Chapter 5

The Beginning of Retribution
and the Death of Old Flames

Harry arrived just after everyone else; he had some trouble with a particular ghost… He raised his hand, the doors opened, when he lowered it, they closed; Harry made his way to the table for the Professors. Everyone was watching him, "I apologize for being late Professor," said Harry in a whisper, "Peeves was giving me a little trouble." Dumbledore smiled at Harry and nodded; Dumbledore knew Harry was going through a difficult time. They watched as Professor McGonagall entered with the three-legged stool and ragged hat. Harry leaned back in his chair, he had seen this quite a few times. The first years piled in and gathered at the hat, none of them knowing what to expect. The hat opened wide and sang:

This year of danger and spite, does concern the one bearing the maker of  light, revenge is nigh, retribution comes, watch thyself, for the Angel of Vengeance comes.

A hat I am, but know I do, vengeance is not new, in my duty revenge is seen, perception is ignored, remember my words of old. In this year of danger, first years cannot interfere; this is not a fight for you. Second years; caution, for meddlers will die: third years; observe, for heedlessness can kill: fourth years; perceive, for ignorance can distract: fifth years: do not interfere, for danger there is: sixth years, ignore, for ignorance can save.

The hat did something they had never seen happen before, it paused:

Seventh years; be warned, the betrayers are amongst you, may they be wary. For Megaera flies on swift wings, it comes for you…

Flames of Old beware, Thanatos flies for you.

Now let the Sorting begin!

Dumbledore glanced at Harry, Harry had a stony expression and a blank mind. Dumbledore was worried, he wondered, 'Was the hat meaning Harry would seek vengeance?' He realized he hadn't been paying attention to the sorting, he stood, "Welcome back," he started and smiled at the students, "to another year at Hogwarts and welcome to those of you who have just started your journey with us. A few announcements, Mr. Filch has added quite a few things to his list of banned magical objects, if you have purchased anything from Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes I suggest you check the list before causing general havoc with their charming creativity or attempting illicit behavior," Dumbledore smiled again, "Quidditch will not be held this year, due to another competition we will be holding." A lot of the Quidditch players looked a little put out but brightened at this prospect. "We will be allowing students to participate in a competition that will require a lot of skills; it will allow you to hone your magical skills. Points will be awarded on; difficult of magic, amount of time required to complete the challenge and completing the task uninjured. However, we are limiting it to second year or above." Harry smiled quietly as Dumbledore continued, "There will be several challenges; each one more difficult than the last, once you have joined you may still quit at any time." Harry smiled a little more broadly; his plan was coming into effect without his having to do much, yet. "For details about the first challenge and to sign up, please see the Head of your House," Dumbledore finished, "Now tuck in!"

Food flourished before them, Harry didn't eat, his gaze had caught Ron and Hermione sharing…  his stomach did a sour turn, he felt positively sick. Dumbledore glanced at him, "Harry, would you lead the first years?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yes Professor," replied Harry in a cool, calm, emotionless voice. After they finished Harry stood up, "First years this way!" he called apparating to the large double doors. Harry led them to the portrait, "Password?" it asked. Harry muttered under his breath, then his voice rose, "Erhard," Harry said. The portrait swung open, "That will be your password, do not forget it," Harry said.

"Yes Professor," said the first years as they entered the common room, "Boys; your dormitories are up the stairs and to the left. Girls; your dormitories are up the stairs and to the right," Harry told them quickly.

"Are you Harry Potter?" asked one.

Harry stopped, "Not by choice," he answered as he exited the portrait. He ran into Ron, who was angry, and Hermione who was sympathetic.

"Why did he take away your prefect badge?" asked Hermione.

"I don't know," answered Ron.

Harry wanted to curse him, "Maybe because of something last year," Harry snapped passing them.

"What did he mean by that?" asked Hermione.

"No idea," replied Ron.

"He's the one that got in trouble last year, didn't he get expelled?" she asked.

"Yeah, I don't know why they let him back in, he's nothing but trouble," replied Ron angrily, he had to keep up this façade of memories.

Harry swept down the hall, "Professor," said Harry, "Did I just hear Ron lost his prefect badge?"

"Yes, he did and yes, I did take it for that reason" replied Dumbledore before Harry could ask, "I have to pick one more, I think I'll ask Hermione to be Head Girl again."

 Harry paused, "Umm, Professor, I… I… don't know about that," he said queasily.

"Why not?" asked Dumbledore, "You two are the perfect Head Boy and Girl, you…"

"Professor, maybe so, but she's not the same person right now, I don't know how wise this would be…" Harry said trailing off.

