Silver Blood
Chapter 4: Visions of Betrayal
Harry stumbled backward as the room dissolved in a thick cloud of red. When he opened his eyes he was no longer in the Minister's office staring at the merciless sneer of his arch enemy, but instead was in a more familiar office. A figure stood in front of him, their back turned to Harry. Thinking it was Voldemort, Harry backed up until he felt something hard against his back. He looked to see that he was up against the door of the room and there was no where else he could hide.
Suddenly, a loud pounding caused Harry to scream and jump away from the door. The figure in front of him slowly turned around, Harry finally getting a glimpse of the long white beard and intense blue eyes that always seemed to have a slight twinkle to them. Not this time though, they looked old, wise and serious.
"Dumbledore," Harry whispered.
His face broke out in a grin. He was back at Hogwarts. Dumbledore would surely protect him from Voldemort. Harry ran happily toward Dumbledore, but was stopped when the door burst open. Harry jumped back, tripping over his feet and fell to the floor. Harry looked up to see a tall wizard with the same silky blue and green robes that the Ministry members wore. He had a silver nametag, though Harry couldn't read the name from his position. He knew that a silver nametag, however, meant that the man standing in front of Dumbledore was Mr. Weasley's assistant; the assistant Minister that took over when Mr. Weasley was busy.
"What brings the Ministry here in my office?" Dumbledore asked as he reached out to pet Fawkes.
The phoenix cawed softly in response and ruffled its feathers, gold feathers falling on top of the desk. The assistant minister just crossed his arms in a frustrated manor.
"I've been trying to get a hold of you Dumbledore, for the past three days with no response. It can't be that hard to send a reply, I would think."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly. He took a deep breath and went around the desk to sit down. "I've had many different chores to complete, the Ministry was last on my list. After all, most of the Death Eaters have been caught, there have been no further attacks and so far everything has gone back to normal except for the increased amount of work Hogwarts has had to put in to help restore what has been destroyed," Dumbledore answered.
"Yes, I agree that it was unfair of me to put another burden on you," the man answered while seating himself. "But you must understand, we wouldn't need to get in touch with you if it weren't important."
Dumbledore didn't answer immediately. He seemed to be studying the man very closely. Harry, on the other hand, was still crouched on the floor listening. They didn't appear to have noticed him, which meant that it wasn't real only a memory of some sort. Harry found strength to lift himself up off the floor and stand quietly against the wall to watch. He wasn't sure what was going on, or how he ended up there in the first place, but he had no doubts as to who was behind it.
"Very well," Dumbledore answered. "What is it you wish to speak to me about?"
The man sighed, "I'm sure you heard of the latest incident. How former Minister Fudge was found in the chamber of the Dark Lord. We have enough proof to say the Dark Lord won't be coming back, but Fudge has taken liberties to…well, make everyone in the Ministry miserable."
Dumbledore folded his hands neatly together as he listened. "Continue."
"Well, not one of the Ministry members want to watch him anymore. We all just want to get on with our lives as best as we can. Now that the Dark Lord has finally defeated, once again by Harry Potter, we feel we deserve some peace. Don't you agree?"
"Of course. The whole world deserves peace from Voldemort's wrath. Everyone who was personally affected, such as Mr. Potter, would need time to heal and move on," Dumbledore said.
"Yes, but…if no one wants to watch him then he could very well escape, couldn't he? Dumbledore, you must understand. This is serious. It may not seem as bad as what has happened in the previous years while you've watched young Harry Potter, but it's not any less important. If Fudge escapes he could reek havoc on the world and panic is going to start up all over again. The Ministry has managed to calm the people down from the last battle that went on near here, and everyone seems to be getting back to normal. I don't want word to get out that the Ministry can't take care of even one prisoner," he finished.
Dumbledore looked him straight in the eye. "So, you're telling me you need my help to save your reputation?"
