you're so content destroying everyone
it's like there's no one
who will talk back to you
stop sucking up all of the atmosphere
don't take a breath until you think this over
i want to redefine your happiness
i'll take away the hate and spill it over
it's time to wake up from your dream state
it is impossible for you to stop me

February 11, 2019 11PM, Saturday

It wasn't difficult to find a way into Hogwarts. A quick letter to Dumbledore gained us an invitation. Staying out of sight wasn't a problem. The students had all been sent home. For the first time in its history the castle was closed to all but essential staff. Apparently that meant Dumbledore, Snape and Poppy, everyone else was told to go home until the danger had passed. Officially they did return to their homes but unofficially they, their families and all other members of the Order of the Phoenix were staying at the castle.

"I was very surprised to receive your letter," Dumbledore admitted as he met us at the front gate. "It's very dangerous for you to be here."

I offered him a small grin. "If you think it's dangerous for me, just wait until you see who I brought with me." His eyes widened in shock as he looked over my shoulder.

Directly behind me stood Draco, Khalida and Charles Smith and behind them was a huge mass of black. Over a hundred vampires, their heads bowed respectfully, waited patiently to enter the castle. Dumbledore opened his mouth to say something but stopped before any words could come out.

"I assume my friends are welcome here," I stated warningly.

Dumbledore cocked his head to the side as if listening to a whisper in his ear. A second later he nodded his head. "Of course, please come in."

Motioning to the rest of the group I followed the old man through the gate and onto the castle grounds. I stood there waiting for everyone to come through, feeling the consciousness of Hogwarts reaching out to me, calling to me. The gates banged shut as the last vampire entered and the sound seemed to echo inside my head. Surprisingly enough it wasn't a bad sound. It was like returning home without realizing you'd ever left.

February 12, 2019 8AM, Sunday

Draco paced back and forth in front of me. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he questioned fearfully. "What if you can't come back? What if you and Harry get stuck in there?"

"We won't," I replied, a hint of doubt in my voice. I cleared my throat and attempted to shake off my nervousness.

We were alone in the hallway. Neither one of us had told the others that I planned to enter the Room of Requirement so early in the morning. He stopped pacing and took hold of my hands. Gently he held my palms to his heart.

"Don't forget that someone's waiting for you out here," he said, voice shaking painfully. "It may be great in there with Harry but don't forget that I'm out here waiting."

I looked deeply into his ice blue eyes. "I won't forget," I replied sincerely. Leaning over I softly touched his lips to mine. Before I could pull away he drew me closer, grabbing me fiercely in his arms. "I have to go," I said regretfully, "But I'll be back."

"I know you will," he whispered in my ear causing me to shiver all over.

For a moment I thought about changing my mind. I knew I could do that. There could be another solution out there somewhere, one that we hadn't found yet. But with so many questions unanswered, could I take that chance? My shoulders drooped in resignation and I opened the door. A black void stared back at me but I wasn't surprised.

"Here goes nothing," I muttered, taking a step forward.

Snow blasted away at my face as the door slammed shut behind me. It was cold and white, a blizzard. With the blowing wind and thunderous noise it was like being trapped in the middle of a tornado. I squinted, trying to make out anything through the tempest but it appeared that only a great void lay ahead of me, so I began to walk.

Looking down at myself I wondered when the thick brown winter coat had appeared. A wool hat was pulled over my ears and my hands were protected by thick, black leather gloves. A long black scarf flew toward me and I reached out to pluck it deftly from the chilly air. It seemed alive in my hands. A moment later it crawled its way up my arm to wrap around my neck.

"Hello!" I screamed as loudly as possible. "Is anyone here?" My words were swept away so fast that I never heard them before they were lost in the wind.

A haunting voice whispered past my ear. "You came alone." It was obviously a statement not a question but I answered anyway.

"Of course," I replied as defiantly as I could with snow blowing into my mouth, "I wasn't about to put anyone else in danger."

There was a short pause and then a low chuckle. "You are so very much like me."

"Dad!" I shouted into the wind, "Dad, is that you?"

"Perhaps," the voice whispered ruefully. "Perhaps not."

"Please stop playing games. I need your help." A chill ran down my spine as a thought suddenly struck me. "Where's Abra?"

"Abra Cadabra? I'm afraid she's gone away at the moment. I banished her from this place. This is my place, my world…my home."

I stopped and stared into the white void. "But you're in her aren't you? She's Hogwarts and we're still in Hogwarts."

A strong hand gripped my shoulder and instantly the storm was gone. The snow paused in mid-air and the world became a painting which quickly cracked and tumbled away. Then there was only silence except for the beating of my heart and air rolling in and out of my lungs. The one behind me didn't make a sound.

"Why did you do it?" I questioned, hoping for an answer that I knew in my heart would never come. "Why did you leave me?" My question was answered with a question.

"Did I?" my father asked. I remained facing forward, too frightened to turn around. "Did I leave you? Did I do anything at all?"

"Of course!" I exclaimed, "You tried to kill yourself."

"Did I really? Then why am I still here?"

