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)
sanzo/lovi: thanks! Glad you love it. I will do a sequel when time comes (and I left things out), however in the mean time, this story is NOT over. It's not close to being finished! I'll give you a heads up when it is near (hopefully in long time).
samuraiduck27: haha! Thanks again! Yup, sent to Azkaban. (actually in the summary of the very beginning chapters, it actually says he was charged convicted and sent to Azkaban) The first chapter was suppose to be entirely different, but oh well, just say the others were a very long prequel. Avenger and Remus being at the same place same time. A polyjuice potion, extra strengthened? Maybe. However, remember how Harry described it:
"From what he (Harry) could make out, both Avenger and Remus were who they claimed to be. There was no potion use, nor any other altering device."
Strega: Bryant was fun to play with. He tried his best and that's what matters the most. Hopefully I'll get to play with him more often. The end verdict was so ironic! Just entirely twisted. Opps, I will correct 'trail' to 'trial'. Thanks for pointing it out.
Being a step ahead is just fine. That's what everyone tries to achieve. Becoming on top of the game seems to be everything nowadays. Both in fiction and reality.
A bit keen on your rebuttal. Got me interested in just what exactly you would have done, (even if the results would/might be the same). I'll like to see/hear about other points that might have been missed or unnecessary.
The wand is something obscured. At the time writing it, I didn't realize it would become so useful. My idea of the whole wand thing was for another purpose. Didn't realize that it would come in handy until during the trial when I was going back looking for 'facts' to prove Bryant's points.
Assumptions can be dangerous, and misleading. Remember, most people get into deep messes because they assume one way or another. I can confirm again that Dumbledore was not at the trial (for what reason, you'll have to wait). The comment of where and why he was absent, I will leave hanging. It may/may not be true. He would have been a problem in the trail, making Bryant's job that much more difficult.
Ah, the question comes to did they just let three Death Eaters go, just like that snaps fingers. The court made a promise, and as this is no ordinary case, it must keep it. The court is dealing with a subtle line between good and evil, it can't mess up, not at this moment by taking back its words. Of course, they didn't know such people would be present, so it just had to swallow it the hard way. Aurors crawling over them would have been likely in the court, but wasn't allowed. However, because what the court agreed upon doesn't apply outside the court, it would mean both Death Eaters and aurors can go off killing each other the first minute they step out. Even if some aurors did follow, as you say they would be facing two well known and one infamous Death Eater, and it is not a good package.
Harry locked in Sirius'-use-to-be dwelling. There may be more meaning to it then what it seems. The Light might see it as something that might help change Harry back to normal. Harry might see it as a means of hope to escape. Both ways, it is more inspiring then it may seem. The false argument was awkward for both of them. With Lupin being monitored (how and when did that occur!) there can't be any casual talk. Avenger/Remus did make a promise to Harry, and from their conduct, the chance of getting Harry out is great. However, even so, does Remus truly want to? His initial goal was to change Harry back to Harry. Maybe keeping him there for a while and using this time to his advantage may be a better idea, even if he wants to free Harry. His personality is split at the moment, two different people in one soul, the way Harry is as well. That brings it back to how Remus and Avenger was able to split, or have two of them at the same place same time (dunno if you noticed. I am very obsessed and protective with Remus/Avenger at the moment. The more I write the more I adore him.)
Kitroku: I'm glad you love this fic! Wow, that is one 'whacked out theory'! The idea is there, surprisingly. However, how is it possible that it's Sirius, I mean, he's been mentioned, but never actually showed up before. Another thing would be how they pulled it off, like with what method?
Fire Gazer: thanks!
Thanks to everyone else who reviewed! I'm going to update my bio often so please check it out!
Chapter 30 Azkaban: Black reunionHe stared at the words, completely frozen. 5 words were all it took to cause his entire world to halt and spin rapidly in the opposite direction. Previously, he had been existing in this dream like world, denying the truth, denying the existence of what might have caused him to take this chosen path and was now destined to complete. The truth of just how he missed the man whose name was etched on the wall as slowly those stray 'what if he was alive' thoughts were once again descending upon him.
