Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter, which is property of J.K. Rowling.
AN: As noted in the last chapter, Harry has absolutely no clue what happened. A la Yu-Gi-Oh's first few manga volumes. (If you haven't noticed, my inspiration for the 'Evil' Harry is Yami Marik and the Yami Yugi from the beginning of the series. They rock so hard). Now, the H/G will be much lighter than my other stories, but it is still a crucial part of this story (tiny spoiler), and is not thrown in simply because I want a romance.
Chapter 2 Fade to Black
Harry stood in front of Grimmauld Place for a moment, unable to fully comprehend the fact that he now stood in front of his late godfather's home. Sirius' home.
Before Harry could protest, the Order members, who were determined to keep him out of sight, ushered him inside. There, Harry caught the glimpse of the same dreary, dank, depressing surroundings around him before a flash of red hair appeared. "Harry!" Molly Weasley cried, holding him in one of her famous bear hugs. "You're okay!"
"Shhhhh, Molly." Remus whispered, motioning towards the painting on the wall.
"Mrs. Weasley, I'm okay, but I need to breathe…" Harry gasped out, and Mrs. Weasley released him, ushering him towards the kitchen.
"Oh you poor dear, stuck with those nasty muggles and now Death Eaters!" Mrs. Weasley fretted, and Harry opened his mouth to say he was fine, when he was again assailed, this time by a brown, bushy haired female.
"Harry!" Hermione said fearfully, "You're okay!"
"I don't think he'll be for much longer, if you don't let him breathe, Mione." Ron chuckled, obviously amused by his friend's plight. Hermione gasped and let go, immediately asking, "Are you hurt? What happened?"
"I'm-" Harry started, before, for the third time in a few minutes, yet another female body tackled him, again female, but with red hair. Harry gasped, breathing in the soft fragrance of apple blossoms before he managed, "Ginny… Air…"
"Oh!" Ginny Weasley cried out, getting up quickly, blushing furiously, "Sorry Harry. We were all so worried!"
"I'm fine… But what happened?" Harry asked confusedly.
"You don't know?" Ron asked incredulously.
"No. All I remember is that Bellatrix and two others hit me with a Cruciatus, then they sent Dementors after me. I blacked out." Harry said, shrugging, barely noticing the horrified gasps from his three friends.
"Harry, two of the Death Eaters are dead." Remus said, looking straight into Harry's eyes. "One of them seemed to have been thrown into a tree. His spine snapped on impact. The other… it could be like an Avada Kedavra, but no trace of it was shown."
"Was one of them Bellatrix?" Harry asked coldly.
"No. Bellatrix disappeared. We know she led the attack, but she must have gotten away from whoever it was that saved you." Remus said, an unreadable expression in his eyes.
"Damn." Harry swore.
"But what the bloody hell happened?" Ron asked suddenly.
"It's uncertain, Mister Weasley."
Everyone present in the kitchen jumped, before turning towards Albus Dumbledore.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Mrs. Weasley cried out. "Do you know what happened?"
"I could only find small traces of some strange Dark Magic, but it's different from anything I've ever seen before. I do not know what happened." Dumbledore admitted softly, looking at Harry. "But I am sad to say that Sturgis Podmore is dead."
The silence that trapped the room was deafening to Harry as the guilt swallowed him whole, like a hungry lion devouring the meat it had so recently slaughtered.
"Are you sure you don't remember anything, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, breaking the silence at last.
"Nothing sir." Harry said, slightly frosty with his headmaster ever since the events of his fifth year. The trust he held in Albus Dumbledore was shattered, and it might take a long time to rebuild, should it ever be rebuilt.
Many noticed the tone Harry had taken with the Headmaster, when the two of them normally held a sort of grandfather-grandson bond, or that between a mentor and student, and were mystified. Dumbledore, however, merely looked saddened. "Very well then, Mister Potter. I have some unfortunate news, however, concerning you." He reached into his robe and removed an official looking letter.
Though Harry had only seen it a few times, he had realized what it was. A Ministry letter. Probably informing me that I had broken the underage wizardry laws. Harry thought bitterly. WHERE THE HELL WERE THEY, WHEN I NEEDED TO DEFEND MYSELF! Harry raged, and something flashed behind his emerald eyes.
He opened it shakily, and what he saw did nothing to calm him down.
Dear Mister Potter,
Our intelligence states that at quarter past 6, you casted a Pain Curse in a Muggle Park.
The use of an advanced and dangerous curse in a muggle area is an immense breach of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery. However, Albus Dumbledore has assured us that you used this curse in self defense, and therefore, we will not be sending Ministry representatives to take your wand.