Dumbledore smiled, "I appreciate your opinion Harry, I really do, but I think we'll just have to see how wise it is," he replied, "Because I already asked her, Ron will know, but later, I asked her not to say anything."

Harry laughed, "Yeah… Well, about that. She will do anything Ron says," he said almost in an amused tone.

"What?" asked Dumbledore.

"She has been… violated," replied Harry, "Mentally she has been changed, completely."

Hermione wondered for a few moments, why had Dumbledore asked her to be Head Girl and who was Head Boy?

As she pondered this, Ron spoke up, "I'm going to join the competition, what about you?" he asked as he approached the fire.

"I… I don't know," replied Hermione.

"Okay, well it's time for bed," he said.

"Good night," said Hermione.

Ron approached her, the fire brightened and her bracelet glowed red, "NO!" the walls spoke. The fire lit the entire common room as brightly as the sun. Then returned to normal levels, a shield surrounded Hermione.

"Not again," muttered Ron.

"Not what again?" asked Hermione, "What's this?" She touched the shield; it felt like a wall. Hermione was reminded of something… again… just outside her grasp.

"It's the bracelet I gave you, unfortunately not all the bugs are worked out," said Ron. 

Hermione looked at him dreamily, "Okay, we'll fix it tomorrow," she said.

"Yes," replied Ron with a small smile, he could get use to this. He went up to the dormitories.

The shield dropped, Harry walked in, "Good night," he said a little stiffly but still had a hint of love in his voice. Harry passed within a foot of her, the bracelet didn't do anything.

"What?" muttered Hermione curiously, "Why didn't it…?" Harry quickly ascended the stairs and entered his room. With a snap of his finger, everything arranged itself. Harry slumped on his bed, he was more tired than he had ever been in his life, almost a month had passed since he had any sleep… It was driving him insane. He wondered if Hermione had the same problem, but on second thought, he remembered; Michael had told him that she didn't, Ahriman had OverShadowed her mind. Harry curled up in the corner of his room and began to cry, he missed her so much, it made him feel extremely miserable.

There was a knock at the door, Harry looked up, "What?" he asked in a harsh and tired voice.

"Sorry to disturb you, I heard you crying," came Hermione's voice.

Harry waved his hand, the door swung open, "What's the difference?" he asked in a miserable voice.

"Maybe I just am a nice person," replied Hermione a bit angrily.

Harry cursed to himself in Parseltongue a moment, "Nice?" he asked suddenly at her side circling her, "Nice? You have no idea…" She watched him for a moment, his eyes changed to a piercing flaming red, then back to an angry green. She felt her bracelet become hot, almost to a level of pain. Harry unconsciously touched his arm, the same one Hermione had on her bracelet.

"My pain comes from a lack of conscience, a lack of heart… a lack of soul," Harry said slowly.

"Well, what are you doing in here?" she asked.

"This is my room, you?" snapped Harry.

"I'm Head Girl, and this is the Head Boy's room," she started.

Harry interrupted, "Congratulations," he said in an almost loving voice, but immediately resumed a harsh one, "I'm Head Boy. So this would be my room."

Hermione turned slightly red, "Well, I'm sorry to have disturbed you," she said in an angry voice.

Harry looked at the floor as she left, "I'm sorry," he said before she closed the door, she glanced at him and shut it. Harry then whispered under his breath sounding on the verge of tears, "my love." Harry punched the wall, it gave way. Harry pulled his hand out and cursed, he snapped in the Ancient language, the wall was repaired immediately.

Ron entered, "Well, Harry, how goes it?" he asked in a sneering voice. Harry snapped in Parseltongue. Ron flew back but managed to stop himself, he left after cursing at Harry. Harry sighed, he felt strange, somehow weakened, he fainted…

Hermione heard a hard thud; she looked at the door, words echoing in her mind, 'I'm sorry,' then again, she heard the very words that he had spoken afterwards, 'my love.' She ran to his room, for some reason it shattered as she approached, "HARRY!" she yelled not knowing it was his name… Harry was lying on the floor, out cold… Tears streaming down her cheeks, "Harry, please, please, don't leave me," she whispered. She picked him up and apparated…

Harry awoke, he leaped up as he realized what the hat had said, then the wall in front of him exploded as he cursed. Madam Pomfery came out, "What is this Potter?" she asked sharply. Harry didn't even answer in English he spoke the same language in which he had cursed in, both beautiful and terrible… the Ancient language.

