Chapter 10 – Marius's Terrible Secret
Harry had never felt so scared in his life. With the minister of magic out of the way and Dumbledore on his side, Marius promptly extended his entire ferocious control over Fudge's Heliopath army, as not a day after he'd summoned the first terrible being, others like it began to spawn about the school from seemingly thin air, to the horrified gasps of other students, who just like Harry… feared them. Hogwarts was not accustomed to seeing such vile creations of matter walking about the school. Their presence was frightening. One occasion saw an entire corridor of students, part in fear like some great tide of water, as a single, lone Heliopath walked through. It gave everyone more than a reason to worry about the condition of the world. If such demonic beings were waltzing unhindered through Hogwarts, then how bad was it on the outside?
Time in the school seemed to move very slowly indeed. Everyone felt so on edge, that minutes and hours felt like days and months. The sudden appearance of the Heliopaths didn't help matters either. Their fear evoking presence during defense training seemed to scare and agitate the students, sending some into a sort of panicked state, by which they needed cheering charms to overcome. But such was to be expected now with the new arrivals. The teachers, after a short period of time, managed some form of mutual acceptance that the fire spirits were there to stay, and although few approved of their attendance, they did look much more at ease about preparing for the inevitable war. Perhaps, Harry thought on a lighter note, the teachers felt the chances of surviving an attack had increased in their favor. A thought which he held onto for some time…
With the Heliopaths now wandering the corridors on a regular basis, sometimes on their own, other times in twos, threes and on rare occasions, fours, Marius felt the unprecedented urge to push the students to even further heights in their defensive skills, by increasing the hours that training lasted from five to ten. The entire process was utterly draining for everyone, but to the student's surprise none of the teachers believed it was doing them any harm, and didn't raise eyebrows about it… Until that was, Marius had a burst of inspiration, and suggested they may find learning the unforgivable curses appealing. The idea was removed immediately, despite numerous students (mostly Slytherins), taking a distinct interest in the prospect.
As far as learning new spells was concerned, Harry believed he was doing exceptionally well, despite losing more sleep than was acceptable. One evening he managed to perfect a Cutting curse, which he had to admit seemed extremely difficult from the outset. Apparently though, more than one person had noticed his great progress. Marius caught his attention at the end of one session and motioned to follow him up towards Dumbledore's office. Originally Harry recoiled at the idea, but reluctantly followed. He had the distinct impression that Dumbledore wanted to scold him for something, though he couldn't quite think of a reason why he'd want to do that.
It proved therefore, quite an unusual surprise to find that as he arrived, Dumbledore was no where to be seen. He stood there perplexed for a moment, only he and Marius standing in the room in some kind of reverie, until the aging mage walked towards Dumbledore's desk and sat himself gingerly into the great headmaster's chair. Harry was horrified.
'YOU'RE THE HEADMASTER NOW?!' he shouted in disbelief, watching a satisfied smile curl at the edges of Marius' mouth. For a moment the old mage relished in Harry's shock, but slowly his delight gave way to a hint of frustration. He shook his head in dismay, clearly disappointed.
'Oh Potter if only that were true.' He commented briefly, before withdrawing from underneath the desk a small basin, it's contents glowing in an eerie, iridescent light, that seemed incredibly familiar to him. It was Dumbledore's Pensieve, he suddenly remembered. The same one that he got lost within on two separate occasions in previous years. The second of which, struck a bad chord inside him as Snape's greasy head suddenly came to his memory. He shivered unwillingly, Marius didn't notice. He was somehow preoccupied as he extracted thoughts from his head using his wand, which on closer observation, seemed unusually strange for him to be holding, as Harry knew he was quite capable in the arts of wandless magic. Probably keeping up appearances amongst the other witches and wizards in the school he mused.
A long, thin strand of silver soon stretched from Marius' temple to his wand. And he quickly twisted it about before plunging the strand into the swirling Pensieve, which seemed almost excited to receive it. He sat watching it for a moment, and breathed a sigh of relief, as if glad to siphon off his thoughts into the white abyss.
'That's better!' he said with sweet release, before turning his attention to the boy before him. 'Sorry about that Potter, got carried away for a moment there.' And he shut the Pensieve's lid with a snap. 'Dumbledore has left me in charge of things around Hogwarts for the time being. He is currently away attending to an matter of great importance.'
Harry stared back at him rather perplexed as Marius's eyes began to slowly bore into him.
'Well…' he began again swiftly, taking Harry by surprise, 'I'll get straight to the point, I'm sure afterall, you're hoping to get back to your defense training as soon as possible.'
Harry pondered this a moment as he really didn't want to keep practicing. As scared as he was about everything, he was simply getting too tired to cast many of the spells he was being told to master. Yet something in Marius's voice when he spoke the words "as soon as possible" suggested that he really didn't have a choice behind it, and from what Harry had learned about the old mage, he wasn't keen on disobeying him anyway.
'You've come to my attention for a number of reasons Harry,' Marius continued, a steely glint ever present in his eyes. 'Firstly, I'm pleased with your progress in defense. Few students have reached your level as of yet, and I sense quite powerful magic about you… hmm, probably from your father's side I assume. Nevertheless, this is not to say that you should slacken. There is terror brewing beyond these castle walls that few students are aware of. It's our responsibility to be prepared when it arrives.'
Harry knew all too well what he was talking about. He'd been referring to the muggle army outside of Hogsmeade that he'd overheard Fudge speaking about. But he couldn't let Marius know that he, Harry Potter was there. So he kept his mouth shut as the old wizard continued.
'I have however, a concern regarding your training that I feel must be addressed as soon as possible. Today I noticed that your ability to manipulate curses was beginning to lack. At first I thought perhaps your magical abilities were failing, but I think now it is more a matter of drowsiness…' and Marius lent forward over the table towards Harry, who arched himself back in fear. 'Tell me… Harry. Are you sleeping well?'
Harry sat rather confused for a moment, but his mind reeled back to his dreams, and the visions he had of Marius's imposing figure leering above him… and a fiery pair of great, red eyes. Out of hesitation he lied.
'Yes!' he said at once, perhaps a bit too quickly for his liking. Marius's eyes narrowed as he heard this and he sat back into Dumbledore's chair, looking highly dissatisfied.
'You're lying Potter… I sense it.' he announced callously. Harry's hands gripped the sides of his chair tightly.
