JK Rowling Owns Harry Potter
FASA Owns Earthdawn
Harry's fourth year will alternate between having 'summary' sections and detailed sections focusing more on where divergence from canon occurs. I do not want to re-tell what most readers already know, but I will spotlight where significant divergence occurs. I also want to cut back on the angst and advance the story. I find that stories with 300K+ words can be hard to get through. In this regard, summaries keep the word count under control. Year five will be a full split and this is where I would rather focus the detail.
Parseltongue is designated with the § symbol and italic script. For example: § "Parseltongue" §
So, after this chapter, we will diverge from Canon. Even after it diverges, events will all be tied back to Canon events. I will be heavily using JK Rowling's words and scenes in the cemetery. She wrote an amazing story, and this is one of the best elements. I tried to give a slightly different perspective. The outcome will be significantly different than canon, but I think it makes sense in this story.
Chapter 19 - No More Magic
—Dance of Death—
Hogwarts
Harry's Hut
June 24, 1995
Harry was mentally going over all the spells he had learned this year as well as the spells he had known for years. He was ready for the final task, but he had to wait for the early evening. Waiting was hard when you are nervous and ready. He was done preparing for the final task and just wished he could get it over with.
Sometime around 11 AM, he was visited by the older members of the Weasley family. They wanted to send him off with a good luck celebration. Bill cast his Patronus to prevent any unfortunate 'flare up events'. Mrs. Weasley brought a treacle tart, Mr. Weasley was just there for him. Harry thought the man was the perfect father, always so calm and kind. Charlie had joined them before lunch and it was a perfect way to distract him and it brought much needed happiness to Harry's morning.
Soon after lunch, his school friends stopped by. Ginny, Hermione, Neville, Luna, and Colin all joined him. Hermione and Neville skipped out on 'study time' for the final exams just to be with him and show their support. They had helped him prepare for each task selflessly. They were all true friends.
Harry didn't have much of an appetite, he was too nervous. Still, having so many people come and support him, made him feel ready to burst with happiness.
At five forty five, Harry and Bill made their way to the final task. The Weasleys and Harry's friends accompanied him to the last task. As he walked up, he was told that he and Cedric had the high scores, so they would enter first. Dumbledore warned them that the maze would bring out the worst in each of them, but not to give in to their 'dark side'. Or something like that. Harry had stopped listening to Albus Dumbledore long ago. He knew more about people's darker side than anyone else in school.
It was starting to get darker and the twenty foot high hedges would make it very dark inside. He knew he would work his way to the center, and he had an ace in the hole. Harry was an elementalist. He understood the elements to a degree no normal witch or wizard could. And the element of wood was the element that he found the most intuitive to commune with. Harry prepared himself.
A whistle was blown and Harry and Cedric raced into the maze. Cedric quickly pulled away as he was larger, older, and faster. When Cedric turned left, Harry turned right. Reaching out, he touched the hedge. As he relaxed his senses and opened his perception, he came to understand the maze as only a plant could. Roots and branches all intermingling. He understood that the maze would be continuously changing. There was no real pattern he could find, but he could easily tell where the center was. Well, he didn't have a perfect route, but it was better than the 'point-me' charm.
Harry shifted his vision to that of an owl so he could see better in the dim light. Now that he had an idea of where to go and clear vision, he sprinted ahead. He knew how to get close to the center. He would just check his directions with the pants whenever they shifted to re-orient. Soon, Harry felt he was about a third of the distance to the destination. He was surprised that he had not encountered any obstacles. There had been a glowing mist that made you feel like you were upside down... He just had to focus through it… but that was not really a challenge.
Suddenly, he heard a pain filled yell. It was Cedric. Harry was tempted to ignore it, but he just couldn't bring himself to refuse aid to someone in pain. He doubled back in time to see Cedric battling one of those blast end screwts Hagrid had been breeding. Cedric had been badly burned and the creature was advancing. Harry quickly waved his wand and cast an 'earth wave' charm at the creature, flipping it upside down and burying it in dirt.
