Embracing His True Self

Chapter 77

"Did you imbibe your Order members with the potion?" the Minister begun again, feeling a little hot. Anxiety and suspicion thrumming through him, this was so much bigger than he'd at first feared…how did he tell the other Ministers that...that the war had been a deliberate act….that they had lost hundreds of thousands of people for nothing? He was not looking forward to this, it might still yet cause an international incident. He would need to discuss this with Bones, he needed advice. Quite frankly…the thought of having to do this made him want to leave the office and make it someone else's duty. Although the previous Minister's of magic…well, they had indeed buried their heads in the sand. He couldn't risk such a thing happening again, because if they did attempt to sweep it under the rug, it would indeed create an international incident…and that was the last thing they needed…especially after the numbers that had already been lost over the years.

"Yes,"

"Merin's balls," Charlie choked out, fearfully. "We need to get to St. Mungo's," they'd been spending the majority of their days there, at their father's beside. He hadn't woken up yet, but the healers said it's not a surprise…that he might just not want to wake.

"I would have noticed if he used it on me, I can see magic, I would have noticed him using it on the others…" Bill protested, easing Charlie back down.

"You didn't notice dad's magic wasn't right all our lives! There might be something seriously wrong with your abilities!" Charlie argued, not willing to rely on Bill's abilities.

Bill flinched, gaze going to the floor, inhaling sharply, "Alright," he intoned defeated, "We'll get checked out…Ron and Ginny too." He wished his parents had thought to have life insurance, even if it was the cheapest one available. It would have helped them significantly. He couldn't even think of his mother without being sick to his stomach. "I wonder…if she's been drugged so long…perhaps it wasn't her actions." Sounding more than a little hopeful.

"It's possible," Charlie said, sounding a little more chipper, "Merlin only knows what he's done to us all." Eyes closing as he shook his head, Dumbledore had been by quite often in their childhood…it truly was sickening.

"That is not true," Severus retorted, frowning in worry, "He's either getting around the potion…or he truly believes it…because I know for a fact I haven't been drugged. Not then and not now."

Harry and the others gave him a curious look, wondering why he would have felt the need to test himself.

"It was after we found out about the 'Mea Culpa' months ago," Severus confessed, "I've also been checking everyone's blood…but I haven't gotten around to everyone yet."

Before anyone could answer, the Minister spoke. "All Order members?"

"No,"

"Most of the Order members?"

"Yes,"

"I'm going to assume it was in food and drink?" the Minister deduced, of course, it was a way to ensure nearly everyone received it, but not be a hundred percent sure on exactly who imbibed enough for it to take.

"That may explain it," Severus murmured at the same time Dumbledore admitted, "Yes," he never ate or drank anything he didn't prepare himself. He had a personal house-elf send up food he'd prepared earlier up with everything else. He checked it still before he ate it, just to be on the safe side, he was extremely paranoid.

"We're going to be here all night by the looks of it," The Minister confessed speaking quietly to Bones, "There are going to be lists and lists of names for us to comb through. Accidents! I quite frankly am sickened."

Bones nodded her agreement, "Just ask what we can here, the rest can be answered after the verdict…"

"I do believe we should inform the International Confederation of wizards," the Minister interrupted her, "If we do not…we may be creating an international incident."

Bones paled, swallowing thickly, "I…didn't think of that," they could not afford to lose allies. With the fingers Dumbledore had in everything…it was going to be difficult to avoid hurt feelings and when people felt hurt they lashed out…they could only hope that nobody would blame the United Kingdom Magical Britain for Dumbledore's actions.

"The question remains, do we inform them before or after the fact?" the Minister already knew the answer to that. "We've not informed them just how bad the list of charges are…" it had gone from a simple wonder if Dumbledore had indeed been working with Gellert Grindelwald back in the day to being the mastermind behind it.

Bones looked utterly washed out, how could she have forgotten about the ICW? When they found out…there was going to be hell to pay. To be fair she was surprised none of them had attended, but she knew nothing of the ICW or their meetings, she had no idea if Dumbledore was liked or detested. "We shall get in touch with them during the break. Either that or I can have one of the assistants inform them for us?"

Speaking of which, one of the clerks came in, looking frazzled.

"No, we owe it to them to inform them ourselves, the assistants won't know anything…and to leave them in such an awkward potion is wrong on so many levels." These were powerful wizards and witches they were dealing with.

"Yes?" Bones demanded of the silent clerk.

