I'm not afraid anymore! I'm not afraid of the darkness that lurks outside of our world; I'm afraid of the darkness that lurks from within.
A/N: I own nothing this is all J.K.R.'s, what a brilliant mind she has.
Chapter Twenty-Four – Fallen Hero
Harry sat staring blankly up at the bored in Defense class. His dreams from the night before had been his worst ever, he couldn't even pull himself out and Voldemort had just laughed as Harry had stood there with revulsion and loathing written across his face. Voldemort had been more active in the past month then ever before, and Harry was suffering for it. Harry hadn't given up, perhaps it was the Slytherin in him, but he made it a point to taunt Riddle every chance he got, just to appease Harry's suffering.
"Mr. Potter, class is over. I suggest you get your head out of the clouds and try to retain some of what you learned here today," Snape sneered from the front of the emptying classroom.
Harry ignored him as he packed up his belongings and left the classroom. Both Snape and Zabini had stopped spying on Voldemort after Harry's betrayal and it seemed that now Snape had nothing better to do with his extra time, then sulk around and berate students, especially him. But Harry shrugged the Professor's petty attempts at getting him riled, off, he had bigger problems to worry about. Such as him ever getting a decent nights sleep again. He was really starting to feel the effects from lack of it, and people around him were starting to notice his irritability as well.
Harry fell lazily into the crowds of Hogwarts as he made his way to lunch with everyone else. Dumbledore looked down at him from the head table as he entered the Great Hall, and Harry frowned as the Headmaster motioned him to come with him. Harry followed Dumbledore into the Great Hall's antechamber even as his friends asked him where he was going. Harry didn't even respond.
Dumbledore turned to Harry as soon as the door was closed behind them. "A Wizard identified you at an attack in Dublin early this morning. The ministry will be sending someone to question you tomorrow."
"In Dublin, that's where he was," Harry sighed and closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose, to ward away the headache that was forming. "I knew this was going to happen eventually. Obviously, I was not actually there, Professor. You can ask my dorm mates. I woke them up screaming this morning," Harry said with a slight edge to his voice. "I think Voldemort's getting better at projecting me. I almost felt as if I was actually there, and I couldn't wake myself up this time. He's found a way to hold me there," Harry said with growing resentment. "I just wish I could find him and put a stop to this now," Harry whispered in a dulled, tired voice.
Dumbledore put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I wish I could put a stop to this for you," Dumbledore sighed sadly. "Let your dorm mates know about the ministry official. I'll try to convince Luminous to send someone from the Order."
"Thank you Professor," Harry said lightly before he left. It was going to be another long day.
Early the next morning Harry sat in the Owlery with Hedwig on his knee as he looked out over the grounds of Hogwarts. Spring was coming to the land and the trees were full in the Forbidden Forest, as April settled in. Even the Whomping Willow seemed to be blooming a little early this year. Everything was sleeping and Harry stroked Hedwig's feathers lightly, enjoying the peace of the night that still lingered before the dawn. Harry had been sitting there with Hedwig since late the night before. He had decided that he wasn't going to even bother going to sleep if another night, like the one before, was going to greet him.
Harry hadn't gone back to Gryffindor Tower at all the previous day. He had blown up at Hermione and Ron's excessive questions regarding the ministry official, which was to be at Hogwarts later in the morning. Harry had just been to tired to deal with anyone for the rest of the day and had hid in the library for most of the rest of it. It probably hadn't been the smartest thing to do, but Harry had ditched Tonks before going to the Owlery to be with his one friend that never had any comments or questions for him, Hedwig.
Harry laid his head back against the cool stone of the window and closed his eyes against the darkness of night. Before he knew that he was even falling asleep he was dreaming, but for the first time all year this dream was peaceful, and he breathed evenly with a smile on his face as sleep truly washed over him.
Harry opened his eyes to colors that he had rarely seen before. The sky was blue and the grass was green and the waters that stretched before him held the colors together, blending a radiance over everything. Harry sighed as the bright sun cast him in warmth. Ocean waves crashed far below him into the cliff face, and Harry breathed deeply in the fresh salty air. This was life, this was what he did not have, but craved more deeply then he ever had before. Harry laid in the cool grass and enjoyed the peacefulness of his surroundings and tried to remember why his life wasn't like this.
