Possession
Chapter XXXIII - ...And the Path
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For an instant he thought he was reliving his previous dream. The world was covered in darkness but then he realised it was the dark of a moonless night, velvety black and cold but natural and comforting in its own way.

Once again he started from a distance and slowly spiralled closer. The Ministry was whole although it did look as if it had been repaired. Some of the facia panels didn't have the encrusted dirt of centuries. Gringotts was as geometrically unsound as it had always been. He shot north and quickly came upon Hogwarts.

Relief washed through him. The playing fields were green. There was a flash of movement from near the centre of the oval and Harry zoomed closer. There were two people there and as he swooped closer he recognised red hair that was washed to almost grey by the dark night. The other had black hair and was shorter than their companion. He gasped and was surprised and pleased when he realised who they were - Ron and Hermione. Ron had his arms around her and Harry realised with a start that she was pregnant. The two of them were laughing about something and seemed completely content. He felt good seeing them. It felt right but dream or not he didn't want to intrude on what was their private time and so he left.

He rose again and looked at the Forest. It was whole, it's darkness almost absolute but darkness it controlled. The Whomping Willow swayed slowly as if blown by a gentle wind. The Shrieking Shack had almost completely collapsed but Harry could still see it through the dilapidated and rotting wood. He paused for an instant, looking at the pennants that fluttered from the towers of the castle. From most of the towers the Hogwarts Crest flew but from the highest tower, surmounting the castle was a different crest.

Harry flew closer to examine it. He didn't recognise it. It was black but drawn on the black in fire was a serpent. It didn't look dark though and after a moment Harry recognised it as a Basilisk. It had a long red crest and its eyes were picked out in emerald. But while the symbol was strangely non-threatening, Harry still moved forward and peered into one of the lit windows.

By some quirk of physics or just the fact that this was a dream he was looking straight into the Great Hall. There were still four long tables and he could see students sitting there laughing and talking as they ate. He looked towards the Head Table and saw many familiar faces but Dumbledore wasn't there.

Relax... He told himself at the surge of not disappointment but slight concern that passed through him. This is the future... Dumbledore isn't immortal. He looked back over the High Table. McGoganall was there and Vector... He recognised Madam Hooch and several other teachers but some were unfamiliar. I guess that's okay... He thought. Things change.

And with that, he spiralled away, not seeing the phoenix that landed atop the highest spire and cocked its head at the black pennant that waved there.

Harry didn't know where he was going. He flew over so much land and sea that everything became a blur before it cleared again. He looked around. There was another castle and like Hogwarts this one was set in a forest but it had no playing fields. This wasn't a school. This was a castle, a centre of defence, the place of rulers. Atop every tower was the black flame serpent pennant and it was embossed onto the crest that was affixed to the gates.

As before he passed through the walls like a ghost but unlike before there wasn't much to see in the chambers of the castle. The rooms were neat, tidy and functional. The people in them were dressed neatly in some sort of uniform and were going about their tasks quietly and efficiently. There was nothing unusual happening here.

Silently he passed through the chambers and corridors before he emerged into the Great Hall of this castle. Like his previous vision this Great Hall had a dais and throne with a rich red carpet lining the approach to it. There were still richly dressed people gathered around the throne and in the Hall all talking quietly amongst themselves. Banners still hung from the rafters and they bore many crests, some he vaguely knew and others were new to him. But the banners were of many colours and the black flame serpent that identified the castle was visible only in one place, behind the throne.

But what was incongruous about this dream was that while there were no cages interspersed with the banners and there were no prisoners or slaves in evidence, lining the walls and standing guard at every important point were people Harry would have sworn were Death Eaters. They wore black robes, held their wands or swords at the ready and were masked in red. They looked and felt like Voldemort's Elite. But over their hearts was the flame serpent.

But if they were Voldemort's, why was Hogwarts intact? And where was his symbol, the skull and snake?

Harry looked to the throne. It was occupied by someone who had chosen to keep their hood up and Harry couldn't determine who they were. There were two others on the dais, their hoods similarly raised. They appeared to be waiting for something.