"Si…Si...Sirius B…Black" he choked out at last, the words that he had ceased to speak out loud for 3 years, feeling, tasting and testing the name out, pronouncing it the way a child would while learning how to read. The sound came out odd and foreign to his ears, strange and distant, the same way that it tasted bitter to his lips. Memories, both happy and sad flashed through, with his godfather falling through the veil constantly biting at his mind.
"I am innocent" he read the words following after the name, shifting his weight from side to side. Those words were hollow and meaningless to him. All it did was cause him to produce a laugh as he realized how blind the world had been, to have the dementor kiss given to an innocent, while letting the real murderer walk free, yes walk free, as he knew Azkaban wouldn't be able to keep him long.
"I am innocent." He repeated louder. "I am innocent," even louder still. "I AM INNOCENT." He screamed at last, bursting into insane bouts of laughter, throwing his head back, letting his voice echo out of his cell and bounce through Azkaban.
"I was innocent." A soft, barely audible voice cut through the laughter, coming from behind him, causing it to die down almost instantaneously. Once again his body shook and froze, as though he was stunned. "That made no difference though, I ended up dead. 13 bloody years, and then 2 years running from both sides, and still managed to get myself killed." A forced laughter, and then a pause. He could feel 'breathing' and 'footsteps' approaching, though he knew that was impossible.
"Hey, easy lad." The voice continued. "I won't hurt you. A dead man can tell no lies." The owner of the voice floated to the other side, but sighed as he was a minute too slow, and the new prisoner had already pulled on his hood. "Hey, cheer up alright? We all make mistakes. That's human. I'm sure whatever you done, you don't deserve being here. No one does."
There was still no response. "Alright then, if you don't want to open up now, fine with me. I mean, there is no rush. Ha. I'm you're new dead cell mate…" The voice said jokingly, to no effect. In fact, it seemed as though he was talking to a brick wall.
"Fine! I don't get what's the matter with you! I'm just being friendly." He said. "Don't see why though. I mean, me associating with a Death Eater, ridicules!" He reached out as though to grab the hood off.
A hissing sound erupted, and the next thing the speaker knew, a snake emerged from the dirt, one that was ½ buried. It lashed out, threateningly, taking a stance before its Master. The figure froze entirely, surprised.
"Lay off Black" a second voice said, almost hiss like. "Leave before I make you. The Master does not wish to see you." Startled, Black, took a step back, and glanced above the prisoner to find another shadow occupant within the cell.
For a fleeting second, he stared, surprised and horror stricken at the new arrival. However, he recovered instantaneously. "Voldemort…" he sneered. "Come to rescue your petty Death Eater?" he mocked.
"Black…." Voldemort hissed dangerously. "If you weren't dead….you would be. If I weren't dead, you'll be banned from the face of this world."
"Ha! Very funny, a good one…you can't kill the dead? Or do anything to them…" Black retorted. "not as powerful as before? Oh right you said you're dead!" the last word seemed to at last register in the animagus. "You're dead?" he repeated. "Seriously?"
Voldemort nodded annoyed. "Potter took care of that." The lord smiled evilly. "however, I may say the world is in no better condition then when I was in power. Potter made sure of that."
"WHAT! Impossible"
"Oh, it's very possible indeed. After he killed me, he went on to take his place as the Dark Master, ruling with his pet werewolf at his side. Together they have caused chaos and destruction."
Sirius gave the man an incredulous look, not belieiving, or trying not to believe anything, which was impossible as all his instincts took him the Lord was speaking the truth.
"Prove it."
Voldemort gestured at the prisoner. "Harry in Azkaban, think that's good enough."
"Harry in Azka---" he broke off, as he realized what he was saying. He turned to look at the cloaked figure again. "Harry?"
