The Final Lesson
Written by: HoshiHikari
Disclaimer: I do not own HP! That's right, the characters still all belong to J.K Rowling As for the plot, it might have been done before, so I won't take credit for that either
Summary:
He is tainted by evil. He had lost all emotions, all feelings all humane senses. He had become heartless, soulless towards all living creatures. The final straw had snapped. How could Harry save the world and bring light into a world consumed by darkness, when he, himself is the cause of chaos and destruction? When he himself is the Dark Master, the Half-Blooded Prince?
He is a werewolf, a dark creature, tainted by the goodness of people. He is the remaining Marauder, given the responsibility and the burden to raise young Harry. Now that Harry's gone evil, to what lengths would his guardian goes to protect him, to save him, not only from the world but from himself? Can Remus bring back the Harry that was once adored by everyone? Will Remus be able to teach Harry the most important lesson of all time? Can Remus teach Harry how to once again be humane, to have a heart and a soul? Will he, Remus be persuaded to give up, and cross over, when all is lost, and Harry is past being worth saving? Or will he stick by his beliefs, run out of time, and in turn pay the ultimate price?
NO SLASH! NO SLASH! in fact, Romance is not important, nothing romantically, and if there is, its not meant at all!
Author Notes: "…." talk Italic thoughts/dreams /…/ Parseltongue Snake language underlinetext/letter/writings bold/italicslyrics from songs (if any)
Lady Urquentha:
OniLion: thanks for the compliment!
achilles-harry: No! This is not the end of the story! It hasn't even begun yet! The end is a long way off. Voldemort is more of a fatherly figure towards Harry, then one who would possess him. He's closer to a mentor then, or maybe an advisor.
SuperVegita: thanks!
LupinLover88: well ya can't always judge a book by its cover. Glad you gave it a shot. (saw the difference in the reviews) Hope you like Harry as much as Remus! Learn to love him! (even if he is a bit OC). Wow! Thanks for adding it to your favorite's list! By the time you are done catching up, hopefully I should have the next chapter up! I'm sorry to hear that you've cried so hard. (Is that good or bad?) It's good that it's provoking emotions, but hopefully it isn't just side. Share the good and bad times together!
I'm sorry to hear that you decided not to read anymore. I cannot force you. I know Remus is very OC, at least Avenger is. However, Remus is still Remus, he still is the same guy. What I can assure you is that, starting from here on, Remus would act more Remus and less Avengerish (not because you want it, but because it's suppose to be anyways. Remember, its' called 'The Final Lesson'. It should be Remus teaching Harry and helping Harry through this ordeal. I can't say he'll be victorious, but with each new struggle and resistance, the two will become stronger and tighter.
samuraiduck27: thanks for the review! I'm glad you think it is a great story! Twists and turns are the basics of great stories! It's great that you enjoy it!
Strega: had expected a review for chap 24. Oh well, it's ok.
The Light does get Darker and Darker. There is a difference between Light and Dark. It's a very thin line, but its there and it does exist. Sometimes one must pass that in order to accomplish the greater purpose.
Throwing Voldemort in the plot adds an uncontrolled variable and strengthens uncertainty. With him around, anything can be possible, everything can be in play. His appearance also helps strengthen Harry's 'I'm also a victim' stance. Is that for better or worst, for now no one can tell.
Bumble? I assume its Dumbledore, but not too sure. Well he's had it rough for the past years with trying to stop Harry. Old age catches up. He's pretty much becoming stubborn and closed minded. As some events proved to true, Dumbledore is overlooking the simplest of things. The answers are in front of him, but he can't see it.
Remus carving himself was something I ended up not being able to help myself with. It was there, at first simple and detail-less, however, after writing for some time, and actually starting to cast on descriptions, the mental picture jumped right out at me. It is something symbolic, and very meaningful.
Harry in a way does have the backing of the werewolves. A true alliance not quite yet, but it'll seem more probable at least if Remus was going to lend a hand with it. The reasons the vampires joined the Light is still enclosed in a Top Secret cabinet. The only thing I could say is look at the title 'The Battle of Forged Alliances'. Dumbledore might have promised something. Then again, Vampires and Werewolves don't mix.