"Tom Riddle Junior, a half-blood, son of Merope Gaunt and Tom Riddle Senior, he's not been seen or heard from since the sixties…he was big in the political scene…and it was well known that Dumbledore did not like him at all." Was quickly and hastily explained.

"I see, thank you," Bones claimed the file, since the sixties…there wasn't much hope then she gathered. "Here, I want this done immediately, GO!" handing over the next thing she wanted done.

"Yes, Ma'am," with that he was gone.

"Do we tell them?" Hermione craned her neck to see Harry properly.

"Hermione…he will have been a victim of Dumbledore's too," Harry said looking tired beyond belief. Licking his dry lips, "Death will have ceased all those potions working…"

"Which means he's better," Hermione finished, wide eyed. "That's why there hadn't been any…raids! Or signs of him having returned."

Voldemort had to stop himself snorting at the doe eyed look the supposed cleverest witch in Hogwarts supported. Just like that everything he supposedly did was washed away. The real world didn't work like that. She didn't even attempt to find out if he had been drugged taking it in the face of value. Then again, if Harry could 'forgive' then why wouldn't she? After all she'd never been personally targeted like Harry had.

"Not many actually know the real name of Voldemort." Harry sighed, "Not that it was his choice…no, he was manipulated…just like Grindelwald." Which wasn't true of course, at least not that they knew of…and there was nothing they could do to find out…Voldemort's old body was reduced to ash…the new one only began a few years ago once it was created through the ritual.

"You are…unbelievable," Voldemort admitted bemused, speaking low enough for only his partner to hear him.

"It will get out, it's a good job you didn't go back to using Riddle," Harry murmured, "Ron and Ginny know about it, everyone else I think is gone…but yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if it does get out though."

Voldemort made a thoughtful sound but remained stringently silent.

"Did you use a potion or spell on any of the students under your care?" the Minister continued with great difficulty.

"Yes,"

"Why?" didn't he care that it was dangerous? Of course not.

"Because they were diverting from the road I wished for them," Dumbledore informed them bluntly.

Hermione's breathing hitched, "I think I was one of them…" she murmured, barely able to breathe over the realisation.

Harry glanced at her, frowning in silent contemplation, wondering what she meant.

"But I didn't meet with him…he couldn't have done anything," Hermione waved it off, her heart still steadily pounding. She was going to head straight to St. Mungo's and get some tests done, she should have before this in reality.

"Barty?" Harry murmured quietly, he knew quite a few spells from Grant…in a pinch he could do to give Hermione peace of mind.

"It's Daphne that's the apprentice not me," Barty whisper argued to Harry. Daphne Greengrass was quite an avid learner when put her mind to it. Grant was very pleased with her progress and dedication to the healing arts. It may have something to do with

"It's a single spell," Harry said, eyes gleaming darkly, "For Hermione's peace of mind. You and she can go to St. Mungo's later…"

Barty sighed, getting the warning for what it was, "Alright, I'll do it," he agreed, "Let's go," easing Hermione out of the room. Magic was strictly forbidden in the courtrooms, unless you were a Ministry worker. Even then it was best done only in an emergency.

"Did you imbue Tom Riddle, Severus Snape and Harry Potter with your potion?"

"Yes, Tom Riddle, but the potion burnt itself out within a week," which made it useless, it needed to be given over time, repeatedly, but it burning out before he could give his suggestions…well, needless to say it was a useless endeavour which he had given up on. The Mea Culpa potion required the recipient to be an adult, otherwise the body shut down, he had learned that the hard way. Hence why he'd had to wait to try and imbibe Tom and then of course Harry…Severus he had attempted, but each attempt failed until the vial was empty, and he refused to waste more…it was an extremely delicate and expensive brew.

"Looks like you were right," Harry murmured remaining exactly as he was, wrapped around Tom, despite their being no need for it anymore. He liked it though, and he loved the Death Eater's reactions more.

"Of course I was," Tom said smugly, he was almost always right.

Harry gritted his teeth, he thought he was passed all this, but apparently his anger with Dumbledore was never ending. "I just can't wait until this is over."

"It will never be over," Severus spoke pensively. "What he's done will live on in all of us, perhaps in a few generations it will be over." Thank Merlin there were no children of either male Dumbledore, for nobody deserved the last name Dumbledore right now. Not everyone would be affected the same way, naturally, but all the same…they would need to live with it.

"You did not imbibe Severus Snape or Harry Potter with the potions?"

