::32::
They disappeared almost as suddenly as they came, called back by some unheard order. The Death Eaters were the first to leave, followed by the Oto ninja. The Snatchers were the last to leave, but only after they looked around in confusion at everyone else before finally figuring out they should follow suit.
The castle erupted into cheers after that, but Ron and Sai weren't smiling.
"Do you reckon they actually gave up?" Neville Longbottom asked. He was breathless and his robes were stained something terrible, but at least he was alive and well.
Ron shook his head. His right arm was now dangling uselessly by his side, covered in blood. "Not by a long shot."
Sai had to agree. Were they called back to lure them into a false sense of security? Would they strike again once it appeared the Hogwarts inhabitants had given up any notion they would return? Sai couldn't say for sure, only that they couldn't let their guard down.
Professor McGonagall was the first to step up and take charge. Most of her greying hair had escaped its bun, but she still looked as battle ready as ever with hardly a scratch on her. How did the woman do it? She pointed her wand at her throat as she stood atop the dais.
"We don't know how long they will be gone for, but mark my words they will be returning." Said McGonagall gravely. "So we must not waste any time. Any injured persons should be assembled here immediately to seek treatment from Madam Pomfrey."
An aging witch dressed in nursing robes with a shawl thrown around her shoulders nodded and began herding the injured toward her, transfiguring the house tables into pallets that the injured could lie on.
"We will also collect our fallen comrades here." Said McGonagall, her tone slightly subdued.
Kakashi felt like he was part of a funeral procession as he made his way inside the castle to the Great Hall. It was lucky enough that no one spared him a glance as teachers ran around, refortifying entrances and clearing out debris while students huddled together in groups, some limping toward the Great Hall and others crying as they bent over fallen friends.
Kakashi tried to keep his eyes off the faces of the fallen as he walked by, but sometimes he couldn't help it. For the most part though, he didn't come across any that he recognized.
He braced himself as he entered the Great Hall. It wasn't long before he spotted the Weasleys, smashed together somewhere in the middle of the Hall. Fred and George were missing, but Mrs. Weasley was pressing young Ginny to her, tears running down her face. Mr. Weasley seemed less concerned, but his hand was clutching Mrs. Weasley's shoulder like a life line. Sitting on a pallet on the ground, Ron and Sai were sitting shoulder to shoulder. Sai looked to be tearing at Ron's sleeve while Ron winced in pain.
Kakashi approached them slowly and when Mr. Weasley finally caught sight of him, his face turned as white as a sheet. Ginny broke away from her mother and covered her mouth with both hands, backing away from her mother before stumbling onto the pallet with her brother.
Mrs. Weasley's eyes welled up with tears. "No…" She murmured. "No…"
Kakashi felt like a pariah. Thankfully Sai jumped up, pulling over two pallets to the one beside theirs. He didn't say anything as Kakashi carefully laid Tonks body on the first while his kage bunshin pulled Lupin from off his shoulder and set him down on the last pallet before disappearing. Then again, Kakashi didn't expect Sai to say or do anything.
Mrs. Weasley let out a loud cry before turning toward Mr. Weasley. Wordlessly, he pulled her into his arms, turning her away from Lupin and Tonks as she cried. Tears were falling from Ginny's red eyes, but she refused to look away from the dead couple and she didn't so much as sniffle.
"I should have stopped her…" Ginny mumbled. "When Tonks and I came through the passageway, I should have stopped her…"
"You couldn't have known." Said Ron, loudly, angrily. His hands were balled into fists.
"No," Ginny said, shaking her head as her chin trembled, "But I should have stopped her anyway! I was too concerned with fighting and now…"
Kakashi didn't think things could get any worse, but then a tall red head picked his way through the crowd before them. There was someone on his back and when Mr. Weasley saw who it was he gave a horrified shout which sent Mrs. Weasley into a fresh round of hysterics.
Ginny bolted to her feet as the red headed boy conjured another empty pallet and laid another body on it.
Fred. Fred Weasley was dead.
Kakashi did his best to drown out the sounds of sorrow, but it was hard. He wanted to leave so he didn't have to see Mr. and Mrs. Weasley break down over the sight of their son's dead body, but he didn't want to be insensitive.