Harry smiled as he saw a small village that was near a mile away, sitting in an alcove on the ocean. It held few houses as small villages do, but was awash with life and children played in the square that united the houses as a community. A childhood, Harry had never had that, but he was happy for the children that did and he hoped that they stayed children as long as they could.
"Let them play, let them be happy, let them be unaware of the danger that lurks just outside of their world."
Harry stood up and turned around. He looked at the women that stood feet away from him. Harry didn't rush to her this time. he was just happy to see her. "Mum," Harry whispered.
"Time will stopped and breath will be held and death will come swift to the one who fell. Don't believe all prophecies Harry, they're not always about you," Lily whispered.
"No but they generally are," Harry whispered back and started to smile to her but fear radiated in her eyes and Harry knew he was about to wake up, not to his own consciousness, but to what the Dark Lord was doing.
Harry breathed in deeply and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he was standing beside Riddle and he wore the robes of a Death Eater, but was missing the typical hood and mask. Harry turned to Voldemort and glared hate at him. "What do you want; for me to witness more death?"
Voldemort smiled cruelly. "No, I want you to kill the Minister of Magic," he said simply.
Harry shook his head and laughed. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm no longer your servant. I don't do what you want."
"What are you afraid of Harry?" Voldemort hissed.
"Not you."
The Dark Lord laughed, it almost seemed genuine. "Obviously you are not afraid of me, and it's odd, I don't think you ever have been. I will tell you what you are afraid of though. Darkness, Harry. Darkness that brings danger to your world, and those you care about within it."
"No, Tom. I was afraid, but I'm not afraid anymore! I'm not afraid of the darkness that lurks outside of our world," Harry answered honestly. "I'm afraid of the darkness that lurks from within; but that darkness is no longer there, and it will never control me again."
Voldemort hit Harry hard across the face with the back of his hand and Harry fell to the ground in shock and… pain. He had felt that, very much so. Harry touched the stone street with his hand and felt the coldness of it, and then he looked up to Voldemort with hatred in his eyes, somehow he was actually there. "Are you sure about that?" Voldemort spat as he drew his wand on Harry.
Harry stood and tasted the blood from the corner of his split lip as he did. "Yes, I am," Harry said defiantly.
"Very well, Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort threw the spell, and Harry just stood there unbelievingly, but as soon as he felt that is was real, he threw himself to the side, nearly catching tendrils of it at as he did.
Harry stood up again and pointed his hand at Riddle, it would have been his wand if he had it. "I don't know how you got me here, but if you can kill me, I can kill you!"
"But will you? Will you risk unleashing the darkness within you to kill me Harry?" Voldemort said calmly. "The darkness you claim is no longer there."
Harry tightened his outstretched hand into a fist as anger built up within him. He had a chance to end this now. But what would happen to him? He didn't want to become the next dark lord.
"Kill me Harry, I dare you," Voldemort spat.
Harry opened his fist and closed his eyes as he took a deep breath in. He open his eyes and fire flashed within them. "Go to Hell Riddle! Avada Kedavra!" Harry released the spell but he was no longer standing in front of Voldemort but beside him, and his spell was shooting towards a stage erected in the middle of Diagon Alley. "No!" Harry screamed just as his off aimed Killing Curse hit the podium that the Minister of Magic was standing behind. The podium exploded in green flames, and Luminous had just managed to dodge to the side.
Harry just stood there stunned and with horror on his face, as Voldemort put a hand on his should. "Thank you Harry. It has been fun. Do say hello to the Dementors for me when they give you the kiss," Voldemort laughed evilly as Harry felt himself shoved back into consciousness.
Harry awoke sweating and breathing heavily. "It was just a dream," Harry whispered. "It was just a dream," he told himself again more resolutely. " i It was just a dream… /i " Harry wasn't so certain.
He looked around him. He was still in the Owlery but Hedwig was gone from the perch on his leg, probably sleeping in one of the alcoves above him, as the morning had settled well into the sky. Harry looked at his watch and noticed that he was late for breakfast, and would soon be late for class.
