Treason

by Cybaster

Having had made a critical decision of his heart with dire consequences, all Albus Dumbledore wants to know now is if he will be forgiven for it. But does it matter at all even if he is? The Last Chapter is comin' up in a bit...

3. Memory

Author's Note: This part will surely confuse some people if I don't explain it here and I'm going to end up regretting it, so here goes. This part is a flashback 'filler' episode, if you will, which goes back and explains what happened exactly during that incident in question. Of course you can read this part first or I can put this first, but it'd make for lesser dramatic impact if I did.

It's not the end yet! There's still one more part to come as soon as I can get around to finishing wrapping that up, so be patient…

Disclaimer: Same as above, but for the purpose of completeness, Harry Potter and all names and places from the said series of books belong to Joanne Kathleen Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishing and Raincoast Books. As for the lyrics in this part? They are from 'One Man Army', which is a song sung by Our Lady Peace.

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Part 3: Memory

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I remember falling,
I remember marching like a One Man Army
Through the blaze I know I'm coughing
I believe in something,
I don't wanna remember falling for your lies...

---"One Man Army", sung by Our Lady Peace

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Albus knew he shouldn't have come here.

The Ministry told him not to come, because they told him they already had the situation under control. His fellow professors warned him not to, quite prepared and knowledged in what would undoubtedly happen if Albus went. Everyone told him not to, that he was better off staying in Hogwarts right now...But still, he was here, against all orders and everyone's needs, in the field where he knew the Dark Wizards were and where Albus knew, against even his own better judgment, that he had to be.

But then again, the Ministry of Magic didn't have the Aegis Pendant protecting Albus Dumbledore with massive barriers of force in that field today, making him continuously impervious to all but Voldemort himself. And then again, also, the Ministry of Magic didn't care about the captured Minerva McGonagall as much as Albus Dumbledore did, either.

A part of his heart and feelings told him that if he didn't go, he would surely regret it and never see Minerva again, and Albus had learned to trust that part throughout his life. It had led him to believe in Harry Potter who, even now, managed to keep surviving Voldemort even from the moment of his birth, and that part of his heart had told him that Azkaban and the Dementors couldn't be trusted in the years after the Triwizard Cup. That part was rarely wrong and Albus knew it.

But now he wasn't so sure that the part of his heart with his feelings was as right as he was concerned for Minerva. It would lead him to victory, or a quick death for both of them --- and that part, at least, told Albus correctly that it would surely beat being left alone.

Especially in this war.

Why did Albus have to be the one holding the Aegis Pendant? Why did the Ministry give it to him? Why did Minerva get herself captured so easily? Who was it that betrayed her that fateful night? To those questions Albus had no sure answer, for once in his life. All he knew was that he had it and, since he did, he alone could possibly do anything to save her from Voldemort. He knew that he couldn't defeat Voldemort, not even with the Pendant --- he was not fated to --- but nevertheless, there was a way he knew he may at least stand the best chance of keeping her alive, and that was only if Voldemort himself showed up. Although the Ministry, in the first place, would never accept it.

But that same part of his heart told him that he had to.

Albus didn't have long to wait at all; On the time he had been told, the Apparation Spell that suddenly flashed before Albus signalled her arrival, and as the flash of magic died away into the winds, Albus --- who before nearly had to cover his eyes against the light --- was treated to the sight of the prisoner he was here to redeem. Although shackled through magical, green chains and lacking the usual tidy, firm and sure look that had always defined Minerva McGonagall in the past, Minerva was alive, and well, and very much aware of her senses. Flanked by two Dark Wizards dressed in the darkest of dark green robes, she was merely held hovering above the air for Albus to see.

Seeing her alright, Albus' heart rose with joy for only a brief moment before Minerva's look of apparent dread and fear --- whether it was for the consequences or for Albus' safety or both, he had no idea --- told him otherwise, and his heart sank as quickly as it rose in full knowledge of who else would be coming.

Another flash of light, this time of a malign, burning green flame, appeared between Albus and the stricken Minerva, and Albus Dumbledore was finally confronted with none other than Lord Voldemort himself, smirking evilly, with a sadistically confident look in his eyes, and the aura of silent anger and cruelty that had always surrounded him before, but was now even stronger with confidence.

Albus took a step backwards in caution away from the Dark Lord, observantly noting his situation within the area, searching for other solutions but, so far, finding only one. Albus frowned.

"You've aged quite a bit since we last met, Professor Dumbledore. Older, yes." Voldemort taunted, his words flowing with mock respect for his former teacher. "And weaker."

Albus said nothing.

