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)
tori: lost interest? Sorry to hear that. Thanks for giving it a shot anyways.
Nippledora Tweaks: yes! Non stop scribble! Making progress too! Hehe. Alright, I'll take you're suggestion. So you bother reading reviews. I won't say anything. It's your decision. However if you two are going to argue, I'm not taking sides. I don't want a fanfiction to turn into something serious. It's an indiviual's opinion. Just be clear, this is a story, not a message board.
samuraiduck27:
Strega: I'm glad you don't hate Black. Black is just doing his job, an extreme, true form of a Gryffindor, unlike a manipulative Dumbledore, or a dark Harry. He's devoted to doing what's good, and always will be good, not necessary what's right. Remus is the fascinating one here. He's still true to his house yet acts upon his own judgment. As for why exactly Harry told Sirius the truth, full truth and not Remus there is a reason. The one you provided is close enough. Sirius isn't what's important to Harry now. It's about Remus and has always been. Perhaps he's using the man to declare something or do something. Maybe he's tired of the double role Remus is playing and wants him to reveal himself, or force him to, so that there is no turning back, not for this werewolf. The miscalculation is a 'what if'. It could have been a miscalculation or could have been really what was stated above. One or the either, not both. I'll say that Harry knows what he's doing.
So it's to Remus manipulating Sirius now? We'll see. It's complicated then. First Voldemort to Harry, I call that revealing the truth, then Harry to Remus and finally Remus to Sirius. That's very deep. As I say we will find out. Although Sirius is rash, his first instincts and his emotions usually put him down the right path…for that moment, and not the future.
Cowardice? Well it depends on how and who looks at it. It's all about manipulation at the moment. Both Sirius and Remus want to be the dominant one. It's possible to lead one down the wrong path, make them think one think and use that as an advantage. They both strongly believe in what they believe in and that's one reason why it's so difficult to be persuaded otherwise.
I won't call it torturing my favorite character. I'll say its enlightenment. He's being shown something from both sides and left to fight for what he believes in.
The rules of magic run so deep and so is so fascinating. One thing is true though. There's always a down side to getting something or doing something. Nothing comes easy. As for Sirius returning, you could say the downside would have been that someone had to be imprisoned in that particular cell, as well as being bind to them. So let say, if that person was a death eater, he would have been bind to him or her.
Marauder knowledge being put to use is dangerous at the moment. There are two originals out there, on opposite sides. That can be a problem. He actually wasn't acting. He really didn't think Sirius would go spewing his identity. They have had a long history as childhood friends. They've been through a lot, and overcome a lot. Perhaps he was hopping like how he didn't reveal Sirius's animagus form in Harry's third year, and the secret passages of how Sirius may have entered the castle, Sirius would keep his knowledge shut to himself.
Where is Voldemort? There must be something more important out there for the dark lord to pay attention to. Otherwise, he might have been part of this, 'revealing Avenger plan'.
The Bloody Baron would be the likely ghost alternative. He would be a great ally, but isn't the ghost also devoted to Hogwarts as a whole, not necessary the current headmaster/headmistress. Trusting him? Well at the moment, there was no choice.
Naturally Sirius would tell everything and reveal everything about Remus and Avenger, just to get people on his side. What better solid proof than that tattoo? Removing it would be a question, depending on how badly things turned out for Remus. Symbolically Avenger was forcefully created and is now part of Remus, as the tattoo somehow combines them. If removed, is it like declaring that he's not Avenger no more. Of course, on the surface it would be to Remus' advantage. He was honest to Tonks. There was no need to keep her. Some things hurt more then physical pain. That last blow, mental/emotional blow should have devastated her.
That was a suggestion. I didn't have that on mind. However, I do have something else to do with portrait, prior to your suggestion. I do not believe Salazar will appear. However, someone else will take the form of a portrait, a more recent person.
Snape is the experienced one when it comes to spying. Surprised and then shook, the look of 'out-of-all-people- how-could-it-be-you?'
Yes, Remus is gone from reality for the time being. I wouldn't say his life is old life is completely over. He isn't dead, completely dead. He was still breathing the last time Snape checked. Getting Harry out? We'll see….it might take longer then usual. Not sure.