"No, of course not! But you know how people are, they assume the worst. If they found out that Fudge was threatening and scaring Ministry members the people would all think the Dark Lord was coming back and the whole world would be at an end," he said. "That's why I've sent out top Ministry members to go searching for a very isolate region of the world to place Fudge. Azkaban is all ready overcrowded with Death Eaters and even some Dementors we've had to cage in special cells there. Only half of the Dementors from before still work with us. You must understand what I'm asking of you. Just because the world seems to be getting back on course, doesn't mean the past events won't have affected the outcome."
Dumbledore closed his eyes and stood up silently. "So what are you proposing I do?"
"I don't know, do something. Fudge obviously can't stay in the Ministry, he's causing too much grief and trouble. And that nosy Rita Skeeter is probably not far from finding out about our troubles. The last thing I need after the Dark Lord's defeat is an article saying how incompetent the Ministry is. Do you know what that would do, Headmaster? The whole world would distrust us and then they'd start disbelieving everything. They'd probably even go so far as to think that maybe Harry Potter didn't defeat the Dark Lord and he's still out there waiting to attack." The man sighed and looked up at Dumbledore.
For a minute, Dumbledore remained silent, his back turned to the man. Harry couldn't see his face, but he was sure Dumbledore was deep in thought. Finally, he turned around to face him. "I can give you a proposition. There's so much left for Hogwarts to do to regain what we had before Voldemort's rise. I will help by keeping things undercover as best as I can, without lying to anyone. Now, that means I must stay here and look after Hogwarts and all the students in it. Besides that, I have many meetings with other wizards and sorcerers, some of them heads of other schools. We have a lot of work to do also," Dumbledore explained, looking at him gravely. "There are many muggles we must put memory charms on, there are still many dark creatures on the loose after Voldemort brought them out to help. I must stay here, but there is someone else you can turn to."
The man looked at him expectantly, waiting for his answer. Harry too was staring at Dumbledore in disbelief.
"You may turn to Harry Potter," Dumbledore finally answered.
Harry's heart felt like it had suddenly stopped. His blood turned cold as he stared at Dumbledore's grave and serious expression. Dumbledore knew that Harry had just gotten over the trauma of almost dying once again by Voldemort's hand. Now he wanted to risk sending Harry into the Ministry, after Voldemort had disappeared in it, to take care of a former Minister who had gone insane? Didn't he care at all how Harry might feel?
The man stood up and nodded thankfully. "That sounds like a plan. In fact, I had wanted him from the start because of his bravery in defeating, or at least binding, the Dark Lord he would have no problem taking care of Fudge. However, I hear he has a guardian now, Sirius Black is it? I don't think he'll let the boy help after his…last encounter."
Dumbledore nodded. "I will speak with Sirius Black, you will have Harry's help, I promise you."
The man nodded and bowed slightly. "Thank you Headmaster, this means a lot. I will get right to finding a very far away spot for Fudge to stay. Good day."
Harry backed up farther against the wall, as far as could. His eyes were widened in absolute shock. He shook his head while staring at Dumbledore as he watched the assistant minister leave.
"No…it can't be…," Harry whispered. "He wouldn't, he wouldn't do that to me." Harry shut his eyes tightly. "It's a lie! Take me back!"
The whole room exploded in light, knocking Harry off his feet. He fell to the floor skinning his arm against the wall. He gasped with pain from the force of the impact. Suddenly, Harry could no longer feel the cold cement of the floor. Harry groaned and slowly opened his eyes. He blinked and looked down. The first he thing he saw was red carpet meeting his eyes instead of cement. Harry slowly pulled himself up and rubbed his arm.
"Hey, I'm back," he blinked and looked around. Sure enough, he was back in the Minister's office.
Suddenly, it was then that Harry realized someone was watching him. Harry turned to see Voldemort standing only meters away watching him expectantly. Harry glared, forgetting about the pain in his arm, and stood up the rest of the way.
"What was that?!" Harry demanded.
Voldemort only grinned devilishly at him. "It was exactly what happened, Harry."