"What is what? Who is who? Heart broken, anger released, Vengeance cries to be wreaked upon those who have betrayed me!" he replied finally in somewhat English, "How long has it been?"

"That's enough Potter, it has been about a day, now, the Order is meeting tonight," snapped Madam Pomfery, "Dumbledore asked that if you woke up in time, that you be sent to the dungeon since that is where they are meeting, you'd better hurry if you want to make it before it's over."

"NO!" shouted Harry then he cursed in four languages, "The destruction of Old Flames." Harry ran towards the dungeon, Harry remembered, he apparated, Dumbledore was lying on the floor, so were almost all of them, some were not among the dead.

Harry cursed, "SHADOW! YOU WILL PAY!" he shouted into the darkness.

"The Old make way for the New, you must lead them," said Michael quietly from the corner.

"Why do you not fight!?" asked Harry loudly.

"We lead you towards the best possible future, not to the future you want, no future is perfect," replied Michael.

"It is what we make it," echoed Harry.

"It is what you make out of what you are given," snapped Michael.

Harry looked at the floor, "WHY!?" asked Harry angrily, "You can bring them back."

"The future lies not in the past, the future rests with you," answered Michael.

"Why me?" asked Harry.

"You, you are m… our heir," replied Michael, "Your father told you this, why do you deny it?"

"I don't deny anything, I just don't like losing all my friends, first Ron, then Hermione, now almost all of the Order?" said Harry.

Michael held out his hand, flames appeared, then Fawkes, "Dumbledore wants you to take care of Fawkes," said Michael.

"HOW WOULD YOU KNOW THAT!?" shouted Harry.

"Because, we are able to… understand the dead, for we are between life and death, neither applies to us," replied Michael without flinching and looking into the distance, "He asks you to accept the responsibility. It is a lifetime commitment; Fawkes has passed down from the previous generations of his family, of which he was the last living member."

Harry felt tears on his cheeks, "Yes, I will," he said as Fawkes gave a beautiful screech.

Michael continued as Fawkes landed on Harry's shoulder, "He also asks you to fight for Headmaster position."

Harry spoke in a language not spoken by a human in millennia, the language of Phoenix, "I'm sorry Fawkes," he said quietly.

Fawkes nodded, "It's okay, you are not at fault," he replied. Michael watched and listened to the exchange.

"Yes, I will, be it Dumbledore's request," Harry replied.

"You must defeat the Shadow, I will help where I can, but until he tries to attack me… I cannot attack him," Michael said.

"Why?" asked Harry.

Michael looked at him sharply, "Because, there is something between us, some unbreakable force that binds us, until one attacks the other… I am not allowed to do that," he replied.

"Why do you call me here?" asked Michael.

"We have a question," replied Achill. "From which Ancient does he descend?" asked Herk.

"That remains unknown," replied Michael.

"Why?" asked Achill.

"Much past remains undisturbed, this secret may remain untouched," replied Michael as he disappeared.

Harry walked to his, now, office, his heart, or what was left of it, aching. He waved his hand, it sprang open before him, Harry walked up the stairs, Madam Pomfery was waiting, "You wanting to see the Headmaster Potter?" she asked as Fawkes settled on his perch.

Harry sighed, "No, I am the Headmaster… Now," he said quietly, "Dumbledore requested it, before he passed on."

"What?" asked Madam Pomfery. Harry raised his hand, a picture of Dumbledore flew into his hand.

Dumbledore smiled at him, "This is what I wished," he said from his portrait.

Madam Pomfery looked at him, "This boy hasn't even taken his N.E.W.T.'s Fudge will never allow it," she said.

"Who said he had a choice?" asked Harry in a dangerous tone, "It was Dumbledore's last request to me, it will be carried out. Now, please, go ask Professor McGonagall to come."

"Potter, ABSOLUTELY NOT!" cried Madam Pomfery, "I will not have a part in this."

Harry sighed, "That's fine," replied Harry, "Please leave then."

Harry pointed at the ground and gestured, a green fire appeared, "Professor McGonagall, please come to the Headmaster's office," he said. Professor McGonagall appeared in the flames, "Please leave Madam Pomfery," said Harry as Professor McGonagall wiped herself off.

"No, Potter this is ridiculous, you are seventeen!" said Madam Pomfery. Harry muttered and Madam Pomfery disappeared into green flames.

Professor McGonagall glanced at him, "What is this about Potter?" she asked.

Harry sighed, "Unfortunately, I have bad news," he replied.

"Ridiculous Potter, no, you cannot be Headmaster," said Professor McGonagall staunchly.