Slowly the figure reached out a hand, and took off the hood. The two stared at each other. Harry, noting that Sirius was much younger, around the age when he was James' best man. Sirius was staring horrified at his godson's appearance, someone that he could barely recognize, but could still do so by the eyes, cold, emerald, lifeless eye that stared out at him.
"Harry?" Sirius unconsciously traced his gaze over the scars that had blinded his godson's left eye. Voldemort needn't say anymore, it was clear that what the Lord had said, could have been done.
"Like it? Remus left it." Harry whispered, answering the unasked question.
Sirius lowered his gaze. "Why" he asked finally. "Why? What the bloody hell happened, since I died." Was all he could mange to say.
"I snapped." Harry said in a monotone. "To say the least, it was all because of you that everything happened." With that, the 18 year old preceded to tell his tale, this time to his godfather. Unlike the version he told Remus, which had been mostly the truth, at least more truth then the world got, he told Sirius everything, what he did, why he did it, and just exactly what he planned to do once he got out. To Harry, there wasn't any reason not to tell Sirius, to torment him, blame him for leaving him, to make it seemed like Sirius was the cause, which was true, after all, Sirius was dead, and there was nothing a dead man could do about such knowledge.
Sirius listened quietly, never breaking, or cutting it. When Harry was done, Voldemort picked up and explained how he escaped and stayed in this world after Dumbledore snapped his wand by sharing Karo's body. He let everything sink in. A long silence passed. Finally when it did, he snapped. Anger boiled in him as he furiously shouted.
"YOU USED HIM! YOU USED REMUS! YOU MANIPULATING BASTARD!" Harry sat, crossed legged, eyes closed as he prepared for what was to come. "I don't give a bloody dammed about what you did, or why you did it. It's done, it's over with. The world got what it wanted. For all I care, you can rot in here!" Sirius heaved in a breath.
"He was there for you! Are you that BLIND? Can't you see that he done everything in his power to save you, rescue you. You weren't alone, you never was! You threw your life down the drain. Fine, your choice. You are old enough to decide. However, you just had to pull my best friend down as well. You just had to manipulate Remus and so cunningly too. You just had to make him do all that dirty work so that he could get closer to you and possibly change you, something that you gave fuel to, and made it seem like its working, when you're the one in control! Bastard!"
"What would you have me do then?" Harry roared, overriding his godfather. "Tell me Sirius. Kill him? Kill the only person who's trying to save me! Kill the man who has stuck by me, and will stick by me for eternity?" he glared at his godfather. "He made a choice. He's going to stick by it." He lowered his voice. "he choose to be Avenger. Unlike you, he's a survivor."
That seemed to have done it. Sirius stared unblinkingly at the ground, defeated. "You're not the Harry Potter I remember." he said regretfully. With head hung low, Sirius' spirit glided out of the cell.
"Where are you going?" Harry asked, not quite believing that Sirius would leave him just like that.
"To make sure my friend doesn't fall victim to you again. To stop him from making his stupidest move yet: setting you free."
"I don't need his help." Harry called out after him.
"Oh, yes you do. There's only one possible way out, and I won't let him do that. The dementors aren't yours. From what I understand, and can predict, even if they had been yours, they would have switched sides, for their safety, as you did 'fall'"
"and that is?"
"my way." With that Sirius' form disappeared completely through the cell door.
They watched as Sirius left, no one spoke for a while.
"He's not as angry as he should have been." Voldemort commented.
"He's not as angry with me as he is with Remus." Harry explained. "though it should be visa versa." He frowned. "but that's not what I don't understand. If he is a ghost, why didn't he come back? Why did he leave me, and stay here?"
/He's not./ Karo hissed, interrupting. They both turned to the snake. Karo slid back towards the wall, and pointed at the wall. /Before you were sent here, Lupin came. He was just as surprised to find the words as were you. What's more he left me here to accompany you. While waiting, I found something interesting. That man, the one that just left, had left his spirit in the room, only to be activated by the one who is to be prisoner here, and be bound to that person, as protector, in exchange that he may regain his freedom and leave this cell, to remain in this world./
/and how do you know that/
"That is the only alternative for one to come back into this world and remain here." Voldemort cut in. "as I am now bound to you, Master." He paused. "I was the brilliant student of my time. After having done the same process, more then once, I can safely say that is what has occurred with Black. He may not be happy, but he has no choice."
