Harry Potter and the Cave of Revelation
By Aeowin
Chapter 5 Weakness
……………………………………………………………………………………………… Dec 5, 2004
Well, it seems that I was a bad girl and broke the rules :-( so I won't be able to update for a week. In my defense though, I didn't MEAN to post my story twice, I just didn't quite get the idea of how to update when I tried to post my second chapter. I guess that's why you should always read the directions first. I'm gonna look at this as a learning experience...
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I apologize to everyone for the long update. If you click on my author's name, you will see, not only why I have not been able to update, but also why I have been refraining from doing so. I have seen total BS in relation to not only Aspen, but in regard to MANY of my favorite authors…I have seriously been considering leaving for good, but, as I have not found another sight at this time, and as I REALLY need the feedback has given me the greatest response) I am still sticking with ff…
Well, time will tell…until then….enjoy!
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Harry watched carefully as his uncle walked purposefully back to the fire. He quickly scanned the area around Vernon. Everything was gone. Every single thing that Harry had cared about was gone. All of his books, his school robes, were nothing more than ashes. The birthday cards that had meant so much to him, destroyed. Anything that had ever brought light into this cold, dark world that he was supposed to call home was gone. In just a few short hours, his uncle had taken everything that Harry had cared about, and completely demolished it. But yet, here was his uncle, strutting like a peacock, so obviously pleased with himself, that as Harry gazed upon him, he felt his heart lurch.
What else could his uncle possibly have planned?
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"Rrrmmph!" Harry tried to scream through his gag. Vernon gave Harry an icy glare before turning to face his nephew's trunk. As Uncle Vernon turned to show Harry what he had pulled from the trunk, Harry felt his magic struggling to break free. He fought desperately, trying to regain control. He was so angry; every part of his body screamed for vengeance. He had endured years of abuse at the hands of his relatives, but this…this was too much! He could not sit idly by while his uncle destroyed everything that represented who he, Harry Potter, was!
He closed his eyes, preparing to unleash his magic. All at once the image came, unbidden, to his mind. He saw his beloved Godfather dueling with Bellatrix Lestrange. He watched, in horror, as Sirius stumbled, and fell backwards through the veil. And Harry realized, once again, that it was all his fault.
If not for him, Sirius would be alive. Because of his own rash behavior, a wonderful man had died. Yet another death, laid at his feet. It seemed to Harry, that every timed he attempted to help someone; he only brought them into harms way.
During his first year, he had attempted to help save the Sorcerer's Stone, and although he had been successful, Ron had almost died.
In his second year, everyone at Hogwarts had believed him to be a monster. Most of the student body had thought that he was the heir of Slythern. Of course, it had been Tom Riddle, but as Tom was using Ginny to get to Harry, it remained true, that had Harry not been around, everyone would have been much safer. Most especially, Ginny. She had been so close to death, that the memories of that fateful night still plagued him in his dreams.
And third year, hadn't it been Ron, once again in danger? True, Sirius would never have harmed Ron or any of Harry's friends willingly; but, even that was easily traced back to Harry. Sirius had wanted to avenge the death of his best friend; but, had it not been for Harry, Voldemort would have never noticed James and Lilly.
If not for that twice damned, hateful prophecy, Harry's parents would still be alive. They had died to protect him.
These were the thoughts that held his magic in check. As much as he hated his uncle for destroying his things, Harry knew that he deserved this and much, much more. Once again, Harry Potter, the-boy-who-lived, suppressed his magic, and allowed his uncle to win.
Harry gritted his teeth as he watched his uncle hold up his most precious possession, the thing that, above everything else, including his scar, made Harry who and what he was…his wand.
Perversely, it was only his great power that allowed him to sit idly by as his uncle destroyed his greatest magical weapon. Harry watched, with barely suppressed control as Vernon gleefully threw his wand into the fire.
"Now, that is that," stated Vernon, rather shakily. He had quite expected his nephew to do something, some type of spell, or incantation…just something to save his stupid magic stick!
But Harry just sat there, shaking with what he could only perceive as weakness. Vernon smirked. He had always known that his nephew was just a feeble little brat. Take away his weapon, and he was helpless, totally pathetic.
Now, Vernon began to feel empowered. Try as he might to hide the truth from himself, Vernon had been afraid of what his nephew might do on this night. After all, he had seen what that spoiled little brat had done to his sister. Who knew what Harry could be capable of doing after seeing his favorite little toys reduced to ashes.
Once again, Vernon smirked at his nephew. "I always knew you were a weakling, boy," he sneered. "That insignificant piece of wood was the source of your power, wasn't it?"
Harry just sat, tied to the chair, his head hanging.
"Well, now that this rubbish has been disposed of…Dudley, cut the ropes! We will see no more from this waste of space!"
It was no good. After retrieving a knife from his father, Dudley only achieved in dropping the knife several times, without ever coming close to the ropes that held his cousin's wrists tightly together.
"That's OK, Dudder's" smiled Vernon. "I'll do it, with pleasure!"
With that, Harry's uncle took the knife from Dudley, and sliced so vigorously through the ropes, that he cut deeply into Harry's unprotected wrist.