Well others will read with the care of caution (not naming names, I saw the review as well). Maybe it's best to leave out predictions. However, we can still discuss it, perhaps through a messenger or email? Can I get something like that?
Julie Long: it'll only get even more twisted. Problems are arising.
Lady Rachel Julie Snape: thank you! Deserving reviews doesn't necessary mean getting them. I have come across people who don't read it because of the turn its' taking. I don't see why not. It's a difference of opinion. Remus did kill Tonks, and he did give an explanation as to why. Not the best one, but nevertheless one. He didn't kill Minevera, he twisted his story, yet again. Perhaps she severs a better purpose alive.
Thanks to everyone else who reviewed! I'm going to update my bio often so please check it out!
Chapter 33 Azkaban: The Final LessonTo Harry's surprise, Remus snorted at that. "Family?" he snorted again. "Family?" he repeated. "for you I've just squashed that last thought out of my head." Slowly what he did minutes ago came back to him. "I've just killed the last person that ever cared about me…Tonks…" the full force of what he did, came back to him. He buried his face in his hands and slumped down next to Harry.
For a brief moment, the emerald eye softened before hardening. He reached out and seemingly hugged the man. "It must have been terribly difficult, I imagine…."
"that's what I would like to convince myself, but cannot. Harry, I can't believe I did it and not regret it."
"you've killed plenty. What's the harm with one more?"
Remus pulled back. "It's Tonks. She's different. I wouldn't have killed her if….I couldn't have killed her if…"
"if what? If she hadn't found out about…." Harry lowered his voice. "your little secret?"
"yes, of course…" Remus muttered absent mildly before realizing what his cub had just said. "what? How did you…"
"I sent him…"
"sorry?"
"of course he didn't know what he was doing then. I sent Sirius and Voldemort…Black played his part well."
"what are you talking about? I fear I do not understand."
"The Daily Prophet hasn't been the only one keeping a close tab on you Remus. I have been as well. I've read the paper. I know what you have done. I've over heard things that some of the guards have accidentally let slip. Conversations here and there."
Remus made no response.
"You've changed." Harry said suddenly. "so has Snape, from what I heard."
Still no comment, although his guardian had a raised eyebrow.
"He's more loyal to you then I would expect, considering your childhood history."
"I am afraid I do not understand you."
"You've been taking Wolfsbane again. From what I've heard, these…" he pulled out an all too familiar bottle of addictive mind changing potion. Harry watched as his guardian's left hand reached out for it, but at the same time, Remus' right hand grasped onto his own, and prevented his left from taking it. "have no control over you…" the bottle slipped and fell onto the floor. Harry looked up at him again.
"Five years, five years spent on defeating withdrawal, fighting a battle with yourself. Willfully massacring the world in hopes of filling that void the potion has created. A one man's fight" Harry eyed his guardian. "Tell me, is the world a better, safer place? Have it not dawned to you that you have been completing my noble work?"
"I…."
"The world is not better. In fact, if not worst. Five years ago, you had been forced to take out my duties and fulfilling your task. Now you do it willfully."
"NO! I have long come out of it! I have long been uninfluenced by anyone, especially you. I am merely purifying the world" Remus growled. "You have no idea whatsoever of where the world has turned since the day you were stuck here!"
"Oh really? I know more of this place then anyone else." The Prince replied. "The world is corrupted. The people with power are corrupted. You are corrupted, Moony. You've taken the power I've granted and done things that I too have thought impossible. With me in prison, there is no one above you, and the entire world below you. You are a hypocrite; you say one thing and do the other. Admit it Remus, if I hadn't sent Voldemort and Black to knock some sense to you, you wouldn't be here. You would have willingly declared yourself the next Dark Lord."
"He would have come without you interfering." A cold, bitter voice cut in. The two looked up to find Sirius gliding in. Both of the older men were glaring at each other. Black turned his attention to his former friend. "and if you aren't already near the brink of death, I'll personally see to it that you are. Mark my words Lupin. Mark my words. You'll pay for what you caused upon this world."
"Likewise Black. You don't belong here. If I didn't have better matters upon my hands, I'll see to it that you get brandished back to where you properly belong." Lupin sneered in response.
"Gentlemen please." Harry interrupted, obviously irritated. "neither of you are children. These cat fights must end. You must learn to cooperate."