Harry remained silent. "Maybe it would have been better if he didn't show up. If he didn't know what happened after he died. Yes, that would have been better. Much better."
Five Years later
He knocked on the door, paused, before knocking again. After a few tries, with no response, he admitted himself into the room.
Swish. Two daggers were thrown directly in his direction, pinning the door shut, and barely missing him.
"Leave Snape." Remus muttered. "I am in no mood to talk."
"You know, if I was someone else, your identity would have been revealed." Snape wretched out the two daggers that had 'Avenger' finely marked on them.
"If it was someone else, he or she would have been dead." Remus corrected. Severus smiled weakly. He stepped closer, pulled a couple of vials out of his pocket and placed it on the table, in between them.
"Same thing. 2 doses. I've strengthened the wolfsbane, and reduced the addiction of the other Potion." Snape continued. "Eventually you will come out of withdrawal and be mentally normal, stable again." He paused. "In the meantime, do watch your temper. Avenger's been even more reckless since Harry was sent to prison."
Remus' eyes flashed, with a glint of danger.
Severus dropped his gaze, as it fell onto a book that was casually laid on the table. He fingered that book, tracing the words on the cover, before quickly changing the topic.
"You're not thinking of setting him free are you?" he asked quietly. "I mean, it's a gift he'll use against you."
"Of course, not, he'll have to escape on his own. Not until I become normal again, and in control." He sneered.
"So you are then?"
"Perhaps, I need to save him Severus. He's the son of my best friend. If setting him free is the only way, to get him to change, than that is what I'll do. I'll do anything to get him back."
"Anything at all? You would have physically broken him out of Azkaban, if you had the ability, Avenger." Remus fingered another set of daggers. "not saying you are unable to." He quickly added. "It's just that sneaking out and creating massacres to avenge the boy, isn't correct. He's finally out for a while, and here's your perfect chance to save him, bring him out of this darkness he's placed around himself, but no, that's not what you do. You just go about killing the innocent." Snape carefully taunted. "When you finally get a chance, you throw it down the drain."
Remus was looking very deadly by now.
"not saying that it isn't expected. You are in a state of withdrawal. It's either the Potion or withdrawal, and withdrawal means mass slaughter to fill that void. As bad as it sounds, you need to get through this process Lupin. The world can't get any worse, but you can."
Remus chuckled. "You're an odd one Snape." He commented. "You want to stop me from mass slaughtering, while helping me overcome the mess I fell into. You know, they are opposites. It's one or the other." The werewolf stood up and stretched. He went over to a top shelf and pulled down a box. Snape watched silently, knowing what he was getting.
"Spare the children, at least?" the Potion Master tried, knowing that there was no way to prevent what was bound to occur. He watched as Remus pulled down his set of Avenger robes, before putting the box away. Remus made no comment that he had heard the other man.
"I'll see you around." He muttered. "I won't be back for a day or two."
"Where are you going?"
"You'll find out. The Daily Prophet has been keeping a superb tab on my alias."
"Don't do anything stupid. I hate making excuses…" Snape frowned. "Doing it for five years isn't helping"
"You do a fine job." He patted Snape's shoulder as he headed towards the door, snapping his fingers. Immediately the entire set of Avenger robes replaced the shaggy robes. A quick modified disorient charm allowed it so that only those who he wanted to see him in those robes would see it for the time being. Snape looked as though he wanted to retort, but didn't know what to say.
"You're staying right here, not if I could help it, Remus." An all too familiar voice floated into the room. The werewolf immediately halted, swirling around, unable to believe he had heard correctly.
"What did you say?"
Snape gave him an odd look. "I hate making excuses."
"no, after that."
