Pandora's Box
Kneazle
DC: I do not own Harry Potter or afflictions to Warner's Bros. or J.K. Rowling's. I merely use the characters for entertainment purposes only. Anything mentioned in this story is afflicted only to its rightful produces. I own nothing but the plot. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes bases fighting scenes on episodes of Dragonball, Z, and GT, and afflicted books. Meg Cabot bases the diary entry on "The Princess Diaries", and the final scene is based on an episode of "The Wild Thornberries".
AN: Prefer listening to "Lord of the Rings", "Harry Potter" soundtracks or songs which lyrics have been inserted while reading. Also, the Renaissances become teachers. Think of this story to be like X-Men: Evolution, they fight and teach, and have similar powers to: ex, Hermione = Kitty Pryde. The song during chapter eight is by Godsmack, "Awake".
[Mar. 2, 02]
**-**
So,
I lay my head back down,
And I lift my hands and pray
to be only yours, I pray, to be only yours,
I know now you're my only hope
– Mandy Moore, "Only Hope"
From A Walk to Remember
**-**
Chapter Ten
Oliver stared numbly at the spot where Hermione had stood seconds ago. She was now lying crumpled at Harry's feet, her body glowing steadily a blood red, while every once in a while red sparks would shoot off her. Harry and Ron were both at her side in an instant.
"Herm," whispered Ron, tearfully, "Come on, Mione, get up. Wake up."
Harry reached for her cheek, but drew back immediately. Blisters boiled up on his skin, and Ron looked on in disbelief. At Harry's burnt hand, he tried shouting through tears for Hermione to wake up, you can't be dead, we need you, and we love you.
Oliver didn't feel his legs move, but within seconds he was kneeling besides Hermione, his tears dropping onto her cheek. As soon as they touched her skin, they hissed and sizzled, burning up.
"Mione," he whispered, unaware he was crying. "Hermione. I love you. Don't leave me."
She didn't stir.
At this, Harry stood, roared some obscene words, and turned to face Riddle. Scarlet eyes met emerald, and in that fleeting second, Riddle knew that he went too far. He was going to die.
Both, strangely enough, Harry and Seamus surged forward; working together as they cut across one another and making Riddle go dizzy. Harry reached Riddle first, snapping his head back clearly with a right uppercut. Spit and blood mixed as Riddle's lip was cut.
Another punch – this time Riddle's nose let out a snap, and blood dripped down. His nose was broken.
Harry pulled his hand once more back, way past his shoulder joint and let it rip forward. It hit Riddle square in the middle of his face, and Riddle shut his eyes. He stumbled back, and felt someone's hands on his back, steadying him.
Turning, he opened his eyes to squint through them, and saw Seamus Finnigan glaring darkly at him.
Seamus pointed his wand at Riddle, and somehow channeled his energy through his wand. The force sent Riddle flying away, falling and lying on the ground at Harry's feet.
"Do you like it?" growled Harry. "Do you like the feeling? This is how we felt the whole time. You didn't have to feel like this, Tom. You could've been like any of us. Now, you will suffer just like we all did."
With that, Harry slammed the tip of his boot into Riddle's ribs. He groaned in pain, rolling onto his side. Harry slammed the heel of his boot into Riddle's stomach and kicked him so he face lying flat on his stomach.
He looked up and saw Seamus' murderous expression. "Seamus!" he called. Seamus looked up and jogged over, looking down at the pitiful sight of what had been the mighty Lord Voldemort.
"Yeah, Harry?" asked Seamus.
Harry looked him right in the eyes. "I want you to use your powers on him."
Seamus's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? I-I can't. I can't kill him that way."
"Are you crazy? I want to kill the bastard. I just want you to take enough of his life force or power to transfer to Hermione, so we can bring her back," said Harry, staring at Seamus as if he was crazy.
Seamus looked at Harry in disbelief. "Will that work?" he asked quietly, looking over Harry's shoulder to see Oliver and Ron crying over Hermione's body, Ginny's face pressed into Draco's shoulder and Sarah's disconnected expression.
Harry followed his gaze, and then turned to see Riddle struggling to get up. He slammed his boot again into his sided, and then pulled him up. Riddle's scarlet eyes looked dully into Harry's emerald. Their powers had both been worn down, and now they were just two regular young men, not wizards.