Harry stood up and paced, "I would gladly agree with you Professor, I have quite enough to deal with already, unfortunately, Professor Dumbledore had other plans for me," Harry replied in a slightly upset tone.

"Then let me or another teacher run the school," said Professor McGonagall.

"I would, but I cannot disrespect Dumbledore's last request," replied Harry, "You do not understand why, I think I am starting to."

"Why?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"There is more to this than meets the eye, Tom is still out there, so is the Shadow, all ten of them," replied Harry, he paused before trying to explain, "Within us, is the capacity for choice, how we use that capacity is what determines who we are, whether we have made good choices, bad ones, disrespected others' requests. It determines our measure in this world; we are handed a certain amount to deal with, we must each bear our crosses, but never think you are alone, there is always someone beside you, ready to pick up what you cannot handle. Right now, I am receiving my cross, all of them." Harry laughed bitterly, "I hope there is no more to be handed to me, I fear all the time, I may fall into darkness, hopelessness, despair, but what keeps me going is the fact I am not alone. But now I ask you;" he turned to look at Professor McGonagall, "am I? Regardless, I must fight, but you, you have a choice. You may continue in Dumbledore's memory or stop, here and now, abandoning all you have worked for. NOW we must draw the line, the New Flames must take over for the Old, for if we do not, darkness will ensue, destruction imminent."

Professor McGonagall kept looking at Harry for a few moments; "You know Harry, you sound like a young Dumbledore," she almost laughed, "He almost used that exact same speech to get me into the Order."

Harry smiled as he looked out the window, Professor McGonagall had never called him Harry, "I only hope I can reign half as well as Dumbledore," he replied.

"The question is; do you have the strength to back it up? If you have that, you will surpass Dumbledore," said Professor McGonagall.

"Yes, I do, if I have to," replied Harry looking directly at Professor McGonagall.

Fudge looked immensely pleased when he arrived; Harry's hand slipped under his cloak onto the hilt of Prabhakar and he felt like slaying Fudge on the spot, "Where is he?" asked Fudge looking at Professor McGonagall, she turned to a white cloaked figure.

"He is in the hospital wing," replied the figure, "But there are other matters we must attend to."

"What? Who are you?" asked Fudge amazed at the figure's boldness.

"Headmastership," said the figure.

"Yes, I've already picked someone," replied Fudge rubbing his hands together excitedly.

"Dumbledore already appointed someone, just before he passed on," replied figure.

Fudge looked angry, "Who?!" he asked.

"Me," replied figure.

"and who are you?" asked Fudge.

"I am…" replied the figure as his hood fell, "Harry Potter."

"RIDICULOUS, LUDICROUS, ABSOLUTELY NOT!" roared Fudge.

"That's your problem, not mine," replied Harry in a snappish voice, "It was not a request; it will be respected."

"No, it won't!" Fudge replied angrily, "This is ludicrous, I'm arguing with a child!" Harry lifted his hand, Fudge lifted off the ground, "WHAT THE…!" he exclaimed.

Harry merely continued to stare at him, "It will be respected, and I am not a child," Harry repeated in a dangerous voice, his eyes turned flaming red, "Don't bother trying what you're thinking, I have conquered myself and if I can conquer myself;" his voice became very harsh, "then I can destroy anything you throw at me."

Fudge muttered, "Stop it! I'll…I'll… have… you…you… a-a-arrested for… for… t-t-treason!" he stuttered. The Aurors that had come with him backed up, they had never seen someone of this power, except perhaps Dumbledore, he had defeated 2 or 3 of them. They may have six, but they feared this sudden… escalation… in Harry's power.

"ATTACK HIM YOU FOOLS!" screamed Fudge. The Aurors moved forward, Harry snapped in the Ancient language, they all flew back into the wall. Harry turned up his palm and all their wands flew into it. "Now, you are defenseless," Harry snapped his eyes being to glow red. "Harry! Stop," said a new voice, a soft one, one that affected him more than any shout or scream.

Harry felt a shiver travel down his spine, he recognized this voice, one that calmed and soothed him, one that reminded him he was not alone… Hermione. All his captives still suspended against the wall, Harry turned around, "Why?" he asked facing her.

"You don't have to fight this way," came her reply, "Please," she begged.

"I must respect the wishes of those who came before," Harry said.

"But not at the expense of your own integrity," she pleaded.

Harry looked around; Ron was nowhere in sight, "Did Ron send you? Perhaps to torture me?" asked Harry in an angry voice.

