A/N: I do not own Harry Potter and he doesn't own me.

Harry tried to lift himself into a sitting position, but his arms would barely move. Every muscle in his upper body burned. He didn't understand what just happened. They didn't disapperate nor did they use portkeys. How else did they all vanish as if they slowly evaporated? Almost as important is why Voldemort would suddenly leave? What happened to all the blood? Not only did the blood on the floor disappear with Bellatrix's body, but the splatter that had speckled Harry was gone as well. His only clue was kneeling before him clutching his chest and gasping for air.

Trying as hard as possible to dull out the pain, Harry slowly rose to his feet and advanced on Cyric. Training his wand on Cyric, Harry shouted "EXPELLIARMUS", causing Cyric's wand to fly out of his hand and into Harry's outstretched palm.

"Where did he take them?" shouted Harry.

"Calm down Harry, it's not what you think." Said Cyric, raising his hands.

"It's not what I think? You sold me out to Voldemort; you're a traitor." Spat Harry his face contorting with anger.

"No Harry I did not. I simply taught you a lesson. If you give me a chance I can explain everything. I promise your friends are home with their families completely safe. Just lower your wand and let me catch my breath." Said Cyric.

"Why should I?" asked Harry

"Because Harry, things are not always as they appear." Said Cyric rising to his feet. "In fact it was all an illusion created by a spell of my own invention. The spell works much like a combination of Legilimency and the Imperious Curse. It gives me control of your thoughts and senses as well as access to your memories. This allows me to trick your conscious mind into believing what is being inputted into your mind is truly happening. Using memories of your encounters with the Death Eaters and your friends I was able to make the illusions act accordingly.

After Bellatrix attacked your friend Ron however, all I was able to do was retain the illusion. Every thought and action was your mind reacting to what I made you think was happening. I am very proud of the outcome. Bellatrix deserves everything you gave her and more. I told you the second day that you should treat this training as if it were life or death, to act as if I were an enemy. You were until today failing dismally at this, and so I used this spell to give you a push in the right direction. At this point I'm fully confident that you can successfully cast the Cruciatus. As such, starting tomorrow I will be testing your proficiency in the use of the Unforgivables. In reward for the amazing display of your ability you can have the rest of the day off. I suggest you write your friends and read my journal if you still do not believe what I'm telling you. By the way I'll be expecting my wand back at dinner; see you then." Said Cyric turning on the spot and disapperating.

"Wait-" shouted Harry taking a step forward, but Cyric was already gone.

Harry was standing in the large dining room contemplating what Cyric had just told him. On one hand it explained a lot, and yet on the other hand it raised even more questions, leaving Harry quite confused on what his next action should be. If he were to get to the bottom of this he would have to start as Cyric suggested, by writing his friends and researching Cyric's personal journal for evidence of the spell that had supposedly been used. So Harry went off towards his room so he could write to both Ron and Hermione.

Harry climbed up the stairs, each step a task in itself. He opened his door crossed the room and collapsed onto his bed. He lied there for several minutes sweat dripping from his forehead onto his pillow. He noticed Hedwig's perch was empty, which he just assumed she simply hadn't returned from the letter he sent Hermione the previous evening. So he just stared up at the ceiling wondering if he should start on the letters anyway or read the journal. His legs were cramping up and his head still pounding, Harry closed his eyes trying desperately to drown out the pain. All of a sudden something whacked him across the face. A high-pitched twittering could be heard and sure enough as Harry opened his eyes a tiny owl was circling overhead.

Harry sat up and extended his arm, Pig landed upon it. Harry untied the letter from Pig's leg and unfurled it. He immediately recognized the untidy scrawl belonging to his best friend Ronald Weasley.

Harry,

How are you? I bet you've learned loads from this Cyric fellow. He used to spend the summers here when I was younger though I don't remember him much. I asked Bill about him and he says he's a great guy and a lot of fun. We're at Grimauld Place now. Charlie has come back from Romania, though he was mostly unsuccessful in bringing in foreign wizards. He says they don't feel as if they need to be involved seeing as You-know-who never caused problems there during the first war. Fred and George have been inducted into the Order. Mad-eye is in charge now. Mom has been on another cleaning binge, but with Dobby and Winky here she can't find much to do. Other than that it's been pretty boring around here. I can't wait to see Hermione and you again.

Ron

There was no way Ron could've been taken from Grimauld Place seeing as no Death Eater, not even Voldemort himself could enter. I guess Cyric really was telling the Truth.

