inside the ancient wizard held his wand high in the middle of the room and started turning on the spot, as he examined the walls and ceiling.
"Yes, this is the place" said Dumbledore.
"How can you tell?" asked Ichigo, unable to sense anything out of the ordinary.
"It has known magic." Ichigo scowled at that considering Dumbledore's answer to be no answer at all. The Substitute Soul Reaper watched as Dumbledore continued to revolve on the spot, evidently concentrating on things he could not see.
"This is merely the antechamber, the entrance hall" Dumbledore said after a moment or two. "We need to penetrate the inner place. Now it is Lord Voldemort's obstacles that stand in our way, rather than those nature made."
Dumbledore approached the wall of the cave and caressed it with his fingertips, murmuring words too quietly for Ichigo to hear. Twice Dumbledore walked around the cave, touching as much of the rough rock as he could, occasionally pausing, running his fingers backwards and forwards over a particular spot, until finally he stopped, his hand pressed flat against the wall.
"Here" he said. "We go through here. The entrance is concealed."
Ichigo didn't bother asking how he knew that, figuring he'd get another vague answer like, "It's magic," or something equally as frustrating.
Dumbledore stepped back from the cave wall and pointed his wand at the rock. For a moment, an arched outline appeared there, blazing white as though there was a powerful light behind the crack.
Having seen enough, Ichigo stepped forward and pushed Dumbledore behind him, as he drew the Zangetsu sword off his back.
"Ichigo, I…" Dumbledore was about to protest that such a crude method would never work, when to his shock Ichigo's zanpakutō easily carved through the stone wall revealing a long dark tunnel.
"You say something?" Ichigo asked, as he returned Zangetsu to his back.
Dumbledore simply chuckled and ruefully shook his head, realizing he's grown far too used to having all the answers. "No, it's just refreshing to be proven wrong from time to time. After you."
Ichigo shrugged and passed through the archway with Dumbledore on his heels. Reaching the end of the tunnel they found themselves in a cavern on the bank of a vast black lake. A misty greenish light shone far away in what looked like the middle of the lake. The greenish glow and Dumbledore's wand were the only source of light in the otherwise unyielding darkness.
"Be careful not to step into the water" Dumbledore cautioned, as he stepped forward.
Together they set off around the edge of the lake; their footsteps echoing on the narrow rim of rock that surrounded the water. No matter how far they walked the view did not change; on one side the rough cavern wall, on the other the boundless lake of blackness with the mysterious greenish glow in the center.
"So, I thought we were looking for a Horcrux?" Ichigo spoke up, having grown tired of the oppressive silence.
"We are" said Dumbledore. "I believe our prize is in the center of the lake. The question is, how do we go about retrieving it?"
Ichigo stopped and gave Dumbledore a deadpan stare, "Couldn't I just fly out there and get it?"
"I don't see why not. Though do permit me to test a theory first."
Dumbledore then levitated a small pebble and tossed it out over the water. With a noise like an explosion, what appeared to be a very large and pale human hand erupted out of the dark water; before Ichigo, could see what it was, it vanished again with a crashing splash that made deep ripples on the mirrored surface.
"The hell was that?" said Ichigo, unable to sense anything under the water despite his best efforts.
"Something, I think, that is ready to respond should we attempt to seize the Horcrux."
Ichigo glared at Dumbledore, not appreciating how little he seems to give useful answers.
"I know. I meant what was that thing?"
"What are those things, you mean" said Dumbledore. "I doubt very much that there is only one of them. Now, shall we proceed."
Ichigo grumbling under his breath, he grabbed onto the back of Dumbledore's robe. The orange haired Soul Reaper could now understand why Harry was so frustrated with the old man's methods. A quick use of flash step saw the pair speed past the Horcrux's defenses, the pale hands unable to keep up with Ichigo's high-speed movements, as they reached a small island of smooth rock in the center of the lake.
An expanse of flat dark stone on which stood nothing but the source of that greenish light, a stone basin set atop a pedestal. Dumbledore approached the basin and Ichigo followed. Side by side, they looked down into it. The basin was full of an emerald liquid emitting that phosphorescent glow.
"What is it?" asked Ichigo.
"I am not sure," said Dumbledore. Pushing back the sleeve of his robe over his hand, Dumbledore stretched out the tips of his fingers toward the surface of the potion, only to pause without coming within an inch of it. "I cannot touch. I cannot approach any nearer than this. You try."
Staring, Ichigo put his hand into the basin and attempted to touch the potion, only to find his approach bared by an invisible barrier.
"Out of the way, please, Ichigo," said Dumbledore. He raised his wand and made complicated movements over the surface of the potion, murmuring soundlessly. Nothing happened, except perhaps that the potion glowed a little brighter.
"So, you think the Horcrux is in there?" asked Ichigo, reaching for his zanpakutō
"Yes. Though I'd prefer if you didn't destroy the basin" said Dumbledore. "It would be more beneficial to preserve it for study. Perhaps it will be of use in finding a means to better locate the others."
Ichigo agreed, remembering Kisuke Urahara telling him something about the Horcrux's unstable nature making it difficult for him to work. He was certain if they could bring him one, the former captain would be able to invent a sort of tracking device.
"So, how do we get it?" he asked Dumbledore.
"Yes, that is the problem. This potion cannot be penetrated by hand, Vanished, parted, scooped up, or siphoned away, nor can it be Transfigured, Charmed, or otherwise made to change its nature." Almost absentmindedly, Dumbledore raised his wand again, twirled it once in midair, conjuring a crystal goblet. "I can only conclude that this potion is supposed to be drunk."
"And that seems like a good idea?" honestly it seemed reckless even by Ichigo's standards.
