Magical Origins

Author Notes: Final Year 5 Chapter!

Year 5: Final Days

"So, you did all that to lure You-Know-Who into the open," said Neville after Harry explained the purpose behind breaking into the Department of Mysteries.

"I had to do something," said Harry. "He was using his minions like Malfoy to have the Minister do is dirty work."

"The Minister is going to be voted out of office," said Daphne behind the Daily Prophet. "He's lost all support."

"What did he do when he learned you killed Umbridge?" Ernie asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"Threaten to have me sent to Azkaban," said Harry.

The others chuckle at Fudge's failed attempts to do something,

"I can't see that going very well with the public," said Tracy. "Now that everyone knows you're telling the truth, Fudge's term will end faster than a niffer on gold."

Everyone had some minor injures after the skirmish with the Death Eaters. Only Granger received the worse injuries as she was a terrible duelist and still tried to follow the 'rules' in a duel.

"How's Hermione?" asked Lily.

Hermione had received the worse injuries after Dolohov's curse nearly destroyed her organs. She was bed rest until further notice, taking over two dozens potions to help restore her damaged organs. Granger would carry the scars for the rest of her life.

"She'll live, but she won't be leaving the Healer Wing anytime soon," said Neville. "She might end up missing her exams, must to her dismay."

Hermione Granger was in the Healer Wing but had two dozens healers to care for her, and she was currently concealed by curtains keeping anyone from seeing her.

Harry looks at the Daily Prophet and sees a Fudge standing in the Atrium upon announcing Voldemort's return. The story told a group of Hogwarts students, led by Harry Potter himself. Took it upon themselves to stop the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters from stealing highly sensitive information within the Ministry when Fudge had turned a blind eye over the matter.

The Daily Prophet didn't have the complete details, but they had the gist of the story.

"I'm surprised the reporters aren't at Hogwarts like they were in our fifth year," said Harry.

"Dumbledore's keeping them out," Artemis said, walking over. "He said as you were all injured, it would be rude for them to barge in. not to mention he said this was a school, not a circus."

"How did the impeachment process go?" asked Harry.

"It's been postponed," Isabelle said, walking into the Healer Wing. "Needless to say, Fudge is going to be voted out of office indefinitely. Madam Bones has been working nonstop to prepare against the Dark Lord's return. Speaking of which, Fudge wants to talk to you."

"What about?" asked Harry.

"He wants you to back him as Minister against the war on the Dark Lord," said Isabelle.

Harry raised an eyebrow at Isabelle, knowing full well that Harry didn't like Fudge. Fudge's action this year alone has severed any chance for reconciliation.

"I told him as much," Isabelle said as if she read Harry train of thought on the matter. I told him that you will not back him for the actions he's taken against you. I gave him till the end of the week to resign before telling him you will publicly demand Fudge to step down for breaking deals with known Death Eaters for gold."

"How did he take that information?" said Harry grinning.

"Well, you can imagine his brain has stopped working," said Isabelle.

"Is he trying to prevent his impeachment?" asked Harry.

"Very much so," said Isabelle. "Stating he has to take precautions against the Dark Lord and ensure public safety. Needless to say, a lot of important people are demanding answers, so he won't last long.

"Hence the reason why he wants my support," said Harry.

"Dumbledore isn't getting involved," said Isabelle. "Right now, your support carries more weight than anyone else."

"Right now, I'll trust your judgment," said Harry. "I don't know who is the best to run the Ministry."

"Well, as you can read by the Daily Prophets, Fudge's Order of Merlin First Class has been revoked after it's been revealed that he falsified his claims. He also looks like a hundred years old and hasn't slept much. He wants to remain in office, but he also is running from his responsibilities. As Dumbledore warned him, he will be remembered as the worse Minister in our history for allowing the Dark Lord to regain power."

"What's Percy been doing?" asked Lily.

"Not much I can tell you about Percy Weasley," said Isabelle. "All I know is he's relaying orders and messages from Fudge to the rest of the Ministry. He's still not talking to his family and refuses to acknowledges them."

"He still can't accept the fact that he was wrong," said Harry.