Irony just gets mixes itself with everything else. After the 'truth' that Harry's been possessed by Voldemort then Dumbledore would see Harry as being used and innocent to some extent. Without the backing of him, he thinks that Harry won't survive, since the whole world is out to get him. What he doesn't know is that Harry does still have contacts in the world and he's still a threat as ever. After all the lion is recuperating, and afterwards it will be ready to lash out again.
Thanks to everyone else who reviewed! I'm going to update my bio often so please check it out!
Chapter 26The three apparated into the center of the Great Hall, where fortunately for them, had no students, as it was still in the middle of August, and summer vacation was still in session, though the start of term was only roughly about one week away. Thus there were the occasional staff members, who had come back early to prepare for the upcoming year.
Harry let himself led through Hogwarts. He knew the school inside and out, and by the path they were going, he was sure to find a very unpleasant Madame Promfrey waiting for them. McGonagall was taking the lead, and Harry followed after her, with Flickwick bringing up the rear, wand out, and pointed as though daring the young man to do any thing unexpected. As the group traveled silently to their destination, the portraits above them stared down at Harry, whispering softly to themselves.
"Poppy." McGonagall yelled out, the minute she entered the Hospital Wing, as no one was there. She turned to Harry. "Sit." She said sternly pointing at a vacant bed. Harry complied, taking a seat, and trying to get comfortable. McGonagall yelled out for the nurse once more, as she was uncomfortable with leaving her colleague alone with the Dark Prince, even if the man was possessed.
15 minutes later, a very annoyed Poppy emerged from her office. "What is it Minevera. It's before term, surely no one is injured enough to see me during break."
"Well, Harry's always been the unusual." McGonagall smiled up at her weakly. Poppy blinked, as she turned to stare at her patient, whom she had not seen upon arrival. The shook on her face was apparent. The look hadn't even worn off, before the nurse's wand was pulled out and a spell shot directly at Harry. Flickwick waived his wand, blocking the spell.
"Harry, Harry Potter?" Poppy trembled as she managed to stammer the name, glaring at the boy, very ill willed, a look that surpassed even that of Snape's.
Harry held out his hands, defensively. "It's alright. I promised Du---Professor Dumbledore that I'll fight to stay under control. I swear, it's me, the same boy who's been in here more often then anyone else combined."
Poppy looked at the two Professors, who nodded in conformation.
"He's Albus' protégée at the moment." McGonagall was saying. "Albus wishes a through physical check up. Take note of everything." She continued.
"Unfortunately, as much as we all hate it." Flickwick chimed in. "We're here to protect him from others, as well as protect others from him. Potter has agreed not to start a killing spree here." He was saying. Poppy had questioning eyes, wondering why exactly Dumbledore was doing that. "Albus would like to have a chance to speak with him. Until then, Potter is off limits."
"Very well. I'll like an explanation later. A detailed one." Madame Promfey said, as she ushered the Professors out of the hospital wing.
"Potter" Harry looked up at McGonagall. "You try anything and you will pay for it. I don't care what Albus says. I will personally kill you." She warned.
"Don't worry, Headmistress. Hogwart's residential nurse will be safe and sound. I've never dreamed of harming a healer." The Prince assured her.
"We'll be outside. If you need anything, don't hesitate." Flickwick added, before following the headmistress out the hospital wing.
Three days later
By this time, the news of Harry Potter's defeat had traveled across the world. No person, magic or Muggle had not heard of his tale. Article after article had been published upon this subject matter. Like everything else, Harry clipped these pieces, sometimes saving the whole newspaper, as he pieced together his life, through the eyes of everyone else. These clippings as every other clipping he had, never portrayed him in a good light, something he noticed had never occurred, even before his betrayal to the world.
Now, residing in Hogwarts, he randomly stared down at these clippings, reading them, laughing out loud at its inaccuracy. Picking up one that read, 'Potter captured! Dumbledore's Victory' he reread the story that outlined what the Light thought had happened that day. Another very controversial topic was 'Potter: Death or Azkaban' which referred to the public's opinions on what should happen to him, now that he was captured and according to the public resided in an 'isolated disclosed area'.