"with him?" Lupin pondered, before lashing out. "after he placed me under an identity crisis. Some friend he is."
"I'll consider it, if he died." Black retorted. "he's a killing machine and at the moment I don't associate with these type of people."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Then you don't belong here Sirius. Remember? I'm the half blood prince! The dark Master!"
For a moment a pained expression elapsed over Sirius, before disappearing. "Harry, you're a disappointment to the world. A disappointment to James and Lily. A disappointment to me…" he whispered. "I'll see you in Hell." He glided off, pausing before he disappeared behind a wall. "Remus, look after him. You're the older one here. You're the adult. Take control for once!"
Neither responded, letting Sirius come and leave as he pleased.
"You shouldn't have been that hard on him. He's right you know."
"Remus…"
"You're right Harry. I did change. I'm no longer Avenger, if I can help it. The only reason I keep it up, is that it must be done. For face value, to keep the world running, whatever you would like to call it."
"You're wrong. I know you better then that. You wouldn't have killed Tonks…"
"if she hadn't found out. I wouldn't kill anyone if they would just leave me alone. It was an identity crisis. I just couldn't have it. I won't have it. There's nothing more to it…"
"So what you fear most is being revealed as Avenger….intriguing, to be afraid of yourself." Harry commented.
"maybe, maybe not. I won't ever know till I face a boggort." Remus responded. "who knows, there may be worst."
"boggorts…" the prince breathed out. "and to think, we met so many years ago as Professor and Student." A brief pause. "and how that progressed to guardian and cub and at last Master and Apprentice…yes Master and Apprentice…"
"I prefer Professor and Student." Lupin interrupted. "the world was still naive and innocent."
"Naive and innocent? Naive and innocent? I think not." Somehow he forced his guardian's head to look upon a particular spot on the wall. "Sirius Black, I am innocent." Harry recited, before he began ranting on about the mistreatment and corruption of the world.
Remus' gaze broke away almost immediately. "You know what I mean Harry." He said after Harry had seemed to cool off a bit.
"You're not my Professor anymore, Professor Lupin."
"However I plan to be. After all that is my puporse here. The only reason I agreed to Voldmort and took his help was because it was the only way I could get to you. I need to get to you."
"and why?"
"Harry, I know we haven't been on even footing. I know you fallen into darkness. I know I haven't been the ideal whatever-you-see-me-as-person. Please give me the chance. I can pull you out."
Harry broke into a harsh laugh. "You're still at it. Can't you see it's futileness."
"We have all the time there is. Even if I have to start from scratch, from the basics, from ABC's and 123's, I will do so. Harry, you know you're everything to me. It pains me to see you stuck here…" he trailed off. "no you won't be stuck here. I won't permit it. When I deem you fit, you will join society."
"I don't need your help to get out."
Remus snapped back. "but you'll be grateful you did." He eyed Harry. "You will be more powerful, mentally, physically and emotionally, that is, you will regain some emotions…" he floated over to where the words were, "by then…" he drew a circle around the last slash mark on the wall.
The hint of becoming even more powerful edged at Harry.
"This will be a lesson to remember. The final and most important lesson you will ever learn. I am honored to be the one to teach it to you." Lupin murmured.
The older man gathered himself together and sat down in the center of the room. "Come Harry, we shall begin. Sit down across from me and I shall teach you the universal language of our time."
Harry looked at him, finally he did as he was told.
"Now close your eyes Harry." As he said this, he too closed his own. "now I want you to let go of everything, clear your mind of alll thoughts, let go of all emotions, let go of this world." Remus followed his own little speech, doing each part with his cub. "From this day forth Harry, you will be reborn, clean, unscathed, and untainted by this corrupted world."
"no, untrue, you are tainting me…"
"do not interrupt. Just follow my lead Harry." Remus commented, opening his eyes to see Harry looking at him.
"I know what you're trying to do, Professor and I can't have that." Harry said stubbornly.
"You must learn." The older man snapped back in a tone that made Harry flinch. The younger man downcast his gaze, sat up again, and tried.
Remus watched him a while, a smile tugging playfully at his lips. He watched the motionless man sit for minutes, then hours, and then what seem like eternity.
