Happy New Year everyone!
A very long chapter for you tonight, in honour of my 18th birthday this coming Monday!
Authors Note - I am aware of the very horrible cliff-hanger that occurred in the last chapter. /ducks as angry readers throw curses at her/. I know that it was evil of me but I don't regret my decision. Sometimes authors have to make tough decisions and it was one for me. I hope that it doesn't dissuade you from continuing to read the rest of the story. There's still so much to come!
Anyway, here is the next exciting chapter, in which Harry faces Voldemort…
Note: The explanation as to why James came back is touched upon in this chapter. For the full explanation read the final chapter of 'Prongs Rides Again' and the one-shot 'Lily's Final Spell' . That is only if you don't or can't remember why.
The Bond
Chapter 10 - The Road He Walks Upon
The eyes of the many portraits that lined the walls of the second floor corridor, that led to Albus Dumbledore's office, watched him hurry down it, his capes billowing in the slight breeze that came in from the open windows. The sun had barely risen emitting a slight orange tinge to the sky outside, as a few clouds gathered, signalling that rain would pour that very day.
Winter was settling into Hogwarts as Christmas drew near.
His black robes billowed around his legs bringing up particles of dust that had settled on the floor. His black eyes filled with intelligence and a deep secret that no one had yet discovered in all his years in Dumbledore's service.
Severus Snape walked briskly, bearing news of great importance that Albus Dumbledore need to act upon immediately.
Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were missing.
"NO!"
Harry threw the covers of him, panting hard. His forehead was sweaty and his hair felt greasy.
It can't have happened…what I saw is not true. It can't be…Harry knew what he had seen but he didn't want to believe it. He couldn't. It's only a dream…he told himself.
He laid back down to sleep, and by morning he could hardly remember what had caused him to wake up. But the information was still there, waiting to be called forward, and only then would Harry realise the truth.
The sun gradually rose, sending rays into Gryffindor Tower. Harry Potter gingerly reached over to his glasses, put them on, and glanced over to Ron's bed. He sat up, startled. Ron's bed hadn't been slept in. Everything was neat and tidy, too neat for Ron.
He sat up, fear running through him. He hadn't said anything to upset Ron had he? He shook his head. He hadn't seen them since yesterday afternoon. Ron had told him he was going to ask Hermione out and that they'd be gone for a while, but surely, they couldn't have gone all night?
Something must have happened.
"Hermione would never allow Ron to interfere with her studying," Harry surmised, "so something must have happened." He threw the bed covers off, dressed quickly, grabbed his wand and rushed out the dormitory.
He had to find his friends; he just couldn't lose them, not like he had nearly lost his father and godfather a few months ago. He could not make that mistake again, he had to protect them.
"Hey Harry!"
Voices called out to him as students walked slowly to the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry did not stop to reply, his mind was full of concern for the well fare of his friends. Something inside him was telling him that his instincts was right and that he was about to lose someone close to him.
And that made him hurry even more to Dumbledore's Office.
James and Remus collided with Harry as he rushed into them at full speed. They fell back; Harry landing flat on his back, James stumbling and Remus stepping back, avoiding being hurt.
Remus moved forward, held out a hand, and hoisted Harry to his feet. As he looked at him, Remus noticed that Prongs Junior looked anxious, and his hair looked like it hadn't been brushed, and his green eyes darted all over the place, his breathing all over the place. "Are you okay?"
"No." Harry shook his head. "I think something has happened to Ron and Hermione."
James climbed to his feet. He strode over. "What makes you say that?"
"Their beds haven't been slept in." his voice rose as his anticipation rose. "I haven't seen them since Ron asked Hermione out! I'm scared of losing them!"
Remus smiled warmly. "I don't think anything has happened to them. They are both too smart for that."
Lowering his eyes, Harry tried to calm himself. "It's a feeling I have. And I think Sirius is dead."
Both Marauders stiffened at this statement staring at Harry as if what he said was impossible.
James's face was white with pain. "He can't be."
"What makes you think Sirius is dead?" questioned Remus, trying to sound that he was not shocked by this statement.
Harry bit his lip. "I saw his face in a dream I had last night. His eyes held no emotion. I didn't want to say but I have to know if anything has happened to him. He's been gone far too long to be doing something for the Order."
James exchanged a glance, silently communicating with Remus. Finally James said: "Ask Dumbledore. He will be the best one to tell you, rather then me and Remus."
"But you know where he's gone, don't you?"
James nodded. He could not lie to his son, not when he was so close to guessing the real truth. "I do, but I cannot say, I promised I wouldn't betray him, not even to my own son."
