Chapter 3

Fight!

As the pain slightly subsided I was able to gather my thoughts. The blackness surrounded me, but I wasn't corporeal. I felt as if I was a mass off something drifting in this darkness. I felt it penetrating into me in some places, surrounding and choking me. As this place was my mindplace I figured I would be in control. Remembering the occlumency lessons (no matter how shit they were, they should be useful for something) and made a grab for my magic, letting it flow through me, tainting everything around me in a dark grey. I could feel myself solidifying and pulled it closer, till I felt like I had limbs again. Looking down on myself I could see my pale skin marred by dark blotches. A grey aura was gently shining through, moving gently like a stream. Where I could see these dark blotches the darkness around me seemed to push into me and the gentle grey felt to move more violently, fighting, trying to survive.

I was horrified at this realization. It seemed the horcrux could have, with time, been able to take my mind over. Damn Dumbledore and his meddling! Someone should have seen to this much earlier! Imagine what could have happened! It could have been me, opening the chamber and ordering the Basilisk to go after students!

After taking a deep breath I felt calmer again. Thank you, Lady Hogwarts. Prodding one of those dark patches I sat down cross-legged. Time to concentrate. I directed my attention to a patch near my left palm, feeling the movement, the struggle rather, of it while fighting off the darkness. Pouring more magic into the grey I was able to build a shield to ward off the darkness and keeping it from entering further into me building the shield had been easy, now I had to force the blackness out. It hurt like hell to force it back through my skin, my very magic hurt as it fought me and finally I did it. I felt tiered after this. This was going to be shit. Spreading the shield further beneath my skin, planning to coat my whole presence with it and fighting the dark patches as I went.

I don't know how long it took me to free my body from the horcruxes influence, but by then I was panting and shivering. I knew it would be hard, but this was much worse than imagined. Controlling my magic and circling it along the shield I tried to ground myself, calm down and gather myself. It took some time before I felt I could continue, and so I build another shield beneath the first all the while pushing the first one out and through my skin. Rolling my shoulders I relaxed a bit. This had been easy. Now I had to try and surround the darkness with my shield...One wouldn't be enough. I build shield after shield and pushed them out to surround me, layer after layer till it felt solid. Then I let tendrils of my magic pass it and search for my mindscapes boundaries. Moving myself to the nearest I let my shield bleed into it. Sinking down to sit against it, I made sure to sent out wave after wave of magic out to push against the foreign soul piece, slowly pushing it back. I took care not to tire myself out too much, so I could hold the shield. Every inch the darkness was pushed back, was space my shield could occupy.

I had to take many breaks in between, because the soul fought back harder the more space I gained. After what felt like years I was able to not only push it back, but surround it with my shield. I had it cornered and knew I had to give it my all to destroy it. Floating there in one place, the horcrux was stronger than if spread thin, and so I meditated to ease my high-strung nerves. I could feel my magical reserves filling faster than ever before, and they seemed larger...

Taking my time to gather strength I thought about what I should do next. I needed a place to stay. Somewhere I could be sure Dumbledore wouldn't search for me would be best. But where? I had to get Sirius out too... Tonks! Her mother would help me! I would have to ask the goblins to contact her for me. Andromeda that is. She was a Black and would be my best bet at helping Sirius. There is no way I would let him suffer any longer in that accursed prison than he already had! What next? The other horcruxes! I had to find a way to destroy them, but there was something niggling in the back of my mind...If I started my new chance of, by hunting the horcruxes, wouldn't I waste this chance at a childhood? Opening my eyes I looked at my hands. On one side I wanted to get it done, on the other I wanted to know what it would feel like to be a normal child, no one special. Frowning I put those thoughts aside and started pressing against the horcrux with renewed vigour and anger. I wouldn't let either Voldemort or Dumbledore influence my like they did! I would be stronger and I would be happy! No one was going to take this from me, especially a piece of soul. Just a tiny part of the whole. I had been able to destroy the diary when I was 12 and Voldemort with 17. With this resolve I drilled my magic into the swirling bubble contained by my shield and tore into the soul, tainting it with my magic for a change. I wouldn't just destroy it, I would take what I could from it and make it mine. No way was I going to pass up on being a parselmouth.