"No!" she said, "My memory has started to return… please Harry…" Harry saw tears in her eyes, "I haven't been able to sleep in weeks and I know it has been longer for you," said Hermione, "Please…" She spoke in the Ancient language, "For me… my love."

Harry watched her for a moment; they looked directly into each others soul… Harry saw truth; she was baring her soul to him… "HERMIONE!" said Ron angrily, "I TOLD YOU TO…" Hermione's face changed.

Harry cursed in the Ancient tongue; Ron flew past Hermione and into the wall, "THAT IS QUITE ENOUGH!" Harry snapped angrily, "I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!" Harry started to say the Killing Curse…

"ADAVA…" Harry started.

"HARRY! NO!" Hermione yelled at him, her trance fading, "DON'T DESTROY YOURSELF, PLEASE!" Harry looked at her again; she saw his red flaming eyes, dangerous and deadly, venom pulsed in his veins, hatred, not blood, she locked her eyes on him.

Hermione walked towards him slowly, "HERMIONE, NO!" Ron shouted at her. Before Harry could react, Hermione snapped in the Ancient language, Ron fell into a dead faint. Harry looked enraged at Ron's interruption, but it faded as neither one broke eye contact. She was approaching him… Light surrounded them as everyone watched; her bracelet fell off… Professor McGonagall retreated, she knew this could go very well… or very bad… She had to keep the students out…

They were nearly face to face, Harry hadn't moved at all. Suddenly, he broke eye contact, "No!" he shouted angrily. The light faded as he threw Hermione back, she was partially successful in blocking him, but was thrown back a 10 to 12 meters, she landed on her knee, pain shot up her leg.

"Harry, please," she begged her body aching, "Remember us." Harry locked eyes with her again, he felt her longing… His own longing was mutual, but could he… dare he ever  love again? Harry's eyes were still red, venomous, hatred seethed in his soul. Hermione started towards him. She stopped a meter away from him, this time Harry didn't throw her back. They stared into each others eyes, each feeling the other… Hermione started forward again, centimeter by centimeter, Harry watched her, mesmerized.

"Why would you care?" he asked.

"Because… I love you Harry," she answered, "I wasn't in my right mind, please…" Harry backed up slightly, Hermione stopped again; she continued to stare directly in his eyes, not willing to break contact. Harry was confused; what should he do? He had given her two chances; dare he give her a third?

"I am not a toy," said Harry, "I cannot be played with and then cast aside."

"Harry…" Hermione started, "You are not a toy to me… and I never cast you aside; we've had bad stuff happen to us… and now you are going to abandon me?"

Harry backed up again, "You have abandoned me twice," answered Harry. He pulled out a darkly lit Prabhakar, "I will not be deceived again," he said holding it in front of him.

Hermione continued forward, "If it takes my death to gain you back… then I die willingly," she replied pulling out a sword, it gleamed.

Michael watched, "Amplifying their moods," he said to himself, "They have found their masters."

Another appeared beside him, "This is why we wished her removed from the Shadow, to prevent this… we have failed," said Herk, "We did not prevent the destruction."

Michael sighed, "There was no way to avoid this," he replied as he waved his hand, time slowed down and stopped, "What we did was give him a choice." Michael looked at the frozen couple, "With a little help perhaps…" Michael trailed off, "Go, leave it to me." Herk disappeared. Michael sighed again as he waved his hand, time resumed…

"Is that the other Prabhakar?" asked Harry harshly. "Yes," answered Hermione. Harry attacked, Hermione blocked it.

"Michael gave it to me, after I…" she paused as she blocked several of Harry's strokes, "regained part of my memory. Now I have to regain… is you." Harry retreated, Hermione drew back in a defensive posture, Harry's Prabhakar glowed darkly, Hermione's glowed in a shining light. Harry attacked again, Hermione blocked, but this time Harry slipped it up and around, cutting Hermione's shoulder, she cried out as Harry drew back preparing for his next attack. Her cry pierced his soul… Harry ignored it and attacked again. Hermione blocked him, but only half heartedly, Harry sliced her other shoulder and drew back. Blood soaked her robes. Hermione's eyes filled with tears of pain… Harry locked eyes with her, her pain was twofold, her cuts hurt her greatly, but even greater was the pain penetrating from the cut in her soul… the cut… of his rejection…

Harry attacked again, this time slicing her arm, Hermione drew back and she dropped her sword. "Harry, if you don't love me… Then strike me down… Please, have mercy… I cannot live without you…" she said quietly tears rolling down her cheeks, Harry stopped… He swung to kill…