Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Harry Potter.
A/N: Sorry for the choppy updates recently. They will soon be back to normal, so please bear with me!
P.S. To all the readers – new and old– a big thank for all your support to keep my passion alive for this story. All the best, there's lots more to come!
Chapter 23
Some time later
The methodical clanking of steel upon steel chimed a rather tuneful tone as it gently resonated around a crowded and lively carriage, slowly lulling one of its occupants to sleep with its hypnotic and steady rhythm. This person of interest however had no interest in the boisterous conversations as she suppressed a yawn and leaned her head against the window, turning away from the noise and trying her hardest to stay awake as her eyes threatened to droop shut.
Below an arching blue sky and wispy clouds, a cool breeze caressed her face as she lethargically gazed out the half-open window and into the lush countryside dales, her vision fixated on a beautiful swathe of rolling green that rose and fell like giant waves on a gentle ocean. A pleasant and almost intoxicating smell of petrichor enveloped her sense of smell and instilled her with evocations of summer days gone by.
The year had gone by quickly for Ariana, far too quick for her liking perhaps, as absurdly easy assignments, laughable tests, and elementary exams culminated rather anti-climatically towards the end of the semester. She was right of this moment aboard the Hogwarts Express, languidly relaxing to her heart's content.
Amongst these frivolities however, one wayward thought nipped at the corner of her mind. It was a recent memory of her dear friend Albus, one where his face carried a grim demeanour and an unsmiling countenance as he bent down to whisper something of paramount importance in her ear.
Ariana, do not forget your mission.
A few more uninterrupted minutes of musing passed peacefully by before she was jolted out of her thoughts as a hand suddenly appeared and waved quite vigorously in front of her vacant face, causing her to snap back to the physical plane and turn to the person the offending article was attached to.
"A penny for your thoughts?" the individual inquired.
Ariana lifted her head lazily off the cool window and back leaned back into the cushioned seats as she crossed her arms behind her head. "Just thinking," she answered unhelpfully, disinclined to divulge any of her current thoughts as she wiggled her body to find a comfortable seating position.
Pandora gave a small pout – but was undeterred, "Permission to take a wild stab in the dark then?"
"Permission to stab wildly, granted," Ariana lazily replied with a rather regal flick of her hand.
"I bet you're thinking of what's the library like in Potter Manor."
Ariana's eyes widened dramatically and almost tumbled off her seat in surprise as she supressed a yelp, clearly not expecting the pinpoint accuracy of the answer. Realizing after few seconds that none of the other occupants in the compartment had drawn any attention to her odd outburst of movement, she straightened herself and turned back to her friend.
"How… how did you know where I was going?" she whispered urgently in an undertone.
The blonde young girl, one that had total amusement on her face from the miniature paroxysm, shrugged casually in response, "I know you too well, princess" Pandora smirked confidently.
Noticing that Ariana wasn't satisfied with her answer and was giving her a look that pleaded for the unabated truth, she first tried her hardest to resist the large imploring eyes, but soon failed miserably as she quickly caved in, the doe-like gaze starting to tug at her heartstrings.
Pandora internally rolled her eyes at her inability to deny this girl anything before clearing her throat dramatically, "As the scion of the rather distinguished Selwyn family, and one of the closest political allies to House Potter," she started in a faux haughty tone, "Our affairs are often interlinked."
"I may have overheard someone, who in turn may have overheard someone, that the Potters will be having two guests over for the summer break," she continued before reverting to her normal lilting voice, "It wasn't hard to guess that one of them was you."
Ariana chewed her lip as she fell back into thought.
I'll have to thank Albus again for making it possible for me to spend time with James and my grandparents whilst carrying out my task at the same time.
Perfect way to kill two birds with one stone I suppose.
"I guess that makes sens-," Ariana started to reply, only to cut herself off at the end when she realised something, "Wait… did you say, two guests?"
Pandora raised an eyebrow, "Surely, James must have told you," she scoffed incredulously, "He's a Pure-blood, such social etiquettes are second nature to him."
Ariana scrunched her up face as she her mind tried to churn out the memory she wanted, "He may have said something about that," she started slowly as something of relevance popped up in her head, "But… I think my mind was someplace else when he was explaining it to me."
