Chapter 3
The Rise and Destruction
of Prabhakar
Harry glanced up, Neo was watching him. "Hello," said Harry quietly, "Thank you for the book…"
"You're welcome," replied Neo.
"You're Michael aren't you?" Harry asked.
Neo smiled, "Yes," he replied.
"You're name is Michael Acamas Shamira? As in the author of this book?" Harry continued shocked that he had gotten a straight answer.
"Yes," Michael replied, "As I told you, I was born quite a long time ago, I have had many years to study physics occurring in nature… among other things… don't believe your people came up with this stuff first. Nor think you are further advanced than the Ancient Ones."
"I don't," replied Harry, "What does Acamas Shamira mean?"
"Now? The Greek and Hebrew language borrowed my name. The Greeks in the century of the Trojan War and the Jews later; Acamas was made to mean 'Unwearying' in Greek, mostly for the fact I never slept during the seven years during the Trojan War and Shamira was borrowed later by the Jews, when I became their guardian, it meant, to them, guardian or protector," Michael replied.
"What did it originally mean?" asked Harry. Michael looked at Harry wearily for a few moments before answering…
"It meant something in the Original tongue…" he paused for a few moments, "Together Acamas Shamira meant 'unwavering evil', 'one without conscience', 'Begotten of evil', 'plague of man,' and many other things, it depended on context." "In this context?" asked Harry.
Michael didn't answer right away, "It meant…" he paused again, "'One of god-like power but is of insurmountable and undefeatable evil'."
"Why?" asked a shocked Harry.
"I was a… shall we say 'bellicose youth'? I have told you that before; however, I also chose that name for myself," replied Michael, "and Harry, remember that there is an ultimate epitome of mankind… what separates us from others…" Michael looked up for a moment then finished with, "I must go, someone is approaching… be on your guard. Not everything is as it seems…" Michael/Neo faded from sight.
Hermione entered, "Hello Harry," she said calmly. Harry stood up quickly, her voice sounded hollow, empty, obscured somehow.
"Hello," replied Harry cautiously, circling her slowly pausing, "What happened to you?"
"Nothing, other than, my mind is clearer than it has been in a long time," she said calmly, "I came to the conclusion that you and I… I can't marry you." She took the ring out of her pocket and dropped it on the floor, "I found someone who really cares." Hermione walked out calmly.
"What have I done?" he asked. She didn't answer.
"My heart and soul doth depart from me…" he said quietly as she closed the door behind her. Harry picked up Hermione's engagement ring a few moments later, anger seethed in his soul. He drew his sword and brought the flat side of it down with all his strength on his knee, it broke into four pieces that clattered onto the floor; all four pieces hummed in harmony. Harry looked down on them; he no longer wanted to fight. The only thing worth fighting for had just rejected him. He gestured at them; they placed themselves on the mantle and settled on the four crystal holders that appeared. Glass surrounded them. Harry took off his cloak and threw into a chair, he started crying.
"I broke it off with him," said Hermione from Ron's lap, "You were right, he doesn't care."
"Yes, I'm sorry dear. Love is a tough area sometimes," said the dark figure trying to sound sympathetic, "I will be back in a few minutes."
He disappeared, "Now, you may precede Voldemort," said the dark figure.
Voldemort smiled coldly, "Yes, yes, now I can proceed," he said, "But tell me, who are you?"
The dark figure thought for a moment, "I am… what I am," he replied then turned towards the window, "No more foolish questions. Now go."
"Yes, master," said Voldemort in an almost mocking servantile voice.
Hermione went to bed that night with a smile on her face. Ron came into her room, as he approached something strange happened. Her dresser shook and trembled, it opened and the bracelet Harry had given her floated out, light shone, Ron and Hermione both covered their faces. The light level returned to almost normal, the same type of shield that had protected the castle was now hovering between Ron and Hermione. The walls shook and trembled as a voice spoke, "Do not approach."
"Who are you?" asked Ron in a snappish voice.
"We are," replied the voice, "now go, bother us no more." The voice died, but the shield remained, it seemed to shift back and forth, moving and circling.
Ron growled, "Nix that idea!" he said angrily.