"No!" he thought to himself, "He can't know, he just can't!"
'But, no matter. I will not turn my old friend's gleaming office into a house of lies. I will have the truth and nothing but.' And at this Marius casually raised a single gnarled hand toward Harry, who jumped back in fear as though sensing death. And in a split second, Harry's vision lurched forward in a howl of wind and then back into focus, leaving him sprawled over the floor.
'Now Harry,' Marius began once more, 'Tell me again, are you sleeping well?'
"Yes. I already told you." Harry thought to himself once more, but to his shock, the word 'No', came from his mouth instead, as though beyond his control.
'There, that's better Harry. The truth is so much… easier, to tell isn't it.' A cruel smile slowly stretched across Marius's battered face, making him look ever more distorted and frightening. Harry pulled himself from the ground, shaken and confused.
'Let me ask you something else. Hmm… why is it you aren't sleeping well? Come now Harry, ha ha, you can tell me, I know you can.'
Harry looked at him with a fiery blast of determination. There was no way Marius was going to drag that out of him, not in a million years.
"None of your god-dam business!" Harry thought viciously, and to his absolute horror, his mouth had a mind of it's own.
'Dreams sir, I'm having dreams.'
Marius lapped up Harry's confusion with utter delight, although for a moment Harry thought he saw a glimpse of strain on the old man's face.
'Dreams eh? Dumbledore told me you were privy to some very, interesting dreams…' Marius set aside his callousness and sat forward over the table again, looking slightly concerned. 'Dreams of Voldemort's doing, correct?'
Harry stayed silent, clamping his mouth shut as tight as he could, Marius smiled in amusement at his vain attempt.
'Now, from what Albus tells me, he placed an extremely powerful ward on your consciousness before the end of last year. Of course, with the erratic state of ward failures across the country, he did mention that yours could be wearing thin if it has not dissipated already.' And for a brief pause, Marius turned the idea over in his head, muttering quietly to himself before turning back to Harry's fearful gaze. 'I've got a distinct feeling that these dreams are affecting your performance out there during defense classes. Considering that in the past you have witnessed in your mind, actual events taking place hundreds of miles away… of Voldemort ironically, I'm interested now as to what you're dreaming of. Tell me…' he motioned his hand calmly at Harry, who felt the sudden urge to speak, but kept his mouth shut at all costs.
Marius seemed annoyed at this behaviour, his temper clearly rising.
'Tell me… NOW!' he demanded furiously, and at once Harry's defenses gave way. Despite his best intentions his mouth began to blab non stop, revealing everything to Marius that he'd kept deep inside himself for so long. His dreams from the very first to his last, and everything he'd witnessed in them were coming to light. The hundreds of bodies, Hogwarts burning, and that great pair of red eyes beneath the hood of the shadowy figure. It was only after he mentioned this did Marius finally release him from whatever hold over his mind he had. His expression becoming increasingly darker.
'And, who was this figure? That you saw the eyes in?' Harry looked at him still afraid as he was, but knew now that there was no turning back, since so much had been said already.
'It was you sir!' Harry said, with a feeling of intense relief, he'd been wanting to get that off his chest for so long. 'I saw you with those evil, red eyes.'
Marius sat back somewhat, rather surprised at Harry's determination, but something else seemed to be troubling him. Harry noticed this, and as though out of instinct he had to ask.
'What's wrong professor?'
'It's not your place to speak out of turn Potter! Not so long as I remain at this school!' He motioned his hand once more to Harry, a slight hint of aggression in his voice, but strangely… he stopped, and drew back, restraining himself. Harry looked bewildered at the old man, who seemed torn between casting some hideous spell on him, or leaving him unscathed. Eventually, Marius bowed his head in defeat, realizing he would be doing no good by teaching Harry a permanent lesson.
'Such is the price of ignorance,' Marius stated in a dreamy way, as much to himself as anyone. He turned once more to Harry, who was still standing stiffly on the spot.
'Take a seat Harry, I have something to tell you that I'm… not proud of.'
Harry did as he was told, sitting down on the seat once more. Marius cleared his throat with a cough, strange magical fireflies spurting from his mouth in a cloud before the light of each faded.
'Tell me truthfully Harry, and this time I won't force you. How much do you know of me?' the question sounded rather unusual coming from him, he seemed so much the kind of person to expect an answer when he asked for one. Harry's experience moments ago seemed to confirm this. Though this time Harry had to admit Marius seemed pretty sincere. So he began to explain what he'd heard from Mr Weasley (although he didn't mention his name) and the gathering he witnessed between he, Dumbledore and Fudge. Marius paused momentarily, taking in all Harry had said, and spoke curiously.
'You saw me the night I raised the Heliopath Aandrak?' Harry nodded hesitantly. Marius seemed shell-shocked at first, but accepted it reluctantly. 'Dam. No one but us three were supposed to see that, especially not a student. Nevertheless, I suppose you seek answers as to why we have chosen to combat the growing feud with dark powers.'
It seemed more of a statement than a question, but Harry nodded again, intent on learning more. Marius sat up straight mentally preparing himself.
'The truth behind the matter is simple.' He began rather shakily, 'I'm not always who I appear to be Harry. Sometimes I think rationally, mercifully, like any good person should… but other times I think impulsively, without fear, only with a notion of hate driving me.'
Harry couldn't help his confusion, and stared blankly at the old mage, who'd begun wringing his hands irritatingly.
'So… why is it you wonder, that I tell you this now?' Harry's interest sparked for a second. 'The reason is that I've seen what happens when people ignore the truth. Take Voldemort for example. That old fool Fudge wouldn't have anything Albus told him, even though he knew inside the entire lot my friend told him was true. Now Voldemort is operating again. How unfortunate. So I believe I should tell you all I know, as it may better you in some way.' Marius shifted uncomfortably in his seat, not looking forward to speaking his mind.
'Are you aware of my disappearance years ago Harry?' he asked sincerely. Harry nodded, assuming he referred to that of the forties, whereby all contact with him was lost for five long years. 'During my youth I was rash Harry. Foolish and headstrong like so many others like me. I never heeded what others told me, no matter how wise they seemed. During my time at Hogwarts, Dumbledore was my best… no… my only friend. He stood by me through everything I experienced, often giving me advice when I needed it. How naïve I was that rarely I took his advice, and now look at him. Probably the most powerful wizard alive.'