I could hear the soul screeching in pain as it struggled against me, but I was stronger. My will to decide my future for myself, to start anew, to save all I lost and to discover who I could be this time around was stronger than the horcruxes drive to live.

And then it stopped moving, solidified in a vaguely humanoid form before fracturing and shattering. Dissolving till I could no longer feel it. Giving a relived sigh I let my head fall against the wall, closing my eyes again. Never. Again. I felt drained down to my magic and finally let myself succumb to sleep.

Waking up again I raised my head. I was still sitting inside the circle, but the goblins surrounding me were not those I started the ritual with. Frowning I started to move my limbs, only to notice how heavy they felt. Slowly clenching and unclenching my hands I noticed the goblins mustering me with wary eyes. A throat clearing caught my attention and I saw Swiftdraw standing at the entryway with an older looking stern witch. She was clothed in a dark cloak with a furry collar. She was frowning at me, but what caused my mind to blank out was her hat. Or rather the stuffed vulture sitting on her hat. It was all I needed to recognize her. Augusta Longbottom. Grandmother of Neville Longbottom. What was she doing here? Trying to articulate my question I noticed how scratchy my throat felt. Just how long had I been in my mind space? Probably noticing my confusion Swiftdraw started to explain.

"It had been about three weeks since we invoked the ritual. We thought it prudent to inform someone of your situation and as Madam Longbottom here is the Mother in Law of your own Godmother, we chose her. She is here to take you home with her and help your body recuperate. She was informed about your situation and has taken over guardianship for you. As she is neither a fan of Dumbledores nor Voldemorts she is, in our opinion in the perfect position to adopt you. Furthermore, is her heir Neville just a few hours older than you and could pose as your twin."

As he was talking Madam Longbottom was nodding, causing my mind to whirl. Thinking on it, it was a good idea. Whenever Dumbledore noticed Harry disappeared he will be searching in the muggle world first, before searching in the magical. Furthermore, will he be searching for a boy and by posing as Neville's twin (probably born weak or sick and therefore not known to exist by the public) I would fly under his radar. I was wondering why I didn't feel bothered by this tun of events. The choice had been taking from me after all... even if I liked the idea, it should bother me. The thought of a brother was a pleasant one. To have someone to really grow along. Someone who would have my back in Hogwarts. Maybe the chance for family was worth it to have others decide for me?

Madam Longbottom turned to Swiftdraw after I had given my consent, and he motioned for the goblins to break the circle, allowing her to approach me, take my chin and tip a potion down my throat. Grimacing at the taste I suddenly felt a lot more energetic and shaking my hands they felt lighter. Slowly standing up I shook out my limbs. That was one hell of a potion, but I didn't receive an explanation as she was still mustering me. Taking in my appearance I guess. Rightening herself and nodding she gave me a small but curt smile.

"I would like to take you to Longbottom manor before we discuss anything further. As you have been told, my grandson Neville is your age and I dislike leaving him alone for more than a few hours. He seems to dislike being let alone with Algie." She looked thoughtful, before turning to Swiftdraw and asking him to escort them out. Shortly before the entrance hall she turned to me again and with a flick transfigured my clothes into something she deemed proper. Nodding at my new attire we left Gringotts and entered Diagon Ally. The streets were bustling and I took care to stay as close to the woman escorting me as I could. I didn't have had many opportunities to see the Ally as lively as it was now and the contrast to my memories was stark. I would make sure it wouldn't happen again. Without everyone stopping to stare I felt comfortable blending in and moving with the masses. I felt myself relaxing and rotating my head to catch all the differences. I noticed a few shops looked to be smaller than I remembered them being when I first entered last time. As we reached the apparation point Madam Longbottomtook my hand and apparted.