Instead, he sat down beside Sai. On Sai's other side, Ron was breathing heavily and clenching his fists so hard, his knuckles were white. He didn't seem all that surprised at seeing Fred…only angry. Maybe he had been there when it happened. That thought only made Kakashi feel worse; he didn't want to think or imagine how Fred had died. Kakashi put his head down in his hands. He didn't know why he was taking this so hard. So many of his friends had died before, he should have been used to it. Maybe it was this world, maybe being here was making him soft.
"I didn't think it was this hard." Said Sai quietly.
Kakashi lifted his head to look at the ninja beside him. Sai looked different from when Kakashi had last seen him. His skin seemed a tad bit tanner and his hair had grown longer so that his bangs were framing his face. But his eyes…those seemed different as well.
"Excuse me?" Kakashi asked.
Sai gestured with his head toward where the Weasley's were mourning. George had somehow found them and he was now kneeling by his brother's side. He wasn't crying, but his face seemed just as dead as his twin's which made him harder to look at.
"I didn't think it was this hard to watch other people in mourning." Said Sai. "Gives you some perspective on what happens every time you stab someone with a kunai."
Kakashi stared at Sai. "You've just become Ne's worst nightmare." He said after a beat. He didn't want to be insensitive but… "What happened?"
Sai didn't answer.
Harry and Hermione paused at the Hogwarts entrance.
"It's so quiet…" Said Hermione uncertainly. She looked at Harry, her expression worried.
Harry didn't say anything, but the truth was, he felt just as scared as Hermione was. Reaching out, Harry enclosed Hermione's hands with his own and they took their first steps into the castle.
They found their way to the Great Hall and Harry stopped short at the doorway, frozen. Up on the dais, he could make out Madam Pomfrey who had set up some sort of impromptu healing station. She was barking out orders to several of her helpers while a massive crowd waited for medical attention.
The bodies of the dead had been laid out in the center and it was there that Harry dreaded looking. He immediately spotted the Weasley family, all in tears as they grouped around Fred's body. He spotted Kakashi, Ron and Sai there as well and Harry could at least breathe a sigh of relief that his best friend was still ok.
Wordlessly, Hermione dropped Harry's hand as she entered the Great Hall. Harry watched her gingerly pick her way around the deceased before reaching the Weasley's. Ron shot to his feet at her arrival and he pulled Hermione to him, a couple of tears shining at his cheeks. Harry saw Ginny approach Hermione then, her face all blotchy and red and together, they both started crying.
As they moved, Harry caught a glimpse of two other bodies that he hadn't noticed before. Both Lupin and Tonks, side by side.
Suddenly, Harry couldn't breath and he felt as if his chest was being crushed. He quickly pulled the Invisibility Cloak off of him and turned away from the Great Hall. He needed to leave. All those people inside…dead because of him, dead because of his inability to complete Dumbledore's mission…
How was he supposed to join the Weasleys and look into their eyes, knowing that their son died because of him? How could they ever forgive him?
Harry turned and ran.
Harry looked around Dumbledore's office. It was perfect and serene inside; a quiet sanctuary away from the death just down the stairs. It was as if Harry had never left Hogwarts and Dumbledore had never died. All of Dumbledore's trinkets still adorned the desk and the cabinets and as far as Harry could tell, there was not a trace of Snape to be seen.
The portraits of previous Headmasters and Headmistresses were all gone, leaving only empty frames behind. It was likely they had gone elsewhere where they could have a better view. Harry was grateful for it; he didn't think he could bear their eyes on him right now.
Harry dug out the flask of Snape's memories and walked over to the Pensive. He hauled it onto the desk and dumped out the contents, watching as they swirled around. He hung his head over and felt the familiar sensation of his feet leaving the ground.
The initial memories were from Snape's early childhood. Harry hadn't been expecting Snape to reveal his life story to him, but he didn't mind. Snape's memories compared to reality were a relief right now. Sanpe had been just as greasy in childhood as he had been as an adult, but somehow, it was sadder to behold when he wasn't wrapped in his usual air of contempt. Snape was currently spying on two small girls and with a start, Harry realized it was his mother Lily and his Aunt Petunia.
