Now You Are Free

Harry opened his eyes and saw the white tent canvas a few inches above him. It had been almost two months already but every time he was waking up, he was still expecting to see the heavy red fabric of his bed ceiling at Hogwarts. He sat, wondering if Ron and Hermione had started to train as he had advised them. He had destroyed the Cup yesterday evening after a few days of rest and now, only remained the Ring, Nagini and him. Which meant that soon, many people would be in danger.

He sighed and stretched his back while snapping his fingers in the direction of the tea pot. He would need a strong one this morning. His basilisk wasn't there. He had started to go hunt on his own every morning. At first Harry had been a bit worried, but Broceliance Forest was dense.

'You're finally up,' he heard Tom say.

'Is it that late?' Mumbled Harry looking for his glasses.

'Almost eleven in the morning I'd say. Yesterday evening was tough.'

Harry nodded. He didn't know if it was because the Cup was one of the last Horcruxes or because the soul embedded in it was from a more powerful version of Tom, but the Horcrux had delivered a ferocious fight. Or maybe it was simply because Harry was so tired that he was less resistant. He had taken a few days to sleep and basically doing nothing but processing everything Tom and he had discussed. Processing the mess he had gotten himself into. But it wasn't enough. He heard a familiar hiss coming from the tent entrance and smiled towards his basilisk. He had also taken the time to think about his name and he had an idea. He was about to ask the snake his opinion on it but the he didn't give him the time to speak.

'They are wizards and witches patrolling not so far from here,' he hissed quickly. 'They are definitely looking for something, or someone.'

Harry had his hand midway towards the kettle. He froze, glanced at the basilisk, and then Tom, panic spreading in his eyes. He had to leave… yesterday! In a few seconds, the sweet morning torpor was replaced by a burst of activity. The snake rushed towards Harry's bag and the boy hurried to get dressed while motioning his wand to put all his affairs into the bag. He got out of his tent, holding his Firebolt, and looked around him. The magical balance of his surroundings had changed, and he could feel the Aurors not far away. He started to fold the tent, and this is when he saw a wizard a few feet away from him, his eyes fixated on the camp. Harry knew he couldn't see him, yet, but the wizard could sense the magical barriers. Harry didn't dare to move.

The wizard raised his wands and Harry recognized the Periculum spell. Soon two other wizards and a witch emerged from the wood. Harry couldn't recognise anyone, but he knew from their lips movements they were speaking English. English magical people in a French forest a few days after his attack on Bellatrix Lestrange? That meant only one thing.

Suddenly they all pointed their wands at the camp and started shooting white beams towards it. Harry didn't take the time to recognise the spells. He immediately got on his Firebolt and kicked the ground hard. He rose in the air with such a speed he was almost instantly above the woods. As he was looking for the Sun, to orientate himself, he saw black shadows emerging above the forest. It confirmed his suspicion, they were Death Eaters.

He pointed the tip of his broom to the north and made the most dazzling acceleration of his life. The forest under him was nothing but a blurry green ocean. He had to put as much distance as possible between himself and his camp.

After an hour at full speed, he allowed himself to slow down a bit. His heart was still pumping so hard in his chest it was aching. The Death Eaters didn't seem to have follow the Firebolt. Good.

He would cross the Channel back to England today. As he was flying above the see, which had decided to be calm, he was wondering where he would go. The Death Eaters had seen him, and it wouldn't take them much time to figure out he was heading back to England. He had to find a place where he would be safe.

As dusk was approaching, he started to see the cliffs of Cornwall in the distance. He had stayed in a cave nearby before going to France and decided to spend the night there. He didn't know where else to go anyway.

When he arrived in the cave, it hadn't changed since his last departure. The walls were of the same white stone as the cliffs and there was a layer of sand on the ground. In the same motion, he landed on the sand, put his bag on the ground near his Firebolt and turned towards the cave entrance. He casted every single protective enchantment he could think of. When he was done, he paced the cave feverishly making sure there was no hidden ways in the cave walls.