Harry sat bemused, but still took in everything the old man said, as though each word was as precious as life itself.
'Anyway, just after my newt exams, I wandered about the school grounds. For what reason exactly I forget now, it was so long ago. But I remember the feeling of bliss I experienced having finally freed myself of Hogwarts. I knew of course I'd miss this school one day, but it was far from my mind at the time. Little did I know that other thoughts… undesirable thoughts, were slowly accessing my psyche.
For years I'd been feeling strange about my powers. If you aren't already aware, I'm capable of a lot of wandless magic, not something your average wizard can do. But increasingly back then, I sensed some form of agitation. It seemed to grow every instance I used my powers for whatever reason, and after a while, I started hearing voices in my head when I slept. Oh I felt terrible. I'd resist sleep, for days at a time, trying not to dream of it. But soon after that, the voices returned, except it was when I was awake. The thought scared me a lot, so I told Albus.
Naturally he was supportive, despite being concerned. He tried all he knew at the time to stop me hearing the voices, but he couldn't. I understand now how powerless he felt at then, not being able to help his best friend, but hearing voices is not a good sign in this world. I thought I was going mad. I don't doubt he thought so too.'
Marius sat uneasily, a small, barely visible tear starting to roll down his cheek.
'For over a year the voices persisted inside my head. Mostly they were incoherent, not really making any kind of sense at all, but towards Christmas they began to change. I could almost hear what it… whatever it was, was saying to me. Almost as though it wanted me to understand it. I eventually accepted the notion of having this annoyance within my head. For over a year I'd been living with it constantly interfering with my life, but there was no getting rid of the voices. They persisted, and I had the feeling that they were indeed trying to communicate with me. Perhaps I wasn't crazy at all I thought. So I stopped fighting it and listened.
And you know what Potter?! I was right! The moment I let my resistance fail, I became overwhelmed. It wasn't just a voice that resided within my mind. It was a consciousness. An entity all of it's own that talked to me. Time slowly went by, but I listened onwards, the things it told me of itself seemed so incredible, so fascinating… so real. And it wasn't long before I came to know this being, whomever he or she was. And I wanted to meet it face to face. I remember now, it said to me that for generations it's calls had remained unheard, that no one had known of it's existence, until it found me. I put it down straight away to my powers that I was able to hear it in the first place, which at the time were higher than Dumbledore's.'
Marius breathed for a second, still in a state of awe in having told Harry this much already. Harry was rapt, and simply sat open mouthed in wonder as Marius told him everything.
'I finally worked up the courage to ask where I could find it. I just felt so curious. The burning question just wouldn't leave my mind. Perhaps the entity sensed it as well, I couldn't be sure, but to my surprise, it told me. It lived deep within the forbidden forest outside Hogwarts. So close to me for so long, and yet I'd not known. How I cursed myself for not asking it sooner, had my courage not failed so many times before, I may have met the entity long before. But I didn't feel this guilt, I pushed it from my mind when I made the final decision that I would go to meet it when I could. As soon as I could.
Abandoning any sense of reason, I told Dumbledore what I planned to do. And to my shock, he seemed… well… not very enthused by the prospect of meeting this being at last. If anything, he looked worried, and he begged me not to go to the forest. Albus as he always was, ever the one to offer advice. But as I told you before Harry, I was rash and arrogant as well. The urge to see this being was too strong, I couldn't turn back now. Not after everything it had told me. Even then at the very moment I contemplated taking Albus's wise advice, that voice persisted in my mind, compelling me to come forth. And so I did.'
Harry looked to him with much surprise indeed. He'd never have guessed any of this about Marius. He always seemed so distant from everyone. So tough. But now he sat before Harry looking like a wreck. Almost threatening to be overcome by that brewing sadness he kept hidden behind his eyes. Harry at once knew the conversation had to continue, and he pressed him onwards.
'What happened then sir? Did you meet it… whatever it was, in the forest?' he asked the old wizard hesitantly, not wanting to force a reaction out of him. Marius looked up ashen faced, and continued, his voice starting to strain with every word he spoke.
'When all candles had gone out and every teacher, student and ghost had retired for the night, I took my chance. Using my powers I traveled the hallways in the shadows, sure not to be seen, and then out onto the grounds and finally the forbidden forest, where I trekked for what seemed an eternity, not knowing precisely where I was going, but merely following the, essence of the being, the continued voice of it thumping in my mind.
I cannot remember how long I walked, the cold, damp air of the forest blinded my senses to all form of reason. Cuts from the multitude of twigs and barbed tree roots scathed my entire body, forcing a trail of warm blood from me as I trudged through the undergrowth, my strength failing with every step I took. It was only when I felt my body could take no more that I reached my destination. A clearing laid ahead of me, a dull, eerie fog stretched across the ground the like a soft white blanket, and there in the middle of was the being.
It was far different than anything I could've imagined in my wildest dreams. Like some form of, Dark Veil, it floated above the fog, the only sound coming from it, being the echo of laughing children, long since dead. I gripped my heart for a moment. I didn't know whether it was out of fear or excitement, but I remained rooted to the spot, my legs not daring to move another inch. And all at once I heard that voice again, but this time I knew it was not in my head, the being itself talked, though it felt odd to me, the voice was shallower than I remembered hearing in my mind… Colder, yes, colder. I remember what it said to me, as though a cold blade pierced my heart.
"Marius…" it spoke to me, still not turning itself to gaze upon me fully. "I welcome you to my abode, long have the ages passed since I have been given the privilege, of speaking to a wizard like yourself…"
I wanted to speak, but my voice failed me, as my strength was sure to do at the very moment. My curiosity grew further for each second it refused to turn. You must know Harry, it was unlike anything I'd ever seen in my life. A shadowy being it was, shrouded in a whispy, black cloak that billowed in the night time breeze. It was dark alright, but beautiful at the same time, and disregarding all common sense, I took a hesitant step forwards, my legs still not willing to move. And again, it spoke…
"Do not be afraid dear child, I mean you no harm. I thank you in fact, for making such an old spirit like myself so happy. You don't realize how lonely I have become here, all alone…"
'My sense of fear left me at once, my strength, somehow returning to me for a brief instant, and I walked forward, step by step by step, until at last I was a mere arms length from it, my anticipation growing. I wanted to touch it, to know it through the Dark Veil that shrouded it's inner depths. But an ill feeling struck me then that I could not fathom. Something did not feel right about this. Not at all. Yet again it spoke.'