Snape was enamored with Lily. It was apparent the more time they spent together as Snape taught Lily about magic and the wizarding world. It was even more apparent when Lily and Snape entered Hogwarts, how every fiber of Snape's being ignited with jealousy when they spoke about his father James. When it came to the infamous 'Mudblood' memory after the fifth year O.W.L.S, Harry could now understand why Lily had come to Snape's defense. It had been more than Lily simply being a nice person. She had been friends…best friends with Snape. The thought was still shocking to Harry no matter how many memories he went through.
What was even more shocking was finding out that Snape had tried to save him. How he had known Voldermort interpreted the prophecy to mean his mother and how he had begged Dumbledore to save them. Snape's grief filled face one memory later was too much a reminder of Harry's own grief. All this time…Snape had hated him, hated him for being his father's son and yet…and yet he continually risked his life for Dumbledore. All so that his mother's death wouldn't be in vain.
Snape hadn't simply been enamored with Lily. He had loved her.
The memories grew more current. Snape complained to Dumbledore about how he was every bit his father's son and Harry had to crack a smile at that. Was that was made him turn in the end? Did Snape realize that protecting James Potter version 2.0 wasn't worth it?
The scene around Harry shifted again. This time, he was standing in the very same room he was standing in in real life. Only in the memory, Dumbledore himself was slumped in the armchair behind his desk while Snape knelt at his side, wand out. The Sword of Gryffindor was lying on the desk along with Marvolo Gaunt's ring. Upon closer look, Harry found Snape muttering incantations at Dumbledore's hand which was blackened and grizzly looking.
Harry remembered his first memories of seeing Dumbledore's blackened hand; when they had gone to the home of Horace Slughorn to persuade him to teach at Hogwarts. Dumbledore had never explained to him how his hand become like that…
Dumbledore smiled kindly toward Snape. "How long, Severus?" He prodded gently.
By the end, Harry understood. The ring had been cursed – likely because of its use of a Horcrux – and soon Dumbledore would be dead because of it. Harry didn't know how to feel as Dumbledore made Snape promise that he would be the one to kill him in the end. If Snape's true allegiance was to Voldermort, Harry expected that Snape would make no protestations to Dumbledore's request. But Snape had responded sarcastically, his tone only turning to anger when he realized Dumbledore was being serious.
Everything that Harry believed the past year, everything he seemed to have held true…it was all…a lie?
"He's becoming obsessed." The scene shifted again as Snape flung himself down into a large, but threadbare armchair. His eyes were closed and one hand was massaging the bridge of his nose.
The floorboards creaked and Dumbledore loomed out of the darkness. He directed his wand toward the window shutters and they flew open with a snap. Sunlight immediately flooded the room, making Dumbledore's turquois robes almost blinding. Snape let out what sounded suspiciously like a hiss and turned away from the light.
"Must you do that every time, Albus?" He complained. In the sunlight, Harry saw that Snape actually looked a bit peeky. There were dark circles under his eyes and his lip was split.
"You leave this house shut up far too much." Dumbledore said lightly. Harry looked around. He had never been here before and his only assumption could have been that it was Snape's home. Did he still live at Spinner's End? The room looked old, with worn armchairs and dark wood furniture. Snape wasn't much of a decorator.
Dumbledore conjured himself an armchair near Snape's and sat down. Harry looked down at his blackened hand. "Now tell me. What are Voldermort's plans for Harry?"
Snape shook his head, his lank hair swinging back and forth. "It's not Harry he's obsessed with."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly. "Severus?"
"Of course he still seeks Potter." Said Snape, finally pulling his hand away from his face. "But the ninja has intrigued him far more after his stunt at the Ministry. For weeks now he's been ruminating on Mr. Uzumaki's…uniqueness. But in the last few days he's gotten volatile in his search for answers."
Harry startled at the mention of Naruto.
Dumbledore sighed and stood up once more, turning away from Snape. "I had feared that something like this would happen. I had feared that Mr. Uzumaki's…display of power would be too intriguing for Voldermort to pass up."
"The Dark Lord covets power and now he believes that Mr. Uzumaki is yet another instrument that he will be able to use to bend the wizarding world to his feet."
"What has he found out? What have you told him, Severus?" Dumbledore asked.
