Harry Potter and the Soul of the Serpent
Chapter 13
A Parting of Ways
Standard Disclaimers Apply
A/N: Thankyou to Anime Monster, the1TRUEST3heir2of7SLYTHERIN, antnum, Pandemonium Fox, logi, Marikili68, Rkhiara, Quillian, BlueAdonis, peacekeeperchuck, athenakitty, AnnF, AngelAriel, Dark-Syaoran, ivantheterrible, LyonsRoar, Verdesilath, and any others who have reviewed since I wrote this. I apologise for updating slower now that holidays are over. I have a few chapters saved so the postings should still be regular.
oOoOo
Yesterday at the Ministry of Magic, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named launched an attack which claimed the lives of 23 muggles, and 14 wizards. The Dark Lord himself was present at the attack, in which a prophecy was stolen from the Hall of Prophecies.
According to a spokesman from the Ministry, Voldemort was the one to remove the Prophecy from the hall, meaning the prophecy was about him. After a thorough check of the remaining prophecies this morning, it was determined that the Prophecy is believed to be about the Dark Lord and Harry Potter, and tells of how their lives may end. Full details were not allowed to be released, but the prophecy was originally heard by headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore.
We were unable to contact Dumbledore to find out the entirety of the prophecy, but there is little doubt that it was of great importance. A message was left at the scene of destruction, seemingly directed at the boy-who-lived. It said, 'I have the prophecy. Soon you will die. You cannot defeat me.' More confusing is the fact that Harry Potter has been in Azkaban prison recently. The wrongly accused orphan, who lives with muggle relations whil not at school-
Harry threw the paper down, refusing to read further. Madam Pomfrey had grudgingly released him from the hospital wing and he was now sitting in Dumbledore's office. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Remus Lupin and Snape were also present.
"You should know, Harry, that I was forced to tell certain members of the Order exactly what the prophecy entailed."
"Why? Why can't you just stop interfering in my life? Do you think I want even more people gawking at me like I'm some kind of attraction?"
"Harry, it is for your own good."
Harry stood up in anger. He had had enough.
"How the hell do you know what's best for me? Because if it's the same thing you thought was good for me every other year you lied to me, then you're wrong!"
"Potter, calm yourself!" Snape snapped.
Harry glared at him.
"No! I do not need to calm myself!"
He turned to Dumbledore.
"It's over. I've had enough. I will do what I have to do, and I will do it alone."
"Harry!"
The Headmaster's eyes became stern as Harry began to leave the room. Snape thought he looked as formidable as when he faced Voldemort. Did he really want their side to win, or did he simply want to control Harry?
"Harry!"
Harry spun around, and Snape was shocked at the look on his face. Power radiated off of him as he glared at Dumbledore.
"What? I believe I just said all I need to. I will not change my mind. You won't control me anymore. You lost that chance when you lied to me one too many times."
And then he was gone. The four men in the room looked at each other uneasily.
"Why didn't you tell us about the prophecy before now, Albus?" Lupin asked.
Dumbledore shook his head slowly.
"The fewer people who knew, the better. If Voldemort found out…"
"Harry shouldn't have to do this on his own!" Lupin was irate.
Snape sneered.
"I'm sure he is more than capable of handling it," he said.
Damn, did I just compliment Potter?
Snape could have sworn the corner of Dumbledore's mouth quirked in amusement before he turned to Lupin.
"He's sixteen! He just spent a year in Azkaban reliving his nightmares again and again, and we all know his are worse than most! You can't just expect him to save the world!"
Dumbledore sighed.
"It is unfortunate…"
"Unfortunate? He didn't deserve that! He a bloody scapegoat for the Ministry, not a super hero!"
Kinglsey, who had so far remained silent, spoke up.
"What do we do now?"
"We wait. We protect Harry, and hope he does not reconsider his alliances."
Snape rolled his eyes.
"Do you really think he would go to the Dark lord, Albus? I would have thought you had more faith in the boy. I think you underestimate him."
"In what way, Severus?"
"He's powerful, Albus. He's changed. Do you realise he's been reading restricted material?"