"I'll figure out how to get rid of it," said Hermione, as she looked at the ground for a moment. She got up, picked up her wand and started pacing, "Natril," she said. Nothing happened, "Drat," she muttered thinking of another way.
After a few hours, Hermione still couldn't figure out how to remove the shielding, she had tried everything imaginable. Finally, Ron spoke up, "Good night Hermione, we'll figure it out tomorrow," he said somewhat angrily.
"I'm sorry Ron," she said looking downcast.
"It's not your fault Hermione," Ron said then looked murderous, "It's Harry's fault." Ron slammed the door behind him, the shield dropped; her bracelet flew to her wrist and almost seemed to meld to her skin. She tried taking it off, but it clung to her skin as though part of her.
"We will remain one," came the voice, "until light has been fulfilled." Hermione groaned, she fell on her bed, what was going on? She couldn't understand how or why it was doing what it was doing. She had broken it off from Harry, but this thing was preventing her from getting close to Ron.
She slowly started to fall asleep, she heard a voice in her head, 'I am time, infinity and power…' Suddenly she felt scared and awake as she crawled into her bed and cried.
She tossed and turned for a while, she felt guilt, shame, 'Why?' she asked herself. She remembered everything, Harry hadn't really cared for her though and she knew that now. Now she knew why Harry didn't want her to remember what had happened after she had collapsed. Harry had hit her on the back of her head and attacked her later. He just wanted her because Ron did, Ron cared tremendously. She looked at the bracelet, it formed 5 words, 'Harry Potter loves Hermione Granger ' she sighed, it wasn't true. It was true she had loved him, but not anymore. She got up, she just couldn't sleep anymore.
Downstairs, the dark figure was still staring out the window, "Why are you staring out of the window?" asked Hermione.
The figure didn't turn around to take note of her presence, "Because, I don't sleep," replied the figure, "What else am I going to do?"
"Are you… the Shadow?" she asked.
The dark robed figure turned around, "What is 'the Shadow'?" he asked advancing he raised his hand, "I am not a Shadow, I am far greater." She felt both her bracelet and necklace vibrate and grow warm as she lifted off the ground. As he came within 5 feet of her, a shield once again enveloped her, she fell to the ground, then something else occurred, she felt a rush, flames licked her. She found herself back in her room. 'How'd I get here?' she asked herself looking around. She started downstairs again but was stopped by something; the door was stuck.
The black robed figure continued to stare out the window. "Times long past," said a familiar voice.
"Yes, new times arise and give naissance to the future," replied the figure.
"Yes, they do… Ahriman," said the voice as it came up beside him, "But nothing changes, you will be defeated."
"Ahh, Michael, yes, something has changed, you grow weaker as I grow stronger," smiled Ahriman as he turned from the window, "You made a mistake… you shouldn't have fallen for a mortal."
Michael turned to Ahriman, "That mortal saved my soul, my heart, I could finally live in peace," he replied.
Ahriman laughed, "Yes, yes, then when she died…"
Michael stiffened, "The past will always haunt me, just like Harry and you have tried to destroy him… But in time, he will heal. Just as I did, but perhaps he won't have to, you feel her fighting you."
Ahriman laughed, "Yes, she is, but make no mistake, I will win and the past will haunt both of you, no longer will there be a separation between the living and dead. I have returned to finish what we started."
Michael sighed, "I will not allow you too. We will fight…" he replied disappearing.
Harry paced the library, it would soon be morning, it was time for him to get his Hogwarts books. He had seriously considered not going back, why should he? He knew more by now than the teachers did, but on the other hand, he still had classes to teach. "Hello Michael," said Harry turning around to face him.
"You broke it?" asked Michael sound slightly amused and surprised at the four pieces on the mantel, "You realize that's not regular metal, nor a regular sword?"
"It's not?" asked Harry.
"No, it's made of a metal I created in the… tenth century B.C. Just after I learned to control protons, electrons and neutrons, its strength has withstood a force rivaled only by a supernova. Not to mention some of the other… more interesting … qualities. You certainly didn't think just any blade could kill a Dementor did you?"
Harry paused a moment, that made sense, "I… I guess I never even thought about it," he replied but then a question entered his mind, "What do you mean only rivaled by a supernova?"