Despite this, we must insist that you report to a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 10 AM on July 31st.
Hope you are well,
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of MagicHarry paled at the thought of another disciplinary hearing, and looked at Dumbledore, shaking slightly. "Thank you sir, for whatever you did to convince them." Harry said shakily.
"It was nothing, Harry. Although Madam Umbridge was significantly opposed to you being given the benefit of the doubt, Cornelius saw that it was best that you not be disarmed in this time of need." Dumbledore said, twinkling at the mention of Fudge.
However, Harry didn't notice, too furious with one important fact that was implied by Dumbledore. "WHAT!" He roared, and nearly everyone jumped back, "THAT-THAT-BITCH IS STILL IN OFFICE! BLOODY HELL! SHE TRIED TO PUT A FUCKING CRUCIATUS ON ME! SHE TRIED TO SLIP ME VERITASERUM! SHE SICKED SOME BLOODY DEMENTORS ON ME, JUST SO I COULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE PICTURE! SHE TOTRTURED ME FOR FUCK'S SAKE WITH THAT GODAMN QUILL! LOOK AT MY HAND!"
Harry glared at Dumbledore while holding up his hand, showing the scar that clearly read, I must not tell lies, who staggered under the weight of Harry's anger. For a moment, everyone present could have sworn that Harry's eyes had become black for a moment, but before anyone could ask, it was gone, and they dismissed it as a mere trick of the light.
However, that 'mere trick of the light', scared the living hell out of everyone, even Dumbledore.
Overlooking this and other signs would cost them many lives, starting with one tonight.
"Harry…" Dumbledore started, but Harry wouldn't hear it.
"AND YOU!" Harry roared, stepping towards Dumbeldore, looking into his eyes. Dumbledore was unable to meet his fierce gaze. "YOU LET HER! YOU KEPT HER IN OFFICE! YOU STAYED AWAY FROM ME FOR THE WHOLE GOD DAMN YEAR! AND FOR WHAT! SO THAT I COULD BE CUT OFF! SO THAT UMBRIDGE COULD HAVE FREE REIGN OVER EVERYONE, TELLING LIES! YOU LET HER BAN ME FROM QUIDDITCH, THE ONE THING THAT KEPT ME SANE! YOU LET HER TAKE AWAY EVERYTHING THAT MADE HOGWARTS RIGHT, AND YOU LET HER DO IT ALL!"
Harry gasped, his emotions reaching a boiling point, and the fury he had felt in Dumbledore's office had seemingly doubled, and no one dared say anything, not even Ginny, for the sight of Harry's eyes, black and soulless for a moment, scared them more than twenty Voldemorts. Because it was Harry. Or wasn't.
"I need to be alone." Harry finally said, and strode upstairs, heading up to the room he and Ron shared the last time they were there.
"Is that true? Did-did she really-" Molly whispered, and Hermione cut in.
"Yes she did. I heard it all, along with Ginny, Neville, and Ron." Hermione said, her head down.
"Albus, you let that monster teach at Hogwarts!" Lupin roared, looking for all the world like he could have taken a swing at Albus Dumbledore.
Dumbledore's eyes were down as a small, silvery tear trickled down his cheek, echoing that fateful day at the Department of Mysteries. "I…"
"Albus, you're slipping. Your unwillingness to confront the Ministry has hindered us for a long time, but you let that monster on children." Moody growled, obviously angered. "I remember our disagreement over these things, Albus, and you believed it for the best. Well, your best has proven wrong."
"I…I had no idea. I fear that this may be the final stroke that destroys whatever chance I have of repairing the trust Harry had for me." Dumbledore whispered softly.
"You have no idea how much it hurt him that you weren't there for him, sir." Ron said quietly. "I saw how lost he was so many times, he wanted to talk to you, we all knew it, but he was convinced you didn't want to speak with him."
Ginny had said nothing the entire time, but glared at Dumbledore with a fury that echoed her mother's expression.
"Albus, you haven't considered Harry a person for a long time, have you?" She asked, her voice quiet and dangerous, which the Weasley children knew was a danger sign.
"I-I was blinded by certain issues, certain fears. I wanted to protect him." Dumbledore said weakly, the world renowned sorcerer cowering before Molly Weasley.
"PROTECT HIM!" Mrs. Weasley screeched, "You let that-that- woman torture him for a year, cut yourself off from him, then Sirius gets killed, and you ship him off to those muggles!"
"I wanted him safe." Dumbledore offered, but it did not good.