"you're staying right here, Remus." The voice spoke up again. "not if a dead man can help it." Remus looked up, shock written on his face as a younger mid 20's form of Sirius Black floated down from the ceiling.
"Padfoot?" he asked hesitantly.
Sirius nodded, as he floated down so that he was eye level with his long time friend. "It's good to be back."
"How? Why?" Remus stuttered. "Sirius…I mean…if you were back, why didn't you show up sooner?"
Snape looked curiously at Remus. "You aright Lupin?" he asked. "seeing spirits again?"
Remus smiled. "Yes. Odd, don't you think? These lost souls have a nag of haunting me." He joked. "Voldemort's worst of course. That one is such a torment."
"I see." Snape muttered. "Well I'll leave now then. Reunion's not my thing." Snape walked up to the door, his hand resting on the knob. "and oh Black. If you know what's good for you, keep your friend alive."
Sirius blinked at the retreating figure, before shrugging it off. When the door closed at last, he turned back to his friend, who had sat back down, awaiting for that long chat that was due to come. Sirius floated over to the opposite side, taking the place of where Snape had just been. Neither knew what to say, or how to begin. Sirius looked around, his eyes finally falling onto the single book that rested on the table. He picked it up delicately, surprising Remus, as he was sure spirits couldn't touch things.
"You can touch?" he asked at last.
Sirius ran his fingers through the spine of the book. At last something clicked, and it opened. "Yes. It's been so long. I miss being solid."
"but how?"
Black suddenly looked up, meeting his friend's eyes. "There's more to me then what you see." He whispered. "You're not the only one who's picked up a few tricks from Voldemort." He continued. "am I right?" he lingered, and then even more quietly. "Avenger?" Lupin broke his gaze, unable to hold it, turning away, suddenly keenly interested in the vials that Snape had brought.
"I've been back for 5 years, and I've heard and seen some fairly interesting things." Sirius continued. "some straight from Harry himself, others from the paper of course."
Lupin faced his friend again. "Harry? Who? Which one? You…you met him?"
"Oh come on Remus. How many Harry's do we know? You know. Harry Potter? Harry James Potter? The son of our deceased best friends. The 23 year old, who went and walked down Voldemort's footsteps to become the Dark Master? You know. The one who you left 5 bloody claw marks on his face, blinding his left eye." Sirius continued. "The one who you plan to rescue by teaching him to become an animagus so that he could escape Azkaban, his home for the last 5 years, and cause more havoc." Black suddenly held the book still and with great force, shredded it to pieces. Remus growled inwardly as the pieces were carelessly thrown onto the ground.
"That was the last object I have of the Marauder's together. The last object of significance." He looked murderous. "I spent 5 bloody years researching and compiling those notes that made it possible for you three to become animagus. Without my help, there would have been no mutt, or stag, or rat." He sneered. "On top of it all, this was meant to have been given to Harry for his 18th birthday."
"Times changed." Sirius roared above him. "and we must adapt to it!"
"I did adapt!" Lupin cried back. "I survived!" he screamed.
"you became a blood thirsty monster." Sirius corrected softly. "You let Voldemort mold Harry, and then you let him mold you!"
"Wrong! You know nothing that's been going on." He snapped back. "I just started to spin Harry out, and what does the world do? Take him away from me again. You know nothing of Harry! You DIED! Face it Padfoot. You're a dead man walking. There's no room in the world for that."
"Spin Harry out?" Sirius cried, flinging his arms into the air. "He's using you! He's been manipulating you from the start! Wake up Remus! It's time you see the truth!"
"The truth!" Lupin shouted annoyed. "What truth! The truth is, this is reality. Only the strong survive!" he growled. "and I'm not following you anytime soon. I've still got to save Harry. How can I do that if I die?"
"and I assure you Black, he'll survive to see the end of this." A voice said from behind him.
"Oh, great, how nice of you to join us Voldemort." Lupin said smoothly glancing above Black. "I see you've been well since the last time we met."
"Never been better, Avenger." Voldemort commented. He then turned back to Black. "You're a tricky one Black. Leading me down a cat and mouse chase these past five years. I hate these games."
