Chapter 29
James cringed, the pain in his hands almost too much to bear. He and the other Gyrffindor first years had been up since 5am scrubbing the floors of the Great Hall in preparation for the day ahead. It had been like this for weeks now. Every day the Gryffindor students would be awoken in the early hours of the morning in order to complete a menial task that would take seconds to do with magic, by hand. It was "character building" according to Bellatrix Lestrange, the sadistic and fearsome Headmistress.
Each class they took was created in order to prepare them for life in the Empire. Cooking, cleaning, ettiquete…the potions they were taught were ones with menial purposes similar to those of the classes they took. They were being prepared for a life of servitude, of third class citizens.
James had been preapared for this. What he hadn't been prepared for was the constant violence he was subjected to by the Slytherin students. If they were bored; they would taunt the Gryffindors and practice spells upon them, or just physically beat them up. The first time one of the new students had fought back had led to a period under the cruciatus curse. They had learned not to fight back.
It was clear to James that this was a fool proof method for maintaining the power of the Empire; break any potential rebels early. Teach them that Hogwarts was just a microcosm of society; rebel at Hogwarts: get punished. Rebel in the Empire's Britain: get punished.
The food at Hogwarts was wonderful; it was just a shame that James hardly saw any of it. Slytherin students were allowed in to the Great Hall first; then after they had eaten their fill, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students could eat. Finally after they had eaten, it was the turn of the Gryffindors. However they had to be fast before either the food disappeared or they began to run late for class. It was a dangerous existence, yet this was life under the rule of the Empire.
There was no relief. And now…there was no resistance.
XX
Harry, Ron and Hermione had been pouring through book after book, trying to find any spell – dark, light or otherwise – the could help them slip through the, now, impenetrable wards of Hogwarts.
"I can't take it anymore!" screamed Ron. "We exhausted most of these books when we were looking into getting the prisoners out of Azkaban! And we found nothing!"
"Ron. We are not giving up. Ginny and James – my son – is being held in there. I will read these books cover to cover ten times if I have to!" Harry replied.
"Guys. Calm down. We will find something – we have to…" said Hermione.
"Why can't this be more simple…like finding out who Flamel was – we did that no problem!" sighed Ron, resting his head on the table.
"We? That was me." Replied Hermione.
"And in second Year when we figured out the mystery of the chamber." Harry leant back from the book he was pouring over, and smiled.
"Again – we?" asked Hermione.
"Of course who put two and two together to figure out that Remus was a Werewolf in third year? The golden trio!" cheered Ron, Harry could now tell he was trying to wind Hermione up.
" .me." snarled Hermione, oblivious to Ron's jokes, "You complete and utter prat!"
"Calm down Hermione, I'm just teasing. We both know that we wouldn't have figured out anything if it wasn't for you." Ron said, putting an arm around his wife.
"Yeah, you are the brains behind the whole operation." Smiled Harry.
"And of course, by fourth and fifth year it wasn't mysteries anymore it was just a nice case of fighting dragons, giants, death eaters, all wrapped up with invisible flying horses, demented Headmistresses, mermaids and submarine school boats! Where we could all have our influence."
"RON!" screamed Hermione, making both Harry and Ron jump in fright, "You are a genius! You've done it again!" She kissed him on the lips before running out of the room and upstairs.
"What the hell…this is the second time this has happened. Last time I accidentally figured out the Jolly Ronald was the way into Azkaban. Can nobody tell me what I have – or have not – done!"
"Merlin…the Jolly Ronald! Ron – you really are a genius." Shouted Harry in joy before also running up the stairs.
"If I'm such a genius…why can't I figure out what I've done." Ron grumbled to himself, shaking his head, wondering out the room to go upstairs to join his wife and best friend.
XX
"All of you, get your arms out in front of you!" snapped the voice of a death eater in the dungeons of Hogwarts.
"What's going on?" whispered Ginny to Bill as their arms were bound in front of them.
"No idea…but be prepared – any chance to escape, take it."
All of the Order were led up through the dungeons until finally they began to recognize some of the corridors, Snape's old classroom, the corridor where the Slytherin common room was located, up and up they went; they were evidently heading for the great hall.
