The Death of a Hero
Part 2

It had been Seven years since Harry had seen the open sky. It was by far the thing that he had missed most. Sirius had made it clear that Harry was to be placed in a cell with no windows, so he wouldn't be able find a way to escape.

Harry began to remember his childhood days at Hogwarts. He was the youngest Seeker in a century, the invincible Seeker of Gryffindor. It was always so liberating when he was flying. All of his problems just seemed to melt away, nothing else mattered. A part of him wondered if it would be the case this time. But the more sensible part of him realized that it would not be enough. There was only one thing left that could grant him the peace that he sought after.

"Hurry up," Ron said giving Harry a hard shove. "We have to get past the apparition wards."

To this Harry didn't say anything. His task would be over soon and he would not live long enough to feel true anger towards anyone.

"We're clear," Snape said as he pulled out a port key for the three of them to use. They each touched it, feeling the familiar pull behind their navels.

As Harry opened his eyes he realized where he was. They were standing in the forbidden forest, just outside the apparition wards.

When he looked up at the castle he noticed that it was not quite as he had remembered it. Instead of school he found a strong hold. By the looks of it the walls were tested on a regular basis, and just barely managed to stay standing.

"You see that Potter," Ron said as he grabbed Harry's arm and began pulling him to the castle. "All of this happened because of you. If you hadn't turned all these people would still be alive," he said pointing to the fresh graves lying where Hagrid's hut used to be.

"In this world there are very few things that are as they appear to be," Harry said as they stood in front of the door to the castle.

Snape and Ron didn't respond as they opened the door and walked into what used to be the great hall. It was now a place of refuge for the people trying to escape Voldermort.

"Did you have any problems retrieving Potter?" Albus asked as he made his way over to them.

"No problems Albus," Snape said smirking. "In fact Potter has presented us with a simple solution as to what do with him after the war is over."

"He has agreed to help us in exchange for his freedom?" Dumbledore asked completely ignoring Harry. He felt it beneath him to speak to a prisoner.

"Did you hear that Potter?" Ron said laughing cruelly. "You could have been a free man you git."

"As I have already said, I do not wish to live. How ever this ends I expect you to keep your oath," Harry said as he focused his dull eyes on Ron.

"What is he talking about?" Dumbledore asked not believing what Harry had just said.

"Potter wants to die. Weasley and I both gave him a wizard's oath that no matter how it ends we're going to kill him." Snape explained.

"I must admit, this does simply my plans. It will be much simpler than having to watch him for the rest of his natural life," Dumbledore said. "Take him to the dungeons, I will gather the others and meet you there shortly," Dumbledore said as he walked off

~***~

Harry looked around the room that used to be the potions classroom from his school days. It had been converted back into an actual dungeon. Instead of hallways and doors there were cells with thick bars, most likely enhanced with magic. He sat down on the bed in his new cell. It may have been a dungeon but it was still much better than Azkaban.

Ron and Snape were watching him carefully, each with an identical sneer on their faces. What annoyed the two of them the most about Harry was the look of peace on his face.

"He is meant to be suffering after everything he's done," Ron thought angrily. "He belongs in Azkaban with the rest of those animals."

What the two men didn't realize was the fact that Harry wasn't at peace because he was away from Azkaban. He was at peace because he knew that it would be over soon.

Harry watched as the rest of the Hogwarts staff then walked into the dungeon. Hermione was carrying two test tubes containing a clear liquid, which Harry assumed was the truth potion.

"Alright let's get started," Dumbledore said as Snape took the test tubes form Hermione.

"This was all go more smoothly if you cooperate Potter." Snape said hoping that he would have to force Harry.

"I have nothing to hide." Harry said simply as he took the first test tube and swallowed it in one gulp.

Harry's eyes began to blur as the potion took effect. He felt the part of his mind that allowed him to lie go dormant. Anything that was asked of him now he would answer in complete honesty.

"What is your name?" Dumbledore asked starting with the preliminary questions

"Harry James Potter."

"How old are you?"

"22 years old."

"Do you still have visions about he-who-must-not-be-named?"

"Yes."

"The potion has taken effect," Dumbledore declared. "For the next hour he will answer all of our questions."

"I've got a question for him," Sirius said as he towards Harry's cell. "Why did you turn you join he-who-must-not-be-named?"

"I did not join Voldermort."

This brought a gasp from everyone else in the dungeon.

"This is complete an utter rubbish Potter. We caught you red handed killing those muggles," Fudge said angrily.

"When you found me I was unconscious and surrounded by dead muggles."

"We tested your wand, with Prior incantem." Remus said confused. "We all saw the killing cure come out, and everyone knows you can only do the unforgivables with your own wand. No one else would have been compatible with it."

"You are wrong. There is one other that is compatible with it. My wand was the brother to Voldermort's wand. He was the one to use it to kill the muggles."

"How could he have gotten a hold of your wand?" Hermione asked desperately.

"Harry must have found a way to circumvent the truth potion," Hermione thought desperately.

"He has to be lying," Sirius thought. "James and Lily would never forgive us if we put their son in Azkaban if he was innocent."

"Voldermort waited until I arrived at King's Cross Station at the end of term. He and a group of death eaters ambushed and stupefied me. Voldermort then used my wand to kill a group of muggles and left me there for you to find."

"Well since this new evidence had been brought to light I herby grant Harry Potter a full pardon and grant him 7000 galleons for his grief and suffering." Fudge said in a pompous voice.

"Do you truly believe that throwing money at me would be enough?" Harry asked throwing off the effects of the potion.

"I am the minister of Magic and you will treat me with respect," Fudge demanded. "How dare that punk treat me this way?" he thought to himself.

"Harry I apologize. I did not think-" Dumbledore began.

"That is clearly evident Dumbledore, and just save it. What this world has done to me is beyond apologies and forgiveness."

"Then help us Harry," Minerva suggested. "After we defeat Voldermort we will make the people see what they have done. I promise you something like this will never happen again."

"I remember the same promise being made before years ago. It was a lie then and it is a lie now. You people know nothing of justice. So how can you give it to me? All you know how to do is destroy," Harry said in a calm voice.

"Why don't you believe you can have justice Harry?" Remus asked. "Voldermort is the one that put you in Azkaban. After he is defeated you can have your justice."

"Voldermort did not put me in Azkaban. He only framed me for murder. It was all of you that put me there. If you had given me a trial none of this would have happened."

"Then tell us what we can do Harry" Hermione said desperately. "What will it take to give you justice?"

"I can never have justice Granger," Harry said looking at her with his dull eyes. "Azkaban has raped my mind and soul. The only way I can have justice is if every witch and wizard in Britain were sent to Azkaban. But even if that was possible I would never wish that fate on anyone."

"You been through a tough time Harry," Ron said. "But it can't have been as bad as you're making it out to be. Sirius survived for ten years in there."

"Black went into Azkaban as an adult and had the advantage of an animangus form to hide from the dementors. I went in as a child with no protection from them." "Will you still help us to defeat he-who-must-not-be-named?" Albus asked getting worried. Harry was the only one that could give them the advantage over Voldermort.