The Coma Curse:
Chapter VII: FadingDisclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter… I'm just a fan… who waits for the fifth book… And I don't own the Coma Curse either… Prongs owns it… It was used in A New Beginning… I do have permission to use it, though… I only own the story… **sighs**
Kateydidnt: No… James won't see Peter… There were too many things happening this chapter that I could put him there… Besides, James is too worried here to notice the rat ^^.Toria, Avlyn, Melissa, princess55 and Muah-Baby-Muah: Thanks!
Slone: No… Ron is not working for Voldie… ::Grins evilly:: But that's not a bad idea!
A.N: Here's chapter VII! An advice: read very carefully Harry's thoughts, if you think you know what will happen in the end of the Fanfic, e-mail me. I left a clue in the lasts paragraphs. But, e-mail me only, don't leave it in a review or you'll be spoiling the others fun!
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Harry looked at the Dark Lord's fortress. They (Snape and himself) had just arrived, after travelling by Portkey.
He unconsciously glanced at Snape as the Potions Master opened the doors and entered the fortress. With a deep breath, he followed.
~*~
James was chained to a wall in the room where all the Death Eaters stood, they had all arrived with Voldemort began to do his meeting.
"James Potter…" He hissed not unlike a snake. "What a pleasure to have you here."
James struggled, trying to release himself of the chains. "What do you want with me, Voldemort?"
"With you? Nothing!" He smiled evilly. "I don't want you… But I want your son."
James looked at Voldemort in disbelief. Surely I heard it wrong! What would he want with Harry?
"You don't understand, do you?" Voldemort sneered. "I'm only using you as a bait. I'll warn him by a letter and he won't have time to make up a plan… He'll be taken by surprise and I'll be in advantage."
There was a sound, suspiciously like a struggle and a Death Eater stepped forward, wand in hand.
"Are you so sure of your advantage, Voldemort?" He took his mask off. "Somehow, I don't think so."
James looked closer at the Death Eater. He couldn't believe it!
The Death Eater was Harry!
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Harry watch as Voldemort talked, very much aware of Snape's restraining hand on his shoulder.
Finally, he could take no more; twisting his body, he got away.
"Are you so sure of your advantages, Voldemort? Somehow, I don't think so."
He could hear James' gasp when he recognized him but took no notice. He kept his eyes fixed at the Dark Lord.
If the Heir of Slytherin was surprised to see Harry there, he didn't show. "So, Harry… Come to save you father, have you? How very brave…"
"Cut the shit, Voldemort. "Did you think we wouldn't notice he was gone?"
Voldemort smiled sinisterly. "Crucio."
Harry's body convulsed in pain. Trying to control it, he used a Pain-Blocking exercise Dumbledore taught him. Seconds later, Harry was on his feet, ready to attack.
"This is all you can do? Really, I thought you were more powerful!" Harry said, raising his wand. "Now, my turn!" He closed his eyes in concentration. "Hostes Propulsant."
All the Death Eaters but Snape disappeared.
"Now, It's just you and me."
Voldemort looked around himself. "What did you do?"
"I made them disappear." Harry smirked. "Why? Surprised?"
The Dark Lord and the Mage stayed like that, staring at each other. In the meantime, James looked at Harry in awe.
"Harry," he whispered. It was so difficult to think this was the same little baby he played with in what seemed to him a month ago! He's so powerful…
"Do you wish to duel with me, Voldemort? Is that want you want?" James was brought back from his musings as Harry said this. His son talked – looked – so calmly that no one would imagine he was talking with the world's most feared wizard.
"Are you mad, Potter? Don't you remember what happened last time?"
James looked at them, his eyes wide. It hadn't been a dream… While under the Coma Curse, James had dreamed seeing Harry and Voldemort duelling. He had help his son get away… But when he woke up, everything seemed so normal (although he had found strange Dumbledore's decision of hiding him) that he hadn't even given it a thought.
"It won't happen again." Harry said, pulling out his wand. "My power has changed my wand."