It took a moment for their eyes to adjust to natural sunlight as they arrived at ground level. They barely had any time to react to the light before they were corralled – as they had thought – into the great hall. Before them were two contrasting sights;
Remus and Tonks child was there. Bill and Fleur's daughter was there. Ginny's son was there. Voldemort was there, and it was his presence that stopped the parents from trying to run to their children.
"Ahh, our guests have joined us, in time to see the consolidation of my power as Emperor."
There was a murmur of fear that shuddered throughout the Hall. The doors were blocked, so the Order drifted towards the Gryffindors. Dumbledore took up a place in front of the children and the Order as their figurehead.
"So long as there are those that still oppose you, then your power can never be absoloute." He said firmly.
"Dumbledore, you fool, in a short while my power will be such that any that oppose me will be irellevant. You see, for the past few years I have allowed The Duke to do my dirty work for me whilst I conducted research upon this magnificent building here." Here he gestured at the Hall surrounding them.
"I have found a way to tap in to the raw magical power of Hogwarts; I shall extract it and it shall become mine. I will – to put it simply and truthfully- become more powerful than even Merlin." Voldemort explained smugly.
"You are a fool Tom. Nobody can steal Hogwarts powers, indeed, nobody can control Hogwarts." Said Dumbledore, shaking his head.
"Nobody…except the Head of the School. Bellatrix, if you would be so kind as to join me."
Bellatrix shuffled to be next to her lord.
"As the current Headmistress of the school, I must ask you to transfer the position of Headmaster to me."
"Yes my Lord Emperor, of course." She grovelled, "I Bellatrix Lestrange, hereby pass on the role, title and responsibilities of Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, to Lord Emperor Voldemort."
"Excellent…"smiled Voldemort. He closed his eyes, attempting to feel the raw power of the school.
"My Lord Emperor, has it worked?" asked Bellatrix.
"There is a simple test…if I am truly the Headmaster of Hogwarts then the various artefacts should respond to me; such as the suits of armour." Here he strode up to one of the many suits of armour placed around the Hall. In ages gone by these could be called upon by the Head to defend the school among other such jobs.
"Armour, I command you to guard the doors of the Hall." The armour didn't move.
"Armour! Guard the doors!" Voldemort said again, this time with more anger. It still didn't move.
"Why hasn't it worked?" shouted Voldemort in anger.
Suddenly Ginny was filled with a courage. She asked herself; what would Harry do? She needed to set an example for her James.
"Because you aren't Headmaster! And you never will be the true Headmaster of Hogwarts." She shouted, stepping forward. A few shouts of agreement were heard behind her.
Behind her, James smiled with pride, which soon turned to horror as he gauged Voldemort's reaction.
"You dare insult the Emperor? Of course it would be Potter's girlfriend…I think you need to learn your place. Let this be the first lesson I teach as Headmaster!" He raised his wand in preparation to curse her, he was however cut off by a screeching alarm – the wards had been breached.
"What is this?" he asked accusingly, turning towards Bellatrix.
"The wards…but it's impossible – every entrance is completely secure!" she panicked.
The screeching was soon joined by a rumbling.
"Outside, now! Find out what is going on." Ordered Voldemort.
In the rush to get outside many of the Order were swept into the entrance hall, though guards were placed at the door to stop them escaping. They could, however, still see what was going on outside.
The rumbling grew more and more violent, however the source of it was unseen, until finally it revealed itself;
Bursting out of the Lake came the Jolly Ronald flying the a flag with a golden phoenix on it. Harry standing at the ships wheel, a steely look of determination in his eyes. Manning the cannons was Ron and Hermione, aiming at the various clumps of death eaters. A metal canister was blasted into the entrance hall, stopping at the Order member's feet. A note was pinned to it;
'Sorry we're late,
-The Golden Trio'
The canister clicked open to reveal a stash of wands. The order members jumped upon them, undoing their bonds and beginning to battle. In the chaos the suits of armour Voldemort had previously been trying to control came alive and started protecting the students; evidently Voldemort could not control Hogwarts. He was Headmaster by name only – Dumbledore was protecting the students.
An anchor dropped from the ship, Harry, Ron and Hermione sliding down it and entering the fray.