Harry then rushed over to check on Cedric. The older boy had sustained a terrible burn on his right side. He summoned elemental water to soothe Cedric's burns, but that wouldn't be enough. Still, it helped. Harry knew he needed medical assistance. The burns were blackened and blistered. His wand had been destroyed and sat on the earth as smoking fragments.
"Cedric, do you want me to summon help? Your wand is broken and you have been badly burned…"
Cedric looked at Harry and just gave a short nod. Clearly, he was in pain. He also hated giving up. Harry would have felt sorry for him if he hadn't been such an ass all year. Still, he shot off red sparks and moved to the edge of the area. Within a minute, he saw Professor Sprout collect the boy. She looked over at Harry and nodded to him with a sad smile. Harry nodded back and returned to the task.
The maze shifted twice more. In that time, Harry fought an acromantula and solved a riddle from a sphinx. While these challenges were not easy, they were not as difficult as he had been led to believe. Then, he rounded a corner and saw the cup. It was perhaps fifty yards away. His battle with the acromantula resulted in a strained knee, but no further injuries.
Suddenly, he heard Fleur scream. Harry wanted to win, but not enough to sacrifice someone he cared about. Turning, he raced as fast as his sore knee would let him toward the sounds of Fleur screaming.
As he came around the corner, he saw Fleur on the ground, twisting and thrashing in pain while Victor Krum held his wand out and continued to curse her. Harry recognized the curse, it was the cruciatus curse. They had obviously dueled as Fleur's ankle had been badly broken. Victor's left arm was at an odd angle. Yet he showed no signs of pain.
With a flick of his wand and a hastily pronounced "Stupefy!", Harry shot a stunner at the older boy. Victor turned toward him at the last moment. Harry briefly saw his eyes, they appeared to be cloudy. Then, the stunning curse struck him directly in the center of his chest. He had somehow been charmed. Controlled, maybe? Attacking Fleur just didn't seem like the boy Harry knew.
Rushing to Fleur, Harry helped her recover. She was shaking terribly. Harry performed an 'episkey' healing charm on her ankle, but she needed more healing than he could give. Still, if he helped her, she could go on.
"Fleur, let me help you. We can finish this task together."
Fleur looked at Harry appraisingly for a moment. "Non, Harry. You should go on. You deserve it."
Harry shook his head, "No. We go together, or not at all."
Fleur finally relented and allowed Harry to help her up. Harry fetched her wand with a quick summoning charm. She conjured a splint for her lower leg and leaned heavily on Harry. Harry knew how close they were to the cup. He wanted her to finish with him. He actually planned to let her have it, but he didn't feel up to an argument.
—Dance of Death—
The Center of the Maze
Harry and Fleur limped along to the cup. Harry was having to support her extensively as her ankle was definitely broken. His own knee was aching where he had wrenched it, but he could manage. As they came to the cup, Harry couldn't help but wonder why anyone would be foolish enough to go through all this just for something as stupid as a trophy and a few Galleons. He found himself wondering if Cedric was alright. His burns had been terrible. Hopefully, Mme. Pomfrey could fix him up. Not that he cared… well, not much. Still, he wasn't a total bastard. Despite everything he had been through this year, he didn't really want anyone to be killed or disfigured. Well, maybe Malfoy wouldn't be so bad.
He looked sympathetically at Fleur, one of the few people he trusted. She was till trembling from the cruciatus curse. "Fleur, I've been thinking… You should be the victor, not me. I never even wanted to compete. I want you to take the cup." He was smiling sincerely.
Fleur looked at Harry with a mix of pain, shock and surprise. After all he had been through, could he really be that selfless? "Harry, you are having to carry me to the cup. Now you want me to take it? Non. You will take the cup and I will cheer for you. You deserve it."
Harry thought for a minute… "How about we both take the cup? Make it a tie…" That seemed fair.
Fleur considered for a minute, then agreed. "Oui, Harry. Both of us." She positioned herself on the other side of the cup. All her weight on her good ankle. "On three"
"One…"
"Two…"
"Three!"
They both reached out, but Fleur pulled back at the last moment and smiled, saying "You win, Harry!" Harry saw her smiling face as he was suddenly pulled away.
