Chapter

Chapter 43

DISCALIMER: For the millionth time these characters are not mine

Author's note: Hey you guys! I can't tell you how sorry I am that I couldn't upload before this. I don't think I'll be writing a sequel after this. However if anyone wishes to continue it then please contact me and let me know.

The violin rested innocently in its case on Harry's desk. The light reflected off its gleaming brown surface, picking up the rich fiery colors flowing secretly through the polished wood. The strings themselves look poised and ready to play. The fiddle was lying contently within its velvet casing. Harry could see his own reflection in the dark swirling brown of the violin, lying there with all the potential to sway worlds and create new ones.

It was at that moment when Harry finally came face to face with his darkest fear and deepest desire that he realized what he was facing. His moment of truth.

When Dumbledore had called Harry back to his office once everybody had left, Harry had assumed that it was to discuss the plan to capture Voldemort. The plan in itself was simple enough. Voldemort was being awarded on the 1st of January but before that he was invited as the guest of honor to the Hogwarts Christmas extravaganza on
Christmas Day itself. The Chief of Police would be the Chief Guest. The school would perform its usual concert where Harry would emerge before Voldemort and expose him publicly. They had about a month to collect their proof.

It seemed simple enough. And dangerous enough. Ginny's face had paled drastically when the Headmaster told them his plan. Only Harry had noticed. But he knew that sooner or later she would confront him and tell him not to do it. Had he been in her place he would have probably kidnapped and locked her away before he would let her attempt anything so crazy. But he wasn't in her place and this wasn't her fight no matter how much she supported him.

But right now he had more urgent things to think about. Like the violin Dumbledore had kept in front of him. The violin his parents were going to give him for his 14th birthday. It had been given to Dumbledore for safekeeping while Harry dealt with the…aftermath.

But now it was in front of him and Harry was looking at it with part wonder and part terror. Ok, a whole lot terror.

"Headmaster…" Harry raised anguished eyes to Dumbledore, the latter almost taken aback by the intense emotions swirling in Harry's green eyes, "I-I can't play this. It-It's too soon. Please understand."

The Headmaster had seen enough of life to realize that some things just had to wait till the time was right. Harry, although he wasn't saying much, was asking for a little time before he was once more confronted with another evidence of the trauma he had suffered. And Dumbledore realized that perhaps it really was too early for Harry to play this violin. But play it he shall and in the final concert….only Harry didn't know this yet.

"Alright Harry." The Headmaster signed, "But it will be waiting for you." And after saying so he gently packed it up and placed it in the cupboard before locking it.

He turned around to smile at Harry. "Don't disappoint it…or yourself."

Tom Riddle had almost finished calling out the all the names on the roll call when he realized the latest addition to it. He stared at it for a few minutes before raising his eyebrows till they almost touched his hair and swept his gaze across the room. "I see Harry Potter hasn't bothered to attend his first class. You! Find out where he is!" he barked pointing at a student who paled at the unexpected attack. But he still didn't move.

Riddle flushed with anger at this insubordination. His cheeks filled with red color and his eyes flashed as he glared at the defaulter. "Didn't you hear me? Where is Harry Potter?" He stalked from the back of the class where he had been standing to the front and was just about to haul up the defaulter when he heard the first haunting strains of a violin melody surge from the front desk.

He spun on his heel and almost ran to the front of the class where he saw Harry utterly lost in playing his music. His eyes were tightly shut and his body was swaying gently with the music, his hair falling on his face lightly but Harry was oblivious to anything but the music welling inside him.

Draco smiled impishly and said, "He's right here."