Harry gaped at him and stepped back shaking his head. "No…," he whispered. He closed his eyes. "No! You're a liar!" he shouted.
Voldemort sniggered softly. "Do you really believe that, Harry? Surely you don't think Dumbledore's perfect."
"He would never betray me," Harry said quietly.
"No? What about during your fourth year?" Voldemort asked quietly, never leaving his eyes off Harry.
"What?" Harry asked, snapping his eyes open.
Voldemort sneered and lifted one of his pale hands in front of him. "Don't you remember, Harry? Dumbledore thought you, the famous Harry Potter who wanted nothing but to please him, would go against his word and try entering in the Triwizard Tournament."
Harry felt shivers crawl up his spine. He was frozen to the spot. How did Voldemort know about that? How could he? Harry never told anyone about that. He couldn't read minds, could he? It was true during his fourth year when Harry's name popped out of the Goblet of Fire, the connection between Dumbledore and him was weakened. Dumbledore had actually looked so coldly and stern at him as if Harry had disobeyed him. It was one of the worst feelings he had had.
Harry took a large step back, hitting the edge of one of the bookcases lining the wall. Voldemort just smiled at him, a look of pleasure flashing in his eyes. Harry wanted to deny it, but for some reason he couldn't. Voldemort knew he was right.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Harry asked finally.
Voldemort's grin widened. "Now Harry, don't play ignorant with me. I know you know exactly what that means."
Harry shook his head again and covered his ears. "I'm not listening to you! I won't believe a word you say!"
Voldemort smirked and tilted his head, grinning with even more amusement. "How childish, Harry."
"I'm not going to listen…I'm going home!" Harry shouted.
Voldemort just stood there silently. Harry could feel his legs trembling. It wasn't true…Dumbledore had sold him to the Ministry just like that. He wanted to scream…or cry, or do something but he wouldn't do anything in front of Voldemort. It would only give him pleasure.
"Very well, Harry. You may go back to him, if you wish. If you don't want to hear about anything else he's done to you," Voldemort said quietly putting his hand down. "I'm just telling you the truth, Harry. Something that Dumbledore always hid from you."
Harry could feel his body trembling harder as Voldemort's words hit him. "Please…," Harry whispered. Voldemort looked at him and smiled, raising his hand once again. "Please, I…I don't want to see anymore."
The room started to blur again and Harry's vision was clouded. He didn't realize the red cloud of dust that was currently surrounding him was coming from Voldemort's hand. He gasped as the weird sensation came over him again and the room began to change slowly.
XXXXX
Click, click, click….pause….click, click, click.
The soft tapping was the only sound echoing in the room. It had been going on for what seemed like an hour. It was a lonely, yet worried sound. A door opened somewhere nearby and someone stepped inside.
"You're still here?"
Sirius looked up from his moping and stopped tapping the quill on the desk. Remus sighed and walked in.
"Professor McGonagall said you were still here," he said leaning up against the wall. "Want to tell me what's on your mind?"
Sirius just sighed and leaned his chin in his hands. He didn't answer, but seemed to be deep in thought. Remus walked over to him and rested a hand on his shoulder in a brotherly fashion.
"It's Harry isn't it? You're worried about him."
It was silent for a minute before Sirius finally looked up at his long trusted friend. "Yes, I just can't help it. What if Fudge is saying horrible things to him that might traumatize him? Or what if he's trying to hurt Harry?"
Remus squeezed his shoulder and shook his head. "Sirius, you know Harry better than that. His friends say worse stuff to him every day. He's not going to take anything that Fudge says seriously."
"I know, that's what I keep telling myself," he sighed. "But I don't know…I just wish Dumbledore could hurry up with his meeting and come back so I can speak with him and go check on Harry."
"Don't worry, Sirius. If anything goes wrong Harry will send up red sparks, or come flying back to us. He has his broom and he can always get out of the Ministry whenever he likes. Fudge can't hurt him, he doesn't even have his wand," Remus said soothingly.