Thoughts banged around in my mind like little bumper cars until everything I wanted to say was jumbled and skewed. "I don't…you…but it…"

"It's okay." The hand squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. "You've done nothing wrong."

"Father," I mumbled tiredly, turning around to embrace him.

The light hit me first and I fell to my knees, shielding my eyes the best I could. It was like nothing I'd ever see before. A light burning brighter and whiter then the sun, there was no heat yet my eyes burned. My only thought was, this being is not…cannot be my father. I suddenly felt unclean and dirty as if every bad thing, every sin, and every regret was ripped from my memories and bared to the world.

Tears began running down my cheeks. I wiped them away with my fingers, noticing that they were warm to the touch. Looking down at my hands I was shocked to see them covered with a sticky black liquid.

"What is this? What are you? Where's my father?"

"Your tears are dark due to the darkness in your soul. Your father is here but even if you found him I'm afraid he would not know you. His memories continue to move forward but he still has far to go."

Staring into the light I could make out what looked like the outline of a large man. "You didn't answer my other question. What are you?" The light seemed to dim and the dark figure stepped closer. I still couldn't make out anything but at least the light no longer burned my eyes.

"I am a creature from a lost age. A being who doesn't belong in your world but I cannot leave. At least…I can't leave things as they are now."

Images began to flash through my mind. Snapshots of a world long ago, monsters, kingdoms and gods. "You're him aren't you? You're Gilgamesh."

What sounded like a sigh escaped the man. "The gods have left this world, moving onto worlds where they are still worshipped and revered. I, a lowly half-god, have stayed behind to finish what was started so many years ago. I look upon what horror my selfishness has caused and I curse my own name."

"Then why don't you do something about it?" I questioned in an annoyed tone. "You're half-god, surely if anyone can stop this madness it's you."

"And I would have!" the man snarled angrily causing me to shrink back in fear. "But he stopped me. I could have destroyed Enkidu! O Enkidu my friend, what has become of you?" Gilgamesh wailed the name as if the sound of it broke his heart.

"Who stopped you?" I asked, my voice trembling nervously.

"Harry Potter," Gilgamesh replied hauntingly. The dark figure's eyes opened slowly revealing bright green orbs. "I could have obliterated Enkidu, erasing him from this world for all time."

"But he's immortal isn't he?"

"Immortal yes, but that doesn't mean he can't be killed. If I destroy him he will reach for a soul to save him." The light began to pulse slowly. "I will offer him my soul."

I gave him a questioning look and rose to my feet. "Won't you die if you do that?"

The dark figure nodded. "I will drag Enkidu and the one known as Voldemort to the underworld where Erragal can do what he wishes with us."

"Erragal?"

"God of the underworld," he explained. Gilgamesh turned his head upward. "It's been so long since I've seen the sun, moon or stars. I long for Harry Potter to wake and take me from this place."

"Why did Enkidu survive so long? Why didn't you destroy him earlier through one of my father's ancestors?"

"I've been waiting," he stated pointedly, "Waiting for one who was the opposite of what I had been. One that would never abuse the power bestowed to him. Your father is brave, resourceful, selfless and so full of kindness that it would put the holiest man to shame. He and I are so different. Unfortunately that difference is what stopped me from destroying Voldemort and Enkidu once and for all. If I would have known that he was to create you, then I would have waited longer."

"It wouldn't have happened of course," Gilgamesh continued, "If I wouldn't have changed your father's fate then he would have never become the man that he is today and he would have never created a being such as you. The darkness in your soul…it could destroy the world if put to good use."

"I don't want to destroy the world!" I exclaimed. "I just want my father back."

Gilgamesh chuckled. "This I know, but you would destroy the universe to save Harry Potter. Love was not Harry Potter's greatest weapon, his greatest weapon is you. Love is not flowers and rainbows; it is a crushing feeling of utter uncontrollability. You are like a demon of chaos; your love knows no bounds, no fear, and no limits. You would crush a country to save someone you love. Harry Potter is the same way but he allows other emotions to hold him back. You allow emotion to consume you. Your love is like a fire encompassing everything in its path."

"Shut up!" I screamed angrily, "Shut up! Shut up!"

"Do not be angry at me because I speak the truth," Gilgamesh replied calmly, ignoring my tirade.

"I want my father!" I shouted tearfully into the void surrounding me, "I want my father! Dad, where are you?!"

The dark figure took a step toward me, reaching out as if he intended to hold me. A cold chill ran down my spine as his eyes met mine and fear overtook me. Without a second though I turned and ran. I had no idea where I was going and there was nothing ahead of me except gray. The urge to find my father was overpowering.

"Father!" I yelled until my throat was sore and then I continued to call out even though my voice had disappeared.

The air in my lungs escaped me as I hit something hard. "Watch where you're going," a voice snarled.

Opening my eyes I found myself in a different world. Soft grass lay underneath me and a hot sun was in the sky above. Looking to my right I could see a house that I recognized immediately. It was 4 Privet Drive and in a second floor window was a child size version of my father. He stared down at me curiously and gave a little wave. I waved back.