He knew this was sport key and it left him flat on his back. He was no longer at Hogwarts, he was somewhere else. Was this still part of the Tournament?
Suddenly, his scar flared up and caused him more pain than he thought possible. It was like a red hot poker was being pushed through his head. Slowly. He screamed until his voice could no longer produce sound. Then, he dimly saw a flash of red light, and he collapsed.
—Dance of Death—
Riddle Estate Cemetary
"Enervate!"
Harry slowly opened his eyes. He quickly realized he was bound head to toe in ropes and propped against a headstone. He recognized the man stooped over him. Peter Pettigrew. The disgusting traitor had forced a gag into his mouth. As Harry began to realize he was in trouble, he saw the cup to the side lying forgotten on the ground. He slowly realized there were two others in the area.
A disgusting tiny creature with a 'snake like' face propped up against an enormous snake. The tiny creature began speaking… "Ah, our hero awakens. Welcome to my birthday party, Harry Potter. Or should I say, Re-Birthday party?"
Harry suddenly realized who it was. Voldemort had regained some kind of pathetic little form. Pettigrew walked over to a huge stone caudron and began adding ingredients and stirring patterns. Harry forced himself to watch the entire thing in case he needed to report out on the potion. Most of the ingredients he didn't recognize. Still, he'd be able to describe it well enough. After nearly thirty minutes, Pettigrew appeared to be satisfied that it was simmering and stable. He looked both scared and excited.
Harry glanced back at Voldemort to see the huge snake flicking its tongue in his face. He was both repulsed and terrified. He wanted to curse at the creature, but couldn't due to the gag. His scar was still aching. Less intense than before, but still constant piercing pain.
Pettigrew spoke in his squeaky voice, "Master, everything is ready." The cauldron he was tending was bubbling and throwing off sparks. It smelled like death.
Voldemort then smiled. It was a lipless and repulsive smile. "Excellent. Let's begin. You should rejoice Harry, you get a front row seat to the rebirth of the greatest Wizard to ever live."
Pettigrew then lifted and dropped the tiny Voldemort into the mixture. Harry said a silent prayer that the vile thing would drown. But he knew it wouldn't.
Then, Pettigrew began to chant. "Bone of the Father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son!"
The grave under Harry buckled and opened. A fine mist came out of it and drifted into the cauldron. It instantly began hissing and bubbling madly. Slowly, it turned blue.
Pettigrew pulled out a sharp bladed curved dagger and recited the next verse, "Flesh of the servant, willingly given, you will revive your master!"
With a vicious slash, Pettigrew sliced off his own right hand. He screamed and wailed horribly. The hand dropped into Cauldron and it flared even more. It was now a becoming a bright red.
Finally, Pettigrew staggered over to Harry. He then thrust the dagger into the crook of his right arm. Harry gasped in pain as he began bleeding freely from the wound. Pettigrew collected the blood in a vial and staggered back to the cauldron.
Pettigrew chanted the final verse, "Blood of the enemy, forcefully taken, you will resurrect your foe!" He then poured Harry's blood into the cauldron.
The liquid in the cauldron turned a bright white. Completely spent, Pettigrew fell over, grasping the stump where his right hand once had been. The cauldron continued frothing and sending off smoke and sparks. Then, the outline of a man began to form in the billowing smoke coming out of the cauldron.
Harry suddenly felt his scar explode once more in blistering pain. Purest agony. Worse even than when he arrived in the cemetery. He felt an unbelievable pulling against his 'pattern', all that made him who he is. His very soul and his magic. The pull was centered on his scar, like his very soul was being pulled through a key hole. He slowly became aware of his mother's presence. Holding him back. Pulling him free from the grip of the vile shard in his scar.
He felt like he was caught in a massive tug of war between the shard of Voldemort and his mum. They both were trying to claim him. The soul shard in his scar wanted to extract all of his spirit and magic to feed to the ritual. His mum was holding him back. He screamed in agony the entire time. There was no respite to the pain.
Suddenly, be began to feel a sharp and terrible tearing right where his scar was. He could feel the shard of Voldemort tearing free from his own pattern, inch by agonizing inch. It was desperate to reach and become one with its master.