Dumbledore sighed, but Snape wasn't finished.
"I told you…" he lowered his voice. "I told you how he possessed Voldemort and helped me escape."
Lupin and Kingsley looked up sharply.
"What?"
Dumbledore rubbed his hands over his face and began to speak.
"Voldemort found out the Severus was a spy. Someone in the Order is a spy, but we don't know who. Harry was with Severus when he was called, and he went into some kind of trance. Somehow he took control of Voldemort for a minute and allowed Severus to escape. He was only slightly hurt."
Lupin swore.
"If Voldemort has the prophecy, he must know he cannot wait long to kill Harry."
"Yes, I am aware of this. But I am confident that Harry will defeat him when the time comes."
Snape debated telling them Harry's views on this. He decided it would not help matters.
"What of Lucius Malfoy, and Draco?"
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed.
"Lucius' time is long overdue. He will meet his end sooner rather than later. He cannot hide behind the ministry forever. I believe young Master Malfoy will follow him if asked, but this is not something we can prevent."
Kingsley nodded.
"We are keeping an eye on the family."
"Good, good. We can't afford to have anyone unaccounted for."
oOoOo
Harry ignored Ron and Hermione when they attempted to talk to him, and they obviously got the message. He stormed through the corridors glaring at the people who shot sly looks at him and then whispered to their friends. He was stopped however, in the entrance hall, as Malfoy stepped in his path, a malicious grin on his face.
Harry made to step around him, but Malfoy grabbed his arm. Harry shrugged his arm out of Malfoy's grip and turned to face him.
He didn't say anything, and Malfoy looked disappointed that he hadn't gotten a reaction.
"Going somewhere, Potter?" he sneered.
Harry continued to stare at him. Malfoy was beginning to look more put out at the fact that he couldn't get a reaction out of Harry.
"So what's this prophecy? My father talked about it, but he won't tell me what it says."
"Good for you," Harry said.
Malfoy's eyes narrowed.
"You want to watch out Potter. Didn't you hear what the Dark Lord said? You're going to die, Potter!"
Harry stepped around Malfoy and started walking away.
"You're going to die, just like your parents!" Malfoy hissed.
Harry spun around and punched Malfoy as hard as he could. Malfoy's head snapped back and his nose started bleeding.
"I think you should be the one to watch out, Malfoy," Harry sneered. "If you're there when the time comes, I'll kill you too."
Harry turned on his heel and left a swearing Malfoy on the floor. Obviously Snape had been returning to the dungeons, because Harry could hear him yelling his name. Harry ignored him and kept walking. He hadn't realised how edgy he was. His hand gripped his wand in his pocket, and his muscles were tensed.
He heard Snape yell behind him.
"Impedimenta!"
Harry cast a shield charm over himself almost automatically before turning back to Snape.
"What?"
"Go to my office, Potter. Right now," Snape snapped.
"No, I don't think I will thanks."
Snape went still and his voice went quiet. He turned to Crabbe and Goyle.
"Take Mr Malfoy to the hospital wing. I will meet you there shortly."
He turned and strode up to Harry, roughly grabbing his arm.
Suddenly Harry felt anger greater then any he had felt before. His eyes flashed and he glared at the Potions master. Suddenly Snape drew in a sharp breath and grabbed his left arm, where Harry knew the dark mark lay. Harry felt calm once again.
"What was that, Potter?" Snape hissed. He looked up at the staring students, and pointed to the dungeons. "Go."
Harry turned and walked ahead of Snape to his office. Once there, Snape slammed the door and turned to face him. He pulled back the arm of his robes to reveal the dark mark, glowing red.
"Explain!" he ordered.
Harry shrugged.
"Looks like your master's calling you," he said spitefully.
Snape drew his wand.
"Legilimens."
Harry let him into his mind for a split second and then pushed him out as forcefully as he could. Snape was pushed backwards and hit the door hard. Harry pushed his way into Snape's thoughts.
He forced memories from Snape's subconscious until he found what he was looking for.
Snape was kneeling in front of Lord Voldemort, as his mark was burned into his arm.
