White

Albus Dumbledore has seen many things during his lifetime. He has lived past one century after all. Time is wisdom. And seldom does wisdom fail anyone. But it did. It did when he thought Grindelwald won't go that far. It failed when he didn't oversee the dark nature of Tom during his Hogwarts years. It again failed now in the matter of Harry Potter.

When Lily and James died. He was the one who decided that little Harry should be better off at Dursleys. Little did he know about the true nature of them. No, they didn't abuse him or anything but treating someone as an outcast is far worse. From living in a cupboard to overcoming each obstacle Harry has proven himself as a better wizard than many. Some argued that he should've taught Harry from his early years, to prepare him for what has to come. He didn't. He knew better. But one thing he overlooked was Harry's Potential. When Harry Potter defied the very law of magic and survived the killing curse. He asked himself how ? Is it the sacrifice of Lily that helped ? Or there must be something wrong with Voldemort too. Or is it simply Harry's power? After much deliberation he blamed it on the mysteries of magic and didn't put much thought into it. Now all is coming back to bite him. With a deep sigh he turned his attention to the sleeping figure of Harry Potter. Who just survived another "killing curse".

Ten minutes ago

The Triwizard Tournament has always been controversial throughout the years. It finally went overboard when all the participants were killed in a tournament. Since that year the tournament was halted for an indefinite time till now. When the British ministry went ahead with the French and Bulgarian ministry to talk about hosting the triwizard tournament again, they met with a good response. Triwizard Tournament is an international tournament and bound to attract public attention. Throughout Europe different newspapers kept publishing about the triwizard tournament. It also did help that the boy who lived is also a participant. When the third task came around the buzz about it went far. Many ministry officials from various countries visited Hogwarts to see the final of the tournament.

Dumbledore in the middle of all the guests gestured something to Ludo Bagman, the main referee for the third task. Ludo Bagman nods his head in response.

With a clap of his and sonorous charm Dumbledore announced "My friends, I think it's already time. Our champion can be here anytime now." His announcement was met with a good cheer from the crowd. People really are excited. In the midst of all He didn't miss the glint in the still intact eye of Moody. Lately something is wrong about his friend. But Dumbledore put the matter to the side for the time being. His eyes again scanned the crowd. Almost all the important people of magical Britain are present here today. Even some of the other countries too. He just hopes everything is okay over there in the maze.

That is when his head turned towards a big thud in the centre of the ground. His eyes widened. Even the crowd was in pin drop silence. There in the middle is Harry Potter with the cup in one hand and Cedric Diggory in the other.

"Harry" someone shrieked from the crowd. Dumbledore rushed to the middle of the ground. With a quiet spell he checked their nerves. His breath hitched in his throat. Before he could utter a word, someone shouted "Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory are dead." Followed by a loud maniacal laughter.

"Our Lord is back. Lord Voldemort is back."

"Stupefy" A red spell slammed right into the back of Moody.

A purple hue adorned the sky. A sunset sprayed right across Harry's eyes. There's a river nearby judging from the babbling sound he's hearing. He looked up again. The sky is beautiful, though somewhat dark. But it's perfect.

Harry couldn't see the cup nearby nor Cedric's body. With a shake of his head Harry stood up. A vast green field scattered right in front him. There's only a single tree nearby. About 25m to 30m in height. What is worth noting about the tree is its vibrant leaves. It also looks like one of its branches is ripped apart though that doesn't hinder its beauty. The scenery looks like it came fresh from a painting. Turning his head towards the river Harry could only see just how large it was. Almost splitting the scenery into two. Then his eyes came into a halt. Right across the river there's a door. A single door. No wall, no house nearby. In a slight confusion Harry walked ahead. The river is indeed huge with fast flowing water. It seems impossible to cross the river without a bridge. A sigh escaped from his mouth.

"Harry Potter" a deep raspy voice made him jerked around to find the source of it. There it is. A man stood there covered in black robe and a hood hiding his face.

With simple movement the man removed his hood. The man's face is wise and old. With dark black hair and grey eyes the man easily stood 6 feet in height.

"Hello" Harry finds his voice hoarse just like the man.

The man with a relaxing smile came towards him. Though stranger, there's something about the man making him feel familiar. "So you are Harry Potter" the same raspy voice whispered as the man scanned his face up close. Harry can only nod in reply.