It had tendrils that had spread throughout his body, Harry knew it had expanded this year, but he didn't realize just how much it had encroached and insinuated itself into his own pattern. The tearing was across his entire being. Then, just when he thought he couldn't bear another moment, the shard tore free in a massive explosion of pain. It was like having the largest and most painful boil squeezed until it exploded. Only his whole body was the boil and the pain was beyond belief.
After the foreign presence was torn free, Harry just collapsed. He knew his face was covered in his own blood and gore. His eyes ached, his throat was raw, and he felt like his head had been split in two. But even more, he felt a rush of relief. He felt a clarity of mind that he had never dreamt possible. Once the pain cleared, he would be… clean. Free of the taint that had been forced on him… He vaguely realized he had passed out and was only semi-conscious.
Slowly, he came back to pain and reality. He struggled to open his eyes as they were matted shut with his own blood. It was all over his face. There were numerous robed figures in masks. Voldemort was berating them, but Harry's ears were ringing too loudly to hear the details. He did catch the names of a few. McNair, Avery, and Malfoy. Always that damned Malfoy. The Father is just like his rotten son. Worse, even.
Now, while they were distracted, he would free himself and escape. He tried to focus and use a bit of wandless magic, but when he tried to access his magic, it felt like he was swallowing broken glass. OK, no magic. He had to escape quickly, but how? Slowly, he remembered his ring that turned into a knife. He slowly converted it to its small hooked form and began cutting the ropes. It was just so slow. Focus on the blade. Faster… faster… faster. Squint your eyes and act like you're still unconscious.
Then Voldemort turned back to him. "Ah, our guest of honor has awakened. My friends and followers, look toward our esteemed guest. The boy you all thought had defeated me. Look at him, pathetically rolling in the dirt. Hoping to go unnoticed, like the weak and helpless insect that he is."
There were chuckles and laughter. Harry kept focusing on the ropes. 'Show no fear!'
Voldemort then looked at Pettigrew, "Free him and give him his wand. Today, you will duel me, Harry Potter. Will you die like your father, proud and with your back straight? Or will you perish like a pathetic half blood mongrel, fit only to be destroyed? We shall see."
Pettigrew then waved Harry's own wand and freed him. Harry noted that Peter now had a silver hand. When had that happened? It didn't matter. Look for an opening. Look and wait. Then, Pettigrew tossed his wand in front of him.
Harry knee that he had failed to use his wandless magic. With the wand… maybe… He reached out and realized his arm had been sliced open at the point where the upper arm attaches to the wrist. Right in the crook. His arm was covered in blood. He had trouble holding the wand. No worries, he was just as good with his left hand.
Just as he grasped his wand, he heard "Crucio!" and was overcome with intense agony and pain. When he thought he couldn't take it anymore, it stopped. Catching his breath, he was treated to Voldemort's taunts.
"That was rather pathetic, Harry. Apparently, they don't teach dancing at Hogwarts." The surrounding deatheaters all began laughing mockingly at him. "Let's try once more, Harry. Crucio!"
Harry twisted and screamed as loud as his damaged voice would let him. After an eternity, it ended. His ears were ringing too hard to hear the taunts he knew were directed his way.
This was repeated a third time as well. Soon, Harry was barely conscious. The pain was now a constant white hot ache. He couldn't stop trembling from the effects of the curse. Slowly, he picked up his wand with his shaking hand, and managed to stand.
Voldemort looked both pleased and surprised. "Good, Harry! Excellent. You choose to die like your father. I'm actually quite proud of you. I had hoped you would not disappoint. Now, let's do this the proper way. Do you know how to duel, Harry? First, we salute one another, then we bow." He made a quick wand salute, then a slight mocking bow.
"Now, you Harry. Salute and bow. I won't ask again, Harry. 'Imperio!'"
Harry suddenly felt a wave of comfort, warm and safe. He just needed to bow. To relax and follow orders… No. He would never give into this man. "No!" He croaked it out with as much maliciousness as he could manage. "I'll never bow to you!"