"Tell me about it." Black grumbled. "You think I had fun tracking Remus down."
Remus couldn't help but smirk at this.
"So Lupin," Voldemort began after the others said nothing more. "The Master's been quite bored lately, at least I would assume so. He'll love to get out any time soon."
"Thanks to Black here, he'll be staying a while longer." Lupin commented, giving his friend a hateful glare. "My whole Potter-become-Animagus-plan has just been scattered on the floor."
"and even if I wasn't here" Black retorted. "How would you have gotten it to him? If you could do that, then he'll be out and no use for this whole Animagus being."
Remus' eyes were downcast, as though thinking. "I'll gladly give my life in exchange for his." He whispered.
"In that case, I believe I can help you." Voldemort spoke up.
Lupin watched as the spirit floated up to him, lowered himself down and whispered something in his ear.
Black watched hatefully. He didn't know what to do, but had to do something. The world was all wrong, all messed up. He knew his friend was lost, he knew his godson was lost. He had to try though. He had to save them.
"Remus, please. Don't do this." He began pleading again. "We made a promise to James and Lily to raise Harry, to teach him, to lead him." His voice grew louder and stronger. "Even Severus has been giving you a hand." He said, quite not believing he was saying it. "Take it. Let him get you out of this darkness. Help Harry, pull him up. I know he needs you. I know you know that. Please. Please. Don't further damage what's already been done."
Remus shook his head. "it's too late, Sirius. I'm already part of this game. There is no backing out now. Not me, not Voldemort. Not you, and especially not Harry."
"not me?" Sirius repeated. "I am not getting involved with you lot."
"Voldemort just told me how you manged to end up in this state." His eyes traveled up and down the spirits body. "Brilliant." A pause. "If both of you succeeded, I don't see why I won't. At least temporary." Another pause. "besides, from what I heard, you are now bound to your godson, deeper then before."
Black threw his hands up in frustration.
"You can't run forever. What will come will come. You my friend, will play your part." Remus' eyes glistened with mischief.
"like you can make me."
"I believe I can. I do have power, fame and glory." A power hungry look swept through the werewolf's eyes. "no one says no to me. No one disobeys me or the prince. Now refine your answer Black."
Sirius looked hurt, but knew his battle was lost. "one day," he whispered. "you'll see the truth. Don't come running to me then with your tail between your hind legs." It hurt him to say it, but he had no other choice left.
As expected, a series of daggers were thrown at him, going straight through his body and landing on the other side of the wall. "Out." Remus yelled.
Voldemort watched at the sidelines, a smile curled up on his lipless mouth. He stretched out a hand and placed it on the werewolf's shoulder. "Come, we have some business to discuss." With that, Voldemort steered him to the door.
"Remus." Sirius said at last. The man paused and waited. "I'll see you in HELL." He quickly spun around. "Flagrantia"
Lupin went up in flames.
"You're not the only one who learned a few tricks. I'm a Black at heart. I swear I can be blacker then Black."
Remus strung out a series of curses. He pulled out his wand, got ready to fire something back at the spirit, but found Black had disappeared. He cursed. Instead, he swished his wands and extinguished the flames.
Still there were lasting results. His whole Avenger outfit had disintegrated to nothing. "and I thought this thing was flame resistant." He grumbled, magically and carelessly deposing it.
"You forgot." Voldemort commented. "Spirits such as us are much more dangerous to deal with then any other creature living or dead. That mutt really despises you."
"Perhaps." Lupin muttered. "Or perhaps he thought he was doing me a favor."
Or maybe he's just a stupid fool. I mean, does he really expect me to show my true intentions in front of Voldemort, Snape, and the rest of the world? No. I am not that stupid. I know who I'm dealing with, and I can't mess up. For the time being, I must play my part. The only way to save Harry is to do it from within. The only way to do it from within is play Avenger as well as accepting and taking up Voldemort's offer.
So, its been a while. How was it? Please Review!