Chapter 5 Letters full of false promises

The sun shone through the cravens, casting long shadows on the walls. He had come back the night before, after a journey to Hogwarts, specifically from an unannounced visit to the headmaster.

He stared blankly at the ceiling, not understanding why he had withdrawn at the very last minute. There was no reason to do so. He had no friends, no allies….nothing to lose. Then why didn't he just cause chaos and destruction, the way that he meant to?

The answer came quickly. It was all because of one word, one person, and one reason. He stared angrily at the human like shadow that was cast on his wall, the face that haunted him the previous night, and hadn't let him rest since.

He cursed loudly at his soften heart as he wung curses madly, letting his anger and frustration out. He didn't know why that man affected him so. It wasn't like he cared, gave a damn about what happened to the rest of the world. He didn't have a heart, or a soul to do so for he was cold blooded to the extent that surpassed Voldemort. Yet something tugged at him, pulled at him, held him back.

It was a weakness and he knew it. He needed to get rid of it quickly, and he had tried everything within his abilities to do so, but was still unsuccessful.

Day roamed into night, and night roamed into day. Despite the transformation and the voices in his head, the tiredness in his body and the pounding forehead, he did not sleep. One thought occupied his mind, and he concentrated solely on it, as though his life depended on it. Days and nights passed along this way.

Finally after nearly the fifth night, Harry knew just what he had to do to achieve his goal. There was only one way for revenge. One way if he wanted everything to go smoothly, one way if he wanted to have a stand in society, only one way to solve all his problems.

"He who seeks to become a replacement never succeeds. He who dare shed light to a creature clothed in darkness would utterly and miserably fail. Moony………you will be the first to die under my bare hands." He swore softly. This was his solution. As long as Remus was dead, he'll have no problem in discarding the past, the entire past. With the death of Lupin, his heart, his soul, his humanity would die as well.

Having this decision sorted, he decided to get the rest that his body lacked. After all, he needed his energy, needed to be in top shape for the upcoming battle.

However, despite his body being worn out, sleep did not overtake him at once. Something bothered him, and he knew exactly what it was, but ignored it.

"I'll welcome him with my heart and soul. I'll be the light within him. I'll teach him everything he needs to learn, "whispered in his mind, continuously, non stop. Harry hated it. He couldn't stand it. The words haunted him, but not as much as the lines that followed it. "He may be a Potter to the world. Deep within he's my son. No father would let his child be consumed within darkness."

Harry battled within himself. Deep within he wanted to be saved, but in reality it didn't happen. He wanted the light, he wanted the warmth, but it wasn't going to happen any time soon. In reality, this hope grew further and further away as time progressed. He grew darker and colder each day. The chance, the offer that Remus offered had dimmed to nothing. Perhaps that was another reason why he needed to get rid of Remus soon. That man had contradicted all his morals, ideals and beliefs, which he strived desperately for.

That night he missed rest once more. He spent the time devising a plan, a full proof plan which he could hit two birds with one stone. If everything worked perfectly, both Dumbledore and Voldemort wouldn't live longer then a week, counting from today. Only then, when he was satisfied with his plan, did he drown in sleep.

The next day Harry was busy before sunup. He had written a letter and had sent Hedwig with it. Now Hedwig was back, so he scribbled down another letter and had that sent too. After two rounds of sending letters, he prepared for his next move.

His plan had been simple—he had made promises, but didn't mean to keep any of them. It was just to cause hopes to rise before crashing them all. Though he didn't receive any replies, he knew that they would all appear at once and he'll be able to crush them all in a final blow, no one would dare refuse his offer nor let this chance slip by.

Dumbledore stared unblinkingly at the letter. The twinkle in his eye sparkled and dulled inconstantly. Those who were there to witness it, the entire Order with a few exceptions—Lupin, McGonagall, Snape, Cho, Hagrid, and all those other Hogwarts Professors who had resumed teaching as Easter break had ended—saw endless emotions swirl within the depth of the blue orbs. Everyone seemed to be holding his or her breath, waiting, not daring to make a sound. First off, it was the first meeting that Dumbledore had hosted since his retirement, and secondly it wasn't hard to tell who sent it, as Hedwig was not an owl to be missed.

"Albus?" Mad-Eye finally broke the silence. He was unsure if the old wizard could take anymore of this any longer. From what he could tell, the letter would have cause Dumbledore to go off the edge.

The headmaster didn't reply for a long time. Finally he placed the letter flat on the table. Those who were the nearest leaned over and peered down at the letter. In the meantime Dumbledore tried to pet Hedwig, quite unsuccessful. The headmaster frowned. Hedwig too looked as though she could kill anyone, anywhere, anytime. In fact, the bird had changed just as drastically as Harry himself did.