There was a knock on the door, followed by the clearing of a throat. Harry slowly looked up at the doorway, and found himself staring there.
For the first time since that last battle, the Prince found himself once again in proximity to Snape.
"Potter." Snape said, before admitting himself inside, and sitting down across from the boy. Harry made no sign that he noticed the man. Snape shrugged, raised his wand, sealed all doors, windows, and possible holes, placed a silencing charm, added extra wards, before speaking again. "My Prince…" he tried again.
"You're well off…" Harry said bitterly.
"Dumbledore managed to convince…"
"Where and how is Dumbledore? His promise chat hasn't occurred yet."
Snape frowned. "I don't know. I haven't personally seen him yet. At least, not since that day…" he trailed off.
"and Remus?"
"I haven't seen or heard anything from him either. His circumstance and whereabouts is a complete mystery to me."
"I see…" The Prince trailed off. "and the others? I expect they are staying low."
Snape nodded. "I have tried contacting Lucius and Bella about the trail. Lestrange has assured me that they will try their best to squeeze you out of it."
"They're still loyal to me." Harry murmured.
"and why won't they be?"
"I thought they'll believe the rest of the world. That I was actually 'possessed' by Voldemort."
"I think anyone who has been around you lately, can tell the difference." Snape said coolly. "and that was pretty complex acting. Tough to pull it off, and have everyone play their little part without realizing it." A pause. "It would have been easy to convince Remus, I presume. However, how did you create a Voldemort? Both Bella and Lucius acted fast, they pick up quite easily."
Harry laughed. "Voldemort does exist." He whispered afterwards. "Aside from the 'possessing' Harry part, it's pretty much the truth. For one reason or another, you can't kill off Lord Voldemort." A pause. "Do you remember that day after my supposed graduation?"
"Somewhat."
"well, I did see Voldemort. He explained to me afterwards, for what reason, I will not share it. We have somehow become accommodating afterwards. You could say, if I ever gets out of this business alive, I owe him a debt"
"why? Didn't you order the Dark Lord or something? I'm sure he kept referring to you as 'my' Prince. Quite casually too."
"Ah, that is true. However, we had a terrible fight regarding Remus. He had been on my case since then, and I've been on my own. I suppose I was surprise he actually came to my rescue."
There was a lengthy silence, only broken by a knock on the door, which caused Snape to jump. Immediately, he released all wards that had been secretly placed on the room. Not a minute later, Tonk's head popped though. Snape abruptly stood up.
"Potter, your trail's set in 3 days, August 21 at 2:15 pm. The world shall reserve its judgment till then." Seeing no response, he left with Tonks behind him.
August 21
A little after 6 AM, Harry had been forcefully shaken awake by McGonagall. Still half asleep he was escorted by nearly a dozen Order members to the old red telephone box outside of the Ministry. One of the Order Members opened the door, and led Harry inside, with 6 more following.
"6,2,4,4,2" the person closest dialed.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic" a woman's voice sounded. "Please state your name and business."
"Minevera McGonagall, Filius Flickwick, Alastor Moody, Severus Snape, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, escorting Harry Potter." Moody was saying. "for the Potter Trail."
"Thank You" the voice said, although a bit shaky this time. "Visitors to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium."
The floor of the telephone box shuddered and they found themselves sinking into the ground. A minute later, the good group stood in the middle of the Atrium, surrounded by more Ministry officials and aurors, wands out pointing at Harry.
"This way Potter." Moody growled as the man took a hold of his shoulder and led him down to the security desk, as the others quickly followed behind them. Harry noticed that wherever he stepped now, people would step back, and those that were out of his way stared at him as though they had seen Death. Everyone was just staring at him, as they abandoned everything else that they had previously been doing.
"We're escorting Potter for his afternoon trail at 2:15 PM." Flickwick was saying to the security guard.