Harry looked out over the grounds of Hogwarts. It had to have been a dream, there was no way that he could have gotten all the way to Diagon Alley and back in just a few hours. Not to mention, that you can't Apparate through the wards at Hogwarts, especially the new ones, and he would have felt a portkey. Harry rubbed his eyes and got up from his spot at the window. What if Voldemort had become powerful enough as to make him actually be in two places at once? This frightened Harry too much to even contemplate as he left the Owlery.
If he hurried with a shower, he might be able to make the start of class. Harry nearly ran through the school to get back to the dormitories, and he wasn't surprised when he didn't meet anyone on the way. He was also glad. His dream had really shaken him. It had to have been a dream. Until he had woken up some more with a shower, he didn't want to see anyone.
After his longer then necessary shower, Harry was just finishing getting dressed when Ron came bursting into the dormitory. "Harry, where have you been?" asked Ron almost immediately upon seeing him.
Harry shrugged. "I fell asleep in the Owlery," Harry shook his head. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in class?"
"There was an attack in Diagon Alley this morning, the Minister was almost killed!" Ron blurted and Harry paled considerably, his dream had to have been coincidence.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked hoping that it wasn't true, that his dream was just a dream.
"Yeah, classes were cancelled this morning. Hermione and I were sent to get anyone from Gryffindor who didn't turn up at breakfast and bring them to the Great Hall. Dumbledore's going to make a general announcement to everyone. A lot of people were killed," Ron had gone a little pail at the last words.
Harry put a hand on Ron's shoulder. "I'm sure your brothers are fine, they're not ones for early risers."
Ron gave Harry a halfhearted smile. "Yeah, well come on, you're the last person left. Hermione's probably already got everyone down there." Harry hesitated before he followed Ron. If he didn't go, it'd make him look guilty and maybe no one would have identified him anyways, if his dream was real.
A short while later Harry took a seat in between Ron and Hermione, at the Gryffindor table. He looked across the table at Ginny, who held the same anxious expression as Ron. Dumbledore wasn't at the head table with the other professors and that worried Harry. He chewed on the side of his lip and that was when he realized that there was dry blood there and he knew that his dream was real, it was right where Voldemort had hit him. But it couldn't be possible.
Harry breathed in deeply and closed his eyes. Seven people had just entered into the Great Hall. Five of them were Aurors, who wore red and white robes that held the insignia of the Ministry. The other two were Dumbledore and Luminous who had expressions that clearly showed that they weren't happy.
Harry opened his eyes and look at Ginny intently. "Ginny, I wanted to kill Tom," Harry whispered and his three friends looked at him with shocked expressions. "All I wanted was to kill Tom Riddle," he repeated a little louder and stood from the table and took out his wand as he backed away, "please believe me, he tricked me," Harry said in a panicked voice.
"Harry what…?" Ginny began.
"Harry what are you doing?" Hermione screeched.
Harry clutched his wand, he didn't know what he was going to do, but he wouldn't be arrested. "What I have to."
"Mr. Potter, drop your wand, now," Kingsley Shacklebolt called and leveled his wand on Harry, as they all approached. There was many gasps from the students and some of them had even stood to get a better view, it seemed especially the Slytherins.
Harry leveled his wand right back. "No!" he said stubbornly, but just as he said it, his wand slipped out of his hand and soared into Dumbledore's. Harry somehow knew he would do that.
"Harry, you have no place to go," Dumbledore said calmly but the anger in his voice was evident.
If being dark, even for a short time had taught Harry anything, it was how to act and be very patient. Really, Harry did have no place to go, but he wasn't going to give up, he couldn't. Harry dropped his head as if in defeat. "You're right," he whispered. Just as Kingsley and two other Aurors came up to him, and grabbed him by both arms. Harry sprang into action with reflexes and instincts born from his training. It took less then four seconds for Harry to have the two Aurors on his right incapacitated and unconscious, and two seconds after that, for himself to be pinned to the wall by Kingsley and the other two Aurors. He underestimated them. "Alright," Harry said through clenched teeth as his arm was being twisted into a most uncomfortable position behind his back.