"...And much more careless than last I knew you, Professor Dumbledore. Neither I or Lucius thought it would ever be so...easy to capture McGonagall and lure you here. You should've really checked your sources next time, or at least doublecheck your own students...but I guess even you, lose their edge some time."

"Everyone gets old some time, Tom. Like it, or not. So do you." Albus countered, and Voldemort seemed to wince in anger a bit at the mention of his supposedly despised humanity. However, the same sadistic smirk soon played itself on Voldemort's lips again, and Albus sighed.

"That's because you're only human, Professor Dumbledore. I'm not. I'm beyond human now. I fear nothing. Not Hogwarts, not McGonagall, not the Potter boy, and certainly not the Phoenix Aurors I know are coming your way, as well. They'll be dealt with, just like everyone else will, Professor Dumbledore. You don't have to worry about that. And best of all, I have you to thank for that."

His heart leapt up at Voldemort's words: the Dark Lord's words of contempt pretty much told Albus that Voldemort had expected this, that this was a trap, and that the Ministry's Phoenix Aurors that had already been deployed to rescue Minerva were doomed; powerful as Voldemort was now, the Phoenix Aurors could never expect to approach stealthily enough before the Dark Wizards found them and tore them to shreds. By being here, Albus had not only brought Voldemort here, but also doomed the Aurors to death.

Albus shook his head, trying to muster up even more of his strength. He cannot let Voldemort know of his doubts. Not now, not ever. "You still fear me, Tom, like it or not. Otherwise, you wouldn't have bothered with keeping Mi---Professor McGonagall alive."

Voldemort gave a cruel chuckle in reply. "I think not, Professor Dumbledore. Go ahead, say her name as affectionately as you intended to. I suggest you do that, because you never know---" As a gesture of force, Voldemort drew his wand and pointed it backwards directly towards Minerva, all the while looking musingly at Albus, as if savoring every bit of emotion he can draw from the old man. Albus' heart leapt to his throat as the prospect of Voldemort actually killing her nearly became reality, and it was only with his willpower did he manage not to show it. "--- whether your precious McGonagall --- 'Minerva' --- would still be alive in the next minute."

Albus bit his lip and waited for the worst, cursing himself for feeling so helpless against the Dark Lord. Albus, the only man who Voldemort had ever feared, now utterly helpless against him. Truly, the times had changed, and Albus didn't like the loss of hope every moment he stood there.

Voldemort lowered his wand. "Now, if you're done worrying, Professor Dumbledore, I suggest we complete our business."

"What makes you think I will certainly give you the pendant?" Albus retorted, one hand over his chest in a bold, yet completely useless, gesture to shield the Aegis Pendant from Voldemort.

"Because we're different, Professor. If me and you had traded places now, I would certainly have destroyed you even at the cost of my life. I can do that without care, because I do not care about the captive at all. But you do. I know. That is why you are here, with the Pendant, and that, because of her, is why you will not fight me. The Aegis Pendant cannot protect both you and her at once. You will not risk her life fighting me, and because of that, now I have the advantage." Voldemort smirked, and took a bold step towards Albus as the old wizard bit his lip in anger at Voldemort for being there...and for being right. "You no longer have the choice. Give me the Aegis Pendant and I will let her live."

Minerva moved slightly, lifting her head to look wistfully at Albus, and for awhile Albus became almost completely oblivious to Voldemort and his Dark Wizards, and everything, as he felt a slight relief from seeing her still alive. However, as her eyes found his, Albus felt his resolve melt and he began to question his own actions. She depended on him, as did everybody, Albus knew, but now here he was giving in to the Dark Lord in front of her, disappointing her. Was what he intended to do really right?

"Professor..." Minerva whispered weakly, obviously still suffering both physically and mentally. Albus felt his heart shatter.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Voldemort yelled, deliberately stepping between them to block Minerva from Albus' eyesight, his facial features implying a steady loss of patience, and raised his wand towards her again. "If it was any other wizard but you, I would not bother waiting! Do not tempt me to change my decision!"

"Don't, Professor!" Minerva croaked out in her weakened state, seemingly trying to struggle, yet her eyes bore a new determined, willing gleam in them which Albus readily recognized. This time, however, Albus was no longer sure if that look in Minerva was even assuring anymore. "Use the Pendant and defeat him! I don't mind dying if it'll end the war!"

His body shuddered with conflict. On one side, something was telling him that he should act on what Minerva had told him and fight Voldemort, surely sacrificing her in the process, so the war would end. On the other, something else was telling him that he cannot, that Minerva's life was much more important than the Pendant itself, as well as inexpendable. His eyes watered with the doubt and his struggling of emotions; Albus hastily turned away derisively to hide them from Voldemort. What was he to do now?