"Safe? Albus, he may be safe physically, but have you looked at him?" Lupin asked, joining Mrs. Weasley against Dumbledore. "He… he reminds me of Sirius after Azakban. He's hurting, and you have done nothing to stop that. You want him to survive Albus, and he has. You have not considered wanting him to live." Lupin said quietly, looking into Dumbledore's eyes.
"Albus, he just had the worst year of his life. His hopes and dreams for a family have been smashed, along with the only adult that was always in his corner." Lupin said, and upon Mrs. Weasley's outraged expression, he turned towards her and said calmly, "Molly, you love Harry. I know that. But you mother him far too much, which is not what he needs at this age. Also, you have your own children to look after, and you must divide your attention between them and him as well. He needs someone backing him, not someone smothering him. Too many adults have tried to protect him, none but Sirius truly tried to support him."
"You are correct, Remus." Dumbledore whispered. "I only fear that I am too late to do anything about it."
Harry sat up in his room, feeling a rage so powerful, he was half-afraid, half-elated by it. The raw fury that had been held in check for so long, the injustices Harry had put up with had all finally broken the dam of control.
That bitch… She tortured me… She almost caught Sirius… She refused to believe the facts… And worst of all… She got away. Harry thought bitterly, his rage only mounting. She deserves to die.
She did terrible things, abused her power, and yet she escaped. Just like everyone else who caused me harm. They always escape.
She doesn't have to… The voice answered seductively, sounding louder and even more enticing than before. She doesn't have to escape unscathed.
But what can I do? Harry thought, They'd never believe the word of a sixteen year old boy, especially not me.
They can't help you. And you're right, you cannot do anything. But I can.
Harry heard these words, but they barely registered in the mounting hatred that was building within him. It felt like liquid hatred was burning within his veins.
And then… nothing.
Dolores Umbridge hummed to herself in her office, pleased with the events of the day. The Potter brat had gotten himself into trouble again, and Dolores didn't even have to set it up this time. But blasted Dumbledore had to save his golden boy again… Dolores swore. If she had it her way, Potter would have been killed long ago. It was best for the Ministry.
She continued humming as she picked up her tea, and drank it greedily, closing her eyes in happiness. A perfect ending to an excellent day.
As she closed her eyes, however, she didn't notice the all encompassing darkness that engulfed her room. No one did, except the person who casted it.
When Umbridge finally opened her eyes, she spat out the overly sugared tea she had been drinking and dropped her dainty pink cup in fright. Standing there, enshrouded in darkness, looking for all the world like a demon that had leapt from the very depths of Hell, was Harry Potter.
At least that was what Umbridge thought the apparition was. However, the soulless black eyes made him look different, giving of a twisted sort of effect, the kind of effect that his body was emitting to the area around it. He wore all black, from a large cloak that covered his entire body, with his trousers, shirt, and trainers looking the same pitch black as his eyes.
Finally, Umbridge gathered her few wits, and said in her sweetest, most condescending voice, "Mister Potter… How good that you can drop by the Ministry." She sneered at him now, and continued, "Breaking into the Under Secretary's Office will give me grounds to expel you! And this time, that fool Dumbledore can't possibly interfere."
"This would give you grounds to expel me," Harry's strange, ethereal voice said smoothly, not the least bit perturbed, "Except for one teensy little snag." He said the last three words in the same voice as Umbridge, obviously mocking her.
"I don't see a snag, Potter!" Umbridge snapped.
"Well, I do." Harry said, smirking. "You'd have to be alive to report me."
"That's a threat Potter! I'll have you expelled!" Umbridge crowed, going for her wand, until she found that it was gone.
"Looking for this?" This demonic looking version of Harry asked, twirling Umbridge's wand like a baton.
"Give that back Potter! I'll have you in Azakban for this one!" Umbridge said gleefully, glad for more evidence to support what she already knew. Potter was a menace. Which was true, but she didn't know how much of a menace he was.
"I don't think so." Demon Harry smirked, "In fact, I don't think you're in any position to make any sort of threat against me. Not anymore. Now, it's my turn to have a bit of fun with you." He said fun with a strange combination of a leer and a hunger, which sent chills down Umbridge's already frozen spine.
"Fool boy! You should know your superiors and respect them! Then again, I wouldn't expect a no good troublemaker with no respect for authority to-" Umbridge ranted, before her vocal cords stopped responding.
"I've had enough of your foolish ramblings. In fact, I've had all I can take from you." This twisted version of Harry said, "You always tried to bring me under your heel, to thwart me and get me out of the way. I suffered under you. Oh yes, I suffered. But there is a saying, 'What goes around comes around'.
