Harry Potter and the Legend of the Twelve
By
Lewis M. Brooks, III
Chapter 35 – Pieces of the Puzzle
Harry wasn't sure what was going on around him. He was looking up, as if he was lying on the ground. He saw two men wielding swords, dueling. They seemed slightly fuzzy, as if he was looking through the lens of a camera that was not quite focused. He had a strange sense of calm, even though the sight before him should have been shocking. Few wizards used swords, as wands were far more effective. As he watched the fierce duel before him, he recognized one of the combatants. The snakelike red eyes were unmistakable. It was Voldemort, wielding an ebony blade. Somehow, the sense of calm over him did not vanish at this realization. As he watched the swords clang, he realized who it was who was battling Voldemort. It was Albus, at least it looked like Albus, but older. Albus was battling Voldemort with the Sword of Gryffindor. Albus swung the sword.
Just then, Harry woke up. It had been a dream. Harry sat up. Ginny was sleeping in bed next to him, curled up at his side as always. It was late, almost two o'clock in the morning.
It had been two weeks since he had carried Albus's unconscious body out of the Chamber of Secrets. Albus was still unconscious, but he knew he would be all right. He knew Fawkes and Dumbledore would not have saved his son's life, only to let him remain like that.
Harry got dressed and collected the book, 'The Prophecy of The Twelve', and all the notes Hermione had made. There were still things he didn't understand. Most shocking among them, when they went back to the book after they emerged from the chamber, the last line had changed. The words, 'as one of The Twelve falls', had vanished.
The dream Harry had just had, so similar to the one he had at Christmas, but yet different, didn't do anything to help him understand it.
Harry walked down to the Hospital Wing, and quietly pushed open the door. Albus was lying on the bed and another was pushed near it, on which Carly slept, holding his hand. Harry remembered the day so long ago, when he awoke with Ginny next to him at The Burrow. When Albus wakes up, she'll be there, thought Harry, it was a comforting thought.
As he turned to leave, he realized, someone else was there. James was sitting on the bed in the corner, staring at Albus and Carly. Harry hadn't seen him when he came in. He walked over and sat down beside him. "James, it's awfully late. Are you all right?" asked Harry softly.
"I couldn't sleep," said James flatly. He paused. "Dad, can I ask you something?"
"Always," replied Harry. He could tell something was on James mind. Harry put his arm around James shoulders.
"It wasn't fun, was it?" asked James.
"What wasn't fun?" asked Harry confusedly.
"All your adventures," said James slowly. "I thought they were so cool when you told us about them. Three headed dogs, fighting a Basilisk, defeating Dementors, fighting dragons, I always thought things like that would be fun and exciting. But now…they weren't, were they?"
"No, they weren't," said Harry softly. "I was scared to death most of the time. I got by on luck. I should have died a dozen times over. They weren't fun at all. I do understand that they seem that way, though. Living them is a lot different than hearing the stories."
"When we were in the Chamber…I wasn't excited, I was scared," said James softly. "I was scared I wouldn't be able to stop the snakes and they would get Rose and Danny. I was scared that you, Mum, Uncle Ron, Aunt Hermione, Neville, or Sirius would be hurt." James voice began to crack. "I was afraid we were going to lose Al. Then…I thought we did. It wasn't fun and it wasn't exciting…it was terrible."
Harry pulled James into his lap and hugged him tight. "It's all right, James," said Harry. "There's no shame in being scared." Harry pulled his son back and looked him in the eyes. "While you were in the Chamber, you fought bravely. I made the right choice making you the Marauders' leader. You led Rose and Danny in fighting those snakes, even though you were afraid. I would rather have someone who was smart enough to know when to be afraid behind me, than someone foolish enough not to be afraid."
James nodded and slid back onto the bed. "Thanks, Dad," said James.
"You should go to bed, James," said Harry. "You shouldn't be out this late."
"I know. I'll head back to bed soon. I would just like to sit here a little longer," said James.
Harry kissed James on the forehead, and left the Hospital Wing.
Harry walked until he got to the one place he thought that perhaps, maybe he could find answers. Perhaps being near him would somehow give him the answers he needed.
The night was calm. There was not a breeze in the air. Harry walked down by the lake. The moonlight was bright and reflected off the lake. It was bright enough next to the marble tomb, which also reflected the light, to read by.
Harry sat on the ground and leaned against the marble tomb in which lay the body of Albus Dumbledore. He went over the notes and what was in the book. He had pieced most of it together, but something was still eluding him. He didn't know why the last part of the prophecy disappeared from the book. Shouldn't the book have known Dumbledore would save Albus? He didn't really understand why his dream changed. His first dream and now this new one were obviously related, but how? Harry felt the answer was on the edge of his consciousness, but he couldn't grasp it. He felt like he had the pieces of a puzzle, but no idea what the picture was he was trying to make.