Pandora sighed dramatically, "Dear, your mind is always someplace else," she informed rather affectionately, "It's quite endearing, really. If you ever happen stay over at my place, I'm sure my parents will spoil you rotten."
Ariana narrowed her eyes thoughtfully as she scrutinized the young girl next to her.
Pandora, are you really eleven years old? You sure don't speak and act like one.
Hmm, it must be due to the rigid and archaic way of Pure-blood upbringing…
"So, why are you camping at out at the Potter's for the summer break anyway?" Pandora continued after a pause, not wanting a lull in the conversation, "I know you two get along swimmingly, but surely you must be feeling quite homesick by now."
Ariana's face lost some of its spark as she lowered her gaze toward the cabin floor, her face turning away slightly, "Godric's Hollow is my real home," she whispered to herself.
"I don't have hearing like a werewolf you know," Pandora said dryly, hearing only a low mumble from her perspective.
Ariana quickly banished her negative thoughts out her mind before turning back, "Oh, I said I actually knew James and his family before coming to Hogwarts," she smoothly recovered, a radiant smile spreading across her face as her mind replayed the rather treasured memory of their felicitous meeting in Diagon Alley.
"I see, I see," Pandora nodded seriously, her face losing some of its light as she turned pensive.
"Is he your fiancé?" she blurted out unexpectedly, her voice now uncharacteristically devoid of levity or jest.
Ariana blanched, "No, no," she gasped weakly as she shook her head violently and waved her arms animatedly, shuddering at the thought, "Nothing like that."
"Is that so?" Pandora responded in a surprised tone, "That's a shame, you two would have made a rather entertaining pair," she sighed, almost sounding disappointed, "Who then is your fiancé?"
"N-Nobody?"
"Nobody!? What on earth-"
Ariana sucked in her breath sharply as her mind filtered out the stream of words issued from the blonde-haired witch, thinking instead about a rather overlooked aspect that she had altogether unaddressed in her grand and intricate plan.
Ah – yes. I've forgotten that the old and decrepit Pure-bloods carry more… anachronistic values than the rest of the wizarding world.
If I recall correctly, it was only until the mid-eighties that Pure-blood women were granted the right of suffrage.
I can't believe it will take a decade from now for that to happen, and what's even more ridiculous, around two decades for a legal ban on arranged marriages and neonatal magic-binding rituals.
Ariana's gritted her teeth in anger as she mentally planned of another political route in her bid to change the world for the better.
I'm definitely going to bring this to Albus' attention once I get back. It should be doable with his extensive legislative influence… I hope.
Her mind refocused and patiently waited her turn to speak, letting her friend ramble on as a far more important question weighed heavily in her mind. Noticing after a minute that Pandora had exhausted her current thoughts, she decided that now was the best time.
"Say, Pandora… since we're already on this topic," Ariana started carefully, "Who are you betrothed to then?"
"No one yet," Pandora instantly replied with a toothy grin that showed the pearly whites of her teeth, as if waiting for the question, "I throw tantrums whenever my parents bring the topic up – fake, of course. They love me too much to enforce the Old ways upon me."
A large weight lifted off Ariana's heart as she slumped down on her seat from the response, letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding in, "That's great," she murmured in relief, glad that at least one Pure-blood family was giving their daughters a little more freedom.
Pandora then donned a rather curious and infuriatingly familiar look on her face before speaking, one which regularly displayed itself recently to Ariana in the past few weeks, who in turn could not make neither head nor tail out it.
"In summary, I'm not marrying anyone until I see a herd of Crumple-Horned Snorkacks roaming majestically across the African savannahs, and that's that."
Ariana raised an eyebrow at the familiar expression before an all-knowing smirk slowly started to blossom on her face, "You've been saying quite odd things recently," she almost sang, her eyes alight in total mischief, "Must be due to external influences, no?"
Pandora's face flushed as she realized what she had accidentally uttered, remembering that Ariana was an extremely intelligent and observant young girl.
"Xenophilius' theories are very fascinating to listen to, t-that's all," she replied in slightly flustered tone, her face tinging red slightly as she crossed her arms in a poor attempt to hide her embarrassment, acting her proper age for the first time that day.
"Don't be a spoilsport, fess up," Ariana teased as her eyes started to shine like beacons, eliciting an even more reddened countenance as the cornered girl finally acquiesced after a few more pleas and spluttered out the truth in disjointed sentences.