Sirius nodded and stood up. "Yeah, but there are other things he could do. If he did get loose he could easily overpower Harry with strength. After all, he's a grown man and— "
"And he can handle himself. Harry won't let him get near him, even if he did somehow escape. He would curse him in a second, you know that."
Sirius clenched his fists on the desk and closed his eyes. "I just have a really bad feeling, that's all."
Remus nodded in understanding, smiling slightly. "Of course Sirius, you've had this feeling for a while, even ever since the idea that Harry go to the Ministry was even proposed. It's the same feeling James got a lot when Lily was pregnant with Harry. It's just the over protectiveness of a father, Sirius. You'll learn to get used to it," Remus winked. "After all, Harry's not your usual teenager. He's bound to do some very unique things and he'll probably slip through our fingers even with the handy clock in your living room."
Sirius smiled and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Just promise me you'll look out for red sparks while I'm with Dumbledore?"
Remus nodded. "Of course, I would do that even if you didn't ask. I'll be around the school, mostly in my room, preparing for classes for next year. I still can't believe Dumbledore took advantage of the relief everyone felt from Voldemort being defeated once again and got me my job here."
Sirius grinned. "Yeah, well he's always there to help out. I guess I should go talk with Professor McGonagall. Keep watch for me."
With that Sirius left the room, without another glance out the window. Remus stood there for a few minutes looking out the window.
"Stay safe, Harry," he whispered. Then he too walked out.
XXXXX
Harry screamed loudly as the red cloud spun all around him, wrapping him in a dark mist. The Minister's office dissolved in a cloud of dust. Harry soon felt himself falling. Soon he found himself staring at the familiar table in the Great Hall.
"Oh no," his eyes widened.
All the tables were filled with students from each house. Dumbledore was standing up at the front, along with the teachers beside him. And there, in the middle of one of the tables was the Goblet of Fire. Harry gulped and stepped back. He looked around and soon found an identical version of himself sitting by his friends waiting patiently for Dumbledore to call out the names. And just as he feared Dumbledore had three names already in his hand. Suddenly, the Goblet spit up another name. Dumbledore's expression grew dark.
"Harry Potter…"
Harry felt the familiar tremble in his legs. They suddenly felt like they couldn't hold up his weight. He didn't understand what was happening to him. Why was Voldemort showing him this? Harry watched as Hermione practically shoved a reluctant copy of himself upward. He walked up to Dumbledore, who stared gravely down at him. Dumbledore's expression hit something deep inside of him. It was a kind of pain, it ached but not physically. It was distrust…betrayal. Harry stared at Dumbledore for the longest time, not even looking at the very nervous version of himself. He just stared at him, feeling the same strong connection between them beginning to shatter.
Harry's hands were now visibly trembling. He just wanted the feeling to stop, to just go away. He had forgotten just how horrible it had felt, knowing that Dumbledore had actually believed Harry would do something so stupid and immature. It had killed him and sunk his spirit. After his encounter with Voldemort that year he had completely forgotten it and had forgiven Dumbledore. He wasn't even sure he had even held a grudge against him, it was just painful to see Dumbledore's expression once again. It brought back memories from that year, along with other bad memories.
Sharp pain struck through Harry's chest area. His legs grew weak as he felt himself sliding to the floor. He couldn't catch himself as he was hypnotized by Dumbledore's stare. He could even see the other version of himself practically drowning in the serious expression. He couldn't bare it…No, it was starting to happen again. The feeling, the same feeling he had gotten only for a short time right after that. Dumbledore hadn't trusted him and it killed Harry because he had trusted Dumbledore enough that he even called his Phoenix to him…but no, it wasn't enough. Dumbledore had truly believed Harry was just a normal teenager, friend of the Weasley twins and famous boy who craved attention. At that moment, and at that moment only, Harry had felt something he never thought he would toward Dumbledore. Besides feeling betrayed, Harry felt…hatred.
TO BE CONTINUED…