Harry swallowed. He seemed to accept this as fact and nodded, before hurrying onwards to the headmaster's office; his father and Remus is pursuit.
The news hit Harry like a ton of bricks. It hurt so much. He swallowed, closing his eyes. So, the truth had finally been said, and yet it caused him more pain then he ever thought it would.
Dumbledore sat in front of him, his hands clasped together, the blackened one looking withered and old. It had not been easy for him to tell Harry that Sirius had gone on a secret mission to infiltrate Voldemort and that they were not expecting him back anytime soon (but the fact was the headmaster had no idea that Sirius was alive, he had lost contact with him, after all) and what made it worse for Harry was discovering that his two best friends had ventured to Hogsmeade, and then captured by Death Eaters laying in wait.
Inside Harry's mind his brain was working furiously, as he tried to comprehend what he had just heard. It seemed impossible that Ron and Hermione were gone. Even to his eyes he still thought there was a way to find them.
Slowly he looked up, his green eyes meeting those of Dumbledore's blue ones. When he spoke, he allowed his anger to pour through, engulfing him, making him feel stronger. With anger came the disability to lose focus.
But Harry did not care.
"We've got to help them." He said simply.
Dumbledore sighed, leaning back in his chair, as if he had been expecting this question all along. "I'm afraid Harry that we cannot."
"You always say that," growled Harry. "You don't think of others, you never do. All you care about is keeping me safe, and not the people around me that I love! Do you have any idea how I feel now, knowing that, in a sense, I should not have allowed Ron to use my invisibility cloak? Maybe they would've been caught before getting out of school, but I was stupid enough to not think. I can't wait here, knowing that your decision will never change. If you won't do anything to help Ron and Hermione, then I will. I'm going after them, and you can't stop me because this is my decision and it's my life to decide what I should do, not you, not Sirius, nor my father."
"Harry…" James began.
"SHUT UP!" Harry bellowed, piercing his father with a burning gaze. He was too angry to care anymore. To angry to even think. Right now he hated everyone in the room, people he loved who had kept secrets from him, people who were protecting him instead of everyone.
It was the curse that Harry Potter had to live with, and he had finally had enough.
Harry breathed, calming himself down, knowing that if he continued he would lose himself, and he did not want that. "I realise that what you do is to protect me but sometimes I have to do things even if its against your better judgement. I can't stay here while Ron and Hermione are out there, somewhere. I have to go after them…" he hesitated, "…but I will need all the help that I can get to accomplish this."
"You can count me in, son."
Harry smiled warmly at his dad. "Thanks."
"Well, if both Potter's are going, I suppose a Lupin should go to." Remus grinned.
"I am against this decision," Dumbledore explained, "however it is yours to make, and you will need us. I will come, but only to protect you. You are the most important person here, Harry. We cannot lose you."
They had hardly said a word since seeing the body.
Hermione had remained crying, albeit more quieter then before. She now leaned onto Ron's shoulder, his arms wrapped round her, making her feel safe. Though Ron was scared himself, he would do anything to ensure that Hermione felt safe, and if that meant being the strong one, he would do it.
"I can't believe it…what will Harry do?" Hermione mumbled. "He'll be…" she hiccoughed, "…devastated."
"Shhh," Ron soothed. "Don't think of such things. It'll only make you feel worse. It happened for a reason, and if Harry knows what, he will understand why."
Neither of them wanted to say Sirius' name, for they could not believe that it was really him laying on the floor beside them. After the first initial shock, the two had huddled together in the corner as far as they could get from the body. They didn't want to be reminded of the person they had known.
It hurt too much.
They had lost count of the hours they had been in the corner; lost count of the days they had been here.
Was it only yesterday Ron had asked Hermione out?
Was it only yesterday that they had been happy?
A little bit of light shone through a small window at the top of the room. They knew by this that at least twelve hours had gone by since they had been brought there.
TAP!
TAP!
TAP!
Footsteps upon the stone floor could be heard as someone came closer to their cell. They stopped right outside, and Ron hugged Hermione closer, his eyes alight with fear, but the presence of the one he loved made strength pour into his soul.
The locks were turned and the heavy, wooden door pushed open. In stepped three Death Eaters, hooded and cloaked, who Ron could not identify.
Hermione whimpered. She felt so scared. Yes she was a Gryffindor, but her courage had failed her upon seeing Sirius' body. Ron could understand that.
The Death Eaters crowded round the body. One raised a wand and muttered an incantation, which made chains wrap round the body, tightly. Then another made the body float in the air, taking it out of the cell and away from the two frightened teenagers.
Ron sighed with relief as the door shut.