"Well, it was in the First War, it gave the defeating stroke to the Shadow, Ahriman."
The name sounded familiar to Harry, "That… sounds familiar," he said slowly.
"Yes, it would," said Michael pulling a book off the shelf and flipping through the pages, "Yes… Here." Michael held out the book, it floated towards Harry.
Harry read it, "Personification of evil?" he asked looking up.
"He has existed for many millennia, I am the only one who is older," Michael replied sitting down.
"You created him didn't you?" Harry asked putting one and one together.
"In a way… yes, I did… he is the perfection of evil," Michael said looking down.
"Why?" asked Harry.
"I was a belligerent youth," replied Michael.
"That doesn't tell me why," said Harry rolling his eyes.
Michael sighed, "Okay, if you really want to know," he paused.
"I was a very evil person during the first couple hundred years of my life, I destroyed many cultures, cities, countries, ways of life," answered Michael, "My penance has consumed the rest of my life, my penance, is to… to wander the earth until the end, protecting what I destroyed."
"Why did you….?" asked Harry.
"I wasn't born into a very… good family, though that is no excuse. My father deserted my mother before I was born, she died soon after, when I attempted to search down my father for revenge after I was of age, I failed. I never found him, but I tore apart the earth looking for him. One thing I had; brilliance, I could create anything I wanted, that is when I created the first magic, with it I created a partner and named him… Ahriman, he was begotten of me, a perfect replica, the only difference, I removed, what I considered at the time, my… imperfections, particular emotions; love, obedience, caring and all other moral human traits. The perfect evil, that is why he was called the god of darkness, he was evil… incarnate. We searched the earth together, vengeance consuming us. We continued to destroy whatever good we could find, thus a plague on mankind. We were unconquerable evil, destroying every great army they could assemble. After a particularly large battle, Ahriman and I parted, I was to go into a country alone to find out their strength of numbers. On the way, I met a farmer, one who invited me in, he showed me kindness. As fate would have it, he had a beautiful daughter; we both fell for each other immediately. Though, of course, neither one of us would admit it," Michael paused, "That was the beginning of the end to my career in evil."
Harry sat across from him, completely shocked, "You? Evil?"
Michael laughed, "Yes, very much so," he said with a slight smile, "More so than any human has ever been or will ever be. Some say it was due to the fact I could cause massive destruction at one time, but most people attributed it to my intent, I had the most malicious intent the earth had ever seen… The only one that has ever rivaled me; Ahriman and now… he has returned."
"What happened to the farmer's daughter?" asked Harry curiously.
Michael didn't respond right away, "That is for another time," he replied, "and hopefully not soon."
Hermione wasn't able to sleep at all that night, she wondered why, but then it occurred to her; Ron was the one that had nearly given his life for her. Her unsung hero, Harry had merely taken the credit; Ron had told him what was beyond the veil of darkness. She got up, her mind had filled with doubt, but then it dissipated.
'Why?' she asked herself. She made her way to Ron's room, "Hey Ron," she said sitting on a chair by the door.
"Yeah?" mumbled Ron who was half asleep.
"What is beyond the veil of darkness?" she asked.
"What veil of darkness?" asked Ron, still half asleep.
"Beyond death, the veil in the Ministry of Magic," replied Hermione suspicion growing.
"No idea, why?" he replied.
"No particular reason," she answered her suspicions confirmed. She went downstairs and sat at the table and looked at the black figure, whose name she still didn't know.
"What is your name?" she asked.
"You may call me… Ahriman." Ahriman replied.
"Why do I think things that are not true?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Ahriman replied.
"I thought you said Ron, not Harry, nearly gave his life for me," said Hermione.
Ahriman glanced at her, "He did," Ahriman said.
"No, he didn't," said Hermione, "He has no idea what lies beyond death."
Ahriman's voice changed slightly, "Yes, he does," he said quietly.
Hermione's doubts faded, "Yes, he does, he just doesn't want to discuss it," she said dreamily.
"Exactly, now go back to your room," said Ahriman. Hermione went to her room.
"Quite the little fighter, aren't you?" Ahriman asked quietly.