"What I had to." Said Snape. He stood up and conjured two glasses from the kitchen. He set them down on a small table before he bent down to fish around in a cabinet near the window. He pulled out a bottle of Firewhisky and held it up for Dumbledore's approval. Dumbledore cocked his head as if to say 'why not?'
Snape poured them two glasses before finishing. "The Dark Lord asked me what I knew. I told him that they were foreign exchange students from Japan, but that was only a guise to hide their true nature as ninja hired to protect Harry Potter."
"And that is all?" Dumbledore asked. He accepted the glass from Snape and took a sip.
Snape downed his entire glass in one go. "He asked how you knew of their existence and how they came to Hogwarts, but I told him I did not know. And I don't know, but it is better that way. The less I know the better."
Dumbledore nodded and then turned away, lost in thought.
"You know it won't be long now." Said Snape gravely. "Now that he knows what he is, it won't be long before –"
"Yes," Said Dumbledore, cutting him off. "Yes, I know."
The scene shifted. Darkness was upon them as Dumbledore and Snape strolled across the Hogwarts grounds toward the Forbidden Forest, their pace leisurely. Harry ran to catch up with them.
"You seem quite riled tonight, Severus." Said Dumbledore finally.
Snape took a deep breath. "Quite so, Albus." He paused again before speaking. "He's found a way."
Dumbledore turned to Snape, his blue eyes luminous in the moonlight. "Truly? How?"
Snape shook his head. "I do not know the specifics. I'm not sure if he trusts anyone enough for that. Tonight he sent Lucius through the portal. Punishment, once again I suppose. If Lucius ends up dead, then good riddance. The Dark Lord will only send another in his place."
"I thought I had more time." Said Dumbledore. "It seems I have underestimated Lord Voldermort in this respect. He is a much more adept researcher than I gave him credit for. Or perhaps it is his skill in Legilimency…in any case I will have to send word to Tsunade immediately…" He said, mostly speaking to himself rather than Snape now. "Precautions will have to be taken to hide Mr. Uzumaki…"
"There is still much I don't understand." Said Snape.
"In due time." Said Dumbledore, distractedly, "In due time…"
"Severus?" Dumbledore opened the door hesitantly, looking around inside before he stepped in and shut the door behind him.
Harry looked around as Dumbledore walked farther into the room. They looked to be in the Hogwarts dungeons as there were no windows. Sleek, dark wood furniture decorated the place and there were precise stacks of books and parchment on every surface. With a start, Harry noticed Snape slumped in a hard backed chair that was sitting in front of a lit fireplace. Harry realized that he was standing in Snape's living quarters.
Dumbledore took one look at Snape and then waved his wand, setting about making a hot pot of tea. When the tea was ready, Dumbledore took Snape's cup, pausing for a moment before he conjured a bottle of Firewhisky and poured a liberal amount inside. He offered it to Snape and with some coaxing; Snape finally sat up and took the cup. He took a sip and sputtered as the Firewhisky hit his throat. He shot Dumbledore an aggravated look before setting the cup down.
Snape wiped at his mouth with his hand before pulling forth another chair and gesturing for Dumbledore to join him. "Lucius has returned." Snape said once Dumbledore had taken his seat.
Dumbledore nodded as if this was no surprise to him, but said nothing.
"He did not return alone." Snape continued. Once again, Dumbledore's face betrayed no emotion.
Snape took what seemed like a steadying breath and stood from his seat. "If the Dark Lord is to be seen as the devil, then this man is his serpent; an instrument with which he will bring forth the downfall of the wizarding world."
Dumbledore's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. "Serverus…" He said, his voice wary.
Snape turned to Dumbledore and shook his head. Harry couldn't be certain, but it almost seemed as if Snape was…afraid. "I've never seen anything like it." Snape murmured. "What this man can do…if this is what all ninja are capable of, then I am truly of both awe and horror, Albus."
"Explain it to me slowly, Severus." Dumbledore instructed. "Leave nothing out."
Snape nodded. He downed the rest of his tea before speaking again. "His name is Orochimaru –"
Dumbledore flew from his seat so quickly that even Snape had his wand out and was searching for an intruder. Dumbledore blew out a breath, his blue eyes blazing. "You are sure? Orochimaru is his name?"