"It should," he replied, dropping Riddle. He moaned as his chin hit the floor. Harry felt no sympathy for the man. He had hurt him in far too many ways, and when it came to Voldemort, nothing about him made him think that at one time, he had also once been a normal young man, teenager, like Harry had been.
Seamus nodded, and squatted next to Riddle's bruised and bloodied body. He rolled up the sleeves of his torn and bloody shirt, and flipped Riddle over.
He then placed his fingertips on his skin, and instantly he felt the greedy sucking sensation as he felt parts of Riddle's soul and wizardring power flow into Seamus's own magical power. He concentrated on only taking enough, watching Riddle's scarlet eyes widen and go bloodshot.
His mouth was open in a silent scream, the blue veins appearing on the now extremely milky white skin. Seamus abruptly let go of Riddle, the sucking sensation now gone. Riddle fell unceremoniously to the ground, landing with a thump.
Seamus was suddenly aware of everything in his body; every twitch, every beat of his heart, the super sensitive areas of his fingertips – everything.
He walked to Hermione, and knelt by her head. Oliver looked up at him with his tear-streaked face. Ron watched too, a solemn look on his face.
Seamus wondered how on earth he was to transfer the powers. Too much, and he was dead. Too little, and he wouldn't bring her back. He needed the right amount.
He gingerly placed one palm on each side of her face, feeling the hot touch of her skin seep into his skin. Ice, he though, and watched her skin slowly take on a blue tint, starting from where his hands were.
Oliver watched him warily.
Seamus then checked to see if any life was left in her; nothing, he found. He then concentrated on opening a mental valve that allowed Riddle's magic to flow into Hermione's body, but nothing circuit back into Seamus.
He furrowed his brow in concentration, biting his lip as he felt the exhaustion and pain roll into the back of his mind. He could feel the probing pain that went in rather with his heart, each second of pain in sync with his heart.
Soon, he would be tired. Sweat rolled off his brow and into his eyebrows. Sweat formed under his lips, and he licked it away, grimacing at salty taste.
After what seemed like forever, Seamus felt Riddle's last bit of power he absorbed leak out into Hermione. He shut off the valve from Riddle's power through him, and then the valve from him to her. He then sighed, stood shakily, and allowed Ginny to fuss over him. He leaned against the cool wall, aware that Ginny was wiping his brow delicately.
It was all up to nature now to allow Hermione to come back… or stay dead.
**-**
Oliver cradled Hermione's head in his hands. After Seamus placed his hands on her cheeks, her skin went an icy, cool blue. Now, he was free to touch and hold her without worry of being burnt.
"Come on, my Mione," he whispered, holding her close. "Make it. Come back. For me."
He pressed his face to the nape of her neck, burrowing his nose and face in her glossy brown hair. It was no longer up in a ponytail, but loose and flowing around her.
Ron sat off to the side, ever watchful and silent. He was in mourning for his best friend, wondering if Seamus's trick would work.
Suddenly, Hermione took a deep, sucking breath. Her whole chest heaved, and she began coughing right away. Oliver looked up with startled eyes, and helped her sit upright as he patted her back. She held out her hand, and began coughing violently. She coughed up some blood, but then with calming breaths, she stopped coughing.
Once she was done, Oliver grabbed her by the shoulders and whispered hoarsely, "don't you ever scare me like that again."
He then clung to her tightly, wrapping her slender and small body in his, dominating her space. She was confused, but at once the memories of jumping into the Avada Kedavra's path, and then… finally… dying…
"Did I die?" she whispered, frightened to learn the truth. Oliver said nothing but held her tighter. That was enough of an answer for her: she had.
She reached up and wrapped her arms around him too, reaching up behind him and playing with the end of his hair.
He sighed, in content, and then looked up. Ron had his eyes closed, a faint smile on his lips. He looked relived, and he let out a deep sigh.
He then opened his eyes and looked up at Harry who was glaring down at Riddle's body. Riddle moaned and struggled to get up, succeeding. He then began to brush off some of the dirt on his clothes.
"Oliver," said Ron, "I think that this is our cue to leave."