"Few people come willingly to this ancient sanctuary anymore. There are of course, dark beings of great evil that harbor within these old trees. Some older than the forest itself…"
'I stood still then, not sure about what it had said. But what was certain, was that I felt then that I had made a terrible mistake in coming to this forest. So I turned slowly and began to walk away. But the being wouldn't have it, I sensed power within it's shadowy self, trying to hold me, but I pushed it aside as I walked away, my pace quickening with every step.'
"Where are you going dear Marius?" it spoke in that horrible voice. "I thought you wanted to know me. Do you not? And by my word, you shall know me. You will know me more so than anyone has ever done in all history. Because you see young child, I cannot allow you to leave, having waltzed so willingly into my domain!"
'And before I knew it I'd tripped, long thorn covered tentacles holding my feet, apparently spawned from the ground I walked. I struggled uselessly, but the more I moved, the more relentless the thorns became, cutting through my skin and into my flesh. All the while the being floated there motionless, until at last it turned and glided towards me, it's whispy cloak billowing out behind it. I knew something horrible awaited me, so I fought back at it. I raised my hands and fired a blue nova into at it's face, something I'd resided to myself never to do to anyone, such was it's power, but it dodged my attack effortlessly and in a swift instant, the thorns gripped both my arms and held me down. I was defenseless, and vulnerable. I knew it. The being neared me evermore, it's hidden face so close to mine I could hear a rattling breath behind the veil.'
"I knew you were a powerful wizard the moment I first contacted you Marius." It spoke to me harshly, ice cold breath blowing into my face, "I have been searching for someone like you for some time, so as to carry on my legacy into your world."
'I didn't have a clue what it was talking about, I felt so powerless to do anything, my mind wasn't functioning properly. But it talked on.'
"Most wizards are wise not to enter these woods. You however, were remarkably easy to manipulate to my ends. That satisfies me to a point, but what satisfies me more… is the fact, that you are now… MINE!", 'and with that, the being revealed to me a sight so horrible it felt as though my soul itself was being defiled. It removed the veil from it's mysterious face, revealing a pair a great, red eyes that burned in the darkness with a vicious evil. And with one last scream, the last of my strength faded, and I knew no more.'
Marius sat with his face buried in his hands, as though ashamed he'd said any of this to a student. Harry couldn't believe his ears. Was all of what Marius had said true? He didn't know, but he now felt that curiosity that Marius had described to him so well.
'And then sir?' he asked impatiently, desperate to hear of what happened next, 'What happened after that?'
Marius looked to Harry with eyes so sad it seemed to almost break his heart.
'Terrible things Potter. Terrible things.' He continued grimly, 'From the moment I lost consciousness, life became an unending blur of murder. I witnessed in haze the deaths of thousands of people, both wizard and muggle alike. I had not known such suffering in my time, but even in my incoherent state, I could still sense that awful being inside me. I didn't know then, but it had taken me as some sort of host for it's own decrepit existence, using me like a puppet to carry out it's wishes, no matter how horrible they seemed. Five long years past, I slowly became one with the entity within me, I shared it's mind, and therefore, it's hatred for all life on this earth. Though every decision that was made was the creature's doing, not mine. I was out of control of my own body.
One thing I was unaware of then was of Dumbledore. Apparently I had been missing for these five years without a trace. Albus thought right of himself from the moment I disappeared, to search for me without end. And eventually, he found me. And after a long battle with my entity's host body, Albus exorcised the demon from within me, and banished it's ragged form to a magical prison beneath this very castle, never to be heard of again.
I was freed of it at last, but to my dispair part of the creature's psyche remained within me, every now and then guiding my actions. It was for this reason that I felt the urge to become an Auror after my episode. The aggressive part of me wanted to feel death once more, and I killed hundreds of Voldemort's followers, not out of duty, but for fun. I don't know as to the nature of the beast that controlled me for so long. But it was evil I tell you. More evil than even Voldemort himself, and I am eternally grateful to Dumbledore for banishing that thing to the dark, untouched depths of this castle.
But that, Harry, leaves us in this situation now. Powerful spells laid down by Dumbledore, bind the demon to it's infernal prison beneath us. And should this muggle induced war come to a head and Hogwarts falls, the demon will be released to plague terror on this world again. And I fear that not even Dumbledore will be able to contain it this time. This is why we must be at our best at all times from here on in. This is not just a battle for our lives. This is a battle for all our world, as no one will be spared should that thing come to power again!'
Marius stopped at last, and breathed deeply, feeling thoroughly elated to have gotten this off his chest. Harry was shocked to say the least, but now he understood why Marius was so tough on all the students during defense training. The battle was really to contain the demon for evermore, not just to repel invaders from Hogwarts. Yet there was something more that Harry wanted to know, and he leaned forward looking curious.
'Umm… sir?' Harry asked tentatively. The old mage looked up to him. 'You said that you shared the being's mind, right?'
Marius nodded instinctively.
'Why do you ask this Harry?' the question struck him. Harry was not sure he wanted an answer to his query after all he'd just heard. But he wanted to know, and Marius was going to tell him if it was the last thing he did.
'When you shared thoughts with it sir, did you find out whether the creature had a… umm, I mean did the… well… umm…'
'Speak up Harry, what do want to know?' Marius interjected impatiently, throwing Harry off guard. He sighed loudly.
'What was the being's name?'
Marius sat for a moment looking thoroughly distraught at the question, but composed himself as quickly as he could, before looking into Harry's eyes with such power, the boy had trouble breaking his gaze.
'It's name Harry…' Marius began, as shaky as ever, 'was… was…' his fingers tapping on the desk.
'Yes,' Harry prompted again.
'…Grindelwald.'
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Hi all. Dreadfully sorry I've been so late with updating, school has been a nightmare. But now with holidays upon me I can finally get around to posting more chapters for you folks. I know some of you have been eagerly awaiting my next installment. By the way, this chapter had been written, deleted, re-written, deleted, and re-written again before I was satisfied with it. On my pc it's about 9 pages, so it's understandable it has taken so long to write. Anyway. Looking forward to what happens next? I know I am, but as I always say, you have to read the next chapter to find what happens next. Happy reading...