He was towering over a weeping woman, wand aloft. Uttering those forbidden words.
He was standing closely in front of a beautiful woman in a long white dress, smiling up at him. He was placing a ring on her finger.
He was holding a tiny baby for the first time, tears threatening to spill forth.
He was standing in front of the woman's dead body, the baby on the floor next to her. He was rushing to the woman, then kneeling down next to the baby and picking it up.
He was standing, head bowed, in front of Dumbledore.
Harry pulled out of Snape's mind with a sneer on his face. Snape was on the floor, face ashen, staring up at Harry. He struggled to his feet, breathing heavily.
"Happy?" he spat. Harry remained silent. "Poor little Potter, the silently suffering hero. Too bad you aren't the only one with a bad past now, isn't it?"
"You think we're the same?" sneered Harry. He locked eyes with Snape, and the Potion's Master felt pain explode in his head. He moaned out loud and pulled out his wand.
"Stupe-"
Before he had a chance to stun Harry, the pain in his head disappeared and he found Harry still staring at him. He spoke quietly.
"That is what I feel whenever Voldemort touches me, whenever he is near me. That is what I feel when I think about him, or when he thinks about me. When he is happy, or angry, that is what I feel. My whole life I have put up with that."
Harry seemed somewhat sad as he spoke these words, but his face and voice were flat and expressionless.
"I thought we were starting to understand each other. I thought if I gave you my respect you'd change. Why do you hate me? I forgave you. I forgave everyone for what happened to me. I might not be able to go back to the way I was, but I accept it. Why can't you accept me now? It's like you can't decide. Sometimes you're almost nice, and then it's like you decide I'm not worth the effort."
Harry stared at him for a second as though contemplating his next words.
"I decided that you were worth the effort."
Snape sneered at Harry.
"You had no right to do that!" Snape hissed.
"Don't change the subject," Harry said curtly.
"You have assaulted a student and a teacher tonight, Potter. This will surely end in your expulsion."
Harry shrugged and gave a wry grin.
"It's not like I'm going to need an education for much longer anyway, is it?"
With that, he placed his hand around the pendant and disappeared from Snape's office.
oOoOo
Snape stared in outrage at the place Harry had been standing. Immediately he stumbled to Dumbledore's office and entered without knocking.
"Albus!"
Dumbledore looked at him in concern as Snape positioned himself in front of the desk.
"Severus? What is the matter?"
"Potter is the matter, as usual! He assaulted Mr malfoy in the entrance hall, and when I took him to my office he- he went through my personal memories and then hurt me."
'Hurt you? Dunbledore raised his eyebrow.
"I don't know how. He looked at me and I felt pain in my head. But that is not the point, Albus! I want him expelled! I want him gone! He is nothing more than a useless annoyance!"
"Now, now, Severus. You know that is not true, and nor is that possible. Have a seat, and let us talk calmly about this."
oOoOo
Harry looked up at where he had appeared. When he had grabbed the pendant, he hadn't been concentrating on where he wanted to go, and had turned up at a place he had subconsciously wanted to go for a long time.
The mansion on the hill was imposing and dark, but was quite dilapidated. Ivy spread across its' face and bits of wood hung at odd angles from the roof. Harry started slowly up the hill. He passed through the rusted iron gate and up the path to the front door. Finding it locked, he went around to the back of the house. In the backyard, weeds grew wild and grass rampant, sprouting through the stones that led to a small cottage further back. Harry ignored the cottage and pushed open the broken back door of the Riddle house. He found himself in a kitchen, bare of the normal cooking accessories. Dust layered the flor, puffing up as he stepped softly through it. He turned into a hallway and started up the stairs. He knew where he was going. At the top of the stairs was a long corridor, a door slightly off its hinge at the opposite end. Harry passed through the door into the room. He stood in the centre on the rotting hearth rug in front of the fireplace, looking at the leather chair. A man named Frank Bryce had perished here.