"I am." Said Snape, pausing a beat before stowing away his wand back in his robes. "And I presume from your reaction that you are well acquainted with this man. How, Albus? I can no longer remain in the dark about this!"
"It was something I vowed not to speak of." Said Dumbledore, shaking his head. "A vow that I broke last year and it seemed I will now pay the dire consequences for my actions."
Snape's lips thinned into a thin and he strode briskly across the room, pausing before striding back toward Dumbledore. "I watched Amelia Bones die today. And her manner of death was something that I believe would have made even the Longbottom's torture look like a stroll through the park."
"She died by his hands, Albus." Said Snape, his voice trembling. "As a demonstration of intent. If I am to be effective as your spy, then I need to know what you know."
Dumbledore closed his eyes and did not open them for a long while. Then finally, he blew out a long and weary breath. "You are right." He said softly. "You are right." With a wave of his wand, the Pensieve appeared suddenly on Snape's desk.
"I hope you will forgive me for my transgressions." Said Dumbledore, his wand to his temple as he pulled out a long, silvery strand of memory…
The sensation of being in a memory within a memory was very odd for Harry. He felt as if he were nothing more than a specter, something less real than he had been when viewing Snape's memories alone.
"You have finally come to put an end to my terrible rein, have you Albus?"
A younger version of Dumbledore – his hair a little less grey and his robes a little less flashy – stood before Harry and offered his opponent a sad sort of smile. "Under the request of the people, Gellert."
"I'm afraid," Said Grindelwald, pointing his wand at Dumbledore, "That I'll have to kill you today." Grindlewald was no longer the merry faced wizard that Harry saw in his dream all those months ago. His reign of terror had corrupted his beauty.
"I suppose I should very much regret it if you did." Dumbledore replied calmly.
Then with unexpected speed, both shot spells at each other. Their duel was something of which the likes Harry had never seen; both terrible and incredible. At one point, Dumbledore's spell collided with Grindlewald's resulting in a deafening boom. Dumbledore and Grindlewald both gripped their wands tighter, as the force of their dueling spells threatened to destroy them. It reminded Harry of what had happened between him and Voldermort only three years earlier.
"You cannot win this!" Cried Grindelwald. "I have the superior wand!"
Young Dumbledore's eyes flashed with recognition when the spells snapped out of control and hit the air to the side of them, just above their heads.
Dumbledore and Grindlewald froze as they watched the air start to distort and then burn away as one burns paper. As the air burned and crumbled away, four figures fell through the hole and onto the ground.
"What magic is this?" Grindlewald snarled. "Avada Kedavra!"
"No!" Shouted Dumbledore.
But the spell hit nothing. The space where the four figures were was now unoccupied. Mystified, Grindlewald looked around.
"Katon: Karyuu Endan!"
Harry's breath hitched at hearing the familiar language as the fire hit the unsuspecting Grindlewald in the wand hand. The wand flew into the air as Grindlewald gave a shout of pain. The wand spiraled into the air and a young Dumbledore reached up, snatching it in midair easily. He looked down at the wand, his breath hitching and his hands trembling.
There was a brief moment when everything seemed frozen, even Grindlewald. And then Grindlewald was down on the ground; the blond woman and a pale man with long black hair kneeling on top of him. They had kunai out and pointed toward Dumbledore who turned and watched as a brunette man walked toward him…
Bathilda Bagshot was laughing. No longer was she a rotting corpse, but was instead a living, breathing woman who looked robust in health and quite modern with her short, loosely waved hair. She was sitting in an armchair by the fireplace. The sitting room would change little in the next fifty years.
"You flatter me, Albus." She said, waving hand toward Dumbledore who merely smiled before taking a sip of his tea. "I'm not the historian that Albus has made me out to be, but all I can say is that never in my findings have I heard about anything like this happening. You can imagine my surprise!"
"On our end as well." Said the man from the battle with Grindlewald. He was lean in build and tanned with short brown hair and a goatee. Although he was younger than Dumbledore, wrinkles were starting to set in around the corners of his eyes.
"The idea of multiple universes existing…" Said Bathilda shaking her head. "It's something for the Department Mysteries, although heavens knows if you'll get any answers from them once they start investigating."
