Disclaimer: The characters and places in this fic are not mine, except for one journalistic OC, but if they were mineI'd still write fanfiction, but sadly that is not the case. Enjoi
Chapter Six
The Boy Who Lived No More
By: Rita Skeeter
Yesterday the Dark Lord appeared in Diagon Alley with a message. This message was cast onto the side of Gringotts Bank. Simple yet elegant it read:
The light fades
The Hero of the land
Harry Potter
Has died by his own hand
Nothing can save you
Except for the mark
Dumbledore will fall
And Salvation will grow dark
Imagine a
World where purity reigns
Imagine when
Night can heal all pains
Fore the time is now
Join or die
Lord Voldemort comes
The end is nigh
Over the past week over two hundred mangled bodies have accumulated from this war of light and dark. Two hundred bodies and not a single solitary one of them bore the dark mark. I for one believe it is time to prioritize. While the Dark Lord may go about gaining power in a less than moral way the point is he has gotten his way. The power is his, and those with the power determine what is right and wrong. This is no longer a war but a simple battle to gain everything he wants. One beacon of hope has faded away, the only other one around refuses to comment. Albus Dumbledore where are you? Without the champions of light here to help us is it so wrong to turn to the winner? I believe it may be time to stop resisting. Let change happen and embrace what life you have left. The ministry is still smoldering, Gringotts is the barer of the Dark Lord's message, and only Hogwarts remains. What good is it when the Dark Lord openly declared it as next? I am sorry dear readers, but the time appears to have come for change. Just remember, History books are written by the winners. I want to be remembered for saving what people I can, not forgotten as one of those who died while fighting a hopeless battle.
Harry threw the paper back to the table truly disgusted. Leave it to Rita to make a bad situation worse. A small pop brought Harry out of his musings though. Someone had arrived.
Harry quickly lowered his wand from an amused looking Dumbledore.
"Very good Harry, you very well should be alert," he said, his blue eyes looking somewhat relieved.
"Sorry Professor," Harry said looking down.
"Did you deliver my message? Is everyone ready?"
"Yes sir, may I ask why we are getting ready to leave? And where we are going?"
"Yes Harry, you may ask…but not now. As for your second question you all will be traveling to Hogwarts."
Harry nodded, it was hard to accept that he wasn't being told everything, but he tried to reassure himself that if it was important Dumbledore would let him know.
The Headmaster was insane. Pure and simple, or at least Severus Snape believed. He was in his dungeon, a member of the Order of the Phoenix, trusted spy, and he was brewing a potion to help Harry Potter of all people. Well…brewing potions. One to correct and enhance his vision, one to help him learn better and faster, one to make him more agile. All these potions were highly advanced, highly challenging, and highly illegal. Well, when there was a ministry they were illegal. The Headmaster hadn't even asked Potter if he would consent to take the potions, yet here was a professor at Hogwarts, a Potion Master, brewing away.
Dumbledore tapped Harry's trunk and muttered the portkey spell. It momentarily glowed blue and then the glow was gone. Everyone present dutifully put a finger on the trunk. Dumbledore nodded and they were gone.
After the members in the house were vacated Dumbledore swept the house with a glance. He didn't see anything that had been left behind so he started a very complicated wave of his wand.
After five minutes his old voice started to chant a forgotten language. Strands of blue light began to form from his wand tip and travel along the walls of the ancient and most noble house of Black. Beads of light, seemingly random, began to travel along every nook and cranny.
Then as quick as the lights appeared, they vanished. The Fidelius Charm had been lifted, and anyone could see the house.
Gryffindor Tower had been the destination of their portkey. Remus and left quickly out of the portrait hole. Molly began to usher Hermione and Ginny to start heading luggage up the girls' dormitory. Harry and Ron looked at each other; both wondering what was going on.
With a mutual shrug they began to head up the boys' dormitory to set up their room. Once inside they began the arduous task of unpacking what was hastily packed. Then a thought popped into Harry's mind.
"Where's Hedwig?"
Ron gave a shrug and said, "With Ginny, she's been with her ever since you sent that letter."
"She must have known…" Harry was saddened that he no longer had the first present he had ever gotten that meant anything. With a sigh he again started to unpack.
Salvation, Remus's eyes glazed over at the sight of it all. Extremely powerful magic had gone into its creation. The door leading to the new wing of Hogwarts was a normal one that looked like it would lead to a classroom, but on the other side was a sight to behold. A hall, about the same size of the Great Hall, stretched in front of the man. Doors lead away on either side of the room. In the middle bustled many families and what looked like the remaining Aurors. Tables were strewn about, some housing plates for when the residents were hungry; some had parchment and battle plans lying about.
But the air itself is what caught the werewolf's attention. You could almost breathe the optimism and hope that lingered in this room. It was at that moment Remus Lupin changed. Most of his worry passed out of his system as he exhaled the glorious feeling. He just knew that everything would be alright.
"Ron, you remembering showing me your loyalty?" Harry asked what was one of his oldest friends.
"Yeah mate, sorry 'bout that. You know emotions out of control and what not," Ron replied.
"Yeah," Harry sad sadly, "I know about emotions running out of control. Anyway, I want to show you this, my loyalty to you."
Harry raised his shirt over his head. Ron gasped at what he saw. In the middle of Harry's chest, over his sternum, was what looked like a sunburst. From there lightning bolts exploded up to his neckline and down to his belly button. It almost looked like a tribal tattoo in a jagged cross outline.
"That's from the curse?"
"Yeah, it will always be with me to remind me of…how…stupid…"
"Forget it mate, the past is the past. It does no one any good to dwell there."
Harry cocked his head at his friend's sudden insight.