Harry felt his scar prickle as he remembered that night. Why had he never paid enough attention to his visions? He could have told someone of Voldemort's plans, yet he hadn't. He could have avoided Cedric's death, avoided Azkaban. Harry ran his hand through his hair and sighed. What was going to happen to him? It was only ten o'clock in the morning, and it was already a bad day.
Another bad day in an even worse life.
There was nothing to see in the rest of the house, except for the dining room. It had been used quite recently. The dust had been disturbed with foot prints and a few chairs lay scattered around the walls. He knew Voldemort had been here. The thought made him shiver, and he grabbed his pendant and returned to Haogwarts.
oOoOo
Snape strode into his Potions room after lunch and sneered at the student. He automatically scanned the rows, preparing to throw Potter out of the classroom. He wasn't there. Snape almost smiled in relief. Almost. He would have, had the boy in question not come through the door at that moment.
Snape ignored him, save for deducting thirty points from Gryffindor.
Potter ignored him and sat in a seat at the back of the classroom.
The lesson ran smoothly for about an hour until, with only fifteen minutes left, Potter made a disturbance. Snape had been watching him, when pPotter had suddenly paled and slapped his palm to his forehead. Snape looked at him fully, and Potter looked at him.
He stood up and walked out of the room, wand in his hand. As he passed his desk, he muttered, "He's coming."
Snape ignored the looks of the other students and dismissed them before Potter was even out the door, pulling out his own wand. Snape hurried out of the classroom and followed Harry to the entrance hall.
"Potter! Get the Headmaster!" Snape yelled after him. Harry ignored him and continued to the front doors. They opened before he got there and he strode out onto the steps. Snape was about to yell at Harry again, but it seemed Dumbledore already knew and stepped to Snape's side.
They followed Harry out of the door and saw five figures making their way to the castle. Harry turned to them.
"Stay back."
Snape sneered. Fool of a boy, thinking he could handle this on his own. Harry watched them for a second before muttering something and turning back to the approaching Death Eaters.
Snape and Dumbledore started forward, but found themselves pushed back by an invisible force field. Dumbledore frowned slightly and muttered a spell. Snape did the same, but they had no effect.
"Albus, what has he done?" Snape asked sharply.
Dumbledore replied softly, frowning at Harry.
"I'm not sure, Severus."
The two wizards watched in silence as Harry walked toward the Death Eaters. Students were standing behind them, staring out toward the lake and whispering amongst themselves.
A beam of red light shot toward Harry and he calmly stepped around it.
"The idiot boy is going to get himself killed!" Snape hissed.
"Let's hope so!" a voice said from behind them.
Snape turned and caught sight of Draco Malfoy, who was looking gleefully out the front doors. Suddenly students gasped and Snape spun back around. Potter had reached the group of Death Eaters and stood with his arm held out, palm open toward them.
Snape felt a presence at his elbow and looked to see Katherine.
"What's going on?" she asked softly.
"I'm…not quite sure," Snape replied. He noticed Malfoy giving them a curious look and turned from her slightly with a meaningful glance. The both turned to watch the scene before them, identical frowns in place.
Harry had raised his arm and the Death Eaters seemed to have frozen in place. He dropped his arm and sells shot at him, but rebounded off his shield.
Following this, the Death Eater's seemed to be talking to him.
oOoOo
"So, Potter," came the smooth voice of Lucius Malfoy. "You think you can defeat us all on your on?"
"Don't be so silly, Harry, darling," came the mocking voice of Bellatrix Lestrange. "You could never beat us. But don't worry. We're just here to collect you."
"And what makes you think I'll come with you? I'd rather speak to old Tommy right here, thanks."
Ballatrix hissed.
"Do not speak of our Master that way!" she said.
"Oh please. Like it matters. Now where is he? I know he's here."
Harry turned when he heard the cold voice behind him.
"Yes, Potter. I am here. Tell me, I am curious as to why you did not allow your headmaster and Potions Master to come out here. Surely you knew you would perish without them?"
Harry gritted his teeth as his scar began to ache.
"Obviously there are things you don't know about me. And I could be talking about power or about what I want."
"You want to perish?"
Harry sneered at Voldemort.
"I don't have time for idle chatter. What do you want?"