They had not been harmed.
And that was something to smile about.
"This place gives me the creeps." James shivered, as he pulled his cloak round him tighter. A cold burst of wind hit him, and a sense of foreboding gripped him. He had a bad feeling, that told him he should turn back. But seeing his son with a determined look in his eyes made him refuse that option and carry onward.
Harry was the important boy. He had to protect him. Even if it meant going against his feelings.
They stood within the graveyard, where Harry had fought Voldemort, the Riddle House glaring at them from above. It looked dark and sinister, and James felt like he was not meant to be there.
Harry began to lead the way through, his wand raised, as his eyes scanned the area. Broken tombstones littered the ground, and a tipped cauldron lay in a small clearing.
He was nudged by Remus. "What's that?" he was pointing towards the ground, where something long and thin was partially hidden by the remains of a tombstone.
"Don't know." Answered James.
Remus parted from the group. Harry stopped and turned to face Remus. He was about to say something, when Remus bent down and picked something from the ground. He began to twirl it round his fingers.
It was a wand.
And it was not any wand.
"That's Cedric Diggory's wand!" Harry proclaimed, running forward and snatching it from Remus' hands. "His parents should have this." Before anyone could stop him, Harry tucked it into his pocket.
"Who's Cedric Diggory?" James whispered to Remus.
Remus leaned in close, so that they could not be overheard. "He was the other Triwizard champion. He and Harry got to the cup, and both took it. Cedric was murdered by Voldemort as he was not needed. He was an inconvenience."
"He killed an innocent boy? How could he?" Anger built up, bubbling to the surface.
Remus nodded. "You should know by now that Voldemort does not care what age they are. As long as they are no use to him or are against him, they are marked for death."
James gritted his teeth. "Just like I was and Lily. We were an inconvenience and he took our lives because we would not bow to him and hand him our son."
"He won't succeed, James. I can feel that we will all survive this. Me, you, Sirius and Harry, especially Harry." Predicted Remus.
James pursed his lips, declining to comment. Harry's thoughts on Sirius' fate kept haunting him. He could not believe Remus until he knew his friend was alright.
Eventually they were climbing up the hill towards the house, ever more cautious then before, knowing that their presence was known. Voldemort had set a trap for them. It was obvious. They climbed up the steps to the main door.
Something wrapped in cloth lay in front of the wooden, scarred door.
A sudden chill made its way up James' spine as his hazel eyes caught the wrapped cloth. His stomach bolted, as his brain began to work. He had a sneaky suspicion he knew what was under that cloth.
Harry stepped forward, leaning down, and with one gigantic pull, hauled the cloth off. He stumbled back as green eyes met the body on the floor. "No…"
Leaning forward James nearly fainted as his hazel eyes saw the body of his best friend. And he knew that he would never hear his friends voice again.
Hatred for Voldemort clouded his heart, and Harry stood up, eyes blazing, feeling determined to get his revenge. He had lost someone he loved very much, and with Ron and Hermione's lives in danger, he could not let them suffer the same fate. He held his wand high and shouted: "BOMBARDA!" the door flew open. Rushing inside he left his companions alone, adamant to go on alone.
James regained his sense of surroundings when Harry rushed into the house, unaccompanied. He grasped his wand and started to follow, but Dumbledore's voice stopped him.
"Don't James. He must do this on his own."
"I have to protect him." Growled James. "I promised!"
"Prongs, it's probably for the best. While Harry and Voldemort are preoccupied we can sneak in and get Ron and Hermione."
"I don't care! They're not my only child! You go after them! I'm following Harry!" James made his intentions known.
Dumbledore sighed. "Very well. Remus and I will find the other two."
James refused to say 'thank you', instead he ignored the headmaster, cast a glance at Remus and muttered, "Make sure we take Sirius' body with us." And then he fled into the house in pursuit of the only family he had left.
Harry raised his wand in self-defensive, careful to not make any sound as he crept through the house. He wanted revenge but he knew that he was not careful he could be surprised easily. His eyes roamed the corridor, ignoring the wrecked furniture that was littered around.
SMASH!
Harry jumped, whirling round. His eyes widened in surprise and ended in anger. "What do you think you are doing?" he hissed angry.
James Potter shrugged, making no move to apologise to the sound he had inadvertently caused.
"Why are you here?" Harry demanded, pointing his wand at his father.
"I'm keeping my promise."
"I don't need your help!" Harry snapped, turning away and stepping forward.
James followed. "I don't want to lose you like we lost Sirius and your mother. It hurts too much to allow that mad-man to kill you."