"No,"

"Did you attempt to do so?" aware of the limitations of the potions and the sneaky way one must ask the questions.

"Yes,"

"Did you imbibe Alice and Frank Longbottom with the potion?"

"Yes,"

"Did you imbibe Lily and James Potter with the potion?"

"Yes,"

Severus snarled under his breath, could it have been when she begun distancing herself from him? Should he have looked further into her sudden distance? Had he really been the one to let Lily down all the while thinking he was the injured party? Even James had bloody changed, as much as he hated the asshole. How stupid were they that they had let this happen right in front of them without thinking there was something seriously wrong?

Rabastan squeezed his knee in comfort, well aware of the connection between Lily and Severus. That Severus had loved her, nothing had come of that relationship…and even if it had…over a decade had passed since she died. He deserved to move on with his life…and he'd had permission from her own son to find love again, insisting that's what Lily would have wanted. Although, tonight was going to be difficult.

"What year did they take the potion?"

Severus' gaze snapped up, he had assumed they wouldn't ask anything like that. He held his breath, feeling sick to his stomach.

"1975,"

Severus closed his eyes, defeat thrumming through him, well, that answered that question. Fifth/sixth year, was indeed when things began to change between them. Merlin, if only he had been a little more suspicious about it…he might have fixed Lily and she could have still been alive.

He knew the exact moment…Merlin, he should have guessed…should have known.

"…I never meant to call you Mudblood, it just —"

"Slipped out? It's too late. I've made excuses for you for years. None of my friends can understand why I even talk to you. You and your precious little Death Eater friends... You've chosen your way, I've chosen mine."

Severus slid out of the memory when he as distracted by talking.

"Did you force Lily and James as well as Frank and Alice to have a relationship?" the Minister questioned grimly.

Barty and Hermione re-joined them in time to hear that statement. Barty's eyes widened in surprise and Hermione clasped her hand over her mouth in wordless shock.

Harry stiffened himself now, narrowing his eyes upon Dumbledore. "Please, say no, please, say no," sick crawling up his throat.

"No,"

Harry's body all but sagged, relief beyond belief flowing through him. That was until the Minister for Magic spoke again.

"Did you encourage it?" The Minister exasperatedly rolled his eyes at the damnable wording.

"Yes," which meant they had no choice, as drugged as they were with whatever potion Dumbledore had used on them.

"Were they the only recipients you encouraged to get together?" the Minister demanded to know the answer to that question.

"Yes,"

"Why?" the Minister requested.

"They were important, the prophecy had to be just right,"

Harry blindly sat down, grateful that more than half the courtroom had left, giving him plenty of sitting room. Voldemort naturally went with him, so he was sat between Severus and Voldemort. Hermione slid in at the back, patting his back in comfort, tearfully horrified for what had just been stated.

"The prophecy had to be just right?" echoed the Minister, his mind quite quickly gearing up.

"I think perhaps it's time for a twenty minute break…" Bones asked, not that they would be getting a break…no if anything they'd be busy during both this fifteen minute break and the lunch break…the quicker they got it done though the better. "We should have had him checked by a mind-healer,"

"It matters little now," the Minister whispered back, "We shall adjourn for a twenty minute break!" so much for a quick end. He suspected questioning Dumbledore might take a day or two.

"Staying or going?"

"We'll go and get some crisps and a sweet for us," Barty suggested, "Are you coming?" holding his hand out to Hermione who gracefully accepted it.

"Sure,"

Luna and Rodolphus followed them, at a more sedate pace.

Nobody had asked her the outcome…they were not using her for her abilities.

"Good morning, Babajide Akingbade, the Minister said, giving a short bow, not easily done through the Floo network.

"I have spent the early morning with Floo meetings, I'll have this meeting face to face," Babajide insisted, touching his neck delicately, indicating a soreness he did not wish to see furthered.

"Very well," it was quickly agreed, as the Minister removed himself from the Floo, and ordered some refreshments to be brought up. There was only twenty minutes before he had to return to the courtroom.

"Minister Lincoln," Babajide said respectfully as he came through the Floo, giving a short bow.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, I'm afraid I have…some grave news to share." The Minister for Magic, Alexander Lincoln explained, "Take a seat, help yourself to some refreshments, I'll explain what I can."

"I should hope so," Babajide replied, sitting down, smiling at the taste of the coffee, his favourite, purely accidental he knew, but it still pleased him nonetheless. "I'm afraid I have a meeting scheduled in less than an hour…so I'm afraid pleasantries will need to be set aside."