Harry had never felt so scared in his life. With the minister of magic out of the way and Dumbledore on his side, Marius promptly extended his entire ferocious control over Fudge's Heliopath army, as not a day after he'd summoned the first terrible being, others like it began to spawn about the school from seemingly thin air, to the horrified gasps of other students, who just like Harry… feared them. Hogwarts was not accustomed to seeing such vile creations of matter walking about the school. Their presence was frightening. One occasion saw an entire corridor of students, part in fear like some great tide of water, as a single, lone Heliopath walked through. It gave everyone more than a reason to worry about the condition of the world. If such demonic beings were waltzing unhindered through Hogwarts, then how bad was it on the outside?
Time in the school seemed to move very slowly indeed. Everyone felt so on edge, that minutes and hours felt like days and months. The sudden appearance of the Heliopaths didn't help matters either. Their fear evoking presence during defense training seemed to scare and agitate the students, sending some into a sort of panicked state, by which they needed cheering charms to overcome. But such was to be expected now with the new arrivals. The teachers, after a short period of time, managed some form of mutual acceptance that the fire spirits were there to stay, and although few approved of their attendance, they did look much more at ease about preparing for the inevitable war. Perhaps, Harry thought on a lighter note, the teachers felt the chances of surviving an attack had increased in their favor. A thought which he held onto for some time…
With the Heliopaths now wandering the corridors on a regular basis, sometimes on their own, other times in twos, threes and on rare occasions, fours, Marius felt the unprecedented urge to push the students to even further heights in their defensive skills, by increasing the hours that training lasted from five to ten. The entire process was utterly draining for everyone, but to the student's surprise none of the teachers believed it was doing them any harm, and didn't raise eyebrows about it… Until that was, Marius had a burst of inspiration, and suggested they may find learning the unforgivable curses appealing. The idea was removed immediately, despite numerous students (mostly Slytherins), taking a distinct interest in the prospect.
As far as learning new spells was concerned, Harry believed he was doing exceptionally well, despite losing more sleep than was acceptable. One evening he managed to perfect a Cutting curse, which he had to admit seemed extremely difficult from the outset. Apparently though, more than one person had noticed his great progress. Marius caught his attention at the end of one session and motioned to follow him up towards Dumbledore's office. Originally Harry recoiled at the idea, but reluctantly followed. He had the distinct impression that Dumbledore wanted to scold him for something, though he couldn't quite think of a reason why he'd want to do that.
It proved therefore, quite an unusual surprise to find that as he arrived, Dumbledore was no where to be seen. He stood there perplexed for a moment, only he and Marius standing in the room in some kind of reverie, until the aging mage walked towards Dumbledore's desk and sat himself gingerly into the great headmaster's chair. Harry was horrified.
'YOU'RE THE HEADMASTER NOW?!' he shouted in disbelief, watching a satisfied smile curl at the edges of Marius' mouth. For a moment the old mage relished in Harry's shock, but slowly his delight gave way to a hint of frustration. He shook his head in dismay, clearly disappointed.
'Oh Potter if only that were true.' He commented briefly, before withdrawing from underneath the desk a small basin, it's contents glowing in an eerie, iridescent light, that seemed incredibly familiar to him. It was Dumbledore's Pensieve, he suddenly remembered. The same one that he got lost within on two separate occasions in previous years. The second of which, struck a bad chord inside him as Snape's greasy head suddenly came to his memory. He shivered unwillingly, Marius didn't notice. He was somehow preoccupied as he extracted thoughts from his head using his wand, which on closer observation, seemed unusually strange for him to be holding, as Harry knew he was quite capable in the arts of wandless magic. Probably keeping up appearances amongst the other witches and wizards in the school he mused.
A long, thin strand of silver soon stretched from Marius' temple to his wand. And he quickly twisted it about before plunging the strand into the swirling Pensieve, which seemed almost excited to receive it. He sat watching it for a moment, and breathed a sigh of relief, as if glad to siphon off his thoughts into the white abyss.
'That's better!' he said with sweet release, before turning his attention to the boy before him. 'Sorry about that Potter, got carried away for a moment there.' And he shut the Pensieve's lid with a snap. 'Dumbledore has left me in charge of things around Hogwarts for the time being. He is currently away attending to an matter of great importance.'
Harry stared back at him rather perplexed as Marius's eyes began to slowly bore into him.
'Well…' he began again swiftly, taking Harry by surprise, 'I'll get straight to the point, I'm sure afterall, you're hoping to get back to your defense training as soon as possible.'
Harry pondered this a moment as he really didn't want to keep practicing. As scared as he was about everything, he was simply getting too tired to cast many of the spells he was being told to master. Yet something in Marius's voice when he spoke the words "as soon as possible" suggested that he really didn't have a choice behind it, and from what Harry had learned about the old mage, he wasn't keen on disobeying him anyway.
'You've come to my attention for a number of reasons Harry,' Marius continued, a steely glint ever present in his eyes. 'Firstly, I'm pleased with your progress in defense. Few students have reached your level as of yet, and I sense quite powerful magic about you… hmm, probably from your father's side I assume. Nevertheless, this is not to say that you should slacken. There is terror brewing beyond these castle walls that few students are aware of. It's our responsibility to be prepared when it arrives.'
Harry knew all too well what he was talking about. He'd been referring to the muggle army outside of Hogsmeade that he'd overheard Fudge speaking about. But he couldn't let Marius know that he, Harry Potter was there. So he kept his mouth shut as the old wizard continued.
'I have however, a concern regarding your training that I feel must be addressed as soon as possible. Today I noticed that your ability to manipulate curses was beginning to lack. At first I thought perhaps your magical abilities were failing, but I think now it is more a matter of drowsiness…' and Marius lent forward over the table towards Harry, who arched himself back in fear. 'Tell me… Harry. Are you sleeping well?'
Harry sat rather confused for a moment, but his mind reeled back to his dreams, and the visions he had of Marius's imposing figure leering above him… and a fiery pair of great, red eyes. Out of hesitation he lied.
'Yes!' he said at once, perhaps a bit too quickly for his liking. Marius's eyes narrowed as he heard this and he sat back into Dumbledore's chair, looking highly dissatisfied.
'You're lying Potter… I sense it.' he announced callously. Harry's hands gripped the sides of his chair tightly.