"Pride," said Isabelle. "It a trait Gryffindor carries proudly. As you can see, pride can also be one's downfall. If you are too prideful, then you neglect what's important around you."

"Like Granger," said Harry.

"I'm not Percy!" shrieked Granger before coughing. "I believed you when you announce You-Know-Who's return!"

"That's not what I'm talking about," said Harry. "You are too prideful and full of yourself. You automatically assume you correct and know all the answers. You are intelligent Granger, I do not doubt that, but it's clear why you were put in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw. Your pride makes you blind to what's really important, and what matters."

"That's for sure," said Cho Chang.

Cho Chang has some burns on her arm and legs, but she was expected to make a full recovery.

"What happened to the captured Death Eaters?" asked Harry.

"They're being held in a maximum detention level," said Isabelle. "Now that the Ministry has no choice but to acknowledge the Dementors have defected, they are going to have to rebuild the prison to hold the Death Eaters. Until then, they're being watched by the Auror's."

"I think they're spies within the Aurors," said Harry.

"At this point, I wouldn't be surprised," said Isabelle. "Even with almost all the major Death Eaters captured, they are still many individuals who we haven't accounted for and are reporting to the Dark Lord."

"How's Draco?" asked Daphne.

"The Malfoy's have been voted out, as have the Notts," said Isabelle. "Once it was revealed they've committed treason, they were no longer welcome back within the Council of Lords."

"I'm curious to know how long Fudge is going to last without any support," said Tracy.

"Regardless," said Neville. "Open war has begun. Will Hogwarts become a battleground?"

"I cannot make such promises," said Isabelle. "Hogwarts has always been the center of where opinions can either unite or divide your peers. The conflict between ideas and who's right and wrong will be center here at Hogwarts."

"How bad will this war be?" asked Susan.

"I cannot say," said Isabelle. "Fudge's actions have given the Dark Lord precious time to rebuild his forces, and he's been gathering strength this past year alone. All I can tell you is dark days lies ahead."

Harry's Wyvern was curled in lap sleeping. Horvath was quick to take out both Lily's Salamander and Harry's Wyvern. Trapping them in layers of self-regenerating rocks to keep them out of the fight.

"If Professor Gorloisen hadn't arrived, we would have been in trouble," said Lily. "Horvath knew exactly how to nullify our abilities."

"I wonder if he recruited Cedric?" muttered Harry.

"Why would Cedric take the Black?" asked Hannah. "He was also so nice."

"The rest of the House isn't going to take it well," said Ernie.

"For that reason, I suggest you tell you're inside your Common Room," said Harry. "I don't think it would be a good idea if they find out about Cedric's standing in the war will go well once the rest of the school finds out."

The three Hufflepuffs look down, knowing this would devastating the House. Professor Sprout had been very proud of Cedric.

Harry didn't want to face Hufflepuff. He knew they would bombard him with questions regarding Cedric.

When Ernie, Susan, and Hannah return to the Hufflepuff basement, their housemates greeted them in cheers as if they were heroes of the House. Professor Sprout congratulated them on their courage and loyalty.

Breaking the news on Cedric's path wasn't easy for the trio, but they had to do it before the Daily Prophet wrote an article on the capture Death Eaters.

The Hufflepuff's didn't take the news well. Many were in disbelief that Cedric took the Black. Professor Sprout herself locked herself in her office, crying over one of her best students.

While the Dark Lord's reappearance startled the Wizarding World, the O.W.L.'s had finally begun. Every fifth year could be seen with their nose in a book.

Ron Weasley grins his teeth as he reads the Daily Prophet. Harry Potter had once again received praise for stopping the Dark Lord. Ron wasn't fooled by Potter's heroics. Ron knew that Potter was plotting something devious, and he only stopped the Dark Lord because he was in the way of his dark plans.

Ron thinks carefully over the year, and careful observation, realized that Potter has been recruiting a cult to worship him as the next hero of the light. Potter's true nature was revealed when he killed Dolores Umbridge. He showed enjoyment as he tortured Umbridge before he killed her. Worse was when Potter revealed himself to be a Water Elemental. Only again, proving his heart to be ice-cold.