Ariana snickered unrepentantly and listened keenly to the unravelling story, curious to know the origins of how such polar opposites – Luna's parents – eventually got together.
The rest of the journey carried on with the same light atmosphere, all laughter and no gloom as the majestic train rumbled and roared away, ferrying its spirited passengers from a world of magical wonders to another, more different world of magical wonders, the very heart of London itself, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
A young girl stood quite alone on a sidewalk, looking forlornly to her left and right, holding herself in a manner that suggested she'd like to disappear altogether. An observer could tell she wasn't focusing, as eyes scanned aimlessly without locking onto any one thing, almost daydream-like. She shifted her weight from her left to her right and back again every few seconds, as if thinking of moving and yet choosing to remain still.
Where in Merlin's name is he?
Ariana puffed up her cheeks in irritation, crossing her arms across her chest and watching families, friends and everything in-between slowly filter out of the emptying train station under the sweltering summer heat as the minutes ticked slowly by.
Must be nice to get picked up by your family. She thought wistfully as she watched a young girl – a first-year by the look of it – run into the open arms of her parents immediately upon exiting the train. The sight in turn churned up unwanted memories of the past, causing a sour look to cross her face as she thought about the Dursleys for the first time in months.
I mean real family.
A few more minutes of boredom passed before she spotted two figures energetically run towards her general direction out of the corner of her eyes. As they dodged and weaved in and out of moving people like dancing ribbons, she soon recognized the two panting teenage wizards as they drew nearer.
"Sorry for the holdup," James called out breathlessly as he and his companion slowed down to a brisk walk when they were within hearing distance, his loud voice easily carrying over the clanking and puffing of passing trains.
The very second his words hit Ariana's ears, all traces of annoyances abruptly vanished from her system as she waved back in a frantic greeting, "No worries," she yelled loudly, paying no heed to the attention she was getting from her passers-by with her raised voice, "I didn't wait long."
When they reached her, it finally dawned on her that standing right in front of her, was the second mysterious guest.
"Sirius, why aren't you going back to Grimmauld Place this summer?" she blurted out, foregoing even a greeting as she instantly spewed forth the question.
The heir of House Black laughed sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head, digesting the question and organizing his thoughts before replying, "I kind of got disowned while I was away at Hogwarts," Sirius revealed slowly after a pregnant pause, "Got burnt off the Family Tapestry and all that nonsense."
Despite announcing that his own family had cast him out, a strange and warm smile was gracing his lips as he thought about the freedom he now had. No more training, no more dark spells, and most importantly, no more Walburga Black screaming at him at every second hour of the day.
"The Potters have kindly lent me a roof over my head," he continued as he looked down towards Ariana, "Temporarily of course, until I can afford to live on my own."
James suddenly punched Sirius' arm with a bit more force that he intended as he interrupted him, "We never said such a thing," he barked angrily, causing Sirius to widen his eyes in shock.
"We said you can stay for as long as you like. You've known us and been to our place for over six years now, this means you're practically a Potter yourself."
Sirius sucked in his breath sharply and suddenly became lightheaded, almost swaying on the spot as he felt the keen embedding stings of his worries and pains wrench themselves out of skin, giving him the experience of relief for the first time in his life. Something warm then dug its way towards his heart as life's song, a swelling symphony of warmth that could bend any broken spirit, chorused loudly, instilling a faint light of peace, hope and acceptance within him.
"Damn it, Prongs," Sirius muttered quietly, turning his face away to hide various emotions that flashed across his face, "If you were a girl, you'd be covered in big sloppy kisses right now."
Quite curious, isn't it? How the power of words can bring such nourishment to the soul.
The mood then lightened as James leapt forward and slung a hand over Sirius' shoulder, spontaneously launching into a joke with a rather inappropriate punchline and causing the affected wizard to leave behind his vulnerable feelings and laugh uproariously alongside the hazel-eyes wizard.
Ariana stood as she was and did not join in the rambunctiousness, giving a soft smile as she watched her father adroitly interact with her godfather, wishing with all her heart that she could be one day be platonically loved as much as Sirius was.
James is something quite special, isn't he?
She then narrowed her eyes as she overheard bits of their continued conversation, piecing together the puzzle as to why they looked so sweaty, eager and… mischievous.