Vernon glanced, unconcernedly, at the blood flowing freely onto the grass. "Time for bed, Dudder's!" He announced, and turned his back on his nephew.
Harry watched as his only family walked into the house, leaving him still tangled in the ropes that had held him to the chair, while his life's blood dripped onto the ground.
In a surge of panic, Harry tried to break free of his bonds, but only succeeded in knocking the chair, and of course, himself, to the ground.
As he continued to bleed freely, Harry's world began to grow darker…the last thing he noticed, before completely blacking out, was a strange green glowing from the fire….
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"Severus, you must go and retrieve someone, who is, from all apparent signs, in very grave danger. I will entrust to you this task, my dear boy, although I know it may cause you pain to carry it out. In doing this, you will be forced to face your worst memories…but if you have the strength to face down these fears, you will come out with more than you have ever dreamed."
Severus leapt to his feet, not truly hearing the Head Master's words. It did not matter, as long as he was working to bring down the Dark Lord, he was willing.
"I am ready, Albus," Severus said coldly. "Whatever it is, I am ready."
Dumbledore looked at Severus, kindly. "I hope that you mean that, my son," he said sadly. "You have no idea what it is you are to face."
The Potions Master looked at the Dumbledore snidely. "Surely you know by now, Head Master, that I always mean what I say." Although Severus knew that the Head Master trusted him explicitly, being questioned about his loyalties always put his on edge.
After all the Dark Lord's 'inquiries', who could blame him? Most times, questions such as these, would be followed by some very painful curse, least of all, the cruciotus.
So, yes, Severus was prepared for anything the Head Master had to say to him…or so he thought. The words that came from the ancient wizard, took him totally by surprise.
"Severus," began Dumbledore, with his blue eyes twinkling, "I must ask you to go on, what is most probably a rescue mission."
Severus, who knew that the older wizard would normally never question his loyalties, began to grow suspicious.
"And, just whom will I be rescuing, Head Master?" Snape asked, silkily.
"Severus, you must know by now, that I place more trust in you, than in any other of the Order. And this is a task that I would only ask of my most trusted. Yet I know you better, my dear Potions Master, than you know yourself…I know this mission will call upon you in ways that you do not yet understand, but only if you are willing to let go of the past, can you grow into more than you have ever dreamed."
Snape looked at the Head Master with curiosity. "I am, as always, ready for whatever you require of me, sir,"
Severus watched, suspiciously, as Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, merrily. "Very well, Severus, if you are sure?" Dumbledore did not allow time for the Potions Master to reply.
"You, Severus, are the only one who is able to rescue this person. Anyone else will be watched, most closely. You however, owing to your special status, will be able to go and retrieve the victim, unobserved."
"Severus, it is up to you to save us all…for only by rescuing the hope of the wizarding world, will any of us be allowed to live. You must save Harry Potter, and in doing so, save us all."
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OK, I know this was a very short chapter, but it is Christmas time, and has umm…shall we say, impugned upon my artistic abilities… (Wow! I like the way that sounds…puts the blame where it belongs, but it makes it sound so nice!)
Anyway…on with the reviews!
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Dilwys.Auberon – Working on it as fast as possible!
From: Read300300- Thanks! I hope to keep pleasing!
From: Lady FoxFire – OK, I Hope I have FINALLY answered some of your questions…if not PLEASE remember, that this is all done in fun…I have never claimed to be an accomplished writer, so yes, I DO make mistakes…if you can give me constructive criticism, please do so, I need all the help I can get
Phoenix 5( )- Thank you! Hearing that there are real people out there that actually want to hear my story, really helps! I write faster (if not better) when I know that I do indeed have an audience!
From: n( ) Umm….I'm not sure what you mean…What exactly are you referring to as 'BS'?
Rosiegirl- Thanx for the nag! I love seeing your name pop up on my mail! It makes me want to write more! I was recently reading another ff, and saw a review from you, and it kinda gave me a huge kick in the butt to get going again! Everyone's reviews mean a lot, but the more you review, the more I recognize your name, and the more you mean to me!
Duj- Thanx, but I got that a bit too late…oh well:0) Life is a learning process!
skittles-07- Yes, I think I have decided (finally) that this IS going to be Severitus…but you can never tell!
Rachael( )-Wow! I loved your review, mainly because you gave me something to think about! (I LOVE constructive criticism, because I KNOW that I need it) I'm sorry the chapters haven't been longer, but unless I add a lot of fluff, I can't really lengthen them. They end when it is time…
About the cliffies…well, it's made YOU keep reading, right? ;0)
Pleione- That will be in the next chapter, I promise!
FroBoy- Sorry! Promise that the next update will be MUCH sooner!
Melinda7- Thank you!
Susan Potter- Only if I decided on making this a true Severitus
StrangersPearl- Shhhh! Don't tell anyone that I'm ……; ), you know
whisky lullaby- You have GOT to stop doing that!JK, I LOVE it when you do! Just stop getting smacked around! LOL!
Love to all!
Also, please remember to support Aspen in the Sunlight's 'A Year Like None Other'
A truly remarkable story that did NOT deserve to be removed for ANY reason!