"Step…step…step…over…over…here Po—Pot.—Potter." The guard managed to get out. Harry did as he was told. "Wa---wand…" The Prince rolled his eyes. The man reminded him of Quirrel and the stuttering was extremely annoying. The way he dared not meet his eyes was worst.
"Dumbledore confiscated it." He said simply, trying to keep out the hate, anger and frustration in his voice.
"Why, yes, yes, of course. Of course." The man was saying, a bit more confident. Then he glanced at those accompanying members. "He's been search, thoroughly?" Shacklebolt nodded. "Very well then. Take him down to the Department of Mysteries. Courtroom ten. There's a waiting room there."
Mad-Eye nodded his thanks, before once again taking the lead. The path down to Courtroom 10 was just like arriving at the Ministry. People, everyone couldn't help but stare at Harry.
"Professors." Harry said at last. "Do you mind if I had some covering. I've never liked being the center of attention. Nor do I like being stared at as some mystical object."
"Here" Shacklebolt took off his jacket and handed it to him. "This will have to do."
"Thank you." Harry said, taking it, and then swinging over his head, using it as a covering.
"It's not like that's going to hide you from those deeds you did to this world Potter." Moody commented. "I don't see why Dumbledore bothers with you anyways. Once tainted by Evil, always tainted by Evil. The way I see it, that 'possessed' story of yours, has plenty of holes. You'll need to do better then that to stay alive." He was saying, as his one eye landed on Snape before moving on. "Besides, what makes you so special? Many in your circumstance have been convicted without trail. Don't see, why you should be given one, when those who are innocent are not and charged nevertheless."
"Meaning?"
"Black would have been…"
"Don't you dare bring up Sirius." Harry growled. "Don't you dare make false assumptions of the dead." He said angrily.
"and Lupin would have…"
Harry took off the auror's jacket and threw it at Moody. He merely dodged it. "Don't you dare speak of Remus either." He sneered. "You know nothing of either man. You never knew them, and you never will know them." He glared at Mad-Eye. "I don't give a dam of my own fate." He said bitterly. "but if anyone dares speak of them and make false assumptions I will personally see that they pay for it. I don't care what I've promised to Dumbledore. Possessed or not possessed, I will kill anyone who speaks of my guardians in such a fashion!"
"Is that a threat, Potter?" Mad-Eye asked calmly, in a very dangerous tone. "If it is, I can act upon a pre-emptive strike."
At this point, Minevera stepped in between the two. "Alastor, go take a walk would you." She interrupted. "Potter, in" she directed, into the waiting room, following closely behind him, leaving everyone else to guard the outside, so that the two were alone.
"You really miss him." McGonagall said, more as a statement then a question, as the door closed behind her. "I'm sorry about what happened to him." She continued, as though trying to start a conversation.
Harry remained silent for the longest time. "I didn't mean the threat to Mad-Eye." He said softly. "It's just when it comes to Sirius, I get very touchy about him. Both he and Remus have somewhat become my greatest weakness. When it comes to them, I get quite emotional and overprotective."
"It's not a weakness." McGonagall said gently. "It's only natural. Your guardian's left a deep imprint in you. You have every right to feel that way."
"but it's because of me because they suffered. Sirius died because of me. I killed him. If it wasn't for me and my stupidity, he wouldn't have been there in the first place. He wouldn't have died!" he said bitterly. "and Remus, he would have been better off dead. The things I did, the things I had Avenger do…" at this he trailed off. "There's no other person on this earth who's suffered worst then he has, since m possession."
"what…what did you do to him." She asked, dreading the reply.
"I don't want to talk about it." Harry said, turning away. "In the end, I had hurt the person, killed the very person that had willingly stuck by me, suffered on my account as I lashed my hatred onto him, gave me hope, gave me the will to carry on, to live on. Remus has been, these past years, the only supportive person in my life." He paused. "I've always know Voldemort was behind it. I just couldn't do anything about it." A sigh. "Remus, also knowing this, had endured the lashings, in hopes that one day he'll be there to set me free."
Minevera listened quietly. When he was done, she spoke again.