"And today," Harry smirked, his soulless black eyes radiating sadistic glee, "It comes around." He raised his hand, and Dolores' world changed.
Umbridge found herself sitting at her old desk at Hogwarts, holding a familiar quill. The Blood Quill.
"Recognize everything, Dolores?" Harry Potter's mocking, ethereal voice asked from the chair in front of her.
"Potter! I'll kil-" As she attempt to lung towards Harry, suddenly, Umbridge's voice disappeared again and she found herself unable to move.
"Thank Merlin. I really, really, really hate your voice. In fact," Harry said, "I hate pretty much everything about you. But enough talk. It's time for detention."
Umbridge's expression went from puzzle to horrified as her hand, all on it's own, began writing I must not tell lies onto the parchment As always with the Blood Quill, it began slicing into her skin and wrote in her own blood.
"Look familiar?" Harry asked, before answering his own question, "Of course it does. You used it on me. I've decided that you should have a taste of what you've inflicted on me."
Umbridge glared at him in between winces, but she couldn't move out of the chair, held by some immense power. After an unknown amount of time, Harry snapped his fingers, struck by inspiration. "Right! We need an audience!" Harry declared.
Suddenly, the room expanded, and a large assortment of werewolves, centaurs, half-breeds of all kinds, vela, banshee, any creature subjected by the Ministry and hated by Umbridge stood there, laughing at her in their own way.
"It's only fitting that the persecutor become the persecuted." Harry said, laughing. The laughter was not one that warmed the heart, but one likened to a dementor's presence, cold and taking away feeling. The laughter of a demon.
Umbridge's hand was now bleeding profusely, the words I must not tell lies now deeply ingrained in her hand, and cutting into her veins and capillaries now. If it continued, she realized, she would die of blood loss when her hand was cut off.
"Now, I'll give you a choice." Harry said, his voice full of dark glee, "You can either die in two ways. I can let you die of blood loss once those words cut your hand off," He smirked, "Or I could leave you to the mercy of the 'half-breeds' that you hated and persecuted."
Umbridge looked in terror, and tried to open her mouth, but still no sound came out.
"No?" Harry asked, "You want me to choose?" He smiled, a dark smile that promised death and suffering on those who witnessed it.
"How about…BOTH!" Harry cried out, and the half-breeds surged towards her, like a tidal wave of murderous bodies, while Umbridge could only continue her own torture by the Blood Quill.
Harry finally let her speak, if only to hear her dying screams.
Dolores Umbridge sat at her desk, screaming her head off, like an animal in its dying throes. It would have attracted several Auror's to check out exactly why the Senior Under Secretary to the Minister of Magic was screaming like that, had the smothering power of Darkness trapped the room and kept it from the outside world.
Of course, Harry, while immensely powerful, could not possibly bring that many creatures and move Umbridge and himself into Hogwarts all at once. At least not yet.
Instead, he opted for a much more delicious torture, albeit psychological. Inflicting terrible visions and adding pain into it was simple for the demon.
"Well, this has been fun, but I should get back before those idiotic Order members realize I'm missing." Harry smirked. "But I should clean up. Goodbye Madam Umbridge."
When Cornelius Fudge came by the next morning to talk with his Senior Under Secretary, he found no one.
Thanks to ciberloco, Kraeg001, Kathyrn Black, albert87, Gyre, xRhonwynx, CharmedMilliE, Scorchy-11, SC, madskillzpro, Zeromaru: Chaos Mode, Maxennce, xxlostdreamrsxz, SithelfJen, jeff, Lady of Masbolle, Tanydwr, mashimaromadness, and Ankalagon for reviewing!
Q&A
ciberloco- That's a secret that's very close to the heart of this story.
Kraeg001- Don't worry, Reap What You Sow will still move at a good pace.
albert87- Yeah, I do.
Gyre- Well, I think you were right! But it won't be the last time.
SC- Well, not so much the anagram thing here, I was thinking something more like on Angel, with the Angelus/Angel deal. The problem is there is no word for Harry in Latin.
Maxennce- Now, that would be giving away a part of the plot…
SithelfJen- How dark eh… Well, the darker something becomes, the greater the light that casts it. (Hopes he hasn't given away too much in his little riddle).
Tanydwr- The guilt is definitely something that is important to the story (once he remembers… mwhahahaha) "Final instrument of destruction" is definitely a key saying in the story, but it is also extremely ambiguous. Not that that has any influence on the story…
AN: Well, that was deliciously evil. (How do you taste evil to know if it's delicious or not?) I hate Umbridge, and I had fun creating the different ways that they would experience Harry's wrath. If you liked that, please review!