Harry had already finished reading his books, some for the second time, all 18,523 of them, he had nothing to distract him now… He glanced at the clock and was in for a shock, he had been 18 for 5 minutes, but it didn't seem to matter, what mattered was it began to haunt Harry now; Hermione had betrayed him… again.
'Why?' he mused, was it the Shadow? How was it taking her over? Why? Harry felt so discouraged; he knew Michael was trying to get him to understand he couldn't run his life like this; he had to fight for all the rest of humanity too. But he didn't care about the rest of humanity, he only wanted one thing out of life; Hermione's love. Was that too much to ask?
'Perhaps,' he thought, 'maybe my life isn't meant for happiness.' His thoughts turned to something else; if Hermione was under the control of Ahriman, did he want to continue their relationship once Ahriman had been defeated? She had betrayed him twice; granted it wasn't her fault, at least the first time, but still, that didn't make it hurt any less. He didn't even have anything to live for, without her… his life was nothing to him, she was his last link… last hold on this world, there was nothing else that he cared about.
"We must remove Hermione from under the Shadow and her parents, now," said Herk, "For her choice will determine the future of all."
"Yes, I know," said Michael, "It is, at this time, the most critical thing. For at this time we must not stand by anymore, we must fight to pass the future to the next generation." Michael paused, "If we do not fight, there will not be a next generation," he said looking past Herk and Achill, "Harry will not fight, he has no desire to save humanity; his sole compellation was making the world a better place for Hermione and his future children with her, for nothing and no one else. Now he has no drive, Hermione was his sole relation to this world and the last thing holding him to it."
"What are we to do?" asked Achill, "We cannot make a choice for him."
"Who can make his choice? He doesn't have one yet," replied Michael, "We must first give him a choice before he can make it."
"I feel doubt constantly plaguing her," said Herk, "It has been Shadowed, but it continually grows in darkness, soon he will not be able to cover it."
"By then it will be too late, Harry's pain is not Shadowed, he feels it constantly; even now he wonders if he really cares about anything in life anymore," said Michael, "If we do not heal them soon, not just them, but everyone will be destroyed."
Hermione felt weird, almost as though somebody had placed a memory charm on her, but it wasn't one. She would have to ask Dumbledore about it, something was wrong; she got out paper and quill and started writing. Ron walked in, "What are you doing?" he asked in a sweet voice.
"Writing to Dumbledore," Hermione replied smiling at him.
"Why don't you come down and have breakfast first?" asked Ron.
"I'll be down in a moment," replied Hermione.
Ron went downstairs, "Ahriman, Hermione's writing to Dumbledore," he said.
Ahriman glanced at Ron, "Okay, I'll take care of it," Ahriman said looking up at Hermione's room. Hermione came down after sending her letter. Ahriman whispered and slid his hand into his black cloak as something white appeared in it.
"Good morning," said Hermione looking at Ron.
"Good morning honey," replied Ron sliding a chair back. Hermione feigned a smile at him; but she still had reservations about him…
An explosion startled her thoughts, she glanced at the door; it was now a gaping hole. A shining being was floating in the doorway; it reminded her… of… when… it was one of the released Dementors… It entered, Ahriman looked up, "Ahh," he said simply. Hermione turned to Ahriman, but he had disappeared. The being floated towards her, Ron tried to grab her, the being almost seemed to motion at him. Ron hit the wall hard, his head slumped. Then Darkness surrounded it, the being was growing dimmer. Something glowing enveloped her from behind.
Harry glanced up, interrupted from his thoughts, "Hello, Bhaskar," he said watching the glowing being.
"Hello Harry," replied Bhaskar.
"What happened to Mitsuko?" asked Harry.
"He was OverShadowed," replied Bhaskar sadly, "But for good reason."
"What? Why?" asked Harry.
"You freed us," answered Bhaskar a shadow emerging from him.
"Where am I?" asked a familiar voice.
"Hermione?" asked Harry.
"You two freed us, we were willing to make the sacrifice," said Bhaskar, "Please; we ask you to remain together. You, together, will determine the future for all of us." Bhaskar disappeared.
"What happened?" asked Hermione sounding a little confused.