"Harry Potter, you are under arrest for willingly serving the Dark Lord Voldemort and for treason against the British Ministry of Magic," Luminous said as he stepped up, just as Harry was being pulled away from the wall. "Because there were over a dozen eye witnesses, including myself, you will be sent directly to Azkaban Prison where you will receive the Dementor's Kiss, without trial," Luminous' words were angry but his eyes held immeasurable sadness.
The words, Dementor's Kiss, echoed in Harry's mind and he closed his eyes and then he started to laugh. This was exactly what Voldemort wanted. Well he wasn't going to get what he wanted. Everyone always underestimated him. Before he hadn't wanted to seriously hurt anyone, but now he had no choice. Harry stopped laughing and opened his eyes. Patience, the first rule in Merlin's Diaries, he needed them closer. "I don't serve Voldemort!" Harry spat at Luminous.
"Really?" asked Luminous with anger in his voice. He grabbed onto Harry left arm and tore back the sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark. Of course, there were many gasps at seeing it on the arm of the 'boy who lived.' Not that there hadn't been gasps or cries of outrage when Harry had been sentenced to the Dementor's Kiss, it was just drowned out by the shock. "Then why do you possess his mark?"
"Thought it was cool looking," Harry spat sarcastically as he tapped into Merlin's powers, it was his only way out. "Sorry Kingsley this may hurt, just a little," Harry whispered and concentrated ever so slightly. Everyone who was directly around him was thrown off their feet and away from him. Others felt a hard shove as a pale yellow ring of light shot out around Harry. Harry didn't bother looking to see if he had seriously hurt anyone, he was too busy staring at Luminous who had only been forced back several feet, he was the real threat now.
Dumbledore had also stayed on his feet and was approaching him. "Harry do not make this harder on yourself," Dumbledore said calmly but forcefully.
"I'm sorry, Professor, but no one's going to stop me from doing what I have to do," Harry said and he advanced on the two of them. "Stop this and let me go before I do something we'll all regret."
"You've already done something to regret," Luminous started to call on Merlin's magic, but Harry was now the master of it and saw this and he shook his head sadly.
"Don't. Don't make me use Merlin's magic against you, Luminous," Harry whispered just as Luminous was forming a small ball of blue fire in his hand. The students in the Great Hall had abandoned their seats and backed away at this. No one knew that the minister was so powerful. "Please don't," Harry pleaded with his eyes but Luminous wasn't going to be swayed and he sent the ball of fire at him.
To the surprise of everyone Harry caught it and threw is back at the Minister who had just managed to make it dissipate before it hit him. Harry noted that the Aurors, now in back of him, were getting to their feet and the Professors were starting to advance on him as well. They were caging him in. Harry didn't like being caged. He smiled to Dumbledore sadly before he called his wand back to him effortlessly.
"Harry, stop this, please!" Dumbledore shouted.
"I'm sorry Professor, I really am. I never wanted this to happen. But you leave me no choice." Harry pocketed his wand and turned away from the man at the same time as sending up a shield that stopped their advances. Harry sent another wave of power but much stronger then the last and students who were standing were knocked off their feet as well as the Professors and Aurors. Harry didn't care.
That was when Harry started running, there were too many people blocking the entry way but there was no one at the windows. Harry was going to create his own way out. He just hoped that his broom got there in time. He moved swiftly in the direction of the head table. Several wands were raised at Harry but no one fired any spells as they were too shocked to see Harry fire three blasting curses at one of the large glass windows and dive through as the shattered glass rained down around him.
"Harry!" Ginny screamed just as he caught air and then his summoned broom with one hand. He hung there for a second with relief, and then pulled himself up onto his broom with a little bit of effort. Harry looked back through the destroyed window as glass still fell out of it.
There he saw a world he once belonged to, but his time was over and it was time to deal with Voldemort once and for all. And for once, Harry felt that he could do it, he was powerful enough. Harry looked to his friends. Ron was helping Hermione to her feet and Ginny was being held back by Neville. He'd never see them again.