He sat down trying to calm his jerking breath. It had been a very close call!

'You can't afford keeping my Horcrux intact.' Harry closed his eyes as he heard Tom pronounced those words. He had expected them, and he knew Tom was right.

'I know,' whispered Harry. 'I can't be caught with you. Whether it's the Aurors or the Death Eaters who catch me.'

'Exactly. You have to destroy the ring, and you have to do it now!'

'What?' Exclaimed Harry. He wasn't ready yet. 'Why!?'

'Anybody could have seen you get in this cave. They could be on their way now.' Replied Tom as calmly as possible.

For the second time of the day, Harry froze. His Invisibility Cloak! He had completely forgotten to put it on before crossing the Channel! He stood up, his eyes fixated on the cave entrance.

'Harry,' called Tom gently. 'The Horcrux. You have to destroy it.'

But Harry didn't move until he felt a slight tug on his sleeve. His basilisk had gotten out of the bag and was gently pushing his hand to get him out of his trance.

'Yeah,' said Harry absently. 'You're right.'

He pulled the ring out of his hidden pocket and contemplated it.

'I… I can't,' he said with a strangled voice. 'What am going to do without you?'

'You'll be fine,' smiled Tom in a reassuring voice. 'Remember that this was the plan all along. After the ring, there will be only Nagini and Him.' His tone became fierce, and he switched in Parseltongue. 'After the ring, you become the hunter, Harry.'

'Hunter,' repeated Harry. 'Right… It's just…' He raised his gaze on Tom's eyes. 'I had just hoped we would have more time together.'

'I did too,' whispered Tom. He raised his hand to put it on Harry's shoulder, but it passed straight through the boy's body. His face twisted as he was fighting his tears. 'I wanted to thank you, Harry,' he continued while looking at his hand with pain. 'I wanted to thank you to show me what I had missed in life.'

Harry remained silent. He would cry if he talked and he didn't want to cry in front of Tom. The Horcrux smiled softly.

'It's ok Harry, you'll be fine. You're not alone.' Tom nodded towards the basilisk and Harry felt the tightness in his chest relax a bit. Tom was right. He looked at the ring and breathed deeply. This time, he wasn't sure if he would have what it takes.

He must have stayed a few minutes completely idle while watching the ring because he heard his basilisk hiss softly near him.

'I can do it if you prefer.' Harry looked at the basilisk's face. Who could have believed those creatures could have so gentle features?

Harry raised his eyes again to look for Tom, but the boy was nowhere to be seen. Harry's heart clenched. He didn't even get to say goodbye. But perhaps, it was better this way. He nodded towards the snake who approached the ring. He applied one of his fangs on the silver ring and pressed slowly. Harry appreciated how delicate he was. There was no huge and threatening shadow. No icy voice. Instead, a soft cry echoed off the walls and Harry felt a soft breeze go through him.

Tom was free.

'It's done,' finally said the basilisk.

'Yeah,' replied Harry. 'Thank you.'

He let himself fell on the ground, his eyes riveted on the ring. The silver was broken, but the stone was still intact. Sensing Harry's distress, the basilisk circled him with his coils with a reassuring hiss.

Harry's breath calmed down and finally his throat stopped hurting.

'Thank you, Supra,' he finally said.

'Supra?' Repeated his basilisk while turning his pale-yellow eyes towards Harry.

'The one above all,' said Harry with a soft smile. 'This is the name I have chosen for you. Do you like it?'

He watched the basilisk repeat the name a few times and he eventually let a hiss of approval out.

'Supra is what I am,' whispered the snake with pride. 'I accept this name with gratitude.'

Harry caressed his neck and the coldness of his skin helped him gain some composure back. He stood up, put the broken ring back in his hidden pocket, and pulled his Invisibility Cloak out of his bag.

'Let's go catch a Snake!'