"So we're stuck here then?" Tsunade's tall and slender frame was leaning against the wall next to the fireplace. She was the pinnacle of youth and beauty, but her face was stony and her arms were crossed over her chest.
"She just wants to get back to her lover." Said another ninja playfully. He had a riot of white hair around his face and was sitting on a foot stool next to the brown haired man.
"Shove it Jiraiya, you baka." Tsunade hissed. Her arms tightened over her chest. "There is a war going on, you know."
Jiraiya made a face at Tsunade as their other teammate who was standing off in the shadows gave a roll of his eyes. Even in youth, there was a snake like quality to the boy that made Harry know he was looking at Orochimaru.
"Don't be so negative, girl." Said Bathilda playfully, "This is an unprecedented opportunity that we should take advantage of." She looked between Dumbledore and the brown haired man. "…A time to…exchange information before we find a way to reopen the portal."
"You aren't in here to pester me again, are you?" Aberforth was wiping down the counter by hand when Dumbledore walked in. Despite it being daylight outside, the inside of the Hog's Head still looked dingy.
"Is that what you think I do?" Dumbledore asked as he approached the counter.
Aberforth grunted. "Or are you here to wallow?"
Dumbledore's eyes looked like flinty steel when he glanced at his brother, but he did not comment.
"Your ninja friend was just in here." Said Aberforth after a moment of silence. "Was in here asking me where he might find some ladies of considerable quality that he could observe. One day he's going to get himself a wallop in the nose, that one." Aberforth shook his head as Dumbledore chuckled.
"Jiraiya is truly something else. Tsunade spends her time in St. Mungo's where Healer Llewellyn says that she one of the most naturally gifted Healers to walk through St. Mungo's doors despite not being a witch. And Orochimaru spends every waking moment studying spell books. But I just can't seem to get Jiraiya interested in anything other than what spells will best allow him to observe the female population undetected." Dumbledore mused.
Aberforth grunted again. "You may want to keep your eye out on that one." He said, his voice dropping an octave.
"Jiraiya?" Dumbledore asked. "Nonsense. The boy doesn't truly mean any harm…"
"Not that one." Said Aberforth. "I meant Orochimaru." He nodded his head toward a corner of the tavern and Dumbledore turned. Sitting in a secluded alcove in the corner, Orochimaru was sitting by himself, his table piled with books. He was pouring over one so intently that his long hair was framing his face like a wall.
"Yesterday it was The Ancient Art of Alchemy. Today it's Secrets of the Darkest Arts." Aberforth's voice was barely above a whisper now. Dumbledore turned back to Aberforth and the younger brother shook his head before picking up his rag once more. "The boy is up to something." He warned. "I would be careful."
"You've done it!" Said the brown haired man incredulously. He stepped back to lean against the edge of Dumbledore's desk and crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his head as if he just couldn't believe it.
"My gosh, Hiruzen, so I have." Said Dumbledore, slightly amused. He waved his wand and there was a poof of smoke as Dumbledore's kage bunshin disappeared.
"Was that an actual kage bunshin?" Said Orochimaru in disbelief, his expression one of guarded disbelief.
Dumbledore and Hiruzen both turned to him, as if just noticing that the young ninja had entered the room. "Orochimaru. Do you need something?" Dumbledore asked, his voice gentle.
Orochimaru bowed his head respectfully. "Sorry to interrupt." He said as his long hair swung in front of his face. "I just wanted to speak with Professor Dumbledore for a moment." He lifted his head, eyes darting between Hiruzen and Dumbledore before landing on Hiruzen. "Privately." He added.
Dumbledore and Hiruzen both exchanged a look before Hiruzen tilted his head as if to say 'why not.' He nodded his head respectfully to Dumbledore and put a hand on Orochimaru's shoulder before exiting Dumbledore's office.
When Hiruzen had gone, Dumbledore offered Orochimaru a smile. "What do you need?" He asked as he sat himself behind his desk and offered Orochimaru an armchair.
Orochimaru hesitantly took it, settling himself into it precisely before he placed a worn, leather bound book on his lap. "I came across something of interest when reading. I was hoping you could elaborate."
"Of course." Said Dumbledore, eyeing the title on the book.
Orochimaru's pale fingers gripped at the edges of the book. "This book mentions something called the Philosopher's Stone, created many centuries ago by a famed alchemist Nicolas Flamel."