"It's about Albus Dumbledore." Lincoln explained, sitting down himself, stirring his coffee, he wanted something before he had to return. Snatching a few finger sandwiches and quickly eating them without looking uncouth. "As I'm sure you're aware the British wizards called for him to be removed as the supreme Mugwump." Which must have hurt deeply, now that they knew it all.

"Ah, Albus, yes," Babajide murmured, "We had just been about to accept him back into the ICW as a regular member of course, when the newspapers began to report upon his…activities. We thought it best to wait it out, but it became increasingly clear that it was never going to happen."

"That close?" Lincoln asked genuinely taken aback.

"Yes, mere days," Babajide explained, biting into a biscuit, it was absolutely delicious, "These are lovely! And it doesn't matter, even if he had been welcomed back…I'm afraid he would have been informed it was premature."

"Have you been reading the information in the newspaper?" Lincoln queried. Glancing at the time, he could not be late, regardless of whether it made him look rude or not.

"Yes, we have," naturally, of course they were going to read it, all of them had known Dumbledore for decades.

"Then you read the part about Dumbledore manipulating a young Gellert Grindelwald?" Lincoln pushed.

"Of course, it was the last thing published before Dumbledore was arrested, months ago," Babajide agreed, ignoring the way he was watching the time with rapid fascination. He understood that the wizard had to keep track of time, it wouldn't look good if the Minister was late for court.

"Well, it's not speculation, it was the truth," Lincoln blurted out, having to tell him before he chickened out or ran out of time.

"Excuse me?" he rasped out. Shaking his head as if trying to dislodge something that was irritating him.

"I'm afraid it's true, he created a potion to control people…" Lincoln tiredly admitted, "Not to forget used a subtle suggestive draught and spells to control fifty odd people. He caused the war…allowed thousand upon thousand of people to die…to become Supreme Mugwump, the Chief Warlock of the wizengamot…to have Order of Merlin first class…" it felt like acid on his tongue having to admit all this.

Babajide gaped at Lincoln, the cup rattling and falling through his nerveless fingers.

The Minister was quick to react, to prevent the wizard from being scalded. "I apologise, I should have made sure you had nothing in your hand," he scolded himself for his rash actions.

"Do you have any idea what this is going to do?" he said, wide eyed.

"I know," the Minister sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Dear Merlin! I must inform them at once!" Babajide said, picking up everything and putting it on the desk. "I'll return with at least five of the world leaders…"

"Then this meeting can reconvene for lunch perhaps?" Lincoln suggested, worry clearly written across his brow. "I suspect we're going to be reconvening tomorrow for another day of it…so perhaps an evening meal?"

"Perhaps best not risk it, lunch it is, just to be on the safe side. Should things plan out, then yes, we may meet up for lunch." Babajide agreed, "Now please, excuse me, I must return home and explain…things that even I am not privy to yet."

"We ourselves don't know everything, Sir," The Minister admitted, tiredly, rubbing his jaw and face. "We do not want to do so in public…to be on the safe side, it's not information the public should have. However, Dumbledore is an extremely powerful and intelligent wizard, the potion he's using…most definitely works…and we also need to find out how many people he is using it on."

"Of course," he murmured soberly, no doubt this was a difficult situation for them as well, he knew how well liked Dumbledore was, or had been. Both here and internationally, he was going to have to inform a group of people who had interacted with the wizard on a daily basis for years…himself included. Thankfully he wasn't about to let his emotions get the better of him. "Thank you for informing us," which was giving him a bonus really, for letting them know so quickly.

Whether it was just covering his arse or not, one didn't really know. Considering the look on his face…he suspected he was too stunned by this latest blow to be thinking politically. He looked as though he thoroughly regretted his decision to become the Minister for Magic.

He believed he'd feel the same way, how could he let him know he wasn't alone in this without making promises he couldn't keep? "We shall do everything we can to prevent Dumbledore's evil from spreading."

Minister Lincoln grimaced a little, conceding with a nod of his head, "I thank you for indulging me on such short notice." He very rarely got in touch with the ICW – or not at all really – so the moment his face had appeared no doubt the African Wizard had known he meant business.

"No, we are in a position where we must care for our people and the magical world…" Babajide confided, "All of us together, yes? Despite his actions we are not all the same." Dumbledore had spent decades on the ICW. "Do you believe there are those amongst us suffering the same fate?"