Finally there was a stirring at the door and a basilisk appeared, silently slithering along the carpet. Its eyes were closed but its movements were sure. It reached the dais and reared itself up, hissing softly.

-It is nearly complete.-

Harry noticed that three of the people on the dais nodded while the others watched on. The serpent only continued once the person on the throne gestured towards them.

-The Forces are in position for when the call comes.-

The was a waver in reality beside the serpent and Harry almost cried out when the waver solidified into darkness and from it stepped three people he knew. Charlie Weasley, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.

Charlie didn't look much different except he was older and had a few more scares. His clothing was made completely of dragon skin and had the look of armour. Remus looked wiser and was well dressed in fine robes. The strained look that graced his features every time Harry saw him was gone, the stress of being a werewolf somehow accepted by him. And Sirius... The haunted look that never seemed to leave his Godfathers posture was gone. Like Remus he seemed relaxed and at ease in the fine robes that covered him but unlike Remus his robes were still alive with the dark and as Harry looked closer he could see the ties that existed. Somehow Sirius had become a part of the darkness. He was still himself, still separate but he could call on that power, he was that power. It was reflected in his eyes. They had always been fiercely black but now they were fathomless.

As one the three of them bowed their heads but showed no further sign of submission and Harry breathed a small sigh of relief. He had always known his Godfather to show respect but there was something about him that said he would die before bowing to anyone. Sirius wasn't being forced or coerced. The respect he felt for whoever was on the dais was real. But that only raised Harry's curiosity and he floated forwards, hoping to get a glimpse of whoever was beneath those hoods.

Charlie stepped forward and spoke. "The Dragon Knights are ready."

Remus stepped forward next. "My Brethren will enjoy this night. The ancient enmity will come to an end."

And finally Sirius stepped forward to speak. "We are yours to command. Say the word and we will know life."

The three of them had spoken to the person on the throne but it was the being standing at the right hand that nodded and pushed back his hood to respond to them. Harry stifled a cry of disbelief. Red Eyes!

At least he thought it was Red Eyes but after a moments contemplation he was confused. This being was young. Their face was mature and bore brilliant crimson eyes but they still looked too young. He couldn't remember much about his unknown lover but he had been sure that they were older. How else would they have had the experience to truly understand what he had been through and to accept absolutely. Harry shook his head. This couldn't be Red Eyes. The magic aura he remembered was older. This person looked and felt like a younger version of his Lover.

"Wait for Xeoaph's attack so that when our strike comes it will seem like a gift from their Gods."

"What of the Vampire himself?"

Young Red Eyes glanced towards the throne before he continued. "Bring the Vampire before us. I promised once I would show him what mastery means and he is long over due for his lesson."

Sirius smiled, his glittering black eyes becoming alive. "I will see to it personally, my Lord Voldemort."

Voldemort! Harry drew back. That couldn't be true. That wasn't possible. Sirius would never... could never... No...

This wasn't true...

But if that was Voldemort... And if that was really Sirius... Then who was on the throne? Who had the power to make them both bow down to them?

No! This was just a dream... Just a sick twisted dream that bore even less resemblance to reality than the previous one. It wasn't true.

It would never be true!

"Never!" Harry bolted upright in his bed. "That's not true!" He gasped after a moment, his breath whistling through his teeth. He struggled to calm himself as he noticed that the shadows were writhing around him. They had reacted to his distress and were seeking a target to attack.

-Master?-

Harry looked down to his arm and was only mildly surprised to find a serpent twined around it. He had felt it earlier. "Just a dream," he murmured to it and to the shadows that had stilled somewhat but were still restless. Snuffles was still curled at the foot of his bed, slumbering peacefully. His coat blended well with the darkness and for an instant Harry could see how the two could merge. He shook his head again looking back to the snake.

-How long have you been there?-

The little serpent blinked and seemed surprised at the question. It was midnight black and had a small plume on the crest of it's head, almost like a feather. It's eyes were emerald although Harry had the strangest feeling that they didn't have to remain that way. There was something hidden within them but he didn't have time to contemplate that because he realised that this little serpent was the exact replica of the black flame serpent banner.

-I have always been here,- the serpent responded.