"Indeed." Said Dumbledore, raising an eyebrow. "During the Middle Ages, Alchemy was quite a popular interest of study. Although now, I'm afraid interest has since died out. It is a rather hard subject and it takes true time and dedication."
"I'm not interested in Alchemy." Said Orochimaru, almost brusquely. "I…" He paused as if rethinking his words. "I heard that you were familiar with Mr. Flamel and I am…interested in learning more about his Philosopher's Stone. The books do not offer much."
Dumbledore gave a short, half smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as it usually did. "Yes, I did work closely with Mr. Flamel for a time, but I'm afraid to say that I have not seen him since I was a schoolboy! You can imagine that a man of his considerable…age moves around from time to time."
"Yes…" Said Orochimaru, his eyes downward cast and his fingers gripped tightly onto the edge of the book. "Yes I can." He abruptly stood up and bowed his head. "Thank you for your time, Professor."
"Of course, Orochimaru. Anytime." Said Dumbledore as he watched Orochimaru leave…
"What is going on?" Dumbledore demanded sharply as he Apparated into the Three Broomsticks with a crack. He gave a nod toward the barmaid – a prim looking woman with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She nodded to Dumbledore in turn before leaving the room.
Tsunade was standing in white wizarding robes, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked uncertain and Jiraiya's hair was mused from sleep, his expression utterly baffled. Only Hiruzen's expression was grave as he stared at the boy in front of him. Orochimaru bound from head to toe in thick magical ropes as he stood between two men in dark robes, their wands at the ready.
"Someone from Magical Maintenance caught him trying to break into the Office of Vital Wizarding Records." Said one of the men. "We were dispatched from the Auror's Office to capture him, but he resisted arrest."
"Great Kami in Heaven." Said Tsunade, her arms falling to her sides. "What were you thinking?"
"Not only that," Said the other man, "But the man from Magical Maintenance was found dead at the scene. A result of the Killing Curse."
Silence instantly pervaded the area as everyone turned to star at Orochimaru who stared sullenly at the ground. Dumbledore's face had gone paler than usual and Hiruzen had his hands clenched into fists.
"He must have discarded his wand in the pursuit," The Auror continued, "So the death wouldn't be traced back to him, but we will find it in due time. As you know, the use of any of the Unforgivables is a life sentence to Azkaban. He will appear before the Wizengamot in two days. Until then, he will be under Auror supervision."
"Is there no other way?" Asked Jiraiya hastily. He looked between Dumbledore and Hiruzen, as if he expected them to say something in Orochimaru's defense. "He must have had a good reason…"
"If you can prove that he was under the effects of the Imperious Curse and was thus forced to perform the Killing Curse, then the Wizengamot will consider an alternative to Azkaban. You will receive an official summons soon."
The sky was dark as Hiruzen and Dumbledore ran up the crest of a hill. They stopped, looking behind them and were satisfied to see that they were alone. In the distance, Tsunade and Jiraiya were pacing anxiously while Orochimaru stared out into the distance, rubbing at his wrists. When Tsunade and Jiraiya spotted the two older men, they began waving their arms as if urging them to hurry.
"You'll be in a lot of trouble for this." Said Hiruzen.
Dumbledore was silent for a while before he responded. "The Ministry will see it as treason, but if a few Memory Charms is what it takes, then I will do it. You have been a good friend."
Hiruzen shook his head. "It will be more than a few."
Dumbledore waved a hand. "Despite everything, I trust my brother. He will help me keep this secret. Bathilda as well."
Hiruzen sighed. "I can't begin to even thank –" He stopped abruptly before pulling a wand from his robe. He looked at it for a moment before extending it to Dumbledore. "I know you said that it is rightfully mine, but well, it's better off…safer with you."
They both looked off toward Orochimaru before Dumbledore looked down at the wand. "I don't know if I can."
Hiruzen took Dumbledore's hand roughly and placed the wand in his grasp, closing his fingers around it. "I understand why you don't want it. You've told me all about its bloody history. But if it is truly as powerful as you say then I know you will do great good with it."