"We will move on…" Remus interrupted softly at last, after what felt like the seventh day. In fact it was, as he had helped cross out the slashes on the wall, that had been first made by Sirius for each day he was there.
Harry opened his eyes. His breathing had become softer, smoother and more rhythmic. In fact if Remus wasn't a werewolf and had keen senses, he wouldn't even have heard the other man.
"Are you hungry?" Lupin asked. "You've been a week without food or water. The only thing sustaining you have been your own magic."
As though to respond, there was a loud growl coming from the prince's stomach.
"I'll take that as a yes." Remus turned slightly to the cell door. He picked something up, and showed it to the Prince. "You're daily prison meals." Harry reached out as though to grab it. At the last minute however, the plate slipped and the food fell splattering on the floor. What's more was that once it did touch the stone cold floor, it disappeared.
"why did you…."
"it's life or death. You will have to learn how to survive on your own. You can't rely on anybody."
"but that's food, Professor, you can't deny me that, not after how I easily submitted and will submit to your lessons for the time being, as there is nothing better to do."
Remus eye's squinted, and a concentrated look appeared on his face. "Look…" he wrapped his hands together, formed what seemed like a plate with chicken on it. Harry looked on, seeing nothing. Then suddenly he saw it. First the plate became solid, then the chicken. Finally his Professor held it out to him. "Eat."
Slowly Harry took it, fascinated by how it was possible. The plate was solid, and the chicken was edible. He ate silently as the other formed a butterbear for him.
"You never told me you could do wandless magic, Remus…"
"Professor or Professor Lupin, I am currently teaching." He willed the now empty cup and plate away. "and no, this is not wandless magic. There is no such thing as wandless magic." He continued. "what people call wandless magic is really magic done by a highly focused and concentrated wizard or witch. The mind must be powerful, it must be strong. The body must be physically capable as well."
"will you teach it to me, Professor?" Harry asked and for the first time, he was egger to learn.
"I will. However, let me warn you now Harry. It is a skill and only to be used in times of need. It is not to be done to hurt or harm the world further. In fact to prevent such happenings all I will teach is how to conjure an item or items."
Harry made no argument, as it was a good place to start.
"Now I want you to start with something simple. A seed, of any plant you desire."
The prince raised an eyebrow. "Professor, are you serious? I can do better."
"Show me then. Clear your mind, and concentrate on the seed. I will know if you are ready." As he said this, a seed appeared on his palm.
Harry closed his eyes, and pictured the seed. Nothing happened.
"Concentrate Harry. Focus your mind. Think of nothing but that seed."
Still nothing happened.
"It's alright Harry. Take a rest. I didn't expect you to get it the first time anyways. Just like defending yourself of dementors, it takes time. Perhaps under desperateness, like say, you must have food and water and is stranded on some dessert, perhaps then it will work."
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"That's enough for today. In the meantime, mediate, and clear your thoughts. It will greatly help. Exercise would be nice as well"
Half year later
There was a broad smile on his face. At last, finally, after what seemed like the billionth try, Harry had managed to create a seed onto his palm.
"Very good Harry. 50 points to Gryffindor…" Lupin said jokingly. He watched happily as his charge willfully conjured seed after seed.
"I think that's good enough Harry. Otherwise I think you'll have a fit trying to vanish all of them."
Harry frowned.
"Yes vanish, Mr. Potter, vanish. I don't believe this cell will fit everything if it does not disappear."
With that, he taught how to vanish items. It required the same energy, however instead of conjuring something, the item was to disappear. The process this time moved quicker. In less then 3 weeks, Harry had managed to do so as well.
"Now we shall move on to something a bit more difficult. I want you to conjure a pot, and some soil, water if possible."
Harry immediately set off on his task, conjuring all that was needed in that order. In another year's time, he found himself able to do so.
"Good job Harry. You are progressing quickly." Remus commented. "Now I want you to care for this seedling. Plant it, raise it."
"We're in Azkaban, the foulest place on Earth, do you really think life can exist. You do realize I am superior to all creatures, including humans."