Voldemort just smiled. "Never is a very long time, Harry. However, for you, never is not so long. You, only have a short time left."
Harry needed to get the wand away from Voldemort. Then he might be able to get to the cup. Hopefully it would take him back. Only Pettigrew was near it. Harry quickly flicked he's wand at Voldemort and shouted "Expelliarmus!"
Harry felt an electric jolt followed by a tearing sensation from deep in his core, the pain was horrible. But nothing happened. All the deatheaters began laughing. Voldemort was still smiling.
"Ah, I see we may have damaged your core, Harry. Significantly. In fact, I'm more than a little surprised you are still alive. I suspect your mother's protection may have delayed your death.
"Speaking of your mother, family reunions are so touching. Let's not delay yours any longer…. Avada Kedavra!"
Just as the green flame burst forth, Harry's wand erupted on its own. Harry suddenly realized, he had a chance. He held his wand for dear life. Suddenly, the two of them were surrounded by a golden dome. The energy between the wands was like a power line. Harry saw a bulge of power in the 'line' slowly moving toward him. His wand started to heat up and vibrate. Somehow, he instinctively knew he had to push the 'bulge' back.
Harry focused all his might and the bulge slowly stopped moving his way. Eventually, it began slowly moving toward Voldemort. Slowly. Inch by inch. His wand was no longer vibrating as badly, but he could feel his own core shredding itself under the strain. He may never use magic again, but he was going out like a man. He would make his parents proud. He would win this duel no matter what! He focused through the pain and kept forcing the bulge further away. Further toward his enemy.
Then, he saw something he never thought he would see. Fear was on Voldemort's face. Fear and shock. The man was losing the battle and couldn't believe it. This gave Harry all the encouragement he needed to make a massive effort and shift the bulge all the way to Voldemort's wand. His pattern was shredding itself under the strain. It felt like white hot hooks ripping and shredding him terribly.
Once the 'bulge' touched Voldemort's wand, it reacted violently to the impact. Sparks flew out the other wand and the terrible man looked terrified. First, a 'smoke hand' flew out of the wand and evaporated. Harry thought he heard Pettigrew scream.
Next, a ghostly Grey haired woman came out and spoke to him. She gave him encouragement and implored him not to give up. Harry didn't know who she was, but he suspected it was one of Voldemort's victims. Then, an older man with a cane emerged from the wand. He said something about Harry being a Wizard and asked to be avenged against the monster that had murdered him.
Slowly, another figure began to emerge. He knew immediately who it was. She came to his side immediately, "Harry, my dear child. Hold on just a little longer. Your father will be here soon." Harry had dreamt about his mum his whole life, but to see her spirit, while he was awake… It was amazing. Then, his father's spirit slowly emerged.
James Potter's spectral form glided to his son, "Keep it up, Harry. Just a little longer. I am so proud of you. When you get the chance, break the connection and dive for the cup. You can do it son, I know you can. We'll hold him off as long as we can. The other spirits all nodded.
His mother shared a brief look with him and said, "We will always love you, Harry."
His father then said, "Ok, Harry, look for the cup, then break the connection and dive for it. It's no more than fifteen feet away. Ready, set, go!"
Harry broke the connection and sprinted as fast as his injured knee would allow. He heard Voldemort yell, "Stop him! Stun him! He is mine to kill!"
Seeing the cup so close, he dove for it as he saw multiple red signatures of the stunning charm shoot over his head. Pettigrew didn't have a wand, but he tried to intercept Harry. Harry made a quick decision and grabbed Peter's ankle right before he grasped the cup. He heard Pettigrew gasp as a stunner struck him by accident. And they were gone.
—Dance of Death—
Hogwarts
Just Outside the Maze
Harry suddenly appeared with the unconscious Peter Pettigrew. He immediately collapsed. He didn't know how long he had been gone, but he suspected it had been at least an hour. Maybe significantly more as it was now quite dark. How long had he been unconscious in the cemetery?
Bill rushed to his side. "Harry! Someone get a healer, he's been hurt!" Fleur was there too, holding his head. He was safe. Safe. He was shaking like a leaf from the adrenalin, the injuries and the multiple cruciatus curses he had been subjected to.