Harry glanced at her, "They… removed you from your parents' home," he replied.
"Why?" asked Hermione. Harry realized there was definitely something wrong with her, she was acting confused, lost.
Harry didn't answer right away, "My best guess…" replied Harry, "is Shadow." Harry felt cold, empty, darkness, one he recognized… "Shadow…" he whispered, he looked at the mantle; his sword still in quartered pieces was sitting there, watching him.
The door banged open, Hermione parents entered along with Ahriman, "You… you are the Shadow, leave, now!" barked Harry in an order.
"Manners," said Ahriman, the fire dimmed. Harry drew up, the fire brightened.
"I do not fear the Shadows," Harry said quietly approaching him, Harry paused circling, "Shall I defeat the Shadow?" he asked himself; his mind asked another question, 'why ?', why should he care? Hermione felt her doubts growing, she knew Ron hadn't wanted to discuss death because he didn't know anything about it, she now knew Harry was the one who had actually died.
"Harry?" she asked, "What is going on?"
"I don't know," replied Harry in an emotionless voice.
"I'm confused about everything that has happened in the past year," Hermione said quietly, "What's going on?"
Ahriman looked at Harry's mantle, "Prabhakar," he said, "Why do you have it? I wonder… Broken? Interesting; but I believe this discussion should be saved for a later time. For we have little of it." Mrs. Granger grabbed Hermione and started for the door, Ahriman followed behind Mr. Granger.
Harry held up his hand, the door slammed shut, "I think that is quite far enough," Harry said quietly.
Ahriman sighed, "I don't have time for this," he said as he attempted to rip the door of its hinges. Harry kept approaching; the door bent in but did not give.
Ahriman sighed again, "I guess I do," he said turning around, darkness began to creep in.
"I have been in Shadow before, you will not succeed," said Harry. They remained in stalemate, the lights dimming and brightening alternately. Ahriman disappeared. Harry looked around; he knew Ahriman was up to something… But what?
Harry had met Ahriman before, not in this form, but in an almost ghost-like form, one of the things he not been able to finish telling Hermione… nor would he. He noticed Hermione was watching him with a pleading look. He ignored it; this wasn't the time to chat, "Are you afraid?" came a dark voice.
"No," replied Harry, "I will destroy you, eventually, when I get around to it. Neither time nor people are of any consequence. Therefore, you cannot goad me into attacking too soon. You would retreat into Shadows; ready to attack when it is of most benefit to you." Darkness loomed, everything went black, except for Harry. But when the lights came back on, everyone was gone. Harry cursed in five different languages. "MICHAEL! NOW I WILL FIGHT" he snarled.
"Good," came a voice behind him, "Because if you want her back… You will have to fight."
"I don't know what I want, other than to destroy Ahriman," replied Harry in a sharp voice.
"Harry, do not fight him out of anger, you will lose," said Michael quietly, "That is his domain."
"Let me go!" Hermione yelled.
"Shut up," replied Ahriman, "You're irritating me."
"What are you doing to me?" she asked.
"Nothing yet," Ahriman said then muttered, "Perhaps a synaptic pathway overwrite?"
"A what?" asked Hermione in a disbelieving tone.
"A synaptic overwrite… I believe you call it a … memory charm?" Ahriman said.
"Why?" asked Hermione.
"Because, you're payment for services Ron has been rendering," replied Ahriman.
"Such as?" asked Hermione.
"Giving me the names of the Order of the Phoenix; now they will present no challenge," Ahriman said simply, "Voldemort is taking care of that right now. Speaking of him…"
The door opened, "I have taken care of the situation," said Voldemort.
"I know," replied Ahriman.
"They meet…" Voldemort started.
"The second day of Hogwarts, at Hogwarts," finished Ahriman.
Voldemort nodded, "Yes," he answered, "But how did you know?"
"Because I do," replied Ahriman, "Now, you will go into hiding, until I call for you, understood?"
"Yes," Voldemort said before he apparated.
"Why are you guys going along with this?" Hermione asked her parents, neither one answered.
"Because," answered Ahriman, "They have been OverShadowed, so they will do anything I say."
"What is OverShadowed?" asked Hermione.
"It means, they do whatever I want them too," repeated Ahriman.