"All creatures have a life of its own. No matter big or small, plant of animal, they are all part of the circle of life. You have learned thoroughly how to manipulate death, can you do that to life as well? I assure you, it's much more difficult." He paused. "besides, you've gotten on quite well without me, for the first five years of life, I'm not going to ask you how, however, if you can do it, I don't see why something else can't"
Harry didn't argue. It was true. From what he seen and done the last two years, nothing seemed impossible.
"In the meantime, you will learn how to conjure animals. Worms to be precise."
"worms?" Harry asked. "worms?" he repeated. "those pest of the world. There is too much. We don't need more, we need less. We should be slaughtering them, not conjuring them."
"Yes, worms Harry, worms." Remus said. "it is only to your benefit to learn to conjure animals as well. Besides, worms can help with the growth of your plant."
Harry groaned, but didn't argue. He set himself to work, knowing fully well that he'll have to take care of it afterwards.
two and a half years later
"Well Harry, five years, a full five years since I first set foot here and turned a cell in Azkaban into a classroom." Commented Remus, as he watched Harry feed his dragon, which he had cared for since it was an egg, with conjured steak.
"indeed." Harry replied, taking an apple from the only tree in his cell and biting into it. In fact, it was the same tree that Harry had first conjured up as a seed and raised it.
"what have you learned?"
"conjure and vanish items and life. Manipulate life to my needs."
Remus frowned. "No, that is not the answer I was looking for."
"then what Professor?"
"patience and endurance in a place that's unsuitable for you. To care and love others as if it were your own." He gestured at the tree and dragon. "You have become more human and less dark, less evil. You are gradually changing Harry. I am glad to take part in it."
Harry scoffed. "I assure you. I am just as dark and as evil as before. As you said Professor, this is a skill. It is a benefit to learn."
"You will have changed by the time you get out." He countered.
Harry didn't speak.
"You are ready." Remus said suddenly. "After 10 years in Azkaban you have proven to me, you are capable of learning it. Yes, it is time." He looked directly at Harry. "I will teach you to become an Animagus."
Part 1 COMPLETE! Done again! How was it? Do you think Remus' lesson's actually work, or that Harry is just doing it to learn, to obtain more power? Review! Find out the answers in the sequel. So a few reasons for the sequel. 1) I did realize that my story is going to be taken a turn of sorts. A bit of reshaping and a new added story line. 2) since HBP is out now, I will use things from it, add and change some of my original to make it make sense. The sequel will be out soon! In the meantime, two replies to the following people.
Strega: a series? Interesting. Actually I won't cut it there. I'll cut it with after the breakout of Azkaban. However, if lets say that was book 1, nothing really happened, just the development of people and characters. I suppose it was unusual, as it did differ from the other chapters, at least for Remus', his personality and character. A bit rushed? Maybe. I am getting slightly restless with moving the story forward. Sorry, but if you read the summary, that's all it was about. Harry stuck in Azkaban, and the whole first 35 or so chapters he's still there. Plot holes? Ok, I tried explaining the powers. It's not really a wandless magic thing. It's all about the mind, that's the focus. It'll be easier to explain once the story moves on again. As for why Harry might have not developed anything, well lets say the reader doesn't know that. In other words directly from the HBP: Snape teaching the use of NON VERBAL SPELLS. (yes, its in book 6, surprise surprise) From the moment Remus came, he started assuming things. He started launching into his whole Professor side. All we know is that physically Harry did not change. Remus did note that "The only noteworthy aspect was Harry's good eye. Instead of being dull and lifeless, it was constantly rolling and quite active, alive filled with a sense of maturity and patience." That makes no sense. Being stuck in prison should mean insanity, a wariness of the skin, and dull, lifeless eyes. Harry has the opposite of that. We still don't know how Harry accomplished that, or what exactly he had been doing the first five years in prison. You should have realized that Harry, aside from being in Prison, didn't really change at all, at least not in the way people expect him to. A bit of honesty never hurt anyone. Ok, I realize he's a tyrant and a maniac at the moment and people don't change that easily. Again back to reshaping the story. Well not really. I think, in my P.O.V, as the author, I see it going well. It's not really reshaping, but actually occurring the way it should. Not saying that Avenger will never appear again. I suppose knowing more always has the advantage.
Julie Long: a bit of both…yeah…you could say so…but changing Harry won't really happen anytime soon.
In the meantime guys, stick with me. The sequel WILL be up soon!