Finally deciding that the others were slightly causing confusion, he cleared his throat, picked up the letter and read it out loud.

Albus Dumbledore,

You might think I'm insane now. Perhaps I am. Certainly writing a letter to you now, proves so.

It has come to my attention that my actions have been quite wrong. I've blamed you for something that you had no fault in. As much as I regret it, I believe you would have done the same. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, nothing of that sort. I've been a fugitive, running and hiding from both sides. Frankly, I'm sick and tired of it. I do not plan to follow my Godfather's lifestyle till the day I die.

So here's my proposition. I'll finish off Voldemort. You'll use you're power to influence things that regard me now, you know what I mean. You must also be there, yourself at the final battle, the day I make history. You must understand, you will personally bare witness and unhook me from my fugitive life. You may bring as many men as you like. I understand if you don't believe me, and are cautious of me.

That is my offer. Consider it wisely. It's your last chance before I look towards any other possibilities, which I might add are to your disadvantage. If you do not accept me, I will turn to someone else. Mark my words. You won't want me as your enemy. You won't want to be fighting a double battle.

Fugitive no more,

Harry Potter

PS: No need to reply. Hedwig should be gone by now. Just meet me with your men at Godric's Hollow in exactly one week, April 15 precisely at 8pm. I shall be able to have Voldemort's head on a stake by then.

"What do you think?" Tonks asked. She as well as everyone else was keen for the answer.

"I object" Molly continued. "Albus you are in no condition to leave headquarters."

Albus smiled. "I can walk and talk. Waving a wand isn't much different"

Mad-Eye looked as though he too was going to object, but Dumbledore spoke again.

"I must go. I will not let the chance of gaining Harry disappear from me. I will not let the chance of ridding Voldemort slip away from me." Though that was what he said, the bitterness in his tone stated clearly that he still hadn't forgiven the boy.

He stared emotionlessly at the letter. His face displayed nothing but blankness. None of the Death Eaters who were present knew what to think. They had been just as surprised as their Lord to find Hedwig disrupt a Death Eater meeting.

Voldemort stared at the letter, rereading it several times.

Lord Voldemort,

Surprised? Didn't expect a letter from me did you?

So you didn't finish off the task. Or are you that weak? Thought you would have finished off Dumbledore, after the condition that I left him in. I'm surprised that you haven't. Pity, I suppose I've got to finish the dirty work.

That's right. I'm on the move again. Been quiet too long. Now, I will finish off Dumbledore and the school. Would you like to join me on the attack? Not that I need it of course. You know my powers, and neither you nor Dumbledore can stand against me now.

The old me has died and has been replaced by a power hungry tyrant, much like yourself. You know what's best for you. You shall accept this offer before I withdraw it. You know perfectly well, that after Dumbledore, you're my next target. You've always been my only target. However now, if you join me…I will consider defying destiny.

So will you join me? Or will the two of us have a bitter ending? You know you can't stand against me. If I could kill Dumbledore, the most powerful man alive, then you are nothing.

Now consider wisely. I await your pleasant news at Godric's Hollow, April 15th, 8 pm. Don't be late.

Deadliest Enemy or Closes Friend,

Harry Potter

Voldemort shredded the letter. He looked loathingly at Hedwig, as if he could take his anger and frustration off on the bird, for the bold words that her master dare speak of.

To join Harry, was the most ridicules idea that had recently crossed the Dark Lord's mind. To switch the proposal seemed more reasonable. To have Harry join him was one thing, but to join Harry was another. Yet, in his heart, he had been anticipating something similar to this, well maybe not this bold. He knew that the day Harry decided to kill Dumbledore would be the day when destiny was to be altered.

Voldemort knew that Harry would never be welcomed by the old Mudblood lover again, and therefore to run to him was the only option left. Therefore, he had waited patiently these two years for Harry to clamber over to him, defeated. Yet hope diminished to nothing as time went on. He blamed that damn Potter-Gryffindor pride that clearly spoke that he'll die before submitting to his enemy. Still, he knew that if Harry was pushed enough that would cause him to snap, the Slytherin side would overpower the other, as proved with the letter.

It was the need of survival, and the cunningness in Harry that drove him to use whatever means to achieve his goal. The goal now being the same as Voldemort's: to reign as a Dark Lord. Voldemort, knew this perfectly as Harry proved to be an exact replica of his past.

Voldemort rubbed his chin. He had to plan wisely, take matters in his own hands. This was not a laughing matter. He pondered the two possibilities. Could he afford a war against Harry? Would he survive? He knew the answer to that, but he refused to admit it. Under no circumstances was he ever going to bow down to a Potter, especially not the Harry Potter, not the baby who made him a laughing stock.

"You'll be sorry for ever challenging me Potter. April 15th, you've just sealed your fate. Godric's Hollow, this shall all end where it had begun."