Minister Lincoln frowned, staring at the wizard sombrely, "I do believe there is a great possibility," he confessed, "He has…amassed himself a throne and watched everyone play…killing anyone that didn't move to his tune…or organizing accidents…my people are right now getting themselves checked over, as I myself will do. He played Gellert Grindelwald like a puppet for years…I do not think there's anything he's not capable of." And he honestly didn't want to have to ask any more of those questions.

Babajide inhaled sharply, "Perhaps I should have attended the trial," he honestly wanted to know what exactly had been happening…then again, hearing it from the horse's mouth isn't going to make it all easier to digest.

"You've gotten off lucky, Sir," the Minister said seriously, his purple eyes reflexing his anxieties and heritage. "Very lucky indeed, now if you'll excuse me I must see a healer before I return to the courtroom."

"Of course, may I?" gesturing towards the Floo.

"Please, you're my guest," the Minister allowed him the use of his Floo.

"What do you think is going on in there?" Harry asked, as he ate his bag of crisps, "Questioning or something else?"

"They're getting in touch with ICW," Voldemort explained, from where he was lazily sprawled out, but still kept a regal air around him. "They've realized they should have done so already…especially given the crimes they now know he's committed. They're going to have their hands full trying to prevent all their allies breaking ties."

"They can't do that!" Hermione protested, bug eyed, "It would cause…"

Sharp inhales all around, but it was less nosily than it had been the first time Harry did it. They were used to it now, people talking back to the Dark Lord with less than deferral treatment. Which was what the Dark Lord actually liked and appreciated. Especially if they knew whom he was.

"It would indeed, but it's unfortunately true, they will desire to cut ties unless a great incentive is sought, to make it worth their while." Voldemort said wryly, "It's a good job we have a competent Minister…we might just retain our position with the ICW." That Minister just happened to be one of his sympathisers, he'd never joined, but he did understand the cause and had fought for it. A lot had gone into making him the ideal candidate, and thus far he had not asked him for anything, trusting him to do a decent job of it, and he had not disappointed.

"What kind of incentive will they seek?" Hermione asked, worry churning in her gut, seeing the rest of them all grim, they understood the possible ramifications if the ICW withdrew it's support…it was going to be a tense few months she realized.

"It could be anything," Voldemort mused thoughtfully, "More than likely, it will be something the Ministry cannot give or can ill afford to give. Especially for those countries that were hit the hardest over the war, France, Germany, Russia." The UK was barely hit compared to some of those other places…and they now knew why.

"I'm tired," Harry sighed, glancing longingly at the door, pondering on whether just to leave or not.

"If it's something you wish to do, then go ahead, go home, and I'll come back once it's over." Voldemort said, able to read Harry like a book.

Harry breathed out, "No, I'm not a coward," and that's how he would feel if he left right now.

Nobody disagreed or tried to argue with him. They all knew him better than that. Even Hermione, despite how non-existent their relationship had been for a few years.

"He's saying it went better than expected with the ICW's Supreme Mugwump," Voldemort told them, watching their lips moving easily deducing what they were saying. "He's set up meetings with dozens of wizards and witches, five of them are coming today…they want to talk to the Minister and the wizengamot before the verdicts given."

"They don't think the verdict will be given today do they?" Harry asked, swallowing down his crisps, scrunching up his empty packet and putting it in his cloak pocket.

"It could go either way, publicity it might be over with," Voldemort deduced.

"Publicly?" Hermione asked, tone indignant as they all continued to finish off their snacks and quickly put them away, so they didn't crinkle during the trial. They kept their drinks on hand though, even though you weren't really allowed to eat and drink it apparently wasn't enforced.

"They will no doubt try to find out what potions he's used, whom he's used them on, and how to counter-act it." Voldemort informed her.

"Back on," Barty called out, reminding them why they were here to begin with.

"You spoke of a Prophecy, when was this prophecy created?"

"1978,"

Severus, Tom and Harry all whipped around to stare unseen at Dumbledore in disbelief instead of at the Minister. They all know good and well that the prophecy had not been created in 1978…at least it hadn't given that appearance. Resignation swamped them, as they once again understood…that they'd been played.

"I've changed my mind, I want him tortured until his mind breaks," Harry muttered through gritted teeth, so only Severus and Tom could hear him.

"I'll bring the popcorn," Severus sneered, seething fury almost causing his magic to react in a way it had not since he was a young boy.