Pig was at the moment drinking from Hedwig's water. Harry stood up, walked over to him and gave him an owl treat. The tiny owl then tore off out the window. Harry stood arms crossed on the windowsill watching the tiny owl become a speck upon the Horizon. He looked out and for miles he could see the rolling green of the Trotternish Mountains. The sky above them was a pale blue save for several fluffy white clouds scattered throughout it. I wish I could get on my broom and fly around.

With a heavy sigh Harry tore himself from his wistful thoughts, grabbed Cyric's journal and started to read.

Harry glanced at the clock. It read six twenty-three. He leapt from his bed and headed for the dining area. Harry had more than just a few Questions for Cyric. He rounded the corner and walked into the dining room. The table had since been returned and was presently laden with food. Upon Harry's arrival Cyric rose from his chair and gestured for Harry to take a seat. Harry tossed Cyric's wand back to its rightful owner who then pocketed it before sitting back down himself.

Harry opened his mouth to speak but Cyric cut him off.

"I know you have some questions and I assure you I will answer them, first however we have both reached our limits today. After we have both had our fill my mind is yours for the picking so to speak." Said Cyric pilling some potatoes onto his plate.

Harry took two bits of chicken and an ear of white corn and began to eat in earnest. As soon as Cyric's plate disappeared Harry decided he had had his fill. Instantly his plate and all of the food disappeared, leaving the table bare and spotless.

"Fire away Harry." Said Cyric slouching down in his chair.

"Why did you get so exhausted after using the Temperious spell?" asked Harry.

"Ah, I see you did read my journal then." Said Cyric.

"Front to back." Said Harry.

"I guess you didn't understand it then. The wand movements described to be able to actually perform it is actually alchemic transmutation created from our magic. Now what this does is essentially amalgamate our minds, which allows the caster to overcome such tiresome obstacles such as Occlumency. The side effect of this being someone with extremely strong willpower or astonishing intellect could potentially break through the control aspect of this spell. This is precisely what happened. Now the amount of magical power needed to maintain this spell increases dramatically the longer it is put into use. Your thoughts became so fixated on killing Bellatrix that I lost control of your mind, allowing you to do as you pleased. Without control of your mind I could not break the spell. Eventually I would have drained all of my magic. I used the image of your friend Hermione to redirect your attention and fully unite our minds once more. If I had not broken the spell before I passed out from the exertion I could've died and you would have become catatonic. That moment frozen forever in your mind." Said Cyric.

"Okay, why did you use such a dangerous spell?" Harry asked.

"To make you realize that this isn't some game Harry."

"I-"

"Kindly do not interrupt me." Said Cyric politely. "I felt that you weren't ready to do what must be done. Defense against the Dark arts will not be nearly enough to protect you. Now that I know the contents of the prophecy I see how right I was. This is why tomorrow I will be teaching you how to kill." Said Cyric his face expressionless.

"Wait. How do you know what the prophecy says? And the only person that needs to die at my hands is Voldemort." Said Harry.

"True Harry, Voldemort is the only one who needs to die at your hands but he will not be the only one who does." Said Cyric emphasizing the word needs.

"As I said before it was entirely you who decided to kill Bellatrix and quit brutally I might add. To take a life in battle is not an act of evil Harry, it is not murder when you kill for a noble cause. Always remember that an incapacitated enemy is not out of the fight so long as others are with him. As to how I have come into the knowledge of the prophecy, I told you before the Temperious spell gives me access to your thoughts and memories." Explained Cyric.

It was true Harry wanted her dead. He enjoyed watching her writhe in pain. He almost laughed as she began to beg for help.

"But it wasn't real, I didn't really kill her." Said Harry quite lamely.

" No. But you yourself believed it actually did happen, even after the spell was lifted."

Harry began to see the logic in this. If he truly wanted to put an end to Voldemort and his Death Eaters he might actually need to kill a few of them. He would have to fight the proverbial fire with fire.

"Since you know what I need to do I have a request for you." Said Harry. "I came across a particular ritual that you found. I want you to perform it on me."

"It's too dangerous Harry. Ancient magic was unperfected and unsafe." Said Cyric sitting up now.

"Look you performed it on yourself right? How dangerous could it be?" asked Harry.

"I spent a week in a coma with no medical treatment. I could've ended up mentally incapacitated or worse." Said Cyric rising from his chair now.

Harry stood up as well. "Either you can perform it for me or I'll just attempt it on my own. At least this way you'll be able to do it right." Said Harry

"Please Harry I know it seems like a shortcut but the reward isn't worth the risk." Begged Cyric.

"I need to gain a vast amount of magical knowledge in a short amount of time, can you think of a better way?" asked Harry.