Oliver looked up, realized Harry wanted to finish Riddle once and for all by all means necessary, and wanted his friends out. Nodding, Oliver scooped up a fatigued and dangerously pale Hermione, and began to walk out of the Great Hall.
Looking slightly around Oliver's arm, Hermione called out, "you can do it Harry!" but it only came out as a weak sigh. So, instead, she sent him a strong mental message.
I believe in you, she thought, and thank you, Harry. For helping me live.
Harry's back stiffened, but he didn't turn around. Seamus was being supported by Draco and Ginny as they half-dragged, half-carried him out. Sarah followed wordlessly.
You saved me, Mione, he replied. For that, I am forever grateful. You and Ron, remember, will always be in my heart. I love you guys.
With that said, he ended all other messages and relaxed his back. Hermione watched him until they were out of the Great Hall. She then closed her eyes and allowed the niceness of sleep overcome her.
**-**
"Feeling cocky Potter?" sneered Riddle. "What were you saying to the Mudblood?"
"First off, her name is Hermione," snarled Harry, "and secondly, I was saying goodbye."
"How sweet," he sneered again, and went into a fighting stance. "I see that since ours powers are pretty much gone, we'll fight like muggles."
"Yes," quipped Harry, "like the very beings you detest so much."
At this, Riddle cringed, but nonetheless, dashed forward and tried to punch Harry. He dodged, and used his left hand to punch Riddle.
The only sounds in the whole Great Hall were those of pants of two men fighting, and the sounds of shoes squeaking on the floor.
Harry leapt back, but his foot caught on a dead body. He fell backwards, and watched Riddle jump on him. He clawed at his throat, trying to get his pale, long fingers around Harry's neck.
Choking, Harry had a weird sense of déjà vu – Quirrell had done the same thing back in his first year. Harry used his hands, placing them on Riddle's pale face, and pushed him off.
Riddle only sat back – so, Harry brought his knees up to his chest and kicked out. Riddle went a couple of paces back, and at once, Harry was on Riddle, a hand on his collar and punching his face, alternating each side.
A rumble caught both of their attention. Harry looked up; trying to place it, when Riddle used it to his advantage. He knocked Harry away from him, and grabbed Hermione's fallen pocketknife.
Holding it tightly in his hand, he made short jabs at Harry with it. Harry concaved his stomach, curving his spine and spreading his arms wide. He jumped left and right, trying to avoid the knife.
The rumbling grew louder and this time, flakes of the ceiling began to litter the ground around them. There was an almighty crash and far, on the opposite side of the Great Hall, a large wooden beam fell to the ground, crushing the wooden table that was underneath it to splinters.
Harry used Riddle's befuddle to pry the knife out of his hand, but Riddle was still slightly and surprisingly strong.
Harry watched Riddle then come at him, low from his waist. Harry swung his right arm out, deflecting Riddle's knife. While it swung out, he used his left wrist to grab Riddle's right.
Another pillar fell, this time, it was the Slytherin table, which was crushed. They were getting closer.
Harry watched Riddle's face turn dark as he tried to make a jab at Harry. Instead, Harry used his free hand (his right), and changed places with the left. He then grinned sinisterly at Riddle, and forcefully, with all his strength, push it towards Riddle.
The knife made contact with shirt, then skin. The pocketknife was in Riddle's stomach, protruding out. Harry's had was soon covered in Riddle's blood – blood that was also his blood. Still staring Riddle in the eyes, which were open-mouthed and staring at Harry in shock, he pulled the pocketknife up, creating a sweeping, deep three-inch cut.
Harry then gave one more, forceful jab and backed away. Riddle's hands flew to his stomach, and carefully, painfully, pulled the blood-soaked knife out.
He stared down at it, and took a stumbling step towards Harry. Another beam fell, close. Chips of wood went flying past the two as it crashed. It split in two, creating a large snap in the Great Hall.
Somehow, Riddle's wand skittered across the floor and landed near his feet, but he took no notice of it. He fell to the ground, still clutching the hole that was now in his mortal body.
"I could kill you like a wizard," said Harry, staring down at him, "but I figure that this might be more painful for you – mentally and physically. I mean, killed the way a normal muggle could be killed? How pathetic."