Now that war has begun openly, sides needed to be chosen. Ron was a Weasley and proud of that fact. They have always stood behind Professor Dumbledore faithfully.

Ron slowly began to realize that it wasn't a smart decision. Dumbledore was – old. The conflict with two Dark Lords would be too much for Dumbledore to handle, and he could very well die from fighting both Potter and You-Know-Who.

Ron would ease Dumbledore's burden by eliminating Potter. Once Potter was dead, he would be hailed the hero who saved the Wizarding World from the vilest Dark Lord in history.

Ron's mind could see witches throwing themselves at him, with people offering him plates of gold for his heroics deeds in killing Potter.

Voldemort screams and curses in the empty room with none of his Death Eaters even being present. Bellatrix had her armed ripped off by the mudblood fire-witch, and there was no way to regrow her arm. Lucius had gone into great detail about the mudblood, but he underestimated the girl. She shouldn't have been that powerful.

Potter himself was also a problem. He could siphon his magic easily. Whenever he attempted to cast a spell to end that boy's miserable existences, that ice would siphon his magic, ruining his spells and magic.

Voldemort looks at the Daily Prophet, where Potter's picture where the title read 'The Chosen One?'

Voldemort didn't want to believe it, that Potter was the chosen one. The one destined to destroy him – him! The Dark Lord! The greatest sorcerer to have ever lived and the one destine to live forever.

"You have fallen in disgrace," said the voice in his dreams.

Voldemort looks at the pitch-black smoke in front of him with murderous eyes.

"What do you want?" hissed Voldemort.

"The boy is only going to get stronger," said the smoke. "He is a threat to both of us. Serve me, and you shall be rewarded with immortality."

"I serve no one!" hissed Voldemort.

"Then the boy will kill you," said the smoke. "Unless you can kill him before the day he becomes a man, his power will destroy yours. Thrice he has defied you. His power will soon destroy you with or without your Horcruxes. For he still has – one terrifying power he has yet to unleash."

Voldemort never felt afraid before. He hated Albus Dumbledore and the fact he could never best his former teacher. The worse part was, his Horcruxes kept him from dying. Did Potter have a power that could destroy him regardless of his Horcruxes he kept hidden?

"What do you want?" demanded Voldemort.

"To destroy the boy," said the smoke. "As I told you, he's a threat to us both. Become my Herald and unleash Chaos upon the world. Destroy the Boy!"

Voldemort glares at the smoke considering the offer. The boy was too powerful, and if he did get stronger, then he was doomed.

"Help me destroy Potter," said Voldemort. "and I shall serve you in return for immortality!"

The shadows dark purple eyes glow menacingly as the darkness begins to consume Voldemort.

Harry was lying on the grass exhausted and finally able to relax now that the O.W.L.'s were finally finished.

Professor Gorloisen had come back much to the delight of the student body who prefers her lessons over Umbridge's. The only person really upset over Umbridge's death was Filch, who sobbed over her picture in his office.

Harry watches his Wyvern swim in the Black Lake on the surface, enjoying the cool water. The news he was a water elemental would spread across the magical world like wildfire.

Lily's Salamander was resting by the lake, flickings its tongue once in a while, appearing intimidating to the other students who wising didn't get near the Salamander.

Hagrid had returned and wanted to approach Lily's Salamander, but it let out a loud roar and hissed menacingly as Hagrid approached. Causing the Half-Giant to back away nervously as he knew how dangerous a full-grown Salamander was if felt provoke.

With the war officially underway, The Daily Prophet now change their tone and published long articles about Cornelius Fudge's effectiveness as the Minister of Magic.

The latest article question how long Fudge would remain in office. Fudge was delaying his hearing regarding his dealings with Death Eaters.

Isabelle reported Fudge kept popping in, requesting to meet with Harry in hopes he would save him and support him so he could stay in office. Isabelle flat out refused Fudge's request, stating his actions against House Peverell burned any bridges he had with Harry.

Harry was in the papers as much as Fudge's hearing. His duel with the Dark Lord had been reported, with many calling it one of the greatest duels to end the Century. Harry received comparisons to Dumbledore's duel against Grindelwald in '45.