"Excuse me gentlemen," she suddenly butted in, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at then sternly, "Did you, or did you not, just do something you that your mothers would be extremely ashamed of?"
James gave a loud groan at the miniature version of a rather familiar witch and he covered his face with his hands as he recognized that all-familiar glare, "There's no escaping her" he moaned dramatically, his alludes obvious enough to cause Ariana to break character and unconsciously curl the corner of her lips upwards.
Sirius perked up and offered his – what he thought were – helpful thoughts, "On the up side, they have to find out who did it first," he brightly cut in, all traces of the previous event absent as a large grin filled with optimism attached itself firmly onto his face.
Ariana shook her head wearily as she bent down to pick up her trunk off the warm, sun-kissed cobblestone, "Honestly, Snuffles," she said with an exasperated roll of her eyes at the handsome wizard, not even wanting to continue with the predictable conversation.
James then raised an eyebrow after a few seconds at an unusually placid Sirius, "What? No comeback? You realize she did just call you by that nickname, right? You know, the one which you somehow dislike so much," he asked curiously.
"What can I say," Sirius replied blithely as he shrugged, "I think it's starting to grow on me."
James replied with a loud hum before wrapping up their conversation and leading his two companions out from the train station out into a waiting taxi, which in turn led them to an open field, which in turn led them down an earthen path, which in turn, led them to a very innocuous bow-tie left discarded amongst the endless greenery.
Ariana blinked twice before narrowing her eyes at the object Sirius picked up off the muddy earth, its suspiciously pristine condition leaking tendrils of silver magic that emanated in soft undulations from the creases of the dappled fabric.
"Same place; same object," Sirius chanted as he felt the bow-tie up to his eye before whirling around to face James, "I've been wanting to ask this for a long time, but why does your dad always use bow-ties for Portkeys?"
James shrugged nonchalantly, "Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication," he said airily in response, waving one hand in the air as he recited a quote his father would always say before tea.
Without much further rambling, the trio then clasped tightly onto the Portkey as James held a firm grasp on their belongings, making sure all the precautions to magical transportation were in order before he uttered the activation phrase.
After a short delay of hurtling through space and time, breaking what seemed like every primitive law of physics that the Muggles swear by, they appeared out of thin air onto what seemed like the grounds of an extremely wealthy mansion.
James and Sirius gracefully floated to the ground, their forms seasoned from years of travelling by Floo powder, Portkeys, other magical means from the moment they could walk and talk.
Ariana on the other hand was not so fortunate as she slammed face-first into the hard, sun-caked soil and let out a short cry of pain, "Why… why will I never get the hang of this," she growled under her breath in irritation as she struggled to stand up, spitting out blades of grass from her mouth.
While she was in the process of stumbling to her feet, her bones still slightly rattled from the sudden impact, a cool pair of hands suddenly slid themselves under her arms and planted her on her feet in one swift move, lifting her up as if her weight was lighter than a sack of feathers.
Ariana froze from the contact and slowly turning her vision upwards after she was firm on the ground to the person that helped her, only to meet metallic eyes that shone and sparkled strongly under the beams of the afternoon sun, the memorizing sight fitting the sharp angles of the teenager's face quite well.
Strong. She thought in amazement as she gave a once over at the well-defined arms that supported her.
Ariana gave a soft smile as she detached from his grip and looked back up, "Thanks, Sirius," she said sweetly, her eyes showing nothing but love for a person she had come to fully accept as her surrogate father in her previous life.
Sirius gave a dry cough as he struggled to decipher the strange look the young girl was giving him, "Y-You're welcome?" he replied in visible uncertainty.
Ariana then did something completely unexpected. She reached out before she could stop herself and grabbed onto his sleeve with a small hand, tilting her face up and speaking with a melodic voice, starting a train of events that would ultimately shape the teenager in front of her through the passage of time – unbeknownst to her, of course.
"You know, I've been told I'm a good listener."
Sirius raised an eyebrow and cocked his head from the seemingly random statement.
"There is often a feeling of liberation when one shares their innermost thoughts with another," Ariana continued strongly, "Kindness or cruelty, altruism or avarice, virtuousness or depravity, there is no shame in admitting to them – for they are merely part of the human condition."
She took a deep breath before ending in a soft voice.
"If you ever want to talk, know that my doors will be always open for you."