"Professor! I will wait for you no longer! Give me the Aegis Pendant and get out of my way, or you know well the consequences otherwise!" Voldemort exclaimed in fury, his inhumanly cruel gaze burning at the indecision that was halting his victory. Ever since he rose up to power again seven years ago, Voldemort had vowed never to fail anymore; this time was no exception, and he could not wait any longer as it was nearly in his grasp.

"No! Don't give it up! Voldemort must not obtain that Pendant at all, Professor!" Minerva pleaded in return.

"Make your decision quickly, Professor Dumbledore, but if you hope to see her alive again, then you obviously have no choice! Do it! Hand it over at once!!!"

"Professor Dumbledore, please listen to me!" Minerva cried out, and Albus forced himself to look at her again with inquiring eyes as if, for once indeed, he had no idea what to do. "Never give up the Pendant! Leave me here and go! With the Pendant, and Harry Potter on our side, the Ministry can surely win this war outright! Don't give that chance up because of me, Professor! Don't---"

Voldemort angrily backed towards Minerva and held his wand to her throat, lifting her head up for Albus to see to help him make the decision. "Quiet! I will not ask you again, Professor Dumbledore! The Pendant, or her life! Now! Give me the Pendant now, or fight me and let her die! Just make your decision quickly!!!"

Albus opened his mouth to speak, but the words would not come.

"Professor...Albus..." Minerva whispered, her own eyes on the verge of tears, pleading with whatever was left in her. "Please...I understand how you feel, I always had...but I'm not worth you giving up the Aegis Pendant for me...I'm not afraid to die, not for you..."

Normally whenever situations arose, Albus Dumbledore always knew the right answer or the right way to do things, both during his times as a youthful wizard and a wisened master sorcerer. Whenever he found himself faced with some situation, Albus always knew which was the right thing to do and was completely sure about it. On one side now, Albus had the Ministry to support, but on the other he had Minerva to save. Both seemed right---no, both were right, and at the same time Albus knew that one of them would be wrong. Whatever he did, it would have long-running consequences to him and the Ministry of Magic for the years to come that he most certainly, Albus sighed with resignation, would never be able to bring back.

Voldemort kept his eyes on him, all the while his wand began to glow with his evil magic, ready to fire. Minerva wordlessly kept pleading with him, trying to keep being determined while her willpower slowly, secretly, diminished.

Albus closed his eyes...and, after giving some more thought, finally made his decision. With a hesitant step, he began moving towards Voldemort...and his hands reached to his chest, grasping the Aegis Pendant beneath his robes and moving it upwards as if to remove it.

He had decided to give the Pendant up, to save Minerva.

She was not afraid to die for what she believed in the Ministry, and in him...and, because of that, Albus realized and decided that he couldn't let her die. He can...the Ministry can always retrieve the Aegis Pendant even though it would be in Voldemort's hands now, difficult that it would be, but once Minerva's life was gone Albus would certainly never be able to bring that back.

And, although Albus would probably never admit it openly, common sense told him that Minerva was far more important to him --- perhaps more than anyone else --- than the immobile Aegis Pendant.

With each hesitant step Albus took the other side of his heart kept telling him that it was the wrong thing to do, but Albus struggled with those, trying not to let them make him doubt his own thoughts even more, and kept moving forward until he was nearly toe-to-toe with the Dark Lord himself. Voldemort looked straight at him, seeing through him, and as Albus stared back in slight defiance, Voldemort's smirk reappeared and widened a bit.

"I will honor my part of the bargain, Tom. Release Minerva first." Albus said firmly.

"I really believe you would, Professor Dumbledore." Voldemort merely gloated. "But that I will do, because I really do believe that you will honor your part, even if it was only out of care and...affection..." Voldemort said that last word with considerable distaste both as something he cannot see to be of much use, and a bad memory on his part. "...For McGonagall. I will do that, because I will show you, Professor, that I no longer fear you."

Albus breathed some relief as Voldemort turned back towards the two Dark Wizards and made a gesture. "Let her free."

As Minerva was promptly released from her chains and almost thrown towards Albus, Albus backed away, held her and gave her a teary-eyed, relieved and longing look. Although abused, Minerva was otherwise alright, and at that Albus felt briefly glad as he held her close that she was okay. Then he caught the wistful, almost apologetic look she was giving him, and he was brought back to reality. As he began to approach Voldemort again, Minerva grasped his sleeve tightly.

"Professor, don't...you don't have to do this..." Minerva whispered hoarsely, and Albus turned back towards her sympathetically.

"I have to, Minerva." Albus replied. "You were so willing to die for the Ministry, and me...and like it or not, I know I cannot let you die. You're a good wizard, and a good friend, and will always be. I know I have to protect you. We can take the Aegis Pendant from Voldemort again, but if you die..."