Harry grinned, watching Riddle sink to his knees. The blood was now emerging freely, flowing down his hands and creating a puddle at his feet.
"What irony," he finished, and watched as another beam fell over the high table. It was crushed like an ant would be to a human's shoe.
Harry turned his back and began walking away, towards the entrance. Finally, Riddle realized he was dying, that he couldn't kill Harry Potter.
But I am superior to him! He should die! I spent thirty years of my life trying to kill him! It's not fair! He moaned in his head.
Life isn't fair, came the taunting voice of Harry. Riddle's scarlet eyes glittered as he looked down and spotted finally his wand.
He picked it up with his bloody hand and screamed out roughly, "Closaea!" The Great Hall's doors swung shut with a crack. Harry, who been nearly out, slammed his fist against the door.
He turned and pointed a finger at Riddle. "You shit."
"No, Potter," croaked Riddle, his eyes getting a glazed over look. He took a heavy breath and chose his last words carefully. "I'm not. But I refuse to go down."
"You're dying. You're almost dead," Harry said dryly.
"Maybe," he grinned, coughing. Blood spurted out, and dribbled down onto his chin. "But I spent thirty years trying to kill you. I'm not dying without you coming down with me!"
At this, he pointed his wand straight up, and hollered as loudly as he could, "ignitious pyroious!"
From his wand sprouted a jet of fire, reaching higher and higher until the flames licked the ceiling of the Great Hall. Harry watched in horror as the flames greedily began attacking the wooden supports, slowly burning them away. It only sped up the fact that Hogwarts was slowly coming down all around him.
"Fuck," muttered Harry, searching desperately for his wand. He glanced over at Riddle, who was still looking up at the flames with some sort of pyro-adoration look on his face. His glazed scarlet eyes then looked at Harry – met his emerald ones – and then rolled into the back of his head. He then fell backwards, and with one final shudder and cough, he took a heaving breath and died.
Harry rejoiced that Tom Marvolo Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort had finally died, but he still had his own life to save now.
He began walking to Riddle's body to grab his wand, when a beam fell right in front of him. The heat from the fire was smoldering, and Harry brought his hands up to block the fire from his face. Soot soon found its way on his glasses, and he found it impossible with all the smoke to continue looking for his wand, Riddle's wand or any unbroken wand.
Coughing, he bent to the ground, trying to keep the smoke out of his lungs. He found the smell of burning flesh disgusting, but it filled his nostrils everywhere he went.
Finally, through a clean spot on his glasses, he found his wand. He lunged at it, and was about it grab it when a loud crackle caught his attention.
Looking up, he saw the beam directly above him snap, the flames licking away the every last support. The beam then gave a sighing heave and broke off. It came rushing down to greet him – to make his death.
**-**
When Hermione came to, she was in her bedroom, with Oliver looking out the large bay window beside her bed. He had an impassive look on his face, and Hermione wondered what was wrong.
"Oliver?" she whispered, stretching. At the sound of her voice, Oliver turned. Hermione then saw whatever had happened, the damage was great. He had bags under his eyes, and his hair was completely tousled.
"Hermione," he breathed her name, "you're awake."
"How long was I out?" she asked, yawning. Oliver sat on the edge of her bed, and reached out to stroke her cheek. He then pulled her into a hug. She was surprised, but complied, hugging him back.
"You were out at least," he counted silently, "twelve hours."
"So it's Tuesday afternoon?" she asked, confused.
"Yeah," he whispered. "Oh, God, Mione. Please, hold me."
Hermione, enormously confused now, did as he instructed. She felt his body shake, so she pulled back and saw he was silently crying.
"Oliver," she whispered, her heart breaking at the sight of her soul mate crying. "Oh, love, don't cry." She then reached up and kissed away his tears, lingering her lips over his. "What's wrong? What happened?"
Oliver kissed her first, passionately, and then while kissing her, lowered her back to the pillows. He didn't open his eyes when he broke off the kiss, so Hermione looked past his shoulder.
"Oliver?" she questioned.
Finally, she got her dreaded response. "The Great Hall caved in and then burnt before Harry could get out. We searched, but we couldn't find anything but Riddle's body and the other charred bodies of the Death Eaters."