Ron came down, "Well, you found her, where?" asked Ron.
"She was taken to Harry Potter," replied Ahriman, "But he is still no match for me."
"Ah, have you taken care of the Order?" asked Ron.
"They will be taken care of later," Ahriman said with an evil smirk.
"Good and Hermione?" he continued.
"Do you care if her memories are intact?" asked Ahriman.
"No, not really," Ron shrugged. Hermione was scared, she thought for a moment… She remembered… even though it was against her own rules for herself and Harry…
"Okay, then she will receive a new personality," Ahriman said.
"WHAT!?" Hermione screamed.
"Fine with me," said Ron again shrugging. Hermione concentrated for a moment…
"What am I to do then?" asked Harry.
"Not much yet, we cannot save her," said Michael.
"Save her?" asked Harry sharply.
"Ahriman will eventually erase her memory," answered Michael, "He cannot keep hiding her doubts."
"When?!" asked Harry.
"That I cannot say yet; it remains unclear," Michael responded.
"I have to…" Harry started.
"No, you can't," said Michael, "Believe me, I am steering you towards the best possible future."
"THE BEST POSSIBLE FUTURE IS HERMIONE'S MEMORY GETTING ERASED?" Harry yelled.
"You don't understand everything…" Michael started.
"I understand that Hermione is more important to me than ANY future," Harry said in a dangerous tone.
"I understand what you're feeling," said Michael, "But we must win the war, not the battle."
"She is my war," snapped Harry, "My reason for continuing. Even that was taken from me."
Ahriman gave an evil smile, his work complete, "Who are you?" he asked.
"Hermione Granger," came the reply.
"Whom do you love?" Ahriman continued.
"Ron Weasley," Hermione replied in an almost droning voice.
"Good, you will believe and do everything he tells you too, understood?" Ahriman said.
"Yes," Hermione continued in a droning voice. Ahriman snapped his fingers; Hermione's head fell forward and rose again. Ron was watching from the stairs.
"Ron?" she asked in a loving voice.
"Yes?" replied Ron in a slightly amused tone.
"I love you," said Hermione.
"I love you too," Ron said with a smile, "Why don't you go upstairs? You've had a long day."
"Okay," she said getting up and when she passed him; she gave him a quick kiss.
Ron watched as she got to the top of the stairs, "That's a great job," commented Ron, "It's that easy?"
Ahriman laughed, "Not quite easy, but yes, it is a good job, I have suppressed the bracelet but I don't know for how long," he said, "You must also keep an eye on her."
"Not a problem," said Ron with a smile. Heading up the stairs, he found Hermione asleep on her bed. He smiled and entered her room to sleep.
"Michael, then what do we do first?" asked Harry.
"First; we must restore Prabhakar," said Michael carefully.
"What is Prabhakar?" asked Harry, "Ahriman mentioned it as well, something about it having broken."
"Prabhakar, is that sword," Michael said waving his hand absentmindedly at Harry's mantle, "you remember I told you I created it."
"Yes, I remember," replied Harry.
"Its name comes from ancient words meaning light and maker, so therefore, light maker," finished Michael, "The only physical weapon against all Shadows."
"As in plural?" asked Harry.
"Yes, there is more than one… the one you met is the first one, but Voldemort helped him multiply…" said Michael then whispered to himself, "not to mention there are other Shadows in this world, still growing… hiding."
"MUTIPLY!?!" asked Harry, "I think just one is a handful. How many are there?"
"I don't know, I think there are five… maybe ten," replied Michael.
"TEN!" Harry yelped, "One I can handle, but TEN?"
"Yes, we must defeat one at a time," replied Michael calmly.
"Is there another Prabhakar?" asked Harry.
"Yes… One other, that one is mine, for now, I created it after giving you the other one, it took me an entire year," Michael said.
Harry sighed, this wasn't good, "How can we repair Prabhakar?" he asked.
"You have that within you, just like everything else, but you must find it," Michael responded.
Harry nodded, "Then I will," he said. Michael faded into thin air. Harry sighed again, this was going to be a challenge. He picked up two of the pieces, could he put it back together again? He didn't know, all he knew is he had no choice.