AN: Thanks to all seven reviewers who left me a note. I'm a little put off seeing that 216 people viewed chapter 13 but didn't leave a review. I'll be happy if 10 of people who read my chapter left a review. That would make my day happier. And make me write faster. Lucky for my plot bunny, this story is almost over. Huzzah. College: one month away, I am going to finish this beast!

Harry Potter and the Snake's Veil

Chapter 14 The Truth Comes Out

The ancient headmaster leaned over in his chair, his fingers coming together at the tips. "So Harry, is there anything else you'd like to tell me?" Dumbledore questioned, sitting at Harry's bedside.

"I have told you time and again old fool, get away from me. You sicken the air I breathe. The Dark Lord will win and you are hopeless to stop it."

Dumbledore sighed, patient with the teen he no longer knew. He turned the figure standing a few steps behind him. "Severus, I'm going to need you to make sure Harry won't move."

"Traitor. Worthless piece of filth."

Ignoring his taunts, Snape went to the other side of Harry and placed his hands where Dumbledore instructed. Then, Dumbledore placed one hand on top of Harry's head, and began murmuring under his breath. Harry convulsed, Snape continued to hold him down, and Dumbledore went on with the spell as if noting had transpired. Then, as if shocked, Dumbledore stumbled back and had to sit on the bed neighboring Harry's. An oldness crept into his eyes.

"Headmaster," Snape questioned, removing his hands from the limp Harry, "are you alright?" He walked over to the headmaster.

"We're losing him," he mumbled, more to himself than anyone in the room. Dumbledore looked up at Snape. "I had hoped what you told me wasn't true Severus. His soul is tattered." He paused. "You said you started Harry on an antidote?"

"Yes Headmaster, it will kill the snake that's growing inside Potter. If the snake were to grow to maturity, it will leave Harry's body and become an actual serpent, taking along half of Potter's soul. The Dark Lord has already performed this spell on himself. I believe that is what sustained him before he got his body almost two years ago. He calls the snake Nagini."

"Half his soul is already gone. You did not tell me this Severus." Sharp blue analyzed the man before him.

Without skipping a beat, Snape replied, "I, I didn't know about it. There was a period of time that I didn't see Potter. When he reappeared, he became more immersed with our community."

Dumbledore pulled himself up, with the aid of Snape, and returned to Harry's bedside. "Harry, I need you to tell me how you lost your soul. What spell was performed? Where is it now?"

The aftershock Harry had received from the spell wore off. He laughed, sending shivers down Snape; he had heard that laugh before. Harry continued, "How does it feel to know you did something wrong Dumbledore? You lost your precious Potter and now I remain, me, the heir to the Dark Lord."

Dumbledore turned to Snape, "This is going to get us no where. We need to talk to the other Harry. Do you know what triggers his return?"

"He's dead. He's not coming back. You lost him Dumbledore."

Snape shook his head, pondering. It was too dangerous to bring Harry's friends in with the state Potter was in. "Black."

"Blood traitor. Ruined his family line."

Dumbledore looked quizzically at the potions master. "But Severus, Sirius is…"

"Where…where is he?" Amazed, they turned to Harry, whose lip was trembling. "I want Sirius here."

Snape stepped in before the headmaster could finish his sentence, "Potter, we need you to tell us what happened to your soul. Then, we will tell you about Sirius."

Harry let out a shaky sigh. "The Dark Lord read from a book. The dead arose. I-they trained me. They're holding my soul."

Snape cursed slightly. Dumbledore looked at him. "The Masters," he murmured. "How long were you with them Potter?"

Harry turned his head. "Three years."

With the inquiring look from Dumbledore, Snape began to explain, "It's Dark Magic lore that Thoth founded the path to immortality via the dead. It is said he awoken the Masters, named so because they were supposedly the leaders of certain magical categories. Not much else is known about them since most believe it's a story."

Dumbledore continued, "Well, let us focus on saving what we can." Snape nodded getting the antidote from where he left them for Madam Pomfrey.

"Where's Sirius?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "Harry, you were there, Bellatrix Lestrange pushed Sirius into the veil. He's gone."