Hermione sucked in a breath. Harry, dead? Those two words never went well together, and it seemed impossible for them to be like that. Harry was The Boy Who Lived – invincible.
But Superman is invincible, said a small voice. And he was fatal to kryptonite. Every superhero has a weakness, and Harry's was lack of magical abilities. He couldn't have made it out alive.
Hermione slowly felt the tears leak out then, at that revelation. Harry Potter, her best friend for twenty-two years, was dead.
"How?" she rushed out, never noticing she had been holding her breath. Oliver looked up at her, right in the eyes and sighed.
**---FLASHBACK---**
Oliver, with Hermione in his arms, turned around once they all reached the coach. He could see McGonagall and Snape and even some new students all sitting in the magically enlarged bus, talking avidly.
Suddenly, a loud boom caught everyone who stood outside – Remus, Arabella, Fred and George, Ron, Lavender, Dean, Padma, Cho, Blaise, Draco, Sarah, Neville, Ginny and Seamus's – attention. A large piece of the Great Hall fell into itself, caving in. Other parts of the school began breaking, falling off or disappearing inside the building. Tall turrets crumbled and came crashing down into the lake. The giant squid swam to the farthest edge.
"Oh shit," said Dean suddenly, "Harry's still in there."
At this, Ron began to move forward, pain and worry etched deeply into his face. Dean, Draco, Remus and Neville all stepped forward and pulled tightly back on Ron's arms. He couldn't move forward, and he certainly didn't have Hermione's gift to slip through solid objects.
"Harry!" screamed Ron at the top of his lungs. At this, everyone in the coach looked out the windows and saw what was happening. They went quiet quickly, a scared hushed silence that was only around when tragedy struck.
"Let me go! Let me go!" yelled Ron, struggling with all his might to step forward, back into the now burning building that had been Hogwarts. The thousand year old building was burning and being destroyed in a tiny instant. Over a thousand years of students, magic, good and bad graduates, were all being burnt away.
Ron took a giant step forward, managing to drag the three men a couple of inches, but finally, he collapsed on the ground in sorrow and fatigue.
They Renaissance, Salvation and Old Crowd looked on in silence, respect and horror. After what seemed like forever, the fire died down, the building was nothing more than blackened beams and crumbled stones.
Then, and only then, did Dean, Seamus, Draco and Blaise start forward. After what seemed to be hours, they returned, soot covering their faces. They shook their heads, and bowed them in respect.
Oliver then said everyone should go on the bus; they were going home. Where they were now.
**---end flashback---**
Hermione shuddered. She had long since finished her sobs, and was now grieving the loss of her best friend silently, inwardly.
Oliver had held her tightly as he told what had happened, holding her close. He kissed her tears away, and once he was finished, watched for her reaction.
Hermione pulled her strength from deep down, and letting fall in front of everything. She had to go on without Harry but for now on, she and Ron would be two halves of a whole. They would never be complete any more.
She wiped the remains of dried tears with the heel of her palm and swung her covers back. She went to her closet and picked out a black sweater and dark, midnight blue jeans. She then brushed her hair back using her fingers and glanced over at Oliver.
"I'm going to take a shower. Can you tell everyone I'm requesting and holding a meeting in an hour in the mess hall? I'm requesting that all students, teachers and so forth be present."
Oliver nodded, got up and stopped behind her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed, "I'm glad Hermione. You need to be strong for us all. That's what I love about you, but… remember this. You're not alone."
She nodded, and stepped into her lavish bathroom. Once she was certain Oliver was out of the room, she turned the water up full blast, striped, and allowed the pounding water erase all her troubles.
That wasn't so. She felt the weight of memories surface, and she began to silently cry. Or was she? She wasn't sure, because the tears mingled with the water from the shower. And for that, she was glad that for once, people weren't relying on her to be the strongest.
Not at the moment, anyway.
**-**
Once she finished her shower, she put on her clothes and was soon walking to the mess hall. She heard the subdued murmurs before she entered. Deciding against using her powers, she mentally checked the date.
April 27, she thought, and then stepped through the archway. Immediately, all talk stopped. She continued walking up to the teacher's table, where she gazed sadly and fondly at where Harry sat. Where he used to sit, right in the middle of everything.