"Who are you ?" Harry whispered back after a moment.

"I am Ignotus." The man replied in a calm voice. The name doesn't ring a bell inside Harry's head. Looking at his frown the man smiles. "Tell me Harry Potter, do you know what this place is?" Harry shakes his head in denial. The man smiles again.

"I don't know. I was at some graveyard fighting Voldemort. I summoned the cup and thought it would take me back to Hogwarts." That is when he remembered. The sickly green light, hitting him in the chest. His eyes widened. He looked back at the man. With a voice just right above a whisper "Am I dead ?" Harry asked.

"No, you aren't, though you were quite close." The man replied. Then the man gestured to the scenery in front of them and said "Believe me heaven is much more beautiful than this." Another smile greeted Harry.

"Now tell me Harry, have you read the tales of beedle the bard." Harry shakes his head.

Ignotus then gestured to Harry to follow him. "Then let me tell you a story. Listen, listen well young Harry." Without even waiting for an answer Ignotus started telling his story.

"There were once three brothers who were travelling along a lonely, winding road at twilight. In time, the brothers reached a river too deep to wade through and too dangerous to swim across. However, these brothers were learned in the magical arts, and so they simply waved their wands and made a bridge appear across the treacherous water. They were halfway across it when they found their path blocked by a hooded figure.

And Death spoke to them. He was angry that he had been cheated out of three new victims, for travellers usually drowned in the river. But Death was cunning. He pretended to congratulate the three brothers upon their magic and said that each had earned a prize for having been clever enough to evade him.

So the oldest brother, who was a combative man, asked for a wand more powerful than any in existence: a wand that must always win duels for its owner, a wand worthy of a wizard who had conquered Death! So Death crossed to an elder tree on the banks of the river, fashioned a wand from a branch that hung there, and gave it to the oldest brother.

Then the second brother, who was an arrogant man, decided that he wanted to humiliate Death still further, and asked for the power to recall others from Death. So Death picked up a stone from the riverbank and gave it to the second brother, and told him that the stone would have the power to bring back the dead.

And then Death asked the third and youngest brother what he would like. The youngest brother was the humblest and also the wisest of the brothers, and he did not trust Death. So he asked for something that would enable him to go forth from that place without being followed by Death. And death, most unwillingly, handed over his own Cloak of Invisibility.

Then Death stood aside and allowed the three brothers to continue on their way, and they did so, talking with wonder of the adventure they had had, and admiring Death's gifts. In due course the brothers separated, each for his own destination.

The first brother traveled on for a week or more, and reaching a distant village, sought out a fellow wizard with whom he had a quarrel. Naturally with the Elder Wand as his weapon, he could not fail to win the duel that followed. Leaving his enemy dead upon the floor, the oldest brother proceeded to an inn, where he boasted loudly of the powerful wand he had snatched from Death himself, and of how it made him invincible.

That very night, another wizard crept upon the oldest brother as he lay, wine-sodden, upon his bed. The thief took the wand and, for good measure, slit the oldest brother's throat.

And so Death took the first brother for his own.

Meanwhile, the second brother journeyed to his own home, where he lived alone. Here he took out the stone that had the power to recall the dead, and turned it thrice in his hand. To his amazement and his delight, the figure of the girl he had once hoped to marry, before her untimely death, appeared at once before him.

Yet she was sad and cold, separated from him as by a veil. Though she had returned to the mortal world, she did not truly belong there and suffered. Finally the second brother, driven mad with hopeless longing, killed himself so as truly to join her.

And so Death took the second brother for his own.

But though Death searched for the third brother for many years, he was never able to find him. It was only when he had attained a great age that the youngest brother finally took off the Cloak of Invisibility and gave it to his son. And then he greeted Death as an old friend, and went with him gladly, and, equals, they departed this life."

With a relaxed sigh the man finished his story. And looked towards Harry which he didn't during his whole story. The man then stretched his hands in a grand gesture.

"Harry, My name is Ignotus Peverell, I am the third brother. The one who tricked death in his own game." The man's eyes glowed for a second when he finished saying this.

Harry stood there. Baffled whether to believe him or not. Then he remembered his own invisibility Cloak. Many questions arised in his head. Harry didn't say anything but his face betrayed his feelings.