"I wish you were here, Professor," said Harry softly. "I could really use your help."
Before Harry could even realize what he had said, before him stood Albus Dumbledore. He was smiling down at him, just the way he remembered him.
Harry leapt to his feet, dropping the book and the notes from his lap. "Professor Dumbledore," said Harry in disbelief. "Is it really you, or have I gone mad?"
"Hello, Harry," said Professor Dumbledore. "You have most definitely not gone mad."
"Are you really here?" asked Harry. Harry wasn't sure if Dumbledore's previous statement had answered that question or not.
"More or less," said Professor Dumbledore with a smile.
Harry threw his arms around him. "Thank you," said Harry. "Thank you so much. You gave me back my son."
"You need not thank me," said Professor Dumbledore. "Consider us even for the mistakes I made long ago. Now, what can I do for you? We haven't much time."
Harry just looked at him for a moment. He knew that soon he would be gone. He wanted so much more time, but had to take the few precious minutes he had. "Do you know what is in this book?" asked Harry.
"Harry, I've been watching over you since I died, so yes, I do," said Professor Dumbledore.
"Why would the book say that Albus would die, then change?" asked Harry.
"I would think that would be obvious," said Professor Dumbledore.
"If Merlin saw everything else, then why didn't he know you would save Albus?" asked Harry.
"Because I was not supposed to," said Professor Dumbledore. "The dead are not supposed to interfere with the lives of the living. I figured I could break the rules just this once." Dumbledore winked at him.
Harry thought for a moment about his dreams. The dream had been different after Professor Dumbledore saved Albus. "Professor, at Christmas, I had a dream," said Harry. "I saw James, older by at least five years, maybe more. He was battling Voldemort. Voldemort killed him, and Lily killed Voldemort with the Killing Curse. Tonight I had the same dream, but it had changed. Now Albus was fighting Voldemort. It ended before I got to see what happened."
"Harry, this could be interpreted in many ways," said Professor Dumbledore. "I think the change in the dream is almost certainly due to my actions. Saving Albus was not something Merlin foresaw. The book changed to reflect what had happened, however unpredictable."
"So, then by saving Albus, you changed the future," said Harry. "That's why the last line of the prophecy disappeared. Al was…supposed to die." Harry's voice quivered slightly. "It was his destiny."
"I don't believe so," said Professor Dumbledore. "Destiny is a finicky thing, Harry. The universe has a plan. It is hard to know whether any event in was the work of destiny and that event was fated to happen, or if an event was going to happen do to the normal ebb and flow of life. Just because Merlin foresaw Albus's death, does not mean that Albus was destined to die, only that he was going to. It is just as possible that the Universe's grand plan, whatever it may be, may be served by Albus's survival, just as it may have been served by his death. We really can't know."
Harry thought of the last line on the page that described the Twelve. "The book said, 'if the Savior and the Heir fall, only a great act of evil can destroy the Dark Lord'. In my first dream, Lily used the Killing Curse," said Harry. "Whether Al lived or died, I won't survive to face Voldemort."
"Perhaps, but remember Merlin's words, 'the future can be changed by sheer force of will,' so you may yet survive," said Professor Dumbledore. "Do not make the mistake of feeling your future is not your own. Just because it has been foreseen, doesn't mean it can't be changed."
Harry had hoped maybe that was wrong, that Voldemort would not still return, but it was clear. Voldemort didn't die in the Chamber when Albus stabbed himself. He was still out there somewhere, and he would be back. Albus had delayed his return, but maybe that would be enough.
"Voldemort will be back," said Harry softly.
"I believe he will. I must leave you now, Harry," said Professor Dumbledore. "I am afraid I will not be able to return. Saving Albus, and coming here tonight, has used up what little earthly magic I had left."
"I'm sorry," said Harry.
"Don't be. I put it to good use. I have no regrets about it," said Professor Dumbledore. He smiled. "You never know. Perhaps someday, I'll be able to help you out again."
"Professor, can others return?" asked Harry. He knew he shouldn't ask. He knew there were things that were much more important than his seeing his parents, yet Harry couldn't help but ask.
"I'm sorry, Harry, it takes exceptional magic in life, to carry it into death. Your parents were powerful…but not that powerful," said Professor Dumbledore. "Until we meet again, in the life beyond…farewell."
And with that, Albus Dumbledore faded away before Harry's eyes.
Harry thought a lot about what Dumbledore said. Could it be that the future really wasn't set? Could he alter it through force of will alone? He didn't know, but he would certainly try.