"No!" he thought to himself, "He can't know, he just can't!"
'But, no matter. I will not turn my old friend's gleaming office into a house of lies. I will have the truth and nothing but.' And at this Marius casually raised a single gnarled hand toward Harry, who jumped back in fear as though sensing death. And in a split second, Harry's vision lurched forward in a howl of wind and then back into focus, leaving him sprawled over the floor.
'Now Harry,' Marius began once more, 'Tell me again, are you sleeping well?'
"Yes. I already told you." Harry thought to himself once more, but to his shock, the word 'No', came from his mouth instead, as though beyond his control.
'There, that's better Harry. The truth is so much… easier, to tell isn't it.' A cruel smile slowly stretched across Marius's battered face, making him look ever more distorted and frightening. Harry pulled himself from the ground, shaken and confused.
'Let me ask you something else. Hmm… why is it you aren't sleeping well? Come now Harry, ha ha, you can tell me, I know you can.'
Harry looked at him with a fiery blast of determination. There was no way Marius was going to drag that out of him, not in a million years.
"None of your god-dam business!" Harry thought viciously, and to his absolute horror, his mouth had a mind of it's own.
'Dreams sir, I'm having dreams.'
Marius lapped up Harry's confusion with utter delight, although for a moment Harry thought he saw a glimpse of strain on the old man's face.
'Dreams eh? Dumbledore told me you were privy to some very, interesting dreams…' Marius set aside his callousness and sat forward over the table again, looking slightly concerned. 'Dreams of Voldemort's doing, correct?'
Harry stayed silent, clamping his mouth shut as tight as he could, Marius smiled in amusement at his vain attempt.
'Now, from what Albus tells me, he placed an extremely powerful ward on your consciousness before the end of last year. Of course, with the erratic state of ward failures across the country, he did mention that yours could be wearing thin if it has not dissipated already.' And for a brief pause, Marius turned the idea over in his head, muttering quietly to himself before turning back to Harry's fearful gaze. 'I've got a distinct feeling that these dreams are affecting your performance out there during defense classes. Considering that in the past you have witnessed in your mind, actual events taking place hundreds of miles away… of Voldemort ironically, I'm interested now as to what you're dreaming of. Tell me…' he motioned his hand calmly at Harry, who felt the sudden urge to speak, but kept his mouth shut at all costs.
Marius seemed annoyed at this behaviour, his temper clearly rising.
'Tell me… NOW!' he demanded furiously, and at once Harry's defenses gave way. Despite his best intentions his mouth began to blab non stop, revealing everything to Marius that he'd kept deep inside himself for so long. His dreams from the very first to his last, and everything he'd witnessed in them were coming to light. The hundreds of bodies, Hogwarts burning, and that great pair of red eyes beneath the hood of the shadowy figure. It was only after he mentioned this did Marius finally release him from whatever hold over his mind he had. His expression becoming increasingly darker.
'And, who was this figure? That you saw the eyes in?' Harry looked at him still afraid as he was, but knew now that there was no turning back, since so much had been said already.
'It was you sir!' Harry said, with a feeling of intense relief, he'd been wanting to get that off his chest for so long. 'I saw you with those evil, red eyes.'
Marius sat back somewhat, rather surprised at Harry's determination, but something else seemed to be troubling him. Harry noticed this, and as though out of instinct he had to ask.
'What's wrong professor?'
'It's not your place to speak out of turn Potter! Not so long as I remain at this school!' He motioned his hand once more to Harry, a slight hint of aggression in his voice, but strangely… he stopped, and drew back, restraining himself. Harry looked bewildered at the old man, who seemed torn between casting some hideous spell on him, or leaving him unscathed. Eventually, Marius bowed his head in defeat, realizing he would be doing no good by teaching Harry a permanent lesson.
'Such is the price of ignorance,' Marius stated in a dreamy way, as much to himself as anyone. He turned once more to Harry, who was still standing stiffly on the spot.
'Take a seat Harry, I have something to tell you that I'm… not proud of.'
Harry did as he was told, sitting down on the seat once more. Marius cleared his throat with a cough, strange magical fireflies spurting from his mouth in a cloud before the light of each faded.
'Tell me truthfully Harry, and this time I won't force you. How much do you know of me?' the question sounded rather unusual coming from him, he seemed so much the kind of person to expect an answer when he asked for one. Harry's experience moments ago seemed to confirm this. Though this time Harry had to admit Marius seemed pretty sincere. So he began to explain what he'd heard from Mr Weasley (although he didn't mention his name) and the gathering he witnessed between he, Dumbledore and Fudge. Marius paused momentarily, taking in all Harry had said, and spoke curiously.
'You saw me the night I raised the Heliopath Aandrak?' Harry nodded hesitantly. Marius seemed shell-shocked at first, but accepted it reluctantly. 'Dam. No one but us three were supposed to see that, especially not a student. Nevertheless, I suppose you seek answers as to why we have chosen to combat the growing feud with dark powers.'
It seemed more of a statement than a question, but Harry nodded again, intent on learning more. Marius sat up straight mentally preparing himself.
'The truth behind the matter is simple.' He began rather shakily, 'I'm not always who I appear to be Harry. Sometimes I think rationally, mercifully, like any good person should… but other times I think impulsively, without fear, only with a notion of hate driving me.'
Harry couldn't help his confusion, and stared blankly at the old mage, who'd begun wringing his hands irritatingly.
'So… why is it you wonder, that I tell you this now?' Harry's interest sparked for a second. 'The reason is that I've seen what happens when people ignore the truth. Take Voldemort for example. That old fool Fudge wouldn't have anything Albus told him, even though he knew inside the entire lot my friend told him was true. Now Voldemort is operating again. How unfortunate. So I believe I should tell you all I know, as it may better you in some way.' Marius shifted uncomfortably in his seat, not looking forward to speaking his mind.
'Are you aware of my disappearance years ago Harry?' he asked sincerely. Harry nodded, assuming he referred to that of the forties, whereby all contact with him was lost for five long years. 'During my youth I was rash Harry. Foolish and headstrong like so many others like me. I never heeded what others told me, no matter how wise they seemed. During my time at Hogwarts, Dumbledore was my best… no… my only friend. He stood by me through everything I experienced, often giving me advice when I needed it. How naïve I was that rarely I took his advice, and now look at him. Probably the most powerful wizard alive.'