"I am your ancestor Harry. The Peverell family name carried great powers in my time. We were always under threat. Foes were everywhere. Even inside the family. That is why one of my great great grandson decided that he'd dissolve the whole family. He was the last remaining member of the family bearing Peverell surname. He faked his death, settled far away. And guess what he changed his name into, Potter. That is why you have my cloak with you. Now you are the last remaining member of Peverell blood."

Harry closed his eyes shut. All this is a little too much to take. This is overwhelming.

"So how am I alive ? Or is this all just a dream? I clearly remember getting hit by that killing curse." Harry asked breathlessly.

"As I said earlier, no you aren't dead nor is it a dream. You did survive the killing curse when you were young. But not now. When that Voldemort guy casted the killing curse he didn't kill you, he killed another soul. His own soul. The part of his soul that was trapped inside you since that day when he tried killing you for the first time. Tell me Harry, how do you think you survived the killing curse that day ?" Ignotus said while putting his right hand on his shoulder.

"I don't know. Dumbledore said that it's my mother's love for me that acted as a shield. He said love has mysterious power." Harry replied though keeping his head lower.

"This is only part of the reason. Yes, love is a great power but it won't save one from a killing curse. That day when Voldemort casted the killing curse, he created a horcrux. He trapped a part of his soul right inside your body." Ignotus said while gesturing towards his scar. Harry absentmindedly touched his scar.

"As to why you didn't die is because of the combined effort of both your mother's protection and your power. The magic inside you unleashed its everything to keep you safe. Both combined created a shield powerful enough to rebound the killing curse right back at Voldemort." Just as he said it loud thud was heard from the door that was on the opposite side of the river.

"What was that?" Harry asked purplexed.

"Oh it's a reminder. You see my time here to interact with you is limited. The state you are in is called a transient state. Where one is neither dead nor alive. Death himself created the zone for us to interact here." That means there's death on the other side of that door. Harry glanced at the door again. Now it really looks eerie.

"I want to ask you something. Why aren't your other brothers or death itself here ?" Harry straightened his shoulder.

"Because only I'm in contact with your soul. Which neither of my two brothers are of yet. As to why death himself didn't come. I don't know." Another thud and Ignotus flinched. Then his body started to dissolve.

Harry tried to open his mouth but Ignotus stopped him, a deep longing look in his eyes "Harry, your time hasn't come yet. Live long. Live prosper. You're powerful Harry. Believe in yourself. Use your powers well. Make your parents proud. Make me proud. Continue our family legacy Harry." With a kind smile Ignotus patted his back. Then he flinched again. His eyes changed colour. They are now white. Eerie white. Ignotus grabs Harry's shoulder forcefully.

"Remember this Harry, none of the previous holders could collect all the three hallows. But you must do it. Search for them. You must reunite us, Harry." Now his voice isn't his alone. There's three different voices mixing up together. Those voices seem panicked and painful. Suddenly a jolt striked right where they were standing and all Harry saw is white.

White.

White ceiling. Why does it look familiar ? That is when Harry's mind snapped, his groggy eyes opened wide. This is the hospital wing. This is hogwarts. So he is indeed alive. Harry shifted his bedsheets to sit and a cough escaped his mouth.

That alerted the strict madam Pomfrey. "Mr. Potter" within a second she's right beside his bed running several diagnosis charms over him. After about two full minutes she finally looked at him. "Mr. Potter, glad to see you finally awake. You almost gave us a scare. Your body does seem fine. Even then take these potions. Headmaster will be here shortly." With that being said by her straight face madam Pomfret left Harry to his thoughts.

Thoughts. Thoughts on what. Voldemort, Hallows, Ignotus or death. Harry does have so much to think about. A tasteless chuckle escaped from his mouth. Harry closed his eyes and slumped back into his bed. The silence of the empty infirmary filled the room. So much has happened in the matter of just one day. He's exhausted. Not physically but mentally. And for some weird reason his body actually feels energetic. Deep in his thoughts Harry failed to notice Dumbledore's presence.

"Mr. Potter" the voice of Dumbledore made Harry open his eyes once again.