"Yes, I believe, only by drinking it can I empty the basin and see what lies in its depths."
"And if it kills you?"
"Then I suppose you'll just have to guide my soul across" said Dumbledore "Though I doubt it will. Lord Voldemort would not want to kill the person who reached this island."
Ichigo was really starting to think there was something wrong with Dumbledore. It must've shown on his face, as Dumbledore chuckled at Ichigo's expression.
"I'm sorry, Ichigo. I should have said, he would not want to immediately kill the person who reached this island," Dumbledore corrected himself. "He would want to keep them alive long enough to find out how they managed to penetrate so far through his defenses and, most importantly of all, why they were so intent upon emptying the basin. Do not forget that Lord Voldemort believes that he alone knows about his Horcruxes.
Undoubtedly, this potion must act in a way that will prevent me taking the Horcrux. It might paralyze me, cause me to forget what I am here for, create so much pain I am distracted, or render me incapable in some other way. This being the case, Ichigo, it will be your job to make sure I keep drinking, even if you have to tip the potion into my protesting mouth. You understand?"
"Alright already" Ichigo said impatiently. "If you're going to drink it just do it already."
Chuckling at the younger man's attitude, Dumbledore lowered the crystal goblet into the potion. Meeting no resistance, the crystal glass was filled to brim, before being lifted to the old wizard's mouth.
"To your good health" Dumbledore toasted Ichigo, before draining the goblet.
"How do you feel?" Ichigo asked anxiously, as Dumbledore lowered the empty glass.
Dumbledore shook his head, his eyes closed. Ichigo wondered whether he was in pain. Dumbledore plunged the glass blindly back into the basin, refilled it, and drank once more. In silence, Dumbledore drank three goblets full of the potion. Then, halfway through the fourth goblet, he staggered and fell forward against the basin. His eyes still closed, his breathing heavy.
"Hey old man?" Ichigo called, as he shook Dumbledore's shoulder. "Can you hear me?"
Panting, Dumbledore spoke in a weak frightened voice, "I don't want . . . Don't make me . . . don't like . . . want to stop . . ."
Just a few cups did this to him. Ichigo was hesitant to see what would happen if he let Dumbledore drink the rest. Decision made, Ichigo pulled Dumbledore away from the stone basin, laying him down off to the side to rest.
Once Dumbledore was out of the way, Ichigo drew the Zangetsu blade off his back and swung it at the stone basin, shattering the magical barrier, as it sliced straight through its base, spilling the potion onto the dark rocky island.
Swept along by the spilled potion, Ichigo's prize, a golden locket washed up against his feet. With the locket in hand, Ichigo prepared to take his leave. But when he turned to Dumbledore, he found the wizard drinking desperately from the lake's dark water.
Mindful of Voldemort's defenses, Ichigo immediately rushed to Dumbledore's side and attempted to pull the wizard away from the water only to find a slimy white hand had gripping the former headmaster's wrist. With a solid tug Ichigo pulled Dumbledore out of the creature's grip but it was too late. Voldemort's trap had been tripped and everywhere Ichigo looked, white heads and hands were emerging from the dark water, men and women and children with sunken, sightless eyes were moving toward the rock: an army of the undead rising from the black water.
Tightening his grip on Zangetsu, Ichigo placed himself between Dumbledore and the approaching undead. With a war cry, Ichigo swung the massive blade the pressure alone sending several of the reanimated corpse flying back into the water. But with more continuing to march towards them, Ichigo drew his shorter Zangetsu and dived into the fray.
Wielding both swords, Ichigo sliced his way through the Inferi, moving far too fast for the animated corpses to catch. But it didn't matter how many of them fell. For each one Ichigo destroyed another six would rise up to take their place. And with Dumbledore out of commission, Ichigo was losing ground.
With no end in sight, Ichigo felt he had no other choice. Placing himself between Dumbledore and the undead army, Ichigo channeled his spirit energy into his larger Zangetsu
"Getsuga Tenshō! Ichigo yelled, as he as he fired a black energy wave from each of his sword.
Confronted with the power of Ichigo's zanpakutō the army of Inferi was reduced to nothing but ashes, as the Getsuga washed over them before leaving a massive fissure straight through the cavern wall leading out into the ocean, setting off a chain reaction.
The entire cavern started to rumble as large boulders came crashing down from the ceiling, signaling the start of a cave in. As the chamber began to fall apart around them, Ichigo grabbed Dumbledore and flash stepped them out through the opening he created, reaching the open air with the entire chamber caving in behind them leaving the sight of Voldemort's childhood acts of cruelty buried for eternity.
Dumbledore's condition had grown worse by the time they'd returned to Baker Street. With the old wizard muttering in pain, lost to the nightmares brought about by Voldemort's potion. "Please make it stop, I know I did wrong, oh please make it stop and I'll never, never again . . ."
Having never seen the powerful wizard look so frightened, Remus and Sirius could only stand and stare in wonder as Ichigo asked Orihime if she could take a look at Dumbledore.
"I've never tried to heal someone's mind before" said Orihime. "But I'll do my best. Sōten Kisshun: I reject."
At her command Orihime's hairpins transformed and enveloped Dumbledore in an energy field. But despite her best efforts, it appeared to be in vain as the old wizard continued to suffer under the nightmarish effects of Voldemort's potion.
And all Ichigo, Sirius and Remus could do was step aside and watch as Orihime worked to restore Dumbledore's mind. The two Marauders couldn't help but wonder just what demons existed in their old headmaster's mind.
"Don't hurt them, don't hurt them, please, please, it's my fault, hurt me. . .hurt me…. KILL ME!"
And did he deserve whatever hell he was facing.