Harry waved, he didn't know what else to do as he started to fly away. As Harry left the castle that was once his home, he had to smile and roll his eyes. Of all the things to hear as he left his world behind, 'Cheeky Bastard,' out of the mouth of Severus Snape, was the furthest from his imagining. The man always had to have the last word, didn't he?
Harry flew throughout the day, doing as little magic as possible, so that they couldn't trace him as easily. He wondered as he flew, looking over his shoulder occasionally, when Hermione would remember the tracking charm that she had stuck on him months ago. It was well into the night, before he decided to finally land. He hadn't wanted to risk getting caught by landing sooner. Harry had a feeling that he knew where Slytherin Manor was, as if he'd seen it from the outside before, but he couldn't put his finger on it. So Harry flew in one constant direction until he was too tired to continue and landed outside of a small village. A village that looked awfully familiar.
Harry walked into the sleepy village square and then he knew where he was, it was the village from his dream. Harry looked around him and remembered the children at play here. But Harry was certain that hadn't been real. He sat down on the edge of the large fountain that rested in the middle of the quiet square. He looked up at the star swept sky and the moon that was just setting, soon to be replaced by the sun. Harry shrunk down to the ground and put his head in his arms and there he fell asleep, clutching at his broom and his wand hidden under his right sleeve.
It was full morning when Harry was woken up by a little black dog licking his face. Harry ruffled the fir on the dogs head before he noticed the boy staring at him. "Umm, hello," Harry said staring back at the small brown haired boy.
"Hey mister, I was wondering when you were going to wake up. My dogs been licking your face for over five minutes," the kid said with a light Scottish accent.
"Um, yeah, must have fallen asleep," Harry said more to himself as he stretched.
"Is that a Firebolt!" the kid suddenly exclaimed and Harry instantly became more awake.
"You're a Wizard?"
"Well, yeah. I least, I will be after I go to Hogwarts in the fall, and then I can actually use magic. My friends and I try to get away with the little things, but our parents always catch us. They ruin all the fun," the boy pouted.
"Are all your friends Wizards?" Harry asked as he rolled a kink out of his shoulders.
"Of course, there aren't Muggles around here. This is a Wizarding village. Don't you know where you are?"
Harry shook his head. "Not really, no. I'm guessing Scotland."
The boy rolled his eyes. "Well your right about that. You're in the Rhinns of Galloway, nearest Muggle town is a few miles that way, if you were wondering," the boy announced and pointed over his shoulder back the way Harry had come from, more inland.
Harry stood up and looked around him for the first time. There was ocean for miles, and green grass as far as he could see. Harry looked up the coast and there was the cliffs from his dream, what appeared to be a near mile away, and that was where Harry felt as if he should be.
Harry looked back down to the kid. "Thanks for telling me where I'm at." Harry held out his Firebolt to the kid. "I'm not going to need this anymore, could you take care of it for me?"
The boy's mouth fell open as he excepted the broom and then his eyes widened and his mouth fell open even further, as he looked up into Harry's face and noticed his scar. "You're Harry Potter!"
"Last time I check, I'm pretty sure I was," Harry said quietly as he looked around him. He was surprised they hadn't found him yet, but the village may have been blocking the tracking charm. "Look, take care of my broom, I've got to go, there's a bunch of people looking for me and not all of them are good," Harry said with a bit of sigh.
"I'll take good care of your broom if you do something for me," the boy blurted.
"And what's that?" Harry asked.
"Defeat Voldemort for me, he killed my dad."
This time it was Harry's turn for his mouth drop in surprise at the kid's sharp voice. "That kid, is something I'll promise," Harry said with resolve. He wasn't going to kill him, but he'd certainly defeat him. "By the way, you said his name."
"Why fear his name when I don't fear him. He's just a bloody cowered with too much power!" the boy said with fire in his eyes. The kid was smarter then he looked, and Harry could see a strong Gryffindor spirit him.
Harry smiled. "Yeah, yeah he is, and I'm going to take it away from him," Harry said with determination. Harry then said good-bye to the boy and his dog and set off in the direction of the cliffs. Today it would end, he'd make sure of it, and then he could rest.
A/N: Last chapter is up next and then onward to the sequel. :)