"I'm sorry that you thought Remus was the only supportive person in your life, aside from Sirius. I'm sorry that you didn't feel comfortable enough in confiding with anyone else. You know Albus and I, as well as others would have listened, pulled you out, if you've only shared."
"Forget Dumbledore." Harry said automatically, even before he realized it. "he's kept everything from me, and only tells me anything after its too late. "
"I'm sorry you feel that way." She said. "how about others. Maybe Ron and Hermione, another staff or I…"
"Ron and Hermione will never understand. True friends would not have abandoned me." He said bitterly. McGonagall raised an eyebrow, unbelieving. "Oh really, Professor. They were my friends because I was once the bloody Boy-Who-Lived. If you haven't noticed, Ron abandoned me the day people found out I was a Paraslmouth. He believed the whole school, when they thought I was the heir to Slytherin. If you haven't noticed, he had been a supporter of 'Potter stinks' during the tournament, and had believed that I had entered on my own accord. Hermione's never been a friend. She goes by the book and everything that comes from books and higher officials are the truth. I just so happen to be abnormal and nothing applies to me. I'm just a lump of coal that needs to be molded into society to fit everyone else. She doesn't come close to understanding that I'm different, and there's more to me then being the savior of the world."
McGonagall's mouth was hanging open, and when he was done, she snapped it shut.
"and even Severus would have been much more understanding and supportive then those two. At least he'll know exactly what the bloody hell my life has been, if I was to ever approach him about it, which will never occur. He himself has been there. Being a spy, he'll understand the horrors and terrors I have and will face for he has experienced it himself. He's been around the Dark Lord enough to know exactly how I feel and cope, being an outsider to both friends and enemies."
There was a short pause. "I never knew any other staff well enough to share my life with them either. As I said before, the only people who's seen me as a person and not just as Harry Potter are my guardians."
"and I?"
Harry smiled. "Well I am sharing this with you, am I not Headmistress?" McGonagall blinked. She hadn't really thought of that before.
"If Dumbledore did one thing right, then that would have been appointing you to take his place." Harry said at last. "I would have done the same, if I had the choice."
The headmistress of Hogwarts, did not know how to respond.
"I know you'll do fine, rebuilding Hogwarts and reconstructing the world. After both Dumbledore and I are gone, the world will be a much better place."
"What do you mean Harry? There's still your trail. You've got a strong defense case that is if you can convince them that you have been possessed. In the end you may not be charged with anything."
"That may be true, but I cannot ever get by with a sentence less then a life time in prison, and that is if there are people willingly to defend me, which I highly doubt"
"why not?" she asked.
"There's no place left in the world for me now. I've done too much damage to turn back. There is no turning back. What is done, is done. I can't do anything about it. There is no point in putting up a false story, even it is true."
"What do you mean. I do not understand."
"I've made up my mind. I'm going to take responsibility of my actions."
"even if it was Vo—Voldemort's influence" she asked, hesitantly.
"What difference does that make?" Harry asked bitterly. "I'm still a dammed murderer. I won't deny that. How can I ask the world for forgiveness when I can't even forgive myself? I've had enough of this world. Even if Voldemort didn't possesses me, I doubt I'll be any better off."
"Meaning?" she pressured.
"There is no point in denying the world its pleasure. In the end, I too have my own honor and pride. I will live up to my name. I will take my own responsibilities." He looked directly into her eyes. "It's the least I can do. For all those who have died in vain, for all those who have suffered in vain, for all those who now struggle to live in vain, this is the least I can do for them. It is the only way I will be at peace with myself and the world."
"You've grown and matured Harry." Was all McGonagall could say.
"Besides, it's the only way I can face Remus now, and Sirius later." He heaved in a breath as he traced the scar that Lupin had left on his eye. "Sirius was innocent, and the world sealed his fate. It's only right that they seal mine as well. I can live with the deaths and destruction I have caused to this world." He was saying. "but I can never live with a guilty heart or conscious. I am guilty. I did commit the crimes that I now face. I will not shred the last bit of goodness of my godfather away from this world."
Well how was it? The trail would be in the next chapter. So how should Harry plead? Should he put up a defense? Should there be people to defend him as well? Review!