Harry faced his father, their eyes meeting and locking together. "But that's my fate. Perish or become a murderer. It's the road I walk upon. Not even you can change that."
"I know, but I'll be damned if I let you remain standing alone. While I'm here, he can't touch you because I'm protecting you. Lily formed a bond between us. Not while we're connected to each other, can we let anything happen to either of us, otherwise that protection will be gone." James laid a hand on his son's shoulder, gently squeezing it, offering support and love.
Harry slapped it away, annoyed. "Everyone I love and care about gets hurt. I don't need you becoming another casualty in my life."
He walked away, leaving James feeling rejected and befuddled. Harry had never been like this before.
"I'm sorry," Harry said over his shoulder. "I have to do this."
Without warning, Harry whirled, bringing his wand up James, and said "Stupefy!". A red beam of light sped towards James, hitting him firmly in his chest, and dropping him to the floor. Harry stared at his father's limp body before wiping away the tears that threatened to consume him.
"I'm sorry…but I can't have you interfering and paying for what I've done."
And then he ran lightly away, looking for Voldemort.
"Lumos!" Remus muttered.
He and Dumbledore had made their way into the cellar of Riddle House, where they had come to a passage leading to a row of cells, cleverly concealed from anyone who did not have a keen eye. However Dumbledore was not fooled, and quickly discovered the entrance.
A murky, horrid smell drifted to their noses, making them feel nauseous. The stink got worse as they came to the first cell.
Dumbledore raised his wand and pointed it at the lock, whispering "Alohomora!"
The lock clicked, and using his uninjured hand, the headmaster gently coaxed it open, stepping aside to allow Remus to search the room. Holding his wand in front of him, Remus stepped inside, ignoring the distasteful smell that rocketed up his nose.
No one was in the cell, and it was evident that no one had been in there at all.
They left the cell and continued opening the others, but finding nothing, until they came to the last cell in the row of ten. Here, Remus certainly felt someone in the cell. Dumbledore unlocked it, and Remus entered, holding his wand high.
The white beam fell on two figures crouched in the corner, one was holding the other in a comforting hug.
"Professor Lupin!" Ron said, as he recognised them. "Professor Dumbledore!"
"We haven't got much time." Remus explained. "We have to get you out of here before we are discovered."
"Where's Harry?" Hermione sniffed, as Remus helped her to her feet.
Remus hesitated before answering, but Dumbledore beat him to answering. "He is safe. He is well protected."
"He's at Hogwarts?" Ron guessed.
"No. He is here, but his father is protecting him." Dumbledore reassured. "Now, come, we cannot dawdle any longer, lest while battle is above us."
That was probably not a good idea to say, especially after you said that Harry was being protected! Remus thought, silently criticising Dumbledore even more.
Following the aging headmaster, Remus steered Ron and Hermione out of the cell that they had lived in for nearly two days.
All they had to do was ensure that Harry and James escaped safely.
He blinked.
What happened?
He could hardly remember what had occurred. Slowly James Potter became more aware of his surroundings and reluctantly his brain opened up to make him recall what had happened.
Harry.
His son.
The one thing he was alive for.
He had stunned him because he had wanted to protect him, yet Harry hadn't wanted that.
He recalled Harry's words: "But that's my fate. Perish or become a murderer. It's the road I walk upon. Not even you can change that" It seemed impossible that his son had so readily accepted that as his fate even when help was required.
James cursed. He still felt angry, but he could understand why Harry felt like that. Seeing Sirius' body like that…he shuddered. I won't think of it!
Struggling to his feet, he located his wand and hurried forward, determined to help Harry no matter how much his son did not want him.
The door slammed shut behind him as he slinked into a large room. There was no furniture in the room, and the wooden floor was stained with dried blood. Harry raised his wand, pointing it at the man in the centre of the room.
Voldemort grinned, a smile of satisfaction playing across his pale face. "Harry Potter." He hissed. "Welcome…pity you missed the show earlier, especially when I killed your godfather. I bet if he was still alive he would be regretting his actions in defying me."
"Sirius only died because you are a cruel bastard, who takes pleasure in killing people who stand against you! I will make you pay for what you've done to me…taking the people I love away, and making me suffer!"
"Just like you did to me." Stated Voldemort.
Harry sneered. "That was your own fault, not mine."
Voldemort screeched in anger. "Don't you dare contradict me, boy!"
"I will do what I want," Harry replied, "there's no point in speaking lies. We both know the truth."
"Enough! CRUCIO!"
Harry lunged to the side, putting up a shield of protection as the curse hit him, but the shield he conjured held and broke the curse before it could harm him. Quickly he climbed to his feet, screaming in retaliation.