"I want you dead, Potter. Not right now, of course. I have questions for you still."
"Well, it's now or never, Tom, because I'm not coming for a visit to your flea-infested dwelling, wherever that may be."
Harry felt the anger radiating off of Voldemort as he raised his wand.
"AVADA KE-"
"Harry shook his head slowly.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Remember what happened last time?" he said in a sweet voice.
"CRUCIO!" Voldemort yelled instead.
A second before the curse hit him, Harry linked his mind to Voldemort's, and the two of them fell to their knees as one.
Harry heard the Death Eaters yelling in confusion as Voldemort screamed, and Harry struggled to his feet.
"You see!" he yelled. "You cannot defeat me. When the time comes, Tom, I will kill you."
Voldemort sagged, gasping, before disappearing. Harry turned to five Death Eaters and raised his hand again.
"Bellatrix Lestrange! Imperio!"
Bellatrix Lestrange stumbled forward against her will and fell at Harry's feet. Harry hissed at her in Parseltongue and ropes flew out to bind her. He looked up at the remaining four and they saw that his eyes were a luminous green. The green of Slytherin. Harry spoke to them.
"You will all pay, each of you."
Harry thrust his hand toward them and their hoods flew back, revealing stunned faces. They were unable to remember the words of a spell. Harry laughed as one turned and ran. He let him go.
"A coward. Much like you, Lucius. I'm surprised you are not following right behind him. How fitting that it should be I whom your only son watches defeat his father."
Lucius sneered, though his eyes showed fear.
"You're a useless mud-blood, Potter. The Dark lord will have his revenge!"
"Yeah, right," Harry scoffed. "Maybe if I decide to disappear."
Harry pulled out his wand.
"Stupefy!"
The four Death Eaters fell to the ground.
Harry charmed them to float and walked quickly back up to the castle. He let the shield fall and Dumbledore and Snape rushed out to meet him. Students streamed out onto the grass behind them, led by Malfoy.
"What have you done, Potter!" yelled Malfoy. He ran up to Harry and looked down at the still form of his father. Dumbledore turned around to meet the oncoming students.
"Everyone, return to your common rooms immediately!" he shouted. The students mumbled resignedly and slowly turned around, shooting furtive glances over their shoulders.
Malfoy remained behind, as did Katie. Malfoy was staring at his father in shock, face pale.
"You bastard, Potter!" he said breathlessly. "You bastard!"
"That is quite enough, Mr Malfoy!" said Snape. Malfoy rounded on him.
"And you, you traitor! You betrayed us all!"
Dumbledore stepped between them.
"Draco, take care with what you say. Are you so sure that what your father has done is right?"
Draco swore at Dumbledore.
"You're the reason he was a spy in the first place, you old fool. You have no idea…"
"Are you so sure of that, Draco? Lord Voldemort is the cause of all of this, you must see that."
Malfoy was looking around desperately.
"But… what's going to happen to him?"
Harry spoke up in a cold voice.
"He will go to Azkaban, just like I did."
There was a momentary uncomfortable silence.
"Mr Malfoy, return to the Slytherin common room. There is nothing you can do."
Malfoy looked around at the faces, his gaze resting on Katie.
"What's she doing here?"
Snape stepped forward.
"That is none of your business, now return to the common room!"
Malfoy looked from Snape to Katie, understanding dawning on his features.
"Katherine…she's your daughter." He looked at Snape in triumph. "Interesting…"
"Go now, Mr Malfoy," said Snape savagely. "Before I move you myself."
Malfoy glared at them again, his sneer deepening on Harry. He pulled his wand from his robes.
"No! I don't believe I will. On my father's honour I swear I will seek vengeance. I vow to fight in the name of my father and his master, and seek retribution upon those who sought to foul the Malfoy name."
Snape stared in open shock at these words.
"Draco, you cannot be serious!"
But Malfoy had already turned and was striding away to the entrance to the Hogwarts grounds.
Harry called after him.
"Draco! Remember, if you are there, I will not hesitate."
Malfoy spun around.
"And we will see, Potter, if you are really as good as you think."