-Always?-

-I was born for you.-

Harry frowned, that didn't make sense but then he understood what the serpent meant. -How old are you?- He asked. The snake had always been with him because it had known no other life. Someone had set it on him to guard. But who had power of serpents? Did Dumbledore know anyone? Because the only person Harry could think of would never think to guard him.

-I am three months old.-

Three months..? That was right after he'd been attacked.

-Why are you here?-

-Master... The King set me to protect you.-

-The King?-

-The Serpent King?-

-But you are that.- There was no way that the person Harry knew as the Serpent King had set this little snake on him.

-I am a Basilisk,- the little serpent confirmed, nodding it's head. -I am a servant of the King.-

It was with trepidation Harry asked his next question. He had to know but at the same time he wasn't sure he wanted to know. -Who is the King?-

The little serpent looked confused. -The King is the King,- it responded after a moment.

$The King is Voldemort,$ the Shadows confirmed Harry's fears.

-Voldemort..?- He whispered.

The basilisk nodded. -The King,- it confirmed. -Your mate.-

"My what?"

-Your mate,- the small basilisk said again.

$We tried to tell you.$

"My mate..." Harry whispered. "I do not want him," he said suddenly. "Not him," he repeated. "I want someone else."

-The King has chosen you.-

-I have not chosen him. I don't care what he wants,- Harry said fiercely. -I do not want him.-

The little serpent blinked. It didn't understand. If Harry didn't want the King, why had he slept with him and why were his thoughts towards the King bordering on love? Did Harry not realise Voldemort only wanted to help him? It didn't make any sense. -I was sent to guard you. Anything else is not my decision to make.-

Harry nodded, thankful that the small serpent was letting the matter go. Red Eyes was not Voldemort. Although it was possible Voldemort had sent the snake to guard him. After all, the Dark Lord wanted to kill him personally and if someone killed him before that where would the satisfaction be?

$Master, the danger remains. You can not be blind to it forever.$

Harry frowned and drove away the thought. He didn't want to think about it now. Once more he looked to the serpent on his arm. -Do you have a name?-

The little snake seemed surprised. -No,- it hissed with a half regretful tone. -Names are not necessary.-

-They are. I need something to call you by. What would you like to be called?-

-I don't...,- the little snake considered the question carefully. -I don't know.-

-Sebastian?-

-No.-

-Salamir?-

-No.-

-Slytherin?-

-No.-

Harry frowned, he was running out of snake names. At least, he was running out of those names he considered appropriate for a snake.

-Salazar?-

-No. None of these names feel right,- the snake hissed with a considering tone.

-Any idea on what would feel right?- $Any idea!$

$Not from us Master. We have no need for names.$

-I will know it when I hear it.-

-Severus? Syissa? Samuel?-

-Not 'S'. It will not begin with S.-

-Oh...- Harry frowned. -Hmm... Karand? Uyran? Xellos?-

-No... None of them.-

-Basil? Xephon? Zetsuei?-

-Basil the Basilisk?- The little snake questioned with a laugh. -I don't think so.-

-Chaos?- Harry paused as the little red plume rose slightly.

-No... But it's close. Cha... Xaos.- The serpent nodded. -I wish to be Xaos.-

-Xaos,- Harry said softly. -Basilisk Xaos.-

-I will guard you, Master,- Xaos' emerald eyes looked up at Harry. -But when the King comes, I will do nothing against him but I will do nothing against you either.-

Harry blinked slowly. -I understand.-

Xaos looked slightly sad but then curled up again. -Sleep now.-

-Not yet.- Harry looked up at the shadows. -What did they mean? My dreams... They were visions... What did they mean?-

$The first was a warning. The second a presage.$

"Will it happen?" While he hadn't seen himself in the second vision, he didn't want to see a future where Sirius was bowing to the Dark Lord, even if Voldemort was bowing to someone else. He didn't want to see it, even if he was dead, he didn't want it to come to pass.

$It does not have to. There are many futures but Master... Please don't let the first come to pass. A variation on the second... But nothing of the first... Please Master!$

"What are you afraid of?"

$The future... We have no desire to be trapped.$

"I can't let Sirius bow to Voldemort."

$Then don't but remember the warning - 'Be true to your heart.'$

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