A dark figure made its way out of the safety of the castle towards where the trio had just arrived. A figure wearing a silver mask.
XX
James, Teddy and Victoire were pushed back behind a line of suits of armour, supplemented by various Order members, who countered the spells being aimed at the Students.
"Look!" said Victoire with a sense of urgency; she pointed over to the double doors leading outside to the main battle.
"Is that…the Duke?" asked Teddy incredulously. The 'imposter' in the Duke's armour and mask was making his way out onto the battlefield.
"No…my dad was the Duke – and he is outside." Answered James, confused.
"Who is it then?" asked Teddy.
"I don't know – but I think we might find out. He is heading straight for your Dad, James." Said Victoire.
XX
Harry fought side by side with Ron and Hermione. He was reminded of the days before the Empire, during the slow beginnings of the War, his first few years of School. Whilst at the time they had seemed difficult, with hindsight and the added factor of how horrible life was like under the empire, they now seemed like the good old days.
Together with his best friends they were more than a match for most. That was until, having cleaved through the ranks of poorly trained death eater pawns, their match did appear. Bellatrix Lestrange, Draco Malfoy and the mysterious Duke blocked their path to the castle.
"She is mine." Said Hermione through gritted teeth, eying up Bellatrix.
"Come on then Ferret boy!" Ron taunted in Malfoy's direction.
Harry remained silent not dropping eye contact with the man in front of him who wore the mask that once contained his face. Either side of him Ron and Hermione began their respective battles. Yet Harry and The Duke remained still. That was until – at the very same second – they both send stunning curses at each other. Both raised shields – the same specific one – to deflect the curses.
After this an exchange of bone breaking curses were sent, both fighters choosing to dodge rather than deflect.
How can this guy read my moves…and how can I read his so well. Harry thought with confusion.
"Come on Potter! Try something new! I can read you like a book!" laughed the figure The Duke.
"That is rich coming from a cheap imitation of myself!" Harry responded.
"Oh I am more than an imitation…I am much more than that." Retorted The Duke.
The two carried on with their fight, every single spell the same, each one being deflected or dodged by both combatants in each instance.
Harry finally, out of frustration more than anything, send a expelliarmus at the Duke, to which he dodged before cackling;
"Oh the traditional disarming spell – it always was your trade mark move. How very much like us!"
Us? Thought Harry, before speaking up, "Take off that mask. Let me see your face, you coward. I would have though Tom could come up with something much more original that trying to replicate my old self."
"If it isn't broken, why fix it?" Harry opened up his body in response to this new voice – Voldemort, having broken off his duel with Dumbledore momentarily had entered the fray with Harry and the Duke.
"You! What have you done with my family!" Harry spat, sending a curse at Voldemort, who dodged it – just.
"Tut, tut Potter. Such rage." Smirked Voldemort. "It was that rage that handed me such a powerful follower when you were under my control…you were the perfect candidate to fall into the clutches of dark magic. I couldn't afford to lose that."
"Well you have. I am my own man. I will never serve you again, Tom."
"The Harry Potter standing with his wand pointed at me may not, but the Harry Potter with that silver mask on would beg to differ. The Harry Potter created from the locket that stole so many years of your life; the locket that also stole so much more..."
"What do you mean?" asked Harry in mild panic and confusion.
"That is Harry Potter. Created from your magical signature, he has his own magical powers; he us you, rather he is what you would be if you had given in to the rage from the abuse you suffered your whole life. He is the true Duke."
"And I am the true Harry Potter." Said Dark Harry, "Therefore you must be eliminated."
"Albus…is this possible?" Harry asked Dumbledore, who was nearby, an observer of this interaction, wearied after his duel with Voldemort.
"It is entirely possible…horcruxes are very complicated things…and you are more vulnerable to the temptations of dark magic than most, simply through the horrors you have experience in life." Explained Dumbledore, the shock – and indeed fear – etched upon his face.
Fear also flashed through Harry's mind. It was true that he was vulnerable to the dark…he had found out all to recently that he could be his own worst enemy… he never thought it could be literally. Yet as he stood on the fields of Hogwarts, his first true home, Ron and Hermione – his best friends, his first friends, by his side, he began to form a plan; if rage was his greatest downfall, then why couldn't he exploit himself – exploit Dark Harry.