"How are you feeling ?" Dumbledore asked before Harry could open his mouth to greet him. Harry helped himself to sit. "I'm fine Professor, thanks for asking." Dumbledore smiled at his reply. It was followed by a comfortable yet uncomfortable silence between them. Harry knows it very well just what Dumbledore wants to ask him. Dumbledore similarly for his part waited for Harry to speak on his own accord.

"Voldemort is back." Was the first words that left Harry's mouth. Looking up at Dumbledore Harry didn't get the reaction he was expecting.

Dumbledore heaved a long sigh. "Just after you teleported in the middle of the ground along with the cup and Cedric's body, Moody or should I say Barty Crouch Jr. who was impersonating him declared it in front of all. Safe to say, he is now in the custody of the ministry." It's now Harry's time to release a sigh. This is ridiculous. This day can't get any more ridiculous, can it?

Dumbledore then stood up "Harry my boy, as much as I wanted to discuss the incident I don't think it's safer here. Take rest. We will talk later." With a little pat on his shoulder Harry was left alone again.

"How is he, Pomfrey ?"

"Better than I thought, he would. Much better. There isn't any single worth noting damage in his body apart from small scratches and bruises. Though I noticed something unnatural, professor." A frown marred her face. "It's his core. Mr. Potter core is currently unstable. It keeps steadily increasing. When he was asleep, It was like all his magic core was gone. But now it feels like his core is alive again and that too almost keeping power more than triple the size of his original core. How is it possible, Professor. I've never seen anything like this ever in my life." Clearly even Dumbledore is baffled after hearing it. This is a matter of concern but Harry needs to rest first. He can discuss this later.

"Unusual indeed but I've some theory why it is happening and I don't think it'll harm Mr. Potter anyway. We'll talk about it later. Let him rest. The rest of the matter can wait. Thank you Pomfrey." With a nod to the matron Dumbledore exited the hospital wing.

Magic core. The exigent part of wizards and witches. Normally the magic core is fixed in size from birth. But for some extraordinary examples it does expand. One of the prime examples is himself. For most they get their boost in magical power after their magical maturity. But magical maturity doesn't expand the core, it just broadens the path connected to the core. It makes it easier to call magic upon. Expansion of the magical core is a totally different concept altogether. Dumbledore knew he was powerful even at the age of 11. Only at the age of 16 that his magic crossed the boundary of ordinary wizards. His core expanded. But what is intriguing is the reason. His former headmaster told him that the core only expands when it is in great distress. For him the essence was that fight with Grindelwald where his dear sister died. His resolution to defeat Grindelwald worked as an essence. But what about Harry ? What made his core expand ? That too only at the age of 14. Something inside Dumbledore shifted that day. Uncertainty loomed inside Dumbledore's head.

Only after a day full of rest that madam Pomfrey released him from the infirmary. Much to his shock, all the students already left for home when he was still in infirmary. Apparently he was half dead for about a week. Ron, Hermione and some of his friends did leave some get well soon postcards. Harry finished his breakfast steadily and went directly towards Dumbledore's office. He has much to tell.

The gargoyle opened the door right after spotting him without telling him any key. Dumbledore's office has always been eccentric. It has its own taste. Dumbledore's taste. Harry casted a quick glance to the Fawkes who chirped at him happily.

"Harry, my boy. Come here. Take a seat." Harry did.

Dumbledore then went around the room to stand in front of a metal basin. He gestured to Harry to follow him. "This thing Harry is called a pensieve. An extremely useful and rare magical device used to review and store memories." After saying the words Dumbledore moved his wand to his head and a whitish silvery cloud-like thing came out. He put it into the basin.

He then dipped his head into it. Harry followed him. The next Harry knew is he was in a trial of Barty Crouch jr. Harry watched the trial as he was a part of it with Dumbledore right beside him. Harry watched the dark mark and craziness of the convict in silence. When they exited from the memory Dumbledore continued about how Barty Crouch helped his son to escape from Azkaban and how ultimately it led to his doom.

"Harry, I know what you encountered that day must be horrible. And I don't want you to recollect it. But it's far more important for me to know what happened there." Harry understood what Dumbledore was implying.

"How do you extract the memory, Professor?" Harry asked. Dumbledore beamed, "You need to think about the event briefly and stop where you think it is irrelevant." Harry nodded.