Harry cried out, "He's back! He resurrected himself! Voldemort's back!" And he slipped into unconsciousness.
He dimly heard Dumbledore shout out, "Apprehend that man!" Harry wondered if he meant Pettigrew or himself.
—Dance of Death—
When Harry awoke in the castle, he had a slight panic attack. He was in the Castle. Then he remembered the shard was now gone. Mr. Weasley was there with him. So was Bill. It was daylight outside. How long had he been here? He felt different. Was he really free? He reached up to touch his forehead and found most of his face wrapped in gauze.
Bill noticed him first. "Easy, Harry. Your face was pretty badly split open. Fortunately, we should be able to heal it as it was so fresh. Dumbledore will be here soon and you can tell him what you saw."
"Pettigrew! I brought him back with me! He was the one who resurrected Voldemort. He can prove Sirius' innocence…"
Bill lay his hand gently on Harry's shoulder. The calming effect was immediate. "We know, Harry. Dumbledore managed to capture both Pettigrew and the man impersonating Moody. Pettigrew is in holding and should give testimony tomorrow. We already have a statement given under veritaserum… It should be enough to let Sirius come back to Britain. Dumbledore has him under guard after what happened to Barty, Jr." Seeing Harry look inquisitively at him he added, "Don't worry about that now."
"How long was I unconscious?" He also wondered to himself, '…and who is Barty Jr.?'
"Harry, you were placed in a magically induced coma for over a week while your core settled down. The school year officially ended two days ago, the other students have all returned home."
"A week? Is Ginny OK? And Hermione? What about Fleur, is her foot alright?"
Bill gently placed his other hand on Harry's other shoulder to calm him down, "Everyone is fine, Harry. Fleur went back to France, but she'll be back soon." Harry noted a sparkle in his eye while he said this. "Hermione wanted to stay, but she had to go home. She left you a huge letter. Almost a book, really. Ginny also wanted to stay, but as with Hermione, the school rules forbid it. She also left you a letter. It's thick... but reasonable." He chuckled at that. "You have few other letters, but they'll keep."
"A week…" thinking a moment, Harry asked, "How much longer do I have to look like 'the mummy'? Seriously, how bad can it be?"
"We could see your skull in a few spots. But it was fresh enough that it won't scar. Dittany and Phoenix tears make a potent combination." Thinking a moment, Bill added, "Unfortunately, your original scar may fade, but it is too old to erase. Leave on the bandages for a few more days. You'll be glad you did."
"Thanks, Bill. It was really awful. I really thought I wasn't gonna make it. I'm so glad Fleur didn't touch the cup. How did so many security failures happen, Bill? I mean, there are paintings everywhere…" Bill just nodded. Harry needed to process it all. "The shard in the scar, it's gone!" at least one good thing happened. Arthur looked at Harry curiously, but didn't comment. Bill already knew it was gone. He had aided Dumbledore in the original examination. One hundred percent removed.
Arthur had been watching his oldest son with pride. Bill was so amazing with Harry. He then came over, "Harry, is there anything I can get you?" He reached over and placed his hand on Harry's.
Arthur looked so concerned, it really touched Harry. Would the Dursleys be like this? Or would they revert back to their old selves?
"No thanks, Mr. Weasley. I'm good." Harry reflexively squeezed the kind man's hand. Would his father be like this? He actually saw his father! And his mum!
"Yes. Well, I'd better let Mme. Pomfrey know you are awake." With a calm smile, he left.
Bill waited until his dad was out of the area, "We May only have a few minutes. Listen carefully, Harry. Sirius started the 'process'. All of Magical Britain is in turmoil. The man who was impersonating Moody was Crouch's son, Barty Crouch, Jr! A deatheater who somehow escaped from Azkaban. He confessed to everything while under Veritaserum, but Fudge had him kissed by a dementor before he could be interrogated by the DMLE. Dumbledore was both furious and terrified they would do the same to Pettigrew, so he has a few allies are watching him. Pettigrew, that is. Not Fudge. Word is, Lucius and his allies want Pettigrew killed before he can talk."