Neither of the two noticed a pulse of white light that transferred from her steady hand into his stiff body as they conversed, its distinct flash akin to the one that she had unknowingly given Remus, many months ago.
Sirius blinked twice in confusion after a few seconds before loosening his body and giving a bark of laughter, "Kid, you say the strangest things sometimes, you know that?" he grinned, absently patting her on the head before grabbing his trunk and rushing off without a glance back to catch up with James, who had already starting to make for his house.
Ariana gave a small sigh as she watched the teenager run off, fully understanding the mind of the latest member of the Black family to be discarded like a piece of torn paper to the rushing winds, the previous one being his cousin, Andromeda.
The bitterness, the powerlessness, the anger; she saw it all, plain as day to her – although it was cleverly hidden to all others. The pretence of laughter, jokes, pranks and general mischief was merely a front to hide the emotional void that lingered within his desecrated soul, accrued from birth and proliferated by the vicious and unrelenting cruelty from the very the people that raised him.
This boy needed the guiding hand of love in the misbegotten life that fates that tasked him with, needed her hand specifically. Sirius gave her life meaning in her previous world, so she had vowed that she would do the same for him here, one way or another.
In short, from the day Sirius Black was born to this very point in time, he had not experienced real love. Sure, he had gained the admiration and infatuation of his peers, and traipsed in teenage romance with almost every single girl in his year, but those were nothing but love of the flesh and mind were it not? What about love of the spirit? A conveyance of expression that transcends, forgives and survives against any manner of evil in its path – the love of love. Where one would unconditionally accept another despite innumerable flaws, constricting bonds of morality, or even the blank check of virtue.
People often pontificate that true love is based on self-sacrifice, but this could not be further from the truth. True love is a simply response to values. One falls in love with the embodiment of the values that forms a person's character, which in turn shapes the soul – an individual's style of a unique, tailored, and undifferentiable consciousness.
Why does this matter you may ask? Well, if a man does not value himself, he in turn cannot value anything or anyone.
"ANA…. YOU COMING?"
Ariana jumped a little as she was dragged out of her thoughts, realizing soon after she had been standing still the entire time as her mind delved into areas of philosophy that had – and will – remain unanswered for the rest of eternity.
What in Merlin's name was I even thinking about?
"SORRY," she yelled loudly in response after shaking her head to clear her thoughts, noticing that her companions were on the far end of the expansive and well-trimmed lawn, "ON MY WAY!"
She broke out into a jog as she quickly traversed across the grounds of Godric's Hollow, gasping in awe as she properly looked around for the first time since she arrived here, eyeing elegant sculptures that dotted the landscape, their forms set on pedestals and plinths amid the cascading water of numerous fountains, their backdrops framed by a multitude of perfectly manicured hedges that looked like different animals, each one unique and curiously designed.
By the time she had reached the rather welcoming mansion, its stony outer appearance all in shades of warm red and brown, she was gasping for dear life as she hunched forwards with her hands on her knees, greedily taking in large gulps of fresh cool air to catch her breath and calm down her beating heart.
Okay, maybe it wasn't Sirius that was strong. She thought as she huffed and puffed, raising a slender arm in front of her and stared at it accusingly. Maybe I need more meat on these bones.
After she had recovered and straightened herself, she realized that James and Sirius were patiently waiting for her on the veranda, silent in their countenance as they both were observing the scene with expressions of what could be discerned as abject amusement, borne solely from her adorable quirks and quiddities.
"That's right, laugh it up while you still can," she huffed in mock-annoyance, guilty enjoying James' and Sirius' company more than perhaps than anyone in her past, "We'll settle on the Quidditch field later."
She then padded over to her trunk – that was graciously carried by one of the two gentlemen – and lifted it up with ease, the result of a feather-light charm that activated to only her touch. Noticing that James flinched unnaturally hard when her trunk almost hit his leg, she furrowed her brow in confusion as she looked between her brown case and the said teenager who trying his hardest to look collected.
"James, is something wrong?" she asked in a worried voice, noticing that he was clasping his left forearm protectively.
Albus had never told Ariana the full story of what happened that night with Rowena's Diadem, only the abridged version he informed her that all her traps had been disarmed safely. This was one truth he could not burden young Ariana with: the fact that her original and ingenious trap had almost killed her very own father.