Harry's eyebrows knitted together, "No, no he's alive – I felt him – the Dark Lord…"

Returning from the cabinet, Snape cut in, "It was a Disillusionment Potion. He made you see what he wanted you to see. You've been off the potion for some time now; I believe it has finally flushed out of your system. That is why you no longer feel his presence."

"No… no, SIRIUS!" Harry yelled, waiting for Sirius to come; he had to come. When Harry heard nothing, he shook with silent sobs. Through the tears, Harry said, "I need to go to the veil – there's still time – I can save him." He struggled to sit upright, but the straps held him tight. "You have to let me save him…"

"Harry, I know it was hard for you to lose your godfather and now you feel as if you lost him again, but I cannot allow you to leave until you no longer pose a risk to any of my staff or students. I am truly sorry for your lose." He turned to Snape, nodding at him to continue with the antidote.

"You're not sorry because you never got me out of that hellhole. You kept me away from my friends." Dumbledore stiffened. Harry continued, "I need to get to the veil while there's still time – I have to save him, he's not dead yet."

Dumbledore sighed, "Now Harry, I'm quite disappointed how much you allowed Voldemort to poison your mind." Harry flinched at hearing Voldemort's name. "I have told you, there is no spell that awakens the dead."

"You're too afraid to use it," Harry sneered. His anger was rising; he was losing himself. "The Dark Lord has power you only dream of possessing."

"That's enough! I will have no more of this. I am quite done talking with you," Dumbledore retorted, turning away.

Harry's face softened. "He brought back Hermione."

Dumbledore turned on his heel and looked at Snape, "You never told me he took other prisoners."

"He didn't Headmaster. I assure you Granger never left this castle since she arrived."

"No," came Harry's strangled cry, "the Dark Lord captured Hermione and Ron – he…"

"What did you tell him?" Dumbledore cut in, his eyes sharp. Harry opened his mouth to ramble but Dumbledore repeated, "What did you tell him?"

Harry turned his head, so he couldn't feel their eyes boring into him. Very softly, he replied, "I told him the prophecy."

Dumbledore closed his eyes. "I guess you weren't ready to know it." He turned and walked away.

Snape approached the bed. "Potter you need to take your potion."

"Kill me. Please just stab me through the heart. When the other half of my soul comes back, just chop off my head. Please, just kill me."

&&&

Harry shivered slightly in his bed. He could feel the snake inside him looking for warmth, sapping him of his strength.

He had to get to that veil. There was still time. Harry began drawing his magic energy toward him, concentrating; the straps holding him down snapped back, freeing him.

Harry pulled himself up and swung his legs off the bed. He paused, listening for voices: Pomfrey was in her office and Dumbledore and Snape hadn't arrived yet for their daily visits. Listening intently, Harry heard their footsteps a few corridors down. They were on their way. He had to leave.

Grabbing the cloak off the chair beside the door, Harry left the Hospital Wing without a sound. He headed to the nearest fireplace with Floo Powder.

Meanwhile, Snape and Dumbledore entered the hospital and proceeded to Harry's bed. They received quite a shock seeing an empty bed before them.

"Poppy," Dumbledore called out, "are you alright?" He hoped Harry didn't injure the nurse in his attempts to leave.

The nurse walked out of her office, wringing her hands on her apron. "Just dandy, Headmaster…"

"Where's Harry?"

She walked over and her face immediately turned ashen white. "He was so weak Headmaster, it would've been too risky to…"

Before she could finish her explanation, both Snape and Dumbledore had turned and fled the room, muttering locator spells to locate the wayward wizard.

Harry smirked as he forced open an empty office; it had been so easy to make the nurse believe he was weaker than he was. Still, the walk had tired him greatly as he leaned up against the doorframe. He was so cold. He paused, hearing two steps of footsteps running in his direction. They were quicker than he thought.

Harry dashed into the room, closing the door behind him. The fireplace erupted into flames. He grabbed a pinch of Floo Powder, threw it into the fire, and announced, "Ministry of Magic, London" just as the door opened. Harry stepped into the fire, tucking in his elbows.

He stumbled out of the fireplace and pulled himself up. He allowed his magical bearings to catch up before continuing down the Atrium to the elevators.