"I'm to assume the prophecies can be…"

"They're both automatic and can be placed within," Voldemort sighed, rubbing his temples, his head beginning to ache over this new information. "When they're Automatic, the names are written down…when placed within there are sometimes question marks placed until it begins to be fulfilled."

"That explains the question marks then, I had wondered about that," Harry said, sighing softly, leaning against Voldemort, once again, wishing that this was over…if it wasn't today…he wasn't returning, he was tired of it all. He could see everyone else except for Severus, Hermione and Voldemort were enjoying themselves. Why shouldn't they? It wasn't personally affecting them.

"What did the prophecy say?"

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he may have power the Dark Lord knows not... whereupon either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies."

"Good to know he didn't entirely manufacture it," Hermione bit out furiously.

"But he did, he manufactured everything…just listen," Harry said bitterly, knowing without a second thought that's exactly what happened. "It doesn't specify which year…I honestly expect Dumbledore to have made sure every single bit of it came to fruition."

"But why? It goes against what he wants…right? I mean he made himself the figurehead, why would he willingly hand it over to someone else?" Hermione asked, bewildered.

"The only other duel he's had was with Grindelwald and that was a given…with Voldemort he couldn't be sure he'd survive…perhaps it was too risky for him?" Harry suggested, "Ssshhh," he added, as the questioning began again.

"Mr. Potter wasn't even born then," The Minister argued a little too loudly with the regarding it heard by all.

"It needs to be asked."

"Very well," the Minister declared, before moving back towards Dumbledore, "Was the Prophecy made to fit Harry Potter?"

"Yes,"

"You had two of your Order members become pregnant in what you hoped would be…the child of the prophecy?"

"Four,"

"Whom?" the Minister asked.

"The Bones', the Weasley's, the Potters and the Longbottoms,"

Madam Bones' magic was felt throughout the entire room, as she realized exactly what Dumbledore was implying. He was not saying what he was implying surely…it was impossible, he couldn't mean that she'd set up Susan's parents…no, no she wasn't having any of it.

"How did you ensure that the children were born then?" or was it much worse?

"I helped them along with a little bit of lust potion in the chocolates on the perfect dates, two regretfully went into labour much too early. Leaving only two to induce labour in, Harry was…quite frankly perfect, the best candidate."

"You made sure the prophecy reflected him, you created a self-fulfilling prophecy…" the Minister stated, why? What was his end game? "Why? What was it you ultimately wanted from Mr. Potter?"

"Yes," agreeing he had indeed made a self-fulfilling prophecy. "His body."

Harry gave a shaky laugh at that, looking green around the gills, "I rather hope he isn't going where I think he's going with this." Sickened.

"His body?" the Minister echoed, cajoling an answer. "In what way do you need his body?"

Diggle shook his head, sliding from his seat and exiting the courtroom, refusing to listen to any more of this.

"I created a soul piece which will work as a permanent possession, allowing me to become Harry Potter." The next hero, it was much better than going on the 'next great adventure' so soon, it wouldn't take much to regain his former titles. He owed it all to the Tom really, without him, he wouldn't have had the idea, no point to returning old after all now was there?

A shudder wracked Harry's frame, vividly reminded of what happened to Ginny Weasley. Had that been what awaited him if he'd stuck around like an idiot? Something he had actually intended to do. Had his soul just shrivel up and die out with Dumbledore just slipping in and taking over? It sounded so farfetched, but knowing Dumbledore…it would have worked. Regardless of what he thought, Dumbledore was smart…intelligent.

No sound was made as they all digested what they'd just heard.

Yeah...I didn't want to make it a cliché where he's the ultimate evil but I guess I've succeeded...it's the muses fault, the museeee LOL what did you think? Do you want to hear the names of those Dumbledore used the potion on? or would you prefer it only mentioned or perhaps those 'significant' mentioned anyway? will Gellert be freed or will we stick to the consensus that the potion is permanent? Will the only freedom Gellert have be death? Will Harry do it knowing it's exactly what he'd want to happen to him? what of Dumbledore? Will he even be in Azkaban 24 hours before he's killed by a furious Harry and Voldemort? or will they allow him to suffer for years before they take him out? Because the reality is the scene I've envisioned my entire story ends there, with them in Azkaban watching Dumbledore breathe his last ;) so will a decade or so pass before they give Dumbledore the freedom that comes with death or will he just be dying and them visiting? Oh, I really should update something else...that's about 10 chapters of EHTS that's been updated LOL R&R please