She jumped up onto the slight platform, aware of every eye on her. She then stood between her seat and Harry's seat. Ron watched her with red-rimmed eyes.
She cleared her throat, and started, "can I have your attention please?"
The hall stopped talking now; every eye, ear, was tuned to her.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls," she began, "I am sure that all of you know that yesterday, Harry Potter left us. In the meaning of leaving us, I meant he passed on, died. Ladies and gentlemen, The Boy Who Lived, lives no more.
"I knew Harry as my best friend, beside Ron Weasley here. The three of us were inseparable. We were the 'dream team', the three musketeers. Harry was always there for me when I was feeling down, when anyone was feeling down." Hermione felt the prickles of tears in the corner of her eyes.
"Throughout our years at Hogwarts, Harry, Ron and I had some great adventures. I will never forget them, as I never will forget him. He will always remain in my heart, in my soul. He touched me in a way no person, besides Oliver Wood whom I love with all my heart, has. In a way, Harry Potter touched and reached us all. If not with her friendship, unbiased prejudices to others, then by his stories of accomplishments. Harry gave us hope. He gave us freedom.
"I was one of those fortunate few who got to grow up with him at Hogwarts, and to get what her personally felt about subjects. How many people could know what his favorite color is? What he looks like when he yawns? Hardly anyone but the precious few who knew him.
"I feel for all of you who never got to talk to him," said Hermione, as the first tears leaked mutely out. "If you had, you would've realized what a special, wonderful person he was."
She turned, looked at her friends on her right side, and then to her left, where Ron sat, staring and watching her with tears running down his face. She then finally turned to face the students, the crowd and teachers from Hogwarts. Many of them were sniffling, or in some way expressing their feelings.
"Everyone," she sniffed tearfully, "everyone please, please stand and spend a moment in silence to pay our respects to Harry Potter – The Boy Who Lived, the boy who saved many of us, who was a best friend to some, but to all, a savior and hero to this world.
"Long live Harry Potter." She finished. She then looked everyone as she could in the eye, her vision blurring as she felt the tears slide down.
The students all began to rise, one by one. Hermione felt a small smile fall on her lips. Beside her, Oliver stood. He placed an arm around her waist, and Ron on the other side stood, placing a hand on her shoulder.
But, what was the shock of all; Snape stood, and began clapping. Soon, the whole hall was filled with the sounds of clapping, and all the students and teachers were standing. Hermione felt the tears slide down, but now, they weren't tears of grief. They were tears of love.
These people, many who never knew Harry, were here, gathered together and clapping for him, for what he stood for. She felt her heart soar and she knew that Harry would've appreciated it.
She took one look at the smile on her remaining best friends face. He beamed down at her, with brotherly affection and love.
Hermione felt much better after her speech. Later, when she reflected on it, as she raised her wand, it felt as if Harry had been there with them. A burst of soft baby yellow erupted from the wand tip, and when the pink smoke dyed away, butterflies and doves flew around the mess hall before disappearing high in the ceiling.
It was truly a beautiful sight; something no one, no matter what age or liking, would forget. All, as not a hero, would remember Harry Potter as he was always thought to be, but a person who stood up for what was right.
**-**
Moony: I know that Justin is a Muggle-born, but when Voldemort took over Hogwarts, a few Muggleborns were left. Those who were left joined Voldemort to redeem their parentage. Or something like that ^_^
Sophie W.: Actually, I haven't seen an episode since a year and a half ago. I don't watch much TV anymore, as I'm always on the net. The only thing I usually watch is X-Men: Evolution and the occasional movie on Pay Per View that I haven't already seen in theatres. But, yeah, I took that one scene from DBZ – it was all Goku's idea for the Kama-Ya-Ha ^_^
Lady Knight of Kennan: Yeah, I like Draco/Ginny too as a couple, but in all my other stories they are paired up together. I wanted something of a change, but their relationship will be explained in the epilogue – coming soon!
Smile7499: did you guess correctly? ^_^ I happen to adore Rogue and Shadow Cat – those two characters from X-Men: Evolution are my favorites.
Epilogue coming soon – R & R please!