The wizard at the front desk sat up in his seat at Harry's approach. "Excuse me lad, but all guests need to register their wand with me first."

Harry whipped out his hand, sending the security wizard flipping over his seat. Chuckling, Harry remarked, "I need no wand."

A team of the Magical Law Enforcement fresh from duty, who had witnessed the attack, came over, their wands raised. Harry stunned them all with another sweep of his hand. The Floo Network had warmed him, he felt his strength renewed. The snake stirred contently inside him.

Alarms began going off everywhere as Harry entered an empty lift. He pressed the number nine and smelled Dumbledore and Snape in the distance as the lift began its descent.

The shaft stopped and the golden grilles slid open. The cool voice finally announced, "Department of Mysteries" as Harry stepped out and headed down the corridor. The black door sprung open in his arrival. The alarms continued to blare. Once he stepped through the threshold, the jarring noise was muffled.

The large circular room lit up in blue flames, casting him in an eerie light. It reflected off his pale skin giving the impression that he was a ghost. The black door behind him slam shut and immediately the room began revolving around; Harry flicked out his hand and the room stopped, a door opening. Harry made his way inside as the black door opened.

Harry carefully hopped down the steps to the dais. The whisperings started up, calling to him. Harry clamored onto the raised platform, facing the veil.

"Harry!" Dumbledore and Snape had arrived and were hurrying down the stone steps.

Concentrating on Parseltongue, Harry spoke to the veil, "Awake, Guardian of the Veil from your long slumber." The markings had appeared and Harry heard Snape and Dumbledore stop.

"Who dares speak to us?" The whispers were becoming excited as if they were all chattering to themselves.

"Harry Potter."

The whispers grew louder. "Silence!" The room became quiet as the disembodied voice continued, "So Harry Potter, who are you to think you are worthy to awaken me? You: a pitiful lowly half-blood who hasn't even reached maturity in this dimension."

Harry's eyes flashed open. "I am the heir to Salazar Sytherin and I demand you to obey me."

The whispers began murmuring so as not to anger the guardian again. The voice took some time before answering him, "You have no blood relation to the great Salazar. You dare lie to me."

A wind whipped by Harry, pushing him toward the tattered veil. Harry glared at the arch, "I am the new heir to the Slytherin name as designated by the Dark Lord himself."

The guardian paused again. Harry felt as if he was being analyzed by some unseen force. "You speak the truth Harry Potter, heir to Salazar Sytherin. Whom do you wish to summon?"

"Sirius Black."

"Very well." The veil fluttered before a figure stumbled out of it. The markings faded and the veil remained as foreboding as before.

"You'll have to do better than that Bella…" Sirius faltered as Harry lunged himself at him; sobbing into his cloak. "Harry?" Sirius looked down his godson before slowly returning the hug. Meanwhile, Sirius's gray eyes roved around the large room in bewilderment.

The door slammed open as two Death Eaters sprinted into the room. Harry pulled himself away from his godfather and turned to the two intruders, his yellow eyes flashing.

"Potter, we knew you'd try to save Black. You're so gullible," one of them quipped as they both raised their wands.

"Oh, I don't think so," Harry retorted.

They made the mistake of meeting Harry's gaze. It would be the last one they ever made, as both fell to the floor dead.

Snape ran up the stone steps to the two, confirming to the others of what had occurred.

Dumbledore turned to Harry, his gaze at Harry's left ear, "What did you do to them?"

Sirius interrupted, "Whoa, whoa; what the bloody hell is going on?"

"Headmaster, we have company," Snape observed, looking past the doorframe.

Dumbledore pulled out a box of lemon drops. "Portus." The box glowed blue. "Hurry around." Snape left the two dead Death Eaters and hurried back down the steps. Sirius wandered to the edge of the dais. The only person who hadn't moved was Harry, who was staring at the bodies. "Harry, we need to leave." Harry still didn't budge. "Harry!"

Harry blinked suddenly as if remembering who he was here with. He allowed Sirius to lead him off the stone dais and over to the group. The whispers whirled around Harry, beckoning him to stay. Smiling that Sirius was back, Harry touched the Portkey. The four went streaming back to Hogwarts as a team of Aurors entered the Death Chamber.

-Anaticulapraecantrix, 2006