Harry sat bemused, but still took in everything the old man said, as though each word was as precious as life itself.
'Anyway, just after my newt exams, I wandered about the school grounds. For what reason exactly I forget now, it was so long ago. But I remember the feeling of bliss I experienced having finally freed myself of Hogwarts. I knew of course I'd miss this school one day, but it was far from my mind at the time. Little did I know that other thoughts… undesirable thoughts, were slowly accessing my psyche.
For years I'd been feeling strange about my powers. If you aren't already aware, I'm capable of a lot of wandless magic, not something your average wizard can do. But increasingly back then, I sensed some form of agitation. It seemed to grow every instance I used my powers for whatever reason, and after a while, I started hearing voices in my head when I slept. Oh I felt terrible. I'd resist sleep, for days at a time, trying not to dream of it. But soon after that, the voices returned, except it was when I was awake. The thought scared me a lot, so I told Albus.
Naturally he was supportive, despite being concerned. He tried all he knew at the time to stop me hearing the voices, but he couldn't. I understand now how powerless he felt at then, not being able to help his best friend, but hearing voices is not a good sign in this world. I thought I was going mad. I don't doubt he thought so too.'
Marius sat uneasily, a small, barely visible tear starting to roll down his cheek.
'For over a year the voices persisted inside my head. Mostly they were incoherent, not really making any kind of sense at all, but towards Christmas they began to change. I could almost hear what it… whatever it was, was saying to me. Almost as though it wanted me to understand it. I eventually accepted the notion of having this annoyance within my head. For over a year I'd been living with it constantly interfering with my life, but there was no getting rid of the voices. They persisted, and I had the feeling that they were indeed trying to communicate with me. Perhaps I wasn't crazy at all I thought. So I stopped fighting it and listened.
And you know what Potter?! I was right! The moment I let my resistance fail, I became overwhelmed. It wasn't just a voice that resided within my mind. It was a consciousness. An entity all of it's own that talked to me. Time slowly went by, but I listened onwards, the things it told me of itself seemed so incredible, so fascinating… so real. And it wasn't long before I came to know this being, whomever he or she was. And I wanted to meet it face to face. I remember now, it said to me that for generations it's calls had remained unheard, that no one had known of it's existence, until it found me. I put it down straight away to my powers that I was able to hear it in the first place, which at the time were higher than Dumbledore's.'
Marius breathed for a second, still in a state of awe in having told Harry this much already. Harry was rapt, and simply sat open mouthed in wonder as Marius told him everything.
'I finally worked up the courage to ask where I could find it. I just felt so curious. The burning question just wouldn't leave my mind. Perhaps the entity sensed it as well, I couldn't be sure, but to my surprise, it told me. It lived deep within the forbidden forest outside Hogwarts. So close to me for so long, and yet I'd not known. How I cursed myself for not asking it sooner, had my courage not failed so many times before, I may have met the entity long before. But I didn't feel this guilt, I pushed it from my mind when I made the final decision that I would go to meet it when I could. As soon as I could.
Abandoning any sense of reason, I told Dumbledore what I planned to do. And to my shock, he seemed… well… not very enthused by the prospect of meeting this being at last. If anything, he looked worried, and he begged me not to go to the forest. Albus as he always was, ever the one to offer advice. But as I told you before Harry, I was rash and arrogant as well. The urge to see this being was too strong, I couldn't turn back now. Not after everything it had told me. Even then at the very moment I contemplated taking Albus's wise advice, that voice persisted in my mind, compelling me to come forth. And so I did.'
Harry looked to him with much surprise indeed. He'd never have guessed any of this about Marius. He always seemed so distant from everyone. So tough. But now he sat before Harry looking like a wreck. Almost threatening to be overcome by that brewing sadness he kept hidden behind his eyes. Harry at once knew the conversation had to continue, and he pressed him onwards.
'What happened then sir? Did you meet it… whatever it was, in the forest?' he asked the old wizard hesitantly, not wanting to force a reaction out of him. Marius looked up ashen faced, and continued, his voice starting to strain with every word he spoke.
'When all candles had gone out and every teacher, student and ghost had retired for the night, I took my chance. Using my powers I traveled the hallways in the shadows, sure not to be seen, and then out onto the grounds and finally the forbidden forest, where I trekked for what seemed an eternity, not knowing precisely where I was going, but merely following the, essence of the being, the continued voice of it thumping in my mind.
I cannot remember how long I walked, the cold, damp air of the forest blinded my senses to all form of reason. Cuts from the multitude of twigs and barbed tree roots scathed my entire body, forcing a trail of warm blood from me as I trudged through the undergrowth, my strength failing with every step I took. It was only when I felt my body could take no more that I reached my destination. A clearing laid ahead of me, a dull, eerie fog stretched across the ground the like a soft white blanket, and there in the middle of was the being.
It was far different than anything I could've imagined in my wildest dreams. Like some form of, Dark Veil, it floated above the fog, the only sound coming from it, being the echo of laughing children, long since dead. I gripped my heart for a moment. I didn't know whether it was out of fear or excitement, but I remained rooted to the spot, my legs not daring to move another inch. And all at once I heard that voice again, but this time I knew it was not in my head, the being itself talked, though it felt odd to me, the voice was shallower than I remembered hearing in my mind… Colder, yes, colder. I remember what it said to me, as though a cold blade pierced my heart.
"Marius…" it spoke to me, still not turning itself to gaze upon me fully. "I welcome you to my abode, long have the ages passed since I have been given the privilege, of speaking to a wizard like yourself…"
I wanted to speak, but my voice failed me, as my strength was sure to do at the very moment. My curiosity grew further for each second it refused to turn. You must know Harry, it was unlike anything I'd ever seen in my life. A shadowy being it was, shrouded in a whispy, black cloak that billowed in the night time breeze. It was dark alright, but beautiful at the same time, and disregarding all common sense, I took a hesitant step forwards, my legs still not willing to move. And again, it spoke…
"Do not be afraid dear child, I mean you no harm. I thank you in fact, for making such an old spirit like myself so happy. You don't realize how lonely I have become here, all alone…"
'My sense of fear left me at once, my strength, somehow returning to me for a brief instant, and I walked forward, step by step by step, until at last I was a mere arms length from it, my anticipation growing. I wanted to touch it, to know it through the Dark Veil that shrouded it's inner depths. But an ill feeling struck me then that I could not fathom. Something did not feel right about this. Not at all. Yet again it spoke.'