"CRUCIO!"
The unforgivable curses were exactly that, but Harry no longer cared. He wanted revenge, and the way to do that was to hurt Voldemort in any way possible. His curse was exceptionally weak, for it was the first time he had truly ever used it on someone so powerful, but he willed himself to hold it, as angry power burst through his soul, making the spell last longer.
Voldemort threw up a shield.
The anger continued to pour through Harry's veins, and the curse grew only stronger. Finally it caused the shield to break, and Voldemort screeched as the curse hit him on the chest. Ignoring the biting pain coming for his arm, Harry advanced, willing himself to hold the curse. This was it, if he could only keep Voldemort under it, he might have a change to rid the world of him forever.
Yet his strength began to wane, and his arms tired. He could not hold it any longer. He sank to his knees, struggling to maintain the curse, failing miserably as the curse's power began to fall. Finally, Harry dropped his wand, his strength gone, and he lay on the floor, breathing heavily, as Voldemort approached, his whole body shaking from the effects of the curse he had suffered.
"Never before has someone dared to use that curse on me!" the dark lord hissed. "And you shall die for your use of it!"
Harry closed his eyes.
He had failed.
He had tried but ultimately his fate had been not to be the saviour of the world, but to be murdered. He waited.
Nothing happened.
Tentatively he raised his eyes.
His father stood in front of him, and he seemed to be seizing Voldemort up, as the dark lord studied him.
Voldemort was the first to break the silence. "You dare challenge me?"
"I do. I won't let you harm Harry! Ever!" James snarled, holding his wand high, ready to attack.
"Let us get on with this duel, Potter! Don't waste my time with pity chatter!"
"If you insist," James grinned, "STUPEFY!"
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
The two beams of spells hit one another evaporating them. James acted quicker, throwing a charm that sent Voldemort flying away. He threw another curse before receiving one in return.
The crucio spread through him, but he ignored it, fighting it off. Something grabbed his hand, and he quickly noted that Harry had reached up. His son's eyes were closed and he felt immense power spreading into him.
His son was doing the impossible.
Bonding his power with his, giving James more strength. With a burst of energy James conjured up a shield that surrounded both of them. It glowed a bright blue, protecting them completely.
Voldemort sent a stunning spell at James, but the spell merely bounced back off the shield. Not expecting the spell to turn towards him, the dark lord was too slow to bring up a shield and the red beam of light caught him in the face, knocking him back again, and causing his awareness to vanish.
James forcibly pulled his hand from Harry's grip, cast a glance at Voldemort to ensure that he was out, and leaned down to Harry.
"Harry! Wake up!" James urged.
Harry moaned softly. "Dad…I'm sorry…I had to help."
"I know." James hugged Harry, ruffling his hair gently. "I know."
He realised that Harry was feeling the effects of exerting too much power. All they had to do was allow Harry to rest. Placing his wand on Harry's cheek he muttered a sleeping charm that sent him into a dreamless sleep. He would only awake once the magical energy had been restored.
Hoisting Harry securely into his arms, James quickly ran out the room, ignoring the form of Voldemort, that was slowly coming to.
They were safe.
For now.
"Harry!" Hermione shouted when they met up with James, who still carried the limp form of his son.
"He's alright. He just needs to sleep."
"What happened?" Dumbledore asked.
"Harry exerted all his energy fighting Voldemort. He was too weak to stay awake. It's the most power I've ever seen, especially from a sixteen year old. He will be fine." James explained. He glanced around noticing that no one had collected Sirius' body.
"Where's Sirius?"
Remus shrugged. "He wasn't in the same place when we came out of the house. They've probably taken it somewhere, though I don't know why."
"I swear Voldemort will pay. He won't get away with taking Sirius' life away. I will avenge him, no matter how I do it, Sirius will be remembered in the way he should be." James said, "And that's a promise."
Silence fell.
Dumbledore was the one to break the silence. "Come, we must return to safe grounds before Voldemort recovers."
Leading the way into the graveyard, and to a spot where the apparition borders ended. They stood in a circle, James holding Harry, Remus clutching Hermione, Dumbledore clasping Ron's wrist. They double-apparated away, back to the arms of safety, leaving behind the terrible tragedy that had befallen them that very day.
TBC
Quick note: Harry is not dead, he is just sleeping and he will be awake in the next chapter!
Another long chapter! Took me a while but here it is! I hope it wasn't too bad!
Next chapter: The Funeral - James says good-bye to a dear friend. And Voldemort goes recruiting…Coming soon!
Please review and let me know what you think!
MissBlackPotter