Possession
Chapter XXIX - What Was Broken
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DAILY PROPHET
Special War Report

At the End? - Is it the Dark or Light Facing Annihilation?
From Elliot Bryant

With the Dark Forces on the rise, we are forced once again to question if there is sanity in the world. The fourteen year peace has been broken. Forces of dark are attacking throughout Europe, striking at those targets we consider quintessential to life and already the strain is beginning to show on Ministries everywhere.

But everything is not that clear cut. In the battles which are raging presently it is not a simple case of dark forces attacking those of the light. As before the dark forces are stooping to the dishonourable and despicable act of attacking defenceless and unknowing Muggle targets. While such acts are no doubt diversionary at the moment we are still forced to question and worry, 'diversionary to what?' since while Ministry forces are cleaning up the obvious breaches to Wizarding secrecy there have been no major counter strikes. Such attacks on Muggle targets - while worrying and while stretching the resources of the light forces by forcing the placement of Auror guards at suspected Muggle targets, not to mention the strain on the Oblivators who have to conjure new memories after each attack and the artificers who are called in to repair the buildings - are nothing compared to the blood shed happening right in our back yard.

Eastern Wizarding Europe is awash with blood. Reports filtering in from those still insular Wizarding countries are confusing since it would appear that the dark forces aren't attacking official targets but are instead focusing their attention on the comparatively large Vampire communities that exist there. While we may secretly support such infighting we cannot be so naive as to ignore it without knowing why traditional allies are deeming it worthwhile to cut each other down. We can only use such a schism if it truly exists and we why it exists.

Closer to home You-Know-Who had been confirmed leading many attacks on Ministry targets personally and while each attack has been devastating his presence has raised as many questions as it answered. He is alive, he is whole and his power is as overwhelming as before. His mastery of the Dark Arts is absolute and only the most experienced and powerful combat Auror's working in concert can stand against him but none can hope to win. At the most, all they can do is buy enough time to evacuate people and rescue key Ministry documents.

Confirmation of his presence has changed the face of this conflict. Unlike last time it appears he is dispensing with the extensive cloak and dagger games that signified his last rise. This time his forces are declaring themselves openly and are attacking with all the cunning he possesses. The attacks appear random but as we all know, random is anything but.

His presence though is raising questions. While physical descriptions of him at the height of his power are rare, those who got close enough to see, usually died, there are some disturbing rumours which are persisting. We may never know exactly what dark rituals he has used to reconstitute his body and to enhance his power but reports are filtering in that he is no longer fully human. While this should come as no surprise the changes that have been noted are unusual.

His skin, which has the consistency of a serpents is showing signs of stress. While most of us will never know the strain of wielding that much magic we can only speculate as to what else might be causing such obvious distress to him. Is it possible that he has made himself too powerful for even a non-human body? Or is possible that his regeneration may not have been as complete as he hoped? Dark Art's rituals aren't universally noted for their consistent results.

Or do we dare to hope that the reason for the sudden and devastating attacks by the dark forces is some last ditch effort on behalf of their dying master?

It might be nice if this were the case but more likely he has simply grown tired of waiting and seeking to assert his dominance now.

But to confound the questions his strangely stressed physical state raises, his mental state is also raising questions. During his last rise, in the few battles he was definitively recorded in his power was overwhelming and his sheer presence and abilities are frightening. In the past he has known were every single being on the battle field was. He knew every charm and curse spoken and if anyone managed to break through his Death Eaters, no one, not even the most powerful wizards and witches came close to landing an attack on him. But this time, while his Death Eaters have been as efficient as always, there have been times when he has appeared distracted and several attacks have almost landed upon his person but his personal defensive artefacts have saved him.

Personal distraction combined with a stressed physical condition... Is this good news for the forces of light? Or is it simply because the Dark Lord is focusing his entire attention on domination?

One thing is for sure though, we cannot rely on his seeming weakness for even if the Dark Lord himself falls, his followers will not. As we learnt from Grindlewald, a Dark Lord who was at the height of his power considered unequalled, there is always someone waiting to rise from the ashes. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was waiting in the wings, who amongst us can know who shall rise this time?

No matter what happens it is imperative that we join together to fight. The Ministries of Europe can no longer be distracted by their petty differences. They must unite to present a front of pure power upon which the dark forces can spend their force. And they must look to the Order of the Phoenix, that ancient Order, founded by Merlin, to help co-ordinate their efforts. For centuries the Order has acted as front line soldiers, intermediataries between Ministries, trusted messengers and skilful planners in the battle between the light and dark. From their ranks have risen many of the greatest wizards throughout history - most recently the great Albus Dumbledore, Defeater of Grindlewald, Head Master of Hogwarts and the only man feared by You-Know-Who.