"Few people come willingly to this ancient sanctuary anymore. There are of course, dark beings of great evil that harbor within these old trees. Some older than the forest itself…"
'I stood still then, not sure about what it had said. But what was certain, was that I felt then that I had made a terrible mistake in coming to this forest. So I turned slowly and began to walk away. But the being wouldn't have it, I sensed power within it's shadowy self, trying to hold me, but I pushed it aside as I walked away, my pace quickening with every step.'
"Where are you going dear Marius?" it spoke in that horrible voice. "I thought you wanted to know me. Do you not? And by my word, you shall know me. You will know me more so than anyone has ever done in all history. Because you see young child, I cannot allow you to leave, having waltzed so willingly into my domain!"
'And before I knew it I'd tripped, long thorn covered tentacles holding my feet, apparently spawned from the ground I walked. I struggled uselessly, but the more I moved, the more relentless the thorns became, cutting through my skin and into my flesh. All the while the being floated there motionless, until at last it turned and glided towards me, it's whispy cloak billowing out behind it. I knew something horrible awaited me, so I fought back at it. I raised my hands and fired a blue nova into at it's face, something I'd resided to myself never to do to anyone, such was it's power, but it dodged my attack effortlessly and in a swift instant, the thorns gripped both my arms and held me down. I was defenseless, and vulnerable. I knew it. The being neared me evermore, it's hidden face so close to mine I could hear a rattling breath behind the veil.'
"I knew you were a powerful wizard the moment I first contacted you Marius." It spoke to me harshly, ice cold breath blowing into my face, "I have been searching for someone like you for some time, so as to carry on my legacy into your world."
'I didn't have a clue what it was talking about, I felt so powerless to do anything, my mind wasn't functioning properly. But it talked on.'
"Most wizards are wise not to enter these woods. You however, were remarkably easy to manipulate to my ends. That satisfies me to a point, but what satisfies me more… is the fact, that you are now… MINE!", 'and with that, the being revealed to me a sight so horrible it felt as though my soul itself was being defiled. It removed the veil from it's mysterious face, revealing a pair a great, red eyes that burned in the darkness with a vicious evil. And with one last scream, the last of my strength faded, and I knew no more.'
Marius sat with his face buried in his hands, as though ashamed he'd said any of this to a student. Harry couldn't believe his ears. Was all of what Marius had said true? He didn't know, but he now felt that curiosity that Marius had described to him so well.
'And then sir?' he asked impatiently, desperate to hear of what happened next, 'What happened after that?'
Marius looked to Harry with eyes so sad it seemed to almost break his heart.
'Terrible things Potter. Terrible things.' He continued grimly, 'From the moment I lost consciousness, life became an unending blur of murder. I witnessed in haze the deaths of thousands of people, both wizard and muggle alike. I had not known such suffering in my time, but even in my incoherent state, I could still sense that awful being inside me. I didn't know then, but it had taken me as some sort of host for it's own decrepit existence, using me like a puppet to carry out it's wishes, no matter how horrible they seemed. Five long years past, I slowly became one with the entity within me, I shared it's mind, and therefore, it's hatred for all life on this earth. Though every decision that was made was the creature's doing, not mine. I was out of control of my own body.
One thing I was unaware of then was of Dumbledore. Apparently I had been missing for these five years without a trace. Albus thought right of himself from the moment I disappeared, to search for me without end. And eventually, he found me. And after a long battle with my entity's host body, Albus exorcised the demon from within me, and banished it's ragged form to a magical prison beneath this very castle, never to be heard of again.
I was freed of it at last, but to my dispair part of the creature's psyche remained within me, every now and then guiding my actions. It was for this reason that I felt the urge to become an Auror after my episode. The aggressive part of me wanted to feel death once more, and I killed hundreds of Voldemort's followers, not out of duty, but for fun. I don't know as to the nature of the beast that controlled me for so long. But it was evil I tell you. More evil than even Voldemort himself, and I am eternally grateful to Dumbledore for banishing that thing to the dark, untouched depths of this castle.
But that, Harry, leaves us in this situation now. Powerful spells laid down by Dumbledore, bind the demon to it's infernal prison beneath us. And should this muggle induced war come to a head and Hogwarts falls, the demon will be released to plague terror on this world again. And I fear that not even Dumbledore will be able to contain it this time. This is why we must be at our best at all times from here on in. This is not just a battle for our lives. This is a battle for all our world, as no one will be spared should that thing come to power again!'
Marius stopped at last, and breathed deeply, feeling thoroughly elated to have gotten this off his chest. Harry was shocked to say the least, but now he understood why Marius was so tough on all the students during defense training. The battle was really to contain the demon for evermore, not just to repel invaders from Hogwarts. Yet there was something more that Harry wanted to know, and he leaned forward looking curious.
'Umm… sir?' Harry asked tentatively. The old mage looked up to him. 'You said that you shared the being's mind, right?'
Marius nodded instinctively.
'Why do you ask this Harry?' the question struck him. Harry was not sure he wanted an answer to his query after all he'd just heard. But he wanted to know, and Marius was going to tell him if it was the last thing he did.
'When you shared thoughts with it sir, did you find out whether the creature had a… umm, I mean did the… well… umm…'
'Speak up Harry, what do want to know?' Marius interjected impatiently, throwing Harry off guard. He sighed loudly.
'What was the being's name?'
Marius sat for a moment looking thoroughly distraught at the question, but composed himself as quickly as he could, before looking into Harry's eyes with such power, the boy had trouble breaking his gaze.
'It's name Harry…' Marius began, as shaky as ever, 'was… was…' his fingers tapping on the desk.
'Yes,' Harry prompted again.
'…Grindelwald.'
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Hi all. Dreadfully sorry I've been so late with updating, school has been a nightmare. But now with holidays upon me I can finally get around to posting more chapters for you folks. I know some of you have been eagerly awaiting my next installment. By the way, this chapter had been written, deleted, re-written, deleted, and re-written again before I was satisfied with it. On my pc it's about 9 pages, so it's understandable it has taken so long to write. Anyway. Looking forward to what happens next? I know I am, but as I always say, you have to read the next chapter to find what happens next. Happy reading...