Fragmented fate
Chapter 10
In previous chapter: Harry became frustrated with lack of progress and decided to meet Riddle. He got to know that Dumbledore was his magical guardian and Riddle had tried to prevent his placement in the muggle world. This information left him feeling perplexed. On Halloween day he saw Riddle with the ring which gave him a new lead.
Remus Lupin was a pessimistic man who had given up all the hope long time ago. He had learned by a hard way that there was no redemption in this cursed life. There was nothing he could do to change it. He just had to tolerate this bleak existence. The last war was worst for his kind. It had surely taken its toll.
Hence here he was, sitting in the dark corner this dingy club, trying to be invisible. His kind was unwelcome everywhere.
He tried to muffle coughing fit, unwilling to draw attention to himself and rubbed his tired eyes.
It shouldn't have taken this much efforts to remain indistinct in the place like this. It was always filled with shady figures, sharing mutual desire for secrecy and silence.
But today was different. Celebration and festive mood of people had even affected this dark, silent place. Wizarding world was celebrating the end of war... The war whose dark shadows were still lingering and haunting some unfortunate souls. For them, this day had been marked as beginning of the end...The day on which Remus had lost everything.
He had never understood when and exactly how it had all gone wrong... how their happy lives got shattered. One by one he lost his only friends to this cruel war. The last one had been dear Lily.
He closed his eyes and tried to dispel his melancholic thoughts. There was nothing to reminisce about.
He picked up a well worn parchment lying on the table and contemplated his course of action. He had read this letter countless times but still he couldn't believe it. It was utterly impossible. There were so many questions.
'How did he know about me? Does Dumbledore... '
Remus stopped that line of thoughts ruthlessly.
'This could be trap but if... ', he was too afraid to hope.
Well, as it was said before, Remus Lupin was a pessimistic man who had nothing to loss and precisely for this reason, that night he had decided to take a chance. A chance which could very well cost him his life.
As his thumb lightly traced the name of sender, fleeting smile graced his haggard face.
'It will be worth it.'
It was nearly after a week from the Halloween feast that Harry finally got the much needed opportunity to implement his plans.
Dumbledore had announced that there would not be any classes of DADA and Potions for two days as both the Professors were going to attend some international potion conference from Thursday.
Harry had rejoiced with other students although his reasons were different altogether.
This last week was filled with anxious excitement and anticipation. Harry had formed various contingency plans. He had not seen the ring after that day but the chances were high that it was still in Hogwarts.
There was another good thing that happened... he had formed a tentative friendship with Neville. It had happened quite suddenly without any efforts from his part.
They were paired for Herbology and Neville had shown curiosity about his library visits. When Harry explained his reasons, he even volunteered to provide more information about his parents.
"She was my godmother, Potter."
Neville had informed him sagely when Harry mentioned his parents.
Harry had not aware of that, but it did provide a safe foundation for his further plans.
They had started meetings in library, discussing their family and parents.
Conversation with Neville confirmed Harry's findings. Neville's parents were murdered on Halloween night by Dark lord. When he tried to kill Neville, something happened and rebounded killing curse killed Dark lord.
The interesting fact was that the Neville's family had never gone into hiding.
Neville said his family had been in danger for some reason and requested 'ministry protection'. They had relied on older and restrengthened wards of their manor. When attack came four aurors along with his parents brutally killed. His grandmother was absent that day as she had been visiting their distance relative and because of that she survived.
Lily Potter was murdered three weeks before this attack.
Harry had been trying to piece together all these facts. Neville's knowledge was really helping him to fill out gaps.
Neville's usual friend circle was not happy with his friendship with Gryffindore. But by the weekend even Malfoy had learned to tolerate Boy who lived's new friend.
The luck was finally with him. This new change would help him to get much needed inside information.
All in all he was happy with the circumstances. He was going to carry out his plan at the earliest opportunity available.
Unfortunately as they say about the best led plans... When Harry was busy in planning, someone had already decided his final move.
He was staring intently at the board.
The Game was at stalemate. He was playing it alone... against himself.
Nothing can be done about that but the game had to end, right?
A cruel smile formed on his face.
His nemesis had made great mistake when he wore that ring.
" A grave error in judgement!"
With a mirthless laugh, he lazily picked the white king and loosened his grip... the king silently tumbled to the ground and all his pawns remained oblivious to his fate.
Sometimes you have to break the rules to break the impasse... Especially when you are the rule maker.
"Check mate, Tom Morvolo Riddle! You lost."
A/N: Hi guys, sorry for delay and short chapter but it needed to end here because next sequence is quite lengthy.
R &R