"Nothing," James said cheerfully as he dropped his hands and flashed a bright grin, too bright perhaps.
Just as Ariana was about to respond, a pair of double doors flung themselves open from the inside as a middle-aged couple walked out, refined and proper in their mannerisms – for they were the resident Lord and Lady.
"Darlings! You've arrived rather early," Dorea greeted in surprise, quickly collecting herself before rushing over and giving the trio a gentle and tender hug one at a time.
Upon reaching Ariana, she gave an extra-long and motherly hug, one which seemed to encompass the young witch's frame entirely. "Hello once again, dear," she started warmly after finally pulling away, brushing some loose strands of lustrous black hair out of her face, "Young James has been writing about you ever so much."
Ariana swivelled her head and gave a slightly reddening boy a suspicious look before turning back to the Potter matriarch.
"All good things I hope?"
"Let's just say… there was never a dull moment," Dorea mysteriously replied, playfully winking at the young girl.
She then stood back up and clapped her hands, garnering the attention of the group, "Let's save our catching up and pleasantries for lunch, it's just around the corner. Why don't you boys go on ahead while I tend to Miss Peverell."
James, Sirius and even Lord Potter gave loud chorusing whoops of joy at the sound of homemade food and bolted into the house, the former two speeding through the mansion and furiously unpacking their trunks at a speed that could only be matched by another, equally hungry teenager.
Ariana gave a nostalgic sigh and stood where she was, remembering the feeding frenzies – which she also partook in, to "fatten up" as Mrs Weasley would always say – that would occur in the Burrow during a Sunday roast.
"Boys," she and Dorea echoed at the same time as they both shook their heads in exasperation.
They both froze for a millisecond before catching each other's eyes and giving light chuckles, the hearts and minds aligning under the warm heat of the afternoon sun.
"Come on, dear," Dorea grinned as she gently took one of Ariana's hands in hers, "Let's get you settled in."
Ariana bounced on the balls of her heels in excitement before skipping alongside her young grandmother, humming merrily as she was led around a brief tour of the expansive mansion. She savoured every moment, never releasing her grip once as a surge of warmth flooded through her body, creating memories that she would never forget until her dying day.
Mum, Dad… if you're out there watching over me….
…I'm home.
A lone wizard crept through an old, decrepit house in the dead of the night, moving in absolute silence as the only sound to be heard were the faint susurrations of restless trees and gentle gurgling of running water, tempered into obedience by the still air. Rotting floorboards neither creaked nor groaned as the silhouette treaded over them, gracefully walking atop as if gliding over an invisible cushion of air.
Faint whispers of a forgotten shadow teased with his edges of the wizard's mind while he moved, the voices flirting with his desires as they threatened to pull him in and completely swallow him whole. The figure finally stopped moving once he reached his destination in the abandoned house and gazed down at an object that sat atop a wooden table, one which held something so priceless, men and beast alike would wage war and destruction for its possession if they ever knew of its existence.
Albus gave a shuddering breath – he was back again, drawn like a moth to flame.
There he was, three o'clock in the morning, skulking around in the depths of the Gaunt Shack, Little Hangleton. The very location where he had found one of Voldemort's Horcruxes in his quest to hunt them all down – a magical ring that had been left untouched under the floorboards for decades.
Certain plans regarding the Horcruxes had been accelerated as he and Ariana had agreed that it was time to systematically and safely destroy the ones they had knowledge of since it seemed Voldemort could not sense when one was obliterated – thanks to the lack of response when Rowena's Diadem was destroyed.
He had been endeavouring hard over the last month to dismantle the traps on the closed box that protected the ring, however, when he had finally triumphed over its defences, something within him shifted as when he felt a strong reluctance to swing the Sword of Gryffindor over its ugly head. This was all due to the otherworldly object that he sensed nestled within the ring's black pit, snug underneath a thin layer of rough obsidian.
Albus shivered and thanked Merlin and beyond that Voldemort had no knowledge of the ancient artifact and the dormant powers that lay within Marvolo Gaunt's Ring when it was passed down to him.
The distant voices then increased in volume in his mind, calling out to him and toying with emotions that he was sure were locked away deep within him, an amalgamation of shame, regret and guilt that rose to the surface and started to eat away at his thoughts, festering in unison and caressing his mind with their pernicious touch.