The Daily Prophet soon got a record of Harry's school records. Started calling him a once-in-generation prodigy that hasn't been seen since the days of Albus Dumbledore.

Harry didn't like the attention he was getting. As Harry had done much of the year, Harry spent his time under his invisibility cloak, avoiding the student body.

"What do we do?" said Dean. "Ron, you've gone on for years proclaiming that Potter was a Dark Lord."

It was late, and they had finally finished their O.W.L.s exams. The Dark Lord had officially been declared alive and active with the Second War began.

Ron, Seamus, and Dean were trying to figure out where they were going to stand during the war.

"What do you mean where we stand?" said Seamus. "We stand behind Dumbledore."

"We can't trust Potter," said Ron. "He's already building his dark army."

"I don't think so," said Dean. "Potter hasn't actually done anything dark. Shouldn't we stop these childish antics and support him?"

"Didn't you see what he did to Umbridge?!" shouted Ron.

"Ron, he's a Water Elementalist!" said Dean. "Do you really want to go up against a wizard who is the master of water? You saw what he did to Umbridge, he defeated her without a wand! Besides whose going to complain that Umbridge is dead?"

"Filch is throwing a fit," said Seamus. "Several students saw him crying over her portrait in his office, claiming she's the best thing that ever happened to Hogwarts."

"It's not Potter's abilities, its how he uses them!" shouted Ron. "He's heartless and cold as his element! What he did to Umbridge, who's to say he won't do that to another? Professor McGonagall? Or even Albus Dumbledore!"

"Look, can we agree we'll simply keep an eye out on Potter, but we'll do what we can to stop the Dark Lord?" said Seamus.

Ron and Dean nod their heads in agreement.

Dean began to rethink everything he knew about Potter and realized he really didn't know much about him. Sure, Ron spread the rumors of Potter rising to be a Dark Lord, but there was nothing really to support Potter's action of him becoming the next Dark Lord.

Dean notices that Potter spent most of his time by himself. Hardly associated with anyone. Lily has, for years, been very vocal about Potter and tended to roast people who wanted to hurt him.

Lily was more terrifying these days. Her Salamander was the size of a dog and would frighten students and teachers into submission. Even Professor Snape was seen fleeing away from Lily's Salamander.


"Did you ever stop to think I don't want this," said Snape.

Night had fallen, and Snape was talking to Dumbledore at the top of the Astronomy Tower.

"I am more than aware of this, Severus," said Dumbledore. "But you're actions have made two promising students begin to question you. It's about time you start accepting the fact that Harry is nothing like his father."

"I'm well aware of that," said Snape bitterly.

"Are you?" said Dumbledore. "You still take out all your anger and frustrations you had for James Potter upon Lily's son. We both have lived lives full of regret, Severus. I suggest you make your peace with Harry, or you won't be able to face Lily again. Or is what you once felt no longer inside of you?"

Snape's face hardens upon Dumbledore's question.

"Expecto Patronum!" said Snape casting the silver doe once more.

The silver doe hopes around and disappears upwards into the heavens.

Dumbledore watches the silver doe disappear.

"Lily," said Dumbledore. "After all this time?"

"Always," Snape said in a hollow voice.

Dumbledore steps forward before Snape.

"Then, for Lily's sake, make your peace," said Dumbledore. "Keep your secret if you wish, but make your peace."

"I may not be your spy any longer, Dumbledore," said Snape.

"What's wrong?" said Dumbledore.

"It's Horvath," said Snape. "He doesn't trust me and is convinced I'm not loyal to the Dark Lord as I believe. He is plotting to form some sort of test to test my loyalty."

"Quite interesting, don't you think," said Dumbledore. "You and Horvath are similar. You both fell in love with a remarkable witch, only for that witch to love another. Horvath love turned to hatred of that Wizard while you embrace your feelings her."

"I cannot keep doing this," said Snape. "Others doubt me, and Horvath is most suspicious of my loyalties. It won't be long before I'm finished."

"You will remain at Hogwarts for one more year," said Dumbledore. "Then, you will need to help end the Dark Lord once and for all."