It is to him and to the leaders of the Ministries we must turn to for guidance. While we could also turn towards the Boy-Who-Lived, it is this reporter's belief that he is too young at the moment. He has unlimited potential and has shown great courage in the face of adversity but we must remember that Harry Potter is only fifteen years old. He is not yet of age to join the battle and while war knows no borders, no age and no mercy, we do and it is our responsibility to protect those who need it. In time his strength may be called upon, since it is unlikely that the dark forces will fall quickly.

We must be prepared to fight. And we must be prepared for the sacrifices that lie ahead. While the night may be long we must never lose hope that it is night and we must maintain the belief that morning will come.

---

Dumbledore looked down at the eleven and a half inches of holly that lay on the purple velvet on the bench top. It was something he'd never thought he'd see but it was whole again.

Ollivander had done it, with Fawkes' help. The once shattered wand had been healed and even his critical eye couldn't spot the join mark and the aura which wrapped all magical objects felt smooth and whole.

Fawkes trilled softly from his shoulder as Ollivander entered the room.

"Thank you," Dumbledore said but surprised when he received no response.

Silver eyes watched him critically, not judging, just examining every nuance of his being. "I have done what you asked," Ollivander said eventually, "but I will not guarantee that everything will be as it was."

Blue eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

The strange silver eyes didn't blink and it was the aging Headmaster who was almost forced to take a step back at the controlled power. It was easy to underestimate Ollivander but the man was far more than he seemed and knew more about wands and their masters than even Dumbledore.

"Things change," he said. "Things always change. You forget that Albus."

"Many things have changed," the Headmaster responded, not at all offended by the sudden familiarity.

"And many things have not changed," Ollivander retorted.

"Are you saying I'm too old?"

"I'm saying that reasons are sometimes more important than the action. You still don't know why he walks that path."

"It was his choice," Albus responded firmly.

"Or was it his destiny?"

"Destiny can be changed."

"Only when it is allowed."

"It was his choice."

"Or was it yours?"

The question hung heavy in the air for a moment before Ollivander shook his head. "The reason is still important," he said softly.

"After all this time, I cannot seek it."

"After all this time, you should not have to seek it."

Dumbledore gestured to the wand. "It is over now."

"Perhaps. I cannot guarantee it. What was broken has now healed but it cannot be used by one who has not broken."

"He was broken."

A strange smile came to Ollivander's face. "He was," the ancient wizard agreed easily and Dumbledore suddenly felt as it the wizard was talking about something else entirely.

With a shrug he dismissed the matter and picked up the wand. There was no reaction as he tucked it into his robes but he felt warmer with the knowledge it was there. With this, Harry would be able truly use magic again and he could truly begin to prepare him for the battles that were to come. With a nod at Ollivander, Dumbledore apparated from the store, leaving the silver eyed wizard in his own quiet contemplation.

"One was broken and has healed, but one was only bent. You underestimate such power," he finally murmured to the empty store before turning back and disappearing between the shelves of stacked boxes, the labour of centuries.

---

Voldemort frowned and shook his head as he lost his concentration again. The newspaper article was closer to the truth that even the journalist realised. Not about him dying... That was some potion dream but he was distracted. But how could he not be when a certain pair of emerald eyes dominated his thoughts?

And he was stressed. His magic levels were flaring unpredictably allowing him to pull off some spells that were absolutely impossible but then his power would return to normal and that was making him feel weak. It didn't matter that normal for him was still vastly more powerful than any other wizard save two, after experiencing what felt like infinite power, it wasn't enough. The magic surges were wreaking havoc on his body as well. They weren't destroying it. He'd checked that very carefully but they were making him itch.

There had been a surge in his power when the girl had completed his bond to Harry and that power had made him itch as well but this was nothing like that. That power surge had been a gentle summer breeze, this was a raging hurricane and trying to control it was distracting him. He had to be so careful. Several times he had caught himself planning the battles as if his increased power was permanent. It wasn't though, not yet but now that he knew such power was possible it would be his. He couldn't rely on it though and he couldn't plan as if he possessed it.

It was so frustrating and simply added to his distraction.

He wanted Harry. He wanted the power. And he wanted to crush the Ministries that opposed him.

And he wanted them in something like that order.

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