"Well then – I suppose we are the same person. I would ask you what number I am thinking of but of course you already know." Smirked Harry.
"9 and three quarters." Snapped Dark Harry.
"Fair enough…well then if you are going to destroy me then I am glad it will be here, at Hogwarts - our first home. Remember the sense of belonging we felt when we first arrived here Harry?"
Dark Harry searched his memories. Hogwarts…he searched his emotions, there was something missing. He knew there was supposed to be a feeling there…an emotion, yet it was almost as if he couldn't feel it…almost like a robot The only emotions he felt were the mild jealous feelings he had once felt at Ron's family – that was what belonging meant to Dark Harry – jealousy.
"Enough. Fight me."
"Ok – but be careful – we don't want to get too close to the Whomping Willow – remember when we first met Sirius there? Of course you do – we are the same person." Smiled Harry.
Yet again Dark Harry was forced to search his memories, almost involuntarily; there he was being told he could go and live with Sirius, escape the Dursleys. He should feel joy…yet there was nothing. He couldn't – it was missing. But is should be there – why wasn't it there? All he associated with that night was the rage and anger at Snape, Fudge and Wormtail upon learning that Sirius would not be going free.
"Stop it. Get out of my head!" snapped Dark Harry.
"Your head? I rather think it is our head." Laughed Harry. Beside him Dumbledore's eyes twinkled – he knew what Harry was doing. He wouldn't have thought to do it himself – the boy…no the man was brilliant. The light side truly was in good hands.
"Look at all this destruction, eh Harry? Better be careful of this old castle – why that astronomy tower looks like it could come down at any moment!"
"Enough of these frivolities, Duke – finish this." Snapped Voldemort in anger, confused at what Harry was doing.
"Mind you – if it could handle a baby dragon, then a few spells should be no problem. Remember Norbert, Harry? Remember taking him – I should say her, but you already know he was a she – up there at the dead of night – and getting caught! Why didn't we remember the cloak, Harry." Taunted Harry.
Dark Harry's mind was a mess; he was suddenly assaulted with the memories and feelings of guilt and hate that followed the massive loss of points they had sustained for Gryffindor that night. Nothing else, just the horror it brought – nothing of the fun they had had those winters evening with Hagrid and Norbert…just emptiness.
"STOP IT! STOP NOW!" shouted Dark Harry, shaking his head violently, hands clutched against his ears.
"What about our other adventures with the cloak in first year, eh Harry."
"No…don't go there…please anywhere but that one." Snivelled Dark Harry.
"You know the one – the Mirror. Remember our desires. Our deepest, most true, purest desire, Harry."
"No…no…"cried Dark Harry, collapsing.
"REMEMBER IT HARRY!" shouted Harry at his dark counterpart.
"I…I can't." whispered Dark Harry.
"Of course you can't. Because that memory is such a pure one, the first time I ever saw my parents, all I wanted was a family to be loved. You can't handle the emotions of that memory, you can't handle that feeling. You can't and never will – because you aren't real. You are just a fragment of me, the dark twinkle in my eye that threatened to surface. I have learned to control my anger – an I can control you."
"No…please…leave me alone, Harry."
"Duke! What are you doing? Destroy him!" screamed Voldemort.
"I can't…he is me…Me? Who am I…WHO AM I?" Dark Harry spat with rage, through tears. "If you made, me then you can tell me who I am." His attitude changed from anger to begging – Harry had sent him over the edge into madness.
Voldemort looked in piteously down at his creation. "You are worthless. You are a failed experiment. You are nothing to me. You are nothing."
The shock in Dark Harry's eyes was huge. He shook his head before screaming into the sky, and with an almighty crack to get through the weakened wards, he apparated away.
"You thought that my dark side could defeat me because he knew me better than anyone else. Well that works both ways, Tom – I know him better than anyone else too."
The rage was palpable upon Voldemort's face, who snapped and sent an organ dissolving hex at Harry, who was unprepared. Dumbledore threw up a shield at the last moment, intending to carry on his duel with the Emperor.
"Harry – go. Protect the students; remember what I told you." Said the elderly headmaster.
Harry nodded. "Right." Before heading through the battle, towards the school he had once called home.