Harry repeated the same process and extracted the memory of the graveyard starting from when both he and Cedric decided to share the cup. Dumbledore picked his memory from him and dipped it inside the pensieve. And with a nod at him Dumbledore went to watch the memory. About half an hour later Dumbledore exited from the basin. His face is shaken. There was a grave expression on his face.

"You have been hit with a killing curse." His eyes were wide when he asked Harry. Harry nodded. Without any warning Dumbledore skipped right in front of him and raised his wand in soft motion. "Harry my boy, let me try a few spells on your scar." And he proceeded without even his permission. When he was done He let out a long sigh. His face brightened unlike Harry has ever seen. Unconsciously that made Harry touch his scar.

"What happened, Sir?" Dumbledore smiled. Did Dumbledore know about him carrying a part of Voldemort's soul.

"A relief Harry. A great relief. And apparently you survived the killing curse for the second time in a row." Dumbledore finished with a low chuckle. Dumbledore then returned to his table, he opened a drawer and took out the diary of Tom. "Harry, magic is a wonderful thing. Always remember that. But many twist their views on it. They use this wonderful blessing for their own gain. Voldemort is one of them." Dumbledore held out the diary right in front of them. "How do you think Harry, that this little diary could have possessed a person ?"

"A dark magic may be" Harry shrugged his shoulders. That question did arrive in his mind several times but Harry concluded it as another dark magic.

"Yes, partially. This indeed is dark magic. But there's more to it. The reason it can speak to a person and can even possess them is because it has a fragment of Tom's soul in it. It's called Horcrux. The most vile and obscure form of any magic." Dumbledore's face magnified his tone.

"Tom always feared death. He feared death more than anything. So to cheat death he created this." The grave voice of Dumbledore continued. "The process of creating a horcrux is to murder someone, the supreme act of evil, as a means to tear the soul. And as long as a horcrux is intact the main soul will remain attached to the mortal world and even after their body suffers a fatal blow. Just like in the case of Voldemort."

Dumbledore then lowered his head. "That day Harry, when Voldemort killed your mother right before killing you, he fulfilled the requirements of creating a horcrux. And as a result he created another Horcrux." When Dumbledore looked up he was staring right at his lightning bolt scar. "And in the graveyard when he casted a killing curse at you, it killed his own soul trapped inside you." Harry's eyes were closed shut.

"I always feared this Harry, but couldn't bring myself to tell you. You don't know just how relieved I'm right now. Forgive me Harry." Dumbledore apologised.

So Dumbledore knew about it all. Harry couldn't blame him for not telling him. Imagine telling a child that he has someone else's soul trapped inside him let alone Voldemort's. Harry would've freaked out. But something about him changed. Instead of anger all Harry could feel now is relief. Did voldemort's soul affect him more than it should. Maybe it did.

"I understand, professor." Harry solemnly replied. The sombre mood of the room helped a little.

"Then I thank you for that, Harry" But his reply seemed like it helped Dumbledore a ton. Fawkes chose that moment to appear on top of Dumbledore's shoulder. Her little chirping relaxed the atmosphere. In response Dumbledore patted the bird. Harry waited patiently for Dumbledore to start that topic.

"About your summer Harry, it's safe to say that this year you can live with Sirius." Dumbledore finally said with a smile.

Harry raised his eyebrows a little. This is a surprise. Harry would have bet 10 galleons that Dumbledore would tell him to go to Dursleys again. But this time he didn't. Harry could guess his reason somewhat. Harry though had a different Idea.

"No professor, I think I will live with the Dursleys for at least a month." This time Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at his answer. This is new. "I think I need some alone time, Professor, away from all this." Harry added.

Dumbledore nodded in response. The boy needed to grieve. Harry needed to be left alone at least for some time. Harry stood up from his seat.

"Then that's all I need, Professor. Thank you for your time." Harry bowed a little and left the room leaving a slightly thoughtful Dumbledore behind.

A\N:

I struggled more than I thought I would while writing this especially dialogues as I have very little practical knowledge about it. I am not really satisfied with the chapter myself but I know my limits, my age and knowledge allow this much I think. I dunno just enjoy or bash me in the reviews.

Up next will be Harry's summer and it'll be fast paced. Whole fic will be fast paced I think. Someone invent an AI which can write what we think in our head fgs. This Idea felt so good inside my mind and now I think I may waste it's potential *sad noises*.