Dumbledore shook his head, almost looking frightened. "No…not for the greater good…"
"I am giving it to you, Albus." Said Hiruzen with a hard edge in his eyes. "Surely it can understand those orders. I, Hiruzen Sarutobi of the Sarutobi Clan, the Third Hokage of Konohagakure am entrusting you, Albus Dumbledore with this wand. I can't be allowed to bring it back."
"This is madness!" Snape cried as he reeled back from the Pensieve, stumbling over his feet while Harry felt as if he were suddenly slammed back into his own body. "You…!" Snape sank into one of Dumbledore's armchairs and cradled his head in his hands.
Dumbledore seated himself behind his desk and folded his hands over one another as he looked toward Snape, a sad and weary expression on his face. He seemed content to wait for Snape to speak first.
Finally, after a few moments, Snape seemed to collect himself as he righted his posture at stared at Dumbledore. "That wand…" He began.
"Is inconsequential." Said Dumbledore brusquely.
Harry gave a wry grin as Snape pursed his lips but did not pursue the matter farther. "You sent the ninja back before Orochimaru could find the Philosopher's Stone."
"Yes." Said Dumbledore. "After what happened at the Ministry, I suspected what he was after – the location of Nicolas Flamel – and Hiruzen and I decided it would be best for them to return home, before he could continue along this dark path."
"Unfortunately…" Dumbledore sighed, "It appears it did not make a difference. Orochimaru defected from his village some years later only to return and seek revenge in the form of killing Hiruzen."
"But the Philosopher's Stone is gone now." Said Snape, "Perhaps if he were told…"
"And then what?" Dumbledore asked, frowning. "I believe Orochimaru to be as obsessed with power and immortality as Voldermort. He was studious, driven and more adept at learning magic than his teammates if he managed to learn the Killing Curse. I believe that he found the Philosopher's Stone to be an easy way to obtain immortality, but if that were taken away, then I fear what darker methods he would turn toward."
"Then how can we stop them?" Snape asked, shaking his head.
Dumbledore shook his head gently. "That is not your job, nor mine."
"Who, Potter then?" Snape spat.
Dumbledore sighed and Harry was struck by how weary the older man looked. It must have been so tiring, staying three steps ahead of everyone else, so lonely…
"I have done as you have asked. Now you must do something for me."
"More than killing you?" Snape asked sardonically.
"There will be a time, after my death…do not argue, do not interrupt!" Snapped Dumbledore when he saw Snape open his mouth in protest. "When Voldermort will fear the life of his snake."
"Nagini?" Snape asked in confusion.
"When Voldermort stops sending the snake forth to do its bidding, then, I believe it will be safe to tell Harry everything that you saw here. And you will also tell him the night Voldermort tried to kill him, when the curse rebounded, it blasted apart Voldermort's soul and latched onto the only living being in the room. Part of Voldermort lives inside Harry. While that part remains with Harry, Voldermort cannot die." Said Dumbledore.
"So…" Said Snape as if he were piecing together a puzzle, "The boy must die?"
"And Voldermort must do it. That is essential." Explained Dumbledore.
There was a long silence between the two. "I thought all these years…we were supposed to protect him…for Lily…" Said Snape slowly.
Dumbledore closed his eyes. "We have protected him so teach him, to raise him, to let him test his strengths. I know that when he does set out to his death…he will have arranged things so it does truly mean the death of Voldermort."
Dumbledore opened his eyes and Snape looked horrified. "You kept him alive so he could die at the right moment?"
"You don't think Harry would understand? That he wouldn't give himself willingly to everything he has been fighting for?" Asked Dumbledore.
Snape shook his head. "I have spied for you, lied for you, put my life in danger. All of it was to keep her son alive. Now you tell me you have been raising him like a pig for slaughter…"
I am going to die
Harry's mind was in such a turmoil at hearing Dumbledore's words that he was surprised that Snape's memories didn't stop, but that they continued on, as if the revelation of his impending death was just yet another move on the chess board.
I am going to die…
Bingo Book
Undesirable #23
Remus Lupin
Status: Half-blood, werewolf. Known member of the Order of the Phoenix
Family: Lyall Lupin (father) – Half-blood (deceased), Hope Lupin (mother) – Pureblood (deceased)
Security Status: MISSING. Likely on the run – last seen in London. Working on locating him.