With those words, Albus strode up to Voldemort again --- this time, Minerva seemed to have lost all strength and stood there mutely. Albus sighed, and let the Aegis Pendant fall from his hands, and nearly immediately Voldemort caught it. Backing off, he lowered his head, not wanting to see how disappointed in him Minerva would be now, avoiding what might very well be a suddenly disillusioned look in her eyes. The deed was done, Albus sighed in resignation again, now all that's left...is what's after.

He did not hear what Minerva whispered to him then.

As if holding a new, precious vase at first, Voldemort touched the Aegis Pendant almost reverently and carefully, feeling the surfaces of the Pendant and the aura that it radiated, and then, with one big motion, Voldemort slid the Aegis Pendant onto his own neck, and laughed fearlessly, looking around him with a new, bold look in his eyes. The two other Dark Wizards cheered their master and, with a final chuckle, Voldemort looked back to Albus who, although still avoiding Minerva's face, was now glaring at Voldemort with absolution.

"There. It's done." Albus merely said, and Voldemort laughed sadistically...then pointed his wand at both him and Minerva.

"Yes, Dumbledore." Voldemort gloated victoriously, even more bold and fearless, and took a sure step towards Albus. "It is done, indeed. Pull out your wand, Dumbledore, but do not try anything if you know what is good for her."

Breaking in a sudden cold sweat and realizing that Voldemort had never intended for them to leave alive, Albus did so and, biting his lip and still not daring to look back at Minerva, steeled himself to make the best of his imminent death. However, despite what was apparent here, Voldemort did not seem to move...yet. Albus waited.

"Let me kill them, my Lord." One of the Dark Wizards interjected, but Voldemort waved him back.

"Do not make a move unless I tell you!" Voldemort ordered casually, obviously savoring his own increase in power. "I should kill you here, Dumbledore, for you have failed the Ministry, failed your followers, and, perhaps most importantly to you, failed her. But I shall not do that, because now, I have emerged triumphant against you at last." With that, Voldemort advanced towards Albus even more and he cautiously backed away. "I will let you live despite your failure, Dumbledore, for my greatest joy right now is of knowing that I had defeated you. I no longer fear you now, for you are indeed plagued by emotions and I can defeat you with them. Run, Dumbledore! When I unite the world, both you and Potter will come and beg me for death! Run and live for now, but not without pain, not without a reminder that I exist! And she, who thanks to you had only defended the Aegis Pendant and you in vain, shall be that reminder!"

"Voldemort! No!" Albus exclaimed in surprise and, mustering his own strength, tried to block Minerva from Voldemort's line of fire --- that selfless act saved Minerva from the first spell, but Albus himself had no time to counter. Voldemort straightened his arm, and muttered the words as his wand gave a flash of greenish light.

"Crucio!"

When Albus was younger he had been hit with the Cruciatus Spell before when facing his first Dark Wizard and, when the spell hit him, Albus felt unspeakable pain, as if thousands of needles had impaled his insides. Now, older and more frail than before and in the face of an even stronger spell, Albus felt as if every muscle and sinew in his old body was being torn apart by those needles and, losing all balance, he fell heavily and landed with a kneel, panting and struggling to recover but to little avail.

Albus' head swam as the pain died down; he heard Voldemort mirthlessly laugh and Minerva frantically crying out his name, and her kneeling down trying to support him. Even as the pain died down, Albus realized that her touch was comfort in the midst of that suffering and it dulled the pain even more, but his strength still refused to recover quick enough. He wanted to tell Minerva to leave him here, but his lips remained stubbornly silent. With finality, Albus knew that he had finally failed, and that he would die here as punishment.

"I had no intention to hurt you in the first place, Dumbledore, and you had only yourself to blame." Voldemort coldly stated. "If you wanted to die so badly, then so be it."

It was then that Albus felt his eyes blocked by something in front of him --- and he skipped a heartbeat realizing what exactly it was that was happening in front of him. Things were unfolding before him, things which he didn't want to happen and which defeated the purpose of his being here, and Albus felt utterly hapless. His limbs would not obey him; his voice was silent from lack of strength. He had ignored and failed it all in an attempt to save Minerva's life, but now, the exact opposite was happening.

Minerva, get out of here and leave me!...Don't!

"...Then prepare yourself for what you've brought upon you, foolish McGonagall!"

Minerva!!!

"Crucio!!!"

Stop! No! Voldemort...You have what you came here for! Don't hurt her anymore!!!

And it was then that Minerva's screams of unbearable suffering pierced Albus' heart forever.

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