Harry turned and began walking up to the castle, but before he had even gone a few steps, a hand firmly closed over his shoulder.
He spun out of Dumbledore's grasp to see the old man staring sternly down at him.
"Harry, you will accompany me to my office now," Dumbledore ordered.
"What's there to talk about, Dumbledore? I told you all I needed the other day. I stay at Hogwarts only because I have nowhere else to go."
"We must talk Harry. I will not take no for an answer."
"Fine," Harry said. "But this is the last time. I have declared my intentions and you will respect them. I refuse to let you determine my destiny any more."
Snape was talking to his daughter, who was in turn staring at Harry sadly.
"Katherine, I will talk to you later. I must go with Albus."
Katherine nodded and hugged her father quickly.
When she was gone, Harry followed Dumbledore and Snape up to the headmaster's office.
He sat in his usual chair, and noticed that Fawkes did not fly down to greet him as he used to. Harry knew why.
He knew it was because he had changed. Phoenixes sensed the souls of humans, their innermost desires and intentions.
Fawkes knew that Harry had changed. His soul was heavy. He was weary of this life, weary of everything in it. He had long ago accepted the fact that he would never have a normal life, and never be a normal person.
If Fawkes could see that, then Harry knew his fate was sealed. There was no going back from what he was doing, what he had already done. He would destroy Voldemort, and if he didn't die in the process, he would fight until he did die. When Voldemort died, there would be no point to his life, and Harry knew this.
He was drawn from his thoughts by Dumbledore's voice.
"Harry, what is it that you did to Professor Snape this morning?"
Harry looked at them both.
"You know what I did."
Dumbledore sighed.
"Then why?"
Harry chose his words carefully.
"Professor Snape has proven time and time again that he is immune to any sort of request from me. It's not my place to say why, and I'm not even sure I understand why completely. But I felt that the only way for him to understand was by force. If that makes me like Voldemort, then so be it," Harry said stubbornly.
"Harry, what you have done is wrong. Professor Snape is on our side, you know this."
"And what is our side, Dumbledore?" snapped Harry. "What about my side. Harry Potter. No one has ever cared for the person I really am. Even the two people I thought were my best friends. In the end even they couldn't see past my scar. I have lived my life following everyone else's wishes. I have no one. My whole life has been designed by you, for the purpose of killing someone."
"Harry you have to do this."
"I know! I know I have to do it. I would never not do it, even if I hated every single one of you, because I couldn't let him win."
"That is what love is, Harry. You are confusing it with revenge."
"Stop it!" Harry shouted. "I can't remember the last time a person showed me love! I don't know what loved is! Love is not going to help me defeat Voldemort. Why do you continue to lie to me? You have always lied to me, and you won't even stop now. I just cast the Imperius curse on someone. I could have killed her if I'd tried. That is not love!"
Silence reigned in the office.
"Face it, Dumbledore. My life is over. I have no life now, and I never did. I walk around every day and I can feel his evil growing inside me, and sometimes I don't want it to stop. And I have to stop him before it takes over completely."
"Harry, you are not strong enough to defeat him yet," Dumbledore snapped.
Harry brushed his hand through his hair.
"You do not know what power I have, Dumbledore."
"Then tell me how you will defeat him."
Harry sighed, wondering how someone supposedly as great as Albus Dumbledore couldn't figure this out.
"I have to destroy his soul. We already know his soul can survive without his body, so I have found a spell. It is similar, I imagine, to what the Dementor's kiss does."
Dumbledore considered this, but Snape was thinking differently.
Potter had told him that he thought he would die when he killed Voldemort. In effect, he would be condemning himself, his soul, to an abyss from which there was no return. Snape wondered if he could ever have enough courage to do that himself.
oOoOo
A/N: I think the next chapter will be the last. In fact, it definitely will be, but there will be an epilogue after that. If you want a dramatic ending, only read the next chapter :) Thanks to all those who reviewed. At the end of this story I will tell you of some of my plans for another story so that you have something to look forward to. I have already started my next story so it shouldn't be too long before I post the first chapter.
Chapter 14: Destiny's Fate