"What? I'm not as thick as you lot think I am," Ron said with indignation in his voice.
"Sorry, it's just not everyday that Ron Weasley let's his genius be shown to the world."
"Alright Potter, now the world is waiting for your genius to come out…" Ron started to laugh but abruptly stopped.
Harry's face had frozen, like a deer in headlights.
Ginny was busy unpacking her clothes when she noticed that Hermione's gaze out the window had not faltered in the past five minutes.
"Something wrong?" the red head inquired.
Hermione jumped a little, "Did you say something?"
"What's wrong Hermione?"
"Oh…it's just, well…" she stuttered not finding the words.
"Harry?" Ginny put in trying to help.
"Yes, and Ron…"
"Ron, what's wrong with Ron?" Ginny asked concerned about her brother.
"He…I…I found him practicing…the killing curse," Hermione finished in a small voice, tears pooling in her eyes once again.
Ginny's face darkened before replying, "I know it's a sad thing Hermione, but we are at the heart of this war. It may be harsh, but my dad and brother were neither the first, nor will they be the last to die."
"I know, I'm being stupid, clinging on to an ideal of a childhood we never really had. I just wish…everything…could have been different," Hermione's voice echoed as if very far away.
"Yeah," Ginny sounded reminiscent of something never had, "don't we all."
That night Molly Weasley was sitting in Dumbledore's office. The Headmaster had told her a funeral for Arthur and Percy could be held here at Hogwarts at the cemetery that was at the back of the castle. She nodded numbly at whatever he was saying. She knew she had to try and be strong for what remained of her kids, four who would arrive in two days for the funeral, but she didn't know where that strength would come from.
Harry passed Mrs. Weasley on his way up to the Headmaster's office. She gave a weak smile as she passed. Harry's heart tore in a thousand new places as he saw her eyes hold the pain of the whole world. He nodded to her and continued on his way. He knocked on the ancient wood that still looked new.
"Come in Harry," Dumbledore called from within the chamber. Harry opened the door to find his quasi-mentor at his desk with three goblets lined up in front of him.
"You wanted to see me sir?"
"Yes Harry, I would like to discuss some…possible options you now have in front of you."
Harry nodded, not actually understanding.
"These potions Harry are for you if you want them. This one," he pointed to the first goblet, "will correct and perhaps enhance your vision. Though you may be fond of you're glasses, I know I am, but I do not have to rely on them to see, just read. The second will help your mind not only learn and remember, but combined with the first potion, allow you to read faster. The third will affect your body. Your muscles will thrive while becoming more flexible. Your speed will increase, and your skin will even become more resilient to magical damage.
"This may come as a surprise, but with what I told you last year it may all become too beneficial. Voldemort is becoming more and more aggressive; it is only a matter of time before he strikes here. The light at the end of the tunnel is that he doesn't know you are alive.
"Also Harry, I would like to induct you into the Order of the Phoenix. I realize now that it should have been done much sooner, but the past is the past. You may be at the center of this conflict, but I think you have realized, so are the rest of us."
After the speech Dumbledore looked like he had aged at least a hundred years. Harry took in everything that was said.
"Sir, why wasn't these potions offered earlier? Or to everyone for that matter?" Harry asked the Professor.
"Because until not too long ago each of these potions was very illegal, even having possession of them would land you in Azkaban for the minimum of ten years. Not to mention what would happen for brewing or selling them. Let alone taking them."
"Oh…" Harry didn't really know what to say.
"The choice is yours Harry, I will fully understand either decision you make."
Harry nodded, then without a second thought began to down the potions.
Hope and Salvation
By: Molestia Baiulus
For those of us losing all hope to the darkness please remember, this is not just your life, this is your eternity. When the Department of Mysteries was around they studied many things, including death. This study did not stop at death but also stretched into the afterlife. We are not Muggles people. We are wizards and witches; as such we in fact know that there is an afterlife. I for one will not sell my soul to live in a world of darkness. If Harry Potter is dead (which I doubt for lack of a credible source) then I for one can only hope he can look down upon me from wherever he is and smile. Even if he is dead, Albus Dumbledore is not. Even if this is a losing war it is still a war. For some it is light versus dark. Others choose to call it good versus evil. What many fail to realize is this: the price of your choices is your very soul.
Will I cave in and let the dark mark be charred into my flesh so I can live in a world where Voldemort rules? The very thought has made me laugh out loud.
No, I have hope, and I am not the only one. Following Hogwarts' example Beauxbatons of France has also opened a new wing called Hope. The idea is the same, but the two schools are in cooperation if overcrowding becomes an issue. Even when Voldemort's reach has not plagued France yet, they are a willing ally even if it is only a place to stay currently. Without our government in place it is indeed a scary time, but I for one will cling to hope instead of falling to darkness.
Ok, another shorty and I know it was delayed, but my grandmother was in the hospital (elective surgory, she's fine) then I bought a PSP, and I've been spending more time with my neglected friends. Anyway, I got out of habit, I'll try not to do that again.
The Tales of Knockturn Alley is coming along nicely, I still need to fill five spots so if anyone is interested please let me know at JPx at fanfiction dot net. Or let me know in a review.
fanastygirl721: Hermione strictly went off book knowledge from 4th year. I'm so glad to have you as a continuous reviewer, thanks for that. Rebirth of Hope is still being written and will still get updated, its usually harder and longer to do a RoH chapter though. Ok, Molestia is an OC from RoH, thanks for the compliment on her, as for the cursing I'm trying to limit it to high emotion moments.
Barbossa'sApples: I'm glad you liked what you read, and I hope to see you here more often : )
jessie: I'm glad you and your friends are reading and liking, thanks for reviewing.