…Albus Dumbledore… betrayer… of friends… and… families…
Albus grit his teeth and attempted to blot out the voices in his mind as he slammed down a powerful Occlumency shield on the door of his mind, small droplets of sweat beading on his brow from the extensive effort he put in to silence the voices. It was all for naught however, as the unstoppable power of the Resurrection Stone licked eagerly at the torn corners of his mind. It had been slowly chipping away the edges of his defences with every passing night that Albus had visited it. Tonight, was its grand finale.
…murdered your own… sister…
"Enough," Albus furiously whispered, the mention of his slain sister causing images of another young witch to flash through his mind instead.
…still is… a way… to save… her…
"You're wrong, she… she lives," he continued desperately, an attempt to satiate the hungering thoughts that were circling his mind like ravenous vultures to rotting carrion, "And through my hand she will arise anew, cleansed of her sins though a baptism of fire."
…you lie… to… yourself…
…that creature is… not your… sister… and… never will be…
The insidious words seemed so discordant against his train of thought that he dropped his guard and unconsciously weakened his mental shield as anger consumed him. This was the moment the Stone had been waiting for. It yearned to be used by someone who it deemed worthy enough to use it, craving for freedom after being trapped in the tiny box for countless decades.
It plunged its hooks deep into the wizard's now exposed mind, sinking under its layers and changing something within the arguably most powerful wizard alive, causing synapses and neurons to fire of rapidly in response as a nascent seed was planted in the fertile soil of his mindscape.
…use… us… to bring her… back…
"N-Never," Albus stammered, hesitation now clouding his voice, "I will not raise a walking corpse and face the wrath of nature for my unholy transgressions."
…this is not… petty necromancy… this is… authority over… mortality…
"There is no merit to this madness," Albus cried out desperately, his voice now turning into a croak as he slowly felt himself slipping, "For every action, there is a consequence of equal measure."
The indefatigable voices then increased one final time in volume, almost deafening the wizard as it sank the last nail in the coffin, trapping a wizard with the promise of power untold like any other.
…ashes… to ashes… dust to… dust…
…human life... giveth… and… taketh…
…all bent at… your… will…
Albus grew silent, every muscle and fibre in his body tensed and frozen like an animal caught in a cage, eyes, fingers, toes and everything in-between were locked solid in place as the old wizard's brain thundering away at a speed that only a handful of people in the world could match.
"A way..." Albus finally whispered, breaking the silence as a strange glint appeared in his eyes, "A way… to fix the mistakes, fix the past, fix everything."
"Why should I be denied this power?" he breathed as his voice grew louder, the Elder Wand in his robes starting to vibrate as it sensed its master's anticipation, its magic going haywire from the proximity of the second Deathly Hallow, one which it had not seen since its conception.
"All my life, I have been searching for penitence, for forgiveness… for redemption. And for what?" he snarled.
"To enthrone my heart with cries of the souls that wander through Tartarus? To anoint my head with the blood of the innocent and guilty alike? To meditate in tranquillity upon the mountain of corpses that I am solely responsible for?"
"No, I am beyond saving," he continued, shuddering with an unidentifiable emotion, "The endless lies and sins that sits atop my breast will not move for neither man nor god."
"This… is my burden."
With that, he then raised a shaky arm towards the bare ring that stood on a wooden table, the action causing a tingling sensation to erupt and spread through his body, an intoxicating wave of desire that pulled his outstretched hand closer and closer with every beat of his aged heart.
He was just an inch away from the ring before the last defences his mind sprung up in a futile attempt to stymie the influence of the overwhelming presence.
"W-Wait," he slurred as his hand froze mid-air, just an inch away from his prize, his tongue feeling like lead as he struggled to even talk, "Something is not r-right."
No matter how hard he tried, his mind failed to cooperate, its hazy thoughts pulling in opposite directions as if the narrator and navigator within had bifurcated and split into two separate entities, each walking independently on its own path.
Feeling as though he was slowly being walled in with amber, sticky and viscous in consistency, his vision started to blacken at its edges, his breathing in turn growing more laboured as his thought processes systemically shut themselves down one by one – until there was only one left.
With no other desire left in his body apart from that one singularity, finally succumbing to dark calls of the Stone, he then repeated an action his future self was fated to do, nineteen long years from now.
He grabbed the ring.