Bill paused a moment and then kept going, "Sirius has been hitting the old families up for all those Black family debts. The old pureblood families are scrambling. Afraid of Pettigrew, deeply indebted to the House of Black… Now even Fudge has been on the receiving end of the Black family lawyers. Total chaos. And yes, Ted Tonks has filed the paperwork for your custody."
Harry thought for a moment, then asked, "Do we need Dobby? To intercept the messages? Or maybe Pipsey?"
"Nope. Already done." Bill just smiled. Harry noted that Bill didn't seem happy, though.
"Bill, what's wrong?" Harry could tell he was holding something back.
Bill shook his head and forced a smile. "You are safe, Harry! That's all that matters."
Harry thought that was a strange thing to say. "Bill, what aren't you telling me?"
Bill was quiet for a minute, then said, "Your magical core was damaged. I don't know how bad. We'll get through it."
Harry froze up. He remembered the tearing sensation when Voldemort pulled his shard back into himself. Then there was the way their wands locked and he had a feeling of his already torn and damaged core being further shredded. He said a silent prayer 'please let me heal!'
Soon, Arthur Weasley, Dumbledore, McGonagall and Mme. Pomfrey entered the infirmary and came over to Harry's bed. They all looked grim.
Harry didn't want to drag this out. He just blurted out, "How bad is it? How badly is my magic damaged?"
Albus closed his eyes a moment. McGonagall looked like she was on the verge of tears. Mme. Pomfrey just looked sad. Harry knew this was not a good sign.
Albus spoke first, "William, can you leave us for a moment?"
Harry blurted out, "No! Bill stays. You have your henchmen! I want my friend!"
Minerva almost cried at that. He viewed them as his enemies. To the child of James and Lily, She was just Albus' Henchman. A person he hated. And she knew he had good reason to feel that way. How did he see Poppy? Did he really hate them all? Looking at Albus, she saw he was just as pained by the comment as she was. Had it really gotten so bad?
Harry pressed on, "Madame Pomfrey, please tell me how bad it is. I trust you." Dumbledore and McGonagall flinched at that.
Me. Pomfrey kept he focus and responded, "Mr. Potter, I'm afraid the damage was beyond our ability to treat. Your core was shredded to a degree I've never seen. You cannot use magic. I'm not even sure how you managed to survive."
Harry closed his eyes. He was afraid of this. "Will it ever heal?" He couldn't hide the desperation in his voice.
Mme. Pomfrey winced and forced herself to say, "Probably not, Mr. Potter. Damage this extreme has never before been healed. Has never been survived, even." With a pained pause and a look of sadness, she added "Even phoenix tears failed to restore your core. And there were many phoenix tears applied and ingested during your 'rest' period."
Albus Dumbledore added more sad truth, "Unfortunately, that also means you cannot be around active magic. It will cause you… pain and discomfort. This corner of the infirmary had to be especially charmed to repel outside magic. It is as close to a 'dead zone' as we can achieve within Hogwarts. In time, the discomfort should lessen."
Harry was quiet. Everyone was silent for what seemed like an eternity. Harry finally said the last words he thought he would ever say.
"You should have let me die."
—Dance of Death—
Harry stayed another week to heal. Eventually, he could be around active magic without it causing him pain, it only caused a mild discomfort. He had not spoken a word since he found out he was no longer able to use magic. Dumbledore had to keep his wand due to some ministry order that underage wizards cannot own a wand if they are not capable of magic. Dumbledore assured him it was temporary and they were working on reversing the law. Harry just sat silently. What's the point in owning a wand if you can't use it? It would just be a reminder of his loss.
The Goblins had taken the cup and it was proudly displayed at Gringotts. To them, this was an enormous victory. Unfortunately, Harry soon learned that Goblins are only nice to wizards as long as it furthers their goals. Gringotts had distanced itself once it became known that Harry was no longer able to use magic. A congratulations message was delivered from Ragnok, but not further offers of aid or support. He had become an asset that was to be written off. Bill had warned Harry that Goblins are never really your friends, but it still stung a bit.