The Dark Lord looked amused, but the look was brief. In an abrupt movement, he looked at Snape, as if he was trying to figure out something. "Snape…" He hissed. "So, you were the spy for all that time…"
For a little moment Harry wondered how Voldemort knew. Then, it hit him. He'd sent all the Death Eater to Hogwarts – where Dumbledore would keep an eye on them – yet, he'd let Snape stay, as he wasn't an enemy. Voldemort wasn't a fool and obviously found the spy.
No big deal, Harry thought. He won't have time to do anything.
Harry smiled, despite the situation. It was showtime.
~*~
Dumbledore and Sirius stayed in the Headmaster's office, quietly praying Harry was all right.
A few minutes earlier, some Death Eaters were tele-transported by Harry. Sirius was relieved to know Pettigrew was among them. Even now that James was alive, Sirius had not been able to prove his innocence, as James didn't know about his imprisonment. And, even if he was trying to convince himself otherwise, there was a possibility that James could die. He sighed and looked out the window, hoping his Godson was fine.
Somehow, he knew this was going to be a long night.
~*~
Harry raised his wand to cast another spell. They'd been fighting for a long time and both were beginning to feel tired. He quickly blocked a curse Voldemort sent him and looked to his left side. His mouth curved a little in the side as he watched the scene. Snape was holding James, wand in hand, prepared to cast the Full Body-Bind curse, if he had to.
Although the Mage would never admit it, he was touched by his father's actions. He'd never thought James would care so much about his safety. No one ever did. With exception of Sirius and possibly Dumbledore.
It was a relief. If he died, he knew someone would miss him. This didn't help his decision and, as selfish as it sounded, it was a good feeling. To be missed. To be needed.
Voldemort cast another curse, hitting him on the chest. He fell to the floor. Suddenly feeling very tired. He could hear James shout his name but paid no attention.
"So, the great Harry Potter has lost this battle… Tsk," He shook his head. "Now the Boy-Who-Lived will die…"
Voldemort raised his wand…
Harry inhaled, sharply; he knew he had to do something. And quickly.
Voldemort opened his mouth…
Harry closed his eyes; trying to concentrate on an ancient spell he'd read somewhere.
In an abrupt movement, he stood up and pointed his wand to the Dark Lord so quickly Voldemort didn't have time to react. "Malum Pallescent."
A red light glowed from his wand, hitting Voldemort in full force. The Dark Lord screamed as he began to fade.
Harry closed his eyes; he knew this spell wouldn't kill Voldemort… Only make him fade for some time… But still, he didn't want to watch this happen… He didn't think he could bear to watch…
He fell to his knees when he realized what he would have to do… What would Sirius think of him, then? What would his master think of him, then? Would he regret training him?
James watched as his son fell to his knees. He was the picture of despair. He was looking unfocusedly to the place Voldemort had faded. Had he died?
James looked at Snape. The spy had taken his mask off, and was looking at Harry. Respect was clear on his face. He looked at James and muttered 'go for him'. James needn't to be told twice, as soon as he said this, he rushed to his son's side.
Harry felt a pair of strong arms hug him, trying to sooth his pain. The Mage, normally, would never let this weakness show… Always keeping this strong façade. But it was all too much. Too much…
With all what happened, he let himself lean to the comfort his father was providing. He wanted that. He needed that.
He started crying in his father's arms, sobbing uncontrollably as James rubbed his hand soothingly in circles on his back, rocking him like he was a small child.
Harry felt himself getting weak and closed his eyes. James noticed that his son's breath regulated and that he fell asleep.
He looked sadly at Harry. Merlin, why Harry? Why, of all the people, why him?
The question, he knew, would only be answered when Harry woke up.
He felt Snape put a hand on his shoulder, showing him a Portkey. They both touched it and were transported immediately to the castle.
He smiled. Soon, all his questions would be answered.
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So? Tell me what you think! Right your opinions in the cute little lavender box… Humm… This was beta'ed by: The Lord of the Flame.