"Although you will have full knowledge of the theory it still takes time to master the practical applications. So really there's very little benefit from It." said Cyric hoping to dissuade Harry from making a mistake he might possibly regret.

"There is no talking me out of this Cyric, I've already weighed the pros and cons. I'm going to do it with or without your help." Said Harry

"And there's nothing I can say or do to stop you? Asked Cyric.

"Nope."

"Well fine we'll do it tonight then, bring everything you need here by eleven. It'll only take me an hour to accommodate for your choices." Said Cyric. "I hope you know what you're getting yourself into." And with that Cyric crossed the room and exited leaving Harry to his own devices.

It was a full moon outside as Harry dragged a trunk full of his possessions down the staircase towards the dining room. It was already ten to eleven as Harry entered. All about the room were candles floating illuminating the room with an eerie glow. Cyric stood near the middle tracing his wand upon the floor creating what looked like a transfiguration diagram. Harry joined him and placed the trunk down on the floor and kneeled down beside it to flick open the lock. Slowly he began to lift the contents from its innards. Harry had just reached in to pull out a third stack of books when suddenly all of the trunks contents floated into the air and joined the pile of books on the floor.

"Are you or are you not a wizard Harry?" asked Cyric shaking his head and turning back towards setting up for the ritual.

Harry sat on the trunk trying as hard as he could to prepare himself for what was to come. He knew it was going to be excruciatingly painful of course but he also had to accomplish a task he'd yet to be successful at. Harry needed to clear his mind he needed to quell all his thoughts and emotions. If he didn't, this might just kill him. For the better part of an hour Harry sat there, eyes closed and completely still, pushing thoughts of why he was doing this and what might happen if it goes wrong out of his mind.

"We can begin as soon as you finish sorting yourself." Said Cyric.

Harry opened his eyes and saw the items he had chosen were dispersed throughout the room. Starting outward from the largest transmutation symbol were branching arms with similar circular symbols underneath the various objects Harry had chosen.

"Okay first remove your shirt and kneel upon the center of this symbol," said Cyric indicating towards the largest and only unoccupied one.

Harry removed the t-shirt he was wearing, folded it up and placed it on the trunk. Harry also put his glasses and wand on top of his shirt, then walked over to where he was supposed to be and placed both knees upon the center of the symbol. Cyric placed his wand on the base of Harry's neck, which suddenly burned fiercely and just as quickly felt as if it had been frozen as well.

"Okay, we can begin as soon as your mind is clear. When you are ready just nod your head and I will perform the incantation." Said Cyric stepping back from Harry.

It took Harry nearly five minutes until he felt confident that he had done as much as he could and nodded his head once indicating that he was ready.

"ANIMUS SENTENTIA VOX DICTUM REDIMIO UMQUAM IS VAS!" bellowed Cyric.

Immediately the outermost symbols began to glow a vivid shade of purple causing the massive tomes upon them to spring open the pages flipping on their own accord and leaving the pages devoid of all writing and illustration. Then the four innermost symbols activated glowing a dark scarlet the three journals Harry had been given were also flipping pages and wiping themselves clean. The contents of Dumbledore's pensieve began to swirl around as if they were being flushed. The glow from the many symbols began to slowly spread down the branching arms of the very symbol Harry now kneeled upon. Harry felt the heat emanating from them just as he was lifted off the floor. His body stiffened and he felt a sharp pain in his chest as if something was ripping at his insides. Harry screamed the pain was too intense, it was like nothing he had ever experienced before he knew that something had gone wrong and he knew he was dying. Visions of those he loved crossed his mind He saw his parents standing with Sirius and Dumbledore waving at him from one side of a small bridge. He turned around and saw the Weasleys and Hermione on the other side of it beckoning him towards them. And then darkness obscured the vision flashes of words and memories belonging to another man penetrated the darkness in intervals. The last thing Harry saw before passing out was a pair of scarlet eyes with slits for pupils.

Cyric watched as Harry's screams died away and his body bent slightly backwards, his head lolling around as if it were barely attached. Then it happened, the sealing was completing itself as a lightning-bolt shaped Cut appeared at the base of Harry's neck and spread off in vine-like branches across his shoulders and down his arms all the way until his wrist. The bright purple glow faded from the room, as did the scarlet leaving only the flickering candles to illuminate the room once more. Harry's body crashed to the floor his eyes wide open and destitute of their pupils. He was still breathing. Cyric took this as a good sign, he bent down and scooped up Harry's limp form and carried him up to his room where he placed Harry upon his bed closed his eyes and with a flick of his wand conjured a comfy looking recliner and took his spot next to Harry's bed hoping that everything would turn out alright.

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