Eventually, the bandages came off and he looked… like himself. The scar had actually faded to a point it had never been before. A thin white line. The new damage from the cemetery must have been healed, because Harry didn't see any other marks. Dittany was wonderful, but Harry suspected it was the phoenix tears that went the extra mile. And maybe his mother's protection.
Speaking of which, why hadn't he been able to access his dreamscape? He thought it would be easier now. Had that been destroyed as well? Was he avoiding it subconsciously? So many questions. He really just wanted to be left alone. To fade away into nothingness.
While Harry could now be around magic, it was highly advised that he avoid too much contact. Certainly no apparition, portkey, or Floo travel. Getting Harry back to London without magic was a challenge. The Hogwarts express was extremely magical. Eventually, an ancient muggle train was placed on the tracks in Hogsmeade and used to transport him. He rode in silence. Bill, Pipsey, and Dobby rode along. Mr. Weasley too. But it was a quiet and somber ride.
As they pulled into the station at platform 9-3/4, Harry said his good byes to his compartment mates. It was the first he had spoken in over two weeks. Bill promised to be in touch. He was going to take time off and try to work with him. Arthur asked Harry if he would come to the Burrow for his Birthday. Apparently is was only a little over a week away. Harry said he would ask the Dursleys and send a note with Hedwig. He knew he should be happy, but he just couldn't shake the numbness.
He looked over and saw the Dursleys waiting on him. Uncle Vernon had lost a lot of weight, but Dudley had really transformed himself. He'd always be a bit thick, but he now looked like a huge Rugby player. He made Crabbe and Goyle seem less intimidating.
Harry tentatively walked forward. Now that he had no magic, he was completely defenseless. Would they hurt him? As he approached, Dudley quickly walked up to him and pulled him into a bear hug. "Thank god you're back, Harry! Thank god you're all right!" Despite himself, Harry started to cry. He hated himself for it, but he just couldn't stop.
Harry was shocked to have Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia come over and warmly embraced him. They were clearly upset. Harry had written from time to time throughout the year, telling them about how bad things had been this year.
Apparently, they had been profoundly affected. As Harry considered it all, he realized he had made a mistake and never told them how to send letters to Hogwarts. He found out from Hermione how to reach them, but they didn't know how to reach him.
Well, summer was well under way. Maybe the Dursleys and he could work things out this year. Harry suddenly realized that maybe he was better off away from magic. He had no intention of returning to Hogwarts. Maybe just being plain old Harry Potter would be alright. Had magic ever brought him anything but pain? Not what he wanted, but he'd make the most of it.
As of today, no more magic.
—Dance of Death—
Notes
I skipped over a good bit of the events around the fourth task. It just didn't seem worth it to focus on what was done so well in canon and just repeat it. Harry's fourth year seemed to mark the point where the story became dark and dangerous. This story is the same. Voldemort is back and Harry's world will never be the same.
Almost all of the material in the cemetery was direct from JK Rowling's book. As was pretty much the whole story. She really knocked it out of the park with Harry's fourth year.
A few key differences:
The Horcrux was consumed in the ritual. Voldemort does not have immortality, he has 7 lives. One for each Horcrux.
Cedric lived. I know why he was killed - it mattered a lot in canon. I don't think it matters so much in this story.
I didn't bother detailing all the interrogations and Fudge flipping out. We will see this from Harry's point of view and some things are happening in the background. I really don't want this to be a 300K word story...
Harry lost his magic. All part of the plan.
This chapter begins a new chapter in Harry's life. His magic is damaged to a point that he can't use it. He cannot enter his dreamscape. He has very little will to go on. Fortunately, the Dursleys have taken him in and, without the Horcrux, they seem to want to make amends.
Next chapter: Livin' La Vida Muggle
It will be featuring Harry coping with a life without magic. The story is far from over, but Harry is so depressed he can't see any future for himself. Hopefully his muggle family can pull him out of his depression. He will spend time doing muggle things and getting to know the Dursley family. Oh, and Sirius Black, Dumbledore, and others will visit him. Harry will have a number of decisions to make and it will affect him more than he knows.
